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2019-2020 UIL Spelling

Terms in this set (1500)

n.
Any of various large edible marine gastropods of the genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell with a row of holes along the outer edge. The colorful pearly interior of the shell is often used for making jewelry or other ornaments. Also called ear shell.

abate

v. a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing, a·bates
v.tr.
1. To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen: a program to abate air pollution.
2. Law
a. To put an end to: The court ordered that the nuisance of the wrecked vehicle in the front yard be abated.
b. To make void: The judge abated the lawsuit.
c. To reduce for some period of time: The town abated the taxes on buildings of historical importance for three years.
v.intr.
1. To fall off in degree or intensity; subside: waiting for the rain to abate. See Synonyms at decrease.
2. Law
a. To become void.
b. To become reduced for a period of time.

abhorrence *

n.
1. One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent.
2. A feeling of repugnance or loathing.

ablutionary

n.
1. A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.
2. The liquid so used.

abscissa

n.pl. ab·scis·sas or ab·scis·sae
Symbol xThe coordinate representing the position of a point along a line perpendicular to the y-axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate system.

absent-minded

adj.
Deep in thought and heedless of present circumstances or activities; preoccupied.

Abu Dhabi *

A sheikhdom and city of eastern Arabia on the Persian Gulf. The city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. With enormous oil revenues, the sheikhdom has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

acarophobia *

n.
Fear that one's skin is infested with mites or other parasites.

acclamation

n.
1. A shout or salute of enthusiastic approval.
2. An oral vote, especially an enthusiastic vote of approval taken without formal ballot: a motion passed by acclamation.

acclivity

n. pl. ac·cliv·i·ties
An upward slope, as of a hill.

Acculturation *

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

acequia

n.
Southwestern US
An irrigation canal.

achromatic

adj.
1. Designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black.
2. Refracting light without spectral color separation.
3. Biology Difficult to stain with standard dyes. Used in reference to cells or tissues.
4. Music Having only the diatonic tones of the scale.

acolyte *

n.
1. A person who assists the celebrant in the performance of liturgical rites.
2. A devoted follower or attendant.

actinomycosis

n.
An inflammatory disease of cattle, hogs, humans, and other mammals, caused by actinomyces and characterized by lumpy tumors of the mouth, neck, chest, and abdomen. Also called lumpy jaw.

actionable

adj.
1. Giving cause for legal action: an actionable statement.
2. Relating to or being information that allows a decision to be made or action to be taken.
3. Capable of being put into practice: proposed several actionable measures to reduce the federal deficit.

ad feminam

adj.
Appealing to irrelevant personal considerations concerning women, especially prejudices against them.

adamant

adj.
Not willing to change one's opinion, purpose, or principles; unyielding.
n.
1. A stone once believed to be impenetrable in its hardness.
2. An extremely hard substance.

addlepated

adj.
Confused or stupid; befuddled: "[Her] estates ... are odes to addlepated excess, a melange of priceless antiques and thrift-store horrors" (Michelle Green).

admiralty, Admiralty

n. pl. ad·mi·ral·ties
1.
a. A court exercising jurisdiction over all maritime cases.
b. Maritime law.
2. Admiralty The department of the British government that once had control over all naval affairs.

adulator

tr.v. ad·u·lat·ed, ad·u·lat·ing, ad·u·lates
To praise or admire excessively; fawn on.

adumbrate

r.v. ad·um·brat·ed, ad·um·brat·ing, ad·um·brates
1. To give a sketchy outline of.
2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
3. To disclose partially or guardedly.
4. To overshadow; shadow or obscure

Adventist

n.
A member of any of several Christian denominations that believe Jesus's Second Coming and the end of the world are near.

adversarial

adj.
Relating to or characteristic of an adversary; involving antagonistic elements: "Some speakers fall almost willingly into an adversarial relationship with the audience" (Don Pfarrer).

aeneus, aeneous

adj.
Brassy or golden green in color.

aesthetician, esthetician *

n.
1. One versed in the theory of beauty and artistic expression.
2. One skilled in giving facials, manicures, pedicures, and other beauty treatments.

afferent

adj.
Carrying inward to a central organ or section, as nerves that conduct impulses from the periphery of the body to the brain or spinal cord

afforestation *

tr.v. af·for·est·ed, af·for·est·ing, af·for·ests
To convert (open land) into a forest by planting trees or their seeds.

Agincourt *

A village of northern France west-northwest of Arras. On October 25, 1415, Henry V of England decisively defeated a much larger French army here. The victory showed the effectiveness of troops equipped with longbows over heavily armored knights.

agnosticism

n.
1. The doctrine that certainty about first principles or absolute truth is unattainable and that only perceptual phenomena are objects of exact knowledge.
2. The belief that the existence or nonexistence of a deity or deities cannot be known with certainty.

agrochemical *

n.
A chemical, such as a fertilizer, hormone, fungicide, insecticide, or soil treatment, that improves the production of crops.

aileron

n.
Either of two movable flaps on the wings of an airplane that can be used to control the plane's rolling and banking movements.

akaryocyte

n.
A cell having no nucleus.

albuterol

n.
A beta-adrenergic drug, C13H21NO3, used in the form of its sulfate as a bronchodilator primarily to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also called salbutamol.

aldermancy

n.
1. A member of the municipal legislative body in a town or city in many jurisdictions.
2. A member of the higher branch of the municipal or borough council in England and Ireland before 1974.
3.
a. A noble of high rank or authority in Anglo-Saxon England.
b. The chief officer of a shire in Anglo-Saxon England.

algebraic *

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or designating algebra.
2. Designating an expression, equation, or function in which only numbers, letters, and arithmetic operations are contained or used.
3. Indicating or restricted to a finite number of operations involving algebra.

algorithm

n.
A finite set of unambiguous instructions that, given some set of initial conditions, can be performed in a prescribed sequence to achieve a certain goal and that has a recognizable set of end conditions.

alkalescent

adj.
Becoming alkaline; slightly alkaline.

allude *

intr.v. al·lud·ed, al·lud·ing, al·ludes
To make an indirect reference: The candidate alluded to the recent war by saying, "We've all made sacrifices."

alpaca

n. pl. alpaca or al·pac·as
1. A domesticated South American ruminant mammal (Vicugna pacos or Lama pacos), related to the llama and having fine, long wool.
2.
a. The silky wool of this mammal.
b. Cloth made from alpaca.
3. A fabric that imitates alpaca, made from various natural or synthetic fibers.
[American Spanish, from Aymara and Quechua allpaqa.]

altazimuth

n.
1. A mounting for astronomical telescopes that permits pointing adjustments in both altitude and azimuth.
2. A telescope having such a mounting.

alveolar

adj.
1. Of or relating to an alveolus.
2. Anatomy
a. Relating to the jaw section containing the tooth sockets: the alveolar ridge.
b. Relating to the alveoli of the lungs.
3. Linguistics Formed with the tip of the tongue touching or near the inner ridge of the gums of the upper front teeth, as the English (t), (d), and (s).
n.
Linguistics
An alveolar sound.

Alzheimer's disease

n.
A degenerative disease of the brain, occurring chiefly in elderly people and characterized by disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and the progressive loss of mental capacity. It is associated with the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex and loss of neurons.

Americanize *

v. A·mer·i·can·ized, A·mer·i·can·iz·ing, A·mer·i·can·iz·es
v.tr.
1. To make American in form, style, or character.
2. To absorb or assimilate into American culture.
3. To bring under American influence or control.
v.intr.
To become American, as in spirit.
A·mer′i·can·i·zation (-kə-nĭ-zāshən) n.

amorphism

n.
The state or quality of being amorphous.

amperage *

n.
The strength of an electric current expressed in amperes.

ampoule, ampule, ampul

n.
A hermetically sealed vial made of glass or plastic that contains a sterile medicinal solution or a powder that is usually made into a solution for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection.

amrita, amreeta

n.
1. In Hinduism, the drink that is consumed by the gods and bestows immortality.
2. The immortality achieved by drinking amrita.

amylaceous *

adj.
Of, relating to, or resembling starch; starchy.

anagram

n.
1. A word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase, such as satin to stain.
2. anagrams (used with a sing. verb) A game in which players form words from a group of randomly picked letters.

analgesic *

n.
A medication that reduces or eliminates pain.
adj.
Of or causing analgesia.

anaphylactic shock *

n.
Anaphylaxis in which systemic vasodilation results in shock.

anarchic

adj.
1.
a. Of, like, or supporting anarchy: anarchic oratory.
b. Likely to produce or result in anarchy.
2. Lacking order or control: an anarchic state of affairs in the office; an anarchic mobile sculpture.

anathema

n. pl. a·nath·e·mas
1. A formal ecclesiastical ban, curse, or excommunication.
2. A vehement denunciation; a curse: "the sound of a witch's anathemas in some unknown tongue" (Nathaniel Hawthorne).
3. One that is cursed or damned.
4. One that is greatly reviled, loathed, or shunned: "Essentialism—a belief in natural, immutable sex differences—is anathema to postmodernists, for whom sexuality itself, along with gender, is a 'social construct'" (Wendy Kaminer).

anchoress

n.
A woman who has retired into seclusion for religious reasons.

andesite

n.
A gray, fine-grained volcanic rock consisting chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and one or more mafic minerals.

anemometry

n.
An instrument for measuring wind speed.

Anglophile

n.
One who admires England, its people, and its culture.

anion

n.
A negatively charged ion, especially the ion that migrates to an anode in electrolysis.

annihilative

adj.
Capable of causing utter destruction or serving to destroy utterly: annihilative firepower.

annular ligament *

n.
The fibrous band of tissue that surrounds the ankle joint or the wrist joint.

anodyne

adj.
1. Capable of soothing or eliminating pain.
2. Relaxing: anodyne novels about country life.
3. Watered-down; insipid: "Many journalists, desperate to escape the anodyne and often absurd publicity releases, were drawn to Bogart's caustic, irreverent and highly quotable outbursts" (Jeffrey Meyers).
n.
1. A medicine, such as aspirin, that relieves pain.
2. A source of soothing comfort.

Antananarivo

The capital and largest city of Madagascar, in the east-central part of the country. It was founded in the 17th century as a walled citadel. The city is also known by its French name, Tananarive.

Antarctica

A continent lying chiefly within the Antarctic Circle and asymmetrically centered on the South Pole. Some 95 percent of Antarctica is covered by an icecap averaging 1.6 km (1 mi) in thickness. The region was first explored in the early 1800s, and although there are no permanent settlements, many countries have made territorial claims. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959, signed by 12 nations, prohibited military operations on the continent and provided for the interchange of scientific data.

anteroom

n.
An outer room that opens into another room, often used as a waiting room.

anticoagulant

n.
A substance that slows or prevents the clotting of blood.
adj.
Acting as an anticoagulant.

anticyclone

n.
An extensive system of winds spiraling outward from a high-pressure center, circling clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

anti-infective *

adj.
Capable of preventing or counteracting infection.
n.
An anti-infective substance.

antipathetic

adj.
1.
a. Having or showing a strong aversion or repugnance: antipathetic to new ideas.
b. Opposed in nature or character; antagonistic: antipathetic factions within the party.
2. Causing a feeling of antipathy; repugnant: "The whole place and everything about it was antipathetic to her" (Anthony Trollope).

antiphony *

n. pl. an·tiph·o·nies
1. Responsive or antiphonal singing or chanting.
2. A composition that is sung responsively; an antiphon.
3. A responsive or reciprocal interchange, as of ideas or opinions: "Sheridan's play shows both sides of the coin. He establishes an antiphony of cynicism and sentimentality" (Jonathan Miller).

antiquarian

n.
One who studies, collects, or deals in antiquities.
adj.
1. Of or relating to antiquarians or to the study or collecting of antiquities.
2. Dealing in or having to do with old or rare books.

antistrophe

n.
1. The second stanza, and those like it, in a poem consisting of alternating stanzas in contrasting metrical form.
2. The second division of the triad of a Pindaric ode, having the same stanza form as the strophe.
3.
a. The choral movement in classical Greek drama in the opposite direction from that of the strophe.
b. The part of a choral ode sung while this movement is executed.

aortography

Examination of the aorta using x-rays following the injection of a radiopaque substance.

apathetic

adj.
1. Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent.
2. Feeling or showing little or no emotion; unresponsive.

apiarian

adj.
Relating to bees or to the keeping and care of bees.

apocalypse, Apocalypse

n.
1.
a. Apocalypse Abbr. Apoc. Bible The Book of Revelation.
b. Any of a number of anonymous Jewish or Christian texts from around the second century BC to the second century AD containing prophetic or symbolic visions, especially of the imminent destruction of the world and the salvation of the righteous.
2.
a. The end of the world, especially as described in one of these texts.
b. A great catastrophe that results in widespread destruction or the collapse of civilization: "The United States was calling in air strikes and heavy armor until we had the feeling that the whole thing was going to end in apocalypse" (Phillip Robertson).
3. A prophetic disclosure; a revelation.

apolitical

adj.
1. Having no interest in or association with politics.
2. Having no political relevance or importance: claimed that the president's upcoming trip was purely apolitical.

apostate

n.
One who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.

apothegm, apophthegm

n.
A terse, witty, instructive saying; a maxim.

apprise

tr.v. ap·prised, ap·pris·ing, ap·pris·es
To give notice to; inform: apprised us of our rights.

appropriable

adj.
Capable of being appropriated: appropriable funds.

Aquarius

n.
1. A constellation in the equatorial region of the Southern Hemisphere near Pisces and Aquila.
2.
a. The 11th sign of the zodiac in astrology.
b. One who is born under this sign. In all senses also called Water Bearer.

aquifer *

n.
An underground layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that yields water. Aquifers can range from a few square kilometers to thousands of square kilometers in size.

aquiline

adj.
1. Relating to or having the characteristics of an eagle.
2. Curved or hooked like an eagle's beak: an aquiline nose.

archconservative *

adj.
Highly conservative, especially in political viewpoint.

argali

n. pl. argali or ar·ga·lis
A large wild sheep (Ovis ammon) of mountainous regions of central and northern Asia, the male of which has massive curved horns.

argumentation *

n.
1. The presentation and elaboration of an argument or arguments.
2. Deductive reasoning in debate.
3. A debate.

argyle, argyll

n.
1. A knitting pattern of varicolored, diamond-shaped areas on a solid background.
2. A sock knit in this pattern.

arioso

n. pl. a·ri·o·sos
1.
a. A style used in opera and oratorio, similar to but more melodic than recitative.
b. A passage rendered in this style.
2. A short vocal solo having the melodic style but not the form of an aria.
adv. & adj.
In a melodic style like that of an aria. Used chiefly as a direction.

arroyos

n. pl. ar·roy·os
1. A deep gully cut by an intermittent stream; a dry gulch.
2. A brook; a creek.

art nouveau, Art Nouveau

n.
A style of decoration and architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized particularly by the depiction of leaves and flowers in flowing, sinuous lines.

ascendant, ascendent

adj.
1. Inclining or moving upward; ascending or rising.
2. Dominant in position or influence; superior.
n.
1. The position or state of being dominant or in control: a conservative policy currently in the ascendant.
2. In astrology, the point of the ecliptic or the sign of the zodiac that rises in the east at the time of a person's birth or other event.
3. An ancestor.

aspirant

n.
One who aspires, as to advancement, honors, or a high position.
adj.
Seeking recognition, distinction, or advancement.

assigned *

tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs
1. To select for a duty or office; appoint: firefighters assigned to the city's industrial park. See Synonyms at appoint.
2. To set apart for a particular purpose or place in a particular category; designate: assigned the new species to an existing genus. See Synonyms at allocate.
3. To give out as a task; allot: assigned homework to the class.
4. To ascribe; attribute: assigned blame for the loss to a lack of good defense. See Synonyms at attribute.
5. To match or pair with: assign a value to each of the variables.
6. Law To transfer (property, rights, or interests) from one to another.
n.
Law
An assignee.

assimilable *

adj.
Capable of being assimilated: assimilable nutrients; assimilable information.

assuage

r.v. as·suaged, as·suag·ing, as·suag·es
1. To make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe: assuage her grief. See Synonyms at relieve.
2. To satisfy or appease (hunger or thirst, for example).
3. To appease or calm: assuaged his critics.

asymptomatic

adj.
Neither causing nor exhibiting symptoms of disease.

atherosclerosis

n.
A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by the presence of lesions (called plaques) on the innermost layer of the walls of large and medium-sized arteries. The plaques contain lipids, collagen, inflammatory cells, and other substances and can impede blood flow or rupture, leading to serious problems such as heart attack or stroke.

atrabilious

adj.
1. Inclined to melancholy.
2. Having a peevish disposition; surly.

aubergine

n.
1.
a. A plant (Solanum melongena) native to India, cultivated for its edible, glossy, usually ovoid fruits that are chiefly purple but can be white, yellow, or green.
b. A fruit of this plant.
2. A blackish purple.

Auckland *

The largest city of New Zealand, on an isthmus of northwest North Island. It is a major port and an industrial center.

augmentation

n.
1. The act or process of augmenting.
2. The condition of being augmented.
3. Something that augments.
4. Music The presentation of a theme in notes of usually double time value.

auriferous *

adj.
Containing gold; gold-bearing.

auspice

n. pl. aus·pi·ces (ôspĭ-sĭz, -sēz′)
1. also auspices Protection or support; patronage.
2. A sign indicative of future prospects; an omen: Auspices for the venture seemed favorable.
3. Observation of and divination from the actions of birds.

auteurism

n.
Belief in the primary creative importance of the director in filmmaking, often combined with a critical advocacy of the works of certain strong, distinctive directors whose films have a consistent theme or style.

auxiliary

adj.
1. Giving assistance or support; helping.
2. Acting as a subsidiary; supplementary: the main library and its auxiliary branches.
3. Held in or used as a reserve: auxiliary troops; an auxiliary power generator.
4. Nautical Equipped with a motor as well as sails.
5. Grammar Of, relating to, or being an auxiliary verb.
n. pl. aux·il·ia·ries
1. An individual or group that assists or functions in a supporting capacity: a volunteers' auxiliary at a hospital.
2. A member of a foreign body of troops serving a country in war.
3. Grammar An auxiliary verb.
4. Nautical
a. A sailing vessel equipped with a motor.
b. A vessel, such as a supply ship or a tug, that is designed for and used in instances and services other than combat.

aviatrix *

n. pl. a·vi·a·trix·es or a·vi·a·tri·ces (-trīsēz′)
A woman aviator. Used especially during the first half of the twentieth century.

avionics

n.
1. (used with a sing. verb) The science and technology of electronics and the development of electronic devices as applied to aeronautics and astronautics: Avionics has become even more important with the development of the space program.
2. (used with a pl. verb) The electronic systems, equipment, and other devices so developed: The avionics on this spacecraft represent a new generation of sophistication.

avocet *

n.
Any of several long-legged shorebirds of the genus Recurvirostra, characterized by a long, slender, upturned beak.

avoirdupois *

n.
1. Abbr. av. or avdp. Avoirdupois weight.
2. Informal Weight or heaviness, especially of a person.

bacteremia

n.
The presence of bacteria in the blood.

bafflement

tr.v. baf·fled, baf·fling, baf·fles
1. To confuse or perplex, especially so as to frustrate or prevent from taking action: a patient whose condition baffled the physicians.
2. To impede the force or movement of (a fluid).
n.
1. A usually static device that regulates the flow of a fluid or light.
2. A partition that prevents interference between sound waves in a loudspeaker.

Baghdad, Bagdad

The capital and largest city of Iraq, in the center of the country on the Tigris River. Founded in the eighth century, it was heavily damaged by US forces during the Gulf War and the Iraq War.

baleen whale *

n.
Any of several usually large cetaceans of the suborder Mysticeti, having two blowholes and whalebone plates instead of teeth, and including the humpback whale and the right whales. Also called mysticete, whalebone whale.

balladeer *

n.
A singer of ballads.

Baltic States

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Formerly Russian provinces, they became independent countries after World War I and were incorporated into the USSR as constituent republics in 1940. They became independent again in 1991.

banjoist

n. pl. ban·jos or ban·joes
the player of a usually fretted stringed instrument having a narrow neck and a hollow circular body with a covering of plastic or stretched skin on which the bridge rests. The modern American banjo typically has four strings and often a short fifth string plucked with the thumb.

banquette

n.
1. A platform lining a trench or parapet wall on which soldiers may stand when firing.
2. also ban·kit (băngkĭt) Southern Louisiana & East Texas A raised sidewalk. See Note at beignet.
3. A long upholstered bench placed against or built into a wall.

Baryshnikov

Mikhail Nikolayevich Born 1948
Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer who, after performing with the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), defected to the United States (1974), where he danced for and later directed the American Ballet Theater. In 1990 he helped found the White Oak Dance Project, a modern-dance company.

Basilicata

A region of southern Italy bordering on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Taranta. It forms the instep of the Italian "boot."

Bataan *

A peninsula of western Luzon, Philippines, between Manila Bay and the South China Sea. After an extended siege, US and Philippine World War II troops on Bataan surrendered to the Japanese in April 1942. US forces recaptured it in February 1945.

batik *

n.
1.
a. A method of dyeing a fabric by which the parts of the fabric not intended to be dyed are covered with removable wax.
b. A design that is created by this method.
2. Fabric dyed by this method.
tr.v. ba·tiked, ba·tik·ing, ba·tiks
To dye (fabric) using this method: batiked a T-shirt.

Bavarian *

n.
1.
a. A native or inhabitant of Bavaria.
b. A person of Bavarian ancestry.
2. The High German dialect of Bavaria and Austria.

Beau Brummell

n.
A dandy; a fop.

beau geste

n. pl. beaux gestes or beau gestes (bō zhĕst)
1. A gracious gesture.
2. A gesture noble in form but meaningless in substance.

beauteous *

adj.
Beautiful, especially to the sight.

Beguine

n.
1. A ballroom dance similar to the foxtrot, based on a dance of Martinique and St. Lucia.
2. The music for this dance.

bel esprit

n. pl. beaux es·prits (bō′zĕ-sprē)
A cultivated, highly intelligent person.

Benghazi, Bengasi *

A city of northeast Libya on the Gulf of Sidra. Inhabited since Greek and Roman times, it is a major port and was a capital of Libya from 1951 to 1972.

benignancy *

n. pl. be·nig·nan·cies
Benignity.

bergamot

n.
1.
a. A small tree (Citrus bergamia) commercially grown chiefly in southern Italy for its sour citrus fruits, the rinds of which yield an aromatic oil. Also called bergamot orange.
b. The oil itself, used extensively in perfumery. Also called bergamot oil.
2. Any of various aromatic plants in the genus Monarda of the mint family.

besiegement

tr.v. be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es
1. To surround (a defended location such as a fort or a walled city) with hostile forces.
2. To crowd around; hem in: Fans besieged the star as she came out of the hotel.
3. To harass or overwhelm, as with requests: a shop owner besieged by job applications.

Bethesda

An unincorporated city of west-central Maryland, a residential suburb of Washington, DC. The National Institutes of Health and Naval Medical Center are here.

bibliotheca

n.
1. A collection of books; a library.
2. A catalog of books.

bifunctional *

adj.
1. Having two functions: bifunctional neurons.
2. Chemistry Having or involving two functional groups or binding sites: bifunctional reagents.

bight

n.
1.
a. A loop in a rope.
b. The middle or slack part of an extended rope.
2.
a. A bend or curve, especially in a shoreline.
b. A wide bay formed by such a bend or curve.

billet-doux

n. pl. bil·lets-doux (bĭl′ā-dz)
A love letter.

bimaxillary

adj.
Relating to or affecting both jaws.

bioassay *

n.
1. Determination of the strength or biological activity of a substance, such as a drug, by comparing its effects with those of a standard preparation on a test organism.
2. A test used to determine such strength or activity.
tr.v. bi·o·as·sayed, bi·o·as·say·ing, bi·o·as·says
To cause to undergo a bioassay.

bireme

n.
An ancient galley equipped with two tiers of oars on each side.

biretta, beretta

n.
Ecclesiastical
A stiff square cap with three or four ridges across the crown. Birettas are worn especially by Roman Catholic clergy and are black for priests, purple for bishops, and red for cardinals.

bisector

n.
Something that bisects, especially a ray that bisects an angle.

blitzkrieg

n.
A swift, sudden military offensive, usually by combined air and mobile land forces.

bois de rose

n.
A grayish red.

bombardier

n.
1. A member of a combat aircraft crew who operates the bombsight and drops the bombs.
2. Chiefly British A noncommissioned artillery officer.
3. Archaic A soldier in the artillery.

boondoggle *

n.
1. An unnecessary or wasteful project or activity.
2.
a. A braided leather cord worn as a decoration especially by Boy Scouts.
b. A cord of braided leather, fabric, or plastic strips made by a child as a project to keep busy.
intr.v. boon·dog·gled, boon·dog·gling, boon·dog·gles
To waste time or money on a boondoggle.

bouquet garni

n. pl. bou·quets gar·nis (bō-kāz′ gär-nē, b-)
A bunch of herbs tied together, wrapped in cheesecloth or enclosed in a small cloth sack, and immersed during cooking, as in a soup or stew.

Brailler, brailler

n.
A machine similar to a typewriter, used for printing in Braille. Also called Braillewriter.

brain wave

n.
1. A rhythmic fluctuation of electric potential between parts of the brain, as seen on an electroencephalogram.
2. Informal A sudden inspiration.

brannigan

n.
1. A noisy or confused quarrel.
2. A drinking spree; a binge.

brave new world *

n.
1. A world or realm of radically transformed existence, especially one in which technological progress has both positive and negative results.
2. A field, endeavor, or aspect of life that seems new and often intimidating because one is experiencing it for the first time: "You're on your own. Welcome to the brave new world of do-it-yourself travel" (Susan Stellin).

brilliantine

n.
1. An oily, perfumed hairdressing.
2. A glossy fabric made from cotton and worsted or cotton and mohair.

brioche

n.
A soft, light-textured bread made from eggs, butter, flour, and yeast and formed into a roll or a bun.

brocatelle

n.
A heavy fabric with highly raised designs.

Bronx cheer

n.
Slang
A loud sound expressing disapproval; a raspberry.

broomcorn

n.
A variety of sorghum having a stiff, erect, much-branched flower cluster, the stalks of which are used to make brooms.

Bucharest

The capital and largest city of Romania, in the southeast part of the country on a tributary of the Danube River. Founded in the 14th century, it soon became a fortress and a center for trade between Wallachia and Constantinople.

bullion

n.
1.
a. Gold or silver considered with respect to quantity rather than value.
b. Gold or silver in the form of bars, ingots, or plates.
2. A heavy lace trimming made of twisted gold or silver threads.

bumptious

adj.
Crudely or loudly assertive; pushy.

burgeon, bourgeon

intr.v. bur·geoned, bur·geon·ing, bur·geons also bour·geoned or bour·geon·ing or bour·geons
1.
a. To put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; sprout.
b. To begin to grow or blossom.
2. To grow or develop rapidly; expand or proliferate.

Byronic

George Gordon Sixth Baron Byron. 1788-1824.
British poet acclaimed as one of the leading figures of the romantic movement. The "Byronic hero"—lonely, rebellious, and brooding—first appeared in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812-1818). Among his other works are Manfred (1817) and the epic satire Don Juan (1819-1824). He died while working to secure Greek independence from the Turks.

cabaletta

n. pl. ca·ba·let·tas or ca·ba·let·te (-lĕtē)
1. A short aria that has a repetitive rhythm and a simple style.
2. The final section of an aria or duet marked by a quick uniform rhythm.

cachinnation

intr.v. cach·in·nat·ed, cach·in·nat·ing, cach·in·nates
To laugh hard, loudly, or convulsively; guffaw.

caconym *

n.
A taxonomic name that is unacceptable for linguistic reasons.

Caddo

n. pl. Caddo or Cad·dos
1. A member of a Native American confederacy composed of numerous small tribes formerly inhabiting the Red River area of Louisiana, Arkansas, and eastern Texas and now located in central Oklahoma.
2. The Caddoan language of the Caddo.

cajole

v. ca·joled, ca·jol·ing, ca·joles
v.tr.
1. To persuade by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language: "He knew how she cajoled him into getting things for her and then would not even let him kiss her" (Theodore Dreiser).
2. To elicit or obtain by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language: The athlete cajoled a signing bonus out of the team's owner.
v.intr.
To use flattery, pleading, or insincere language in an attempt to persuade someone to do something: "She complained and he cajoled, bribing her with dollar bills for landing ten [figure skating] jumps in a row" (Joan Ryan).

caldera

n.
A large crater formed by volcanic explosion or by collapse of a volcanic cone.

calibrator *

tr.v. cal·i·brat·ed, cal·i·brat·ing, cal·i·brates
1. To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument): calibrate a thermometer.
2.
a. To make corrections in; adjust: calibrated the polling procedures to ensure objectivity.
b. To adjust (a display setting) so that recorded images are accurately reproduced: calibrated the tint on the computer monitor.
3. To determine the caliber of (a tube).

calumnious

adj.
Containing or implying calumny; slanderous or defamatory.

camporee

n.
An assembly or gathering of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts on a local or district level.

canaille

n.
Derogatory
The common people; the masses.

canescent *

adj.
1. Biology Covered with short, fine whitish or grayish hairs or down; hoary.
2. Turning white or grayish.

cantabile

adv. & adj.
In a smooth, lyrical, flowing style. Used chiefly as a direction.
n.
A cantabile passage or movement.

capillary

adj.
1. Relating to or resembling a hair; fine and slender.
2. Having a very small internal diameter: a capillary tube.
3. Anatomy Of or relating to the capillaries.
4. Physics Of or relating to capillarity.
n. pl. cap·il·lar·ies
1. Anatomy One of the minute blood vessels that connect arterioles and venules. These blood vessels form an intricate network throughout the body for the interchange of various substances, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, between blood and tissue cells.
2. A tube with a very small internal diameter.

capriciousness *

adj.
Characterized by, arising from, or subject to caprice; impulsive or unpredictable: capricious decisions; capricious weather

carafe *

n.
1. A glass or metal bottle, often with a flared lip, used for serving beverages, such as water or wine.
2. A glass pot with a pouring spout, used in making coffee.

carcinogenic

adj.
A cancer-causing substance or agent.

carnassial *

adj.
Adapted for tearing apart flesh: carnassial teeth.
n.
A tooth adapted for tearing apart flesh, especially one of the last upper premolar or first lower molar teeth in carnivorous mammals.

carrefour

n.
1. A crossroads.
2. A public square; a plaza.

cartel

n.
1. A combination of independent business organizations formed to regulate production, pricing, and marketing of goods by the members.
2. An official agreement between governments at war, especially one concerning the exchange of prisoners.
3. A group of parties, factions, or nations united in a common cause; a bloc.

caryatid

n. pl. car·y·at·ids or car·y·at·i·des (-ĭ-dēz′)
Architecture
A supporting column sculptured in the form of a draped female figure.

casuistic *

adj.
Of or relating to casuists or casuistry.

catalogue raisonné

n. pl. ca·ta·logues rai·son·nés (kătl-ôgz′ rā′zə-nā, -ŏgz′, kä-tä-lôg rĕ-zô-nā)
A publication listing titles of articles or literary works, especially the contents of an exhibition, along with related descriptive or critical material.

catalytic

n. pl. ca·tal·y·ses (-sēz′)
The action of a catalyst, especially an increase in the rate of a chemical reaction.

catechize

tr.v. cat·e·chized, cat·e·chiz·ing, cat·e·chiz·es
1. To teach the principles of Christian dogma, discipline, and ethics by means of questions and answers.
2. To question or examine closely or methodically: "Boswell was eternally catechizing him on all kinds of subjects" (Thomas Macaulay).

catenate *

tr.v. cat·e·nat·ed, cat·e·nat·ing, cat·e·nates
To connect in a series of ties or links; form into a chain.

cathexis

n. pl. ca·thex·es (-thĕksēz)
Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.

catholicon

n.
A universal remedy; a panacea.

caucus

n. pl. cau·cus·es or cau·cus·ses
1.
a. A meeting of the local members of a political party especially to select delegates to a convention or register preferences for candidates running for office.
b. A closed meeting of party members within a legislative body to decide on questions of policy or leadership.
c. A group within a legislative or decision-making body seeking to represent a specific interest or influence a particular area of policy: a minority caucus.
2. Chiefly British A committee within a political party charged with determining policy.
v. cau·cused, cau·cus·ing, cau·cus·es or cau·cussed or cau·cus·sing or cau·cus·ses
v.intr.
To assemble in or hold a caucus.
v.tr.
To assemble or canvass (members of a caucus).

caviar, caviare

n.
The roe of a large fish, especially sturgeon, that is salted, seasoned, and eaten as a delicacy or relish.

Celticism

n.
1. A Celtic custom.
2. A Celtic idiom.
3. A fondness for Celtic culture.

cembalo

n. pl. cem·ba·los
A harpsichord.

ceraceous

adj.
Waxy or waxlike.

cerebrate

intr.v. cer·e·brat·ed, cer·e·brat·ing, cer·e·brates
To use the power of reason; think. See Synonyms at think.

cernuous

adj.
Botany
Nodding; drooping.

ceteris paribus

adv. Abbr. cet. par.
With all other factors or things remaining the same.

chamaephytes

n.
A low-growing perennial plant whose dormant overwintering buds are borne at or just above the surface of the ground.

chamomile, camomile

n.
1. An aromatic perennial herb (Chamaemelum nobile) in the composite family, native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, having feathery foliage and flower heads with white rays and yellow centers.
2. A similar, related Eurasian annual plant (Matricaria recutita).
3. The dried flower heads of either one of these plants, used to make an herbal tea and yielding an oil used in commercial flavorings and perfumery.

Champs Élysées

A tree-lined thoroughfare of Paris, France, leading from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

chancellor

n.
1. Any of various officials of high rank, especially:
a. A secretary to a monarch or noble.
b. Chiefly British The chief secretary of an embassy.
c. The chief minister of state in some European countries.
2.
a. The president of certain American universities.
b. Chiefly British The honorary or titular head of a university.
3. Law The presiding judge of a court of chancery or equity in some states of the United States and in Great Britain.

chance-medley

n.
A random, haphazard action or occurrence.

channelize (chănə-līz′)

tr.v. chan·nel·ized, chan·nel·iz·ing, chan·nel·iz·es
1. To make, form, or cut channels in.
2. To direct through a channel.

charm quark *

n. Abbr. c
The flavor of quark that has a charge of + 2/3 , has a mass about 2,450 times that of an electron, and belongs to the second generation of elementary fermions. Also called charmed quark.

chassepot (shăspō′)

n.
A breechloading rifle introduced into the French army in 1866.

chastise (chăs-tīz, chăstīz′)

tr.v. chas·tised, chas·tis·ing, chas·tis·es
1. To punish, as for wrongdoing. See Synonyms at punish.
2. To criticize severely; reprimand or rebuke.
3. Archaic To purify.

chef-d'oeurve (shā-dœvrə, -dûrv)

n. pl. chefs-d'oeu·vre (shā-)
A masterpiece, especially in literature or art.

chelicera (kĭ-lĭsər-ə)

n. pl. che·lic·er·ae (-ə-rē′)
Either of the first pair of fanglike appendages near the mouth of an arachnid or a horseshoe crab, often modified for grasping and piercing.

chersonese (kûrsə-nēz′, -nēs′)

n.
A peninsula.

chevalier (shĕv′ə-lîr)

n.
1. A member of certain male orders of knighthood or merit, such as the Legion of Honor in France.
2.
a. A French nobleman of the lowest rank.
b. Used as a title for such a nobleman.
3. A knight.
4. A chivalrous man.

chichi (shēshē)

adj. chi·chi·er, chi·chi·est
Ostentatiously stylish; deliberately chic.
n.
Ostentatious stylishness.

chiliad (kĭlē-ăd′, -əd)

n.
1. A group that contains 1,000 elements.
2. One thousand years; a millennium.

Chimera, Chimaera (kī-mîrə, kĭ-)

n.
1. Greek Mythology A fire-breathing female monster usually represented as a composite of a lion, goat, and serpent.
2. An imaginary monster made up of grotesquely disparate parts.

chiromancy (kīrə-măn′sē)

n.
Palmistry.

chorizo (chə-rēzō, -sō)

n. pl. cho·ri·zos
A spicy pork sausage seasoned especially with garlic.

chrestomathy * (krĕ-stŏmə-thē)

n. pl. chres·tom·a·thies
1. A selection of literary passages, usually by one author.
2. An anthology used in studying a language.

chronicled * (krŏnĭ-kəl)

n.
1. An extended account in prose or verse of historical events, sometimes including legendary material, presented in chronological order and without authorial interpretation or comment.
2. A detailed narrative record or report.
3. Chronicles (used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
tr.v. chron·i·cled, chron·i·cling, chron·i·cles
To record in or in the form of a historical record.

chrysalis (krĭsə-lĭs)

n. pl. chrys·a·lis·es or chry·sal·i·des (krĭ-sălĭ-dēz′)
1.
a. A pupa, especially of a butterfly.
b. The hardened case of a pupa.
2. A protected stage of development.

Churrigueresque (chr′ĭ-gə-rĕsk)

adj.
Of or relating to a style of baroque architecture of Spain and its Latin-American colonies, characterized by elaborate and extravagant decoration.

cinerarium (sĭn′ə-rârē-əm)

n. pl. cin·e·rar·i·a (-ē-ə)
A place for keeping the ashes of a cremated body.

circumambient * (sûr′kəm-ămbē-ənt)

adj.
Encompassing on all sides; surrounding.

circumflex (sûrkəm-flĕks′)

n.
Any of several marks, especially ( ^ ), used over a vowel in certain languages or in phonetic keys to indicate quality of pronunciation.
adj.
1. Having this mark.
2. Curving around: a circumflex blood vessel.

circumspect * (sûrkəm-spĕkt′)

adj.
Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent.

Cistercian * (sĭ-stûrshən)

n.
A member of a contemplative monastic order founded by reformist Benedictines in France in 1098.

clarion (klărē-ən)

adj.
Loud and clear: a clarion call to resistance.
n.
Music
1. A medieval trumpet with a shrill clear tone.
2. The sound of this instrument or a sound resembling it.

claymore (klāmôr′)

n.
1. A claymore mine.
2. A large, double-edged broadsword formerly used by Scottish Highlanders.

clepsydra (klĕpsĭ-drə)

n. pl. clep·sy·dras or clep·sy·drae (-drē′)
An ancient device that measured time by marking the regulated flow of water through a small opening. Also called water glass.

coadunate * (kō-ăjə-nĭt, -nāt′)

adj.
Closely joined; grown together; united.

coaxial cable

n.
A cable consisting of a conducting outer metal tube enclosing and insulated from a central conducting core, used primarily for the transmission of high-frequency signals. Also called coaxial line.

coconspirator (kō′kən-spîrə-tər)

n.
A joint conspirator.

codicillary (kŏdə-sĭl)

n.
1. Law A supplement or appendix to a will.
2. A supplement or appendix.

coequal (kō-ēkwəl)

adj.
Equal with one another, as in rank or size.
n.
An equal.

cogitative (kŏjĭ-tā′tĭv)

adj.
1. Of or relating to cogitation.
2. Inclined to or capable of cogitation.

cognoscente (kŏn′yə-shĕntē, kŏg′nə-)

n. pl. co·gno·scen·ti (-tē)
A person with superior, usually specialized knowledge or highly refined taste; a connoisseur.

coiffeur (kwä-fûr)

n.
A man who is a hairdresser.

collegiality * (kə-lē′jē-ălĭ-tē)

n.
1. Shared power and authority vested among colleagues.
2. Roman Catholic Church The doctrine that bishops collectively share collegiate power.

collegium (kə-lējē-əm)

n. pl. col·le·gi·a (-jē-ə) or col·le·gi·ums
1. An executive council or committee of equally empowered members, especially one supervising an industry, commissariat, or other organization in the Soviet Union.
2. A group whose members pursue shared goals while working within a framework of mutual trust and respect: "This standing firm ... enables the college to be a community, a collegium of students and faculty working at common problems and possibilities" (Robert A. Spivey).

colonnade (kŏl′ə-nād)

n.
Architecture
1. A series of columns placed at regular intervals.
2. A structure composed of columns placed at regular intervals.

commandeer (kŏm′ən-dîr)

tr.v. com·man·deered, com·man·deer·ing, com·man·deers
1. To seize for military or police use; confiscate.
2. To take arbitrarily or by force: "He was at Columbia when students commandeered buildings and the police sprayed the protesters with tear gas" (Gary Rivlin). See Synonyms at appropriate.
3. To force into military service.

commissar (kŏmĭ-sär′)

n.
1.
a. An official of the Communist Party in charge of political indoctrination and the enforcement of party loyalty.
b. The head of a commissariat in the Soviet Union until 1946.
2. A person who tries to control public opinion.

commodities (kə-mŏdĭ-tē)

n. pl. com·mod·i·ties
1. Something useful that can be turned to commercial or other advantage: "Left-handed, power-hitting third basemen are a rare commodity in the big leagues" (Steve Guiremand).
2. A product or service that is indistinguishable from ones manufactured or provided by competing companies and that therefore sells primarily on the basis of price rather than quality or style.
3. Archaic Advantage; benefit.

commutative (kŏmyə-tā′tĭv, kə-mytə-tĭv)

adj.
1. Relating to, involving, or characterized by substitution, interchange, or exchange.
2. Independent of order. Used of a logical or mathematical operation that combines objects or sets of objects two at a time. If a × b = b × a, the operation indicated by × is commutative.

complacent (kəm-plāsənt)

adj.
1. Satisfied with the current situation and unconcerned with changing it, often to the point of smugness: "a geologic cautionary tale for a complacent world accustomed to reliable infusions of cheap energy" (Paul Roberts).
2. Eager to please; complaisant.

complicit (kəm-plĭsĭt)

adj.
Associated with or participating in a questionable act or a crime; having complicity: "Presidential handlers and a complicit press corps managed to suppress public awareness" (Andrew P.N. Erdmann).

composite, Composite (kəm-pŏzĭt, kŏmpə-zĭt)

adj.
1.
a. Made up of distinct components; compound.
b. Made by combining two or more existing things, such as photographs.
2. Mathematics Having factors; factorable.
3. Botany Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the composite family.
4. Composite Architecture Of, relating to, or being in the Composite order.
n.
1. A structure or entity made up of distinct components: a musical suite that is a composite of operatic themes.
2. A material in which two or more distinct, structurally complementary materials, usually a matrix material and a reinforcing material, are combined to produce structural or functional properties not present in any individual component. Wood, bone, concrete, plastic reinforced by glass fibers, and graphite reinforced with carbon fibers are all composite materials.
3. Botany A plant in the composite family.
4. Mathematics The application of one function to another. For example, if (x) = x2 and g(x) = x + 1, then the composite (g(x)) = (x + 1)2 and the composite g((x)) = x2 + 1.
tr.v. com·pos·it·ed, com·pos·it·ing, com·pos·ites
1. To make using distinct components.
2. To make by combining two or more photographs or images.

compunction (kəm-pŭngkshən)

n.
1. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt: stole the money without compunction. See Synonyms at penitence.
2. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing: "commercial speculators and hired politicians who had no compunction about pillaging their country for personal gain" (Leo Damrosch).

conciliatory * (kən-sĭlē-āt′)

v. con·cil·i·at·ed, con·cil·i·at·ing, con·cil·i·ates
v.tr.
1. To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease. See Synonyms at pacify.
2. To regain or try to regain (friendship or goodwill) by pleasant behavior.
3. To make or attempt to make compatible; reconcile: tried to conciliate the conflicting theories.
v.intr.
To gain or try to gain someone's friendship or goodwill.

concrescence * (kən-krĕsəns)

n.
1. Biology The growing together of related parts, tissues, or cells.
2. The amassing of physical particles.

condominium (kŏn′də-mĭnē-əm)

n. pl. con·do·min·i·ums also con·do·min·i·a (-mĭnē-ə)
1.
a. A building or complex in which units of property, such as apartments, are owned by individuals and common parts of the property, such as the grounds and building structure, are owned jointly by the unit owners.
b. A unit in such a complex.
2.
a. Joint sovereignty, especially joint rule of territory by two or more nations, or a plan to achieve it: "The allies would fear that they were pawns in a superpower condominium" (New Republic).
b. A politically dependent territory.

congeries * (kən-jîrēz′, kŏnjə-rēz′)

n. (used with a sing. verb)
A collection; an aggregation: "Our city, it should be explained, is two cities, or more—an urban mass or congeries divided by the river" (John Updike).

congruency (kŏnggr-ən-sē, kən-gr-)

n. pl. con·gru·en·cies
Congruence.

connotation * (kŏn′ə-tāshən)

n.
1. The act or process of connoting.
2.
a. An idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing: Hollywood holds connotations of romance and glittering success.
b. The set of associations implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning.
3. Logic The set of attributes constituting the meaning of a term; intension.

constituency * (kən-stĭch-ən-sē)

n. pl. con·stit·u·en·cies
1.
a. The body of voters or the residents of a district represented by an elected legislator or official.
b. The district so represented.
2.
a. A group of supporters or patrons.
b. A group served by an organization or institution; a clientele: The magazine changed its format to appeal to a broader constituency.

consuetude * (kŏnswĭ-td′, -tyd′)

n.
Custom; usage.

consumerism (kən-smə-rĭz′əm)

n.
1. The movement seeking to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards.
2. The theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial.
3. Attachment to materialistic values or possessions: deplored the rampant consumerism of contemporary society.

conterminous (kən-tûrmə-nəs) also co·ter·mi·nous (kō-)

adj.
1. Having a boundary in common; contiguous: The northern border of the United States is conterminous with the southern border of Canada.
2. Contained in the same boundaries; coextensive: the conterminous 48 states.
3. Having the same scope, range of meaning, or extent in time.

contrapposto (kōn′trə-pōstō)

n.
The position of a standing human figure whose weight is unequally distributed between the two legs, resulting in a slight curvature of the torso and a tilting of the pelvis and shoulders in opposite directions.

contrariety (kŏn′trə-rīĭ-tē)

n. pl. con·tra·ri·e·ties
1. The quality or condition of being contrary.
2. Something that is contrary.

contumely (kŏnt-mə-lē, -ty-, -təm-lē)

n. pl. con·tu·me·lies
1. Rudeness or contempt arising from arrogance; insolence.
2. An insolent or arrogant remark or act.

convoluted (kŏnvə-l′tĭd, kŏn′və-ltĭd)

adj.
1. Having numerous overlapping coils or folds: a convoluted seashell.
2. Intricate; complicated: convoluted legal language; convoluted reasoning.

Copán (kō-pän)

A ruined Mayan city of western Honduras that flourished from c. 300 BC to AD 900. The ruins include the Hieroglyphic Stairway with over 2,000 glyphs.

Corcovado (kôr′kə-vädō, kôr′kô-väd)

A mountain, 705 m (2,310 ft) high, of southeast Brazil overlooking Rio de Janeiro. A popular tourist attraction, it has a cog railroad and is topped by the enormous concrete statue Christ the Redeemer.

coreligionist (kō′rĭ-lĭjə-nĭst)

n.
One having the same religion as another.

cormorant (kôrmər-ənt, -mə-rănt′)

n.
1. Any of several large, widely distributed marine diving birds of the genus Phalacrocorax, having dark plumage, webbed feet, and a slender hooked bill.
2. A greedy, rapacious person.
adj.
Greedy; rapacious.

corpus delicti (dĭ-lĭktī′)

n.
1. Law The corroborating evidence that shows that a crime has been committed, other than a confession or an alleged accomplice's statement.
2. A corpse.

correlative (kə-rĕlə-tĭv)

adj.
1. Related; corresponding.
2. Grammar Indicating a reciprocal or complementary relationship: a correlative conjunction.
n.
1. Either of two correlative entities; a correlate.
2. Grammar A correlative word or expression.

cortege, cortège (kôr-tĕzh)

n.
1. A train of attendants, as of a distinguished person; a retinue.
2.
a. A ceremonial procession.
b. A funeral procession.

Côte d'Ivoire (dē-vwär) also I·vo·ry Coast (īvə-rē, īvrē)

A country of western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea. Divided into various isolated kingdoms at the time of European discovery in the 15th century, it was organized as a French colony in 1893, became a part of French West Africa in 1904, and declared its independence in 1960. Yamoussoukro is the capital and Abidjan is the largest city and de facto administrative center.

coulee (klē)

n.
1. Western US A deep gulch or ravine with sloping sides, often dry in summer.
2. Louisiana & Southern Mississippi
a. A streambed, often dry according to the season.
b. A small stream, bayou, or canal.
3. Upper Midwest A valley with hills on either side.
4.
a. A stream of molten lava.
b. A sheet of solidified lava.

counterfactual * (koun′tər-făkch-əl)

adj.
Running contrary to the facts: "Cold war historiography vividly illustrates how the selection of the counterfactual question to be asked generally anticipates the desired answer" (Timothy Garton Ash).

counterpane (kountər-pān′)

n.
A cover for a bed; a bedspread.

counterpoise * (kountər-poiz′)

n.
1. A counterbalancing weight.
2. A force or influence that balances or equally counteracts another.
3. The state of being in equilibrium.
tr.v. coun·ter·poised, coun·ter·pois·ing, coun·ter·pois·es
1. To oppose with an equal weight; counterbalance.
2. To act against with an equal force or power; offset.

coup de main (k′ də mă)

n. pl. coups de main(k′)
A sudden action, especially a surprise attack, against an enemy.

crampons * (krămpŏn′, -pən)

n. often crampons
1. A hinged pair of curved iron bars for raising heavy objects, such as stones or timber.
2. A framework of metal spikes strapped or clipped to the sole of a boot or shoe to prevent slipping when walking or climbing on ice and snow. Also called climbing iron.

crematorium (krē′mə-tôrē-əm)

n. pl. cre·ma·to·ri·ums or cre·ma·to·ri·a (-tôrē-ə)
A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses.

crenate (krēnāt′) also cre·nat·ed (-nā′tĭd)

adj.
Having a margin with low, rounded or scalloped projections: a crenate leaf.

crepuscular (krĭ-pŭskyə-lər)

adj.
1. Of or like twilight; dim: "The gustatory landscape then was dominated by dark, masculine establishments with crepuscular lighting, meat, more meat and puddles of Old World artery-attacking sauces" (Karen Heller).
2.
a. Active primarily at dawn or dusk or both. Used of animals.
b. Occurring at dawn or dusk or both: crepuscular foraging; a crepuscular stroll through the park.

Creüsa * (krē-zə)

n.
Greek Mythology
The wife of Aeneas who was lost while fleeing from Troy but came back as a ghost to warn Aeneas of his future.

criminology (krĭm′ə-nŏlə-jē)

n.
The scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, and corrections.

cronyism (krōnē-ĭz′əm)

n.
Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office.

croquette (krō-kĕt)

n.
A small cake of minced food, such as poultry, vegetables, or fish, that is usually coated with bread crumbs and fried in deep fat.

crotchety (krŏchĭ-tē)

adj.
Capriciously stubborn or eccentric; perverse.

crucible (krsə-bəl)

n.
1. A vessel made of a refractory substance such as graphite or porcelain, used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures.
2.
a. An extremely difficult experience or situation; a severe test or trial: "the emotional crucible of a wartime deployment" (Kristin Henderson). See Synonyms at trial.
b. A place, time, or situation in which different social forces or intellectual influences come together and cause new developments: "Macroeconomics ... was cast in the crucible of the Depression" (Peter Passell).

curmudgeon (kər-mŭjən)

n.
An ill-tempered person, especially one who is habitually stubborn or grouchy.

curriculum vitae * (vītē, vētī, wētī′)

n. pl. curricula vitae Abbr. CV
A summary of one's education, professional history, and job qualifications, as for a prospective employer.

curvilinear (kûr′və-lĭnē-ər) also cur·vi·lin·e·al (-əl)

adj.
Formed, bounded, or characterized by curved lines.

cyclamen, Cyclamen (sīklə-mən, sĭklə-)

n.
Any of various plants of the genus Cyclamen, especially a Mediterranean species (C. persicum) widely cultivated as a houseplant, having decorative leaves and showy, variously colored flowers with reflexed petals.

czarina, tsarina * (zä-rēnə, tsä-) also tsa·ri·na (tsä-, zä-)

n.
The wife of a Russian czar.

daedal (dēdl)

adj.
1. Ingenious and complex in design or function; intricate.
2. Finely or skillfully made or employed; artistic.

daiquiri (dăkə-rē, dīkə-)

n. pl. daiq·ui·ris
An iced cocktail of rum, lime or lemon juice, and sugar.

Dakar (də-kär, dăkär′)

The capital and largest city of Senegal, in the western part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It grew around a French fort built in 1857 and was the capital of French West Africa from 1902 to 1959.

Damascus * (də-măskəs)

The capital and largest city of Syria, in the southwest part of the country. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the city became a thriving commercial center under the Romans and was a Saracen stronghold during the Crusades.

Dar es Salaam (där′ ĕs sə-läm)

The largest city and former capital of Tanzania, in the eastern part of the country on an arm of the Indian Ocean. It was founded in 1862 by the sultan of Zanzibar.

Darfur * (där-fr)

A region of western Sudan. Originally an independent sultanate, the area fell to the Egyptians in 1874 and later to the British. Under independent Sudan, the region has been the site of continuing ethnic conflict that developed into a major humanitarian crisis that began in 2003.

darnel (därnəl)

n. pl. dar·nels
Any of several ryegrasses, especially Lolium temulentum.

dealcoholize (dē-ălkə-hô-līz′)

tr.v. de·al·co·hol·ized, de·al·co·hol·iz·ing, de·al·co·hol·izes
To remove some or all of the alcohol from (beverages): dealcoholized the white wine.

debacle * (dĭ-bäkəl, -băkəl, dĕbə-kəl)

n.
1. A sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat; a rout.
2. A total, often ludicrous failure.
3. The breaking up of ice in a river.
4. A violent flood.

Debussy * (də-bysē, dĕb′y-sē, də-bü-sē),

Claude Achille 1862-1918.
French composer best known for impressionist works such as the tone poem Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1894).

decagon * (dĕkə-gŏn′)

n.
A polygon with ten sides and ten angles.

decalcomania (dē-kăl′kə-mānē-ə, -mānyə)

n.
1. The process of transferring pictures or designs printed on specially prepared paper to materials such as glass or metal.
2. A decal.

decaliter, dekaliter (dĕkə-lē′tər)

n. Abbr. dal or dkl
A metric unit of volume equal to 10 liters.

decennial (dĭ-sĕnē-əl)

adj.
1. Relating to or lasting for ten years.
2. Occurring every ten years.
n.
A tenth anniversary.

declassification * (dē-klăsə-fī′)

tr.v. de·clas·si·fied, de·clas·si·fy·ing, de·clas·si·fies
To remove official security classification from (a document).

decorticate * (dē-kôrtĭ-kāt′)

tr.v. de·cor·ti·cat·ed, de·cor·ti·cat·ing, de·cor·ti·cates
1. To remove the bark, husk, or outer layer from; peel.
2. To remove the surface layer, membrane, or fibrous cover of (an organ or structure).

decrypt (dē-krĭpt)

tr.v. de·crypt·ed, de·crypt·ing, de·crypts
1. To decipher.
2. To decode.
n. (dēkrĭpt′)
A deciphered or decoded message.

defeasible (dĭ-fēzə-bəl)

adj.
Capable of being annulled or invalidated: a defeasible claim to an estate.

defenestrate (dē-fĕnĭ-strāt′)

tr.v. de·fen·es·trat·ed, de·fen·es·trat·ing, de·fen·es·trates
To throw out of a window.

defilement (dĭ-fīl)

tr.v. de·filed, de·fil·ing, de·files
1. To make filthy or dirty; pollute: defile a river with sewage.
2. To debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt: a country landscape that was defiled by urban sprawl.
3. To profane or sully (a reputation, for example).
4. To make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate: defile a temple.
5. To have sexual intercourse with (a woman who is a virgin).

deforestation * (dē-fôrĭst, -fŏr-)

r.v. de·for·est·ed, de·for·est·ing, de·for·ests
1. To cut down and clear away the trees or forests from.
2. To destroy the trees or forests on: hillsides that were deforested by drought

defunct (dĭ-fŭngkt)

adj.
No longer in existence or use: a defunct political organization.

dégagé (dā′gä-zhā)

adj.
Free and relaxed in manner; casual.
n.
In dance, a pointing of the foot in which the foot leaves the floor.

dehumidify (de′hy-midə-fi′)

tr.v.de·hu·mid·i·fied, de·hu·mid·i·fy·ing, de·hu·mid·i·fies
To remove atmospheric moisture from.

della Robbia (dĕlə rōbē-ə, dĕllä rōbbyä)

Luca 1400?-1482.
Italian sculptor noted for his works in glazed terra cotta, including many images of the Nativity.

deltiology (dĕl′tē-ŏlə-jē)

n.
The collection and study of postcards.

delusory (dĭ-lsə-rē, -zə-)

adj.
Tending to deceive; delusive.

demitasse * (dĕmē-tăs′, -täs′)

n.
1. A small cup of strong black coffee or espresso.
2. The small cup used to serve this drink.

democratization (dĭ-mŏkrə-tīz′)

tr.v. de·moc·ra·tized, de·moc·ra·tiz·ing, de·moc·ra·tiz·es
To make democratic.

demonstrable (dĭ-mŏnstrə-bəl)

adj.
1. Capable of being demonstrated or proved: demonstrable truths.
2. Obvious or apparent: demonstrable lies.

Demosthenes(dĭ-mŏsthə-nēz′) 384-322 BC.

Greek orator whose reputation is based mainly on his Philippics, a series of orations exhorting the citizens of Athens to rise up against Philip II of Macedon.

dendriform (dĕndrə-fôrm′)

adj.
Shaped like or having the form of a tree.

deontology (dē′ŏn-tŏlə-jē)

n. pl. de·on·tol·o·gies
1. Ethical or moral theory concerned with duties and rights.
2. The doctrine that ethical status of an action lies in its adherence to a set of rules.

depilatory (dĭ-pĭlə-tôr′ē)

adj.
Having the capability to remove hair.
n. pl. de·pil·a·to·ries
A preparation in the form of a liquid or cream that is used to remove unwanted hair from the body.

deportee * (dē′pôr-tē)

n.
A deported person.

deprecate (dĕprĭ-kāt′)

tr.v. de·pre·cat·ed, de·pre·cat·ing, de·pre·cates
1. To express disapproval of; deplore.
2. To belittle; depreciate.
3. Computers To mark (a component of a software standard) as obsolete to warn against its use in the future so that it may be phased out.

derivation (dĕr′ə-vāshən)

n.
1.
a. The act or process of deriving.
b. The state or fact of being derived; origination: a custom of recent derivation.
c. Something derived; a derivative.
2. The form or source from which something is derived; an origin.
3. Linguistics
a. The historical origin and development of a word; an etymology.
b. The process by which words are formed from existing words or bases by adding affixes, as singer from sing or undo from do, by changing the shape of the word or base, as song from sing, or by adding an affix and changing the pronunciation of the word or base, as electricity from electric.
c. In generative linguistics, the generation of a linguistic structure through an ordered or partially ordered series of operations on other structures, such as the creation of a surface structure from a deep structure, or of a complex word from its morphological components.
d. The formal description of the process of such generation.
4. Logic & Mathematics A logical or mathematical process indicating through a sequence of statements that a result such as a theorem or a formula necessarily follows from the initial assumptions.

desecrate (dĕsĭ-krāt′)

tr.v. des·e·crat·ed, des·e·crat·ing, des·e·crates
To violate the sacredness of; profane.

desiccate * (dĕsĭ-kāt′)

v. des·ic·cat·ed, des·ic·cat·ing, des·ic·cates
v.tr.
1. To dry out thoroughly.
2. To preserve (foods) by removing the moisture. See Synonyms at dry.
3. To make dry, dull, or lifeless: "Stalinism desiccated the grassroots of urban government" (Timothy J. Colton).
v.intr.
To become dry; dry out.
adj. (also -kĭt)
Lacking spirit or animation; arid: "There was only the sun-bruised and desiccate feeling in his mind" (J.R. Salamanca).

desiderate (dĭ-sĭdə-rāt′)

tr.v. de·sid·er·at·ed, de·sid·er·at·ing, de·sid·er·ates
To wish to have or see happen.

despotism (dĕspə-tĭz′əm)

n.
1. Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority.
2. The actions of a despot; tyranny.
3.
a. A government or political system in which the ruler exercises absolute power.
b. A state so ruled.

destabilization (dē-stābə-līz′)

tr.v. de·sta·bi·lized, de·sta·bi·liz·ing, de·sta·bi·liz·es
1. To upset the stability or smooth functioning of: a policy that threatens to destabilize the economy; a new weapon that threatens to destabilize nuclear deterrence.
2. To undermine the power of (a government or leader) by subversive or terrorist acts.

deterge (dĭ-tûrj)

tr.v. de·terged, de·terg·ing, de·terg·es
To wash or wipe off (a wound, for example); cleanse.

detonation (dĕt′n-āshən)

n.
1. The act of exploding.
2. An explosion.

deuteranopia (d′tər-ə-nōpē-ə, dy′-)

n.
A form of colorblindness characterized by insensitivity to green.

development * (dĭ-vĕləp-mənt)

n.
1. The act of developing or the state of being developed, as:
a. The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
b. The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
2. A significant event, occurrence, or change: a news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
3. A group of dwellings built by the same contractor: bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
4. The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
5. Music
a. Elaboration of a theme with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
b. The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.

diabetes insipidus (ĭn-sĭpĭ-dəs)

n.
A chronic disorder marked by excessive urination and usually intense thirst and dehydration, caused either by insufficient production or release of the pituitary hormone vasopressin or by inability of the kidneys to respond effectively to vasopressin.

diagnoses (dī′əg-nōsĭs)

n. pl. di·ag·no·ses (-sēz)
1. Medicine
a. The act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient history, examination, and review of laboratory data.
b. The opinion derived from such an evaluation.
2.
a. A critical analysis of the nature of something.
b. The conclusion reached by such analysis.
3. Biology A brief description of the distinguishing characteristics of an organism, as for taxonomic classification.

dialectic (dī′ə-lĕktĭk)

n.
1. The art or practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments.
2. The process especially associated with Hegel of arriving at the truth by stating a thesis, developing a contradictory antithesis, and combining and resolving them into a coherent synthesis.
3. often dialectics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The Marxian process of change through the conflict of opposing forces, whereby a given contradiction is characterized by a primary and a secondary aspect, the secondary succumbing to the primary, which is then transformed into an aspect of a new contradiction.
4. dialectics (used with a sing. verb) A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions.
5. The contradiction between two conflicting forces viewed as the determining factor in their continuing interaction.

dicephalous * (dī-sĕfə-ləs)

adj.
Having two heads.

didactic (dī-dăktĭk) also di·dac·ti·cal (-tĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Intended to instruct.
2. Morally instructive.
3. Inclined to teach or moralize excessively.

differentiate (dĭf′ə-rĕnshē-āt′)

v. dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing, dif·fer·en·ti·ates
v.tr.
1. To constitute the distinction between: subspecies that are differentiated by the markings on their wings.
2. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.
3. To make different by alteration or modification.
4. Mathematics To calculate the derivative or differential of (a function).
v.intr.
1. To become distinct or specialized; acquire a different character.
2. To make distinctions; discriminate.
3. Biology To undergo differentiation.

digitization (dĭjĭ-tīz′)

tr.v. dig·i·tized, dig·i·tiz·ing, dig·i·tiz·es
To put (data, for example) into digital form.

diktat (dĭk-tät)

n.
1. A harsh, unilaterally imposed settlement with a defeated party.
2. An authoritative or dogmatic statement or decree.

dimorphism * (dī-môrfĭz′əm)

n.
1. Biology The existence among animals of the same species of two distinct forms that differ in one or more characteristics, such as coloration, size, or shape.
2. Botany The occurrence of two distinct forms of the same parts in one plant, as in the juvenile and adult leaves of ivy.
3. Chemistry & Physics Dimorphic crystallization.

Dionysian, dionysian (dī′ə-nĭshən, -nĭzhən, -nĭsē-ən)

adj.
1. Greek Mythology
a. Of or relating to Dionysus.
b. Of or devoted to the worship of Dionysus.
2. often dionysian Of an ecstatic, orgiastic, or irrational nature; frenzied or undisciplined: "remained the nearest to the instinctual, the irrational in music, and thus to the Dionysian spirit in art" (Musco Carner).
3. often dionysian In the philosophy of Nietzsche, of or displaying creative-intuitive power as opposed to critical-rational power.

diplomatic immunity

n.
The exemption enjoyed by diplomatic agents, their families, and members of their mission staffs from many ordinary criminal and civil laws of their host country, as determined under terms established by treaty and international law.

disabuse (dĭs′ə-byz)

tr.v. dis·a·bused, dis·a·bus·ing, dis·a·bus·es
To free from a falsehood or misconception: "It's up to you whether you want to disabuse your students of their fantasy that A's are guaranteed" (Rachel Kadish).

disbursal (dĭs-bûrsəl)

n.
Disbursement.

discographer (dĭ-skŏgrə-fē)

n. pl. dis·cog·ra·phies
1. The study and cataloging of phonograph records.
2. A comprehensive list of the recordings made by a particular performer or of a particular composer's works.

discordant (dĭ-skôrdnt)

adj.
1. Not being in accord; conflicting.
2. Disagreeable in sound; harsh or dissonant.

discretion (dĭ-skrĕshən)

n.
1. The quality of being discreet; circumspection: "the almost unknown young man who lived in the upper room ... coming and going with discretion" (Doris Lessing).
2. Freedom to act or judge on one's own: All the decisions were left to our discretion.
3. Archaic The ability or power to discern what is responsible or socially appropriate: "She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion" (Jane Austen).

disinherit (dĭs′ĭn-hĕrĭt)

tr.v. dis·in·her·it·ed, dis·in·her·it·ing, dis·in·her·its
1. To exclude from inheritance or the right to inherit.
2. To deprive of a natural or established right or privilege.

disparity (dĭ-spărĭ-tē)

n. pl. dis·par·i·ties
1. The condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree; difference: "narrow the economic disparities among regions and industries" (Courtenay Slater).
2. Unlikeness; incongruity.

dispensation (dĭs′pən-sāshən, -pĕn-)

n.
1.
a. The act of dispensing.
b. Something dispensed.
c. A specific arrangement or system by which something is dispensed.
2. An exemption or release from an obligation or rule, granted by or as if by an authority.
3.
a. An exemption from a church law, a vow, or another similar obligation granted in a particular case by an ecclesiastical authority.
b. The document containing this exemption.
4. Theology
a. The divine ordering of worldly affairs.
b. A religious system or code of commands considered to have been divinely revealed or appointed.

dissever (dĭ-sĕvər)

v. dis·sev·ered, dis·sev·er·ing, dis·sev·ers
v.tr.
1. To separate; sever.
2. To divide into parts; break up.
v.intr.
To become separated or disunited.

dissuade (dĭ-swād)

tr.v. dis·suad·ed, dis·suad·ing, dis·suades
To prevent (someone) from a purpose or course of action by persuasion: dissuaded my friend from pursuing such a rash scheme.

distinguishable (dĭ-stĭnggwĭsh)

v. dis·tin·guished, dis·tin·guish·ing, dis·tin·guish·es
v.tr.
1.
a. To perceive as being different or distinct: Can you distinguish a pattern in this behavior?
b. To perceive distinctly; discern: The lookout distinguished the masts of ships on the horizon.
2.
a. To demonstrate or describe as being different or distinct: a scientist who distinguished four species of the plant.
b. To be an identifying characteristic of; make noticeable or different: These spices distinguish this style of Asian cooking.
3. To cause (oneself) to be respected or eminent: They have distinguished themselves as dedicated social workers.
v.intr.
To perceive or indicate differences; discriminate: Can the child distinguish between right and wrong?

diurnal (dī-ûrnəl)

adj.
1. Relating to or occurring in a 24-hour period; daily.
2. Occurring or active during the daytime rather than at night: diurnal animals.
3. Botany Opening during daylight hours and closing at night.
n.
1. A book containing all the offices for the daily canonical hours of prayer except matins.
2. Archaic
a. A diary or journal.
b. A daily newspaper.

divertissement (də-vûrtĭs-mənt, dē-vĕr-tēs-mäɴ)

n.
1. A short performance, typically a ballet, that is presented as an interlude in an opera, play, or other entertainment.
2. Music See divertimento.
3. A diversion; an amusement.

do-it-yourselfer (d′ĭt-yər-sĕlf)

adj.
Of, relating to, or designed to be done by an amateur or as a hobby: do-it-yourself home repairs; a do-it-yourself sailboat kit.

dolce vita * (vētə, -tä)

n.
A luxurious, self-indulgent way of life.

double indemnity

n.
A clause in an insurance policy that provides for payment of double the face value of the contract in case of accidental death.

doublespeak (dŭbəl-spēk′)

n.
1. Meaningless speech that consists of nonsense syllables mixed with intelligible words; gibberish.
2. Deliberately ambiguous or evasive language.

doxology (dŏk-sŏlə-jē)

n. pl. dox·ol·o·gies
An expression of praise to God, especially a short hymn sung as part of a Christian worship service.

dracaena, Dracaena (drə-sēnə)

n.
Any of several tropical plants of the genera Dracaena and Cordyline cultivated as house plants for their sword-shaped sometimes variegated leaves.

drugget * (drŭgĭt)

n.
1.
a. A heavy felted fabric usually of wool or wool and cotton, used as a floor covering.
b. A coarse rug of this fabric.
2. A fabric woven wholly or partly of wool, formerly used for clothing.

dubiety * (d-bīĭ-tē, dy-)

n. pl. du·bi·e·ties
1. The condition of being doubtful or uncertain. See Synonyms at uncertainty.
2. A feeling or matter of doubt: "His feeling partook less of intuitional conviction than of strong suspicion clogged by strange dubieties" (Herman Melville).

ductility (dŭktəl, -tīl′)

adj.
1. Easily drawn into wire or hammered thin: ductile metals.
2. Easily molded or shaped. See Synonyms at malleable.
3. Capable of being readily persuaded or influenced; tractable: a ductile young mind.

dulcimer * (dŭlsə-mər)

n.
1. A narrow, often hourglass-shaped stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard, typically held flat across the knees while sitting and played by plucking or strumming. Also called Appalachian dulcimer, mountain dulcimer.
2. The hammered dulcimer.

durum (drəm, dyr-, dûr-)

n.
A type of wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum syn. T. durum) having hard grains with high protein and gluten content, thought to have been developed in the Middle East in the Neolithic period and now used chiefly in making pasta.

dyad * (dīăd′, -əd)

n.
1. Two individuals or units regarded as a pair: the mother-daughter dyad.
2. Biology One pair of homologous chromosomes resulting from the division of a tetrad during meiosis.
3. Mathematics
a. A function that draws a correspondence from any vector u to the vector (v·u)w and is denoted vw, where v and w are a fixed pair of vectors and v·u is the scalar product of v and u. For example, if v = (2,3,1), w = (0,-1,4), and u = (a,b,c), then the dyad vw draws a correspondence from u to (2a + 3b + c)w.
b. A tensor formed from a vector in a vector space and a linear functional on that vector space.
adj.
Made up of two units.

dybbuk (dĭbk, dē-bk)

n. pl. dyb·buksor dyb·buk·im (dĭ-bkĭm, dē′b-kēm)
In Jewish folklore, the wandering soul of a dead person that enters the body of a living person and controls the living person's behavior.

dystopian (dĭs-tōpē-ən)

adj.
1. Of or relating to a dystopia.
2. Dire; grim: "AIDS is one of the dystopian harbingers of the global village" (Susan Sontag).

early warning system

n.
1. A network of sensing devices, such as satellites or radar, for detecting an enemy attack in time to take defensive or counteroffensive measures.
2. A system or procedure designed to warn of a potential or an impending problem.

earth art

n.
The creation of artistic forms, often on a large scale, using local natural materials such as earth, sand, or rock.

eau de cologne (ō′ də kə-lōn)

n.
A scented liquid made of alcohol and various fragrant oils.

echeveria, Echeveria (ĕch′ə-və-rēə)

n.
Any of various tropical American plants of the genus Echeveria, having thick, succulent leaves usually clustered in dense rosettes.

echinoid (ĭ-kīnoid′)

n.
An echinoderm of the class Echinoidea, which includes the sand dollars and sea urchins.

economize (ĭ-kŏnə-mīz′)

v. e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing, e·con·o·miz·es
v.intr.
1. To practice economy, as by avoiding waste or reducing expenditures.
2. To make economical use of something: "The best that can be said for this method is that it economizes on thought" (Christopher Hitchens).
v.tr.
To use or manage with thrift: the need to economize scarce energy resources.

edentate (ē-dĕntāt′)

adj.
1. Lacking teeth.
2. Of or belonging to the former order Edentata of mammals having few or no teeth, including the anteaters, armadillos, and sloths. These animals have been reclassified in the order Xenarthra.
n.
A member of the former order Edentata.

eeriest (îrē)

adj. ee·ri·er, ee·ri·est
1. Inspiring inexplicable fear, dread, or uneasiness; strange and frightening. See Synonyms at weird.
2. Scots Frightened or intimidated by superstition.

effectual (ĭ-fĕkch-əl)

adj.
Producing or sufficient to produce a desired effect.

effluence (ĕfl-əns)

n.
1. The act or an instance of flowing out.
2. Something that flows out or forth; an emanation.

effluxion (ĕflŭks′)

n.
1. A flowing outward.
2. Something that flows out or forth; an effluence.
3. A passing or an expiration, as of time.

egalitarian * (ĭ-găl′ĭ-târē-ən)

adj.
Affirming, promoting, or characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.

eisteddfod (ā-stĕthvŏd, ī-stĕth-)

n. pl. eis·tedd·fods or eis·tedd·fod·au (ā′stĕth-vŏdī, ī′stĕth-)
An annual competitive festival of Welsh poets and musicians.

eland * (ēlənd)

n. pl. eland also e·lands
Either of two large African antelopes (Taurotragus oryx or T. derbianus) having a light brown or grayish coat, spirally twisted horns, and in the male a large dewlap.

electability (ĭ-lĕktə-bəl)

adj.
Fit or able to be elected, especially to public office: an electable candidate.

elixir (ĭ-lĭksər)

n.
1. A sweetened aromatic solution of alcohol and water, serving as a vehicle for medicine.
2.
a. See philosophers' stone.
b. A substance believed to maintain life indefinitely. Also called elixir of life.
c. A substance or medicine believed to have the power to cure all ills.
3. An underlying principle.

ellipsis (ĭ-lĭpsĭs)

n. pl. el·lip·ses (-sēz)
1.
a. The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.
b. An example of such omission.
2. A mark or series of marks ( ... or * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.

emaciation * (ĭ-māshē-āt′)

tr. & intr.v. e·ma·ci·at·ed, e·ma·ci·at·ing, e·ma·ci·ates
To make or become extremely thin, especially as a result of starvation.

embarrassment * (ĕm-bărəs-mənt)

n.
1. The act or an instance of embarrassing: His embarrassment of the guests ended the party.
2. The state of being embarrassed: My face turned red with embarrassment.
3. A source or cause of being embarrassed: Your display of rudeness was an embarrassment to me.
4. An overabundance: an embarrassment of choices at a buffet dinner; an embarrassment of riches.
5. Financial difficulty: fell into financial embarrassment.

emendation (ĭ-mĕn′dāshən, ē′mĕn-)

n.
1. The act of emending.
2. An alteration intended to improve: the editor's textual emendations.

emmetropia * (ĕm′ĭ-trōpē-ə)

n.
The condition of the normal eye when parallel rays of light are focused exactly on the retina and vision is perfect.

empoison (ĕm-poizən)

tr.v. em·poi·soned, em·poi·son·ing, em·poi·sons
1. To fill with venom; embitter.
2. Archaic To poison.

empressement (äɴ′prĕs-mäɴ)

n.
Effusive cordiality.

empyrean (ĕm′pī-rēən, ĕm-pîrē-ən)

n.
1.
a. The highest reaches of heaven, believed by the ancients to be a realm of pure fire or light.
b. The abode of God and the angels; paradise.
2. The sky.
adj.
Of or relating to the empyrean of ancient belief.

en bloc (äɴ blôk, ĕn blŏk)

adv.
As a unit; all together.

enarthrosis (ĕn′är-thrōsĭs)

n. pl. en·ar·thro·ses (-sēz)
Anatomy
n.
1. A synovial joint, such as the shoulder or hip joint, in which a spherical knob or knoblike part of one bone fits into a cavity or socket of another, so that some degree of rotary motion is possible in every direction.

encephaloma * (ĕn-sĕf′ə-lōmə)

n. pl. en·ceph·a·lo·mas or en·ceph·a·lo·ma·ta (-mə-tə)
A tumor of the brain.

enchiridion (ĕn′kī-rĭdē-ən)

n. pl. en·chi·rid·i·ons or en·chi·rid·i·a (-ē-ə)
A handbook; a manual.

enfant terrible (singular) * (äɴ-fäɴ′ tĕ-rēblə)

n. pl. en·fants ter·ri·bles (äɴ-fäɴ′ tĕ-rēblə)
One whose startlingly unconventional behavior, work, or thought embarrasses or disturbs others: The radical painter was the enfant terrible of the art establishment.

ennead * (ĕnē-ăd′)

n.
A group or set of nine.

entanglement (ĕn-tănggəl)

tr.v. en·tan·gled, en·tan·gling, en·tan·gles
1. To cause to become twisted together or caught in a snarl or entwining mass: The fishing lines became entangled. His foot was entangled in the wiring.
2. To involve in a complicated situation or in circumstances from which it is difficult to disengage: The country found itself entangled in a series of regional conflicts. She wanted to avoid relationships that might entangle her emotions. See Synonyms at catch.
3. Physics To cause (the quantum states of two or more objects) to become correlated in such a way that they remain correlated, even though the objects are separated spatially.

entrechat (ŏn′trə-shä)

n.
A jump in ballet during which the dancer crosses the legs a number of times, alternately back and forth.

enumerate (ĭ-nmə-rāt′, -ny-)

tr.v. e·nu·mer·at·ed, e·nu·mer·at·ing, e·nu·mer·ates
1. To count off or name one by one; list: A spokesperson enumerated the strikers' demands.
2. To determine the number of; count.

envenomed (ĕn-vĕnəm)

tr.v. en·ven·omed, en·ven·om·ing, en·ven·oms
1. To make poisonous or noxious.
2. To embitter.

enzymes (ĕnzīm)

n.
Any of numerous compounds that are produced by living organisms and function as biochemical catalysts. Some enzymes are simple proteins, and others consist of a protein linked to one or more nonprotein groups.

ephemeral * (ĭ-fĕmər-əl)

adj.
1. Lasting for a markedly brief time: "There remain some truths too ephemeral to be captured in the cold pages of a court transcript" (Irving R. Kaufman).
2. Having a short lifespan or a short annual period of aboveground growth. Used especially of plants.
n.
Something, especially a plant, that is ephemeral.

epidermis * (ĕp′ĭ-dûrmĭs)

n.
1. The outer, protective, nonvascular layer of the skin of vertebrates, covering the dermis.
2. An integument or outer layer of various invertebrates.
3. The outermost layer of cells covering the leaves and young parts of a plant.

epigone (ĕpĭ-gōn′)

n.
A second-rate imitator or follower, especially of an artist or a philosopher.

epigrammatic * (ĕp′ĭ-grə-mătĭk) also ep·i·gram·mat·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Of or having the nature of an epigram.
2. Containing or given to the use of epigrams.

episcopacy (ĭ-pĭskə-pə-sē)

n. pl. e·pis·co·pa·cies
1. Bishops considered as a group.
2. A system of church government in which bishops are the chief clerics.

epistaxis (ĕp′ĭ-stăksĭs)

n. pl. ep·i·stax·es (-stăksēz′)
A nosebleed.

epizootic (ĕp′ĭ-zō-ŏtĭk)

adj.
Occurring at the same time among an unusually large number of animals in a particular geographic area. Used of a disease.
n.
An epizootic disease.

equerry * (ĕkwə-rē)

n. pl. eq·uer·ries
1. A personal attendant to the British royal household.
2. An officer charged with supervision of the horses belonging to a royal or noble household.

errhine (ĕrīn′)

adj.
Promoting or inducing nasal discharge.
n.
A medication that promotes or induces such discharge.

erysipeloid (ĕr′ĭ-sĭpə-loid′, îr′ə-)

n.
An acute infectious disease of humans caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae,usually contracted from contact with contaminated meat, fish, or shellfish and characterized by pain, swelling, and redness of the skin near the initial site of infection and sometimes by fever and joint pain.

escalade (ĕskə-lād′, -läd′)

n.
The act of scaling a fortified wall or rampart.

esophagus, oesophagus (ĭ-sŏfə-gəs)

n. pl. e·soph·a·gi (-jī′, -gī′) also oe·soph·a·gi
The muscular tube by which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; the gullet.

espalier (ĭ-spălyər, -yā′)

n.
1. A tree or shrub that is trained to grow in a flat plane against a wall or trellis, often in a symmetrical pattern.
2. A trellis or other framework on which an espalier is grown.
tr.v. es·pal·iered, es·pal·ier·ing, es·pal·iers
1. To train as or on an espalier.
2. To provide with an espalier.

ethnocentrism * (ĕth′nō-sĕntrĭz′əm)

n.
1. Belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group.
2. Overriding concern with ethnicity.

ethnomusicology (ĕth′nō-my′zĭ-kŏlə-jē)

n.
1. The scientific study of music, especially traditional or non-Western music, as an aspect of culture.
2. The comparative study of music of different cultures.

étouffée (singular) (ā′t-fā)

n. pl. é·touf·fées (-fā)
A spicy Cajun stew of vegetables and seafood, especially crayfish or shrimp.

euphemize * (yfə-mīz′)

v. eu·phe·mized, eu·phe·miz·ing, eu·phe·miz·es
v.tr.
To speak of or refer to by means of a euphemism.
v.intr.
To use euphemisms.

Euphrates (y-frātēz)

A river of southwest Asia flowing about 2,800 km (1,740 mi) from central Turkey through Syria and into Iraq, where it joins the Tigris River to form the Shatt al Arab. Its waters were a major source of irrigation for the flourishing civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia

eurythermal (yr′ə-thûrməl) also eu·ry·ther·mic (-mĭk) or eu·ry·ther·mous (-məs)

adj.
Adaptable to a wide range of temperatures. Used of an organism.

evanesce (ĕv′ə-nĕs)

intr.v. ev·a·nesced, ev·a·nesc·ing, ev·a·nesc·es
To dissipate or disappear like vapor.

evangelism (ĭ-vănjə-lĭz′əm)

n.
1. Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work.
2. Fervent advocacy of a cause.

evasiveness * (ĭ-vāsĭv)

adj.
1. Inclined or intended to evade: took evasive action.
2. Intentionally vague or ambiguous; equivocal: an evasive statement.

exacerbate (ĭg-zăsər-bāt′)

tr.v. ex·ac·er·bat·ed, ex·ac·er·bat·ing, ex·ac·er·bates
To increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate: a speech that exacerbated racial tensions; a heavy rainfall that exacerbated the flood problems.

exactitude (ĭg-zăktĭ-td, -tyd′)

n.
The state or quality of being exact.

exceptive (ĭk-sĕptĭv)

adj.
1. Of, being, or containing an exception.
2. Archaic Captious; faultfinding.

excision (ĭk-sīz)

tr.v. ex·cised, ex·cis·ing, ex·cis·es
To remove by or as if by cutting: excised the tumor; excised two scenes from the film.

excruciatingly (ĭk-skrshē-ā′tĭng)

adj.
1. Intensely painful; agonizing.
2. Very intense or extreme: wrote with excruciating precision.

execrable (ĕksĭ-krə-bəl)

adj.
1. Deserving of execration; hateful.
2. Extremely inferior; very bad: an execrable meal.

executrix (ĭg-zĕkyə-trĭks′)

n. pl. ex·ec·u·trix·es or ex·ec·u·tri·ces (-trīsēz′)
Law
A woman appointed by a testator to execute the testator's will.

exemplary (ĭg-zĕmplə-rē)

adj.
1. Worthy of imitation; commendable: exemplary behavior.
2. Serving as a model.
3. Serving as an illustration; typical.
4. Serving as a warning; admonitory.

exhaustive (ĭg-zôstĭv)

adj.
1. Treating all parts or aspects without omission; thorough: an exhaustive study.
2. Tending to exhaust.

exiguity (ĕk′sĭ-gyĭ-tē)

n.
The quality or condition of being scanty or meager.

exorbitant (ĭg-zôrbĭ-tənt)

adj.
Going beyond what is reasonable or customary, especially in cost or price: exorbitant rent; exorbitant telephone bills.

expectorate (ĭk-spĕktə-rāt′)

v. ex·pec·to·rat·ed, ex·pec·to·rat·ing, ex·pec·to·rates
v.tr.
1. To eject from the mouth; spit.
2. To cough up and eject by spitting.
v.intr.
1. To spit.
2. To clear out the chest and lungs by coughing up and spitting out matter.

expeditionary * (ĕk′spĭ-dĭshə-nĕr′ē)

adj.
1. Relating to or constituting an expedition.
2. Sent on or designed for military operations abroad: the French expeditionary force in Indochina.

expropriate (ĕk-sprōprē-āt′)

tr.v. ex·pro·pri·at·ed, ex·pro·pri·at·ing, ex·pro·pri·ates
To take (a property) for public use.

expurgate (ĕkspər-gāt′)

tr.v. ex·pur·gat·ed, ex·pur·gat·ing, ex·pur·gates
To remove erroneous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable material from (a book, for example) before publication.

exsiccate * (ĕksĭ-kāt′)

ntr. & tr.v. ex·sic·cat·ed, ex·sic·cat·ing, ex·sic·cates
To dry up or cause to dry up.

extortioner (ĭk-stôrshən)

n.
1. Illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage.
2. The act or an instance of extorting something, as by psychological pressure.
3. An excessive or exorbitant charge.

extradition (ĕk′strə-dĭshən)

n.
The surrender of an individual by one nation or state to another nation or state where that individual is sought for trial or punishment for the commission of a crime.

extraneous (ĭk-strānē-əs)

adj.
1. Not constituting an essential or vital element or part: school rules forbidding extraneous clothing like hats.
2. Unrelated to the topic or matter at hand. See Synonyms at irrelevant.
3. Coming from the outside: extraneous noise.

extraordinaire (ĕk′strə-ôr′dn-âr, -dē-nâr)

adj.
Extraordinary: a jazz singer extraordinaire.

exuviae (ĭg-zvē-ē′)

pl.n.
The cast-off skins or coverings of various organisms, such as the shells of crabs or the external coverings of the larvae and nymphs of insects.

façadism, facadism (fə-sädĭz′əm)

n.
The practice of preserving the fronts of old buildings while demolishing the backs, often constructing modern interiors behind the old façades.

faena (fä-ānä)

n.
The series of final passes performed by a matador preparatory to killing a bull in a bullfight.

faience, faïence (fī-äns, -äɴs, fā-)

n.
1. Earthenware decorated with colorful opaque glazes.
2. A moderate to strong greenish blue.

fair market value

n.
The price, as of a commodity or service, at which both buyers and sellers agree to do business.

fajita (fə-hētə)

n. often fajitas
A dish consisting of strips of marinated meat or vegetables that are grilled over an open fire and served in a tortilla, usually with spicy condiments.

fallacious (fə-lāshəs)

adj.
1. Containing or based on a fallacy: a fallacious assumption.
2. Tending to mislead; deceptive: fallacious testimony.

Falstaffian (fôl-stăfē-ən)

adj.
Characterized by joviality and conviviality.

Fascisti * (fä-shēstē)

pl.n.
The members of an Italian political organization that controlled Italy under the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943.

fatidic * (fə-tĭdĭk) also fa·tid·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)

adj.
Relating to or characterized by prophecy; prophetic.

fatigable (fătĭ-gə-bəl)

adj.
Subject to fatigue.

faux pas (fō pä)

n. pl. faux pas (fō päz)
A social blunder.

Federal Reserve System

n.
The US central bank, a system of 12 Federal Reserve banks, each serving member commercial banks in its own district. This system, supervised by the Federal Reserve Board, has broad regulatory powers over the money supply and the credit structure.

fedora (fĭ-dôrə)

n.
A soft felt hat with a fairly low crown creased lengthwise and a brim that can be turned up or down.

feminism (fĕmə-nĭz′əm)

n.
1. Belief in or advocacy of women's social, political, and economic rights, especially with regard to equality of the sexes.
2. The movement organized around this belief.

feoffment (fĕfmənt, fēf-)

n.
Law
The transfer of a fee.

fermium (fûrmē-əm, fĕr-)

fer·mi·um (fûrmē-əm, fĕr-)
Share:
n. Symbol Fm
A synthetic transuranic metallic element having over 20 isotopes and isomers with mass numbers ranging from 242 to 260. The longest-lived isotope has mass number 257 and a half-life of approximately 100 days. Atomic number 100; melting point 1527°C; valence 3.

Fertile Crescent (fŭrtl)

A region of the Middle East extending from the Levant across the northern part of the Syrian Desert to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Climatic and ecological conditions in the Fertile Crescent favored the Neolithic development of agriculture, eventually giving rise to such civilizations as Sumer, Egypt, Babylonia, and Phoenicia.

fervency (fûrvən-sē)

n. pl. fer·ven·cies
The condition or quality of being fervent.

Filipino (fĭl′ə-pēnō)

n. pl. Fil·i·pi·nos
1.
a. A native or inhabitant of the Philippines.
b. A person of Filipino ancestry.
2. The Austronesian language that is based on Tagalog, draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages, and is the official language of the Philippines.
adj.
Of or relating to the Philippines or its peoples, languages, or cultures.

flaccid * (flăsĭd, flăksĭd)

adj.
1. Lacking firmness; hanging limply: flaccid muscles.
2. Lacking force, vigor, or effectiveness: a flaccid acting performance.

flagellant (flăjə-lənt, flə-jĕlənt)

n.
1. One who whips, especially one who scourges oneself for religious discipline or public penance.
2. One who seeks sexual gratification in beating or being beaten by another person.

flambéing (fläm-bā, fläɴ-)

tr.v. flam·béed, flam·bé·ing, flam·bés
To drench with a liquor, such as brandy, and ignite: flambéed the steak at the table.
adj.
Served flaming in ignited liquor: steak flambé.

flame-retardant *

n.
A substance that is applied to fabric, wood, or other material in order to make it resistant to catching fire. Also called fire retardant.

flavonoid * (flāvə-noid′)

n.
1. Any of a large group of water-soluble antioxidant compounds, including the anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, and isoflavonoids, often occurring as glycosides in plants and consisting of two aromatic rings linked by a carbon bridge that often forms a heterocyclic ring. Flavonoids are found in tea, red wine, and a variety of vegetables and fruits.
2. Any of various compounds that are a subset of this group, including the flavones, flavanols, and flavonols, as distinguished from the isoflavonoids. In both senses also called bioflavonoid.

flews (flz)

pl.n.
The pendulous corners of the upper lip of certain dogs, such as the bloodhound.

flextime (flĕkstīm′)

n.
An arrangement by which employees may set their own work schedules, especially their starting and finishing hours. Also called flexitime.

flimflam (flĭmflăm′)

n.
1. Nonsense; humbug.
2. A deception; a swindle.
tr.v. flim·flammed, flim·flam·ming, flim·flams
To swindle; cheat.

floruit (flôry-ĭt, --, flŏr-)

Abbr. fl.
Used to indicate the period during which a person lived or a school or movement was most active or flourishing.

fluky, flukey (flkē)

adj. fluk·i·er, fluk·i·est
1. Resulting from or depending on mere chance.
2. Constantly shifting; uncertain: a fluky wind.

fluoroscopy (fl-rŏskə-pē, flô-, flō-)

n. pl. fluo·ros·co·pies
Examination by means of a fluoroscope.

fluorosis (fl-rōsĭs, flô-, flō-)

n.
An abnormal condition caused by excessive intake of fluorine, as from fluoridated drinking water, characterized chiefly by mottling of the teeth.

focus group *

n.
A small group selected from a wider population and sampled, as by open discussion, for its members' opinions about or emotional response to a particular subject or area, used especially in market research or political analysis.

folderol * (fŏldə-rŏl′) also fal·de·ral (făldə-răl′)

n.
1. Foolishness; nonsense.
2. A trifle; a gewgaw.

folie à deux (fô-lē′ ä dœ, fŏl′ē)

n.
A condition in which two individuals who share a close relationship experience the same delusions or hallucinations as the result of a mental disorder such as schizophrenia affecting one or both of them. Also called shared psychotic disorder.

foreshadow (fôr-shădō)

tr.v. fore·shad·owed, fore·shad·ow·ing, fore·shad·ows
To present an indication or a suggestion of beforehand; presage: hostilities that foreshadowed all-out war.

formaldehyde (fôr-măldə-hīd′)

n.
A pungent colorless flammable gaseous compound, CH2O, the simplest and most reactive aldehyde, used for manufacturing melamine and phenolic resins, fertilizers, dyes, and embalming fluids and in aqueous solution as a preservative and disinfectant.

Francophobe * (frăngkə-fōb′)

n.
A person who dislikes or fears France, its people, or its culture.

fraught (frôt)

adj.
1. Filled with a specified element or elements; charged: an incident fraught with danger; an evening fraught with high drama.
2. Marked by or causing distress; emotional: "an account of a fraught mother-daughter relationship" (Francesca Simon).
n.
Scots
Freight; cargo.

freesia, Freesia (frēzhə, -zhē-ə, -zē-ə)

n.
Any of several plants of the genus Freesia, native to southern Africa, having clusters of fragrant, variously colored flowers borne on one side of the stem.

fremitus * (frĕmĭ-təs)

n. pl. fremitus
A palpable vibration, as felt by the hand placed on the chest during coughing or speaking.

friary (frīə-rē)

n. pl. fri·ar·ies
A monastery of friars.

funerary (fynə-rĕr′ē)

adj.
Of or suitable for a funeral or burial.

furriery (fûrē-ə-rē)

n. pl. fur·ri·er·ies
1. Fur garments and trimmings considered as a group.
2. The business of a furrier.

galantine (gălən-tēn′)

n.
A dish of boned, stuffed meat or fish that is poached and served cold coated with aspic.

gambado (găm-bādō)

n. pl. gam·ba·does or gam·ba·dos
1. A low leap of a horse in which all four feet leave the ground.
2. A leaping or gamboling movement.

garden-variety (gärdn-və-rī′ĭ-tē)

adj.
Common; unremarkable: situation comedies and other garden-variety television fare.

gastroenterology (găs′trō-ĕn′tə-rŏlə-jē)

n.
The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system.

gauche (gōsh)

adj.
Lacking grace or social polish; awkward or tactless.

Geiger counter (gīgər)

n.
An instrument that detects and measures the intensity of radiation, such as particles from radioactive material, consisting of a Geiger tube and associated electronic equipment. Also called Geiger-Müller counter.

gemsbok (gĕmzbŏk′)

n.
A large antelope (Oryx gazella) of arid regions of southern Africa, having long spearlike horns and distinctive black and white markings on the head.

genealogist * (jē′nē-ŏlə-jē, -ăl-, jĕn′ē-)

n. pl. ge·ne·al·o·gies
1. A record or table of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors; a family tree.
2. Direct descent from an ancestor; lineage or pedigree.
3. The study or investigation of ancestry and family histories.

geneticist * (jə-nĕtĭ-sĭst)

n.
One who specializes in genetics.

geophagy (jē-ŏfə-jē)

n.
The eating of earthy substances, such as clay or chalk, practiced among various peoples as a custom or for dietary or subsistence reasons.

gerbil (jûrbəl)

n.
1. Any of various small, mouselike rodents of the genus Gerbillus and other genera of the subfamily Gerbillinae, having long hind legs and a long tail and inhabiting arid regions of Africa and Asia.
2. A Mongolian jird (Meriones unguiculatus) of the subfamily Gerbillinae, commonly domesticated and kept as a pet.

Gettysburg (gĕtēz-bûrg′, gĕtəs-)

A borough of southern Pennsylvania east-southeast of Chambersburg. It was the site of a major Union victory in the Civil War (July 1-3, 1863), which checked Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. The battle and Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address (delivered at the dedication of a cemetery here on November 19, 1863) are commemorated by a national park. President Dwight D. Eisenhower's farm, a national historic site, is also in Gettysburg.

Gila monster (helə)

n.
A large stocky venomous lizard (Heloderma suspectum) of the southwest United States and western Mexico, having black and orange, pink, or yellowish beadlike scales.

gimlet-eyed (gĭmlĭt-īd′)

adj.
Having keen vision.

glabrous (glābrəs)

adj.
Having no hairs or pubescence; smooth: glabrous leaves.

glaciology * (glā′shē-ŏlə-jē, -sē-)

n.
The scientific study of glaciers and their effects on the landscape.

glissando * (glĭ-sändō)

n. pl. glis·san·di (-dē) or glis·san·dos
Music
A rapid slide through a series of consecutive tones in a scalelike passage.

glitterati (glĭtə-rä′tē)

pl.n.
Informal
Highly fashionable celebrities: "private parties on Park Avenue and Central Park West, where the literati mingled with glitterati" (Skylines).

Gloucester (glŏstər, glôstər)

1. A city of southwest-central England on the Severn River west-northwest of London. Built on the site of the Roman city Glevum, it was the Saxon capital of Mercia.
2. A city of northeast Massachusetts on Cape Ann and the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Boston. Its harbor has been used by fishing fleets for three centuries.

glycogen (glīkə-jən)

n.
A polysaccharide, (C6H10O5)n, that is the main form of carbohydrate storage in animals and is found primarily in the liver and muscle tissue. It is readily converted to glucose as needed by the body to satisfy its energy needs. Also called animal starch.

Gordian knot (gôrdē-ən)

n.
1. An exceedingly complicated problem or deadlock.
2. An intricate knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia and cut by Alexander the Great with his sword after hearing an oracle promise that whoever could undo it would be the next ruler of Asia.

gourmand (gr-mänd, grmənd)

n.
1. A lover of good food.
2. A person who often eats too much.

gramineous (grə-mĭnē-əs)

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of grasses.
2. Of or belonging to the grass family.

granulocyte (grănyə-lō-sīt′)

n.
Any of a group of white blood cells having granules in the cytoplasm. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.

gravamen * (grə-vāmən)

n. pl. gra·va·mens or gra·vam·i·na (-vămə-nə)
Law
The main claim or most important aspect of a complaint against a defendant.

Grecism (grēsĭz′əm)

n.
1. The style or spirit of Greek culture, art, or thought.
2. The imitation of aspects of Greek culture, art, or thought.
3. An idiom of the Greek language.

Greenwich time * (grĕnĭch, grĭnĭj)

1.n. Abbr. UTC
An international time standard calculated by atomic clock and incorporating occasional leap seconds to compensate for changes in the rotation of the earth. Coordinated universal time serves as the basis for standard time around the world.
2.n. Abbr. UT
The time at the Prime Meridian, calculated from the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere and used primarily by astronomers.

grievousness (grēvəs)

adj.
1. Causing grief, pain, or anguish: a grievous loss.
2. Serious or dire; grave: a grievous crime.

groupthink (grpthĭngk′)

n.
The act or practice of reasoning or decision-making by a group, especially when characterized by uncritical acceptance or conformity to prevailing points of view.

G-suit (jēst′)

n.
A flight garment worn by astronauts and jet pilots that presses on the lower body to maintain the blood supply to the brain during rapid vertical acceleration.

guileful (gīlfəl)

adj.
Full of guile; deceitfully or treacherously cunning.

gutturalize (gŭtər-ə-līz′)

tr.v. gut·tur·al·ized, gut·tur·al·iz·ing, gut·tur·al·iz·es
1. To pronounce in a guttural manner.
2. Linguistics To velarize.

gynecocracy (gī′nĭ-kŏkrə-sē, jĭn′ĭ-) or gy·noc·ra·cy (gī-nŏkrə-sē, jĭ-)

n. pl. gy·ne·coc·ra·cies or gy·noc·ra·cies
1. Government by women.
2. A society ruled by women.

gyral (jīrəl)

adj.
1. Moving in a circle or spiral; gyratory.
2. Of or relating to a gyrus.

habitation (hăb′ĭ-tāshən)

n.
1. The act of inhabiting or the state of being inhabited.
2.
a. A natural environment or locality.
b. A residence.

hagiography (hăg′ē-ŏgrə-fē, hā′jē-)

n. pl. hag·i·og·ra·phies
1.
a. The writing of the lives of saints.
b. A biography of a saint.
2.
a. The writing of an admiring or idealized biography.
b. An admiring or idealized biography.

halation (hā-lāshən)

n.
1. A blurring or spreading of light around bright areas on a photographic image.
2. A glow around a bright object on a television screen.

hammertoe * (hămər-tō′)

n.
A toe, usually the second, that is permanently flexed downward, resulting in a clawlike shape.

hapax legomenon (hāpăks′ lĭ-gŏmə-nŏn′)

n. pl. ha·pax le·go·me·na (-nə)
A word or form that occurs only once in the recorded corpus of a given language.

harm's way (härmz)

n.
A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way.

hawthorn (shrub) (hôthôrn′)

n.
Any of various usually thorny trees or shrubs of the genus Crataegus of the rose family, having clusters of white or pinkish flowers and reddish fruits containing a few one-seeded nutlets.

heartsease, heart's-ease (härtsēz′)

n.
1. Peace of mind.
2. A small European plant (Viola tricolor) having spurred flowers marked with purple, yellow, and white. It was used to develop hybrid varieties of cultivated pansies. Also called wild pansy.

heathenish (hēthən)

n. pl. hea·thens or heathen
1. Offensive
a. An adherent of a religion that does not worship the God of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.
b. Such persons considered as a group.
2. Heathen An adherent of a Neopagan religion that seeks to revive the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Germanic peoples.
3. Informal
a. One who is regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened.
b. Such persons considered as a group.

hectograph (hĕktə-grăf′)

n.
A machine employing a glycerin-coated layer of gelatin in order to make copies of typed or written material.
tr.v. hec·to·graphed, hec·to·graph·ing, hec·to·graphs
To copy by means of a hectograph.

hedgehog (hĕjhôg′, -hŏg′)

n.
1. Any of several small insectivorous mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, native to Eurasia and Africa and naturalized in New Zealand, having dense erectile spines covering the back and sides and characteristically rolling into a ball for protection.
2. Any of several spiny animals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.
3. A well fortified military position.
4. An antisubmarine weapon consisting of several rows of mortar-like dischargers positioned to fire in a circular pattern ahead of a ship.
5. An obstacle used against tanks and landing craft, consisting of three crossed iron bars welded or bolted together.

heliculture (hĕlĭ-kŭl′chər, hēlĭ-)

n.
The science and occupation of growing snails for food.

heliotaxis (hē′lē-ō-tăksĭs)

n.
The movement of an organism in response to the light of the sun.

hemodialysis (hē′mō-dī-ălĭ-sĭs)

n. pl. he·mo·di·al·y·ses (-sēz′)
A dialysis technique in which blood is removed from the body, filtered through a dialyzer that removes waste products and excess fluid, and then returned to the body.

hemophobia (hē′mə-fōbē-ə)

n.
Excessive fear of blood.

hennery * (hĕnə-rē)

n. pl. hen·ner·ies
1. A poultry farm.
2. A coop or cage for poultry; a chicken coop.

henotheism (hĕnə-thē-ĭz′əm)

n.
Belief in the supremacy of one god without denying the existence of others.

Herculaneum (hûr′kyə-lānē-əm)

An ancient city of south-central Italy on the Bay of Naples. A popular resort during Roman times, it was completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (AD 79). Important ruins have been unearthed since the early 1700s.

Herodotus (hĭ-rŏdə-təs)

Known as "the Father of History." Fifth century BC.
Greek historian whose writings on the Persian Wars are among the earliest known works of narrative history.

heroically (hĭ-rōĭk)

adj. also he·ro·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)
1. Of, relating to, or resembling the heroes of literature, legend, or myth.
2. Having, displaying, or characteristic of the qualities appropriate to a hero; courageous: heroic deeds.
3.
a. Impressive in size or scope; grand: heroic undertakings.
b. Of a size or scale that is larger than life: heroic sculpture.
n.
1. A line of heroic verse.
2. heroics Heroic behavior or action.
3. heroics Melodramatic behavior or language: "Activism has nothing to do with publicity or heroics or being visible" (Patricia Bosworth).

Hesperides (hĕ-spĕrĭ-dēz′)

pl.n.
Greek Mythology
1. The nymphs who together with a dragon watch over a garden in which golden apples grow.
2. (used with a sing. verb) A garden, situated at the western end of the earth, in which golden apples grow.

heterogeneity (hĕt′ə-rō′jə-nēĭ-tē)

n.
The quality or state of being heterogeneous.

hexapod * (hĕksə-pŏd′)

n.
Any of numerous six-legged arthropods of the subphylum Hexapoda, which includes the insects and several groups formerly classified as insects, such as the springtails.
adj.
1. Of or belonging to the subphylum Hexapoda.
2. Having six legs or feet.

hierarchal (hī′ə-rärkĭ-kəl, hī-rär-) or hi·er·ar·chic (-kĭk) or hi·er·ar·chal (-rärkəl)

adj.
Of or relating to a hierarchy.

higgledy-piggledy (hĭg′əl-dē-pĭgəl-dē)

adv.
In utter disorder or confusion.
adj.
Topsy-turvy; jumbled.

hippogriff, hippogryph (hĭpə-grĭf′)

n.
Mythology
A monster having the wings, claws, and head of a griffin and the body and hindquarters of a horse.

hircine (hûrsīn′, -sĭn)

adj.
Of or characteristic of a goat, especially in strong odor.

hispid (hĭspĭd)

adj.
Covered with stiff or rough hairs; bristly: hispid stems.

hollandaise sauce (hŏlən-dāz′)

n.
A rich creamy sauce made of butter, egg yolks, and lemon juice or vinegar.

holographic (hŏl′ə-grăfĭk, hō′lə-) also hol·o·graph·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Of or relating to holography or holograms.
2. also hol·o·graph (hŏlə-grăf, hōlə-) Of or being a document written wholly in the handwriting of the person whose signature it bears: a holographic will.

homiletics * (hŏm′ə-lĕtĭks)

n. (used with a sing. verb)
The art of preaching.

honorarium (ŏn′ə-rârē-əm)

n. pl. hon·o·rar·i·ums or hon·o·rar·i·a (-ē-ə)
A payment given to a professional person for services for which fees are not legally or traditionally required.

hors de combat (ôr′ də kôɴ-bä)

adv. & adj.
Out of action; disabled.

hospitalization (hŏs′pĭ-tl-ĭ-zāshən)

n.
1.
a. The act of placing a person in a hospital as a patient.
b. The condition of being hospitalized.
2. Insurance that fully or partially covers a patient's hospital expenses.

humilitaion (hy-mĭl′ē-āshən)

n.
1. The act of humiliating; degradation.
2. The state of being humiliated or disgraced; shame.
3. A humiliating condition or circumstance.

hydrazine (hīdrə-zēn′, -zĭn)

n.
A colorless, fuming, corrosive hygroscopic liquid, H2NNH2, used in jet and rocket fuels.

hydrogenous (hīdrə-jən)

n. Symbol H
A colorless, highly flammable element, that occurs as a diatomic molecule, H2, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe, used in the production of synthetic ammonia and methanol, in petroleum refining, in the hydrogenation of organic materials, as a reducing atmosphere, in oxyhydrogen torches, in cryogenic research, and in rocket fuels. Atomic number 1; atomic weight 1.00794; melting point -259.1°C; boiling point -252.8°C; density at 0°C 0.08988 gram per liter; valence 1.

hydrography (hī-drŏgrə-fē)

n. pl. hy·drog·ra·phies
1. The scientific description and analysis of the physical conditions, boundaries, flow, and related characteristics of the earth's surface waters.
2. The mapping of bodies of water.

hydrophobia (hī′drə-fōbē-ə)

n.
1. Fear of water.
2. Rabies.

hyoid bone

n.
A U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the muscles of the tongue

hypercritical * (hī′pər-krĭtĭ-kəl)

adj.
Excessively critical; captious.

hypopnea (hī-pŏpnē-ə, hī′pō-nēə)

n.
Abnormally slow, shallow breathing.

ichnography (ĭk-nŏgrə-fē)

n. pl. ich·nog·ra·phies
A ground plan of a building.

ichthyic (ĭkthē-ĭk)

adj.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of fishes.

iconoclast * (ī-kŏnə-klăst′)

n.
1. One who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions.
2. One who destroys sacred religious images.

idiotically (ĭd′ē-ŏtĭk)

adj.
1. Showing foolishness or stupidity.
2. Exhibiting profound intellectual disability. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.

idolatry (ī-dŏlə-trē)

n. pl. i·dol·a·tries
1. Worship of idols.
2. Blind or excessive devotion to something.

illuminati, Illuminati (ĭ-l′mə-nätē)

pl.n.
1. People claiming to be unusually enlightened with regard to a subject.
2. Illuminati Any of various groups claiming special religious or philosophical enlightenment.

illusionist * (ĭ-lzhə-nĭst)

n.
1. Philosophy An adherent of the doctrine of illusionism.
2. An artist whose work is marked by illusionism.
3. A magician or ventriloquist.

immeasurable * (ĭ-mĕzhər-ə-bəl)

adj.
Impossible to measure; limitless

immemorial (ĭm′ə-môrē-əl)

adj.
Reaching beyond the limits of memory, tradition, or recorded history.

immunocompetent (ĭm′yə-nō-kŏmpĭ-tənt, ĭ-my′-)

adj.
Having the normal bodily capacity to develop an immune response following exposure to an antigen.

impede (ĭm-pēd)

tr.v. im·ped·ed, im·ped·ing, im·pedes
To retard or obstruct the progress of.

imperialism * (ĭm-pîrē-ə-lĭz′əm)

n.
1. The extension of a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations.
2. A political doctrine or system promoting such extension of authority.

impracticable (ĭm-prăktĭ-kə-bəl)

adj.
1. Impossible to do or carry out: Refloating the sunken ship intact proved impracticable because of its fragility.
2. Unfit for passage: roads impracticable in winter.
3. Archaic Unmanageable; intractable.

imprecate * (ĭmprĭ-kāt′)

tr.v. im·pre·cat·ed, im·pre·cat·ing, im·pre·cates
To invoke evil upon; curse.

imprimis (ĭm-prīmĭs)

adv.
In the first place.

improbity (ĭm-prōbĭ-tē)

n.
Lack of probity; dishonesty.

impropriety (ĭm′prə-prīĭ-tē)

n. pl. im·pro·pri·e·ties
1. The quality or condition of being improper.
2. An improper act.
3. An improper or unacceptable usage in speech or writing.

impunity (ĭm-pynĭ-tē)

n. pl. im·pu·ni·ties
Exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm.

in toto (ĭn tōtō)

adv.
Totally; altogether: recommendations that were adopted in toto.

incapacitant (ĭn′kə-păsĭ-tənt)

n.
A device or substance, such as tear gas, used to incapacitate individuals temporarily, as in riot control.

incidentally * (ĭn′sĭ-dĕntl-ē)

adv.
1. As a minor or subordinate matter: by profession a lawyer and incidentally a musician.
2. (also -dĕntlē) Apart from the main subject; parenthetically.

incommodious (ĭn′kə-mōdē-əs)

adj.
Inconvenient or uncomfortable, as by not affording sufficient space.

incontrovertible (ĭn-kŏn′trə-vûrtə-bəl, ĭn′kŏn-)

adj.
Impossible to dispute; unquestionable: incontrovertible proof of the defendant's innocence.

incredulity (ĭn′krĭ-dlĭ-tē, -dy-)

n.
The state or quality of being incredulous; disbelief.

incumbency (ĭn-kŭmbən-sē)

n. pl. in·cum·ben·cies
1. The quality or condition of being incumbent.
2. Something incumbent; an obligation.
3.
a. The holding of an office or ecclesiastical benefice.
b. The term of an office or benefice.

incurable (ĭn-kyrə-bəl)

adj.
1. Being such that a cure is impossible; not curable: an incurable disease.
2. Incapable of being altered, as in disposition or habits: an incurable optimist; an incurable smoker.

indefensible (ĭn′dĭ-fĕnsə-bəl)

adj.
1. Inexcusable; unpardonable: indefensible behavior.
2. Invalid; untenable: an indefensible assumption.
3. Vulnerable to physical attack: indefensible borders.

indicative (ĭn-dĭkə-tĭv)

adj.
1. Serving to indicate: symptoms indicative of anemia; an insignia indicative of high rank.
2. Grammar Of, relating to, or being the mood of the verb used in ordinary objective statements.
n.
Grammar
1. The indicative mood.
2. A verb in the indicative mood.

Indochina * (ĭn′dō-chīnə)

1. A peninsula of southeast Asia comprising Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and the mainland territory of Malaysia. The area was influenced in early times by the cultures of India and China.
2. The former French colonial empire in southeast Asia, including much of the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula. French influence extended from roughly 1858 to the fall of Dien Bien Phu (1954).

indurate (ĭndə-rāt′, -dyə-)

v. in·du·rat·ed, in·du·rat·ing, in·du·rates
v.tr.
1. To make hard; harden: soil that had been indurated by extremes of climate.
2. To inure, as to hardship or ridicule.
3. To make callous or obdurate: "It is the curse of revolutionary calamities to indurate the heart" (Helen Maria Williams).
v.intr.
1. To grow hard; harden.
2. To become firmly fixed or established.
adj. (ĭnd-rĭt, -dyə-)
Hardened; obstinate; unfeeling.

industrywide (ĭndə-strē-wīd′)

adv. & adj.
Throughout an entire industry: sales that decreased industrywide; industrywide cooperation.

ineptitude (ĭn-ĕptĭ-td′, -tyd′)

n.
1. The quality of being inept; ineptness.
2. An inept act or remark.

inexhaustible (ĭn′ĭg-zôstə-bəl)

adj.
1. That cannot be entirely consumed or used up: an inexhaustible supply of coal.
2. Never wearying; tireless: an inexhaustible campaigner.

infinitesimal * (ĭn′fĭn-ĭ-tĕsə-məl)

adj.
1. Immeasurably or incalculably minute.
2. Mathematics Capable of having values approaching zero as a limit.
n.
1. An immeasurably or incalculably minute amount or quantity.
2. Mathematics A function or variable continuously approaching zero as a limit.

infrared (ĭn′frə-rĕd)

adj. Abbr. IR
1. Of or relating to electromagnetic radiation between microwaves and red visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum, having frequencies between 300 gigahertz and 400 terahertz and wavelengths between 1 millimeter and 750 nanometers.
2. Generating, using, or sensitive to infrared radiation.
n.
Infrared light or the infrared part of the spectrum.

inimitable (ĭ-nĭmĭ-tə-bəl)

adj.
Defying imitation; matchless.

iniquitous (ĭ-nĭkwĭ-təs)

adj.
Characterized by iniquity; wicked.

inoculation * (ĭ-nŏk′yə-lāshən)

n.
The act or an instance of inoculating, especially the introduction of an antigenic substance or vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.

insatiate (ĭn-sāshē-ĭt)

adj.
Insatiable.

insouciance (ĭn-ssē-əns, ăɴ′s-syäɴs)

n.
Blithe lack of concern; nonchalance.

instauration (ĭn′stô-rāshən)

n.
1. Renovation; restoration.
2. The institution or establishment of something.

insubordinate (ĭn′sə-bôrdn-ĭt)

adj.
Not submissive to authority: has a history of insubordinate behavior.

intemperate * (ĭn-tĕmpər-ĭt, -prĭt)

adj.
1. Not temperate or moderate, especially in rhetoric or tone; unrestrained: an intemperate denunciation.
2. Given to excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.

interchangeable (ĭn′tər-chānjə-bəl)

adj.
Capable of being interchanged: interchangeable items of clothing; interchangeable automotive parts.

intergenerational (ĭn′tər-jĕn′ə-rāshə-nəl)

adj.
Being or occurring between generations.

interleukin-1 (ĭntər-l′kĭn-wŭn)

n.
Any of a family of cytokines that are released by macrophages and other cells and stimulate the inflammatory response.

internecine (ĭn′tər-nĕsēn′, -ĭn, -nēsīn′)

adj.
1. Of or relating to struggle within a nation, organization, or group.
2. Mutually destructive; ruinous or fatal to both sides.
3. Characterized by bloodshed or carnage.

internuncio (ĭn′tər-nŭnsē-ō′, -nn-)

n. pl. in·ter·nun·ci·os
A Vatican diplomatic envoy or representative ranking just beneath a nuncio. No longer in use.

intramural (ĭn′trə-myrəl)

adj.
1. Existing or carried on within the bounds of an institution, especially a school: intramural athletics.
2. Anatomy Occurring or situated within the wall of a cavity or organ.

intransigent, intransigeant (ĭn-trănsə-jənt, -zə-)

adj.
Refusing to moderate a position, especially an extreme position; uncompromising.

intriguing * (ĭn-trēgĭng)

adj.
Arousing interest or curiosity: an intriguing plot.

intubate (ĭnt-bāt′, -ty-)

tr.v. in·tu·bat·ed, in·tu·bat·ing, in·tu·bates
To insert a tube into (a hollow organ or body passage).

invigorate * (ĭn-vĭgə-rāt′)

tr.v. in·vig·or·at·ed, in·vig·or·at·ing, in·vig·or·ates
To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate: "A few whiffs of the raw, strong scent of phlox invigorated her" (D.H. Lawrence).

iridescence (ĭr′ĭ-dĕsəns)

n.
The quality or state of being iridescent.

irrecusable (ĭr′ĭ-kyzə-bəl)

adj.
Not subject to challenge or objection: an irrecusable premise.

isallobar (ī-sălə-bär′)

n.
A line on a weather map connecting places having equal changes in atmospheric pressure within a given period of time.

isochronal (ī-sŏkrə-nəl) or i·soch·ro·nous (-nəs)

adj.
1. Equal in duration.
2. Characterized by or occurring at equal intervals of time.

isotope (īsə-tōp′)

n.
One of two or more atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers.

itemization (ītə-mīz′)

v. i·tem·ized, i·tem·iz·ing, i·tem·iz·es
v.tr.
1. To place or include on a list of items: itemized her expenses on the proper form.
2. To list the items of: itemized the expense account.
v.intr.
To list deductions from taxable income on a tax return: This benefit is available only to taxpayers who itemize.

jackbooted, jack-booted (jăkb′tĭd)

adj.
1. Wearing jackboots.
2. Cruelly and violently oppressive: "a revival of the aggressive, jack-booted militarism of the Thirties and Forties" (Saturday Review).

Jacobinical (jăkə-bĭn)

n.
1. A radical or extreme leftist.
2. A radical republican during the French Revolution.
3. A Dominican friar.

Jacob's ladder (jākəbz)

n.
1. Nautical A rope or chain ladder with rigid rungs.
2. Any of various plants of the genus Polemonium, especially P. caeruleum, having bell-shaped usually blue flowers and alternate, pinnately compound leaves with numerous leaflets.

jai alai (hī lī′, hī ə-lī′, hī′ ə-lī)

n.
A court game in which players use a long hand-shaped basket strapped to the wrist to propel a ball against a wall.

jalousie (jălə-sē)

n.
A blind or shutter having adjustable horizontal slats for regulating the passage of air and light.

japonica (jə-pŏnĭ-kə)

n.
1. Any of several East Asian shrubs of the genus Chaenomeles of the rose family, especially C. japonica, C. speciosa, and various hybrids and cultivars grown as ornamentals, having spiny branches and showy red or pink flowers
2. The common cultivated camellia (Camellia japonica).

Javanese (jăv′ə-nēz, -nēs, jä′və-)

adj.
Of or relating to Java or its people, language, or culture.
n. pl. Javanese
1. A native or inhabitant of Java, especially a member of the Javanese-speaking majority population.
2. The Austronesian language of the principal ethnic group of Java.

jeepney (jēpnē)

n. pl. jeep·neys
A jitney bus used in the Philippines for public transportation.

Jesuit, jesuit (jĕzh-ĭt, jĕz-, -y-)

n.
1. Roman Catholic Church A member of the Society of Jesus.
2. often jesuit One given to subtle casuistry.

jeté * (zhə-tā)

n.
A jump in dance from one foot to the other.

jillionaire * (jĭlyən)

n.
Informal
An indefinitely large number.

John Hancock (signature)

n.
Informal
A person's signature.

joint venture

n.
The undertaking of a specific commercial project by two or more companies or persons.

Judaize (jdē-īz′)

v. Ju·da·ized, Ju·da·iz·ing, Ju·da·iz·es
v.tr.
To bring into conformity with Judaism.
v.intr.
To adopt Jewish customs and beliefs.

judgmental (jŭj-mĕntl)

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or dependent on judgment: a judgmental error.
2. Inclined to make judgments, especially moral or personal ones: a marriage counselor who tries not to be judgmental.

Juneau (jnō′)

The capital of Alaska, in the Panhandle northeast of Sitka. It was settled by gold miners in 1880 and designated territorial capital in 1900 (effective 1906) and state capital in 1959.

junketeer (jŭng′kĭ-tēr)

n.
One who goes on a junket or junkets.

jus gentium (ys gĕntē-əm, jŭs jĕnshē-əm)

n.
The law of nations; international law.

juvenility (j′və-nĭlĭ-tē)

n. pl. ju·ve·nil·i·ties
1. The quality or condition of being juvenile; youthfulness.
2.
a. Foolishly juvenile behavior or character; immaturity.
b. An instance of juvenile behavior.

K ration *

n.
An emergency field ration for US armed forces in World War II, consisting of a single packaged meal.

kameez (kə-mēz)

n.
A long loose tunic, typically of three-quarter length, usually worn with a salwar.

kanzu (kănz)

n.
A long, usually white garment worn by men in Africa.

Karbala (kärbə-lə, kär′bə-lä) also Ker·be·la (kûrbə-lə)

A city of central Iraq south-southwest of Baghdad. It is a pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims, who visit the tomb of Hussein, grandson of Muhammad.

keloid, cheloid (kēloid′)

n.
A red, raised formation of fibrous scar tissue caused by excessive tissue repair in response to trauma or surgical incision.

Ketchikan (kĕchĭ-kăn′)

A city of southeast Alaska on an island in the Alexander Archipelago. A supply point for miners during the gold rush of the 1890s, it is now a major port and tourist center on the Inside Passage.

ketogenesis (kē′tō-jĕnĭ-sĭs)

n.
The formation of ketone bodies, as occurs in diabetes mellitus.

kibbutznik (kĭ-btsnĭk, -bts-)

n.
A member of a kibbutz.

Kiddush (kĭdəsh, kē-dsh)

n.
Judaism
The traditional blessing and prayer recited over wine on the eve of the Sabbath or a festival.

kielbasa * (kĭl-bäsə, kēl-)

n.
A spicy smoked Polish sausage.

Kiev * (kēĕf, -ĕv) or Ky·yiv (kēē)

The capital and largest city of Ukraine, in the north-central part of the country on the Dnieper River. Founded in the fifth century, it became the capital of Kievan Russia in the ninth century. Invaded by the Mongols in 1240, Kiev passed to Lithuania in the 14th century, became part of the Russian empire in 1686, and was ceded to the USSR in 1920.

kiloton (kĭlə-tŭn′)

n. Abbr. kt
1. A unit of weight or capacity equal to 1,000 metric tons.
2. An explosive energy equivalent to that of 1,000 metric tons of TNT.

kitsch (kĭch)

n.
Pieces of art or other objects that appeal to popular or uncultivated taste, as in being garish or overly sentimental.

Klamath (klăməth)

n. pl. Klamath or Klam·aths
1. A member of a Native American people inhabiting an area of the Cascade Range in south-central Oregon and northern California, with close cultural ties to the Modoc.
2. The Penutian language of the Klamath.

Klein bottle

n.
A one-sided topological surface having no inside or outside. It is depicted in ordinary space by inserting the small open end of a tapered tube through the side of the tube and making it contiguous with the larger open end, although a true Klein bottle would not intersect itself.

knockdown-dragout (nŏkdoun′drăgout′)

adj.
Marked by roughness, violence, and acrimony: a knockdown-dragout fight.

knowledge base

n.
1. A collection of data organized in a form that facilitates analysis by automated deductive processes, such as an expert system.
2. The collection of information representing the collective knowledge of an organization, arranged for easy search and retrieval.

kookiest (kkē)

adj. kook·i·er, kook·i·est
Slang
Characteristic of a kook; strange or crazy.

kouprey (kprā′)

n.
A large wild ox (Bos sauveli) of Cambodia, having a gray or blackish coat and, in the male, a large dewlap and long, spreading horns.

Kurdish (kûrdĭsh, kr-)

adj.
Of or relating to the Kurds or their language or culture.
n.
Any of a group of Iranian languages spoken by the Kurds.

Kyrgyzstan (kîrgē-stän′, kîr′gē-stän)

A country of Central Asia bordering on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and northwest China. Inhabited since the 1200s by the Kyrgyz people, the region was annexed by Russia (1876), incorporated into the USSR after the Russian Revolution (1922), and established as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936. Kyrgyzstan, sometimes called Kirghizia, declared its independence in 1991 upon the dissolution of the USSR. Bishkek is the capital and the largest city.

labiodental * (lā′bē-ō-dĕntl)

adj.
Articulated with the lower lip and upper teeth, as the sounds (f) and (v).
n.
A labiodental sound.

lacustrine (lə-kŭstrĭn)

adj.
1. Of or relating to lakes.
2.
a. Living or growing in or along the edges of lakes.
b. Relating to a system of inland deep-water and wetland habitats associated with lakes and reservoirs and characterized by the absence of trees, shrubs, or emergent vegetation.

Laertes (lā-ûrtēz, -âr-)

n.
Greek Mythology
The father of Odysseus.

Laffer curve, Laffer Curve (lăfər)

n.
A curved graph that illustrates the theory that, if tax rates rise beyond a certain level, they discourage economic growth, thereby reducing government revenues.

laissez-faire (lĕs′ā fâr, lā′zā)

Noninterference in the affairs of others.

lame duck (noun)

n.
1.
a. An elected officeholder or group continuing in office during the period between failure to win an election and the inauguration of a successor.
b. An officeholder who has chosen not to run for reelection or is ineligible for reelection.
2. An ineffective person; a weakling.

lamedh (lämĭd, -mĕd′)

n.
The 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

laminectomy (lăm′ə-nĕktə-mē)

n. pl. lam·i·nec·to·mies
Surgical removal of the posterior arch of a vertebra.

lammergeier, lammergeyer (lămər-gī′ər)

n.
A large vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) found in mountainous regions of southern Europe, Asia, and Africa, having stiff feathers that extend below the beak to form a beard and, unlike other vultures, a feathered head. Also called bearded vulture, ossifrage.

lamprophyre (lămprə-fīr′)

n.
A dark igneous rock, having porphyritic texture, in which both the phenocrysts and the matrix consist of hornblende, pyroxene, and biotite.

languet * (lănggwĭt, lăng-gwĕt)

n.
One that functions or is shaped like a tongue.

lanugo * (lə-ngō, -ny-)

n. pl. la·nu·gos
A covering of fine, soft hair, especially that found on the fetus or newborn of a human or other mammal.

Laotian (lā-ōshən, loushən)

adj.
1. Of or relating to Laos or its people, language, or culture.
2. Of or relating to the Lao people.
n.
1.
a. A native or inhabitant of Laos.
b. A person of Laotian ancestry.
2. A Lao.

lapidarian * (lăp′ĭ-dârē-ən)

adj.
Of or relating to the working of stone or gems; lapidary.

laryngoscope (lə-rĭnggə-skōp′, -rĭnjə-)

n.
A tubular endoscope that is inserted into the larynx through the mouth and used for observing the interior of the larynx.

lateen (lə-tēn, lă-)

adj.
Being, relating to, or rigged with a triangular sail hung on a long yard that is attached at an angle to the top of a short mast.
n.
1. A lateen-rigged boat.
2. A lateen sail.

Latinism (lătn-ĭz′əm)

n.
An idiom, structure, or word derived from or suggestive of Latin.

latosol (lătə-sôl′, -sŏl′)

n.
Soil that is rich in iron, alumina, or silica and formed in tropical woodlands with great humidity and high temperatures.

lebensraum (lābəns-roum′)

n.
1. Additional territory deemed necessary to a nation, especially Nazi Germany, for its continued existence or economic well-being.
2. Adequate space in which to live, develop, or function.

lederhosen * (lādər-hō′zən)

pl.n.
Leather shorts, often with H-shaped suspenders, worn traditionally in Bavaria and the Tyrol by men and boys.

legerity (lə-jĕrĭ-tē)

n.
Quickness or agility of mind or body.

legitimize (lə-jĭtə-mīz′)

tr.v. le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing, le·git·i·miz·es
To make legitimate, as:
a. To give legal force or status to; make lawful.
b. To sanction formally or officially; authorize.
c. To demonstrate or declare to be justified.

leonine rhyme *

n.
A form of internal rhyme in which the word preceding the caesura rhymes with the final word in the line, as in: "For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams" (Edgar Allan Poe).

leopardess (lĕpər-dĭs)

n.
A female leopard.

leporine (lĕpə-rīn′, -ər-ĭn)

adj.
Of or characteristic of rabbits or hares.

leptospirosis (lĕp′tō-spī-rōsĭs)

n.
An infectious disease of domestic animals, humans, and other mammals, characterized by fever and jaundice and caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, which are transmitted to humans by contact with the urine of infected animals.

lese majesty, lesè majesté (lēz măjĭ-stē)

n. pl. lese maj·es·ties or lèse ma·jes·tés
A crime injuring or causing harm to the dignity of a reigning sovereign or a state.

letters of marque

pl.n.
A document issued by a government in a time of war allowing private ships to attack the ships and seize the property and citizens of a hostile nation.

levorotatory (lē′və-rōtə-tôr′ē) also le·vo·ro·ta·ry (-tə-rē)

adj. Symbol l-
Of or relating to an optically active substance that rotates the plane of polarized light to the left, or counterclockwise (when looking toward the light source): Only levorotatory amino acids are biologically active.

Liberia * (lī-bîrē-ə)

A country of western Africa on the Atlantic Ocean. Established by the American Colonization Society in 1821 as a settlement for freed slaves, Liberia was the first colonized country in Africa to achieve independence (1847). A military coup in 1980 initiated a period of civil unrest leading to full-scale civil war in 1990. After a cease-fire in 1996, Charles Taylor was elected president in 1997 but was ousted in 2003, and new democratic elections were held in 2005. Monrovia is the capital and the largest city.

Libya (lĭbē-ə)

A country of northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea. Controlled at various times by Carthage, Rome, Arabia, and Spain, the area was part of the Ottoman Empire from 1551 to 1911. It was subsequently seized by Italy and became an Italian colony during World War II, achieving independence as a kingdom in 1951. In 1969 Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi took power in a coup d'état, establishing a socialist dictatorship. Tripoli is the capital and the largest city.

lidocaine (līdə-kān′)

n.
A synthetic amide, C14H22N2O, used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride as a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic agent.

lieutenant governor

n. Abbr. Lt. Gov.
1. An elected official ranking just below the governor of a state in the United States.
2. The nonelective chief of government of a Canadian province.

lignum vitae (lĭg′nəm vītē)

n. pl. lignum vitaes
1. Any of several tropical American trees of the genus Guaiacum, especially G. officinale or G. sanctum, having evergreen leaves and very heavy, durable, resinous wood.
2. The wood of any of these trees, the hardest of commercial woods.

Lincolnesque (lĭng′kə-nĕsk)

adj.
Suggestive of Abraham Lincoln.

linguaphile (lĭnggwə-fīl′)

n.
A lover of languages and words.

linguine, linguini (lĭng-gwēnē)

n.
Pasta in long, flat, thin strands.

liripipe * (lîrə-pīp′)

n.
A long scarf or cord attached to and hanging from a hood.

literatim (lĭt′ə-rātĭm, -rä-)

adv.
Letter for letter: a word transcribed literatim.

lithotomy (lĭ-thŏtə-mē)

n. pl. li·thot·o·mies
Surgical removal of a stone or stones from the urinary tract.

litigate (lĭtĭ-gāt′)

v. lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing, lit·i·gates
v.tr.
To prosecute or defend (a lawsuit or legal action); pursue (a legal case).
v.intr.
To bring a lawsuit or defend against a lawsuit in court.

lixiviate (lĭk-sĭvē-āt′)

tr.v. lix·iv·i·at·ed, lix·iv·i·at·ing, lix·iv·i·ates
To wash or percolate the soluble matter from (solid material).

lobotomize (lə-bŏtə-mīz′, lō-)

tr.v. lo·bot·o·mized, lo·bot·o·miz·ing, lo·bot·o·miz·es
1. Medicine To perform a lobotomy on (a patient).
2. Informal To reduce the intelligence, alertness, or sensitivity of.

logogriph (lôgə-grĭf′, lŏgə-)

n.
A word puzzle, such as an anagram or one in which clues are given in a set of verses.

logomachy * (lə-gŏmə-kē)

n. pl. lo·gom·a·chies
1. A dispute about words.
2. A dispute carried on in words only; a battle of words.

Lorelei (lôrə-lī′)

n.
A siren of Germanic legend whose singing lures sailors to shipwreck.

lorikeet * (lôrĭ-kēt′, lŏr-)

n.
Any of several small, often brilliantly colored Australasian parrots that feed primarily on soft fruits and on nectar and pollen.

lotus position *

n.
A sitting position used in yoga and certain forms of Buddhist meditation, in which the legs are crossed, with each foot resting on the opposite thigh.

louvered (lvər)

n.
1.
a. A framed opening, as in a wall, door, or window, fitted with fixed or movable horizontal slats for admitting air or light and often for shedding rain.
b. One of the slats used in such an opening.
c. One of the narrow openings formed by such slats.
2. A slatted, ventilating opening, as on the hood of a motor vehicle.
3. A lantern-shaped cupola on the roof of a medieval building for admitting air and providing for the escape of smoke.

luculent (lky-lənt)

adj.
Easily understood; clear or lucid.

luge (lzh)

n.
1.
a. A sport in which a small open sled is ridden by one or two people lying face-up with the feet pointed downhill, usually over an ice-covered course in a timed competition.
b. The sled used in this sport.
2.
a. The sport of street luge.
b. The board used in street luge.

lunacy (lnə-sē)

n. pl. lu·na·cies
1.
a. Mental derangement; craziness: "The Indians thought his obsession with giant bones a sign of harmless lunacy" (David Rains Wallace).
b. Archaic Intermittent mental derangement attributed to the changing phases of the moon.
2.
a. Great or wild foolishness: a policy that proved to be a piece of economic lunacy.
b. A wildly foolish or irrational act.

Lusitania (l′sĭ-tānē-ə)

An ancient region and Roman province of the Iberian Peninsula. It corresponded roughly to modern-day Portugal.

Lutz, lutz * (lŭts)

n.
A jump in figure skating in which the skater takes off from the back outer edge of one skate and makes one full rotation before landing on the back outer edge of the other skate.

lysozyme * (līsə-zīm′)

n.
An enzyme occurring naturally in egg white, human tears, saliva, and other body fluids, capable of destroying the cell walls of certain bacteria and thereby acting as a mild antiseptic.

Maccabeus, Maccabaeus (măk′ə-bēəs)

Judas or Judah Died 160 BC.
Jewish patriot and most famous member of the Maccabee family. His rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem (164 BC) is commemorated by the feast of Hanukkah.

machicolate * (mə-chĭkə-lāt′)

tr.v. ma·chic·o·lat·ed, ma·chic·o·lat·ing, ma·chic·o·lates
To provide or furnish with machicolations.

machismo (mä-chēzmō)

n.
1. A strong or exaggerated sense of traditional masculinity placing great value on physical courage, virility, domination of women, and aggressiveness.
2. An exaggerated interest or devotion to something, often accompanied by a sense of superiority: "People prefer raw-milk cheese for its subtlety and depth of flavor, not out of some kind of foodie machismo" (Corby Kummer).

macroeconomics * (măk′rō-ĕk′ə-nŏmĭks, -ē′kə-)

n. (used with a sing. verb)
The study of the overall aspects and workings of a national economy, such as income, output, and the interrelationship among diverse economic sectors.

macrofossil * (măkrō-fŏs′əl)

n.
A fossil large enough to be examined without a microscope.

Maghreb, Maghrib (mŭgrəb)

A region of northwest Africa comprising the coastlands and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

magnetometer (măg′nĭ-tŏmĭ-tər)

n.
An instrument used for measuring the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field.

magnifico (măg-nĭfĭ-kō′)

n. pl. mag·nif·i·coes
1. A person of distinguished rank, importance, or appearance.
2. A nobleman of the Venetian Republic.

mahi-mahi, mahi mahi (mähē-mähē)

n. pl. ma·hi-ma·his
1. 1. A large marine food and game fish (Coryphaena hippurus) found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, having an iridescent blue back, yellow sides, a steep blunt forehead, and a long continuous dorsal fin.
2. The flesh of a dolphinfish when used for food.

maillot

n.
1. A woman's one-piece swimsuit usually cut high on the leg.
2. A pair of tights or a leotard made from a stretchable jersey fabric, worn for ballet or gymnastics.

makimono

n. pl. ma·ki·mo·nos
A horizontal Japanese decorative scroll featuring pictures or calligraphy.

Maldives

An island country in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka, consisting of about 20 atolls made up of more than 2,000 coral islands. Settled by various groups from southern Asia, the islands were converted to Islam in the 1100s. The Maldives became a self-governing British protectorate in 1887 and achieved independence as a sultanate (1965) and subsequently as a republic (1968). Male is the capital.

malediction *

n.
1.
a. The calling down of a curse.
b. A curse.
2. Slander.

malingerer *

intr.v. ma·lin·gered, ma·lin·ger·ing, ma·lin·gers
To feign illness or other incapacity in order to avoid duty or work.

malodorous *

adj.
Having a bad odor; foul.

mañana

adv.
1. Tomorrow.
2. At an unspecified future time.
n.
An indefinite time in the future.

mandatory

adj.
1. Required or commanded by authority; obligatory: Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
2. Of, having the nature of, or containing a mandate.
3. Holding a League of Nations mandate over a territory.
n. pl. man·da·to·ries
A mandatary.

Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla 1918-2013.
South African president (1994-1999) and political leader imprisoned for nearly 30 years for his antiapartheid activities. Released in 1990, he led the African National Congress in negotiating an end to apartheid. In 1993 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize. His former wife, Winnie (c. 1936-2018), also played a key role as a leader of the ANC.

manganese

n. Symbol Mn
A gray-white brittle metallic element, occurring in several allotropic forms, found worldwide, especially in the ores pyrolusite and rhodochrosite and in nodules on the ocean floor. It is alloyed with steel to increase strength, hardness, wear resistance, and other properties and with other metals to form highly ferromagnetic materials. Atomic number 25; atomic weight 54.938; melting point 1,246°C; boiling point 2,061°C; specific gravity 7.21 to 7.44; valence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

mangel-wurzel

n.
A variety of the common beet having a large yellowish root, used chiefly as cattle feed.

Manichaeism

n.
1. The syncretic, dualistic religious philosophy taught by the Persian prophet Mani, combining elements of Zoroastrian, Christian, and Gnostic thought and opposed by the imperial Roman government, Neoplatonist philosophers, and orthodox Christians.
2. A dualistic philosophy dividing the world between good and evil principles or regarding matter as intrinsically evil and mind as intrinsically good

manticore

n.
A legendary monster having the head of a man, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon or scorpion.

maquiladora * (mä-kē′lä-dōrä)

n.
An assembly plant in Mexico, especially one along the border between the United States and Mexico, to which foreign materials and parts are shipped and from which the finished product is returned to the original market.

maquillage (mä′kē-äzh)

n.
Cosmetic or theatrical makeup.

marcasite (märkə-sīt′, -zīt′)

n.
1. A mineral with the same composition as pyrite, FeS2, but differing in crystal structure. Also called white iron pyrites.
2. An ornament of pyrite, polished steel, or white metal.

mariposa lily * (măr′ə-pōzə, -sə)

n.
Any of several bulbous plants of the genus Calochortus of western North America, having variously colored, tuliplike flowers. Also called mariposa tulip.

marmoreal (mär-môrē-əl) also mar·mo·re·an (-ē-ən)

adj.
Resembling marble, as in smoothness, whiteness, or hardness.

marquisette (mär′kĭ-zĕt, -kwĭ-)

n.
A sheer fabric of cotton, rayon, silk, or nylon, used for clothing, curtains, and mosquito nets.

martingale (märtn-gāl′) also mar·tin·gal (-găl′)

n.
1. The strap of a horse's harness that connects the girth to the noseband and is designed to prevent the horse from throwing back its head.
2. Nautical Any of several parts of standing rigging strengthening the bowsprit and jib boom against the force of the head stays.
3. Games A method of gambling in which one doubles the stakes after each loss.
4. A loose half belt or strap placed on the back of a garment, such as a coat or jacket.

martyrdom * (märtər-dəm)

n.
1.
a. The state of being a martyr.
b. The suffering of death by a martyr.
2. Extreme suffering of any kind.

massé * (mă-sā)

n.
A stroke in billiards made by striking the cue ball off center with the cue held at a sharper angle than is usual, so that the cue ball moves in a curve before hitting its target ball.

masseuse (mă-sœz)

n.
A woman who gives massages professionally.

massless (măslĭs)

adj.
Having a mass of zero.

matriculant (mə-trĭkyə-lənt)

n.
One who matriculates or is a candidate for matriculation.

maxillary (măksə-lĕr′ē)

adj.
Of or relating to a jaw or jawbone, especially the upper one.
n. pl. max·il·lar·ies
A maxillary bone; a jawbone.

mayonnaise (mā′ə-nāz, māə-nāz′)

n.
A thick dressing made of beaten raw egg yolk, oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings.

mazel tov, mazal tov (mäzəl tôf′, tôv′, tōv′)

interj.
Used to express congratulations or best wishes.

Mbundu (əm-bnd)

n. pl. Mbundu or Mbun·dus
1. A member of a Bantu people inhabiting southern and central Angola. Also called Ovimbundu.
2. The Bantu language of this people. Also called Umbundu.
3. A member of a Bantu people inhabiting northern Angola. Also called Ndongo.
4. The Bantu language of this people. Also called Kimbundu.

McCarthyism (mə-kärthē-ĭz′əm)

n.
1. The practice of publicizing accusations of political disloyalty or subversion with insufficient regard to evidence.
2. The use of unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition.

medaka (mĭ-däkə)

n.
A small Japanese fish (Oryzias latipes) that is commonly found in rice paddies and is often used in biological research or in stocking aquariums.

mediator * (mēdē-ā′tər)

n.
1. One that mediates, especially one that reconciles differences between disputants.
2. Physiology A substance or structure that mediates a specific response in a bodily tissue.
3. Physics A subatomic particle that effects or conveys a force between subatomic particles.

Medicaid, medicaid (mĕdĭ-kād′)

n.
A program in the United States, jointly funded by the states and the federal government, that reimburses hospitals and physicians for providing care to qualifying people who cannot finance their own medical expenses.

mediocrity * (mē′dē-ŏkrĭ-tē)

n. pl. me·di·oc·ri·ties
1. The state or quality of being mediocre.
2. Mediocre ability, achievement, or performance.
3. One that displays mediocre qualities.

meiosis * (mī-ōsĭs)

n. pl. mei·o·ses (-sēz′)
1. Genetics The process of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes from diploid to haploid, as in the production of gametes.
2. Rhetorical understatement.

Melanesia (mĕl′ə-nēzhə)

A division of Oceania in the southwest Pacific Ocean comprising the islands northeast of Australia and south of the equator. It includes the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, the Bismarck Archipelago, various other island groups, and sometimes New Guinea.

melatonin (mĕl′ə-tōnĭn)

n.
An animal hormone, C13H16N2O2, derived from serotonin and produced by the pineal gland. It stimulates color change in the skin of amphibians and reptiles and plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms and reproductive cycles in mammals. It is also found in plants and fungi.

meliorate (mēlyə-rāt′, mēlē-ə-)

v. mel·io·rat·ed, mel·io·rat·ing, mel·io·rates
v.tr.
To make better; improve.
v.intr.
To grow better.

membranous (mĕmbrə-nəs)

adj.
1. Relating to, made of, or similar to a membrane.
2. Medicine Characterized by the formation of a usually abnormal membrane or a layer similar to a membrane: membranous nephropathy.

memento mori (môrē)

n. pl. memento mori
1. A reminder of death or mortality, especially a death's-head.
2. A reminder of human failures or errors.

menhir * (mĕnhîr′)

n.
A prehistoric monument of a class found chiefly in the British Isles and northern France, consisting of a single tall, upright megalith.

meniscus * (mə-nĭskəs)

n. pl. me·nis·ci(-nĭsī, -kī, -kē) or me·nis·cus·es
1. A crescent-shaped body.
2. A concavo-convex lens.
3. The curved upper surface of a nonturbulent liquid in a container that is concave if the liquid adheres to the container walls and convex if it does not.
4. A cartilage disk that acts as a cushion between the ends of bones that meet in a joint.

mercantilism (mûrkən-tē-lĭz′əm, -tĭ-)

n.
1. The theory and system of political economy prevailing in Europe after the decline of feudalism, based on national policies of accumulating bullion, establishing colonies and a merchant marine, and developing industry and mining to attain a favorable balance of trade.
2. The practice, methods, or spirit of merchants; commercialism.

mercury vapor lamp

n.
A lamp in which ultraviolet and yellowish-green to blue visible light is produced by an electric discharge through mercury vapor. The color spectrum may be corrected by the addition of a phosphor coating, and ultraviolet blocking is required to prevent injury.

merriment (mĕrĭ-mənt)

n.
High-spirited fun and enjoyment; hilarity.

mesenchyme (mĕzən-kīm′, mĕs-)

n.
The part of the embryonic mesoderm, consisting of loosely packed, unspecialized cells set in a gelatinous ground substance, from which connective tissue, bone, cartilage, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems develop.

Messiah, messiah (mĭ-sīə)

n.
1. also Mes·si·as (mĭ-sīəs) The anticipated savior of the Jews. Used with the.
2. also Messias Christianity Jesus. Used with the.
3. messiah One who is anticipated as, regarded as, or professes to be a savior or liberator.

metaethics * (mĕtə-ĕth′ĭks)

n. (used with a sing. verb)
The study of the meaning and nature of ethical terms, judgments, and arguments.

metagnathous (mĭ-tăgnə-thəs)

adj.
Having a bill in which the tips of the mandibles cross. Used of a bird.

meteoroid (mētē-ə-roid′)

n.
A solid body, moving in space, that is smaller than an asteroid and at least as large as a speck of dust.

meteorologist (mē′tē-ə-rŏlə-jĭst)

n.
1. One who studies meteorology.
2. One who reports and forecasts weather conditions.

methanol (mĕthə-nôl′, -nōl′, -nŏl′)

n.
A colorless, toxic, flammable liquid, CH3OH, used as an antifreeze, a general solvent, a fuel, and a denaturant for ethyl alcohol. Also called carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood spirits.

methodology * (mĕth′ə-dŏlə-jē)

n. pl. meth·od·ol·o·gies
1.
a. A body of practices, procedures, and rules used by those who work in a discipline or engage in an inquiry; a set of working methods: the methodology of genetic studies; a poll marred by faulty methodology.
b. The study or theoretical analysis of such working methods.
2. The branch of logic that deals with the general principles of the formation of knowledge.

microcyte (mīkrə-sīt′)

n.
An abnormally small red blood cell, characteristic of certain forms of anemia and often associated with iron deficiency.

microdot (mīkrə-dŏt′)

n.
A copy or photograph that has been reduced to an extremely small size for ease of transport and purposes of security.

micromanipulator (mī′krō-mə-nĭpyə-lā′tər)

n.
A device for manipulating minute instruments and needles under a microscope in order to perform delicate procedures, such as microsurgery.

Midrash * (mĭdräsh′)

n. pl. Mid·rash·im (mĭd-rôshĭm, mĭd′rä-shēm)
Any of a group of Jewish commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures compiled between AD 200 and 1200 and based on exegesis, parable, and haggadic legend.

Miletus * (mī-lētəs)

An ancient Ionian city of western Asia Minor in present-day Turkey. Occupied by Greeks c. 1000 BC, it became an important trading and colonizing settlement and also flourished as a center of learning. The city declined after its harbor silted up early in the Christian era.

milites gloriosi (mēlĭ-tās glôr′ē-ōsē)

A bragging and often cowardly soldier, especially as a stock character in comedy.

mimicry (mĭmĭ-krē)

n. pl. mim·ic·ries
1.
a. The act, practice, or art of mimicking.
b. An instance of mimicking.
2. Biology The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment and protection from predators.

Minamata disease (mĭn′ə-mätə)

n.
A degenerative neurological disorder caused by poisoning with a mercury compound found in seafood obtained from waters contaminated with mercury-containing industrial waste.

mind-boggling (mīndbŏg′lĭng)

adj.
Informal
Intellectually or emotionally overwhelming: "a mind-boggling bazaar of competing manufacturers and overlapping technologies" (William D. Marbach).

miniaturization * (mĭnē-ə-chə-rīz′, mĭnə-)

tr.v. min·i·a·tur·ized, min·i·a·tur·iz·ing, min·i·a·tur·iz·es
To plan or make on a greatly reduced scale.

minivan (mĭnē-văn′)

n.
A van designed primarily for carrying passengers, typically having rear seats that can be removed for loading cargo.

Minneapolis (mĭn′ē-ăpə-lĭs)

A city of southeast Minnesota on the Mississippi River adjacent to St. Paul. The largest city in the state, it developed as a lumber and flour mill center.

minor-leaguer (mī′nər-lēgər)

n.
A member of a minor-league team, especially a minor-league baseball player.

misally (mĭs′ə-lī)

tr.v. mis·al·lied, mis·al·ly·ing, mis·al·lies
To ally inappropriately.

miscalculate (mĭs-kălkyə-lāt′)

tr. & intr.v. mis·cal·cu·lat·ed, mis·cal·cu·lat·ing, mis·cal·cu·lates
To count or estimate incorrectly.

mislabel (mĭs-lābəl)

tr.v. mis·la·beled, mis·la·bel·ing, mis·la·bels also mis·la·belled or mis·la·bel·ling
To label inaccurately.

misnomer (mĭs-nōmər)

n.
1. An error in naming a person or place.
2.
a. Application of a wrong name.
b. A name wrongly or unsuitably applied to a person or object.

misogynist * (mĭ-sŏjə-nĭst)

n.
One who hates or mistrusts women.

missa cantata (mĭsə)

n.
A Mass in which the liturgical parts are sung as in the High Mass, but which is ceremonially less elaborate.

misspoken * (mĭs-spēk)

v. mis·spoke (-spōk), mis·spo·ken (-spōkən), mis·speak·ing, mis·speaks
v.tr.
To speak or pronounce incorrectly: The actor misspoke his lines.
v.intr.
To speak mistakenly, inappropriately, or rashly.

mitigating * (mĭtĭ-gāt′)

tr.v. mit·i·gat·ed, mit·i·gat·ing, mit·i·gates
1. To make less severe or intense; moderate or alleviate. See Synonyms at relieve.
2. To make alterations to (land) to make it less polluted or more hospitable to wildlife.
Phrasal Verb:
mitigate against Usage Problem
1. To take measures to moderate or alleviate (something).
2. To be a strong factor against (someone or something); hinder or prevent.

mitzvah (mĭtsvə)

n. pl. mitz·voth (-vōt′, -vōs′) or mitz·vahs
1.
a. A commandment of the Jewish law.
b. The fulfillment of such a commandment.
2. A worthy deed.

Moabite (mōə-bīt′)

n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Moab.
2. The Semitic language of Moab.

moderato (mŏd′ə-rätō)

adv. & adj. Abbr. mod.
Music
In moderate tempo that is slower than allegretto but faster than andante. Used chiefly as a direction.

mofette, moffette (mō-fĕt)

n.
1. An opening in the earth from which carbon dioxide and other gases escape, usually marking the last stage of volcanic activity.
2. The gases escaping from such an opening.

moiety (moiĭ-tē)

n. pl. moi·e·ties
1. A half.
2. A part, portion, or share.
3. Anthropology Either of two kinship groups based on unilateral descent that together make up a tribe or society.
4. Chemistry A well-defined part of a larger molecule.

Moluccas * (mə-lŭkəz) also Ma·lu·ku (mä-lk)

A group of islands of eastern Indonesia between Sulawesi and New Guinea. Inhabited by various Malay and Papuan peoples, the islands were colonized first by the Portuguese in the 1500s and later fell to the Dutch in the 1600s. The Moluccas, long known as the "Spice Islands," have historically provided much of the world's cloves, nutmeg, and mace.

Monaco (mŏnə-kō′, mə-näkō)

A principality on the Mediterranean Sea consisting of an enclave in southeast France. Probably settled by Phoenicians, it has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 1200s. At various times Monaco was under the protection of Spain, Sardinia, and France but regained its sovereignty in 1861. The village of Monaco, or Monaco-Ville, is the capital.

monasticism * (mə-năstĭ-sĭz′əm)

n.
The monastic life or system, especially as practiced in a monastery.

mongrelize (mŏnggrə-līz′, mŭng-)

tr.v. mon·grel·ized, mon·grel·iz·ing, mon·grel·iz·es
To cause to be mongrel.

monitorial (mŏn′ĭ-tôrē-əl)

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or performed by monitors.
2. Monitory.

monoclonal (mŏn′ə-klōnəl)

adj.
Derived as clones from a single cell or produced by clones of a single cell: a monoclonal tumor.
n.
A monoclonal product, such as a monoclonal antibody.

mononucleosis (mŏn′ō-n′klē-ōsĭs, -ny-)

n.
1. The presence of an abnormally large number of white blood cells with single nuclei in the bloodstream.
2. Infectious mononucleosis.

monophobia (mŏn′ō-fōbē-ə)

n.
Fear of being alone.

monorail (mŏnə-rāl′)

n.
1. A single rail serving as a track for wheeled vehicles traveling on it or suspended from it.
2. A railway system using a single rail.

montage (mŏn-täzh, môɴ-)

n.
1.
a. A single pictorial composition made by juxtaposing or superimposing many pictures or designs.
b. The art or process of making such a composition.
2.
a. A relatively rapid succession of different shots in a movie.
b. The juxtaposition of such successive shots as a cinematic technique.
3. A composite of closely juxtaposed elements: a montage of voices on an audiotape.
tr.v. mon·taged, mon·tag·ing, mon·tag·es
To use or incorporate in a montage.

moribund * (môrə-bŭnd′, mŏr-)

adj.
1. Approaching death; about to die.
2. On the verge of becoming obsolete: moribund customs; a moribund way of life.
3. Barely active or in use, especially after a period of intense activity: a moribund stock market.

moroseness (mə-rōs, mô-)

adj.
Sullenly melancholy; gloomy.

morphogenesis (môr′fō-jĕnĭ-sĭs)

n.
Formation of the structure of an organism or part; differentiation and growth of tissues and organs during development.

mosaic, Mosaic (mō-zāĭk)

adj.
Of or relating to Moses or the laws and writings attributed to him.

Mosul (mō-sl, mōsəl)

A city of northern Iraq on the Tigris River north-northwest of Baghdad. An important center on the historical caravan route across northern Mesopotamia, it became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s. Mosul was awarded to Iraq by the League of Nations in 1926.

mousseline (ms-lēn)

n.
1. A fine sheer fabric resembling muslin, often made of silk, rayon, cotton, or wool.
2. A hollandaise sauce to which whipped cream has been added.
3. An aspic containing whipped cream.

mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (mouthtə-mouth)

n.
Rescue breathing in which one uses one's mouth to cover the victim's mouth and deliver air. Also called mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

mucilage (mysə-lĭj)

n.
1. Any of various viscous, water-soluble polysaccharides produced by certain plants, algae, and microorganisms.
2. A sticky substance used as an adhesive.

mucocutaneous (my′kō-ky-tānē-əs)

adj.
Of or relating to the skin and a mucous membrane.

mukluks * (mŭklŭk′)

n.
1. A soft boot made of reindeer skin or sealskin and worn by indigenous peoples of Arctic North America.
2. A slipper with a soft sole resembling this boot.

multimedia (mŭl′tē-mēdē-ə, -tī-)

pl.n. (used with a sing. verb)
The combined use of media, such as movies, music, lighting, and the internet, as for education, entertainment, or advertising.
adj.
1. Of or relating to the combined use of several media: a multimedia installation at the art gallery.
2. Computers Of or relating to an application that integrates different media, such as text, graphics, video, and sound.

multiracial (mŭltē-rā′shəl, -tī-)

adj.
1. Made up of, involving, or acting on behalf of various races: a multiracial society.
2. Having ancestors of several or various races.

multitudinous (mŭl′tĭ-tdn-əs, -tyd-)

adj.
1. Very numerous; existing in great numbers.
2. Consisting of many parts.
3. Populous; crowded.

muraled, muralled (myrəld)

adj.
Decorated with murals or a mural: muraled halls.

muscatel (mŭs′kə-tĕl)

n.
1. A sweet fortified wine made chiefly from muscat grapes.
2. A muscat grape or raisin.

mustache, moustache (mŭstăsh′, mə-stăsh)

n.
1. The hair growing on the human upper lip, especially when cultivated and groomed.
2. Something similar to the cultivated, groomed hair on the human upper lip, as:
a. A group of bristles or hairs about the mouth of an animal.
b. Distinctive coloring or feathers near the beak of a bird.
c. Food or drink sticking conspicuously to the upper lip: wiped the milk mustache from my face.

mutable (mytə-bəl)

adj.
1.
a. Capable of or subject to change or alteration.
b. Prone to frequent change; inconstant: mutable weather patterns.
2. Tending to undergo genetic mutation: a mutable organism; a mutable gene.

mutatis mutandis (m-tätĭs m-tändĭs)

adv. Abbr. m.m.
With differences or changes in various details corresponding to a given overall difference or change: the application of maritime law, mutatis mutandis, to space travel.

myelitis * (mī′ə-lītĭs)

n.
1. Inflammation of the spinal column.
2. Osteomyelitis.

myopia * (mī-ōpē-ə)

n.
1. A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it. Also called nearsightedness, short sight.
2. Lack of discernment or long-range perspective in thinking or planning: "For Lorca, New York is a symbol of spiritual myopia" (Edwin Honig).

myosotis, Myosotis (mī′ə-sōtĭs)

n.
Any of various plants of the genus Myosotis, which includes the forget-me-nots.

mythopoeic, mythopeic (mĭth′ə-pēĭk) also myth·o·po·et·ic (-pō-ĕtĭk)

adj.
1. Of or relating to the making of myths.
2. Serving to create or engender myths; productive in mythmaking.

nadir (nādər, -dîr′)

n.
1. Astronomy A point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith.
2. The lowest point: the nadir of their fortunes.

Nahuatl (näwät′l)

n. pl. Nahuatl or Na·hua·tls
1. A member of any of various Indian peoples of central Mexico, including the Aztecs.
2. The Uto-Aztecan language of the Nahuatl.

nasturtium * (nə-stûrshəm, nă-)

n.
1. Any of various plants of the genus Tropaeolum, native to South and Central America, that have round leaves and pungent edible yellow, orange, or red spurred flowers and are often grown as ornamentals.
2. A brilliant orange yellow.

natatorial * (nā′tə-tôrē-əl, năt′ə-) also na·ta·to·ry (nātə-tôr′ē, nătə-)

adj.
Of, relating to, adapted for, or characterized by swimming: a natatorial appendage; natatorial birds.

Naugahyde (trademark) (nôgə-hīd′)

A trademark for an artificial leather made of vinyl-coated fabric.

navel-gazing (nāvəl-gā′zĭng)

n.
Slang
Excessive introspection, self-absorption, or concentration on a single issue.

Neapolitan (nē′ə-pŏlĭ-tən)

adj.
Of, belonging to, or characteristic of Naples, Italy.
n.
1. A native or resident of Naples, Italy.
2. A Romance language of southern Italy, spoken in the area of the former kingdom of Naples.

necrobiosis (nĕk′rō-bī-ōsĭs)

n.
The natural death of cells or tissues through aging, as distinguished from necrosis or pathological death.

neonatal (nē′ō-nātl)

adj.
Of or relating to a newborn infant or to the first 28 days of an infant's life: neonatal care.

nephrectomy * (nə-frĕktə-mē)

n. pl. ne·phrec·to·mies
Surgical removal of a kidney.

Nesselrode * (nĕsəl-rōd′)

n.
A mixture of chopped and boiled chestnuts, maraschino cherries, candied fruits, and liqueur or rum, used as a sauce or in puddings, ice cream, or pies.

networking (nĕtwûrk′)

n.
1. An openwork fabric or structure in which cords, threads, or wires cross at regular intervals.
2. Something resembling an openwork fabric or structure in form or concept, especially:
a. A system of lines or channels that cross or interconnect: a network of railroads.
b. A complex, interconnected group or system: an espionage network.
c. An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.
3.
a. A chain of radio or television broadcasting stations linked by wire or microwave relay.
b. A company that produces the programs for these stations.
4.
a. A group or system of electric components and connecting circuitry designed to function in a specific manner.
b. Computers A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information. Also called net1.
v. net·worked, net·work·ing, net·works
v.tr.
1. To cover with an openwork fabric or structure.
2. To broadcast over a radio or television network.
3.
a. To interconnect as components in a group or system.
b. Computers To connect (computers) into a network.
v.intr.
To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.

neuroblastoma (nr′ō-blă-stōmə, nyr′-)

n. pl. neu·ro·blas·to·mas or neu·ro·blas·to·ma·ta (-mə-tə)
A malignant tumor composed of neuroblasts, originating in the autonomic nervous system or the adrenal medulla and occurring chiefly in infants and young children.

neutrino * (n-trēnō, ny-)

n. pl. neu·tri·nos
Any of three electrically neutral leptons (the electron neutrino, muon neutrino, and tau neutrino—one in each of the three generations of elementary fermions) that have very small masses.

Nibelung (nēbə-lng′)

n.
Mythology
1. Any of a race of subterranean dwarfs whose hoard of riches and magic ring were taken from them by Siegfried.
2. A follower of Siegfried.

nicotiana, Nicotiana (nĭ-kō′shē-ănə, -änə, -ānə)

n.
Any of various flowering plants of the genus Nicotiana of the nightshade family, native chiefly to the Americas and including tobacco plants and ornamental species with fragrant flowers.

Nietzsche (nēchə, -chē)

Friedrich Wilhelm 1844-1900.
German philosopher who argued that Christianity's emphasis on the afterlife makes its believers less able to cope with earthly life. He suggested that the ideal human, the Übermensch, would be able to channel passions creatively instead of suppressing them. His written works include Beyond Good and Evil (1886) and Thus Spake Zarathustra (1883-1892).

nightmarishly * (nītmâr′)

n.
1. A dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror, and distress.
2. An event or experience that is intensely distressing.
3. A demon or spirit once thought to plague sleeping people.

nimrod, Nimrod

In the Bible, a mighty hunter and king of Shinar who was a grandson of Ham and a great-grandson of Noah.

nip and tuck

adv. & adj.
So close that the advantage or lead shifts from one to another and is virtually indeterminable.
n.
Informal
A cosmetic surgical procedure in which skin and usually fat are removed and muscle is sometimes tightened to create a slimmer or more youthful appearance.

Noachian * (nō-ākē-ən) also No·ach·ic (-ăkĭk) or No·ach·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Bible Of or relating to Noah or his time.
2. Antiquated; ancient; long obsolete.

nocuous * (nŏky-əs)

adj.
Harmful; noxious.

non compos mentis (nŏn kŏm′pəs mĕntĭs)

adj.
Not of sound mind and hence not legally competent.
n.
One who is not legally competent.

nonaligned * (nŏn′ə-līnd)

adj.
Not allied with any other nation or bloc; neutral: A group of 20 nonaligned nations urged a treaty to ban space weapons.

noncompliance (nŏn′kəm-plīəns)

n.
Failure or refusal to comply.

nonexistent * (nŏn′ĭg-zĭstənt)

n.
1. The condition of not existing.
2. Something that does not exist.

nonfeasance (nŏn-fēzəns)

n.
Failure to perform an act that is an official, contractual, or professional duty.

noninvasive (nŏn′ĭn-vāsĭv)

adj.
1. Not penetrating the body, as by incision or injection: noninvasive surgery.
2. Not invading healthy tissue: noninvasive cancer of the bladder.

nontenured * (nŏn-tĕnyərd, -yrd′)

adj.
Not having or leading to tenure: a nontenured academic post.

nosh (nŏsh)

n.
A snack or light meal.
intr.v. noshed, nosh·ing, nosh·es
To eat a snack or light meal: noshed on a bagel between classes.

nuclear family

n.
A family unit consisting of a child or children living with two parents who are married to each other, especially when all live under the same roof.

nucleophile * (nklē-ə-fīl′, ny-)

n.
An electron-rich chemical compound or group that is attracted to nuclei and tends to donate or share electrons. Also called Lewis base.

numismatist (n′mĭz-mătĭks, -mĭs-, ny′-)

n.
(used with a sing. verb) The study or collection of money, coins, and often medals.

nuncupative (nŭnkyə-pā′tĭv, nŭng-, nŭn-kypə-tĭv)

adj.
Law
Relating to or being a will that is delivered orally to witnesses rather than written.

Oaxacan (wə-häkə)

A city of southeast Mexico south-southwest of Veracruz. It was founded c. 1490 as an Aztec garrison post and was conquered by the Spanish in 1521.

obento * (ō-bĕntō)

n.
A Japanese box lunch, traditionally packed in a partitioned lacquered box and sometimes artfully arranged to resemble familiar characters, animals, or objects.

obliterative (ə-blĭtə-rāt′, ō-blĭt-)

tr.v. o·blit·er·at·ed, o·blit·er·at·ing, o·blit·er·ates
1. To remove or destroy completely so as to leave no trace. See Synonyms at annihilate.
2. To render invisible or unreadable, as by erasing or marking over: "The name [on the door] had been crudely obliterated with thick, heavy strokes of black paint" (F. Paul Wilson).
3. Medicine To remove completely (a body organ or part), as by surgery, disease, or radiation.

obloquy (ŏblə-kwē)

n. pl. ob·lo·quies
1. Abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny: "I have had enough obloquy for one lifetime" (Anthony Eden).
2. The condition of disgrace suffered as a result of abuse or vilification; ill repute.

obnoxiousness (ŏb-nŏkshəs, əb-)

adj.
1. Very annoying or objectionable; offensive or odious: "I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution" (Ulysses S. Grant).
2. Archaic Exposed or subject to harm, injury, or evil: "Those who are most obnoxious to punishment will flee from the country" (George Washington).
3. Archaic Deserving of or liable to censure.

obtuseness (ŏb-ts, -tys, əb-)

adj. ob·tus·er, ob·tus·est
1.
a. Lacking quickness of perception or intellect.
b. Characterized by a lack of intelligence or sensitivity: an obtuse remark.
c. Not distinctly felt: an obtuse pain.
2.
a. Not sharp, pointed, or acute in form; blunt.
b. Having an obtuse angle: an obtuse triangle.
c. Botany Having a blunt or rounded tip: an obtuse leaf.

occlude (ə-kld)

v. oc·clud·ed, oc·clud·ing, oc·cludes
v.tr.
1. To cause to become closed; obstruct: occlude an artery.
2. To prevent the passage of: occlude light; occlude the flow of blood.
3. Chemistry To absorb or adsorb and retain (a substance).
4. To force (air) upward from the earth's surface, as when a cold front overtakes and undercuts a warm front.
5. To bring together (the upper and lower teeth) in proper alignment for chewing.
v.intr.
To close so that the cusps fit together. Used of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.

Ockham's Razor, Occam's Razor (ŏkəmz)

n.
A rule in science and philosophy stating that the simplest of two or more competing theories is preferable; for example, an explanation of a new phenomenon should first be attempted in terms of what is already known, without adding further entities or principles.

octodecimo * (ŏk′tə-dĕsə-mō′)

n. pl. oc·to·dec·i·mos
1. The page size, 4 by 6.5 inches, of a book composed of printer's sheets folded into 18 leaves or 36 pages.
2. A book composed of octodecimo pages. In both senses also called eighteenmo.

oedipal, Oedipal (ĕdə-pəl, ēdə-)

adj.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Oedipus complex: oedipal conflicts.

officialese (ə-fĭsh′ə-lēz, -lēs)

n.
Language characteristic of official documents or statements, especially when obscure, pretentiously wordy, or excessively formal.

off-the-record (ôfthə-rĕkərd, ŏf-)

adj.
Not for publication or attribution: off-the-record comments by the senator.

ohmmeter * (ōmmē′tər)

n.
An instrument for measuring directly the resistances of conductors in ohms.

oleaginous (ō′lē-ăjə-nəs)

adj.
1. Of or relating to oil.
2. Falsely or smugly earnest; unctuous: oleaginous flattery.

olfactometer * (ŏl′făk-tŏmĭ-tər, ōl′-)

n.
An apparatus for measuring the acuity of the sense of smell.

omnibus (ŏmnĭ-bŭs′, -bəs)

n.
1.
a. A large horse-drawn public conveyance, especially of the late 1800s.
b. A long motor vehicle for passengers; a bus.
2. A printed anthology of the works of one author or of writings on related subjects.
adj.
Including or covering many things or classes: an omnibus trade bill.

omnipotent, Omnipotent (ŏm-nĭpə-tənt)

adj.
Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful.
n.
1. One having unlimited power or authority: the bureaucratic omnipotents.
2. Omnipotent God. Used with the.

omphalos * (ŏmfə-lŏs′, -ləs)

n. pl. om·pha·li (-lī)
1. The navel.
2. A central part; a focal point.
3. Any of various stones revered as sacred in ancient Greek civilization, representing the center of the world.

ontic * (ŏntĭk)

adj.
Of or relating to essence or the nature of being; ontological.

opalescence (ō′pə-lĕsənt)

adj.
Exhibiting a milky iridescence like that of an opal.

opéra bouffe * (ŏpər-ə bf, ŏprə, ô-pā-rä bf)

n.
A comic, often farcical opera.

opioid * (ōpē-oid′)

n.
Any of various compounds that bind to specific receptors in the central nervous system and have analgesic and narcotic effects, including naturally occurring substances such as morphine; synthetic and semisynthetic drugs such as methadone and oxycodone; and certain peptides produced by the body, such as endorphins. Also called opiate.

opportunist (ŏp′ər-tnĭst, -ty-)

n.
One who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences.

optimization (ŏptə-mīz′)

tr.v. op·ti·mized, op·ti·miz·ing, op·ti·miz·es
1. To make as perfect or effective as possible.
2. Computers To increase the computing speed and efficiency of (a program), as by rewriting instructions.
3. To make the most of.

oracular (ô-răkyə-lər, ō-răk-)

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or being an oracle.
2. Resembling or characteristic of an oracle:
a. Solemnly prophetic.
b. Enigmatic; obscure.

Oregon Trail

A historical overland route to the western United States extending from various cities on the Missouri River to the Oregon Country and later Oregon Territory. It was a major path of western migration from the early 1840s until the coming of the railroad in the 1870s.

organoleptic * (ôr′gə-nō-lĕptĭk, ôr-găn′ə-)

adj.
1. Relating to perception by a sensory organ.
2. Involving the use of sense organs: organoleptic tests.

orientalia, Orientalia (ôr′ē-ĕn-tālē-ə, -tālyə)

pl.n.
Things, especially decorative objects, produced in or associated with eastern Asia.

orison (ôrĭ-sən, -zən, ŏr-)

n.
A prayer.

ornithischian (ôr′nə-thĭskē-ən)

n.
Any of various herbivorous dinosaurs of the order Ornithischia, having a pubic bone that points down and backward like that of modern birds, usually a horny beak or bill, and including the hadrosaurs and stegosaurs.

orthoepy (ôr-thōə-pē, ôrthō-ĕp′ē)

n.
1.
a. The study of the pronunciation of words.
b. The study of the relationship between the pronunciation of words and their orthography.
2. The customary pronunciation of words.

orthogonal (ôr-thŏgə-nəl)

adj.
1. Relating to or composed of right angles.
2. Mathematics
a. Of or relating to a matrix whose transpose equals its inverse.
b. Of or relating to a linear transformation that preserves the length of vectors.
3. Very different or unrelated; sharply divergent: "Radical Islamists are ultimately seeking to create something orthogonal to our model of democracy" (Richard A. Clarke).

ossature (ŏsə-chr′, -chər)

n.
An underlying framework or skeleton.

osso buco * (ō′sō bkō, ŏssō)

n. pl. osso bu·cos
An Italian dish consisting of braised veal shanks in white wine.

osteoarthritis (ŏs′tē-ō-är-thrītĭs)

n.
A chronic disease characterized by progressive degeneration of the cartilage of the joints, occurring mainly in older persons. Also called degenerative joint disease.

otiose (ōshē-ōs′, ōtē-)

adj.
1. Lazy; indolent.
2. Of no use; pointless or superfluous: It is otiose to review what happened when the events are so well-known.
3. Ineffective; futile.

otitis media *

n.
Inflammation of the middle ear, occurring commonly in children as a result of infection and often causing pain and temporary hearing loss.

ottava rima * (rēmə)

n.
A stanza of verse consisting of eight lines in iambic pentameter rhyming abababcc.

Ouija (trademark) (wējə, -jē)

A trademark for a board with the alphabet and other symbols on it, and a planchette that is thought, when touched with the fingers, to move in such a way as to spell out spiritualistic and telepathic messages on the board.

outré * (-trā)

adj.
Highly unconventional; eccentric or bizarre: "outré and affected stage antics" (Michael Heaton).

overextend (ō′vər-ĭk-stĕnd)

tr.v. o·ver·ex·tend·ed, o·ver·ex·tend·ing, o·ver·ex·tends
1. To expand or disperse beyond a safe or reasonable limit: overextended their defenses.
2. To obligate (oneself) beyond a limit, especially a financial one.

oxalis, Oxalis (ŏksə-lĭs, ŏk-sălĭs)

n.
Any of numerous plants of the genus Oxalis, having cloverlike compound leaves usually with three leaflets and five-petaled, variously colored flowers. Also called sorrel, wood sorrel.

oxycephaly (ŏk′sē-sĕfə-lē)

n. pl. ox·y·ceph·a·lies
A congenital abnormality of the skull in which the top of the head assumes a conical or pointed shape. Also called acrocephaly.

ozostomia (ō′zə-stōmē-ə)

n.
Foul-smelling breath; halitosis.

pablum, Pablum (păbləm)

n.
1. A bland soft cereal for infants.
2. Intellectual material that is bland, trite, or insipid: "It was the sort of pablum routinely pronounced by State Department spokesmen when they had no real policy to describe" (Steve Coll).

paduasoy * (păj-ə-soi′)

n.
1. A rich heavy silk fabric with a corded effect.
2. A hanging or garment made of this fabric.

paella (pä-ĕlə, pä-ālyä, -āyä)

n.
A saffron-flavored Spanish rice dish made with varying combinations of vegetables, meat, chicken, and seafood.

Paganini (păg′ə-nēnē, pä′gä-)

Niccolò 1782-1840.
Italian violinist and composer whose works include six violin concertos and many other virtuoso violin pieces.

paladin (pălə-dĭn)

n.
1. A paragon of chivalry; a heroic champion.
2. A strong supporter or defender of a cause: "the paladin of plain speaking" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)
3. Any of the 12 peers of Charlemagne's court.

palaver (pə-lăvər, -lävər)

n.
1.
a. Idle chatter.
b. Talk intended to charm or beguile.
2. A negotiation or discussion concerning matters in dispute, especially in the traditional cultures of West Africa.
v. pa·lav·ered, pa·lav·er·ing, pa·lav·ers
v.intr.
To talk idly or at length.
v.tr.
Archaic To flatter or cajole.

paleolith (pālē-ə-lĭth′)

n.
A stone implement of the Paleolithic Period.

palliate (pălē-āt′)

tr.v. pal·li·at·ed, pal·li·at·ing, pal·li·ates
1.
a. To make less severe or intense; mitigate. See Synonyms at relieve.
b. To alleviate the symptoms of (a disease or disorder).
2. To make (an offense or crime) seem less serious; extenuate.

palmistry (pämĭ-strē)

n.
The practice or art of telling fortunes from the lines, marks, and patterns on the palms of the hands.

palominos (păl′ə-mēnō)

n. pl. pal·o·mi·nos
A horse with a golden or tan coat and a white or cream-colored mane and tail.

palsied (pôlzēd)

adj.
1. Affected with palsy.
2. Trembling or shaking.

paludal * (pə-ldl, pălyə-dəl)

adj.
Of or relating to a swamp; marshy.

panada (pə-nädə)

n.
A paste or gruel of bread crumbs, toast, or flour combined with milk, stock, or water and used for making soups, binding forcemeats, or thickening sauces.

pancake landing *

n.
An irregular or emergency landing in which an aircraft drops flat to the ground from a low altitude.

pancreatectomy (păng′krē-ə-tĕktə-mē, păn′-)

n. pl. pan·cre·a·tec·to·mies
Surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas.

panorama (păn′ə-rămə, -rämə)

n.
1. An unbroken view of an entire surrounding area.
2. A comprehensive presentation; a survey: a panorama of American literature.
3. A picture or series of pictures representing a continuous scene, often exhibited a part at a time by being unrolled and passed before the spectator.
4. A mental vision of a series of events.

pantheism (pănthē-ĭz′əm)

n.
1. A doctrine identifying the Deity with the universe and its phenomena.
2. Belief in and worship of all gods.

papacy, Papacy (pāpə-sē)

n. pl. pa·pa·cies
1. The office and jurisdiction of a pope.
2. The period of time during which a pope is in office.
3. A succession or line of popes: the Medici papacy.
4. Papacy Roman Catholic Church The system of church government headed by the pope.

papyrology * (păp′ə-rŏlə-jē)

n.
The study of papyrus manuscripts.

paralytic (păr′ə-lĭtĭk)

adj.
1. Of or relating to paralysis.
2. Characteristic of or resembling paralysis.
3. Affected with paralysis; paralyzed.
n.
A person affected with paralysis.

paramilitary (păr′ə-mĭlĭ-tĕr′ē)

adj.
Of, relating to, or being a group of civilians organized in a military fashion, especially to operate in place of or assist regular army troops.
n. pl. par·a·mil·i·tar·ies
A member of a paramilitary force.

paraph * (părəf, pə-ră)

n.
A flourish made after or below a signature, originally to prevent forgery.

paraphernalia (păr′ə-fər-nālyə, -fə-nālyə)

pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
1. The articles used in a particular activity; equipment: a photographer's paraphernalia. See Synonyms at equipment.
2. Law Personal property used by a married woman that, although actually owned by her husband and subject to claims by his creditors, becomes her personal property after his death.

paraplegia (păr′ə-plējə, -jē-ə)

n.
Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.

pareve (pärə-və) also par·ve (pärvə)

adj.
Judaism
Prepared without meat, milk, or their derivatives and therefore permissible to be eaten with meat or dairy dishes according to dietary laws: pareve margarine.

parfleche (pärflĕsh′)

n.
1. An untanned animal hide soaked in lye and water to remove the hair and then dried on a stretcher.
2. An article, such as a shield or bag, made of this hide.

parishioner * (pə-rĭshə-nər)

n.
A member of a parish.

Parkinson's disease (pärkĭn-sənz) also Par·kin·son disease (-sən)

n.
A progressive disease of the central nervous system, associated with the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine and characterized by muscle tremors, muscle rigidity or stiffness, abnormally slow movement, and impaired balance and coordination. It usually affects people over the age of 50. Also called paralysis agitans.

parnomasia (păr′ə-nō-māzhə)

n.
1. Word play; punning.
2. A pun.

parvovirus (pärvō-vī′rəs)

n. pl. par·vo·vi·rus·es
1. Any of a family of very small DNA viruses that cause various diseases in animals, including feline panleukopenia, canine parvovirus, and fifth disease in humans.
2.
a. A highly contagious infectious disease of dogs, especially puppies, characterized by lethargy, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is spread through feces from infected animals.
b. The parvovirus that is the causative agent of this disease. In both subsenses also called canine parvovirus, parvo.

paseo (pä-sāō)

n. pl. pa·se·os
1.
a. A slow, easy stroll or walk outdoors.
b. The street, series of streets, or walkway along which such a walk is taken.
2. In bullfighting, the formal procession into the ring of the players, including the matadors, banderilleros, and horses, that occurs just before the first bull is fought.

paso doble, pasodoble (päsō-dōblā, -vlĕ)

n. pl. pa·so do·bles (-blāz, -vlĕs) also pa·so·do·bles
1. A moderately fast Spanish dance in duple meter.
2. The music for this dance, often played at bullfights.

passant (păsənt)

adj.
Heraldry
Being a beast facing and walking toward the viewer's left with one front leg raised.

passivity (pă-sĭvĭ-tē)

n.
The condition or quality of being passive; inactivity, quiescence, or submissiveness.

pastina (pă-stēnə)

n.
Tiny pieces of pasta, often cooked in soups or used as baby food.

pasturage (păschər-ĭj)

n.
1. The grass or other vegetation eaten by grazing animals.
2. Land covered with grass or vegetation suitable for grazing animals.
3. The practice of pasturing grazing animals.

patisserie (pə-tĭsə-rē, pä-tēs-rē)

n.
A bakery specializing in French pastry.

patrimony (pătrə-mō′nē)

n. pl. pat·ri·mo·nies
1.
a. An inheritance from a father or paternal ancestor.
b. An inheritance or legacy; heritage.
2. An endowment or estate belonging to an institution, especially a church.

paunchiness (pônchē, pän-)

adj. paunch·i·er, paunch·i·est
Having a potbelly.

pauperize (pôpə-rīz′)

tr.v. pau·per·ized, pau·per·iz·ing, pau·per·iz·es
To make a pauper of; impoverish.

pavilion (pə-vĭlyən)

n.
1. An ornate tent.
2.
a. A light, sometimes ornamental roofed structure, used for amusement or shelter, as at parks or fairs: a picnic pavilion.
b. A usually temporary structure erected at a fair or show for use by an exhibitor: the French pavilion at the World's Fair.
c. A large structure housing sports or entertainment facilities; an arena.
3. A structure or another building connected to a larger building; an annex.
4. One of a group of related buildings forming a complex, as of a hospital.
5. The lower surface of a brilliant-cut gem, slanting outward from the culet to the girdle.
tr.v.pa·vil·ioned, pa·vil·ion·ing, pa·vil·ions
1. To cover or furnish with or as if with a pavilion.
2. To put in or as if in a pavilion.

pecuniary * (pĭ-kynē-ĕr′ē)

adj.
1. Of or relating to money: a pecuniary loss; pecuniary motives.
2. Requiring payment of money: a pecuniary offense.

pedometer * (pĭ-dŏmĭ-tər)

n.
An instrument that gauges the approximate distance traveled on foot by registering the number of steps taken.

Peking man

n.
An extinct hominin known from fossil remains of the Pleistocene Epoch found in China, originally called Sinanthropus but now classified as Homo erectus.

pellucid * (pə-lsĭd)

adj.
1. Admitting the passage of light; transparent or translucent. See Synonyms at clear.
2. Transparently clear in style or meaning: pellucid prose.

pendulous (pĕnjə-ləs, pĕndyə-, -də-)

adj.
1. Hanging loosely; suspended so as to swing or sway.
2. Wavering; undecided.

peninsular (pə-nĭnsyə-lə, -sə-lə)

n. Abbr. Pen.
A piece of land that juts out from a larger land mass and is mostly surrounded by water.

penuche, penuchi (pə-nchē) or pa·no·cha (-nōchə) or pa·no·che (-chē)

n.
A fudgelike confection of brown sugar, butter, cream or milk, and often chopped nuts.

per capita * (pər kăpĭ-tə)

adv. & adj.
1. Per unit of population; per person: In that year, Americans earned $15,304 per capita. Among the states, Connecticut has a high per c

perdurable * (pər-drə-bəl, -dyr-)

adj.
Extremely durable; permanent.

perennate * (pĕrə-nāt′, pə-rĕnāt)

intr.v. per·en·nat·ed, per·en·nat·ing, per·en·nates
To survive from one growing season to the next, often with a period of reduced or arrested growth between seasons. Used of plants or plant parts.

periapt * (pĕrē-ăpt′)

n.
A charm worn as protection against mischief and disease; an amulet.

periodic sentence

n.
A sentence in which the main clause or its predicate is withheld until the end; for example, Despite heavy winds and nearly impenetrable ground fog, the plane landed safely.

peripatetic, Peripatetic (pĕr′ə-pə-tĕtĭk)

adj.
1. Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot.
2. Peripatetic Of or relating to the philosophy or teaching methods of Aristotle, who conducted discussions while walking about in the Lyceum of ancient Athens.
n.
1. One who walks from place to place; an itinerant.
2. Peripatetic A follower of the philosophy of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.

peripeteia, peripetia (pĕr′ə-pə-tēə, -tīə)

n.
A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work.

peripheral * (pə-rĭfər-əl)

adj.
1. Related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery.
2. Perceived or perceiving near the outer edges of the retina: peripheral vision.
3. Anatomy
a. Of the surface or outer part of a body or organ; external.
b. Of, relating to, or being part of the peripheral nervous system.
4. Of minor relevance or importance.
5. Auxiliary.
n.
Computers
An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.

permissibility * (pər-mĭsə-bəl)

adj.
Permitted; allowable: permissible tax deductions; permissible behavior in school.

peroral (pər-ôrəl)

adj.
Through or by way of the mouth: a peroral infection; peroral administration of fluids.

persevere (pûr′sə-vîr)

intr.v. per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing, per·se·veres
To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.

persistence (pər-sĭstəns)

n.
1. The act of persisting.
2. The state or quality of being persistent; persistency.
3. Continuance of an effect after the cause is removed: persistence of vision.

persona non grata (pər-sōnə nŏn grätə, grătə)

n. pl. per·so·nae non gra·tae (-nē; -tē)
A person who is unacceptable or unwelcome, especially to a foreign government: The leaked memo made the ambassador a persona non grata. The foreign minister declared the envoy to be persona non grata.

pervasive (pər-vāsĭv, -zĭv)

adj.
Having the quality or tendency to pervade or permeate: the pervasive odor of garlic.

petechia (pə-tēkē-ə)

n. pl. pe·te·chi·ae (-kē-ī′)
A small purplish spot on a body surface, such as the skin or a mucous membrane, caused by a minute hemorrhage and often seen in typhus.

petitio principii (pə-tĭshē-ō′ prĭn-sĭpē-ē′, -ē-ī′)

n.
Logic
The fallacy of assuming in the premise of an argument that which one wishes to prove in the conclusion; a begging of the question.

Petrarchan sonnet

n.
A sonnet containing an octave with the rhyme scheme abbaabba and a sestet following any of various patterns such as cdecde or cdcdcd. Also called Italian sonnet.

petroglyph * (pĕtrə-glĭf′)

n.
A carving or incised drawing on rock, especially one made by prehistoric people.

pharmaceutic (fär′mə-stĭ-kəl) also phar·ma·ceu·tic (-tĭk)

adj.
Of or relating to pharmacy or pharmacists.
n.
A pharmaceutical product or preparation.

phenomenalism (fĭ-nŏmə-nə-lĭz′əm)

n.
Philosophy
The doctrine, set forth by David Hume and his successors, that percepts and concepts constitute the sole objects of knowledge, with the objects of perception and the nature of the mind itself remaining unknowable.

philharmonic, Philharmonic (fĭl′här-mŏnĭk, fĭl′ər-)

adj.
1. Devoted to or appreciative of music.
2. Relating to a symphony orchestra.
n. also Philharmonic
A symphony orchestra or the group that supports it.

Philipine mahogany

n.
1. Any of various Southeast Asian hardwood trees of the genus Shorea and related genera, having light to dark reddish-brown wood.
2. The wood of any of these trees.

phlebitis (flĭ-bītĭs)

n.
Inflammation of a vein.

phonate (fōnāt′)

intr.v. pho·nat·ed, pho·nat·ing, pho·nates
To produce speech sounds; vocalize.

phosphoresce (fŏs′fə-rĕsəns)

n.
1. Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.
2. Emission of light without appreciable heat, as from chemiluminescence of phosphorus or bioluminescence of living organisms.

phylactery * (fĭ-lăktə-rē)

n. pl. phy·lac·ter·ies
Judaism
Either of two small leather boxes, each containing strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally worn strapped to the forehead and the left arm by Jewish men during morning worship, except on the Sabbath and holidays.

phytotoxic (fī′tō-tŏksĭk)

adj.
Poisonous to plants.

pilferage (pĭlfər)

v. pil·fered, pil·fer·ing, pil·fers
v.tr.
To steal (a small amount or item). See Synonyms at steal.
v.intr.
To steal or filch.

Pillars of Hercules (pĭlərz)

The ancient name for two promontories at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar and the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. They are usually identified as Gibraltar in Europe and Jebel Musa in North Africa.

piosity (pī-ŏsĭ-tē)

n. pl. pi·os·i·ties
An exaggerated display of piety.

pivotal * (pĭvə-tl)

adj.
1. Of, relating to, or serving as a pivot.
2. Being of vital or central importance; crucial: a decision that was pivotal to our success.

placebo * (plə-sēbō)

n. pl. pla·ce·bos or pla·ce·boes
1.
a. A substance that has positive effects as a result of a patient's perception that it is beneficial rather than as a result of a causative ingredient.
b. An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug.
2. Something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another.
3. (plä-chābō) Roman Catholic Church The service or office of vespers for the dead.

placidity (plăsĭd)

adj.
1.
a. Undisturbed by tumult or disorder; calm or quiet: led a placid life.
b. Not agitated physically; not disturbed: a placid stream.
2. Not easily upset or excited; mild or complacent: a placid demeanor. See Synonyms at calm.

plaice (plās)

n. pl. plaice or plaic·es
1. A large edible marine flatfish (Pleuronectes platessa) of European coastal waters.
2. Any of various other flatfishes, such as Hippoglossoides platessoides of northern Atlantic coastal waters.

playa (plīə)

n.
A nearly level area at the bottom of an undrained desert basin, sometimes temporarily covered with water.

plea bargain, plea-bargain (plēbär′gən)

intr.v. plea bar·gained, plea bar·gain·ing, plea bar·gains also plea-bar·gained or plea-bar·gain·ing or plea-bar·gains
To agree to plead guilty, especially to a lesser criminal offense, in exchange for some concession from the prosecution, such as dismissal of more serious charges.

plebiscite (plĕbĭ-sīt′, -sĭt)

n.
1. A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal: The new constitution was ratified in a plebiscite.
2. A vote in which a population exercises the right of national self-determination.

plenary (plēnə-rē, plĕnə-)

adj.
1. Complete in all respects; unlimited or full: a diplomat with plenary powers.
2. Fully attended by all qualified members: a plenary session of the council.

pleuston * (plstən, -stŏn′)

n.
Macroscopic organisms that float or swim on the surface of a body of water.

Plexiglass, plexiglass (plĕksĭ-glăs′)

A trademark for a light, transparent, weather-resistant thermoplastic. This trademark sometimes occurs in print lowercased and spelled plexiglass: "The display pieces are double sealed inside plexiglass cases" (Los Angeles Times).

pluvious * (plvē-əs) also plu·vi·ose (-ōs′)

adj.
Characterized by heavy rainfall; rainy.

pneuma (nmə, ny-)

n.
The soul or vital spirit.

pocket vetoes

n.
1. The indirect veto of a bill received by the president within ten days of the adjournment of Congress, effected by retaining the bill unsigned until Congress adjourns.
2. A similar action exercised by a state governor or other chief executive.

poetic justice

n.
The rewarding of virtue and the punishment of vice, often in an especially appropriate or ironic manner.

poinciana (poin′sē-ănə, -änə)

n.
The royal poinciana.

poliomyelitis * (pō′lē-ō-mī′ə-lītĭs)

n.
A highly infectious viral disease that chiefly affects children and, in its acute forms, causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy, and often deformity. Through vaccination, the disease is preventable. Also called infantile paralysis, polio.

politicization (pə-lĭtĭ-sīz′)

v. po·lit·i·cized, po·lit·i·ciz·ing, po·lit·i·ciz·es
v.intr.
To engage in or discuss politics.
v.tr.
To make political: an official who politicized the response to the hurricane.

polyglot * (pŏlē-glŏt′)

adj.
Speaking, writing, written in, or composed of several languages.
n.
1. A person having a speaking, reading, or writing knowledge of several languages.
2. A book, especially a Bible, containing several versions of the same text in different languages.
3. A mixture or confusion of languages.

polynya * (pŏl′ən-yä, pə-lĭnyə)

n.
An area of open water surrounded by sea ice.

polystyrene (pŏl′ē-stīrēn)

n.
A rigid clear thermoplastic polymer of styrene that can be molded into objects or made into a foam that is used as thermal insulation.

pompano (pŏmpə-nō′)

n. pl. pompano or pom·pa·nos
1. Any of several marine carangid food fishes chiefly of the genus Trachinotus, especially T. carolinus of western Atlantic waters, having a silvery oblong body with a bluish back.
2. A butterfish (Peprilus simillimus) of Pacific coastal waters of North America.

Pompeii (pŏm-pā, -pāē)

An ancient city of southern Italy southeast of Naples. Founded in the sixth or early fifth century BC, it was a Roman colony by 80 BC and became a prosperous port and resort with many noted villas, temples, theaters, and baths. Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The incredibly well-preserved ruins were rediscovered in 1748 and have been extensively excavated.

Pooh-bah, pooh-bah (pbä′)

n.
1. A pompous ostentatious official, especially one who, holding many offices, fulfills none of them.
2. A person who holds high office.

populous (pŏpyə-ləs)

adj.
Containing many people or inhabitants; having a large population.

portal-to-portal (pôrtl-tə-pôrtl)

adj.
Of or based on the time a worker spends on the employer's property, calculated from the moment of arrival to that of departure: portal-to-portal pay.

portière, portiere * (pôr-tyâr)

n.
A heavy curtain hung across a doorway.

posit * (pŏzĭt)

tr.v. pos·it·ed, pos·it·ing, pos·its
1. To assume or put forward, as for consideration or the basis of argument: "If a book is hard going, it ought to be good. If it posits a complex moral situation, it ought to be even better" (Anthony Burgess).
2. To place firmly in position.

post hoc (hŏk, hōk)

adv. & adj.
In or of the form of an argument in which one event is asserted to be the cause of a later event simply by virtue of having happened earlier: grasping at reasons post hoc; a post hoc fallacy.

posthypnotic suggestion (pōst′hĭp-nŏtĭk)

n.
A suggestion made to a hypnotized person that specifies an action to be performed after awakening, often in response to a cue.

postmeridian (pōst′mə-rĭdē-ən)

adj.
Of, relating to, or taking place in the afternoon.

postulant (pŏschə-lənt)

n.
1. A person submitting a request or application; a petitioner.
2. A candidate for admission into a religious order.

potiche (pô-tēsh)

n.
A vase or jar with a round or polygonal body tapering at the neck and having a removable cover.

poulard, poularde, (p-lärd)

n.
A young hen that has been spayed for fattening.

praedial, predial (prēdē-əl)

adj.
1. Relating to, containing, or possessing land; landed.
2. Attached to, bound to, or arising from the land: praedial serfs.

prairie schooner

n.
A covered wagon, drawn by horses or oxen, that was used by pioneers in crossing the North American prairies and plains.

preadolescence (prē′ăd-l-ĕsəns)

n.
The period of childhood just before the onset of puberty, often designated as between the ages of 10 and 12 in girls and 11 and 13 in boys.

precatory * (prĕkə-tôr′ē) also prec·a·tive (-tĭv)

adj.
Relating to or expressing entreaty or supplication.

predictor (prĭ-dĭkt)

v. pre·dict·ed, pre·dict·ing, pre·dicts
v.tr.
To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on the basis of special knowledge: predicted an active hurricane season because of warmer ocean-surface temperatures.
v.intr.
To foretell something.

prefabricate * (prē-făbrĭ-kāt′)

tr.v. pre·fab·ri·cat·ed, pre·fab·ri·cat·ing, pre·fab·ri·cates
1. To manufacture (a building or section of a building, for example) in advance, especially in standard sections that can be easily shipped and assembled.
2. To make up, construct, or develop in an artificial, unoriginal, or stereotypic manner: "[The movie] bears all the tiresome hallmarks of a cult-film wannabe—i.e. movies that try to prefabricate the kind of midnight-movie popularity that usually has to come about organically" (Bob Chipman).

prehensile (prē-hĕnsəl, -sīl′)

pre·hen·sile (prē-hĕnsəl, -sīl′)
Share:
adj.
1. Able to seize, grasp, or hold, especially by wrapping around an object: a monkey's prehensile tail.
2. Having a keen intellect or powerful memory: a prehensile mind.

prelude prāld′, -lyd′; prĕld′, -yd′; prēld′, -lyd′)

n.
1. An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.
2. Music
a. A piece or movement that serves as an introduction to another section or composition and establishes the key, such as one that precedes a fugue, opens a suite, or precedes a church service.
b. A similar but independent composition for the piano.
c. The overture to an oratorio, opera, or act of an opera.
d. A short composition of the 1400s and early 1500s written in a free style, usually for keyboard.
v. prel·ud·ed, prel·ud·ing, prel·udes
v. tr.
1. To serve as a prelude to.
2. To introduce with or as if with a prelude.
v. intr.
To serve as a prelude or introduction.

prepense (prĭ-pĕns)

adj.
Contemplated or arranged in advance; premeditated: malice prepense

presbyopia (prĕz′bē-ōpē-ə, prĕs′-)

n.
Inability of the eye to focus sharply on nearby objects, resulting from loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens with advancing age.

presentient (prē-sĕnshənt, -shē-ənt)

adj.
Having a presentiment.

presidential (prĕz′ĭ-dĕnshəl)

adj.
1.
a. Of or relating to a president or presidency.
b. Befitting a president, especially the office of the president of the United States: criticized the candidate for not looking presidential.
2. Of or relating to a political system in which the chief officer is a president who is elected independently of the legislature for a fixed term: a presidential government.

presynaptic * (prē′sĭ-năptĭk)

adj.
Situated in front of or occurring before a synapse: a presynaptic nerve fiber; a presynaptic stimulus.

pretentious (prĭ-tĕnshəs)

adj.
1. Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case: a pretentious socialite.
2. Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority: made pretentious remarks about his education.
3. Marked by an extravagant or presumptuous outward show; ostentatious: a pretentious house. See Synonyms at showy.

primipara (prī-mĭpər-ə)

n. pl. pri·mip·a·ras or pri·mip·a·rae (-ə-rē′)
1. A woman who is pregnant for the first time.
2. A woman who has given birth to only one child.

primogenitor (prī′mō-jĕnĭ-tər)

n.
1. The earliest ancestor.
2. An ancestor or forebear.

primordial (prī-môrdē-əl)

adj.
1. Being or happening first in sequence of time; original.
2. Primary or fundamental: play a primordial role.
3. Biology Belonging to or characteristic of the earliest stage of development of an organism or a part: primordial cells.
n.
A basic principle.

principled (prĭnsə-pəld)

adj.
Based on, marked by, or manifesting principle: a principled decision; a highly principled person.

privatization (prīvə-tīz′)

tr.v. pri·va·tized, pri·va·tiz·ing, pri·va·tiz·es
To change (an industry or business, for example) from governmental or public ownership or control to private enterprise: "Egypt has to some degree privatized agriculture, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers instead of through the government" (Marq de Villiers).

prix fixe (prē fēks)

n. pl. prix fixes (prē fēks)
1. A complete meal of several courses, sometimes with choices permitted, offered by a restaurant at a fixed price.
2. A fixed price charged for such a meal.
3. A full-course meal offering a limited number of choices and served at a fixed price in a restaurant or hotel.

pro bono * (prō bōnō)

adj.
Provided free or at low cost to certain legal clients in order to serve the public good: a lawyer's pro bono representation of low-income families.

procephalic (prō′sə-fălĭk)

adj.
Of, relating to, or located on or near the front of the head.

Procrustean, procrustean (prō-krŭstē-ən)

adj.
Producing or designed to produce strict conformity by ruthless or arbitrary means.

profligate * (prŏflĭ-gĭt, -gāt′)

adj.
1. Given to or characterized by licentiousness or dissipation: a profligate nightlife.
2. Given to or characterized by reckless waste; wildly extravagant: a profligate spender; the profligate use of water.
n.
A profligate person.

proletarian (prō′lĭ-târē-ən)

adj.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the proletariat.
n.
A member of the proletariat; a worker.

prophesier * (prŏfĭ-sī′, -sē′)

v. proph·e·sied (-sīd′, -sēd′), proph·e·sy·ing (-sī′ĭng, -sē′ĭng), proph·e·sies (-sīz′, -sēz′)
v.tr.
1. To reveal by divine inspiration.
2. To predict the future with certainty. See Synonyms at foretell.
3. To prefigure or foreshadow: "The wind was in the east, and the clouds prophesied rain" (Jacob Riis).
v.intr.
1. To reveal the will or message of God; speak or write as a prophet.
2. To predict future events; make predictions.

propolis (prŏpə-lĭs)

n.
A resinous substance collected from the buds of certain trees by bees and used as a cement or sealant in the construction of their hives.

propriety (prə-prīĭ-tē)

n. pl. pro·pri·e·ties
1.
a. Conformity to conventional standards of behavior or morality.
b. proprieties Socially correct usages or behaviors.
2. The quality of being proper; appropriateness.

prosthesis (prŏs-thēsĭs)

n. pl. pros·the·ses (-sēz)
1. An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, such as a limb, tooth, eye, or heart valve.
2. Replacement of a missing body part with such a device.
3. Linguistics Prothesis.

protestation (prŏt′ĭ-stāshən, prō′tĭ-, -tĕ-)

n.
1. An emphatic declaration.
2. A strong or formal expression of dissent.

protolithic * (prō′tə-lĭthĭk)

adj.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the very beginning of the Stone Age; Eolithic.

proventriculus (prō′vĕn-trĭkyə-ləs)

n. pl. pro·ven·tric·u·li (-lī′)
1. The division of the stomach in birds that secretes digestive enzymes and passes food from the crop to the gizzard.
2. A similar digestive chamber in certain insects and worms.

provost marshal (prōvō)

n.
The head of a unit of military police.

pseudepigrapha (s′dĭ-pĭgrə-fə)

pl.n.
1. Spurious writings, especially writings falsely attributed to biblical characters or times.
2. A body of texts written between 200 BC and AD 200 and spuriously ascribed to various prophets and kings of the Hebrew Scriptures.

pseudonymous (sdn-ĭm′)

n.
A fictitious name, especially a pen name.

psoriasis * (sə-rīə-sĭs)

n.
A noncontagious inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurring reddish patches covered with silvery scales.

psychokinesis (sī′kō-kə-nēsĭs, -kī-)

n. pl. psy·cho·ki·ne·ses (-sēz) Abbr. PK
The production or control of motion, especially in inanimate and remote objects, purportedly by the exercise of psychic powers.

pteridology (tĕr′ĭ-dŏlə-jē)

n.
The study of ferns and other pteridophytes.

public domain

n.
1. Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government.
2. The condition of not being protected by a patent or copyright and therefore being available to the public for use without charge.

puissant * (pwĭsəns, pyĭ-səns, py-ĭsəns)

n.
Power; might.

pullulate (pŭlyə-lāt′)

intr.v. pul·lu·lat·ed, pul·lu·lat·ing, pul·lu·lates
1. To breed rapidly or abundantly.
2. To be or increase in great numbers: "Ideas pullulated in his brain" (G.D. Dess).
3. To teem; swarm: a lagoon that pullulated with fish.

Punchinello (pŭn′chə-nĕlō)

n. pl. Pun·chi·nel·los or Pun·chi·nel·loes
1. The short fat buffoon or clown in an Italian puppet show.
2. One who resembles a short fat clown.

punctilio * (pŭngk-tĭlē-ō′)

n. pl. punc·til·i·os
1. A fine point of etiquette.
2. Precise observance of formalities.

purificator (pyrə-fĭ-kā′tər)

n.
Ecclesiastical
A cloth used to clean the chalice during or after the celebration of the Eucharist.

Pyongyang (pyŭngyäng, -yăng, pyông-)

The capital and largest city of North Korea, in the southwest-central part of the country. It was an important cultural center and Chinese colony after 108 BC, later fell to the Japanese, and became capital of North Korea in 1948.

pyrography (pī-rŏgrə-fē)

n. pl. py·rog·ra·phies
1. The process or art of producing designs on wood, leather, or other materials by using heated tools or a fine flame.
2. A design made by this process.

quadratics * (kwŏ-drătĭks)

n. (used with a sing. verb)
The branch of algebra that deals with quadratic equations.

quadricentennial (kwŏd′rĭ-sĕn-tĕnē-əl)

adj.
Quadricentenary.
n.
A quadricentenary event or celebration.

quaestor (kwĕstər, kwēstər)

n.
Any of various public officials in ancient Rome responsible for finance and administration in various areas of government and the military.

quaking aspen (kwākĭng)

n.
A North American deciduous tree (Populus tremuloides) having broadly ovate, finely toothed leaves with flattened petioles, which quiver in a light breeze.

quale (kwälē)

n. pl. qua·li·a (-lē-ə)
A property, such as whiteness, considered independently from things having the property.

quandaries (kwŏndə-rē, -drē)

n. pl. quan·da·ries
A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

Quantico (kwäntĭ-kō′)

A town of northwest Virginia on the Potomac River south-southwest of Alexandria. A US Marine Corps base was established here in 1918.

quartan (kwôrtn)

adj.
Occurring every fourth day, counting inclusively, or every 72 hours. Used of a fever.
n.
A malarial fever recurring every 72 hours.

quattrocento * (kwŏt′rō-chĕntō)

n.
The 15th-century period of Italian art and literature.

quiescent * (kwē-ĕsənt, kwī-)

adj.
1. Quiet, still, or inactive. See Synonyms at inactive.
2. Characterized by an absence of upheaval or discord: "We tend to think of the decades following the final overthrow of Napoleon as remarkably quiescent" (Walter McDougall).
3. Astronomy Having little or no sunspot activity.
4. Medicine Asymptomatic: a quiescent infection.

quietus (kwī-ētəs)

n.
1. Something that serves to suppress, check, or eliminate: "He was blindsided by a conflict in Korea that put the quietus on his China venture" (Robert L. Beisner).
2. Release from life; death.
3. A final discharge, as of a duty or debt.

quinceañera (kēnsĕ-ə-nyârə)

n.
1. A celebration of the fifteenth birthday of a Hispanic or Latina girl, typically including a Roman Catholic Mass and often serving as a social debut.
2. The girl whose birthday is celebrated at a quinceañera.

quinquagenarian (kwĭng′kwə-jə-nârē-ən)

n.
A person who is 50 years old or between the ages of 50 and 60.
adj.
1. Being 50 years old or between the ages of 50 and 60.
2. Of or relating to a quinquagenarian.

quintuplicate (kwĭn-tplĭ-kĭt, -ty-)

adj.
1. Multiplied by five; fivefold.
2. Being the fifth of a set of five identical copies.
n.
1. One of a set of five identical things.
2. A set of five copies.
tr.v. (-kāt′) quin·tu·pli·cat·ed, quin·tu·pli·cat·ing, quin·tu·pli·cates
To make five copies of.

quizzical (kwĭzĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Suggesting puzzlement; questioning.
2. Teasing; mocking: "His face wore a somewhat quizzical almost impertinent air" (Lawrence Durrell).
3. Eccentric; odd.

quondam * (kwŏndəm, -dăm′)

adj.
That once was; former: "the quondam drunkard, now perfectly sober" (Bret Harte).

quotability (kwōtə-bəl)

adj.
Suitable for or worthy of quoting: a quotable slogan; a quotable pundit.

racquetball (răkĭt-bôl′)

n.
A game played on a four-walled court by two or four players who alternately hit a small rubber ball against the front wall with short-handled rackets, with play stopping if the ball bounces twice on the floor or does not reach the front wall.

radicchio (rə-dēkē-ō, rä-)

n. pl. ra·dic·chi·os
Any of several varieties of chicory, having red or red-spotted leaves that form rounded or elongated heads.

radioecology (rā′dē-ō-ĭ-kŏlə-jē)

n.
The study of the effects of radiation and radioisotopes on the environment.

radiolucent (rā′dē-ō-lsənt)

adj.
Allowing the passage of x-rays or other radiation; not radiopaque.

rallentando (răl′ən-tăndō, räl′lĕn-tändō)

adv. & adj.
Gradually slackening in tempo; ritardando. Used chiefly as a direction.
n. pl. ral·len·tan·dos
A rallentando passage or movement.

Ramadan (răm′ə-dän, rămə-dän′)

n.
1. The ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar.
2. A fast, held from sunrise to sunset, that is carried out during this period.

rampike (rămpīk′)

n.
A standing dead tree or tree stump, especially one killed by fire.

rapier (rāpē-ər, rāpyər)

n.
1. A long, slender, two-edged sword with a cuplike hilt, used in the 1500s and 1600s.
2. A light, sharp-pointed sword lacking a cutting edge and used only for thrusting.

rarefaction (râr′ə-făkshən)

n.
1. The condition of being rarefied.
2.
a. A decrease in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, caused by the passage of a sound wave.
b. The region in which this occurs.

rascality (răs-kălĭ-tē)

n. pl. ras·cal·i·ties
1. Behavior or character typical of a rascal.
2. A base or mischievous act.

ravenous (răvə-nəs)

adj.
1. Extremely hungry or characterized by extreme hunger; voracious: missed lunch and was ravenous by dinnertime.
2. Predatory or ferocious in predation: ravenous lions.
3. Eager for gratification or extremely desirous: "I'm ravenous for news, any kind of news" (Margaret Atwood).

razorback (rāzər-băk′)

n.
1. A feral hog (Sus scrofa) of the southern United States, having a narrow body with a ridged back.
2. A large baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus) having grooves on the throat, a prominent dorsal fin, and a whitish underside.
3. A sharp ridged hill.

realpolitik (rā-älpō′lĭ-tēk′)

n.
A usually expansionist national policy having as its sole principle advancement of the national interest.

reapportionment (rē′ə-pôrshən-mənt)

n.
1. The act of reapportioning or the state of being reapportioned.
2. Redistribution of representation in a legislative body, especially the periodic reallotment of US congressional seats according to changes in the census figures as required by the Constitution.

rear-ended (rîrĕnd)

tr.v. rear-end·ed, rear-end·ing, rear-ends
Slang
To run into (another motor vehicle) from behind: My car was rear-ended by a truck.

recalculate (rē-kălkyə-lāt′)

tr.v. re·cal·cu·lat·ed, re·cal·cu·lat·ing, re·cal·cu·lates
To calculate again, especially in order to eliminate errors or to incorporate additional factors or data.

recension (rĭ-sĕnshən)

n.
1. A critical revision of a text incorporating the most plausible elements found in varying sources.
2. A text so revised.

reconcilable (rĕk′ən-sīlə-bəl, rĕkən-sī′-)

adj.
Capable of or qualified for reconciliation: reconcilable differences.

recoup (rĭ-kp)

v. re·couped, re·coup·ing, re·coups
v.tr.
1.
a. To get back; recover or regain: recoup a loss; recoup one's dignity.
b. To gain an amount equal to (an outlay or investment): expected to recoup the development costs in three years.
c. To restore; replenish: "urged [her] to catch up on sleep and recoup her utterly spent resources" (Bernard Lown).
2. To reimburse (someone) for a loss or expenditure.
3. Law To reduce (the amount of a monetary claim made by a party in a legal action) because of a failure of that party to perform an obligation under the contract or law related to the claim.
v.intr.
To recover from loss or exhaustion; recuperate: needed to recoup after the strenuous campaign.

recrudesce (rē′kr-dĕs)

intr.v. re·cru·desced, re·cru·desc·ing, re·cru·desc·es
To break out anew or come into renewed activity, as after a period of quiescence.

recumbent * (rĭ-kŭmbənt)

adj.
1. Lying down, especially in a position of comfort or rest; reclining.
2. Resting; idle.
3. Biology Resting on the surface from which it arises. Used of an organ or other structure.
n.
A recumbent bicycle.

recurrent (rĭ-kûrənt)

adj.
1. Occurring or appearing again or repeatedly.
2. Anatomy Turning in a reverse direction. Used of blood vessels and nerves.

redeployment (rē′dĭ-ploi)

v. re·de·ployed, re·de·ploy·ing, re·de·ploys
v.tr.
1. To deploy (personnel, especially military forces) to a different place or on a different assignment.
2. To put to a different use or action; deploy in a different way: redeploy the company's resources.
v.intr.
To be deployed to a different area or assignment.

redingote (rĕdĭng-gōt′)

n.
1. A man's long double-breasted topcoat with full skirt.
2. A woman's full-length unlined coat or dress open down the front to show a dress or underdress.

red-letter (rĕdlĕtər)

adj.
Memorably happy: a red-letter day.

referendum (rĕf′ə-rĕndəm)

n. pl. ref·er·en·dums or ref·er·en·da (-də)
1.
a. The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote.
b. Such a vote.
2. A note from a diplomat to the diplomat's government requesting instructions.

refrangible * (rĭ-frănjə-bəl)

adj.
Capable of being refracted: refrangible rays of light.

regardless (rĭ-gärdlĭs)

adv.
In spite of everything; anyway: continues to work regardless.
adj.
Heedless; unmindful.

regime, régime (rā-zhēm, rĭ-)

n.
1.
a. A government, especially an oppressive or undemocratic one: a fascist regime.
b. A usually heavy-handed administration or group in charge of an organization: Raises were canceled under the new regime.
2.
a. A way of organizing or managing something; a system: an admissions regime at a college.
b. A regulated system of diet, exercise, or medical treatment; a regimen.
3. The period during which a particular administration or system prevails.
4. A prevailing pattern of water flow, as of a river.

regrettably (rĭ-grĕtə-blē)

adv.
1. To an extent deserving of regret: a regrettably brief career.
2. As a matter of regret: Regrettably, the book is not available.

reimportation (rē′ĭm-pôrt, rē-ĭmpôrt′)

tr.v. re·im·port·ed, re·im·port·ing, re·im·ports
To bring back into a country (goods made from its exported raw materials).

rejigger (rē-jĭgər)

tr.v. re·jig·gered, re·jig·ger·ing, re·jig·gers
Informal
To readjust or rearrange.

rejuvenescence (rĭ-j′və-nĕsəns)

n.
A renewal of youthful appearance or character.

religiosity (rĭ-lĭj′ē-ŏsĭ-tē)

n.
1. The quality of being religious.
2. Excessive or affected piety.

remediation (rĭ-mē′dē-āshən)

n.
1. The act or process of remedying something that is undesirable or deficient: remediation of the pollution from the factories.
2. The act or process of providing remedial education: remediation of poor writing skills in college students.

remilitarize * (rē-mĭlĭ-tə-rīz′)

tr.v. re·mil·i·ta·rized, re·mil·i·ta·riz·ing, re·mil·i·ta·riz·es
To equip again for war.

renewable (rĭ-nə-bəl, -ny-)

adj.
1. Capable of being renewed: a renewable membership; renewable subscriptions.
2. Relating to or being a commodity or resource, such as solar energy or firewood, that is inexhaustible or replaceable by new growth.

repentance (rĭ-pĕntəns)

n.
1. The act or process of repenting.
2. Remorse or contrition for past conduct or sin.

repertory (rĕpər-tôr′ē)

n. pl. rep·er·to·ries
1. A repertoire.
2.
a. A theater in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation.
b. A repertory company.
3.
a. A place, such as a storehouse, where a stock of things is kept; a repository.
b. Something stored in or as if in such a place; a stock or collection.
adj.
1. Of or relating to a repertory company.
2. Of or relating to an independent movie theater that shows a selected program of films usually including revivals.

replevin (rĭ-plĕvĭn)

n.
1. An action to recover personal property said or claimed to be unlawfully taken.
2. The writ or procedure of such an action.
tr.v. re·plev·ined, re·plev·in·ing, re·plev·ines
To replevy.

reprehend (rĕp′rĭ-hĕnd)

tr.v. rep·re·hend·ed, rep·re·hend·ing, rep·re·hends
To reprove; censure.

representative * (rĕp′rĭ-zĕntə-tĭv)

n.
1. One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
2. One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
3.
a. A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
b. A member of the US House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.
adj.
1. Representing, depicting, or portraying or able to do so.
2. Authorized to act as an official delegate or agent.
3. Of or characteristic of government by representation.
4. Like or typical of others of the same class.

requiescat (rĕk′wē-ĕskăt′, -kät′)

n.
A prayer for the repose of the souls of the dead.

rescindable (rĭ-sĭnd)

tr.v. re·scind·ed, re·scind·ing, re·scinds
To make void; repeal or annul.

resiniferous (rĕz′ə-nĭfər-əs)

adj.
Yielding or containing resin.

resistible (rĭ-zĭstə-bəl)

adj.
Possible to resist: resistible impulses.

restaurateur * (rĕs′tər-ə-tûr) also res·tau·ran·teur (-tə-rän-tûr)

n.
The manager or owner of a restaurant.

resurrect (rĕz′ə-rĕkt)

v. res·ur·rect·ed, res·ur·rect·ing, res·ur·rects
v.tr.
1. To bring back to life; raise from the dead.
2.
a. To bring back into practice, notice, or use: resurrect an old style.
b. To restore to vibrancy: resurrect a waterfront.
v.intr.
To rise from the dead; return to life.

retention * (rĭ-tĕnshən)

n.
1. The act of retaining or the condition of being retained: the retention of nutrients in the soil; the retention of jobs in the city.
2. The practice of requiring a student to repeat a class or a year of school because of insufficient educational progress to advance.
3. The ability to recall or recognize what has been learned or experienced; memory.
4. The inability of a person or animal to eliminate a bodily waste.

retinoscopy (rĕt′n-ŏskə-pē)

n. pl. ret·i·nos·co·pies
Medical examination and analysis of the refractive properties of the eye.

retrovirus * (rĕt′rō-vīrəs, rĕtrə-vī′-)

n. pl. ret·ro·vi·rus·es
Any of a family of viruses, many of which produce tumors, that contain RNA and reverse transcriptase, including HIV.

reveille * (rĕvə-lē)

n.
1.
a. The sounding of a bugle early in the morning to awaken and summon people in a camp or garrison.
b. This bugle call or its equivalent.
c. The first military formation of the day.
2. A signal to get up out of bed.

revelation, Revelation (rĕv′ə-lāshən)

n.
1.
a. The act of revealing or disclosing.
b. Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized.
c. A sudden insight or idea: "I'd had the idea to dig up Dad's coffin ... I was lying in bed and I had the revelation, like a simple solution to an impossible problem" (Jonathan Safran Foer).
2. Theology A manifestation of divine will or truth.
3. Revelation

revenant * (rĕvə-nənt)

n.
1. One that returns after a lengthy absence.
2. One who returns after death.

Reykjavik (rākyə-vēk′, -vĭk′)

The capital and largest city of Iceland, in the southwest part of the island. Traditionally founded in 874, it became capital of the country in 1918 after Denmark recognized Iceland's sovereignty.

rhapsodize (răpsə-dīz′)

v. rhap·so·dized, rhap·so·diz·ing, rhap·so·diz·es
v.intr.
To express oneself in an immoderately enthusiastic manner.
v.tr.
To recite (something) in the manner of a rhapsody.

rhesus monkey *

n.
A brown to grayish monkey (Macaca mulatta) found from Pakistan to eastern China and used extensively in biological and medical research.

rhetorical questionn.

n.
A question to which no answer is expected, often used for rhetorical effect.

rhizome (rīzōm′)

n.
A horizontal, usually underground stem that often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes.

Rh-negative (ärāch-nĕgə-tĭv)

adj.
Lacking an Rh factor.

rhomboid (rŏmboid′)

n.
A parallelogram with unequal adjacent sides, especially one having oblique angles.
adj. also rhom·boi·dal (-boidl)
Shaped like a rhombus or rhomboid.

rhyme royal

n.
1. A form of verse having stanzas with seven lines in iambic pentameter rhyming ababbcc.
2. One of these stanzas.

riboflavin (rībō-flā′vĭn, -bə-)

n.
An orange-yellow crystalline compound, C17H20N4O6, that is part of the vitamin B complex and is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, occurring naturally in milk, meat, egg yolks, and leafy green vegetables. Also called lactoflavin, vitamin B2.

rigorously * (rĭgər-əs)

adj.
1. Characterized by or adhering to strict standards or methods; exacting and thorough: a rigorous study of the medication; a rigorous researcher.
2.
a. Harsh, severe, or demanding: a rigorous taskmaster; a rigorous schedule.
b. Very unpleasant or inclement: a rigorous climate.
3. Adhering strictly to a belief or ideology; uncompromising or inflexible: a rigorous Catholic; a rigorous sense of correctness.

rime riche * (rēm rēsh)

n. pl. rimes riches (rēm rēsh)
Rhyme using words or parts of words that are pronounced identically but have different meanings, for example, write-right or port-deport.

rinforzando (rēn′fôr-tsändō)

adv. & adj. Abbr. rf or rfz
Music
With a sudden increase of emphasis. Used chiefly as a direction.

rivalrous (rīvəl-rəs)

adj.
Characterized by or given to rivalry or competition.

rockabilly (rŏkə-bĭl′ē)

n.
A form of popular music combining features of rock music and bluegrass.

roebuck (rōbŭk′)

n.
A male roe deer.

Roethke (rĕtkē, -kə, rĕth-)

Theodore 1908-1963.
American poet whose short lyrical works were published in The Waking (1953) and other collections.

roman-fleuve (rō-mäɴ′flœv)

n. pl. ro·mans-fleuves (rō-mäɴ′flœv)
A long novel, often in many volumes, chronicling the history of several generations of a family, community, or other group and often presenting an overall view of society during a particular epoch.

romanticism, Romanticism (rō-măntĭ-sĭz′əm)

n.
1. often Romanticism An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 1700s and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions.
2. Romantic quality or spirit in thought, expression, or action.

rosaceous (rō-zāshəs)

adj.
1. Of or belonging to the rose family.
2. Resembling the flower of a rose.

rose of Jericho

n.
Either of two desert plants, Anastatica hierochuntica of the mustard family, native to northern Africa and southwest Asia, or Selaginella lepidophylla, a spore-bearing vascular plant of the southwest United States and Mexico. Each plant forms a tight ball when dry and unfolds under moist conditions.

roseola (rō-zēə-lə, rō′zē-ōlə)

n.
A rose-colored skin rash, sometimes occurring with diseases such as measles, syphilis, or scarlet fever.

rototiller * (rōtə-tĭl′ər)

n.
A motorized rotary cultivator.

royalism * (roiə-lĭz′əm)

n.
Support of monarchy or of a particular monarch.

rubbernecker (rŭbər-nĕk′ər)

n.
Slang
A gawking onlooker.

rubefacient (r′bə-fāshənt)

adj.
Producing redness, as of the skin.
n.
A substance that irritates the skin, causing redness.

ruefulness (rfəl)

adj.
Causing, feeling, or expressing sorrow or regret: "He gave the young officer the rueful look of a father exasperated with his misbehaving son" (Khaled Hosseini).

rumbustious * (rŭm-bŭschəs)

adj.
Uncontrollably exuberant; unruly: a rumbustious child, a rumbustious street market; a rumbustious political campaign.

run-through (rŭnthr′)

n.
1. An uninterrupted rehearsal: did a run-through of act one.
2. A brief outline or summary.

Russophile (rŭsə-fīl′)

n.
An admirer of Russia or its people, language, or culture.

sabbatical, Sabbatical (sə-bătĭ-kəl)

adj.
1. Relating to a sabbatical year.
2. Sabbatical also Sabbatic Relating or appropriate to the Sabbath as the day of rest.
n.
A sabbatical year.

saber rattling

n.
1. A flamboyant display of military power.
2. A threat or implied threat to use military force.

saber-toothed tiger *

n.
Any of various extinct saber-toothed cats of the genus Smilodon, having very long upper canines and widespread in Europe and the Americas during the late Pleistocene Epoch.

saccade (să-käd, sə-)

n.
A rapid intermittent eye movement, as that which occurs when the eyes fix on one point after another in the visual field.

saccharide (săkə-rīd′)

n.
Any of a series of sweet-tasting carbohydrates, especially a simple sugar or an oligomer or polymer of simple sugars.

sacroiliac (săk′rō-ĭlē-ăk′, sā′krō-)

adj.
Of, relating to, or affecting the sacrum and ilium and their articulation or associated ligaments.
n.
The sacroiliac region or cartilage.

sacrosanct * (săkrō-săngkt′)

adj.
Regarded as sacred and inviolable.

Sagittarius (săj′ĭ-târē-əs)

n.
1. A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Capricorn.
2.
a. The ninth sign of the zodiac in astrology.
b. One who is born under this sign. In all senses also called Archer.

saiga, Saiga (sīgə)

n.
A medium-sized antelope (Saiga tatarica) of the steppes of Eurasia, having a large fleshy snout and, in the male, ridged yellowish horns.

Saint Croix (kroi)

An island of the US Virgin Islands in the West Indies east of Puerto Rico. Sighted and named by Columbus in 1493, it was controlled successively by Holland, England, Spain, France, and Denmark, which sold it to the United States in 1917.

salamander (sălə-măn′dər)

n.
1. Any of various small, tailed amphibians of the order Caudata, having porous scaleless skin and usually two pairs of limbs of equal size, found chiefly in northern temperate regions.
2.
a. A mythical creature, generally resembling a lizard, believed capable of living in or withstanding fire.
b. In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being having fire as its element.
3. An object, such as a poker, used in fire or capable of withstanding heat.
4. Metallurgy A mass of solidified material, largely metallic, left in a blast-furnace hearth.
5. A portable stove used to heat or dry buildings under construction.

salchow (sălkou′)

n.
A move in figure skating in which the skater, while skating backwards, jumps from the back inside edge of one skate, completes a full rotation, and lands on the back outside edge of the other skate.

salimeter * (sə-lĭmĭ-tər) or sa·lom·e·ter (-lŏm-)

n.
A specially graduated hydrometer that directly indicates the concentration of salt in a solution.

salmonella, Salmonella (săl′mə-nĕlə)

n. pl. sal·mo·nel·lae (-nĕlē) or sal·mo·nel·las or salmonella
1. Any of various rod-shaped bacteria of the genus Salmonella, especially S. enterica, which cause food poisoning, typhoid, and paratyphoid fever in humans and various infectious diseases in domestic animals. Salmonella bacteria are divided into numerous serotypes on the basis of certain antigens found in the cell wall and flagella.
2. Salmonellosis.

saltatorial (săl′tə-tôrē-əl, sôl′-)

adj.
1. Of or relating to leaping or dancing.
2. Zoology Characterized by or used for leaping: saltatorial rodents.

Saltillo * (säl-tēyō)

A city of northeast Mexico southwest of Monterrey. It was founded c. 1575 and occupied by Zachary Taylor's forces during the Mexican War.

sambal (sämbäl)

n.
A spicy condiment used especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, made with chili peppers and other ingredients, such as sugar or coconut.

sanatorium (săn′ə-tôrē-əm)

n. pl. san·a·to·ri·ums or san·a·to·ri·a (-tôrē-ə)
1. An institution for the treatment of chronic diseases or for medically supervised recuperation.
2. A resort for improvement or maintenance of health, especially for convalescents. Also called sanitarium.

sanguineous (săng-gwĭnē-əs)

adj.
1. Relating to or involving blood or bloodshed.
2. Having the color of blood; blood-red.

Sanhedrin (săn-hĕdrĭn, -hēdrĭn, sän-)

n.
The highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation, composed of from 70 to 72 members.

Santa Gertrudis (săn′tə gər-trdĭs)

n. pl. Santa Gertrudis
Any of a breed of large beef cattle that are highly resistant to heat and insects, developed in the United States by crossing Brahmans and shorthorns.

sarcoptic mange (sär-kŏptĭk)

n.
Mange caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.

sardonicism (sär-dŏnĭk)

adj.
1. Scornfully or cynically mocking: a sardonic sense of humor.
2. Given to making sardonic remarks: "He was proud, sardonic, harsh to inferiority of every description" (Charlotte Brontë).

satirize (sătə-rīz′)

tr.v. sat·i·rized, sat·i·riz·ing, sat·i·riz·es
To ridicule or attack by means of satire.

Saudi Arabia (soudē, sôdē, sä-dē)

A country occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. Inhabited since ancient times by nomadic Semitic tribes, the region was consolidated under Muhammad, who established a theocratic state at Medina and gained control of all Arabia c. 630. After the caliphate was moved from Medina to Damascus in 661, the peninsula remained fragmented until most of it was united in the 1700s under the Saud family, who adopted the Wahhabi form of Islam. Crushed by Egyptian and Ottoman opposition in the 1800s, Saudi forces reconquered the peninsula in the early 1900s. The unified kingdom of Saudi Arabia was created in 1932 as an absolute monarchy under Wahhabi law. Oil was discovered in 1938 and soon became the mainstay of the economy. Riyadh is the capital and the largest city.

saurischian (sô-rĭskē-ən)

n.
Any of various dinosaurs of the order Saurischia, having a pubic bone that points down and forward like that of modern reptiles, and including the sauropods, such as apatosaurus, and the theropods, such as T. rex.

sauté (sō-tā, sô-)

tr.v. sau·téed, sau·té·ing, sau·tés
To fry lightly in fat in a shallow open pan.
n.
A dish of food so prepared.

saxophone (săksə-fōn′)

n.
A woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece and a usually curved conical metal tube, including soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sizes.

scampi (skămpē, skäm-)

n. pl. scampi
1. Large shrimp broiled or sautéed and served in a garlic and butter sauce.
2. A small edible lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, having slender claws.
adj.
Served in a garlic and butter sauce: lobster scampi.

scandalmonger (skăndl-mŭng′gər, -mŏng′-)

n.
One who spreads malicious gossip.

scansion (skănshən)

n.
Analysis of verse into metrical patterns.

scapegrace (skāpgrās′)

n.
A scoundrel; a rascal.

scarlatinoid * (skär′lə-tēnoid′)

adj.
Resembling scarlet fever or its rash.

schematically * (skē-mătĭk, skĭ-)

adj.
Of, relating to, or in the form of a scheme or diagram.
n.
A structural or procedural diagram, especially of an electrical or mechanical system.

schmaltzy (shmälts)

n.
1. Informal
a. Excessively sentimental art or music.
b. Maudlin sentimentality.
2. Liquid fat, especially chicken fat.

scholiast (skōlē-ăst′)

n.
One of the ancient commentators who annotated the classical authors.

scimitar (sĭmĭ-tər, -tär′)

n.
A curved Asian sword with the edge on the convex side.

scintilla (sĭn-tĭlə)

n. pl. scin·til·las
1. A minute amount; an iota or trace.
2. pl. also scin·til·lae (sĭn-tĭlē) A spark; a flash.

scoliosis * (skō′lē-ōsĭs, skŏl′ē-)

n.
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

scot-free (skŏtfrē)

adv.
1. Without having to pay: got away from the restaurant scot-free.
2. Without incurring any penalty or punishment: came away from the incident scot-free.

scoundrelly (skoundrəl)

n.
A villain; a rogue.

screenplay (skrēnplā′)

n.
The script for a movie, including descriptions of scenes and some camera directions.

scrimshaw * (skrĭmshô′)

n. pl. scrimshaw or scrim·shaws
1. The art of carving or incising intricate designs on the teeth, bones, or baleen of whales.
2. A decorative article made by this art.
v. scrim·shawed, scrim·shaw·ing, scrim·shaws
tr. & intr.v.
To decorate (whale ivory or whalebone) with intricate carvings or designs or make such designs.

scullion (skŭlyən)

n.
A servant employed to do menial tasks in a kitchen.

scurrility (skə-rĭlĭ-tē)

n. pl. scur·ril·i·ties
1. The quality of being vulgar, coarse, or abusive.
2. A vulgar, coarse, or abusive remark or passage.

seagirt (sēgûrt′)

adj.
Surrounded by the sea.

second-guess (sĕk′ənd-gĕs)

v. sec·ond-guessed, sec·ond-guess·ing, sec·ond-guess·es
v.tr.
1. To criticize or correct after an outcome is known: "One hesitates to second-guess the jury's judgment from a distance of more than sixty years" (Ira Stoll).
2. To criticize, contradict, or overrule (a decision or one who has made a decision): "When he wants to prescribe costly but powerful medicines, faraway HMO clerks second-guess his drug choices" (George Anders)."Sometimes [General Halleck] second-guessed Grant and aired his objections to instructions instead of immediately transmitting them" (Brooks D. Simpson).
3.
a. To outguess.
b. To predict or anticipate: "She can second-guess indictments" (Scott Turow).
v.intr.
To criticize a decision, especially after its outcome is known.

secularize (sĕkyə-lə-rīz′)

tr.v. sec·u·lar·ized, sec·u·lar·iz·ing, sec·u·lar·iz·es
1. To transfer from ecclesiastical or religious to civil or lay use or ownership: "The ... government ... had secularized the charitable institutions of the Church" (David I. Kertzer).
2. To draw away from religious orientation; make worldly: a society that has become secularized.
3. To lift the monastic restrictions from (a member of the clergy).

sedate * (sĭ-dāt)

adj.
Serenely deliberate, composed, and dignified in character or manner.

sedition (sĭ-dĭshən)

n.
1. Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
2. Archaic Insurrection; rebellion.

seleniferous (sĕl′ə-nĭfər-əs)

adj.
Containing selenium: seleniferous soil.

selenology (sĕl′ə-nŏlə-jē)

n.
The astronomical study of the moon.

self-deprecating (sĕlfdĕprĭ-kā′tĭng)

adj.
Tending to undervalue oneself and one's abilities.

self-indulgence (sĕlf′ĭn-dŭljəns)

n.
Excessive indulgence of one's own appetites and desires.

semiannual (sĕm′ē-ăny-əl, sĕm′ī-)

adj.
Occurring or issued twice a year.

semplice * (sĕmplĭ-chā′)

adv. & adj.
Music
In a simple or plain manner. Used chiefly as a direction.

sensor (sĕnsər, -sôr′)

n.
1. A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.
2. A specialized organ or structure, such as the eye, ear, tongue, nose, or skin, where sensory neurons are concentrated and that functions as a receptor.

separable (sĕpər-ə-bəl, sĕprə-)

adj.
Possible to separate: separable sheets of paper.

sequestration (sē′kwĭ-strāshən, sĕk′wĭ-)

n.
1. The act or process of sequestering: the sequestration of the jury.
2. Law
a. The sequestering of property.
b. The writ authorizing such sequestering.
c. The legal process by which such sequestering is accomplished.
3. Chemistry The inhibition or prevention of normal ion behavior by combination with added materials, especially the formation of coordination compounds or chelates of metallic ions.
4. The process of removing a chemical from the environment and sequestering it in an organic or physical structure.

serology * (sĭ-rŏlə-jē)

n. pl. se·rol·o·gies
1. The science that deals with the properties and reactions of serums, especially blood serum.
2. The characteristics of a disease or organism shown by study of blood serums: the serology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome; the serology of mammals.

sesterce * (sĕstûrs′)

n.
A silver or bronze coin of ancient Rome equivalent to one fourth of a denarius.

sexcentenary (sĕk-sĕntə-nĕr′ē, sĕk′sĕn-tĕnə-rē)

adj.
Relating to 600 or to a 600-year period.
n. pl. sex·cen·te·nar·ies
A 600th anniversary or its commemoration.

Seychelles (sā-shĕl, -shĕlz)

An island country in the western Indian Ocean north of Madagascar. Previously uninhabited, the islands were explored by Vasco da Gama in the early 1500s and colonized by the French in the mid-1700s. They were taken by the British in 1794, and Britain gained permanent control of them in 1814. The Seychelles were a crown colony from 1903 until 1975, when they became self-governing. Independence as a Commonwealth nation was achieved in 1976. Victoria, on Mahé Island, is the capital.

Shabbat (shə-bät, shäbəs)

n.
The Jewish Sabbath, observed from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.

shalom (shä-lōm, shə-)

interj.
Used as a traditional Jewish greeting or farewell.

shaman (shämən, shā-)

n. pl. sha·mans
A member of certain traditional societies, especially of northern Asia and of North and South America, who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events.

Shelta (shĕltə)

n.
A secret jargon used by traditionally itinerant people in Great Britain and Ireland, based on systematic inversion or alteration of the initial consonants of Gaelic words. Also called Cant, Gammon.

shibboleth (shĭbə-lĭth, -lĕth′)

n.
1. A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another.
2.
a. A word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword.
b. A commonplace saying or idea.
3. A custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider.

shiitake (shē-täkē, shē′ē-täkĕ)

n. pl. shiitake
A mushroom (Lentinula edodes) native to East Asia, having an edible golden or dark brown cap.

shrike (shrīk)

n.
Any of various carnivorous songbirds of the family Laniidae, having a screeching call and a strong hooked bill and often impaling its prey on sharp-pointed thorns or barbs of wire fencing.

shtick, schtick, shtik (shtĭk)

n.
Slang
1. A characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that is helpful in securing recognition or attention: waiters in tropical attire are part of the restaurant's shtick.
2. An entertainment routine or gimmick.

sibilant (sĭbə-lənt)

adj.
Of, characterized by, or producing a hissing sound like that of (s) or (sh): the sibilant consonants; a sibilant bird call.
n.
A sibilant speech sound, such as English (s), (sh), (z), or (zh).

silage * (sīlĭj)

n.
Fodder prepared by compressing and fermenting green forage crops under anaerobic conditions, usually in a silo.

siliceous (sĭ-lĭshəs)

adj.
Containing, resembling, relating to, or consisting of silica.

silicosis (sĭl′ĭ-kōsĭs)

n.
A disease of the lungs caused by continued inhalation of the dust of siliceous minerals and characterized by progressive fibrosis and a chronic shortness of breath.

simpatico (sĭm-pätĭ-kō′, -pătĭ-)

adj.
1. Of like mind or temperament; compatible.
2. Having attractive qualities; pleasing.

simplism * (sĭmplĭz′əm)

n.
The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications.

simulation * (sĭm′yə-lāshən)

n.
1. The act or process of simulating.
2. An imitation; a sham.
3. Assumption of a false appearance.
4.
a. Imitation or representation, as of a potential situation or in experimental testing.
b. Representation of the operation or features of one process or system through the use of another: computer simulation of an in-flight emergency.

sine prole (sī′nĭ prōlē, sĭn′ā)

adv.
Without offspring.

sinistrorse (sĭnĭ-strôrs′)

adj.
Growing upward in a spiral that turns from right to left: a sinistrorse vine.

Skinnerian (skĭ-nîrē-ən)

adj.
Of or relating to the behavioristic theories and methods of B.F. Skinner.
n.
A follower of B.F. Skinner's theories or methods.

slathered (slăthər)

tr.v. slath·ered, slath·er·ing, slath·ers
Informal
a. To spread or smear in large amounts: slathered sunscreen on his arms.
b. To cover with something spread or smeared in large amounts: slathered the bagels with cream cheese.
n. often slathers
Informal
A great amount: slathers of money.

slovenly * (slŭvən-lē)

adj.
1. Untidy, as in dress or appearance.
2. Marked by negligence; careless or slipshod: a slovenly legal defense.

smatter * (smătər)

v. smat·tered, smat·ter·ing, smat·ters
v.tr.
1. To speak (a language) without fluency: smatters Russian.
2. To study or approach superficially; dabble in.
v.intr.
To prattle: smattered on about her vacation.
n.
A smattering.

snifter (snĭftər)

n.
1. A pear-shaped goblet with a narrow top, used especially in serving brandy.
2. Slang A small portion of liquor.

sociopolitical * (sō′sē-ō-pə-lĭtĭ-kəl, -shē-)

adj.
Involving both social and political factors.

solatium (sō-lāshē-əm)

n. pl. so·la·ti·a (-shē-ə)
Law
Compensation for injured feelings as distinct from financial loss or physical suffering.

solecism (sŏlĭ-sĭz′əm, sōlĭ-)

n.
1. A nonstandard usage or grammatical construction.
2. A violation of etiquette.
3. An impropriety, mistake, or incongruity.

solicitously (sə-lĭsĭ-təs)

adj.
1.
a. Showing great attention or concern to another: a solicitous parent; solicitous for your welfare; solicitous of his young sister.
b. Expressing care or concern for another: made solicitous inquiries about our family. See Synonyms at thoughtful.
c. Showing great care; careful or meticulous: solicitous in the care of critically ill patients.
d. Worried; anxious: solicitous about his son's behavior.
2. Archaic Full of desire; eager: "an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give" (Jane Austen).

solvent (sŏlvənt, sôl-)

adj.
1. Capable of meeting financial obligations.
2. Chemistry Capable of dissolving another substance.
n.
1. Chemistry
a. A substance in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution.
b. A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance.
2. Something that solves or explains.

somnambulated * (sŏm-nămbyə-lāt′)

ntr.v. som·nam·bu·lat·ed, som·nam·bu·lat·ing, som·nam·bu·lates
To walk or perform another act while asleep or in a sleeplike condition.

sorghum, Sorghum (sôrgəm)

n.
1. A cultivated grass (Sorghum bicolor) native to sub-Saharan Africa, several varieties of which are widely grown for their grain, as forage, or as a source of syrup.
2. Syrup made from the juice of this plant.

sousaphone (szə-fōn′, -sə-)

n.
A large brass instrument, similar in range to the tuba, having a flaring bell and a shape adapted to being carried in marching bands.

space sickness

n.
Motion sickness caused by sustained weightlessness during space flight, usually accompanied by disturbance of the inner ear.

spasmodic * (spăz-mŏdĭk)

adj.
1. Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive.
2. Happening intermittently; fitful: spasmodic rifle fire.
3. Given to sudden outbursts of energy or feeling; excitable.

spear-carrier * (spîrkăr′ē-ər)

n.
1. A minor member of an operatic or dramatic cast, usually having no speaking part.
2. One whose presence or performance has little effect on an occurrence, group, or organization.

speleologist (spē′lē-ŏlə-jē)

n.
1. The scientific study of caves.
2. Exploration of caves.

spermaceti (spûr′mə-sētē, -sĕtē)

n. pl. sper·ma·ce·tis
A white waxy substance obtained chiefly from the head of the sperm whale, consisting of various esters of fatty acids and formerly used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics.

sphagnum, Sphagnum (sfăgnəm)

n.
Any of various mosses of the genus Sphagnum of wet acidic areas, having long fibrous leafy stems, the decomposed remains of which form a type of peat.

spindrift (spĭndrĭft′)

n.
Windblown sea spray. Also called spoondrift.

spinet (spĭnĭt)

n.
1.
a. A small, compact upright piano.
b. A small, compact upright electronic organ.
2. A small harpsichord with a single keyboard.

splenomegaly (splē′nō-mĕgə-lē, splĕn′ō-)

n. pl. sple·no·meg·a·lies
Enlargement of the spleen.

splutter (splŭtər)

v. splut·tered, splut·ter·ing, splut·ters
v.intr.
1. To make repeated or sporadic spitting sounds.
2. To speak hastily and incoherently, as when confused or angry.
v.tr.
To utter or express hastily and incoherently.
n.
A spluttering noise.

spoonerism (spnə-rĭz′əm)

n.
A transposition of sounds of two or more words, especially a ludicrous one, such as Let me sew you to your sheet for Let me show you to your seat.

standardization (stăndər-dīz′)

tr.v. stan·dard·ized, stan·dard·iz·ing, stan·dard·iz·es
1. To cause to conform to a standard.
2. To evaluate by comparing with a standard.

standpatter (stăndpăt)

adj.
Opposed or resistant to change; stubbornly conservative.

staphylorrhaphy, staphyloraphy (stăf′ə-lôrə-fē)

n. pl. staph·y·lor·rha·phies also staph·y·lor·a·phies
Repair of a cleft palate by plastic surgery.

star anise

n.
1. An aromatic evergreen tree (Illicium verum) cultivated in China and Vietnam, having star-shaped anise-scented fruits that yield an essential oil used as a flavoring and in the manufacture of certain drugs.
2. The dried fruit of this plant, used ground or whole in Asian cooking.

statutory * (stăchə-tôr′ē)

adj.
1. Of or relating to a statute.
2. Enacted, regulated, or authorized by statute.

stenophagous (stə-nŏfə-gəs)

adj.
Feeding on a limited number of foods, often within one taxonomic genus.

sternocleidomastoid * (stûr′nō-klī′də-măstoid)

n.
Either of two muscles of the neck that serve to flex the neck and rotate the head.

stichometry * (stĭ-kŏmĭ-trē)

n.
The division of a prose piece into lines of fixed length or into lines whose lengths correspond to the natural divisions of sense, as in manuscripts written before the adoption of punctuation.

stomachic (stə-măkĭk)

adj.
1. Of or relating to the stomach; gastric.
2. Beneficial to or stimulating digestion in the stomach.
n.
An agent, such as a medicine, that strengthens or stimulates the stomach.

stopcock * (stŏpkŏk′)

n.
A valve that regulates the flow of fluid through a pipe; a faucet.

storm-petrel, storm petrel (stôrmpĕtrəl)

n.
Any of various small seabirds of the family Hydrobatidae, found in most of the world's oceans and generally having dark plumage. Also called stormy petrel.

stream of consciousness

n. pl. streams of consciousness
1. A literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur.
2. Psychology The conscious experience of an individual regarded as a continuous, flowing series of images and ideas running through the mind.

stricture (strĭkchər)

n.
1. A restraint, limit, or restriction: strictures placed on free assembly; strictures against food in the library; the strictures of traditional gender roles.
2. An abnormal narrowing of a bodily duct or passage.
3. An adverse remark or criticism: "my writing ... which he praises sufficiently to give his strictures a good deal of force" (Virginia Woolf).

strigose (strīgōs′)

adj.
1. Botany Having stiff, straight, closely appressed hair: strigose leaves.
2. Zoology Marked with fine, close-set grooves, ridges, or streaks.

stultify (stŭltə-fī′)

tr.v. stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing, stul·ti·fies
1. To cause to lose interest or feel dull and not alert: The audience was stultified by the speaker's unchanging monotone.
2. To render useless or ineffectual: "[She believed] that the requirements of conventional academic life can stultify imagination, stifle enthusiasm and deaden prose style" (Robert K. Massie).
3. To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous: "Should he now stultify himself in all those quarrels by admitting he had been cruel, unjust, and needlessly jealous?" (Anthony Trollope).
4. Law To claim incapacity as setting aside or preventing enforcement of (a deed or contract).

sturgeon (stûrjən)

n.
Any of various large freshwater and marine fishes of the family Acipenseridae of the Northern Hemisphere, having ganoid scales and edible flesh and valued for their roe, which is used for caviar, and their swim bladders, which are used to make isinglass.

subaudition (sŭb′ô-dĭshən)

n.
1. The act of understanding and mentally supplying a word or thought that has been implied but not expressed.
2. A word or thought supplied by subaudition.