author
author: n. & v. --n. (fem. authoress.
1 a writer, esp. of books.
2 the originator of an event, a condition, etc. (the author of all my woes). --v.tr. disp. be the author of (a book, the universe, a child, etc.). øøauthorial adj. [ME f. AF autour, OF autor f. L auctor f. augere auct- increase, originate, promote]

alpaca
alpaca: n.
1 a S. American mammal, Lama pacos, related to the llama, with long shaggy hair.
2 the wool from the animal.
3 fabric made from the wool, with or without other fibres. [Sp. f. AymarÁ or Quechua]

adjoin
adjoin: v.tr.
1 be next to and joined with.
2 archaic = ADD 1. [ME f. OF ajoindre, ajoign- f. L adjungere adjunct- (as AD-, jungere join)]

appraisal
appraisal: n. the act or an instance of appraising.

afternoon
afternoon: attrib. n. & int. --n.
1 the time from noon or lunch-time to evening (this afternoon; during the afternoon; afternoon tea).
2 this time spent in a particular way (had a lazy afternoon).
3 a time compared with this, esp. the later part of something (the afternoon of life). --int. = good afternoon (see GOOD adj. 14).

abeyance
abeyance: n. (usu. prec. by in, into) a state of temporary disuse or suspension. øøabeyant adj. [AF abeiance f. OF abeer f. å to + beer f. med.L batare gape]

alone
alone: adj. & adv. --predic.adj.
1 a without others present (they wanted to be alone; the tree stood alone). b without others' help (succeeded alone). c lonely and wretched (felt alone).
2 (often foll. by in) standing by oneself in an opinion etc. (was alone in thinking this). --adv. only, exclusively (you alone can help me). øgo it alone act by oneself without assistance. øøaloneness n. [ME f. ALL + ONE]

artificial
artificial: adj.
1 produced by human art or effort rather than originating naturally (an artificial lake).
2 formed in imitation of something natural (artificial flowers).
3 affected, insincere (an artificial smile). øartificial insemination the injection of semen into the vagina or uterus other than by sexual intercourse. artificial intelligence the application of computers to areas normally regarded as requiring human intelligence. artificial kidney an apparatus that performs the functions of the human kidney (outside the body), when one or both organs are damaged. artificial respiration the restoration or initiation of breathing by manual or mechanical or mouth-to-mouth methods. artificial silk rayon. øøartificiality n. artificially adv. [ME f. OF artificiel or L artificialis (as ARTIFICE, -AL)]

alumnus
alumnus: n. (pl. alumni; fem. alumna, pl. alumnae) a former pupil or student. [L, = nursling, pupil f. alere nourish]

absorption
absorption: n.
1 the process or action of absorbing or being absorbed.
2 disappearance through incorporation into something else.
3 mental engrossment. øøabsorptive adj. [L absorptio (as ABSORB)]

abomasum
abomasum: n. (pl. abomasa) the fourth stomach of a ruminant. [mod.L f. AB- + OMASUM]

adjunct
adjunct: n.
1 (foll. by to, of) a subordinate or incidental thing.
2 an assistant; a subordinate person, esp. one with temporary appointment only.
3 Gram. a word or phrase used to explain or amplify the predicate, subject, etc. øøadjunctive adj. adjunctively adv. [L adjunctus: see ADJOIN]

anthropology
anthropology: n.
1 the study of mankind, esp. of its societies and customs.
2 the study of the structure and evolution of man as an animal. øøanthropological adj. anthropologist n.

antibiotic
antibiotic: n. & adj. Pharm. --n. any of various substances (e.g. penicillin) produced by micro-organisms or made synthetically, that can inhibit or destroy susceptible micro-organisms. --adj. functioning as an antibiotic. [F antibiotique (as ANTI-, Gk biotikos fit for life f. bios life)]

alexia
alexia: n. the inability to see words or to readcaused by a condition of the brain. [mod.L, A-(1) + Gk lexis speech f. legein to speak, confused with L legere to read]

archaic
archaic: adj.
1 a antiquated. b (of a word etc.) no longer in ordinary use, though retained for special purposes.
2 primitive.
3 of an early period of art or culture, esp. the 7th-6th c. BC in Greece. øøarchaically adv. [F archaìque f. Gk arkhaìkos (as ARCHAEAN)]

applicator
applicator: n. a device for applying a substance to a surface, esp. the skin. [APPLICATION + -OR(1)]

analytical
analytical: adj.
1 using analytic methods.
2 Philol. using separate words instead of inflections (cf. SYNTHETIC). øanalytical geometry geometry using coordinates. øøanalytically adv.

already
already: adv.
1 before the time in question (I knew that already).
2 as early or as soon as this (already at the age of six). [ALL adv. + READY]

automation
automation: n.
1 the use of automatic equipment to save mental and manual labour.
2 the automatic control of the manufacture of a product through its successive stages. [irreg. f. AUTOMATIC + -ATION]

association
association: n.
1 a group of people organized for a joint purpose; a society.
2 the act or an instance of associating.
3 fellowship or companionship.
4 a mental connection between ideas.
5 Chem. a loose aggregation of molecules.
6 Ecol. a group of associated plants. øAssociation Football Brit. football played by sides of 11 with a round ball which may not be handled during play except by the goalkeepers. øøassociational adj. [F association or med.L associatio (as ASSOCIATE, -ATION)]

abolitionist
abolitionist: n. one who favours the abolition of a practice or institution, esp. of capital punishment or (formerly) of Negro slavery. øøabolitionism n.

aliment
aliment: n. forma.
1 food.
2 support or mental sustenance. øøalimental adj. [ME f. F aliment or L alimentum f. alere nourish]

angelic
angelic: adj.
1 like or relating to angels.
2 having characteristics attributed to angels, esp. sublime beauty or innocence. øøangelical adj. angelically adv. [ME f. F ang÷lique or LL angelicus f. Gk aggelikos (as ANGEL)]

allegedly
allegedly: adv. as is alleged or said to be the case.

across
across: prep. & adv. --prep.
1 to or on the other side of (walked across the road; lives across the river).
2 from one side to another side of (the cover stretched across the opening; a bridge across the river).
3 at or forming an angle (esp. a right angle) with (deep cuts across his legs). --adv.
1 to or on the other side (ran across; shall soon be across).
2 from one side to another (a blanket stretched across).
3 forming a cross (with cuts across).
4 (of a crossword clue or answer) read horizontally (cannot do nine across). øacross the board general; generally; applying to all. [ME f. OF a croix, en croix, later regarded as f. A(2) + CROSS]

annuity
annuity: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a yearly grant or allowance.
2 an investment of money entitling the investor to a series of equal annual sums.
3 a sum payable in respect of a particular year. [ME f. F annuit÷ f. med.L annuitas -tatis f. L annuus yearly (as ANNUAL)]

abomination
abomination: n.
1 loathing.
2 an odious or degrading habit or act.
3 (often foll. by to) an object of disgust. [ME f. OF (as ABOMINATE)]

abreast
abreast: adv.
1 side by side and facing the same way.
2 a (often foll. by with) up to date. b (foll. by of) well-informed (abreast of all the changes). [ME f. A(2) + BREAST]

agenda
agenda: n.
1 (pl. agendas) a a list of items of business to be considered at a meeting. b a series of things to be done.
2 (as pl.) a items to be considered. b things to be done. °Now very common as a countable noun in sens.
1 (cf. DATA, MEDIA). [L, neut. pl. of gerundive of agere do]

amethyst
amethyst: n. a precious stone of a violet or purple variety of quartz. øøamethystine adj. [ME f. OF ametiste f. L amethystus f. Gk amethustos not drunken, the stone being supposed to prevent intoxication]

architecture
architecture: n.
1 the art or science of designing and constructing buildings.
2 the style of a building as regards design and construction.
3 buildings or other structures collectively. øøarchitectural adj. architecturally adv. [F architecture or L architectura f. architectus ARCHITECT)]

architect
architect: n.
1 a designer who prepares plans for buildings, ships, etc., and supervises their construction.
2 (foll. by of) a person who brings about a specified thing (the architect of his own fortune). [F architecte f. It. architetto, or L architectus f. Gk arkhitekton (as ARCH-, tekton builder)]

abeam
abeam: adv.
1 on a line at right angles to a ship's or an aircraft's length.
2 (foll. by of) opposite the middle of (a ship etc.). [A(2) + BEAM]

auditory
auditory: adj.
1 concerned with hearing.
2 received by the ear. [L auditorius (as AUDITOR, -ORY(2))]

artichoke
artichoke: n.
1 a European plant, Cynara scolymus, allied to the thistle.
2 (in full globe artichoke) the flower-head of the artichoke, the bracts of which have edible bases (see also JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE). [It. articiocco f. Arab. al-karsufa]

alpine
alpine: adj. & n. --adj.
1 a of or relating to high mountains. b growing or found on high mountains.
2 (Alpine) of or relating to the Alps. --n. a plant native or suited to mountain districts. [L Alpinus: see ALP]

antibody
antibody: n. (pl. -ies) any of various blood proteins produced in response to and then counteracting antigens. [transl. of G Antikærper (as ANTI-, Kærper body)]

advanceraspect
aspect: n.
1 a a particular component or feature of a matter (only one aspect of the problem). b a particular way in which a matter may be considered.
2 a a facial expression; a look (a cheerful aspect). b the appearance of a person or thing, esp. as presented to the mind of the viewer (has a frightening aspect).
3 the side of a building or location facing a particular direction (southern aspect).
4 Gram. a verbal category or form expressing inception, duration, or completion.
5 Astrol. the relative position of planets etc. measured by angular distance. øaspect rati.
1 Aeron. the ratio of the span to the mean chord of an aerofoil.
2 Telev. the ratio of picture width to height. øøaspectual adj. (in sense 4). [ME f. L aspectus f. adspicere adspect- look at (as AD-, specere look)]

antisocial
antisocial: adj.
1 opposed or contrary to normal social instincts or practices.
2 not sociable.
3 opposed or harmful to the existing social order.

abrasive
abrasive: adj. & n. --adj.
1 a tending to rub or graze. b capable of polishing by rubbing or grinding.
2 harsh or hurtful in manner. --n. an abrasive substance. [as ABRADE + -IVE]

award
award: v. & n. --v.tr.
1 give or order to be given as a payment, penalty, or prize (awarded him a knighthood; was awarded damages).
2 grant, assign. --n.
1 a payment, penalty, or prize awarded.
2 a judicial decision. øøawarder n. [ME f. AF awarder, ult. f. Gmc: see WARD]

apparent
apparent: adj.
1 readily visible or perceivable.
2 seeming. øapparent horizon see HORIZON 1b. apparent magnitude the magnitude, i.e. brightness, of a celestial body as seen from the earth (opp. absolute magnitude). apparent time solar time (see SOLAR adj.). øøapparently adv. [ME f. OF aparant f. L (as APPEAR)]

afters
afters: n.pl. Brit. colloq. the course following the main course of a meal.

arbitration
arbitration: n. the settlement of a dispute by an arbitrator. [ME f. OF f. L arbitratio -onis (as ARBITER, -ATION)]

anchorman
anchorman: n. (pl. -men.
1 a person who coordinates activities, esp. as compëre in a broadcast.
2 a person who plays a crucial part, esp. at the back of a tug-of-war team or as the last runner in a relay race.

affirmative
affirmative: adj. & n. --adj.
1 affirming; asserting that a thing is so.
2 (of a vote) expressing approval. --n.
1 an affirmative statement, reply, or word.
2 (prec. by the) a positive or affirming position. øaffirmative action esp. US action favouring those who often suffer from discrimination. in the affirmative with affirmative effect; so as to accept or agree to a proposal; yes (the answer was in the affirmative). øøaffirmatively adv. [ME f. OF affirmatif -ive f. LL affirmativus (as AFFIRM)]

anchor
anchor: n. & v. --n.
1 a heavy metal weight used to moor a ship to the sea-bottom or a balloon to the ground.
2 a thing affording stability.
3 a source of confidence. --v.
1 tr. secure (a ship or balloon) by means of an anchor.
2 tr. fix firmly.
3 intr. cast anchor.
4 intr. be moored by means of an anchor. øanchor-plate a heavy piece of timber or metal, e.g. as support for suspension-bridge cables. at anchor moored by means of an anchor. cast (or come to) anchor let the anchor down. weigh anchor take the anchor up. [OE ancor f. L anchora f. Gk agkura]

anagram
anagram: n. a word or phrase formed by transposing the letters of another word or phrase. øøanagrammatic adj. anagrammatical adj. anagrammatize v.tr. (also -ise). [F anagramme or mod.L anagramma f. Gk ANA- + gramma -atos letter: cf. -GRAM]

abscission
abscission: n.
1 the act or an instance of cutting off.
2 Bot. the natural detachment of leaves, branches, flowers, etc. [L abscissio (as ABSCISSA)]

agree
agree: v. (agrees, agreed, agreeing.
1 intr. hold a similar opinion (I agree with you about that; they agreed that it would rain).
2 intr. (often foll. by to, or to + infin.) consent (agreed to the arrangement; agreed to go).
3 intr. (often foll. by with) a become or be in harmony. b suit; be good for (caviar didn't agree with him). c Gram. have the same number, gender, case, or person as.
4 tr. reach agreement about (agreed a price).
5 tr. consent to or approve of (terms, a proposal, etc.).
6 tr. bring (things, esp. accounts) into harmony.
7 intr. (foll. by on) decide by mutual consent (agreed on a compromise). øagree to differ leave a difference of opinion etc. unresolved. be agreed have reached the same opinion. [ME f. OF agreer ult. f. L gratus pleasing]

academic
academic: adj. & n. --adj.
1 a scholarly; to do with learning. b of or relating to a scholarly institution (academic dress).
2 abstract; theoretical; not of practical relevance.
3 Art conventional, over-formal.
4 a of or concerning Plato's philosophy. b sceptical. --n. a teacher or scholar in a university or institute of higher education. øacademic year a period of nearly a year reckoned from the time of the main student intake, usu. from the beginning of the autumn term to the end of the summer term. øøacademically adv. [F acad÷mique or L academicus (as ACADEMY)]

abloom
abloom: predic.adj. blooming; in flower.

approach
approach: v. & n. --v.
1 tr. come near or nearer to (a place or time).
2 intr. come near or nearer in space or time (the hour approaches).
3 tr. make a tentative proposal or suggestion to (approached me about a loan).
4 tr. a be similar in character, quality, etc., to (doesn't approach her for artistic skill). b approximate to (a population approachin.
5 million).
5 tr. attempt to influence or bribe.
6 tr. set about (a task etc.).
7 intr. Golf play an approach shot.
8 intr. Aeron. prepare to land.
9 tr. archaic bring near. --n.
1 an act or means of approaching (made an approach; an approach lined with trees).
2 an approximation (an approach to an apology).
3 a way of dealing with a person or thing (needs a new approach).
4 (usu. in pl.) a sexual advance.
5 Golf a stroke from the fairway to the green.
6 Aeron. the final part of a flight before landing.
7 Bridge a bidding method with a gradual advance to a final contract. øapproach road Brit. a road by which traffic enters a motorway. [ME f. OF aproch(i)er f. eccl.L appropiare draw near (as AD-, propius compar. of prope near)]

advantage
advantage: n. & v. --n.
1 a beneficial feature; a favourable circumstance.
2 benefit, profit (is not to your advantage).
3 (often foll. by over) a better position; superiority in a particular respect.
4 (in lawn tennis) the next point won after deuce. --v.tr.
1 be beneficial or favourable to.
2 further, promote. øhave the advantage of be in a better position in some respect than. take advantage o.
1 make good use of (a favourable circumstance).
2 exploit or outwit (a person), esp. unfairly.
3 euphem. seduce. to advantage in a way which exhibits the merits (was seen to advantage). turn to advantage benefit from. øøadvantageous adj. advantageously adv. [ME f. OF avantage, avantager f. avant in front f. LL abante: see ADVANCE]

absence
absence: n.
1 the state of being away from a place or person.
2 the time or duration of being away.
3 (foll. by of) the non-existence or lack of. øabsence of mind inattentiveness. [ME f. OF f. L absentia (as ABSENT)]

alter
alter: v.
1 tr. & intr. make or become different; change.
2 tr. US & Austral. castrate or spay. øøalterable adj. alteration n. [ME f. OF alterer f. LL alterare f. L alter other]

acropolis
acropolis: n.
1 a citadel or upper fortified part of an ancient Greek city.
2 (Acropolis) the ancient citadel at Athens. [Gk akropolis f. akron summit + polis city]

another
another: adj. & pron. --adj.
1 an additional; one more (have another cake; after another six months).
2 a person like or comparable to (another Callas).
3 a different (quite another matter).
4 some or any other (will not do another man's work). --pron.
1 an additional one (have another).
2 a different one (take this book away and bring me another).
3 some or any other one (I love another).
4 Brit. an unnamed additional party to a legal action (X versus Y and another).
5 (also A. N. Other) a player unnamed or not yet selected. øanother place Brit. the other House of Parliament (used in the Commons to refer to the Lords, and vice versa). such another another of the same sort. [ME f. AN + OTHER]

achievement
achievement: n.
1 something achieved.
2 a the act of achieving. b an instance of this.
3 Psychol. performance in a standardized test.
4 Heraldry a an escutcheon with adjuncts, or bearing, esp. in memory of a distinguished feat. b = HATCHMENT.

arbitrary
arbitrary: adj.
1 based on or derived from uninformed opinion or random choice; capricious.
2 despotic. øøarbitrarily adv. arbitrariness n. [L arbitrarius or F arbitraire (as ARBITER, -ARY(1))]

assign
assign: v. & n. --v.tr.
1 (usu. foll. by to) a allot as a share or responsibility. b appoint to a position, task, etc.
2 fix (a time, place, etc.) for a specific purpose.
3 (foll. by to) ascribe or refer to (a reason, date, etc.) (assigned the manuscript to 1832).
4 (foll. by to) transfer formally (esp. personal property) to (another). --n. a person to whom property or rights are legally transferred. øøassignable adj. assigner n. assignor n. (in sens.
4 of v.). [ME f. OF asi(g)ner f. L assignare mark out to (as AD-, signum sign)]

appeal
appeal: v. & n. --v.
1 intr. make an earnest or formal request; plead (appealed for calm; appealed to us not to leave).
2 intr. (usu. foll. by to) be attractive or of interest; be pleasing.
3 intr. (foll. by to) resort to or cite for support.
4 Law a intr. (often foll. by to) apply (to a higher court) for a reconsideration of the decision of a lower court. b tr. refer to a higher court to review (a case). c intr. (foll. by against) apply to a higher court to reconsider (a verdict or sentence).
5 intr. Cricket call on the umpire for a decision on whether a batsman is out. --n.
1 the act or an instance of appealing.
2 a formal or urgent request for public support, esp. financial, for a cause.
3 Law the referral of a case to a higher court.
4 attractiveness; appealing quality (sex appeal). øøappealer n. [ME f. OF apel, apeler f. L appellare to address]

amphibian
amphibian: adj. & n. --adj.
1 living both on land and in water.
2 Zool. of or relating to the class Amphibia.
3 (of a vehicle) able to operate on land and water. --n.
1 Zool. any vertebrate of the class Amphibia, with a life history of an aquatic gill-breathing larval stage followed by a terrestrial lung-breathing adult stage, including frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.
2 (in general use) a creature living both on land and in water.
3 an amphibian vehicle.

attention
attention: n. & int. --n.
1 the act or faculty of applying one's mind (give me your attention; attract his attention).
2 a consideration (give attention to the problem). b care (give special attention to your handwriting).
3 (in pl.) a ceremonious politeness (he paid his attentions to her). b wooing, courting (she was the subject of his attentions).
4 Mil. an erect attitude of readiness (stand at attention). --int. (in full stand at attention!) an order to assume an attitude of attention. [ME f. L attentio (as ATTEND, -ION)]

aperture
aperture: n.
1 an opening; a gap.
2 a space through which light passes in an optical or photographic instrument, esp. a variable space in a camera. [L apertura (as APERITIF)]

appreciation
appreciation: n.
1 favourable or grateful recognition.
2 an estimation or judgement; sensitive understanding of or reaction to (a quick appreciation of the problem).
3 an increase in value.
4 a (usu. favourable) review of a book, film, etc. [F f. LL appretiatio -onis (as APPRECIATE, -ATION)]

actually
actually: adv.
1 as a fact, really (I asked for ten, but actually got nine).
2 as a matter of fact, even (strange as it may seem) (he actually refused!).
3 at present; for the time being.

askeradministrator
administrator: n.
1 a person who administers a business or public affairs.
2 a person capable of organizing (is no administrator).
3 Law a person appointed to manage the estate of a person who has died intestate.
4 a person who performs official duties in some sphere, e.g. in religion or justice. øøadministratorship n. administratrix n. [L (as ADMINISTER)]

anniversary
anniversary: n. (pl. -ies.
1 the date on which an event took place in a previous year.
2 the celebration of this. [ME f. L anniversarius f. annus year + versus turned]

anything
anything: pron.
1 a thing, no matter which.
2 a thing of any kind.
3 whatever thing is chosen. øanything but not at all (was anything but honest). like anything colloq. with great vigour, intensity, etc.

along
along: prep. & adv. --prep.
1 from one end to the other end of (a handkerchief with lace along the edge).
2 on or through any part of the length of (was walking along the road).
3 beside or through the length of (shelves stood along the wall). --adv.
1 onward; into a more advanced state (come along; getting along nicely).
2 at or to a particular place; arriving (I'll be along soon).
3 in company with a person, esp. oneself (bring a book along).
4 beside or through part or the whole length of a thing. øalong with in addition to; together with. [OE andlang f. WG, rel. to LONG(1)]

apology
apology: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure.
2 an assurance that no offence was intended.
3 an explanation or defence.
4 (foll. by for) a poor or scanty specimen of (this apology for a letter). [F apologie or LL apologia f. Gk (as APOLOGETIC)]

according
according: adv.
1 (foll. by to) a as stated by or in (according to my sister; according to their statement). b in a manner corresponding to; in proportion to (he lives according to his principles).
2 (foll. by as + clause) in a manner or to a degree that varies as (he pays according as he is able).

aphasia
aphasia: n. Med. the loss of ability to understand or express speech, owing to brain damage. øøaphasic adj. & n. [mod.L f. Gk f. aphatos speechless f. a- not + pha- speak]

alternate
alternate: v., adj., & n. --v.
1 intr. (often foll. by with) (of two things) succeed each other by turns (rain and sunshine alternated; elation alternated with depression).
2 intr. (foll. by between) change repeatedly (between two conditions) (the patient alternated between hot and cold fevers).
3 tr. (often foll. by with) cause (two things) to succeed each other by turns (the band alternated fast and slow tunes; we alternated criticism with reassurance). --adj.
1 (with noun in pl.) every other (comes on alternate days).
2 (of things of two kinds) each following and succeeded by one of the other kind (alternate joy and misery).
3 (of a sequence etc.) consisting of alternate things.
4 Bot. (of leaves etc.) placed alternately on the two sides of the stem.
5 = ALTERNATIVE. --n. esp. US a deputy or substitute. øalternate angles two angles, not adjoining one another, that are formed on opposite sides of a line that intersects two other lines. alternating current an electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals. øøalternately adv. [L alternatus past part. of alternare do things by turns f. alternus every other f. alter other]

attentive
attentive: adj.
1 concentrating; paying attention.
2 assiduously polite.
3 heedful. øøattentively adv. attentiveness n. [ME f. F attentif -ive f. attente, OF atente, fem. past part. of atendre ATTEND]

ablaut
ablaut: n. a change of vowel in related words or forms, esp. in Indo-European languages, arising from differences of accent and stress in the parent language, e.g. in sing, sang, sung. [G]

amazingalternative
alternative: adj. & n. --adj.
1 (of one or more things) available or usable instead of another (an alternative route). °Use with reference to more than two options (e.g. many alternative methods) is common, and acceptable.
2 (of two things) mutually exclusive.
3 of or relating to practices that offer a substitute for the conventional ones (alternative medicine; alternative theatre). --n.
1 any of two or more possibilities.
2 the freedom or opportunity to choose between two or more things (I had no alternative but to go). øthe alternative society a group of people dissociating themselves from conventional society and its values. øøalternatively adv. [F alternatif -ive or med.L alternativus (as ALTERNATE)]

approval
approval: n.
1 the act of approving.
2 an instance of this; consent; a favourable opinion (with your approval; looked at him with approval). øon approval (of goods supplied) to be returned if not satisfactory.