Microsoft Bookshelf 1991/AmericanHeritageDictionary.txt

Text File | 1991-01-01 | 31MB | 387,132 lines

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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



 Ab  n.  Variant of Av.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 abaxial  adj.  Away from the axis.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 ABC art  n.  Minimal art.



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



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



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



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



 abdominous  adj.  Potbellied.



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



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



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



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



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



 abed  adv.  In bed.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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




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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 able-bodied  adj.  Physically strong and healthy.



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



 able seaman  n.  An able-bodied seaman.



 abloom  adj.  In bloom; flowering.



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



 ably  adv.  In an able manner; capably.



 ABM  n.  Antiballistic missile.



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



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



 abnegation  n.  Self-denial.



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



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



 abnormal psychology  n.  Psychopathology.



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



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



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



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

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




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



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



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



 A-bomb  n.  An atomic bomb.



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




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



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



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



 aboral  adj.  Opposite to or away from the mouth.



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



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



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



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



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



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



 abortionist  n.  One who performs abortions.



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



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



 aboulia  n.  Variant of abulia.



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



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

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


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



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



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

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

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



 aboveboard  adv.  -adj. Without deceit or trickery.



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



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



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



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



 abradant  n.  An abrasive.   -adj. Abrasive.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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




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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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




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

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



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

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




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



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



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



 abstractive  adj.  Of or derived by abstraction.



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



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



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



 absurd theater  n.  Theater of the absurd.



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



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



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




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

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




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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 Ac   The symbol for the element actinium.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acanthoid  adj.  Resembling a thorn or spine.



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



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



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



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



 acari  n.  Plural of acarus.



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



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



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



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



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



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




 acarpous  adj.  Botany.  Producing no fruit; sterile.



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



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



 acaudate or acaudal   adj.  Having no tail.



 acaulescent  adj.  Stemless or nearly so.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acceptant  adj.  Accepting willingly.



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



 accepted  adj.  Generally approved, believed, or recognized.



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



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



 accessary  n.  Variant of accessory.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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




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



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



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

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




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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 accommodating  adj.  Helpful and obliging.   accommodatingly adv.



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



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



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



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



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



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

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




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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



 accordingly  adv.  1. Correspondingly. 2. Consequently.



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 accoutre  v.  Chiefly Brit.Variant of accouter.



 accoutrement  n.  Chiefly Brit.Variant of accouterment.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 accusatorial or accusatory   adj.  Containing or implying accusation.



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



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



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



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




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




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

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



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



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



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



 acellular  adj.  Containing no cells.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acet-   Variant of aceto-.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acetone body  n.  A ketone body.



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acetylcholinesterase  n.  Cholinesterase.



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



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



 acetylsalicylic acid  n.  Aspirin.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 achlamydeous  adj.  Botany.  Having no calyx or corolla.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acid cell  n.  A parietal cell of the stomach.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acid rain  n.  Acid precipitation falling as rain.



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



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



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



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



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



 acinar  adj.  Of or pertaining to an acinus.



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



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



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

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




 acknowledged  adj.  Commonly accepted or recognized.



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



 aclinic line  n.  The magnetic equator.



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



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



 acock  adj.  -adv. In a cocked position.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acoustician  n.  A specialist in acoustics.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



 acquired immune deficiency syndrome  n.  AIDS.



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



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



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



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



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



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



 acquittance  n.  A written release from an obligation.



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



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



 acreage  n.  Area of land in acres.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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


                                             &nbs