Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on historical principles. Volume I A-M [5 ed.] 0198605757, 9780198605751

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Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary ON HISTORICAL PRINCIPLES

Fifth edition

VOLUME 1

•

OXPORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

A-M

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Great Clarendon Street, Oxford 0x2 6dp Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It farthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Bangkok Buenos Aires Cape Town Chennai Dares Salaam Delhi Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kolkata Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi Sao Paulo Shanghai Taipei Tokyo Toronto

Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York © Oxford University Press 1973,1993, 2002 Database right Oxford University Press (makers) First edition 1933 Second edition 1936 Third edition 1944 Reprinted with revised etymologies and enlarged addenda 1973 Fourth edition published 1993 as the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary Fifth edition 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Data available isbn 0-19-860575-7 isbn 0-19-860457-2 (thumb index)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Typeset in OUP Swift, OUP Argo, and Coranto by Interactive Sciences Ltd, Gloucester Printed in the United States of America

?a/d,Z5 , 5V7 X002j v.

I

Contents VOLUME 1

List of lexicographers

vi

Preface to the 1993 edition

vxx

Preface to the fifth edition

ix

Guide to the use of the dictionary Abbreviations and symbols Pronunciation guide

xxiii

xxv

Features of dictionary entries Transliteration guide

xi

xxvi

xxviii

THE DICTIONARY • A-M

1-1877

VOLUME 2

Abbreviations and symbols Pronunciation guide

vii

ix

THE DICTIONARY • N-Z

1879-3718

Authors and publications quoted

3721

References to the Bible and Shakespeare

375i

List of lexicographers New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary ■ 1993 Lesley Brown

editor-in-chief general editors

A. M. Hughes (1984-93), John Sykes (1989-93)

associate editor senior editors

William R. Trumble (1980-91)

Georgia Hole (1986-93), Elizabeth M. Knowles (1983-93)

Helen Liebeck (1989-93). Freda J. Thornton (1985-92) senior assistant editors

Jeremy H. Marshall (1988-93), Richard Palmer (1984-93).

Catherine I. Soanes (1989-93). Angus Stevenson (1988-93) assistant editors

Gerard O’Reilly (1988-93), David B. Shirt (i99°“93)> D. B. W. Birk (1983-6),

M. A. Cooper (1983-6), D. Greene (1988-90), H. Kemp (1986-8), F. McDonald (1985-9). J. Paterson (1986-8), S. C. Rennie (1989-91) supplementary editing

E. S. C. Weiner (1991-3)

Administrative Assistant Rena Jones (1990-3) Text Editing Assistant Steven Siddle (1990-3)

FIFTH EDITION • 2002 editors

William R. Trumble, Angus Stevenson

senior assistant editors

Catherine Bailey, Judith Siefring

Proofreaders Jonathan Blaney, Olivia Duncan, Carolyn Garwes, Sara Hawker, Lucy Hollingworth, Richard Jones, Helen Marriage, Margaret McKay, Fiona McPherson, Bernadette Mohan, Neil Morris, Diane Nicholls, Richard Ramage, Trish Stableford, George Tulloch, Sandy Vaughan, Susan Wilkin

A

^

TO THE NEW SHORTER OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY • 1993

The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is a historical dic¬ tionary of modern English. It sets out the main meanings and semantic developments of words current at any time between 1700 and the present day: those which have been in regular literary or colloquial use at some point in their history; slang or dialect words which are nevertheless likely to be generally encountered through accessible lit¬ erature or the modern mass media; and in addition a wide range of scientific and technical words such as may be of interest to serious amateurs or advanced students. Every headword is traced back to the time of its first known use, however early, in many cases to the manuscript records of the Old and Middle English periods. Words which have fallen into disuse during the past three centuries are included if they meet the other gen¬ eral criteria. Words which became obsolete before 1700 appear if they are significant in the formation or history of some other headword in the text, or if they remain familiar from the works of Shakespeare, the 1611 Autho¬ rized Version of the Bible, and a small number of other influential literary sources (notably the poems of John Milton and Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene). This work is a replacement for the third edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, but not a direct revision of its text. The New SOED editors returned to the Oxford Eng¬ lish Dictionary itself (in later stages the second edition of 1989, originally the first edition of 1884-1928 and its fourvolume Supplement of 1972-86), and reabridged, conflated, revised, restructured, added, and updated. Every entry has been written afresh, taking into account the linguistic evidence of the Dictionary Department’s extensive quota¬ tion files and computer databases. Many new words and senses have been added, and all have been reviewed in the light of social and political changes. A more strictly chronological basis for entry structure has been adopted than in previous editions (which fol¬ lowed the OED more directly). Senses within major semantic and grammatical units are arranged according to the period or date range within which the first known example of each falls (for the definition of date ranges used see p. xvi). In many cases dates are at variance with those in the OED because earlier and later examples have now been identified. For the New SOED, researchers have systematically scrutinized historical dictionaries such as the Middle English Dictionary in progress in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue, the Scot¬ tish National Dictionary, the Dictionary of American English, the Dictionary of Americanisms, and the Australian National Dic¬ tionary, looking for examples which would affect dates or descriptive labels. New information was sought in other known relevant publications, such as Jurgen Schafer’s

Documentation in the O.E.D. and articles in Notes and Queries. Unresolved first dates in the OED were pursued and clari¬ fied. Several million paper slips in the English Dictionary Department’s files were scanned for individual antedat¬ ings or postdatings. The editors of the Middle English Dic¬ tionary have further provided some information from their drafts of later parts of the alphabet which have not yet been published, and a number of unpublished earlier uses have been verified in the files of the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue. New significant information will con¬ tinue to come to light, but every effort has been made to present the most accurate and up-to-date record possible at the time of going to press. The New SOED is founded in the OED, and shares its cov¬ erage of many words and senses from North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Indian sub¬ continent, and elsewhere within the English-speaking world. Many of the entries for recent vocabulary are based on as yet unpublished additions prepared by members of the OED’s New Words section. The main senses of the headwords are illustrated by 83,000 quotations, drawn from the Dictionary Depart¬ ment’s quotation files and computerized databases. Their primary function here is to illuminate semantic distinc¬ tions and exemplify possible grammatical constructions. Defined phrases and combinations, and derivatives and minor words related to a headword, cannot receive such expansive treatment and are not illustrated. Where pos¬ sible and historically appropriate, modern sources have been used, but real examples are notoriously ambiguous or resistant to intelligible abridgement, and the undeni¬ able quotability of Defoe, Macaulay, and Dickens has ensured the use of many earlier quotations directly from the OED. Pronunciations are provided in symbols of the Interna¬ tional Phonetic Alphabet, and represent a style of British Received Pronunciation. Coverage of the wide regional, social, and other differences in spoken English in Britain and throughout the world would require more space and a more .complex technical apparatus than would be suit¬ able, given the emphases and intended non-specialist readership of the New SOED. Editorial work on this completely new edition of the SOED began in 1980, with a build-up of staff from late 1983. Until well into the letter I, entries were handwritten on 6by-4-inch paper slips. Then in 1987 the availability of the second edition of the OED in electronic form prompted a radical revision of editorial procedures. A complex speci¬ fication was drawn up for the automatic modification of the OED text: certain categories of entry and types of infor¬ mation were omitted, senses and structural units were

Viii

PREFACE TO THE 1993 EDITION

reordered, old-fashioned modes of expression were modi¬ fied, and many other changes were made to bring it closer to the spirit and style of the New SOED. This provisional abridged and transformed OED was made a reality as an electronic database and in proofed paper form on editors’ desks by members of the Reference Computing team at Oxford University Press and members of the Centre for the New OED at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Thereafter a team of keyboarders made the lexi¬ cographers’ substantial alterations and additions directly to the central database. Meanwhile International Computaprint Corporation (ICC) in Pennsylvania, who had undertaken data-capture of the second edition of the OED, keyed the handwritten slips for A to interwreathe, converting their conventional typographical mark-up into a generic form which identi¬ fied the start and end points of the many different ele¬ ments of dictionary structure. The tagging of the output was then refined and enhanced by programs written within OUP. Soon the sections of dictionary text produced by such contrasting means were formally indistinguish¬ able. Almost every member of the lexicographical team took part in the first round of editing. Proofs of the results were sent out to advisers for criticisms and suggestions, and many individual entries were also submitted to subject specialists. Comments from both these sources were then fed into a revision of the whole text by senior lexicogra¬ phers. But for the requirement of publication, this revi¬ sion could continue for ever. A project of the size and duration of the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary inevitably draws upon the time and expertise of members of many different departments within Oxford University Press. The editors thank them all. In particular the Reference Computing team helped transform working methods and perceptions and pro¬ vided the support to sustain the transformation. From outside the organization we wish to mention Hazel Wright and Deborah Honore, for general critical reading of the text; Dr Clive Upton, for advising on pronunciation and checking phonetic transcriptions; G. Elizabeth Blake, for the programs for preliminary shortening of the OED; Julia Cresswell, for historical research in published ma¬ terials; Ralph Bates, for bibliographical and other library research; Lidie Howes and Barbara Grant, for information from the Middle English Dictionary materials; Lorna Pike, for quotations from the DOST collections; Helen De Witt, Sara Hawker, Rachel James, Marcia Slater, Jerry Spring, Jeremy Trevett, Penny Trumble, Penny Waddell, Carl Watson, Seren Wildwood, and Jane Windebank, for data-capture and structural tagging; Patricia Moore, for this and on-line regularization of stylistic inconsistencies; Fabia Claris, Louise Keegan, Christina Malkowski-Zaba, Helen Mar¬ riage, Margaret McKay, and Coralie O’Gorman, for proof¬

reading and checking of underlying structure; Dorothy McCarthy, for establishing proofreading procedures; Patricia Greene, Lisa Johnston, and Sandy Vaughan, for cross-reference checking; Fred Gill and Peter Gibbs, for checking final page-proofs; Peter Robinson, Catherine Bates, Stephen Shepherd, Lynda Mugglestone, Alexandra Barratt, and Rod McConchie, particularly for searching files for dating and usage information; Margaret Davies, for file-searching and research for the list of authors and publications; Philippa Berry, for work on the authors’ list and for identifying potential cross-references for inclu¬ sion; Clare Todd, particularly for research for the authors’ list, for identifying cross-references, and for quotation abridgement and copying; Kate Batchelor, Mary Burns, and Katie Weale, for quotation copying and for other cler¬ ical and administrative help; Colinette Dorey, for file¬ searching and for filing and clerical help; Kay Pepler, particularly for keying information for the authors’ list; Clare Senior, for clerical and filing assistance; Carol Percy, for bibliographical research; Anna Taylor, for distributing proofs. At various earlier stages of the project Karen Cooper, Hania Porucznik, and Annabella Duckit were project administrative assistants, and M. A. Mabe, K. Atherton, and M. C. Palmer contributed to early editorial work. For specific advice on particular languages and areas of knowledge, we are indebted to Mrs A. J. Allott, Dr Philip Baker, Mr David Barrett, Professor Tomas de Bhaldraithe, Mr R. J. Bowater, Dr Savile Bradbury, Dr Jean Branford, Mr David Bunker, Mr Andrew Burrows, Miss Penelope Byrde, Dr Stanley Chapman, Mr Howard Colvin, Mr Yassin Dut¬ ton, Mr Colin Dyson, Mr Elwyn Hartley Edwards, Mr D. H. Fowler, MrJ. B. Franks, Mr Alan J. Gamble, Professor Bryan Garner, Dr Ives Goddard, Mr Noel Goodwin, Mrs Judy Gray, Dr Anne Grinter, Dr P. T. Harries, Mr Andrew Hawke, Professor Tony Honore, Mr Simon James, Dr W. J. Johnson, Dr Russell Jones, the late Mr Peter Kemp, Profes¬ sor Harriet Klein, Dr Ann Lackie, M. Pierre-Yves Lambert, Professor J. D. Latham, Professor G. L. Lewis, Professor Robert E. Lewis, Dr Andrew Louth, Professor J. B. McMil¬ lan, Dr C. M. MacRobert, Dr F. H. C. Marriott, Professor P. H. Matthews, Dr M. J. Morris, Mr James Mosley, Profes¬ sor P. Nailor, Mr David Parlett, Professor Andrew Pawley, Ms Jenny Putin, Dr D. A. Roe, Dr H. M. Rosenberg, Captain A. B. Sainsbury, Dr Geoff Sharman, Mr Jonathan Spencer, Professor N. S. Sutherland, Professor M. Twyman, Profes¬ sor J. O. Urmson, Professor Geza Vermes, Miss Freda Walker, Lord Walton of Detchant, Mr Harry D. Watson, Ms Niki Watts, Dr M. Weitzman, Mr Ken Whyld, Mr Thomas Woodcock, Professor Clifford Wright, Mrs Hazel Wright, and Dr R. David Zorc. L. B.

March 1993

Preface

TO THE FIFTH EDITION

This edition contains many extra entries for words and phrases which have entered the language since the New Shorter was published in 1993, together with new illustrative quotations and other necessary updatings. Importantly, the dictionary design has been completely rethought by Professor Paul Luna of the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading, and we have taken the opportunity to com¬ plement the new design by expanding many of the abbre¬ viated forms for parts of speech, subject labels, and etymological apparatus used by the previous edition. In addition, entries for abbreviations (previously nested in initial-letter entries) are now to be found in their expected alphabetical places, in line with the usual practice in Oxford dictionaries.

We have taken advantage of the work in progress for the Third Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, and we would like to acknowledge the generous help of mem¬ bers of the stalf of that project, in particular Michael Prof¬ fitt and Emma Lenz, for information relating to new words, and Ed Weiner and his colleagues for help with etymologies. The experience of two prominent contri¬ butors to the New Shorter was invaluable: Alan Hughes, who ‘minded’ the dictionary between editions, and Eliza¬ beth Knowles, who read and commented on the new material prepared for this edition. Susan Wilkin gave valuable advice on pronunciations, and Jonathan Blaney and Richard Jones assisted with research. w. R. T.

April 2002

a.j.s.

Guide

TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

1 Purpose The following guide aims to explain to the user the kind of information that is available in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, and to assist in the finding of particular infor¬ mation. It outlines the types of entry which appear in the dictionary, lists the possible places where certain kinds of words or phrases may be found, details the different fea¬ tures which may occur in an entry, and explains some of the conventions the dictionary uses.

2 The dictionary entry 2.1 TYPES OF ENTRY

There are five basic types of entry in this dictionary: stan¬ dard entries, combining entries, letter entries, variant entries, and abbreviation entries. 2.1.1 Standard entries. The majority of entries are standard entries. In these the headword, or word being defined, does not belong to any of the other entry types below. The typical standard entry has a headword (in bold type), pronunciation (in the International Phonetic Alphabet), part of speech (in italic type), date (expressed as a period of part of a century), etymology (in square brackets [ ]), and definition section. The definition section may be accom¬ panied by one or more paragraphs containing illustrative quotations, phrases which contain the headword, com¬ pounds whose first element is the headword, or deriva¬ tives consisting of the headword and a suffix. Sections containing illustrative quotations are tinted and begin with a book symbol, EES. Usage indicators (labels), variant spellings, and grarumatical or other information may also appear in the entry. More information on all these fea¬ tures is given in section 4 below.

2.1.5 Abbreviation entries. Abbreviations and symbols con¬ sisting of more than one letter have their own entries. See further under section 9 below. 2.2 ORDERING OF ENTRIES

Entries are listed in strict alphabetical order. Those with hyphens or spaces follow otherwise identical words writ¬ ten solid; a headword with an accent or diacritic over a let¬ ter follows one consisting of the same sequence of letters without. Capital and lower-case letters are regarded as equivalent. Strict alphabetical order applies also to pre¬ fixes of titles and names (such as Me-, St (saint)) which in other contexts may conventionally be placed elsewhere. The order of headwords which are spelled the same way but have different parts of speech is as follows: abbreviation symbol noun pronoun adjective verb adverb preposition conjunction interjection prefix/combining form suffix Entries are positioned in the headword sequence by their first part of speech. The order of headwords with the same spelling and the same (first) part of speech is chrono¬ logical (according to date ranges: see 4.8 below), with vari¬ ant entries following any full entries: see 4.4 below. Subcategorizations of parts of speech, such as partici¬ pial (ppl) of adjectives, verbal of nouns, or personal (pers.) of pronouns, are disregarded in determining entry order.

2.1.2 Combining entries. In these entries the headword either begins or ends with a hyphen, and in use generally occurs joined to another word (either hyphenated or as a solid word). Combining entries include affixes of three types: suffixes (like -ly, -ness), prefixes (like re-, un-), and dombining forms (like hyper-, kilo-). See further under sec¬ tion 6 below.

Look in the obvious alphabetical place in the main sequence of entries. If the item sought is not there, con¬ sider the following:

2.1.3 Letter entries. Each letter of the alphabet has an entry which contains a brief account of the history of the letter and lists its most important uses as an abbreviation or symbol. See further under section 7 below.

(i) Is it formed from a prefix or a combining form (as dis-, Euro-)? If so, is it included in the entry for that prefix or combining form? It may be listed (in italics) as an example there, or be treated in a small-type paragraph.

2.1.4 Variant entries. A variant entry refers an alternative spelling or grammatical form of a headword to the stan¬ dard or combining entry with the main form and all other information. See further under section 8 below.

(ii) Is it a derivative, i.e. does it end with a suffix (as -ly, -ness)? If so, is it included at the end of the entry for the word from which it is derived? For example, befitting appears under befit verb, disclosing under disclose verb, and

3 How to find a word or phrase

xii

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

lacelike and lacery under lace noun & adjective: none would be found in its own alphabetical place. (iii) Is it a phrase or combination, or other compound? If so, is it included in a small-type paragraph in the entry for one of the words which it contains? For example, three cheers and sling mud are respectively under cheer noun' and mud noun1, colour-blind is under colour noun, and infant prodigy is under infant noun1 & adjective. Sometimes an entry for one word in a phrase or compound will contain a cross-reference to one of the other elements, under which the definition will be found. For two-word compounds it is generally best to look initially under their first element. For further information see 4.14 below. (iv) Is it very similar to a word included as a headword? If so, and especially if it is an uncommon or obsolete word, it may also be included in the small-type derivative block at the end of the entry for that word. (See 4.16 below for more information on derivatives.)

generation, older forms being discarded where necessary, but absence of a variant need not indicate that it is com¬ pletely unacceptable, and the order of variants need not be one of decreasing frequency. Pronunciations are given, between slashes, in the sym¬ bols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The symbols and conventions used are intended to provide sufficient information for accurate production of the appropriate sounds, without needless detail. 4.2.2 Vowels. In a conventional vowel diagram (represent¬ ing the position and degree of raising of the tongue in articulating each sound), the vowel symbols used in this dictionary appear as follows: Front High

i

Central y

Mid

'

0

Low

This section describes the elements which may appear in a standard dictionary entry, in the order in which they most usually occur. Some, such as labels or phrases, can occur in several places: this is mentioned, and the range of places indicated, later in the guide in the section for the feature in question. Many of the characteristics of stan¬ dard entries are shared by the other types of dictionary entry.

Lengthening is indicated by:

Every entry opens with a headword, printed in bold type. The headword is the word whose meaning, etymology, history, pronunciation, etc., are the subject of the entry. If the headword is obsolete (i.e. no longer in use in cur¬ rent English) it is preceded by a dagger: j\ If the headword is a word (or phrase) which, although used in English, is still regarded as essentially foreign, it is printed in bold italics. In their normal contexts such items are often written or printed in light italics or within quotation marks, and many may still usually be pro¬ nounced in a foreign way. Where a word has more than one spelling, the spelling used for the headword is usually the one regarded as the dominant or preferred current form. Other spellings may be given later in the entry, as variants (see 4.6 below). Historical considerations occasionally require a form which is less usual for some senses to be chosen as the headword, but in such cases current usage is made clear. 4.2 PRONUNCIATION

4.2.1 The pronunciations shown are those which can safely be regarded as allowable in British English at the present time, within the form of received pronunciation that does not give rise to any negative social judgement when heard by most native speakers. An attempt has been made to represent the English spoken by the current

u 3

s oe

4 The features of a standard dictionary entry

4.1 HEADWORD

u

1 e

Back

O A

a

0

a

d

Nasality is indicated by the superscript diacritic ' The front vowels with lip-rounding, /y/, I0I, and /oe/, occur only in words which are not fully naturalized. See further the Pronunciation Guide. The English vowel sounds are Short a as in cat 8 bed 1 sit i cosy D hot A run 0 put a ago

Long a: as in arm a: her i: see o: saw u: too e: hair

Diphthongs ai as in my ao how ei day au no 19 near 91 boy U9 poor AI9 tire aoa sour 4-2-3 Consonants and semivowels. The following sounds are

recorded in this dictionary: Plosives: p, b, t, d, k, g Fricatives: f, v, 0, 6, s, z, J, 3, g, x, h Affricates: tf, d3 Liquids and nasals: 1, A, ni, n, p, ij, r Semivowels: j, w, q

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

Of these, b, d, f, h, k, 1, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w, and z have their usual English values. Other symbols are used as follows: g as in get tj chip d3 r) 0 5 I 3 j

jar ring thin this she vision yes;

scription /prakti'kalrti/ is given under practical /'praktikfajl/); so or 3(u) -» d in derivatives of combining forms in -0 or words formed from them (e.g. ma'cropterous and not the full phonetic transcription /ma'krDptfafrss/ is given under macro- /'makrau/). A final -r is pronounced in derivatives formed with a suffix beginning with a vowel. E.g. authoress under author /'xOa/ is to be understood as /'o:03ris/.

cellarage under cellar /'ssb/ is to be understood as /'ssbridy.

in some Scottish and foreign words x

as in loch, German ach;

and only in respect of words which are not fully natural¬ ized 9 A jl q

as in as in as in as in

German nicht Spanish 11 or Italian gl in gli Spanish n, French gn, Italian gn in gnocco French nuit.

See further the Pronunciation Guide. 4.2.4 Primary stress is indicated by superscript 1 before the stressed syllable, secondary stress by subscript ,. Pri¬ mary stress is shown for words with two or more sylla¬ bles; secondary stress only where its marking is needed to avoid doubt. Word stress is not a significant feature of the French language, and no stress is marked in words retain¬ ing a true French pronunciation. See further 4.2.9 below. 4.2.5 Unstressed vowels are reduced to hi unless they are likely to have their full phonetic value when the word is pronounced in isolation. 4.2.6 Optional sounds, sometimes pronounced, some¬ times not, are enclosed within round brackets. E.g. prompt /prDm(p)t/

delivery /di'hv(3)ri/.

An exception to this is the suffix -ed, which results in a pronunciation /ad/ not l-oradl after hi. The pronunciation of-icity in derivatives of adjectives in -ic (/-ik/) is /-isiti/. 4.2.8 A second or subsequent pronunciation is often abbreviated so as to show just the part where it differs from the first; the same applies to pronunciations of vari¬ ant or inflected forms. 4.2.9 An alternative non-Anglicized pronunciation may be given for a word which is largely but not fully natural¬ ized. Such pronunciations are preceded by foreign. The first (or only) pronunciation of any non-naturalized word, phrase, or form (printed in italic bold) from one of the more familiar modem European languages will represent the foreign pronunciation but will have no specifying label. A second or subsequent fully Anglicized pronunci¬ ation will often be given. 4.2.10 A hyphen may be used in a phonetic transcription to clarify or emphasize that the divided sounds are to be separately pronounced, for example where they could be mistaken for a diphthong or single affricate, or where IV is repeated when -less or -ly is added to a word ending in -I. E.g. Mazdaism/'mazcb-iz(3)m/

The bracketing of schwa, (a), before IV, /m/, and /n/ shows that these consonants are often syllabic in the words con¬ cerned. 4.2.7 An explicit pronunciation is given for a derivative only if it differs in some unpredictable way from that of the headword or from that usual in combination with the suffix in question. If the derivative bears primary stress on a different syllable from the headword (and consequently has a predictably different pronunciation) this is indi¬ cated by a primary stress mark before the stressed syllable within the actual form; any secondary stress is assumed to fall on the syllable bearing primary stress in the head¬ word unless otherwise marked. E.g. (s.v. falsify) falsifiable bears no stress mark so is stressed like falsify on the first syllable, but falsi.fia bility.

Among predictable changes associated with the position of primary stress are a or (a) -» a in nouns in -ality formed from adjectives in -al (e.g. practi cality and not the full phonetic tran¬

xiii

potsherd /'pDt-Jbid/ drolly /'drsol-li/ moralless /'mDr(3)!-lis/.

Most often, however, hyphens simply open or close trun¬ cated pronunciations. 4.2.11 Additional examples of words illustrating particu¬ lar sounds are to be found in the Pronunciation Guide, and the main English sounds are summarized at the foot of the page throughout much of the dictionary. 4.3

PART OF SPEECH

A part of speech is given for all entries, except letter entries. It appears in italics after the pronunciation, or after the headword if no pronunciation is shown. All the parts of speech of a headword are listed at the beginning of an entry, e.g. adjective & adverb: noun, adjective, & verb. Sometimes parts of speech are treated together, but more often they are in separate sections, in which case each section is headed with a capital initial followed by

XIV

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

the part(s) of speech being treated in that section, e.g. A noun, B adjective.

If the headword consists of two or more separate words, it may be specified as a phrase [phr.). For example, noun phr., or adjectival phr., or (when parts of speech are combined) noun & adverbial phr.

If the headword is a verb, the part of speech may be fol¬ lowed by an indication of the verb’s transitivity (e.g. verb intrans., verb trans.). For more information about transitivity see 4.11.1 below. Parts of speech are also given for some of the items in combination and other subentry blocks (see 4.14 below) and for derivatives (see 4.16 below). 4.4

HOMONYMS

If two or more headwords have the same spelling and part of speech, but each has a different origin and meaning, the headwords are homonyms. They are distinguished by a superscript number after the relevant part of speech. In this dictionary, homonyms include headwords whose only difference is an initial capital, but not headwords which differ in respect of hyphenation, spacing, or letters with accents or diacritics. If the first part of speech of two or more homonyms is the same, the entries are presented in chronological order (according to date range: see 4.8 below). If successive entries have more than one part of speech, homonym numbers of later parts of speech are allocated in the order in which the entries appear in the text. E.g. if noun1 & adjective' is followed by noun2 & adjective2, it is to be understood that the second noun is recorded later (or at least no earlier) than the first, but nothing is implied about the relative first dates of the adjectives. Flomonyms which are variant entries follow all standard- or combin¬ ing-entry homonyms of the same (first) part of speech. E.g. cupper ...

noun' ... me. cupper ... noun2... E20. cupper noun3 var. of cuppa.

Only the simple part of speech is relevant in allocating homonym numbers. Qualifications such as verbal andppl are disregarded (cf. last paragraph of 2.2 above). E.g. picking noun1 picking verbal noun2.

In cross-references to combining entries the part of speech is omitted and the homonym number is attached to the small-capital form, e.g. -er1, -y6. 4.5

LABELS AND SYMBOLS

4.5.1 Subject and status labels. Restrictions in the usage of words or senses are frequently conveyed by the use of labels: subject labels in small capitals, regional and other labels in italics. These can show restriction to the English of a particular geographical area (e.g. dial., Scot., US, Austral.), to a specific style or register of language (e.g. colloq., poet., slang), or to a particular branch of knowledge or field of activity (e.g. cricket, heraldry, law, nautical), or can denote fre¬ quency or extent of use (e.g. rare). Subject labels precede any definition (or partial defin¬

ition) or any variant spelling or form to which they apply. (If they apply to a complete entry they therefore follow the etymology.) E.g. infauna /in'foras/ noun. E20. [...jzooiocv.Theanimallife ... (s.v. colour noun) 8 mining. (A particle of) gold, mi9. (s.v. occlude verb) 5 verb intrans. meteorology. Of a front...

Geographical, stylistic, and frequency labels (together here referred to as ‘status labels’) applying to the whole entry appear at the top of the entry after the part of speech. E.g. peripherial /pen'fisrial/ adjective, rare.

Li7.

In a main definition section a status label applying to a complete dated sense follows the definition and immedi¬ ately precedes the date. E.g. (s.v. chip verb' 9) >b verb trans. Tease, chaff, colloq. Li9.

Within dated senses, a status label applying to only part of a definition generally precedes that part to which it applies. If the definition has formal divisions (as (a), (b), etc.) the label always precedes the part it qualifies; if there is no formal division, the label follows the first part of the definition but precedes any later parts. E.g. (s.v. overlander noun) 1 A person who journeyed from one part of Australia to another (obsolete exc. Hist.): a person who drives livestock overland; slang a tramp.

In small-type subentries (as combinations or derivatives) labels of any kind precede the relevant definition or par¬ tial definition. E.g. (s.v. base noun1) base hit baseball a hit enabling the batter to reach a base safely. (s.v. local adjective) local talent the talented people or [colloq.) the attractive women or men of a particular locality. (s.v. puppet adjective & noun) puppetish adjective (rare) pertaining to ... (s.v. jessed) wearing jesses; heraldry having jesses of a specified tincture.

Status labels precede any variant spelling or form to which they apply. E.g. kiln /kiln/ noun & verb. Also (now Scot.) kill...

Interests of clarity may produce some variation of label positioning, particularly in subentries and individual parts of definitions. Labels can be combined with other labels, of either the same or a different type. Combined subject and status labels are positioned as for the latter. Labels can also be qualified bywords like ‘Now’ or ‘Only’. E.g. Now rare or obsolete. Somewhat derog. Chiefly US. obsolete exc. Hist.

These are largely self-explanatory. ‘Long’ (as in Tong rare or obsolete’) implies for several centuries, usually from before the eighteenth. Certain italic labels can also be used to link or clarify the relationship between (parts of) definitions, e.g. esp., spec., fig., gen., transf. The abbreviations used in these labels also appear in other contexts. (The specification esp. is in

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

italics if it introduces a complete definition, but in roman if introducing a parenthetical part of a larger definition.) 4.5.2. Status symbols. Two symbols are used to express sta¬ tus: a dagger (|) and an asterisk (*). The dagger indicates that a word, sense, form, or con¬ struction is obsolete. It is placed before the relevant word(s) or relevant sense number. The asterisk indicates that a spelling or form is now used primarily in the United States, and elsewhere where US spelling conventions are followed. The asterisk does not exclude the possibility that the form was standard or common in British use in the past. It is placed before the form it qualifies. E.g. (s.v. favourite) Also favorite

Very occasionally an American pronunciation is given, in which case an asterisk is similarly used. 4.6

XV

Variants with the ligatures se and ce are to be assumed for words (usually of classical origin) written in this dic¬ tionary with ae and oe. Not all possible variants (current or obsolete) of a head¬ word are listed, but only those of particular significance. Among these are variants which are used in the works of a major author (such as Shakespeare), variants which are important for the development or current spelling of the headword or for the etymology of another word, obsolete variants which were widely current up to the modern period, and current variants which are usual in the United States. A variant entry in the main alphabetical sequence cross-refers the user to the full entry for the word except where the two would be immediately adjacent (see fur¬ ther under 8 below). 4.7

INFLECTIONS

VARIANT SPELLINGS

If a headword has a significant alternative spelling, this is given, in bold type, before the date (and inflection if appropriate) at the top of the entry. Variants are generally preceded by ‘Also’, or sometimes ‘Orig.’, and are often fur¬ ther qualified in some respect. E.g. defence ... verbtrans. Also *defense. locale ... noun. Also flocal. jaunty ... adjective. Also (earlier) fjanty. disc ... noun. Also (US & computing now the usual form) disk, set... noun'. Also (now chiefly in senses 16, 23, 24, 32, 33) sett.

Frequently the difference from the headword is high¬ lighted by abbreviating the variant to the significant part, the missing part(s) being indicated by a hyphen. E.g emigre ... noun. Also e-. dislikeable adjective. Also -likable. Amerikan ... adjective. Also -kkk-.

If a variant form is current and has a different pronunci¬ ation from the headword, this is given.

Three kinds of inflected forms may be specified: 1. plurals of nouns (and very occasionally of French adjectives) 2. forms of verbs (according to person, tense, aspect, etc.) 3. comparatives and superlatives of adjectives. Inflections are specified only if they are unpredictable or irregular in some way, or if there are several alternative inflections for one headword. 4.7.1 Nouns. No plural form is given for nouns which sim¬ ply add -s or (in the case of those ending in -s, -x, -z, -sh, or soft -ch, or in -j) -es, including those in which final -y inflects as -ies. Other plural forms are specified, and they include those for: • nouns ending in -0 (as the plural may vary between -os and -oes); • nouns ending in Latinate forms such as -a and -um;

E.g. McCoy /ma'koi/ noun. ... Also Mackay /ms'kAi/.

• nouns with more than one plural form;

Variants differing only in initial capitalization are not usually given except for proprietary terms, for nouns from modern German, and for words passing into names or titles. If the capitalization difference applies only to certain senses, it can be specified under those senses.

• nouns whose plural involves a change in the stem (as

E.g. La /la/ adjective(def. article). Also la. (s.v. BEAUTY noun 1) Fb (B-.)This quality personified.

‘PL pronounced same’ with no specified form implies a regular inflection.

Many compounds can be (or, in the past, have been) writ¬ ten in several different ways: as two or more words, hyphenated, or (increasingly) as one solid word. In most cases one form (the usual modern form) is given, but this does not mean that the others are unacceptable or even, in some cases, uncommon. This dictionary follows the tradition of Oxford Univer¬ sity Press in using -ize (and corresponding -ization, -izer, etc.) rather than -ise for verbs (and corresponding nouns etc.) derived from Greek -izein or Latin -izare, and for words modelled on these forms. The -s- variants are specified for headwords and are to be assumed for derivatives.

4.7.2 Verbs. Inflections which are regarded as regular and are not specified are (i) third person singular forms adding -s or -es (when the stem ends in -s, -x, -z, -sh, or soft -ch), including most of those in which -y inflects as -ies; (ii) past tenses and past participles adding -ed and, where appro¬ priate, dropping a final silent -e (as changed, walked); (iii) present participles adding -mg and, again where appropriate, dropping a final silent -e (as changing, walk¬ ing); (iv) regular archaic -est and -eth in older verbs. Other inflections are specified, and they include:

foot, feet);

• nouns whose plural and singular are the same (as sheep; in such cases the formula used is ‘PL same’).

• inflections where a final consonant is doubled (as bat.

XVi

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

batted, batting; in such cases the formula used is ‘Infl.

LI 6

1570-1599

-tt-’);

E17

1600-1629

M17

1630-1669

L17

167O-1699

E18

I7OO-I729

M18

1730-1769

LI 8

1770-1799

• inflections for the past tense and past participle which involve a change in the stem (as drink, drank, drunk and go, went, gone). 4.7.3 Adjectives. Adjectives which add -er and -est to form the comparative and superlative, including those which drop a final silent -e (e.g. braver, bravest), or replace a final -y by -i-(e.g. happier, happiest), are regarded as regu¬ lar and their inflections are not specified. Single-syllable adjectives which double a final consonant (as hot, hotter, hottest) do have their inflections specified (the formula used is ‘Compar. & superl. -tt-’), as do adjectives with irregular inflections (as good, better, best). 4.7.4 Inflected forms are given in bold type, usually at the top of the entry before the date. Frequently only the part of a form which differs from the headword is specified. Pronunciations are not given for the most regular forms. The pronunciations of -ed, -s, and -es vary according to the preceding letter(s) or sound(s): for fuller details see the entries for -ed suffix1, -s suffix2, and -s suffix3. E.g. hoof/hu:f/ noun. PI. hoofs, hooves /hu:vz/. canephora /ka'neffsfrs, -'ni:-/ noun. PI. -rae l-x'v.l. fly /fUi/ verb. Pa. t. flew /flu:/; pa. pple flown /fbun/. learn /b:n/ verb. Pa. t. & pple learned /b:nd/, learnt /b:nt/. learned ... adjective. Compar. (arch.) learneder; superl. (arch.) learnedest.

4.7.5 Inflectional information usually follows any variant forms, except where it does not apply to the variant(s).

E19

1800-1829

M19

1830-1869

LI 9

1870-1899

E20

1900-1929

M20

1930-1969

L20

1970-1999

E21

2000-

Every standard entry bears at least one date, indicating the earliest recorded use of the word. Combining entries are also sometimes individually dated for the combining form. The word’s earliest recorded date is given at the top of the entry, immediately before the etymology. Exceptions to this are Old English words which are presumed to be older than the written record (for example because of the existence of parallel words in other Germanic languages) or for which the exact Old English form is considered to be significant. In these cases oe (or loe) and a specified form begin the etymology, and the date is not repeated immediately before the opening etymological bracket.

E.g. defer /di'fs:/ verb1. Infl. -rr-. Also f differ.

Old English words and senses are usually only specified as Tate’ if use earlier in the period (for which written records are scarce) seems unlikely.

If an entry has several parts of speech and an inflection applies to only one of them, the inflection is usually speci¬ fied at the beginning of the section for that part of speech.

Every main numbered or lettered sense in the largetype section of an entry also bears a date, at the end of the definition and after any labels.

E.g. lasso ... noun & verb ... ►A noun. PI. -o(e)s.

4.8

DATES

Provision of information about the age of all words included, and of their principal senses, is one of the dis¬ tinctive features of this dictionary. The date of first (and, if relevant, last) recorded uses is given in terms of date ranges: after the Middle English period (and the introduc¬ tion of printing) according to a tripartite division of cen¬ turies into early, middle, and late; in earlier times, where dating depends on less secure manuscript sources, according to broader divisions. The date ranges are defined and abbreviated as follows. oe loe

me lme Li 5 £16 M16

Old English -1149 late Old English 1000-1149 Middle English 1150-1349 or, in some contexts, 1469 late Middle English 1350-1469 late fifteenth century 1470-1499 early sixteenth century 1500-1529 mid sixteenth century 1530-1569

4.8.1 Obsolete words and senses. If a word or sense is obso¬ lete, the date of its last recorded use is given, linked to the opening date by a dash (e.g. lme-eis). If an obsolete head¬ word has only one sense, or if all senses have exactly the same period of currency, a final date is given with the opening date at the top of the entry. In other cases final dates are given after the opening dates at the end of each obsolete sense. Currency for only one date range, or for one main period or century, is indicated by ‘Only in’. For example, ‘Only in L16’, ‘Only in me’ (either only between 1150 and 1349 or only in the Middle English period as a whole, 1150 to 1469), ‘Only in 17’ (in all three parts of the 17th century only). If a word or sense is current for two consecutive date ranges in the same century, the century is given only in the closing date, e.g. E-M17; m-lis. 4.8.2 Dates for derivatives. Derivatives at the end of a stan¬ dard entry and in most combining entries are also dated. Each bears a single date of first (or, if obsolete, first and last) use at the end of its entry. The dates of individual senses or parts of speech are not distinguished.

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

4-9 ETYMOLOGY

All entries which are not simply variant entries contain etymological information, explaining the origin and for¬ mation of the headword. In standard entries and some combining entries, this information is generally placed in square brackets on a new line after the first date. In some combining entries and all letter entries the etymological information is not formally distinguished, but forms part of a general description of the head form. Within an entry a particular sense or subentry may also have its own additional etymology. Etymologies in square brackets frequently contain a great deal of information, sometimes in abbreviated form, with various conventions of presentation. This section aims to explain only those most likely to require clarification. 4.9.1 Basic etymological forms and facts. If a word is formed from one or more other words (as by contraction or com¬ bination, or by the addition of a prefix or suffix) the ety¬ mology gives the words from which it is formed and often explains the nature of the formation. E.g. Amerindian

... noun. ... [Contr. of American Indian.]

fatuous ... adjective. ... [fromLatin/otuusfoolish... initial ... verb. ... [from the noun.]

+ -OUS.]

jama ... noun3.... [Abbreviation.] Pyjama. matchmake ... verbintrans.... [Back-form.fromMATCHMAKERnoun.] outswinger ... noun. ... [from out- + swinger noun1.]

If a word is an adoption from another language, the ety¬ mology opens with a specification of the language of ori¬ gin and, if it differs from the English spelling of the headword, the form of the word in the foreign language. E.g. scandal bigot

... noun.

...

[Old & mod. French scandale...]

... [French,ofunkn.origin.]

‘From’ is widely used to open etymologies where the headword is formed from several combined elements or from another headword. The formula ‘formed as’ (usually followed by a cross-reference) indicates that the head¬ word is from the same principal or initial word as the other word mentioned. E.g. anonymity ... [formed as anonymous + -ity.] —the etymology of anonymous is also valid for the anonympart of anonymity. References to other headwords are in the usual crossreference style of small capitals (see section 5), unless the headword is adjacent to the entry in question, when it is often referred to as ‘prec.’ (for ‘preceding entry’) or ‘next’ (for‘next entry’). A half bracket can be used to exclude part of a word in an etymology that is not represented in the headword. E.g. Politbureau

... [Russian politbyuro, from polU(idieskii political + byuro

bureau.]

Foreign forms from languages which do not use the Roman alphabet (as Greek, Russian, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, and Chinese) are transliterated. The transliter¬ ation system used for Chinese is Pinyin, although the Wade-Giles transliteration is also given if it sheds light

xvii

on the English form. Transliteration tables for Greek and Russian are on p. xxviii. 4.9.2 References and cross-references in etymologies. Etymolo¬ gies often contain cross-references to other entries, fre¬ quently at the end of the etymology, preceded by either ‘see’ or ‘cf.’ E.g. nitrogen ... [French nitrogene, formed as nitro: see-gen.] lecherous buffalo ...

[Old French lecheros, from lecheor: see lecher noun1, -ous.] [Prob. immed. from Portuguese bufalo

... .

Cf. buff noun2,

BUFFLE.]

If‘see’ is used to refer to another entry, the etymology of the entry referred to directly extends or elaborates on the first etymology, and there is usually an identifiable point of contact, often a shared foreign form. For example in lecherous above there is a reference ‘see lecher noun1’, and under lecher noun1 the etymology runs [Old French lichiere (nom.), lecheor, -ur (accus.), from lechier live in debauchery ...]. The point of contact is the form lecheor and the etymology of lecher noun1 contains more information about that form. ‘Cf.’ simply draws attention to some parallel or point of interest shared by etymologies. A reference beginning ‘See also’ usually refers to a word derived from, or from the same source as, the headword. 4.10 DIVISIONS IN AN ENTRY

Every standard entry has a possible maximum of five hier¬ archical levels of formal sense division, though in practice two levels (those designated by bold arabic numerals and bold lower-case letters) are most frequent. The five levels are as follows: ► A, ► B, etc.—Bold capital letters are used in entries with more than one part of speech, each of which is treated separately. The section for each is designated by a capital letter. A statement of the part(s) of speech being treated in that section immediately follows the letter: ►A noun, ► B attrib. or as adjective. ► I, ► II, etc.—Bold capital roman numerals are used to indicate major grammatical or semantic divisions of the same part of speech, especially in long or complex entries. The basis of the division maybe specified after the roman numeral. 1, 2, etc.—Bold arabic numerals divide different basic meanings of the same part of speech. These are the most common sense divisions. a, >b, etc.—Within basic senses identified by arabic numerals, related subsenses are designated by bold lower-case letters. The first division, a, may be unmarked if further subsenses are subdivisions of or subordinate to the first definition. (a), (b), etc.—Bold italic lower-case letters in brackets are used to designate minor divisions in a main sense and senses of phrases, derivatives, and other subentries. The first, third, and fourth of these levels are individually

XVU1

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

dated, and the second is implicitly dated from the next following sense. Within each dated level senses and divisions are ordered chronologically. The dagger for obsolete uses is usually attached to thd highest relevant sense level and not repeated for each of the ranks below. 4.11 GRAMMATICAL INFORMATION

Many definitions (and other parts of entries) contain grammatical information about the word being defined. Much of this information is straightforward, and this sec¬ tion aims only to explain some features which may require further clarification. 4.11.1 Transitivity of verbs. All verbs have a specification of transitivity, according to the two main categories transi¬ tive and intransitive: verbtrans. and verbintrans. Fully estab¬ lished uses of fundamentally transitive verbs with an object understood are in this dictionary classed as intran¬ sitive. If a verb has the same transitivity in all its senses, a sin¬ gle indication of transitivity is given. This will be at the top of the entry beside the part of speech if the headword is a verb only, or has no part-of-speech divisions, and after a bold capital if the entry is divided into separate parts of speech. If transitivity varies among senses, it is shown after each relevant sense number or letter, before the def¬ inition. Possibilities are verbtrans., verbintrans., and, where the definition covers both transitive and intransitive uses, verb trans. & intrans. or verb intrans. & trans. (either the older or the more frequent being specified first). Reflexive senses may be marked by refl., alone if the verb is otherwise only transitive, as verb ref. if transitivity is mixed. If a sense of a transitive verb occurs only in the passive, the definition is expressed in the passive form, preceded by ‘inpass.'. If transitivity is the basis of major divisions within an entry, it is specified after each roman numeral, and not at the lower sense divisions. 4.11.2 Plurality of nouns. A use or sense of a noun may be specified as ‘In pi.’. This means that the following defin¬ ition relates to the plural form of the noun. E.g. acoustic noun, sense 1 opens ‘In pi.’ and the definition which follows is of acoustics.

gubbin noun, sense 3 opens ‘In pi. (treated as sing.)’ and the

general category of grammatical construction, for ex¬ ample ‘with double object’ (as envied her her job), ‘Foil, by inf. without to’ (as shall go), or a particular word (especially an adverb or preposition) specified in italics, as ‘Foil, by out’. In these contexts to do stands for any infinitive, doing stands for any gerund, and that stands also for object clauses without explicit that (‘I said I would’ as well as ‘I said that I would’). Constructional information can appear before or after a definition, or can form an integral part of it. If the con¬ structional statement precedes the definition, the defini¬ tion is of the whole construction. If it follows the definition, the definition is of the headword only. E.g. (s.v. lay verb'. 18) >b nautical. Foil, by aboard: run into or alongside (a ship), usu. for boarding. —the definition is of lay aboard and in this use lay is always followed by aboard. (s. v. live verb) 5 verbintrans. Continue in life ... Also foil, by on. —the definition is of live but live on means the same and is also covered. (s.v. refer verb) 2 Assign to a particular class... —when refer means ‘assign’ it is always followed by to. (s.v. enclose verb) 3 Surround with or with a wall, fence, etc. —enclose means ‘surround with a wall etc.’ and may or may not be followed by a specifying phrase beginning with. Following elements which occur frequently (but not always) and which extend the meaning of the headword are shown in brackets or preceded by ‘Also’. E.g. (s.v. (s.v.

prelude

verb 2b) be introductory (to).

4 The quality or fact of being like ... (Foil, by between, to, f with.) likeness)

(s.v. racket verb2) 3 verb intrans. Make a racket, esp. by noisy movement. Also foil, by about, along, around. Verbal transitivity can be qualified by constructional information. E.g. (s.v. hare verb2) 2 verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Run or move with great speed. —the verb is used either intransitively, or transitively in the form hare it. (s.v. lick verb') ►fb verb trans. & intrans. (with of, on). Lap with the tongue; drink, sip, (a liquid). —lick of and lick on mean the same here as lick with a direct object. 4.12 USE OF BRACKETS

definition which follows (‘A fool’) is ofgubbins.

By contrast pi. alone implies no change of form (as in people noun, 2 a pi. The persons belonging to a particular place ..., where the use defined is of people not peoples).

Brackets are used in many places and for many purposes, and this section does not cover all of these. A specified direct object of a verb is bracketed. E.g. (s.v.

Constructional information. Many definitions contain information about the constructions which the head¬ word takes or the contexts in which it is habitually used. Most of this information is in the form of self-explanatory statements of fixed or typical phrases, but in entries for verbs and for limited-set grammatical words (such as determiners) details can be more complex. Often the focus is on what the headword is followed by: either a 4.11.3

limb

verbtrans.) 3 Remove branches from (a tree).

Definitions in such a form may, when the usage of the verb permits, be designated both transitive and intransi¬ tive. In such cases the intransitive definition is to be understood by mentally removing the brackets from around the direct object. The referent of an adjective or subject of a verb is bracketed when it applies to only part of a sense or to a subsense.

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

E.g. (s.v. green adjective) 2 Covered with herbage or foliage; (of a tree) in leaf. (s.v.

go

verb) (b) (of a firearm etc.) explode.

If the referent applies to a whole main sense it opens the definition and is followed by a colon. E.g. (s.v.

foul

adjective) 4 Of speech etc.; indecent, obscene.

Brackets are frequently used in definitions to combine information and avoid repetition. E.g. (s.v. ceieep noun) A shrill feeble sound (as) of a young bird. (s.v. leave verb) 1 verbtrans. a (Arrange to) transfer possession of at one’s death ... (s.v. colour noun) 8 mining. (A particle of) gold. (s.v. beep verb trans.&intrans.) (Cause to) emit a beep or beeps, (s.v. Minnesotan noun & adjective) (A native or inhabitant) of Minnesota... (s.v. lack verb) lackland adjective & noun (designating) a person owning no land ... (s.v. colour noun) colour-wash noun & verb trans. (paint with) coloured distemper.

(s.v. rain verb) 3 Shakes. Twel. N. The rain it raineth every day. (s.v. disciple noun) 1 AV John 20:20 Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Quotations specified ‘OED’ reproduce examples included in the Oxford English Dictionary but attributed to no par¬ ticular source and usually described as ‘Modern’. They belong to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Omissions from quotations are indicated by ellipses. See also the list of Authors and Publications Quoted. 4-13.2 Other illustrative ma terial. Illustration blocks can also contain defined phrases and cross-references to phrases defined elsewhere. Typical or common types of uses of a headword may be illustrated by italic examples rather than quotations from specified sources. E.g. (s.v. analysis) 2 bowling analysis cricket a statement of a bowler’s performance record. (s.v. butcher noun) 1 family butcher. (s.v.

In such cases, separate definitions are obtained by includ¬ ing and excluding the bracketed section. A clarifying or reinforcing part of a definition, which may be useful but is not essential, may also be bracketed. E.g. (s.v.

cylinder noun)

2 A (solid or hollow) body ...

4.13 ILLUSTRATION BLOCKS

Any main definition section in an entry may be followed by a small-type tinted paragraph containing illustrative quotations and phrases linked to individual senses. 4.13.1 Illustrative quotations. The purpose of the illustrative quotations is to complement the definitions by clarifying sense distinctions, illustrating constructions, and repre¬ senting common collocations. Consequently, quotations are selective and many words and senses are not illus¬ trated. The first quotation for any use is not the first known example. All quotations in this dictionary are from published sources. The first quotation included for any sense (when an entry has more than one sense) is preceded by the num¬ ber (and letter) of that sense, in bold type. If an entry has more than one quotation for a sense, these are arranged in basically chronological order. If a quotation illustrates a type of usage not explicitly covered by the definition, the quotation may be preceded by a qualification, such as attrib.:,fig.:. The source of a quotation is given immediately before the quotation text. This is usually either an author (in small capitals except for true capitals) or a published newspaper, journal, etc. (in italics). No quotation from a periodical dates from before the nineteenth century, and the great majority are from the twentieth. With a few exceptions titles of individual works are given only for Shakespeare. Chapter and verse are given for books of the Bible. E.g. (s.v. cheer noun') 6 Times The market took cheer ... and marked the shares up 3p.

XIX

rhyme

noun) 3 double rhyme,

eye rhyme,

imperfect

rhyme, treble rhyme, etc.

An illustration block containing no quotations is not tinted. 4.14 PHRASES AND COMPOUNDS

Phrases and compounds (collectively referred to here as subentries) are usually included (either listed or defined) in small-type blocks in the main entry for one of their significant words. The blocks in which they appear are located after a definition section and any illustration block. These blocks are of several kinds, and each has an italic heading, as Phrases: Comb.: Attrib. & comb.: Special collocations: (only of adjectives) With adverbs (or prepositions) in specialized senses: (only of verbs)

or some combination of these. Within such blocks sub¬ entries are in alphabetical order. Defined items are in bold type, and there may also be cross-references to simi¬ lar phrases containing the headword but defined under another entry (see section 5). Subentries in these blocks are not dated. Separate senses or parts of speech of a subentry can be divided by a bracketed bold italic lower¬ case letter; (a), (b), etc. Any status labels and symbols at the top of an entry apply also to the subentries in these blocks. 4.14.1 Phrases. Phrases can appear in several places in an entry: in a small-type block headed Phrases:, in an illustra¬ tion block (see 4.13.2), in a main definition, or (occasion¬ ally) in another subentry block as a phrase of a compound. The examples below illustrate the latter two of these: (s.v. kibosh noun) 1 put the kibosh on, put an end to; dispose of finally. (s.v. leg noun) leg-of-mutton adjective resembling a leg of mutton, esp. in shape; leg-of-mutton sail, a triangular mainsail; legof-mutton sleeve, ...

Phrases are usually treated in the entry for their first

XX

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

significant word, but if a later word in the phrase has particular importance, the phrase can be treated under

Transitivity for items in these blocks is not usually specified unless a definition is ambiguous or transitivity

that word.

varies among senses.

E.g. ship of the line is treated under line

noun2,

not under ship 4.15

NOTES

noun.

4.14.2 Combinations. A combination is a compound (usu¬ ally a two-word compound) the first element of which is the headword. A combination most often consists of two nouns, but may also be made up of a noun and some other part of speech (especially an adjective), a verb plus a noun object or adverb, or an adjective plus any part of speech other than a (separately written) noun (when the forma¬ tion is classed as a special collocation: see 4.14.3 below). If a combination is a noun only, no part of speech is given. Otherwise a part of speech is specified. If a noun is particularly frequently used attributively in a certain manner or sense, a combination paragraph may be headed Attrib. & comb.:, and may open with a statement of the headword’s attributive use(s) and some italic ex¬ amples. E.g. (s.v. land noun1) Attrib. & comb.: In the senses ... ‘situated or taking place on land ...’, ‘living on land ...’, as land-battle, -bird. ... -journey, -monster ... etc. Special combs., as landagency ...

If the first word of the definition of a combination would simply repeat the second word of the combination, a colon may be subsituted. E.g. (s.v. cream

noun2)

cream bun, cream cake: filled with cream.

4.14.3 Special collocations. A special collocation is a com¬ pound (written as two words) consisting of an adjective (the headword) and a following noun used in a fixed way or in a way which is not simply determinable from the separate meanings of its two elements. No part of speech is given; all special collocations are nouns. 4.14.4 Verbs with adverbs/prepositions in specialized senses. A verbal phrase consisting of a verb headword plus a prep¬ osition or adverb, whose meaning is not simply the sum of its parts, has a ‘specialized sense’, and such phrases may be treated (in verb entries) in a block headed With adverbs in specialized senses: With prepositions in specialized senses: With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: etc.

Adverbs in such verbal constructions are sometimes referred to in grammatical literature as ‘particles’, and with transitive verbs can typically both precede and fol¬ low a direct object: phone her up, phone up her father. A small-type block like this is normally created only when the uses with adverbs or prepositions are numer¬ ous. Isolated or specific examples can be treated under numbered senses or in an illustration block. E.g. (s.v. light verb') 4 verbtrans.&intrans. nautical. Move or lift (a sail etc.) along or over. 11 verb intrans. Foil, by out: depart, get out.

Information of relevance or interest, usually relating to a whole entry, which does not fit obviously into the normal entry structure appears in a small-type note at the end of an entry (but before any derivative block). Such a note opens with a paragraph sign f. Notes can be on a range of subjects, including dating, pronunciation, etymology, usage, and other relevant entries. E.g. (s.v.

^ Rare before 20.

serendipity)

(s.v.

port noun1)

^ See also

(s.v.

lunch noun & verb)

Cinque Ports.

fj As a synonym of luncheon noun 2, verb, now the usual word exc. in specially formal use & in certain combs., though formerly objected to as vulgar.

4.16 DERIVATIVES

A derivative is formed by adding a suffix (such as -able, -ly, -ness) to a word. Many such formations are treated as main entries, but many others, especially if they are fairly sim¬ ple, with few senses and without further derivatives or compounds of their own, are placed in a small-type de¬ rivative block at the end of an entry. A derivative block always comes last in its entry. Deriva¬ tives themselves are in bold type and always have a part of speech and one date, but regular formations with readily deducible meanings (e.g. those with the adverbial suffix -ly or the noun suffix -ness) may be left undefined. Derivatives appear in alphabetical order. Alphabetically adjacent items with the same part of speech, defin¬ ition, and date may be combined. E.g. (s.v.

metaphysics)

metapsychic, metapsychical adjectives E20.

(s.v. IMewJersey) New Jerseyan, New Jerseyite nouns a native or inhabitant of New Jersey M20.

If a derivative is divided into formal senses or parts of speech, or if it has a compound definition (i.e. its defin¬ ition contains a semicolon), its date is separated from its definition(s) by a colon. A variant of a derivative may be given after the main form, often abbreviated to its differing element. E.g. (s.v.

contest verb)

contester. -or noun a person who contests

L19.

As long as historically appropriate, any variant spel¬ lings specified for the headword occur also in its deriva¬ tives. Status and subject labels given at the top of an entry and applying to all its senses are assumed also to apply to any derivatives. A derivative preceded by ‘Also’ is a synonym of the headword. E.g. (s.v.

convalescence)

Also convalescency noun (rare)

M17.

Minor words which are not formal derivatives of the headword but which are etymologically related to it may also be included in the derivative block.

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

Derivatives are cross-referred to in small capitals (the same style as for headwords). For pronunciation of derivatives see section 4.2.7. 5 Cross-references A standard style is used in this dictionary to refer from one dictionary entry to another. For main entries and derivatives (including words defined within combining entries) the word being referred to is represented in small capitals (though any true large capitals are retained). The part(s) of speech may follow in italics (with any homonym number), and a particular branch or sense number may be specified. E.g. A LA CARTE free adjective ORTHOPTER 1 post noun2.

Phrases, combinations, and special collocations which constitute cross-references are given in italic type. Direc¬ tion to the entry or subentry at which the definition appears is made explicitly by ‘see’ or implicitly (when the direction is to a unique head form and no individual sense number) by presenting the relevant headword or derivative in small capitals in context within the italic phrase. E.g. abjure the realm: see abjure 3. Flanders poppy.

Explicit cross-references may be made from one sub¬ entry to another. The subentry to which direction is made appears in italics followed by ‘s.v.’ (when reference is to another entry) or ‘above’ or ‘below’ (when reference is to another subentry or sense within the same entry). E.g. catch cold: see catch a cold above. Cornish moneywort: see moneywort s.v. money noun.

A definition may consist of an equation of one word, sense, or phrase with another. An equals sign is followed by a small-capital or italic cross-reference, as described above. E.g. (s.v coon noun) 1 = racoon. (s.v. fin noun1) fin-back = fin whale below. (s.v. cun noun) 6 = electron gun s.v. electron noun2. (s.v. line noun217) Fc A particular policy... which a politician may maintain or expect others to follow; = party line s.v. party noun.

When a cross-reference constitutes the only definition, the item cross-referred to is the more common or impor¬ tant one in that sense. A cross-reference simply to a headword or part of speech equates the item being defined with all senses of that referred to.

6 Combining entries In combining entries the headword is an affix, either beginning or ending with a hyphen and generally used joined to another word. Combining entries treat affixes of three types: suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms.

xxi

The dividing line between prefixes and combining forms is not always clear cut, and for ordering and crossreference purposes they are regarded as a single part of speech. In this dictionary combining forms generally rep¬ resent either (i) modified forms of independent words in English or the source language, often in, or in imitation of, Latin and Greek forms and ending in -i- or -0- (e.g. Anglo-, auto-) or (ii) identical and closely related inde¬ pendent English words combining more or less freely with others and in combination not always readily differ¬ entiable one from the other (e.g. after-, back-). All other initial word-forming elements are classed as prefixes (e.g. ex-, non-, re-). 7 Letter entries Each of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet is treated in its own entry. The headword consists of an upper- and lower-case representation of the initial letter, separated by a comma. E.g. A, a

The headword is followed by a pronunciation and a description and brief history of the letter. This is typically followed by three branches: the first covering senses relating to the letter itself and to its shape or size; the second covering symbolical uses; the third containing the letter used as an abbreviation. Some digraphs and ligatures, such as ch, ph, ae, and oe, are also included as headwords.

8 Variant entries Variant spellings or inflectional forms specified at the top of an entry will usually also be mentioned in their proper alphabetical sequence. Exceptions are those which would be alphabetically adjacent to the headword, noun plurals in -os or -oes, regular inflections specified because there is an (irregular) alternative, inflections deducible from statements of consonant doubling, and inflections stated to be the same as those of the root (as in the case of some minor or obsolete words, such facknow which is ‘Infl. as know verb’).

In a variant entry the headword (in bold) is referred to the word under which it is mentioned (in small capitals) by means of the direction ‘see’ or by means of a statement of its relationship with the word referred to, as ‘var. of’, ‘pa. t. & pple of’. If a form is obsolete or foreign, this is reflected in the variant entry by a dagger or italicization as appropriate. Other qualifications are restricted to the main entry, which the user is directed to ‘see’. Headwords in variant entries may be combined if they are alphabetically adjacent and are for the same entry or for several correspondingly adjacent entries. If many related words share the same spelling variation, not all will necessarily be listed in the variant entry. E.g. honyock, honyocker nouns vars. ofhunyak.

xxii

GUIDE TO THE USE OF THE DICTIONARY

labored adjective, laborer noun, laboring adjective see laboured adjective etc. serjeant, serjeantcy nouns etc., see sergeant etc.

Variant entries which are homonyms follow all the main entries for that homonym. 9 Abbreviation and symbol entries Abbreviations and symbols consisting of more than one letter have their own entries, which are in many respects similar to standard dictionary entries. The main differ¬ ences are that no dating information is given, and if there is more than one meaning, these are given in alphabetical rather than chronological order. A pronunciation is only given if it is not simply that of the constituent letters.

E.g. BAFTA /'bafts/ abbreviation. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Brig, abbreviation. Brigadier. Cr symbol, chemistry. Chromium. DF abbreviation. 1 Latin Defensor Fidei Defender of the Faith.

The dividing line between abbreviations per se and acronyms and initialisms is not always clear cut, and this dictionary lists as abbreviations a number of formations which will probably come to be considered as nouns or other words in their own right, such as ISA and JPEG. Abbreviations are subject to considerable variation of form. For example, they often occur with a full stop after each letter, and those all in capitals may occur with initial capital only, or in lower-case letters. Such variations are not always explicitly covered.

Abbreviations In this list the abbreviations are printed in the type and with the capitalization that is normally used for them, but variation according to context will be found. Some general abbreviations, such as those for units of measurement or points of the compass, are not listed here, but can be found in the main dictionary text. abl. abl. absol. absol. accus. alius. alius. alt. a.m. Amer. Ant. & Cl. aphet. app. approx. Arab. arch. assim. assoc. attrib. Attrib. & comb. augm. Austral. aux. AV AY.L.

ablative ablative absolute in absolute use, absolutely accusative allusion allusively altered, alteration ante meridiem, ‘before noon’ American, America Antony and Cleopatra aphetic, aphetized apparently approximately Arabic archaic assimilated, -ation associated, -ation attributive, -ly in attributive uses and combinations augmentative Australian, Australia auxiliary (verb etc.) Authorized Version As You Like It

back-form(s). Brit.

back-formation(s) British

c Canad. cap(s). cent. cents. cf. Chron. cogn. Col. collect. colloq. Com. Comb. combs. Com. Err. compar(s). compl. conf. contempt. contr. Cor.

circa, ‘about’ Canadian capital(s) century centuries confer, ‘compare’ Chronicles cognate Colossians collective, -ly colloquial, -ly Comedy (in) combination combinations Comedy of Errors comparative(s) complement confused contemptuous, -ly contracted, contraction Corinthians

Coriol. correl. corresp. corrupt. cross-refs. Cyrnb.

Coriolanus correlative corresponding corruption cross-references Cymbeline

d. Dan. dat. def. demonstr. deriv(s).

died Daniel dative definite demonstrative derivative(s), derivation(s) derogatory Deuteronomy development dialect, dialectal, -ly (in) Dictionaries diminutive(s) distributive

derog. Deut. devel. dial. Diets. dim(s). distrib. E Eccles. Ecclus elem(s). ellipt. Encycl. Brit. Eph. equiv. erron. Esd. esp. etym. euphem. exc. exclam(s). Exod. exp. expr. Ezek.

early (in dates) Ecclesiastes Ecclesiasticus element(s) elliptical, -ly Encyclopaedia Britannica Ephesians equivalent erroneous, -ly Esdras especially etymology euphemistic, -ally except exclamation(s) Exodus exponential expressing, expressive of Ezekiel

fl. foil. ffeq.

feminine in figurative use, figuratively floruit, ‘flourished’ followed frequent, -ly

Gal. gen.

Galatians general, -ly

fern. fig-

Gen. genit.

Genesis genitive

Hob. Haml. He b. Hen. Hist. hyperbol.

Habbakuk Hamlet Hebrews Henry historical, histoiy

imit. immed. imper. impers. indef. indie. inf. infl. instr. interrog. intrans. iron. irreg. Isa.

imitative, -ly immediately imperative, -ly impersonal, -ly indefinite, -ly indicative infinitive inflected, influenced instrumental interrogative, -ly intransitive, -ly ironical, -ly irregular, -ly Isaiah

]er. joc. Josh. Judg. Jul. Caes.

Jeremiah jocular, -ly Joshua Judges Julius Caesar

L

Lam. lang(s). Ld Lev. lit. lit. &fig.

L.L.L. LME LOE Lucr. M Macb. Macc. masc. Math. Matt. ME

hyperbolically

late (in dates) Lamentations language(s) Lord Leviticus literal, -ly in literal and figurative use, literally and figuratively Love’s Labour’s Lost late Middle English late Old English Lucrece mid (in dates) Macbeth Maccabees masculine Mathematics Matthew Middle English

XXiv

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

Me as. for M. Merck V. Merry W. Mids. N. D. mod. N. Amer. NEB neg. neut. N. Ir. nom. north. north. Num. NZ obj. obs. occas. OE

OED opp. orig. Oth. pa. pa. ppl pa. pple pass. pa. t. Per. perf. perh. pers. Pet. Phil. phonet. phr. phrs. pi. pis. poet. possess. ppl pple prec. pred. pred. pres. pres, ppl pres, pple pres. t.

Measure for Measure Merchant of Venice Merry Wives of Windsor Midsummer Night’s Dream modern North America(n) New English Bible negative neuter Northern Ireland, Northern Irish nominative northern northern (dialect) Numbers New Zealand object, -ive obsolete occasional, -ly Old English Oxford English Dictionary opposed (to) original, -ly Othello past past (or passive) participial past (or passive) participle passive, -ly past tense Pericles perfect perhaps personal Peter Philippians phonetic, -ally phrase phrases plural plurals poetical possessive participial participle preceding (headword or main entry) predicate predicative, -ly present present participial present participle present tense

prob. prons. pronunc. Prov. Ps. redupl. ref. refash. reft. rel. rel. repl. repr.

kev. rhet. Rich. Rom. Rom. &Jul. RV S.Afr. Sam. S. Amer. Scot. Shakes. sing. S. ofS. Sonn. sp. spec. subj. subjunct. subord. subsp. superl. Suppl. Sus. s.v. syll. synon. t. Tam. Shr. techn. Temp. Thess. Tim. Times Lit. Suppl. Tit. A. Tr. & Cr. trans. transf. transf. &fig. Twel. N.

probably pronouns pronunciation Proverbs Psalms reduplicated, -ation(s) reference refashioned, -ing reflexive relative related replaced, -ing representative (of), represented, represent¬ ing, representation(s) Revelation rhetorical, -ly Richard Romans Romeo and Juliet Revised Version South Africa(n) Samuel South America(n) Scottish, Scots Shakespeare singular Song of Solomon (or Songs) Sonnets spelling specific, -ally subject subjunctive subordinate subspecies superlative Supplement Susanna sub voce, ‘under the word’ syllable synonymous tense Taming of the Shrew in technical use Tempest Thessalonians Timothy Times Literary Supplement Titus Andronicus Troilus and Cressida transitive, -ly transferred transferred and figurative Twelfth Night

Two Gent.

Two Gentlemen of Verona

ult. unexpl. Univ. Univs. unkn. US USA usu.

ultimate, -ly unexplained University Universities unknown United States United States of America

var. vars. Ven. & Ad. voc.

variant (of), variety variants (of) Venus and Adonis vocative

W. Indies Wint. T. Wisd.

West Indies Winter’s Tale Wisdom of Solomon

Zech. Zeph.

Zechariah Zephaniah

usually

Symbols t *

obsolete now chiefly in the United States

^

(see p. xv) introduces a note (see p. xx)

The printing of hyphens Hyphens introduced at line-breaks in words or formulae not otherwise hyphenated are printed The regular form - represents a hyphen which would occur in any circumstance in the text.

Note on proprietary status This dictionary includes words which have, or are asserted to have, proprietary status as trade marks or otherwise. Their inclusion does not imply that they have acquired for legal purposes a nonproprietary or general significance, nor any other judgement concerning their legal status. In cases where the editorial staff have some evidence that a word has proprietary status this is indicated in the entry for that word, but no judgement concerning the legal status of such words is made or implied thereby.

Pronunciation GUIDE indicates length

Vowels a

as in

cat, plait

e

bed, death

i

sit, myth, begin, theology

i

cosy, eerie, anemone, Spanish si

D

hot, wash, trough

A

run, son, glove, rough

U

put, good, should, ambulance

3

ago, gather, flavour, cheetah, thorough, lemon, success, mistaken

a:

arm, calm, locale, brahmin

s:

her, earn, bird, spur, myrrh

i:

see, pea, seize, decent, foetus, paeon

o:

saw, ball, board, horse, thought, applaud

u:

too, glue, fruit, route, through, shrewd

s:

hair, dare, pear, there, vary

indicates nasality "

6

as in

cordon bleu

6:

Lyons

a

French en

a:

French blanche

6

French vin

e:

French cinq

0

French mon

5:

French monde

ce

French un

Consonants and semivowels b, d, f, h, k, 1, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w, and z have their usual English values.

ai

as in

my, high, ice, sign, seismic, bonsai

au

how, plough, sound, kraut

g as in tf

get chip, ditch, cello, Czech, culture, question

ei

day, gate, daisy, they, rein, deign

d3

jar, hedge, urge, logic, gentle, privilege, soldier

su

no, cocoa, soul, roe, though, glow, beau, mauve,

q

ring, bank, conquer, junction

0

thin, throne, birth, health, tooth

ia

yeoman near, beer, theory, query, severe, emir, grenadier

5

this, clothe, smooth, swarthy

oi

boy, spoil, Freudian

J

she, ash, chef, station, mission, spacious,

us

poor, rural, dour, liqueur

ai3

tire, byre, choir, quiet, diaphragm

3

vision, erasure, aubergine, bourgeois

aus

sour, flower, coward

j

yes, tune, new, eulogy

x

loch, German ach, Spanish Rioja

herbaceous

French pas

9

German nicht

o

French ete, Italian verde French homme, Italian donna, German Gott

X p

Spanish olla, llamar, Italian gli French mignon, Spanish pina, Italian gnocco

o

French eau, mot, Italian figlio

q

French nuit

u 0

French tout French bleu, German spotteln

ce

French bceuf

y

French du, German fitnf

e:

German Ehre

o:

German Boot

a e

as in

0:

German Hohle

oe:

French douleur

y:

German Fiihrer

ai

German ein, frei

oy

German Hauser

Stress ' indicates primary stress on the following syllable indicates secondary stress on the following syllable

For further details see pp. xii-xiii

OF DICTIONARY ENTRIES

headword

(e.g.

messenger)

see §4.1. p. xii

*messenger]

part of speech

(e.g.

see §4.3, p. xiii

(e.g.

2,3)

indicated by bold numerals see § 4.10, p.xvii

(/'mesmdga/Jnoun&yerb. me.

[Old & mod. French messager, formed as message: see -er2. For the intrusive n cf.passenger, scavenger, etc.] _

►A noun.)

indicated by arrow and bold letter

sense

pronunciation

L"

A person who carries a message or goes .Ml tm Wand for another; a person employed to carry messages, me. >b A bearer of (a specified message). me. ec biology. A molecule or substance that carries (esp. etic) information. Freq. attrib. me. 2 |A person sent forward to prepare the way; a herald, •ecursor, a harbinger, arch, me. 3 |A government official employed to carry dispatches formerly to apprehend State prisoners; a courier.

(/'mesmdsa/)

see §4.2, p. xii

etymology

(e.g. [Old & mod. French... etc.])

indicated by bold square brackets see §4.9, p.xvii

LME.

date (e.g. M17) indicates a sense’s first recorded use see §4.8, p.xvi

phrases (e.g.expressmessenger, King’s messenger)

4 a Esp. nautical Ail endless rope, cable, or chain used with a capstan, to haul a cable or drive a powered winch etc. line used to haul or support a i M17 jj ►b J\ Jevice able to be sent down a line, esp. in order temp a mechanism. £□ 1 D. Carkeet You can’t shoot the messenger for bring¬ ing bad news. M. Flanagan Jason asked for a cheque to be sent round by messenger. 2 fig.: Shakes. Jul. Caes. Yon grey lines That fret the clouds are messengers of day.

introduced by Phrases:

Phrases: express messenger: see express adjective. King’s messenger. Queen’s messenger a courier employed by the

see §4.14, p.xix

British Government to carry important official papers within Britain and abroad, second messenger see second adjective.

combinations (e.g. messenger-at-arms, messenger cable) introduced by Comb.: see §4.14, p.xx

derivative (e.g.B messengership) introduced by square bullet ■

subsense (e.g.tb) indicated by small arrow and bold letter see §4.10, p.xvii

illustrative quotation block indicated by a tinted box see §4.13, p. xix

Comb.: messenger-at-arms Scot, an official employed to execute writs from the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary; messenger cable a cable used to support a power • cable or other conductor of electricity; a suspension cable or wire; messenger RNA biology RNA which is synthesized in a cell nucleus with a nucleotide sequence complementary to the coding sequence of a gene (transcription), and passes from the nucleus to a ribosome, where its nucleotide sequence determines the amino-acid sequence of a protein synthesized there (translation); abbreviation mRNA: messenger wire = messenger cable above. B vat irons. Send by messenger, (rare before L20.) eis. 1 ■ messengership noun the position or function of a messengCTTTl-“-

see §4.16, p.xx

date (e.g. mimicry .’ mmukri nounf L17.V ffroniMiM!cm»un [from mimic noun + -sv.1 -sy,] '1 The action, practice, or art of mimicking; an act, instance, or example of this. U7. 2 biology. A close external resemblance which (part of) one living creature (or occas. a nest or other structure) bears to (part of) another, or to some inanimate object.

L17)

indicates a word’s first recorded use see §4.8, p.xvi

E19.

phrase (e.g. in mimicry of) indicated by bold see §4.14, p.xix

cross-reference (e.g. indicated by small capitals see§5,p. xxi

Mullerian)

Baroness Orczy The mimiciy was so perfect, the tone ofthe voice so accurately produced.. >1 nnis Potter When told their. '.■.■hat:c tied old wi;ch :,nd.. her -tydsteu and snarled in chilling mimicry. D. Fraser With his pi feat'mimicry, ho also caught the great man’s manner perfectlkin mimicry of ih on of. 2R.Daivi A rettiarkatjie.pi.-LfeLL:oH.of mimicry on the pare uribe -ggs Mertensianmimicry. Milllerianmimicry: see Mullerian fetrrfK---

illustrative quotation see §4.13, p.xix

cross-reference (e.g. mertensian) indicated by italic small capitals see § 5, p. xxi

FEATURES OF DICTIONARY ENTRIES

XXvii

dagger (t)_ indicates a word is obsolete see § 4.1, p. xii

“I tq>op nouns me. '

[Origin uncertain: peril, rel. to mope noun, verb.] 1 A fool, a simpleton. Only in mf 2 A baby, a toddler; a rag doilf LME-L16X

date range (e.g. lme-li6) indicates a sense’s first and last recorded usage see § 4.8, p.xvi

§ Survives as 1st elem. of moppet, morsy.

major semantic divisions (e g. *-i, ►«) indicated by arrow and bold roman numeral see § 4.10, p.xvii

mop m op noun2. Also (earlier) tmap(p).\is. [Origin uncertain: perh. uit. connected vtiih Latin nnippa (see map ^-sosm1). In branch lifrom the verb.]

\

_

► If A long si ickwith a bundle of coarse yarn or cloth or apiece of foam rubber or similar absorbent material fas¬ tened to one end so as to soak up liquid easily, used in cleaning floors (also floor mop) and nautically for laying on pitch; (in Ml dish-mop), a smaller form of this for washing dishes, lis. 2 A thick mass of something, esp. of or of hair. E19. 3 Any of various small instruments resembling a mop. as (a| a circular pad of doth used for polishing silver with rouge; (b) a surgical instrument with a sponge at the end of a handle, for applying medicated fluids or removing purulent matter, mis. I'-; 1 B. Reid A lady who was cleaning the floor with a bucket and mop. 2 R. Crompton Thoina.ysblu^eyes beneath iris, mops and brooms slang

Mrs Mop

variantform (e g. fmap(p)) (the dagger indicates that it is obsolete) see§4.6,p.xv

label

(e.g. slang)

showing register see § 4.5, p. xiv

action or an act of mopping some-

cross-reference (e.g. Mrs) indicated by small capitals see § 5, p. xxi

homonym numbers (e.g.4,5) indicate different words with the same spelling see §4.4, p. xiv

thing

5 A an with a mop. 120 Comb.: mop-boam US akkimng-board; mophead ia) the head of a mop; fb) (a perWr-vrith) a tli ick head of hair: mopstick the handle of a floor-mop; mop-up: see sense 4 above. mop /mop/ hound arch. lie. [Rel. to mop verb' f—yf_ A grimace, orig. esp. one made by a monkey. Chiefly in mops and mows.

label

(e.g. arch.)

showing currency see § 4.5, p. xiv

inflected form (e.g.-pp-)

mop /mop/ verb' intrans. arch. Infl -pp-.jvne. (Rel. to mop noun3.} Make a grimace. Chiefly in mop and mow.

see § 4.7, p. xv

mora :no: TO noun1. Pl( morae /’mo:ri:/. M16._ [Latin = delay.] ' ’ 1 scors mw. Undue delay in the assertion of a claim etc.

pluralform (e.g. morae)

mis.

f 2 A short space of time; a delay, rare. M-L17. 3 a A unit of metrical time equal to the duration of a short syllable. M19. >b linguistics. The minimal unit of duration of a speech sound. M20.

bold italics (e.g. mutatismutandis) see § 4.1, p. xii

see §4.5, p.xiv

f mop unop/ noiwbli6-Mi8. [Origin unkn.] ^— A young whiting or gurnard. Also whiting-mop. gurnard-mop. mop nmp/noim5. lit, [Perh. from a irtoppMOP noun-) carried by maidservants seeking employment.] English history. An annual fair at which servant s seeking to be hired assembled together. Also mop fair.

indicate a word is not fully naturalized in English

label (e.g. us) showing regional distribution

mutatis mutandisJ uijm.urtis mjuftandis, ni adwibidphi. us: [Latin, lit. 'things being changed that have to be changed'.] Malting the necessary changes; with due alteration of details. Oh J. Bay ley Both gifts he shares, mutatis mutandis, with the American poets.

with pronunciation /'mo:ri:/ see § 4.7, p. xv

Transliteration cUIDE Transliteration of Creek a b d e e g h

a p 6 £ n y (rough breathing) over a following vowel '

l k 1th 1 m n 0

0

CO

V

P ph ps r rh

n

0

s

i K

1 X p

b spec. The action of process of obtaining stored documents, data, etc. M20. 4 Being approached, lme. [5 Coming to work or business. L16-M17. 6 A coming as an addition, arch, (replaced by accession). L16. 7 Coming towards someone or something; advance. arch. E17. 8 A way or means of approach or entrance (lit. & fig.). E17. [9 = ACCESSION 6. M17-M18. 10 [After French.] An outburst of anger or other emotion. L18.

lme.

[medieval Latin accessorius, from Latin access-: see prec., -ary1.] ► A noun. 1 = accessory noun 2. lme. 2 = ACCESSORY noun l. M16. ► B adjective. |1 = accessory adjective 1. M16-L17. 2 = accessory adjective 2. L16. 9 Etymologically, accessary is the noun and accessory the adjec¬ tive. but the two have been used interchangeably in English from the beginning, accessory is now increasingly used in all contexts.

acciaccatura /atjaka'tuars, foreign at.tjakka'tmra/ noun. PI. -s, -ture/-'tu:re/. E19. [Italian, from acciaccare to crush.] music. A grace-note performed quickly before an essen¬

tial note of a melody. accidence /’aksid(3)ns/ noun1. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [Old French from late Latin accidentia: see next, -ence.]

Chance; a fortuitous circumstance, a mishap, accidence /'aksid(3)ns/ noun2. Ei6. [Late Latin accidentia neut. pi. pres, pple of accidere taken as fern, sing.: see next, -ence.]

1 The part of grammar which deals with the variable forms ofwords (inflections etc.). E16. 2 The rudiments of any subject, mi 6. accident /'aksidfrjnt/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin accident- pres, ppl stem of accidere happen, from ad ac- + cadere to fall: see -ent.]

► I A thing that happens. 1 An event, obsolete in gen. sense, lme. Fb An event that is without apparent cause or unexpected; an unfortu¬ nate event, esp. one causing injury or damage, lme. 2 Chance, fortune, lme. 13 medicine. An unfavourable symptom. LME-L17. 14 A casual appearance or effect, lme-mis. 5 An irregularity in the landscape. M19. B3 Ibc. Day Out race may be an accident, in a meaningless universe. M. Spark She.. had been killed in an accident, the chapter of accidents the unforeseen course of events. 2 S. Johnson Nature probably has some part in human char¬ acters and accident has some part, by accident by chance, unintentionally. 5 J. R. Lowell Accidents of open green.

► II Something present but not necessarily so, and there¬ fore non-essential. 6 tocic. A property or quality not essential to a sub¬ stance or object lme. 7 grammar. A change of form to which words are subject, as to express number, case, gender, etc. Usu. in pi. arch. Mi6. 8 gen. A non-essential accompaniment; a mere acces¬ sory. E17. CO 8 Disraeli With all the brilliant accidents of birth, and beauty, and fortune. W. W. Greg The 'accidents' of presenta¬ tion, .. the spelling, punctuation, and other scribal or typo¬ graphical details.

■ accessi bility noun mis accessibleness noun El9. accessibly adverb L19.

accession /3k's£f(3)n/ noun & verb. L16. [Old & mod. French, or Latin accessio(n-), from access-: see access, -ion] ► A noun. I Result.

1 Something which is added; an augmentation, an increase. L16. 2 Adherence; assent; formal acceptance of a treaty etc. E17. 3 Joining; addition. M17. 4 law. Artificial improvement or natural growth of a property, mis. £Q IS. Johnson He will be a very honourable accession |to the club], 3 T. Adams The accession of piety to patience.

► II Action. 5 The action of coming near, approach; admittance. Formerly also, advance, arrival. E17. 6 Entering upon an office or dignity (esp. a throne) or condition. Mi7. CP 5 T. Stanley The accession of the Sun from Tropick to Tropick.

►fill 7 An onset of illness, powerful feeling, etc. E17-E19.

► B verb trans. Record the addition of (a book etc.) to a library. Li9. ■ accessional adjective M17.

accessory /ak'sesfajri/ noun & adjective, lme. [medieval Latin accessorius adjective, from Latin access-: see ACCESS, -ORY2. Partly through Old & mod. French accessoire.] ► A noun. 1 An additional or subordinate thing: an

adjunct, an accompaniment; a minor fitting or attach¬ ment; a small article of (usu. a woman’s) dress. Now usu. in pi. lme. 2 A person who helps in or is privy to any act, esp. a crime, lme. 2 accessory before the fact accessory after the fact law (now Hist.) a person who helps to plan, conceal, a crime. ► B adjective. 1 Of a thing: additional; subordinately con¬

tributing, dispensable; adventitious. E17. 2 Of a person; acceding to; participant, privy (to, esp. a crime). Ei7.

1

accessory mineral cfoiocr a constituent mineral present in small quantity and not taken into account in identifying a rock, accessory nerve /uvmomv either of the eleventh pair of cranial nerves, which supply certain muscles in the neck and shoulder. 9 See note s.v. accessary ■ accessorial /akse’soirial/ adjective of the nature of an acces¬ sory; supplementary: E18. accessorily adverb additionally; in the manner of an accessory lme. accessorize verb trans. & intrans. provide or provide (oneself) with an accessory or accessories M20.

Comb. : accident-prone adjective predisposed or likely to cause or suffer an accident. ■ accidented adjective characterized by accidents Li9. accidently adverb (now rare exc. as misspelling) accidentally lme.

accidental /aksi'd£nt(3)l/ adjective & noun. lme. [Late Latin accidentals, from accident-: see prec., -al1.]

► A adjective. 1 logic. Not essential to a substance or object. LME. 2 gen. Incidental; subsidiary, lme. 3 Pertaining to chance; casual; occasional. E16. 4 Happening by chance, undesignedly, or unexpect¬ edly. LI 6. I l l 2 S. Johnson Those accidental benefits which prudence may confer on every state, accidental sharp, accidental flat, accidental natural music: signs attached to a single note to mark a temporary change in pitch, not in the key signature. 3 Shakes. Mens, for M. Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade. 4 Joyce Matthew F. Kane (accidental drowning, Dublin Bay).

► B noun. 1 Something non-essential or subsidiary. E17. 2 music. An accidental sharp, flat, or natural, mi9. 3 ORNITHOLOGY. = VAGRANT noun 3. M20.

■ acciden tally noun the quality or fact of being accidental M17. accidentally adverb f(a) non-essentially; (b) by accident: lme. accidentalness noun L17.

accidie /'aksidi/ noun.

me.

[Anglo-Norman = Old French accide from medieval Latin acridia alt. of late Latin acedia.]

Sloth, torpor, apathy. Now also, black despair. Obsolete after Ei6: revived in L19. ■ acddious adjective (rare) lme. 9

accinge/ak'smd3/ verbrefl. Now rare. Mi7. [Latin accingere gird (oneself).]

Prepare for action; apply oneself. accipiter/ak'sipita/noun. Ei9. [Latin = hawk, bird of prey.]

frl A bandage for the nose, resembling a hawk’s claw. Only in 19. 2 ornithology. Orig., any bird of prey of the order Accipitres (now called Falconiformes), which excludes owls. Now, any of the relatively short-winged, longlegged birds of prey belonging to the genus Accipiter and typified by the sparrowhawk and the goshawk. E20. ■ acdpitral adjective hawklike: rapacious; keen-sighted: Mi9.

accipitrine /ak'sipitrAin/ adjective. Mi9. [French, from Latin accipiter: see prec.. -ine'.] 1 ornithology. Pertaining to or designating birds of the

family Accipitridae, which includes most birds of prey other than owls, falcons, and New World vultures. M19. 2 Acdpitral. Li9.

3U no. e: hair. 13 near, or boy, 03 poor, m3 tire, aus sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a run. o put, u: too. a ago. ai my. ao how, ei day.

14

accite | accord accommodate s'komodeit/ verb. Mi6.

[accite verb trarts. lis. [Latin accit- pa. ppl stem of accire, from ad AC- + ciere to call: see cite verb.]

1 Summon. L15-L17. 2 Excite. L16-M17. 3 Quote. Only in M17. 03 1 G. Chapman Our heralds . accited all that were Endamag'd. 2 Jonson To accite So ravenous. an Appetite. 3 Donne Accited for examples.. in the Scriptures.

acclaim/a'klerm/ verbs,noun. Ei6. [Latin acclamare, from ad Ac- + clamare to shout, with spelling assim. to claim noun, verb.] ► A verb. J1 verb trans. Lay claim to. Scot. & north. E16-E18. 2 verb intrans. Express approval; shout applause. Ei7. 3 verb trans. Applaud, welcome enthusiastically, extol. M17. Fb verb trans. (with compl.). Hail as. M18. 4 verb trans. Shout, callout. Li7. ► B noun. 11 A claim. Scot. M16-M17.

2 Acclamation; enthusiastic praise; a shout of applause or welcome. Mi7. ■ acdaimernoun M19.

[Latin accommodat- pa. ppl stem of accommodare, from ad ac- + commodus fitting: see -ate2.] -fl verb trans. Ascribe fittingly (a thing to a person).

M16-L17. 2 verb trans. Adapt (one thing or person to another), mi6. ► |b verb intrans. Adapt oneself to. L16-L17. Fc verb trans. Adapt to; allow for; take account of; satisfy (a need etc.). lis. 3 verb trans. Equip or supply (esp. a person, with). L16. ►b verb trans. Provide lodging or room for; allow space or time for. L16. Fc verb trans. Oblige, confer a favour on. M17. 4 verb trans. Reconcile (things or persons); settle (differ¬ ences etc.); bring to agreement, n 6. Fb verb intrans. Come to terms. Mi7. 5 verb trans. Show the correspondence of (one thing to another); make or make appear consistent. Foil, by to (for unto. with). E17. f 6 verb trans. Fit (a thing) for use; repair. E17-E19. \l verb trans. Facilitate, aid. E17-E18. Ed 2 D. Brewster The power of accommodating the eye to different distances. R. W. Chapman Persien .. was accommo¬ dated to the regular -ian. C. Freeman The reason she had no social life was.. because she couldn’t accommodate herself to anyone. 3 Defoe Wax candles.. to accommodate us with light, b ]. Conrad The other buildings.. served only to accommodate the numerous household. B. Pym The space that had once accommodated the four of them. Independent Television programmes.. are always about 29 minutes long to accommodate announcements, links, etc. c M. L. King I was having press conferences three times a week—in order to accommodate the reporters and journalists. 4 Ld Macaulay The dispute had been accommodated, b Evelyn They must accommodate with His Majesty.

acclamation /akb'meij(a)n/ noun. Mi6. [Latin acclamatib(n-), from acclatnat- pa. ppl stem of acclamare: see prec., -ation.]

1 An act of acclaiming; a shout of approbation or welcome. Now usu. in pi. M16. Fb An election by acclam¬ ation (see sense 3 below). N. Amer. M20. J 2 rhetoric. A brief isolated sentence emphasizing what precedes it. M16-M17. 3 The action of acclaiming; loud or eager assent or approval; shouting in a person's honour. L16. 3 by acclamation (chiefly N. Amer.) unanimously, without need for a vote. ■ acdamatory .vklamatlsin; adjective expressing acclamation L17.

acclimate /a'klAimat/ verb trans. & intrans. Now chiefly US. lis. [French acclimater, formed as A-5 + climate.]

= acclimatize. ■ acclima tation noun (now rare) acclimatization M19. acclimatement noun (rare) E19. acclimation :kl: mc.fi.'in noun acclimatization E19.

acclimatize /s’klaimatAiz/ verb trans. & intrans. Also -ise. M19. [formed as prec. + -ize.]

Habituate, become habituated, to a new climate or environment. ■ acclimati'zation noun M19. acclimatizer noun M19.

acclivity /a'klrviti/ noun. E17. [Latin acclivitas, from acclivis, -us, from ad Ac- + clivus a slope: see -ITY.]

An ascending slope. ■ acclivitous adjective E19. acclivous adjective (now rare) [from Latin acclivus: see -ous] mis.

accloy /a'kbi/ verb trans. Noworch. rare. lme. [Old French encloer from medieval Latin indavare, from clams a nail.]

11 2 |3 4

Prick (a horse) with a nail in shoeing; lame, lme-eis. Stop up (an aperture); obstruct, clog, choke, lme. Overfill; burden, oppress. LME-E17. Disgust, become offensive to. M16.

■ accommodable adjective (now rare) able to be accommo¬ dated. suitable L16. accommodating adjective obliging; easy to deal with; compliant: L18. accommodatingly adverb E19. accommodative adjective tending or able to accommodate M19. accommodativeness noun M19 accommodator noun a person who or thing which accommodates; US a temporary domestic help: MI7. accommo’datory adjective characterized by accom¬ modation or adaptation E20.

accommodation /akDma'deiJ(a)n/ noun. Ei7. [Old & mod. French, or Latin accommodatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.]

1 Something which supplies a want or ministers to one’s comfort. E17. 2 sing. & (now US) in pi. Room and provision for the reception of people, lodgings; living premises. Ei7. 3 An arrangement of a dispute; a settlement; a com¬ promise. Mi 7. 4 The action of accommodating or the process of being accommodated; adaptation, adjustment. M17. 5 Adaptation to a different purpose, function, or meaning, eis. 6 Self-adaptation; obligingness; a favour. M18. 7 The action of supplying with what is requisite, rare. mis. 8 Pecuniary aid in an emergency; a loan. lis. 03 1 J. Reynolds The regular progress of cultivated life is from necessaries to accommodations, from accommodations to ornaments. 2 A. Powell The accommodation was a bit .. squalid. 3 H. Wilson Trying to reach an accommodation with the Libera] leader. 4 D. Brewster The accommodation of the eye to the distinct vision of external objects. W. Faulkner Wherever you could take us, it would be a big accommodation. 8 D. Runyon I do not care to extend such accommodations over any considerable period.

taccoast verb var. of accost verb.

6

jaccoil verb intrans. rare (Spenser). Only in L16. [Old French acoillir (mod. accueillir).]

Gather together, collect. accolade /'akaleid, aka'lcud, -kaol-/ noun & verb. E17. [French from Provencal acolada, ult. from Latin ad ac- + collum neck: see -aoe.]

► A noun. 1 The salutation marking the bestowal of knighthood, at different times an embrace, a kiss, or (now the usual form) a stroke on the shoulder with the flat of a sword; fig. the bestowal of praise, an acknow¬ ledgement of merit. Ei7. 2 music. A vertical line or brace, used to couple two or more staves. Ei9. £3 1 M. Beadle A Nobel Prize is the top accolade a scientist can receive.

► B verb trans. 1 Embrace or kiss in salutation, rare. 2 Confer an accolade on (lit. & fig.). M20.

Comb.: accommodation address: used on letters to a person unable or unwilling to give a permanent address: accommodation bill: for raising money on credit; accommodation ladder: allowing access between a ship’s decks, or to and from a small boat etc. alongside; accommodation paddock Austral. & NZ: for drovers to keep stock in overnight: accommodation road: giving access to a place not on a public road. ■ accommodational adjective t(a) affording (good) accommo¬ dation; (b) of or pertaining to accommodation: E19.

accompaniment/3'kAmp(3)mm(3)nt/ noun. eis. [Old & mod. French accompagnement, formed as next' see -ment.]

IM19.

1 music. The subsidiary part(s), usu. instrumental, sup¬ porting a solo instrument or voice, a choir, etc. Ei8. 2 gen. Something that accompanies; an appendage M19.

taccoll verb trans. lme-mi6. [Old French acoler, (later) accoller, (mod. accoler): cf. prec.]

Throw the arms round the neck of, embrace. accompanist /a'kAmpamst/ noun. Mi9.

accolled a ink: adjective, eis.

[from

[formed as prec. + -ed'.] heraldry. Wreathed, esp. about the neck; gorged,

accollee /a'koli/ adjective, eis.

[Old & mod. French accompagner, formed as A-s + companion noun1, later assim. to company ver6.] 11 verb trans. Add or join to. LME-L16.

2 Of two shields: placed side by side. L19. taccommodate adjective. Ei6 lis.

2 verb trans. Join or unite (a thing, Ja person) with, sup¬ plement with. lme. F|b refl. Associate or unite oneself With. LME-M17.

[Latin accommodatus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate2.]

Suited; suitable, fitting. g

get,

h he, j yes.

k cat,

1 leg,

in

man,

n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top.

CCS 2 Joyce With what meditations did Bloom accompany his demonstration? 3 Ld Berners Suche as accompanyeth with man-killers. P. Sidney To bid her go home and accompanie her solitarie father. 4 A. Christie He got up to accompany his patient to the door, fig.: P. G, Hamerton A .. dejeuner a lafourchette. accompanied by half a bottle of .. Bordeaux. 5 Day Lewis Knos would sing, accompanying herself on the harmonium. S. Hill A harmonica, which he used to accompany their songs. ■ accompanable adjective (now arch, rare) sociable, companiable M16. accompanied adjective (a) music having an instrumental accompaniment; (b) escorted; military (of a tour etc.) on which families are allowed to accompany military personnel: Li8. accompanier noun mis. accompanyist noun = accompanist Ml 9.

accomplice/a'kAmplis, a’kom-/ noun. Mi6. [Alt. of complice, prob. by assoc, with prec.]

An associate in guilt; a partner in crime. £9 joe: Shakes. 1 Hen. VI Success unto our valiant general, and happiness to his accomplices! ■ accompliceship noun (rare) the state of being an accomplice; criminal assistance: E19.

accomplish /a’kAmphJ, a'kom-/ verb. lme. [Old French acompliss- lengthened stem of acomplir (mod. acc-), ult. from Latin ad ac- + complere fill, complete: see -ish2.] 1 verb trans. Fulfil, perform, carry out. lme. Ffb verb intrans. Carry out a design, rare. L15-EI6. 2 verb trans. Bring to an end, complete, (a work), lme.

►b Reach the end of (a time, a distance). L16. 3 verb trans. Perfect in mental acquirements or personal graces; finish off. lme. 4 verb trans. Equip completely, arch. L16. 03 1 AVProv. 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soule. S. Kauffmann He had seen the man for only an hour or so, but he’d accomplished enough to make the memoran¬ dum sound as if it covered an afternoon. 2 R. Holinshed The abbeie ofAbington also he accomplished, b AVDan. 9:2 He would accomplish seuentie yeeres in the desolations of lerusalem. W. H. Prescott He had accomplished half a league or more. 3 T. Fuller Nothing accomplisheth a man more than learning. 4 Shakes. Hen. VThe armourers accom¬ plishing the knights. ■ accomplishable adjective able to be accomplished lis. accomplished adjective fulfilled; completed; perfect, esp. in acquirements; clever; well trained or educated: lme. accomplisher noun E17.

accomplishment /'o'kAmpliJm(a)nt, s’kom-/ noun. lme. [from prec. + -ment, after French accomplissement.]

1 Fulfilment, completion, consummation, lme. 2 Perfection, arch. M16. 3 An achievement, an attainment; an acquired skill. LI 6. 4 Something that finishes off or equips completely (formerly including bodily equipment); now usu. a social skill or grace (passing into sense 3). E17. accompt noun, verb, accomptant adjective & noun see account noun, verb, accountant. accord /a'k;>:d/noun. me. [Old French acord (mod. acc-), formed as next.]

1 Reconciliation; concurrence of opinion, will, or action, me. 2 A formal act of reconciliation; a treaty, me. 3 Harmonious correspondence, as of colours or tints; agreement in pitch and tone; harmony, lme. 4 Assent; consent. Long obsolete exc. in of one's own accord, of one’s own volition, lme. 5 law. An agreement to accept something in exchange for giving up the right of action. E17. 03 1 W. Cowper Harmony and family accord. Wordsworth With due accord Of busy hands and back and forward steps, tbe of accord (with), fbe at accord (with) agree (with), with one accord, fof one accord with unanimity. 3 E. Bowen I did not put place or time of the funeral in The Times; in accord with general feeling that it should be strictly private.

accord /a'ko:d/ verb. oe. [Old French acorder (mod. acc-), from Latin ad ac- after concordare concord verb.]

accompany /o'k-Amponi/ verb. lme.

[French, fern. pa. pple of accoller: see accoll.] HERALD fit. fl = ACCOLLED. E18-L19.

b but. d dog, f few,

next + -ist.]

A person who or thing which accompanies; esp. the per¬ former taking the accompanying part in music.

13 verb intrans. & trans. Keep company (with); cohabit (with). LME-M18. 4 verb trans. Convoy, escort, attend, go with (lit. & fig.). LME. 5 verb trans. music. Support (a singer, player, melody, etc.) by performing a subsidiary, usu. instrumental, part. L16. 6 verb trans. Go with as an attribute or attendant phe¬ nomenon; characterize. L17.

v van,

w we,

z zoo,

11 verb trans. Bring (persons) into agreement; reconcile (a person, oneself) with another, oe. 2 verb intrans. Come to an agreement or to terms; be at one; agree, oe. 3 verb trans. Settle (a quarrel, a difference), arch. me. 14 verb intrans. Agree, assent, consent, to. ME-E19. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

15

accordance | accredit 5 verb intrans. Of things: be in harmony, be consistent, (with). ME. |6 verb intrans. impers. in it accords, it accorded, it is or was suitable or proper. LME-M16. 17 verb trans. Agree upon, arrange. LME-L17. 8 verb trans. Agree to, grant (a request etc., to a person); award, lme. |9 verb trans. Attune (to). L16-M17. ■ accordable adjective f(o) accordant; (b) reconcilable: lme. accorder noun a person who agrees or bestows Ml9. accordment noun (now rare) reconcilement me.

accordance/a'ko:d(o)ns/noun. me. [Old French acordance, formed as prec.: see -ance.]

1 Agreement;

conformity;

harmony.

Esp.

in

in

accordance with. me.

2 The action of granting, mi 9. ■ accordancy noun a condition or state of agreement; harmony: Li 8.

accordant /a'ka:d(3)nt/ adjective, me. [Old French acordant pres, pple, formed as prec.: see -ant1.]

1 In accordance or agreement with; compatible with. Also (now rare) foil, by to. me. 2 absol. fa Agreeing in character or circumstances; suitable. ME-E17. Fb Agreeing in external action or motion; esp. (of sounds) harmonious, lme. F|c Agreeing or concurring in mind. Only in Li 6. ■ accordantly adverb lme.

according /s'ko'.dnj/ adjective & adverb, me. [from accord verb + -ing2.]

► A adjective, fl pred. Corresponding to. ME-M16. 2 absol. Agreeing in nature or action, lme. |3 Appropriate, fitting. lme-li7. £3 2 Tennyson Harder the times were.., and the accord¬ ing hearts of men Seemed harder too.

► B adverb. 1 according to, in a manner consistent with or a degree proportioned to; as formulated by, as stated by. lme. Fb absol According to circumstances, colloq. M19. 2 = accordingly 3. Now rare. L15. 3 according as. exactly as, just as; in proportion as; in a manner depending on which of certain alternatives is true. ei 6. tU 1 according to Cocker: see Cocker noun1, according to plan: see plan noun. 2 L. MacNeice In the second taxi.. the clock showed sixpence extra; he tipped according.

accordingly /o'koffiijli/ adverb, me. [from prec. + -ly2.]

tl Harmoniously, agreeably. M e-ei 6. 2 Becomingly, duly, properly. Long rare. lme. 3 In accordance with the logical premises; correspond¬ ingly. LI 6. 4 In natural sequence, in due course; so. L17. Phrases: accordingly as according as.

accordion /o'koffian/ noun & adjective, mi 9. [German Akknrdion. from Italian accordare tune (an instrument).] ► A noun. A portable musical instrument consisting of

bellows, metal reeds, and a keyboard and/or buttons. M19. See also piano accordion. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Folding like the bellows of an

accordion. L19. accordion pleat, accordion-pleated adjective, accordion wall, etc. ■ accordionist noun Li 9.

accost /a'kost/ verb & noun. L16. [French accoster from Italian accostare, ult. from Latin ad AC- + costa rib, side. Assoc, with coast.] ► A verb. Also taccoast tl verb intrans. & trans. Lie alongside, border (on).

L16-M17. f2 verb trans. Go alongside of. L16-E17. 3 verb trans. Approach for any purpose; assail, face. arch. LI 6. 4 verb trans. Approach and speak to, esp. boldly; address. Li 6. Fb verb trans. & intrans. Of a prostitute; solicit in the street. L19. ► B noun. An address, a salutation. E17. ■ accostable adjective approachable, accessible E17. accoster noun Ml9.

accouchement /a'kirJmD, foreign akujma/ noun, li 8. [French, from accoucher, formed as A-5 + couch verb: see -ment.]

Childbirth; a confinement.

■ accouche verb intrans. give birth; act as midwife: E19.

accoucheur /aku:’Jp:; foreign akujce:r (pi. same)/ noun. M18. [French, formed as prec. + -eur -or.]

A man (formerly also a woman) who acts as midwife. ■ accoucheuse /-x:z: foreign -0:7 (pi. same)/ noun a midwife E19.

account/a'kaunt/ noun. Also (arch.) accompt. me. [Anglo-Norman acunt. Old French acont, later a(c)compt, formed as next.]

1 Counting, reckoning, calculation, me. 2 A statement of moneys, goods, or services received and expended, or other receipts and outgoings, with cal-

culation of the balance. Also, a business arrangement involving the reckoning of debit or credit; esp. (a) one involving deferment of payment or (stock exchange) defer¬ ment of completion of a transaction until the next account day; (b) one involving the keeping of money or other assets in a bank etc., with the depositor having the option of withdrawal; (c) a credit arrangement with a firm, shop, etc. Also, a sum of money owed or one depos¬ ited in a bank etc. but subject to withdrawal, me. Fb A customer having such an arrangement. M20, Fc In pi. The department of a firm etc. that deals with accounts. M20. 3 A statement as to the discharge of any responsibility; an answering for conduct, me. 4 Estimation, importance; consideration, lme. 5 A particular statement of the administration of money in trust or required by a creditor. Ei6. 6 MW. A writ or action against a bailiff, receiver, partner, etc., who wrongfully refuses to render account of money received. Ei6. 7 A narration, a report, a description; a performance (of a piece of music etc.). E17. 8 A reckoning in one’s favour; advantage. E17. 9 The preparing of a statement of money transactions. M17. 12 IT. Hardy My accompt of years outscored her own. 2 Thackeray Pen thought of opening an account with a banker. 4 Jonson A Scholler.. of good accompt. Stevie Smith You are only one of many And of small account if any. 5 Goldsmith To give in his accompts to the masters of the temple. 7 E. V. Lucas Has any reader ever found perfect accuracy in the newspaper account of any event of which he himself had inside knowledge? 9 Gibbon The actual account employed several hundred persons. Phrases: faccount current = current account below, budget account an account at a shop etc. with revolving credit and regular payments, by all accounts in everyone’s opinion, call to account see call verb, cast accounts make calculations, current account an account at a bank allowing withdrawal of money on demand, now usu. also providing the depositor with means of authorizing withdrawal of money by others, deposit account an account at a bank usu. paying interest and not able to be drawn upon without notice or requiring the depositor to apply for repayment in person, for account of to be accounted for to (a person), for the account stock exchange not for cash, but for settlement on the next account day. give a good account of be successful with; do justice to. go to one's account die. joint account: held by two or more people in conjunction, keep accounts record expenditure for comparison with income, lay one's account with, lay one's account on. lay one's account for (orig. Scot.) reckon upon, expect, leave out of account not take into consideration, disregard, tmake account reckon, resolve, expect (that, to do), make account of esteem, money of account a denomination of money used in reckoning, but not current as coins etc. nominal account: see nominal adjective, numbered account see number verb, on account to be accounted for at the final settlement; not to be paid for immediately; as interim payment, on account of (a) because of; |{b) concerning, on no account under no circum¬ stances; certainly not. on one’s own account for one’s own purpose and at one’s own risk, on someone’s account so that it is chargeable to him or her; to benefit him or her. render an account, send in an account give a statement of money due. settle accounts (with), square accounts (with) receive or pay the balance due (from or to); fig. have revenge (on), take account of. take into account take into consideration, notice. turn to account, turn to good account: see turn verb, unit of account: see unit noun1, vote on account: see vote noun 5. Comb.: account book a book prepared for the keeping of accounts; account day a day of reckoning; stock exchange the day on which accounts are settled; account executive = accounts executive below; accounts department = sense 2c above; accounts executive a business executive, esp. in advertising, who manages a client’s account.

account /s'kaunt/ verb. Also (arch.) accompt.

me.

[Old French acunter, aconter, formed as A-5 + count verb.] ► I |1 verb trans. Count, enumerate. ME-E17. Fb verb intrans. Perform the act of counting, lme-lis. 2 verb intrans. Render or receive an account, me. Fb verb trans. Render account of. E17. 3 fa verb trans. Calculate, compute; include in a reckon¬ ing. LME-E19. Fb verb trans. Reckon, credit, to, unto. lme. 4 verb trans. Reckon, estimate (to be so and so), consider,

regard as.

lme.

Q3 1 b Adam Smith Able to read, write, and account. 2 Burke Paymasters .. who have never been admitted to account, b M. Pattison All receipts should be accounted to a finance committee. 3a TREViSAThe Grekes acounte tyme and yeres fro the fyrst Olympias. Southey Wales, Scotland, and Ireland ought to be accounted with England. 4 AV Rom. 8:36 We are accounted as sheepe for the slaughter. A. Hecht Trajan, of his imperial peers Accounted 'the most just’.

►|II 5 verb trans. & intrans. Recount, narrate. ME-L16. With prepositions in specialized senses: account for (a) give a reckon¬ ing of (money held in trust); answer for (conduct, performance of duty, etc.); (b) explain the cause of, serve as an explanation of; (c) constitute a specified total, proportion, etc., in a reckoning; (d) be responsible for the death, defeat, dismissal, etc., of. account of esteem, value; think (much, little, nothing, etc.) of; (now only in pass.), account to put (something) to the credit of, attribute to.

a cat, a: arm, 0 bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see. o hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. ao how, ei day. ;

m faccounter noun ME-M17.

accountable /a'kauntob^)!/ adjective, lme. [Anglo-Norman acountable (Old French acomptable): see prec -ABLE.]

1 Liable to be called to account; responsible (to persons,/orthings). lme. f 2 Able to be computed. Only in L16. f3 To be counted on. E17-E18. 4 Explicable; able to be accounted/or. M17. f5 Attributable to. Only in Li 7. ■ accountability noun L18. accountableness noun M17. accountably adverb M17.

accountancy /a’kaont(a)nsi/ noun. Mi9. [from next; see -ancy.]

The profession or duties of an accountant, creative accountancy: see creative 1.

accountant /p'kaunt(3)nt/ adjective & noun. Also (arch.) accompt- lme. [Law French, use verb, -ant'.]

of

pres, pple of Old French aconter. see account

►t A adjective. Giving or liable to give an account, (rare after M17.) LME-E19. ► B noun. 1 A person who is accountable or responsible; MW the defendant in an action of account, lme. 2 A professional keeper and inspector of accounts; an officer in a public office who has charge of the accounts. LME. 3 gen. A person who reckons or calculates, arch. M17. 2 certified public accountant, chartered accountant, etc. turf accountant: see turf noun. ■ accountantship noun (a) the position or employment of an accountant; f(b} accountancy: M17.

accounting/o'kauntir)/noun. lme. [from account

verb + -ing1.]

1 Reckoning, counting. Now spec, the process or art of keeping and verifying accounts, lme. 2 Foil, by for: giving a satisfactory explanation of, answering for. L18. 03 1 cost accounting: see cost noun2, creative accounting: see creative 1. current cost accounting: see current adjective. 2 Proverb: There is no accounting for tastes.

Comb.: accounting period a period of time for which accounts are presented.

taccouple verb trans. L15-M17. [Old French acopler (mod. decoupler), formed

as a-5, couple

verb.]

Join (one thing) to another, couple. accouplement/3'kAp(a)lm(3)nt/ noun. Now rare. lis. [from

prec. +

-ment.]

(A) coupling, esp. in marriage. taccourage verb trans. m-li6. [Old French aco(u)ragicrvar.

of

encouragier encourage.]

Encourage. jaccourt verb trans. literary. L16-E17. [from A-1 + court verb.]

Court. accoutre /o'kiuto/ verb trans. Also *-ter. Mi6. [Old & mod. French accoutrer. formed

as A-s

+ couture.]

Attire, equip, esp. with special costume. Chiefly as accoutred ppl adjective.

accoutrement /3'ku:t3m(o)nt, -tra-/ noun. Also *-terl-to-l. M16. [French, formed as prec.: see -ment.] 1 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Apparel, equipment, trappings; military a soldier’s outfit other than arms and garments.

M16. 2 The process of accoutring or being accoutred. L16. B3 1 M. McCarthy A mere padded form .. on which clothes and other accoutrements were tried. I. Fleming The usual accoutrements of a busy organization—In and Out baskets, telephones.

taccoy verb trans. lme-mi7. [Old French acoter, formed as A-s +

coy

adjective.]

Calm, quiet; coax; daunt. accra /'akra, a'kra:/ noun. Also akkra, akara /s'karo/, & other vars. Li9. [Yoruba akara bean cake.]

A W. African and W. Indian fritter made with blackeyed peas or a similar pulse. Also, a W. Indian fritter made with mashed fish. accredit /o'kredit/ verb trans. Ei7. [French accrediter, formed as A-5 + credit noun.]

1 Gain belief or influence for; set forth as credible; vouch for; recommend to official recognition. E17. 2 Furnish (a person) with credentials; authorize as an envoy. L18. 3 Attribute to; credit with, mi9, no. e: hair, ra near, 01 boy, us poor, ais tire, aos sour

16

accresce j ace accumulate /a'kjmmjuleit/ verb. ns.

■ accreditation noun recommendation to credit or official recognition E19. accredited adjective officially recognized; gener¬ ally accepted, orthodox; having guaranteed quality: M17.

[Latin accumulat- pa. ppl stem of accumulare. from ad ac- + cumulus a heap: see -ate3.]

[accresce verbintrans. Orig. Scot. Mi6. [Latin accrescere, from ad ac- + crescere grow.] 1 Increase or grow by addition. Mi6 M18. 2 Fallor accrue to. L16-L19. accrescent/3'kres(3)nt/ adjective. Mi9. (Latin accrescent- pres, ppl stem of accrescere: see prec.. -ent.]

Growing continuously; spec, in botany, continuing to grow after flowering. ■ accrescence noun continuous growth; an accretion: M17. accrescency noun an accretion M17.

1 verb intrans. Grow together, combine; grow by adhe¬ sion or coalescence of or from smaller bodies; adhere or become attached to or on to. L18. 2 verb trans. Cause to grow or unite to; draw or attract to oneself or itself. L19. ■ accrete adjective formed by accretion; made up, factitious: E19. accretive adjective accretionary M17.

accretion a'kri:J(a)n/noun. Ei7. [Latin ara-etio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ion.] 1 Growth by organic enlargement. E17. 2 Growth by external addition. E17.

3 The growing of separate things into one. M17. kb The product of such growing together. L19. 4 A thing that adheres so as to cause increase; an extra¬ neous addition. M17. 5 The adhesion of external matter or things so as to cause increase. E18. 6 mw. a = accession 4. Mi9. kb The increase of an inheritance or legacy by the addition of the share of a failing co-heir or co-legatee. L19. Comb.: accretion disc astronomy a rotating disc of matter which may form around a large star etc., esp. one in a binary system, under the influence of gravity. ■ accretionary adjective characterized or formed by accretion M19. accroach /a'krautf/ verb. me. [Old French acrochier (later acc-) hook in: see A-5 and cf. Old French troche a hook.]

1 verb trans. Draw to oneself, acquire. Now rare or obsolete exc. in accroach to oneself, seize what is not one's own, usurp (authority etc.). ME. 2 verb intrans. Encroach, rare. lme. ■ accroachment noun Ei7. accrue /a'kru:/ verb. lme. [Prob. from Anglo-Norman accru(e), Old French accreu(e) pa. pple of acreistre from Latin accrescere: see accresce.]

1 verb intrans. Come (to a person) as a natural growth or increment, or as an accession or advantage, lme. 2 verb intrans. Arise or spring [from, for by, of) as a natural growth or result. Used esp. of interest on invested money and (mw) of the coming into existence of a possible cause of action. L16. 3 verb trans. Gather up, collect. 116. 14 verb intrans. Grow, increase. Only in 17. ■ accrual noun accruement; uw = accretion 6b: L19. accruement noun the action of accruing; a thing that accrues or has accrued: E|7. accruer noun (uw) = accretion 6b M19. accubation /akju'beij(a)n/ noun. Mi7. [Latin accubatio{n-), from ad ac- + cubat- pa. ppl stem of cubare to lie: see -ation.] 11 The posture of reclining, esp. at table. M-L17. 2 = accouchement, rare. Li9. acculturation /akAltju’reijfajn, -tja-/ noun. Li9. [from ac- + culture noun + -ation.)

1 The action of accumulating something, ns. the growth of capital by the continued addition of inter¬ est. LI 5. 3 An accumulated mass; a quantity formed by succes¬ sive additions. Lis. 4 The combination of several acts or exercises into one; spec, the taking of higher and lower university degrees together, mi8. 1 primitive accumulation, primitive socialist accumulation: see primitive adjective & noun. accumulative /a'kjuimjubtiv/ adjective. Mi7. [from accumulate verb + -ive.] 1 Arising from accumulation; cumulative, mi7. 2 Given to accumulating or hoarding. E19. 3 So constituted as to accumulate. Mi9. ■ accumulatively adverb M17. accumulativeness noun M19. accumulator /a'kju:mjuleit3/ noun. E17. [formed as prec. + -or.]

1 A person who accumulates things. E17. 2 A person who takes degrees by accumulation. L17.

3 A thing that accumulates something; spec, (a) a rechargeable electric cell, a secondary battery; (b) a storage register in a computer. Mi9. 4 A bet placed on a sequence of events, the winnings from each being staked on the next. E20. accuracy /'akjorasi/ noun. Mi7. [from next: see -ACY.]

1 The state of being accurate; precision, correctness. M17. 2 The degree of refinement in measurement or specifi¬ cation. as given by the extent of conformity with a stand¬ ard or true value. Cf. precision noun 2C. M20. accurate /'akjurat/ adjective. Li6. [Latin accuratus pa. pple & adjective, from accurate, from ad Ac- + cura care: see -ate3.]

1 Of a thing or a person: exact or correct, as the result of care. Li6. [2 gen. Executed with care. E17-M18. 3 Of a thing: in exact conformity with a standard or with truth, mi7. ■ accurately adverb with careful exactness; without error or defect: Ei7. accurateness noun E17.

jaccurre verb intrans. & trans. MI6-M17. [Latin accurrere, from ad ac- + currere run.]

Run together, meet. accurse /s'kais/ verb trans. arch. Pa. pple accursed, -st. ME. [from a-1 + curse verb.]

Utter against (a person or thing) words intended to consign their object to destruction, divine vengeance, misery, etc. (= curse verb l). ■ accursed /-sid, -st/, -st adjective under a curse; deserving or bringing a curse or misery; execrable, detestable; (= cursed adjective i, 2, 3): me. accursedly -idli/ adverb E17. accursedness /-idms/noun L16.

taccurtation noun, lis-lis.

Adoption of or adaptation to an alien culture. ■ a cculturali zation noun = acculturation M20. a cculturate

verb trans. & intrans. (cause to) undergo acculturation M20. acculturational adjective M20. acculturative adjective involving or producing acculturation M20. a cculturi zation noun = acculturation L2o. a cculturize verb trans. cause to undergo acculturation Li9.

[medieval Latin accurtatiojn-), from accurtat- pa. ppl stem of acoirtare, from ad ac- + curtus short: see -ation.] = abbreviation.

accusant /3'kju:z(a)nt/ noun. Now rare. lme. [Obsolete French, or Latin accusant-, accusans pres, pple (used as noun) of accusare accuse: see -ant'.]

An accuser.

accumbent WkAmbant/ noun & adjective. Mi7. [Latin accumbent- pres, ppl stem of accumbere, from ad ac- + -cumbere: see cumbent.]

► A noun. A person who reclines, or gen. is, at table, rare. M17.

► B adjective. 1 Reclining at table, rare. E18. 2 botany. Of a cotyledon: lying edgewise against the folded radicle in the seed. Cf. incumbent adjective. E19. taccumber verb trans. ME-M17. [Var. of encumber verb.]

Encumber, overwhelm, crush. accumulate /a'kjuimjobt/ adjective, mib. [Latin accumulatus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate-.]

Heaped up, collected. «! Formerly adjective and pple; as pple now replaced by accu¬ mulated. f few. g get,

(Latin accumulatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation. Cf. Old & mod. French accumulation.] 2 The process of growing in amount or number; spec.

accrete /a'kri:t/ verb. Lis. [Latin accret- pa. ppl stem of accrescere: see accresce.]

b but, d dog,

1 verb trans. Heap up; gradually get an increasing number or quantity of; produce or acquire thus. Freq. fig. as. 2 verb trans. Take (degrees) by accumulation. Now rare. L17. 3 verb intrans. Form an increasing mass or quantity (lit. & fig.), mis. accumulation /.rkjmmjoieifffiln/ noun. ns.

h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg,

n

accusation /akjo'zeiJ(3)n/ noun. lme. [Old French from Latin accusatio(n-), from accusat- pa. ppl stem of accusare accuse: see -ation.]

1 The act of accusing; the state of being accused, lme. 2 A charge of an offence or crime; an indictment, lme. accusative /a'kju:zatrv/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old & mod. French accusatif, -ive or Latin accusativus (sc. casus case), from accusat-: see prec., -ive.]

► A adjective. 1 grammar Designating, being in, or pertain¬ ing to a case in inflected languages expressing primarily destination, hence a case expressing the object of transi¬ tive verbs (i.e. the destination of the verbal action); in uninfiected languages occas. designating the relation in which the object stands, lme. 2 [from accuse.] Accusatory, rate. lme. ► B noun, grammar The accusative case; a word, form, etc. in the accusative case. lme. man.

n no,

p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo,

accusative absolute (o) in German, a construction comprising an accusative noun and a predicate with no finite verb, usu. able to be construed as a modifier of the principal verb; (b) in English, a colloquial form of the nominative absolute construc¬ tion with a pronoun in the objective case, cognate accusative: see cognate adjective. ■ accusatival /-’tAiv(a)l/ adjective pertaining to the accusative case Mi9. accusatively adverb mis.

accusatorial /akjuiza'toinal/ adjective. Ei9. [formed as next + -al1.]

Of a system of criminal procedure: in which the facts are ascertained by the judge or jury from evidence pre¬ sented by the prosecution and the defence. Opp. inquisitorial. m accusatorial^ adverb in an accusatorial manner; by means of a formal accuser: Mi9.

accusatory /t>'kju:z3t(a)ri/ adjective, lme. [Latin accusatorius, from accusat-: see accusation, -ory3.]

Of the nature of an accusation; accusatorial. accuse /a'kju:z/ verb & noun. me. [Old French acuser, (also mod.) accuser from Latin accusare call to account, from ad ac- + causa cause noun.] ► A verb trans. 1 Charge with a fault; blame, me.

2 Charge with the crime or fault of (for for, in, upon, with). ME. 3 Betray, disclose, arch. lme. ffl 1 AV Prov. 30:10 Accuse not a seruant vnto his master. 2 M. Drabble You .. accused me of affectation. 3 Milton This wording.. accuses the whole composure to be con¬ scious of some other Author.

►|B noun. (An) accusation. lme-mi7. ■ accusable adjective liable to be accused; open to an accus¬ ation of. E16. accusal noun (an) accusation L16. accused ppl adjective & noun (a) adjective charged with a crime or fault; (b) noun the prisoner at the bar: L15. taccusement noun the action of accusing; an accusation: lme-eis. accuser noun a person who accuses or blames someone; esp. a person who accuses someone in a court of justice: me. accusing adjective blaming, reproachful Li6. accusingly adverb Li6.

accustom /a'kAstom/ verb & noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman aoistumer, Old French acost- (mod. accout-), formed as a-5 + custom noun.]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. Foil, by to, [with: make (oneself or another, or a thing) used to or familiar with. lme. ►tb verb intrans. Be wont to. M16-M17. 12 verb trans. Make customary or familiar; practise habit¬ ually. Usu. in pass. H5-M18. 13 verb intrans. Become or be familiar; mix or act famil¬ iarly. M16-L17. £□ 1 G. B. Shaw Time to accustom myself to our new rela¬ tions. V. Woolf The eyes accustom themselves to twilight and discern the shapes of things in a room. M. McCarthy We accustomed him to noise, b Evelyn Those.. who .. accustom to wash their heads. 2 C. Marlowe Such cere¬ monious thanks. As parting friends accustom on the shore. 3 raccustom to frequent, faccustom with consort or cohabit with.

►fB noun. Custom; habituation. LME-M17. ■ taccustomable adjective habitual, customary lme-mis. taccustomably adverb habitually, customarily LME-E19. taccustomance noun customary use or practice LME-M19. accustomary adjective (arch.) usual, customaiy Mi6. accusto mation noun (rare) habitual practice or use; being accus¬ tomed to: El 7.

accustomed /a’kAstomd/ adjective, lme. [from accustom verb + -ed\] 1 Made customary; wonted, used; usual, lme. f2 Frequented by customers. L17-L19. £□ 1 Shelley The accustomed nightingale still broods On her accustomed bough, accustomed to used to, in the habit of. 2 Smollett A well accustomed shop. ■ accustomedly adverb Ei7. accustomedness noun mi7. AC/DC abbreviation.

Alternating current/direct current (lit., or fig. (slang) bisexual). ace /eis/ noun, verb, & adjective, me. [Old & mod. French as from Latin as unity.]

► A noun. 1 The ‘one’ on dice, later also on playing-cards or dominoes; a throw of‘one’, or a card etc. so marked (in some card-games reckoned as of the highest value), me. kb In tennis etc.: an unretumable shot, now spec, a service that an opponent fails to touch; a point scored. Ei9. >c goif. A hole in one E20. 2 fig. A single point; a jot, a particle, an atom; a hair’s breadth. E16.

3 a In the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45: a pilot who brought down many enemy aircraft. E20. kb gen. A person who excels at something. E20. CQ 1 ambs-ace. deuce ace [Old French] two aces at one throw (now taken as deuce + ace = 2 +1; so trey ace. sice ace. etc.), an ace up one's sleeve. IV. Amer. an ace in the hole something effective in reserve, play one’s ace use one’s best resource. 2 bate an ace arch, make the slightest abatement, within an ace of on the very point of, within a hair s breadth of. 3b P. G. Wodehouse George Bevan’s all right. He’s an ace.

J she,

3 vision.

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

17

-acean|achatour Comb.: ace-high adjective (N. Amec colloq.) highly valued. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. a In tennis etc.: score an ace against (an opponent). L19. Fb cotf. Complete (a hole) in one stroke. M20.

2 verb trans. & intrans. Achieve the top grade in (an exam¬ ination etc.). Also foil, by out. N. Amer. slang. M20. 2 ace it achieve the top grade.

► C adjective. First-class, excellent, colloq. mo. -acean /'eij(a)n/ suffix. [from Latin -acea neut. pi. of -aceus -aceous + -an.]

Forming adjectives or nouns from names of zoological classes etc. ending in -acea, as crustacean. acedia /s'skdia/ noun. E17. [Late Latin acedia from Greek akedia, from a- a-10 + kedos care, concern.] = ACCIDIE.

Aceldama/a'ksldama, a'sel-/ noun. M17. [Greek Akeldama from Aramaic haqel demd field of blood: see Acts 1:19.]

A field of bloodshed; a scene of slaughter, acellular/ei'seljuta/ adjective. M20. [from A-10 + CELLULAR.]

Not divided into cells, acentric 'ei'sentrik/ adjective. Mi9. [from A-'° + CENTRIC.]

Without a centre. -aceous /'eijss/ suffix. [from Latin -aceus of the nature of, belonging to: see -eous, -ous.]

Forming adjectives from Latin words in -aceus etc., spec, in botany from names of plant families ending in fern. pi. form -aceae. Acephali /a'sefaUi, -li:/ noun pi. L16. [medieval Latin (Isidore), pi. of acephalus: see next.]

1 Imaginary men or animals without heads. Now rare or obsolete. Li 6. 2 ecclesiastical history. Any of various Christian bodies which owned either no leader or no earthly head. Li 6. acephalous/ei'seffajbs, - kef-/ adjective, mis. [from medieval Latin acephalus from Greek akephalos, from a- A-10 + kephale head: see -ous.] 1 gen. Headless, mis.

2 Having or recognizing no governing head or chief. mis. 3 zoology. Having no part of the body organized as a head. mis.

4 Lacking the beginning, as an imperfect manuscript or verse, mis. ■ ace phalic adjective = acephalous mi?, acephaly noun absence of a head. esp. as a congenital malformation M20.

acer I'eiss/ noun. Li9. [Latin = maple.]

A tree or shrub of the large genus Acer, which includes the maples and the European sycamore, aceramic /eisi'ramik/ adjective. M20. [from a-10 + ceramic adjective.] archaeology. Of a culture: having no pottery,

acerb /a'sa:b/ adjective. Ei7. [Latin acerbus: cf. French ocerbe.]

= ACERBIC. ■ acerbly adverb M20.

acerbate /a'sa-.bat/ adjective. M19. [formed as next: see -ate2.]

Embittered; exasperated, acerbate /'asabeit/ verb trans. mis. [Latin acerbat- pa. ppl stem of acerb are, formed as acerb: see -ATE3.]

Sour, embitter; exasperate, acerbic/3'sa:bik/ adjective. Mi9. [formed as acerb + -ic.]

Astringently sour, harsh-tasting; fig. bitter and sharp, esp. in speech, manner, or temper. ■ acerbically adverb L20.

acerbity /s'ssibiti/ noun. Li6. [French acerbite or Latin acerbttas: see acerb, -ity.]

1 Bitterness and sharpness, keen harshness, (of charac¬ ter, manner, speech, etc.). L16. 2 Sourness of taste, with astringency. Ei7. 3 A bitter experience; a harsh or sharp comment etc. E17. acerebral /ei’seribr(3)l/ adjective, mo. [from A-'° + cerebral adjective.]

Brainless; unintelligent; unthinking. acerose /'asaraos/ adjective, eis. [Latin acerosus, from acer-, acus chaff: see -ose'. In sense 2 erron. referred toaors needle, or acer sharp.]

fl Chaffy. Only in Diets. E18-L19. 2 botany. Needle-shaped and rigid. Now rare. mis. acervation /ass'veiJYaJn/ noun. Li7. [Latin acervatio(n-), from acervat- pa. ppl stem of accrvare heap up, from acervus heap: see -ation.]

The action of heaping up; an accumulation.

■ acervate h'so.vot/ adjective heaped, growing in clusters M19. acervuljne /a'ssrvjolAin/ adjective in the form of little heaps M19.

acervulus /a'sa.vjobs/ noun. PL -li /-Lai, -li:/. E19. [mod. Latin, dim. of Latin acervus heap: see -ule.] 1 anatomy. In full acervulus cerebri /'ssribraj, = brainsand s.v. brain noun. Now rare or obsolete. Ei9. 2 botany. A flat mass of fungal conidiophores embedded in the tissue of the host plant. L19.

acescent /o'sss(3)nt/ adjective, mis. [French, or Latin acescent- pres, ppl stem of acescere become sour: see -ESCENT.]

Turning sour; tending to turn acid; somewhat sour (lit. & fa-)-

■ acescence noun tire act of turning sour, acetous fermenta¬ tion L17. acescency noun tendency to sourness; incipient or slight acidity: mis.

acesulfame/asi'sAlfeim/noun. L20. [Origin uncertain; see sulf-.)

A white crystalline sulphur-containing heterocyclic compound, C4H5N04S, used as a low-calorie artificial sweetener, esp. in the form of a potassium salt (acesuifame-K) acet- combining form see aceto-. acetable /'asitab(3)l/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lis. [formed as next.]

= next. acetabulum /asi'tabjobm/ noun. PL -la /-la/, lme. [Latin, from acetum vinegar + -abulum denoting a container.] 1 roman antiquities. A cup to hold vinegar at table; a liquid measure of the capacity of such a cup. lme. 2 anatomy, a The socket of the hip-bone, with which the head of the femur articulates. Li6. Fb A sucker pos¬ sessed by some cephalopods, trematodes, etc. M17.

acetal /'asital/ noun. M19.

[from aceto- + -genic.] microbiology. Forming or producing acetic acid, esp. as a

metabolic by-product. acetone /'asitsun/ noun, mi9. [from acet(ic + -one.] chemistry. A fragrant volatile liquid ketone, CH3COCH3,

obtained chiefly by the dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol and widely used as a solvent; propanone. ■ aceto naemia noun (medicine) = ketosis M19. aceto nuria noun KETONURIA L19.

(MEDICINE) =

acetous /s'sittss/ adjective, lme. [from late Latin acetosus, from acetum vinegar: see -ous.]

Having the qualities of vinegar; producing vinegar; sour. 5 Rare before lis.

acetyl /'asitAil, -til/ noun. M19. [from acet(ic + -yl. ] chemistry. The radical -COCH3, derived from acetic acid. Usu. in comb. Comb. : acetylcholine the acetyl ester of choline and a major neurotransmitter; acetylcholinesterase, a cholinesterase that causes rapid hydrolysis of acetylcholine after transmission of an impulse; acetyl coenzyme A the acetyl ester of coenzyme A, involved as an acetylating agent in many biochemical processes; abbreviation acetyl CoA: acetylsalicylic acid the acetyl deriva¬ tive of salicylic acid, C,H,04 (cf. aspirin); acetyl silk acetate silk.

acetylation /sset 1'leij(s)n/ noun. Li9. [from prec. + -ation.] chemistry. A reaction or process in which one or more

acetyl groups are introduced into a molecule. ■ a'cetylate verb trans. subject (a compound) to acetylation L19. a cetylator noun (biochemistry) an individual capable ofmetabolic acetylation (at a specified characteristic rate) M20.

acetylene/s'sEtilim/noun. M19.

[from acet(ic + -al2.] chemistry. 1 An odoriferous

liquid, CH3CH(OC2Hs)2, formed by reaction of acetaldehyde and ethyl alcohol. Also, any other compound with one hydrogen atom and two alkoxy groups attached to the same carbon atom. Also gen. = ketal. M19. 2 = POLYOXYMETHYLENE. M20. acetaldehyde /asit'aldihAid/ noun. M19. [from acet(ic + aldehyde.] chemistry. A volatile pungent liquid, CH3CH0, obtained

by the oxidation of ethyl alcohol; ethanal. acetamide/a'sidsmAid, a'sst-/ noun. Mi9. [from acet(yl + amide.] chemistry. The amide of acetic acid, a crystalline solid,

CH3CONH2. acetanilide /asit'anrlAid/ noun. Mi9. [from acet(yl + anil(ine + -ide.] chemistry. A crystalline solid, C6H5NHCOCH3, obtained by

acetylation of aniline.

[formed as prec. + -ene.] chemistry. A gaseous hydrocarbon, C2H2, which bums

with a bright flame, used in welding and (esp. formerly) for illumination; ethyne. ■ acety lenic adjective containing the carbon-carbon triple bond characteristic of acetylene and the alkynes L19. acetylide noun a saltlike derivative of acetylene formed by replacement of one or both of the hydrogen atoms by a metal M19.

ach /a:x, foreign ax/ interjection, lis. [Celtic, German. & Dutch.]

Ah! Achaean /o'ki:an/ adjective & noun. Also Achaian /a'kAian/. Mi6. [from Latin Achaeus from Greek Akhaios, from Akhaia Achaea, + -AN.]

Of or pertaining to, a native or inhabitant of, Achaea (in Homer a name of Greece generally, later a district of the Peloponnese). Achaemenian /aki’menisn/ adjective & noun. eis. [from Latin Achaemenius, from Greek Akhaimenes Achaemenes. reputed ancestor of Cyrus: see -IAN.]

acetate /'asiteit/ noun. lis. [from acet(ic + -ate1.] 1 chemistry. A salt or ester of acetic acid. lis.

2 The cellulose ester of acetic acid, in the form of an artificial fibre or a plastic. E20. Fb A disc coated with cel¬ lulose acetate, for direct recording by a cutting stylus; any direct-cut disc. M20. Fc A clear plastic film of cellu¬ lose acetate, used in photography, as a display medium, etc.; a sheet of this. M20. 2 Freq. attrib.. as acetate fibre, acetate rayon, acetate silk.

acetic b'si:tik, o' set-/ adjective, lis. [French acetique, from Latin acetum vinegar: see -ic.] 1 chemistry, acetic acid, a weak acid, CH3COOH. of which

vinegar is a crude dilute solution, and which when pure and anhydrous (glacial acetic acid) can be obtained as colourless crystals melting at i6.7°C; ethanoic acid. Lis. 2 Pertaining to or producing acetic acid. L19. 2 acetic anhydride a liquid, (CH,C0),0, the anhydride of acetic acid.

acetify /a'setrfAi, s'si:t-/ verb trans. Mi9. [from Latin acetum vinegar + -I- + -FY.]

Subject to fermentation producing acetic acid; convert into vinegar. ■ acetifi cation noun the process of acetifying Mis. acetifier noun an apparatus in which vinegar is produced mi9.

aceto- b'sidao, 'asitaoI combining form of acetic, acetyl: see -o-. Before a vowel also acet-.

■ acetoa cetic adjective: acetoacetic acid, an acid, CHjCOCHjCOOH, present in the urine of diabetics, and when pure a viscous unstable liquid L19. aceto acetate noun a salt or ester of this acid L19. acetonitrile, f-il noun a toxic odoriferous liquid, CHjCN; methyl cyanide; Mi9.

acetobacterb^idafol'bakta, asi-/noun. M20. [mod. Latin (see below), formed as aceto- + bacter(ium.]

A bacterium that oxidizes organic compounds to acetic acid (as in vinegar formation), esp. one of the genus Acetobacter.

cat. a: arm, £ bed. x her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot, d: saw. a run, u put, u: too.

acetogenicb(si:t3(o)'d3Emk, asil-/adjective. L20.

0

Of or pertaining to, a member of, the dynasty that ruled in ancient Persia from the time of Cyrus the Great (d. 529 bc) until the death of Darius III (330 bc). ■ Also Achaemenid /.VkLmsnid/ adjective & noun [-id3] E20. Achaian adjective & noun var. of Achaean. achalasia /aks'leizjs/ noun. E20. [from A-1" + Creek khalasis, from khalan relax: see -ia'.] physiology. Failure of the muscles of the lower part of the oesophagus to relax, which prevents food from passing into the stomach. achar/Alfa:/ noun. Li6. [Ult. from Persian debar.]

Pickles, as prepared in the Indian subcontinent. ta-char adverb & pred. adjective var. of ajar adverb1 & pred. adjective1.

aebarnement /ajarnsma, s'Jammfi/ noun. mis. [French, from achamer give a taste of flesh (to dogs etc.): see -ment.]

Bloodthirsty fury; ferocity; gusto. acharya/a:'tJa:rj3/noun. E19. [Sanskrit dcarya master, teacher.]

In the Indian subcontinent, (a title given to) a spiritual teacher or leader; tronsf. an influential mentor. achate /'akat/ noun', arch. me. [Old French ac(h)ate from Latin achates: see agate noun.]

An agate. ■[achate noun2 var. of acate. f achater noun var. of acatour. Achates /s'keitkz/ noun, literary. Li6. [The faithful friend of Aeneas (Virgil Aeneid vi. 158 etc.).]

A devoted follower; a loyal friend and companion. Also fidus Achates. j achatour. achatry nouns see acatour.

ago. ai my. ao how. ei day, su no, e: hair, is near, or boy, uo poor.

\is tire, aua sour

18

ache | acidify [Old English zee, from ache verb: see note below.]

A continuous or prolonged dull pain, physical or mental. aches and pains coHoq. minor ailments and physical discom¬ forts. «J The hist pronunc. is /-tj/, with palatalization as in parallel noun forms {bake, batch, speak, speech, etc.). This was prevalent until Ei9. though the noun began to be conf. with the verb as /-k/ about 1700. In the north, where there was no palatalization, ake as the noun is evidenced in lme. See also note s.v. ache verb.

tache noun2. me-ei7. [Old & mod. French from Latin opium parsley, from apis bee (attracted to the plant).]

Smallage; parsley. tache noun3 var. of aitch.

Suffer or be the source of continuous or prolonged dull pain or mental distress. ta S. Richardson Does not your heart ake for your Harriet? Sherwood Anderson I ached to see that race. T. Sharpe The joints in his knees ached.

Comb.: Achilles heel. Achilles’ heel a person's only vulnerable spot, a weak point; Achilles tendon the tendon attaching the heel to the calf muscles. ■ Achillean adjective resembling Achilles, invulnerable L16. [mod. Latin (see below) from Greek akhaimenis a kind of plant.]

Any of various herbaceous perennial plants of the Central American genus Achimenes (family Gesneriaceae), cultivated for their tubular or trumpet¬ shaped flowers.

► A noun. PI. same. 1 A member of a Muslim people of northern Sumatra. L17. 2 The Austronesian language of this people. Li9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Achinese or their lan¬ guage. LI 8.

[from mod. Latin achaenium, irreg. from Greek a- A-10 + khainein gape.] botany. A small dry one-seeded fruit which does not open

to liberate the seed. Acheron /'akaron/ noun. Ei6. In Greek mythology, one of the rivers of Hades; the infernal regions. ■ AcheTontic adjective of or pertaining to Acheron, infernal; gloomy; on the brink of death: Li6.

Acheulean /a'Judran/ adjective & noun. Also -ian. E20.

achiral /ei'kAior(3)l/ adjective. M20.

a cheval /a Javal, a: Ja'va:l/ adverbial phr. M19. [French = on horseback.]

Of a crystal, molecule, etc.: superposable on its mirror image.

[Old & mod. French achever come or bring to a head or end, from phr. a chief, see a-5, chief noun.] 1 verb trans. Accomplish; carry out successfully. ME. f2 verb trans. Finish, terminate. lme-li6. |3 verb intrans. Come to an end; result, turn out.

LME-M16. 4 verb trans. Succeed in gaining; acquire by effort; reach (an end etc.), lme. 5 verb intrans. a Be successful; attain a desired end or level of performance. L15. ►|b Attain successfully to. L15-L16.

A knee-length coat, buttoned in front, worn by men in the Indian subcontinent.

[from prec. + -ment or from Old & mod. French achievement.]

1 Completion, accomplishment. Li 5. 2 heraldry. Orig., an escutcheon or armorial device, esp. one granted in memory of a distinguished feat; also = hatchment. Now, a representation of all the armorial devices to which a bearer of arms is entitled. L16. 3 Something achieved; a feat. Li6. Comb, achievement motivation motivation to attain a desired end or level of performance, competitiveness.

achillea /aki'lba, a'kilia/ noun. Li6. [Latin achillea, -cos from Greek Akhilleios a plant supposed to have been used medicinally by Achilles (see next).] Any of various plants of the genus Achillea, of the com¬ posite family, with flower-heads usually in corymbs; spec. a common garden perennial, A filipendulina, with yellow

flower-heads on tall stems. Cf. milfoil, sneezewort s.v. sneeze, yarrow. h he, j yes,

k cat, ] leg,

m

achlorhydria /eiklofhAidria, a-/ noun. Li9. [from A-10 + CHLOR-' + HYDRO- + -IA'.] medicine. Absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric ■ achlorhydric adjective exhibiting achlorhydria M20.

achlorophyllouseikbrolibs adjective. Li9. [from A-10 + CHLOROPHYLLOUS.] botany. Lacking chlorophyll.

► A noun. PI. same. A member of a farming and pastoral people of northern Uganda and southern Sudan; the Nilotic language of this people. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Acholi or their lan¬ guage. li 9. acholuric /aka'ljoarik, ei-/ adjective. E20. [French acholurique, from Greek khole bile: see a-10, -uric.] medicine. Designating a form of jaundice characterized by

the absence of bile pigments in the urine. achondrite /s'kondrAit/ noun. E20. [from A-10 + CHONDRITE.]

A stony meteorite containing no chondrules. ■ achondritic akondritrk. adjective E20.

achromatic /akrau'matik/ adjective & noun. L18. ► A adjective. Free from colour; transmitting light without decomposing it into its constituent colours, lis. ► B noun. An achromatic lens. L18. ■ achromat noun [-AT2] an achromatic lens E20. achromatically adverb M19 achroma'ticity noun M19 a chromatism noun the quality of being achromatic lis. a'chromatize verb trans. make achromatic M19.

achromatopsia /.eikrsoma'topsin, ,a-/ noun. Also -psy /-psi/. Mi9. [from Greek akhromatos without colour (khromat-, khroma colour) + -opsia, from opsis sight: see A-10, -ia‘, -y3.] medicine. Total colour-blindness. ■ achromatopsic adjective & noun (a) adjective pertaining to or exhibiting achromatopsia; (b) noun a person with achromatopsia: uo.

[Late Latin, dim. of acus needle: see -cule.] botany & zoology. A slender needle-like structure, such as a

r red,

■ acicu larity noun M20. acicularly adverb in needle-like forms E18.

s sit.

t top,

Covered with aciculae; marked or striated as if with a needle. Also = prec. aciculum noun see acicula.

1 A sour substance; spec in chemistry, any of a large class of substances that contain hydrogen replaceable by metals, and neutralize and are neutralized by alkalis, the most familiar examples being sour corrosive liquids able to dissolve metals. Also, in mod. use, any species capable of donating protons or of accepting pairs of electrons. L17. 2 The drug LSD. slang. M20. 1 nitric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, etc. acid of sugar see sugar noun & adjective, come the acid slang be unpleasant or offensive, speak in a caustic or sarcastic manner, conjugate acid see conjugate adjective, put the acid on Austral. & NZ slang seek to extract a loan, favour, etc., from. Comb. : acid-head slang a user of the drug LSD; acid house a kind of popular synthesized dance music with a fast repetitive beat, popular in the 1980s and associated with the taking of drugs such as Ecstasy; acid jazz a kind of popular dance music incorporating elements of jazz, funk, soul, and hip hop; acid rock a type of rock music associated with the taking of hallu¬ cinogenic drugs; acid-test a test for gold which involves nitric acid; fig. a crucial test. ■ aci daemia noun (medicine) a condition of abnormally low pH of the blood E20 a cidophil(e). a cido philic, aci'dophilous adjectives readily stained with add dyes; growing best in add con¬ ditions: E20. acidy adjective resembling or suggestive of add, somewhat acid, esp. in taste M20.

v van,

1 Sour, tart, sharp to the taste; tasting like vinegar. E17. ►b fig. Biting, severe, unpleasant, lis. tc Of a colour: intense. E20. 2 chemistry. Having the essential properties of an acid; derived from or characteristic of an acid. eis. 3 geology. Of an igneous rock: rich in silica. Li9. ►b metallurgy. Pertaining to, resulting from, or designat¬ ing steel-making processes involving silica-rich refract¬ ories and slags. L19. ffl 1 acid drop a kind of sweet with an add taste, b Disraeli Rather an add expression of countenance. W. S. Maugham He had a certain add humour, c D. H. Lawrence You acid-blue metallic bird. 2 acid air air containing a high proportion of acidic pollutants, acid amide. acid dye a dye which is a metallic salt of an add and is usu. applied in an acid medium or as a cytological strain, acid rain rain made acidic by atmospheric pollution, acid salt a salt derived from an acid by incomplete exchange of the replaceable hydrogen, acid tide: see tide noun. 5 In techn. senses opp. basic adjective. • acidly adverb sourly L19. acidness noun M17.

acidic/s'sidik/ adjective. L19. [from acid noun + -ic.] 1 geology. = acid adjective 3. L19.

2 chemistry. Of, pertaining to, or having the properties of an acid; having a pH lower than 7. L19. acidify /a'sidrfAi/ verb trans. lis.

achromatous /ei'kraomatas/ adjective, rare. L19. [formed as prec. + -ous.[ Colourless; esp. lacking the normal colour. p pen,

Absence of gastric secretion. acicula /a'sikjob/ noun. PI. -lae /-li:/, -las. Also -lum /-Urn/, pi. -la /-la/; -lus /-Ias/, pi. -li /-Iai, -li:/; & Anglicized (esp. botany) as acide /'asik(a)l/. Mi9.

[French aride or Latin aridus, from acere be sour.]

■ achondroplasiac achondroplasic. achondroplastic adjectives & nouns (a) adjective affected with or pertaining to achon¬ droplasia ; (b) noun a person with achondroplasia; E20.

n no,

[mod. Latin, from Greek akhulos, from a-A-'° + ktiulosjuice, chyle, + -IA‘] medicine. Freq. more fully achylia gastrica /'gastriko/.

acid /'asid/ adjective. Ei7.

achondroplasia /akondro'pleizjo, ei.kDn-/ noun. Li9.

man,

120.

[from the adjective.]

[French achromatique, formed as A-’°, chromatic.]

achievement/a'tji:vm(3)nt/ noun, li 5.

■ achiness noun

achylia /a'kAilia/ noun. L19.

acid/'asid/ noun. L17.

[from A-10 + Greek khlamud-, khlamus cloak + -eous.] botany. Of a flower: lacking both calyx and corolla.

medicine. A hereditary disease in which bone growth by production and ossification of cartilage at the epiphyses of the long bones is retarded, and which results in a form of dwarfism, with short limbs, a normal trunk, and a small face.

■ achieva bility noun the quality or state of being achievable E20. achievable adjective able to be achieved M17. achiever noun Lie.

[from ache noun1 + -Y1.]

Full of or suffering from aches.

[formed as prec. + -ate2.]

[Hindi ackan.]

[from Greek akhondros, from a- a-'° + khondros cartilage: see -PLASIA.]

£9 1 A. Newman She had achieved a lot in the last twentyfour hours. Day Lewis Insurgents who have achieved a revo¬ lution before one has even suspected a conspiracy. 2 Shakes. Hen. V Bid them achieve me. and then sell my bones. 3 Ld Berners All your busynes shall acheue the better. 4 Shakes. Twel. N. Some are bom great, some achieve greatness. S. Gibbons All the ingredients for success were present, and success was achieved. 5a Church Times Intelligent people.. who had not achieved academically.

achy /'eiki/ adjective. L19.

aciculate /o'sikjobt/adjective. Mi9.

achkan /'atjk(a)n/ noun. E20.

[Acholi.]

achieve /a'tjbv/ verb. me.

Not following chronological order, = unchronological

[formed as prec. + -ar1.]

Achoii /a'tjaoli/ noun & adjective. Also fShooli. Li9.

With one foot on each side; in command of two lines of communication; with a stake risked equally on two chances.

[from A-10 + CHRONOLOGICAL.]

Needle-like (esp. of crystals).

[from a-10 + chiral.]

secretions.

[French Acheuleen, from St-AcheuI near Amiens, France.]

(The culture or industry) of an early palaeolithic period in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, preceding the Mousterian, and distinguished in particular by the manufacture of stone hand-axes.

achronological/,eikrDn3'lDd3ik(o)l/ adjective. L20.

acicular /a'sikjub/ adjective, eis.

achiamydeous /akb'midias/ adjective. Mi9.

[Latin Acheron(t-) from GreekAklreron.]

achronical adjective see acronychal.

spine or prickle.

[Spanish from Nahuatl arfiiot!.] = ANNATTO.

■ achi rality noun L20.

achene /o'ki:n/ noun. M19.

[from a-10 + Greek khroma colour + -ic.]

Free from colour; having no colour except black, white, or intermediate shades of grey.

1.

achimenes /a'kimanLz/ noun. PI. same. Mi9.

achiote /atJi'Dti/ noun. Mi7.

«| Orig. a strong verb like take, shake, but with weak inflections since me. Historically the verb is ake, the noun ache (see note s.v. ache noun'). Dr Johnson is mainly responsible for the mod. spell¬ ings, as he erroneously derived them from Greek akhos 'pain' and declared them ‘more grammatically written ache’, m achingly adverb so as to cause continuous dull pain M19.

g get,

A person like Achilles in point of valour, invulnerabil¬ ity, etc.

[from Adieh, Atjeh a territory in northern Sumatra + -n- + -ese.]

[Old English acan, corresp. to forms in West Germanic; possible cognates in other Indo-European langs. are Greek agos sin, guilt, Sanskrit dgas. See note below.]

f few.

[Latin from Greek Akhilleus, a hero in Homer's Iliad, invulnerable except in the heel.]

Achinese /atjo'nbz/ noun & adjective. Also Atjehnese. Li7.

ache /eik/ verb intrans. Also (arch.) ake.

b but, d dog,

achromic/ei'kraurmk/ adjective, rare. mis.

Achilles /a'kili:z/ noun. Ei7.

ache/eik/ noun1.

[formed as prec. + -1- + -fy.]

Convert into an acid (now rare); make acid; add acid to. ■ a cidifi cation noun the act or process of acidifying L18. w we,

z zoo.

I she, 3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

19

acidimetry | acoustics acidimetry /asi'dimitri/ noun. M19. [formed as prec. + -i- + -metry.] chemistry. The measurement of the strengths of acids. ■ tacidimeter noun an instrument for acidimetry M-L19. a.cidi metric, a cidi metrical adjectives of or pertaining to acidimetry M19.

acidise verb var. of acidize. acidity /a'siditi/ noun. E17. [French acidite or late Latin aciditas: see acid adjective, noun, -ity.]

1 The quality, state, or degree of being acid (lit. & fig.). E17. 2 Excess of acid in the stomach, mi 8. 03 1 W. S. Maugham The vicar answered with some acidity.

acidize /'asidxiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. E20. (from acid noun+ -ize.]

Treat with acid; spec, pump acid into (an oil-well) as a means of stimulating flow. ■ acidi zation noun M20.

acknowledge ak r Hverb trans. lis. [Prob. from knowledge verb on the analogy of the relation of acknow and know verb: see ac-.]

1 Recognize or confess (a person or thing to be some¬ thing); own the claims or authority of. lis. 2 Own with gratitude or as an obligation. E17. ►b Announce receipt of (a letter etc.). M17. kc Register recognition of; take notice of. Li 9. 3 Own the knowledge of; confess; admit the truth of. M17.

4 Own as genuine, or valid in law; avow or assent to, in legal form. Li 9. C3 1 AV Wisd. 12:27 They acknowledged him to be the true God. T. Dreiser I acknowledge the Furies, I believe in them. acknowledge the corn: see corn noun'. 2c J. Heller He acknowledged with a surly nod the greetings of his col¬ leagues. 3 Shakes. Much Ado He loved .. your daughter, and meant to acknowledge it this night. ■ acknowledgeable adjective M19. acknowledged ppladjective recognized; admitted as true, valid, or authoritative: L16. acknowledgedly adverb M17. acknowledger noun M16.

acidosis /asi'dausis/ noun. PI. -doses /-'dausi:z/. E20. [from acid noun + -osis.] medicine. A condition of abnormally low pH of the body

fluids. ■ acidotic /asi'dDtik/ adjective E20.

acidulate /a'sidjuleit/ verb trans. mis. [formed as next + -ate3.]

Make somewhat acid or sour; flavour with an acid. CU fig.: Ld Macaulay Scarcely any compliment not acidu¬ lated with scorn. ■ acidu lation noun the process or state of being acidulated M19.

acidulous/o'sidjubs/ adjective. Mis. [from Latin acidulus, from acidus sour: see acid adjective, -ulous.]

Somewhat sour or acid (lit. & fig.). £3 Carlyle He becomes.. gloomy and acidulous. ■ acidulent adjective = acidulous M19. acidulously adverb L19.

aciduria /asi'djcraria/ noun. M20. [from acid noun + -uria.] medicine. The presence of excessive acid in the urine.

acinaciform /asi'nasifo:m, a'sina-/ adjective. Mi8. [mod. Latin acinaciformis, from Creek akinakis scimitar: see -FORM.] Chiefly botany. Scimitar-shaped.

acinus /'asinos/ noun. PI. -ni I-temI. mis. [Latin = berry growing in a cluster, kernel.] 1 botany. A small berry growing in a cluster or as part of

a compound fruit; a seed of such a berry. Now rare or obsolete, mis. 2 anatomy. Any of a number of small rounded terminal sacs in a gland, the cells of whose walls secrete into the central cavity; the small portion of lung tissue served by a single terminal bronchiole, mis. ■ acinar adjective = acinous M20. a ciniform adjective resem¬ bling a grape or a bunch of grapes M19. acinous adjective (anatomy) consisting of or pertaining to acini M19.

-acious /'eifas/ suffix. [Repr. French -acieux, or from Latin-ads, -ax added chiefly to verbal stems to form adjectives + -ous.]

Forming adjectives meaning ‘given to, inclined to’ or having much', as audacious, pugnacious, vivacious. -acity / asiti/ suffix. [French -acite or its source Latin -acitas, -tatis: see prec., -TY'.] Forming nouns of quality corresp. to adjectives in -ACIOUS. ack/ak/. Li 9. Hist. Arbitrary syllable used for the letter a in spoken telephone communications and in the oral spelling of messages. ack-ack [= M] anti-aircraft (gunfire, regiment, etc.), ack emma [= a.m.] ante meridiem, air mechanic.

acknowledgement

/ak'nolidgmfalnt/

noun.

Also

-dgm-. Li6. [from prec. + -ment.]

1 The act of admitting or confessing; avowal. L16. 2 The act of recognizing the authority or claims of. LI 6.

3 The owning or due recognition of a gift or benefit received, or of a message etc.; something given or done in return for a favour or message; (esp. in pi.) an author’s statement of indebtedness to others. E17. 4 A declaration or avowal of an act or document so as to give it legal validity. M17. B3 1 Shakes. Hen. V With this acknowledgement. That God fought for us. 2 Jas. Mill All such places as owe acknow¬ ledgement to the Dutch. 3 H. E. Bates She waited at the door for a word of acknowledgement, of thanks, of simple recognition, for the things she had done. Joyce General applause. Edward the Seventh lifts the bucket graciously in acknowledgement.

aclinic /a'klmik/ adjective. Now rare. Mi9. [from Greek Mines, from a- a-10 + klinein to bend, lean + -ic.] aclinic line. = magnetic equator. ta clock adverb see o’clock.

ACLU abbreviation. American Civil Liberties Union. acme /'akmi/ noun. Li6. [Greek akme highest point. Long consciously used as a Greek word and written in Greek letters.]

1 gen. The highest point; the point or period of perfec¬ tion. Li 6. 2 spec. |a The period of fall growth; the flower or full bloom of life. L16-M19. kb The crisis of an illness, arch. M17.

acmite /'akmAit/ noun. Mi9. [formed as prec. + -ite1.] mineralogy. A variety of aegirine having pointed crystal

terminations. acne/'akni/noun. M19. [Erron. Greek a km::, a misreading for aktnas accus. pi. of akme facial eruption, acme.] medicine. Severe seborrhoea complicated by pustule for¬

mation in the hair follicles, esp. of the face. acne rosacea. m acned adjective (colloq.) afflicted with acne M20.

acock /o'kDk/ adverb & pred. adjective. E19. [from a-2 + cock noun1 or verb'.]

Turned upward; cocked. 03 fig.: J. Fowles What had really knocked him a-cock was Mary’s innocence.

a-cock-bill adverb see cock-bill noun. a-cock-horse /o’knkho:s, okok'hxs/ adverb. Mi6. [from A preposition' 1 + cock-horse.)

|-ack suffix var. of-ac. ackee/'aki/noun. Also akee. lis. [Prob. from a Kru lang.]

The fruit, edible when cooked, of the tree Blighia sapida, native to W. Africa and introduced elsewhere, esp. in the W. Indies; the tree itself. ackers /'akaz/ noun pi. slang (orig. military). M20. [Prob. alt. of piastre: orig. used by Brit, and allied troops in Egypt.]

Coins, notes, money; spec, piastres. facknow verb trans. Infl. as know verb. oe. [from a preposition' + know verb: for the spelling with ac- see ac-.]

1 Recognize, oe-lme. 2 Acknowledge, confess, (that), (dial, after 16.) 0E-M19. 3 be acknown. be (self-)recognized in relation to any¬ thing, avow or confess (to a person). ME-M17. •j Rare after oe exc. as acknown pa. pple.

1 Mounted (as) on a cock-horse; astride; = cock-horse adverb. Mi6. f2 In an exalted position, in a place of triumph. M17-E19.

acoelomate /a'sidameit/ adjective. L19. [from A-10 + COELOMATE.] zoology. Lacking a coelom.

Acol /'akDl/ noun. M20. [Aco! Road, Hampstead, London, the address of a bridge club in which the system was devised.]

BR/DGf. A commonly used British system of bidding designed to enable partners with weaker hands to find suitable contracts. acold /a'kaold/ adjective, arch. me. [Prob. orig. pa. pple of acool, with short vowel before two con¬ sonants or by assim. to cold adjective.]

Chilled, cold.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, at my, ao how, ei day.

acolyte /'akaUit/ noun. me. [Old French acolyt (mod. -yte) orecclesiastical Latin acolytus, -it(h)us from Greek akolouthos following, follower.]

II ecclesiastical. A person who attends a priest and per¬ forms subordinate duties as bearing candles etc. me. 2 An attendant, an assistant, a novice. E19. ■ Also acolythist noun (arch.) E17.

acorte /'eikoun/ adjective. Li9. [German: see a-10, cone noun.]

entomology. Of an insect’s eyes: lacking cones. aconite /'akanAit/ noun. Also in Latin form jaconitum. M16. [French aconit or Latin aconitum from Greek akoniton.]

1 Any of numerous poisonous plants belonging to the genus Aconitum; esp. monkshood orwolfsbane, A napellus. Mi6. kb In full winter aconite. Any small plant of the genus Eranthis, esp. E. hyemaiis, bearing yellow flowers early in the year. Li 6. 2 An alkaloidal extract from monkshood or the like used as a poison or in pharmacy; poet, deadly poison. Mi6. aconitine o’knn:ti:n/ noun. M19. [from prec. + -ine5.]

chemistry. A colourless crystalline alkaloid, the toxic prin¬ ciple of monkshood and certain other plants of the genus Aconitum. taconitum noun see aconite.

a contrecaeur /a kotrekce:r/ adverbialphr. Ei9. [French, lit. ‘against the heart'.]

Against one’s will, reluctantly, jacool verb intrans. & trans. 0E-M16. [from A-1 + cool verb]

Cool. Rj The pa. pple may survive in acold.

acorn /'eiko:n/ noun. [Old English zeem = Middle Low German ackeren (Dutch aker) acorn. Middle High German ackeran, eckem oak or beech mast. Old Norse dkam acorn, Gothic akran fruit, produce; rel. to acre. Later forms assoc, with oak and corn noun1.]

11 Fruit generally, mast. OE-E17. 2 The fruit of the oak, an oval nut growing in a cupule. oe. kb An object or decorative device in the shape of an acorn, lme. Comb. : acorn barnacle a barnacle that does not possess a stalk; esp. a member of the genus Balanus: acorn-cup the cupule of an acorn; acorn shell = acorn barnacle above; acorn squash N. Amer. a variety of squash with a longitudinally ridged rind; acorn worm a wormlike hemichordate of the class Enteropneusta, having an acom-shaped anterior end to its body. ■ acorned adjective furnished with or bearing acorns; fed with acoms: E17. acorning noun hunting for or gathering acorns E19.

acosmism /o'kDzmiz(o)m/ noun. Also akosm-. M19. [from a-10 + cosmos noun1 + -ism.]

Denial of the existence of the universe, or of a universe distinct from God. ■ acosmist noun a person who professes acosmism M19.

acotyledon /okDti'li:d(o)n/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, mis. [from mod. Latin pi. acotyledones: see A-10, cotyledon.] botany. A plant forming no distinct cotyledons, such as a fern, moss, etc. ■ acotyledonous adjective E19.

acouchi /a'kuftji/ noun. lis. [French from Tupi.]

A S. American rodent of the genus Myoprocta, resem¬ bling an agouti. acoustic /o'ku:stik/ adjective & noun. E17. [Greek akoustikos, from akouein hear: see -ic.]

► A adjective. 1 Pertaining to the sense of hearing, or to audible sound. E17. 2 Of a material, a device, etc.: sound-absorbent. E20. 3 Of a musical instrument, gramophone, etc.: not elec¬ trically amplified. M20. 1 acoustic coupler: see coupler 4. acoustic impedance, acoustic mine a mine designed to be detonated by sound waves, acoustic shock damaged hearing suffered by the user of an ear¬ phone as a result of sudden excessive noise in the device. 2 acoustic hood a sound-absorbent cover used esp. to reduce noise from a machine or appliance.

► B noun. 1 In pi. (usu. treated as sing.). The branch of science that deals with sound and the phenomena of hearing. L17. f2 A medicine or appliance used to aid hearing. Only in 18. 3 In pi. The acoustic properties of a building, room, etc., esp. one in which music or drama is performed. Now also in sing., esp. the acoustic properties or ambience of a sound recording or of a recording studio. L19. ■ acoustician

sujfsjn.' noun an expert in acoustics M19.

acoustical /a'kmstikja)!/adjective. Ei9. [from prec. + -al1.]

Of or pertaining to audible sound or the science of acoustics. ■ acoustically adverb L19.

acoustics noun see acoustic noun. no, e: hair.

■■ near. 31 boy, oa poor, ais tire, aus sour

20

acousto-1 acrimonious [from acoustic adjective + -o-.]

Forming chiefly adjectives with the sense ‘involving acoustic and— effects', as acousto-electric, acousto¬ optic.

tacover verb see cover verb'. acquaint /s'kweint/ adjective (orig. pa. pple). arch. me. [Old French acointe, formed as next. Cf. quaint.)

[Old French aquerre: English spelling Latinized c 1600 under influ¬ ence of its ult. source Latin acquirere get in addition, from ad ac- + quaerere seek.)

1 Gain or get as one’s own, by one's own exertions or qualities, lme. 2 Come into possession of. Li6. 3 Of radar, a radar operator: begin receiving signals from, locate. M20. lUl 1 W. Faulkner The gun.. which he had acquired.. at the sacrifice of actual food. E. Birney They had acquired piety & table manners. 2 S. Johnson The Idler acquires weight by lying still.

Acquainted (with). acquaint /s'kweint/ verb. ME. [Old French acointier make known from late Latin accognltare, from Latin accognit- pa. ppl stem of accognoscere, from ad ac- + cognoscere know.) 11 verb reft. Make oneself known, become known (to). ME-L15. >b verb intrans. Become acquainted or familiar (With). LME-L18. 2 verb refl. Give or gain for oneself personal knowledge: foil, by with a person. Now only in pass, as acquainted,

me. 3 verb trans. (& refl.) Give (oneself or another) experimen¬ tal knowledge: foil, by with a thing, lme. 4 verb trans. Inform, make cognizant or aware. (Foil, by with, that, tof.) Mi6. ►|b Make known, tell. Only in 17. f 5 verb trans. Familiarize, accustom. Foil, by with, to do. L16-M17. r.i 1 b Hor. Walpole Though the Choiseuls will not acquaint with you. 2 AVJnb 22:21 Acquaint now thyselfe with him. 3 OED Acquaint yourself with the duties of your new sphere. 4 Henry Fielding He was acquainted that his worship would wait on him. R. B. Sheridan I shall certainly acquaint your father. F. Raphael I’m here to acquaint you with the facts, b S. Rowlands Acquaint thy name in private unto me. 5 J. Brinsley Acquaint them to pronounce some speciall examples.

acquired /a'kwAiad/ ppl adjective. Ei7.

CO B. Russell Man has improved in knowledge, in acquired skill, and in social organization, but not.. in congenital intellectual capacity, acquired immune deficiency syndrome = Aids, acquired taste (an object of) liking gained by experience.

1 The action of acquiring, mi 7. 2 Something which is acquired; a personal attainment of body or mind (as opp. to a material acquisition, or a natural gift). Mi7. i acquisite pple & ppl adjective. E16-L17.

1 The state of being acquainted; mutual knowledge. Foil, by with, f of, or with genit. (as her acquaintance, our acquaintance), me. 2 Orig. collect., those with whom one is acquainted. Now usu. (with pi.), a person with whom one is acquainted, lme. 3 Knowledge that is more than mere recognition but usu. less than intimacy. (Foil, by with, f of.) lme. 1 bowing acquaintance see sow verb' 6. nodding acquaintance see nod verb, scrape acquaintance with, scrape an acquaintance with: see scrape verb. 2 casual acquaintance see casual adjective. 3 knowledge by acquaintance, knowledge of acquaintance philosophy: by direct experience, make the acquaintance of come to know. Comb. : acquaintance rape rape of a woman by a man known to her. ■ acquaintanceship noun = acquaintance 1 E19. facquaintant noun = acquaintance 2 E17-LI8.

acquainted /a'kweintid/ adjective, me. [from acquaint verb + -ed‘.)

1 Familiar, through being known, obsolete of persons, arch, of things, me. 2 Personally known (to another); having mutual know¬ ledge. (Foil, by with.) me. 3 Having personal or experimental knowledge. Foil, by with, (occas.) of. Lis. |4 Accustomed (with, to). M16-L17. ■ acquaintedness noun the state or degree of acquaintance M17.

acquisition /akwi'zij(3)n/ noun. lme. [Latin acquisitio(n-), from acquisit- pa. ppl stem of acquirere: see acquire verb, -ion.)

1 The action of acquiring something or someone, lme. 2 A thing gained or acquired; a useful or welcome add¬ ition. L15. ■ acquisitional adjective L19.

acquisitive /s'kwizitiv/ adjective. M17. [from Latin acquisit- (see prec.) + -ive; partly through French acquisitif, -ive from late Latin acquisitivus.]

t1 Belonging to one by acquisition. Only in Mi7. 2 Acquiring; keen to acquire things. M19. ■ acquisitively adverb in an acquisitive manner; in a manner expressing acquisition: Mi6. acquisitiveness noun the quality of being acquisitive; desire of possession: E19.

acquist /s'kwist/ noun. E17. [Var. of acquest, after Latin acquisition, medieval Latin acquistum, Italian acquis in.]

1 The action of acquiring, acquisition. E17. t2 A thing acquired. M17-M19. 9 There has been a tendency to use acquist for the action, acquest for the result.

tacquitnoun. lme-lis. [from the verb.]

The act of acquitting; acquittance. acquit /a'kwit/ verb. Infl. -tt-. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -tted, (arch.) acquit, me. [Old French a(c)quiter (Provencal aquitar) from medieval Latin acquitare, from ad ac- + quitare quit verb.]

acquest/a'kwest/ noun. E17. [French jacquest (Old French aquest, mod. acquet), ult. formed as ACQUIRE.)

1 A thing acquired; spec, (uw, now Hist.) property gained otherwise than by inheritance. E17. f2 = ACQUISTl. E17-L18.

acquiesce /akwi'es/ verb intrans. Ei7. [Latin acquiescere, from ad ac- + quiescere to rest. See also QUIET adjective.]

1 Remain at rest or in quiet subjection; rest satisfied. (Foil, by in, under.) Now rare. E17. 2 Agree, esp. tacitly; concur (in); raise no objections (to). (Also foil, by fwith.) E17. ■ acquiescing adjective assenting, silently compliant Lis. acquiescingly adverb M19

acquiescence/akwi'Es(a)ns/noun. E17. [from prec. + -ence. Cf. French acquiescence.]

1 The action or condition of acquiescing (sense 1); resting satisfied, arch. E17. 2 Silent or passive assent to, or compliance with, meas¬ ures or proposals. (Foil, by in, to, fwith.) M17. ■ acquiescency noun the quality or condition of being acqui¬ escent M17.

acquiescent /akwi'es(o)nt/ adjective & noun. E17.

► I Quit a claim. 1 verb trans. Discharge, pay, (a claim, debt, or liability). arch. me. 2 verb trans. Requite (a benefit or injury), arch. me. 13 verb trans. & intrans. Atone for (an offence). ME-E17. 14 verb trans. Discharge the duties of (an office), perform, accomplish. lme-li7. ► II Clear or discharge a debtor. 15 verb trans. Pay or cancel the debt of and free. ME-M17. 6 verb trans. Set free, release of or from a duty, obligation, or burden, arch. me. 7 verb trans. Clear from a charge; declare not guilty (of t'from, an offence), lme. |8 verb refl. Deliver, rid oneself, of lme-mis. 9 verb refl. Discharge oneself (of duty or responsibility); perform one’s part in a specified manner, lme. ► Ill Satisfy a creditor. 110 verb trans. Pay off (a person in respect of a debt due to him or her); be quits with. LME-L16. ■ acquitment noun (now rare or obsolete) acquittal, release lme. acquitter noun E17.

I leg.

acraldehyde /s'kraldiliAid/ noun. M19. [formed as acrid + aldehyde.] chemistry. Orig., a compound related to acetaldehyde, of

acrasia noun var. of akrasia. tacrasy noun. L16-L18. [Greek, confusing two words akrasia, (i) lack of proper mixing, from akratos unmixed, untempered, intemperate, (ii) lack of selfcommand, from akrates powerless, incontinent.]

Irregularity, disorder, intemperance. 9 Personified in Spenser's Faerie Queene.

11 Payment, requital, amends, lme-mis. 2 = acquittance 2. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 3 Discharge (of duty); performance, lme. 4 Deliverance from a charge by verdict or other legal process. 115.

m man.

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top,

[from a-2 + crawl noun- or verb.]

Crawling (with). acre /‘eiks/ noun. [Old English seer = Old Frisian ekker. Old Saxon akkar (Dutch akker), Old High German ackar (German Acker), Old Norse alcr. Gothic akrs, from Germanic from Indo-European base repr. also by Latin ager, Greek agros, Sanskrit ajra field; rel. to acorn, act verb.] 1 A piece of tilled or arable land, a field, obsolete exc. in Cod's Acre [from mod.German] a churchyard, in proper names, as Great Acre, and diet, in pi., lands, estates, etc,

OE. 2 A measure of land, orig. as much as a yoke of oxen could plough in a day, later limited by statute to a piece 220 yards long by 22 broad (= 4840 sq. yards or about 4047 sq. metres) or of equivalent area (now largely superseded by the hectare); loosely a large extent, oe. 03 2 Carlyle Acres of despatches. Cheshire acre: see Cheshire 3. land of the broad acres, the broad acres: see broad adjective 2.

Comb.: tacre breadth a Unear measure equal to 22 yards or about 20 metres; acre-foot a unit ofvolume one acre in area and one foot in depth; facre length a linear measure equal to a furlong or about 201 metres. ■ acreable adjective (now rare) per acre mis. acreage noun extent of acres; acres collectively or in the abstract: mi 9. acred adjective possessing landed estates (mostly in comb., as largeacred) mis.

acrid /'akrid/ adjective. E18. [Irreg. from Latin acri-, acer sharp, pungent + -id1, prob. after arid.]

1 Bitterly pungent to the organs of taste or smell, or to the skin etc.; irritating; corrosive. Ei8. 2 Bitterly irritating to the feelings; of bitter and irritat¬ ing temper or manner. Li8. ■ a cridity noun the quality of being acrid E19. acridly adverb Li8. acridness noun (now rare) acridity E18.

acridid /'akridid/ noun & adjective. M20. [mod. Latin Acrididae (see below), from Greek akrid-, akris locust: see-id3.] entomology. ►A noun. A grasshopper or locust of the family Acrididae, characterized by the possession of rela¬ tively short antennae. M20. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating this family. M20. ■ a cridian noun & adjective = acridid L19. a cridiid noun & adjective = acridid E20.

acridine /'akridi:n/noun. Li9. [German Acridin, formed as acrid: see -idine.] chemistry. A colourless crystalline heteroaromatic com¬ pound, C13H,N, obtained from coal tar and from which the structures of many dyes and pharmaceuticals are derived.

acriflavine /akri'fleivin, -i:n/ noun. E20. (from acri(dine + flavine.] pharmacology. A bright orange-red derivative of acridine,

used as an antiseptic. Acrilan/'akrilan/noun. M20. [from acr(ylic + -1- + Latin 1 ana wool.]

acquittal /s'kwifta)]/ noun. lme. [from prec. + -al'.[

[Latin acquiescent- pres, ppl stem of acquiescere acquiesce' see -ENT.]

h he, j yes, k cat,

[formed as acro- + -al‘.[

Pertaining to a tip or apex; spec. (medicine & veterinary medicine) affecting the extremities.

acrawl /s'krod/ adverb & pred. adjective. Mi9.

[Latin acquisitus pa. pple, from acquisit-: see next.)

■ acquiescently adverb 117

acral /'akr(a)l/ adjective. E20.

formula C4H802 (probably aldol). Now = acrolein.

Acquired.

► A adjective. Acquiescing; disposed to acquiesce. E17. ► B noun. A person who acquiesces, rare. E19.

[Old French aquitance, formed as acquit verb + -ance.]

► A noun. 1 The action of clearing off debt or other obli¬ gation. me. 2 Release or discharge from a debt or obligation, me. 3 A release in writing; a receipt in full. lme. 4 = acquittal 3. rare. L15. ►tB verb trans. Give an acquittance to, discharge, rare. LME-L16.

(from prec. + -ed'.J

Obtained by one's own exertion; gained, as opp. to innate or inherited; esp. biolocy & medicine, developed after birth through the influence of the environment.

[formed as prec. + -ment.)

[Old French acointance, formed as prec.: see -ance.)

f few, g get.

■ acquirable adjective M17 acqui ree noun (chiefly commerce) a person, company, etc., acquired M20. acquirer noun mis acquiring noun the action of obtaining for oneself; the thing obtained: mi7.

acquirement /3'kwAi3m(3)nt/ noun. M17.

acquaintance /a'kweint(3)ns/ noun. me.

b but. d dog.

acquittance /a'kwit(3)ns/ noun & verb. me.

acquire /a'kwaia/ verb trans. lme.

acousto- /a'kuistso/ combining form. M20.

v van, w we, z zoo.

(Proprietary name for) a synthetic acrylic fibre used for clothing, blankets, etc. acrimonious/akn'msunias/ adjective. E17. [from next + -ous.]

1 = acrid 1. orch. E17, 2 Bitter and irritating in tone or manner. Lis. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

21

acrimony | act U 1 Sir T. Browne A rough and acrimonious kinde of salt.

2 E. Waugh An acrimonious dispute about the date ofthe Battle of Hastings. ■ acrimoniously adverb us. acrimoniousness noun Ei9.

acrimony /'akrimani/ noun. Mi6. [French acrimonie or Latin acrimonia, formed as acrid- see -mony]

1 Bitter pungency to the organs of taste or smell, or to the skin etc. Mi6. 2 Bitterness of tone or manner. Ei7. tacrious adjective. L17-E18.

120.

[from a preposition' 1 + crook noun.]

■ acro carpous adjective (of a moss) bearing the archegonia and capsules at the tip of a stem or main branch (opp. pleurocarpous) mi9. aero'centric adjective (cytology) (of a chromosome) having the centromere close to the end M20. acrodont adjective (zoology) having the teeth attached to the ridge of the jaw, as in certain lizards mi9. acrogen noun (botany) a cryptogam with a distinct permanent stem; a fern, a moss: M19. acrolect noun [-lect] linguistics the dialect or variety of any lan¬ guage with the greatest prestige M20. acrolith noun (creek antiquities) a statue with the head and extremities of stone, the trunk usu. of wood mi 9. acro'lithic adjective of or pertaining to an acrolith Mi9. acrome galic adjective & noun pertaining to acro¬ megaly; (a person) affected with acromegaly: E20. acro megaly noun (medicine) abnormal enlargement of the hands, feet, and face; disease caused by excessive growth-hormone secretion, of which this is a symptom: L19. acroparaes thesia. *-pares thesia noun (medicine) paraesthesia of the extremities Li9. a cropetal adjective [Latin petere seek] botany characterized by suc¬ cessive development of parts from below upwards Li 9. a cropetally adverb in an acropetal manner Li9. acrophobe noun a person afflicted with acrophobia M20. aero'phobia noun irrational fear of heights Li9. aero phobic adjective pertainingto or affected with acrophobia M20.

acroamatic /.akrsua'matik/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [Greek akroamatikos adjective, from akroama(t-) what is heard, formed as next: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Communicated by oral teaching; esoteric. M17. ► B noun. Something so communicated; spec, in pi. (A-), Aristotle’s lectures on the esoteric parts of his philoso¬ phy. Ml 7. ■ acroamatical adjective (now rare) Li6.

acroatic /akrau'atik/ adjective & noun, mi7. [Greek akroatikos adjective, from akroasthai hear: see -ic.] = ACROAMATIC. acrobat /'akrabat/ noun. Ei9. [French acrobate from Greek akrobates, from akrobatos walking on tiptoe, formed as acro- + base of bainein walk.] A performer of daring gymnastic feats, as rope-walking; a tumbler; fig. a person who changes position nimbly in argument, performance, etc. acro batic an acrobat; feats: Mi9. art of the

acrocyanosis /.akrsusAia'nausis/ noun. Li9. [from acro- + CYANOSIS.] medicine. A bluish or purple discolouration of the hands

and feet caused by slow circulation. acrolein /'akrali:n/ noun. Mi9. [formed as acrid + oleum oil: see -in1.] chemistry. A colourless, acrid, liquid aldehyde, CH2=CHCHO, obtained by dehydration of glycerol; propenal. acromion /s'kraomisn/ noun. Li6. [Greek akromion, formed as acro- + omos shoulder. J anatomy The lateral extremity of the posterior projec¬ tion or spine of the upper part of the shoulder-blade. Also acromion process.

acrospire /'akraspAia/ verb & noun. Chiefly dial. (orig. Scot.). LME.

m acromial adjective of or pertaining to the acromion Mi9. acromiocla vicular adjective of or pertaining to the articulation of the acromion and the lateral end ofthe clavicle mi 9.

acronychal /3'krnmk(a)l/ adjective. Also achronical & other vars. (freq. erron. as if from Greek khronos time). M16. [from Creek akronukhos at nightfall, formed as acro- + mix night,

► A verb intrans. Of malt: sprout, lme. ► B noun. The first leaf-shoot or a cereal plant. Li7. across /a'kros/ adverb, preposition, & adjective, me. [Old French a croix, en croix, in. on a cross (see cross noun), assim. to native formations in a preposition' 1.]

► A adverb. 1 In the form of a cross, crosswise, crossed. arch. me. 2 Transversely; from side to side, or comer to comer. ME. kb (Filling or to fill spaces) along a horizontal line of a crossword puzzle. Usu. following the number of the word or clue (passing into adjective). E20. 3 Obliquely; awry; amiss, obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. 4 On the other side. Ei9. £□ 1 W. H. Auden Sheep-dogs.. slumber on with paws across. 2 G. B. Shaw The nurse rushes across behind the head of the bed. Dylan Thomas My heart is cracked across, come across (a) succeed in communicating, convey the desired information or impression, (foil, by to); (b) slang hand over or contribute money, information, etc. come across as give the impression of being, come across with slang hand over, contribute (money, information, etc.), get across = come across (a) above last across (the road), see last adjective, put across: see put verb'. 3 Joseph Hall The squinteyed pharisees looke a-crosse at all the actions of Christ.

4 OED At this rate we shall soon be across. Scott Fitzgerald I'm right across from you. across the tracks: see track noun.

► B preposition. 1 Motion: from side to side of; over, in any direction but lengthwise. Li6. 2 Direction: transverse to; at an angle with; sideways or obliquely against. E17. kb Indirectly or unintention¬ ally into contact with. Ei9. 3 Position: on the other side of, beyond. M18. 4 Distribution: throughout, all over, colloq. M20. B3 1 Tennyson After dinner talk Across the walnuts and the wine. T. Stoppard I once took a train journey right across America, across country see country noun, across lots: see lot noun, across the board: see board noun. 2 W. Stevens The shawl across one shoulder, b come across: see come verb, run across see run verb. 3 J. Cheever The shores of West Chop, across the Sound. 4 Newsweek Newsweek bureaus across the U.S. reported the story.

► C adjective. Of a crossword clue or answer: that fills or is intended to fill the spaces along a horizontal line of the puzzle. Cf. sense A.2b above. E20. acrostic /a’krostik/ noun & adjective. Also |-ich. Li6. [French acrostirhe from Greek akrostikhis, formed as acro- + stikhos row, line of verse: assim. to -ic.] ► A noun. 1 A poem or other composition in which the initial (single acrostic), the initial and final (double acrostic), or the initial, middle, and final (triple acrostic) letters ofthe lines make words. li 6. kb A word-puzzle so

made. L19. j-2 The beginning or end of a verse. E17-M18.

3 A poem in which the consecutive lines or verses begin with the successive letters ofthe alphabet. Li7. ► B adjective. Of the nature of or in the form of an acrostic. M17. =

acrostic

adjective M19. acrostically

acroterion /akra'tianon, noun. Also akro-. PI. -ia /-ra/. Also acroter /'akrata/, pl. -ters; acroterium /-'tiariam/, pi. -ia /-ia/. Mi7. [Greek akroterion extremity, formed as acro-. Vars. from French acrotere and (its source) Latin acroterium from Greek.] 1 architecture. |a collect, sing. & (usu.) in pi. Ornaments in ranges on roofs of classical buildings. Ml 7-L19. kb A ped¬

estal for a statue or the like on the apex or side of a pedi¬ ment. Ei 8. j2 medicine. In pi. The extremities of the body. E-M18. ■ acroterial adjective (architecture) eis.

+ -AL'.]

Happening at nightfall (applied esp. to the rising or setting of stars). ■ acronych adjective = acronychal M16. acronychally adverb L16.

acrow /a'krao/ adverb & pred. adjective, poet. L19. [from A-2 + crow verb.)

Crowing.

arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see. o hot, a: saw. Aran, o put, u: too. a ago,

[from next + -ate'.]

[from acr(olein + -yl + -ic.]

The citadel or elevated fortified part of a Greek city, esp. of Athens.

■ acrostical adjective adverb Mi9.

acrylate /'akrileit/ noun. M19.

acrylic /a'knhk/ adjective & noun. Mi9.

[from Old English (Northumbrian) rrhher, eher EAR noun + spire verb', assim. to acro-.]

aero- /'akrou/ combining form of Greek akros tip, peak: see -o-.

[from ACRYL(lC + AMIDE.)

CHEMISTRY. The amide of acrylic acid, CH2=CHCONH2, a colourless crystalline solid which readily yields watersoluble polymers.

1 chemistry. A salt or ester of acrylic acid, m 19. 2 = acrylic noun. Also acrylate resin M20.

acrook /a'kruk/ adverb & pred. adjective, lme.

2

tacritude noun. rare. L17-M19. [Latin acritudo, formed as acrid: see -tude.] Acridity.

a:

adverb

[Greek akropolis, formed as acro- +polis city.]

acritarch /'aknta:k/ noun. M20. [from Greek akritos uncertain, confused + arkhe origin.] palaeontology. Any single-celled fossil whose true affin¬ ities are unknown.

cat.

■ acro nymic adjective M20. acroriymically a cronymize verb trans. = acronym verb M20.

acropolis /a'kropohs/ noun. Ei7.

= ACRID 1.

a

acrylamide /a'kniamAid/ noun. L19.

[from acro- + -NYM.]

► A noun. A word formed from the initial letters or parts of other words; loosely an abbreviation composed of initial letters. M20. ► B verb Irons. Abbreviate as an acronym. M20.

In a bend or curve; awry.

[formed as acrid + -ous.]

■ acrobacy noun (now rare) = acrobatism E20. adjective & noun (a) adjective of or characteristic of (b) noun in pi., (the performing of) acrobatic acro batically adverb Li9. acrobatism noun the acrobat; the performing of gymnastic feats: Mi9.

acronym akrarum/ noun & verb. M20.

ai

► A adjective. 1 chemistry, acrylic acid, a liquid, CH2 = CHCOOH, orig. obtained by oxidizing acrolein and easily polymerized; propenoic add. M19. 2 Designating or made from resins, plastics, artificial fibres, etc., which are polymers of acrylic acid or its derivatives. M20. ► B noun. An acrylic fibre, plastic, etc. M20. acrylonitrile /.aknla'nAitrAil/ noun. L19. [from prec. + -o- + nitrile.) chemistry. A pungent, toxic liquid, CH2=CHCN, the nitrile

of acrylic acid, from which artificial fibres and other polymeric materials can be made; propenenitrile. ACT abbreviation. Australian Capital Territory, act/akt/ noun. lme. [Mainlyfrom Latin actus doing, playing a part, dramatic action, act of a play, actum public transaction, (in pl.) records, register, from act- (see next); partly through French arte from Latin.] 1 A thing done; a deed. lme. kb An operation ofthe

mind. Li7. kc A thing done as an outward sign of a con¬ dition etc. Ml 8. 12 Fact or reality, as opp. to intention, possibility, etc. LME-L17. |3 An active principle. lme-mi8. 4 Something transacted in council or in a deliberative assembly; a decree passed by a legislative body etc.; a statute, lme. 5 A record of decrees etc.; a verificatory document. LME. 6 The process of doing; action, operation. L15. 7 a Each of the main divisions of a play. E16. kfb An interlude in a play. E-M17. kc Each of a series of short performances in a variety programme, circus, etc.; the performer(s) of one of these, mi 9. kd A piece of acting; a pretence (of being what one is not); a display of exagger¬ ated behaviour; Austral, slang a fit of temper, a tantrum. E20. 8 A thesis publicly defended by a candidate for a uni¬ versity degree, obsolete exc. Hist, mi6. B3 1 Milton Victorious deeds Flam'd in my heart, heroic acts, act of contrition a penitential prayer, act qf faith: see faith noun, act of grace see grace noun, the act colloq. sexual intercourse, b A. J. Ayer The realist analysis of our sensa¬ tions in terms of subject, act, and object, c L. van der Post This.. act of trust between them and the harsh desert earth. 2 Shakes. John If I in act. consent, or sin of thought, Be guilty. 4 Art of Parliament see parliament noun. Act of Toleration see toleration 4. Act of Uniformity see uniformity i. 5 Acts (of the Apostles) (treated as sing.) a NewTestament book immediately following the Gospels, act and deed: part of a formula used in concluding a legal transaction by signing a document. 6 in the act (of) in the process (of), in the very doing of; on the point of. 7a fig.: Scott Fitzgerald There are no second acts in American lives, c W. Trevor The act he’d devised for the Spot the Talent competition, a hard act to follow transf. a person or thing difficult to be more impressive or successful than, do a disappearing act. do the disappearing act: see disappear, get in on the act. get into the act slang become a participant, esp. for profit, get one’s act together see get verb, d D. Lodge Will you stop putting on this concerned parent act. put on an act colloq. show off, talk for display, pretend.

Other phrases: act of Cod see god noun. Comb.: act-drop in a theatre, a curtain let down between acts; act-tune: see tune noun 2C.

act /akt/ verb. lme. [Latin act- pa. ppl stem of agere: see agent. Prob. infl. by prec.] 11 verb trans. Decide judicially (a case at law). LME-L15. f 2 verb trans. Enact, decree; record. Chiefly Scot. L15-M18. f3 verb trans. Perform, bring about (a thing or process).

L16-L18. 4 verb trans. Carry out or represent in mimic action; perform (a play etc.); fig. simulate, counterfeit. L16. 5 verb intrans. Perform a play or part; be an actor or actress. L16. kb verb intrans. Of a play: be able to be per¬ formed (well, or in a specified manner). Mi7. 6 verb trans. Cany out in action, arch. E17. ■f 7 verb trans. Put in motion; actuate, animate. E17-M18. 8 verb trans. Perform the part of (a character in a play); behave like (a specified kind of person). Mi7. 9 verb intrans. Perform actions; behave. L17. kb verb intrans. Do the duties of a particular employment tempor arily. E19. 10 verb intrans. Of a thing: exert influence (on), produce an effect. M18.

my. au how. ei day ao no. e: hair, ia near, ai boy, oa poor. ak> tire, aua sour

22

actable | activism which includes most living bony fishes Li9. .actino therapy noun treatment of disease by means of ultraviolet radiation E20. actino-u'ranium noun the uranium isotope of mass 235 E20.

CQ 3 Defoe Had Satan been able to have acted anything by force. 4 Day Lewis He would act the biblical stories on which he was commenting.]. Squire To ask trite questions and act indifference, act a lie: see lie noun', act a part, act the part of play the part of (a character in a play); simulate; fulfil the character or duties of. 5 T. Coryat I saw women acte, a thing that I neuer saw before, b Byron My plays won’t act.. my poesy won’t sell. 6 Shakes. Temp. To act her .. abhorr’d commands. 7 Pope Self-love.. acts the soul. 8 act the fool: see fool noun', act the goat: see coat 9 T. S. Eliot What it is to act or suffer. J. D. Salinger I act quite young for my age. act on, act upon regulate one’s conduct according to. act up to come up to (an assumed standard), carry out in practice, b act as do the work of (a particular employment etc.), serve as. act for: on someone's behalf or in his or her absence. 10 T. H. Huxley A fall of snow.. acts like a mantle.

actinolite/ak'tinolAit/ noun. lis. [from actino- + Greek lithos stone: see -ite’. Named in ref. to the rayed masses of crystals it often forms.] mineralogy. A green amphibole mineral containing calcium, magnesium, and ferrous iron, forming elong¬ ated monoclinic crystals or fibrous masses, and found esp. in many metamorphic rocks and as a form of asbes¬ tos. ■ actlnolitlc adjective Mi9.

actinometry noun Mi9.

actable /'akt3b(a)l/ adjective. Mi9.

actinomycete /,aktin3(u)'mAisi:t/ noun. Orig. only in pi.

[from prec. + -able.]

-mycetes /-'mAisi:ts, -mAi'si:ti:z/. E20. [Anglicized sing, of mod. Latin actinomycetes, formed as actino- + Greek mukftes pi. of mukes fungus.]

Able to be acted (on the stage) or carried out in prac¬ tice. Earlier (E!9) in the negative ■ acta bility noun M19.

unactable.

A filamentous bacterium of the order Actinomycetales.

acte gratuit /akt gratwi:/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced same). M20.

actio /'aktrau/ noun sing. Li 7.

[Latin.] (An) action.

[French (A. Cide).]

A gratuitous or inconsequent action performed on impulse.

actio in distans /in 'distanz/ [= on something apart] = action at a distance s.v. action noun.

ACTH abbreviation. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

action /'akj(a)n/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin artio(n-), formed as act verb: see

actin /'aktin/ noun. M20. [from Greek

aktin-, aktis

-ION.]

ray + -in1.]

biochemistry. A protein which with myosin forms the con¬ tractile filaments of muscle fibres.

acting /'aktir)/ noun. Li6. [from act

verb

+ -inc1.]

1 Performance; execution. L16. 2 The performance of deeds; in pi., doings, practices, etc. arch. Ei7. 3 The performing of plays etc.; the art or occupation of performing parts in plays, films, etc.; simulation. Mi7. 4 The putting forth of energy, activity, etc.; operation. M17. Q3 2 Sir W. Scott The great actings which are now on foot. Comb. : acting copy a copy of a play etc. specially prepared for actors' use. with stage-directions, cuts, etc.; acting part, acting play a part or play with good dramatic qualities; acting version = acting copy above.

acting /'aktuy adjective. Li6. [from act

verb +

-inc2.]

1 That acts or has power to act. Li6. 2 spec. (Freq. before a title etc.) Doing duty temporarily (as Acting Captain); doing alone duties nominally shared with others (as Acting Manager). Li 8. actinia /ak'tmia/ noun. PI. -iae /-ii:/, -ias. mis. [mod.

Latin,

formed as actin + -ia2.]

A sea anemone of the genus Actinia, esp. A. equina, a common British species; loosely any sea anemone. ■ actinian noun a sea anemone of the genus Actinia

Li9.

actinide/'aktinAid/noun. M20. [from actinium +

-ide after lanthanide.]

Any of the series of radioactive chemical elements having atomic numbers between 89 (actinium) and 103 (lawrencium) inclusive, which form part of the group of transition metals. actinism /'aktmizfsjm/ noun. M19. [formed as actin + -ism.]

The property by which light or other electromagnetic radiation causes chemical change, as in photography. ■ ac'tinic adjective of or pertaining to actinism; (of light etc.) having the ability to cause chemical change: Mis.

actinium /ak'tmram/ noun. E20. [formed as prec. + -ium.]

A radioactive metallic chemical element, atomic no. 89, which is the first element of the actinide series and is found in small quantities in pitchblende. (Symbol Ac.) ■ actinoid noun = actinide M20. actinon noun science an isotope of radon, radon-219; (b) = actinide:

(a)

history of

E20.

actino- /'aktinau, ak'tinou/ combining form of Greek aktin-, aktis ray: see -o-. ■ actino morphic adjective (botany) (of a flower) characterized by radial symmetiy (opp. zygomorphic) L19. actino mycin noun an antibiotic obtained from actinomycetes M20. actinomy cosis noun a disease of animals (esp. cattle), and sometimes of people, caused by infection with actinomycetes and most commonly affecting the mouth, jaw, or neck L19. actinomy cotic adjective pertaining to or suffering from actinomycosis E20. actinopte rygian adjective & noun [Greek pterugion fin, dim. of pterux wing) (designating or pertaining to) a ray-finned fish, a fish belonging to the subclass Actinopterygii, b but, d dog,

f few. g get,

[from prec. + -able.]

ACTINO-+-METER.]

An instrument for measuring the heating or actinic power of radiant energy. ■ actino metric adjective of or pertaining to actinometers or their use M19. .actino'metrical adjective = actinometric L19.

With adverbs in specialized senses: act out (a) verb phr. trans. translate (ideas etc.) into action, represent in action; (b) verb phr. trans. & intrans. express (repressed or unconscious feelings) in overt behaviour, act up colloq. misbehave, give trouble or pain.

rj

actionable /'akf(3)n3b(3)l/ adjective. Li6.

actinometer /akti'nomits/ noun. Mi9. [from

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg,

m

potential biology the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell; action replay a playback of a televised inci¬ dent, esp. in a sports match, just after it has taken place; faction sermon in the Scottish Presbyterian Church, a discourse at the Eucharist or other sacrament; action song a (children's) song involving also some dramatic movement, esp. of the hands; action stations positions taken up by troops etc. before going into action; transf. positions for beginning any activity. ► B verb trans. 1 Bring a legal action against, mis. 2 Take action on, put into effect. M20. ■ actional adjective [a) of or pertaining to action(s); (b) action¬ able: Ml 7.

► A noun. 1 The taking of legal steps to establish a claim or obtain remedy; the right to institute a legal process. ME. kb A legal process or suit. lme. 2 The process or condition of acting or doing; the exer¬ tion of energy or influence; working, agency, operation.

Affording ground for an action at law. ■ actiona bility noun 119. actionably adverb E19.

actioner/'akjsns/ noun. Li9. [from action noun + -er'.] kl An artisan who makes the action of an instrument, as of a gun, piano, etc. k2 A film predominantly consisting of exciting action and adventure, colloq. L20. activate /‘aktrveit/ verb trans. Ei7. [from active adjective + -ate*.]

1 Make active, cause to act. Freq. techn. E17. 2 spec. Make radioactive. M20. 1 activated carbon, activated charcoal charcoal which has been treated so as to increase its adsorptive power, activated sludge aerated sewage containing aerobic bacteria. ■ activator noun a thing which or (rare) a person who activates E20.

activation /akti'veij(3)n/ noun. E20. [from prec.: see -ation.]

The action of activating; the state of being activated. Comb. : activation analysis chemistry a technique of analysis in which atoms of a particular element in a sample are made radio¬ active (esp. by irradiation with neutrons) and their concentra¬ tion is then determined radiologically; activation energy chemistry the minimum quantity of energy which a molecule, ion. etc. must possess in order to take part in a specified chemical reaction.

LME.

3 A thing done, a deed, an act (usu. viewed as occupy¬ ing some time in doing); (in pi.) freq. habitual or ordinary deeds, conduct, lme. 4 Mode of acting, ka Gesture, esp. in oratory or acting. Mi6. kb The management of the body or limbs in move¬ ment. Li6. kc The way in which an instrument acts; the mechanism effecting this. M19. kd A film director’s command to begin a scene. M20. f5 The celebration of a sacrament. Chiefly Scot. M16-L19. 6 a An engagement with the enemy; a fight. Li6. kb Active operation against, or engaging, an enemy; fighting. Ei7. |7 The acting of plays, performance. E17-E18. |8 A share in a joint-stock company. 117-M19. 9 The event or series of events represented in a drama or forming the subject of a poem or other composition. LI 7.

10 physics. The product (or a corresponding integral) of momentum and distance or (equivalently) of twice the kinetic energy and time. Now also, the product (or inte¬ gral) of the difference between kinetic energy and poten¬ tial energy, and time. E19. 11 Activity; the exciting or important events etc. Freq. in where the action is. slang. M20. B3 2 Joyce The corrosive action of copperas. G. Santayana Trust the man who hesitates in his speech and is quick and steady in action. DELAYED-action. 6a S. Sassoon The Division had now been in action for a week. E. Bowen A month when enemy action was not severe, b B. Elton Jack has seen plenty of action, having served with distinction in Vietnam. Phrases: action at a distance the exertion of force by one body on another separated from it by space; fig. the exertion of influ¬ ence from a distance, action front!, action rear!: commands in an artillery regiment to prepare for action in front of, behind, the guns, action of a verb, verbal action the thing asserted by the verb, strictly action but also state, existence, etc. action of declarator, action of trover, action rear!: see action front! above, chose in action see chose noun, clear the decks for action see CLEAR verb 8. direct action: see direct adjective, go into action begin a military action or attack; gen. begin work, begin operat¬ ing, in action (a) (of property) not in possession, but recoverable by legal process; (b) in practical or effective operation, industrial action see industrial adjective, join action: see join verb, live action see live adjective, man of action: see man noun, out of action not working principle of least action suit the action to the word see suit verb, take action institute legal proceedings; gen. begin to act, act effectively, transitory action: see transitory 3. unity of action: see unity noun' 8. verbal action see action of a verb above. Comb.: action committee: formed to take active steps, esp. in politics; action figure a toy figure with moveable parts, representing a person or fictional character renowned for adventurous or heroic action: action group: formed to take active steps, esp. in politics, action-noun grammar: expressing an action; action-packed adjective [colloq.) full of action or excite¬ ment: action painting (a painting produced by) spontaneous or random application of paint; action point a point or issue on which there is a need or a decision to take action; action man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top,

v van,

w we,

z zoo.

active /'aktrv/ adjective & noun. me. [Latin activus. formed as act verb + -ive; partly from French actif, -ive.] ► A adjective. 1 Given to action rather than contempla¬ tion or speculation; practical. ME.

2 Originating or communicating action, lme. 3 grammar. Designating, being in, involving, or pertain¬ ing to a voice comprising all forms of intransitive verbs, and those forms of transitive verbs that attribute the action of the verb to the person or thing whence it pro¬ ceeds (the logical subject, in this case coinciding with the grammatical subject). Opp. passive, and in some lan¬ guages middle lme. 4 Energetic; diligent; brisk; busy. lme. 5 Working, effective; not quiescent or extinct, mi7. ►b Radioactive. E20. tc electronics. Of a circuit: contain¬ ing a source of power. Opp. passive. M20. td electronics & mechanics. Of a system: capable of modifying its state or characteristics automatically in response to input or feedback. M20. £0 1 Esp. in active life [Latin vita artiva]. 2 active citizen a member of the public who actively takes the initiative in crime prevention etc. 4 Shakes. 2 Hen. IVThe most active fellow in Europe. Day Lewis Sunday was.. the most active day ofthe week. 5 Boswell Instances of his active benevo¬ lence. active carbon, active charcoal activated carbon, active driveway US: in use by vehicles etc. active immunity medicine: resulting from the production of antibodies by the immune system in response to the presence of an antigen, active layer physical geography a seasonally thawed surface layer above permafrost, active list a list of officers in the armed forces liable to be called on for service, active matrix electronics a display system in which each pixel is individually controlled, active service actual participation in warfare; full-time service in armed forces, active site biochemistry a region on an enzyme that binds to a protein or other substance during a reaction, active transport biology the movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy, active volcano a volcano that is erupting or has erupted in historical times, optically active: see optically, d Autocar A sensational prototype with a.. turbo-engine, four-wheel drive, active suspension.

► B absol. as noun. 1 A person devoted to the active life. LME.

2 grammar. The active voice; an active form of a verb. Mi6. ■ actively adverb lme. activeness noun the quality of being active; esp. - activity 2: E16. activism /’aktivizfajm/ noun. E20. [from active adjective + -ism.] 1 philosophy The theory that everything whatsoever is active. Now rare. E20.

2 A policy of vigorous action, esp. in politics. E20. ■ activist noun & adjective (a) noun an advocate of activism; (b) adjective of or pertaining to activists or activism: E20. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin, 6 this, g ring, tj chip, d3 jar

23

activity I adactivity /ak'tivrti/ noun. lme. [French activity or late Latin activitas, formed as active: see -itv.]

1 The state of being active; the exertion of energy, action, lme. Fb The degree to which an enzyme or other substance exhibits its characteristic property. L19. ►c Radioactivity. E20. Fd chemistry. A thermodynamic quantity which is a measure of the effective concentra¬ tion of a substance in a system. E20. 2 Brisk or vigorous action; energy; diligence; liveliness. L15.

f3 Gymnastics,

athletics;

a

gymnastic

exercise.

M16-E18.

4 An active force or operation; an occupation, a pursuit. M17. Fb In pi. Things that a person, animal, or group chooses to do. E20. ffl 1 c specific activity: see specific adjective. 2 optical activity: see optical. 4b H. W. Fowler A regrettable by-product of their activities. Listener The widespread activ¬ ities of the state security police.

actomyosin /akt3(u)'mAi3sin/ noun. M20. [from actin + -o- + MYOSIN.]

biochemistry. A complex of actin and myosin. acton / aktan/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also aketon. me. [Old French auqueton (mod. hoqueton), ult. from Flispano-Arab. alkutun the cotton.]

A jacket of quilted cotton worn under mail; a mailplated jacket of leather etc. actor /'akta/ noun. lme. [Latin, formed as act verb + -or. Cf. Old & mod. French arteur.] 1 An agent, esp. an administrator; a person who acts on behalf of another, obsolete exc. roman law (t5-17 chiefly Scot.). LME.

f2 The plaintiff or complainant in a legal action; a pleader. lme-mi8. 3 A person who performs or takes part in any action; a doer. (Nowusu. with alius, to sense 4.) M16. 4 A person who personates a character, or acts a part; a person whose occupation is acting in plays, films, etc. LI 6. 4 character actor, utility actor, etc. ■ actorish, actorly adjectives appropriate to or characteristic of a dramatic actor; affectedly theatrical: M20. actorship noun the quality or position of a dramatic actor L16. actory adjective = ACTORISH E20.

actress /‘aktris/ noun. Li6. [from prec. + -ess1.] fl A female doer. li 6-ei 8. 2 A female actor in plays, films, etc. eis. ■ actressy adjective pertaining to or characteristic of an actress Ll 9.

actual /'aktjuol, -tjusl/ adjective & noun. me. [Old & mod. French actuel from late Latin actualis active, practical, from actus act noun: see -al'. The spelling -at is by assim. to Latin.] ► A adjective. 1 Pertaining to or exhibited in acts; prac¬ tical, active, obsolete exc. as below, me. 2 Existing in act or fact; real. lme.

3 In action or existence at the time; present, current. LI 6. CQI 1 actual grace theolocy a divine influence inspiring some good act. actual sin theolocy a sin resulting from an individual act of free will (opp. original sin) 2 S. Hill He had no illusions about himself as actual or potential soldier. A. Burgess Too late to attend the actual ceremony, actual cautery: see cautery 1. 3 J. Braine Husbands were chosen as much on eventual as actual salary.

► B noun. In pi. Actual qualities, actualities. M16.

■ actualism noun (a) (now rare) the theory that nothing is merely passive; (b) realism: M19. actualist noun an advocate of actualism M19. actua ’listic adjective of the nature of actualism; realistic: L19. actualness noun actuality lme.

actualise verb var. of actualize. actuality/aktju'aliti, -tJu-/noun. lme. [Old French actualite or medieval Latin actualitas, from actualis: see prec., -ity.] f 1 Capacity of action, activity. LME-L17. 2 Reality; existing objective fact. M17. 3 In pi. Existing conditions or circumstances. Mi7.

4 Realism in description or presentation, mi9. tQ 4 attrib.: L. MacNeice The radio dramatist.. must select his actuality material with great discrimination.

actualize /'aktjusUiz, -tjo-/ verb trans. Also -ise. eis. [from actual adjective + -ize.]

Make actual or real; realize in action or description. ■ actuali zation noun E19.

actually /'aktjoali, -tju-/ adverb, lme. [from actual adjective + -ly2: partly after late Latin actualiter, French actuellement.] fl With deeds; actively. lme-mi7. 2 As a fact; really, lme. 3 As a present fact, at present, for the time being. Ei6.

4 As a matter of fact; indeed; even (strange as it may seem). M18.

£3 2 Geo. Eliot With a fixed look, seeing nothing that was actually present. 3 OED The party actually in power. 4 E. O'Neii.i. You feel no shame, but actually boast you are planning to dishonour yourself and your family. D. Heffron We think it’s quite all right, actually.

actuarial /aktju'emsl, -tju-/adjective. Mi9. [from next + -al1.]

Of or pertaining to actuaries or their profession. ■ actuarially adverb in relation to actuarial principles; on an actuarial basis: L19.

actuary /'aktjireri, -tju-/ noun. Mi6. [Latin actmrius, from actus act noun: see -ary1.]

1 A registrar, a clerk; an officer who records the acts of a court, obsolete exc. in the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury (Ch. of England). M16. 2 An officer who manages the deposits in a savings bank. Ei9. 3 A person who compiles statistics of mortality, acci¬ dents, etc., and calculates insurance risks and pre¬ miums. M19. actuate /'aktjueit, -tju-/ verb. Li6. [medieval Latin actuat- pa. ppl stem of actuare, from actus act see -ate3.]

noun:

11 verb trans. Carry out in practice, (rare after 17.) L16-L19. 2 verb trans. Give life to, enliven, vivify; stir into activity, excite. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. 3 verb intrans. Exert activity, act. E17. 4 verb trans. Communicate motion to (a machine etc.); cause the operation of (an electrical device etc.); be the motive for (an action). M17. 5 verb trans. Be the motive for action of (a person). Mi8. ■ actuator noun a person who or thing which actuates Li 9.

actuation /aktju'eij(a)n, -tju-/ noun. Ei7. [In early use from medieval Latin actuatio(nj, formed as prec.; later from prec.: see -ation.]

A communication of motion; a bringing into action; impulse, movement. actus reus /.aktss 'reras/ noun phr. E20. (Latin = guilty act.] law. The action or conduct which is a constituent element of a crime, as opposed to the mens rea or mental

state of the accused. acuate /'akjust/ adjective, lme. [medieval Latin acuatus pa. pple of acuarevar. of Latin acuere: see ACUTE, -ATE2.]

Made sharp or pungent; sharp-pointed. Jacuate verb trans. MI6-MI8. [from prec.: see -ate3.]

Make sharp or pungent. acuity /a'kjuati/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French acuite or medieval Latin acuitas, from acuere: see acute, -ity.] Sharpness (lit. &fig., as of a needle, the sight or hearing,

wit, etc.). visual acuity: see visual adjective.

aculeate /a'kjmliat/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [Latin aculeatus, from aculeus dim. of acus needle: see-ate2.] ► A adjective. 1 a zoology. Bearing a sting; spec, designating hymenopterous insects of the section Aculeata, which comprises bees, ants, and wasps. M17. Fb botany. Sharply pointed; prickly; (of a leaf) edged with sharply pointed projections, like a saw. M17. 2 fig. Pointed, incisive, stinging. M17. ► B noun. An aculeate insect. Li 9. ■ aculeated /-eitid/ adjective sharply pointed; armed with prickles; incisive: M17.

acumen /'akjumsn, s'kjmmsn/ noun. L16. [Latin acumen, -min- point, acuteness, from acuere: see acute.]

1 Sharpness of wit; penetration of perception; keen¬ ness of discrimination. Li 6. 2 botany. A tapering point, lis. fa- Glittering dross. L16-M17. k-f c A trumpet made of alchemy or similar metal, literary. M17-E19.

[from ALCOHOL + -OMETER.)

An instrument for measuring the proportion of alcohol in a liquor. ■ alcoholo metric adjective M19. alcoholometry noun MI9.

1 alcolize verb var. of alcoholize. alcoometer noun var. of alcoholometer. alcopop /'alkoluipDp/ noun. [from alco- (in

alcoholic

120.

adjective) +

pop

noun1.]

A sweet or fruit-flavoured (and ffeq. carbonated) drink containing alcohol. Also, a bottled ready-mixed spirit and mixer. Alcoran /alka'ram, ‘alkaran/ noun. arch. Also Alkoran. LME. [Old & mod. French from Arab,

03 1 b Shakes. Sonn. Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy. 2b Donne Compared to this All honour's mimic, all wealth alchemy, c Milton Four speedy cherubim Put to their mouths the sounding alchymie.

al-kur'an: see al-2, Koran.]

The Koran.

■ Alcoranic adjective Mi9. fAlcoranish adjective Ml7 vis Alcoranist noun a person who adheres to the original text of the Koran E17.

alcove /'alksov/ noun. L16.

alchera /'altfara/ noun. M20.

[French alcove from Spanish alcoba from Arab, ai-kubba the vault, the vaulted structure: see al-2.]

[Aboriginal.]

= next.

1 A vaulted or arched recess in a room-wall, formerly

alcheringa altJVrigga/ noun. Li9.

esp. one for a bed. Li6.

[Aranda = in the dream-time.)

A golden age in the mythology of some Australian Aborigines. alchymical adjective, alchymist noun, etc., vars. of ALCHEMICAL etc. alcid /'alsid/noun. L19. [from mod. Latin Alcidae (see below), from Alca genus name, formed as auk: see -id3.] zoology. A bird of the auk family, Alcidae. Cf. au k.

Alclad /'alklad/ noun. E20. [from al(uminium noun + clad ppi adjective.]

(Proprietary name for) a composite material consisting of sheets of aluminium alloy with a corrosion-resistant coating. Alcmanian /alk'memran/ adjective & noun. Mi9. [from Latin Akmanius, from Aleman from Creek Alkman a Greek lyric poet of the 7th cent, bc: see -an.) classical pKOSODY. (A verse) of four dactyls. ■ Also Alcmanic /-'manik/ adjective M19.

talcoate noun. Only in

alcoholometer 'al kobo Tom it 3/ noun. Also t-imeter; alcoholmeter. alcoometer. M19.

19.

2 A recess in a garden-wall or hedge; arch, a bower, a summer-house. E18. ■ alcoved adjective made as an alcove; vaulted, arched: M19.

alcyonarian /alsia'ne.'rran/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from mod. Latin Alcyonaria (see below), from alcyonium from Creek alkuoneion a coral said to resemble a halcyon's nest (Dioscorides): see halcyon, -arian.] zoology. b-A noun. An anthozoan of the subclass

Alcyonaria, which includes colonial soft corals whose polyps bear eight pinnate tentacles. ti9. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating this sub¬ class. LI 9. tald noun see old noun1.

alcohol "alkahol/ noun. M16. (French (now alcool) or medieval Latin from Arab, al-kuhl the kohl: see AL-2, KOHL.)

11 A fine powder produced by grinding or esp. by sub¬ limation. M16-M18.

aldea /al'deia./oreign al'deia/ noun. E17.

3 A liquid essence or spirit obtained by distillation. 4 Pure spirit of wine, the intoxicating component of fermented or distilled liquors; = ethanol. M17. kb Intoxicating drink, li 9. 5 chemistry. Any organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl groups bonded to an aliphatic radical. M19. £E) 3 fig.: Coleridge Intense selfishness, the alcohol of egotism. 4 absolute alcohol: see absolute adjective 5. 5 ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, etc. ■ alcoholate noun an alkoxide; a compound containing alcohol of crystallization: M19.

alcoholic/alko'hDlik/ adjective & noun. lis. [from prec. + -ic.)

► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or caused by alcohol; containing alcohol, lis. 2 Suffering from alcoholism. E20. 1 alcoholic fermentation the type of fermentation, occur¬ ring in yeasts, in which glucose is broken down to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.

► B noun. A person addicted to alcoholic drink. L19. Alcoholics Anonymous an association for the mutual support and rehabilitation of alcoholics. ■ alcoholically adverb L19.

talcoholimeter noun var. of alcoholometer.

[Portuguese aldeia, f-ea, Spanish aldea from Arab, al-da/a, from al + day'a agricultural village, farm.)

A small village or a farm in Portugal, Spain, or one of their former territories.

■ alcoholist noun an alcoholic; a drinker of alcohol: L19,

alcoholize 'aikahmUiz/ verb trans. Also -ise; talcol- M17. [French alcooliser: see alcohol, -ize.)

11 Sublimate, pulverize; refine to an essence rectify M17-L18. 2 Saturate or otherwise treat with alcohol, mi9. ■ alcoholi zation noun Li7.

b but, d dog, f few, g get,

h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg, m

[A. C. W. Aldis (1878-1953), Brit, inventor.]

In full Aldis lamp. (Proprietary name for) a hand lamp for signalling in Morse code. aldo- /'aldao/ combining form of aldehyde: see -o-. Before a vowel aid-. ■ aldo sterone noun (biochemistry) an adrenocortical steroid hormone important in electrolyte metabolism M20. aldosteronism noun (medicine) excessive secretion of aldosterone M20. al doxime noun (chemistry) an oxime of an aldehyde, a compound of the general formula RCH=NOH (where R is an alkyl group) li 9.

aldol /'aldol/ noun. L19. [from ald(ehyde + -oc] chemistry. A viscous liquid, CH3CH(OH)CH2CHO, obtained

Comb.: aldol condensation an addition reaction typified by the formation of aldol from acetaldehyde, undergone by most alde¬ hydes and ketones.

aldose /'aldaoz, -s/ noun. L19. [from ald(ehyde + -ose2.] chemistry. Any sugar which is also an aldehyde.

An alderman’s wife.

■ aide hydic adjective pertaining to or characteristic of an alde¬ hyde Li 9.

al dente /al 'denti, foreign al 'dente/ adverbial & adjectival phr. M20. [Italian, lit. ‘to the tooth'.]

Of pasta, vegetables, etc.: (cooked) so as to be still firm when bitten. alder /'odds/ noun. [Old English alor, trier, rel. to Middle Low German tiller, Middle Dutch else, Old High German elira, erila (German Erie), Old Norse olr, connected with Latin alnus. Forms with d recorded from 14.] 1 Any tree of the genus Alms, related to the birch; esp. A. glutinosa, common in wet places. Also alder tree. oe.

kb Any of several similar trees and shrubs of other genera. Also alder tree. Li6. 2 An alder fly. E19. lb black alder (a) = alder buckthorn below; (b) N. Amer. a winterbeny, Ilex verticillata. red alder (a) S. Ajr. = rooi-els; (b) a tree of western N. America, Alnus oregona. white alder (a) N .Amer. any of several pepperbushes; (b) S. Afr. a tree. Platylophus trifoliatus. allied to the rooi-els but with trifoliate leaves. Comb.: alder buckthorn a deciduous shrub, Frangula alnus, of the buckthorn family, growing on peaty soils and bearingred or (when ripe) black berries: alder fly a neuropteran insect of the genus Stall's, found near streams: alder kitten a kitten-moth, Furcula bicuspis; alder tree: see sense 1 above.

talder- prefix. me-mi7. [Later devel. of Old English dim genit. pi. of all.]

1 A man of noble or high rank. Long obsolete exc Hist OE.

2 The chief officer or warden of a guild. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. 3 Chiefly Hist. A magistrate of a borough; a municipal officer next in dignity to a mayor, for a long time (and still m the City of London) representing a ward, more [/frC?Iu'^ -UPt01974) a co-opted member of an English or Welsh county or borough council; N. Amer. & Austral, an elected member of a city council. (The status and condiman,

n no, p pen,

r red, s sit, t top,

[Perh. contr. of alderman + -ess1.]

aldrin /'oridrin/ noun. M20. [from K. Alder (1902-58), German chemist, + -in’.)

A chlorinated polycyclic hydrocarbon, C^HgClg, for¬ merly used as an insecticide. ale /erl/ noun. [Old English (e)alu = Old Saxon alo-, Old High German al-. Old Norse pi, from Germanic.)

1 Beer, formerly esp. of unhopped or paler-coloured kinds, a type of this, a drink of this, now chiefly in real ale & as a trade word. Also (usu. with specifying word) a similar drink made from other ingredients. Cf. beer noun', porter noun2, oe. 2 Chiefly Hist. A festival or gathering at which much ale is drunk, oe. 1 brown ale. light ale. mild ale. pale ale, (trade terms), cakes and ale see cake noun, ginger ale: see ginger noun, real ale see real adjective2, twopenny ale: see twopenny adjective 1. yard of ale: see yard noun2. Comb. : ale-bench a bench in or at the front of an alehouse; aleberry (obsolete exc. dial.) ale boiled with spice, sugar, and sops of bread; porridge made with ale; aleconner an inspector of ale (still a titular office in some boroughs); alecost [cost noun1] = costmary; tale-draper an alehouse-keeper; ale firkin a small

barrel of ale; an old unit of liquid capacity equal to 9 (earlier 8) gallons; ale gallon an old unit of liquid capacity equal to 282 cu. in. (4.62 litres); alehouse (chiefly Hist.) a house where ale is retailed; fale-knight a frequenter of alehouses, a tippler; aletaster an aleconner: ale-wort the fermenting infusion of malt. aleatico /ali'atikau/ noun. Also A-. E19. [Italian.]

[Old English aldormann. from aldor, ealdor chief, prince (formed as adjective) + man noun.]

The diseased condition caused by chronic overindulgence in alcoholic drink; addiction to alcohol.

Aldis /' o:ldis/ noun. E20.

2 Any of a class of compounds, typified by acetalde¬ hyde, which contain the group CH-0 and are formed by the partial oxidation of primary alcohols. M19.

old

[from alcohol + -ISM.)

[mod. Latin Aldinus, from Aldus: see below, -ine’.]

(A book or edition) printed by Aldus Manutius (14501515), a Venetian printer or his successors; (in) a style of printing type made for him, or an imitation of it.

taldress noun. M16-E18.

alderman /'oddaman/ noun. Also (Hist.) ealdor-. PI. -men.

alcoholism /'alkahohz(a)m/ noun. M19.

Aldine /'oddAin/ adjective & noun. E19.

[from Latin al(cohol) dehyd(rogenatum) dehydrogenated alcohol.] CHEMISTRY. 11 = ACETALDEHYDE. M-L19.

Of all, as alderliefest dearest of all.

alcoholise verb var. of alcoholize.

[One of the Channel Islands.)

► A adjective. Designating (an animal of) a breed of dairy cattle belonging to Alderney or to the Channel Islands in general, lis. ► B noun. An animal of the Alderney breed. Ei9.

al-2

12 spec. = kohl noun. E17-E19. obsolete in gen. sense. M17.

Alderney /'oildani/ adjective & noun. lis.

when acetaldehyde dimerizes in dilute alkali or acid; 3-hydroxybutanal.

aid- combining form see aldo-.

aldehyde/'aldihAid/noun. M19.

[Contr.]

Alcoholate.

tions of appointment of aldermen have varied with time and place.) oe. 3 honorary alderman: a title which, since 1974. can be given to past English or Welsh councillors. ■ alder manic adjective of, pertaining to, or like an alderman mis. alder manity noun (rare) (a) joc. aldermanship; (b) the body of aldermen: E17. aldermanlike adjective resembling (that of) an alderman E17. aldermanly adjective like, or becoming to. an alderman eis. aldermanry noun (a) Hist, a district having its own alderman; (b) the dignity or rank of an alderman: lme. aldermanship noun the office, position, or quality of an aiderman lme. alderwoman noun (rare) f(o) an alderman's wife; (b) N. Amer. a female alderman: Mi6.

v van, w we. z zoo.

A sweet Italian red wine. aleatory /'eiliat(a)ri/ adjective. L17. [Latin aleatorius, from aleator dice player, from alea a die: see -Y2.]

Depending on the throw of a die or on chance; depend¬ ing on uncertain contingencies; music & art involving random choice by the composer, performer, or artist. ■ Also aleatoric eilio'tonk/ adjective M20.

alec noun see smart alec. alecithal /eiTesiO(3)l/ adjective. L19. [from a-10 + Greek lekithos yolk + -al1.]

Of an egg or egg cell: having little or no yolk. aleck noun see smart alec. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

d this, q ring, tf chip, d3 jar

alectoria | alfresco talectoria noun. Also -ius. lme-mi9.

aleuromancy /oijuaramansi/ noun. rare. M17.

[Latin, formed as next.]

[French

A precious stone said to be found in the gizzard of cocks. ■ ralectorian noun & adjective L16-L19.

aleuromande, formed as next: see -mancy.]

Divination by means of meal or flour. aleurone /oijrreroun/ noun. Also -on /-an/. M19. [Creek aleuron flour.]

alectryomancy /a'lsktriamansi/ noun. Also -toro-, t-tro-. M17. [from Creek alectrubn, -tor cock + -mancy.] Divination by means of a cock with grains of corn.

alee /a'li:/ adverb & pred. adjective, lme. [from a preposition' 1 + lee noun', partly after Old Norse d hie.] nautical. On the lee or sheltered side of a ship; to leeward.

aleft h 'left/ adverb, arch. me. [from a preposition' 1 + left noun.] On or to the left.

alegar/'eiliga/noun. lme.

botany. Protein stored as granules within the cells of

seeds. Aleut /a'ljmt, 'alm:t/ noun & adjective. Lis. [Origin unkn.]

► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of the Aleutian Islands (see next); a speaker of the language of the Aleutian Islands, lis.

2 The language of the Aleutian Islands, other islands in the Bering Sea, and parts of western Alaska, related to Eskimo (Inupiaq and Yupik). L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Aleutian Islands, their inhabitants, or their language. M20. Aleutian /aiju:J(3)n/ adjective & noun. lis. [from prec. + -ian.]

ale-hoof/'eilhu:17 noun. Now dial. me. [Prob. alt. of earlier hayhove s.v. hay noun2.] Ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea.

Alemanrtic /alimamk/ adjective & noun. Also -manic Alle- LI 8. [Late Latin Aiemamicus, from Alemanni pi. (Creek Alamanoi) a Ger¬ manic tribe, from Germanic (prob. formed as all + man noun, denoting a wide alliance of peoples): see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to a confederation of Ger¬ manic tribes occupying the territory between the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube, or the (modem representa¬ tives of the) dialects of these people. L18. ► B noun. The group of Old High German dialects spoken by these people; the modern representatives of these in Alsace, Switzerland, and SW Germany. E19. ■ Alemannian adjective & noun = Alemannic L19. Alemannish adjective & noun f(a) German; (b) = Alemannic: me.

alembic /o'lembik/ noun & verb. me. [Old French from medieval Latin alembicus from Arab, al-’anbik, the still cap from Creek ambix: see al-2. Aphet. to limbeck.] ► A noun. An obsolete kind of still consisting of a gourd¬ shaped vessel and a cap having a long beak for conveying the products to a receiver; the cap of such a still, me. £□ fig.: Burke The hot spirit drawn out of the alembic of hell.

► A adjective. Designating a group of islands off the west coast of Alaska; of or pertaining to the Aleutian Islands, = Aleut adjective, lis. ► B noun. = Aleut noun. E19. 5 See also ESKIMO-Aleutian

alevin/'abvm/noun, mi 9. [Old & mod. French, ult. from Latin allevare set up, raise up.] A young fish fresh from the spawn.

alewife /'eilwAif/ noun. PI. -wives /-waivz/. lme. [from ale + wife noun (in sense ‘woman’).]

1 A woman who keeps an alehouse, arch. lme. 2 A fish of the herring family, Alosa pseudoharengus, found on the Atlantic coast of N. America. M17.

Alexander /alig 'za.rnda/ adjective. M20. [from the surname Alexander: see below.] Designating or pertaining to the principle or technique of using the body and postural alignment advocated by the Australian-born physiotherapist Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955).

tAlexander verb trans. M17-EI8.

1

[formed as Alexandrian adjective & noun2.] Treat in a manner characteristic of or appropriate to Alexander the Great.

►t B verb trans. Infl. -ck-. Distil (as) in an alembic. Earlier as limbeck verb. M17-MI8. ■ alembicated adjective (ofideas, expression, etc.) overrefined, subtilized Li a. alembi cation noun overrefinement of expres¬ sion etc.; concentration: Li 9.

alexanders /alig 'za:ndaz/ noun. oe.

alembroth /oTembroB/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. me.

Alexandrian /alig'zamdrian/ noun1 & adjective'. Mi6.

[Origin unkn.] (A name of the alchemists for) mercury ammonium chloride. Freq. also sal alembroth.

alength /s'legS/ adverb & pred. adjective. Now dial. lme. [from A preposition' 1 + length.] Lengthwise; forward (freq. fig.).

aleph /'a:lsf/ noun. me. [Hebrew ’alep lit. ‘ox’. Cf. alpha.] 1 The first letter of the Hebrew, Phoenician, and other Semitic alphabets, me. 2 math. A transfinite cardinal numeral. E20. Comb.: aleph-null, aleph-zero MATH, the smallest transfinite cardinal numeral, the cardinal of the set of positive integers. talepinenoun. mis-mi9. [French alepine from Arab, halabifrom Aleppo.] A mixed fabric of wool and silk, or mohair and cotton.

alerce /hb:si/ noun. Mi9. [Spanish = larch noun1.] (The wood of) a cupressoides.

[from medieval Latin alexandrum; in Middle English also from Old French alissa(u)ndre, -derie.]

An umbelliferous plant, Smymium olusatrum, formerly used for salads; N. Amer, any of certain other umbellifers. [from Alexandria (see below), founded by Alexander the Great, + -AN.] 1 A native or inhabitant of, of or pertaining to, the Egyptian city of Alexandria. M16. 2 Belonging or akin to, a member or follower of, any of the schools of philosophy in ancient Alexandria, esp. the Neoplatonic school of Plotinus and others or that of the Christian fathers Clement of Alexandria and Origen.

mis. 3 Belonging or akin to, a member or imitator of, the school of Greek literature, esp. poetry, which flourished at Alexandria under the Ptolemies; (of a writer) imita¬ tive, or fond of recondite learning. M19. ■ Alexandrianism noun the philosophical method or doctrine or the literary style of the Alexandrians M19

Alexandrian /alig'zamdran/ adjective2 & noun2. In senses A.i, B. also a-. Mi8. [from

Alexander the Great (356-323 Be), king of Macedonia, +

-IAN.]

Patagonian

conifer,

Fitzroya

alerion /a'lionon/ noun. Also alle-. lis. [French alerion = medieval Latin alario.] heraldry. An eagle with spread wings but without beak or feet.

alert /o'b:t/ adverb, adjective, noun, & verb. Also falerte. Li6. [French alerte, earlier allerte, al’airte from Italian all'erta, from alia at the + erta lookout (tower).] ► A adverb & adjective. 1 adverb & pred. adjective. Orig. military. On the lookout; watchful, vigilant. Li 6. 2 adjective. Quick in attention or motion; lively, nimble.

Ei8. ► B noun. A sudden attack or surprise; a warning call, an alarm; (the period of] a warning of an air raid etc. L18. on the alert on the lookout against danger or attack, red alert see red adjective, yellow alert: see yellow adjective. ► C verb trans. Make alert, warn. (Foil, by to.) M19. ■ alertly adverb L18. alertness noun E18.

alethic/a'li:0ik/ adjective. M20. [from Creek aletheia truth + -ic.] logic. Designating modalities of truth, such as necessity, contingency, or impossibility.

[from Alexander II (1818-81), Tsar of Russia + -ite1.] mineralogy. A gem variety of chrysoberyl which appears green in daylight and red in artificial light.

alexia /a'leksra, ei-l noun. L19. [Irreg. from a-10 + Greek lexis speech (conf. with Latin legere read) + -IA1.]

5 See also EsKlMO-Aleut

[from ale, after vinegar.] Sour ale; malt vinegar.

alexandrite /alig'za:ndrA.it/ noun. Mi9.

► A adjective. 1 = alexandrine adjective2, mis. 2 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Alexander the Great. E19. 2 Alexandrian laurel (a) a shrub of SW Asia, Danae racemosa, of the lily family, sometimes grown for its evergreen leaves and red berries; (b) a large Indo-Malayan evergreen tree, Calophyllum inophyllum (family Guttiferae), with glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers, and round green ffuit; also called poon tree

► B noun. = alexandrine noun2. M18.

Alexandrine /alig'zamdrin, -Ain/ noun' & adjective', lis. [French

alexandrin, formed as Alexandrian noun1 & adjective': see

-INE1.] = Alexandrian noun' & adjective'-, also, a type of embroi¬ dery associated with Alexandria.

alexandrine /alig'zamdrin, -Am/ adjective2 & noun2. Also A-. L16. [French alexandrin, from Alexandre Alexander (the Great), eponymous hero of a famous Old French romance in which the metre is used.]

prosody. ►A adjective. Designating or pertaining to an iambic line of twelve syllables or six feet. L16. ► B noun. An alexandrine line or verse. M17. C3 Pope A needless Alexandrine ends the song That like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.

medicine. Inability to read, or to understand written words, as a result of brain disorder. Cf. dyslexia. ■ alexic adjective E20.

alexin /a'leksm/ noun. Also -ine. L19. [from Creek alexein ward off + -in1.] PHYSIOLOGY. = COMPLEMENT noun 4e.

alexipharmic /alEksi'faimik/ noun & adjective. Now rare or obsolete. Also f-mac, M17. [French alexipharmaque from mod. Latin alexipharmacum from Creek alexipharmakon neut. sing, (as noun) of adjective from alexein ward off + pharmakon poison: assim. to -ic.] ► A noun. An antidote against poison. M17. ► B adjective. Having the quality or nature of an antidote. M17. ■ alexipharmacon, -cum noun = alexipharmic noun M16. talexipharmical, -acal adjective & noun: only in 17.

talexiteric adjective & noun. L17-L19. [from medieval Latin alexiterium remedy, from Greek alexiterion safeguard, + -lc.[ (A substance) having the power to ward off contagion, or act as an antidote. ■ talexiterial adjective & noun E17-M19. talexiterical adjective M17-L18. I alexitery adjective & noun E17-E18.

alexithymic /ei(lsksi'0Aimik/ adjective & noun. L20. [from a-10 + Greek lexis speech + thumos soul + -ic.] psychology. (A person) lacking the ability to recognize and express emotions. ■ alexithymia noun an affective disorder characterized by an inability to recognize and express emotions L20.

aley adjective var. of aly. alfa /'alfa/ noun. Also ha- /'ha-/. M19. [Arab, haljd’, colloq. Haifa.] Esparto grass.

alfalfa /alfalfa/noun. M19. [Spanish from Arab, al-fasfasaa green fodder.] = lucerne noun2.

alfaqui /alfs'ki:, foreign alfa'ki/ noun. Now rare. PI. -quis /-'ki:z/, -quies /-'kies./oreign -'kies/. E17. [Spanish alfaqui from Arab, al-fakih, from al al-2 + Jakih a person skilled in islamicjurisprudence.] A Muslim expert in religious law.

alferez /al'fsroz, foreign al'fereO/ noun. Also t-res PI. -rezes /-rsziz/, -reces /-rasiz.foreign -re0es/. L16. [Spanish alferez, Old Spanish & Portuguese -res from Arab, al-juris the horseman, the skilled fighter on horseback: see al-2.] In Spanish, and formerly in Portuguese, armies: an ensign, a standard-bearer; a second lieutenant.

alfilaria /alfib'rbs/noun. US. Mi9. [Mexican Spanish, from Spanish alfiler pin, with ref. to the longbeaked carpels.] = pin clover s.v. pin noun'.

alfin /'alfm/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. Also -phin. lme. [Old French aufin, later also alphin (medieval Latin alphinus) from Spanish & Portuguese alfll from Arab, al-fil the elephant: see AL-2.] A chess piece similar in function to the present-day bishop.

Alfisol /'alfisDl/ noun. M20. [from arbitrary 1st elem. + -sol] soil science. A soil of an order comprising leached basic or slightly acid soils with a clay-enriched B horizon.

alforja /al'fo:hs, foreign al'forxa/ noun. Also i-rge ei7. [Spanish alforja, Portuguese -rge from Arab, al-kurj saddle-bag: see al-2.] 1 In Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and other areas of Spanish influence (as the south-western US): a wallet, a saddle-bag. E17. \2 Acheelc-pouch. e-mis.

Alfredian /al'frhdran/adjective. Ei9. [from Alfred (see below) + -IAN.] Pertaining to or characteristic of Alfred the Great (849-99), king of the West Saxons, or his writings,

Alfredo /al'freidou/ adjective. L20. [Alfredo di Lelio (b. 1893), Italian chef and restaurateur, who invented the sauce.] Denoting a dressing for pasta, orig. consisting of butter and grated Parmesan cheese but now usu. a sauce incorporating butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan. Freq. postpositive, in fettucine Alfredo

alfresco /al'freskou/ adverb & adjective. Mi 8. [Italian alfresco: see fresco.] ► A adverb. 1 In the open air. M18. 2 art. In fresco, mi8. ► B adjective. Open-air. El 9.

so no, a: hair, ra near, 01 boy, os poor, Ara tire, aus sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, a: saw. A run, u put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day.

52

Alfven | alien

alga /'algo/ noun. PI. algae /'ak^i:, ’algi:/. M16. [Latin = seaweed.]

Orig., seaweed; now, any of a large group of nonvascular mainly aquatic cryptogams capable of photo¬ synthesis, including seaweeds and many unicellular and filamentous organisms. Also collect., the mass formed by such organisms. blue-green alga see blue adjective, brown alga see brown adjective, green alga see green adjective, red alga: see red adjective.

algal /'alg(o)l/ adjective & noun. mi9.

algorithmic language.] (The name of) an early high-level programming lan¬ [from

guage,

algolagnia /algoo'lagnia noun. E20. [from Creek algos pain + lagneia lust.] psychiatry. The practice of obtaining sexual pleasure from pain inflicted on oneself or another.

algology/3l'gDted3i/noun. mi9. [from alca + -ology.]

The branch of science that deals with algae. ■ algo logical adjective Mi9 a'lgologistnoun Mi9.

Algonkian /al'gmtkum/ adjective & noun. Li9. [Var. of Algonquian.] 1 geology. = Proterozoic. L19.

2 = Algonquian. E20.

[from prec. +-al'.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to algae; of the nature of an alga, mi9. ► B noun. An alga. rare. Mi9. algarroba algo'roubo/noun. Li6.

Algonkin noun & adjective var. of Algonquin. Algonquian /al’gogkwian, -kr-/ adjective & noun. See also Algonkian. Li9. [Irreg. from next + -ian.]

al-karrub(a): see al-2. carob.] 1 (The pod of) the carob tree. Li6.

[Spanish from Arab,

mi 8.

algate /'o;lgert/ adverb. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also -gates /-geits/. ME. [from

alias /'eiliss/ adverb & noun. lme.

Algol /'algol/ noun. M20.

[HannesAljven (1908-95). Swedish physicist.]

physics. Used attrib. with ref. to Alfven's discoveries. Alfven speed. Alfven velocity the speed of an Alfven wave in a plasma of given properties. Alfven wave a transverse magnetohydrodynamlc wave travelling in the direction of the mag¬ netic field in a magnetized plasma,

2 (The fruit of) any of certain mesquites.

jalhidada noun var. of alidade.

■ alginate noun a salt of alginic add L19.

Alfven 'alfvem, -van/ noun. M20.

all + gate noun2; -s analogical.]

11 Always, continually. ME-L16. 2 Anyhow; by all or any means, me. |3 At any rate, at all events. ME-E17. f4 All the way, altogether. ME-E17. 5 Nevertheless, after all. me. 6 Everywhere, north. L19.

algebra /'aldybra/ noun. lme. [Italian, Spanish, medieval Latin, from Arab, al-jabr. from al AL-2 + jabr reunion of broken parts, fromjabara set broken bones, reunite, restore. The term achieved currency in the title of a book, 'ilm al-jabr wa'I-mukabala 'the science of restoring what is missing and equating like with like', by the mathematician al-KwarizmT (cf.

algorism).]

f 1 The surgical treatment of fractures, lm e-m i 6. 2 The part of mathematics which investigates the rela¬ tions and properties of numbers or other mathematical structures by means of general symbols; a system of this based on given axioms. Mie. ■ algebraist -brenst/ noun a person versed in algebra E17. algebraize verb (a) verb tram, express in algebraic form; (b) verb intrans. perform algebra: M19. talgebrician noun = algebraist L16-L17. algebrist noun = algebraist L17.

algebraic/ald3i'brenk/ adjective. Mi7. [from prec. + -ic.]

Of, pertaining to, or occurring in algebra; spec, (of a func¬ tion, etc.) able to be produced by the simple algebraic operations (opp. transcendental adjective).

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to a large group of N. American Indian peoples including the Algonquins proper; of or pertaining to (any of) the languages and dia¬ lects of these peoples. Li 9. ► B noun. A member of, any of the languages or dialects

[Latin = at another time, otherwise.]

► A adverb. Otherwise called or named; called at other times, lme. £13 E. O'Neill It sounds to me like Bacchus, alias the Demon Rum, doing the talking.

► B noun. |1 ww. A second writ, containing the words sicut alias praecipimus, issued after the first has failed. LME-E19. 2 A name by which a person is or has been called on other occasions; an assumed name. Ei7. 3 physics & telecommunications. Each of a set of signal fre¬ quencies which, when sampled at a given uniform rate, would give the same set of sampled values, and thus might be incorrectly substituted for one another when reconstructing the original signal. M20. 4 computing. An alternative name or label that refers to a file, command, address, etc., and can be used to locate or access it. M20. ■ aliasing verbal noun (a) physics 8 telecommunications the misidentification of a signal frequency, introducing distortion or error; (b) computing the use of aliases to designate files, commands, addresses, or other items: M20.

Ali Baba /'ali 'barbs, 'ba:ba:/ noun phr. M20. [Arab. 'All Baba, a character in the Arabian Nights’ Entertain¬ ments.] In full Ali Baba basket. A tall basket with a rounded

body and a flat base.

of, this group of peoples. Li9.

Algonquin /argoqkwm, -kin/ noun & adjective. Also -kin /-kin/. E17. [French, contr. of tAlgoumequin: cf. Micmac algoomeaking at the place of spearing fish and eels.] ► A noun. A member of a N. American Indian people of the districts of Ottawa and Quebec; the language of this people; more widely = Algonquian noun. Ei7. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Algonquin or their language; more widely = Algonquian adjective.

alibi /‘alibAi/ adverb, noun, & verb. U7. [Latin = elsewhere.]

►|A adverb. Elsewhere, li7-Li8. ► B noun. A plea by the person accused of an act that he or she was elsewhere when it took place; evidence to support such a plea; colloq. an excuse of any kind. Lis. ► C verb trans. & intrans. Provide an alibi, offer an excuse, (for). E20.

alible /’alib(s)l/ adjective, rare. Mi7. [Latin alibilis, from alere nourish: see -1BLE. ]

El 8.

Nutritive, nourishing.

talgornoun. lme-li9. [Latin.] Cold, chilliness, esp. at the onset of fever.

Alicante /ali'kanti/ noun. Also f-cant, t-gant. lis. [A city in Spain.]

algorism /'algarizRJm/ noun. Also faugrim & similar forms, me. [Old French augori(s)me, algorisme from medieval Latin algorismus from Arab. al-Kwdrazmi the man of Kwdrazm (Khiva), agnomen of the mathematician Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa (fl. c 800-47). author of widely translated works on arithmetic and algebra.] 1 The Arabic or decimal system of writing numbers; gen. arithmetic, me. 2 = algorithm 2. rare. M20. ■ algorismic adjective (rare) M19.

algorithm /'algariSQjm/ noun. L17.

A red wine exported from or produced near Alicante in SE Spain. Alice /'ahs/ noun. E20. [Female forename.] 1 [Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of the US President Theodore Roosevelt.] Alice blue, a light greenish-blue colour. E20. 2 [Heroine of two books by Lewis Carroll.] ka Alicein-Wonderland adjective, fantastic, absurd. E20. kb Alice band, a type of band to hold back the hair. M20.

[Var. of algorism after Creek arithmos number.]

alick noun see smart alec.

03 C. S. OGiLVYThe famous equation. ,e“ = -1, is not alge¬ braic.

1 = ALGORISM 1. 117. 2 A procedure or set of rules for calculation or

alicydic /ali'sAiklik, -'sik-/ adjective.

■ algebraical adjective of or relating to algebra L16. algebraically adverb in terms of, by means of, algebra M17. algebraicize /-saiz/ verb trans. express in algebraic form L19.

problem-solving, now esp. with a computer. E19. ■ algo rithmic adjective expressed as or using an algorithm or algorithms L19. algo rithmically adverb L20.

algedonic/aldpi'dDmk/ adjective. Li9. [from Creek algos pain + hedone pleasure + -ic.]

Pertaining to or characterized by pleasure and pain, or reward and punishment. Algerian /al'djiartan/ noun & adjective. Ei7. [from Algeria (see below) + -an.) ► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of the country of Algeria or the town of Algiers, in N. Africa. E17.

2 Wine from Algeria. M20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Algeria or Algiers. L19.

■ Algerine /'aldjarin/ noun & adjective (arch.) = Algerian; esp. (characteristic of) a pirate from Algiers: M17.

-algia /'aldga/ suffix. [from Creek algos pain + -ia1.]

Forming nouns denoting pain in a specified part, as neuralgia ■ -algic suffix forming corresp. adjectives

algicide /'ald3isAid, 'algi-/ noun. E20. [from alga + -1- + -CIDE.]

A substance poisonous to algae. algid /'ak^id/ adjective. E17. [Latin

algidus, from algere be cold: see -id'.]

Cold, chilly; medicine characterized by a feeling of cold¬ ness. ■ al gidity noun (rare) M17.

algin /'ald3in/ noun. L19. [from alga + -in'.]

alguacil /algws'sil./oreign algwa'Gil/ noun. PI. -cils l-'sthJ, -dies /'-'Giles/. Also -zil /-'zil, foreign -'Gil/, pi. -zils /-'zilz/, -ziles /-'Giles/. E16. [Spanish (earlier -zil) from Arab, al-wazir, from al al-2 + wazir VIZIER.] 1 In Spain: an officer of justice, a warrant-officer, a ser¬ geant. in Latin America or other areas of Spanish influ¬ ence: a sheriff, a constable. Ei6. 2 A mounted official at a bullfight. E20.

algum /'algAm/ noun. PL -im /-im/, -s. Li6. [Hebrew 'algum: cf. almuc.] A tree, not definitely identified, mentioned in the Bible. Also algum tree.

[from prec. * -ic.]

chemistry, alginic acid, an insoluble gelatinous carbohy¬ drate found (chiefly as salts) in many brown algae. b but. d dog, f few, g get. h he. j yes, k cat, ] leg, n

matic. Also, of or pertaining to such a compound. alidade /'alideid/ noun. Also

tallidatha.

talhidada

i alidad lme. [Orig. from Arab, al-'idada, perh. from al al-2 + 'adud upper arm; in mod. form from French from Spanish.)

A sighting device or pointer for angular measurement, usu. for use with (orig.) a quadrant, astrolabe, etc., or (now) a plane table. alien /’eilran/ adjective & noun. me. [Old French from Latin alienus belonging to another, from alius other.]

► A adjective. 1 Belonging to another person, family, place, context, or world, me. kb esp. Of a foreign nation, under foreign allegiance, lme. kc Of a plant: introduced from another country and subsequently naturalized.

Al-Hadj noun var. of Al-Hajj.

M19.

alhagi/al'hcudji/noun. M18.

2 Foreign in nature, character, or origin; out of harmony, lme. kb Foil, by from: differing in nature from, inconsistent with. lme. kc Foil, by to: repugnant to, opposed to; out of character with. E18.

Latin from Arab, al-haj: see AL-2.] A spiny leguminous shrub of the genus Alhagi, members of which yield a kind of manna. [mod.

alhaji /al'hadsi/ noun. As a title A-. M20. [Hausa, formed as next.] In W. Africa: a Muslim who has been to Mecca as a pilgrim.

Al-Hajj /al'hadj/ noun. Also -Had). M19.

-2

(Arab., formed as al + hajj.] As a title: a Muslim who has undertaken the hajj Cf. HAJJI.

Alginic acid or any of its salts. alginic /al'd3inik/ adjective. L19.

119. [from AL|(PHATIC + CYCLIC.] chemistry. Of an organic compound: cyclic but not aro¬

Alhambresque /alham'brssk/ adjective. Mi9. [from Alhambra (see below) + -esque.] In the architectural style of the Alhambra, the palace of the Moorish kings at Granada in Spain; like the Alham¬ bra. man,

n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we. z zoo.

ELI 1 Keats The sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home. She stood in tears amid the alien com. Guardian Was this an alien attempt to establish life on this planet? b Alien Priory: owing obedience to a mother-abbey in a foreign country. 2 A. G. Gardiner The Fifth Symphony.. creates a state of mind, a spiritual atmosphere, that is destroyed by any intru¬ sive and alien note. ► B noun. 1 A stranger, a foreigner, me. kb esp. A nonnaturalized foreigner, me. kc A being from another world. M20. 2 A person separated or excluded/rom. arch. Mi6. 3 botany. A plant orig. introduced from another country and later naturalized. Ml9. 4 philology. A word from one language used but not nat¬ uralized in another. Li 9. I she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

dj jar

53

alien | alizarin BJ 1 fig.: Shakes, i Hen. IV Almost an alien to the hearts Of all the court, b M. McCarthy It was against the law for an alien to interfere in the domestic affairs of a foreign country, c K. Amis Some excellent stories have been written about non-communicating aliens. 2 J. H. Newman As if aliens from God's mercies. Comb.: alien-enemy, alien-friend uw an alien owing alle¬ giance to a country at war with, at peace with, his or her country of residence. ■ alienage noun the condition or legal standing of an alien Ei9. alienness/-n-n-/noun E2o.

alien /‘eilran/ verb trans. Now rare. In sense 2 also -ene /-i:n/. LME. [Old & mod. French aliener from Latin alienare: see alienate verb.] 1 = ALIENATE Verb 1. LME. 2 = ALIENATE verb 2. LME. ■ alie’ nee noun a person to whom the ownership of property is transferred. Mi6. alienor noun a person who transfers property to another M16.

alienable /'edian3b(a)l/ adjective. E17. [from prec. + -able. Cf. French alienable.] Able to be alienated. ■ aliena bility noun Lis. t alienate

adjective & noun. lme. [Latin alienate pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate2.] ► A adjective. 1 Estranged. lme-ei9. 2 Alienated. E16-M17. 3 Foreign in nature or character. M16-M17. ► B noun. An alien, a stranger. L15-MI6.

alienate /'eilraneit/ verb trans. E16. [Latin alienat- pa. ppl stem of alienare, from alienus: see alien adjective & noun, -ate2.] 1 Estrange; turn away in feelings or affection. Ei6. 2 Transfer to the ownership of another. Ei6. 3 gen. Turn away, divert. L16. ■ alienator noun L17.

alienation /eili3'neij(3)n/ noun. lme. [Old French, or Latin alienatio(n-), formed as prec,: see -ation.] 1 The act of estranging or state of estrangement in feeling or affection, lme. >b theatrical. Objectivity of a spectator’s reaction, sought by some dramatists. M20. 2 Loss of mental faculties, insanity. Now usu. more fully mental alienation lme. 3 The action of transferring ownership of anything. lme. Fb The state ofbeing held by other than the proper owner, arch. Ei9. 4 Diversion of something to a different purpose. Li 8. CO 1 Burke They grow every day into alienation from this country. E. Kamenka The philosophico-ethical conceptions that underlie the younger Marx. Chief among these concep¬ tions is that of 'alienation': the notion that in modern capit¬ alistic society man is estranged or alienated from what are properly his functions and creations and that instead of con¬ trolling them he is controlled by them, alienation of affection(s) us law transfer of a person’s affection from one with rights or claims to it to another held responsible for the estrangement. 3 J. Bramhail The alienation ofLands to the Church. 4 H. Wilson He [Gladstone] was particularly con¬ cerned to strengthen the safeguards against ‘alienation’, that is, diverting to another purpose.. moneys that had been spe¬ cifically voted by Parliament for a particular use.

6 Come by chance on, upon, mi9. CU 1 Clarendon His Majesty alighted out of his Coach. Joyce Our travellers.. alighted from their palfreys. B. Pym Elegantly dressed people were alighting from cars. 3 Shakes. Merch. V Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian. 4 V, Woolf That moment.. when if a feather alight in the scale it will be weighed down. G. Orwell A thrush had alighted on a bough not five metres away. Times We were about to alight along the centre-line of the runway, fig.: Scott Fitzgerald So far his suspicions hadn’t alighted on Tom. 6 S. Gillespie His eye immediately alighted on a Degas.

alien

verb.

alienism /'eili3mz(3)m/ noun. lis. [from alien noun + -ism.]

1 The position ofbeing an alien; foreign status. Now rare. Li 8. 2 The study and treatment of mental illness. Now rare or obsolete. Li 9.

alienist /'eilisnist/ noun. Now chiefly US. Mi9. [French alieniste; see alienation 2, -ist.] An expert in mental illness, esp. from a legal stand¬ point.

talife adverb. M16-L17. [Prob. from lief. conf. with life noun.]

love alife. love dearly. aliform /'eilifo:m/ adjective, eis. [mod. Latin aliformis, from Latin ala wing: see -form.] Wing-shaped.

alight /s'kit/ adverb & pred. adjective, lme. [Prob. from phr. fun a light (= lighted)fire.]

On fire; lighted up. talighten verb trans. M16-L18. [Irreg. after lighten verb1.]

Lighten, relieve. align /s'lAin/ verb. Also (earlier) aline, lme. [Old French alignier (mod. aligner), from phr. d ligne into line: see a-5, line noun2.]

11 verb trans. Of a male animal: copulate with (a female animal). Only in lme. 2 verb trans. Place or lay in a line; bring into line; esp. bring (points) into a straight line. L17. 3 verb intrans. Fall into line (with). Li 9. 4 verb trans. fig. Bring into a relation of (esp. political) agreement or alliance (with). M20. alignment /a'Lunm/ajnt/ noun. Also aline-, lis. [Old & mod. French alignement, formed as prec.: see -ment.J

1 Arrangement in aline or lines. L18. Fb spec Arrange¬ ment of soldiers in a line or lines; a military line. L18. 2 The drawing of a straight line through a point or points, mi9. 3 Bringing into line, straightening. Li 9. 4 Bringing into (esp. political) agreement or alliance; a grouping of parties, powers, etc. M20. Comb.: alignment chart = nomogram.

alike /s'Uik/ adjective (now usu. pred.). (Old English geiic = Old Frisian gelik. Old Saxon gelk (Dutch gelijk), Old High German galih (German gleich). Old Norse glikr. Gothic galeiks, from Germanic: see A-2, like adjective. Reinforced by Old Norse alikr (with prefix as an-1).]

Like one another; similar; indistinguishable. ca Shakes. Com. Err. Male twins, both alike. E. Bowen Their alike profiles. D. Parker They looked alike, though the resemblance did not he in their features.

■ alikeness noun lme. alike /s'Luk/ adverb. [Old English gelice, formed as prec. + adverbial suffix -e (corresp. forms in Old High German and Gothic): see a-4, like adverb. Reinforced by Old Norse alika (with prefix as an-1).]

In like manner; equally; similarly. £0 Goldsmith Nature, a mother kind alike to all. R. West The curtains,.. the wallpapers, which alike were a richcoloured paste of little flowers, share and share alike: see share noun2, verb2.

aliment /'alnn(9)nt/ noun. lis. 1 Nutriment, food. ns. 2 fig. Support, mental sustenance. Mi7 3 scots law & gen. Provision for maintenance; alimony. M17.

■ ali'mental adject/Ve of or pertaining to aliment; nutritive: Li6. ali mentally adverb (rare) Mi7

aliment /'aliment/ verb trans. lis. [French alimenter from late Latin alimentare, from alimentum: see prec.] 1 Supply with food. rare. lis.

2 scors law& gen. Make provision for the maintenance of, provide alimony for. Ei7. 3 fig. Sustain, support, nourish. M17. ■ ali mentative adjective (rare) connected with the supply of aliment L19. ali mentativeness noun (rare) feeding instinct, desire for food M19. alimenter noun (rare) a person who receives or provides aliment Ei9. ali mentive adjective (rare) = alimentative M19. ali’mentiveness noun = alimentativeness E19.

alimentary /ali'msntlstri/ adjective. Li6. [Latin alimentarius, formed as prec.: see -ary'.]

tAligant noun var. of Alicante. alight /a'Uit/ verb intrans. Pa. t. & pple alighted, (arch, or poet.) alit/a'lit/; pa. pple also talight. oe. [from A-1 + light verb'.] 1 Spring lightly down, dismount, from (or to/) a horse; descend from or out of a conveyance, oe. Ffb Spring lightly on or upon. LME-E16. t2 gen. Go or come down, m e-li 5. 3 Get down from a horse or conveyance; land, stop. ME. 4 Descend and settle: come to earth from the air. ME. 5 Descend and strike; fall on or upon, as a blow. arch. ME.

[Latin alimonia, from alere nourish: see -mony.] 1 Nourishment, maintenance; means of subsistence. El 7. 2 spec. An allowance made to a woman (occas. to a man) by her (or his) (ex-)spouse after divorce or legal separ¬ ation, or during proceedings for these. Now chiefly US (in Britain all such allowances are now called maintenance). M17.

aline verb, alinement noun vars. of align, alignment. aliphatic /ali'fatik/ adjective. L19.

[French, or Latin alimentum, from alere nourish: see -ment.]

aliene verb see

alimony /'alimani/ noun. E17.

1 Concerned with or performing functions of nutri¬ tion. L16. 2 Of the nature of aliment, nourishing. Ei7. 3 Concerned with or providing maintenance, mis. 1 alimentary canal the whole passage through the body, from mouth to anus, by which food is received, digested, etc.

alimentation /.alimlajn'teiftajn/ noun. Li6. [French, or medieval Latin alimentatio(n-). from alimentare: see ALIMENT verb, -ATION.]

1 Maintenance, support. L16. 2 The process ofbeing nourished; the mode of receiv¬ ing nourishment. E17. 3 The action or process of nourishing, mi 7.

[from Greek aleiphat-, -phar unguent, fat + -ic: orig. used of the fatty acids.] chemistry. Of an organic compound: having an openchain structure; not aromatic. Also, of or pertaining to such compounds.

aliquot /‘alikwDt/ adjective & noun. Li6. [French aliquote from Latin aliquot some, several, from alius one of two + quot how many.] Orig. math, ►A adjective. That is contained in the whole an integral number of times. Chiefly in aliquot part Cf. quantal adjective 1. L16. ► B noun. An aliquot part, integral factor; loosely any frac¬ tion of a whole, a sample. E17.

alisma /s'lizms/ noun. Li6. [Latin from Greek.] A plant of the genus Alisma; a water plantain.

alisphenoid /ali'sfunoid/ adjective & noun. Mi9. [from Latin ala wing + sphenoid adjective.] anatomy & zoology. (Forming or pertaining to) one of the lateral bones of the cranium (in the human skull either of the greater wings of the sphenoid bone). ■ alisphe noidal adjective M19.

alit verb see alight verb. a liter /'alits/ adverb. Li 7. [Latin.] Chiefly taw. Otherwise.

aliterate /er'litfajrat/ adjective & noun. M20. [from a-10 + literate.) ► A adjective. Unwilling to read, despite being able to do so. M20. ► B noun. An aliterate person. L20. ■ aliteracy noun L20

-ality /'aliti/ suffix. [from -al1 + -ITY.] Forming nouns, with senses as -ity. aliunde /ali'Andi/ adverb. Mi7. [Latin.] From elsewhere; from another source.

alive /sTaiv/ adverb & adjective (usu. pred.). [Old English phr. on life; see a preposition' 6, life noun.] 1 Living; in life; while still living, oe. 2 Unextinguished, undiminished, unforgotten. E17. 3 In a sentient or susceptible condition; fully aware; sensitive or responsive to. E17. 4 Full of energy or animation; active, lively, brisk, mi 8. Fb ELECTRICITY. = LIVE adjective 5b. LI9. 5 In a state of commotion; swarming. Foil, by with. lis. £□ 1 Shakes. Merch. V. Is my boy—God rest his soul!—alive or dead? Steele The most contented happy man alive. Dickens Why, bless my heart alive, my dear, how late you are! 2 E. F. Benson For two years she had .. kept that illu¬ sion undeniably alive. R. Jarrell This print of mine, that has kept its colour Alive through many cleanings. A. S. Byatt The fire was still alive in the hearth. 3 A. G. Gardiner You cannot be alive unless you take life gallantly. J. Conrad I was perfectly alive to the difficulty of stopping him from going there. 4 K. Norway Group Captain Hurst is the most alive man I know. 5 L. van der Post The swamp was alive with crocodile and hippo. T. Stoppard The air is alive with bells and sirens. Phrases etc.: alive and kicking colloq. very active, alive and well (and living in —) colloq. not (as has been suggested) ill or dead, and to be found in (the place named), alive oh [from a fishsellers’ cry] very much alive and active, burn alive see burn verb 8. dead-alive, dead-and-alive: see dead adjective & adverb. Heavens alive: see heaven noun, look alive! colloq. be brisk, man alive! colloq.: an expletive, sakes alive!: see sake noun', snakes alive! see snake noun ic. ■ aliveness noun mi9. aliyah 'alijs/ noun. PI. -yoth -jaot/. E20. [Hebrew aliyah, lit. ‘ascent’.] Judaism. 1 The act or privilege of going up to the reading desk of a synagogue to read from the Torah. 2 Immigration to Israel. Freq. (as First Aliyah. Second Aliyah, etc.), a particular episode of immigration. M20. alizarin h'hzfrjnnl noun. Also -ine. Mi9. [French alizarine from alizari madder, perh. from colloq. Arab. al-isara the juice or sap pressed out: see al-2. -in1.] chemistry. The red colouring matter of madder root; i,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone, C14H80^. Comb.: alizarin red, alizarin yellow: (the colours of) synthetic dyestuffs derived from or resembling alizarin.

ao no, s: hair, ia near, ai boy, ua poor, ur lire, aoa sour a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her. 1 sit. i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw. a run. o put. u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how, ei day,

54

Al-kaaba | all 2 Any plant of the genus Alkanna: any of several related plants having roots which can be used in similar ways, esp. Anchusa officinalis of Europe, with violet or occas. yellow or white flowers. Also (more fully green alkanet, evergreen alkanet), a coarse blue-flowered garden plant, Pentaglottis sempervivens, native to SW Europe, me.

Al-kaaba noun see Kaaba. alkahest /'alkahest/ noun. Also talc(h)-. Mi7. [Prob. invented by Paracelsus, after Arab.] The universal solvent sought by the alchemists. Also fig., anything universally applicable,

LME.

alkalaemia /alka'lbmia/ noun. E20. [from ALKALI + -AEMIA.] tj c u medicine. A condition of abnormally raised pH or the

alkanna noun var.

of alcanna.

alkaptonuria /al.kapta'njuana/ noun. Also ale-. Li9. [from German Alkapton. Ale- homogentisic acid, from alkali alkali + Greek kapton neut. pres, pple of kaptein swallow greedily, + -URIA.] medicine. A hereditary metabolic disorder characterized by an accumulation of homogentisic acid in certain

blood. alkalescent /alka'les(3)nt/ adjective. Now rare. mis. [from ALKALI + -ESCENT.] Slightly alkaline; conducive or tending to alkalinity. ■ alkalescence, alkalescency nouns tendency to alkalinity, slight alkaline character mi8.

tissues and its excretion in the urine. ■ alkaptonuric adjective & noun (a person) suffering from alkaptonuria Li 9.

alkali /'alkaLu/ noun. PI. -s, -es. lme. [medieval Latin from Arab, al-kali the calcined ashes of Salsola etc.: see al-'.] 1 A saline substance extracted from the calcined ashes of plants such as saltwort (genus Salsola) or glasswort

alkekengi /alki'kendgi/ noun.

lme.

[medieval Latin from Arab, al- 8, Persian kakanj: see al-2.] An ornamental plant, Physalis alkekengi. native to south¬ ern Europe and Asia, bearing red berries enclosed by an inflated orange calyx. Also called Chinese lantern, winter

(genus Salicomia); soda ash. lme. 2 A plant from which soda ash is obtained; saltwort, glasswort. Now rare or obsolete. Li 6. 3 Any substance which neutralizes or effervesces with acids and forms a caustic or corrosive solution in water; a water-soluble base, esp. a hydroxide. E17. 4 A soluble salt or mixture of such salts existing in excess in the soil; terrain characterized by this. Freq.

cherry, and other names. alkene /'alki;n/ noun. Li9. [from ALKYL + -ENE.] chemistry. Any of the unsaturated hydrocarbons with one double bond, which form a series having the general formula C„H2„; = olefin.

attrib. N.Amer. Ml9. B3 3 volatile alkali 4 S. E. White The limitless alkali of the Arizona plains, attrib.: J. H. Beadle Little to see but.. alkali flats and sand-hills.

alkermes /al'ka:mi:z,

-iz/ noun. Mi6. [French alkermes from Arab, al-kirmiz: see al-2, kermes.) 1 A confection or cordial containing the kermes insect; a sweet cordial coloured with cochineal. Mi6.

Comb.: alkali metal chemistry any of the elements occupying group Ia of the periodic table (namely lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, francium), which are soft, react¬ ive metals forming soluble hydroxides. ■ alkalify -ifAi/ verb trans. make alkaline M19. talkalious adjective = alkaline L17-M18.

f2 = KERMES

2. E17-M18.

alkie noun var.

of alky.

talkin adjective. Long dial.

me-li9.

[from genit. of all + genit. of kin noun & adjective, orig. as prenominal phr., later treated as adjective.] Of eveiy kind; every kind of.

alkalic/al'kalik/ adjective, mis. [from prec. + -ic.]

1 Alkaline, rare, mi8. 2 CEOtocr. Of a rock or mineral; richer in alkali metals, esp. sodium and potassium, than the average for the group it belongs to. E20.

alkine noun see

alkyne.

Alkoran noun var.

alkalide /'alkaLud/ noun. L20.

of Alcoran.

alkoxide /al'kDksAid/ noun.

[from alkali +-IDE.]

Li9.

[from ALKOXY- + -IDE.] chemistry. A salt or simple compound containing an alkoxyl radical.

chemistry. A binary ionic compound in which the anion is an alkali metal. alkalimetry /alkaiimitri/ noun. Ei9.

alkoxy- /al'koksi/ combining form. Also as attrib. adjective alkoxy. L19.

[formed as prec. + -metry.]

chemistry. The measurement of the strengths of alkalis. ■ alkalimeter noun an instrument for alkalimetry E19. alkali metric, alkali metrical adjectives M19.

[from ALKALI + OXY-.] Used to denote the presence of an alkoxyl group.

alkoxyl /al'kDksAil, -sil/ noun.

alkaline /'alkakm/ adjective. Li7. [from ALKALI +-INE’.]

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of alkalis; rich in alkali; chemistry having a pH greater than 7. alkaline battery: in which the electrolyte is an alkaline solu¬ tion. alkaline earth chemistry any of the strongly basic oxides of the metals calcium, strontium, barium, and radium; loosely any of these elements, which are placed in group IIa of the periodic table alkaline metal = alkali metal alkaline tide: see tide

L19.

[formed as prec. + -YL.] The radical RO- derived from an alcohol. Usu. in comb.

alky /'alki/ noun, slang. Also alkie.

Mi9.

[Abbreviation: see -Ys, -ie.] 1 = ALCOHOL. M19.

2

= ALCOHOLIC noun. M20.

lU 2 S. King They drink because it's what alkies are wired up to do.

noun.

■ alkalinity -'linrti/ noun alkaline character or quality Lt8. alkalinization alkolm\r'zerJTojn' noun making alkaline; reduc¬ tion of acidity: M20. alkalinize /-lm-/ verb trans. make alkaline

alkyd

noun. E20. [from alkyl + acid noun.]

El 9.

alkalize "alkalAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. M17.

/'alkid/

chemistry. Any of a class of synthetic polyester resins. Usu. more fully alkyd resin etc.

[from ALKALI + -IZE.]

Make alkaline, treat with alkali. ■ talkalizate adjective alkaline E17-M18. alkali zation noun LI 7.

alkyl /'alkAil,

alkaloid /'alkaloid/ adjective & noun. Et9. [German: see alkali, -oid.] chemistry (Designating or pertaining to) any of a class of complex organic bases of vegetable origin which have pronounced physiological actions on man (e.g. mor¬ phine, stiychnine, nicotine). vinca alkaloid see vinca noun’. m alka loidal adjective of the nature of an alkaloid; pertaining to alkaloids: L19. alkalosis /alko'bosis/ noun. PI. -loses -Toushz/. E20.

-kil/ noun. L19. [German, from Alkohol alcohol: see -yl.] chemistry. Any radical derived from an alkane by removal of a hydrogen atom; a compound of a metal, e.g. lead, with a number of such radicals. Freq. in comb, m alkylate verb trans. introduce an alkyl radical into (a com¬ pound) L19. alky lation noun E20.

alkyne /'alkAin/ noun. Orig. -ine.

E20.

[from ALKYL+ -YNE.] chemistry. Any of the series of unsaturated hydrocarbons containing one triple bond and having the general formula C„H2„_2, e.g. acetylene.

[from alkali + -osis.]

medicine. A condition of abnormally raised pH of the body fluids. alkane /'alkein/ noun. Li9. [from ALKYL+ -ANE.]

chemistry. Any of the saturated hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, butane) which form a series having the general formula C„H2n, 2. Cf. paraffin.

alkanet/'alkanet/noun. me. [Colloq. Arab, al-hanna(t) = classical Arab, al-hinna alcanna.] 1 A red dye obtained from the roots of certain plants of the genus Alkanna, of the borage family, esp. A. lehmannii. ME. b but. d dog,

f few. g get, h he, j yes. k cat,

I leg,

sense 1; after noun (though not pers. pronoun) poet.; tpreceding we.) oe. 3 With noun sing. Every. (Preceding the noun only.) Long obsolete exc. as below, oe. 4 With noun sing. Any whatever. (In universally exclu¬ sive sentences or clauses; preceding the noun only.)

all /o:l/ adjective (in mod. usage also classed as a determiner), pronoun, noun, & adverb. [Old English (e)nl! = Old Frisian al, ol, Old Saxon, Old High German al (Dutch al, German all), Old Norse allr, Gothic als.] ► A adjective. 1 With noun sing. The whole amount, quan¬ tity, extent, or compass of. (Preceding the noun and any determiners (the def. article, fthe indef. article, demonstratives, possessives, etc.) and other adjectives; following the head noun (always so with pers. prons. without adjunct); or with be (arch, rare with other verbs) following the verb.) oe.

2 With noun pi. The entire number of; the individual constituents of, without exception. (Positioned as for

m man,

n no, p pen. r red,

s sit,

t top. v van,

5 With noun sing. The greatest possible. (Preceding the noun only.) Li6. ffl 1 AV1 Pet. 1:24 All flesh is as grasse. G. Washington All this looks very well on paper. Ld Macaulay All Devonshire had been gathered together to welcome him. K. Mansfield This all sounds very strenuous and serious. E. Waugh All day the heat had been barely supportable. S. Kauffmann I still need all the love I can get. R. Millar But one desire—to give all my might to letters. A. Ayckbourn It was all rather path¬ etic. all day (long): see day noun, all night (long) see night noun, all that see that demonstr. pronoun etc. all the best: see best adjective, noun, & adverb, all the day (long): see day noun, all the night (long) see night noun, all the time: see time noun. all the way: see way noun, all the world and his wife: see world noun, for all the world: see world noun, get away from it all: see get verb, have seen it all before see see verb, of all the cheek, of all the nerve: see of preposition, to all appearance(s): see appearance. 2 AVIsa. 53:6 Alle we like sheepe haue gone astray. Milton Hear all ye Angels. E. Young All men think all men mortal, but themselves, G. Crabbe My senses fail not all. Keats They are all here to-night. Daily News All you who mean to follow in the same old way. Yeats Come gather round me, players all. R. Milner A fellow from the B.B.C. Symphony Orchestra, of all outfits, j. Bowen Cast all lean one way. C. Hampton May all your troubles be lexicological ones. j. Osborne Do you want us to all go? R. Maugham All three men were stone dead when you left? all and singular: see singular adjective 1. all comers see comer 1. All Fools’ Day 1 April, popularly appropriated to practising upon people’s credulity, all fours. All Hallows, all kinds of, all sorts of many different kinds of. All Saints’ (Day) 1 November, on which there is a general commemoration of the saints, all-sorts a miscellany, esp. of liquorice sweets, all sorts of. see all kinds of above. All Souls' Day 2 November, on which the Roman Catholic Church makes supplications on behalf of the dead, all systems go: see system noun, at all costs: see cost noun2, at all hours see hour noun, at all points: see point noun', be all things to all men be able to please everybody, fire on all cylinders, function on all cylinders see cylinder 3. of all others: see other pronoun & noun, of all things: see thing noun1, till all hours: see hour noun, to all appearance(s) see appearance, you-all: see you pronoun. 3 all kind of, all manner of = all kinds of (sense 2 above), fall thing everything; also = all adverb 1. See also alkin, and cf. allweather. all work in Comb, below. 4 Longfellow Without all guile or Suspicion.. was he. C. Fry But by no right does this Briton Break in and ruffle them beyond all hope. J. Orton If you run into trouble I shall deny all knowledge of you. 5 Shakes. Rich. Ill I in all haste was sent.

► B pronoun & noun. I pronoun. 1 As antecedent to a relative, in senses A.i, 2 (the earliest use as pronoun); (freq.) the limit of what, the only thing(s) that. oe. 2 pi. All people; all persons concerned, oe. 3 sing. Everything; the totality, oe. 4 Distributed to each member or part of the whole: see phrases below, me. 5 Foil, by of. every one of; the whole of; colloq. as much as. LI6. 6 In games, of a score: for each side. M18. CO 1 Shakes. Timon To have his pomp, and all what state compounds. D. D. Eisenhower I call upon all who love freedom to stand with us now. Day Lewis All I can remember of it is that there was a fire lit in my bedroom and a too heavy eiderdown. B. Bermange We will do.. all that our means will allow. 2 P. Barnes The rest is drowned out as all start shouting angrily, all aboard: see aboard adverb 1. freefor-all: see free adjective. 3 Milton What though the field be lost? All is not lost. S. Gray I assumed you were coming hack, that’s all. above all: see above preposition 6. after all: see after preposition 7. all but adverbial phr. everything short of, almost, all in all (a) adverbial taken as a whole; (b) pred. of supreme importance, all in a day's work, all in the day’s work: see day noun, all told: see tell verb, at all in any way. to any extent, on any occasion (usu. in neg., interrog., or hypothetical contexts), be-all. bugger all. damn all. etc., coarse slang absolutely nothing, crown all see crown verb' 5. end-all. firstofall see first for all it is worth, for all one is worth: see worth adjective, for all (that) notwithstanding (that) (with noun passing into adjective, and that conjunction into pronoun), for good and all see good noun, in all in total number, in all but name: see name noun, least of all: see least adjective, noun, & adverb, not at all: see not adverb, tof all most of all, beyond all. once and for all once for all. the devil and all to do: see devil noun, warts and all: see wart. See also withal. 4 all and each arch., all and every, all and some arch., all and sundry, one and all all collectively and individually. 5 K. Laffan It's not all of us have the stuff of martyrdom. A. Shaffer He wasn’t at his cottage all of Satur¬ day. M. Twain It must have been all of fifteen minutes.. of dull, homesick silence.

► II noun. 7 The (or this) whole system of things; the uni¬ verse. Li 6. 8 (Usu. with possess, pronoun) Everything that one has or that pertains to one; one’s whole property, interest,

w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

b A figure in square dancing in which adjacent danceis link arms or join or touch hands and make a full or partial turn. Also used as a call to dancers to execute this figure turning in the specified direction. E19.

= allegorical (which is now more usual). allegorical /ali'gorik(3)l/ adjective. Ei6. [from prec. + -al1.]

Of or pertaining to allegory; of the nature of an alle¬ gory; consisting of or containing an allegory.

Allemanic Alemannic.

■ allegorically adverb M16.

allegorise verb var. of allegorize. allegorist/'alig(3)rist/ noun.

[The Allen Manufacturing Co.. Hartford, Connecticut, US.] Allen screw, (proprietary name for) a screw which has a

allegory, -ist.]

A person who constructs allegories, or writes allegoric¬ ally; occas., a person who expounds allegorically.

head furnished with a hexagonal recess and can be turned by means of an Allen key, Allen wrench, etc., of corresponding cross-section.

■ allegorism noun the use of allegory, allegorical interpret¬

ation L19.

allegorize /'alig(a)rAiz/ verb. Also -ise. lme.

allenarly /a'lenali/ adverb & adjective. Scot, (formerly also north.). Also -an-, me.

allegorizare, from allegoria: see allecory, -ize. Cf. French allegoriser.] 11 verb trans. Interpret allegorically. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. Give allegorical explanations, expound allegorically; also, construct allegories. L16. 3 verb trans. Make or treat as allegorical; turn into, or explain as, an allegory. L16. ■ allegori zation noun M19. allegorizer noun L17. [Late Latin

[from all adverb + as anerly.] ► A adverb. Solitarily, alone; solely, merely, me. ► B adjective, fl Only, sole. Only in 16. 2 Alone, lonely, rare. E20.

allene /'ali:n/ noun. L19. [from allylene.] chemistry. A gaseous

hydrocarbon, propadiene, CH2=C=CH2. Also, any derivative of this with two adja¬ cent double bonds.

allegory /'alig(a)ri/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French allegoric from Latin allegoria from Creek allegoria, from alios other + -agoria speaking.]

1 Narrative description of a subject under the guise of another having points of correspondence with it; sym¬ bolic representation, lme. 2 An instance of such description; an extended or con¬ tinued metaphor, mi6. 3 An emblem; a picture in which meaning is symbolic¬ ally represented. M17. allegresse /alegres, ali'gres/ noun. Now rare. M17.

allergen /'abd3(a)n/ noun. E20. [formed as next + -gen.] medicine. A substance which produces an allergic reac¬

tion.

■ aller genic adjective producing an allergic reaction E20.

allergic /o'lccdsik/ adjective. E20. [from next + -ic.]

1 Pertaining to, characterized by, or suffering from allergy. E20. 2 fig. Antipathetic. M20.

[French.]

Gaiety, sprightliness. allegretto /ali'gretau/ adverb, adjective, & noun. mis. dim.

Allemannic adjectives & nouns vars. of

Allen/'abn/ noun. M20.

li7.

[French allegoriste from Greek allegoristes: see

[Italian,

CO 1 G. Durrell He was only allergic to.. the pollen of the lilac flowers, cats, and horses. 2 S. Heaney Allergic equally to Pearse and Pope.

of allegro.]

music. b-A adverb & adjective. A direction: in fairly quick time, but not as quick(ly) as allegro. Mi8. ► B noun. PI. -ttos. -tti /-ti/. A movement or piece in fairly

allergy/'abd3i/noun. E20. [German Allergic, from Creek alios other, different, after Energie ENERGY.] 1 medicine. Altered reactivity of the body towards an

quick time. Also, a short movement or piece in quick time. Li9. allegro /a'leigreo, -'leg-/ adverb, adjective, & noun. L17.

antigen; esp. hypersensitivity towards a particular foreign substance such as a type of food, pollen, or micro-organism. E20. 2 fig. Antipathy. M20.

[Italian - lively, gay.]

music. b-A adverb & adjective. A direction: in quick time; transf. (of forms of words and phrases) used in speech and shortened (e.g. we'll for we will). L17. ► B noun. PI. -gros, -gri /-gri:/. A movement or piece in quick time. M18.

allerion noun var. of alerion.

allele /'ali:l/ noun. M20.

alters adverb see allus.

■ allergist noun a specialist in the field of allergy M20.

[German AIM abbreviation of allelomorph.]

alleviate bTiivieit/ verb trans. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -ated, f-ate. lme.

biology. Any of a number of alternative forms of one

gene. ■ allelic adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an allele M20. a llelism noun the occurrence of, or relationship between, alleles M20.

allelochemical /ali:bu'kemik(a)l/ noun & adjective. L20. [formed

as

+

next

chemical

adjective.]

biology. b-A noun. Any chemical released into the envir¬

onment by a living organism (esp. a plant) which exerts a detrimental physiological effect on the individuals of another organism. ► B adjective. Of, relating to, or designating such chem¬ icals. ■ allelochemic noun & adjective uo.

prec.

+

-pathy.]

through

the

release

of

■ ailelo pathic adjective M20.

alleluia /ali'luja/ interjection & noun. Also -uya. oe. [ecclesiastical Latin from (Septuagint) Creek HALLELUJAH.]

allelouia formed as

► A interjection. Praise the Lord (occurring in many psalms and hymns), oe. ► B noun. 1 ecclesiastical A liturgical chant consisting of or containing the word 'Alleluia'; spec. (usu. A-) the one that follows the Gradual in the Eucharist, me. 2 Wood sorrel (in allusion to its flowering between Easter and Whitsun), lme. 3 A song of praise to God. Li 6. ■ allelu iatic adjective Mi9

b but, d dog,

f few, g get,

alleviation /aliivi'eijjajn/ noun. lme. [Old French, or medieval Latin alkviatio(n-), formed as prec.: see

11 A passageway in or into a house. LME-E17. 2 A walk or passage in a garden, park, etc., usu. bor¬ dered by trees or bushes; an avenue, lme. 3 A passage between buildings; a narrow street, a lane. lme. >b A back-lane running parallel with a main street. US. El 8. 4 A passage between the rows of pews or seats in a church (= aisle 3). Now dial. lme. 5 An enclosure for skittles, bowling, etc. 115. 6 A passage or free space between two lines of any kind. mis. 3 blind alley see blind adjective, up one's alley coiloq. = down one's street s.v. street noun. Comb.: alley cat (chiefly N. Amer.) a stray town cat; alleyway a naiTow passage. ■ alleyed adjective laid out as an alley, or with alleys lme.

k cat,

I leg,

m

man,

n no, p pen, r red,

the catcher of such a pass. M20.

all fours /o:l 'fo:z/ noun phr. Sense 1 also tall four. Lis. [from all adjective * four, sense 1 sc. limbs etc., sense 2 sc. points.] 1 All four limbs (the legs of a quadruped, the arms and legs of a human etc.), lis. 2 A game of cards, called after the winning four points ('high', ‘low’, ‘jack’, and ‘the game’). Li7. 1 on all fours (a) esp. on hands and knees; (b) fig. even with, com¬ pletely analogous or corresponding.

All Hallows /o:I 'habuz/ noun phr. arch. Also All Hallow. OE.

[from all adjective + hallow noun' + -s'.] 1 All saints; the saints in heaven collectively, oe. 2 ellipt. (Now ffeq. with hyphen.) All Hallows’ Day or Allhallowmass. lme. Comb.: All Hallow Eve the eve of All Saints (= Hallowe’en); Allhallowmass the feast of All Saints; tAll-hallown summer (rare. Shakes.) a season of fine weather in the autumn, an Indian summer; All Hallows’ Day All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Allhallowtide the season of All Saints.

alliable /a jAiob(a)l/ adjective.

Li6.

[from ally verb + -able. Cf. French alliable.) Able to be allied; able to enter into alliance or union.

alliaceous /ali'eijbs/ adjective, lis. [from alli(um + -aceous.] Characteristic of or resembling garlic.

alliance /a'Uians/ noun & verb. me. [Old French aliance (mod. all-), formed as ally verb: see -ance.] ► A noun. 1 A union by marriage; kinship, consanguinity. ME.

2 Combination in pursuit of common interests, esp, by sovereign States or political groups; a league, an associ¬ ation. ME. 3 Community in nature or qualities; affinity; a group of related things, lme. |4 collect. People united by kinship or friendship. LME-M17.

15 A kinsman, a kinswoman; an ally, lme-lis. 6 ecology. A group of closely related plant associations. M20.

G3 1 M. Laski The ladies settled the details of the coming alliance between their two families. 2 G. Orwell We were not at war with Eastasia at all. We were in alliance with them. W. S. Churchill An alliance of the four Great Powers already existed. Holy Alliance: see holy adjective, the Alliance (Party) spec, (a) of Roman Catholic and Protestant moderates in Northern Ireland; (b) of the British Libera] and Social Democratic Parties, triple alliance: see triple adjective & adverb, unholy alliance: see unholy adjective 1. 3 T. Sherlock Corrupt Principles.. have no Alliance with Reason. J. Lindley Classes, sub-classes, groups, alliances, and orders. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Join in alliance, ally. rare. M16.

allice noun var. of allis. allicholly /'alikali/ noun. joe.

L16.

[Alt.] Melancholy. 5 First recorded in Shakes.

allicient /a'lijiont/ adjective & noun. rare.

Ei7.

[Latin allicient- pres, ppl stem of allicere entice to: see -ent.] (A thing) that attracts. ■ alliciency noun (long rare or obsolete) attractive power M17.

jallidatha noun var. of alidade. ME.

[from ally verb + -ed'.] 1 United, joined, esp. by marriage or kindred or by league or formal treaty; of or pertaining to allied forces or States; spec. (usu. A-) of or pertaining to the Allies in the wars of 1914-18,1939-45, and later, me. 2 Connected by nature or qualities; having affinity. lme. ICQ 1 Ld Macaulay A German Princess nearly allied to the Imperial House. P. Fussell Allied troops landed on the beach at Salerno in September, 1943. 2 Dryden Great wits are sure to madness near allied. C. Hampton Literature and the allied arts.

alligation /ali'geijbjn/ noun. Now rare or obsolete.

M16.

[Latin a!!igatio(n-), from alligat- pa. ppl stem of atligare bind to: see -ation.) 1 I M16.

he action of attaching; the state of being attached.

12 math. The arithmetical solution of problems concern¬ ing the mixing of different things. M16-M19.

alley noun- see ally noun2. h he, j yes,

on! + repr. of a supposedly French pronunc. of up adverb.] ► A interjection. Encouraging or drawing attention to the performance of some physical, esp, acrobatic, feat. E20. ► B noun & adjective, us sport. (Designating) a high lob or pass caught by a leaping team-mate, or a score made by

allied h ’lxid, esp. attrib. 'alaid/ ppl adjective.

[Old French alee (mod. allee) walking, passage, from aler (mod. alter) go, from Latin ambulare to walk.]

biology. The process by which one organism harms or

affects others nearby allelochemicals.

■ alleviative adjective & noun (rare) (something) tending to allevi¬ ate L16. alleviator noun a person who or thing which alleviates Mi7. alleviatory adjective of an alleviating nature or tendency M19.

alley "ali/noun1. lme.

allelopathy ,ali:'lopsGi/ noun. M20. as

1 Make less burdensome or severe; relieve, mitigate. LME. t2 Diminish the weight of. L15-M17. |3 Extenuate (an offence). L17-L18.

The action of lightening weight, gravity, severity, or pain; relief, mitigation.

-morph.]

BIOLOGY. = ALLELE. ■ ailelo morphic adjective E20. allelo morphism noun E20. [formed

[Late Latin alleviat- pa. ppl stem of alleviare lighten, from Latin allevarc, from ad al-' + levarc raise, infl. by lews light: see -ate '.]

-ATION.j

allelomorph /a'lchomofi/ noun. E20. [from Creek ailel- one another + -o- +

alley-oop /ali'u:p/ interjection, noun, & adjective, colloq. Also allez- E20. [Origin uncertain: perh. from French allez (imper.) go on! come

allemande /'alma:nd; alma:d (pi.

■ allegiancy noun Lie. allegiant adjective & noun (a) adjective

s sit, t top, v van,

w we,

z zoo, J she.

3 vision,

6 thin.

6 this,

p ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

57

alligator | allot

alligator/'aligeita/noun.

Li6.

[Spanish el lagarto the lizard, prob. ult. from Latin lacerta Cf. LAGARTO.]

lizard.

1 Either of Two crocodilians of the genus Alligator, the American A. mississippiensis, and A. sinensis, native to China. Also loosely, any New World crocodilian; (by con¬ fusion) a crocodile. Li6. 2 Alligator skin. Freq. attrib. Li 9. Comb.: alligator clip - crocodile clip s.v. crocodile noun; alligator gar a large holostean freshwater fish of the southern US, Leptsosteus spatula-, alligator lizard a heavily built slowmoving lizard of the genus Gerrhonotus, native to North America and Mexico; alligator pear N. Amer. = avocado; alligator snapper alligator snapping turtle alligator tortoise, etc., a large freshwater snapping turtle, Macroclemys temmincki, native to the region of the Gulf of Mexico; alligator weed an orna¬ mental aquatic plant, Altenicmthera philoxeroides, native to S. America and introduced elsewhere. ■ alligatoring noun (the development of) intersecting cracks in paint, varnish, etc., caused by contraction E20.

all in /o: 1

'in/ adjectival phr. Also all-in. Li9. [Sense i from all noun, sense 2 from all adverb, + in adverb.] 1 attrib. (With hyphen.) Inclusive of all; whistling with

few or no restrictions. Li 9. 2 pred. (Without hyphen.) >a Tired out. colloq. E20. ►b Completely or wholeheartedly involved. E20. allis /'alis/ noun. Also -ice, talose. Li6. [Old & mod. French alose from late Latin alausa (Ausonius), a small fish in the Moselle.]

An anadromous European fish of the herring family, Alosa alosa. Now usu. more fully allis shad. allision /a'li3(a)n/ noun.

Mi7.

[Late Latin allisiofn-), from see -ion.]

allis-

pa. ppl stem of allido dash against:

The action of dashing against or striking with violence upon something; now only of one ship upon another sta¬ tionary ship. o'htoreit/ verb. Lis. [Back-form, from next: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. Compose with alliteration. Chiefly as alliterated ppl adjective, us. 2 verb intrans. Of a word or words: manifest or produce

species M20. allo tetraploidy being allotetraploid M20.

E19.

■ alliterator noun (rare) a person who uses alliteration M18.

alliteration /olito'reiJ(o)n/ noun.

Ei7.

[medieval Latin alhu-ralwln-}, from Latin ad

al-1

+

littera

letter +

-ATION.]

1 gen. The commencement of adjacent or closely con¬ nected words with the same sound or letter; an instance of this. E17. 2 As a principle of versification: in Old and Middle English and other Germanic poetry, the commence¬ ment of certain accented syllables of a verse with the same consonant or consonantal group, or with any vowel sounds; in some Celtic poetry also, commence¬ ment with consonants related by mutation. L18. 2 transverse alliteration see transverse adjective. ■ talliteral adjective = alliterative, as applied to Xhosa lan¬ guages M19-E20. alliterational adjective (rare) = alliterative M19.

alliterative biitfajrativ/ adjective, [from alliterate

allocate /'abkeit/ verb trans. Mi6. [medieval Latin allocat- pa. ppl stem of allocare, from Latin ad al-' + iocare locate: see -ate3.] 11 Allow (an item) in an account; authorize payment for. M-L16.

2 Assign, allot, devote, (to a person as a special share, responsibility, etc.; to a special purpose), mi7. 3 Assign to a place, rare, mi9. 4 Fix the locality of. rare. Li 9. £0 2 De Quincey That very sum which the Manchester Grammar School allocated to every student. H. R. F. Keating Determined not to allocate men of the Bombay police to any duties at the mere whim of this Rajah. ■ allocable M20.

Pertaining to or marked by alliteration.

allium /'aliam/ noun.

E19.

alliterativeness noun (rare)

adjective

able to be allocated E20. allocator

E19.

Ei9.

[Latin = garlic.]

A plant of the genus Allium, such as garlic, leek, onion, etc. alio- /'abo/ combining form. [Greek, from alios other, different: see -o-.]

Forming words with the sense ‘other, different’; spec, in genetics, used in comb, with -ploid (and also -ploidy) to refer to hybrid individuals whose chromosome sets are derived from different species (cf. auto-1), as allodiploid, allopolyploid, etc.

■ alloantibody noun (immunology) = isoantibody M20. alloantigen noun (immunology) = isoantigen M20. allo'centric adjective centred in external objects, interested in objects for themselves E20. a llogamy noun (botany) cross-fertilization Li9. allograft noun & verb trans. (medicine) (a) graft between genetically dissimilar individuals of the same species M20. allogrooming noun (zoology) grooming of an animal by another of the same species M20. allo patric adjective [Greek patra fatherland] (biology) (of species, speciation, etc.) occurring in different areas; not overlapping in distribution: M20. allo patrically adverb (biology) by means of allopatric speciation; in physical isolation: M20. a llopatry noun (biology) allopatric speciation; the occurrence of allopatric forms; M20. allo purinol noun [purine, -ol] pharmacology a synthetic purine which inhibits uric acid forma¬ tion in the body and is used to treat gout and related conditions M20. allo steric adjective (biochemistry) of. pertaining to. or charac¬ terized by the alteration of the activity of an enzyme by means of a conformational change induced by a different molecule M20. allosterically adverb (biochemistry) in an allosteric manner M20. allostery noun (biochemistry) allosteric behaviour M20 allo tetraploid adjective & noun (genetics) (designating) an individ¬ ual with two diploid sets of chromosomes, each from different

noun

allocation /ata'keij(3)n/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin allocatio(n-), formed as prec.; later from French or from prec.: see -ation.] 11 Authorization. Only in lme. 12 A contribution levied on revenue etc. for a specific purpose. M16-M17. 3 The action of allowing an item in an account; an item so allowed. Now rare or obsolete, mi7. 4 The action of adding one thing to another, arch. Mi7. 5 The action of apportioning or assigning to a special person or purpose; allotment; a portion so allocated. M19. 6 Fixing in position; placing; arrangement, mi9. 5J.K. Galbraith Military considerations have induced a large allocation of resources to research. Times Allocations will be based on the actual sales made by the butchers.

allochthonous /a'lDkGsnss/ adjective. E20. [from German allochthon, formed as allo- + Greek khthon, khthonos earth, soil: see -ous.] geology. Consisting of or formed from transported mater¬ ial originally accumulated elsewhere; not formed in situ, m allochthon noun an allochthonous rock formation M20.

allocution /ab'kju:J(3)n/ noun. Also |adk Ei7. [Latin allocutio(n-), from allocut- pa. ppl stem of alloqui address, from ad al-1 + loqui speak: see -ion.] 1 A formal or hortatory address. Ei7. ►b spec, roman history. An address or exhortation by a general to his sol¬ diers. L17. |2 An instance of being addressed or spoken to. M17-L18.

allod /'atad/ noun. Also alod. L17. [formed as allodium.] = ALLODIUM.

tallodge verb trans. & intrans. ME-E17. [Old French alogier, formed as A-5 + lodge verb.] Lodge; pitch (a tent, camp, etc,). ■ tallodgement noun [after Italian jallogiamento (now -gg-)j lodging; in pi., soldiers’ quarters: L16-M18. [medieval Latin al(i)odialis, formed as next: see -al1.] Hist. ►A adjective. 1 Of an estate etc.: held in absolute ownership. M17. 2 Of or pertaining to the absolute ownership of land. M18. 3 Owning an allodium. M19. ► B noun. 1 In pi. Allodial lands. L17. 2 = allodialist. rare. L18. ■ allodialism noun the allodial system of land tenure M19. allodialist noun an allodial proprietor E19. allodially adverb by allodial tenure Li 8.

allodium b'budram/ noun. Also alod-. E17. [medieval Latin a!(!)otlium (Domesday Book), from Frankish, formed as all + od estate, wealth.] Hist. An estate held in absolute ownership, without acknowledgement to a superior. a allodiary noun = allodialist L19. allodifrcation noun conver¬ sion to allodialism L19.

allogeneic/,ab(o)d33'ni:tk, -'nenk/ adjective. M20. [from ALLO- + Greekgenea race, stock + -ic.] immunology. Genetically dissimilar, and hence immunologically incompatible, although belonging to (individ¬ uals of) the same species. Also, involving tissue of this nature.

allogeneous ab'dgrnirs adjective, rare. Also allogenous /o'lndginos/. M19. [from Greek allogenes, formed as allo- + genos kind, + -ous.] Diverse in kind; of a different kind, race. etc. a allogeneity /-dja'nimi/ noun (rare) difference of nature E19,

allogenic /ab'd3emk/ adjective. L19. [from allo- + -GENIC.] 1 geology. Originating elsewhere (applied esp. to a river or the sediment a river carries). Li9

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot, d : saw,

A

2 ecology. Caused by external factors. M20.

allograph /'abgru:f/noun. M20.

[formed as next: see -ate2.] Allocated, allotted, assigned.

allodial b'budisl/ adjective & noun. Also alod-, M17.

mis.

verb + -IVE.]

■ alliteratively adverb

the condition of

tallocate ppl adjective & pa. pple. Scot. Mi6-Mi8.

alliterate

alliteration. E19. 3 verb intrans. Use alliteration, compose alliteratively.

noun (genetics)

run. u put, u: too, 3 ago, ai my. ao how, ei day,

[from allo- + graph(eme).] linguistics. 1 Each of two or more alternative forms of a minimal distinctive unit of a writing system, as a letter of an alphabet, M20. 2 Either of two or more letters or letter-combinations representing a single phoneme in different words etc. M20. ■ allo graphic adjective M20.

allometry /a'lnmitri/ noun. M20. [from allo- + -metry.]

biology. Growth of a part at a rate different from that of the body as a whole (or of some other standard). Cf. isometry 2.

m allo metric adjective pertaining to or exhibiting allometry M20.

allomone /'abmoon/ noun. M20. [from allo- after pheromone.]

biology. A chemical secreted and released by an organism which causes a specific response when detected by an organism of another species, esp. one that is to the advan¬ tage of the releasing organism (cf. kairomone).

allomorph /'abmo:f/ noun. M20. [from allo- + morph(eme.] linguistics. Each of two or more alternative forms of a morpheme. ■ allo morphic adjective M20

allonge b'lond3; foreign al5:3 (pi. same)/ noun. In sense also felonge. Ei8.

1

[French = lengthening, drawing out, from allonger, from long long adjective'.] 1 = lunge noun21. (Only in Diets.) E18. 2 A slip of paper attached to the end of a bill of exchange etc. to give room for further endorsements. M19.

allopathy b'lopafii/noun. Mi9. [from allo- + -pathy.] medicine. The treatment of disease by inducing an oppos¬ ite condition (i.e. in the usual way). Opp. homoeopathy. ■ allopath, allopathist nouns a person who practises allop¬ athy M19. allo pathic adjective of or pertaining to allopathy M19. allo pathically adverb M19.

allophane /'abfein/noun. E19. [from allo- + Greek phainein show, appear: the mineral loses its colour on heating.] mineralogy. An amorphous, usu. pale blue, clay mineral consisting essentially of hydrated aluminium silicate.

allophone /'abfaun/ noun. M20. [from allo- + phone(me.[

linguistics. Each of two or more alternative sounds real¬ izing a phoneme.

allophonic /ab'fDmk/ adjective', rare. E20. [from allo- + Greek phone voice + -ic.] Speaking with a different accent etc.

allophonic /ab'fDmk/ adjective2. M20. [from allophone + -ic.]

linguistics. Of or pertaining to an allophone or allophones. allophylian/ab'ftlisn/od/ect/ve&noun. arch. Mi9. [from Latin allophylus from Greek allophulos, formed as allo- + phule tribe, + -IAN.] Of or pertaining to languages, esp. in Europe or Asia, which are neither Indo-European nor Semitic; of or per¬ taining to, a member of, a people speaking any such language.

allosaurus /ab'so:r3s/ noun. Also allosaur /ab'so:/. L19. [mod. Latin (see below), from Greek alios other + sauras lizard.] palaeontology. A large bipedal carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Allosaurus, of the late Jurassic period.

allot /a'fot/ verb. Infl. -tt-. lis. [Old French aloter (mod. allotir), formed as A-5 + lot lot noun.] 1 verb trans. Distribute by lot; apportion authoritatively. L15. 2 verb trans. Assign as a lot, appoint, to (without the idea of distribution); appropriate to a special purpose. Mi6. j3 verb trans. Make it the lot of (a person to do). L16-L17. { 4 verb trans. Attribute as due or proper. L16-M18. 5 verb intrans. Determine upon, choose or intend to. colloq. (orig. US), ei9. CO 1 Goldsmith I allotted to each of my family what they were to do. W. S. Gilbert See how the Fates their gifts allot. For A is happy—B is not. S. Johnson Ten years 1 will allot to the attainment of knowledge 2 W. Faulkner What the Lord has seen fit to allot you. C. S. Lewis Three other officers and I were allotted a compartment. 3 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me. 4 S. Johnson Scarce any man is willing to allot to accident, friendship, etc. the part that they may justly claim in his advancement. 5 D. Storey Had allotted .. to go in for languages. no, s: hair. 13 near, ot boy, os poor, aio tire, aos sour

58

allotheism | all round ■ all- overish adjective & adverb (colloq.) (a) adjective generally ill, indisposed all over; nervous; also, ubiquitous; (b) adverb over the whole extent: Mi9. all- overishness noun (colloq.) a general sense of illness or indisposition E19. all-’overness noun (colloq,) (a) = alloverishness; (b) the quality of covering every part: E19.

■ allowable adjective M19. allo ttee noun a person to whom an allotment is made Mi9. allotter noun a person who allots some¬ thing Mt7. tallottery noun (rare. Shakes.) an allotted share, only in Li6.

allotheism /ab(o)'0i:iz(3)m/ noun. Mi6. [from AiLO- + theism noun] The abnormal worship of other gods, allotment/3'lDtm(a)nl/noun. Mi6. [from ALLOT + -MENT-] 1 a A share or portion of land assigned to a particular person or appropriated to a special purpose; spec, a small portion of usu. public land let out for cultivation, mi6. kb gen. A share allotted to someone. Ei7. 2 The action of allotting or assigning as a share; appor¬ tionment. LI 6. 3 One's lot in life. L17. ca 1 a attrib.: Dickens Certain allotment-gardens by the road-side b W. Blackstone The elder sons.. migrate from their father with a certain allotment of cattle. 2 R. Gordon Long voyages and young wives don t mix. You leave the allot¬ ment of your pay, [etc.]. 3 Henry Fielding No man is bom into the world without his particular allotment.

allow /3'lau/ verb. me. [Old French alouer (later all-) partly from Latin allaudare. formed as al-' + laud verb, partly from medieval Latin allocare allocate verb.]

► I verb trans. fl Praise, commend, me-lis. 2 Approve of, sanction; accept, arch. me. •f 3 Assign as a right or due. me-li6. f4 Place to someone’s credit in an account. me-li7. 5 Accept as true or valid; acknowledge, admit, grant; concede, lme. f6 Give an allowance to, pay. lme eis. 7 Give or let have as a share or as appropriate to needs. LME. |8 Remit, deduct. LME-M16.

allotrope /’abtreup/ noun. Li9. [Back-form, from next.) chemistry. An allotropic form of a substance. allotropy b'lDtrspi/ noun. Mi9. [from Greek allotropos of another form: see allo-, -tropy.] chemistry The existence in the same state of more than one form of the same element with different proper¬ ties. a alio tropic /-'traopik, - tropik/ adjective pertaining to or dis¬ playing allotropy M19. allotropism noun = allotropy M19. [from allo- + -type.] 1 taxonomy. A paratype of the opposite sex to the holo-

type. E20. 2 iMMUNOtocY An allotypic variant of a protein or antigen. M20. a allo'typic adjective (immuaiolocy) of or pertaining to allotypes or allotypy M20. allotypy noun (immunology) the occurrence of an antibody or other protein in antigenically distinct forms in dif¬ ferent individuals of a species M20.

all out /o: 1 'aut/ adverbial phr. & adjective. Also all-out.

me.

[from all adverb + out adverb. ] 1 adverb. Entirely, completely, quite. Now arch. & dial. me. 2 adverb & (with hyphen) adjective. To the fullest extent

of someone or something’s strength, power, resources, etc.; at full speed. Li9. Q 2E.F. Norton Irvine.. was willing.. to ‘go all out’, as he put it, in an utmost effort to reach the top. M. L. King The time has come for an all-out world war against poverty.

► IX verb intrans. 13 Foil, by of. accept the truth or validity of, acknowledge. E16. 14 Foil, by of, (arch. & dial.) (up)on: approve of, not prevent the occurrence or existence of, admit of. mi6. 15 Foil, by for: make due allowance for, take into con¬

all over /o:l buva/ adverb & prepositional phr., adjective, & noun. Also all-over, (as noun) allover. me. [from all adverb + over adverb, preposition.]

sideration. M17. 16 absol. Give an opportunity, not prevent something. mis.

► A adverbial phr. f 1 To the full extent. Only in me. 2 Over the whole extent; in every part; in or on one's whole body etc. lme. 3 In all respects; as regards characteristic attitude, behaviour, etc. E18. 4 Completely finished, mi 8.

ca 13 J. R. Lowell Jortin is willing to allow of other mir¬ acles. 14 S. Johnson She tacitly allows of his future visits. 15 G. B. Shaw Unfortunately he did not allow for the preces¬ sion of the equinox. I had to correct some of his results accordingly 16 if circumstances allow, if conditions allow. etc.

Ca 2 H. P. Brougham Such an exertion.. I already ache all over with it. Joyce I often felt 1 wanted to kiss him all over. 3 J. Galsworthy She’s not a bit like me. She’s your mother all over. Obstinate as a mule! 4 H. Nelson I am a dead man,

■ allowedly flaoidli/ adverb by general allowance or admis¬ sion, admittedly E17. allower noun L16.

Hardy... 1 am going fast:—it will be all over with me soon. J. le Carre And then I asked him, 'Is this goodbye?’— whether it was all over.

allowable /3'lao3b(3)l/ adjective, lme. [Old French alouable (later all-), formed as prec.: see -able.] tl Praiseworthy. lme-ei8. 2 Appropriate; satisfactory, acceptable. Long arch. lme. 3 Intellectually admissible; valid; probable, lme.

► B prepositional phr. Everywhere on or in; all through. E17. Defoe The People .. began to be allarm’d all over the Town. L. Hughes In the middle of the winter, Snow all over the ground, be all over display great affection towards (someone), be excessively attentive to (someone).

►C 1 2 3

4 Able to be added or deducted in consideration of something. Ei6. 5 Permissible, tolerable, legitimate. M16. ■ allowableness noun (now rare) L17. allowably adverb L16.

adjective (attrib.) (with hyphen). Generally indisposed, rare. Mi9.

Covering every part. Overall. M20.

allowance /s'laosns/ noun & verb. lme.

M19.

[Old French alouance (later all-), formed as allow verb: see -ANCE.]

► A noun, fl a Praise. LME-M17. kb Approbation; sanc¬ tion; voluntary acceptance, arch. lme. 2 The act of allotting a sum as payment or expenses.

ta 1 H. Mayhew An all-over sort of feeling. 2 Times Lit. Suppl. At least six 'original' bindings, ranging from all-over boards with label, through half-cloth and full-cloth, 3 Irish Press The Irish people .. have given Fianna Fail its all-over majority. Notes & Queries His all-over conclusion is [etc.].

LME.

► D noun (in senses 1 and 2 with hyphen or as one word). 1 (Something with) a pattern that covers every part uniformly, without conspicuous features, m 19. 2 In pi. the all-overs, a feeling of nervousness or revul¬ sion. US slang. Li9. 3 After prepositions (chiefly from): everywhere, many different places. E20. CQ 3 Time There were a lot of young people from all overColorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia. Brazil, Canada. b but. d dog. f few. g get.

[from all(antoin + ox(auc + -an.]

allow'd. 2 AV Luke 11:48 Truely ye beare witnesse that ye allowe tile deeds of your fathers. 3 Shakes. Merck V And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The law allows it and the court awards it. 5 Coverdale If any man allowe not the vnderstanding of Rome by Babylon. Milton I suppose it will be allowed us that marriage is a human society. R. B. Sheridan They’ll not allow our friend.. to be hand¬ some. Joyce What was their civilisation? Vast, I allow: but vile. 6 Steele The Father who allows his Son to his utmost ability. 7 Pope Allow him but his plaything of a pen. G. B. Shaw His trustees cannot.. allow him more than £800 a year. B. England You really must allow me a moment or two to rest. 9 H. S. Merriman He would not allow himself the luxury of being the first arrival. E. F. Benson We give here plays that the censor would not allow on the London stage. J. B. Priestley As long as society allows me to hunt, I shall hunt. D. J. Enright Is it not allowed to stand here? b R. Brooke We were allowed ashore from 5 to midnight. 10 Burke To allow on their account as much as added to the losses of the conqueror, may amount to a million of deaths. A. Ayckbourn It's only a five minute walk... No. but they have to allow a bit longer. 11 J. Ruskin It refuses to allow itself in any violent or spasmodic passion. 12 B. Harte 1 allows one thing, he allows another, and this yer man gives me the lie and I stabs him!

allotype /'abtAip/ noun. E20.

h he. j yes,

k cat.

1

leg,

3 A limited quantity or sum, esp. of money or food, granted to cover expenses or other requirements, lme. 14 The act of granting as a right or due. Only in L15. t5 Abalance, remainder. E-M16. 6 a A sum or item put to someone’s credit; deduction, discount. Mi6. kb fig. Addition or deduction in consider¬ ation of something; the act of talcing (esp. mitigating cir¬ cumstances) into consideration. Esp. in make allowance for. make allowances for. L17. 17 Acknowledgement, admission. 116-MI8. 8 Permission, tolerance (of). E17.

m man.

0 no. p pen, r red. s sit,

► B verb trans. 1 Put (a person or animal) on a limited allowance. 118. 2 Limit the amount of (a commodity) supplied, mi 9. alloxan /a'lDks(3)n/ noun. M19.

9 Not prevent the occurrence of; not prevent (a person) from doing something; permit. Mi6. kb With ellipsis of inf. before adverb (phr.): permit to go, come, be, etc. M19. ►c physics. As allowed pa. pple & ppl adjective: designating or involving a transition between two quantummechanical states that conforms to a certain selection rule. E20. 10 Add or deduct in consideration of something. Mi7. 11 reft. Indulge oneself in. arch. E18. 12 Consider, assert, (that). English & US dial. Ei9. fQ 1 G. Crabbe Proud To find the triumphs of his youth

a allotmen teer noun a person who holds or rents an allot¬ ment of land E20.

UJ 1 b G. Crabbe He look’d smiling on And gave allowance where he needed none. 2 Bacon Illiberalitie of Parents in allowance towards their children. 3 Milton In such a scant allowance of starlight. F. Marryat They had but their allow¬ ance of bread and grog for one day. A Koestler The Commit¬ tee now paid him a small weekly allowance on which he could manage to live, at no allowance arch. & dial, without stint or limitation, compassionate allowance: see compassionate adjective lb. family allowance see family noun. 7 Shakes. Haml. The censure of the which one must, in your allowance, o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. 8 E. A. Freeman The allowance of slavery in the South. P. V. White I would ask your allowance that I may write to your Unde.. for your hand.

t top,

chemistry. An acidic heterocyclic compound, C4H,N204,

obtained by oxidation of uric acid and isolated as an efflorescent crystalline hydrate. alloy /'abi, (in branch II always) a'bi/ noun. Li 6. [Old & mod. French aloi, from aloier, earlier al(e)ier ally verb. Replacing allay noun'.] ► I lit. fl Agio of exchange. L16-L17. 2 The comparative purity of gold or silver. Ei7.

3 Orig., a mixture of a precious metal with a baser one. Now gen., a metallic substance made by combining two or more elements at least one of which is a metal, esp. to give greater strength, resistance to corrosion, etc. mi7. 4 An inferior metal mixed with one of greater value. eis. 3 ferro-alloy. Wood’s alloy, etc.

► II fig. f5 Intrinsic standard or character, quality. L16-L17.

6 Admixture of something which diminishes charac¬ ter or value; an alien element, something which debases. E17. CQ 5 Sir T. Browne A Soull of the saihe alloy as our owne. 6 J. Austen Disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. V. Woolf The fatal alloy in his genius, the great clod of clay that has got itself mixed up with the purity of his inspiration. Comb.: alloy steel steel containing one or more added elem¬ ents.

alloy /'abi, (in senses 1,3 always) 3'bi/ verb. M17. [French aloyer, formed as prec. Replacing allay verb2.] 1 verb trans. Moderate, modify. Cf. allay verb1. Mi7. 2 verb trans. Mix with a baser metal. L17. 3 verb trans. fig. Debase by admixture. E18. 4 verb trons. Mix (metals). El 9. 5 verb intrans. Of a metal or metals: enter into combin¬ ation (with). E19.

all right /o:l 'rAit/ adverbial, adjectival, & noun phr. Also alright. Ei7. [from all adverb + right adverb, adjective. ]

► A adverbial phr. As desired; duly; satisfactorily; certainly, indeed. E17. CQ E. FitzGerald I got your letter all right. M. Lowry Boy, but it was hot all right. T. Stoppard The Minister said up here—he’ll find us alright.

► B adjectival phr. 1 In good condition; safe and sound; sat¬ isfactory, acceptable. Usu. pred. but occas. (with hyphen) attrib. ei 8. 2 As interjection. Expr. acquiescence, assent, or acknow¬ ledgement. mi 9. Q 1 R. Chandler The Big Sleep is very unequally written. There are scenes that are all right. J. P. Donleavy Don’t cry anymore now. Its all right. M. Procter He seemed an allright bloke to me. all right by. all right with acceptable to (a person). I’m all right, jack: see Jack noun'. 2 Dickens Stand firm. Sam.’ said Mr. Pickwick... 'All right, sir,’ replied Mr. Weller. A. Lurie 'I want to go. 1 want to see the animals!’ ’AH right, Markie. I’ll take them outside and let them run around for a while, Katherine.’

► C noun phr. a bit of all right, someone or something very pleasing, colloq. L19. 9 The spelling alright is often considered erroneous, but cf. analogous already, although, etc.

all round /o:I 'raond/ adverbial, prepositional, & adjectival phr. Also all-round, eis. [from all adverb

+ round adverb, preposition.]

► A adverbial phr. Everywhere around; in all respects; for all concerned, eis. CQ H. P. Tritton Work was scarce and wages low, and con¬ ditions all-round were tough.

► B prepositional phr. Around all the parts of, round in every direction. E19. ► C adjective (phr.) (freq. with hyphen). Encompassing everything; affecting everything or everyone; having ability in many departments. M19.

van, w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

9 thin.

6 this,

ri ring,

tj cliip.

d3 jar

59

allspice | almond E3 W. James The all-round men like Washington. Economist An all-round increase in the rates payable for workmen's compensation. New Statesman An excellent all-round per formance by the Guildford Repertory Company.

■ all-founder noun t(a) a collar which fits all round; (b) a person with ability in many departments; M19. all- roundness noun L19.

allspice /'ofispais/ noun. Ei7. [from all + spice noun, as combining several flavours.) 1 (The aromatic dried ground berry of) the W. Indian tree Pimento dioica, of the myrtle family. Also called pimento and Jamaica pepper Ei7. 2 Any of various other aromatic shrubs, esp. Calycanthus firtilis and C. floridus (both called Carolina

allspice),

mis.

allude/s'ltcd, a'lju:d/verb. L15. [Latin alludere, from ad al-1 + ludere to play.) 11 verb trans. Hint (at), suggest. L1S-L17. 2 verb intrans. Have or make an oblique, covert, transi¬ ent, or indirect reference, to; popularly refer in any manner to. M16. 13 verb trans. Play with, mock. M-L16. 14 verb intrans. & trans. Play upon words; refer by play of words ((un)to); pun. M16-E17. 15 verb trans. & intrans. Refer (something) fancifully or fig¬ uratively, have fanciful or figurative reference, to. L16-M17. t6 Refer (something) as applicable, appropriate, or belonging, to. E-M17. ffl 2 Steele Quotations which allude to the Perjuries of the Fair. E. M. Forster He would allude to her. and hear her dis¬ cussed, but never mentioned her by name. G. Vidal He had star quality, an element often alluded to in Arlene's circle of show-biz friends.

allumette /alu:'m£t;/oragn alymet (pi. same)/ noun. E17. [French, from allumer set light to: see -ette.) A match for lighting or setting things alight. pommes allumettes see pomme noun. f Rare before 19.

all up /o:l \p/ adjectival phr. Also all-up. E19. [Sense 1 from all adverb, sense 2 from all noun, + up adverb1.] 1 pred. Completely done or finished; almost over. Chiefly impers. as below. E19. 2 attrib. (With hyphen.) Fa Of the weight of an aircraft: total, including crew, passengers, cargo, etc., when in the air. M20. Fb Of a postal service, mail, etc.: (with all items) sent by air though charged at a surface-mail rate. M20. 1 it is all up with someone; he or she will shortly die, be defeated, etc. it is all up with something; it has no prospect of continuation or success.

allure /a'ljua/ noun'. Mi6. [from the verb.) Enticement; personal charm; attractiveness. allure /aly:r, a'ljua/ noun2. Now rare. PI. pronounced same. M19. [French.] Bearing, mien, air.

allure /a'ljua/ verb trans. lme. [Anglo-Norman alurer, Old French aloirrier, akurier, formed as A-3 + lucre LURE noun'.] 1 Attract or tempt by something advantageous, pleas¬ ant, or flattering; entice, win over. lme. f2 gen. Draw or attract towards oneself or itself; elicit. M16-L18. 3 Fascinate, charm. Ei7. O 1 W. Raleigh To allure the prindpall of them to his partie. Bunyan Things that seem to be hid in words obscure. Do but the Godly mind the more alure. To study. J. Conrad He went to Sambir.. allured.. by the fact that there was no Dutch resident on the river. Joyce Those whose eyes tempted and allured them from the path of virtue. P. G. Wodehouse Alluring the public with a rich smell of mixed foods. 3 Burke Some were allured by the modem, others reverenced the ancient. ■ ailurance noun allurement, enticement Lt6. allurer noun M16. alluring adjective tempting, seductive, attractive L16. alluringly adverb L16, alluringness noun (rare) E17.

allurement /3'ljoam(a)nt/ noun. Mi6. [from prec. + -ment.) 1 The means of alluring; a lure, a bait. M16. 2 The action or process of alluring; temptation, entice¬ ment. M16. 3 Alluring faculty or quality; fascination, charm. Li6.

alius /'o:laz/ adverb, dial. Also alters. M19. [Repr. a pronunc.] Always.

allusion /a'lu:3(a)n, -'lju;-/ noun. Mi6. [French, or late Latin allusio(n-), from alius- pa. ppl stem of alludere alluoe verb: see -ion.) fl Aplayon words, apun. M16-M18. f2 A metaphor, a parable, an allegory. M16-L18. 3 A covert, passing, or indirect reference (to); popularly any reference to. Ei7.

allusive /a'lu:siv, -'lju:-/ adjective. Li6. [formed as prec. + -ive.) 1 Symbolical, metaphorical, figurative, orch. L16. 2 Containing an allusion (to); containing many allu¬ sions. E17.

3 Playing on a word, punning, rare exc. heraldry. desig¬ nating arms in which the charges suggest or pun on the bearer’s name or title, Mi7. ■ allusively adverb M17. allusiveness noun M17. alluvial /a'hi:vial, -'lju:-/ adjective & noun. E19. [from alluvium + -AL1.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or consisting of alluvium. El 9. ► B noun. An alluvial deposit; alluvium; Austral, goldbearing alluvial soil. M19. ■ alluvian adjective (rare) = alluvial adjective Lis alluvious adjective (rare) = alluvial adjective mis.

alluvion /a'lu:vian, -'lju:-/ noun. arch. exc. in sense 4. M16. alluvio(n-), formed as next: see -ion.) 1 The wash of water against the shore ora river-banlc. M16. 2 An inundation; a flood, esp. when the water carries much suspended material, mi6. 3 The matter deposited by a flood or a river; alluvium. mis. 4 law. The action of flowing water in forming new land by deposition (cf. avulsion 3). mis. [French from Latin

alluvium /a'lu:viam, -'lju:-/ noun. PI. (now rare) -ia /-is/, -iums M17. [Latin, neut. of alluvius washed against, from ad al-1 wash.]

+ !uv-, lucre to

A deposit of clay, silt, sand, etc., left by flowing water, as in a river valley or delta. ■ alluviate verb trans, cover or build up with deposits of allu¬ vium (chiefly as alluviated ppl adjective) E20. alluvi ation noun the deposition of alluvium M19.

ally/' alAi/noun1. lme. [Partly from Old French alie use as noun of pa. pple of alter ally verb; partly from ally verb.] fl Kinship; confederation, alliance. lme-li6. |2 collect. Kindred, relatives; associates, confederates. lme-li6. 3 A relative; a kinsman, a kinswoman, arch. lme. 4 A person, State, etc., united to another by treaty or league or combined with another for a special purpose, lme. Fb the Allies, the States in alliance against Germany and her allies in the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-451 Britain and the States in alliance with her in later wars. E20. 5 Something akin to another thing by community of nature or properties, or placed near it in classification. L17. 9 The pronunc. lo'lul. formerly general, is now not commonly heard.

ally /'ali/ noun2. Also alley eis. [Perh. dim. of alabaster.)

A choice playing-marble, orig. of marble or alabaster, later also of glass or other material, make one’s ally good Austral, slang exploit one's advantage, confirm one’s position pass in one's ally, toss in one’s ally Austral, slang give in, die.

ally /a'Ui, 'alAi/ verb. See also allied, me. [Old French al(e)ierfrom Latin alligare, from ad al-' + ligare to bind. Cf. allay verb2, alloy noun, verb.) 1 verb trans. Combine or unite, esp. for a special purpose, to, with. Chiefly of marriage, alliance with foreign States, and union of nature or spirit, me. 2 verb intrans. Unite, enter into alliance, arch. me. |3 verb trans. Combine or mix (ingredients), lme-lis.

-ally /ali/ suffix. Forming adverbs from adjectives in -al' : see -ly2.

allyl /'aUil, -lil/ noun. M19. [from allium + -YL.) chemistry. The monovalent radical CH,=CHCHZ-. Freq. in comb. Comb.: allyl plastic, allyl resin any synthetic resin which is a polymer of an allyl compound. ■ allylene /'aliliar/ noun a gaseous hydrocarbon, CH,C=CH. propyne; formerly = allene: M19. allylic ulilik/ ody'ect/ve of or per¬ taining to an allyl radical or compound mi9.

alma /’alma/ noun. Also almah. alme. PI. same, -s. L18. [Arab.

'alima (colloq.) singer, orig. (fem. adjective) brained,

learned, from 'alima know.)

Any of a class of Egyptian singing- and dancing-girls who entertain at festivals and act as mourners.

almacantar noun var. of almucantar. almadia /alma'di:a/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -made /-'ma:d/, -madie /-ma'di:/. Mi6. [Arab,

al-ma'diya the ferry-boat: see al-2. Vars. from French from

Portuguese.)

An African canoe made of bark or of a hollowed treetrunk. Also, a long swift Indian riverboat.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, 0 : saw. A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. au how. ei day.

almagest /'almad3£st/ noun. Also A-.

lme.

[Old French almageste ult. from Arab, al-mijisti, formed as AL-2 + Greek megiste greatest (sc. composition).]

A great astronomical treatise by Ptolemy (translated into Arabic in the 9th cent.); any of various other early textbooks of astrology and alchemy. falmagra noun.

LI6-E19.

[Spanish from Arab, al-magra, -mugra red ochre; see al-2.]

A deep red ochre found in Spain. almah noun var. of alma. Almain /'almein/ noun & adjective. Now arch, or Hist. Also -aine, f-an. -ayn, & other vars. me. [Old French airman (mod. allemand) from late Latin Alemanni: see Alemannic.]

► A noun. 1 A German, me. t2 The German language. 3 = ALLEMANDE 3. L16. 4 = ALLEMANDE 2. L16. ► B adjective. German. Lis.

LME-M16.

Al main rivets a kind of flexible light armour with overlapping plates sliding on rivets.

Alma Mater /.alma 'ma:t3, 'meit-/ noun phr. PL Alma Maters, (rare) Almae Matres /.alniAi 'marirez, ,almi: 'meitrirz/. Mi7. [Latin = bounteous mother, a title given to various Roman god¬ desses, esp. Ceres and Cybele.)

1 Someone or something providing nourishment and care. Mi7. 2 esp. A university or school as regarded by its past and present members. L17. t Alman

noun & adjective var. of Almain.

almanac/'odmanak, 'o\-/noun. Also (rare) -ack.

lme.

[medieval Latin almanac(h) from late Greek almenikhiaka of unkn. origin.)

An annual table, or book of tables, containing a calen¬ dar of months and days, usu. with astronomical data and other information, formerly including astrological and astrometeorological forecasts. nautical almanac almandine/'almandbn, -dAin/noun. lme.

[Obsolete French,

alt.

of alabandine.]

An aluminium iron garnet of a violet or amethyst tint. ■ Also almandite noun (mineralogy) M19.

Almayn noun & adjective var. alme noun var.

of Almain.

of alma.

almeira(h) nouns vars.

ofALMiRAH.

almery noun see aumbry. almighty /ori'ntAiti/ adjective, noun, & adverb. [Old English eelmihtig, from all adverb + mighty adjective: corresp. to Old Frisian elmachtich, Old Saxon alomahtig. Old High German alamahtic (German allmachtig). Old Norse almatttgr.) ► A adjective. 1 Having all possible power (orig. as an

attribute of God), oe. 2 Very great, slang. E19. 1 Cod Almighty see god noun.

► B noun, the Almighty, God. oe. ► C adverb. Exceedingly, slang. Mi9.

■ almightiness noun lme. talmightiship noun (rare) M17-E18.

almirah /al'mAira/ noun. Also -meira(h).

Ei9.

[Urdu alman from Portuguese almario from Latin armarium: see AUMBRY.)

In the Indian subcontinent: a wardrobe, a movable cupboard. almoign /al'mom/ noun. Also -oin.

me.

[Late Anglo-Norman almoin. Old French almone (mod. aumone), ult. formed as ALMS.) 11 Ecclesiastical possession. Only in me.

2 Tenure by spiritual service, or by the performance of some religious duty. Chiefly in frankalmoign. E16. almond /’a:mand/ noun.

me.

[Old French alemande, a(l)mande from medieval Latin amandula from Greek amugdale.)

1 The kernel, oval with pointed ends, ofthe stone-fruit of the tree Primus dultis, of which there are two varieties, the sweet and the bitter, me. 2 The tree itself, allied to the plum, cherry, etc. Also almond tree lme. 3 Something having the shape or appearance of an almond, lme. Fb In pi. The tonsils; also, the lymph nodes below the ear. Freq. more fully almonds of the throat, almonds ofthe ears. etc. arch. Lie 4 The delicate pink colour of almond blossom or the light brown colour of an almond kernel. Freq. attrib. mis. 1 burnt almond, butter of almonds:

1

see butter noun 2. Attrib. & comb.: Attrib. in senses 'resembling the almond' as almond pink etc. (see also sense 4 above): 'made with or contain ing almonds', as almond cake, almond paste, etc. Special combs., as almond eye: with the eyelids forming an almondshape; almond-eyed adjective having almond eyes; almond milk a soothing medicine made with blanched almonds, sugar, and water, or similar ingredients; almond oil the expressed oil no, e: hair, ia near, ai boy, ua poor, ,ua tire, aua sour

60

almoner | aloof of bitter almonds, consisting chiefly of benzaldehyde; almond tree: see sense 2 above. ■ almondy adjective like an almond or almonds M19.

almoner/'aimono, 'aim-/ noun.

me.

[Anglo-Norman aumoner, Old French -ier, earlier a(u)lTnosnier (mod. aumohier) ult. formed as eleemosynary; assoc, with words in al-1.]

1 An official distributor of alms on behalf of an individ¬ ual, as a monarch, or an institution, as a religious house. (Holders of particular offices may also have other duties.) me. ►b A social worker attached to a hospital, seeing to the after-care etc. of patients and orig. also to patients’ payments. (Not now an official title.) L19. f 2 gen. An alms-giver. ME-L19. ia 1 b B. Pym The almoner, or medical social worker as they called it now, at the hospital.

lme.

[Orig. from Old French au(l)mosnerie (mod. ciumonerie), formed as prec.; later from prec.: see -ery, -ry.]

A place where alms are or were distributed; an office responsible for the distribution of alms. talmose noun var. of alms. almost /'odmaust, -mast/ adverb & adjective,

oe.

[from all + most adverb.] fl adjective or adverb. Mostly all; for the most part. 0E-M17. 2 adverb. Very nearly; all but; as the nearest thing to. me. ►b adverb or adjective. Close to being, near. arch, mi6.

►fc Used

to

intensify

a

rhetorical

ta 1 NEB Ps. 45:8 Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and powder of aloes. 3 fig.: S. Hieron The bitter aloes of the law. ■ aloetic /abo’etik/ noun & adjective (now rare) (a drug) containing or of the nature of the purgative aloes Mi7.

■ almonership noun the position or office of an almoner Li6.

almonry/'cumanri, 'aim-/ noun.

1 In pi. The fragrant resin or (also aloes wood) heartwood of the trees Aquilaria agallocha and A malaccensis, from the Far East. oe. 2 A plant of the genus Aloe of the lily family, which includes succulent herbs, shrubs, and trees, bearing erect spikes of flowers and yielding bitter sap. lme. 3 sing. & (usu.) in pi. A bitter, nauseous purgative, made from the juice of the plant, lme. 4 Any of several other plants resembling those of the genus Aloe; esp. (more fully American aloe) a stemless agave, Agave americana. with long spiny leaves which flowers only once in many years (also called century plant). Mi7.

interrogative.

L16-M18. P 1 R, Ascham Thies giuers were almost Northmen. 2 Donne One might almost say, her body thought. Swift Eyes with Reading almost blind. Robert Watson His affairs almost never prospered. Byron To lose the hour would make her quite a martyr. And they had wasted now almost a quarter. V. Woolf Almost one might imagine them .. ques¬ tioning and wondering. E. Hemingway I stood until it had almost passed, then jumped and caught the rear hand-rods. W. Trevor A single window reached almost to the floor. b Southey lam., an almost Quaker, c R. South Whom almost can we see who opens his arms to his enemies?

aloft /o'lDft/ adverb, pred. adjective, & preposition, me. [Old Norse a !opt(i) from a in. on, to + lopt air, sky, loft noun (corresp. to Old English lift noun'. Old High German luft. Gothic

luftus air).]

► A adverb & pred. adjective. 1 gen. Of position: high up, at a relatively great elevation, me. 2 gen. Of direction: into the air; upward, me. 3 In or to heaven, arch. exc. as below, me. 4 nautical. On or to a higher part of a ship; into the rigging, me. f5 In the sky, above the horizon, me-116. t6 In the ascendant, prevailing. LME-E17. f7 On the top, on the surface. LME-E18. 18 In a loud voice; in a lofty tone, lme E17. 3 go aloft: see co verb. ► B preposition. Above, over; high up in. Long rare. lme. f i I Shakes. John I was amaz’d Under the tide; but now 1 breathe again Aloft the flood. M. Peake A pale sun.. was hung aloft an empty and faded sky. alogical /ei'lDd3ik(a)l/ adjective. Li7. [from A-10

+ logical adjective. Cf. French alogique.]

Non-logical; opposed to logic. aloha /a'buha/ interjection & noun. E19. [Hawaiian.]

alms /a:mz/ noun. Also talmose, (Scot. & dial.) almous, (Scot.) awmous.

Love, affection: used in Hawaii esp. at greeting or parting; an utterance of this.

[Old English zlmyssa, -messe, corresp. to Old Norse almusa, Qlmusa (from which the Scot. vars. derive), Old Frisian ielmisse, Old Saxon alamosna (Dutch aalmoes), Old High German alamuosan (German Almosen); Germanic ult. from alt. (prob. through Latin alimonia alimony) of Christian Latin eleemosyna (see eleemosynary).]

Comb.: aloha shirt a loose brightly coloured Hawaiian shirt; Aloha State US Hawaii.

1 Charitable relief of the poor, orig. and esp. as a reli¬ gious duty. As a count noun (infl. pi. long obsolete): sing, a charitable donation, pi. things given in charity, oe. |2 A good deed; a charity. Often iron. Latterly Scot. 0E-E19. 3 = ALMOICN 2. OE. £□ 1 Addison A Beggar Man that had asked an Alms of him. W. S. Maugham Her nuns lived entirely upon alms. W. de la Mare This chance-come outcast had Asked for alms a crust of bread, do alms, make alms, work alms, etc give alms, bestow alms. etc. 2 R. Sanderson If he be hungiy, it is alms to feed him. 3 free alms = frankalmoign. Comb, alms-deed arch, (a) an act of almsgiving, a charitable deed; t(b) the practice of almsgiving; almsfee Hist. Peter’s pence, Rome-scot; almsfolk people supported by alms; almsgiver a person who gives alms; almsgiving the giving of alms; almshouse (a) a house founded by charity for the reception or support of the poor; f(b) a house belonging to a monastery where alms and hospitality were dispensed; almsman (a) a person supported by alms; (b) arch, an almsgiver; almswoman a woman supported by alms.

almucantar /alma'kants/ noun. Also alma-,

me.

[medieval Latin almucantarath or French 1[almicantarat, talmucantara from Arab, al-mukantarat (pi.) circles of celestial lati¬ tude, formed as al-2 + kantara arch.] astronomy. 1 A circle on the celestial sphere parallel to the horizon; a parallel of altitude. Usu. in pi. me.

2 A telescope mounted on a float resting on mercury, used to determine stellar altitude and azimuth. L19. almug /'almAg/ noun. PI. -im /-im/, -s. Ei7. [Hebrew ’almug (Ugaritic ’almg): cf. algum.]

= algum. Also almug tree. First recorded in AV.

[Alt. of (Old French almutaz from) Arab, al-mutazz, from al al-2 + mu'tazz powerful, proud.] astrology. The ruling planet in the horoscope.

alnage, alnager nouns vars. of aulnage,

aulnager.

alod noun, alodial adjective & noun, alodium noun etc vars. of allod etc. [Old English al(e)we from Latin aloe from Creek aloe; in lme reinforced by Old French aloes (mod. aloes) or its source as in licnaloes. whence freq. use in pi.] g

get.

adverb + one adjective etc. Aphet. to lone adjective,

adverb.]

1 Quite by oneself, itself, or themselves; unaccompan¬ ied; without other companions. Occas. ottrib., solitary, lonely, me. 2 Having no one else sharing in one’s action, feeling, or position. (Usu. in neg. contexts.) me. 3 As distinct from anyone or anything else; only, exclu¬ sively. ME. 4 Taken or acting by itself; of itself, without anything more. |Also attrib. lme. 5 pred. & attrib. Having no equal; being the only example; unique, exclusive. Now rare. M16. £3 1 Coleridge Alone on a wide wide sea! J. M. Faulkner I am left alone in the sitting. With none to sit beside. D. H. Lawrence This morning Pancrazio and Giovanni had gone off somewhere, Alvina and Cicio were alone on the place. E. Bowen Two rather alone people. Day Lewis The whiteness of the cup, standing alone on the grass, is daz¬ zling. go it alone act without assistance, leave alone, let alone (a) leave to himself or herself, not have dealings with, not attend to or interfere with; leave well alone, let well alone: see well adjective; (b) in imper. (colloq.) (now usu. let alone): not to mention, far less or more. 2 C. P. Snow Rose was not alone in that room in having a generalized dislike of scientists. 3 AV Dan. 10:71 Daniel alone saw the vision. Shakes. Haml. ’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, . That can denote me truly. Tennyson Wisdom.. which not alone had guided me. But served the seasons that may rise. 4 S. Johnson He that hopes by philosophy and contempla¬ tion alone to fortify himself against that. Ld Macaulay The appointment of a ruined gambler would alone have sufficed to disgust the public. 5 Shakes. Two Gent. All I can is nothing To her, whose worth makes other worthies nothing; She is " alone. G. Herbert Christ is my onely head. My alone onely heart and breast.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg,

alonely /Vbonli/ adverb & adjective. Long arch. me. [from all

adverb + only adjective.]

1 adverb & pred. adjective. Only, solely; without anyone or anything else; solitarily, me. T2 attrib. adjective. Sole, onely; unique; solitary. L15-E17. along /a'tari/ adjective', arch. & dial.

aloe /'also/ noun.

f few,

[from all

■ aloneness noun lme.

talmuten noun. L16-E18.

b but. d dog,

alone /a'bon/ adjective (chiefly pred.) & adverb, me.

n

[Old English gelang, corresp. to forms in West Germanic, Old Saxon gilang ready, Old High German gilang neighbouring- see A-' long adjective'.]

Foil, by 0/(fon): pertaining to; owing to; on account of together with. man.

n no, p pen,

r red. s sit,

t top,

v van, w we. z zoo.

along In'ioql adjective2, preposition, & adverb. [Old English andlang, corresp. to Old Saxon antiang. See long adjective' and cf. endlong.]

►tA adjective. Extending lengthwise; livelong. Only in Old English (later merged in all long, as all night long). OE.

► B preposition (orig. the adjective used absol. or adverbi¬ ally with genitive). From end to end of; through any part of the length of; parallel to the length of. oe. £0 Sir W. Scott Along the bridge Lord Marmion rode. Tennyson We roam’d along the dreary coast. T. Hardy Along a shelf at one side were ranged bottles and canisters. W. Owen He sings along the march Which we march taci¬ turn. S. Hill Men sat along trestle tables lined down the church hall.

► C adverb. 1 In a line with the length (of something understood); longitudinally. Now only with by and as in sense 2. me. 2 Onward in the course or line of morion or in the course of life etc.; progressively on; further on in a row. me. tb To or at a place, having come from another. Mi9. ►c Further on (or back) in time. N. Amer. M19. |3 At a distance, afar. ME-L16. f4 At full length. lme-li9. f5 In full, at length. lme-li6. 6 Foil, by with: onward with, in company with; together with, in conjunction with; also e/l/pt, with a person etc. L16. 7 all along, all the time, throughout, continuously. El 7. O 1 V. Woolf They were sailing so fast along by the rocks that it was very exciting. 2 Joyce Shuffling along for a yard or so.. in an old pair of blue canvas shoes. W. Stevens As if the sky was a current that bore them along. K. Amis He bustled round the taxi he had secured, hurrying the baggageporter along, b J. Wyndh am Any time now they’d be along with pneumatic drills. S. Gray Mr Keyston says kindly send him along to the office, c along about at about (a specified time). 4 Shakes. Rom. B JuL Under yond yew trees lay thee all along. 6 Yeats He was seen coining here along with you. E. Huxley Along with coal, steel, woollens, whisky and pedi¬ gree bulls, for many years we exported people. A. Burgess Love is something you learn along with the other duties of marriage. G. B. Shaw Bring your sabre along. J. Bowen Sharks is still there, mind. They’re always there. Patient. Tagging along, play along, string along, etc. 7 J. Irving He must be waiting.. for me to tell him he was right all along. Comb.: alongshore adverb & adjective by the shore, along and on the shore (see also longshore).

alongside /olog'sAid/ adverb & preposition, eis. [from along preposition + side noun.]

► A adverb. 1 Along, parallel to, or close to the side (of a ship or something else understood). E18. 2 Foil, by of. side by side with (lit. & fig.), li 8. Q3 1 Coleridge The naked hulk alongside came. S. Hill Manor house, it was, and a farm alongside. 2 N. Hawthorne Alongside of a sheet of water. C. Hampton Alongside of preaching the Gospel.. there are other ways in which we have to change the lives of these savages.

► B preposition. Side by side with, parallel to. us. alongst a'lDgst/ preposition & adverb, obsolete exc. Scot. & dial. ME. [from along preposition & adverb + -s3 + t as in against, amidst, etc.] ► A preposition. 1 Down or through the length of (in con¬ trast to across, athwart), me. 2 Close by, parallel to. Li6. ►t B adverb. 1 = along adverb 1. M-L16. 2 Lengthwise (in contrast to athwart). M16-L18. 3 Foil, by with: = along adverb 6. E18-E19.

aloo a'lu/ noun. Also alu. M19. [Hindi, Urdu alu from Sanskrit.] Indian cookery. A potato; a dish consisting of potatoes. Chiefly in names of dishes, as aloo saag (containing

potato and spinach). aloof /a'lu:f/ adverb, adjective, & preposition. Mi6. [from a preposition'

1

+ luff noun1, prob. after Dutch te I oe/.]

► A adverb. 1 nautical, fa As interjection. To windward! (expr. an order to turn or keep the ship’s head as close as pos¬ sible to the wind). M16-L18. kb Away to windward, mi6. 2 Away at a distance (from), apart. M16. 3 From a distance, orch. M16. E3 1 a fig : R. B. Sheridan I thought that dragon's front of thine would cry aloof to the sons of gallantly, b Pope With all our force we kept aloof to sea. 2 hold aloof (from), keep aloof (from), sit aloof (from), stand aloof (from), etc. 3 Milton The lion and fierce tiger glared aloof. Tennyson Purple cliffs, aloof descried.

► B adjective. Distant; detached, unsympathetic. E17. £3 D. Cecil She.. hid her true self behind the shield of an aloof formality. G. Maxwell Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent.

►t C preposition. Away from, apart from, rare (Milton). Only in M17. ■ aloofly adverb E20. aloofness noun M17. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

tj ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

61

alopecia | also

alopecia

'als'pi:Ja/

noun. lme. [Latin from Greek aldpekia lit. 'fox-mange', from alopek-, aldpex fox: see -ia*.[

stimulation of alpha receptors; If) alpha test, a test of machinery, software, etc., in course of development, carried out by the developer before it is made available for beta testing: alpha-test verb trans., perform an alpha test on. mis. kc A first-class mark in an examination etc.

medicine Hair loss, baldness, talose noun var. of allis. aloud

E20.

adverb, me. + loud adjective.] In a loud voice, loudly (arch.); audibly, not silently or in a /s'laud/

3 zoology. Chiefly attrib. Designating the dominant animal within a single-sex group, as alpha male, alpha female, etc.; also (fig.) of people. M20.

[from a preposition' 4

whisper.

1 Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end (orig. as a title of God). 2b alpha globulin, alpha-hydroxy acid chemistry any of a class of organic adds that contain a hydroxyl group bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to the carboxylic acid group, often used in skincare preparations for their exfoliating properties; abbreviation AHA c alpha minus a mark just in the first class, alpha plus a superlatively good mark.

think aloud see think verb2, a I’outrance

adverbial phr. var. of A outrance.

alow /a'tau/ adverb'. Scot. & north, me. [from a preposition' 6 + low noun2.] Ablaze. alow lo'hul adverb2 & preposition, lme. [from A preposition' + low adjective; mod. Scot. prob. after below] ► A adverb. 1 a gen. Low down, below; downwards. Now arch. & dial. lme. kb nautical. In or into a lower part of a vessel. ei 6. |2 fig. In a low condition or estate. LME-M16. |3 In a low voice. lme-ei6. ► B preposition. Below, low down in or on. obsolete exc. Scot.

alphabet /'alfsbet/ noun & verb.

2 A set of letters used in writing a language; a set of symbols or signs used for these letters. Ei6. kb computing. A set of characters or symbols used in representing data.

Mi6.

M20.

alp /alp/ noun'.

Also

A-.

An index in alphabetical order. Now rare. M16. 4 fig. The key to a branch of knowledge; the first rudi¬ ments of a subject, arch. L16. 5 fig. A long or complete series. L16. 3

lme.

[Orig. pl„ from French Alpes from Latin from Greek Alpeis of unkn. origin.] 1 (A-.) In pi., the high mountain range occupying much of Switzerland and adjacent regions; sing, a peak in this

2 initial teaching alphabet: see initial adjective, phonetic alphabet a set of symbols used to represent speech sounds (International Phonetic Alphabet see international adjective.). Comb.: alphabet soup clear soup containing letter-shaped pieces of macaroni paste etc.; fig. a muddle. ► B verb trans. = alphabetize. Chiefly US. L17. ■ alphabetarian /-'ts:rran/ noun (now rare) (a) = abecedarian noun 1; (b) a person who studies alphabets: E17. alpha'betic adjective = alphabetical M17. alpha betical adjective (of the order of letters or words) corresponding to that of the alphabet; of or pertaining to an alphabet; employing an alphabet: mi6. alpha betically adverb in alphabetical order; by means of an alphabet: Mi 6. alpha1 betiform adjective shaped like the letters of an alphabet E20. alpha beti'zation noun the process of arranging in alphabetical order: an alphabetical series or list: L19. alphabetize verb trons. arrange in alphabetical order Lis.

range, lme. 2 Any high, esp. snowcapped, mountain(s). lme. 3 In Switzerland: an area of green pasture on a moun¬ tainside. E19. 2 Southern Alps the high mountain range of South Island, New Zealand. Comb.: Alp-horn = alpenhorn.

alp /alp/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial.

lme.

[Origin unkn.]

A bullfinch. alpaca /al'pako/ noun. L18.

alphabetism

[Spanish from Aymara allpoca.]

Ei9. [Spanish from Hispano-Arab. al-balgha.]

= ESPADRILLE. Also

-ine.

Ei9.

[Irish ailpin.]

alphafetoprotein /.alfsfhtau'prautkn/ noun.

In Ireland: a cudgel, a stout-headed stick. alpenglow/'alpangtau/noun.

L19.

present in amniotic fluid and the bloodstream of the mother, and of which levels can be measured to detect congenital defects such as spina bifida and Down's syn¬ drome.

The rosy light of the setting or rising sun seen on high mountains. alpenhorn /’alpanhom/ noun. L19. [German = Alp-horn.]

alpenrose /'alpsnrauz/ noun.

[Blend of alphabetic and arithmetic noun'.] A mathematical puzzle in which numerical values are

E20.

to be deduced from an equation or the like in which they are represented by letters.

[German = Alp-rose.]

of

pink-flowered rhododendrons. Rhododendron ferrugineum and R. hirsutum, native to the region of the Alps, alpenstock

two

'alpanstok,

alphanumeric/.alfanjufmErik/ adjective & noun. [from ALPHABET + NUMERIC.]

[German = Alp-stick.]

A long iron-tipped staff used in mountain-climbing. alpha /"alf3/ noun. [Latin from Greek.]

1 The first letter (A, a) of the Greek alphabet; the begin¬ ning of anything, me. 2 Denoting the first in a numerical sequence. E17. ►b attrib. science. Freq. written a: (o) astronomy (preceding the genitive of the Latin name of the constellation) desig¬ nating the chief star in a constellation; (b) chemistry desig¬ nating the first of a number of isomeric forms of a compound, or of allotropes of an element, etc.; (c) desig¬ nating a positively-charged particle now known to be a helium nucleus, which is one of the three main types of decay product emitted by radioactive substances; also designating decay, emission, radiation, rays, etc., associ¬ ated with such a particle; (d) alpha rhythm, alpha waves. the normal rhythmic electrical activity of the conscious brain, consisting of oscillations having a frequency of 8 to 13 hertz; (e) medicine, alpha receptor, one of two kinds of adrenergic receptor in the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of which results esp. in increased blood pres¬ sure; alpha-adrenergic adjective, pertaining to or involv¬ ing alpha receptors; alpha-blocker, a drug preventing a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

0

alphin noun see alfin. Alphonsine

ri'fnnsMn/ adjective. Mi7. [from Alphonso (see below) + -ine1,) Hist. Designating astronomical tables prepared in Toledo

for Alphonso X, 'the Wise' (1226-84), King of Castile, alphonso /al'fDnsao/ noun. PI. -os.

A type of mango from western India. li7-mis.

[French alpiou from Italian alpiu for the more, for most.]

In the card-game basset: the bending of one comer of a card to indicate that the punter raises the stake on it after winning. alpine noun' var. of alpeen. Alpine /'alpAin/ adjective & noun2. Also a-,

lme.

[Latin alpinus: see alp noun', -ine1.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the

Alps or high mountains in general; growing in or : saw,

A

Amer. E20. £□ 1 G. Orwell The best books.. are those that tell you what you know already, G. Greene He didn't even hear what I said: he was absorbed already. 2 M. Shulman 'This story has helped a great many people, and I hope it will help you.’ 'So tell it already'.

alright adjective, adverb, & noun see all right. ALS abbreviation. Autograph letter signed. tals adverb see also. tAlsacian adjective & noun var. of Alsatian. Alsatia /al'seifs/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Li7. [medieval Latin = Alsace (as being a much disputed territory).]

The precinct of White Friars in London as a sanctuary for debtors and criminals.

[formed as prec. + -an.]

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to White Friars in London or any other place as a sanctuary for debtors and crim¬ inals. obsolete exc. Hist. L17. 2 Of or pertaining to Alsace, an area of Europe now forming part of France bordering Germany and Switzer¬ land. Li 9. 2 tAlsatian wolfdog. Alsatian wolfhound = sense B.3 below. ► B noun. 1 A debtor or criminal in sanctuary, obsolete exc. Hist. L17. 2 A native or inhabitant of Alsace. E19.

3 (An animal of) a breed of wolfhound; a German shep¬ herd dog. E20. false adverb see also. [Italian = to the sign.)

music. A direction; go back (= dal segno) or continue to the point indicated by the sign.

alsike/'alsik/noun. Mi9. In full alsike clover. Clover of the species Trifolium hybridum, widely cultivated for fodder. also /'o:ls3o/ adverb. Also (chiefly Scot. & north.) fals(e). See also as adverb etc.

►I 11 12 3

Demonstrative. In that degree; to that extent; equally. OE-L16. Wholly so; in this or that veiy manner, oe-lme. In like manner, similarly. (Passing into sense 4.) arch.

OE.

4 Further, in addition, besides, too. me.

M20.

[Portuguese.]

talpieu noun.

[from all adverb + ready adjective.]

►t A adjective (pred. & comp/.). Fully prepared. ME-E16. ► B adverb. 1 Beforehand, in anticipation; before this or that time; as early as this or that. me. 2 In speech infl. by Yiddish, used at the end of a phrase or sentence as an intensive, to express impatience, etc. N.

[Old English alsura, (West Saxon) ealsura. from all adverb + so; corresp. to Old Frisian also, Dutch ulzoo thus, consequently. Old High German also even so, as (German also therefore).]

M20.

me.

■ Alpinism noun Alpine climbing L19.

already /ol'redi/ adjective & adverb, me.

[Alsike near Uppsala, Sweden.] M20.

► A adjective. Consisting of or employing both letters and numerals. M20. ► B noun. In pi. Alphanumeric symbols or expressions.

noun. Ei9.

alpiniste, formed as Alpine adjective: see -ist.]

An Alpine climber.

al segno /al 'seinjsu/ adverbial phr. lis.

alphametic/alfs'mrtik/noun. M20.

A long wooden horn used by Alpine herdsmen.

Either

120.

[from alpha +feto- (from fetus) + protein.] biochemistry. A protein which is produced by a fetus and is

[Partial translation of German Alpengliihen lit. ‘Alp-glow’.]

Alpinist /'alpinist/ noun. Also a-. L19.

Alsatian /al'seiJtsjn/ adjective& noun. Also f-cian, (in sense B.3) a-. L17.

noun. Mi9.

1 Use of initials as a signature or assumed indication of authorship, rare. 2 Symbolization of spoken sounds by means of an alphabet. L19. 3 Prejudice or discrimination resulting from a person's position on a (notional) alphabetical list; spec, disadvan¬ tage suffered by people whose names begin with letters from the latter part of the alphabet. L20.

alpargata /alpa:'ga:ta/ noun.

alpeen /'alpi:n/ noun.

/'alfsbi.tizfsjm/

[from prec. + -ism.]

A domesticated Peruvian animal. Lama pacos, resem¬ bling the llama, with long fine woolly hair and usu. brown and white colouring; the wool of the alpaca; fabric or a garment made from this.

1 Alpine chough: see chough 2. Alpine fir a tall conifer, Abies lasiocarpa, native to western N. America. Alpine rose = alpenrose. Alpine strawberry. Alpine wooosia. ► Bnoun. 1 An alpine plant. El 9. 2 A member of the Alpine division of humankind. E20.

[French

lme.

[Late Latin alphabetum, (Tertullian), alphabetos, from Greek from alpha, beta, the first two letters of the alphabet, taken to represent the whole. Cf. ABC.] ► A noun, fl Knowledge acquired from written works. rare. Only in lme.

ALP abbreviation. Australian Labor Party.

inhabiting such mountains above the tree line; in horticulture now designating any small plant suitable for rockeries, lme. 2 Designating a subgroup of the Caucasoid division of humankind associated mainly with central and eastern Europe. Li 9. 3 Designating a style of fast downhill skiing first developed in the Alps, or a competition featuring this. Cf. Nordic adjective 2. E20.

run. o put. u: too, 3 ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

ea 3 NEB Luke 14:33 So also none of you cm be a disciple of mine without parting with all his possessions. 4 Shakes. 1 Hen. IVI do not only marvel where thou spendest thy time, but also how thou art accompanied. Milton They also serve who only stand and wait. Joyce Saturday and Sunday being free days some boys might be inclined to think that Monday is a free day also. Scott Fitzgerald Also from New York were the Chromes and Backhyssons. also-ran noun a horse or dog not placed (in the first three. US the first two) in a race: a person who fails to win distinction, a failure. ►til Correlative. 5 So, as. Latterly Scot, me-ei 8. ►fill Relative and conjunctive. 6 As, as though. Only in me. i no, e: hair, is near, di boy, us poor, ais tire, aus sour

62

alstonia | alternative alstonia /al'stsoma/ noun.

2 Able to be altered. Li 6.

Mi9.

[mod. Latin, from Charles Alston (1683-1760), Scot, botanist and physician + -ia’.]

A tree or shrub of the genus Alstonia. found chiefly in SE Asia and the Pacific islands, some of whose members yield a soft light timber. alstonite/'odstanMt/ noun. Mi9. [from Alston, a town in Cumbria, England + -ite1.) A carbonate of barium and calcium, occur¬

mineralogy.

ring as white, orthorhombic, usu. bipyramidal crystals. alstroemeria /alstrs'nirarra/ noun.

Any of various ornamental plants constituting the S. American genus Alstroemeria, of the lily family, of which several species are cultivated for their showy lily-like flowers; esp. the Chilean A. aurea, with bright orange flowers. Also called Peruvian lily. M16.

[Italian alto.] Mus. in alt. in the octave above German at the top of the treble stave; fig. in an exalted mood. Cf. altissimo.

Alta, abbreviation. Alberta.

central Asia, mi9. 2 Of, pertaining to, or designating a group or language family including Turkish, Mongolian, and Tungus, among others, mi9. ► B noun. The Altaic group or language family. M20. C| See also Ural-Altaic s.v. Ural adjective. ■ Also Altaian adjective & noun El 9.

altar /'oils, ‘ol-/ noun. [Old English altar, -er, corresp. to Old Frisian altare, -er. Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse altari, -cri; Germanic from late Latin altaije), -ium, from Latin altus high.]

1 A flat-topped block or other raised structure on which to make offerings to a god. oe. 2 Christian church. A raised structure or table at which the Eucharist is celebrated, me. 3 (Usu. A-.) The constellation Ara. Mi6. £9 1 fig.: M. L. King High places where men are willing to sacrifice truth on the altars of their self-interest. 2 high altar see high adjective, lead to the altar marry (a woman). Comb.: altar-boy ecclesiastical a boy acolyte; altar-bread bread used in celebrating the Eucharist; altar-cloth: covering an altar during the Eucharist , altarpiece a reredos, esp. in the form of a painting: altar-stone a stone forming part of or used as an altar; altar-tomb a raised tomb resembling an altar. ■ altarage noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) offerings or an endowment for the maintenance of an altar and a priest to say mass lme. altarist noun a person who prepares an altar for a Eucharist M16. altarless adjective L19. altarwise adverb after the manner or in the position of an altar Mi6.

altazimuth /al'tazimsQ/ noun.

M19.

[from alt(itude) + azimuth.] astronomy. A telescope having a mounting enabling it to move in azimuth about a vertical axis and in altitude about a horizontal axis. Usu. ottrib., as altazimuth mounting, altazimuth telescope. Cf. equatorial. L19.

[Latin = other.] psychology. The individual’s conception of another person; a person with whom one has a social inter¬ action.

alter/'o :lto,

'd1-/ verb. lme. [Old & mod. French altererfrom late Latin alterare, from Latin alter other.] 1 verb trans. Make otherwise or different in some

respect; change in characteristics, position, etc.; modify. lme. fb verb trans. Castrate, spay. US & Austral, ei 9. 2 verb intrans. Become otherwise; undergo some change. Li 5.

verb trans. Affect mentally, disturb. M16-L17.

£Q 1 S hakes .Merch.V. There is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established. E. M. Forster Marriage was to alter her fortunes rather than her character. J. Galsworthy She was altering the lace on a collar. L. P. Hartley Being with Alec had altered her idea of what became her. altered chord music: in which one or more notes are chromatically changed. 2 AV Dan. 6:12 The law of the Medes and Persians which altereth not. A. J. Cronin Stephen saw his expression alter imperceptibly. ■ alterant adjective & noun (now rare) (something) producing alteration; formerly spree, an alterative medicine: E17. falterate verb trans. & intrans. = alter verb lme-eis. alterer noun a person who or thing which alters or causes alteration lme.

alterable/'.T:lt(a)r3b(a)l,

’ol-/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French alterable or medieval Latin alterabilis- see prec., -able.]

11

alteration /o:lt3'reiJ(o)n, dI-/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French alteration or late Latin alteration-) from alteratpa. ppl stem of alterare: see alter verb, -ation.] 1 The action of altering, lme. b music. Extension (usu. doubling) of the value of a note. E16-E17. 2 A change in character or appearance; an altered con¬ dition. lme. ►tb spec. A change for the worse; a distem¬ per. M16-M17. or remake

clothes.

alterative /'o:lt(o)r3tiv, 'ol-/ adjective & noun. lme. [medieval Latin alterativus, from alterat-: see prec., -ative.] ► A adjective. Tending to produce alteration; medicine (arch.) improving bodily function, digestion, etc. lme. ► B noun. An alterative medicine or treatment, arch. lme. altercate /'odtokeit, 'ol-/ verb intrans. Mi6. [Latin altercat- pa. ppl stem of altercari wrangle: see -ate3.] Dispute vehemently or angrily; wrangle.

■ f altercative adjective characterized by altercation M-L18.

-ation.]

Mi9.

[from Altai (see below) + -ic. Cf. French altaique.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Altai Mountains in

13

alterableness noun (rare) M17.

altercation /o:lta'keiJ(3)n, dI-/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin cdtercatio(n-), formed as prec.: see

Altaic /sl'tenk/ adjective & noun.

alter /'aha/ noun.

Li7.

1 chromatic alteration: see chromatic adjective 1. Comb.: alteration hand one employed to alter

118.

[mod. Latin, from K. von Alstroemer (1736-96). Swedish naturalist + -IA1.]

alt /alt/ noun.

■ altera bility noun

Liable to alter or vaiy.

LME-L17.

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg, in

1 The action of disputing vehemently or angrily, lme. tb The conduct of a legal case by question and answer. L18. 2 A vehement or angry dispute; a noisy controversy. LME. alter ego /.altar 'egau, .Dit-, ’i:g-/ noun phr. PL alter egos. Mi6. [Latin = other self.) A person's second self; an intimate friend; a represen¬ tative of another person. alterity/al'tEriti. dI-/noun. lme. [Early uses from late Latin alteritas, later also from French alterite: see alter verb, -ity.) 11 An alteration. Only in lme. 2 The state of being other or different, otherness. Mi7. altern /nl'tam; 'odtsn, -to:n/ adjective & adverb, arch. L16. [Latin altemus every other, from alter other. Cf. French alteme.] ► A adjective. Alternate, alternating. L16. ► B adverb. In turns, one after the other. M17. alternance/od'tsmsns, Dl-/noun. E20. [French, formed as next: see -ance.] Chiefly philology. Alternation, variation; an instance of this. alternant/od'tsmant, dI-/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [Latin alternant- pres, ppl stem of altemare: see alternate verb. -ant1.]

► A adjective. Alternating, changing from one to the other. M17. ► B noun. 1 An alternating quantity, rare. Li 9. 2 ioac. Either component of an alternation. Li 9. 3 PHitoLocr. An alternative form, a variant. E20. alternate /oil'tenst, dI-/ adjective, adverb, & noun. Ei6. [Latin altematus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate2.] ► A adjective. 1 Of things of two kinds, from two sources, etc.: coming each after one of the other kind etc. Ei6. 2 Of things of the same kind: occurring first on one side and then on the other of an axial line. Used esp. in botany of leaves (opp. opposite) and in geometry of angles. LI 6. 3 Alternative, (rare before 20.) Chiefly N. Amer. L16. 4 Of a sequence etc.: consisting of things of two kinds etc. coming each after one of the other kind. M17. 5 (With pi.) Every other, every second, of a sequence of. Li 7. 6 (With pi.) Of things of the same kind etc. in two sets: taken or coming each after a member of the other set. E19. Gd 1 W. Stevens A wheel spoked red and white In alternate stripes. A. Lurie The family’s alternate feasts and famine whenever his father got work or was laid off. 3 G. Sarton Modem editions include four books, the fourth having an alternate title. Dictionaries The inclusion of numerous alter¬ nate spellings. 4 G. Crabbe Smooth alternate verse. 5 W. Faulkner The afternoons of practice (soon he was excused from this on alternate days, which afternoons he spent raking leaves in the five yards). 6 OED The minister and the people read alternate verses.

► B adverb. One after the other; by turns, arch. E18. IB Pope Wane and wax alternate like the moon. Sir W. Scott Massive arches.. That rose alternate row and row. ► C noun. 1 Something alternative to something else. Now chiefly N. Amer. Ei8. 2 A deputy; someone to substitute for someone else. Chiefly N. Amer. mi9. man.

n no, p pen, r red.

s sit, t top,

v van, w we, z zoo.

£Q 1 R. M. Pirsig The best ones [roads].. have an alternate that gets you there quicker. Tucson Magazine Fresh fruit as an alternate to potatoes with entrees. 2 Transatlantic Review I was the alternate in case he got sick.

alternate /'odtaneit, 'dI-/ verb. Li6. [Latin altemat- pa. ppl stem of altemare do things by turns, formed as altern: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. Arrange or perform (two different things or

two sets of things) alternately; cause to occur in alterna¬ tion. Li6. 2 verb intrans. Of two (occas, more than two) things: succeed each other by turns. Ei8. 3 verb intrans. Of a whole: consist of alternations between. Of an individual person or thing: move between', fluctuate in opinion, resolution, etc., between. Ei9. 4 verb intrans. Of one thing or one class of things: appear or occur alternately with another. Mi9. 5 verb trans. Interchange (one thing) alternately with (occas. by) another. M19. CO 1 Milton Who in their course Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long. 2 T. Stoppard Though chickens and eggs may alternate back through the millennia. 3 Disraeli A land which alternates between plains of sand and dull ranges of monotonous hills. N. Mitford He.. had not, like me, alternated between faith and black moods of scepticism. 4 G. Maxwell Eating them like a stick of Edinburgh rock, always with five crunches of the left-hand side of the jaw alternating with five crunches on the right. 5 F. Raphael Isidore alternated promises of fur coats with threats of excommunication.

alternately/od'tsmatli, nl-/ adverb, lme. [formed as alternate adjective + -ly2.]

1 In alternate order; by turns, lme. 2 In alternate positions; on each side in turn. M18. alternating /’adtaneitig, 'dI-/adjective. Mi9. [from alternate verb + -ing2.]

1 Occurring alternately with something else, m 19. 2 electricity. Of a current, potential, etc.: that reverses its polarity at regular intervals, esp. sinusoidally; associated with or producing an alternating current, potential, etc. Cf. direct adjective 6. M19. ■ alternatingly adverb L19

alternation/o:lt3'neiJ(3)n. Dl-/noun. lme. [Partly from Latin altematiojn-), partly from French: see alternate verb, -ation.]

1 The action of two things succeeding each other by turn; alternate succession, occurrence, or performance. LME. 2 Successive change because of alternating phenom¬ ena. mi 7. 3 The position or state of being in alternate order. M19. 4 logic. The function of alternative propositions, sym¬ bolized by v (Latin vel or) and corresponding to the inclu¬ sive sense of ‘or’ (and/or); a statement of such alternatives. Li9. 1 alternation of generations sioiogy the occurrence in alter¬ nate generations of different forms of an organism having differ¬ ent (usu. sexual and asexual) reproductive processes.

alternative/od’tsmstrv, dI-/ adjective & noun. Mi6. [French altematif, -ive or medieval Latin altemativus formed as alternate verb: see -ative.] ► A adjective. 1 Characterized by alternation; alternating;

alternate. Now rare. Mi6. 2 Stating or offering either of two things; expressing alternation; disjunctive. Li6. 3 Of two things: mutually exclusive. Of one or more things: available in place of another. M19. >b spec. Desig¬ nating a mode of life, system of knowledge and practice, organization, etc., purporting to represent a preferable and cogent alternative to that of the established social order. M20. 3 Alternative Service Book: for use in the Church of England as an alternative to the Book of Common Prayer, b the alternative society alternative birthing, alternative medicine, alternative technology, etc. alternative comedian, alternative comedienne: performing alternative comedy, alternative comedy: rejecting certain established (esp. racist and sexist) comic stereotypes and having a strong political component, alternative energy; (a) not from nuclear fuel; (b) not from fossil fuel. Alternative Investment Market a secondary market of the London Stock Exchange, dealing chiefly in the shares of small companies (abbreviation AIM). ► B noun. 1 A proposition containing two or more mutu¬

ally exclusive statements; a statement or offer of two or more mutually exclusive things; liberty to choose between two or more things. E17. 12 Alternative course; alternation, m-lis. 3 Each of the components of an alternative propos¬ ition; each of two or more possibilities; the other or remaining course; a thing available in place of another. E19. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this,

r] ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

63

alternator | alveolitis G3 1J. S. Mill The alternative seemed to be either death, or to be permanently supported by other people, or a radical change in the economical arrangements. 2 J. Wedgwood They bear sudden alternatives of heat and cold. 3 T. Hardy Warren's was a sort of clubhouse, used as an alternative to the inn. B. England You leave me no alternative I give you twenty-four hours in which to prove your theories correct. J. Orton You have the choice. What is it to be? Either madness or death?.. Neither of your alternatives would enable me to continue to be employed by Her Majesty's Gov¬ ernment. J. Irving 'You have four alternatives,' Vigneron said.

■ alternatively adverb |(a) by turns; (b) in a way that offers an alternative; as or by way of an alternative: Li6. alternativeness noun (rare) mi 8.

alternator/'adtoneita, 'Dl-/noun. Mi9. [from alternate verb + -OR.] 1 A person who causes alternation, rare, mi9. 2 An electric generator producing an alternating power supply. Li 9.

alternity /od'tamiti, dW noun. rare. Mi7. [French altemite or medieval Latin altemitas formed as altern: see -ITY.] Being alternate; alternation.

althaea /al'9i:a/ noun. Also -thea. lme. [Latin from Greek althaia marshmallow, from althein heal.] A plant of the genus Althaea of the mallow family, esp. marshmallow. Also, the ornamental shrub Hibiscus syriacus (formerly A frutex).

Althing /'o:10ir|, 'd1-/ noun. Li8. [Icelandic al/nng from Old Norse alpingi, from allr all adjective + ping Thing noun2.] Hist. The general assembly of Iceland,

altho' conjunction see although. althorn "altho:n/ noun. Mi9. [German, formed as alt, horn noun.] music. A wind instrument of the saxhorn family,

although /:>:l'3au, ol-/ conjunction. Also (informal) altho'. ME. [from all adverb + though.] Even though; notwithstanding the fact that; and yet, nevertheless. CQ E. O’Neill I think she’s much better, don't you— although she won't admit it. G. Ewart Although he giggled Dominic was shocked.

alti noun pi. of altus noun. alti- /'alti/ combining form of Latin altus high and alte highly: see -I-. ■ altipla nation noun (geology) the production of terraces or other flat surfaces by periglacial processes such as solifluction E20.

altimeter/'altimi:ta/noun. Ei9. [from alti- + -meter.] fl An instrument for measuring altitudes geometric¬ ally. Only in Diets. E-M19. 2 An instrument used to determine altitude attained, esp. a barometric or radio-echo device fitted in an air¬ craft etc. E20.

altimetry/aTtimitri/noun. lme. [medieval Latin altimetria: see alti-, -metry.] The measurement of height or altitude. ■ alti metric adjective E20.

altiplano /alti'plainsu, foreign alti'plano/ noun. PI. -os I-ouz, foreign -os/. E20. [Spanish.] The high tableland of central S. America.

altisonant /al'tisanant/ adjective, arch. Ei7. [from Latin altisonus, formed as alti- + sonare to sound + -ant'.] High-sounding, pompous, loud.

altissimo altisimao/ noun. lis. [Italian, super! of alto.] Mus. in altissimo. in the second octave above German at the top of the treble stave. Cf. alt.

faltitonant adjective. L16-M17. [Latin altitonant-, -ans, formed as alti- + pres, pple of tonare to thunder: see-ant1.] Thundering from on high: an epithet of Jove (Jupiter).

altitude/'altitju:d/noun. lme. [Latin altitudo, -din-, from altus high: see -tude.] 1 astronomy. Angular distance above the horizon. Cf. zenith distance lme. 2 Height or depth, as dimensions of space, lme. 3 Height above the ground or above sea level; loftiness. LME. 4 (As a count noun) A height; in pi., great heights, lme. ►tb In pi. fig. Lofty feelings, airs, phrases, etc. E17-E19. 5 fig. Eminence; high or exalted position. Lis. 6 geometry. The height of a triangle or other figure, measured by a perpendicular from a vertex to the base or base produced. Li 6. Comb.: altitude sickness illness caused by ascent to high alti¬ tude, characterized chiefly by nausea and exhaustion. a cat, a: arm. r: bed. a: her. i sit, i cosy, i: see. n hot, a:

■ altitudinal adjective relating to height or degree of elevation L18. alti tudinous adjective high, lofty M19.

altivolant /al'trvabnt/ adjective, rare. Mi7. [Latin altivolant-, -ans, formed as see-ant'.]

alti- + pres, pple of volare to fly:

Flying on high. alto /'altau/ noun & adjective.

L16.

[Italian = high (sc. song) from Latin

altus.]

music. b-A noun. PL -os. 1 a The highest adult male voice, with range above the tenor, the counter-tenor voice; a part written for such a voice. Li 6. kb A female voice of similar range, a con¬ tralto voice; a part written for such a voice. E19. 2 A person who has a counter-tenor or contralto voice. LI 8. 3 An alto wind instrument (see sense B. below). L19. ► B adjective. Designating, pertaining to, or intended for a counter-tenor or contralto voice. Also, designating that member of a group of similar instruments with a range or relative pitch comparable to an alto voice (among wind instruments usu. the second or third highest member of the family). Ei8. alto clef: placing middle C on the middle line of the stave, alto horn (a) = althorn; (b) US an alto saxophone.

alto- prefix see all adverb 2. [from mod. Latin alto-, from altus high, + cumulus.] meteorology. A cloud or cloud-type resembling cumulus

but occurring at medium altitude (usu. 2 to 7 km, 6500 to 23,000 ft). altogether/o:lta'ge5a, d1-/ noun & adverb, oe. [from ALL + TOGETHER.]

► A noun. J1 The whole together; the total; everything. OE-E16.

for altogether, for ever, for good. arch, mi6.

3 A whole; an overall effect. Now rare. Mi8. 4 The nude, colloq. Li9. HD 1 Tindale 1 Cor. 7:19 Circumcision is nothynge.. but the keppynge of the commaundmentes of god is altogether.

► B adverb. 1 Totally; entirely; in all respects, oe. 2 All in a company; all inclusively. From 17 usu. all together me.

3 In all; in total amount. L18. 4 On the whole; taking everything into account.

E19.

{LI 1 H. T. Buckle In Greece, we see a country altogether the reverse of India. S. Hill It is getting altogether too hot to walk back to Cliff House. 2 Ernest Raymond A medical officer.. and the whole of his Sick Parade ran altogether. 3 J. Austen Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them. 4 W. E. Collinson Altogether I cannot think of any modem writer who has exercised so far-reaching an influence on our every-day speech. ■ altogetherness noun (now rare) wholeness, unity 117.

alto-relievo /,altauri'!i:vau/ /-rrijervau/. Pl. -os. M17. [Italian

noun.

-rilievo

Also

2 With specifying word indicating the characteristic element or source, as ammonium alum, chrome alum, ferric alum, iron alum, potash alum (= sense 1}, rock alum, Roman alum, soda alum, etc. Comb.: alum-rock (a) = alunite; (b) alum-shale; alum-root IN. Amer. any of various plants with astringent roots, esp. heuchera; alum-schist, alum-shale, alum-slate argillaceous rock impregnated with alum; alum-stone = alunite. ► B verb trans. Treat or impregnate with alum. lme.

alumina /aiu:mina/noun. lis. [from Latin alunnn-, alumen alum, after soda, magnesia, etc,]

Aluminium oxide, A1203, a white refractory solid which is a major constituent of many rocks, esp. clays, and is found crystallized as corundum, sapphire, etc. ■ talumine noun [French] = alumina U8-M19. aluminate noun a salt formed (as) from alumina and a base M19.

(A sculpture, moulding, carving, etc., in) high relief. altostratus /altao'straitas, -'streitos/ noun. Li9. [from mod. Latin alto-, from altus high, + stratus.] meteorology. A cloud or cloud-type resembling stratus or

cirrostratus but occurring at medium altitude (usu. 2 to 7 km, 6500 to 23,000 ft). altricial /al'trifta)]/ adjective. Li9. [from mod. Latin Altrices, a former division of birds, pl. of altrix fern, of alter nourishes fromalere nourish: see-iAL.]

zoology. (Having young which are) helpless at birth; nidicolous. Cf. precocial.

&

adjective.

Also

[from alumina + -ium.]

► A noun. A light silvery ductile and malleable metal, not readily tarnished by air, which is a chemical element, atomic no. 13. (Symbol Al.) El 9. ► B ottrib. or as adjective. Of aluminium; made with or con¬ taining aluminium. M19. aluminium bronze an alloy of aluminium with copper (and sometimes other metals), aluminium foil aluminium in very thin sheets, used as wrapping material etc. ■ aluminize /a'ljuimmAiz/ verb trans. coat with aluminium E20.

alumino- /aiurmmao/ combining form of alumina and aluminium: see -o-. ■ alumino silicate noun a silicate containing aluminium, esp. one in which aluminium replaces some of the silicon in the ion SiO.( ; spec any of the numerous minerals of this kind, e.g. the clay minerals and feldspars: E20. alumino thermic adjective of or pertaining to aluminothermy E20. alumino thermy noun the production of high temperatures (for welding, smelting, etc.) by means of the oxidation of powdered aluminium E20.

aluminous /a'lurmmas/ adjective, lme. [from Latin aluminosus, from alumin-, aiumeti alum: see -ous,]

Of the nature of or containing alum or alumina. aluminum noun see aluminium. alumna /a'Umna/ noun. Pl. -nae /-ni:/. L19. [Latin, fern, of next.]

A female graduate or former student of a school, college, university, or other educational institution. alumnus/a'Umnas/noun. Pl. -ni/-nAi/. M17. Formerly, a pupil. Now spec., a (male) graduate or former student of a school, college, university, or other educa¬ tional institution. alunite /'aljunAit/noun. Mi9. [French, from alun formed as alum + -ite'J mineralogy. A hexagonal basic sulphate of potassium and aluminium, used in alum manufacture. alunogen /aiju:nad3(a)n/ noun. Mi9. [French alunogene, formed as prec,: see -gen.] mineralogy. A hydrated aluminium sulphate, usu. occur¬ ring as masses of feathery or fibrous triclinic crystals. alure /'alja/ noun. Now arch. & dial. me.

altruism /’altrmz(a)m/ noun. Mi9. altruisme (A. Comte), from Italian altrui somebody else: see -ism.] [French

Regard for others as a principle of action: unselfish¬ ness.

■ altruist noun an altruistic person M19. altru istic adjective of. pertaining to, or practising altmism; unselfish: M19. altruistically adverb M19. of noun

aluminium /aljo'mmram/ noun ‘aluminum/aiu:minam/. E19.

[Latin = nursling, pupil, from alere nourish.]

alto-rilievo: see alto, relievo noun1.]

altus /'altAS/ noun & adjective. Pl.

[Old French from Latin alumen rel. to aluta tawed leather.]

► A noun, chemistry. 1 A hydrated double sulphate of aluminium and potassium, forming colourless octahedral crystals and having astringent properties; KA1(S0„)2-12H20. lme. 2 Any of various substances resembling this; now spec. any of a series of isomorphous double sulphates in which other elements or radicals may replace alumin¬ ium or potassium, lme.

(chemistry)

altocumulus /altao'kju:mjubs/ noun. PI. -li /-Iai, -li;/. L19.

2

alum /'abm/ noun & verb. lme.

-ti Mai,

-li:/. Li6.

[Old French aleor, later aleeur, Anglo-Norman aleiir passage, gallery, etc., esp. in fortifications.] A passage, gallery, or cloister to walk in, esp. one behind

battlements or on the roof of a church. alveary /‘alviari/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. [from Latin alvearium set of beehives, from alveus beehive: see -ARY'.]

A beehive. 1:1

[Latin = high.]

fig.: J.

Baret An alvearie or quadruple dictionarie.

EARLY MUSIC. = ALTO.

alveolar/al'vrab/ adjective & noun. lis. [from alveolus + -ar1 .] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to an alveolus or alveoli; phonetics (of a consonant) articulated with the tip of the tongue at or near the ridge of the upper teeth. L18.

ALU abbreviation. computing. Arithmetic and logic unit, alu noun var. of aloo. aludel /'aljudel/ noun. lme. [Old French alutel. later aludel, from Spanish from Arab, sublimation-vessel: see

al-'utdl the

al-2.]

A pear-shaped earthenware or glass pot, open at both ends so that a series could be fitted one above another, formerly used in sublimation, alula /'aljub/ noun. Pl. -lae /-li:/. lis.

alveolar ridge the ridge that contains the sockets ofthe upper teeth. ► B noun. 1 anatomy. An alveolar process, rare. L19.

2

phonetics.

An alveolar consonant. L19.

■ alveolarity /-iariti/ noun (phonetics) the quality of being alveo¬ lar M20.

1 ornithology. A bastard wing. L18. 2 entomology. A small lobe at the base of a wing or elytron, present in certain insects. E19.

alveolitis /.alvka'lAitis/noun, li9. [formed as prec. + -itis.] medicine. Inflammation of an alveolus or alveoli (now usu. spec, of the lungs).

saw, a run. o put. u; too, a ago, ai my, au how. ei day.

1 no, e: hair, ta near, at boy. oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour

[mod. Latin, dim. of ala wing.]

64

alveolo-1 amate amacrine/'amokrMn,

-knn/ adjective & noun. E20. [from a-’° + Greek makros macro- + in-, is sinew, strip.] histology ►A adjective. Designating a type of small nerve

alveolo- /al'vratao, alvi'aolau/ combining form. li9. [from next: see -o-.] Of or pertaining to the sockets of the teeth or the alveolar ridge; phonetics alveolar and, as alveolo-palatal etc.

cell within the retina having dendrites but no axon. ► B noun. An amacrine cell. E20.

alveolus /aivialos, alvi'atilos/ noun. PI. -II /-1m, -li:/, Li7.

amadavat noun see avadavat.

[Latin, dim. of alveus cavity.] Chiefly anatomy A small cavity or depression; esp, (o) the socket of a tooth; (b) any of the terminal air-sacs of the

amah /'aims' noun. Mi9. [Portuguese ama nurse.]

[mod. Latin aivtnus, from alvus belly: see -ine'.] Of or pertaining to the bowels.

In parts of the Indian subcontinent and the Far East: a wet-nurse, a children's nurse, a house-servant.

alway /'odwei, od'wei/ adverb. Now arch. & poet. oe.

tamain verb var. of amaine.

[Orig. two words, from, all + way noun (= all the way).] 1 = ALWAYS 2. OE. 2 = ALWAYS 1. LME. |3 = ALWAYS 3. LME—LI5.

amain /a'mein/ adverb, arch. Mi6. [from A preposition' 4 + main noun1.]

1 In or with full force; vehemently, violently. Mi6. 2 At full speed; without delay. Mi6. 3 Exceedingly, greatly. Li 6.

always /'adweiz, -tz/ adverb, me. [Prob. distrib. genit., formed as prec. + -s3.] 1 On all occasions; invariably; repeatedly; at every available opportunity; whenever appropriate or pos¬

tamaine verb. Also amain.

1 verb trons, Direct, guide, rare. Only in mi6. 2 nautical, a verb trans. Lower (a sail etc., esp. the topsail). Only in Ei7. Rb verb intrans. Lower the topsail as a sign of yielding; gen. yield. E17-M19.

LME.

Amal

£3 1 Milton And Love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much wo. Yet always pity or pardon hath obtain'd. Addison She is always seeing Apparitions. Shelley None slow enough for sadness: till we came Homeward, which always makes the spirit tame. Yeats I always said you could not trust these Moors. J. D. Salinger She was somebody you always felt like talking to on the phone. 2 Donne But what thy thorny crowne gain'd, that give mee, A crowne of Glory, which doth flower alwayes, F. J. Furnivall Since 1 first saw the Boxes... I always meant to have a turn at them. Scott Fitzgerald In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o'clock in the morning. W. H. Auden It wasn't always like this? Perhaps it wasn't, but it is. Day Lewis The smell of bacon and the smell of breadcrumbs have always been closed memories for me. 3 Geo. Eliot Fred had always (at that time) his father's pocket as a last resort.

/a'mad./ortrign 'ama!/

A political and paramilitary organization of Shiite Muslims founded in Lebanon in 1975. amalgam

noun. us. [French amalgame or medieval Latin amalgamo, prob. ult. from Greek malagma emollient.] 1 chemistry Orig., a soft mass formed esp. by combin¬ Amalgam/

aly /'eili/ adjective. Also aley. Mi6.

/'alis(a)n/. Mi6. [mod. Latin (see below), from Latin alysson from Greek alusson, from a-A-'° + lussa rabies.] 1 Any of several cruciferous plants belonging to the chiefly yellow-flowered genus Alyssum or formerly included in it. Mi6. 2 spec. In full sweet alyssum. A small Mediterranean plant, Lobularia maritima, much grown for its fragrant white flowers. E19.

lme.

[medieval Latin amalgamat- pa. ppl stem of amalgamate: see prec., -ATE3.]

1 chemistry a verb trans. Soften by combining with mercury; alloy with mercury. Ei7. Rb verb intrans. Combine with mercury, mi8. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Unite, mix together; combine in a homogeneous whole, lis.

[from Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915), German neurologist.] medicine. Mental deterioration occurring in middle or old age, owing to progressive generalized degeneration of the brain; (premature) senile dementia. Also Alzheimer’s.

AM abbreviation. 1 Amplitude modulation. 2 Latin anno mundi in the year of the world.

IB 2 Coleridge (The Romans] were ordained.. to conquer and amalgamate the materials of Christendom. A Crump Two banks of issue had amalgamated. P. H. Gibbs The old Daily Post, afterwards amalgamated with another journal. A J. P. Taylor A reorganization commission was to devise schemes for closing the less efficient pits and amalgamating the others. ■ amalgamater noun (rare) = amalgamator M19. amalgamative adjective tending to or characterized by amal¬ gamation M19. amalgamator noun a person who or thing which amalgamates; an apparatus used in amalgamating; a person involved in an amalgamation: mi9.

3 LatinArtiumMagisterMasterofArts. Cf. MA. US. Am symbol. chemistry. Americium.

amalgamation /amalga'meij(3)n/ noun.

am verb see be verb.

E17.

[formed as prec., perh. through French: see -ation.] 1 chemistry. The action or process of amalgamating; the

a.m. abbreviation. Ante meridiem.

state of being alloyed with mercury. E17. 2 The action of combining into one uniform whole.

AMA abbreviation.

lis.

American Medical Association.

3 A homogeneous union. E19.

ama /'amo/noun. PI, same. M20. [Japanese.] A Japanese woman who dives for shellfish and edible seaweed.

amability /ama'bihti/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Ei7. [French amabilite or Latin amabiiitas, from amabilis lovely, from

lme.

[Latin from Greek amarakos marjoram.]

An aromatic dictamnus).

plant,

dittany of Crete

(Origanum

amaranth /'amaranO/ noun. Also -ant /-ant/ & in Latin forms -ant(h)us /-as/. Mi6. [French amarante or mod. Latin amaranthus, alt. after names in -anthus (Greek anthos flower) of Latin amarantus from Greek amarantos unfading, from a- A-10 + maran-, marainein wither.)

1 Any of various plants of the family Amaranthaceae and esp. of the genus Amaranthus, characterized by chaffy spikes of small flowers and often by coloured foliage. Mi6. 2 An imaginary flower that never fades. Ei7. 3 The purple colour of Amaranthus leaves. Li7. Rb A red dye used esp. to colour food. Li9. 4 = purpleheart s.v. purple adjective. E20. 1 globe amaranth an erect annual, Gomphrena globosa, bearing long-lived globular flower-heads, green amaranth a pigweed. Amaranthus hybridus. purple amaranth Amaranthus cruentus, bearing purple flowering spikes.

[from prec. + -ine1.]

1 Of or pertaining to the everlasting flower amaranth. M17.

2 Fadeless, undying. Li 8. 3 Of the colour amaranth,

rare. Li 9.

5 First recorded in Milton.

amaryllid /ama'nhd/noun. M19. [Latin Amaryllid-, Amaryllis: see next, -id2.] botany Any plant of the large family Amaryllidaceae, which includes many bulbous plants, such as amaryllis, daffodil, snowdrop, etc.

amalgamate /a'malgameit/ verb. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -ated, (arch.) -ate /-at/. E17.

Alzheimer’s disease /'ahshAimaz di,zi:z/ nounphr. E20.

Pondo

amaracus /a'marakas/ noun. Now rare or obsolete,

obsolete mi9.

[medieval Latin amalgamate, formed as prec.] 1 verb trans. Amalgamate (lit. & fig.), lme. 12 verb intrans. Form an amalgam. LI6-L17. ■ amalgamate adjective L17

alyssum /'alis(a)m, a'lis(a)m/ noun. Also (in sense 2) alison

■ amanuense verb intrans. (rare) act as an amanuensis Mi9.

amaretto /ama'rEtau/ noun. PI. -tti /-ti/.

amalgam /a'malgam/ verb. arch.

[from ALE + -Y'.] Of or like ale.

A person who writes from dictation or copies manu¬ script; a literary assistant.

ation (of gold, etc.) with mercury. Now, any alloy with mercury. Li 5. 2 An intimate plastic mixture of substances. Ei7. 3 fig. A combination of various elements. L18. 4 An ingredient in an amalgam or alloy. Now rare or m 1 N. V. Sidgwick Another peculiarity of mercury is its power of forming liquid metallic solutions or amalgams. 3 M. Fonteyn His perfect amalgam of virtuosity and ele¬ gance. 4 J. H. Burton No tin or other amalgam.

[from all adjective + -wise, = in all wise; assoc, with prec.] In every way; in any way; at all events; Scot, always.

amanuensis /o.manjo'ensis/ noun. PI. -enses /-'ensi:z/.

amaranthine /ama'ranGAin, -0in/ adjective. Also -tine l-X-l, J-tin. M17.

noun. L20.

[Arab, 'amal hope.)

alwise /'oiIwaiz/ adverb, arch. me.

f few. g get, h he. j yes. k cat. 1 leg.

Mi6.

[Old & mod. French amener, formed as A-5 + mener bring.]

sible. ME. 2 Throughout all (the) time; for ever; continually; from as far back as can be remembered, lme. 3 Whatever the circumstances; in any event; anyway.

(Something) prepared or served with almonds. amang preposition & adverb see among.

Amapondo noun & adjective see

A kind of tinder made from either of the bracket fungi Fomes fomentarius and Phellinus igniarius, soaked in salt¬ petre.

alvine /'alvAin/ adjective. Now rare. mis.

b but. d dog,

lis.

[French, of unkn. origin.]

alveus /'alvras/ noun. L17. [Latin.] The channel or bed of a river, the trough of the sea. Also, beach ground between the high- and low-water maiks.

M19.

amande almond: see -ine4.]

E17.

(Each of) a set of shutters on the outer side of the windows of a Japanese house. amadou /'amadu:/ noun.

[French, from

[Latin (Suetonius), from a manu in semis a manu slave at hand + -ensis belonging to: see -ese.]

amado /'amado/ noun. PI. same. Li9. [Japanese, from ame rain + to door.]

lungs; (c) an acinus. ■ al veolate adjective pitted with small cavities Ei9. alveole noun [French] = alveolus mis.

amare to love: see -ity.] Lovableness.

E20.

amandine /a'rn and A in/ noun & adjective.

EO 2 A. J. P. Taylor The amalgamation of public assistance with the local councils. E. F. Schumacher The amalgamation of many small family farms into large agricultural units operated as if they were factories. 3 G. B. Shaw Her dialect is now a spirited amalgamation ofthe foreign accents of all the waiters she has known.

amand noun see amend noun. Amandebele noun pi. see N debele noun.

E20.

[Italian, from amaro bitter (almond) + -etto dim. suffix (see -et1).] 1 A type of Italian macaroon biscuit. Usu. in pi.

2 A sweet almond-flavoured liqueur orig. made at Saronno in northern Italy. M20.

■ amarylli daceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Amaryllidaceae M19.

amaryllis/ama'rilis/noun.

lis.

[mod. Latin, use of Latin Amaryllis from Greek AmaruUis, a country girl in Theocritus, Virgil, and Ovid.]

A bulbous plant of the genus Amaryllis, or formerly of this genus, which now contains only one species (the southern African A. belladonna, belladonna lily). 5 Many species have been transferred to other genera, notably Hippeastrum.

amasi noun see

maas.

amass /a'mas/ verb & noun.

lis.

[Old & mod. French amasser or medieval Latin amassare, ult. formed as ad- + mass noun2.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. a Accumulate (wealth or other resources) as one’s own. lis. Rb gen. Heap together, pile up, collect. Now rare. Li6. 2 verb intrans. Gather, assemble, arch. L16. E3 1 a C. V. Wedgwood The son of a small landowner whose family had first amassed, and then lost, considerable wealth. G. Greene A detective must find it as important as a novelist to amass his trivial material before picking out the right due. b Donne This last lesson, in which hee amasses and gathers all his former Doctrine. T. Blount Cromwell had amass'd togither a numerous Body of Rebels. M. Laski The bonfire that the children had been amassing all day. 2 D. G. Rossetti Billowing skies that scatter and amass.

►t B noun. An accumulation; a collection. M16-M18. ■ amasser noun amassing M17.

117.

amassment noun the action or result of

amastigote /ei'mastigaut/ noun & adjective, rare.

L20.

+ Greek mastig-, mastix whip + -ote (cf. -ot2).] zoolocy & medicine. (Designating) a parasitic protozoan of [from A-10

the genus Leishmania in the leishmanial or nonflagellated form. Opp. promastigote. tamate verb' trans.

me-mi9.

[Old French amater, ult. formed as mate adjective.]

Cast down; deject. tamate verb2 trans.

LI6-M17. [from A-11 + mate verb2.]

Be a mate to; match, equal.

m man. n no, p pen. r red. s sit, t top. v van. w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision.

9

thin.

6

this, g ring, tj chip. d3 jar

65

amateur ambient amateur /'amata, -tjoa/ noun & adjective, lis. [French from Italian amatore from Latin amator lover (see amatory).] ► A noun. 1 A person who is fond of something; a person who has a taste for something, lis.

2 A person who practises something, esp. an art or game, only as a pastime; an unpaid player, performer, etc. (opp. professional): also (deprecative), a dabbler. L18. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Done by amateurs, not profes¬ sional; also (deprecative), unskilful, amateurish. Ei9. ■ amateurish adjective characteristic of an amateur, having the faults of amateur work, unskilful Mi9. amateurishly adverb Li9. amateurishness noun Mi9. amateurism noun the character¬ istic practice of an amateur Mi9. amateurship noun the quality or character of an amateur eis. Amati /a'ma:ti/ noun. Mi9. [See below.] In full Amati cello. Amati violin, etc. A stringed instru¬ ment from the workshops of the Amati family in Cremona (c 1550-1700). amative "amatrv/ adjective. M17. [medieval Latin amativus, from Latin amat- pa. ppl stem of amare to love: see -ative.) Disposed to loving. ■ amativeness noun (phrehoiogv) propensity to love or to sexual passions E19.

4 In full Amazon parrot. Any of several short-tailed, chiefly green Central and South American parrots con¬ stituting the genus Amazona. L19. Comb.. Amazon ant an ant of the genus Polyergus, the members of which depend on slave ants of other species, captured as pupae; Amazon parrot: see sense 4 above; Amazon-stone [from the River Amazon] an opaque green variety of microcline, used for amulets, beads, etc.; a piece ofthis. ■ Amazonic /ama'zDnik/ adjective = Amazonian adjective 1 L19. Amazonism noun Amazonian character or condition, in which women are dominant L19. Latin amazonius: see prec., -an.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, resembling, or befitting [from

the Amazons or an Amazon; warlike as a woman; very strong, tall, or athletic as a woman. Li 6. 2 Of the River Amazon in S. America or its basin. E17. ► B noun. = Amazon 1. rare. E17. amazonite /'amszfsjnAit/ noun. Ei7. -ite1;

in sense 2 from French.]

amatory /'amat(a)ri/ adjective. Li6. [Latin amatorius, from amator lover, from amare to love: see -ORY2.] Of or pertaining to a lover, lovemaking, or sexual love generally. ■ amatorial /-’tonal/ adjective amatory E17. amatorious /-’tomas/ adjective amatory: amorous: E17. amaurosis /amo:'rausis/noun. Mi7. [Creek amaurosis, from amauroun darken: see -osis.] medicine. Partial or total blindness, without apparent change in the eye. Freq. in amaurosis fug ax /'fju:gaks/ [see fugacious], a transient loss of vision. ■ amaurotic ’-'rotik/ odjective affected or characterized by amaurosis E19. amaze /a'meiz/ noun. lme. [from the verb.] |1 = AMAZEMENT 1. LME-M18. 2 = amazement 3. Now arch, or poet. Li6. |3 = AMAZEMENT 2. E17-M18. ■ tamazeful adjective causing amazement; struck with amaze¬ ment: M16-E17. amaze .Vmeiz/ verb. [Old English amasian, from a-‘ + base perh. as in Norwegian, Danish mase be busy or active (Norwegian dial, masast lose con¬ sciousness). Aphet. to maze verb.] fl verb trans. Stun, stupefy; infatuate, craze; bewilder, perplex, oe-eis. t2 verb trans. Terrify, alarm. M16-L18. 3 verb trans. Overwhelm with wonder, astonish greatly. L16. 4 verb intrans. Be astounded or stupefied, arch. Li 6. ffi 1 Marvell How vainly men themselves amaze. To win the palm, the oak, or bays. 21. Walton The sight of any shadow amazes the fish. 4 B. Taylor Men amaze thereat.

[Old & mod. French from Latin ambages, from amb- both ways + drive (cf. ambiguous). Naturalized from French until 17, but latterly treated as Latin.]

1 Roundabout or indirect modes of speech, for deceit, concealment, or delay. Now rare exc. as coinciding with fig. uses of sense 2. lme. 2 Indirect or roundabout paths, circuitous ways. Now chiefly fig. (lit. arch.). M16. Q3 1 Chaucer If Calkas lede us with ambages. That is to seyn, with dowble wordes slye. A. Behn Without more ambages. Sir, I have .. consented to marry him. Observer Popular literature is happiest when it can evade the ambages of language and fulfil itself in some unequivocal visual form like the cinema. 2 Bacon He shall, by Ambages of diets, bathings, anointings, etc. prolong life. Swift The other cost me so many strains and traps and ambages to introduce. S. Pegge You will find it, through the windings and ambages, eight, or perhaps nine miles. ■ ambagious /am'beidsas/ adjective full of ambages, round¬ about Li 6.

ambari /am’bcnri/ noun. Mi9. In the Indian subcontinent; a hibiscus. Hibiscus cannabinus: (more fully ambari hemp) the brown fibre of this plant, used to make ropes and coarse cloth. ambash noun var. of ambatch. [Old & mod. French (superseding Old French ambassee embassy) from Italian ambasaata from Provencal ambaisado embassy, ult. formed as ambassador: see -ade.] ► A noun. 1 The mission, function, or business of an

ambassador or embassy. LME-M19. 2 An ambassador; a deputation sent to a monarch etc. LME-E18. 3 A message carried by an ambassador or embassy. LME-L16. ► B adverb. On an embassy, rare. Only in 16. noun

[medieval

Latin

ambassfata]

amazement /3'meizm(a)nt/ noun. L16. [from amaze verb + -ment.] 11 gen. Loss of one's wits or self-possession; mental stu¬ pefaction; bewilderment, perplexity. L16-M18. f2 spec. Overwhelming fear or apprehension. L16-M18. 3 spec. Overwhelming wonder, extreme astonishment. E17.

monarch or State on a mission to another, lme. 2 A diplomat of the highest rank permanently representing a monarch or State at a foreign court or government. Li 6.

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

Phrases & comb. : ambassador-at-large US: appointed to perform special duties, and not accredited to any one monarch or State. ambassador extraordinary = sense lb above, fambassador leger = sense 2 above, ambassador plenipotentiary: with full powers to sign treaties or otherwise act for the monarch or State, ordinary ambassador resident ambassador - sense 2 above. ■ ambassadorial /-'do:riot adjective of or pertaining to an ambassador mis. ambassa'dorially orabaso-' adverb 119. ambassadorship noun the position or function of an ambas¬ sador Mi 9.

ambassadress /am’basadris/ noun. Also (now rare) em/em-/. Li 6. [from prec. + -ess1.]

1 A female ambassador. Li6. 2 The wife of an (esp. resident) ambassador. M17. ■ ambassadrice /-dri:s/, f-trice noun (rare) an ambassadress M17. ambassadrix /-drrks/, f-trix noun (rare) an ambassadress Ml 7.

ambassage noun see embassage. 0:

lme.

ambre from Arab, 'anbar (oriq.) ambergris,

A noun, f 1 = ambergris, lme-eis. 2 A translucent, usu. yellow, fossil resin, used for orna¬ ments etc. and easily electrified by rubbing, lme. Ffb An amulet made of amber. Only in 17. 3 An alloy of four parts of gold with one of silver, lme. 4 = liquidambar i. Also liquid amber. Mi6. 5 The yellow colour of amber; a substance having this colour. M18. Fb A yellow road traffic light shown as a caution between green (=go) and red (= stop). E20.

M20.

03 2 A, Alvarez Two lives preserved in amber, unmoving. fly in amber: see fly noun1, oil of amber a resinous liquid distilled from amber or colophony, b T. Dekker Pearles and Ambers, shall not draw me to their Chambers.

► B adjective. Flaving the yellow colour of amber; spec, des¬ ignating the intermediate cautionary light in road traffic signals. Ei6. 03 fig.: A. Wilson I regard this as the amber warning, amber-fish, amberjack (chiefly N. Amer.) any of a number of brightly coloured marine fishes of the genus Seriola (cf. yellowtail noun 2); esp. S. dumerili, of the W. Atlantic and S. lalandi of S. Africa, the amber fluid, the amber liquid, the amber nectar slang (orig. Si chiefly Austral.) lager.

► C verb trans. rare. Chiefly as ambered ppl adjective. French

[Cf.

ambrer, pa. pple ambre.]

11 Perfume with ambergris. E17-M18. 2 Cause to have the yellow colour of amber. 3 Preserve in amber. Li 9.

E19.

ambergris /’ambsgns, -i:s/ noun. Also t-grease & other vars. lme. An odoriferous pale grey waxlike substance, which ori¬ ginates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale and is found floating in tropical seas. L19.

[from amber noun + -oid.]

[French ambassadeur from Italian ambasciator ult. from medieval Latin ambactia, -axia (Salic and Burgundian Laws) from Germanic (Gothic andbahts servant. Old English ambeht servant, messenger, Old High German ambaht) from Latin ambactus servant, vassal (Ennius, Caesar), a Gaulish word.] 1 a An appointed or official messenger. Now rare in gen. sense exc. fig. lme. Fb spec. A diplomat sent by one

a cat. a: arm, e bed, a: her.

[Old & mod. French (later) amber.]

amberoid /'amb(3)roid/ noun. Also ambroid.

fambassade noun & adverb. Also em-. lme.

amazed /a'metzd/ adjective, oe. [from prec. + -ed1.] 11 Stunned, stupefied; bewildered; thrown into confu¬ sion; terrified, alarmed. OE-E18. 2 Lost in wonder or astonishment. Li 6. ■ amazedly /-zidli/ adverb L16. amazedness /-zidms/ noun M16.

Amazon /'amazon/ noun. Also (esp. in sense 3) a-, lme. [Latin from Greek Amazon, explained by the Greeks as meaning ■breastless' (as if from a-10 + mazos breast) but prob. of foreign origin. Sense 4 from the River Amazon.] 1 Any of a race of female warriors once thought to exist in Scythia and elsewhere. Usu. in pi. lme. 2 Any female warrior. Ei6. 3 A very strong, tall, or athletic woman. E17.

The pith tree, Aeschynomene elaphroxylon. amber /’amba/ noun, adjective, & verb.

[Old & mod. French ambre gris grey amber, as distinct from the later ambre jaune yellow amber (the resin): cf. amber noun.]

[Urdu ambdrd, ambari.]

ambassador /am'basads/ noun. Also (common 17-18, lat¬ terly US) em- /em-/; f-dour, f-to(u)r, & other vars. lme.

amazing /a'meizig/ adjective & adverb, lme. [from amaze verb + -ing2.] ► A adjective, fl Causing stupefaction; confusing; terrify¬ ing, dreadful, lme-lis. 2 Astonishing, wonderful. E18. ► B adverb. Astonishingly, wonderfully. Now rare. lis. ■ amazingly adverb in an amazing manner; collog. very, exceed¬ ingly: H7. amazingness noun M19.

Mi9.

[App. of Ethiopic origin.]

the discoverers.] The nonsense codon UAG; a mutant frag¬ ment of genetic material containing this. Freq. attrib.

ambages /am'beid3i:z, 'ambidjiz/ noun pi. Formerly, esp. in sense 1, also sing, tambage lme.

■ Also fambassiat(e) LME-L16.

ambatch /’ambatf/ noun. Also -ash /-aJ7.

6 BIOLOGY, [translating German Bernstein, app. name of a friend of

fl = Amazon t. E-M17. 2 Amazon-stone. Li 9.

agereto

amatol /'amatDl/ noun. E20. [Irreg. from am(monium + tol(uene.] A high explosive consisting of a mixture of TNT and ammonium nitrate.

embassy.

►

Amazonian /ams'zsunisn/ adjective & noun. Li6.

[from Amazon +

tambassato(u)r nouns vars. of ambassador. ambassy noun see

saw, A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. an how, ei day, a

Amber moulded by heat and pressure. ambi- /'ambi/ combining form. [Latin

ambi-, ambo.]

Forming adjectives and nouns with the sense 'both, on both sides, both ways’, as ambilingual. ambisexual, ambisexuality. etc. ambiance /abjQs/ noun. M20. [French, from ambiant: see ambient, -ance.]

= ambience; also spec., the combination of the surround¬ ing and accessory elements of a painting to support the main effect of a piece, ambidexter /ambi'deksta/ noun & adjective. Now rare. lme. [Late Latin, from Latin ambi- + dexter right-handed.] ► A noun. 1 A double-dealer; spec, in law. a person who takes bribes or fees from both sides, lme. 2 A person able to use left and right hands equally well; fig. a person of unusual dexterity. L16. ► B adjective. 1 = ambidextrous 2. Li6. 2 = AMBIDEXTROUS 1. M17. 3 Two-sided. E19. ambidexterity /.ambidek'stsnti/ noun. L16. [from prec. + -ity, after dexterity.] 1 The ability to use left and right hands equally well; fig. unusual dexterity, many-sidedness. Li6. 2 Double-dealing, mi8. ambidextrous /ambidekstrss/ adjective. Also -terous /-t(0)ras/. M17.

[formed as prec. + -ous.] 1 Able to use left and right hands equally well; fig. more than usually dexterous or clever, versatile. M17. 2 Double-dealing; trying to please both parties. Mi7. ■ ambidextrously adverb E19 ambidextrousness noun eis.

ambience /'ambrans/ noun. Li9. [from next: see -ence. Cf. ambiance.] Environment, surroundings; atmosphere. ambient /'ambisnt/ adjective & noun.

116. [French ambiant or Latin ambient- pres, ppl stem of ambire go round, formed as ambi- + ire go: see -ent.J

► A adjective. 1 Surrounding, encircling, encompassing; enveloping. Li 6.

no. e: hair, ra near, oi boy, ua poor, Ala tire, aua sour

66

ambiente j ambs-ace 2 Moving round (something), circling about (some¬ thing). rare, mi7. GJ 1 Milton Opening to the ambient light. Bos well A captive in thy ambient arms. E. F. Benson A life that should be less idle.. than that of the ambient world. 2 Disraeli Ye ambient Winds, That course about the quar¬ ters of the globe.

► B noun. 1 An encompassing circle or sphere. Li6. 2 astrology. The ambient air or sky. L17. ambiente/ambi'ente, ambi'enti/ noun. E20. [Italian & Spanish, from Latin ambient-: see prec.] = AMBIENCE.

tambigu noun. U6. [French, use of adjective = ambiguous.] 1 = ambiguity 4. Only in L16. 2 A banquet at which a medley of dishes are served

|3 Personal solicitation of honours. M16-L17. 4 An aspiration to be, to do (fqf, ffor). E17. 5 An object of ardent desire or aspiration. Ei7.

lithium, and sodium occurring as white or faintly col¬ oured prisms.

CO 1 Shakes.ful. Cues. I thrice presented him a kingly crown. Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? 2 Donne Costly and expensive ambitions at Court. 3 Milton I, on the other side. Used no ambition to commend my deeds. 4 Burke The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres. M. Lasig Sheila's present ambition was to be Senior Mathematics Mistress. G. Ewart The ambi¬ tion of the wealthy was .. to do absolutely nothing but to drink, to ride, to dance, to flirt. 5 W. Golding A beautiful woman is her own ambition. ■ ambitionist noun (rare] a person who is ruled by ambition M17. ambitionless adjective E19.

LME-L16. 2 Ability to be understood in more than one way, ambiguousness. lme. |3 An uncertainty. L16-M17.

4 An instance of double meaning; an expression having more than one meaning. Li 6. 2 latent ambiguity: see latent adjective, systematic ambiguity see systematic adjective.

ambiguous /am'bigjuas/ adjective. Ei6. [Latin ambiguus doubtful, shifting, from ambigere go round, formed as ambi- + agere to drive: see -ous, -uous.j 1 Indistinct, obscure, not dearly defined. E16.

2 Admitting more than one interpretation or explan¬ ation; having a double meaning or reference; equivocal. M16.

3 Using words with doubtful or double meaning. Mi6. j4 Uncertain as to course or conduct, hesitating. M16-M17.

5 Doubtful as regards classification; indeterminate. E17. 6 Uncertain as regards outcome or tendency. Ei7. 7 Unreliable, mis. ca ij. Ruskin Even the most dexterous distances of the old masters.. are ambiguous. 2 Milton Answers.. dark, Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding. G. Greene Notes for rendezvous made ambiguous in case they fell into the wrong hands. G. Maxwell Calum Murdo MacKinnon is always given both his Christian names, for there are so many Calum MacKinnons in the district that Calum alone would be ambiguous. 3 Pope Antinous.. Constrain’d a smile and thus ambiguous spoke. E. J. Howard ‘Well—once more then.’ She was deliberately ambiguous about whether it was forgiveness or another cup of tea. 4 Milton Thus shall they be too and fro, doubtfiill and ambiguous in all thir doings. 5 J. Florio Mungrell and ambiguous shapes. T. Stoppard Four of them carry a machine of ambiguous purpose: it might be a television camera. 6 Sir W. Scott The eddying tides of conflict wheeled Ambiguous. 7 Burke The taste, that most ambiguous of the senses. ■ ambiguously adverb L16. ambiguousness noun 117.

ambilingual /ambi'lnjgw(3)l/adject/veS noun. M20, [from AMBI- + UNGUAL.]

(A person who is) bilingual in all situations. ambisextrous ambi'sEkstras/ adjective, colioq. E20.

|1 Make desirous. Only in E17. 2 Be ambitious of, desire strongly. E17. ffl 2 Hor. Walpole The Bishop of Chester had ambitioned the Bishopric of Winchester. T. Jefferson Who ambitioned to be his correspondent. H. Smart Ambitioningthat her lover should make his mark.

[from ambi- + sexual adjective. Cf. ambosexual.]

Sexually attracted to individuals of both sexes. ■ ambisexu ality noun E20.

ambisonic /ambi'sDmk/ adjective & noun. L20. [from ambi- + sonic adjective.]

► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to a high-fidelity audio system that reproduces the directional properties (direct and reverberant) of recorded sound. L20. ► B noun. In pi. (treated as sing.]. Ambisonic reproduction. L20. ■ ambisonically adverb 120.

ambit /'ambit/ noun. lme. [Latin ambitus circuit, compass, from ambit-: see next.)

1 a A space surrounding a house, castle, town, etc.; pre¬ cincts. lme. >b A circuit, a compass, a circumference. Li6. >c The confines, bounds, or limits of a district etc. M19. 2 fig. Extent, scope, sphere, (of). L17.

CO 2 W. S. Churchill Both motor boats and lawn-mowers came into the ambit of this modest indulgence. ambition /am'bijlajn/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin ambitio(n-), from ambit- pa. ppl stem of ambire: see ambient, -ion.)

1 An ardent (orig. inordinate) desire for distinction. me. f few, g get. h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, r

[Old & mod. French ambitieux or Latin ambitiosus. formed as ambition noun: see -ous.] 1 Ardently desiring distinction, full of ambition, lme.

2 Strongly desirous of or ffcrr a thing, to be or to do some¬ thing, LME. 3 Rising, swelling, towering, arch. Ei7. 4 Showing or requiring ambition, mi8. CO 3 Pope Helps th‘ ambitious hill the heav’ns to scale. 4 E. O’Neill You can afford to make bigger, more ambitious plans now. E. Waugh Sebastian set me to draw it. It was an ambitious subject for an amateur. ■ ambitiously adverb lme. ambitiousness noun Li5.

ambivalence /am'biv(a)l(a)ns/ noun. E20.

A. A. Brill The synchronous laughing and crying are a partial manifestation of schizophrenic ambivalence. L. Trilling Rousseau’s Confessions had laid the ground for the understanding of emotional ambivalence. A. L. Rowse There is much to be said for a certain judicious ambivalence.

ambo ambao/ noun. PL -os; also in Latin form ambones /am'baunbz/. M17. [medieval Latin ambo(n-] formed as ambon.]

The pulpit or reading-desk in early Christian churches; an oblong enclosure with steps at both ends.

A native or inhabitant of, of or pertaining to, Amboina (Ambon), an island in the Moluccas. Also, (of) the Austronesian language of Amboina. ambon /'amb(a)n/ noun. eis.

ambones noun pi. see ambo. Ambonese noun & adjective var. of Amboinese. ambosexual /ambau'seksjoal, -Jual/ adjective. L18. [from Latin ambo both + sexual adjective. Cf. ambisexual.) Of or pertaining to both sexes; bisexual, ambisexual. 5 In isolated use before 20.

amboyna /am'boina/ noun. Also A-. Mi9. [Var. of Amboina: see Amboinese.)

The wood of the SE Asian tree Pterocarpus indicus. Also called amboyna wood, Burmese rosewood, lingoa, narra

ambrette /am'bret/ noun. eis. [French, formed as amber: see -ette.]

11 A pear having a musky odour, e-mis. 2 The seeds of the musk mallow, Abelmoschus moschatus, which yield an oil used in perfumery. Also ambrette seed. M19. ambroid noun var. of amberoid. [Old & mod. French ambroise formed as next.]

ambivalent /am'biv(a)l(3)nt/ adjective. E20. [from prec., after equivalent.]

Of, pertaining to, or characterized by ambivalence. EQ B. Russell Christianity.. has always had an ambivalent attitude towards the family. ■ ambivalently adverb M20

ambiversion /ambi'vaijjajn/ noun. E20. [from ambi- after extroversion, introversion.]

psychology. A condition of balance between extrovert and introvert features in the personality. ■ ambivert noun a person whose personality displays ambiversion E20. 'ambiverted adjective E20.

► A verb intrans. 1 Of a horse, mule, etc.: move lifting each foot individually and both on one side before those on the other; move with a smooth or easy gait. me. 2 Of a person: ride an ambling horse etc.; ride at an easy pace. lme. 3 Of a person: move on foot at a smooth or easy pace; proceed in a leisurely fashion. L16. fll 3 Addison She has. play'd at an Assembly, and ambled in a Ball or two. Harper Lee They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. C. FIampton The ability to create essen¬ tially frivolous entertainments, which were enjoyed by enough essentially frivolous people for me to be able to amble comfortably through life.

► B noun. 1 The gait of an ambling horse, mule, etc. lme. 2 A movement suggestive of the gait of an ambling horse; a leisurely pace. E17. ■ ambler noun a horse, mule, etc., that ambles; an ambling person: lme.

ambligon adjective & noun var. of amblygon. amblygon /’ambligon/ adjective & noun. Now rare or obsolete. Also ambli-. 116. [French amblygone or late Latin ambligonius amblugonios, from ornbius blunt + gonia angle.] ►t A adjective. Obtuse-angled. L16-L18.

from

Greek

► B noun. Also (earlier) in Latin form j-gonium. An obtuse-angled figure, esp. a triangle. Li6. p pen, r red, s sit, t top,

amblyopia

tambrose noun. lme.

■ Also ambivalency noun E20.

n no,

=

E18-E19.

Amboynese noun & adjective var. of Amboinese.

[German Ambivalenz, after Aquivalenz equivalence.]

The coexistence in one person or one work of contra¬ dictory emotions or attitudes towards the same object or situation; an instance of this.

man,

the eye. ■ amblyopic adjective Mi9. famblyopy noun

[Greek ambon rim or edge of a cup, (medieval Greek) pulpit.] = AMBO.

ambitious /am'bijas/ adjective, lme.

[Old & mod. French ambler from Latin ambulare to walk.]

ambisexual /ambi'seksjual, -fuol/ adjective. M20.

[Greek ambluopia dim-sightedness, from ambluopos, from amblus blunt: see -opia.] medicine. Impaired vision, without apparent change in

[from Amboina (see below) + -ese.]

amble/'amb(a)l/verbs noun. me.

[Blend of ambidextrous and sex noun.]

= next.

amblyopia /ambli'oopia/ noun. El 8.

Amboinese /amboi'ni:z/ noun & adjective. Also -bon/-bon-/, -boyn-. PL of noun same. Mi9.

[French ambitionner, formed as prec.]

[Old & mod. French ambiguite or Latin ambiguitas, formed as next: see -ity.] •jl Hesitation, doubt, uncertainty as to one’s course.

amblygonite /am'biig(3)nAit/ noun. Ei9. [formed as prec. + -ite1.] mineralogy. A triclinic basic phosphate of aluminium,

LME M17.

ambition /am'biffoln/ verb trans. Now rare. Ei7.

together. L17-M18. ambiguity /ambi'gjuati/ noun. lme.

b but. d dog.

f2 Ostentatious display, pomp; an instance of this.

v van, w we, z zoo,

1 Wood sage, Teucrium scorodonicr, occas. some other herb. LME-M19. 2 = ambrosia 1. rare. Only in E17. ambrosia /am'braozja/ noun. M16. [Latin from Greek = immortality, elixir of life, from ambrotos immortal: in Dioscurides and Pliny applied to one or more herbs.]

► II classical mythology. The food, drink, or unguent of the gods. M16. 2 = bee-bread (b) s.v. bee noun'. E17. 3 Something divinely sweet to taste or smell. Mi7. 4 Water, oil, and fruits mixed as a libation; also, a per¬ fumed or flavoured drink. Li7. 5 A fungal product which forms the food of the pinhole borer. Li9. ► II6 Any of various plants (cf. Ambrose 1). Now only as mod. Latin name of a genus of plants of the composite family which includes ragweed. Mi6. Comb. : ambrosia beetle the adult form of the pinhole borer. ambrosial /am'brauzjfojl/ adjective. Li6. [from Latin ambrosius, formed as prec. + -al'.]

Of or like ambrosia; divinely fragrant or delicious. Also, of or pertaining to the immortal gods, heaven, or para¬ dise. ■ ambrosially adverb (rare] M19. ambrosian /am'brauzjfojn/ adjective'. Ei6. [formed as prec. + -an.]

= prec. Ambrosian /am'brauzjfojn/ adjective2. E17. [Late Latin ambrosianus, from Ambrosius Ambrose: see -an.]

Of, pertaining to, or instituted by St Ambrose (d. 397), Bishop of Milan. ambrotype /'ambratAip/ noun. Orig. US. M19. [from unkn. 1st elem. + -type.]

A photograph on glass, with lights given by the silver, and shades by a dark background showing through. ambry noun see aumbry. ambs-ace /anrz'eis/ noun. arch. me. [Old French ambes as, from Latin ambo both + as ace noun.]

A pair of aces, the lowest throw at dice; fig. bad luck, worthlessness, next to nothing, t within ambs-ace of on the very verge of. J she, 3 vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

67

ambulacrum | amendment

ambulacrum /ambju'leikram, -Takrsm/ noun. PI. -era /-krs/. El 9. [Latin = walk, avenue, from ambulare to walk.] zoology. In an echinoderm, each of the radially-arranged bands, together with their underlying structures, through which the double rows of tube-feet protrude. ■ ambulacral adjective of or pertaining to an ambulacrum Ei9.

ambulance /'ambjul(3)ns/ noun. E19. [French, replacing hopita! ambulant mobile (horse-drawn) field ambulance, formed as next: see -ance.] 1 A mobile hospital following an army. E19. 2 A conveyance for sick or injured persons. M19. Comb.: ambulance-chaser N. Amer. slang a lawyer who makes a business of raising actions for personal injury.

ambulant /'ambjul(o)nt/ adjective. E17. [Latin ambulant- pres, ppl stem of ambulare walk: see -ant1.] 1 Walking, moving about; spec, in medicine, walking about or able to walk about although ill or injured. E17. 2 medicine. Of a disease or treatment; not confining the patient to bed. E20. S3 1 Bacon Sir Edward Coke was at Friday’s hearing, but in his night-cap: and complained to me he was ambulant and not current. Carlyle An ambulant ‘Revolutionary Army' .. shall perambulate the country at large, fig.: Coleridge Discriminating offence from merit by such dim and ambu¬ lant boundaries.

ambulate /'ambjoleit/ verb intrans. Ei7. [Latin ambulat- pa. ppl

stem

of ambulare walk:

see -ate3.]

Walk, move about. ■ ambulative adjective (now rare or obsolete) adjective lme. ambulator noun (rare) a walker M17.

= ambulatory

ambulation /ambju'leijfajn/ noun. M16. [Latin ambuialio(n-),

formed as prec.: see -ation.]

fl The spreading of gangrene. M16-M18.

2 The action of walking; moving about. Now rare exc. medicine, after an injury or illness. L16. ambulatory /‘ambjubt(3)ri/ noun. Mi6. [medieval Latin ambulatorium use as noun of neut. of ambulatonus: see next, -ory1.]

A place for walking; an arcade, esp. in an apse; a clois¬ ter. ambulatory /'ambjubftsjri/ adjective. Ei7. [Latin ambulatorius, formed

1 2 3 4

as ambulate: see -ory2.]

Moving from place to place; movable. E17. Of or pertaining to walking. E17. fig. Shifting, temporary, not fixed, mutable. E17. Adapted or fitted for walking. M19.

5 MEDICINE. = AMBULANT 2. L19. 6 = AMBULANT 1. M20. fH 1 Jer. Taylor Their ambulatory life. W. Burkitt The tab¬ ernacle was an ambulatory temple. 2 A. Helps When that man has an object, it is astonishing what ambulatory powers he can develop. 3 W. Laud Nor is this ceremony Jewish or ambulatory, to cease with the law. H. L. Piozzi They learn to think virtue and vice ambulatory. 4 J. D. Dana Feet ambula¬ tory or prehensile. 6 M. McCarthy The ambulatory mothers who wanted to were allowed to go into the diet kitchen. A Sharper 'An ambulatory tun of port with the face of Father Christmas.’ That's how 1 describe him.

ambury noun var. of anbury.

£Ql 1 Coleridge The ambushed soldier must not fire his musket, re/7.: Sir W. Scott To ambush us in greenwood bough. 2 M. Arnold The archest chin Mockery ever ambush’d in. 3 A. Haley He had organized a war party.. to track and ambush a detachment of the U.S. Army.

[Old French embusche, formed as next.]

(A military disposition of) troops concealed in a wood or other place in order to surprise an enemy; an attack from such concealment. Also transf.&fig., (a disposition of) someone or something lying in wait; a surprise attack from concealment. P3 Shakes. Rich. U Once did I lay an ambush for your life. S. Johnson He that perishes in the ambushes of envy. Day Lewis These flowers .. hummed all day with ambushes of bees and wasps. S. Naipaul An American congressman.. had been shot and killed in an ambush at a remote jungle air¬ strip.

ambush /'amboj/ verb. me. [Old French embuschier, ult. formed as M-: bush noun1.] 1 verb trans. Dispose (troops etc.) in concealment among

bushes or elsewhere, in order to surprise an enemy. Now rare or obsolete, me. 2 verb intrans. Lie in ambush; lie in wait, lurk. E17. 3 verb trans. Attack from an ambush; waylay. M17.

1 Of a person: liable to answer (to a law, tribunal, etc., or fig.); responsible, liable, subject, (to). Li6. 2 Of a thing (foil, by to): liable to the legal authority of; gen. subject or liable to. mis. 3 Disposed to respond or submit (to); responsive, sus¬ ceptible, (to); tractable. E19.

AMDG abbreviation. Latin, ad maiorem. Dei gloriam to the greater glory of God. am-dram /'am dram/ noun, colloq. L20. [Abbreviation.] Amateur dramatics. Freq. attrib. or as adjective.

£3 1 Spenser Not amesnable to Law. Coleridge The suffi¬ ciency of the conscience to make every person a moral and amenable being. E. Mellor The next witness,. is amenable to the same imputation. Joyce Amenable under section two of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. 2 Jas. Mill All offences against the act were rendered amenable to the courts of law. Dickens Your property.. being amenable to all claims upon the company. 3 Conan Doyle She is quite amenable to her father’s will. A. J. P. Taylor Churchill deter¬ mined to restore confidence by changing the leaders. Maybe he hoped, too, to get more amenable ones. C. Sagan The’ hypothesis.. is amenable to experimental testing. D. Storey You're young, you’re flexible, you’re amenable to new ideas.

ameba noun, amebean adjective, amebic adjective see AMOEBA, AMOEBEAN. AMOEBIC. ame damnee /a:m done/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced same). Ei9. [French = damned soul.]

A devoted adherent; a tool. ameer noun see amir. amel /'am(3)l/ noun & verb. Long arch. & dial. Also aumail /oi'meil/. lme. [Anglo-Norman amail = Old French esmail (see a-7), from Ger¬ manic.] ► A noun. Enamel, lme. ►tB verb trans. Infl. = enamel verb. Chiefly as amelled ppl adjective lme-eis.

■ amena bility noun the quality of being amenable (to) L18. amenableness noun the quality or state of being amenable (to) M19. amenably adverb M19.

tamenage verb trans. rare (Spenser). Only in li 6. [French amemger, from a ad- +

menage.]

Domesticate. amelanchier/ama'lagkis/noun. mis. [Savoy dial, amelancier medlar.]

tamenance noun. Also -aunce. LI6-MI8. [Old French, from amener: see amenable,

A tree or shrub of the chiefly N. American genus Amelanchier, of the rose family, typified by the Juneberry, A. canadensis.

amend b'mend/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also (Scot.) amand /o'maind/. PI. amends, lis. [French: see amende, amends.] 11 Reparation, compensation. L15-M17. 2 Afine. Chiefly scots law. rare. Li6.

[Dutch & German Ametkom, from Latin amylum starch + kom corn.] = emmer noun1.

amend /a’mend/ verb. me.

ameliorate /a'midrareit/ verb. mis.

[Old & mod. French amender, ult. formed as emend with prefixsubstitution. Cf. mend verb.] ► I verb trans. fl Correct, reform, convert, (a person). ME-E18.

[Alt. of earlier meliorate after French ameliorer (refash, after Latin rndior better of Old French ameillorer, from meilleur better).] 1 verb trans. Make better, improve, mis. 2 verb intrans. Become better. Li8. ■ ameliorator noun a person who or thing which ameliorates something M19.

2 Free (a thing) from faults; correct (what is faulty); rectify, arch, in gen. sense, me. fb spec. Correct errors in (the text of a document etc.); correct (a textual error); emend, lme. 3 Repair or make good (what is broken or damaged), restore. (Now mend verb) arch. me. |4 Heal (a sick person); cure (a disease). ME-E19. f5 Make amends for. ME-M17. 6 Better, improve; spec, make minor improvements in (a parliamentary bill, a motion etc. under discussion).

amelioration /o.midra'reiKajn/ noun. M17. [French: see prec., and cf.

melioration.]

1 The action of making something better; the condi¬ tion of being made better; improvement; linguistics devel¬ opment of a more favourable meaning or connotation, melioration (opp. pejoration). M17. 2 An improvement, rare. L18.

LME.

£13 1 T. Pyles Amelioration ,. is well illustrated by knight, which used to mean 'servant'. E, F. Schumacher The size of the problem puts it beyond any kind of little amelioration, any little reform, improvement, or inducement. 2 Adam Smith The buildings, drains, enclosures, and other ameliorations.

[from ameliorate +

J7 Improve upon, surpass. LME-L15. 03 1 Shakes. L.L.L. God amend us. God amend! We are much out o' th’ way. 2 AV jer. 7:3 Amend your wayes, and your doings.

► II verb intrans. J8 Recover from illness. ME-E17. |9 Make amends. ME-L16. 10 Reform oneself; abandon one’s faults or evil ways.

-ive.]

LME. ■ amendable adjective

amendatory adjective (US) of or per¬ amender noun a person wlio or thing which amends (usu. foil, by of) lme. me.

taining to amendment: tending to amend: Mi 9.

ameloblast /s'mEbublast/ noun, li 9.

amende /ama:d/ noun. PI. pronounced same. E18.

[from en)amel noun + -o- + -blast.] anatomy. Any cell in the layer of columnar cells which

[French: see amends. In sense 2 abbreviation of next.]

11 A compensatory payment. Only in ei 8. 2 = next. E19.

secrete enamel in the teeth. amen /a/men, ei-/ interjection, adverb, noun, & verb. oe.

amende honorable /ama:d

[ecclesiastical Latin amen from Greek amen from Hebrew 'amen certain(ty), from base 'mn be firm, be certain; adopted in Greek by the Septuagint. whence in New Testament and in early Chr. use in Greek and Latin.] ► A interjection or adverb. 1 In biblical translations, simply transf. from Latin: finis, oe.

onorabl/

noun phr. PI. -s -s

(pronounced same). E17. [French = honourable reparation.]

Public or open apology and reparation; an instance of this. amendment /3'mBn(d)m(3)nt/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French amendement: see

2 At the end of a prayer or wish: so be it. me. 3 In translations of the Creed: it is so in truth, me. 4 In biblical translations: truly, verily, lme.

amend

verb,

-ment.]

1 Removal of faults or errors; (self-)reformation; cor¬ rection; emendation, me. 2 Improvement in health, recovery from illness, arch.

2 amen corner US the part of a meeting-house formerly occu¬ pied by persons who would affirm the preacher’s utterances with occasional responses. Amen glass an i8th-cent. drinkingglass with part of tire Jacobite version of'God Save the King’, con¬ cluding with 'Amen', engraved upon the bowl. ► B noun. 1 (The saying of) the word ‘amen’ at the end of a

ME.

3 General improvement; betterment, me. fb spec. Improvement of the soil; fertilizer, manure. Long dial. lme. fc spec. (A) minor improvement in a parliamentary bill, a motion before a meeting, etc.; a proposed alter¬ ation, a change or addition to a document. L17. f4 Amends-malcing. reparation. Only in me. f 5 Repair, mending (of things damaged). Only in 17.

prayer etc. me. 2 As a title of Christ (Revelation 3:14): the faithful one. LME.

3c reasoned amendment see reason verb 4b. take the Fifth Amendment see fifth, wrecking amendment see wreck verb'.

3 An expression of assent; an assertion of belief. Li6. 4 A concluding word or act; conclusion, rare. L17.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o : saw, A run. o put, u: too, a ago, ai my, at) how, ei day,

-ance.]

Conduct, bearing, mien.

amelcorn /’am(3)lko:n/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. L16.

► A adjective. Tending to ameliorate something, improv¬ ing; linguistics meliorative. Ei9. ► B noun, linguistics. = meliorative noun. M20.

ambush/'amboj/noun. lis.

[Presumably legal Anglo-Norman, from Old French amener bring to, from a ad- + metier bring, lead from popular Latin minare drive (animals) for Latin minari threaten: see menace noun, -able.] Foil, by to or 0bsol.

[Old French embuschement, formed as prec. + -ment.] = ambush noun «] Formerly pronounced with stress on 2nd syllable.

[French embuscade from Italian imboscata or Spanish emboscada, Portuguese embuscada: see ambush noun, -ade.J ► A noun. = ambush noun. L16. ► B verb intrans. & trans. = ambush verb. L16. ■ ambuscadernoun = AMBUSHERL17.

= ambush noun, ambuscade noun.

amenable /3'mi;n3b(3)l/ adjective. Also (earlier) jamesnLi6.

ambushment/'amboJm(3)nt/ noun. arch. me.

ameliorative b'midrarstiv/ adjective & noun. Ei9.

[Refash, of prec. after Spanish: see -ado 2. Usual in 17.]

fig.), rare. E19.

■ ambusher noun a person who lays an ambush Li9.

ambuscade /ambs'skeid/ noun & verb. Li6.

ambuscado /ambs'skeidsu/ noun. arch. PL -os. Li6.

► C verb trans. Pa. t. & pple amened. amen’d. pres, pple & verbal noun amening, amen-ing. Say ‘amen’ to (chiefly

30

no, e: hair, ra near,

31

boy, os poor, ais tire, acra sour

68

amends | amianthus amends /3'men(d)z/ noun sing. & collect, sing.', in sense 1 also |pi.. See also amend noun. me. [Old French amendes pecuniary fine, penalties, pi. of amende repar¬ ation, formed as amend verb.] j1 Moneys paid or things given to make reparation; a fine. ME-L18. . 2 Reparation, restitution, compensation, satisfaction. Esp. in make amends, me. 3 Improvement, betterment. Esp. in thole amends. Now dial. L16. >|b spec. Improvement in health, recovery. L16-L17. m 2 Southey I looked forward to an honourable amends.

amene /a'mkn/ adjective. Now rare. lme. [Old French (implied in amenement pleasantly) from Latin amoenus pleasant; later directly from Latin.] Pleasant, agreeable.

amenity/a'mcmti, -'men-/ noun.

lme.

[Old 8. mod. French amenite or Latin amoenitas, from amoenus pleasant: see -ity.] 1 Pleasantness, agreeableness. lme. 2 A pleasure; a delight; a pleasant feature; a desirable facility. Usu. in pi. Mi7. 3 A pleasantry; a civility. Usu. in pi. L19. CO 1 T. Coryat For amenity of situation.. it doth farre excel all other cities. T. F. Dibdin Who does not love the amenity of Erasmus? W. S. Maugham The smile died on her lips and she gave me a glance that was totally lacking in amenity. 2 Hor. Walpole A country so profusely beautiful with the amaenities of nature. Disraeli Amenities of authors. P. Fitzgerald The new Library was an important amenity. Comb.: amenity bed a bed available in hospital to give more privacy for a small payment.

amenorrhoea /ameno'riu/ noun. Also *-rrhea. Ei9. [from A-10 + MENO- + -RRHOEA.]

medicine. Abnormal absence of menstruation. amenorrhoeal adjective of, pertaining to, or affected with amenorrhoea Et9. amenorrhoeic adjective of, pertaining to, or ■

affected with amenorrhoea Li9.

a mensa et thoro lei ,mensa: st 'toirou/ adverbial & adjectivalphr. Ei7. [Latin = from table and bed.] law (now Hist.). Of a divorce: decreed by an ecclesiastical court on grounds sanctioned by law (having the effect of a modern judicial separation).

ament /s'ment/ noun1. Also (earlier) in Latin form amentum -tarn/, pi. -ta /-to/, mis. [Latin amentum thong, strap.] A catkin. ■ amen taceous adjective of the nature of or bearing catkins Mis. amental, amen'tiferous adjectives bearing catkins Mi9.

ament ferment, o'ment/ noun2. L19. [Latin amettt-: see next.] A person with amentia.

amentia/ei'menjo, o-/noun. lme. [Latin = madness, from ament-, amens mad, from a- A-9 + ment-, mens mind: see -ia1.] medicine. The condition of having a mental handicap. Rare before E19.

amentum noun see ament noun1. Amerasian /amo'reiJ(o)n, -3(0)11/ adjective & noun. M20. [from American + Asian.] (A person) of mixed American and Asian parentage; esp. (a child) fathered by an American serviceman stationed in Asia.

amerce /o'mo:s/ verb trans. Orig. famercy. lme. [Anglo-Norman amerrier, orig. in estre amercie be placed at the mercy of another (as to the amount of a fine), from d merci at (the) mercy.] Impose a discretionary (as opp. to fixed) fine on (a person); mulct (a person); punish in any way; (with the penalty or amount expressed as second obj. or foil, by in, with). Also, deprive of. m amerciable adjective liable to be amerced E17. famerciate pa. pple & verb trans. (Scot.) amerce(d) LME-M19.

[Anglo-Norman amendment, formed as prec.: see -ment.] 1 Imposition of a discretionary penalty or fine (orig. one lighter than a fixed fine), lme.

2 A discretionary penalty or fine. lme. [medieval Latin amerciamentum. from amerciare Latinization of Anglo-Norman amercier amerce: see -ment.] = prec.

tamercy verb see amerce.

b but, d dog,

amsrTggliJ/

name

Latin

Latinized form of the navigator: see -an.]

► A noun. 1 An aboriginal inhabitant of the continent of America. Now only as Native American s.v. native adjective, mi6.

.

2 A native or inhabitant of (esp. North) America of OldWorld descent. El 8. 3 With specifying word: a native or inhabitant of the specified part of the continent of America. Ml 8. 4 The English language as used in the United States of America. Li8. 5 A citizen of the United States of America. Ei9. 6 ellipt. An American ship etc.; in pi, American stocks, shares, etc. Ei9. Irish American: see Irish adjective. 3 Central American: see adjective. Latin American see Latin adjective. Middle American see middle adjective. North American see north adverb etc.. South American: see south adverb etc.. 4 General American American English with few regional peculiarities. 5 Middle American see middle adjective, quiet American see QUIET adjective & adverb. Ugly American see ugly adjective. ► B adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of any part of the continent of America or its inhabitants. Li6. 2 spec. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the United 2

central

States of America (formerly to the British colonies in N. America) or its inhabitants. Mi7. 3 With specifying word: of, pertaining to, or character¬ istic of the specified part of the continent of America or its inhabitants. Cf. sense A.3 above, lis. 3 Meso-American.

Special collocations: American aloe: see aloe 4. American bar a bar serving drinks in an allegedly American style, esp. from a counter at which customers sit. American bitter-sweet see bitter-sweet noun 4. American cheese a type of mild semi-soft processed cheese made in the US. American cloth a cotton doth with a coated or waterproofed surface. American cowslip see cowslip 1. American crow: see crow noun' 1. American dream the ideal of a democratic and prosperous society, regarded as the aim of the American people. American elk see elk noun1. American elm: see elm 1. American English = sense A.4 above. American football football played with an oval ball which may be carried, thrown, or kicked, in which in order to maintain possession of the ball a team must advance at least 10 yards towards the goal in four opportunities. American ipecacuanha. American Indian. American jute: see jute noun2. American marten a N. American marten, Martes americana, winch is brown with a buff throat. American mistletoe. American olive: see olive noun1 lb. American organ a reedorgan in which the air is drawn inwards to the reeds, instead of being blown outwards. American pennyroyal. American plaice - rough dab s.v. rough adjective. American plan N. Amer. a method of charging for a hotel room inclusive of meals. American Revolution the overthrow of British supremacy in America by the War of Independence, 1775-81 (Daughters of the American Revolution see daughter). American robin see robin noun’ lb. American Sign Language a form of sign language developed for the use of the deaf in the US. American tea a social function for raising funds, to which guests contribute by bringing or buying food and drink. American tiger the jaguar. American tournament a sporting tournament in which each competitor plays all the others in turn. American turtle: see turtle noun2 2. American wayfaring tree see wayfaring noun. American whitewood = ruup-wood (a). American woodcock see woodcock 1. ■ Ameri cana noun pi. publications or other items concerning or associated with America M19. America riese noun (somewhat derog.) American English, English full of Americanisms L19. Americanist noun a specialist in or student of subjects pertain¬ ing to America L19. Americanly adverb M19. Americanness /-n-n-/ noun 119.

American! /mafkami/.

/amen'kuini/

noun.

Also

Mer(c)kani

noun.

f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

Also

adjective.]

by black people.

Amerind /'amsrind/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from (the same root as) next.) = next.

Amerindian /ambrindion/ adjective & noun. Li9. [Contr. of American Indian.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to American Indians. Li9. ► B noun. An American Indian. E20. a merveille /a merve:j/ adverbial phr. mi 8. [French = to a marvel.) Admirably, wonderfully.

antes damnees noun phr. pi. of ame damnee. Ameslan /'amislan/ noun. L20. [Acronym.] American Sign Language.

tamesnabie adjective see amenable. Ames test /'eimz test/ noun phr. L20. [Named after Bruce N. Ames (b. 1928), US biochemist, who devised it.] medicine. A test for mutagenic activity in which the effect of a substance in vitro is observed on certain bacteria in which mutations are readily detected.

amethocaine /a'me63(u)kein/ noun. M20. [Perh, from Greek amethustus (see next) or blend of amino- + methyl: see -0-, -CAINE.] A cyclic amino ester, C15H24N202, related to procaine which is used as a local anaesthetic, esp. in the eye. Also called tetracaine. i| A proprietaiy name for this substance is Pantocain.

amethyst /'amiSist/ noun & adjective, me. [Old French ametiste, Latin amethystus from Greek amethustos use as noun (sc. Ifthos stone) of adjective, from a- A-10 + methuein be intoxicated: so called because it was supposed to prevent intoxi¬ cation.] ► A noun, 1 A precious variety of quartz, of a clear purple or bluish-violet colour owing to the presence of iron. ME. 2 heraldry. The tincture purpure in the fanciful blazon of arms of peers, obsolete exc. Hist. Li6. >b The colour of amethyst. Ei9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or resembling amethyst; violet-purple. Li5.

amethystine /ami'9istAin/ adjective. U7. [Latin amethystinus from Greek amethustinos: see prec., -ine2.] 1 Of or containing amethyst. Li7. 2 Amethyst-coloured, violet-purple. Li7.

ametropia /ami'traupra/ noun. M19. [from Greek ametres irregular (formed as A-,0 + metron measure) + -OPIA.] medicine. Any abnormal condition of the refraction of the eye. ■ ametropic /-’traopik, -'tropik/ adjective M19.

tameve verb var. of amove verb1. AMCOT abbreviation. Allied Military Government of Occupied Territory, an organization first set up in Sicily during the war of

Amharic /am'harik/ noun & adjective. M18.

in Africa: a kind of (esp. white) cotton cloth. Americanise verb var. of Americanize. Americanism /a'msrikfrjnizfrlm/ noun. lis. [from American + -ism.]

1 A word, sense, or phrase peculiar to or originating from the United States of America. L18. 2 Attachment to or sympathy with the United States of America. Li 8. 3 American quality or character. Mi9. [formed as prec. + -ize.]

1 verb trans. Make American in character; naturalize as an American. Li7. 2 verb intrans. Become American in character. Mi9. americium /ama'risjsm/ noun. M20.

[from Amhara (see below) + -ic.] ► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Amhara, a central province of Ethiopia, rare. mis. 2 The Semitic language of Amhara, the principal lan¬ guage of modern Ethiopia. M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Amhara, its people, or its language. Ei9.

amiable/'emii3b(3)i/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French from late Latin amicabilis amicable; later infl. in sense by mod. French aimable lovable, likeable.] 1 Friendly; kind in action, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 3. lme. 2 Lovable, lovely, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 3. LME. 3 (Combining senses 1 and 2.) Having a friendly dispos¬ ition that inspires friendliness in return. Mis. ■ amia bility noun the quality of being amiable E19. amiableness noun Mi6 amiably adverb lme.

[from America (see American) + -ium.]

A radioactive metallic chemical element of the actinide series, atomic no. 95, which is produced artificially. (Symbol Am.) America

n no,

p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top, v van, w we.

[French amiante or Latin amiantus: see next.] = next.

[Latin amiantus from Greek amiantos, from a- a-10 + miainein defile.]

(see American) + -o-.[

Of America, as Americomania, Americophobia, a passion for, fear of, America or things American. man,

amianth/'amianG/ noun. Now poet. Also -ant /-ant/. E17.

amianthus /ami'anSss/ noun. Also -tus /-tss/. E17.

Americo- /s'mEnksu/ combining form. lis. [from

I leg, r

M20. [from Amerik{kk)a alt. of America (see American) after German Amerika, -kkk- after Ku Ktux Klan: see -an.] Of or pertaining to the United States of America regarded as a racist, fascist, or oppressive country, esp.

1939-45-

M19.

[Kiswahili, alt. of American

■ Americani zation noun M19.

amerciament /a'msisremfsjnt/ noun. Now rare. lme.

/'amsmjgliJ, AmerEnglish. L20. [Contr.] American English.

American!is. from America from of Amerigo Vespucci (1451-1512), Italian

[mod

Americanize /a'msrikfrjnAiz/ verb. Also -ise. Li7.

amercement /o'ma:sm(a)nt/ noun. lme.

Amerenglish

Amerikan /s'merikfrln/ adjective. Chiefly US. Also -kkk-.

American /s'merikfrjn/ noun & adjective. Mi6.

z zoo,

Asbestos, esp. of a fine, silky quality suitable for weaving into cloth. J she,

3 vision.

0 thin,

6 this.

11 ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

69

amicable | ammunition

■ amianthine adjective of the nature of amianthus Mi7.

amildar /'a:milda:/ noun. Also aum- /'o:m-/. ns. [Persian & Urdu 'amal-dar, from Arab, 'amal work, administration + Persian -ddr holding, holder. Spelling infl. by prec.]

amicable /'amikab(a)l/ adjective, lme. [Late Latin amicabilis, from Latin amicus friend: see -able.]

Formerly a non-European factor in the Indian subcon¬ tinent, esp. a collector of revenue. Now, the official in charge of a taluk in Karnataka.

1 Of a thing: pleasant, kindly, benign, obsolete exc. as below. LME.

2 Friendly; done in a friendly spirit, ns.

aminded /aWindid/ pa. pple & ppl adjective. Long dial., now rare. Li6.

C3 1 amicable numbers math. any pair of numbers having the property that each is the sum of the factors of the other, e.g. 220 and 284. 2 Pope Each mild, each amicable guest. P. V. White The most amicable thing about their marriage was their parting.

[from a-4 + MINDED.]

amine /‘eimi:n/ noun. Mi9. [from am(monia + -ine5,]

Any derivative of ammonia in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups. chemistry

amical /'amik(o)l/ adjective. Now rare. Li6. [Latin amicaUs, from amicus: see prec., -al1.]

Friendly.

amino- /o'mLnau, s'mAinsu, ammoo/ combining form. Also as attrib. adjective amino.

amice/'amis/noun1, lme. [medieval Latin amitia, -sia, of obscure formation. Superseding am it noun.]

[from amine + -o-.]

chemistry

A scarf, kerchief, or other loose wrap; spec. (ecclesiastical) a white linen vestment worn by celebrant priests, for¬ merly on the head, now on the neck and shoulders.

acid E20.

acid

aminobenzoic

an

t19. acid,

amino- plastic

noun any synthetic resin made by

aldehyde (esp. formaldehyde) M20.

amino acid /a.mLnau 'asid, a.mAin-/ noun phr. Also aminoacid, amino-acid L19.

1 A cap, hood, hooded cape, or badge of a religious order, made of or lined with grey fur. lme. 12 The fur of the marten or grey squirrel, used for such a garment. M-L16.

[from prec. + acid noun.]

chemistry. An organic compound containing both an amino and a carboxyl group; spec, any of about twenty such compounds which occur widely in living organ¬ isms and are the building blocks of proteins.

amicus curiae /a.niAikas 'kjoarii:/ noun p/ir. PL amici curiae /a'mAisAi/. E17. [mod. Latin = friend of the court.]

amir /a'mLa/ noun. Also ameer. Li6.

MW. A disinterested adviser who assists the court by drawing attention to points that might otherwise fail to be mentioned.

[Persian & Urdu from Arab, 'amir commander, governor, prince, from amara to command. Cf. admiral, emir.)

A title of various Muslim rulers.

amid /o'mid/ adverb & preposition, me.

amirate

■

+ mid adjective.]

noun - emirate M20.

Amish /'amij, 'a:-, 'ei-/ adjective & noun. M19.

►f A adverb. In the middle, in the midst. ME-L16. ► B preposition. 1 lit. In or near the middle or centre of; in the interior of; surrounded by. Now chiefly poet. me. 2 fig. In the middle of (a state or condition); in the course of. lme.

[App. from German amisch, from Jacob Amen or Amman a Swiss Mennonite preacher (fl. end of 17): see -ISH1.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a strict

US Mennonite sect, mi9. ► B noun pi. The members of the Amish sect. Li 9.

til 1 Longfellow Like Ruth amid the golden com. J. S. Blackie A certain part of his work .. must be done amid books. 2 Tolkien It was not easy to get any clear account out of him, amid his mumblings and squeakings, and the fre¬ quent interruptions. K. Amis Mr. Parry sat rock-like amid the storm of introductions.

amiss /a'nns/ adverb, pred. adjective, & noun. me. [Old Norse a mis so as to miss or not to meet, from a on + mis rel. to Miss verb1.] ► A adverb & pred. adjective. Out of order; astray awry; erro¬

neously); defective(ly); wrong(ly); inappropriate(ly). me.

Amidah /a'mLda/noun. L19. [Post-biblical Hebrew 'amidah, lit. 'standing'.]

jUDAiSM. A prayer, part of the Jewish liturgy, consisting of a varying number of blessings recited by worshippers while standing.

CO Caxton Our Archyers shet neuer arowe amys. S. Johnson It is good to speak dubiously about futurity. It is likewise not amiss to hope. H. Martineau Apt to see wrong and speak amiss. D. H. Lawrence Ursula wondered if some¬ thing was amiss, and if the wedding would yet all go wrong. S. J. Perelman Slight dizzy spell this afternoon ... I wonder if anything could be amiss with my hearing,

amide/'enriAid, 'amAid/noun. M19.

take amiss:

tammodyte noun. Ei7. [Latin ammodytes from Greek ammodutes sand-burrower, from ammos sand + duein to dive.] 1 A southern European venomous snake, the sandnatter (Vipera ammodytes). E17-L18. 2 A sand eel. (Ammodytes is a genus of sand eels.) L17-M19. 9 The mod. Latin generic and specific names remain current.

►JB noun. An error, a fault, a misdeed. L15-L17.

atom is replaced by an acid radical (orig. by any radical) or a metal. In organic chemistry, any compound containing the group -CO-NH, (which may be further substituted); also acid amide. Cf. amine.

amissible /a'misibfajl/ adjective. L17. [ecclesiastical Latin amissibilis, from amiss- pa. ppl stem of amittere verb: see -ible. Cf. earlier inamissible.]

am it

Liable to be lost.

■ amidated /'amideitid/ ppl adjective (now rare or obsolete) con¬ verted into an amide M19. a'midic adjective L19. famidogen noun the radical NH, M-L19.

■

amissi bility noun

(rare) M17.

amissing /a'misir]/ ppl adjective. Chiefly Scot. Li6. [from

tamidine noun1. Also -in. M-L19.

A

preposition' 8 +

missing

ppiadjective: cf. awantinc.]

Missing, wanting.

[from Latin amylum starch + -IN1, -ine5.] chemistry. The soluble matter in starch granules; dis¬

Jamission noun, lme-mis. [Old & mod. French, or Latin amissio(n-), from amiss-: see

solved starch.

AMISSIBLE, -ION.]

Loss, a loss.

amidine /'amidi:n/ noun2. L19. [from amid(e + -ine5.] chemistry. Any compound

containing the ■C(NH,)NH, or a substituted derivative of this.

Jamitnoun. ME-E19.

group

[Old French (mod. amict): = amice noun1.

amido- /a'mAidou/ combining form of amide (orig. = amino-): see -o-. Also as attrib. adjective amido. Mi9.

[Latin amittere, formed as A-6 + mittere send.]

Lose.

[from A preposition11 + midships noun.]

amitotic/eimAi'tDtik, am-/ adjective. L19.

In or into the middle of a ship; fig. in or into the middle.

[from a-10 + mitotic.]

Pertaining to or designating the division of a cell nucleus without mitosis. biology.

amidst /a'midst/ preposition & adverb, me.

■ amitosis noun. pi. -toses amitotically adverb L19

[from amid + -s3 +1 as in against, amongst, etc.] ► A preposition. 1 lit. = amid preposition 1. me. 2 fig. = amid preposition 2. lme. ► B adverb. = amid adverb (Foil, by of.) arch. lme.

[from ami(no- + tri- + heJptvl + -ine5.]

A tricyclic antidepressant and sedative drug, C20HmN, given usu. as the hydrochloride. pharmacology.

[Spanish.]

A friend, a comrade: freq. as a form of address.

amity/'amiti/noun. lme. [Old 8, mod. French amitte. ult. from Latin amicus friend: see -ity.] sing. & (arch.) in pi. Friendship; friendly relations, esp. of a

amil /'a:mil/ noun. Now Hist. Also aum- /'o:m-/. mis. (Urdu & Arab, ’amil operator, agent, from ’amila do: see next.]

public character between States or individuals.

= next. sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

/-'taosiiz/, amitotic division L19.

amitriptyline /ami'triptilLn/ noun. M20.

amigo /s'mkgau/ noun, colloq. (chiefly US). PI. -os. Mi9.

1

see amice noun1.]

famit verb trans. & intrans. foil, by of. Infl. -tt-. E16-M19.

amidships /a'midjips/ adverb. Also *-ship. Li7.

0:

ammonal /'amanfrll/ noun. E20. [from ammon(ium + al(uminium.] A high explosive consisting chiefly of ammonium nitrate, with some powdered aluminium and occas. other ingredients. ammonia/a’maunia/noun. Li8. [mod. Latin, from saiammontanissal ammoniac: see next, -ia1.] A colourless pungent gas, NH3, which is extremely soluble in water giving a strongly alkaline solution; an aqueous solution of this gas. ■ ammoniate verb trans. treat with ammonia (chiefly as ammoniated ppl adjective) E19.

ammoniac /o'mounrak/ adjective & noun. Also as noun in Latin form -iacum /-iakam/; farm-, me. [Old French armoniac (14), amm- (15) from Latin ammoniacus, -um from Greek ammbniakos, -on of Ammon, used as noun for the salt and the gum, which were said to be obtained (the former from camel dung) from near the temple of Jupiter Ammon, Siwa, Egypt.] ► A adjective. 1 sal ammoniac, ammonium chloride, a hard white crystalline salt. me. 2 gum ammoniac, a bitter, odoriferous gum resin obtained from certain N. African or Asian umbelliferous plants, and having some medicinal use; esp. that from Dorema ammoniacum, native to Persia, lme. 3 Ammoniacal. Now rare or obsolete. M17. ► B noun. Gum ammoniac, lme. ammoniacal /am3(u)'nAi3k(3)L/ adjective, mis. [from prec. + -al1.] Of the nature of or containing ammonia, ammoniacum noun see ammoniac. ammonification /s.msumfi’keijfrin/ noun. Li9.

now esp. take offence at.

[from am(monia + -IDE.] chemistry. A derivative of ammonia in which a hydrogen

a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her.

glycine

add,

ammocoete 'amousLt/ noun. M19. [mod. Latin Ammocoetes, from Greek ammos sand + koite bed.] The larva of a lamprey (orig. believed to be a distinct creature and given its own genus, Ammocoetes).

copolymerizing urea, melamine, or a related compound with an

[Old French aumusse from medieval Latin almucia, -turn, of unkn. origin.]

1

designating the

NH2-C6H4-COOH, with three isomers, one of which is anthranilic

amice /'amis/ noun2, lme.

[from a preposition'

Designating or containing the group -NH2.

aminoa'cetic adjective aminoben'zoic adjective: ■

ammine/’ami:n/noun. L19. [from amm(onia + -ine5.] chemistry. A coordination compound of ammonia with a metal. ammo /'amau/ noun, colloq. E20. [Abbreviation of ammunition: see -o.] Ammunition, esp. for small arms.

Minded, disposed, inclined.

■ amica bility noun the quality of being amicable M17. amicableness noun M17. amicably adverb lme.

ammeter/’amito/noun. L19. [from am(pere + -meter.] An instrument for measuring electrical current, esp. in amperes.

saw. a run, o put. u: too, a ago, aj my, au how, ei day.

(from AMMONIA + -FICATION.]

The production of ammonia or ammonium com¬ pounds, esp. by micro-organisms; treatment with or con¬ version into ammonia. ■ a mmonify verb trans. (freq. as ammonifying ppl adjective) E20.

ammonio- /s'msomsu/ combining form. [from ammonium: see -o-J Indicating the presence of the ammonium ion (esp. in names of minerals). ammonite/’amsnAit/noun. mis. [mod. Latin ammonites, from medieval Latin cornu Ammonis horn of Ammon, name given to these fossils from their supposed resent biance to the involuted horn of Jupiter Ammon: see -ite1.] palaeontology Any of numerous fossil cephalopods of the order Ammonoidea, which have a chambered shell usu. coiled into a plane spiral, and occur mainly in Mesozoic rocks.

■ ammonitic adjective pertaining to or characteristic of ammonites; (of shell suture lines) highly convoluted: Mi9. ammoni tiferous adjective containing ammonites MI9 ammonoid noun any fossil cephalopod belonging to Ammonoidea, which comprises the ammonites and similar forms Mi9.

ammonium/s'maoniam/noun. E19. [from ammonia + -IUM.[

chemistry The ion NH„', which occurs in the salts formed

by ammonia and in ammonia solutions. ammunition /amjo'mjfain/ noun & verb. Li6. [French fam(m)unition, from division of la munition the munition as I'amunitton.] ► A noun. 1 Military stores or supplies, formerly of all kinds, now restricted to projectiles (bullets, shells, gren¬ ades, etc.) and propellants (powder etc.). L16. 2 fig. Facts, arguments, etc., used in attack or defence. M17. ► B verb trans. Supply with ammunition. Chiefly as ammunitioned ppl adjective. M17. no. s: hair, ra near. 01 boy, os poor, via tire, aos sour

70

amnesia | amount amnesia /am'nkzja/ noun. lis. [Creek amnesia forgetfulness.]

Loss of memory.

■ amnesiac noun a person suffering from amnesia E20. amnesic adjective Mi9. amnestic adjective & noun (a) adjective per¬ taining to. suffering from, or characterized by amnesia; (b) noun an amnesiac: 119.

amnesty /'amnisti/ noun & verb. Li6. [French famnestie (now -tstie) or Latin amnestia from Greek amnestia forgetfulness: cf. prec.] ► A noun. An act of forgetfulness; an intentional over¬

looking; a general pardon, esp. for a political offence. 116. Amnesty International an organization upholding and cam¬ paigning for the human rights of prisoners of conscience. ► B verb trans. Give an amnesty to. E19.

amnio /‘amniso/ noun, colloq. PI. -os. L20. [Abbreviation.]

An amniocentesis. amnio- /'amniao/ combining form of amnion: see -o-. ■ amniocentesis /-sen'tiisis/ noun. pi. -teses /-'ti:si:z/, [Greek kentesis pricking, from kentein prick] medicine the sampling of amniotic fluid during pregnancy by insertion of a hollow needle into the uterus M20. amni 'otomy noun (medicine) rupture of the foetal membranes in order to induce birth M20.

amnion "amman/noun. PI. -nia /-nra/, -nions. Mi7. [Greek = caul, dim. of amnos lamb.]

An inner membrane that forms round a developing foetus in mammals, birds, and reptiles. ■ Also famnios noun M17-M19.

amniotic/amm'Dtik/adjective. Ei9. [Irreg. from amnios + -otic, perh. through French amniotique. Cl. chaos, chaotic.] anatomy. Of or pertaining to the amnion, amniotic cavity the fluid-filled cavity inside the amnion, in which the foetus develops, amniotic fluid the fluid contained in the amniotic cavity. ■ amniote noun & adjective (designating or pertaining to) any animal whose embryo develops within an amnion and chorion and possesses an allantois, i.e. a mammal, bird, or reptile L19.

amoeba /a'muba/ noun. Also *ameba PI. -bas. -bae/-bi:/. M19. [mod. Latin from Greek amoibe change, alternation.]

A single-celled aquatic protozoan, characterized by a constantly changing shape. ■ amoe biasis noun, pi. -ases /-asi:z/, medicine infection with amoebas, esp. as causing dysentery E20. amoebicide noun a sub¬ stance that kills amoebas E20. amoebiform adjective resembling an amoeba M19. amoebocyte noun a cell resembling an amoeba, esp. a leucocyte in some invertebrates Li9 amoeboid adjective resembling or characteristic of an amoeba Mi 9.

amoebean /amifbkan/ adjective. Also -baean. *ameb-. M17. [from Latin amor barns from Greek amoibaios interchanging + -an. Cf. prec.]

Esp. of verse dialogue: alternately answering; respon¬ sive. amoebic /a'mkbik/ adjective. Also ‘amebic. L19. [from amoeba + -1C.]

Pertaining to, of the nature of, or caused by an amoeba or amoebas. amok /a'mDk/ adjective, noun, & adverb. Also amuck /a'mAk/, (earliest) tam(o)uco, pi. -os. E16. [(Portuguese am(o)uco from) Malay amuk fighting furiously, in a homicidal frenzy. See also muck noun ] ►t A adjective. In a homicidal frenzy, rare. Only in E16. ► B noun. 1 A Malay in a homicidal frenzy. M17. 2 A homicidal frenzy; an act of running amok. M19. ► C adverb, run amok, run about in a frenzied thirst for

blood; go on a destructive rampage; rush wildly and heedlessly. L17. amole /s'mDuli/ noun. Mi9. [Mexican Spanish.]

The root of any of several plants of Mexico and the southern US, used as a detergent; any of these plants, esp. the soap-plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, and the lechuguilla, Agave lecheguilla. amomum /D'mDomsm/noun. lme. [Latin name of some aromatic shrub, from Greek amomon.]

An aromatic plant belonging to the genus Amomum , of the ginger family.

1

The name was used orig.'for a variety of spice plants, the amomum of the ancients being of uncertain identity. The genus Amomum has also been reduced: it formerly included all cardamoms (most now Elettaria) and grains of Paradise (now Aframomum).

►b Through the assemblage of; through the midst of. M19. -f 2 During; in the course of. OE-L17. 3 In company or association with; in the house, city, country, etc., of. me. 4 In the number or class of; in comparison with. me. 5 In the general practice or views of; with or by gener¬ ally. ME. 6 Divided between, to be shared by, (collectively or distributively); in portions to each of. me. 7 By the joint action of. me. 8 As a reciprocal action of. me. £3 1 Sir W. Scott Among the bubbling blood. Longfellow He saw once more his dark-eyed queen Among her children stand. Yeats And saplings root among the broken stone. D. du Maurier If I heard it, even among a thousand others, I should recognise her voice. Day Lewis There is a screech from amongthe gooseberry bushes, i among the hands of under the charge of, while being attended by. b E. Waugh Sauntering and skipping among the trim gravel walks. G. Greene Picking among the dry seaweed for cigarette ends. S. Hill Colds spread like a forest fire among the old. 2 Caxton Saynt ambrose.. gaue up his ghoost emonge the wordes of his prayers. 3 G. Crabbe Susan.. had some pride Among our topmost people to preside. Scott Fitzgerald It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard-drinking people. 4 Trevisa Amonge all elementes water is prouffytablest. Ld Berners Your folkes haue brent my house, the whiche I loued among all other. W. Stevens Among the old men that you know, There is one, unnamed, that broods On all the rest. 5 Addison I pass among some for a disaffected Person. J. Bowen Among the criminal classes, the word 'bird'.. is used to mean lady friend' and also a stretch in prison. J. G. Farrell With a reputation among the young men of that circle. 6 OED That leaves five shillings among us. M. McCarthy She was one of many readers he had to distrib¬ ute manuscripts among. 7 Shakes. Much Ado You have among you kill’d a sweet and innocent lady. 8 E. O’Neill The three girls .. stand around the entrance to the bar, chat¬ ting excitedly among themselves.

►t B adverb. 1 Meanwhile, at the same time. ME-L16. 2 From time to time, now and then. ME-E17. 3 Together, along with something else. Only in E17. against, amidst, etc.]

= among preposition. amontillado /amDntiTirdao, -Tja:-/ noun. Also A-. PL -os. E19. [Spanish, from Montilla.]

Montilla a town in southern Spain + -ado i. Cf.

Formerly, a wine of the sherry type produced in Montilla. Now, a medium sherry of a matured type. Also, a drink or glass of either of these wines. amora /D'mons/ noun. PI. -im /-im/. eis. [Hebrew

’amora. interpreter from Aramaic ’amora.]

Jewish history. Any of the religious teachers in the 3rd to 5th cents, who expounded the Mishnah and thus con¬ tributed to the completion of the Gemara. ■ amoraic /amo:'renk/ adjective of or pertaining to the amoraim E20.

amoral /ei'mDr(a)l/ adjective. Li9.

[Old English on(ge)mang, -mong, from on preposition (see a preposition' 6) + gemang mono noun1.] ► A preposition. 1 With noun pi: in the assemblage of, sur¬ rounded by and grouped with. With noun sing. (exc. collect, now chiefly Scot. & Anglo-Irish): surrounded by the separate

members, components, or particles of; amid. oe. b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, I leg, m

[Old French (mod. ammreux) from medieval Latin amorosus, from Latin amor love: see -ous.[ 1 Habitually inclined to (esp. sexual) love. me. 2 In love, enamoured. (Foil, by of, ton.) me. 3 Showing (esp. sexual) love; loving, lme. 4 Of or pertaining to (esp. sexual) love. lme. f5 Lovable; lovely. LME-E17. ■ amo rosity noun love, fondness lme. amorously adverb lme. amorousness noun lme.

amorphism /a'moTizfslm/ noun. Mi9. [from Greek amorphos amorphous + -ism.) Absence of regular form; amorphous quality. ■ Also amorphy noun (rare) E18.

amorphous/a'moffas/ adjective, mis. [mod. Latin amorphus from Greek amorphos, formed as a-10 + morphe shape: see -ous.J

1 Having no determinate shape or structure; shape¬ less; unorganized. M18. 2 chemistry & mineralogy. Of a solid: not crystalline, or not apparently so. E19. £□ 2 J. J. Lagowski The so-called amorphous forms of carbon.. are actually composed of microcrystals. ■ amorphousness noun L19.

amort /s'mxl/ adverb & pred. adjective, arch. Li6. [Misconstruction of French a la mort alamort as all + amort.] Orig. & chiefly in all amort. As dead; lifeless, inanimate; spiritless, dejected. amortise /o'moriArz/ verb trans. Also -ize. lme. [Old French amortiss- lengthened stem of amortir ult. from Latin

ad- + mort-, mors death. The spelling -ize is due to medieval Latin -[1 Deaden; destroy. LME-M17. 2 Hist. Transfer (property) to a corporation in mort¬ main. LME. 3 Extinguish or wipe out (a debt etc.), usu. by means of a sinking fund; gradually write off the initial cost of (assets). L19. ■ amortisable trzab(a)l/ adjective extinguishable as a liability L19. amorti sation noun M17. amortisement -tizm(a)nt/ noun = AMORTISATION LME.

amosite /'eimasAit, 'am-/ noun. E20. [from initial letters of Asbestos Mines of South Africa + -ite1.] mineralogy. An iron-rich amphibole asbestos, mined in

South Africa. amotion /s'msujfajn/ noun. arch. lme. [Latin amotio(n-), from amot- pa. ppl stem of amovere amove verb2: see -ion.)

1 Removal, esp. of a person from office; ousting, lme. 2 Deprivation ofpossession. M17.

[from a-10 + moral adjective.]

Unconcerned with or outside morality; non-moral. ■ amoralism noun the practice of disregarding morality E20. amoralist noun E20. amoTaiity noun amoral quality E20.

tamoretnoun. lme. [Old French amoret(te) (mod. amourette Latin amor love: see -et', -ette.]

1 2 3 4

noun) dim. of amor from

A sweetheart; a lover, lme-lis. A love-knot. Only in lme. A love-sonnet or-song. Only in Li 6. In pi. Amorous glances; dalliances. L16-M17.

amoretto /ama'retao, foreign amo'retto/ noun. PI. -tti /-t(t)i/, -tto(e)s /-tauz/. Li6. [Italian, dim. of amore iove.[

[Italian, dim. of amore love.]

= AMORETTO 2. amorist /'amarist/ noun. Li6. amor or French amour love + -1ST.]

1 A person who avows (esp. sexual) love. Li6. 2 A person who writes about love. M17. Amorite /'amsrAit/ noun & adjective. Mi6. ► A noun. A member of any of a group of Semitic tribes whose semi-nomadic culture flourished in Mesopota¬ mia, Palestine, and Syria in the third millennium bc and who are described in biblical texts as inhabiting the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites; the lan¬ guage of these people, mi 6. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Amorites or their lan¬ guage. L19. man,

n no,

p pen. r red, s sit,

tamouco adjective, noun, & adverb see amok. amount /D'maunt/ noun. Ei8. [from the verb.]

1 The total to which anything amounts; the total quan¬ tity or number. El 8. >b spec. The sum of the principal and interest on a loan. L18. 2 fig. The full value, effect, significance, etc. Now rare. 3 A quantity or sum viewed as the total reached, mi9.

amorino /ama'n-.nou, foreign amo'ri:no/ noun. PI. -ni /-ni/, -nos. M19.

[from Latin

amotivational /,eimDuti'veiJ(3)nal/ adjective. M20. [from a-10 + motivational.] psychiatry. Characterized by lack of motivation or goals. Freq. in amotivational syndrome.

mis.

T1 = AMORETl, 3. L16-E18. 2 A Cupid. El 7.

[from Hebrew 'emori from Akkadian ’amurra + -ite'.[

among /a'niAij/ preposition & adverb. Also (obsolete exc. north.) amang; femong

amorous /'amfajras/ adjective, me.

amortizare.]

amongst /a'mAgst/ preposition, me. [from prec. + -s3 +1 as in

amoroso /ama'rauzao/ noun, adverb, & adjective. Ei7. [Spanish & Italian from medieval Latin amorosus amorous.] ► A noun. PI. -si /-si/, -sos. |1 A lover; a gallant. E17-E19. 2 A type of sweetened oloroso sherry. Ll 9. ► B adverb & adjective, music. (A direction:) tender(ly). lis.

t top, wan, w we. z zoo,

d 2 J. Lingard What the real amount of that statement may be. 3 E. A. Freeman The amount of resistance which William met with. W. S. Maugham I knew a certain amount of French before. E. Bowen Quite an amount of people . have genuinely no idea who I am. A. Lurie Probably the stuff is harmless in small amounts, but what is a small amount? any amount of colloq. a great quantity of. no amount of colloq. not even the greatest possible amount of.

amount /a'maunt/ verb. me. [Old French amunter, amo(u)nter, from amont upward from Latin ad montem: see ad-, mount noun'.)

11 verb intrans. Go up, ascend, mount. ME-M17. 12 verb intrans. Mount up, increase. ME-E18. 3 verbf trans. & intrans. with to. Be equivalent in total to (a specified number or quantity), me. 4 verbjtrons. & intrans. with to. Be equivalent to in signifi¬ cance etc. ME. f 5 verb intrans. Arise from addition; result, mi 6-mi 7. f6 verb trans. Cause to rise; elevate. M16-M17. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

■J ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

71

amour j amphitheatre H3 3 Shakes. Com. Err. Which doth amount to three odd ducats more Than I stand debted to this gentleman. 4 D. H. Lawrence There was a strange freedom, that almost amounted to anarchy, in the house. Stevie Smith Although I collect facts I do not always know what they amount / to. P. Nichols We'd gathered that she wasn't ever going to amount to much.

amour /a'mua, foreign amu:r/ noun.

me. [Old & mod. French from Latin amor love. rel. to amare to love.] 1 Love; affection. Now rare exc. in amour courtois, AMOUR PROPRE. ME. f2 In pi. Sexual or romantic love, lme-eis. 3 A love affair, esp. a secret one. L16. £3 1 K . Amis Now and then an ill-printed book. Letters in female hands: the thin Detritus of amour. 3 Dryden Intrigue, that's an old phrase; I have laid that word by: amour sounds better. J. Barth My high-school amours were limited to hot, open-mouthed kisses and much risque con¬ versation.

amour courtois ,amu:r kurtwa/ noun phr. L19. [French.] = courtly love s.v. courtly adjective. amourette /amua'rrt; foreign amurst (pi. same)/ noun. E19. [French: see amoret.] 1 A brief or unimportant love affair. E19. 2 = AMORETTO 2. M19.

amour fou /amua '(u:, foreign amur fu/ noun phr. L20. [French, lit. ‘insane love’.] Uncontrollable or obsessive infatuation or passion.

amour propre I,amus 'propr(s), foreign amur propr/ noun phr. Also amour-propre. Li 8. [French.] Self-esteem; vanity.

tamove verb1.

Long dial. Also ameve. me. [Old French ameuv- tonic stem of amo(u)voir, from a AD- + moveir move verb] cf. medieval Latin admovere, amm-. App. infl. by Old French esmo[u)voir (see emove).] 1 verb trans. Set in motion; stir up; rouse; esp. move the feelings of. ME-L19. 2 verb intrans. Be roused or moved, me-lis.

tamove verb2 trans.

lme. [Old French amover or Latin amovere, from a ab- + movere move.] 1 Remove from a position; dismiss (a person) from an office. LME-L19. 2 Remove, put away, (things immaterial). M16-M17.

ampersand /'amposand, noun. M19. [Alt. of '& per se (i.e. by itself) and', the old way of naming and explaining the character.] The sign & (= and, Latin et).

amphetamine /am'fetamLn/ noun. M20. [from olpha-methyl-phenethylomine.]

A synthetic drug, C6H5CH2CH(CH3)NH2, used as a decon¬ gestant and central nervous system stimulant; a tablet of an amphetamine salt.

[Greek.]

Both, of both kinds, about, around. ■ amphiar throdlal adjective (AMAroiWY) of or pertaining to amphiarthrosis M19. amphiar'throsis noun, pi. -throses /-’0raosi:z/, anatomy a form of joint which allows limited move¬ ment, the bones being joined by fibrous tissue, fibrocartilage, or hyaline cartilage Mis. amphiarthrotic adjective amph 1 arthrodial M20. amphi coelous adjective {anatomy S, zoology) (esp. of vertebral centra) concave on both sides M19. amphi diploid adjective & noun (genetics) = allotetrapioid M20. amphi diploldy noun (genetics) = allotetraploidy M20. amphi dromic adjective designating a point in a system of tides where the tidal range is zero E20. amphi pathic. amphi philic adjectives (chemistry) having both a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part; consisting of such molecules: M20. amphiprotic adjective (chemistry) (of a solvent) able both to accept and to donate protons M20.

amphibia noun pi. see amphibium. amphibian /am'fibran/ adjective & noun. M17. [from amphibium + -an.]

► A adjective. 1 Of double or doubtful nature, rare, mi 7. 2 Of or pertaining to the Amphibia. Mi9. 3 Of a vehicle or other conveyance: able to operate both on land and water. E20. B3 1 A. Tate Mr. Eliot is amphibian and, if‘neither living or dead', is likewise neither American nor English: he is both. 3 H. G. Wells Enormous amphibian tanks crawl up out of the water. M. Innes An amphibian plane could come and go in darkness.

► B noun. 1 An animal belonging to the class Amphibia. M19.

2 A person having a double nature or mode of exist¬ ence. E20. 3 A vehicle or other conveyance able to operate both on land and on water. E20. £G 1 fig.: C. Sarton The Greeks were.. restless amphibians sailing across the Mediterranean or caravaning across foreign lands.

amoxycillin /amoksi'silin/ noun.

L20. [from am(ino- + oxy- + penicillin, elems. of the chemical name.] pharmacology. A broad-spectrum synthetic penicillin, closely related to ampicillin and with similar properties but better absorbed when taken orally.

Amoy /s'moil adjective & noun.

Mi9. [The conventional western name for the island of Xiamen (see below).] (Designating, of, or pertaining to) the form of Chinese of the Min group spoken by the people of Xiamen in Fujian province, China.

AMP abbreviation.

amphibious /am'fibras/ adjective. M17. [from next + -ous.]

1 Living both on land and in water. M17. 2 Of, pertaining to, or suited for both land and water; (ofavehicleetc.) = AMPHiBiAN0c/jert/Ve3.Mi7. fb spec. Ofa military operation: involving cooperation of sea, land, and air forces. Of forces; trained for such operations. M20. 3 Occupying two positions; having a double nature or mode of existence. M17. £Q 2 R. Campbell Since half the country consists of water and reeds, everybody leads an amphibious life.

Adenosine monophosphate. amp /amp/ noun', colloq. L19. [Abbreviation.] = AMPERE. amp /amp/ noun2, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation.] = AMPLIFIER 2. Ampakine/'ampakAin/noun. L20. [from AMPA an acronym denoting certain receptors in the brain (from alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) + -lane (from Creek kinem to move).] pharmacology. (US proprietary name for) any of a class of organic compounds, including benzoyl piperidines and pyrrolidines, which enhance synaptic transmission in the brain and appear to improve memory and learning capacity. ampelopsis /ampi'lDpsis/ noun. PI. same. Ei9. [mod. Latin, from Creek ampelos vine + apsis appearance.] A climbing plant of the genus Ampelopsis. belonging to the vine family. amper /'ampa/noun. Long dial. oe. [Origin unkn.: cf. anbury.] A tumour, a swelling; a varicose vein. ampere /'ampe:/ noun. L19. [from Andre-Marie Ampere (1775-1836), French physicist.] A unit of electric current (now a base unit in the SI) equal to a flow of one coulomb per second. (Symbol A.) Comb., ampere-hour a quantity of electricity equivalent to a current of one ampere flowing for one hour; ampere-turn a unit of magnetomotive force when expressed as the product of the number of turns in a coil and the current in amperes flowing through it. ■ amperage /'ampiaindy noun the strength of an electric current measured in amperes; the rated current of a fuse or other electrical component: L19. a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

A proprietary name for this drug is Benzedrine.

5

amphi- /'amfi/ combining form.

amphibium /am'fibiam/ noun. PI. -bia /-bia/, (in branch I) -biums. E17. [mod. Latin from Greek amphibion use as noun of neut. of adjec¬ tive amphibios, from amphi- + bios life.]

► I 1 A creature that lives both in water and on land. E17.

2 fig. A being that has an ambiguous position or a double existence. M17. ► II In pi. only, zoology. Also A-. 3 a Hist. The reptiles, including mod. Amphibia (Lin¬ naeus). mis. kb A class of vertebrates, including frogs, newts, salamanders, etc., which as adults are airbreathing and mainly terrestrial, but whose young have gills and are aquatic. E19. amphibole /'amfibaul/ noun. Ei7. [French (both senses) from Latin amphibolus ambiguous from Greek amphibolos, from amphi- + baUein to throw.] fl = AMPHIBOLOGY 1. E-M17. 2 mineralogy. Orig., hornblende. Now, any of a large class

of silicate and aluminosilicate rock-forming minerals which form fibrous or columnar crystals (they are char¬ acterized by a crystal structure based on cross-linked double chains of Si04 tetrahedra). E19. amphibolic /amffbnlik/ adjective. E19. [from prec. or amphiboly + -ic.] 1 geology. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of amphi¬

bole. E19. 2 Ambiguous, equivocal, rare. L19. amphibolite /am'fibalAit/ noun. Ei9. [from amphibole + -ite'.] geology. A metamorphic rock consisting chiefly of horn¬

blende and plagioclase. : saw,

A

run, u put, u: too,

3

ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

■

amphibo litic adjective

E20.

amphibology /amffbDladsi/ noun. Also in Latin form t-gia. lme. [Old & mod, French amphibologie from late Latin amphibologia for classical Latin ampinbolia amphiboly: see -ology.] 1 An ambiguity; a quibble, lme.

2 Ambiguous wording; equivocation. L16. ■ am phibo logical adjective ambiguous, quibbling L16.

amphiboly/am'fibali/noun. Li6. [Latin amphibotia: see amphibole, -y3. Cf. French amphibotte.] 1 = AMPHIBOLOGY 2. L16. 2 = AMPHIBOLOGY 1. E17.

amphibrach /'amfibrak/ noun. Orig. in Latin form t-chus. t-chys L16. [Latin amphibrachys (later -us) from Greek amphibrakhus short at both ends, formed as amphi- + brakhus short.] prosody (orig. classical prosody). A foot consisting of one

long syllable between two short syllables or (in English etc.) one stressed syllable between two unstressed syl¬ lables. ■ amphi brachic adjective E19.

amphictyon /am'fiktisn/ noun. Also -ion; (greek history) A-. LI 6. [Greek amphiktuones pi. (orig. -ion-) dwellers around from ktizeinto found: see amphi-.]

A delegate to an amphictyonic council, orig. and esp. that of ancient Greece. Usu. in pi. m amphictyonic adjective of or pertaining to an amphictyony Mis. amphictyony noun an association ofStates for the common interest, orig. and esp. in ancient Greece m 19.

amphigouri /amfi'guari/ / amfiyori. E19.

noun.

Also

amphigory

[French, app. a learned (joc.) formation from Greek allegorie allegory.]

amphi-

+

A nonsensical burlesque composition; a piece of nonsense-verse. amphilogy /am'fibd3i/ noun. rare. lme. [Greek amphdogia dispute, from amphilogos disputed, uncertain: see amphi-, -ology.)

Ambiguity, equivocation. amphimacer /atn'fimasa/ noun. Li6. [Latin amphimacrus from Greek amphimakros long at both ends, formed as amphi- + makros long.] classical prosody. A foot consisting of one short syllable between two long syllables (= cretic noun). Occas. transf., a

foot consisting of one unstressed syllable between two stressed syllables. amphioxus /amfi’Dksas/ noun. PI. -oxi /-'Dksxi/. M19. [mod. Latin, from Greek amphi- + 0x11s sharp.]

A lancelet of the genus Branchiostoma (formerly Amphioxus). amphipod /‘amfipod/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [from mod. Latin amphipoda (sc. animalia), from Greek amphi- + -POD.]

(A crustacean) of the largely marine order Amphipoda, members of which, e.g. sand-hoppers, have seven pairs of thoracic legs, some specialized for feeding and others for swimming. Cf. isopod. amphiprostyle /am'fiprastAil/ noun & adjective, eis. [Latin amphiprostylus from Greek amphiprostulos, formed as AMPHI-+ PROSTYLE.]

architecture. (A building, esp. a temple) with a portico at

each end, amphisbaena /amfis'bkna/ noun. lme. [Latin (Piiny) from Greek amphisbaina. from amphis both ways, + baineih go, walk.]

amphi-

1 A fabled serpent with a head at each end and able to move in either direction, lme. 2 A wormlike burrowing lizard of the genus Amphisbaena. Mi9.

■ amphisbaenian adjective & noun (being or pertaining to) a reptile of the kind typified by Amphisbaena Mi9. amphisbaenid noun = amphisbaenian noun L19.

Amphiscii /am'fifiAi/ noun pi. arch. Ei7. [medieval Latin from Greek amphiskioi, formed as shadow.]

amphi-

+ skia

The inhabitants of the tropics (whose shadows at one time fall northward, at another southward). ■ Also Amphiscians noun pi. {arch.)

E17.

amphitheatre 'amfiBLato/ noun. Also “-theater, lme. [Latin amphitheatrum from Greek amphitheatron, formed as + theatre. Cf. French amphitheatre.] 1 An oval or circular building with seats rising in tiers around a central open space, lme. AMPHI-

j-2 A joined pair of theatres. E-M17. 3 The scene ofa contest. M17. 14 The surrounding scene. M17-E18. 5 A piece of level ground surrounded naturally by rising slopes; a large circular hollow. Li8. no. e: hair, 1.1 near, di boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour

72

Amphitryon | amygdale 6 A semicircular rising gallery in a theatre. Mi9. ■ amphithe atric adjective = amph(theatrical eit. amphithe'atrical adjective of, pertaining to. or resembling an amphitheatre Li6. amphithe'atrically adverb eis.

[A character in Moliere’s play Amphitryon.]

A host at dinner. amphora /'amffyjra/ noun. PI. -rae /-ri:/, -ras. Also tamphore. me. [Latin from Creek amphoreus, or French amphore.]

1 A Greek or Roman two-handled vessel, me. 2 A Greek or Roman liquid measure of varying cap¬ acity. LME.

■ amphoral adjective of pertaining to, or resembling an amphora Mi7. am phoric adjective (medkike) (of respiratory sounds heard in auscultation) suggesting the resonance produced by blowing across the mouth of an amphora M19.

amphoteric /amfs'tErik/ adjective. M19. [from Greek amphoteros compar. of amphb both + -ic.] Acting both ways (rare in gen. sense); spec, in chemistry,

having both acidic and basic properties. amphtrac(k) nouns vars. of amtrac. ampicillin /ampfsilin/ noun. M20. [from

am(ino-

+

p(en)icillin.]

pharmacology. A semisynthetic penicillin used esp.

to treat

infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts. b Having the colour of an angry face, red. rare. M17. 6 Hot-tempered, irritable, arch. lme. 7 Of a wound, sore, etc.: inflamed, smarting. L15. G3 3 Jonson Where it concerns himself, Who's angry at a slander makes it true. H. E. Bates I had never been angry with her before—annoyed sometimes,.. but never more. D. Storey I was angry with him, angry that he should allow me to talk to him like this. C. Hampton I was still very angry about your not letting me stay, angry young man a young man dissatisfied with and outspoken against existing social and political structures, spec, any of several British playwrights and novelists of the 1950s expressing such dissatisfaction. 4 Tennyson A man’s own angry pride Is cap and bells for a fool. 5 Dryden He sheathes his paws, uncurls his angry mane. J. Tyndall Angry masses of cloud. D. du Maurier The angry colour flooded her dead white face. W. Faulkner His face was not grim and neither cold nor angry. B, Malamud He heaved a last angry shovelful into the gutter, b C. Lamb His waistcoat red and angry. 6 N. Rowe Honour, This busie, angry thing, that scatters Discord.

■ Angio-INior manic adjective & noun (now rare) Eis.

Anglist/'arjglist/ noun. L19.

a cat, a: arm, e bed,

anglomanie.]

Excessive admiration for what is English.

Anglicize /'agglisAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. a-, ei8.

[Old French from Latin = a squeeze, a strangling: see -or.] (A feeling of) anguish or constricting pain,

angostura /aggs'stjoaro/ noun. Also -gust-, A-. lis.

[from Anglo- + Irish.]

► A noun. 1 collect. Persons of English descent born or resi¬ dent in Ireland or of mixed English and Irish parentage. L18. 2 The English language as used in Ireland. E20. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Anglo-Irish; of mixed English and Irish parentage, mi9. 2 Of or belonging to both Britain and the Republic of Ireland. E20.

[from medieval Latin Anglicus (see Anglic adjective) + -ism.]

[from

adjective & noun.]

► A noun. 1 Anglicized French. E19. 2 = Anglo-Norman noun 2. E20. ► B adjective. Of or belonging to both England (or Britain) and France. Ml 9.

Jangor noun, ime-mis.

Anglophile/'arigb(u)fAil/ adjective & noun. Also -phil/-fil/. M19. [French, formed

as Anglo- + -phile.]

(A person who is) friendly to England (or Britain) or to what is English (or British). ■ Anglo philia noun friendliness to England (or Britain) L19.

Anglophobia /atjgb(u)'faubi3/ noun. L18. [from Anglo- + -phobia.]

Intense fear or hatred of England (or Britain) or of what is English (or British). ■ 'Angiophobe noun & adjective (a person who is) afraid of or hostile to England (or Britain) or what is English (or British) Mi9. Anglophobic adjective M19.

anglophone /'ai]gl3(u)f3un/ noun & adjective. Also A-. E20. [from Anglo- + Greek phone voice.]

(A person who is) English-speaking. Anglo-Saxon /aggbu'saks(a)n/ noun & adjective. E17. [mod. Latin Anglo-Saxones pl, for medieval Latin Angli Saxones, after Old English Angulseaxe, -seaxan.] ► A noun. I Applied to people.

1 An English Saxon (as distinct from one of the Old Saxons of Continental Europe); a (Germanic) native or inhabitant of England before the Norman Conquest. E17. 2 A person of English (or British) descent wherever found, mi9. ► II Applied to language. 3 The language of England before the Norman Con¬ quest; Old English, Li8. 4 The English language (of any period); colloq. plain, esp. crude, forthright English. N.Amer. M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Anglo-Saxons or their language (Old English); spec, designating, of, or pertain¬ ing to the period between the 5th-cent. conquest of Britain by the Saxons, Jutes, and Angles, and the Norman Conquest. E18. ■ Anglo-Saxondom noun t lie collective body of people of English or British descent M19. fAnglo-Saxonic adjective & noun (of) the Anglo-Saxon language L17-L18. Anglo-Saxonism noun (a) die feeling of identity of Anglo-Saxondom: (b) a word, idiom, etc., deriving from Anglo-Saxon: M19.

angola noun & adjective see angora. Angola

(see below) + -AN.]

(A native or inhabitant) of Angola, a country on the SW coast of Africa. angon "aggon/ noun. Li9. [medieval Latin from Greek aggon.] archaeology. A type of iron spear with a double barb.

her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 3: saw,

A

run, 0 put, u: too, 3 ago,

at

angst /arjst/ noun. E20. [German.] Anxiety, neurotic fear; guilt, remorse.

angstrom /'agstrem/ noun. Also angstrom. A-, A- Li 9. [A. J. Angstrom (1814-74), Swedish physicist.] A unit of length equal to one hundred-millionth of a centimetre; 10 m. Also angstrom unit

Anguillan /an'gwibn/ noun & adjective. M20. [from Anguilla (see below) + -an.] (A native or inhabitant) of the island of Anguilla in the W. Indies.

anguilliform /orfgwilifom/ adjective. L17. [from Latin angmlla eel + -1- + -form.] Eel-shaped; eel-like.

anguine /'arjgwm/ adjective. M17. [Latin anguims, from anguis snake: see -ine' .] Of a snake or serpent; snakelike. ■ an guineous adjective [rare) M17.

anguish /'arjgwiJ/ noun. me. [Old French anguis (mod. cingoisse) from Latin angustio, in pl. straits, distress, from angustus narrow, tight, ult. formed as angere squeeze, strangle: see -ish2. Cf. anger noun, angina, angor.] Severe bodily or mental pain, intense suffering, £Q A. J. Cronin The beauty of the scene appeased the anguish of Iris heart. R. Lehmann When I went to see her after Rickie's death she was in anguish. I. Murdoch My head was heavy with pain and any movement brought twinges of anguish. ■ fanguishous adjective (long dial.) (a) causing anguish; oppressed with anguish; (c) anxious: ME-L19.

(b)

anguish /'aggwij/ verb. me.

Angolan /arfgaubn/ noun & adjective. E17. [from

► B verb trans. Make angry, rare. lme. ■ angrily adverb lme. angriness noun [rare) lme.

my, ao how, ei day,

[Old French anguissier {mod. angoisser) from ecclesiastical Latin angustiare to distress, from Latin angustia: see prec., -ish2.] 1 verb trans. Distress with severe bodily or mental pain. Now chiefly as anguished ppl. adjective, me. 2 verb intrans. Suffer severe bodily or mental pain. Now rare. me. ■ anguished ppl adjective suffering or expressing anguish E17 anguishment noun (rare) severe distress; an affliction: Lie. no, ei hair, ia near, ai boy, ua poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

82

angular | animalize angular /'aggjota/ adjective, lme. (Latin angularis, from angulus ancle noun': see -ar1. Cf. French angulaire.] 1 astrology. Of or pertaining to each of the four houses at

the cardinal points, rare. lme. 2 Constituting an angle, sharp comer, or apex; placed in or at an angle; measured by angle, lis. 3 Having an angle or angles; sharp-cornered. Lie. 4 Having the joints and bony protuberances promin¬ ent; jerky, awkward; lacking suavity, unaccommodat¬ ing. M19. 03 2 angular momentum the quantity of rotation of a body, equal to the product of its moment of inertia and angular velocity, angular velocity rate of change of angular position. 4 |. S. Blackie Their movements were slow, their gesticulations abrupt and angular. Dickens As a particularly angular man, I do not fit smoothly into the social circle. V. Woolf All well grown, angular, ruthless youngsters. ■ angu larity noun (a) the quality or state of being angular, (b) in pi., angular outlines, sharp comers: Mi7. angularly adverb in an angular manner: obliquely, diagonally: LI 5. angulated /'atjgjuleitid/ adjective, lis. [from Latin angulatus pa. pple of angulare, from angular ancle noun2 + -ED1.] Chiefly botany & zooLOcr. Formed with angles or comers. ■ Also angulate adjective M18. angulation /aggo'leiJ(3)n/ noun. Li7. [formed as prec.: see -ation.] f1

An oblique or diagonal movement. Only in L17. 2 Angular or cornered formation or position. Mi9.

spec, (organic chemistry) a compound containing the group COO-CO-. anhydrite /an'hAidrAit/ noun. Ei9. [formed as prec, + -ite1.] mineralogy. Anhydrous calcium sulphate, an orthorhom¬ bic mineral which is an important constituent of many evaporites and other sedimentary deposits. anhydro- /an'hAidrsu/ combining form of next, esp. in names of minerals: see -o-. anhydrous/an'hAidros/ adjective. Ei9. [from Greek anudros waterless, from an-5 + hudr-, hudor water: see -ous] Chiefly chemistry. Lacking water, esp. water of crystal¬

LME.

[from Latin angulosus or French anguleux: see ancle noun2, -ULOUS.]

Having angles or corners; angular. Angus /'aggas/ noun. Mi9. [A district in NW Scotland.]

= Aberdeen Angus s.v. Aberdeen i.

anhypostasia /.anhAipa'steizia/noun. L19. [mod. Latin from Greek anhupostasia unsubstantiality, from an-5 + as hypostasis: see -ia1.] theology. Absence of a substantial or personal existence in the human nature of Christ. ■ anhypostasis /-'pDstasrs/ noun = anhypostasia Mi9. anhypo static adjective having no independent or personal existence M20. anhypo statical adjective = anhypostatic M19. ani/'a:ni/noun. Ei9. [Spanish am 8. Portuguese anum, from Tupi anti.] Any of several glossy black large-billed birds of the genus Crotophaga, of the cuckoo family, found in Central and S. America,

[from an-5 + iconic.)

Of an idol, symbol, etc.: not in human or animal form. Of worship: not involving such idols etc. anicut /'anikAt/ noun. Also ann-. L18. [Tamil anai-kkattu dam-building.] A river-dam in southern India built for irrigation pur¬ poses. anidrosis noun var. of anhidrosis.

angustura noun var. of angostura. angwantibo /orfgwDntibou/noun. PI. -os. M19. [Efik.]

A small rare primate, Arctocebus calabarensis, related to the potto and loris, and native to western central Africa. Also called golden potto anharmonic /anhafniDnik/ adjective. ei9. [from an-5 + harmonic adjective.]

Chiefly physics. Not harmonic. ■ anharmo nicity noun deviation from harmonic behaviour E20. anhedonia /anhi'daoms/ noun. Li9. [French anhedonie, from Greek an-5 + hedone pleasure: see -ia1.] psychiatry. Inability to feel pleasure. ■ anhedonie adjective having little or no capacity to feel pleas¬ ure M20. anhedral /an'hi:dr(3)l, - 'hed-/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from an-5 + -hedral.] ► A adjective. 1 mineralogy. Of a crystal: not having plane

faces. 119. 2 aeronautics. Negatively dihedral. M20. ► B noun, aeronautics. A downward inclination of a wing, tailplane, etc.; negative dihedral. M20. ■ anhedron noun. pi. -dra. -drons. an anhedral crystal 119. anhelation /anhi'leiffajn/ noun. Now rare. Ei7. [French anhelation or Latin anhelatio(n-), from anhelat- pa. ppl stem of anhelare pant: see -ation.]

Shortness of breath, a difficulty with breathing; fig. panting, aspiration (after an object of desire). anhidrosis /anhi'drsosis/ noun. Also ani- /am-/. ii9. [Greek anidrosis, from an-5 + hidros sweat: see -osis.] medicine. Abnormal absence of sweating. ■ anhidrotic adjective & noun characterized by anhidrosis; (a drug) tending to reduce sweating: 119. anhinga /an'higga/ noun. mis. [Portuguese from Tupi ayinga.]

A long-necked fish-eating bird of the genus Anhinga; esp. the snake bird, A anhinga. Cf. darter 4. an-hua /an'hwa:/ noun & adjective. E20. [Chinese anbua, from an obscure + hud flower.]

(Of) a type of decoration of Chinese porcelain or fabrics that is visible only by transmitted light.

anigh /s'nAi/ adverb & preposition, arch. me. [from A-1 + NICH adverb: cf. afar, anear preposition & adverb.] ► A adverb. Near. me. ► B preposition. Near to. L18. 5 Obsofete or rare after lme; re-formed 118. anil /'anil/ noun. L16. [French or Portuguese, from Arab, an-nfl, formed as al-2 + Arab. & Persian ml from Sanskrit mb indigo, from nila dark blue. Cf. nil noun1.] 1 The dye indigo. Li6. f2 The indigo shrub. E18-M18. 3 chemistry. Any imine derived from aniline. Orig. more fully anil-compound. Lt9. anile /'einAil/ adjective. Mi7. [Latin anilis, from anus old woman: see -ile.] Of or like an old woman; imbecile. anilic/a'nilik/ adjective. M19. [from anil+ -ic.[ chemistry, anilic acid, nitrosalicylic acid, indigotic acid.

aniline/'anilirn, -lrn/ noun. M19. [from anil + -INE5: it was orig. prepared by distilling indigo with alkali.]

chemistry. A colourless basic oily liquid, C6H5NH2, that is present in coal tar and was the basis of the earliest syn¬ thetic dyes. attrib. (usu. with ref. to or in names of dyes): aniline black, aniline colour, aniline dye. etc. ■ anilide noun any substituted amide having a phenyl group bonded to the nitrogen atom M19 anilingus/emi'liggas/noun. M20. [from Latin anus + lingere to lick.] Licking or sucking a sexual partner's anus. anility /a'mliti/ noun. E17. [Latin anilitas, formed as anile: see -ity.] Old-womanishness: dotage; (an instance of) foolish¬ ness. anima /'anima/ noun. E20. [Latin = (i) air, breath, life; (ii) mind, soul.] psychoanalysis. The inner self (opp. persona). Also, the source of the feminine component of a personality. Cf. ANIMUS. ? See also anima mundi.

tl Judicial punishment; a penal visitation. M16-M19. 2 Censure, reproof, blame. Li6. 3 A criticism; a (usu. censorious) comment. Li6. 1 4 The action or faculty of observation. E17-L18. J5 A notice, a warning. M17-EI8. man,

n no, p pen,

r red, s sit, t top,

v van, w we,

Oil. Newton The light.. shall in comparison not be strong enough to be animadverted. 2 Henry Fielding Animadvert that you are in the house of a great lady. 3 Pope Your grace very justly animadverts against the too great dis¬ position of finding faults. H. James He.. inclined a critical head to either quarter, and.. animadverted to his compan¬ ion on this passage and that. 4 Jas. Mill It is for the tribunal before which he offends to animadvert upon his conduct. ■ animadverter noun M17. animal ''ammfs)]/ noun & adjective, me. [As adjective from Old & mod. French, or Latin animalis having vital breath, (in medieval Latin) bestial, from anima: see -al1; partly attrib. use of the noun. As noun ult. from Latin animal for animate use as noun of neut. adjective.] ► A noun. A living organism having sensation and volun¬ tary motion, without rigid cell walls, and dependent on organic substances for food; spec, (a) an animal other than a human being; (b) colloq. a land animal as opp. to a fish or a bird; (c) colloq. a four-legged animal as opp., e.g., to an insect or a worm. Also, a brutish person, a person regarded as without human attributes, me. no such animal colloq. no such person orthing. the animal the animal nature in humans. ► B adjective, f 1 Connected with sensation, innervation, or will. LME-L18. 2 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of animals; not intellectual, moral, or spiritual, lme. 3 embryology. Designating or pertaining to that pole of the ovum or embryo that contains the more rapidly div¬ iding cells in the early stages of development. Opp. vegetal, vegetative, mi9. Special collocations-, animal black, animal charcoal charcoal obtained from calcined bones, animal electricity: that gener¬ ated within animals, e.g. as nerve impulses, -[animal flower a sea anemone animal husbandry: see husbandry noun 2. animal kingdom animals collectively, as one of the three (or more) major divisions of the natural world, animal liberation the freeing of animals from exploitation by humans, animal magnetism Hist, mesmerism, animal oil: see on noun, animal rights the natural rights of animals to live a free life, animal spirits t(o) the supposed principle of sensation and voluntary motion; f (b) nerve, physical courage; (c) natural exuberance. ■ ani malic adjective (rare) U7. animally adverb E17. animalcule /am'malkju:l/ noun. Also in Latin form t-culum, pi. -la. L16. [mod. Latin animakulum, dim. of animal: see prec., -cule.] 11 A small or tiny animal, as a mouse or an invertebrate. L16-M19. 2 A microscopic animal. L17. ■ animalcuiar adjective of or pertaining to animalcules M18. animalise verb var. of animalize.

1 Animal activity, physical exercise and enjoyment; sensuality. Mi9.

anhydride /an'hAidrAid/ noun. M19. [formed as anhydrous + -ide.]

b but. d dog, f few, g get. h he. j yes. k cat, 1 leg, r

(against, (up)on). arch. Li 7.

[formed as prec. + -ism.]

animadversion /lanim3d'v3:J'(3)n/ noun. Mi6. [French, or Latin animadversio(n-), from animadvers- pa. ppl stem of animadvertere: see next, -ion.]

fied) by the removal of one or more molecules of water;

against). M17. 4 verb intrans. Pass judgement, take punitive action,

animalism /'anim(3)liz(3)m/ noun. Mi9.

anhungered /sn'hAggsd/adjective. arch. me. [Alt. of ahungered by prefix-substitution.] Famished, hungry; fig. longing (for).

chemistry. A compound derived from an acid (usu. speci¬

animadvert /.ammsd'vsit/ verb. lme. [Latin animadvertere, from animum the mind + advertere advert verb.] 11 verb trans. Pay attention to, observe. LME-L17. 2 verb intrans. Pay attention to; observe, remark, con¬ sider, (that). Mi6. 3 verb intrans. Pass criticism or censure on (occas.

lization. ■ Also anhydric adjective (rare) L19.

aniconic/anAi'kDmk/ adjective. L19. angulous "aggjubs/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. in Diets.

ia. Alison A power whose lightest measure of animad¬ version would be banishment. 2 S. Johnson No weakness of the human mind has more frequently incurred animadver¬ sion. 3 W. Styron His complaints grew louder and his anim¬ adversions more serious and cutting. 4 M. Hale The due animadversion and inspection of their own Minds. J. Glanvill In an infinite Life as God is. there can be no dis¬ traction, his animadversion necessarily being infinite. 5 Clarendon They all knew Caesar's fate, by contemning, or neglecting such animadversions.

2 The doctrine that humans are merely animals. M19. 3 A merely sensual being, rare. Mi9. ■ animalist noun (a) a person who practises or adheres to ani¬ malism; (b) a person who depicts animals; (c) a supporter of animal liberation or animal rights: M19. anima listic adjective Li 9. animality /ani'maliti/ noun. E17. [French animalite: see animal, -ity.] 1 The sum of animal qualities and functions; animal nature; merely animal nature, sensuality. E17. 2 The animal kingdom. li 8. animalize /'amm(3)lAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. E17. [from animal + -ize; partly through French animaliser.] 11 Inspire, actuate, rare. Only in E17.

2 Represent in animal form. mis. 3 Convert to animal substance. L18. 4 Sensualize. E19. ■ animali zation noun mis. z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

8

this,

n ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

83

anima mundi j annals anima mundi / anima 'mAndM, mundi:/ noun phr. Li6. [medieval Latin (Abelard) = soul of the world: app. formed to render Creek psukhe tou tamoti.]

A power supposed to organize the whole universe and to coordinate its parts. [medieval Latin ariimasticus pertaining to the soul, from Latin anima: cf. ONOMASTIC.]

Spiritual (as opp. to material). Also, animate. lme.

[Latin animatus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate2.]

1 Endowed with life, living, lme. 2 Lively; full of activity. E19. 3 grammar. Pertaining to or denoting living beings,

animate /'ammeit/ verb trans.

to inani¬

lis.

1 Breathe life into, quicken, vivify, enliven, lis. ►b Give (a film, cartoon figure, etc.) the appearance of showing movement, by using a quick succession of grad¬ ually varying images. Li9. 2 Fill with boldness, courage, or spirit; excite (a person) to action; inspire, actuate. Mi6. >b Put in motion (a thing), arch. exc. as fig. use of sense 2. mi 7. £□ 1 R. W. Emerson The soul in man is not an organ, but animates and exercises all the organs. O. Henry Then his eyes get animated, and I see he’s got some great scheme in his mind. K. Clark About ten years later this stiff antiquarian style is animated by a turbine of creative energy. 2 Dryden The shouting animates their hearts. Sir W. Scott Desperate men, animated by the presence of two or three of the actors in the primate’s murder. E. H. Gombrich The spirit of cre¬ ative research that animated the young painters of the nine¬ teenth century, b j, Tyndall Motion.. which animates the bullet projected from the gun. ■ animated adjective alive; lively, vivacious: Mi6. animatedly L18. animater noun (rare) M17. animator noun a person who or thing which animates something; cinematography an artist who prepares animated cartoons: Mi6. adverb

/animate,

2 The attribution of a Living soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena. Mi9. animist noun Ei9. ani mistic adjective M19.

animosity /am’mDsiti/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French animosite or late Latin animositas, from animosus spirited, formed as next: see -osity.] 1 Spiritedness, courage. Long rare. dial. lme. 2 A spirit of enmity (against, between, towards). E17. [Latin = spirit, mind.]

[Latin animat- pa. ppl stem of animare give life to, from anima: see -ATE3.]

animateur

1 The doctrine of the anima mundi. mi 9.

animus /'animas/ noun. E19. ei 9

£Q 1 Carlyle That men should have worshipped.. stocks and stones, and all manner of animate and inanimate objects. F. B. Young A shoal of flying-fish Spurts out like animate spray. 2 Southey A courser More animate of eye. Of form more faultless never had he seen. B. England The entire area was animate with dozens of villagers running about in a state of great excitation. 3 J. Lyons Most transitive verbs tend to occur with an animate noun as their subject in active sentences. ■ animatism noun the ascription of psychic qualities mate as well as animate objects E20.

[from Latin anima + -ism.]

■

janimastic adjective. M17-M19.

animate /'animat/ adjective,

animism /’animiz(a)m/ noun. Mi9.

foreign animater (pi. same)/ noun.

M20.

[French.]

One who coordinates or facilitates a cultural or other activity; fieq. a person who works in a school or other community to channel the skills of potential dancers etc. animatic/ani'matik/noun. L20.

[from animated ppl adjective + -ic (or possibly a blend with schematic).]

A preliminary or test version of a film, esp. of an adver¬ tising commercial, produced by shooting successive sec¬ tions of a storyboard and adding a soundtrack. animation /ani'meij(a)n/ noun. M16. [Latin ammatio(ti-): see animate verb, -ation.]

fl Encouragement, inspiration. M16-L17. |2 a The action of imparting life, vitality, or motion. L16-E18. >b Preparation or production of animated films, visual images, etc. L19. 3 The state of being alive, animateness, arc h. E17. 4 Vivacity, ardour, lis. 5 Enlivenment; enlivening operation or influence. E19. ID 1 Henry More An intimation and animation to us to follow his example. 3 M. Shelley Capable of bestowing ani¬ mation on lifeless matter, suspended animation see suspended ppl adjective. 4 A Fraser Her attraction lay in her animation and in particular her sparkling black eyes. 5 Sir W. Scott Theanimationofthe chase and the glow of the exercise.

animato /ani'ma:tau/ adverb & adjective, eis. [Italian, from Latin animatus filled with life.] music. (A direction:) in a lively or spirited manner.

anime /'animei/ noun. Also anime. L20. [Japanese, from French anime animated.]

A Japanese genre of animated film, typically science fiction and characterized by violence, eroticism, or anarchy. anime/'animei/ noun. no. [French, from Tupi wana'ni.J

Any of various resins; spec, that from the W. Indian tree Hymenaea courbaril, used in making varnish. Also gum anime.

1 Actuating feeling, animating spirit, usu. hostile; ani¬ mosity shown in speech or action. E19. 2 psychoanalysis. The source of the masculine component of a personality. Cf. anima. E20. anion 'anAian/ noun. M19. [from an(ode or ana- + ion.]

A negatively-charged ion, i.e. one which would be attracted to an anode. Opp. cation. ■ ani onic adjective of or pertaining to anions; of the nature of an anion: E20.

aniridia/ani ridia, anAi-/noun. M19. [from Greek an-5 + irid-, iris iris + -ia1,] medicine.

Congenital or traumatic absence of the iris.

on/s /ani(s)/ noun. Li9. [French: see anise.]

A liqueur or aperitif flavoured with aniseed; occas., aniseed. anis- /'ams/ combining form of Latin anisum anise, used in CHEMISTRY. ■ ani saldehyde noun p-methoxybenzaldehyde, a fragrant liquid, CH.O-C.H. CHO used in perfumery M19. anisic /a’nizik/ adjective: anisic acid, p-methoxybenzoic acid, CH.O-C. HpCOOH, a crystalline acid obtained by oxidizing anethole M19. anisole noun methoxybenzene, Cil.OCH ,, a colourless liquid ether M19. anisyl noun the p-methoxybenzyl radical, CH ,0-C,H, CH,- M19. anise/’ams/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French anis from Latin anisum, from Greek anison dill, anise.]

1 (The aromatic seed of) an umbelliferous plant, Pimpinella anisum, native to the eastern Mediterranean region. Anciently confused with dill, which was prob. the ‘anise’ of the Bible, me. 2 Any of several trees and shrubs of the Asian and American genus UHcium, which bear fruit with the odour of aniseed; esp. (a) (more fully Japanese anise. Chinese anise) = shikimi; (b) = star-anise s.v. star noun1 & adjective Also, the fruit of these plants. E18. ■

anisated adjective mixed or flavoured with aniseed L17.

aniseed /'amsiid/ noun. lme. [from prec. + seed noun.]

The seed of anise, used to flavour liqueurs and sweets. Comb.: aniseed tree a tree or shrub of the genus Rlicium (see ANISE 2).

aniseikonia /anAisAi’kauma/ noun. M20. [from anis(o- + Greek eikon-, eikon image + -ia1.] medicine A defect of vision in which the image seen with one eye is larger than that seen with the other.

■ aniseikonic adjective M20. anisette am'zEt/ noun. M19. [French, dim. of anis: see -ette.]

A liqueur flavoured with aniseed. aniso- /'anxisau/ combining form of Greek anisos unequal, forming esp. negatives (see an-5) of corresp. terms in iso-. ■ aniso coria noun (medicine) inequality in the sizes of the pupils of the eyes E20. anisocy tosis noun (medicine) abnormal variation in the size of red blood cells E20. aniso gamete noun (siolocy) either of two unequal gametes L19. ani sogamous adjective (biology) characterized by anisogamy L19. ani'sogamy noun (biology) union of unequal gametes 119. anisome tropia noun inequality of refractive power of the eyes L19. anisometropic /-'traopik, -'tropik/ adjective characterized by anisometropia 119. anisotropic/.anAisa'traupik, -’trap-/ adjective. L19. [from aniso- + Greek tropos turn + -ic.]

Of a material, a body: having physical properties which have different magnitudes in different directions. Of a property: varying with direction. Opp. isotropic. ■ anisotropically adverb M20. behaviour or quality L19.

ani sotropy noun anisotropic

anker /'agka/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. me. [Low German & Dutch, from medieval Latin anc(h)eria of unkn. origin.]

(A cask containing) a measure of wines and spirits, about 8 gallons or 36 litres, ankerite Z'agkar Art/noun. Mi9. [from M.J. Anker (1772-1843), Austrian mineralogist + -ite1.] mineralogy. Iron-rich dolomite; spec, that in which iron

predominates over magnesium.

cat, a: arm, s bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, 0: saw. a run. 0 put, u: too, a ago,

ankh /arjk/ noun. L19. [Egyptian = life, soul.] An object resembling a cross, but with a loop in place of the upper limb, used in ancient Egyptian art as a symbol of life. Also called crux ansato ankle /'agk(a)l/ noun & verb. Also jande. [Old English ancleow superseded in Middle English by forms from Old Norse pkkla. Old Swedish ankol corresp. to Old Frisian ankel Middle Low German enkel, Middle Dutch ankel, Old High German anchal, enchil (German Enkel), from Indo-European base repr. also by angle noun3,] ► A noun. The joint which connects the foot with the leg; the slender part between this and the calf. oe. Comb.: ankle-bone anatomy = talus noun': ankle boot, ankle sock: j ust covering the ankle.

► B verb intrans. 1 Use the ankles to good effect in cycling. Ll 9.

2 Walk, go. slang. E20. anklet /'arjklit/ noun. E19. [from prec. + -let, after bracelet,] An ornament or fetter for the ankle; also (US) an ankle sock. ankus /'aijkas/ noun. L19. [Hindi ikus, ankas from Sanskrit ankusa.] In the Indian subcontinent: an elephant-goad. ankylosaur /’agkilaso:/noun. L20. [mod. Latin Ankylosaurus genus name, from Greek agkuldsis ankylosis: see -saur.] Any of a group of broad short-legged omithischian dinosaurs with heavy armour of bony plates, of the Jur¬ assic and Cretaceous periods worldwide. ■ ankylo saurus noun, pi. -ruses, -ri /-m, -ri:/, a large ankylo¬ saur of the late Cretaceous genus Ankylosaurus E20.

ankylose /’arjkilauz/ verb. Also anch-. lis. [Back-form, from next.] 1 verb trans. Join or stiffen by ankylosis. Usu. in pass., be solidly united bone to bone. L18. 2 verb intrans. Become joined or stiffened by ankylosis. M19.

1 ankylosing spondylitis spinal arthritis that eventually causes ankylosis ofvertebral and sacro-iliac joints.

ankylosis /ariki'lausis/ noun. Also anch-. PL -loses /-'busi:z/. E18. [Greek agkuldsis, from agkuloun to crook, from agkulos crooked: see -osis.] The stiffening of a joint by fibrosis or by the fusion of the separate bones. ankylostomiasis noun var. of ancylostomiasis. anlace /'anlas/ noun. arch. me. [Origin unkn.] A short tapering two-edged dagger. anlage /'anla:ga, -leidj/ noun. PL -lagen /-la.gan/, -lages /-leidgrz/. Li 9. [German = foundation, basis.] biology. The rudimentary basis of an organ or other part, esp, in an embiyo. anlaut/'anlaut/noun. L19, [German, from an on + Laut sound.] philology. The initial sound of a word. janlet noun var. of annulet. ann /an/ noun. E17. [Abbreviation of annat annate 1.] scots law (now Hist.). A half-year’s (orig. a year’s) salary legally due to the executors of a deceased minister of religion in addition to the ordinary stipend. anna /'ana/ noun. E17. [Hindi ana (Panjabi anna).] A former monetaiy unit of the Indian subcontinent, equal to one-sixteenth of a rupee. annabergite /’anabaigAit/ noun. Mi9. [from Annaberg, a town In Saxony + -ite’.] mineralogy. A monoclinic hydrated nickel arsenate, occurring usu. as an apple-green crust on nickel ores. annal /‘an(a)l/ verb & noun. E17. [Back-form, from annals.] ► A verb intrans. & trans. Record (events) in annals, chron¬ icle. rare. Ei7. ► B noun. The annals of one year; the record of one item in a chronicle. L17. annalist/’an(a)lisi/noun. [from next + -ist.] A writer of annals.

Mi6.

■ annalistic adjective M19.

annals /’an(a)lz/ noun pi. Mi6. [French annales or Latin annales use as noun of masc. pi. of annalis yearly, from annus year: see -al\] 1 A narrative of events year by year; historical records. Mi6.

f2

roman catholic church.

Masses said for the space of a year.

M16-M18.

ai

my, au how. ei day, au no, r.: hair, ia near. 31 boy. 00 poor. Aia tire, aua sour

84

Annamese | annual Annamese /ana'mkz/ adjective & noun. Now Hist. Also Anam-. E19. [from Latin Annum (see below) + -ese.)

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Annam, a former empire and later French protectorate in SE Asia, its inhabitants, or its language. El 9. ► B noun. PI. same. 1 A native or inhabitant of Annam. E19. 2 The Mon-Khmer language of Annam. L19. ■ Annamite 'ansmclt/. Annamitic /ano'mitik/ adjectives & nouns = Annamese mi9.

annate /’aneit/ noun. In sense i also annat /'anat/. Ei6. [French from medieval Latin annata a year’s space, work, or pro¬ ceeds, from annus year.] 1 scotsuiv (nowHist.). = ann. Ei6.

2 roman catholic church. In pi. The first year’s revenue of a see or benefice, paid to the Pope. M16. annatto /a’natao/ noun. PI. -os. Also anatta. annotto. arn- /a:n-/. E17. [Carib name of the tree.]

An orange-red dye obtained from the seed-coat of the tropical American tree Bixa orellana and much used as a food colouring. Also, the tree itself; its fruit. anneal /o'ni;l/ verb. [Old English o rife lan. from on (see an preposition) + si an kindle, burn, bake, from dl fire, burning, = Old Saxon eld. Old Norse eidr.] 11 verb trans. Set on fire, inflame, oe-lme. f 2 verb trans. Subject to the action of fire; fire, bake, fuse, glaze. LME-M17. f 3 verb trans. Bum colours into (glass, earthenware, etc.), enamel by an encaustic process, lme-lis. 4 verb trans. Toughen (glass or metal) by heating and usu. slow cooling. Cf. temper verb' 12b. Mi7. >b fig. Toughen, temper. Li7. 5 verb trans. & intrans. biology. Combine to form double-

annexe /'anEks/ noun. Also annex.

1

1 J2

rare. Ei6.

annihilate /s'nAutot/ adjective, arch. Also

Jadn-.

1 Reduced to nothing, blotted out of existence, lme. ■f 2 Made null and void, of no effect. lme-li6. annihilate /o'nAiileit/ verb. Also

Pa. pple

Jadn-.

-ated,

(arch.) -ate l-otl. E16. [formed as prec.: see -ate'.] 1 verb trans. Make null and void, cancel, abrogate (laws, treaties, rights, etc.), arch, Ei6. 2 verb trans. Treat as non-existent, set at naught, arch.

members of which (eg. marine worms, earthworms, and leeches) have bodies made up of annular segments.

IDS 1 W. Fulke To adnihiiate the sacraments ministred by heretikes. 2 Smollett To usurp your name, and annihilate your exploits. 3 Defoe God can no more be the author of evil, than he can annihilate himself, and cease to be. T. Pennant The vestiges of the Roman camp .. are almost annihilated. Wellington That event has totally annihilated all order and discipline. M. Born The human race has today the means for annihilating itself. 4 Byron Thou who with thy frown Annihilated senates. J. B. Priestley All the years between Peter De Wint and myself were annihilated in a flash: he pointed and 1 saw. he spoke and I heard. 5 S. Weinberg Nuclear reactions, in which a fraction of the mass of atomic nuclei is annihilated.

and its antiparticle) into electromagnetic radiation. £0 Burke The annihilation of our trade, the ruin of our credit. J. B. Mozley When reason itself has opened a view into immortality, to put up contentedly with annihilation,— what a dreadful stupefaction of the human spirit. H. Arendt The final catastrophe which brought the Jews so near to complete annihilation. H. Wouk Unescorted bombers ran a high risk of annihilation.

annex noun var. of annexe. [Old & mod. French amexer, from Latin annex- pa. ppl stem of annectere, from ad an-3 + nectere tie, fasten.]

(Foil, by to.) ► I Without the idea of subordination. 1 Join, unite, arch. lme. ► II With the idea of subordination. 2 Append, affix; attach as an accessory or annexe, lme. 3 Add (a territory etc.) to existing possessions, esp. (colloq.) without right; appropriate to one's use. lme. 4 Join or attach as an attribute, condition, or conse¬ quence. LME. 2 R. Boyle To which he annexes a Disquisition of the Scurvey. F. A. Kemble To each settlement is annexed a cook’s shop. N. Fkeeling This prissy building annexed to the Minis¬ try of Social Affairs. 3 W. Blackstone Appropriators may annex the great tithes to the vicarages. E. M. Forster Margaret was all for sightseeing, and.. annexed a motor. G. B. Shaw When Germany annexed Poland in 1939, half of it was snatched out of her jaws by Soviet Russia. 4 Hobbes It is annexed to the Sovereignty, to be Iudge. D. Hume He, though he granted him the commission, annexed a clause, that it should not empower him [etc.|. M. Arnold Salvation is not annexed to a right knowledge of geometry.

■ annihilationism noun (theology) belief in the destruction of the souls of the wicked as well as their bodies L19. annihilationist noun (thlology) an adherent of annihilationism Li 9.

anniversary /ani'v3:s(3)riJ noun & adjective, me. [Latin anniversarius returning yearly, from annus year + versus turning + -arius -ary1; used as noun in medieval Latin anniversaria (sc. dies day), -arium (sc. festum feast); cf. Old & mod. French anniversaire.]

► A noun. 1 The yearly return of a noteworthy date; the day on which some event of ecclesiastical, national, or personal interest is annually commemorated; the cele¬ bration of this. ME. 12 roman catholic church. A commemorative mass said for the space of a year. E17-M18. ► B adjective. 1 Returning or commemorated on the same date each year; annual, repeated each year. arch. Lis. 12 Enduring for or completed in a year. E17-E18. ■ anniversarily adverb at the yearly return M17.

Anno Domini /'anao 'dominAi/ adverbial & noun phr.

► A adverb. Of the Christian era. Usu. written ad (see A a III). M16.

► Bnoun. 1 A particular year. L17. 2 Advanced or advancing age. colloq.

[medieval Latin annexatio(n-) from annexat- pa. ppl stem of annexare from Latin annectere: see prec.. -ation.]

Tire action or an act of annexing; esp. the action of attaching as an additional privilege, possession, or terri¬ torial dependency. ■ annexationist noun a person who advocates the annexation of a territory M19. m

Li 9.

1 Dryden The Anno Domini of your new sovereign’s cor¬ onation. 2 E. V. Lucas When the time came for A to take the bat he was unable to do so. Anno Domini asserted itself.

annexation anEk'seiJ(o)n/ noun. lme.

1 leg,

M16

[Latin = in the year of the Lord.]

■ annexable. t-ible adjective E17. annexment noun (rare) ANNEXUREEi7.annexurenounsomethingannexed anadiunct a supplement L19.

k cat,

Jadn-. Mi6.

[Old & mod. French, formed as prec.: see -ation.] Destruction, complete or effective: physics the conver¬ sion of matter (esp. the mutual conversion of a particle

M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Annelida or an annelid. M19. ■ Also a nnelidan noun & adjective M19.

annex /a'nsks/ verb trans. lme.

£0 1 E. O'Neill I take this opportunity to publicly announce the betrothal of my daughter. R. Ellison A huge electric sign announced its message. O. Manning The wire¬ less announced that the King would address his subjects in Rumanian, b Scott Fitzgerald Before I could reply that he was my neighbor dinner was announced. P. V. White Do not forget to announce Mr Voss on showing him into the room. 2 Gibbon His feeble efforts announced his degenerate spirit. Sir W. Scott Gold buckles in his shoes, etc... announced him to be a domestic of trust and importance. Joyce He announced his presence by that gentle .. cough which so many have tried.. to imitate.

existence. Mi6. 4 verb trans. fig. Reduce to insignificance or powerless¬ ness; silence or humiliate completely, mi7. 5 verb trans. (usu. in pass.) & intrans. physics. Convert or be converted into electromagnetic radiation; subject to or undergo annihilation. M20.

annihilation /anAii'leiJYajn/ noun. Also

annominate

verb, annomination AGNOMINATE, AGNOMINATION.

annotate "anateit verb. se^ ate3™0*01 Pa

Stem

noun

n no, p pen, r red,

of

Li6.

amotare' ^rom a. Comb.: antimony ochre cervantite or a similar mineral; antim¬ ony tetroxide, Sb.O.. a anti moniated adjective combined or impregnated with antimony eis.

antinomian /anti'naumian/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [from medieval Latin Antinomi, name of the sect, formed as next,

antinomy /an'tinami/ noun. Li6. [Latin antinomia from Creek, formed as anti- + nomos law: see -Y3. Cf. French antinomic.]

1 A contradiction in a law, or between two laws; a con¬ flict of authority. Li6. 12 A contradictory law or principle. Only in M17. 3 (After Kant.) A paradox; intellectual contradictori¬ ness. L18. ■ anti nomic adjective (rare) M19. anti nomical adjective (rare) L19.

Antiochene /an'tAiaki:n/ noun & adjective. M19. [Latin Antiochenus, from Antiochia Antioch.]

ecclesiastical HisroRY. (An adherent) of the theological school represented by the church at Antioch in Syria in the 4th and 5th cents. ■ Also Antiochian anu'okian, adjective & noun M19.

tantipape noun see anti pope. antipasto /anti'pa:stau/ noun. PI. -ti /-ti/, -tos. Ei7. [Italian, formed as antepast.]

An appetizer, an hors d’oeuvre. c] Rare before M20.

antipathetic /.antipa'Gstik/ adjective. Mi7. [formed as antipathy, after pathetic.]

Having an antipathy or constitutional aversion; opposed in nature or tendency (to). ■ antipathetical adjective E17 antipathetically adverb M17.

antipathic/anti'paGik/ adjective. imi9. [from next + -ic.]

Of or pertaining to antipathy; of a contrary nature or character (to).

antipathy /an'tipaGi/ noun. L16. [French antipathic or Latin antipathia from Creek antipatheia, from antipathes opposed in feeling, formed as anti- + pathos: see -y3.] 11 Contrariety of feeling, nature, or disposition (with a thing, between things). L16-L17. 2 (A) constitutional or settled aversion (against, for, to; between persons). E17. 13 a Something contrary to nature. Only in E17. kb An object of constitutional or settled aversion. L17. ■ antipathist noun (rare) a person possessed by an antipathy, a natural enemy E19. t antipathize verb (a) verb intrans. feel or show antipathy: (b) verb trans. render antipathetic: M17-L18. antipathous adjective (rare) antipathetic E17.

tantipendium noun var. of antependium. antiperistasis /.antipa'ristasis/ noun. arch. L16. [Greek, formed as anti- +

peristasis standing round, Cf, French

antiperistase (16).] Opposition or contrast of circumstances; resistance, reaction.

«| Formerly trisyllabic 'antipodes: later pronunc. after Greek & Latin.

antipope /'antipaup/ noun. Also A-; orig. f-pape. lme. [French

antipape from medieval Latin antipapa (after antichristus

Antichrist), later assim. to pope noun'.]

A person set up as Pope in opposition to one (held by others to be) canonically chosen,

antiphon /'antif(a)n/ noun. lme. [ecclesiastical Latin antiphona fern. sing, from Creek neut. pi. of antiphonos responsive, formed as anti- + phone sound. Cf. ANTHEM.]

1 In traditional Western Christian liturgy: a short sen¬ tence sung or recited before or after a psalm or canticle; a musical setting of this, lm e. 2 a A versicle or sentence sung by one choir in response to another. Mi7. >b transf. A response, an echo, an answer. Mi7. ■ anti phonic adjective (rare) antiphonal, mutually responsive Mi9 anti’phonically adverb M19. antiphonal /an'uf3n(a)l/ noun & adjective. Ei6. [from prec. + -al1. Cf. Old French antiphonal.]

► A noun. = ANTIPHONARY. E16. ► B adjective. 1 Of the nature of an antiphon; sung alter¬ nately. LI 7. 2 Responsive (to). M19. ■ antiphonally adverb M18. antiphonary /an'tif(a)nari/ noun Ei7. [ecclesiastical Latin antiphonarium, formed as antiphon: see -ARY1.]

A book of antiphons; a collection of antiphons.

+ -AN.]

► A adjective. Opposed to the obligatoriness of moral law; of or pertaining to the antinomians. Mi7. ► B noun. A person who maintains that the moral law is not binding on Christians; spec, a member of a i6th-cent. sect in Germany alleged to hold this opinion. Mi7. ■ antinomianism noun M17.

tQ 1 b Bacon He will neuer be one of the Antipodes, to tread opposite to the present world. 2 Shakes. Much Ado 1 will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes. A. R. Wallace New Zealand, almost the antipodes of Britain. 3 Sir T. Browne Fools.. are antipodes unto the wise. O. Henry Passengers.. saw them seated together, and won¬ dered at the conflux of two such antipodes. E. B. Titchener Common sense is the very antipodes of science.

antiphoner /an'tif(a)na/ noun. arch. lme. [Old French antiphonier formed as prec.: see -er3.] = prec. antiphony/an'tif(a)ni/noun. M16. antiphonie.] 1 = ANTIPHON 2a. M16. Fb = ANTIPHON 2b. M17. 2 Opposition of sound, antiphonal effect. E17. 3 Antiphonal singing, mis. [from antiphon + -Y3, partly through Old French

antiphrasis /an'tifrasis/noun. PL -ases /-asi:z/. M18. [Late Latin from Creek, from antiphrazein express by the opposite, formed as anti- + phrazeiti indicate, declare, tell.]

rhetoric. Use of words in a sense opposite to their custom¬ ary meaning. antipodal /an'tipad(a)l/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [from ANTIPODES + -AL1.]

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the antipodes; situated on the opposite side of the earth (to). Mi7. 2 Diametrically opposite (to). M17. 3 botany. Designating cells formed at the chalazal end of the embryo sac. Li 9. ► B noun, botany. An antipodal cell. M20. antipode /'antipaud/ noun. PI. of sense 3 pronounced /'antipaodz/. E17. [Back-form, from antipodes.]

11 An inhabitant of the opposite side of the earth. (For pi. see antipodes 1.) Only in Ei7. 2 The exact opposite (of, to). (For pi. see antipodes 3.) M17. 3 chemistry. An enantiomorphic compound. Li9. antipodean /(antipa'di:an/ adjective & noun. M17. [Irreg.from next + -an.]

► A adjective. 1 Diametrically opposite (to). M17. 2 Using the feet rather than the hands; upside down. E19. 3 Of or pertaining to the opposite side of the earth, esp. Australasian, mi9. ► B noun. 1 A person who lives on the opposite side of the earth; a native or inhabitant of the antipodes. M17. 2 A juggler with the feet. Li 9. 3 An exact opposite (to). E20. antipodes /aritipadi:z/ noun pi. (sense 3 also treated as sing.). Also A-. lme. [French, or late Latin from Creek pl. of antipous having the feet opposite, formed as anti- + pous, pod- foot.]

11 Those who live on the opposite side of the earth to each other or to oneself. lme-mi9. ►b fig. Those in any way resembling the inhabitants of the opposite side of the earth. Only in 17.

2 Places on the surface of the earth directly or diamet¬ rically opposite to each other; a place diametrically opposite to another, esp. Australasia as the region on the opposite side of the earth to Europe. Mi6. 3 Exact opposites. Also as sing.. = antipode 2. (Foil, by of, to.) E17. 4 See antipode 3. For other words beginning with anti- see the entry for anti-

antiquarian/anti'kweirian/ noun & adjective. E17. (formed as antiquary: see -arian.)

► A noun. = antiquary noun 2. E17. ► B adjective. Of or connected with the study of antiqui¬ ties or antiques. Li8. ■ antiquarianism noun the profession or pursuits of the anti¬ quarian; taste for or devotion to antiquities: lis. antiquarianize verb intrans. (colloq.) pursue antiquarianism E19.

antiquary /'antikwari/ noun & adjective. M16. [Latin antiquarius, from antiquus: see antique, -ary1. Cf. French antiquaire.] ► A noun. 1 An official recorder or custodian of antiqui¬ ties. Long obsolete exc. Hist, mi6. 2 A student or collector of antiquities or antiques. L16. f 3 A person of great age. rare. L16-M17. ► B adjective. Of antiquity; ancient; antique, rare. Ei7.

antiquate /'antikwat/ adjective, arch. lme. [Latin antiquatus pa. pple of antiquare restore (a thing) to its former condition, in ecclesiastical Latin make old, from antiquus: see antique, -ate3.]

= ANTIQUATED.

antiquate /'antikweit/ verb trans. Now rare exc. as ANTIQUATED. L16. [from prec.: see -ate3.]

1 Make old or out of date; make obsolete; abolish as out of date. L16. 2 Make conform with earlier usage etc. E19. ■ anti quation noun (now rare) the action of antiquating; the state of being antiquated: E17.

antiquated /'antikweitid/ adjective. Li6. [from prec. + -ed1.]

1 Grown old, of long standing, inveterate, arch. L16. 2 Out of use by reason of age; obsolete, arch. E17. 3 Old-fashioned; out of date. L17. 4 Of a person: advanced in age, superannuated. Now rare exc. as coinciding with sense 3. L17. Lid 1 Isaac Taylor Prejudice and antiquated jealousy did not easily yield themselves up. 2 Jonson Neat Terence, witty Plautus now not please; but antiquated and deserted lye. 3 J. Marquand I paused at the door to grope for the anti¬ quated light switch, for electrical appliances are not modern in Peking. A. Koestler We are like children,.. eager to learn from their elders all sorts of useful tricks, while at the same time laughing at their antiquated outlook. 4 Addison A maiden Aunt.. one of these Antiquated Sybils.

antique /an‘ti:k/ adjective, noun, & verb. As adjective & noun also (arch.) antic /'antik/. See also antic, lis. [French, or Latin antiquus, anticus, formed as ante-.] ► A adjective. 1 Having existed since old times, old, aged, venerable. L15. 2 Belonging to former times; ancient, olden. Ei6. 3 Of, belonging to, or after the manner of ancient Greece and Rome; in the style of classical antiquity. Mi6. 4 Old-fashioned, antiquated; in the style of an earlier age; archaic. M17. tQ 1 Spenser A nation so antique, as that no monument remaines of her beginning. D. Dunn They have an antique goldfish, a cat called Sly. 2 A. H. Clough The antique pure simplicity with which God and good angels communed undispleased. L. Lee The village.. was like a deep-running cave still linked to its antic past. Ted Hughes Not utterly fan¬ tastical I expected (As in some antique tale depicted). 3 Byron And thus they form a group that's quite antique. Half naked, loving, natural, and Greek. K. Clark Virgil, that great mediator between the antique and the medieval world. 4 Longfellow There stood the broad-wheeled wains and the antique ploughs and the harrows. C. Bronte Looking down on a fine antique street. ► B noun. 1 A relic of ancient art; a relic of old times; an item of furniture, china, etc., valued by collectors because of its age. M16. 12 A person of ancient times; in pl. the ancients. M-L16. LQ 1 Goldsmith His own business.. was to collect pictures, medals, intaglios and antiques of all kinds. K. Clark He made imitations of Graeco-Roman sculpture, one of which .. was actually sold as an antique. ► C verb trans. 1 Bind (a book) in the style of an earlier period, mis. 2 Make (furniture etc.) appear antique by artificial means. E20. ■ antiqueness noun M17.

93

antiquity | anvil antiquity /an'tikwiti/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French anttquite from Latin antiquitas, from antiquussee prec., -ity.]

1 The ancient times; spec the period before the Middle Ages. me. 2 collect. The people (esp. authors) of ancient times; the ancients, lme. 3 The quality of having existed from ancient times; ancientness, lme. kjb Old age; seniority. L16-L17. 4 In pi. & collect, sing. Customs, precedents, or events of ancient times; ancient records. (Formerly also sing, of an individual custom etc.) lme. 5 An ancient relic; an antique. Usu. in pi. Ei6. d 1 J- S. Blackie The coolest and most practical thinker of all antiquity.. Aristotle. B. Russell In antiquity all large States, except Egypt, suffered from a lack of stability. Christian antiquity the early period of the Christian era, the early centuries of the Church, classical antiquity the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. 2 Milton That indi¬ gested heap, and frie of Authors, which they call Antiquity. 3 J. I. M. Stewart Anderman was a baronet and his family of some antiquity, b Shakes. 2 Hen. IV Is not your voice broken, your wind short... and eveiy part about you blasted with antiquity? 4 J. Priestley Whiston.. was certainly well read in Christian antiquity. K. E. Digby The subject belongs entirely to the antiquities of our law. 5 Bacon Antiquities are history defaced, or some remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time. T. Jefferson The Pont du Gard, a sublime antiquity, and well preserved. D. Ash Reputable dealers in antiquities .. will give a written guarantee of authenticity if required. ■ an tiqui tarian noun a person attached to the practices or opinions of antiquity M17.

antirrhinum /anti'rAinam/ noun. Mi6. [Latin from Greek antirrhinon, from anti- counterfeiting + rhin-, rhis nose.]

Any of numerous plants constituting the genus Antirrhinum, of the figwort family, bearing usu. showy

tubular two-lipped flowers; spec, the snapdragon, A. majus.

antiscion /an'tiJYaJn/ noun. PI. -scia /-fa/, -scions. L16. [App. repr. Greek antiskion (sc. zoidion sign of the zodiac), formed as ANTI- + skia shadow.] astrology. A sign of the zodiac at the same distance from Cancer or Capricorn as another and on the opposite side of it.

antisense /'antisens/ adjective. L20. [from anti- + sense noun.] genetics. Relating to or designating a sequence of nucleot¬

ides complementary to (and hence capable of binding to) a coding or sense sequence, which may be either that of the strand of a DNA double helix which undergoes tran¬ scription or that of a messenger RNA molecule. antisepsis /anti'sepsis/ noun. Li9. [from anti- + SEPSIS.] medicine. The practice or principles of antiseptic treat¬

ment. antiseptic /anti'septik/ noun & adjective. E18. [from anti- + SEPTIC.]

► A noun. An antiseptic substance (see sense B.). E18. ► B adjective. Preventing sepsis, esp. by chemically des¬ troying or retarding the growth of bacteria; scrupulously clean, sterile. Ml8. CQ fig.: Carlyle Not divine men, yet useful antiseptic prod¬ ucts of their generation. ■ antiseptically adverb M19.

antisocial /anti's3uj(3)l/ adjective, lis. [from anti- + social adjective.] 1 Averse to society or companionship; not sociable. L18.

2 Opposed to the practices, principles, and instincts on which society is based. E19. ■ antisocialism noun = antisociality mi9. antisociality /.antisauji'aliti/ noun the quality or condition of being antisocial E19. antisocially adverb E20.

antispastic /anti'spastik/ noun & adjective. Ei7. [Greek antispastikos, from antispan draw in the opposite direction: see ANTI-, SPASTIC.] classical prosody. (A foot, line, etc.) composed of, or con¬

taining feet composed of, an iamb and a trochee. antistrophe /an'tistrsfi/ noun. Mi6. [Late Latin from Greek antistrophe, from antistrephein turn against: See ANTI-, STROPHE.] 1 rhetoric. The repetition of words in inverse order.

M16. 2 The returning movement, from left to right, in Greek choruses and dances, answering to the strophe; the lines of choral song recited during this movement; transf. any choral response. El 7. 3 An inverse relation or correspondence. E17. ■ antistrophic /-'straufik/ noun & adjective (a) noun in pi., the lyrical part of Greek dramas; (b) adjective of or pertaining to antistrophes: E19.

antistrophon /an'tistraf(9)n/ noun. PI. -pha /-fa/. E17. [Greek, neut. sing, of antistrophos, formed as prec.] rhetoric. An argument that is retorted upon an oppon¬ ent. antisymmetric /.antisi'metnk/ adjective. E20. [from

ANTI- + SYMMETRIC.]

math. & physics. Of a function; changed in sign but not in

magnitude by the exchange of two variables. Also, able to be represented by such a function. « antisymmetrical adjective = antisymmetric E20. anti symmetrize verb trans. make antisymmetric M20. anti symmetri zation noun M20. anti'symmetry noun E20.

antithesis /an'tilbsis/ noun. PI. -eses /-ssi:z/. lme. [Late Latin from Greek, from tithenai to set, place: cf. thesis.]

antitithenai, formed as anti- +

Anton Filler order jam on 'pita(r) a:do/ noun phr. L20. [from Anton Filler, German manufacturers of electric motors, who were involved in legal proceedings (1975) in which such an order was granted.] English law. A court order which requires the defendant in proceedings to permit the plaintiff or his or her legal representatives to enter the defendant’s premises in order to obtain evidence essential to the plaintiff’s case.

antonym '’antanim/ noun. M19. [French antonyme, from Greek anti- + onuma name: see -nym.]

A term of opposite meaning to another.

11 grammar, a The substitution of one case for another. Only in lme. kb The substitution of one sound for another. L16-M17. 2 rhetoric. (An) opposition or contrast of ideas, expressed by parallelism of words which are the oppos¬ ites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other. Also, repetition of the same word at the end of successive clauses. E16. 3 The second of two opposed clauses or sentences; a counter-thesis. Mi6. 4 Direct or striking opposition of character or function (of, between two things). E17. 5 The direct opposite, a complete contrast, (of, to). Ml7. 6 In Hegelian philosophy, the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning. Cf. SYNTHESIS 2C, THESIS 2. L19.

■ an’tonymous adjective an tonymy noun M20.

opposite

antorbital /an'to:bit(3)l/ /anti'a:brt(a)l/. M19.

adjective.

antitheton from Greek, neut. sing, of antithetos: see ANTITHETICAL.] [Latin

An instance of antithesis; an antithetical statement. antithetical /anti'0£tik(9)l/adjective. Li6. antithetos placed in opposition,

meaning

M20.

Also ante-orbital

[from ant(e- + orbital adjective.] anatomy.

antra

Situated in front of the eyes,

noun

pi. of antrum.

antre /'ants/ noun. poet. Also jantar. Ei7. [French from Latin antrum ]

A cave, a cavern. antrectomy /an'trektami/noun. E20. [from antr(um + -ectomy.J

Surgical removal of the walls of an antrum, esp. of the stomach. [mod. Latin antrorsus, from Latin antero- + versus towards, after extrorsus etc.: see extrorse.]

Directed forward or upward. antrum /'antrsm/ noun. PI. antra /'antra/. E19. [Latin from Greek antron cave.]

A cavity, esp. one with bony walls. Also, the part of the stomach adjacent to the pylorus. anatomy.

1 Of the nature of antithesis; containing or using antithesis, L16.

2 Characterized by direct opposition (to), mi9, ■ antithetic adjective antithetical E17. antithetically adverb El 9.

antitype/'antitAip/noun. Ei7. [Late Latin antitypus from Greek antitupos adjective, correspond¬ ing as an impression to the die, formed as anti- + tupos type noun.]

1 Something which a type or symbol represents, E17. 2 A person or thing of the opposite type. E20.

■ antral adjective of or pertaining to an antrum L19.

antrustion /an'trAStjan/ noun. E19. [French, or medieval Latin antrustio(n-) (in Salic Law etc.) from Old Frankish (= Old High German trost help, protection).]

Hist. A member of the voluntary personal guard of the Merovingian rulers in early medieval Europe. antsy /’antsi/ adjective. N. Amer. colloq. M20. [from ant noun + -sv.]

Irritated, impatient; fidgety, restless.

■ anti1 typical adjective ofthe nature of or pertaining to an anti¬ type M17.

antler /'antla/ noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman var. of Old French unkn. origin.]

antoillier (mod. andouiller), of

A branch of either of the two deciduous outgrowths on the head of a male deer (or a reindeer of either sex), con¬ sisting when fully grown of dead bone; orig. spec, the lowest (forward-directed) branch. Also, this branched structure as a whole. Comb.: antler-moth a small noctuid, Cerapteryx graminis, with white branched wing markings. ■ antlered adjective bearing antlers; adorned with stags’ horns: El 9. antlerless adjective without antlers L19.

antlia /'antlio/ noun. E19. [Latin from Greek = instrument for raising water.]

1 The spiral proboscis of butterflies and moths. E19. 2 (Usu. A-.) (The name of) an inconspicuous constella¬ tion of the southern hemisphere between Hydra and Vela; = air-pump (b) s.v. air noun1. M19. tantoeci noun pi. E17-118. [Late Latin from Greek ing.]

in

antrorse/an'tro:s/ adjective. M19.

antithet /'antiBst/ noun. E17.

[from Greek antithetikos, from formed as antithesis: see -ical.]

Wellington). Also, conversely, the use of a proper name to express a general idea (e.g, a Solomon for 'a wise man’).

antoikoi, formed as anti- + -oikos dwell¬

Persons living on the same meridian at equal latitudes on opposite sides of the equator. Cf. perioeci. Antonian /an'taunran/ adjective & noun. E20. -ian.] = Antonine noun 1, adjective 2. [from Latin Antonins Anthony +

Antonine /'antanAin/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [Latin Antoninus, formed as prec.: see -ine 1.]

► A noun. 1 A disciple or follower of St Anthony of Egypt

(c 251-356). Ml6. 2 In pi. The Roman emperors Antoninus Pius (reigned ad 138-161) and Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (161-180). L17.

► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Antonines (sense A.2 above). Li 8. 2 Of or pertaining to St Anthony of Egypt. Li9. 1 the Antonine Wall a Roman frontier wall in Britain from the Forth to the Clyde, built for Antoninus Pius,

antonomasia /antana'meizia/ noun. M16. [Latin from Greek, from antonomazein name instead, formed as anti- + onomn name: see -IA1.]

The substitution of an epithet etc. or the name of an office or dignity, for a proper name (e.g. the Iron Duke for For other words beginning with anti- see the entry for anti-

LD J. Casey Dick had forgot how antsy he got the day before he put to sea.

Antwerp /'antwaip/ noun. M19. [A city in Belgium.]

1 Antwerp blue, a pale Prussian blue, mi9. 2 Antwerp edge, Antwerp edging stitch, (an edge fin¬ ished with) an embroidery stitch used for decorating and finishing edges and hems. Li9. anucleate /ei'njmklrat/ adjective. E20. [from a-10 + nucleate adjective.] biology.

Of a cell: having no nucleus.

anudatta/’Anuda:ta/noun. M19. [Sanskrit amdatta lit. 'unraised', from an- un-1 + udatta raised.]

The tone of unaccented syllables in Vedic Sanskrit. Cf. svarita, udatta.

anuran /a'njirariajn/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from mod. Latin Amtra (see below), from Greek an-5 + oura tail: see -an.]

zoology. ►A noun. Any of the tailless amphibians, consti¬ tuting the order Anura; a frog, a toad. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to this order. E20.

anuria/a'njuarra/noun. Mi9. [from an-5 + -uria.] medicine.

Failure of the kidneys to produce urine.

■ anuric adjective displaying or pertaining to anuria Li 9.

anus/'emas/noun. lme. [Latin anus, orig. 'ring'.]

The posterior excretory opening of the alimentary canal. anvil /'anvil/ noun & verb. [Old English anfilte (earlier onfilti), anfealt= Middle Dutch aenvilte. Old High German anafalz, ult. from Germanic base of on preposition + verbal stem meaning 'beat' (cf. felt noun).]

► A noun. 1 A block (usu. of iron) on which a smith hammers and shapes metal, oe. 2 a ANATOMY. = INCUS 00Un 1. E17. kb meteorology. A horizon¬ tally extended top of a cumulonimbus cloud. Li 9. ca 1 fig,: Burke He has now on the anvil another scheme. Comb. : anvil cloud a cloud with a horizontally extended top.

►B 1 2

Infl. -II-. Fashion on an anvil. Freq. verb intrans. Work at an anvil. Li 9. verb.

verb trans.

fig.

Li 6.

94

anxiety [ apagoge anybody /'embDdi/ pronoun. Orig. two words, me.

anxiety /arfzArati/ noun. Ei6. [French anxiete or Latin anxietas, formed as anxious: see -ty’.] 1 The quality or state of being anxious; uneasiness,

[from prec. + body noun.]

A person, no matter who; whichever person. (JJ Joseph Parker Anybody can attach himself to a mob. |. Ruskin I am never angry with anybody unless they deserve it. anybody's game colloq. a finely balanced contest, anybody’s guess colloq. a totally unpredictable matter anybody who is anybody (or similar phr.) colloq. any person of rank or importance.

concern; a cause of this. Ei6. -f 2 medicine. A condition of distress accompanied by pre¬ cordial tightness or discomfort. M17-M19. 3 Earnest or solicitous desire for a thing, to do some¬ thing. M18.

4 psychiatry. A morbid state of excessive or unrealistic uneasiness or dread. Li9. ID 1 Nature Finance has been a constant anxiety. 4 Freq. attrib.. as anxiety complex, anxiety neurosis, anxiety state.

anyhow /'enihau/ adverb. Orig. two words. L17. [from any + how adverb.]

1 In any way or manner whatever; in any way however imperfect; haphazardly, carelessly. Li7. 2 At any rate, in any case, at least. Ei9.

anxiolytic /.arjzra'littk/ adjective & noun. M20.

CJ 1 H. G. Wells His rather crisp brown hair seemed to grow anyhow. 2 G. Macdonald They went, anyhow, whether they had to do it or not.

+ -o- + -lytic.] (A drug) that reduces anxiety.

[from prec.

medicine.

anxious /'atj(k)Jas/ adjective. Ei7. [Latin anxius, from anx- pa. ppl stem ofangere choke, oppress: see anguish

verb,

1 Troubled in mind about some uncertain event; con¬ cerned, solicitous; being in disturbing suspense. (Foil, by for, about.) Ei7. 2 Distressing, worrying; fraught with trouble. M17. 3 Full of desire and endeavour; eager for a thing, to do

ta Mrs H. Ward If Westall bullies him any more he will put a knife into him. E. Hemingway 1 am not lucky anymore. J. P. Donleavy Don’t cry anymore now. It’s all right. A. Glyn It didn’t matter any more. The game was over.

[from any + place noun', after anywhere.) = ANYWHERE.

anything /'eniGir)/ pronoun, adverb, & noun. Orig. two

any ,'eni/ adjective (in mod. usage also classed as a determiner), pronoun, & adverb. [Old English ienig = Old Frisian enich, Old Saxon enig, Middle Low German einirfi, Middle Dutch erarfi (Dutch eenig), Old High German einag (German einig), Old Norse einigr, Gothic aitiaha, from Ger¬ manic: see one adjective, noun, & pronoun, -Y1.] ► A adjective. 1 gen. As sing., a —, some —, no matter which, or what. As pi., some — no matter which, of what kind, or how many: >a Used primarily in interrogative, hypothetical, and conditional contexts, oe. Fb With a preceding negative (expressed or implied): none at all of, no — of any kind; not even one. oe. fc In affirmative senses: eveiy one of (the sort named), me. 2 With quantitative emphasis: Fa A quantity or number of, however great, or however small. Ei6. Fb A large or considerable (number, amount, etc.), colloq. M19. 3 With qualitative emphasis: of any kind or sort what¬ ever; one or some, however imperfect. Mi9. fD 1 AV John 1:46 Can there any good tiling come out of Nazareth? Ld Macaulay The best governed country of which he had any knowledge. J. Steinbeck If there were any water at all. it would be there, any day: see day noun, any old —, any old how: see old adjective, any old thing see thing noun1, any road (chiefly north.) - anyway 2. at any cost: see cost nouni at any price: see PRICE noun, at any rate, in any case whatever the circumstances may be. in any shape or form see shape noun1, b Shakes. Haml. Thou canst not then be false to any man. Burke It ought not to be done at any time. Day Lewis They know so little of any life but their own. E. Waugh None of these people you go about with pull any weight in their own colleges, c I. Walton I love any dis¬ course of rivers, and fish and fishing. Dickens Any object they think can lay their thieving hands on. E. Bowen The two of them would be gabbing up to any hour of the night. 2a Daily Chronicle An animal with little, if any. fat on it. Nursery rhyme: Black sheep, have you any wool? b R. Kipling It is not a good idea to live in the East for any length of time. Academy The pigeon-hole form of mind collecting any quan¬ tity of conclusions and facts. 3 M. Pattison The danger is .. that any reform should be adopted because some reform is required.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1

leg.

AOB abbreviation. Any other business (at the end of the agenda for a meeting). AOC abbreviation. French Appellation d'origine controlee (see

appellation

controlee).

00 dai /ao dAi/ noun phr. M20. [Vietnamese.]

A Vietnamese woman’s long-sleeved tunic with anklelength panels at front and back, worn over trousers. AONB abbreviation. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Aonian /ei'aonmn/ adjective. Ei7. [from Latin Aonia (see below) from Greek +

-an.]

Of or pertaining to Aonia, a region of Boeotia in ancient Greece containing Mount Helicon, sacred to the Muses.

-10 + horistos

[Greek aoristos indefinite (sc. khronos time), from A delimited, from horizein define; cf. horizon.]

grammar. (Designating) a past tense of verbs, in ancient Greek and some other languages, denoting simple occurrence, with none of the limitations of the other past tenses. ■ ao fistic adjective undefined; of or pertaining to the aorist tense: Mis. ao risticaily adverb M17.

aorta leiy.tol noun. PI.

03 E. Waugh 'Anything wrong?' he asked. Irving Berlin Anything you can do I can do better. Day Lewis I have never been anything but a poor sight-reader, anything but colloq. by no means, on the contrary, anything in trousers, (as) — as any thing colloq. extremely—. if anything if in any degree, perhaps even, like anything colloq. to a great extent etc.; exceedingly, too — for anything colloq. extremely —. try anything once: see try verb, would give anything: see give verb.

► B adverb. In any measure; to any extent, arch. oe. ► C noun. A thing of any kind. L16. 03 Shakes. Tam. Shr. She is my house,., my ox, my ass, my any thing. ■ anything arian noun (contempt.) a person who professes no creed in particular eis.

any time /'em tAim/ adverbial phr. colloq. Also anytime.

-tae /-ti:/, -tas. M16. [Greek aorte, by Hippocrates used in pi. for the branches of the windpipe, by Aristotle for the great artery, from base of aeirein raise: cf. artery.] anatomy. The great artery or trunk of the arterial system, from its origin in the left ventricle of the heart to its div¬ ision into the left and right common iliac arteries.

■ aortal adjective aortic E19. aortic adjective of or pertaining to the aorta; aortic arch, the section of the aorta which loops over and behind the heart: Lis.

aortography/eoftDgrsfi/ noun. M20. [from prec. + -o- + -graphy.]

X-ray examination of the aorta. aoudad /'a:odad/ noun. Also

udad

/’u:dad/. E19.

[French from Berber udad.]

A sheep, Ammotragus lervia, native to N. Africa. Also called Barbary sheep. aoul noun var. of aul

03 OEDI will leave the basket; you can send it round any time. Guardian Any time you're stuck for a meal, come around.

anyway /’eniwei/ adverb. Orig. two words, me. [from any + way noun: cf. next.]

1 In any way or manner; anyhow, me. 2 At any rate, in any case. (Freq. used in resuming after a digression.) Mi9. 03 1 Addison All those who are any way concerned in works of literature. 2 C. P. Snow She couldn’t wish for that. Anyway, she took it for granted that she wouldn’t get him.

a outrance la utra:s/ adverbial phr. Also a I'outrance la. 1-/, a toute outrance /a tut/. Ei7. [French, from a to + outrance.]

To the death; to the bitter end. ap- /ap, stressed ap/prefix', (not productive). Assim. form of Latin ad- before p. In Old French, Latin app- was reduced to ap-, which appears in Middle English adoptions, but in later French, and hence in English, appwas restored by Latinization, as apparel, appear. ap- prefix2 see

apo-.

apace /a'peis/ adverb. Now literary,

lme.

[Old French a pas: see a-", pace noun'.]

anyways /'sniwetz/ adverb. Now dial. Orig. two words, me. [from any + -ways.]

= prec. anywhen /'enrwen/ adverb, rare exc. dial. Orig. two words. Mi6. [from any + when.]

At any time, ever. anywhere /'snrwE:/ adverb. Orig. two words, lme. [from any + where.] In or to any place; whichever place, anywhere from — to — (orig. N. Amer.) at any point within spe¬ cified limits of variation, not anywhere near - nowhere near s.v nowhere adverb 1. not get anywhere = get nowhere s.v. nowhere adverb 3. not go anywhere = go nowhere sv nowhere adverb 3

anywhither /'emwida/ adverb, arch. Orig. two words. E17. [from any + whither adverb.]

► C adverb. 1 With compar. adjectives and adverbs: in any degree, at all. oe.

O IT. Hardy A happy Providence kept it from being any worse. K. Amis I'm not answering any more questions about whales or tigers. 2 M. Twain It is a good tune—you can’t improve it any. A. Christie We're used to responsibility. Doesn’t worry us any.

whatever

At any time; whenever.

CB 1 Keats Unknown.. to any, but those two alone. T. S. Euot I wouldn’t have danced like that with any but you. NEB James 1:5 If any of you falls short in wisdom, he should ask God for it. 2 Shakes. Wint. I If there be any of him left. I’ll buiy it. W. S. Gilbert He exercises of his brains, that is, assuming that he’s got any. A. J. P. Taylor The real failure, if any, was his. not having any colloq. wanting no part in something; rejecting a proposition; refusing to tolerate a situation.

mis.

words, oe. [from any + thing noun’.] ► A pronoun. Something, no matter what; thing, oe.

LME. [from any + time noun.]

► B pronoun. 1 Any person; as pi., any persons, oe. 2 One or more, or some, of the noun expressed already or after following 0/. me. 3 Either (of two). Long dial. lme.

2 (Not qualifying another word.) At all. colloq.

[Acronym of the country names (see below).]

The combination of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States for the security of the Pacific.

aorist /'eiarist/ adjective & noun. L16.

anyplace /'empleis/ adverb. N. Amer. colloq. Also as two words. M20.

■ anxiously adverb in. anxiousness noun (rare) M17.

Anzus /'anzas/ noun. Also ANZUS M20.

AOR abbreviation. Adult-oriented (or album-oriented) rock.

[from any + one noun & pronoun.] Any person; = anybody.

(D 1 Ld Macaulay Anxious for their own safety. G. B. Shaw The most anxious man in a prison is the governor. E. M. Forster She was anxious about Leonard, for whom they certainly were responsible. 2 A. Uttley It was always an anxious time, a slip and a man and mare might be killed. 3 K. Amis All seemed pleased with the performance and anxious for another of the same sort. S. King You must be anxious to see your folks.

f few, g get,

To any greater extent; any longer,

anyone /'enrwAn/ pronoun. Orig. two words, eis.

something, mi8.

b but. d dog,

any more /em 'mo:/ adverbial phr. Also anymore, lme. [from ANY + more adverb.]

-ious.]

Comb.: Anzac biscuit: made from wheat flour, rolled oats, des¬ iccated coconut, and golden syrup; Anzac Day 25 April, the date of the landing of the corps on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.

To or towards any place. anywise /'sntwAiz/ adverb, arch. Orig. two words, oe. [from any + -wise.]

In any manner, way, or case; at all. Anzac /’anzak/ noun. E20. [Acronym of the corps name (see below).]

A member of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (1914-18); an Australian, a New Zealander, esp a serviceman. in man,

n no.

p pen,

r red, s sit, t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

1 At a considerable pace; swiftly, f2 At once, promptly, lme-eis.

lme.

03 1 AV Ps. 68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace. M. Arnold The field.. and the elms Fade into dimness apace. Bosw. Smith The news .. reached Rome apace.

Apache /in senses At, B.i a'patji; in senses A2, B.2 a'paj, foreign apaj (pi. of noun same)/ noun & adjective. Senses A.2, B.2 also a-. Mi8. [Mexican Spanish, prob. from Zuni Apachu lit. 'enemy'. Senses A.2, B.2 through French.]

► A noun. Pi. same, -s. 1 A member of an Athapaskan people of New Mexico and Arizona; the language ofthis people, mis. 2 A violent street ruffian, orig. in Paris. E20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Apache or their language, mi9. 2 Designating a vigorous dance for two associated with street ruffians or apaches. E20. 9 See also Kiowa Apache ■ Apachean adjective & noun (a) adjective of or pertaining to the Apache Indians or their language; (b) noun an Apache Indian; the Apache language: M20.

apagoge/apa'g3od3i/noun. rare. E18. [Greek apagoge leading away, from apagein lead off.]

In Aristotelian logic: = abduction 2 Areductio ad absurdum. mis. logic. 1

J she,

3

vision.

6

thin,

6

this,

q ring,

3. eis.

tj chip,

d3 jar

95

apaid | aphasia

apagogic adjective (rare) = adjective of the nature of apagoge ■

apagogical

li7.

apagogical

eis.

Apalachee /apa'latji/ noun & adjective. Also App-. PL

-s,

same. eis. [Spanish Apalache perh. from Choctaw apelachi helper, ally.] A member of, of or pertaining to, a Muskogean people formerly inhabiting parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida; (of) the language of this people,

apanage noun var. of appanage. aparejo /aps'reihao/ noun. US. PI. -os. Mi9.

apart/a'pait/ adverb, lme. part) from Latin a parte at the side: see

a-6,

part

(Foil, by from.) 1 To one side, aside; to or at a place removed from the general body. lme. 2 Away from each other; parted, separated; in pieces, asunder, lme. 3 Separately, independently, individually, lme. ►b Used adjectivally, with ellipsis of verb: separate, dis¬ tinct. LI 8. 4 Away from all consideration or use. lme. ►b Inabsol. phrs.: laid aside, excepted; put out of the question, mi 8. 5 Away from common use for a special purpose. Ei7. CQ 1 Shakes. Jul. Caes. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. H. P. Brougham The precise period at which the Commons first sat apart from the Lords is unknown. V. S. Pritchett Their experience had set them apart and the effect was to make me feel childish and cut off. 2 J. M. Barrie My mother and I were hundreds of miles apart. A. P. Herbert So far apart were their worlds, though they had slept on the same floor. J. Betjeman Red Admirals basking with their wings apart. J. Cheever He had the rifle apart and was cleaning it. poles apart: see pole noun2, tear apart: see tear verb'. 3 J. Selden Their power.. was exer¬ cised either collectively, or apart and severally. C. Lucas Let us view each ingredient apart, tell apart distinguish between, b G. B. Shaw The passionately religious are a people apart. 4 AVJames 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse. b Disraeli However, jesting apart, get your hat. A. J. P. Taylor His distribution of honours, wartime leaders apart, had been no greater than that of Asquith. 5 Addison Families that set apart an Hour in every Morning for Tea. With prepositions in specialized senses: apart from other than; except for, in addition to. ■ apartness noun the quality of standing apart; aloofness: M19.

apartheid /s'paitheit/ noun. M20. [Afrikaans, lit. ‘separateness’, from Dutch apart apart + heid -HOOD.] The South African policy of racial segregation or dis¬ crimination on grounds of race (Hist.). Also tro nsf. & fig., any other form of (esp. racial) segregation. petty apartheid see petty adjective.

apart-hotel noun var. of apartotel. apartment /3'pa:tm(3)nt/ noun. mu. [French appartement from Italian appartamento, separate, from a parte apart: see -ment.]

from

appartare to

1 a A suite of rooms allotted to the use of an individual orgroup. arch. Mi7. >b A suite of rooms forming one resi¬ dence in a building containing a number of these; a flat. Chiefly N. Amer. Li 9. t2 Place of abode; quarters. L17-E18. t3 A compartment. L17-M19. 4 A single room in a house; usu. in pi., = sense la. E18. Comb.: apartment block, apartment building, apartment house [chiefly N. Amer.) a building divided into flats. ■ apart mental adjective (rare) eis. apartotel /a'padsutel/ /3'pa:t(h)3ut£l/. M20.

noun.

Also

apart-hotel

[from prec. + hotel.) An apartment building with privately-owned suites available for short-term renting,

apatheia /apa'Gi:s/ noun. Li9. [Creek:

apert /s'pxt/ adjective & adverb. Long arch. me.

-ite‘: so named from its diversity of

Any of a series of hexagonal calcium phos¬ phate minerals of wide occurrence, having the general formula Ca5(P04)3(F, Cl, OH); ffeq. = fluorapatite. mineralogy.

apatosaurus /s'pataso:/. L19.

/spats'soirss/

noun.

Also

apatosaur

[mod. Latin (see below), from Greek apate deceit + sauros lizard.] palaeontology. A large herbivorous sauropod dinosaur of the genus Apatosaurus (formerly Brontosaurus), having a

very long neck and long tail; a brontosaurus.

[Spanish = preparation, harness, tackle.]

A pack-saddle, [Old French (mod. a noun.]

apatite/’apotAit/ noun. Ei9. [from Greek apate deceit + form and colour.]

t a pa id verb pa. pple of apay.

see apathy.]

Stoical apathy.

apathetic /aps'Betik/ adjective, mis. [from next after pathetic.] Of or characterized by apathy; not feeling emotion; uninterested, indifferent, (towards or about something). a apathetically adverb E19.

aperture /’apatjua, -tj(u)o/noun. lme.

please, satisfy,

[Latin apertura, from apert- pa. ppl stem of

apatheia. from

Insensibility to suffering or emotion; passionless exist¬ ence; lack of interest or emotion: stolid indifference. £Q G. H. Lewes Apathy was considered by the Stoics as the highest condition of Humanity. A. Tate A failure resulting from the apathy of responsible classes of society. G. Maxwell Days when a kind of apathy would settle down upon me. a apathist noun a person habitually given to apathy M17.

2 An opening; a gap, a cleft, a hole. lme. 3 A space through which light passes in an optical instrument; esp. that provided by the lens diaphragm of a camera. Also, the diameter of this. M17.

APB abbreviation. US. All-points bulletin. APC abbreviation. Armoured personnel carrier.

£3 2 C. Darwin The size and shape of the apertures in the sternum. R. L. Stevenson Raising my head to an aperture among the leaves. I could see clear down into a little green dell. R. P. Warren She opened the door .. a little way, and slipped through the aperture.

ape /eip/ noun, adjective, & verb. [Old English apa masc., ape fern. = Old Saxon apo (Dutch aap), Old High German affo, affe (German Affe), Old Norse apt, from Ger¬ manic.]

■ a'pertural adjective (rare) M19.

► A noun. 1 a An animal of the monkey tribe (suborder Simiae or Anthropoidea): the generic name before ‘monkey’, and still occas. so used, esp. with ref. to resem¬ blance to and mimiciy of humans, oe. kb spec. A member of the family Pongidae, which includes the gorilla, chimpanzee, orang-utan, and gibbon, and is characterized by the absence of a tail and cheekpouches. L17. 2 fig. An (esp. inferior or mindless) imitator; a mimic.

apery /'eipari/ noun. Ei7. [from

a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her. i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, x

+

-ery.J

apetalous /ei'petfojlas, o-l adjective, eis. [from mod. Latin

apetalus from Greek apetalos leafless: see A-10,

petal, -ous.[

botany

3 An apelike person; a fool. Also as a gen. term of abuse, me. t4 sea-ape, the thresher or fox-shark, Alopias vulpinus.

Having no petals.

apex /'eipeks/ noun1. Pi. apexes, apices/'eipisiiz/. E17. [Latin.]

1 The small rod at the top of a flamen’s cap. rare. E17. 2 The tip, top, peak, or pointed end of anything; the vertex of a triangle, cone, etc.; botany the growing point of a shoot etc. E17. |3 A horn on a Hebrew letter; fig. a tittle, a jot. M-L17. 4 astronomy Tlie point on the celestial sphere towards which the sun is moving. Also solar apex. Li8.

E17-M19. S3 1 a Barbary ape see Barsary noun, japanese ape see Japanese adjective, lead apes in hell arch.: the supposed consequence of dying an old maid. I play the ape indulge in (poor) imitation, b the naked ape humankind. 2 Shakes. Cymb. 0 sleep, thou ape of death. Hor. Walpole Every genius has his apes. 3 S. Richardson That she should instigate the titled ape her husband to write to me.

£Q 2 S. Gibbons A sick plunge at the apex of your stomach. P. G. Wodehouse He sailed in and knocked them base over apex into a pile of Brussels sprouts. M. Reane Our house stood at the apex of two carriage drives, fig.: R. H. Tawney A community penetrated from apex to foundation by the moral law.

Comb.: apeman an extinct primate intermediate between ape and man; an apelike human. ► B adjective. 11 attrib. Foolish, silly. Only in lme. 2 pred. Crazy. Esp. in go ape. go ape-shit (slang, orig. N. Amer.). M20. ► C verb trans. Imitate, esp. pretentiously or absurdly. M17. ■ apelike adjective resembling an ape in appearance or behav¬ iour; resembling that of an ape: Mi9. apeling noun (rare) a young or small ape M18.

Apex /'eipeks/ noun2. Also APEX. L20. [from advance-purchase excursion.]

A type of reduced-price airline or railway ticket or fare, requiring advance booking and acceptance of certain other limiting conditions.

apeak /o'pi:k/ adverb & pred. adjective. Orig. fapike. Li6. [French a pic: see A-5, peak noun1.] nautical. In a vertical position; vertical; (of an anchor) with the ship directly over it; (of oars) held vertically.

apfelstrudel/'apf(3)ljtru:d(a)l/ noun. M20. [German, from Apfel apple + strudel.] = apple strudel s.v. apple noun.

Apgar score /'apgo sko:l noun phr. M20.

APEC abbreviation. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

[from Virginia Apgar (1909-74), US anaesthesiologist]

medicine. A measure of the physical condition of a newborn infant, obtained by adding points (2,1, or 0) for heart rate, respiratoiy effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and skin coloration (a score of ten representing the best possible condition).

Apelles /s'peliiz/ noun. PL same. Ei7. [Greek painter of the 4th cent. BC.[

A master artist. apepsia /a'pepsra/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Also -sy /-si/. L17.

aphaeresis /s'fisrists/ noun. Also *apher-. Pi. -eses /-isi:z/.

[Greek, from a-10 + peptein to digest: see -IA'.[ medicine. Lack of digestive power.

Mi6. [Late Latin from Greek aphairesis, from

aphairein take away, from hairein take.] The loss of a letter or syllable at the beginning of a word. ■ aphaeretic /afi'retik/ adjective of the nature of aphaeresis L19.

aperqu /apersy (pi. same), apei'sju:/ noun. E19.

ap-2

[French.]

A summary, a conspectus; an insight, a revealing glimpse. aperient o'pianont/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [Latin aperient- pres, ppl stem of aperire to open: see -ent.[ ► A adjective. Opening the bowels; laxative. E17. ► B noun. A laxative medicine or food. L17.

+

aphakia /s'feikia/ noun. Mi9. a-10 + Greekphakos lentil + -ia•.] medicine. Absence of the lens of the eye. ■ aphakic adjective pertaining to or displaying aphakia L19.

[from

aperiodic /.eipiari'Ddik/ adjective. Li9. [from A-10 + periodic adjective'.] Not periodic, esp. owing to strong damping of vibra¬ tion; irregular.

aphanite /'af(3)nAit/ noun. Ei9. [from Greek aphanes unseen + -ite'.[ geology. Orig., a veiy finegrained diabase. Now, any igneous rock in which crystalline grains cannot be dis¬ tinguished with the unaided eye, ■ apha'nitic adjective consisting or characteristic of aphanite Ml 9.

aperitif /a'peritif, aperitif/ noun. Also aperitif /aperitif (pi. same)/. 119. [French aperitif (noun & adjective) from medieval Latin aperitivus (adjective) var. of late Latin apertivus, from apertus: see apert,

aphasia /a'feizra/noun. Mi9. [Greek, from aphatos speechless, from a-'° + phanai speak: see -IA1.] Loss or impairment of the faculty of speech or of under¬ standing of language (or both), due to cerebral disease or

-IVE.)

An alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer. taperitive adjective & noun. E16-M19. aperitivus: see prec.)

damage.

(A medicine or food) that opens: spec. = aperient. saw. a run, o put. u: too. a ago. ai my. ao how. ei day.

ape noun

1 Apelike behaviour; pretentious or silly mimicry. Also, an instance of this. E17. 2 A collection or colony of apes. rare. E19.

ME.

[from medieval Latin

aperire to open: see

-URE-]

fl The process of opening, lme-mis.

■ a periodically adverb L19 aperio dicity noun L19.

apathy /'apo0i/ noun. Ei7. [French apathie from Latin apathia from Greek apathes without feeling: see a-10, pathos, -y'.[

tapay verb trans. Pa. pple apaid. me. [Old French apaier, ult. from Latin ad A-s + pacare (orig.) pacify, from pac-, pax: see pay ver6’.[ Usu. in pass, or as pa. ppl adjective. 1 Satisfy, please. me-li9. 2 Repay, requite, lme-mis.

[Old French from Latin apertus pa. pple of aperire to open: cf. pert adjective.] ► A adjective. 1 Open, public; overt, me. 12 Evident, plain. ME-L17. 13 Straightforward; brisk, bold. Only in me. ■f4 Outspoken; insolent. ME-L17. |5 Clever, ready, expert. ME-L16. ►|B adverb. Openly, publicly; plainly. ME-L17. ■ fapertion noun an opening; the action of opening: L16-M18. f apertive adjective = aperitive adjective, aperient adjective M16-E18. apertly adverb openly, evidently; boldly: me. apertness noun (now rare or obsolete) openness, frankness E17.

>

no. e: hair, re near, 31 boy,

03

poor, are tire, aua sour

96

aphelion | apocalyptic aphasia sensory aphasia see sensory adjective. Wernicke’s aphasia _ ■ aphasiac adjective & noun {rare) - aphasic rvn9 aphasic adjective & noun (a person) affected with aphasia; of or pertaining to aphasia: Mi9. aphasi’ology noun the study and treatment of aphasia M20. Broca's

aphasia

semantic

aphelion /ap'hLlion, a'fidian/ noun. Also J-iium. PL -lia /-lio/. M17. [Graecized form of mod. Latin aphclium, from Greek ap-2 + hellos sun. after Latin apogaeum apogee.) astronomy, The point in the orbit of a planet, comet, etc., at which the furthest distance from the sun is reached.

aphemia /a'fbmra/ noun. Now rare.

aphtha /'af0o/ noun PI. -thae/-0i:/. fire.]

medicine. A small usu. white ulcer occurring in groups in the mouth or on the tongue; rare the occurrence of such ulcers. Usu. in pi.

b An advocate or follower of a cause, activity, etc.; a leader of reform. 14 Any of the books of Acts and Epistles of the Apostles.

[French aporetiq uefrom Greek aporelikos, from aporein beat a loss, from a-10 + poros passage: see -ic.) Full of doubts and objections; inclined to doubt.

aporia/a'po:rra, a'pDna/noun. M16. [Late Latin from Greek, from aporos impassable, from a-10 + poros: 1 rhetoric. The expression of doubt. Mi6. 2 A doubtful matter, a perplexing difficulty. Li 9.

aport/3lp.i:t/ adverb &pred. adjective. M16. preposition' i + port noun5.] On or towards the port side of the ship, put the helm aport port the helm, i.e. move the rudder to starboard, causing the vessel to turn to the right. [from a

nautical.

[from apo- + sematic.]

apophthegm /'apsOem/ noun. Also ’apothegm. Mi6. [French apophthegme or mod. Latin apophthegm from Greek, from apophtheggesthai speak one’s opinion plainly, formed as apo- + phtheggesthai speak.] A terse saying; a pithy maxim. ■ apophthegmatic -Seg’mat-/ adjective = apophthegmatical li8 apophthegmatical /-0Eg'mat-/ adjective pertaining to or of the nature of an apophthegm: pithy, sententious: given to the use of apophthegms: L16 apophthegmatically -Otg'mal-. adverb Mi7. apophthegmatize /-'esgmat-/ verb intrans. write or speak in apophthegms Mi7.

zoolocy. Of coloration, markings, etc.: serving to warn or repel.

aposiopesis /.apasAis’phsis/ noun. PI. -peses /-'pi:si:z/. LI 6. [Latin from Greek aposiopesis, from aposidpan be silent.] rhetoric. (A) sudden breaking-off in speech. ■ aposiopetic /-'petik/ adjective Mi7.

ap°spory/3'posp(3)ri/noun. Li9. [from

apophyge hpoM-p/noun. Mi6. [Greek apophuge lit. 'escape', from apophugein flee away.] architecture Tlie part of a column where it springs out of its base, or joins its capital, usu. moulded into a concave sweep or cavetto. h he, j yes, k cat.

► A noun. 1 A person who abandons his or her religious faith or moral allegiance, me. tb A person who renounces religious vows without dispensation, lme. 2 gen. A person who deserts his or her principles or alle¬ giance; a turncoat, a renegade, lme. ► B adjective. 1 Unfaithful to religious principles or creed, or to moral allegiance; unbelieving, infidel, lme. 2 gen. Unfaithful, renegade. Li7.

[Latin = from what comes after.]

apoplexy/'apapkksi/ noun. lme.

aposematic /.apsusi’matik/ adjective. Li9.

■ apo phonie adjective M20.

b but. d dog. f few, g get,

[Old & mod. French, or ecclesiastical Latin apostata from late Greek apostates apostate, runaway slave, formed as apo- + stat- rel. to histanai cause to stand.]

a posteriori /ei pD,stEn'o:rAi, pD.stis-; a: pD-/ adverbial & adjectival phr. E17.

seeprec.,-iA'.]

tapophlegmatic adjective & noun, e-mis.

as apo-:

apostate /'apssteit/ noun & adjective. Also t-ata. me.

taposteme noun var. of apostume.

[Late Latin apoplexis from Greek, var. of apoplexia: see next.] ► A noun. Apoplexy. Mi6. ► B verb trans. Strike with apoplexy; benumb. Ei7.

aporetic /aps'retik/ adjective. Ei7.

Having the petals separate.

[French apophonie, formed

2 The abandonment of principles, beliefs, or party. L16.

El 9.

[from apo- + petal + -ous.] botany

1 Dickens

► B noun. A sufferer from apoplexy; a person liable to

apolune /'ap3(o)lu:n/ noun. M20.

[ecclesiastical Latin apostasia from late Greek alt. of apostasis defection: see-Y3.] . 1 Abandonment or renunciation of one’s religious faith or moral allegiance, me. >b Renunciation of reli¬ gious vows without dispensation, me.

apostatize /s'pDststAiz/ verb intrans. Also -ise. Mi6.

One of your stiff-starched apoplectic cravats. apoplectic stroke: see stroke noun12b. 3 J. Austen A short¬ necked, apoplectic sort of fellow. tQ

Japology noun- var. of apologue. [from

apostasy /s'pDstssi/ noun. Also t-acy me.

apophyllite 'o'pnfilAit/ noun. Ei9.

apologue /'apsliig/ noun. Orig. ; -logy mis.

1 leg,

n

apo-

+ Greek sporos seed +

-Y3.]

botany In some cryptogams: the growth of a gametophyte directly from a sporophyte, without spore pro¬ duction. ■ aposporous adjective characterized by or of the nature of apospory Li9. aposporously adverb Li9. man,

n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit,

LME-M19.

5 Hist. A member of an exclusive conversazione society (’The Apostles’) at Cambridge University. E19. Q3 1 NEB Heb. 3:1 Think of the Apostle and High Priest of the religion we profess. 3 A. Maclaine Boniface has gained the title of the Apostle of Germany, b A. J. P. Taylor The members of Milner’s kindergarten were, in the nineteenthirties, apostles of appeasement. M. Keane When I was twenty, foxhunting was Wholly Holy and everybody was an apostle or disciple. Comb. : apostle-bird Austral, any of various birds often seen in flocks of about twelve; spec, a grey magpie-lark, Struthidea cinerea: Apostles’ Creed the simplest and prob. earliest form of the Christian creed, anciently ascribed to the Apostles; apostle spoon: with the figure of an Apostle at the end of the handle. ■ apostlehood noun oe. apostleship noun E16. fapostoless, apostless noun a female apostle lme-eis. apostolize verb trans. & intrans. (rare) proclaim (a message); act like an apostle: M17.

apostolate /o'pDstaleit/ noun. lme. [ecclesiastical Latin apostolatus from apostolus: see prec., -ate1.] 1 The position or office of an apostle, lme.

2 The Apostles collectively; a group comparable to or associated with the Apostles, lme. apostolic /aps'stDlik/ adjective & noun. Also A-. me. [French apostolique or ecclesiastical Latin apostolicus from Greek apostolikos, from apostolos: see APOstLE, -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Apostles; contem¬ porary with the Apostles, me.

2 Of or pertaining to the Pope as successor of St Peter; papal, lme. 3 Of the nature or character of the Apostles; befitting an apostle, mi6.

t top, v van, w we, z zoo,, J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

99

apostrophe | apparent 4 Hist. Of or pertaining to the Cambridge Apostles, mi 9. 1 Apostolic Fathers the early leaders of the Christian Church, apostolic succession the uninterrupted transmission of spirit¬ ual authority through a succession of Popes and bishops from the Apostles. Catholic and Apostolic Church. Catholic Apostolic Church: see Catholic. 3 vicar apostolic ► B noun. A member of any of various sects seeking to imitate the Apostles. Li6. ■ apostolical adjective lme. apostolically adverb Ei7. apostolicity /-'lisiti/ noun apostolic character or origin E19.

apostrophe /a'pDstrafi/ noun\ Mi6. [Latin from Creek apostrophe, from apostrephein turn away, formed as apo- + strephein to turn.] rhetoric. Sudden exclamatoiy address; an exclamatory passage addressed to a particular person (freq. absent or dead) or thing.

apostrophe /a'pDstrafi/ noun1. Also f-phus. Mi6. [French, or late Latin apostrophus from Creek apostrophos mark of elision, use as noun (sc. prosodia accent) of adjective 'turned away', from apostrephein: see prec.J 11 The omission of one or more letters in a word.

M16-M17. 2 A sign (’) used to indicate the omission of one or more letters or numerals (as in can’t, o’er, 'cello: spirit of ’76 (i.e. 1776)), or in marking the possessive case (man’s, boys'). L16.

apostrophic /apa'strDfik/ adjective.

Li8. [from apostrophe noun1, noun2 + -ic.] 1 Of or pertaining to the sign called an apostrophe.

L18. 2 Of or pertaining to a rhetorical apostrophe; given to apostrophe. E19.

£B 1 F. W. Farrar The early Emperors rather discouraged .. this tendency to flatter them by a premature apotheosis. 2 Coleridge The apotheosis of familiar abuses.. is the vilest of superstitions. T. Hardy Thus a mild sort of apotheosis took place in his fancy, whilst she still lived and breathed within his own horizon. T. P. O'Connor The meeting developed into an apotheosis of the Marquis of Chandos. 3 C. Walker His Majesties Speech upon the Scaffold, and this Death or Apotheosis. J. Braine Tin actor-manager whom I knew.. as the apotheosis ofwholesome masculinity. J. G. Farrell At any moment the pageant would begin, the triumphant apotheosis of the Empire’s struggle for Peace. ■ a potheose verb trans, (now rare) = apotheosize a'potheosize verb trans. deify; exalt; idealize: Ml8

L17.

tapotome noun. Ei6. [Greek apotome cutting off, from apotemnein cut off: see apo-, -TOME.]

1 music. A variety of semitone. E16-E19. 2 math. A difference of two quantities which are com¬ mensurable only when raised to a power, e.g. ( 2 - 1). L16-L18. apotropaic /apatra'penk/ adjective. L19. [from Creek apotropaios averting evil, from apotrepein turn away (see apo-), + -ic.]

Intended to avert evil influence; considered to have the power to avert evil influence or ill luck. a-pout /a'paut/ adverb & pred. adjective. L19.

apostrophize /a'postrafAiz/ verb trans. E17.

& intrans. Also

-ise.

[from apostrophe noun1, noun2 + -ize.] 1 Mark the omission in letters in (a word) with an apos¬ trophe; omit one or more letters in a word. rare. E17. 2 Address (someone or something) in a rhetorical apos¬ trophe; use apostrophe. E18.

LME-L17. 2 verb trans. In pass. Be affected by a cyst or abscess.

L16-L17. festering;

characterized

by

tapostumation noun. Also -tem-, -thum-. lme. [Old French apostemation, apostumacion from medieval Latin apostematio(n-). formed as prec.: see -ation. Cf. impostumation] 1 The formation of a cyst or abscess; festering.

LME-L17. 2 A cyst, an abscess. M16-M18.

tapostume noun. Also -tem(e), -thume. lme-mis. [Old French aposteme, -ume from Latin apostema from Creek = sep¬ aration of pus into an abscess, from aposta-, aposlcnai withdraw: cf. IMPOSTUME.] A gathering of pus; a large abscess.

apotelesmatic /3,pDt(a)laz'matik/ adjective. Mi7. [Creek apotelesmatikos, from apotelesma, from apotelein bring to an end, formed as apo- + telein finish: see -ic.] Of or pertaining to the casting of horoscopes.

apothecary /a'pD0ik(a)ri/ noun. arch. lme. [Old French apotecaire, -icaire (mod. apothicaire) from late Latin apothecarius storekeeper, from apotheca from Creek apotheke store¬ house: see -ary1.] 1 A person who prepares and sells drugs and other medicinal substances; a pharmaceutical chemist, lme. |2 Drugs collectively; a store or list of dings; treatment by drugs. E16-E17. 1 apothecaries' measure, apothecaries’ weight sets of units formerly used in pharmacy for liquid volume (with one fluid ounce - 8 drachms = 480 minims) and for weight (with one ounce = 8 drachms = 24 scruples = 480 grains) respectively.

apothecium /apa'0i:siam/ noun. PI. -ia /-ra/.

Ei9. [mod. Latin from Creek apotheke: see prec., -ium.J botany. An open cup- or disc-shaped fruiting body borne by many lichens and ascomycetous fungi. ■ apothecial adjective L19.

apothegm noun etc.: see apophthegm etc. apothem/'ap30£m/noun.

rare. L19. [from Creek apotithenai deposit, after thema, from tithenai to place: see theme noun.] geometry A perpendicular from the centre of a regular polygon to a side.

apotheosis /apD0i'aosis/ noun.

+

pout

verb & noun3.]

tapozem noun. lme-lt9. [Old & mod. French apozeme or late Latin apozema from Greek, from apozein boil off, from apo- completely + zein to boil.) medicine.

A decoction, an infusion.

[Abbreviation.]

Pa. pple & ppl

[medieval Latin apostemat- pa. ppl stem of apostemari, from apostema apostume: see -ate3. Cf. impostumate.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Form into a cyst or abscess; fester.

adjective

[from A-3

Pouting.

app /ap/ noun, colloq. L20.

1 apostrophes noun var. of apostrophe noun1.

tapostumate verb. Also -tern-, -thum-. adjective -ate (earlier), -ated. lme.

■ Tapostematous abscesses: M17-M19.

2 Glorification or exaltation of a person, principle, or practice; canonization; idealization. E17. 3 Ascension to glory, resurrection, triumph; highest development, culmination. M17.

PI. -oses /-'ausi:z/. Li6. [ecclesiastical Latin from Creek apotheosis, from apotheotm deify, from apo- + theos god.] 1 (Elevation to) divine status. Li 6.

computing.

An application, esp. an application program.

tappair verb see impair verb. appal /o'po:l/ verb. Also f-pale; *-ll. Inti. -II-. me. [Old French apal(l)ir, from a-5 + palir (mod. palir) pale verb2.]

11 verb intrans. Grow pale, fade; become enfeebled; lose flavour. ME-M19. f2 verb trans. Make pale; cause to fade; weaken, impair. LME-E18. 3 verb trans. Dismay, terrify; horrify, scandalize. Freq. in pass. LME. £3 3 Shakes. Macb. A bold one that dare look on that Which might appal the devil. J. B. Priestley The waste of money appalled him, but he could not help being delighted by the dash and importance of it all. 1. Murdoch I was utterly appalled that Otto could have laid hands upon his wife.

S. Hill 1 was so appalled at the broken buildings and so little worried by the broken bodies, absol.:]. Keble Thoughts that awe but not appal. ■ appalling adjective dismaying, shocking: unpleasant: E19. appallingly adverb E19. appalment noun (rare) L16.

Appalachee noun & adjective var. of Apalachee. Appalachian /apa'leitj(a)n/adjectives noun. L17. [from (the same root as) Apalachee + -an.]

► A adjective. 1 Designating the extensive system of mountain ranges in the eastern US. Also, of, pertaining to, or characteristic of this system, its region as a whole, or that region’s inhabitants. L17. 2 Designating the Apalachee and other N. American Indian peoples of the eastern US; pertaining to or charac¬ teristic of these peoples. Ml 8. 1 Appalachian dulcimer.

► B noun. 1 In pi. The Appalachian mountains, or the region in general. M19. 2 An Appalachian Indian. Li9. appale. appall verb see appal. Appaloosa /apa'lu:sa/ noun. E20. [Prob. from Palouse, a river in Idaho, USA.]

(An animal of) a N. American breed of horse, usu. white with many spots of colour. appanage/’apfajmdfy noun. Also apan-. E17. [Old & mod. French apanage, from apaner dower (a daughter) from medieval Latin appanare provide with means of subsistence, from Latin ad AP-1 + panis bread: see -age.]

1 The provision made for the maintenance of the younger children of kings, princes, etc. (usu. a province, jurisdiction, or office). E17. 2 A natural accompaniment; a special attribute. M17. 3 A dependent territory or property. Ei 9. 4 A perquisite. Mi9.

(3 1 E. A. Freeman His son received.. the apanage of Cum¬ berland. 2 Swift Had he thought it fit. That wealth should be the appennage of wit. 3 Syd. Smith Ireland.. the most valuable appanage of our empire, fig.: T. E. Hulme Landscape was still a toy or an appanage of figure-painting when TUmer and Constable arose to reveal its independent power. 4 Lytton Its revenues and its empire will become the appan¬ age of the hardy soldier. ■ appanaged adjective endowed with an appanage M18.

apparat /apo'ra-.t/ noun. M20. [Russian from German formed as apparatus.] The Communist Party machine in the former USSR and other countries.

apparatchik /apa'ratjik/ noun. PI. -i/-i/, -s. M20. [Russian, from prec.] 1 A member of the apparat: a Communist agent. M20. 2 transf, An implementer of party etc. policy; an execu¬ tive officer. L20.

apparatus /apa'reitas/ noun. Pi. -uses, (rare) same. E17.

-1 + parare prepare

[Latin, from apparare make ready, from ad ap verb.]

1 The things collectively necessary for the perform¬ ance of some activity or function; the equipment used in doing something; a machine, a device. E17. 2 spec, a Equipment used for scientific experimenta¬ tion or processes. M17. >b The organs etc. by which a natural process is carried on. L17. Fc In full critical apparatus. = apparatus criticus. Ei8. >d Equipment used in athletic, gymnastic, or sporting activities. Li 9. |3 Preparation. M17-L18. 4 An organization within a political party or State; esp. = APPARAT. M20. 2a Kipp's apparatus, b Weberian apparatus: see Weberian adjective1.

apparatus criticus /apa,reitas knukas/ noun phr. PI. apparatus critici /apa.reitas'kntiSAi/. M19. [mod. Latin: see prec., critical.] A collection of material, as variant readings and other palaeographical and critical matter, for the textual study of a document.

apparel /a'par(a)l/ noun. me. [Old French apareil (mod. app-), formed as next.] 1 Furnishings, trappings; accoutrements, equipment. arch. me. Ffb The outfit or rigging of a ship. ME-L19. 12 Physical or moral attributes; bearing, stature. ME-E16. 3 Personal outfit or attire; clothing, raiment. Now literary, lme. 4 fa Ornamentation, embellishment, lme-lis. >b An ornament embroidered on certain ecclesiastical vest¬ ments. mi 9. 15 The work of malting ready; preparations, lme-lis. £3 1 J. Galsworthy The scarlet and green drawing-room, whose apparel made so vivid a setting for their unaccus¬ tomed costumes. 3 A. G. Gardiner He decked himself out in brave apparel to show the world that he was a person of con¬ sequence. J. Baldwin From their apparel the sinfulness of their lives was evident, fig.: Addison The rude Stile and evil Apparel of this antiquated Song.

apparel /a'par(a)l/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -II-, *-l-. me. [Old French apareiller (mod. app-), ult. from Latin ad- ap-1 + dim. of par equal.] fl Make ready, prepare (for): put into proper order. ME-M17. 2 Provide with necessary things; equip, lme. >tb spec. Equip for fighting. LME-L17. 3 Array with proper clothing; attire, clothe, lme. |4 Embellish, adorn; trick out, dress up (speciously). LME-M18. £Q 2 Longfellow Never.. owned a ship so well apparelled. 3 AVLuke 7:25 They which are gorgeously apparelled, and liue delicately, are in kings courts, fig.: Wordsworth When meadow, grove, and stream. To me did seem Apparelled in celestial light. 4 fig.: Shakes. Com. Err. Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger. ■ apparelment noun (rare) clothing, garb; equipment, trap¬ pings: LME.

apparency/a'par(a)nsi/noun. Now rare. lme. [from Old French aparence, -a(u)nce, formed as appear, orfrom late Latin apparentia appearance: see -ency.] 1 Outward appearance, lme. 2 The quality or state of being apparent to the senses, or to the mind; visibility. Ei7. 3 The position of being heir apparent, mis.

apparent /a'par(a)nt/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old French aparant, -ent (mod. apparent) from Latin apparelitpres. ppl stem of apparere appear: see -ent.] ► A adjective. 1 Open to sight: plainly visible, arch, lme. 2 Manifest to the understanding; evident, obvious; palpable, lme. |3 Liltely, probable. E16-M18. 4 Seeming; that appears to the mind or senses, as dis¬ tinct from (but not necessarily opposed to) what really is. Often contrasted with real M17.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my. au how, ei day. ao no, e: hair, ia near, ai boy, oa poor. Aia tire, aua sour

100

apparently | appearance U3 1 G. Wither An Owl-eyed buzzard that by day is blinde, And sees not things apparant. 2 C. Hampton The man had no taste at all, as was apparent by the morons he d already chosen. B. England His disapproval of the Court is quite apparent. S. Hill It was not apparent how he died, he seemed to have no injuries, heir apparent a person whose right of inheritance cannot be superseded by the birth or another (cf. heir presumptive s.v. presumptive adjective 4 Gibbon His real merit, and apparent fidelity, had gained the confidence both of the prince and people, D. H. Lawrence Her nature, in spite of her apparent placid¬ ity and calm, was profoundly restless, apparent magnitude. apparent solar time, apparent time: as calculated by the apparent motion of the sun (cf. mean solar time s.v. mean adjective-.). ►fB noun. = heir apparent above. LME-M17. ■ apparentness noun (rare) 1.16.

apparently .Vpar(a)ntli/ adverb, lme, [from apparent adjective + -ly2.] jl Visibly, openly. LME-M17. 2 Evidently to the understanding; clearly, plainly, arch. E16. 3 Seemingly; in external appearance; as far as one can judge; (parenthetically or modifying a sentence) it would seem (that); (as a comment on a statement or a reply to a

prove it. obsolete exc. Hist. lme. |4 a challenge to defend one’s honour by fighting. LME-E19. 5 An address to a principle, characteristic, etc., in the expectation of a favourable response, mi 9. 6 Attractive power or influence. E20. UU 1 appeal to the country see country noun. Court of Appeal. (US) Court of Appeals a court which hears cases previously tried in lower courts. Lord justice of Appeal see justice noun. Lord of Appeal (in Ordinary): see LORD noun. 2 Bacon Tire casting up of the eyes.. is a kind of appeal to the Deity- D. Storey There was real appeal in her voice ... She was crying. J. Osborne A very moving appeal to all Chris¬ tians to do all they can to assist in the manufacture of the H-bomb, c C. Hampton 1 saw that TV appeal you did a few weeks ago. 5 M. R. Mitford Slavery.. must not be treated by appeals to the passions. T. Frisby I like the appeal to my old-fashioned feminine instincts. 6 W. Deeping She was standing close to him,.. and Kit was conscious of the sudden shock of her appeal. L. Deighton The shape of his face .. would have little appeal to a portraitist. Comb.: Appeal Court = Court ofAppeal(s), sense 1 above.

question) so it appears. M16. ffl 1 Hobbes The Prophets.. who saw not God apparently like unto Moyses. 2 F. Quarles When thou knowest not apparently, judge charitably. 3 T, Hardy An elderly woman, apparently his wife. J. B. Priestley Winter had set in and apparently taken possession for ever. C. S. Forester There was a long delay; apparently the officer had some difficulty in getting up the ship’s side. Day Lewis The great singer had met something of the same difficulty in this apparently simple song.

apparition /apa’riftaln/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, or Latin apparitio(n-) attendance, service, from apparit- pa. ppl stem of apparere appear: see -ition.] 1 The action of appearing or becoming visible, esp. where this is unexpected or unusual, lme. >b astronomy. The appearance of a comet or other body after a period of invisibility; the period during which it is visible. Mi6. ►|c The Epiphany of Christ; the festival commemorat¬ ing it. E17-E18. f2 Semblance, appearance; aspect. LME-M17. 3 Something which appears, esp. if remarkable or unexpected; a phenomenon, lis. >b spec. A ghost, a phantom; a supernatural appearance. L16. t4 An illusion; a sham. Only in 17. BJ 1 Sir W. Scott Presbyterian divines put to the rout by a sudden apparition of the foul fiend. H. G. Wells The Arabic chroniclers note their apparition upon the Caspian, and give them the name of Russians. V. Woolf The silent apparition of an ashen-coloured ship, b C. Sagan In 1301, Giotto.. wit¬ nessed another apparition of Comet Halley. 2 R. Boyle By their whiteishness, to emulate in some measure the appar¬ ition of Light. Milton A dream. Whose inward apparition gently moved My fancy. 3 Gibbon So strange an apparition excited his surprise and indignation, b Shakes. Jifl. Cat's. I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this mon¬ strous apparition. J. Clavell I thought that I was seeing another apparition... a ghost. ■ apparitional adjective of or pertaining to an apparition; spec¬ tral, subjective: Ei9.

apparitor b'panta/ noun. me. [Latin = public servant, from apparit-: see prec., -or.] 1 A servant or attendant of an ecclesiastical or civil court. ME. 2 roman history. A public servant of a Roman magistrate. M16. 3 A herald, an usher. MI6.

appassionate/3'paJ(3)n3t/ adjective. Long arch. L16. [Italian appassionato (now rare) adjective, formed as ad- + passione passion noun: see -ateC] Impassioned.

tappassionate verb trans. Mi6 M17. [formed as prec.: see -ate3.] Inflame with passion.

appeach /o'pi:tJ/ verb. Longorc/i. me. [Anglo-Norman enpecher (see A-7), Old French empechier impeach verb. Aphet. to peach verb. ] 1 verb trans. Charge, accuse, impeach (of or with an offence etc.), me. 12 verb trans. Impugn, discredit (a person's honour etc.); denounce, inform against (a crime etc.), lme-eis. 13 verb intrans. Give accusatory evidence, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.

appeal /a’pi:l/ noun. me. [Old French apel (mod. appel), formed as next.] 1 The submission of a case to a higher court in the hope of altering the judgement of a lower one; a request to higher authority for alteration of a decision, me. 2 A call to an authority for vindication or support, or to a witness for corroboration etc.; a call for help, an entreaty, a supplication, me. >b cricket. A call to an umpire for a decision, esp. a request for a batsman to be b but, d dog, f few, g get,

given out. mis. >c A request for public donations to support a charity or cause. Li 9. 3 A calling to account before a legal tribunal; spec, a criminal accusation made by a person undertaking to

h he, j yes,

k cat.

appeal /a’pi:l/ verb. me. [Old French apeler (mod. app-) call, from Latin appellare accost, accuse, impeach, appeal to, from ad- ap-1 + pell- stem of pellere to drive.] ► I verb intrans. (Foil, by to a court, person, etc.) 1 Make request to a higher court or authority for alteration of the decision of a lower one; take a case, ques¬ tion, etc., from one court, authority, etc., to another; make an appeal against a verdict etc. me. 2 Call on an authority for a decision in one’s favour. LME. ►b CRICKET. Call on an umpire for a decision; esp. request an umpire to give a batsman out. mi8. 3 Call to a witness for corroboration; call attention to some evidence for confirmation, lme. 4 Make entreaty or earnest request (to a person for something, to do something), mi6. 5 Address oneself to a principle, characteristic, etc., in the expectation of a favourable response from a person or group; seek to be attractive or acceptable to a particu¬ lar group. LI 8. 6 Be attractive or pleasing. Li 9. 03 1 G. 0. Trevelyan The Revising Barrister’s.. decisions have never been appealed against. A. J. P. Taylor Thus Lloyd George appealed from the ruling classes to ‘the people'. appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober: see drunk adjective l. appeal to the country: see country noun. 2 A. J. P. Taylor The Chinese appealed to the League of Nations against Japan, appeal to Caesar: see Caesar i. 3 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI To heaven I do appeal How I have lov’d my King and common¬ weal. E. Waugh Her resistance ended when I appealed to the mysteries of my trade. 4 T. Cromwell I appell to your Highnes for mercy. D. H. Lawrence She had managed to get his address, so that she could appeal to him in time of dis¬ tress. Daily Telegraph He appealed for anyone who attended the pool.. to come forward. 5 G. B. Shaw The Sunday papers.. appealed almost exclusively to the lower middle class. I. Murdoch Appealing to Dora’s better nature may turn out to be a difficult operation. 6 Smart Set The specious¬ ness of Betty’s words appealed. T. S. Eliot I happen to know of a vacancy In my own parish .. If it should appeal to you. V. S. Pritchett Gothic inevitably appealed to the disorderly minds of the young. ► II verb trans. 7 Call (a person) to answer before a tribu¬ nal; accuse (of a crime, esp. treason), impeach, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. 8 Challenge to defend one’s honour by fighting. Long arch. lme. 9 Submit (a case etc.) to a higher court; make an appeal against (a decision etc.), lis. flO Call to witness. Only in mi?. 03 7 Shakes. Rich. II Hast thou sounded him If he appeal the Duke on ancient malice. Or worthily. W. Prynne I.. appeale you to the Tribunall of that high Judge above. T. Keichtley They came before the king.. and appealed of treason the Archbishop of York. 8 Sir W. Scott Man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists. 9 C. Marlowe To patient judgments we appeal our plaud. J. Barth The young barris¬ ter .. didn’t even think of appealing the judgment until it was too late. 10 Milton He hath presum’d to appeale .. the testimony of God. ■ appeala bility noun the state or quality of being appealable M20. appealable adjective able to be appealed against E17. appealer noun a person who makes an appeal lme. appealing adjective that appeals; esp. attractive, pleasing: Li6. appealingly adverb imploringly; attractively: mi9. appear /o'pis/ verb & noun. me. [Old French aper- tonic stem of apareir (mod. apparoir) from Latin apparere, from ad ap-1 +parere come into view.] ► A verb intrans. 1 Come into view, as from concealment, or from a distance; become visible; become evident, me. 2 Be visible; be displayed; be located, occur; manifest itself (as), lme.

leg, m man. n no,

p pen,

r red, s sit, t top,

v van.

w we,

z zoo.

3 Present oneself formally before an authority; come before a court etc. Also, act as legal representative for someone, lme. 4 Present oneself publicly; put in an appearance, lme. ►b spec. Come before the public as an author. Li7. *c Be published, be issued, become available. E18. Fd spec. Come before the public as an actor, performer, partici¬ pant in a broadcast, etc. E18. 5 Be dear or evident to the understanding; be mani¬ fest, LME. 6 (In some uses as copular verb.) Seem to the mind, be perceived as, be considered; seem outwardly or superfi¬ cially (but not be in reality). Foil, by to be, to do, that, as if, as though. Also impers. with it. lme. CQ 1 AV Luke 1:11 There appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord. C. S. Forester A row of four or five swarthy faces had appeared at the stem of the galley. P. A. Scholes When he was about thirty the first signs of deafness appeared. A. Koestler Hipparchus.. had seen a new star appear in the sky. B. Malamud Then one day.. there appeared a sign in the empty store window. 2 D. H. Lawrence A wide plateglass door,.. in the round arch of which the words: ‘Man¬ chester House’ should appear large and distinguished. C. Caudwell In him the revolt of the heart against reason appears as the revolt of the hero against circumstance. R. V. Jones It was no artefact for it appeared on two separate photographs. 3 Steele Many.. are known to have Ill-will to him for whom I appear. E. Waugh Bound over to appear in a week’s time. J. le Carre I supposed he didn't want any mud raked up by Mundt appearing at the Old Bailey. 4 D. du Maurier ‘You can’t possibly not appear’ ‘No.., I’m not coming down. I can’t face them.’ S. Hill Kathleen did not appear to tea, and Isabel was sent in search of her. b appear in print: see print noun, c E. Waugh Many years later, there appeared the first massive volume of his.. work on Byzan¬ tine Art. E. F. Schumacher The existence of‘goods’ which never appear on the market, d A. Jacobs Italian tenor who .. appeared in Britain from 1902. U.S.A. from 1903. A. S. Byatt 1 think he will ask you to appear on his pro¬ gramme. Encycl. Brit. Garrick appeared.. in Thomas Southerner Oroonoko as Aboan. a noble savage. 5 Shakes. Merck V. It doth appear you are a worthy judge. Milton Our greatness will appear Then most conspicuous. 6 D. Hume Solely, as it appears, for what you believe to be for our advan¬ tage. J. Tyndall Raindrops which descend vertically appear to meet us when we move swiftly. T. Hardy Oak, not to appear unnecessarily disagreeable, stayed a little while. H. French They appear as though they had been written in red. G. Orwell He caught a glimpse of the girl,.. at the far end of the room. She appeared not to have seen him. Harper Lee He could.. appear tall if height was part of the devilry required. D. Storey If you must appear the busy executive, you must. S. Barstow It appears they live in Essex and this is the first time they’ve stayed on the Yorkshire coast, appear in the light of. see light noun.

► B noun. Appearance, rare. Ei7.

■ appearer noun E17. appearingly adverb (obsolete exc. dial.) t(o) visibly; (b) apparently; lme.

appearance /3’piar(a)ns/ noun. lme. [Old French aparance, -ence (mod. apparence) from late Latin apparentia, from Latin apparent- pres, ppl stem of apparere: see prec. (to which assim. in form). Cf. apparency.]

1 The action of coming into view or becoming visible or evident, lme. 2 The action of appearing formally at any proceedings, e.g. in court, lme. 3 The action or state of seeming or appearing to be (to the eyes or mind); semblance, lme. ►Jb Likelihood, probability, lme-li8. FJc Viewpoint, opinion. LME-E17. 4 State or form as perceived; look, aspect; in pi., cir¬ cumstances as they appear, the look of things in general. LME. 5 Outward show or aspect (opp. reality). lme. 6 Something which appears; a phenomenon; an appar¬ ition. Li 5. |7 A gathering of people; an attendance. L16-L18. 8 A conspicuous display; show. Li6. 9 The action or an instance of coming before the world or the public in any way; being present, participating. L17. >b Publication, issue, being made available. li 9. 10 Visible occurrence; a manifestation. M19. CQ 1 E. A. Freeman The appearance of the fleet was unlooked for. J. Buchan I had not seen him approach, and the sudden appearance made me start. 2 B. England His appearance before this court will in no way affect his official knowledge of these proceedings, 3 AV t Thess. 5:22 Abstaine from all appearance of euill. P. H. Johnson They gave every appearance of happiness, of a problem solved, but I felt sure that another problem lay behind it. 4 Southey All appear¬ ances Denote alarm and vigilance. A. Wilson Isobel was deeply distressed at her brother’s tired, grey appearance. J. le Carre He took less care of his appearance and less notice of his surroundings. 5 G. Orwell We bring him over to our side, not in appearance, but genuinely, heart and soul. S. Hill Alida appears to be a new woman, but is it only an appearance? 6 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV Whose well-labouring sword Had three times slain th‘ appearance of the King. W. Cowper I am.. a great observer of natural appearances. 7 Evelyn An innumerable appearance of gallants. 8 Steele 1 gratify the vanity of all who pretend to make an Appear¬ ance. 9 James Sullivan ‘The first great event in history,’

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

f) this,

tj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

101

appeasable | appetise says Berosus, 'was tie appearance of Oannes.’ B. James The match featured the first appearance of.. Bobby Charlton. G. Abraham Increasing deafness.. inhibited Beethoven's appearances as a virtuoso, b F. Palgrave The appearance of his first book. 10 E. A. Freeman The single appearance of the word in Domesday is the earliest instance. Phrases: keep up appearances maintain artificially an outward show of normality etc. so as to conceal the true state of affairs make an appearance, put in an appearance be present, esp. briefly; turn up. save appearances = keep up appearances above, to all appearance(s) so far as can be seen. Comb.: appearance money; paid to a performer merely for taking part in a particular event.

appellor Zaps To:, a'peb:/ noun. Now arch, or Hist. lme. [Anglo-Norman apeiour - Old French formed as appellate verb + -or.]

mw. A person who formally accuses or challenges another.

append /a'pend/ verb trans. lme. appendere hang to, from ad ap-1 +pendere hang.] 1 Hang on, attach as a pendant, affix, lme. 2 Join on, annex. 118. 3 Add, esp. in writing. M19. [Latin

apaisable,

from

apaisier:

see next, -able.]

Able to be appeased. appease /s'piiz/ verb. me. apeser. Old French apaisier (mod. apaiser), from noun.]

[Anglo-Norman

A-5 + pais

peace

1 verb trans. Bring to peace, settle (strife, disorder); calm, pacify (persons in conflict), me. 2 verb trans. Assuage, allay (anger, displeasure); propiti¬ ate (a person who is angry etc.), lme. 3 verb trans. Relieve, soothe (pain, suffering: fthe part suffering, fthe sufferer), lme. 4 verb trans. Satisfy (a demand, appetite, prejudice, etc.); pacify or placate (a person) by acceding to his or her demands etc. (Cf. appeasement tb.) lme. f 5 verb intrans. Be pacified, calmed; abate. LME-M17.

a

lme-eis.

appendage/a psndidj/ noun. M17.

from

apaisier: see prec.,

£□ W. Cave Confirmation .. ever was a constant appendage to Baptism. W. Derham Clothing, another necessary Appendage of Life. Joyce A strong suspicion of nose-paint about the nasal appendage. G. B. Shaw Rather than be reduced to a mere appendage of a big American concern, we might fight for our independence.

apeiant pres, pple

of

apeler appeal verb: see

-ant'.]

► A adjective. 1 Making an appeal; esp. appealing to a higher court; Hist, accusing, challenging. Freq. postpositive. LME. 2 Concerned with appeals; appellate. Li 8. ► B noun. 1 A person who formally accuses another of treason or felony (Hist.), or of negligence etc. in a mari¬ time court. LME. ►tb A challenger. LME-L17. 2 A person who makes an appeal to a higher court or authority. E17. 3 gen. A person who makes an entreaty or request. El 8. 1 Lords Appellant(s): see lord noun.

appellate/p'pslat/ adjective, lme. [Latin

appellatus pa.

pple,

formed

as

next:

see -ate-.]

appellate /'apaleit/ verb trans. rare. M18. appellat- pa. ppl stem

of

appellare appeal verb: see

-ate3.]

Call, designate. appellatio(nj, formed as prec.: see

+

-ectomy.]

= APPENDICECTOMY.

appendence

noun, appendent APPENDANCE, APPENDANT.

adjective

vars.

of

appendical/s'psndikfs)]/adjective. Now rare. Mi9.

appendicectomy /apendi'sektami/ noun. L19. Latin appendic-, appendix noun + -ectomy.] Surgical removal of the vermiform appendix: an instance of this. [from

1 The action of appealing (esp. in legal senses); an appeal, arch. lme. 2 A designation, a name, a title, lme. >b The action of calling by a name; nomenclature. L16. appellation controlee /apelasjo kotrole/ noun phr. M20. [French = controlled appellation.]

(A guarantee of) the description of a bottle of French wine (or other item of food) in conformity with statutory regulations as to its origin. Also appellation d'origine controlee /dorigin/. appellativus, formed as appellate verb: see -ative.] ► A adjective. 1 Designating a class of things, people, etc., in general; (of a noun) common (opp. proper). lme. f2 Of the nature of a descriptive name or appellation. L16-M17. 3 Of or pertaining to the giving of names, rare, mi 9. ► Bnoun. 1 A common noun, li 6. 2 An appellation or descriptive name. Li 6. ■ appellatively adverb as an appellative E17. [Late Latin

appellee /apa'li:, ope'li:/ noun. Mi6. [from French appele pa. pple of appear appeal verb: see -EE1.] uw. 1 A person who is formally accused or challenged by another. Now arch. exc. in a maritime court. M16. 2 The defendant in a case taken to a higher court. Cf. respondent. Chiefly US. E17. arm,

s bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see,

appendicitis /spendi'sAitis/ noun. L19.

appendicula dim. of appendic-, appendix noun: A small appendix or appendage. [Latin

d

prec.

+

see -cule.]

-ar'.[

appendicularian .japfaJndikjs'lEirran/ noun & adjective, LI 9. [from mod. Latin Appendicularia, a typical genus, formed as prec., + -AN.]

zoology. b-A noun. A member of the class Larvacea of minute free-swimming planktonic tunicates. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to this class. 119.

appendiculate /apfrln'dikjoht/ adjective. Ei9. [formed as appendicle + -ate2.]

Having appendages or appendicles; forming an appendage or appendicle.

hot, 0: saw,

a

apperception /ap3'sEpJ(3)n/noun. mis. [French aperception or mod. Latin apperceplio(n-) (Leibniz), formed as AP-1 + PERCEPTION.] 1 The mind’s perception ofitself. mis. 2 Mental perception, recognition, mi9. 3 psychology. The active mental process of assimilating an idea (esp. one newly perceived) to a body of ideas already possessed, and thereby comprehending it. Li 9. 3 Thematic Apperception Test: see thematic adjective, m apperceptive adjective (psychology) of or pertaining to apper¬ ception L19. [from a-11 + peril]

Peril. [Old French apartenir (mod. app-) from Proto-Romance var. of late Latin appertinere, formed as ap-1 + pertain.] ► I verb intrans. Foil, by to. 1 Be related, be akin. arch. lme. 2 Belong as a possession, right, or privilege, lme. 3 Belong naturally, be appropriate, lme. 4 Pertain, relate, lme. Q 1AV Num. 16:32 All the men that appertained vnto Korah. 2 Hobbes Shall not all Judicature appertain to Christ? R. Firbank Prior to the Reformation the farm buildings .. had appertained .. to the Abbots of St. Veronica. 3 Shakes. Much Ada Do all rites That appertain unto a burial. D. Lessing Psychological characteristics that are considered as apper¬ taining to one sex rather than another, absol.: AV1 Esd. 1:12 They rosted the Passeouer with fire, as appertaineth. 4 Chaucer A certein nombre of conclusions apertenyng to the same instrument. J. Conrad All that appertained to her haunted me... her whole form in the familiar pose, her very substance in its colour and texture. ► II verb trans. f5 Belong to, become, befit. LME-E17. ■ i appertainance noun = appurtenance E16-M19. appertinent adjective & noun see appurtenant. appestat/'apistat/noun. M20. [from appe(tite noun + -stat, perh. after thermostat.] physiology. A region of the brain (possibly in the hypothal¬ amus) which is believed to control a person’s appetite for food.

appetence /'apit(3)ns/noun. E17. -ence.]

[Latin appetentia longing after, from appetere: see

1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an appendage or appendicle. M17. 2 Of or pertaining to a limb or limbs. L19.

biology.

+

appetite,

-ency.]

appendicle /3'pendik(3)l/ noun. Ei7.

as

ap-1

appetency/'apit(3)nsi/noun. Ei7.

[formed as prec. + -ms.]

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix.

[formed

[Old French aperceveir (mod. apercevoir) ult. from Latin ad percipere perceive.] 1 Observe, notice, perceive. Long rare. me. 2 psychology. Comprehend by apperception. L19.

[French appetence or formed as next: see = APPETENCY 2.

appendices noun pi. see appendix noun.

appendicular /apfajn'dikjob/ adjective. Mi7.

appellative /a'psbtiv/ adjective & noun. lme.

a:

appendix

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an appendix.

-ATION.]

a cat,

[from

apperceive /apa'sbv/ verb trans. me.

appertain /apa'tem/ verb. lme.

[formed as next + -al'.J

appellation /aps'leijfrln/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin

apendre depend on,

► A adjective. (Foil, by to, on.) 1 mw. Attached or belonging to a possession or tenure as an additional but subsidiaiy right, lme. 2 Pertinent, attendant, consequent. E16. 3 Hanging attached, mi6. 4 Attached in a subordinate capacity; annexed. Lie. ► B noun. arch. 1 mw. A lesser right or property attached by prescrip¬ tion to one more important. Li 5. 2 An addition, an adjunct, an appendage, an appendix; a dependency. Li6. 3 A dependant. L16. 4 A natural consequence; a corollary. Li 6.

MEDICINE.

d 2 Robert Burton Idleness is an appendix to nobility. 3 Conan Doyle 1 am a brain, Watson. Tire rest of me is a mere appendix. L. Durrell The whole island is geologically simply an appendix to the Anatolian continent which has at some time been broken off and set free to float. 4 Sir T. Browne The appendices or beards in the calicular leaves. G. B. Shaw The surgeon.. can remove the appendix or the uvula, and leave the patient none the worse.

f apperil noun. rare. E17-M19.

appendant /s'pendfsint/ adjective & noun. Also -ent. lme.

L19.

■ tappellatory adjective & noun (a) adjective pertaining to an appellant; of the nature of an appeal; (b) noun a letter of appeal: L16-M18.

4 anatomy. A small process developed from the surface of an organ; spec, (more fully vermiform appendix) the short thin blind tube extending from the caecum. E17.

1, 2;

appendectomy /apfrjn'dektsmi/ noun. Chiefly N. Amer.

11 Appealed against, accused, rare, lme-eis. 2 Appealed to; concerned with appeals, mis.

[Latin

[Old French apendance, from apendre: see next, -ance.] 11 A dependent possession. E16-M17. t2 An appendage. MI6-L17. 3 mw. The fact of being appendant. M19. ■ appendancy, -ency noun (now rare) f(a) = appendance (b) = APPENDANCE 3: E17.

[Old French apendant (mod. app-), from belong to, formed as append: see -ant1.]

appellant /3'pel(a)nt/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old French

■ appendaged adjective furnished with or having an append¬

appendance /s'pendfajns/ noun. Also -ence. Ei6.

-ment.]

1 The action or process of appeasing, lme. >b politics. A policy of making concessions to a potential aggressor in order to preserve peace; spec, such a policy pursued by Britain towards Nazi Germany prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. Often derog. E20. f2 A means of appeasing. M16-L17. 3 A state of pacification or satisfaction, arch. L16.

[Latin appendix, -die-, formed as append.] ► A noun. PL -dices /-disi:z/, -dixes. 1 An addition to a book or document, having some contributory value, but not essential to completeness. M16.

► B verb trans. Add as an appendix, rare. M18.

-age.]

Something attached; a subsidiary adjunct; an addition; an accompaniment.

age L18.

appeasement/a'piczmfsjnt/ noun. lme. apaisement,

prec. +

[from

■ appeaser noun a person who or thing which appeases; spec, a person who supports a policy of appeasement: lme. appeasive adjective tending to appease; propitiatory: E17.

[Old French

noun the action or process of appending

fappension

appendix /a'pendiks/ noun & verb. Mi6.

t2 A subsidiary non-material addition, accompani¬ ment, or consequence, MI6-L17. 3 A subsidiary external adjunct; a dependent posses¬ sion or territory. Li 6.

. 1 Carlyle A Conquering Hero, to whom Fate Lias malignantly appended a tin-kettle of Ambition. 2 S. Johnson Hales-Owen .. was appended .. to a distant county. 3 J. S. Mill Some additional remarks.. are appended. Scott Fitzgerald ‘They carried him into my house,' appended Jordan, ‘because we lived just two doors from tlie church.' M. Muggeridge He even appended liis signature to a memo¬ randum calling for drastic action on the Government's part.

appeasable /a'pi;zab(3)l/ adjective. M16. [Old French

apeleor from Latin appellator,

1 Natural tendency, affinity; instinctive inclination or propensity, arch. E17. 2 The state or action of desiring; passion; an appetite, a craving. (Foil, by after, for, |of.) M17. £□21. D’Israeli Fanaticism and robbery.. will satiate their appetency for blood and plunder. D. Masson An appetency after literaty distinction. M. Innes The magical and irrational appetencies which make up nine-tenths of the content of the human mind.

appetent /'apit(a)nt/ adjective, lme. [Latin appetent- pres, ppl stem of appetere: see appetite, Eagerly desirous. (Foil, by after, of.)

-ent.]

appetible /'apitib(3)l/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. Lis. [Latin appetibiHs desirable, from appetere: see appetite, 11 Impelling. Only in Li 5. 2 Desirable. E17. ■ jappetibility noun desirableness E17-E19.

-ible.]

appetise verb, appetiser noun, appetising adjective vars Of APPETIZE etc.

run, o put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day 30 no, e: hair, is near, 01 boy, 03 poor, xra tire, aus sour

102

appetite | applot 4 Something resembling an apple in form or colour.

appetite "apitMt/ noun, me. [Old French aprtit (mod. appetit) from Latin appetttus desire towards, from appetit- pa. ppl stem of appetere seek after, from ad ap-1 + peters seek.] Foil by/or (fo/,'podo). 1 (A) desire to satisfy a natural need, esp. for food or tor sexual pleasure; an instinctive craving; capacity for food, sexual activity, etc. me. 2 gen. A desire, an inclination, a disposition, lme. f3 A natural tendency of a thing towards a state etc. LME-M17. 4 An object of desire or longing, arch. lme. ta 1 Addison The most violent Appetites in all Creatures are Lust and Hunger. P. G. Wodehouse I can’t explain till I've had something to eat. Yon idle rich don t realize it, but working gives one an appetite. J. Hersey He gained back some of the weight he lost, but his appetite remained only fair. J. Heller She picked without appetite at her small salad. R. Grayson Suji’s sexual appetite is formidable. 2 J. Lyly I have an appetite it were best for me to take a nap. G. Grote Obeying without reflection the appetite of the moment. K. Tynan A pitiful spectacle which has bred in modern audi¬ ences an appetite for pathos that amounts to an addiction. 3 Bacon In all Bodies, there is an Appetite of Union. 4 Wordsworth The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood.. were then to me An appetite. ■ appe titious adjective (rare) belonging to appetite, appetizing M17.

appetition /apa'tiJ(a)n/noun. Ei7. [Latin appetitiojn-) strong desire after, from appetit-: see prec., -ITION.) Chiefly philosophy. The directing of any kind of desire towards an object or purpose.

appetitive /o'pEtrtiv/ adjective. Mi6. [French appetitif or medieval Latin appetitivus, from appetit-; see APPETITE, -IVE.] Characterized by appetite.

appetize /'apitAiz/ verb trons. Chiefly Scot. & north. Also -ise. M18. [Back-form, from appetizing.] Give an appetite to. Chiefly as appetized ppl adjective.

appetizer apitAiza/ noun. Also -iser. Mi9. [from appetize + -er'.] Something eaten or drunk to stimulate the appetite.

appetizing /'apitAizir)/ adjective. Also -ising. M17. [from Old & mod. French appetissant with ending assim. to -IZE, -ING2.] Exciting a desire, esp. for food; stimulating the appe¬ tite. ■ appetizingly adverb LT9.

applaud /a'pb:d/ verb. Lis. [Partly from Latin applaudere, from ad ap-1 + plaudere to clap, partly after French applaudir.] 1 verb trans. Express approval of, as by clapping hands; approve of, praise. Li 5. f2 verb intrans. Assent to; give approbation to. M16-L17. 3 verb intrans. Express approval in a loud or lively manner, esp. by clapping hands. L16. ffil 1 Addison They.. applaud themselves for the Singular¬ ity of their Judgment. M. Edgeworth I applaud him for standing forward in defence of his friend. A. Paton John Kumalo sits down, and the people applaud him, a great wave of shouting and clapping, j. K. Galbraith Audiences of all kinds most applaud what they like best. 2 Spenser The people standing all about.. doe thereto applaud. 3 J. B. Priestley The enraptured audience would not stop applauding. ■ applauder noun L16. applaudingly adverb with applause or loud commendation mis.

APPLES.

Comb.: apple-bee dial, a wasp; apple brandy spirit distilled from cider; apple-butter N. Amer a spread of spiced stewed apple, usu. made with cider; apple-cart a cart for carrying apples; upset someone's apple-cart, upset the apple-cart, (fig.) spoil someone's plans, ruin an undertaking; apple-green adjective & noun yellowish green; apple-head a domed head of a toy dog; applejack (a) N. Amer. apple brandy; (b) dial, sliced apple baked in pastry; fapple-john [said to be ripe on St John’s Day] a kind of apple eaten when much withered; apple-peru N. Amer. = apple of Peru (b) above; apple-polisher N. Amer. a toady; apple sauce (o) apples stewed to a pulp; (b) N. Amer, insincere flattery, nonsense; fapple-squire a pimp; apple strudel baked spiced apples in flaky pastry; apple tree (a) a tree which bears apples; (b) Austral, any of various indigenous trees, chiefly eucalypts; apple-woman a woman who sells apples from a stall. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Form or turn into apples; bear apples, oe. fb Of a turnip: swell into globular shape. Now rare or obsolete. Ei8. 2 verb intrans. Gather apples. Li 8.

apple-pie /apfoll'pAi; as adjective 'apfollpxi/ noun & adjective. Li6. [from prec. + pie noun2.] ► A noun. 1 A pie with a filling of apples. Li 6. 2 The great willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum. Also applepie-plant. (From the odour of its flowers and shoots.) dial. M19. Comb. & phrases: apple-pie bed a bed made as a practical joke, with sheets so folded that one's legs cannot be stretched out; apple-pie order perfect order; motherhood and apple-pie. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Representing or displaying homespun conservative virtues regarded as traditionally American. M20.

apples "ap(3)lz/ adjective. Austral. & NZslang. M20. [PI. of apple noun.] Satisfactory, all right, fine. Q3 T. A. G. Hungerpord How’s it going, Wally? Everything apples?

applet/'aplit/ noun. L20. [from application noun + -let.] computing. A small application program, esp. one that executes a single task within a larger application.

Appleton layer/'ap(3)lt(3)n .leis/ noun phr. M20. [Edward V. Appleton (1892-1965), Brit, physicist.] = F-layer s.v. F, F 7.

[Latin applausus. from applaus- pa. ppl stem of applaudere: see prec.] 1 Approbation loudly expressed, esp. by clapping hands; marked approval, lme. 12 An acclamation; a commendation. E17-L18. 13 An object of approval, rare. Only in E17. ELI 1 Wellington He has always conducted himself in such a manner as to gain my applause. D. M. Thomas They took their bows to warm, if not tumultuous, applause. 2 Pope Loud applauses rend the vaulted sky. 3 Jonson The applause! delight! the wonder of our Stage. ■ applausive adjective (a) (loudly) expressive of approval; t(b) worthy of approval: Lie. applausively adverb (rare) mis.

apple ap(a)l/ noun & verb. [Old English teppel, corresp. to Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Middle & mod. Dutch appel. Old High German apful (German Apfel), Old Norse epli, Crimean Gothic apel, from Germanic: cognates in other Indo-European langs.] ► A noun. 1 The round firm fruit of a tree of the rose family, Malus domestica, cultivated in innumerable var¬ ieties in the temperate zones. Also, an apple tree. oe. 2 Any fruit, esp. one which in some respects resembles an apple. Also, a gall. Usu. with specifying word in par¬ ticular names, e.g. oak-apple, thorn-apple oe. 3 The forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6). oe. k cat,

I leg, r

[from apply + -able.] |1 Compliant, accommodating, favourably disposed; ready and willing. Cf. pliable. lme-li7. 2 Able to be applied; having reference, pertinent, lis.

applial /a'plAioV noun. rare. Mi6. [formed as prec. + -AL1.] Application; a request.

£0 1 Carlyle The human soul.. could be acted-on.. by the appliance of birch-rods. 2 Shakes. Hen. VJH Ask God for temp’rance; that's th' appliance only Which your disease requires. J. Cheever Neither of them understood the mech¬ anics of radio—or of any of the other appliances that sur¬ rounded them. 3 Shakes. Meas. for M. Too noble to conserve a life In base appliances. ■ applianced adjective equipped with domestic appliances M20. tappliant adjective, lme. [Old French apliant pres, pple of aplkr apply: see -ant1.] 1 Favourably disposed, willing, compliant; diligent. LME-M17.

2 Applicable, pertinent to. rare. M16-M19. applicable /’aplikobfoil, s'plik-/ adjective. M16. [Old & mod. French, or medieval Latin applicabilis, from applicare: see apply, -able.] |1 = APPLIABLE 1. M16-M18. 2 Able to be applied (to a purpose etc.); having refer¬ ence, relevant. Li6. p pen. r red,

[from

APPLICATION + -ANT1.]

A person who applies or makes a formal request. applicate /'aplikat, -keit/po. pple & ppl adjective, arch. lme. [Latin applicatus pa. pple, from applicat-: see next, -ate2.] Applied; applicable.

application /apli'keiffoln/ noun. lme. [Old 8, mod. French from Latin application), from applicat- pa. ppl stem of applicare: see apply, -ation.]

1 The action of bringing something into material or effective contact with something else; esp. the putting on or administration of a medicament. Also, a remedy so applied, lme. >b geometry. The placing of a line or figure in contact with another. E18. 2 Use with special reference (to); use, employment; a specific use or purpose to which something is put. lme. 3 The bringing of a general or figurative statement, a theory, principle, etc., to bear upon a matter; applicabil¬ ity in a particular case, relevance; the bringing of some¬ thing to bear practically in a matter, practical operation. Also, a practical lesson or moral, lme. 4 astronomy & astrology. The action of approaching. Li 6. 5 The action of applying oneself closely (to a task etc.); assiduous effort, attention, diligence. Ei7. 16 An obsequious deference or soliciting of favour. Only in E17. 7 (The making of) a request, esp. of a formal nature. Ml 7.

8 computing. A specific task performed on behalf of the user of a computer system (as distinct from one perfomed on behalf of the system itself); any program or piece of software that performs such a task. Also as application program. M20. ID 1 J. Abernethy I began again to try some medicated applications. J. Scoffern The application of heat to the bulb. Anthony Huxley Well-farmed soils.. contain two to four times more phosphate and potassium than is needed by most crops, following past years of regular application. 2 S. Hill The forceful novelty of this application of such a difficult word, to himself. C. Sagan The idea of a code, at least in the usual military intelligence application, is to make a message difficult to read. 3 Hobbes The application of the law to the present case. J. Butler A fable or a parable, related without any application or moral. E. O’Neill He quotes with great sentiment, if with slight application. A. J. P. Taylor A lesson.. which had its application in the wider field of international relations. E. F. Schumacher A fascination with novelties.. which insists on their applica¬ tion long before their long-term consequences are even remotely understood. 5 Pope I am obliged.. to give up my whole application to Homer. A. Fraser He was obviously capable of great application when his interest was aroused. 7 G. Burnet Frequent applications to God in prayer. Aldous Huxley Applications for bank credit had been rather disap¬ pointing. J. le Carre A firm.. showed interest in his applica¬ tion for the post of assistant manager and personnel officer.

[from Latin applicat- (see prec.) + -ive.]

Characterized by being applied in some way; practical. applicator/'aplikeita/ noun. M17. [formed as prec. + -or.]

A thing which or (rare) a person who applies; esp. a device for the application of a medication or other substance. [formed as prec. + -ory2.]

1 The bringing to bear of some technique or agency; application, use, putting into practice, arch. Mi6. 2 A thing applied as means to an end; a device, a utensil, an apparatus. L16. Fb spec. A fire engine. L19. 13 Compliance; (an act of) subservience. Only in Ei7.

n no,

applicant/‘aplik(3)nt/ noun. Ei9.

applicatory /'aplikstfolri/ adjective, arch. M16.

[from APPLY + -ANCE.]

man.

■ applica bility noun the quality of being applicable; pertin¬ ent, M17. applicableness noun (rare) M17 applicably adverb (rare) so as to be applied; pertinently, suitably: mis.

applicative /'aplikeitrv, -katrv/ adjective. M17.

appliable /a'plArebfoJl/ adjective, arch. lme.

appliance/a'plAians/noun. Mi6.

applause /o'pb:z/ noun. lme.

b but, d dog. f few, g get, h he. j yes.

2 balsam apple crab-apple, custard-apple. May-apple, oakapple. pineapple, etc. . Phrases Adam's apple see Adam noun, apple ot discord a subject of dissension (from the golden apple inscribed ’for the fairest’ contended for by Hera, Athene, and Aphrodite), apple of love see love noun, apple of one’s eye, apple of the eye t|a) the pupil; |b) the person or thing most cherished, apple of Peru (a) a Peruvian plant of the nightshade family, Nicandra physalodes, bearing bluish flowers and round brown fruit; (b) N. Amer. the thorn-apple, Datura stramonium, apple of Sodom, Sodom apple = Dead Sea fruit apples (and pears) rhyming slang stairs, (as) sure as God made little apples colloq. with complete certainty. Sodom apple: see apple of Sodom above, the Apple, the Big Apple US slang New York City. Wacener apple See also

3 Suitable, appropriate. Mi9.

s sit,

t top, v van,

w we, z zoo.

1 Having the property of applying something to prac¬ tical use. Also, applicable, mi6. |2 Making application or request. M-L17. applied /a'plAid/ adjective. Ei6. [from apply + -ED1.]

11 Folded. Only in Ei6. 2 Put to practical use; having or concerned with prac¬ tical application. (Opp. abstract, pure, or theoretical.) M17.

3

needlework.

Laid on as applique. L19.

applier/a'pUis/noun. mi6. [from APPLY+ -ER1.]

A person who or thing which applies. applique /a'plhkei/ noun & verb. M18. [French, use as noun of pa. pple of appliquer from Latin applicare: see apply.]

Chiefly needlework. ►A noun. (A piece of) ornamental work cut out from one material and affixed to the surface of another: the technique of ornamenting in this way. mis. ► B verb trans. Decorate in this way. Chiefly as appliqued ppl adjective. 119. applot /a’plnt/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -tt-. Mi7. [from plot noun, app. after lot, allot ]

Divide into plots or parts: apportion. ■ applotment noun division into plots M17. J she,

3

vision.

0 thin,

3 this,

r) ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

103

apply | apposition apply /a'pki/ verb. lme. [Old French aplier from Latin applicare, from ad ap-1 + plicare to fold.]

► I Of a thing in contact with another. 1 verb trans. Put close or in contact. (Foil, by to.) lme. ►b geometry, Bring or construct (a figure etc.) in contact. Foil, by to (a line etc.). M17. 2 verb trans. Place (a plaster, ointment, etc.) in effective contact with the body (foil, by to); administer (a remedy etc., to); transf. & fig. bring effectively to bear on something (foil, by to). LME. 13 verb intrans. Come or be close; come into or be in contact. Foil, by to. lme-lis.

4 verb trans. Put to a special use or purpose; devote, appropriate, to; use in special reference to, lme. 5 verb trans. Put to use; employ; dispose of. lme. 6 verb trans. Give a specific reference to (a general, the¬ oretical, or figurative statement); use as relevant or suit¬ able; bring to bear practically, put into practical operation. (Foil, by to.) lme. 17 verb trans. Refer, ascribe, to. lme-eis. 8 verb intrans. Have a practical bearing; have relevance; refer; be operative. (Foil, by to, ffor.) (rare before L18.) L15. |9 verb trans. Compare, liken, to. L16-M17. ffl 1 Joyce He applies his handkerchief to his mouth, apply the brakes see brake noun7. 2 Spenser To Guyon.. Their pleasaunt tunes they sweetly thus applyde. Bacon He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils. T. Fuller To apply comfort to him who is not.. ready for it. Jas. Mill They applied coercion to the English resident. V. Woolf Unless you apply some balm to the anguish of this hour. P. Nichols I undressed her and applied a suppository. M. Leitch There was little or no splintering.. and no real sign on the outside that force had been applied. 4 Marvell The Poll money hath likewise been applyd to the use of the warre. G. B. Shaw I wonder why the epithet robber is applied only to barons. You never hear of robber dukes. 5 Steele Knife or a pistol, if he finds stomach to apply them. S. Hill It’s not a word you tend to apply. 6 S. Johnson Knowledge which he cannot apply will make no man wise. J. Fordyce I leave you to apply the remark. W. Faulkner How false the most profound book turns out to be when applied to life. T. S. Eliot A test.. which can only be slowly and cautiously applied. A J. P. Taylor His ideas would have had to be applied by civil servants and industrialists who had no faith in them. 7 Pope Thus Wit, like Faith, by each man is apply’d To one small sect, and all are damn'd beside. 8 W. Paley This test applies to every supposition. V. Woolf Perhaps what he was saying did not apply to pictures. E. O’Neill Arthur hangs back, as if the designation 'kids’ couldn’t possibly apply to him. M. Spark She is above the common moral code, it does not apply to her. A. J. P. Taylor The Anglo-Polish alliance spe¬ cifically did not apply against Russia. ► II Of a person in close contact with an activity. 10 verb trans. Give or devote (a faculty etc., oneself) assiduously to, to do. lme. 11 verb intrans. Attend assiduously (to), arch. Li 5. f12 verb trans. Devote one's energy to; wield; practise. L15-M17. 113 verb trans. Supply persistently with. M16-L16. Cl 10 Coverdale Ps. 89:12 That we maye applie oure hertes vnto wyssdome. J. Ray I applyed my mind to consider.. the physical reason of it. V. Nabokov With rising appetite, Lo applied herself to the fruit. 11 Shakes. Macb. Let your remembrance apply to Banquo. C. Bronte I found my pupil .. disinclined to apply. 12 T. Elyot Quintius .. repaired again to his plough and applied it diligently. Milton The birds thir quire apply.

LO 14 Bacon They fail sometimes in applying themselves to particular persons. P. Heylin Applying themselves unto the times, they were alwaies favourable to the strongest. 15 J. Foxe If she would applie to his request, she should be .. set at libertie. Bacon The precedent state or disposition, unto which we do apply. 17 G. Chapman He applied each place so fast. 18 Spenser To whom his course he hastily applide. W. Raleigh Light things apply themselves upwards. 19a S. Butler Those who apply to Men’s Fancies and Humours. J. Smeaton On applying to the bridle.. we found that the chain was dragging upon the rocks, b Addison An old Woman applied herself to me for my charity. E. Waugh Sebastian.. had applied to be taken on as a missionary laybrother. J. le Carre A notice came round inviting linguists to apply for specialist service abroad ... I was fed up with 1

sit, 1 cosy, i: see. o hot,

appoggiatura /apodja'toara/noun. mis. [Italian, from appoggiare lean upon, rest.] music. A grace-note just above or below a primary note, which it precedes and delays; the use of such notes, appoint /a’point/ verb. lme. [Old French apointer, from a point to a point, into condition: see point noun’.] ► I Come, or bring matters, to a point. II verb trans. (in poss.) & intrans. Agree, settle, arrange def¬ initely. Usu. with inf. or that. LME-M17. 2 verb intrans. & frefl. Make up one’s mind, resolve, deter¬ mine. arch. lme. 3 a verb intrans. Make an appointment to do something. arch. E16. Fb verb trans. Arrange the time or place of (a meeting); arrange to meet (a person), arch. E16. B3 2 AV 2Sam. 17:14 The Lord had appointed to defeate the good counsell of Ahithophel. 3a Dickens Mr. Bentley went away thanking him and appointing to call again, b Shakes. Tit. A Appoint the meeting Even at his father’s house. J. Gay I appointed him at this hour. ► II Determine authoritatively; ordain, decree. 4 verb trans. Prescribe, fix (a time or place) for an action. Freq. in pass. Cf. appointed 1. lme. 5 verb trans. Decree, prescribe, fix that a thing shall be; ordain (something). Freq. in pass. lme. 6 verb trans. Nominate, ordain (a person) to an office, to act in some capacity; give (a person) an official position; nominate, set up someone as (an officer, trustee, etc.), LME. 7 verb trans. Destine, ordain, (to a fate or purpose, to do or suffer something), arch. Lis. 18 a verb trans. Assign or grant authoritatively (a thing to a person). L1S-M18, Fb verb trans. & intrans. law. Declare the destination of (property), in exercise of a power con¬ ferred for that purpose. E16. B3 4 Shakes. 1 Hen. TV We will.. appoint them a place of meeting. Defoe The time appointed for execution. 5 Carlyle Strangely.. it is appointed that Sound .. should be the most continuing of all tilings. J. McCosh The laws .. are appointed by God. 6 C. Merivale The Roman citizens appointed to all the higher magistracies. W. S. Churchill President Davis appointed him Commander-in-Chief. A. S. Neill I appoint teachers and ask them to leave if 1 think they are not suitable. J. le Carre A committee of enquiry .. appointed by the Praesidium to investigate and report upon a certain.. subject. 7 AV1 Thess. 5:9 God hath not appointed vs to wrath. Defoe Next day I was appointed to be tried. ► III 9 verb trans. Put into proper order, make ready; esp. equip completely, furnish, accoutre, obsolete exc. as pa. pple. LME. Q3 9 Burke The house of commons.. is miserably appointed for that service. Sir W. Scott Thus appointed .. he was in readiness to depart. ► IV fl 0 verb trans. Point to; point out. Only in Mi6. III verb trans. Attribute to; attribute blame to. rare. Only in 17.

► III Bend, direct. f 14 verb trans. Bend (the mind, oneself) to: refl. conform to, be subservient to, adapt to. LME-E17. f 15 verb intrans. Comply, adapt, to. LME-E17. 116 verb intrans. & refl. Land, arrive, (at, to); steer, proceed, go, (to). LME-E19. f 17 verb trans. Go to, visit, rare. Only in 16. J18 verb trans. Bring (a ship) to land; direct, steer. LI 6—El 7. 19 verb intrans. & frefl. a Appeal to, address oneself to, give attention to. obsolete in gen. sense. M17. Fb Address oneself for information, help, a service, etc., to; make a formal request (to someone, for or to do something); make or submit an application (to someone, for some¬ thing). M17. J20 verb trans. Direct (words) to. M17-M18.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her.

soldiering, so I applied. S. Hill There are state agencies to help you, you must apply to them. J. Orton Have you applied for compensation? 20 Milton God at last To Satan.. his doom apply'd. Though in mysterious terms.

ca 10 H. Surrey A blazing steme.. By a long tract appoint¬ ing vs the way. T. Cranmer As well as if you had appointed me with your finger. 11 Milton Appoint not heavenly dis¬ position, father. Nothing of all these evils hath befallen me But justly. ■ appointable adjective M16. appoin tee noun |(a) [French appointe] a long-serving soldier with a special rate of pay; (b) a person who is appointed or nominated to an office; (c) law a person in whose favour a power of appointment is executed: eis. appointer noun a person who ordains or nominates Ei6. appointive adjective (orig. N. Amer.) pertaining to appointment; that is filled by appointment: Li9. appointor noun (law) a person who exercises the power of appointment Li9. appointed /a'pointid/ ppl adjective, ns. [from prec. + -ed'.] 1 Settled or fixed beforehand; ordained. Li5. 2 (With qualifying adverb.) Equipped, fitted out. mi6. £Q 1 A. Koestler Last year’s moth which had miraculously and uselessly survived its appointed life-term. R. Sutcliff He arrived at the appointed meeting ground .. to find the other waiting for him. 2 Joyce They would have a beautifully appointed drawing-room with pictures and engravings .. and chintz covers for the chairs. appointment /o'pointmfyjn/t/ noun. lme. [Old French apointement, formed as appoint: see -ment.] 11 a Agreeing, coming to an arrangement; an agree¬ ment, a contract, lme-mis. ►b spec. (Terms of) capitula¬ tion. LME-E17. 2 An agreement or arrangement for a meeting; a pre¬ arranged meeting, lme. 3 a The action of ordaining or directing what is to be done; ordinance, decree, arch. lme. ►b law. The act of declaring the destination of any property, in exercise of a power conferred for that purpose. E17. ►€ The action of

0:

nominating to or placing in an office or post; the pos¬ ition so given. M17.

t4 Purpose, resolution. E16-E17. 5 (An item of) equipment; outfit, furnishing. Now usu. in pi. L16. 16 An allowance paid, esp. to a public official, eis -E19 £B 2 Shakes. Merry W. For missing your meetings and appointments. N. Mitford If people did not keep their appointments with him weli before the specified time he always counted them as being late. J. Barth I'd like an appointment to see Dr. Rose just before lunch, appointment in Samarra: see Samarra noun-. 3a J. Butler According to a natural order or appointment, c N. Shute It meant a new appointment, his first work for five months. H. Macmillan My appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer.. was announced on 21 December 1955. by appointment by or as by royal warrant. 5 1. Murdoch The room .. was spartan in its appointments.

apport /a’po:t/ noun & verb. lme. [Old French aport action of bringing, from aporter bring to.] ► A noun, j 1 Demeanour; bearing. LME-E17. t2 Something brought; an offering, revenue. Usu. in pi. LME-M16.

3 The production of material objects by supposedly occult means at a seance; an object so produced. Usu. in pi. Li 9. ► B verb trans. |1 Bring. LI6-E17. 2 Produce or transport by supposedly occult means. M20.

apportion /a'pa:J(a)n/ verb trans. L16. [Old & mod. French apportionner or medieval Latin from ad ap-1 + portionare: see portion verb ]

apportionare

1 Assign (to) as a due portion; allot. Li 6. 2 Share, portion out. li 6. 13 Adjust in due proportion. E17-E19. » apportionable adjective E17. apportionate verb trans. (now rare or obsolete) = apportion E16. apportioner noun E17. apportionment noun the action or result of apportioning M16.

fappose verb' trans. me. [Old French

aposer var. of oposer oppose. Aphet. to pose verbj

1 Confront with objections or hard questions: examine, interrogate. ME-M17. 2 spec. Examine as to accounts; audit. E17-M18. ■ Japposal noun a searching question; enquiry, investigation, esp. legal examination of accounts: LME-E19. japposer noun a person who apposes: spec, an Exchequer officer who audited sheriffs’ accounts: LME-M19.

appose /a'pauz/ verb2 trans. Li6. [from Latin apponere after compose, expose, etc.: see next, pose verb1.]

1 Put or apply (a thing) to another. Li 6. 2 Place in apposition or juxtaposition. E19.

apposite /'apazit/ adjective & noun. Li6. [Latin appositus pa. pple of apponere apply, from to place, put.)

ad- ap-1 + ponere

► A adjective. 1 Well put or applied; appropriate, suitable. LI 6. ■f 2 Of a person: ready with apt remarks. M17-118. LJ 1 W. S. Maugham He rehearsed to himself a number of apposite speeches.

► B noun. Something placed beside or in apposition, rare. L17. ■ appositely adverb M17 appositeness noun M17.

apposition /ap3'zij(a)n/ noun'. LME. [French, or late Latin appositio(n-), from apposit- pa. ppl stem of apponere: see prec., -ion.]

1 The action of putting or applying one thing to another; application, arch. lme. 2 grammar. The placing of a term in syntactic parallelism with another; esp. the declarative or distinguishing add¬ ition of one noun to another without explicit coordin¬ ation; the position of the term added, lme. 3 gen. The placing of things side by side or in close prox¬ imity; the fact or condition of juxtaposition or parallel¬ ism. E17. CD 1 J. Ayliffe By the Apposition of a Publick Seal. 2 L. Bloomfield In English we have also dose apposition without a pause-pitch, as in KingJohn.John Brown, John the Baptist. Mr. Brown. Mount Everest. B. Rubens 'My son, a linguist'—the apposition was a habit with her. 3 W. S. Landor He places strange and discordant ideas in close apposition. C. Lyell These layers must have accumu¬ lated one on the other by lateral apposition. ■ appositional adjective & noun (a) adjective of, pertaining to, or standing in apposition; (b) noun a term standing in apposition: L17. appositionally adverb in apposition Lt9.

apposition /apa'ztj(a)n/ noun2. Et6. [Old French

aposicion, apposition var. of opposition: see appose

verb'.]

J1 An objection; opposition. E16-E17. 2 (The name given to) speech- or prize-day at St Paul’s School, London. Mi7.

saw, a run, o put. u: too. a ago. At my, ao how, et day, au no, e: hair, ta near, a. boy. oa poor, Ata tire, aoa sour

104

appositive | approach fl verb trans. & intrans. Learn, gain knowledge (of).

appositive 'o'pn/itiv/ adjective & noun. Li7. [Late Latin appositivus subsidiary, from apposit-: see apposition

2 verb trans. & (occas.) intrans. Perceive with the intellect; understand, lis. 13 verb trans. Feel emotionally, be sensible ot. LI6-L17. 4 verb trans. Perceive with the senses, become conscious of (an external impression). Ei7. 5 verb trans. Anticipate, esp. with fear or dread; be apprehensive that. Ei7.

noun', -ive.] ► A adjective. = appositional adjective. L17. ► B noun. = appositional noun. M19. ■ appositively adverb = appositionally li6.

appraise /s'preiz/ verb trans. lme. [Alt., by assim. to praise verb, of apprize verb1.] 1 Assign a monetary value to. fix a price for, esp. as an official valuer, lme. 2 Estimate the amount, quality, or excellence of; assess; spec, conduct a usu. regular formal review of the work performance of (an individual). Mi9. ■ appraisable adjective able to be valued or assessed M19. appraisal noun the act of appraising; a setting of price; an esti¬ mate of worth; spec, (a) usu. regular formal review of an individ¬ ual's work performance, an interview or meeting with this purpose or to establish objectives etc.: E19. apprai'see noun a person whose work performance receives a formal review M20. appraisement noun valuation, estimation; an estimated vatue. M17. appraiser noun a person who appraises something or someone; an official valuer of goods or property: lme. appraisingly adverb so as to make a valuation or assessment 119. appraisive adjective involving or concerned with appraisal M20.

appreciable /o'pri:fob(3)l, -Jra-/ adjective, lme. & mod. French appreciable, from apprecier. see next, -able.] fl Worth esteeming. Only in lme. 2 Able to be estimated or judged; perceptible; consider¬ [Old

able. El 9. ■ appreciably adverb to an appreciable extent, considerably M19.

► II Physically. |6 verb trans. Lay hold upon, seize or grasp physically. LME-M19. j7 verb trans. Seize (goods etc.) as a legal act; take posses¬ sion of. Scot. L15-L17. 18 verb trans. Come upon, find, esp. in wrongdoing or in the wrong place. Scot. L15-E17. 9 verb twns. Seize (a person) in the name of the law, arrest, eig. 110 verb trans. Seize or embrace (an offer, opportunity, etc.). L16-M17.

appreciate /a'prLJ’ieit, -si-/ verb. Also j-tiate. Mi6. [Late Latin appretiat- (medieval Latin -ciat-) pa. ppl stem of appretiare set a price on. from Latin ad AP-' + prctiwn price noun: see -ATE3. Cf. Old & mod. French apprecier.] 1 verb trans. Estimate rightly; perceive the full force of, understand, recognize that; be sensible or sensitive to; esteem adequately; recognize as valuable or excellent; be grateful for. M16. 2 iverb trans. Make orforrn an estimate ofworth, quality, or amount of. arch. mis. 3 verb trans. Raise in value. Li 8. 4 verb intrans. Rise in value. L18.

B3 6 E. Topsell His dogs.. apprehending the garments of passengers, absol.: S. Rutherford A lame hand that cannot apprehend. 9 A. Fraser Their priests in particular were in danger of death if apprehended.

□ IE. O'Neill You been kind as kind can be to me and I certainly appreciate it—only don’t spoil it all now. O. Sitwell It is fatal to be appreciated in one’s own time. E. Hemingway You don’t appreciate what a fine wife you have. G. Greene I could appreciate the obstinate stand at Khartoum—the hatred of the safe politicians at home. T. S. Eliot I'd like to learn about music. I wish you would teach me how to appreciate it. K. Amis I hope you appreciate these Portuguese wines? 2 Burke Let us calmly.. appreciate those dreadful and deformed gorgons and hydras. 3 H. H. Gibbs The resumption of specie payments in Gold, thus appreciating that metal. 4 R. H. Tawney They were compelled to repay loans in an appreciating currency.

■ apprehender noun MI6.

apprehensible/apn’hensibf)!/ adjective, lis. [Late Latin apprehensibilis, from apprehens-: see next, -ible.]

11 Capable of attaining (to). Only in lis. 2 Able to be apprehended; able to be grasped by the intellect or senses. (Foil, by by, to.) Ei7. ■ apprehensi bility noun E19. apprehensibly adverb (rare) L17.

apprehension /apri'henj(3)n/ noun. lme. [French apprehension or late Latin apprehensio(n-), from apprehenspa. ppl stem of apprehendere apprehend: see -ion.]

► I Mental. 11 The action of learning, acquirement of knowledge. LME-M17. 2 The intellectual faculty; understanding. L16. 3 The action of perceiving with the intellect, concep¬ tion. Li6. 4 A conception, an idea; a view, a notion, an opinion. L16. 5 The action of perceiving with the senses. Long arch. L16. |6 Emotional consciousness. E-M17. 7 Anticipation, esp. with fear or dread; uneasiness; an anxiety, a foreboding. E17.

■ appreciatingly adverb with appreciation L19.

appreciation /apri:ji'eij(3)n, -si-/ noun. Also f-tiat- lme. [French appreciation from late Latin prec.: see -ation.)

appretiatio(n-), formed as

11 Appraised value, rare. Only in lme. 2 Estimation; judgement; an assessment. E17. 3 Adequate or high estimation; sympathetic recogni¬ tion; perception, understanding; gratitude. M17. 4 The action of setting a money value upon something; valuation. Chiefly Scot. Li 8. 5 A rise in value, lis. 03 2 A. Powell There had been a number of appreciations of his work in the literary papers. B. England He settled back and tried to make a proper military appreciation of their situation. 3 J. Galsworthy The appreciation of enough persons of good taste was what gave a work of art its permanent market value. Joyce His appreciation of the importance of inventions now common but once revolution¬ ary. E. Waugh In token of her appreciation the chief purser had been asked to our party.

IB 2 T. Dekker 0 the quick apprehension of women. 3 J. Glanvill Simple apprehension denotes no more than the soul’s naked intellection of an object. 4 R. Baxter Fix not too rashly upon your first apprehensions. H. James The great question meanwhile was what Chad thought of his sister, which was naturally ushered in by that of Sarah’s apprehension of Chad. 5 Shakes. Mids. N. D. Dark night, that from the eye his function takes. The ear more quick of apprehension makes. 7 Shakes. Meas.forM. The sense of death is most in apprehension. M. Beerbohm 1 had on the way a horrible apprehension What if the Duke .. had taken the one means to forgetfulness. V. Brittain My apprehen¬ sions for his safety had been lulled by the long quiescence of the Italian front. L. Uris Each of those dozen people who knew of the scheme went around with hearts heavy with apprehension. A thousand things could go wrong.

appreciative /a'prkJ’Olotiv/ adjective. Also |-tiat-. Li7. APPRECIATE + -IVE.] Involving (esp. sympathetic) estimation, understand¬ ing; showing adequate or great appreciation, grateful. Rare before mi9. ■ appreciatively adverb Mi7. appreciativeness noun Mi9. [from

appreciator /a'priijieita/ noun. us. APPRECIATE + -OR.] 11 scots law. An appraiser of impounded goods. Only in [from

L18. 2 A person who forms an adequate estimate; a person who recognizes the excellence (of); a person with under¬ standing (of). El9.

appreciatory /3'pri:J(i)ot(3)ri/ adjective. Ei9.

apprehensive /aprr'hensiv/ adjective, lme.

apprehend /apri'hend/ verb. lme. apprehender or Latin apprehendere, from ad ap-1 +

prehendere seize.] ► I Mentally. b but, d dog,

► II Physical. 8 The seizure of a person, a ship, etc., in the name of the law; an arrest. Li 6. 9 The action of laying hold of physically, prehension, rare. M17. 10 law. The taking of actual possession, arch, mi 9. 8 Scientific American About a million apprehensions were made per year for violations of immigration law.

[formed as prec. + -ory2.]

Of or befitting an appreciator; appreciative. [French

C3 1 S. Butler Children.. Improve their nat’ral Talents without Care, And apprehend, before they are aware. 2 }. Wesley I apprehended myself to be near death. Steele 1 cannot apprehend where lyes the trifling in all this. T. Reid What it is to think, to apprehend. Id Macaulay The nature of the long contest between the Stuarts and their parlia¬ ments. was indeed very imperfectly apprehended by foreign statesmen. Gladstone The eternal laws, such as the heroic age apprehended them. Browning Each man.. avails him of what worth He apprehends in you. 3 Jonson Dead. Lord! how deeply, sir, you apprehend it. 4 A. Bain If I see.. two candle flames, I apprehend them as different objects. I. Murdoch The birds could still be vaguely apprehended, close overhead. 5 Shakes. Meas.for M. A man that appre¬ hends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep. N. Hawthorne I sometimes apprehend that our institutions may perish. I. Murdoch More danger was to be apprehended from shock than from anything else. D. M. Walker At common law any private person may arrest where .. a breach of the peace has been or is actually being committed or is reasonably apprehended.

[French apprehensif, -ive or medieval Latin apprehensivus, from apprehens-: see prec., -ive.]

1 Pertaining to perception by the intellect or the senses, lme. f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg,

m man,

n no,

p pen,

r red, s sit. t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo,

2 Intelligent, perceptive, discerning, arch. Ei7. 3 Realizing, conscious, sensible. Foil, by of, that. arch.

E17.

.

4 Anticipative of something adverse; uneasy in mind,

fearful. (Usu. foil, by of, that, for.) Ei7. 15 In the habit of seizing; ready to seize (an offer, oppor¬ tunity, etc.). E -M17. EU 1 Milton Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings. Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts. 2 Shakes. Jul. Caes. Men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive. Robert Burton If the Imagination be very apprehensive, intent, and violent. Browning The lower phrase that suits the sense 0 the limitedly apprehensive. 3 J. Speed The King apprehensiue of his meaning, called his Lords.J. H. Newman Miracles.. wrought.. by instruments but partially appre¬ hensive that they are such. 4 R. Boyle Why should I be more apprehensive for my Body than my Mind. Swift Being appre¬ hensive it might spoil the sale of the book. Burke More apprehensive from his servants.. than from the hired blood¬ thirsty mob without. Carlyle Physically of a timid appre¬ hensive nature. Arnold Bennett She was apprehensive about future dangers and her own ability to cope with them; but she was always apprehensive. J. Frame In spite of our training and position we were.. rather apprehensive of our own safety. ■ apprehensively adverb M17. apprehensiveness noun E17

apprentice /a’prentis/ noun & verb. me. [Old French aprentis (mod. apprenti) nom. of aprentif, from aprendre learn from Latin apprendere contr. of apprehendere apprehend: see -ive, -ice1.] ► A noun. 1 A learner of a craft, bound to serve, and entitled to instruction from, his or her employer for a specified term. me. 2 A barrister-at-law of less than sixteen years’ standing. obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 3 A beginner, a novice, lis.

£Q 1 attrib. :W. Owen A poor apprentice-tailor. ► B verb trans. Bind as an apprentice. Li6. ■ apprenticehood noun (now rare) = apprenticeship lme. apprenticement noun (rare) apprenticing, apprenticeship E19.

tapprenticeage noun see apprentissace. apprenticeship /s'prsntisjip/ noun. Li6. prec. + -ship.] 1 The position of an apprentice; service as an appren¬ tice; initiatory training. L16. 2 The period for which an apprentice is bound; spec, (arc/1.) a period of seven years. Mi7. 1 articles of apprenticeship : see ARTICLE noun 4. [from

tapprentissage noun. Also -iceage. Li6-Li8. [French,

formed as apprentice + -age.]

= prec.

appress /s'pres/ verb trans. Ei7. [Latin

appress- pa. ppl stem of apprimere, from ad ap-1 + premere

press.]

Press close to each other or to a surface etc. Cf.

ADPRESSED. appressorium /apre'sa:ri3in/ noun. PL -ria l-nsl. L19. [formed as prec. + -orium] botany. A pad of mycelium by which certain parasitic fungi attach themselves to their hosts.

tappretiate verb, appretiation noun, etc., vars. of APPRECIATE. APPRECIATION, etc. apprise /a’prAiz/ verb1 trans. Also -ize. Li7. [French

appris(e) pa. pplc of apprendre teach (causative), learn: see

APPRENTICE.]

Inform, acquaint. (Foil, by of.) be apprised of be aware of, know.

apprise verb2 see next. apprize /a'prAiz/ verb' trans. arch. Also (esp. in sense 2) -ise. LME. [Old French aprisier, formed as A-s+pris noun1.]

price noun, assim. to prize

1 Value; esteem, lme. 2 scors mw. Put a selling price upon; put up for sale to pay a creditor, obsolete exc. Hist. M16. ■ apprizement (esp. scors mw) -isement noun (now arch. & Hist) the action of apprizing lme. apprizer. (esp. scors mw) -iser noun (now arch. & Hist.) a person who apprizes lme.

apprize verb2 var. of apprise verb'. appro /'aproo/ noun, colloq. Li9. [Abbreviation of approval

or approbation.]

on appro, on approval.

approach b'prautj/ noun. lme. [from the verb.] 1 The act of coming near(er) in space, lme. >b The descent of an aircraft to the landing area. Freq. attrib.

M20. 2 Power of approaching; access, arch. Ei6. 3 A drawing near in time or circumstances; a coming near in quality, character, etc.; an approximation. L16. 4 A movement towards establishing personal relations with someone, an overture, an advance; an application. Freq. in pi. Mi7. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

105

approach | approve 5 A means or way of approaching; a passage, avenue channel, etc., giving access; (ffeq. in pi.). Also fig., a way of addressing a task, dealing with a subject, etc.; an atti¬ tude. Mi7. >b military. In pi. Entrenchments or other works by which besiegers draw closer to the besieged. obsolete exc. Hist M17. 6 horticulture Inarching. Chiefly in by approach. mi? 7 colf. The play of the ball (other than from the tee) towards or on to the green. Usu. attrib. Li 9. 03 1 W. Whiston The approach of a Comet to the Earth. Geo. Eliot Casson’s thoughts were diverted by the approach of the horseman. R. P. Warren Upon nearer approach, he saw that a very dim light showed .. at one window, b missed approach: see miss verb1. 2 Bacon Honour hath in it.. the approach to kings and principal persons. 3 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI Where death's approach is seen so terrible! Pope Thus sung the shepherds till th' approach of night. Burke Some sort of approach towards infinity. E. O’Neill The nearest approach to feeling he has shown in many a long night. 4 D. Rogers Thy timorous and weake approaches toward his grace. A. J. P. Taylor Harris .. promoted his strategy by personal approach to the minister of defence. 5 W. Cowper Mastiffs in gold and silver lined the approach. K. Amis Some fishingboats were doing something in the approaches to Cascais Harbour. J. Orton The present enlightened approach to the mentally sick. Western Approaches see western adjective. Comb.: approach road a road leading up to a place, a slip-road leading on to a motorway etc. ■ approachless adjective (literary) unapproachable, inaccessible M17.

approach /s'prautj/ verb. me. [Old French aproch(i)er (mod. approcher) from ecclesiastical Latin appropiare, from ad- ap-1 + propius nearer, compar. olprope near.] ► I verb trans. 1 Come near to in space; move towards. ME.

2 Come near(er) to in time, quality, rank, etc.; be nearly equal to; move towards in thought, set about (a problem etc.), lme. 3 Be so situated or arranged that the parts lie succes¬ sively nearer to (a line, point, etc.). Also (arch.), adjoin, neighbour, lme. 4 Come into the presence of (someone), or (arch.) into (someone's presence); seek a meeting or relationship with; make overtures, advances, proposals, etc., to; spec. seek to influence or bribe, lme. 5 Bring near(er); make closer in quality, character, etc. arch. lme. 6 military Work forward towards by means of entrench¬ ments. obsolete exc. Hist. Li7. ca 1 e. Waugh Two policemen quickened their stride and approached us. A. Shaffer A minstrels gallery which .. is approached by a winding staircase. 2 E. A. Freeman Vigorous youths fast approaching manhood. C. Fry It was approaching dusk, last evening. T. S. Eliot Let us approach the question from another angle. S. Weinberg Velocities approaching that of light. 3 Addison Trees rising one higher than another in proportion as they approach the centre. Encycl. Brit. The curve and its asymptote approach one another ever more closely but never quite meet except at infinity. 4 Steele I cannot approach her without Awe. Congressional Record Everything that is said about public men being corrupted or approached. J. Buchan Twenty days of hiding before I could venture to approach the powers that be. J. P. Donleavy I was once approached by a talent scout in summer stock. J. Barth The Colonel approached me .. on ten different occasions with offers of business. J. Bowen The sinner approaches your presence, high priest. 5 Sir W. Scott He approached to the fire a three-footed stool. C. Merivale His object was.. to approach the Gaulish pro¬ vincials to Rome. ► II verb intrans. 7 Come nearer in space; draw near; arch. come near(er) to a place, person, etc. me. 8 Draw near in time, befall; come near(er) to some¬ thing in quality, magnitude, etc. lme. 9 Be so situated or arranged that the parts lie succes¬ sively closer (to something). Also (arch.), be situated nearby, lme. 10 Come into someone’s presence; make an overture or advance. (Foil, by to.) arch. lme. Q3 7 AV 2 Sam. 11:20 Wherefore approched ye so nigh vnto the city when yee did fight? Tolkien Before long they saw the marching line approaching: the Ents were swinging along with great strides down the slope towards them. 8 G. Gascoigne I thinke How ioyes approch, when sorrowes shrinke. B. Stewart The coefficients of dilation .. approach more nearly to equality. Saki With money behind one, the problem of where to live approaches more nearly to the simple question of where do you wish to live. A. J. P. Taylor Perhaps they were conscious that a general election was approaching. 9 D. Hartley The ventricles of the brain approach towards each other. 10 T. J. Mathias To the Peers approach with awe. ■ approacher noun (arch.) L16. approaching ppl adjective & adverb (a) adjective that approaches: (b) adverb nearly: lme. approachment noun (now rare) the action or state of approach¬ ing Ml 6.

approachable /a'prsutfsbte)!/ adjective. Li6. [from prec. + -able.1 Able to be approached; accessible (lit. & fig.), affable.

S. Johnson He that regards the welfare of others should make his virtue approachable. Hor. Walpole The town was .. approachable only by a narrow causeway. T. Roethke Irish writers of the non-sullen and approachable variety.

[Old & mod. French from Latin approbatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ATION.]

IlO 1 G. Anson Appropriating the whole ships provisions to themselves. E. MELLORThe name ‘priesthood’.. was never appropriated by apostles to themselves. 2 Coverdale Micah 4:13 Their goodes shaft thou appropriate vnto the Lorde. T. Blount It was lawful to appropriate the whole Fruits of a Benefice to an Abbey or Priory. 3 M. Pattison The revenue is appropriated to the payment of University officers. Time Economic Opportunity Act.. appropriates almost $948 million for ten programs including job training, work-study programs, |etc.|. 4 Joseph Strutt These amusements .. were appropriated to the season of Lent. Coleridge The word presumption I appropriate to the internal feeling. 5 R. Plot The best methods of Cultivating, appropriating seeds and manures, and cureingthe diseases of land. H. Hallam The subject chosen is appropriated to the charac¬ teristic peculiarities of the poet. 6 J. K. Jerome He comes in quietly.., appropriates the most comfortable chair. P. V. White Some man, a kind of bushranger,.. rode up to their vehicle, and appropriated every single valuable the unfortunate couple had upon them. A. J. P. Taylor The Con¬ servatives appropriated patriotism.

11 Confirmation, proof, lme-eis. 2 The action of formally or authoritatively declaring good or true; sanction, endorsement, lme. 3 Approval or satisfaction expressed or felt, mi6. 14 Probation, trial. E-M17.

■ appropriative adjective of appropriating character or ten¬ dency mi7. appropriator noun a person who or thing which appropriates; esp. (ecclesiastical history) the monasteiy etc. to which a benefice is assigned: Mi7. Japproprie, appropre verb trans. = APPROPRIATE verb ME-E17.

■ approacha bility noun M19. approachableness noun (rare) mis.

approbate /'aprabeit/ verb trans. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -ated, t-ate. lme. [Latin approbat- pa. ppl stem of approbare: see approve verb2, -ATE3.] 1 Approve expressly or formally; sanction, approve of. obsolete exc. N. Amer. lme. 2 scots law. Assent to. lis. 2 approbate and reprobate take advantage of the favourable parts of a deed while repudiating the rest. ■ appro batory adjective = approbative Mi6.

approbation /aprs'beiftajn/ noun. lme.

ffi 1 Shakes. Cymb. Would I had put my estate .. on th’ approbation of what I have spoke! 2 T. Keightley Received the royal approbation. 3 W. Blake Advertisements in News¬ papers are no proof of Popular approbation, but often the Contrary. Aldous Huxley The Controller nodded his appro¬ bation 'I like your spirit, Mr Watson’, on approbation = on approval. 4 Shakes. Meas. for M. This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation.

approbative /'aprsbeitiv/ adjective. E17. [French approbatif -ive or medieval Latin approbativus, formed as approbate + -IVE.] Expressing approbation or approval. ■ approbativeness noun (now rare) (a) tendency to approve, approbative quality; (b) phrenology love of approbation: Mi9.

approof/o'pru:f/noun. arch. E17. [from approve verb' after proof noun.] 1 The act of proving, trial; proven quality. E17. 2 Approbation, approval. Ei7.

appropinquate /apra'piqkweit/ verb intrans. & jtrans. arch. LI 6. [Latin appropinquat- pa. ppl stem of appropinquare to approach, from ad ap-1 + propinquus neighbouring, from prope near: see -ATE3.] Approach; come near' to. ■ appropinque /-'pigk/ verb trans. & intrans. (rare) = appropinquate M17. appropinquity noun (rare) nearness Mi7.

appropinquation/3prDpig'kweiJ(3)n/noun. arch. lme. [Latin appropinquatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] The action of coming or bringing near; approach.

appropriable /a'prauprisbfs)!/ adjective. M17. [from appropriate verb + -able.] Able to be appropriated.

appropriate fo'pmoprigt/ adjective (& fpa. pple). lme. [Late Latin appropriatus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate-.] 1 Attached or belonging (to) as an attribute, quality, or right; peculiar (to); inherent, characteristic; specially suitable (for, to); proper, fitting, lme. 2 Annexed or attached (to) as a possession, appropri¬ ated; esp. (ecclesiastical) annexed as a benefice to a monas¬ tery. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. ffl 1 Coleridge To charm away.. Ennui, is the chief and appropriate business of the poet. M. Mead Some peoples think of women as too weak to work out of doors, others regard women as the appropriate bearers of heavy burdens. J. Bowen They must behave in a manner appropriate to the myth in which they were participating. A. Lurie Actually, he looks lots better when he isn't dressed as he thinks appropri¬ ate for dinner at Illyria. B. England At an appropriate moment I shall strike the gong. T. Stoppard He makes a wordless noise appropriate to male approval of female pul¬ chritude. D. Jacobson He was dressed in a tweed suit appro¬ priate either to countryman or academic. G. Boycott The music on the radio was turned off; somehow a bit of quiet seemed more appropriate. ■ appropriately adverb tfo) specially, peculiarly: (b) in an appropriate manner, fittingly: Mi6. appropriateness noun Mi7.

appropriate fo'pmuprieit/ verb trans. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -ated, |-ate (see prec.). lme. [Latin appropnat- pa. ppl stem of appropnare make one’s own, from ad ap-1 + propius own, proper: see -ate3.] 1 Take to oneself as one’s own property or for one’s own use. lme. 12 Make over to a person, institution, etc., as his, her, or its own or for his, her, or its use. lme-ei8. 3 Devote, set aside, or assign, to the use of a person or institution, to or for a special purpose or use. lme. 4 Assign or attribute as properly pertaining to; attrib¬ ute specially or exclusively to. arch. lme. 5 Make, or select as, appropriate or suitable (to), arch. LME. 6 Take possession of; use as one’s own, esp. without permission. Li6.

appropriation /9pr9opn'eiJ‘(9)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from late Latin appropnatio(n-),

formed as

prec.: see -ation.]

1 The making over (of a thing) into one’s own or (arch.) another’s possession; the taking of a thing for one’s own use, esp. without permission, lme. 2 ecclesiastical history. The transference to a body or indi¬ vidual (spec, to a monastery) of the tithes and endow¬ ments of a parish, lme. 13 Attribution, application; a special attribute. lme-li7. 4 The assignment of something to a special purpose. Also, the thing so assigned; esp. a sum of money allocated officially for a particular use. mi8. 5 art. The reworking of the images or styles contained in works of art, photographs, etc., esp. well-known ones, in order to encourage critical reinterpretation. L20. Comb.: appropriation bill a legislative bill allocating public revenue to the purposes for which it may be used. ■ appropriationist noun & adjective (a) noun an adherent, sup¬ porter, or exponent of appropriation; (in Hindu philosophy) one who holds that the soul is an appropriation of the being of Brahma; (b) adjective (art) characterized by appropriation: Mi9. approval /9'pru:v(9)l/ noun. E17. [from approve verb2 + -al'.] The action of approving; sanction. on approval (of goods supplied) to be returned if not satisfac¬ tory; for examination, without obligation to purchase. approvance 9'pm: v(9)ns/noun. arch. Li6. [Old French aprovance, formed as approve verb2 = APPROVAL.

+ -ance.]

approve fo'prmv/ verb1 trans. Also fapprow. me. [Old French apprower, appro(u)er, from a a-5 + pro(u) advantage, profit; later form (17) by interpretation of u in approuer as = v. Cf. improve verb2.] law. Increase one’s profit from (land); esp. increase the value of (common land) by appropriation or enclosure, as permitted to the lord of a manor by the Statute of Merton, 1235. approve /a'pru:v/ verb2, me. [Old French aprover (mod. approuver) from Latin approbare make good, assent to as good, from ad ap-' + probus good, just.] ► I fl verb trans. Show to be true, demonstrate. ME-L17. |2 verb trans. Corroborate, attest, lme-mi9. 3 verb trans. Confirm authoritatively; sanction, lme. 4 verb trans. & intrans. (foil, by of, ton). Pronounce or con¬ sider to be good or satisfactory; commend; be in sym¬ pathy or agreement, lme. 5 verb trans. Display, exhibit, make proof of arch. Ei6. ►b Show (esp. oneself) to be. orf/i. mi6. 6 verb trans. Recommend (oneself, one’s qualities, etc.) as worthy of approval, arch. Ei7. B3 1 T. Heywood This aproves unto us, that order is a cheefe rule in memorie. T. Fuller To approve the truth .. thereof against some one who questioned. Marvell Mr. Onslow was approved not to have been culpable. 2 Clarendon The success has approved this judgement. Gibbon The trembling emperor.. solemnly approved the innocence and fidelity of their assassins. 3 Charles James The colonel or commanding officer approves the sentence of a regimental court-martial. A. J. P. Taylor On 28 January the naval plan was approved by the war council, approved school Hist, an institution for young offenders, a community home. 4 E. Hemingway You cannot marry me and I under¬ stand that, although I do not approve it. B. Bainbridge Things go on here that 1 don’t approve of. but I neither inter¬ fere nor criticize, absol.:]. Galsworthy We’ve never cared whether the world approves or not. 5 Byron 'Tis an old lesson; Time approves it true. Ld Macaulay When he approved himself ripe for military command. R. W. Emerson Many opportunities to approve his stoutness and worth. 6 Isaac Taylor If anticipations such as these approve them¬ selves to reason. ►| II 7 verb trans. Put to the proof or test of experience. LME-L18.

no. e: hair, id near, 01 boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aoa sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, r sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a run, u put, ur too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day, ao

106

approvement | apropos approximative/.Vproksimativ/ adjective. Et9.

8 verbtrans. Find by experience. L16-M17.

verb + -ive: cf. French approximate] Of approximate character; nearly but not exactly reach¬ [from approximate

U 7 Shakes, i Hen. IV Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord. ■ approvable adjective able to be approved; worthy of approval: lme. approvableness noun (rare) Ei9 approvedly /-vidli/ adverb (rare) f(a) in a tried and tested manner; (b) in a sanc¬ tioned or commended manner: lme. approvingly adverb in an approving manner Ei9

approvement /a'pru:vm(a)nt/ fapprowment. lme.

Also

noun'.

[Old French apro(u)ement, aprowe- profit, formed as approve verb' + -MENT.]

mw. The action of increasing one’s profit by approving land. approvement /a'pru:vm(3)nt/ noun2. Et7. [Old French aprovement (later approuve-). formed as approve verb2 + -MENT.]

|1 A proof. Only in Ei7. f 2 Approbation, approval. E17 -M19. 3 The action of convicting another by turning informer. Now arch. & Hist. Mi8. tapprover noun1. Also apprower. lme-mis. [Anglo-Norman aprouour, formed as approve verb' + -our; suffix later interpreted as and replaced by -er1.]

A person who manages land for the owner; a steward or bailiff; an agent in any business. approver/a'pru:va/noun2. lme. [from approve verb3 + -er1. Cf. Old French aproveur.]

ing accuracy. ■ approximatively adverb M19.

a priori /ei prAi'o:rAi, a: pn'o:ri/ adverbial & adjectival phr. L16.

appui /a'pwiforeign apqi/ noun. arch. L16. [French.] 1 fa gen. Support; a stay, a prop. L16-L17. Kb military. Defensive support. Li 8. |2 horsemanship. The tension of the reins; the response of the horse's mouth to the control through the reins. E18-E19. 1 b point of appui = point d’appui s.v.

point

noun2 2.

appulse /s'paIs/ noun. Ei7. [Latin appulsus a driving towards, from appuls- pa. ppl stem of appellere, from ad ap-' + peUere drive.] 1 A driving or energetic motion towards a place; a strong impulse towards something, arch. Ei7. 2 astronomy. An apparent close approach (falling short of occultation) by a planet etc. to a star or other body. M17.

appurtenance /a'padfijnans/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman apurtenaunce, Old French apartenance, apart-, ult. from late Latin appertinere (see appertain) + -ance.[ 1 A minor property, right, or privilege, subsidiary or incidental to a more important one; an appendage. Usu. in pi. me. 2 A contributory adjunct, an accessory. Usu. in pi. lme, 3 The fact or state of appertaining, rare. M19.

1 A person who proves or offers to prove another guilty, an informer; latterly spec, one who turns King’s, Queen’s, or State's evidence. Now arch. & Hist. lme. f2 A person who proves, tests, or tries someone. M16-L17. 3 A person who confirms, sanctions, pronounces good, or commends something. M16.

a 1C. Sandburg The land and all appurtenances thereto and all deposits of oil and gold. 2 Shakes. Haml. Th' appur¬ tenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. L. Strachey The bonnet with its jet appurtenances. M. Muggeridge It had now become a grammar school, with all the usual appurtenances in the shape of houses, prefects, blazers, a school song, and so on. 3 W. D. Whitney The word is a token of the most indefinite appurtenance.

fapprow verb, apprower noun, approwment noun vars. of approve verb\ approver noun', approvement

appurtenant /a'parilajnont/ adjective & noun. Also (esp. in sense A.2, arch.) appertinent. lme. [Old French apartenant pres, pple of apartenir

noun'.

approximant/3'proksim(a)nt/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [Latin

approximant-

pres,

ppl

stem

of approximare:

see

►t A adjective. Approaching closely, resembling, rare. Only in M17. ► B noun. 1 math. A function, series, etc., which is an approximation to the solution of a given problem. E20, 2 phonetics. A non-fricative continuant. L20. [Late Latin approximate pa. pple. from approximat-: see next, -ATE2.] ► A adjective (orig. pa. pple).

► A adjective, t Belonging (to) as a (subsidiary or inciden¬ tal) property, right, or privilege, lme. 2 Appertaining (to); appropriate (to); relating, pertin¬ ent. LME. ► B noun. An appurtenance. Now rare. lme.

APR abbreviation. Apr. abbreviation. April.

11 Brought or placed close. Only in lme. 2 Very near in position or character; close together; similar, arch. lme. 3 Fairly or reasonably correct; near to the actual. ET9.

apraxia /a'praksia/ noun. Li9.

3 very approximate more or less correct: fairly near to the actual. ► B noun. An approximate result or quantity, rare. L18. ■ approximately adverb nearly, with near approach to accur¬ acy M19.

apres /'aprei.foreign apre/ preposition. M19.

approximate /o'proksimeit/ verb. M17. [from prec. or late Latin approximat- pa. ppl stem of approximare (Tertullian) draw near to, from ad ap-1 + proximus very near, next: see -ate’.] 1 verb trans. Bring close or near, cause to approach or be

near (to). (Chiefly of non-physical relationships.) Mi7. 2 verb intrans. Come near or close (to. esp. in quality, number, etc., rarely physically). L18. 3 verb trans. Come close to, approach closely, (used as sense 2). Lis. £0 1 S. Johnson Shakespeare approximates the remote, and familiarizes the wonderful. E. H. Gombrich He must purify the world of matter, erase its flaws, and approximate it to the idea. J. G. Farrell A compress.. placed on the palm after the edges of the wound had been evenly approximated. 2 John Ross The shores gradually approximate. A. G. Gardiner There are times when the dog approximates so close to our intelligences that he seems to be of us. E. J. Howard Pleasing meant approximating to the man’s idea of the sort of woman Iris position and intelligence owed him. 3 James Sullivan We may yet approximate.. a cer¬ tainty that is demonstrative. E. Pound Progress lies rather in an attempt to approximate classical quantitative metres (not to copy them) than in a carelessness regarding such things. ■ approximator noun (rare) a person who approximates to M19.

approximation /aproksi'meiftoin/ noun. lme. [Late Latin approximation-), formed as prec.; later from prec • see -ation.]

1 The action of bringing or coming near in place, time, or any conception to which ideas of space apply; the state of being near, proximity, lme. 2 A coming or getting near to identity in quantity, quality, or degree; the result of such a process; a value or quantity that is nearly but not exactly correct. M17. g

get. h he, j yes,

k cat.

see

Annual percentage rate (of interest on money lent).

approximate /a'proksimat/ adjective & noun. lme.

bbut. d dog, ffew,

appertain:

-ANT'.]

approximate verb, -ant'.]

[German Apraxie from Greek apraxia inaction.] Inability to perform given purposive actions, as a result of cerebral disorder. medicine.

[French = after.] 1 apres coup /ku/ [lit. ‘after stroke’], after the event; as an afterthought, mi 9. 2 apres-ski /ski:/ noun & adjective, (worn, done, etc., at) the time when skiing is over for the day at a resort. M20. ►b Used with English words in imitation of apres-ski. as apres-bath. apres-sex. etc. M20. [Latin apricat- pa. ppl stem of apncan bask in the sun. from apricus exposed (to the sun): see -ate3.] 1 verb intrans. Bask in the sun. L17. 2 verb trans. Expose to sunlight. M19.

apricot /'eipnkDt/ noun. Orig. tabrecock, tapricock M16. [Portuguese albricoque or Spanish albaricoque from Hispano-Arab. al-barkuk, from al-2 + barkuk from late Greek praikokion from Latin praecoquiim noun, from neut. of var. of praecox early-ripe. Assim. to French abricot and perhaps infl. by Latin apricus ripe.] 1 The juicy stone-fruit of the tree Prunus armeniaca, of the rose family, mi6. 2 The tree itself, cultivated in the warmer temperate regions and orig. native to China, mi6. 3 The pinkish-yellow colour of the ripe fruit. L19. 1 Irish apricot see Irish odjective. Comb.: apricot plum (the edible yellow stone-fruit of) a tree of the rose family, Prunus simonii, which is native to China and bears white blossom.

April /'eipr(i)l/ noun. oe. [Latin Aprilis use as noun of adjective (sc. mensis month).] The fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calen¬ dar. Also fig., with allusion to April’s position in spring or to bright changeable weather with showers, considered characteristic of the month in Britain and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. CO Tennyson Half-opening buds of April, attrib.: Shakes. Two Cent The uncertain glory of an April day. fig.: P. Sidney In the Apnl of your age. Shakes. Ant. & Cl. The April's in her eyes It is love's spring. p pen,

r red,

s sit.

[Latin a priori from what is before.]

1 Of reasoning: (by) proceeding from causes to effects; deductive(ly). Opp. a posteriori. L16. 2 loosely. Presumptive(ly); without previous investiga¬ tion; as far as one knows. Ei9. 3 philosophy. Of knowledge or concepts: not derived from sensory experience; innate(ly). Mi9. ■ apriority noun (a) innateness in the mind; (b) = apriorism: M19.

apriorism /eiprAi'o:ri2:(o)m/ noun. L19. [from prec. + -ism.]

The doctrine of the existence of a priori knowledge or concepts. Also, (an example of) reasoning a priori. ■ apriorist noun an adherent of apriorism; a person given to reasoning a priori; Li9. aprioTistic adjective L19.

apron /'eipr(a)n/ noun & verb. Orig. tn-. me. [Old French naperon (mod. tmpperon), from nap(p)e tablecloth from Latin mappa napkin: initial n lost by misdivision as in adder,

auger, etc.)

► A noun. I An article of dress. 1 A garment, orig. of linen, worn in front of the body to protect the clothes from dirt or damage, or simply as a covering, me. 2 A similar garment worn as part of official dress, e.g. by a bishop, dean, Freemason, etc. lme. £0 1 Shakes Jul. Cues. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? E. Jong 1 changed into a blue Gown with my prettiest embroider’d Apron and a Tucker of white Lace.

► II A structure like an apron in form or function. 3 A protective or decorative layer of brickwork etc., esp. beneath a window. Ei7. fb A strengthening timber behind the stem of a wooden ship. Ei8. 4 The skin covering the belly of a roast duck or goose, enclosing the stuffing. Mi8. 5 A protective covering for the legs in an open carriage. LI 8. 6 The folded abdomen of a crab. Ml 9. 7 An endless conveyor consisting of overlapping plates (usu. more fully apron conveyor); each of these plates. M19. 8 ceolocy, An extensive outspread deposit of sediment, esp. at the foot of a glacier or mountain. Li 9. 9 theatrical A projecting strip of stage for playing scenes in front of the curtain. E20. 10 A hard-surfaced area used for the (un)loading, man¬ oeuvring, etc., of aircraft at an airfield. E20. Comb.: apron conveyor see sense 7 above; mechanic, a workman; apron stage = sense 9.

apron-man a

► B verb trans. Cover with an apron; cover or surround in the manner of an apron. M19. £0 Dickens I mean to apron it and towel it. B. Rubens All the villas looked exactly alike, red-brick structures, aproned by patios and well laid-out gardens. ■ aproned adjective having an apron (formerly regarded as a symbol of a working man) E17. apronful noun the quantity that can be held in an apron M17.

apron-string /'eipr(a)nstni)/ noun. Mi6.

apricate "aprikeit/ verb. rare. Li7.

1 leg, m man, n no,

Comb.: April fool a person upon whom a joke is played on the first of April (called April Fool’s Day. j April Fool Day) 5 Rare until lme. before which the usual spelling was Averii. At first (and long in dial, use) stressed on 2nd sylL, which rhymed with mile.

t top, v van,

w we, z zoo.

[from

apron noun + string noun.]

A string with which an apron is tied on. Comb. & phrases: apron-string hold, apron-string tenure arch. tenure of property in virtue of one's wife, or during her lifetime only: tied to the apron-strings of unduly controlled by (a wife, mother, etc.).

apropos /apro'pau. 'aprapoo/ adverb, adjective, noun, & preposition. Also a propos hi propo/. M17. [French

apropos, from d to + propos purpose.]

► A adverb. 1 To the point; fitly, opportunely. M17. 2 In respect or as a relevant association of (now less commonly, to). (Cf. sense D. below.) mis. tb absol. Inci¬ dentally, by the way. mi8. £0 1 Dryden The French.. use them with better judgment, and more apropos. Addison Stanhope and Earl arrived very apropos. 2 G. Clare Apropos of nothing she declared that love must be wonderful, b Smollett But a-propos! Hast thou seen the girl?

► B adjective. Pertinent, appropriate, opportune. (Foil, by of, to.) M17. CO Pope A tale extremely apropos. J. Woodforde Mr. Johnson gave us a very excellent Sermon indeed, very apropos to the times.

► C noun. tl An opportune or pertinent occurrence. Only in Li 8. 2 Relevance, pertinency. M19. CO 2 Geo. Eliot I fail to see the a propos.

► D preposition. Concerning, with regard to (cf. sense A.2 above), colloq. M20. I sh°-

3 vision,

0 thin,

d this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

107

aprosexia j aquatint Phrases: a propos de bottes Ida bat/ [French = with regard to boots, i.e. to something quite irrelevant] without serious motive, without rhyme or reason.

aprosexia apra'ssksia/ noun. L19. [Greek = lack of attention, from a-10 + prosekhein turn (one’s mind): see-iA’.]

Abnormal inability to concentrate. aprosopia /apra'saupio/ noun.

rare,

mi 9.

[from Greek A-10 + prosopon face + -ia1.]

Absence or imperfect development of the face, aprotic /ei'prautik/ adjective. M20. medicine.

[German aprotisch, formed as a-10, proton, -ic.[ chemistry. Of a solvent: having little or no ability to exchange protons with the solute.

APS abbreviation. Advanced Photo(graphic) System (proprietary name in the UK). aps noun see asp noun1. apsara /'Apsara:/ noun. Also up-. M19. [Hindi apsara from Sanskrit apsaras ] Hindu mythology. Any of a class of celestial nymphs, freq.

regarded as the wives of the gandharvas or heavenly musicians, apse /aps/noun. E19. [formed as apsis.] 1 ASTRONOMY. = APSIS noun 2. E19.

2 architecture. A large semicircular or polygonal struc¬ ture. often roofed with a semi-dome, situated esp. at the end of the choir, nave, or an aisle of a church. Mi9. apsidal /'apsid(a|l/ adjective. Mi9. [formed as next + -al1.]

1 2

Of the form or nature of an apse, mi 9. Of or pertaining to the apsides. Mi9.

architecture astronomy.

apsis /'apsis/ noun. PI. apsides /ap'sAidi:z, 'apsidi:z/. Also fabsis (orig. the usual spelling), pi. fabsides. Ei7. [Latin apsis, absis, -sid- from Greek (fi)apsis arch, vault, (rim of a) wheel, perh. from haptein fasten, join.]

f 1 Circumference, circuit; orbit (of a planet). E17-E18. 2 astronomy. Either of the two points in the elliptical orbit of a planet or other body at which it is respectively nearest to and furthest from the primary about which it revolves, mi7. 3 architecture. = apse noun 2. Now rare or obsolete. Ei8. ■ ap sidiole noun (architecture) a small apse L19.

apso /'apsau/ noun. PI. -os. M20. [Tibetan a-sob /’apso/.]

In full Lhasa apso. Tibetan apso. (An animal of) a breed of small long-coated dog, often gold or grey and white, originating at Lhasa. APT abbreviation. Advanced Passenger Train, apt /apt/ adjective, lme. [Latin aptus pa. pple of apere fasten, attach. Cf. French apte.]

1 Suited, fitted, adapted, prepared, ready, for, fto. arch. LME.

2 Habitually liable, customarily disposed, likely, prone, to do something. E16. >b Inclined, disposed, to think, in a particular instance, arch. L17. 3 Suitable, appropriate, apposite. M16. 4 Ready to learn, quick-witted, prompt, (at). M16. £Q 1 Shakes. JuI. Coes. Live a thousand years, 1 shall not find myself so apt to die. Bacon States.. apt to be the Founda¬ tions of Great Monarchies. W. Morris Tall was he, slim, made apt for feats of war. E. Waugh The time was apt for reminiscence. 2 N. Coward I'm so apt to see things the wrong way round. C. Mackenzie When Hugh did that onlookers were apt to be impressed. R. Sutcliff When you get men into that state there is apt to be trouble coming. S. King Her morning routine was as set as a single person’s is apt to be. 3 Shakes. Mids. N. D. In all the play There is not one word apt. Wordsworth To give me human strength, by apt admonishment. Disraeli The prompt reply or the apt retort. Q. Crisp The day I was there was Columbus day. This I thought was an apt coincidence. 4 Defoe He was the aptest scholar that ever was. H. Maktineau Men.. are.. apt at devising ways of easing their toils. ■ aptly adverb lme. aptness noun E16

apt. abbreviation. Chiefly N. Amer. Apartment. apterous /'apt(a)ras/ adjective. Li8. [from Greek apteros, from a-10 + pteron wing: see -ous.]

Chiefly entomology. Wingless, apterygote /ap'terigaot/ adjective & noun. E20. [mod. Latin Apterygota (see below), from Greek A-10 + pterugotos winged.]

►A adjective. Pertaining to or designating insects of the subclass Apterygota, which includes primi¬ tive orders in which wings are totally lacking, e.g. bristletails, springtails. E20. ► B noun. An apterygote insect. E20. entomology.

apteryx /’aptariks/ noun. Now rare. E19. [mod. Latin, from Greek a-10 + ptemx wing.] = KIWI 1.

aptitude /’aptitju:d/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from late Latin

taqua mirabilis noun phr. LI6-E19 aptitudo (Boethius), formed as

[Latin = wonderful water.]

apt: see -tude. Cf. attitude.]

A cordial distilled from a mixture of various spices with alcohol.

1 Natural tendency, propensity, or disposition, lme. 2 Fitness, suitability, appropriateness, mi6. 3 Natural ability; a talent (for); capacity to acquire a particular skill, mi6. f 4 = ATTITUDE 1. M17-E18.

aquanaut /'akwanait/ noun. L19. [from aqua- + Greek nautes sailor.] An underwater swimmer or explorer.

aquaphobia /akwa'faubia/ noun. M20.

£□ 1 R. Owen The aptitude of the Cheiroptera.. to fall like Reptiles into a state of true torpidity. 2 T. Warren They lose their aptitude for heaven. A. Helps In any comparison so fre¬ quently used there must be some aptitude. 3 R. Church I had no aptitude for figures. A. Toffler People who share the same interests and aptitudes on the basis of which friendship may blossom, attrib.: M. McCarthy By the use of aptitude tests, psychological questionnaires,.. he hoped to discover a method of gauging student potential.

[from aqua- + PHOBIA.] Fear of water, spec, of drowning in water (as opp. to hydrophobia or fear of drinking water). ■ aquaphobe noun L20. aquaphobic adjective L20.

aquaplane /'akwaplem/ noun & verb. E20. [from aqua- + plane noun3.] ► A noun. Aboard on which a person rides, towed behind a speedboat. E20. ► B verb intrans. 1 Ride standing on an aquaplane. E20. 2 Of a vehicle: glide uncontrollably on water covering a road surface. M20.

faptote noun. L16-L18. [Late Latin

aptotus from Greek aptotos without cases, from a-10 +

ptosis case.] grammar.

An indeclinable noun.

aqua regia /.akwa 'ri:d33/ noun phr. Also taqua regis.

Apulian /a'pjudian/ adjective & noun. E17.

E17. [Latin = royal water.] chemistry. A concentrated mixture of nitric and hydro¬ chloric acids, able to dissolve gold, platinum, etc.

[from Latin Apulia (see below) + -an.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the ancient province or the modem district of Apulia in S. Italy, or its inhabit¬ ants. El 7. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Apulia. E17.

aquarelle/akwarfl/noun. M19. [French from Italian acquarella watercolour, from acqua from Latin aqua water.] A style of painting in thin, usu. transparent, watercol¬ ours; a painting in this style. ■ aquarellist noun an artist in aquarelle L19.

Apus /'eipas/ noun. eis. [Latin

apus a kind of bird from Greek apous.]

(The name of) an inconspicuous circumpolar constella¬ tion of the southern hemisphere; = bird of paradise (b) s.v. bird noun.

aquaria noun pi. see aquarium.

apyretic /eipAi'retik, api-/ adjective. Now rare. M19.

Aquarian /a'kwe:rian/ noun & adjective. Li6.

[from A-10 + PYRETIC.]

[from Latin aquarius pertaining to water, Aquarius, from aqua water, + -AN.] ► A noun. 1 ecclesiastical history. A member of an early Chris¬ tian sect who used water instead of wine at the Euchar¬ ist. LI 6. 2 (a-.) = AQUARIST. M19. 3 A person born under the sign Aquarius. E20. ► B adjective. 1 (a-.) Of or pertaining to an aquarium. M19. 2 Of or pertaining to the sign Aquarius; (characteristic of a person) bom under Aquarius. M20.

MEDICINE. = APYREXIAL.

apyrexia /apAi'reksia, ei-/ noun. Also j-exy. Mi7. [mod. Latin from Greek

apurexia; partly through French apyrexie

(is)] medicine

Absence of fever.

■ apyrexi.il adjective free from fever L19.

aqua /'akwa/ noun1. M20. [Abbreviation.]

The colour aquamarine. aqua /'akwa/ noun2. M20.

aquarist/'akwarist/ noun. Also f-iist. 119. [from next-*- -1ST.] A person who keeps an aquarium.

[Latin.]

1 chemistry. The water molecule, H20, as a neutral ligand. Usu. attrib. Also called aqua M20. 2 gen. Water. L20.

aquarium /a'kwe:riam/ noun. PI. -ria /-ria/, -riums. Mi9. [Use as noun of neut. sing, of Latin aquarius (see Aquarian), after VIVARIUM.] An artificial pond or tank (usu. with transparent sides) for keeping live aquatic plants and animals; a place con¬ taining such tanks.

1 aqua complex, aqua salt. etc. 2 aqua birth, aqua park, aqua pool. etc.

aqua- /'akwa/ combining form. [Latin

aqua water.]

Forming nouns with the sense ‘water’, esp. with ref. to aquatic entertainment.

Aquarius /a'kw£:nas/ noun. oe. [Latin = water-carrier, use as noun of adjective: see Aquarian.] 1 (The name of) a constellation on the ecliptic just south of the celestial equator, next to Capricorn; astrology (the name of) the eleventh zodiacal sign, usu. associated with the period 20 January to 18 February (see note s.v. zodiac); the Water-carrier, oe. 2 A person born under the sign Aquarius; = Aquarian noun 3. M20.

aquacade noun (US) a spectacle involving swimming and diving, usually with musical accompaniment M20.

aquaculture /'akwakAltja/ noun. Also aqui- /'akwi-/. Mi9. [from prec. + -culture.]

The rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants, for food. ■ aqua cultural adjective 119.

aqua fortis /.akwa 'fo:tis/ noun phr. arch. Also aquafortis. LI 5.

td 1 attrib.: E. Kirk Aquarius people are remarkable spirit¬ ual healers. Age of Aquarius an astrological age characterized by (esp. sexual) freedom and brotherhood.

[Latin = strong water.]

Nitric acid; orig., any powerful solvent. aquarobics /akwa'raubiks/ noun pi. (treated as sing, or pi.).

aquake /a'kweik/ adverb & pred. adjective, poet. Li9.

L20. [Blend of aqua- and aerobics.] (A system of) aerobic exercises performed in water, r) Proprietary name in the US.

[from A-2 + quake noun or verb.]

Quaking. Aqua Libra /,akwa Ti:bra/ noun phr. L20. [Latin

aqua water + libra balance.]

aquatic /a'kwatik, -'kwDt-/ adjective & noun. Lis.

(Proprietary name for) a beverage made from flavoured mineral water and fruit juices; a drink of this.

(Old & mod. French aquatique or Latin aquaticus, from aqua water: see -atic. Cf. aquatile.] ► A adjective, j 1 Wateiy; rainy. L15-L17. 2 Growing or living in or near water. M17. 3 Of a sport: conducted on or in water, mi 9. ► B noun. 1 An aquatic plant or animal. L17. Fb A swimmer, a bather, joc. El 9. 2 In pi. Aquatic sports, mi9.

aqualung /'akwaUr)/ noun & verb. Also (US proprietary name) Aqua-Lung M20. [from

AQUA- + LUNG.]

► A noun. A portable breathing-apparatus for divers, com¬ prising cylinders of compressed air strapped on the back, feeding air automatically to a mask or mouth¬ piece. M20. ► B verb intrans. Use an aqualung. M20.

aquatile /'akwatAil, -til/ adjective & noun. arch. Ei7. [Latin aquatilis, from aqua water: see -atile.] ► A adjective. = aquatic adjective 2. Ei7. ►fB noun. = aquatic noun 1. mi7-M18.

aquamanile /.akwama'nAili, -'ni:li/ noun. L19. aquaemanalis hand-basin, from aquae genit. manale ewer.]

[Late Latin from Latin sing, of aqua water +

aquatint /'akwatmt/ noun & verb. As noun also aquatinta

A water vessel or ewer, freq. in the form of an animal or bird.

/akwa'tinta/. L18. [French aquatinte, Italian acquatinta coloured water: cf. tint

aquamarine /,akwama'ri:n/ noun & adjective, eis. [from Latin

verb'.]

► A noun. A method of etching on copper with nitric acid, which produces shaded effects as well as lines; an engraving made by this method. Li 8. ► B verb intrans. & trans. Etch in aquatint. E19. ■ aquatinternoun M19.

aqua marina seawater.]

► A noun. 1 A bluish-green variety of beryl, eis. 2 The colour of this. M19. ► B adjective. Having the colour of aquamarine. M19. 5 The earlier equivalent was aigue-marine from French.

a cat. a: arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, a: saw, a run, u pur, u: too.

a

ago, ai my, au how, ei day,

ao

no, e: hair, ia near, ai boy.

oa

poor,

Aia

tire, aoa sour

108

aquavit | arachnoid aquavit /akws'vrt/ noun. Also akva- /akva-/. Li9. [Norwegian, Swedish, Danish akvavit aqua vitae.] An alcoholic spirit distilled from potatoes or other starch-containing plants.

aqua vitae /.akwa 'witi:, 'vi:iai/ noun phr. Also aqua-

2 [Repr. Latin -ar(e) neut. of -arts, or French -er.] Forming

nouns, as pillar. -ar /a/ suffix- (not productive). [Repr. Latin -arius, -him (usu. repr. by -er1, -ary1) or French -ahe, or -ier.]

Forming nouns, as bursar, exemplar, vicar, etc.

t-aque suffix var. of-AC. aqueduct/'akwidAkt/

noun. Mi6. [French faqueduct (now -due) or its source Latin aquae(jductus, from genit. of aqua water + ductus conveying.] 1 An artificial channel, esp. an elevated structure of masonry, forthe conveyance of water. M16. 2 anatomy. A small fluid-filled canal; spec, that connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the brain. El 8.

aqueous /'etkwias/ adjective & noun.

Mi7.

[from medieval Latin aqueus, from aqua water: see -eous.] ► A adjective. 1 Of the nature of water; watery. Mi7. 2 Connected with or relating to water. Mi8. 1 aqueous humour the clear fluid occupying the space between the lens and cornea of the eye. 2 aqueous solution: of a substance dissolved in water. ► B noun. The aqueous humour. Li 9.

aquiculture noun var. of aquaculture. aquifer /'akwifa/ noun.

E20.

[from Latin aqui- combining form of aqua water + -fer.] ctoLOCY. A water-bearing stratum of permeable rock.

aquiferous /a'kwif(a)ras/ adjective.

[Latin aquila eagle.] (The name of) a constellation on the celestial equator, lying in the Milky Way near Cygnus; the Eagle. t-lege. Li6.

[medieval Latin aquilegia, -leia, prob. from Latin aquilegus water¬ collecting.] Any plant of the genus Aquilegia of the buttercup family, bearing showy flowers whose five petals have backwarddirected hollow spurs; a columbine. 5 Rare before 19 exc. as mod. Latin genus name.

aquiline /'akwilAin/ adjective.

Mi7.

[Latin aquilinus, from aquila eagle, prob. after French aquilin: see -INF1.]

1 Of or belonging to an eagle. M17. 2 Like an eagle: esp. (of the nose or features) curved like an eagle’s beak. M17. 33 2 Burke A penetrating aquiline eye. Aldous Huxley The aquiline good looks of a rather long and narrow face. M. Drabble She has a.. tall, stiletto.. figure... at the worst he could call her aquiline.

[Old & mod. French from Latin aquflo(n-).] The north or north-north-east wind.

aquiver /a'kwiva/ adverb & pred. adjective.

► A noun. 1 A member of the Semitic people orig. inhabit¬ ing the Arabian peninsula and neighbouring lands, and now the Middle East generally, lme. 2 An Arabian horse (prized for pure breeding and swiftness). Mi7. 3 More fully street Arab. A homeless vagrant child. (By some regarded as racially offensive.) M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Arabia or the Arabs; Arabian. E19. «J Rare before 17, the usual word being Araby earlier. ■ Arabdom noun Arabs collectively; the Arab world: M20.

arabesque /ara'besk/ noun, adjective,

&

verb.

Mi7.

[French from Italian arabesco, from arabo Arab: see -esque.]

► A noun. 1 Decorative work of a kind which originated in Arabic or Moorish art, consisting of flowing lines of branches, leaves, scrollwork, etc., fancifully inter¬ twined; an ornamental design of this kind. Mi7. f2 Vernacular Arabic. Only in Li 8. 3 ballet. A posture in which the body is bent forwards and supported on one leg with the other leg extended horizontally backwards, with the arms extended one forwards and one backwards, mi9. 4 music. A passage or composition with fanciful orna¬ mentation of the melody, mi 9. £Q 1 fig.: Longfellow Not Art but Nature.. carved this graceful arabesque of vines.

chemistry. = aqua noun11. Usu. attrib.

lme.

lme.

me.

[Old French (mod. arabique) from Latin Arabicus from Creek Arabikos, formed as Arab: see -lc.[

[Late Latin aquositas, formed as prec.: see -ity.] 1 The quality of being moist or watery, lme. 12 Moisture, liquid, fluid, lme-eis.

► A adjective. 1 From Arabia. Chiefly in gum Arabic, a water-soluble gum exuded by certain acacias (esp. Acacia Senegal), me. 2 Of the Arabs; of or pertaining to the language and lit¬

AR abbreviation.

erature of the Arabs,

1 Arkansas. 2 Autonomous Republic.

► B noun. The Semitic language originally of the Arabs, now spoken in much of the Middle East and N. Africa.

Argon.

LME.

■ Arabicism . n'rabisiziajm/ noun an Arabic idiom or peculiarity of language E19. Arabicize 's'rabiSAiz/verb trans. make like Arabic; make conform to Arabic usage: L19.

lme.

[Repr. pronunc.] The letter R (r).

ar- /ar, unstressed ar/ prefix (not productive). Assim. form of Latin ad- before r. In Old French, Latin an- was reduced to or-, which appears in Middle English adoptions, but in later French, and hence in English, arrwas restored by Latinization, as arrange, arrest

arabica /a'rabika/ noun. Also A-. E20. [Latin, specific epithet (see below), fern, of arabicus: see prec.] More fully arabica coffee. A coffee-plant of the most widely grown species, Cojfea arabica: beans or coffee obtained from such a plant. arabidopsis /a.rabi'dcpsis/ noun.

-ar /a/ suffix'. 1 [Repr. Latin -aris adjectival suffix, synon. with -alts (-al1) but used where I preceded, or Old French -aire, -ier (later refash, after Latin).] Forming adjectives with the sense ’of the kind of. pertaining to', as angular, lunar, molecular, stellar, titular, etc. Also forming nouns, as scholar. f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat. 1 leg, n

L19.

[mod. Latin (see below), from arabi(s + -d- + Creek opsis appear¬ ance.]

Any of various small plants of the cruciferous genus Arabidopsis, found esp. in dry, sandy, stony, or saline habi¬ tats; spec, thale cress, A. thaliana, often used in genetics research. man,

n no. p pen,

r red,

Araby /'arabi/ noun & adjective. Long arch. & poet. me. [Old French ar(r)abi adjective, prob. from Arab, 'arabi from 'arab Arab; in sense A.3 from Old & mod. French Arabic from Latin Arabia from Creek.] ► A noun, |1 An Arabian horse. Cf. Arab noun 2. Only in me. f 2 AnArab. LME-L16. 3 Arabia, lme. ► B adjective. Arabian; Arabic. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

aracari /ara'seuri, -'ka:ri/ noun. Also araqari Ei9. [Portuguese aracari from Tupi arasa’ri the name given to any small toucan.] Any of a number of small toucans of the genus Pteroglossus, with a serrated bill and typically a green back and wings, yellow underside, and red rump. [Old French aracier, formed as a-6 + rais root: see race noun2. Aphet. to race verb'.] Pull up by the roots; pull violently away.

arachidic /ara'ktdik/ adjective. Mi9. [from mod. Latin arachid-, arachis noun + -ic.] chemistry, arachidic acid, a straight-chain saturated fatty acid, C,,H39COOH, present in peanut oil. Also called eicosanoic acid.

arachidonic /arakidnnik/ adjective. E20. [Unsystematically from prec. + -on(e + -ic.) chemistry, arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, C20H32O2, found in animal fats and considered essential in animal metabolism. [mod. Latin from Creek arak(h)os, -kis some leguminous plant.] The groundnut plant, Arachis hypogaea. Comb. : arachis oil peanut oil.

arachnean/arak'ni:an/adjective, rare. Li6. [from Creek arakhnaios, from arakhne spider: see -an.] Of spiders or their webs; gossamer.

arachnid /a'rakmd/ noun & adjective. Mi9.

lme.

2 Arabic numerals the figures 1, 2,3,4, etc.

Ar symbol.

[Old & mod. French, or Latin arabilis, from arare to plough: see -ABLE.] ► A adjective. Of land: ploughed or fit for ploughing. Also, (of crops) suitable for cultivation on arable land; (of farming) given over largely to growing crops on arable

arachis /'arakis/ noun. M19.

see -ose1.]

lme.

arable /'areb(a)l/ adjective & noun. lme.

[French.] = ARACHIS.

M19.

Arabic /'arabik/ adjective & noun. Also a-,

[from Arab + -ize.] Make Arab; give an Arabic character to. ■ Arabi zation noun M20.

arachide/'araji:d/ noun. M20.

ED fig.: Dickens Surrounded by this arabesque work of his musing fancy.

► B noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Arabia, 2 An Arabian horse. Cf. Arab noun 2. lis.

Arabize /'arabxiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. L19.

tarace verb trans. ME-M16.

► B adjective. Of ornamental design: decorated in arab¬ esque. of the nature of arabesque. Li 8.

► C verb trans. Ornament in arabesque.

[from Arab + -ism.] 1 fa Arabic. Only in Ei7. fb An Arabicism. mi8. 2 Arab culture or its influence; (support for) Arab nationalism or political self-assertion. Li 9. ■ Arabist noun (a) an expert in or student of the Arabic lan¬ guage or other aspects of Arab culture; (b) a supporter of Arabism: Mi 8.

land. lme. ► B noun. Arable land; arable farming. Li6. ■ ara 'bility noun suitability for being used as arable land L19.

Ei9.

Arabian bird a phoenix, a unique specimen. Arabian camel see camel 1. Arabian iasmine. Arabian oryx.

aquose /'akwaos/ adjective, rare. lme.

b but, d dog.

lme.

[French Arabe from Latin Arabs from Creek Araps, Arab- from Arab, 'arab.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Arabia, a large peninsula in SW Asia. lme.

[formed as aqua noun2 + -o-.]

chemistry.

Arab /'arab/ noun & adjective. In sense A.3 also a-,

[from Old French arabi Araby or Latin Arab(i)us from Creek Arabios, formed as Arab: see -an, -ian.]

aquo/'akwao/noun. E20.

ar !a:/ noun.

(The name of) a small constellation of the southern hemisphere in the Milky Way, near Scorpius; the Altar.

Arabian /Arabian/ adjective & noun. Li9.

+ quiver noun2 or verb1.] In a quiver, trembling. [from a-2

aquosity/a’kwDsiti/ noun.

[Latin arn altar.]

1 Arabesque decoration often incorporates representations of living creatures, but these are absent from Moorish arabesque sensu stricto.

tAquilon noun. lme-ei7.

[Latin aquosus, from aqua water: Watery; full of fluid.

Arabism /'arabiz(a)m/noun. Ei7.

M17.

Chiefly Hist. An ox-drawn or horse-drawn carriage used in Turkey and the Middle East.

Mt6.

aquilegia /akwt'lLdja/ noun. Also

Arabise verb var. of Arabize.

[Turkish from Arab, 'arrada gun-carriage.]

[formed as prec.: see -ferous.]

plant gums.

arabis /'arabis/ noun. E17.

pink, or purple flowers.

ARA abbreviation. Associate of the Royal Academy.

araba /a'ra:ba/ noun. Mi9.

Conveying or yielding water.

Aquila /'akwtla, o'kwih/noun.

-ar hi suffix' (not productive). Alt. Of-ER1, -er2, or-OR, as beggar, liar, pedlar, etc.

Ara/'a:ro/noun.

119. [from arabica + -in' + -ose2: it was first obtained from gum arabic.] chemistry. A pentose sugar which is a constituent of many

[medieval Latin from Creek, use as noun of fem. of Araps Arab.] A cruciferous plant of the genus Arabis, with white,

vitae. LME.

[Latin = water of life: cf, French eau tie vie, usquebaugh.] Alcoholic spirits, esp. of the first distillation.

arabinose /'arabinauz, -s/ noun.

s sit.

t top. wan, w we,

z zoo,

[French arachnide or mod. Latin Arachnida (see below), from Creek arakhne spider: see -id3.] zoolocy. (Designating or pertaining to) an arthropod belonging to the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, mites, ticks, etc. ■ Also arachnidan noun & adjective (now rare) E19.

arachnoid /a'raknoid/ adjective & noun. mis. [mod. Latin arachnoides from Creek arakhtioeides like a cobweb, formed as prec.: see -oid.] ► A adjective. 1 anatomy. Designating or pertaining to a fine delicate membrane which is the middle of the three meninges enveloping the brain and spinal cord. Ml8. 2 botany. Covered with or consisting of cobweblike hairs. Ei9. 3 Like an arachnid; arachnean. mi9. ► B noun, anatomy. The arachnoid membrane. E19. pia-arachnoid see pia noun1. ■ arach nitis noun = arachnoiditis E19. arach noidal adjective = arachnoid adjective 1 M19. arachnoi ditis noun inflammation of the arachnoid membrane M19. J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

3

this, r, ring, tj chip, d3jar

109

arachnology | arbitrate arachnology /arek r. Dixit! noun. M19. [from Greek arakhne spider + -ology.] The branch of zoology that deals with arachnids. ■ arachno logical adjective M19 arachnologist noun E19.

Aranda /a’randp/ noun & adjective. Also -ta /-to/, Arunta /o'rAnto/. L19. [Aboriginal.] ► A noun. PI. same, -s.

arachnophobia arakna(o ft.vino noun. E20. [formed as prec. + -o- + -phobia.] Irrational fear of spiders. ■ a rachnophobe noun a person who is frightened of spiders E20. arachnophobic adjective & noun uo.

taraeometer noun var. of areometer, Aragonese /aroga'nuz/ adjective & noun. Also fArr-. E16. [Spanish aragones, from Aragon Aragon (see below): see -ese.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Aragon, a region and former kingdom of NE Spain, its inhabitants, or their dialect. E16. ► B noun. PI. same. 1 A native or inhabitant of Aragon. E19. 2 The dialect of Spanish spoken there. Li 9. aragonite /'arag(a)nAit/ noun. Also farr-. E19. [from Aragon (see prec.) + -ite1.] mineralogy. A low-temperature orthorhombic form of calcium carbonate. Arahat noun var. of Arhat.

2 The language of this people. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Aranda or their language. Li9. [mod. Latin Araneida (see below), formed as next: see -id3.] zoology. (An arachnid) of the order Araneida or the family Araneidae; a spider. ■ Also araneidan /are'ni:id(3)n/ noun & adjective - araneid noun Ml 9.

[from Latin aranea spider + -ology.] The branch of zoology that deals with spiders. ■ araneologist noun L19

araneous /s'remres/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. Mi7. [from Latin araneosus, formed as prec.: see -ous.] Arachnean; arachnoid.

Aranta noun & adjective var. of Aranda. E19. [Crow alappaho lit. ’many tattoo marks'.] A member of, of or pertaining to, an Algonquian people of the plains of N. America; (of) the language of this people.

taraise verb trans. ME-E17. verb.] Raise, lift up; raise from the dead, arouse. [from a-’ + raise

arapaima/aro'pAimo/noun. M19. [Tupi] Avery large S. American freshwater food fish, Arapaima gigas. Also called paiche, pirarucu

tU Shakes. All’s Well A medicine.. whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pepin. arak noun var. of arrack. Arakanese /araka'nuz/ adjective & noun. E19. [from Arakan (see below) + -ese.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Arakan, a district on the west coast of Myanmar (Burma), its inhabitants, or their dialect. El 9. ► B noun. PI. same. 1 A native or inhabitant of Arakan. ei 9. 2 The dialect of Burmese spoken there. Li 9. Araldite 'ar(3)kUit/ noun. M20.

araroba /ara'raoba/ noun, L19. [Portuguese from Tupi.] 1 PHARMACOLOGY. = GOA powder. LI 9. 2 A leguminous tree of Brazil, Andira araroba, from which Goa powder is obtained. E20.

aration /3'reiJ(a)n/ noun. rare. M17. [Latin aratio(n-), from arat- pa. ppl stem of arare to plough: see -ATION-]

Ploughing, tillage.

arational /ei'raJ(o)n(3)l/ adjective. M20.

[Origin unkn.]

[from a-10 + rational adjective.] Unconcerned with or outside rationality; non-rational.

(Proprietary name for) any of a series of epoxy resins used esp. as strong cements.

Araucanian /aro'keinian/ adjective & noun. Ei9.

aralia /a'reilio/ noun. mis. [mod. Latin, of unkn. origin.]

A plant of the genus Aralia (family Araliaceae), which includes a number of American and Asian trees and shrubs, e.g. wild sarsaparilla A. nudicaulis. ■ arali aceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Araliaceae, which includes ivy, ginseng, wild sarsaparilla, and other plants, besides the aralias M19.

Aramaean /ars'mkan/ adjective & noun. Also -mean. M19.

[from Spanish Araurania a region of Chile + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to a S. American Indian people of central Chile and adjacent parts of Argentina, or their language. E19. ► B noun. An Araucanian Indian; the Araucanian lan¬ guage. El 9. ♦I Also called Mapuche

araucaria /ara'ke:™/ noun. Mi9.

[formed as next + -an.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the country or language of Aram (now Syria). Mi9. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Aram. Also, Aramaic. M19. Aramaic /ara'meiik/ adjective & noun. Mi9. [from Greek Aramaios from Hebrew 'dram Aram, biblical name of Syria: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Aram (now Syria); spec. designating or pertaining to a Semitic language of ancient Syria, the official language of the Persian Empire from the 6th cent, bc, widely used as a lingua franca by Jews and others in the Near East, and later developing into dialects, including Syriac, Mandaean, and one used by Christian Palestinians, mi9. ► B noun. The ancient Aramaic language; any of the dia¬ lects developed from it. Li9.

[mod. Latin, from Spanish Arauco a province of Araucania, Chile: see -ary'.] A member of the genus Araucaria of tall evergreen con¬ ifers native to the southern hemisphere and including several trees valuable for their timber; esp. the monkeypuzzle, A araucana. ■ araucarian adjective of the genus Araucaiia Ml 9

Arawak /'arawak, -a:k/ noun & adjective, mis. [Carib aruac.] ► A noun. A member of a group of Arawakan peoples now chiefly inhabiting the NE coast of S. America; the lan¬ guage of these peoples, mis. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to these peoples or their language. Mi8.

Arawakan /ara'wak(a)n, -wa:k-/ adjective & noun. E20.

Aramean adjective & noun var. of Aramaean.

[from prec. + -an.] ► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to a widespread family of languages of S. America, including Arawak; designating or belonging to a people speaking an Arawakan language. E20. ► B noun. 1 A member of an Arawakan people. E20. 2 The Arawakan family of languages. M20.

aramid /'aramid/ noun. L20.

arb /o:b/ noun, colloq. L20.

arame /'aromi/ noun. M20. [Japanese.]

An edible Pacific seaweed, Ecklonia bicyclis, which has broad brown leaves used in Japanese cookery.

[Abbreviation.] = ARBITRAGEUR.

[from ar(omatic + poly)amid(e.]

Any of a class of synthetic polyamides that are formed from aromatic monomers, and yield fibres of excep¬ tional strength and thermal stability. Freq. attrib., esp. in

arbalest /'abakst/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -balist /-bahst/, -blast /-bla:st/. oe.

aramid fibre

[Old French arbaleste, arbe- (mod. arbalete) from late Latin arcuballista. from arcus bow: see arc noun, ballista.] 1 A crossbow with a wooden shaft and special drawing mechanism, used for discharging arrows, bolts, stones,

9 A proprietary name for such a fibre is Kevlar.

Aran /'ar(a)n/ adjective. M20. [The Aran islands off the west coast of Ireland.] Designating a type of knitwear with patterns tradition¬ ally used in the Aran islands, esp. involving raised cable stitch and large diamond designs, or a sweater or pull¬

etc. oe. 2 = arbalester, me. ■ arbalester noun a soldier armed with an arbalest: a cross¬ bowman: me. arba lestrier noun (Hist.) = arbalester M19.

over of this type. a cat, a: arm, e bed,

0:

her.

1

sit,

i

cosy,

i:

see,

n

hot,

0:

arbiter /'a:bita/ noun. lme. [Latin = judge, supreme ruler.] 1 A person whose opinion or decision is authoritative in a matter of debate; a judge, arbitrator, or umpire appointed to decide a dispute, lme. 2 A person with complete authority over or control of (a matter). E17. Q3 1 W. H. Dixon Appointed arbiter of the dispute, fig.: Milton Twilight.. short Arbiter ’Twixt Day and Night. 2 D. Haiberstam Her taste was impeccable, she was not so much an arbiter of fashion as she was fashion herself.

araneology aremi'Dbdy/noun. lis.

Arapaho /a'rapahsu/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun same, -s.

arain /'ar(a)n/ noun. Long dial. Also arrand /'ar(o)nd/. lme. [Old & mod. French araigne from Latin aranea.] A spider.

[Old French (h)erbier(e), arb- (mod. herbier), from (h)erbe rumen.) The windpipe, the gullet; (sometimes extended to) the whole pluck of an animal. make the arber hunting remove the pluck, the first stage in disembowelling.

1 A member of an Aboriginal people of central Austra¬ lia. Li 9.

araneid /o'reinnd/ noun & adjective. L19.

arage noun see average noun'.

Jarber noun. Also er-. me-eis.

saw, A run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day. a

Phrases: arbiter elegantiarum /.sliganti'mram/, arbiter elegantiae /eh'gantiAi/ [Latin = judge of elegance] an authority on matters of taste or etiquette.

arbitrable /'a:bitrab(a)l/ adjective. Now chiefly US.

Mi6.

[from Latin arbitrari: see arbitrate, -able.] Subject to or capable of settlement by an arbiter.

arbitrage /'a:bitnd3; commerce also a:bi'tra:3, 'a:bitra:3/ noun & verb. lme. [Old & mod. French, from arbitrcr from Latin arbitrari: see arbitrate, -age. Commercial use from mod. French.] ► A noun. J1 Exercise of individual authoritative judge¬ ment; self-determination. LME-E19. 2 Decision by an arbitrator or arbitrators; the process of arbitration, arch, Li 5. 3 commerce. Trade in bills of exchange or stocks in differ¬ ent markets to take advantage of their different prices. L19. ►

B verb intrans. commerce. Engage in arbitrage.

arbitrageur /,a:bitra:'3a:/ noun.

E20.

Li9.

[French, formed as prec. + -ear-or.) commerce. A person who engages in arbitrage.

arbitral /'a:brtr(a)I/ adjective, lis. [Old & mod. French, or late Latin arbitralis, formed as arbiter: see -AL1.]

Of or pertaining to arbitrators or arbitration.

arbitrament /a:'bitram(a)nt/ noun. Also -ement. lme. [Old French arbitrement from medieval Latin arbitramentum, from arbitrari: see arbitrate, -ment.] J1 The right or capacity to decide for oneself; free will. LME-E19.

2 The power to decide for others; absolute authority. obsolete exc. as approaching sense 3. lme. 3 The deciding of a dispute by arbitration, lme. 4 The authoritative decision reached or the sentence pronounced by an arbiter, lme. f 5 Agreement reached by arbitration; amicable com¬ promise. M16-E17. HI 1 Milton To stand or fall Free in thine own Arbitrament it lies. 2 W. S. Maugham He decided to leave the matter to the arbitrament of God. 3 Gladstone An immediate resort to the arbitrament of war. D. Brewster In the arbitraments of science it has always been a difficult task to adjust the rival claims of competitors. 4 Lytton I will not abide by the arbitrement of a pope. 5 Bacon As if they would make an Arbitrement, betweene God and Man.

arbitrary /'a:bit(ra)ri/ adjective & noun. lme. [Latin arbitrarius, formed as arbiter (perh. after French arbitraire): see -ary1.] ► A adjective. 1 Dependent on will or pleasure; law (now Hist.) dependent on the decision of a legally recognized authority; discretionary, lme. 2 Based on mere opinion or preference as opp. to the real nature of things; capricious, unpredictable, incon¬ sistent. M17. 3 Unrestrained in the exercise of will or authority; des¬ potic, tyrannical, mi7. 4 printing. Of a character: used occasionally to supple¬ ment the letters and other characters which constitute an ordinary font of type. E19. 1TI 1 Joseph Hall It is not left arbitrary to you that you may doe good if you will. 2 H. G. Wells Those arbitrary standards by which we classify people into moral and immoral. J. Heller His moods were arbitrary and unpredictable. P. Ustinov His internal policy was as arbitrary as his mother’s had been consistent. 3 H. Martineau No tyrant, no arbitrary disposer of the fortunes of his inferiors. H. Macmillan Arbitrary action without consultation or notice, in breach of solemn undertakings, revealed the true character of the regime. ► B noun. Something arbitrary; spec, in printing, an arbi¬ trary character. LME. ■ arbitrarily adverb E17 arbitrariness noun M17 farbitrarious adjective = arbitrary 1. 2.3 LI6-E19

arbitrate /'a:bitreit/ verb.

Mi6.

[Latin arbitral- pa. ppl stem of arbitrari examine, give judgement, formed as arbiter: see -ate '.] 1 verb trans. Settle by or submit to arbitration, mi6. no, e: hair.

10

near, di boy, oa poor, aid tire, aoa sour

110

arbitration | arc-boutant 12 verb trans. & intrans. Give an authoritative decision (that). L16-L17. 3 verb trans. Give an authoritative decision with regard to. arch. E17. 4 verb intrans. Mediate or act as arbitrator (in a dispute, aa 1 A. Miller He was called upon to arbitrate disputes as though he were an unofficial judge. 2 H. Swinburne He did arbitrate and awarde. that.. the cooke should bee recom¬ pensed. R. South The mind.. with an universal Superin¬ tendence, arbitrates.. upon them all. 3 John Taylor Now swordes, not wordes, doe kingdoms arbitrate. 4 R. Sanderson The blessed Apostle taketh upon him to arbitrate and to mediate in the business. Ld Macaulay He must relinquish all thought of arbitrating between contend¬ ing nations. ■ arbitrated ppl adjective settled by arbitration: spec, in commerce. determined or conducted by arbitration of exchange: L16.

arbitration/a:bi'treiJ(o)n/noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin arbitratio(n-), formed as prec: see

-ation.) fl = ARBITRAMENT 1, 2. LME-M17.

2 The settlement of a dispute or debate by an arbitra¬ tor; the process of arbitrating a dispute, lme. 3 arbitration of exchange, the determination of the rate of exchange to be obtained between two countries or currencies, when the operation is to be conducted through an intermediary or intermediaries, in order to ascertain the most profitable method of drawing bills. Cf. ARBITRAGES- E19. arbitrator /'a:bitreita/ noun. lme. [Late Latin, formed as arbitrate: see -or. Cf. Old French arbitrateur.] 1 A person chosen by the opposing parties in a dispute to decide the differences between them; an arbiter, lme. 2 A person who decides according to his or her own absolute pleasure; a supreme ordainer. L16. £3 1 J. L. Motley In case of their inability to agree, they were to appoint arbitrators. 2 W. Whiston God is the arbi¬ trator of success in war. ■ arbitratorship noun the position or function of an arbitrator M17. arbitratrix noun (now rare) a female arbitrator, an arbitress L16.

trees; a botanical tree-garden.

arborical 'a:'bDnk(o)l/ adjective, rare. Mi7. = ARBOREAL 1. arboricide/a:'bo:risAid/ noun. Li9. [formed as next + -cide.] The wanton destruction of trees. ■ arbori'cidal adjective given to arboricide Mi9.

arboriculture/'a:b(o)rikAltJa, a:'bo:r-/ noun. Ei9. [from Latin arbor tree + -i- + -culture.] The cultivation of trees and shrubs. ■ arbori cultural adjective of or pertaining to arboriculture E19. .arbori culturist noun a person who practises arboriculture El 9. arborio/afbmrrau/noun. M20. [Italian.] cookery. A variety of round-grained rice produced in Italy and used in making risotto.

arborisation noun var. of arborization.

tarbitrer noun. Also -or. lme-ei9. [Anglo-Norman arbitrour. Old French -eor, formed as prec.] = ARBITRATOR.

arbitress /'o:bitns/ noun. me. [Old French arbitresse fern, of arbitre arbiter: see -Ess1.] A female arbiter. £3 S. Richardson The arbitress of the quarrels of unruly spirits. Disraeli Tire arbitress of fashion is one who is allowed to be singular, in order that she may suppress singu¬ larity. tarbitror noun var. of arbitrer. arblast noun var. of arbalest. arbor/'a:bo/noun1. Mi7. [French arbre tree, principal axis, assim. in spelling to Latin arbor.] mechanics. An axle, beam, or spindle on which something revolves; esp. a tool-holder or mandrel on a lathe. arbor noun2 see arbour. Arbor Day /'a:bo dei/ noun phr. Orig. US. Li 9. [from Latin arbor tree + day noun.] A day set apart annually in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere for the planting of trees. arboreal /a:'bo:rral/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin arboreus, from arbor tree, + -al1.]

1 Pertaining to or of the nature of trees. M17. 2 Connected with, haunting, or inhabiting trees. M19. • arboral adjective (rare) = arboreal i M17 arbore ality noun (zoology) the state or condition of living primarily in trees; cf. TERRESTRIAUTV; L20.

[from Latin arbor tree + -ist. Cf. arbour 2.] 11 A person who cultivates or studies herbs or other flowering plants. Only in L16. 2 A scientific student or cultivator of trees. Mi7.

arborization /,a:b(3)rAi'zeiJ(3)n/ noun. Also -isation. LI 8. [formed as prec. + -ization.] (The production of) a treelike structure or appearance; esp. (anatomy) the ramification of the ends of certain nerve cells. ■ arborize verb (a) verb trans. make treelike in structure or appearance (chiefly as arborized ppl adjective); (b) verb intrans. develop arborization: Ei9.

arborous /'a:b(s)ras/ adjective, mu. [formed as prec. + -ous.]

Of, belonging to, or consisting of trees.

1 Having many trees, wooded. M17. 2 = ARBOREAL. M17. 3 Treelike, mis. arborescent uba're.soint adjective. Li7. [Latin arborescent- pres, ppl stem of arborescere grow into a tree, from arbor tree: see -escent. Cf. French arborescent.] 1 Treelike in growth or size; having a woody stem. L17. 2 a Treelike in appearance; branching. L17. ►b architecture. Of ornamentation: branching from and sustained by its support, mi9. ■ arborescence noun treelike growth or formation Ml 9.

[Latin = tree of life.]

1 Any of a number of N. American or Far Eastern ever¬ green conifers, belonging chiefly to the genus Thuja, eu. 2 anatomy. The arborescent appearance of the white matter in a sagittal section of the cerebellum. Also called

tree of life. E19. arbour /‘a-.bol noun. Also ‘arbor; Jharbour; (orig.) herber (long obsolete exc. Hist.), terber. me. [Anglo-Norman erber. Old French erbier (mod. herbier), from erbe herb + -ier formed as -arium: see -our. The mod. spelling was fur¬ thered by assoc, with Latin arbor tree.]

[from Latin arbor tree + -et'.[

k cat, 1 leg, j

arc / 'a:k/ verb intrans. Li9. 1 Form an electric arc. Chiefly as arcing verbal noun. Li 9. 2 Move or fly in an arc. M20. arcade /a: 'keid/ noun. L17. [French from Provencal

arcada or Italian areata, ult. from Latin

arcus arc noun: see -ade.]

1 A passage arched over; any covered walk or avenue, esp. with shops etc. along one or both sides. Li7. |2 An arched opening or recess. M18-E19. 3 architecture. A series of arches supporting or along a wall. LI 8. « 111 1 Wordsworth And shades Of trellis-work in long arcades. Thackeray A garden, with trim lawns, green arcades and vistas of classic statues. K. Clark These light, sunny arcades with their round arches.. under their straight cornices, amusement arcade, video arcade: see video adjective & noun.

Arcades arnbo /'cukadbz 'ambsu/ noun phr. Freq. derog. E19. [Latin (Virgil) = both Arcadians, i.e. both pastoral poets or musi¬ cians.]

Two people of the same tastes, profession, or charac¬ ter. Arcadia /afkeidia/noun. Also (poet.) Arcady / aikadi/. lme. (Used as a name for) an ideal region of rural content¬ ment. Arcadian /afkeidian/ noun & adjective'. Li6. [from Latin Arcadius, formed as prec., + -an.]

11 A garden lawn or green, me-lis. 2 A herb or flower garden; a flower-bed. Long obsolete exc. Hist. me. 3 A bower or shady retreat, with sides and roof formed mainly by trees and climbing plants, me. ►|b A covered alley or walk. li6-eis. 14 A garden of fruit trees; an orchard. LME-L16. t5 Trees or shrubs trained on trellis-work; espaliers. LME-M17. ■ arboured adjective placed in or as in an arbour; furnished with arbours: L16.

► A noun. An inhabitant of Arcadia; an ideal rustic. L16. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Arcadia; ideally rustic. E17.

arbovirus /aibs'vAiras/ noun. Also -bor- /-bo:-/. M20.

Arcady noun see Arcadia.

[from arthropod-borne + virus noun.] medicine. Any of a class of pathogenic viruses which are transmitted by arthropods (mainly mosquitoes and ticks).

ground-laurel, mayflower Li8. ■ Also arbute/'a:bju:t7 noun (arch. & poet.) M16.

ARC abbreviation. 1 Agricultural Research Council.

2 medicine. Aids-related complex. lme.

man, n no, p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top, v van,

[from arcade + -ian.]

Of, pertaining to, or furnished with arcades. Arcadic /afkeidik/ noun & adjective. E19. [from Arcadia+ -ic.]

(Of) the ancient Greek dialect of Arcadia.

arcana noun pi. of arcanum. arcane /a:'kem/ adjective. Mi6. [Old & mod. French, or Latin

arcanus, from arcere shut up, from

Hidden, secret; mysterious; abstruse,

1 An evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Arbutus, of the heath family, esp. the strawberry tree, A. unedo. Mi6. 2 A N. American evergreen trailing shrub, Epigaea repens, of the heath family, bearing white or pink flowers. Also more fully trailing arbutus. Also called

arc /a:k/ noun.

■ Arcadianism noun pastoral simplicity Ei9.

arcadian /crikeidian/ adjective2, rare. Li9.

area chest: see -ane 1.]

arbusde/'a:bAs(o)l/noun. rare. mu. [Latin arbuscula dim. of arbor, arbos tree: see -cule.] A dwarf tree, a treelike shrub.

& mod. French from Latin arcus bow. arch, curve.] 1 astronomy. The part of a circle which a celestial object, esp. the sun, appears to follow from horizon to horizon. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

A little tree, a shrub.

Attrib. 8, comb.: Designating devices and methods using an elec¬ tric arc as a source of light or heat, as arc furnace, arc lamp, arc light, arc welding: math, preceding a trigonometrical function, designating the angle having a given value of that function, as arc sine (also arcsine), arc tangent (arctangent). Special combs., as arc minute astronomy a unit of angular measure equal to Veo degree; arc second astronomy Veo arc minute.

[Latin from Greek Arkadia a mountainous district in the Peloponnese.]

1 oil of arbor vitae = oil of thuja s.v. thuja.

[Old

arboret /'a:baret/ noun. arch. Li6.

to 1 diurnal arc. nocturnal arc the path of the sun above, below, the horizon. 2 Pope Turn arcs of triumph to a gardengate. 3 F. O'Brien He lifted it in the air, slowly describing an arc of forty-five degrees. Ted Hughes Porpoises.. With arcs And plungings. B. Lovell The Moon subtends an angle of 31 minutes of arc. island arc: see island noun.

Lis. arcading noun an arrangement of arcades M19.

[Latin.]

[formed as prec. + -ous.]

cuive; something having the form or appearance of this. LI 6. 4 electricity. A luminous discharge produced between electrodes in a gas. Ei9. 5 physiology. The connected set of nerves involved in the production of a reflex action. Usu. more fully reflex arc. M19.

■ arcaded adjective furnished with or formed into an arcade

arborvirus noun var. of arbovirus.

arbutus/a:'bju:tos, ‘a:bjutos/noun. M16.

arboreous 'a:'bo:ri3s/ adjective. mi7.

f2 An arch. M16-M18. 3 gen. Part of the circumference of a circle or other

[from the noun.]

arborist/'a:b(3)rist/noun. L16.

arbor vitae /,a:ba 'vaiti:, 'vi:tAi/ noun phr. Also (esp. in sense i) arborvitae. PI. same. E17.

arbitrement noun var. of arbitrament.

f few, g get, h he, j yes.

[Latin = place with trees, from arbor tree.] A place devoted to the cultivation and exhibition of rare

[formed as next + -ical.]

between contending parties). E17.

b but. d dog,

arboretum a;bo'n:tom/ noun. PI. -ta /-to/, -turns. Ei9.

w we, z zoo,

£Q J. Cheever An old Turkey carpet, multicolored and scat¬ tered with arcane symbols. W. Styron Sophie loses track of much of the arcane detail. B. Mason Art was therefore some¬ thing arcane: if not precisely forbidden, then heavy with the possibility of discovery and guilt.

arcanum /afkeinam/noun. PI. -na /-ns/. Li6. [Latin, use as noun of neut. sing, of arcanus: see prec.]

Usu. in pi. 1 A hidden thing; a mystery, a profound secret. Li 6. 2 spec. Any of the supposed secrets of nature sought by alchemists; a marvellous remedy, an elixir, arch. E17. 1 major arcana (in cartomancy) the 22 trump cards of the tarot pack, minor arcana (in cartomancy) the 56 suit cards of the tarot pack. ■ arcanist noun a person who has knowledge of a secret process of manufacture E20.

arc-boutant /arkbuta/ noun. PI. pronounced same. mis. [French.] architecture.

J she,

An arched or flying buttress.

3 vision,

6 thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

Ill

arch | archery

arch /a:t|7 noun1, me.

precentor lme. archconfra ternity noun [1] roman catholic church a confraternity with power to incorporate or affiliate other similar confraternities Mi7. archdean noun (chiefly Scot, obsolete exc. Hist.) [1] a chief dean, an archdeacon lme. arch'deanery noun (chiefly Scot., obsolete exc. Hist.) [4a] the jurisdiction, rank, or office of an archdean Li 5. arch diocese noun [4a] the see or jurisdiction of an archbishop Ei9. arch- enemy noun [2] a chief enemy; the Devil: Mi6. arch-fiend noun [2] a chief fiend, the Devil Mi7. archflamen noun (now arch. & Hist.) [medieval Latin archiflamen] a chief flamen or priest, an archbishop lme. arch-foe noun [2] an arch¬ enemy, the Devil E17.1 arch-poet noun [1] a chief or first poet, a poet laureate E17-M18. arch-prelate noun [1] a chief prelate, an archbishop Li6.

[Old & mod. French arche ult. from Latin arcus arc noun.] ► I 1 A curved structure spanning an opening, either acting as a support for a bridge, roof, wall, floor, etc., or as a monument, or as an ornamental feature, me. |2 Any part of a curve. lme-mi9. 3 A thing resembling an arch as described in senses 1 and 2 inform or function; anatomy & zoology. = girdle noun1 4. Li6. Fb Each of the arched structures formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot, m 19. 4 An arched roof, a vault; an archway; fig. the heavens. E17.

-arch /ak, a:k/ suffix (not productive).

5 Curvature in the shape of an arch, mi 9.

[Repr. Greek -arkhos, arkhes ruling, rel. to arkhe rule, arkhein begin, take the lead.] In nouns denoting kinds of ruler, as monarch, ethnarch, tetrarch, etc.

LX1 1 Byron For this the conqueror rears The arch of triumph! E. M. Forster The immense viaduct, whose arches span untroubled meadows and the dreamy flow of Tewin Water. L. T. C. Holt A bridge with two of the largest and flat¬ test arches. ]. Bronowski The Romans always made the arch as a semicircle. M. Girouakd Two large studio windows under the gables, crowned with Gothic pointed arches. Court of Arches ecclesiastical the court of appeal for the province of Canterbury, orig. held in the church of St Maryle-bow (or ‘of the Arches’). Dean of the Arches ecclesiastical the lay judge of the Court of Arches having jurisdiction over thirteen London parishes exempt from the authority of the Bishop of London, skew arch see skew adjective, straight arch: see straight adjective' & adverb', triumphal arch: see triumphal adjective i. 2 Sir T. Browne An Arch of the Horizon. 3 Addison His head is encompassed with.. an arch of glory. J. Ruskin God's arch, the arch of the rainbow. aortic arch, visceral arch, zygomatic arch. etc. b A. S. Byatt Mrs Bruce said her feet hurt, sat down.. and rubbed her arches, fallen arch an arch of the foot that has flattened. 4 Sir W. Scott While the deep arch with sullen roar Return'd their surly jar. 5 F. Y. Golding The hollowness or arch of the waist [of a shoe],

Archaean /a:'ki:an/ adjective & noun. Also *Archean. L19. [from Greek arkhaios ancient + -an.] geology. (Designating or pertaining to) the earlier part of the Precambrian era (before the Proterozoic). 9 Sometimes used only to refer to rocks of this period.

archaebacterium /.mkibak'tiariam/ noun. PI. -ia /-ia/. L20. [from ARCHAEO- + BACTERIUM.] microbiology. Any of a diverse group of micro-organisms, believed to be of very ancient origin, which are similar to ordinary bacteria in size and simplicity of structure, but radically different in molecular organization. ■ archaebacterial adjective L20

archaeo- /'a:kiao/ farchaio-

► II 6 In pi. In names of various moths, as buff arches, dark arches, silvery arches, mi8. Comb.: archway a vaulted passage, an arched entrance. ■ archlet noun a little arch Ei9. archwise adverb in the form of an arch Li 6. archy adjective [rare) arched, arching, suggestive of an arch mi7.

arch /a:tj7 adjective & noun2, mi6. [arch- used independently; sense A.2 from use with rogue, wag, etc.] ► A adjective. 1 Chief, principal, pre-eminent. Now rare without hyphen (see arch-), mi6. 2 Clever, roguish, waggish; (now usu.) consciously or affectedly playful or teasing, mi7. £Q 1 Shakes. Rich. JU The most arch deed of piteous mas¬ sacre. Lytton Thou mayest have need of thy archest magic to protect thyself. ►t B noun. A chief, rare. Only in Ei7.

arch /a:tJ7 verb1, me. [from arch noun1. Cf. Old French archer.] 1 verb trans. Form into or provide with an arch. me. 2 verb intrans. Form an arch. Ei7. 3 verb trans. Span like an arch, mi7. £□ 1 Bacon Fine Deuices, of Arching Water without Spill¬ ing. Sir T. Browne Dinocrates began to Arche the Temple .. with Load stone. A. Sillitoe The lane was arched with trees. D. M. Thomas The cat arched her back and spat at the man. 2 Bacon The sound.. archeth over the wall. B. Moore The rainbow arched up and away from this place. 3 Southey The vine that arch’d His evening seat. R, W. Emerson The rude bridge that arched the flood.

noun.

Also

*archeo-.

[from archaeo- + Greek pterux wing.] palaeontology. The oldest known fossil bird, dating from the late Jurassic and having several reptilian features such as teeth, forelimb claws, and vertebrate tail.

■ arching noun an arched structure L16.

archaic /ai'kenk/ adjective. Mi9. [French archaique from Greek arkhaikos, from arkhaios ancient: see -ic.] 1 Of a word, language, etc.: no longer m ordinary use though retained by individuals or for special purposes (e.g. poetical, liturgical). Mi9. 2 Designating or belonging to an early or formative period of culture, art, etc. M19. 3 gen. Primitive; antiquated. L19. ■ archaical adjective (rare) archaic; of or pertaining to what is archaic: E19. archaically adverb in an archaic style; with regard to archaism: L19. archaicism /-siz(a)m/ noun archaic style or quality m 19. archaicist /-srst/ noun (rare) a person who employs archaism LI 9.

[Back-form, from archer, archery.] Engage in archeiy.

arch- /a:tJ7 prefix. [Latin from Greek arkhi- etc., from arkhos chief, or Old French arche- from Latin arch-. Cf. archi-.] 1 In titles of office, rank, or dignity, with the sense ‘principal, -in-chief, superior’, as archbishop, archdeacon, archdruid, archduke, etc. 2 In descriptive appellations of people, with the sense ‘a person pre-eminent as, greatest, chief, leading’ as arch-critic, arch-defender, etc., and now esp. ‘worst of, out-and-out, extremely bad’, as arch-conspirator, arch-

Jarchaio- combining form. Jarchaiology noun, etc., vars.

criminal, arch-heretic, arch-rebel, arch-scoundrel, arch¬ tempter, arch-thief, arch-traitor, arch-villain, etc. Cf. grand adjective' 2. 3 In descriptive appellations of people, with the sense ‘first in time, original’, as arch-father, arch-founder. All either obsolete or arch. 4 Of things: ►a With the sense ‘chief, principal, prime’, as archdiocese etc. ►b With the sense ‘primi¬ tive, original’, as arch-house, arch-see, etc. All either arch. or obsolete.

Of ARCHAEO-, ARCHAEOLOGY, etc.

archaise verb var. of archaize. archaism /'a:keitz(o)m/ noun. Mi7. [mod. Latin archaismus from Greek arkhaismos, from arkhaizein copy the ancients in language etc., from arkhaios ancient: see -ism] 1 The retention or imitation of what is old or obsolete, esp. in language or art. Mi7. 2 An archaic word or expression; an archaic feature.

m archabbey noun [4a] the head abbey of a Benedictine con¬ gregation Li9. archabbot noun [1] the chief abbot of a Benedic¬ tine congregation L19. arch-chanter noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) [1] a sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

/aiki'pladj/

archaeopteryx /aikiffiptanks/ noun. Mi9.

arch /a:tJ7 verb2 intrans. Mi7.

1

*archeo-,

[mod. Latin archaeologia from Greek arkhaiologia, formed as ARCHAEO- + -LOGY.] 1 Ancient history, arch. E17. 2 The systematic description or study of human antiquities, esp. as revealed by excavation, mi9. ■ archaeo logian noun (now rare) = archaeologist M19 archaeo logic adjective = archaeological mis. archaeo logical adjective of or pertaining to archaeology Lis. archaeo logically adverb Lis. archaeologist noun E19. archaeologize verb intrans. study or practise archaeology Li 9. archaeologue/ 'aikiolog/ noun (arch.) [French] an archaeologist, an antiquarian M19.

■ archly adverb Mi7. archness noun eis.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her.

Also

[from Greek arkhaios ancient, primitive: see -o-.] Forming terms relating to archaeology or prehistoric times. ■ archaeo-a stronomy noun the archaeological investigation of astronomical knowledge in prehistoric cultures L20. archaeo'botany noun the study of plant remains at archaeo¬ logical sites M20. archaeography /aki'ografi/ noun [arch.) the sys¬ tematic description of antiquities Ei9. archaeomag netic adjective of or pertaining to archaeomagnetism M20. archaeo magnetism noun the investigation of the magnetic properties of archaeological remains, esp. for the purpose of dating; magnetism possessed by such materials: M20. archaeo'metric adjective of or pertaining to archaeometry L20. archaeometry /aiki'omatri/ noun the application of scientific techniques to the dating of archaeological remains M20. Archaeo'zoic adjective & noun [geology) (pertaining to or designat¬ ing) the Archaean period or (orig.) that part of it in which primi¬ tive life existed L19. archaeozo ology noun = zooarchaeology L20.

archaeology farchaio- E17.

£Q Shakes. Lear The noble Duke my master, My worthy arch and patron.

combining form.

0

ist; imitatively archaic, affectedly antique: M19. archa istically adverb L19. archaize /'a:keiAiz/ verb. Also -ise. Mt9. [Greek arkhaizein: see prec., -ize.[ 1 verb intrans. Imitate the archaic. M19. 2 verb trans. Render archaistic. M20. ■ archaizer noun L19. archangel /'a:kemd3(a)l, a:k'em-/ noun. Also (esp. in titles) A-. oe. [Anglo-Norman archangele from ecclesiastical Latin archangelus from ecclesiastical Greek arkhaggelos, from Greek arkhi- arch- + aggeios (see angel).]

1 An angel of the highest rank; a member of the eighth order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, ranking dir¬ ectly below the principalities and above the angels (usu. in pi.), oe. 2 Any of various dead-nettles (genus Lamium and allied plants); esp. (more fully yellow archangel) lamiastrum galeobdolon, a yellow-flowered woodland plant of Europe and western Asia. lme. ■ archan'gelic adjective of. pertaining to. or resembling arch¬ angels; of the nature of an archangel: lme. archan gelical adjective = archangelic Mi7. archbishop /a:tf'brJop, esp. in titles 'a:tj-/ noun. Also (esp. in titles) A-. oe. [from arch- (replacing hcah high in Old English heah-biscop) + bishop noun.] The chief bishop of a province. ■ archbishophood noun (rare) the rank or office of an arch¬ bishop lme. archbishopric noun [Old English rice realm, rule] the diocese or jurisdiction of an archbishop: the rank or office of an archbishop: oe. archbishopship noun (rare) = archbishopric M16. archdeacon /a:tf'di:kon, esp. in titles 'a:tf-/ noun. Also (esp. in titles) A-. oe. [ecclesiastical Latin archidiaconus (Jerome) from ecclesiastical Greek arkhidiakonos: see arch-, deacon noun.]

A chief deacon; a member of the Anglican clergy next below a bishop; a dignitary of similar rank in other Churches. ■ arch deaconess noun (now rare) the wife of an archdeacon M19. arch deaconry noun the jurisdiction or district under the ecclesiastical control of an archdeacon; the rank or office of an archdeacon: lme. archducal /a:tJ'dju:k(o)l/ adjective. Also farchi*. Ei7. [French archiducal: see archduke, -al'.] Of or pertaining to an archduke or archduchy, archduchess /'a:tJdAtJrs/ noun. Also (esp. as a title) A-. E17. [French archiduchesse: see arch-, duchess.] Hist. The wife of an archduke. Also, a woman with an archducal title in her own right, spec, as a daughter of the Emperor of Austria. archduchy/’a:tJdAtJi/noun. Li7. [French jarcheduche (now ardii-): see arch-, duchy.] Hist. The territory subject to an archduke or archduch¬ ess. archduke /'a:tjdju:k/ noun. Also (esp. as a title) A-. Ei6. [Old French archeduc (mod. archi-) from Merovingian Latin archidux, -due-: see arch-, duke noun.]

Hist. A chief duke; spec, (the title of) a son of the Emperor of Austria. ■ archdukedom noun (now rare) = archduchy M16. Archean adjective & noun see Archaean. archegonium /aiki'goumom/ noun. PL -ia /-is/. Mi9. [mod. Latin, from Greek arkhegonos progenitor, from arkhe- archirgonos race: see -ium.] botany. The female reproductive organ borne by mosses, ferns, and some other plants. ■ archegonial adjective of or pertaining to an archegonium M19 archegoniate adjective bearing archegonia L19. archei noun pi. of archeus. archenteron /aLkentoron/ noun. Li9. [from Greek arkhe beginning + enteron intestine.] ZOOLOGY. The rudimentary alimentary cavity of a gastrula. archeo- combining form, archeology noun, etc., see archaeo-, archaeology, etc. archer/'a:tJo/noun. me. [Anglo-Norman archer. Old French archier (mod. archer), uit. from Latin arcus bow: see -er2.] 1 A person who shoots with bow and arrows, me. 2 (Usu. A-.) The constellation and zodiacal sign Sagittar¬ ius. LME. 3 chess. A bishop. Long obsolete exc. Hist. M16. 4 Usu. more fully archer-fish Any of several small SE Asian percoid fishes of the genus Toxotes (family Toxotidae) which have the ability to knock insect prey off vegetation by spitting water, mi 9. ■ archeress noun (now rare) a female archer M17. archery /'a:tfari/ noun. lme. [Old French archeric, from archier: see prec., -ery.]

M17. ■ archaist noun (a) rare an antiquary; (b) a person who employs archaism: M19. archa istic adjective of or pertaining to an archa-

1 The practice or art of shooting with bow and arrows; skill as an archer, lme.

: saw, a run, u put. u: too. a ago. ai my, au how. ei day.

no. e: hair, ra near, or boy. oo poor. ais tire, aos sour

112

Arches | archosaurian 2 collect. An archer's equipment; bows, arrows, etc. Now rare. ime. 3 collect. A company or corps of archers, arch. lme.

Arches /‘a:tjiz/ noun. Now rare. Ei7. [from arch- 4.] nautical,

the Arches, the Archipelago (the Aegean Sea);

archi lute noun var. of archlute. archimage /'a:kimeid3/ noun. Now chiefly poet Also t-mago, f-magus. L16. [Greek arkhimagos chief of the magi: see archi-, mace, magus, and cf. French archimage.] A chief magician; a great wizard.

archimandrite/a:ki'mandrAit/ noun. Mi7.

any specific archipelago.

archesporium /a:ki'spo:ri3m/ noun. PI. -ia /-ia/. Li9. [from Greek arkhe- archi- + spore + -ium.] botany. A cell or group of cells from which sporeproducing or other reproductive cells are developed. ■ archesporial adjective Li 9.

archetype /'aikitAip/ noun. Also (earlier) in Latin form t-typum mi6. [Latin archetypum from Greek arkhetupon use as noun of neut. of adjective 'first moulded as a model', from arkhe- archi- + tupon model. Cf. French archetype.] 1 The original pattern or model from which copies are made; a prototype; a typical specimen, mi6. 2 spec, a zoology & botany. An idealized typical specimen or original form of a particular grouping of living organ¬ isms. Mi9. Fb In Jungian psychoanalysis, a primordial mental concept inherited by all from the collective unconscious. E20. Fc A pervasive or recurrent idea or symbol in legend, etc. M20. £3 1 Ld Macaulay The House of Commons, the archetype of all the representative assemblies which now meet. A. Storr During the thirty-one years of his residence in Cam¬ bridge, he was a recluse; the very archetype of the absentminded, solitary scholar. ■ archetypal adjective of the nature of or constituting an arche¬ type; of or pertaining to an archetype; primitive, original: Mi7. archetypally adverb M19. arche typical adjective = archetypal Mis. arche typically adverb U9.

archeus "atkios/noun. PI. -ei /-iai/. Mi7. [mod. Latin arrhaeus from Greek arkhaios ancient.] The immaterial principle supposed by the Paracelsians to govern animal and vegetable fife; a vital force. history of science

archi noun pi. see arco.

[French, or ecclesiastical Latin archimandrita from ecclesiastical Greek archimandrites, from arkhi- archi- + mandra enclosure, stable, monastery: see-ite1.] The superior of a large monastery in the Orthodox Church; also used as an honorary title of a monastic priest.

Archimedean /crki'mixh.m adjective. Ei9. [from late Latin Archimedeus (formed as next) + -an.] Of, pertaining to, or invented by Archimedes. Archimedean drill a drill in which to-and-ffo motion along the axis of the drill produces alternating rotary motion of the bit. Archimedean screw an instrument for raising water by the turning of an inclined screw within a cylinder.

Archimedes/a:ki‘mi:di:z/noun. Mi7. [Greek Arkhimedes, a celebrated mathematician (c 287-212 bc).] 1 A person like Archimedes, esp. in making scientific discoveries. Mi7. 2 Archimedes' principle. (arch.) principle of Archimedes: that a body immersed in a fluid is subject to an upward force equal in magnitude to the weight of fluid it displaces, mi9.

archimime /'a:kimAim/ noun. Also arch-mime /'a:tf-/. M17. [Latin archimimus from Greek arkhimimos: see archi-, mime noun.] roman history. The chief mimic who imitated the deceased in a funeral procession.

archinephros /aiki'nefras/ noun. PI. -nephroi /-‘nefroi/. LI 9. [from archi- + Greek nephros kidney.] zoology. The archetypal primitive kidney of the earliest vertebrates. ■ archinephric adjective Li9.

archipelago /cuki'pebgau/ noun. PI. -o(e)s. Also t-gus.

archi- /'a:ki/ prefix. [Latin from Greek arkhi-: see arch-.] 1 = arch-: Fa Forming nouns, as archiepiscopate, archipresbyter, etc. Fb Forming adjectives, as orchiepiscopal etc., freq. corresp. to nouns in arch-, as archidiaconal etc. 2 biology. With the sense 'archetypal, primitive’, as archinephros etc. 3 anatomy. Designating the phylogenetically oldest parts of the brain, as archipallium. archistriatum. etc.

archiater /aiki'eita/ noun. E17. [Late Latin from Greek arkhiatros. from arkhi- archi- + iatros phys¬ ician. Cf. French archiatre.] Hist. The chief physician of a monarch; the court phys¬ ician.

Archibald /'a:tJibo:ld/ noun, slang (now Hist.). E20. [Male forename: from the refrain of a popular music hall song.] An anti-aircraft gun, esp. one used by the Germans in the war of 1914-18.

archidiaconal /,a:kidAi'ak(3)n(3)l/ adjective, lme. [medieval Latin archidiaconalis: see archi-, diaconal.] Of, pertaining to, or holding the position of an arch¬ deacon. ■ archidiaconate noun = archdeaconry mis.

Ei6. [Italian arcipelago (13), from Greek arkhi- archi- + petagos sea.) 1 the Archipelago, the Aegean Sea. arch. E16. 2 A sea or other stretch of water like the Aegean in having many islands; a group of islands. M16. ■ archipelagic /-po'ladjik/ adjective M19.

archiphoneme /'cckifaunbm/ noun. M20. [French archiphoneme: see archi-, phoneme.] linguistics. A phonological unit comprising the sum of distinctive features common to two or more neutralized phonemes. ■ archiphoriemic adjective M20

archipresbyter /cuki'prezbita/ archpresbyter/'a:tj-/. M16.

noun.

Also

[Late Latin from Greek arkhipresbuteros: see archi-, presbyter.] = ARCHPRIEST. ■ archipres byterate noun [medieval Latin archipresbyteratus] the position or term of office of an archpriest; the order of archpriests: E20.

tarchisynagogue noun, me-lis. [ecclesiastical Latin archisynagogus from Greek arkhisunagogos (New Testament): see archi-, synagogue.] A president of a synagogue.

architect /'a:kitekt/ noun & verb. Mi6.

tarchiducal adjective var. of archducal. Archie /'a:tji/ noun & verb, slang (now Hist.). E20. [Dim. of Archibald.] ► A noun. = Archibald. E20. ► B verb trans. Pres, pple & verbal noun Archieing. Fire at with an anti-aircraft gun. E20.

archiepiscopacy /.aikn'piskapasi/ noun. M17. [from ecclesiastical Latin archiepiscopus from Greek arkhiepiskopos (Athanasius) archbishop, formed as archi-, bishop noun. + -acy.] 1 The system of Church government by archbishops. M17. 2 = ARCHIEPISCOPATE. M17. ■ archiepiscopate noun an archbishop's tenure of office; an archbishopric: lis.

archiepiscopal /,a:kn'pisk3p(o)l/ adjective. E17. [formed as prec. + -al'.] Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an archbishop. ■ archiepiscopally adverb M19.

archil /'a:tfil, 'a:kil/ noun. Mi6. [Var. of orchil.]

[French architecte from Italian arc!litetto, or their source Latin architectus from Greek arkhitekton, from arkhi- archi- + tekton builder.] ► A noun. 1 A designer of buildings, who prepares plans, and superintends construction, mi6. Fb In full naval architect. A designer of ships etc. Ml 9. 2 A designer of any complex structure. Li 6. 3 A person who plans, devises, or contrives the achievement of a desired result. Li6. CO 2 T. Reid Plato made the causes of things to be matter, ideas, and an efficient architect. G. Grote The inference that Peisistratus was the first architect of the Iliad and Odyssey, the Architect the Creator. 3 Milton The architects of their own happiness. J. Heller The architect of an illicit and secret policy of detente. ► B verb trans. Design and build; plan and bring about (a desired result). M17. ■ architective adjective of or pertaining to architecture: fitted for or characterized by construction: E17. tarchitector noun t(a) a superintendent; (b) = architect; lis-eis. architectress noun (now rare) a female architect E17.

The dye orchil, or any of the lichens which yield this.

architectonic/,a:kitek'tDnik/ adjective & noun. Mi7.

Archilochian /cuki'taokisn/ adjective, mis. [from Latin Archilochius, from Greek Arkhilokhos Archilochus (see below) + -an.] Of, pertaining to, or derived from the Greek satiric poet Archilochus (7th cent, bc), the alleged originator of iambic metre. b but, d dog,

f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg, m

[Latin architectonicus (Vitruvius) from Greek arkhitektonikos, from arkhitekton: see prec., -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to architecture or archi¬ tects. M17. 2 Of or pertaining to construction. Li7. 3 Directive, controlling. ti7. man,

n no,

p pen,

r red, s sit, t top,

v van,

4 Pertaining to the systematization of knowledge. Li 8. ► B noun sing. & (freq.) in pi. (treated as sing.). 1 The science of architecture. Mi7. 2 The science of the systematic arrangement of know¬ ledge. LI 8. ■ architectonical adjective (now rare) E17. architectonically adverb with regard or in relation to architectonics mi7.

architecture /'cukitEktJo/ noun & verb. Mi6. [French, or Latin architectural see architect, -ure.]

► A noun. 1 The art or science of building; esp. the art or practice of designing and building edifices for human use, taking both aesthetic and practical factors into account. Mi6. 2 Architectural work; something built. Li6. 3 A style of building; mode, manner, or style of con¬ struction or organization; structure. Ei7. Fb The concep¬ tual structure and logical organization of a computer or computer-based system. M20. 4 The action or process of building; construction, arch. E17. CD 1 marine architecture, naval architecture the design and building of ships etc. 2 j. H. Burton Architecture, espe¬ cially if it be of stone. M. Peake An eccentric notion trans¬ lated into architecture. 3 j. Ruskin Many other architectures besides Gothic. Discovery The architecture of molecules. D. V. Cooke We speak of the 'architecture' of a symphony. M. Girouard They moved on.. to revive elements from the homelier brick architecture of the seventeenth and eight¬ eenth centuries. 4 Sir T. Browne |If] the great Cities Anchiaie and Tarsus were built.. both in one day .. Certainely, it was the greatest Architecture of one day.

► B verb trans. Design as architect. Ei9. ■ archi tectural adjective of, relating to, or according to archi¬ tecture; resembling architecture: lis. archi tecturally adverb in an architectural manner; as regards architecture: M19.

architrave /'a:kitrerv/ noun. Mi6. [French from Italian, from archi- archi- + trave from Latin trab-. trabs beam.] architecture. 1 The lowest part of an entablature, resting

immediately upon the abacus on the capital of a column. Mi6.

2 The various parts surrounding a door or window. M17.

3 Moulding around the exterior of an arch, mi 9. ■ architraved adjective furnished with an architrave mi?. archive /'a:kAiv/ noun & verb Ei7. [French archives pi. from Latin archi(v)a from Greek arkheia public office or records, use as noun of neut pi. of arkheios governmental, from arkhe government.]

► A noun. 1 sing. & in pi. A place in which collected public or corporate records are kept; a repository for docu¬ ments etc.; a data bank. E17. 2 In pi. & fsing. Records so kept. Mi7. ► B verb trans. Place or store in an archive; spec. (computing) transfer to a store of infrequently used files, or to a memory at a lower hierarchical level (e.g. from disk to tape). Li 9. ■ ar chival adjective of or pertaining to archives M19. archivist /'a:krvrst/ noun a keeper of archives mis.

archivolt/'akrvault/ noun. Also f-volto. Mi7. [Italian archivolto (whence medieval Latin archivoltum) or French archivolte ult. formed as arc noun + vault noun1.] architecture. The lower curve of an arch, from impost to

impost; the band of mouldings on this. archlute /'a:tjl(j)u:t/ noun. Also archi- /'a:tji-/. Mi7. [French archiluth, Italian arciliuto: see arch-, lute noun1.]

A theorbo. arch-mime noun var. of archimime. archon /'a:ksn/ noun. PI. archons. archontes /a: 'kDnti:z/. Li6. [Greek arkhon, arkhont- ruler, use as noun of pres, pple of arkhein to rule.]

1 The chief magistrate, or, after the time of Solon, each of the nine chief magistrates, of ancient Athens. 116. 2 A ruler, a president. M18. 3 A power subordinate to God, held by some of the Gnostics to have created the world, mis. ■ archonship noun the position of an Athenian archon L17. archontate noun the tenure of office of an Athenian archon mis. ar chontic noun & adjective (a) noun a member of a sect of Gnostics who believed that the world was created by archons; (b) adjective of or pertaining to an archon: Li6.

archosaurian laiko'somsnJ adjective & noun. L19. [from mod. Latin Archosauria (see below), from Greek arkhos chief or arkhon: see prec., -saur, -ian.) zoology. ►A adjective. Belonging to or characteristic of the subclass Archosauria of living and extinct reptiles, which includes the dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodilians. li 9. ► B noun. Any archosaurian reptile. E20. ■ Also 'archosaur noun M20.

w we, z zoo.

J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

113

archpresbyter | areligious

archpresbyter noun var. of archi presbyter. archpriest /'a:tjpri:st/ noun. lme. [Old French archeprestre (mod. archipretre) from late Latin ARCHIPRESBYTER, later aSSim. to ARCH-, PRIEST.]

A chief priest; formerly, a chief assistant or vicar to a bishop in a cathedral. Also, a rural dean. ■ archpriesthood noun the position or office of an archpriest Lt7. tarchpriestship noun = archpriesthood lme-li7.

-archy /ski, a±i/ suffix (not productive). [Repr. Creek arkh(e)ia government, leadership, formed as -arch: see -y3.]

In abstract nouns corresp. to personal nouns in -arch, as monarchy, oligarchy, tetrarchy. etc. orco ‘arko, 'a:ksu/ noun, adverb, & adjective. M18. [Italian.] music.►A noun. PI.archi/'arki/, arcos/'cukaoz/.Abowfor a stringed instrument, mis.

► B adverb & adjective. A direction; resuming use of the bow after a pizzicato passage. Ei9. arcology/a:'kDl3d3i/noun. M20. [Blend of architecture and ecology.]

A style of urban planning proposed by the Italian-born US architect Paolo Soleri (b. 1919), which envisages fully integrated cities each contained within a massive verti¬ cal structure, thereby allowing maximum conservation of the surrounding environment; a city built on these principles. Arctic /'a:ktik/ adjective & noun. Also a-; (earlier) |Art-. LME. [Old French antique (mod. arct-) from Latin ar\c)ticus from Creek arktikos, from arktos bear, the Great Bear (constellation): see -ic.]

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the north pole, or the north polar regions. Formerly also gen., northern, lme. ►b Designating animals and plants of northern species. Lis. >c (Usu. a-.) Characterized by or typical of the very cold climate of the north polar regions. L19. 2 fig. Bitterly cold. Formerly also, extreme, remote. Li7. 1 Arctic Circle the parallel of latitude 66° 33' N. Arctic Ocean the (chiefly ice-covered) ocean bounded by the north coasts of Eurasia and N. America, b Arctic char. Arctic cisco. Arctic grayling. Arctic skipper Arctic skua. Arctic willow, etc Arctic fox a small fox, Alopex lagopus. whose coat turns white in winter and which occurs on the tundra of Eurasia and N. America; the fur of this fox. Arctic hare (a) a hare, Lepus arcticus, of Greenland and Arctic Canada, whose coat is brown in summer and white in winter; (b) = mountain hare Arctic tern a migratory tern. Sterna paradisaea. which breeds mainly in northern Eurasia and N. America but winters mainly in Antarctic regions. ► B noun. 1 The north polar regions, lme. 2 In pi. (a-.) Thick waterproof overshoes. N. Amer. Mi9.

arctophile /'aiktafail/ noun. L20. [from Creek arktos bear + -phile.]

A person who collects or is very fond of teddy bears. ■ arcto philia noun love of teddy bears L20. arc tophilist noun L20. arc’tophily noun L20.

arcual /’aikjoal/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin arcus arc noun + -al1.]

= next. arcuate /‘cukjusi adjective, lme. [Latin arcuatus pa. pple, from arcuat-: see next, -ate3.]

Bent like a bow, curved, arched. ■ arcuated /-eitid/ adjective (a) = arcuate: (b) architecture charac¬ terized by arches: mis.

arcuation /a:kju'eij(3)n/ noun. lme. [French, or Latin arcuatio(n-) (Frontinus), from arcuat- pa. ppl stem of arcuare to curve, from arcus ARC noun: see -ation.] 1 Curving in the shape of an arch; incurvation, lme.

2 The use of the arch in building; arched work. M18. arcubalist 'aikjubshst. noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [Late Latin arcubaUista: see arbalest.] = ARBALEST 1. ■ arcubalister noun = arbalester L16.

arcus senilis/,a:kss si'nAihs/ noun phr. lis. [Latin, lit. ‘senile bow’.] medicine. A narrow opaque band encircling the cornea,

common in old age. ard /a:d/ noun. M20. [Old Norse arSr plough: see arder.] archaeology. A primitive light plough.

-ard /ad, occas. a:d/ suffix. 1 Repr. Old & mod. French -ard, f-art from German -hart, -hard ‘hardy' in nouns, as haggard, mallard, placard, etc., freq. depreciatory, as bastard, coward, etc., and formerly a suffix productive of similar English nouns esp. with the sense ‘a person who does to excess, or does what is discreditable', as dotard, drunkard, laggard, niggard, sluggard, wizard. See also -art. 2 Repr. endings of various origin, as bustard, hazard, leopard, standard, tankard, etc. a cat, a: arm, s bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

ardeb I'a-.debl noun. E19. [Arab, 'irdabb, ’ar-, ult. from Creek artabe.] An Egyptian unit of capacity, usu. equal to about 198 litres (5.44 bushels).

ardency /‘a:d(a)nsi/ noun. Mi6. [from next + -ency.] Burning quality; fig. warmth of feeling or desire, ardour.

ardent /‘a:d(a)nt/ adjective, me. [Old French ardant (mod. ardent) from Latin ardent- pres, ppl stem of ardere to burn: see -ant’, -ent.] 1 Flammable, obsolete exc. in ardent spirit(s), alcoholic spirits (now usu. interpreted as sense 2, with ref. to their taste), me. 2 Burning, fiery; parching; glowing like fire, gleaming.

LME. 3 fig. Burning with passion or desire; fervent, eager, zealous, lme. L3 2 Pope From rank to rank she darts her ardent eyes. M. Arnold There are some, whom a thirst Ardent, unquenchable, fires. 3 R. Burns A faltering ardent kiss he stole. W. Owen Children ardent for some desperate glory. S. Lewis She passed from a feeble disgust at their closer rela¬ tions into what promised to be ardent affection. M. Muggeridge We were ardent co-op supporters. ■ ardently adverb me.

arder /‘cuds/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. E16. [Prob. from Old Norse ardr plough from Latin aratrum.] Ploughing, tilth; land ploughed and left fallow; (a strip of land used for) one stage of a crop rotation.

ardour/'aids/noun. Also *-or. lme. [Old French (mod. ardeur) from Latin ardor, from ardere to burn.] 1 (A feeling of) ardent passion or desire; eagerness, intensity of feeling, lme. 2 (A) fierce or burning heat; fire. arch. lme. |3 A radiant spirit, poet. Only in Mi7. £□ 1 L. Strachey Affection, gratitude,.. such feelings pos¬ sessed him, but the ardours of reciprocal passion were not his. P. H. Gibbs The war had been a horror after the first ardour with which he had come out in time for the Somme. E. F. Benson His love for her was of an ardour she had not contemplated. 2 C. Cotton To qualifie the excessive ardours of the Sun. 3 Milton The winged Saint.. from among Thou¬ sand Celestial ardors.. up springing light.

arduous /'cudjuas/ adjective. Mi6. [from Latin arduus steep, difficult + -ous.] 1 Hard to achieve or overcome; difficult, laborious.

M16. 2 High; steep, arch. eis. 3 Of an effort etc., or a person making an exertion: energetic, strenuous, mi9. C3 1 Ld Macaulay Such an enterprise would be in the highest degree arduous and hazardous. J. Hilton The next stage.. was less arduous than he had been prepared for, and a relief from the lung-bursting strain of the ascent. M. Muggeridge She found riding or pushing her bicycle uphill too arduous. 2 fig.: Steele To forgive is the most arduous pitch human nature can arrive at. 3 J. Tyndall An arduous climber. A. J. Cronin The chapel.. was the product of prolonged and arduous effort. Partisan Review The arduous theorists of the SPD were steeped in German pedantry. ■ arduously adverb laboriously, strenuously; with difficulty: Et8 arduousness noun M18.

ardurous 'cudjurss/ adjective, poet. rare. mis. [Irreg. formed as prec., infl. by ardour.] Ardent, full of ardour.

Are /ei'rei/ noun’. obsolete exc. Hist. Also A re. lme. [from A + re: see Alamire.] medieval MUSIC. The note A in Guido d’Arezzo’s 1st hexachord, where it was sung to the syllable re. Cf. Alamire.

Befa, Cefaut, etc. are la:l noun2, lis. [French formed as area.] A metric unit of area equal to too sq. metres (about 119.6 sq. yards). Cf. hectare.

are verb see be verb. area /'s:ns/ noun. PL areas, (occas.) tareae. Mi6. [Latin = vacant piece of level ground.] ► I A particular extent of ground or of another surface. 1 A piece of ground, or space within a building, that is not built on or occupied, or is enclosed or reserved for a particular purpose. M16. >b A sunken enclosure giving access to the basement of a house, eis. 2 A particular tract of the earth's (or another planet's) surface; a region; a neighbourhood, a vicinity, mis. 3 A particular part of any other surface (e.g. of a living organism), usu. distinguished by coloration, structure, or function. Also, a part of a solid body; esp. a region of the brain of specified ftmction. E19. saw. a run. o put, u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how. ei day.

LU 1 J. Leland In the west Part of this Street is a large Area invironed with meetly good Buildinges. E. Waugh One could not normally go further into it than a small roped area around the door. Lore & Language The two tarmac play areas would nowadays be considered cramped, b Dickens Pulling the caps from the heads of small boys and tossing them down areas. 2 H. George There are still in India great areas uncultivated. F. Raphael I should have a scout round the area, get your bearings. C. Sagan We imagined.. that the bright areas that retain frost on Mars are .. low. 3 R. T. Peterson A very large white stork with .. extensive black wing areas and black tail. A. H. Cottrell The forma¬ tion of rust layers on the cathodic areas of the metal surface. J. Z. Young The brain areas involved in speech. Broca's area. language area, motor area, Wernicke's area, etc. ► II Extent. 4 Superficial or two-dimensional extent; the amount of this contained within given limits. Li6. 13 4 Steele The Area of my Green-House is a Hundred Paces long. Fifty broad. J. Updike In area Kush measures 126,912,180 hectares. F. Hoyle A retreat of the ice sheet at its margin, a shrinkage of its area and decrease in its thickness. ► III fig. 5 A part of anything conceived as having super¬ ficial extent; a field (of study etc.), a range of topics etc.; scope, extent. Ei7. G3 5 G. Greene Whole areas of both our lives were blank like an early map, to be filled in later. D. Davie The images serve to indicate roughly the area of experience that the poet is dealing with. G. C. Faber The feeling.. was strongly rooted in a still hateful area of memory. Phrases: special area: see special adjective, twilight area: see twilight adjective, utility area: see utility adjective. Comb.: area bishop in the Church of England, a bishop who has much of the authority of a diocesan bishop within a particular part of a diocese, by delegation from the diocesan; area bombing the indiscriminate bombing of an extended area; area code N. Amer. a telephone dialling code for another part of the country; area defence: designed to protect an entire area against air attack; area linguistics areal linguistics; areaway N. Amer. a sunken passageway; esp. = sense lb above.

tareach verb. Infl. as reach verb1 [Old English arican, formed as A-’ + reach verb1.] 1 verb trans. Get at; get possession of. oe-116. 2 verb trans. Hand, deliver, (a thing to a person). OE-M16. 3 verb intrans. Stretch, extend (to), me-mie. £3 1 Spenser Till his ambitious sonnes vnto them twaine Arraught the rule.

aread /a'riid/ verb & noun. Long arch. Also arede. areed. Pa. t. & pple areaded. ared /a'rsd/. [Old English aredan, formed as A-’ + read verb. Branch A.II from A-1 + read verb.] ► A verb trans. 1 fl Divine, prophesy; make known, declare. OE-M17. 2 Divine the meaning of: interpret, solve, oe. 3 Guess, conjecture, me. O 2W. Morris So is thy dream areded. 3 Southey Rightly he ared the Maid's intent. ► 114 Counsel, advise. M16. 5 Decide, adjudge. L16. £Q 4 Milton Let me arreed him. not to be the foreman of any mis-judg’d opinion. 5 Spenser Thereby Sir Artegall did plaine areed That unto him the horse belong'd. ►tB noun. Counsel, advice. L16-E19.

areal /Trial/ adjective. L17. [from AREA + -AL’.] 1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an area. L17. 2 linguistics. Of or pertaining to geographical factors as determinants of the relationship or development of lan¬ guages or dialects. M20. 2 areal linguistics a school of linguistics emphasizing geo¬ graphical factors in language development and distribution. ■ areally adverb with regard to area M20.

arear /s'rra/ adverb & pred. adjective, rare. Mi9. [from A-3 + rear noun: cf. arrear adverb.] In the rear.

areca /'arika,

a'rkko/ noun. Li6.

[Portuguese from Malayalam atekka.] (The fruit of) a tropical Asian palm of the genus Areca, esp. A. catechu, which yields astringent seeds often chewed with betel leaves. Comb.: areca nut an astringent seed of A. catechu. arecoline/a'rkkalkn, -lin/ noun. Li9. [from prec. after quinoline.] chemistry. An alkaloid obtained from areca nuts, which has some use in veterinary medicine as an anthelmin¬ tic.

ared. arede. areed verb see aread. areg noun pi. of erg2. areligious/ein'lid33s/ adjective. M20. [from a-10 + religious adjective.] Not influenced by or practising religion. au no, e: hair, is near, si boy. us poor, ais tire, aus sour

114

arena| Argonaut argento- /uFdytntao/ combining form of Latin argentum silver: see -o-.

Jarett verb var. of aret.

arena /a'rkna/noun. Ei7. [Latin (h)arcna sand, sand-strewn place.] 1 The central part of an amphitheatre, bullring, stadium, etc., in which the action occurs; the building as

’arf /a:f/ noun, adjective, & adverb, slang. Mi9.

a whole. E17. 2 fig. Any scene of open conflict, a sphere of action.

arfvedsonite /a:fveds(o)nAit/ noun. Ei9.

■ argentophil(e). argento philic adjectives = argyrophilic

[Repr. a pronunc.] = half noun, adjective & adverb.

M20.

argentous /a:'d3Entas/ adjective.

[from J. A. Arjvedson (1792-1841), Swedish chemist + -ite1.] mineralogy. An iron-rich sodium amphibole which occurs as black or dark green monoclinic crystals.

1.18.

CQ 2 H. Rogers Howe seldom entered the arena of contro¬ versy. j. K. Galbraith Economic society was an arena in which men met to compete. N. Gordimer A landscape without theatricals except when it became an arena for summer storms.

argal noun var. of argol noun2.

chemistry.

Argie I'aidy/ noun & adjective, slang, derog. Also Argy.

L20.

[Abbreviation of Argentine adjective2 & noun2 or Argentinian: see

[Alt. of Latin ergo therefore,] Therefore.

-IE.]

(An) Argentine, (an) Argentinian,

£3 Shakes. Haml. He drowns not himself: Argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.

arenaceous/arr'neijas/ adjective. Mi7.

Of or pertaining to monovalent silver.

«| Orig. designating certain compounds apparently of a lower valency (cf. argentic).

argal /'a:g(a)l/ adverb, arch. Ei7.

Comb. : arena stage theatrical a stage placed amid the audience; arena theatre theatre-in-the-round.

Mi9.

[formed as prec. + -ous.J

argil /'a:d3il/ noun.

lme.

[Old French argille from Latin argilla from Greek argillos clay.]

[from Latin arenaceus, formed as prec.: see -aceous.] Having the appearance or consistency of sand; sandy;

Clay, esp. potter’s clay.

Jargala noun. MI8-M19. [Hindi hargila lit. ‘bone-swallower’.] The greater adjutant stork.

living or growing in sand. arenaceous rock - arenite.

argillaceous ArdjjJleiJ'as/ adjective.

li7.

[from Latin argillaceus, from argilla clay, + -ous: see prec.,

argali /'a:g(a)li/ noun. Li8.

arenavirus /a'rknav/uras/ noun. Also areno-. L20.

-ACEOUS.]

[Mongolian.] The large wild sheep of eastern central Asia, Ovis ammon; loosely the bighorn or other similar animal.

[from Latin arenosus sandy formed as arena, + virus.] medicine Any of a class ofviruses (e.g. that of Lassa fever), which appear under an electron microscope to contain

[Moroccan Arab, from Berber organ.] 1 The olive-like fruit of the argan tree (see sense 2). rare.

arene /'ari:n/ noun. M20.

argillite/'a:d3ilMt/noun.

Li8.

[from Latin argilla clay + -ite'.]

argan /'a:g(a)n/ noun. E17.

sandlike granules.

Of the nature of clay; largely composed of clay; clayey.

geology. An indurated argillaceous rock that is harder than shale and does not split easily.

[from ar(omatic + -ene.]

chemistry.

E17. 2 organ tree, an evergreen tree or shrub, Argania spinosa, native to Morocco. Ei9. 3 argon oil, an edible oil from the seeds of the argan

An aromatic hydrocarbon.

arenite /'arinAit/ noun. E20. [formed as arena + -ite1.] geology A sandstone or other sedimentaiy rock made up very largely of sand-sized particles.

tree. Li9. Argand/'a:gand/noun. L18. [French surname.] 1 Hist. [A. Argand (1755-1803), French physicist.) ka Argand burner, a kind of cylindrical burner for oil or gas, allow¬ ing air to pass both inner and outer surfaces of the flame. Li8. kb In full Argand lamp. A lamp fitted with such a

arenose /'annaos/ adjective, lme. [Latin arenosus, formed as arena: see -ose'.] Sandy, gritty. ■ Also iarenous adjective lme mis

arenovirus noun var. of arenavirus.

burner. E19. 2 MATH. [J. R. Argand (1768-1822), French mathematician.] Argand diagram, a diagram on which complex numbers are represented geometrically using Cartesian axes. E20.

aren’t verb see be verb. areo- /'ariau/ combining form of Greek Ares Mars: see -o-. ■ areo centric adjective (astronomy) having the planet Mars as centre L19. are ology noun the scientific study of the planet Mars L19.

argent /'a:d3(a)nt/ noun & adjective, lme.

areola h'ri-.dhl noun. PI. -lae /-li:/. Mi7. [Latin, dim. of area.] Chiefly anatomy. 1 A small space or interstice, esp. within body tissue such as bone. M17. 2 A small circular area; spec, the area of pigmented skin surrounding a nipple. L17. ■ areolar adjective containing many areolae (sense l); areolar tissue, loose connective tissue found beneath the skin and around muscles, organs, etc.: E19. areole noun an areola; esp. a small area bearing spines or hairs on a cactus: E19. [French areometre, from Greek araios thin: see -meter.] = HYDROMETER noun 1.

Areopagi noun pi. of Areopagus. Areopagite /ari'DpagAit, -djAit/ noun. lme. [Latin areopagites from Greek areiopagites: see next, -ite'.] creek history. A member of the court of Areopagus (see next). ■ areopagitic /,anDp3'd3rtik/ noun & adjective tin) noun a speech imitating that of Isocrates addressed to the court of Areopagus; (b) adjective of or pertaining to the Areopagus or its court: M17. areopagitical ariopD dyrrrkfo;!/ adjective Li6. [Latin, from Greek Areios pagos hill of Ares (Mars), where the highest judicial court of ancient Athens held its sittings, hence the court itself.] An important tribunal.

taret verb trans. Also -tt. Infl. -tt-. lme. A-5

■ argentiferous adjective yielding silver L18. argentry noun (rare) silver plate E17.

+ refer from Latin reputare

repute

argentic /a:'d3Entik/ adjective. E19.

[Old & mod. French argentin(e), formed as argent + -ine'.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, made of, or containing silver, lme. 2 Silvery, lme. ► B noun. 1 Silver; material simulating silver. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. 2 A small silvery marine fish of the salmoniform genus Argentina. Mi8.

Argentine /'a:d3(a)ntAin/ adjective2 & noun2. E19.

Adjudge, reckon (to be). LME-Lts. Impute (esp. as a fault) to; charge upon. LME-E17. Accuse, indict, (ojj. LME-L17. Entrust, deliver. LI6-E17.

G3 4 Spenser The charge, which God doth unto me arrett. Of his deare safety I to thee commend. 9 Sense 4 was orig. a misunderstanding by Spenser of aret to the charge of repr. sense 2.

aretalogy /arttalodyi noun. E20. [Greek aretalogia, from arete excellence, miracle: see -logy.] A narrative of the miracles performed by a god or semi¬ divine hero. ■ areta logical adjective L19.

arete /a'ret, o'reit/ noun. E19. [French from Latin arista ear of corn, fish-bone or -spine. Cf. ARRIS.]

A sharp mountain ridge with steep sides.

Aretine adjective var. of Arretine. b but. d dog, f few,

g get. h he. j yes. k cat,

I leg.

arginine /'a:d3ini:n/noun.

(Spanish Argentina (in Repiiblica. formerly Confederation, Argentina) lit. 'silvery', named from the Rio de la Plata (Spanish plata silver).] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating the federal republic which occupies the greater part of the southern end of S. America, extending from Chile in the west to the Brazilian and Uruguayan borders and the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and bordering Bolivia and Paraguay in the north (nowusu. called Argentina). E19. Argentine ant a S. American ant. Iridomyrmex humilis, which has been introduced and become a pest elsewhere. ► B noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Argentina. E19. 2 the Argentine. Argentina. L19. ■ Argentinian (rdjfoin.'tmuin adjective & noun (a) adjective of or pertaining to Argentina; (b) noun = Argentine noun21: E20.

argentite /'a:d3(a)ntAit/ noun. M19. [from Latin argentum silver + -ite'.] mineralogy. A form of silver sulphide crystallizing in the cubic system and occurring as dark grey crystals with a metallic lustre.

m man. n no,

p pen. r red, s sit,

t top.

L19.

[German Argitiin, perh. from Greek arginoeis bright-shining, white: see -ine5.] biochemistry. A basic amino acid, HN=C(NH,)NH(CH2)3 CH(NHj)COOH, which occurs in many proteins, is essen¬ tial in the diet of vertebrates during periods of intensive growth, and is involved in urea synthesis; guanidine aminovaleric acid.

Argive /'a:gAiv, -d3Aiv/ noun & adjective.

Mi6.

[Latin Argivus (Greek Argeios) pertaining to Argos (see below).] ► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Argos, a city-state of

ancient Greece, or the surrounding territory of Argolis; (in Homeric and later classical use) a Greek. M16. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Argos or Argolis. Also, Grecian, Greek. Li6. argie /'a:g(a)l/ verb, obsolete exc. dial.

L16.

[Alt. of argue, with -le as in haggle.] 1 verb trons. Argue about. Li 6. 2 verb intrans. = argy-bargy verb. Ei9.

argle-bargle/'a:g(3)l'ba:g(3)l (main stress variable)/verb noun. dial. & colloq. Ei9. [Redupl. of prec.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Exchange (words) in argument, rare. El 9. 2 verb intrans. = argy-bargy verb. Ei9. ►

B noun.

= argy-bargy

Argo /'a:gau/ noun.

noun. L19.

M16.

[Latin: cf. Argonaut.]

[from Latin argentum silver + -ic.) chemistry. Of or pertaining to divalent silver. 5 Orig. designating monovalent compounds (cf. argentous).

verb.]

1 2 3 4

An enzyme which hydrolyses arginine to urea and ornithine.

&

[French argentaffine, from Latin argentum silver + ajfinis akin.] Readily stained black by silver salts; spec, (anatomy, now arch.) designating numerous isolated endocrine cells situ¬ ated in the intestinal epithelium. ■ argentaffi noma noun, pi. -mas. -mata -m:vr, medicine an intestinal tumour whose tissue stains like argentaffin cells, from which it is thought to develop M20.

argentine/'a:d3(a)ntAin/ adjective1 &noun’. lme.

Areopagus /ari'Dpagas/ noun. PI. -gi /-gAi/. Mi7.

[from next + -ase.] biochemistry.

£9 W. de la Mare Wan as the argent moon. T. H. White The cognizance was argent, a tall cross gules.

argentaffin /a/djcntafm/ adjective. E20.

tareometer noun. Also araeo-. LI7 L19.

[Old French aret(t)er from a

[Old & mod. French from Latin argentum silver.] ► A noun. J1 Silver coin; money, cash, lme-mis. 2 The metal silver. Now arch. & poet. M16. 3 heraldry. The tincture silver or white in armorial bear¬ ings. Mi6. ► B adjective. Chiefly heraldry. Silver, white. Li 5.

arginase/'a;d3ineiz/noun. E20.

v van,

w we, z zoo,

(The name of) a large constellation of the southern hemisphere now divided into Carina, Puppis, Vela, and Pyxis; the Ship. Also Argo Navis /'nems/ [Latin navis ship]. argol

/'a:gDl, -g(a)l/ noun', me.

[Anglo-Norman argoile, of unkn. origin.] = tartar noun' 1.

argol /'a:g(a)l/ noun2. Also argal.

M19.

[Mongolian.]

Dried cattle dung used as fuel in the steppes of central Asia. argon /'a:gDn/ noun.

L19.

[Greek, neut. of argos idle, inactive, from a-10 + ergon work.]

A colourless odourless gaseous chemical element, atomic no. 18, which is one of the noble gases and is present in air to the extent of about one per cent by volume. (Symbol Ar.) Argonaut/'a:g(a)no:t/ noun.

L16.

[Latin argonauta from Greek argonautes sailor (nautes) in the ship Argo.]

1 Any of the legendary sailors who travelled with Jason in the Argo in quest of the Golden Fleece. L16. kb transf. (Also a-.) An adventurer with a quest, esp. for gold; an explorer. E19. 2 (Now usu. a-.) An octopod of the genus Argonauta, the female of which possesses a thin coiled shell into which the eggs are laid. Also called paper nautilus, mi9. ■ argo nautic noun & adjective (a) noun a poem concerning the Argonauts; an epic story; (b) adjective of or pertaining to the Argo¬ nauts; epic: Li6. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

115

argosy | Aries argosy /'a:gasi/ noun. Now Hist. exc. poet. Also (earlier) tragusye. L16. [App. from Italian Ragusea use as noun of fem. adjective (sc. nave ship, etc.) 'of Ragusa'.] A merchant-vessel of the largest size and burden, esp. one of Ragusa (now Dubrovnik, Croatia) or Venice. £0 fig.: T. W. Higginson Wagons of sea-weed just from the beach.. each weed an argosy.

argot /'a:gau/ noun. mi9. [French, of unkn. origin.] The jargon, slang, or peculiar phraseology of a social class or group; orig., rogues’ and thieves’ cant.

argue /’a:gju:/ verb. me. [Old & mod. French arguer from Latin argutari, frequentative of arguere make clear, prove, assert, accuse.] ► I Bring reasons, reason, dispute. 1 verb intrans. Discuss, reason, debate; contend, dispute. (Foil, by with, against, an opponent;/or, against, about, |of, a proposition), me. 2 verb trans. Discuss the pros and cons of; bring forward reasons for or against (a proposition). Lis. 3 verb trans. Maintain, by adducing reasons, that. Mt6. 4 verb trans. Adduce as a reason or argument, arch. Ei7. 5 verb trans. Persuade (a person) into or out of a course of action, opinion, intention, etc. mi7. (£1 1 Milton Of good and evil much they argu'd then. M. W. Montagu I am not.. arguing for an equality of the two sexes. P. G. Wodehouse One cannot argue about person¬ ality. Its compelling power has to be accepted as a fact. A. S. Eddington We do not argue with the critic who urges that the stars are not hot enough for this process; we tell him to go and find a hotter place. J. Gross A well-drilled child of the Scottish Enlightenment, a debater trained to argue back to first principles. 2 G. B. Shaw Fifty civilians .. to support two skilled judges in trying her case.. and to argue it out with her at sitting after sitting. J. Buchan We refused no challenge, but argued any question anywhere with anyone. 3 M. L. King A few hours later, before Judge Carter, the city argued that we were operating a ‘private enterprise’ without a franchise. 4 Defoe He told me the same thing, which I argued for my staying.. was the strong¬ est Repulse to my Pretensions. 5 W. Congreve A sort of poetical logic to argue you into a protection of this play. ► II Bring evidence, prove, indicate. t6 verb trans. Convict (of), prove an accusation against. LME-E18. |7 verb trans. Accuse (of); call in question. LME-L17. 8 verb trans. Be evidence of; indicate or prove (a thing, a person or thing to be, that something is), lme. £□ 7 Sir T. Browne Nor would we argue the definitive sen¬ tence of God. 8 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI Which argued thee a most unloving father. J. Locke Contrary choices that Men make in the World, do not argue that they do not all pursue Good. H. Maundrell Which seem to argue it to be ancient. J. Agate The principal star is one Ethel Waters, and her enthusiastic reception argues talent. Phrases: argue the toss: see toss noun, argue well for (usu. in neg.) make a good case for. ■ arguable adjective able to be argued, debatable, open to dis¬ agreement E17. arguably adverb as may be shown by argument or made a matter of argument L19. arguer noun lme. arguing noun (a) the action or process of the verb; |(b) an accusation; (c) an argument: lme.

arguendo Angjo'cndau/ adverb, mis. [Latin, abl. of arguendum gerund of arguere: see prec.] Chiefly law. In the course of the argument; for the sake of argument.

argufy /'a:gjofAi/ verb, colloq. & dial. L17. [from prec. + -fy. Cf. speechify.] 11 verb trans. = argue 2. Only in Li7. 2 verb intrans. Dispute, wrangle, argue. Mi8. 3 verb intrans. Prove or be evidence of something; be of importance or consequence; signify, mi8. 4 verb trans. Worry with argumentation. Li8. ■ argufier noun E19.

argument /'a:gjum(a)nt/noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin argumentum, from arguere: see argue, -ment] 1 A connected series of statements or reasons intended to establish a position; a process of reasoning or dispu¬ tation; argumentation, me. tb spec. Any of a number of lines of reasoning that seek to prove the existence of God. Ei 9. 2 A statement or fact advanced to influence the mind; a reason urged in support of a proposition. Formerly spec. in lock, the middle term in a syllogism, lme. 3 Proof, evidence; a token, an indication, arch. lme. 4 math. etc. An independent quantity (orig., astronomy, an angle) on which the value of a function depends or on which an operator acts. lme. 5 a Statement of the pros and cons of a proposition; discussion, debate (esp. contentious); a verbal dispute, a quarrel. Lis. Subject of contention. L16-E17. f6 Subject, theme of debate or discussion, either verbal or written. L15-M19.

7 A summary of the subject-matter of a book; an index, table (of contents), etc. arch. Mi6. 1b argument from design, cosmological argument, ontological argument, etc. 2 Henry More But that the Beast that was, and is not. is not the Devil, we shall now evince by other-arguments. C. M. Yonge Well provided with golden arguments. F. L. Wright To hold snow on the roof is always a good, wise provision and a good argument for a flat roof. 3 T. Sheridan Beating the Desk and biting of Nails were Arguments of taking Pains. 5a Milton In argument with men a woman ever Goes by the worse. Shaftesbury So intent in upholding their own side of the argument. K. Amis Just assume for the sake of argument that he’s a fake. V. S. Pritchett Grandmother, Grandfather and Father were shouting in angry argument across the table, about God and 'that Eddy woman'. A. Hailey Their discussion.. had quickly developed into an argument, b Shakes. Hen. V And sheath'd their swords for lack of argument. 6 Disraeli The throbbing deed Shall make thy name a household argument. 7 Pope Argument to Book the First. --

■ argu mental adjective (now rare) L16. targument verb, lme [from the noun or Old & mod. French argumenter from Latin argumentari, from argumentum: see prec.] 1 verb intrans. Adduce arguments (for); argue. LME-M19. 2 verb trans. Provide proof, establish, (that); argue for. M16-M19. 3 verb trans. Make the subject of debate. M18-E19. argumentation /.ccgjumEn'teijXajn/ noun. lme. [Old & mod, French from Latin argumentation), from argumentatpa. ppl stem of argumentari: see prec., -ation.] 1 The action or process of arguing; methodical employment or presentation of arguments; logical or formal reasoning; interchange of argument, discussion, debate, lme. 2 An argument advanced; a sequence of arguments, a process of reasoning, lme. argumentative /cugjuTnentotiv/adjective, lme [Old French, or late Latin argumentativus (Donatus), from argumentari: see prec., -ative.] 1 Characterized by argument; controversial; logical. lme. J2 Of the nature of an argument (for); of weight as evi¬ dence (of). M-117. 3 Given to argumentation; capable or fond of arguing. M17. ■ argumentatively adverb MI7 argumentativeness noun MI8. argumentator /,ci:gjomsn'teita/ noun. Now rare. Mi7. [Latin: see argument verb, -ator.] A person who conducts an argument, a reasoner. argumentive/a:gju'msntiv/ adjective, rare. Mi7. [from argument verb + -ive.[ = argumentative.

argumentum

ad hominem /mgjo.mentsm ad 'hominem/ nounphr. M17. [Latin: see argument noun, ad hominem.] An argument, usu. vilificatory, appealing to the per¬ sonal circumstances or character of an opponent rather than to sound reasoning.

argumentum e silentio /a:gju,niEntam ei si'lentreu, -Jiao/ noun phr. M20. [Latin = argument from silence.] A conclusion based on silence, i.e. on lack of contrary evidence. Argus /'a:gas/ noun. In senses 2 & 3 also a-, lme. [Latin from Greek Argos, a mythological person with a hundred eyes.] 1 A very vigilant watcher, a guardian, lm e. 2 Any of certain butterflies bearing eyespots, esp. Ariria agestis (in full brown Argus) or A. artaxerxes (in full Scotch Argus). L17. 3 Hither of two large SE Asian pheasants, both of which have long tails with numerous eyespots, Argusiana argus (in full great Argus) and Rheinardia ocellata (in full crested Argus). M18. Comb.: Argus eye (a) in pi., sharp eyes, acute observation; (b) each of the eyelike markings on the tail of a peacock (to which Argus' eyes were said to be transferred by Hera after his death): Argus-eyed adjective extremely vigilant, sharp-sighted. argute /a:'gju:t/ adjective. Now literary, lme. [Latin argutus pa. pple of arguere make clear, argue.) -fl Of taste: sharp. Only in lme. 2 Of a person, faculty, action, etc.: quick, subtle, shrewd. Li6. 3 Of sound: shrill. Ei8. ■ argutely adverb E16. arguteness noun MI7. Argy noun & adjective var. of Argie. argy-bargy /,a:gi'ba:gi, ,a:d3i'ba:d3i/ verb & noun. dial. & colloq. L19. [Alt. & redupl. of argue: cf. argle-bargle.] ► A verb intrans. Dispute, wrangle. L19. ► B noun. Disputatious argument; a wrangle, a dispute. Li 9.

argyle /a:'gAil/ noun. Also -gyll. A-. lis. [Argyll (Argyle), a former county of Scotland and a family name.) 1 A vessel, usu. of silver or other metal and resembling a small coffee-pot, in which to serve hot gravy, obsolete exc. Hist. Lis. 2 A knitting pattern with diamonds of various colours on a single background colour, based on the tartan of the Argyll branch of the Campbell clan. Also, a garment (esp. in pi, socks) in this pattern. M20.

argyro- /'a:d3irao/ combining form repr. Greek arguro-, from arguros silver: see -o-. Before a vowel also argyr-. ■ ar gyria noun (medicine) silver poisoning, esp. as causing a greyish-blue discoloration of the skin L19. ar gyrodite noun [Greek argurbdes rich in silver] mineralogy a sulphide of silver and germanium crystallizing in the cubic system and occurring as black crystals with a metallic lustre L19. ’argyrophil(e) adjective = argyrophilic E20. argyro philia noun the property of being argyrophilic M20. argyro philic adjective readily stained black by silver salts M20.

Arhat /'a.hat/ noun. Also Arahat /'arahat/, a-. L19. [Sanskrit arhat. Pali arahat meritorious.] buddhism & jainism. A saint of one of the highest ranks. a Arhatship noun the state of an Arhat LI9

arhythmic adjective var. of arrhythmic. aria /'curia/ noun. E18. [Italian from Latin aera accus. of aer: see air noun1.] music. A long song for one voice usu. with accompani¬ ment; esp. such a song in an opera, oratorio, etc.

Arian /'email/ adjective1 & noun\ lme. [ecclesiastical Latin Arianus, from Aritis from Greek Arios.Areios (d. 336), a presbyter of Alexandria: see -an ] ► A adjective. Designating the heretical doctrine of Arius, who denied that Christ was consubstantial with God; of, pertaining to, or holding this doctrine, lme. ► B noun. A holder of this doctrine, lme. ■ Arianism noun the Arian doctrine L16. Arianize verb (a) verb intrans. follow the doctrine of Arius; (b) verb trans. convert to Arianism: E17. Arianizer noun L17.

Arian /‘email/ adjective2 & noun2. E20. [from Aries + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the zodiacal sign Aries; (characteristic of a person) bom under Aries. E20. ► B noun. A person bom under Aries. E20.

Arian adjective3 & noun3 var. of Aryan. -arian /'eman/ suffix. [from Latin -arius -ary1 + -an.] Forming adjectives or corresp. nouns of which the earli¬ est (gen. formations) are disciplinarian (noun), antiquarian. proletarian; (numeral adjectives) quinquagenarian; commonly in terms denoting reli¬ gious or moral tenets, as Millenarian, sectarian. Unitarian, on the analogy of which were formed humanitarian, utilitarian, etc., and joc. formations as

anythingarian. arid /'arid/ adjective. Mi7. [French aride or Latin aridus, from arere be dry or parched: see -ID1.] -f 1 Of a substance, the skin, etc.: dry, parched, withered. M 17-El 9. 2 Of the ground, climate, etc.: dry, parched; barren, bare; geography too dry to support vegetation. M17. 3 fig. Uninteresting, dull; unfruitful, barren, jejune. Cf. ARIDITY noun 2. E19. (U 2 A. Koestlek Ti:e mountains underneath were arid as craters on the moon. E. Roosevelt It looked like good farming country, in contrast to the arid appearance of the land in so many parts of Greece. 3 T. C. Wolfe A dry cam¬ paign over an arid waste of Latin prose. H. E. Bates I felt rather stupid; and then a little flat and arid from fears that had decayed. ■ a'ridify verb trans. make arid E20. aridly adverb L19. aridness noun Ml8.

Aridisol /a'ridisDl/ noun. M20. [from prec. + -I- + -sol] soil science. A soil of an order comprising often saline or alkaline soils with very little organic matter, character¬ istic of arid regions.

aridity /a’nditi/ noun. Li6. [French aridite or Latin ariditas, formed as arid: see -ity.] 1 Arid state or quality; dryness, barrenness; parched condition. L16. 2 fig. Lack of interest, dullness; unproductiveness. L17. £□ 2 A. Hussein Another failed relationship, unemploy¬ ment. the aridity of research and critical writing.

ariel /'emal/noun. M19. [Arab, ’myal.] A Middle Eastern and African gazelle, Gazdla arabica.

Aries /'s:ri:z/ noun. oe. [Latin aries ram.] 1 (The name of) a constellation of the northern hemi¬ sphere. on the ecliptic near Andromeda; astrology (the

au no. e: hair, ia near, ai boy. oa poor, mo tire, aoa sour a cat. a: arm, e bed. a: her. 1 sit. i.cosy, i: see. d hot. 0: saw, a run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day,

116

arietation | -arium 9 Go or come up; ascend, mount. Now poet. oe. flO Rise in height, eminence, quantity, value, etc.; grow, swell up; amount or attain to. me-lis.

name of) the first zodiacal sign, usu. associated with the period 21 March to 20 April (see note s.v. zodiac); the Ram. OE. 2 A person bom under the sign Aries; = Arian nouir.

£H 9 Keats A mist arose, as from a scummy marsh. 10 Swift Stocks arose three per cent, upon it in the city. T. R. Malthus The number arising annually to the age of puberty.

M20.

£3 1 attrib. E. Kirk It is almost impossible to hide anything from an Aries individual who has recognized his or her power of intuition, first point of Aries the point of the vernal equinox (now actually located in Pisces, owing to precession).

► III Spring up; come into existence. 11 Spring out from its source, as a river etc. (arch.): ori¬ ginate, result (from, t of); proceed out of as a consequence. OE. 12 Of a person: be born; come into the world of events. OE. 13 Of a thing: spring up, be raised or built, poet. oe. 14 Come into existence or notice; present itself, occur.

tarietation noun. ei7-lis. [Latin arietatio(n-), from arietat- pa. ppl stem of arietare butt like a ram, from dries, ariet- ram: see -ation.] The action of butting like a ram; ramming, battering, bombardment, (lit. & fig.).

OE.

arietta /arista/ noun. eis. [Italian, dim. of aria.) music. A short tune or song. ■ Also ariette noun [French] E19.

£3 11 Shakes. Hen. V Some sudden mischief may arise of it. R. G. Collingwood Other philosophers discussed problems arising out of distinctions I thought false. F. Hoyle The forces arising from the weight of the ice are.. greatest at the bottom of the glacier. 12 Coverdale Deut. 34:10 There arose no prophet more in Israel like vnto Moses. J. Bryce In the fourteenth century there arose in Italy the first great masters of painting and song. 13 Tennyson So long, that mountains have arisen since With cities on their flanks. 14 Ld Macaulay All questions which arose in the Privy Council. D. Attenborough If we want to consider how life arose, we have to look back a further thousand million years.

aright o'r a it/ adverb. [Old English onrilit, ariht: see A preposition' 1, right noun1.] ► I Of manner. 1 In a right manner, rightly; justly, correctly, oe. J2 Immediately; at once, me-lis. |3 Directly; in a straight line. me-ei7. 4 Exactly, just; indeed. Long arch. lme. £0 1 Coverdaie Ps. 77:8 A generacion that set not their herte aright. M. Innes And if I remember aright, sir, it was just then that the horse stopped nodding—sudden-like. 4 E. B. Browning Is it true besides—Aright true?

■ arisings noun pl. materials forming secondary or waste prod¬ ucts of a process E20.

arista /a'rista/ noun. PL -tae /-ti:/. L17. [Latin = awn or ear of grain.]

► II Of direction. 5 On or to the right hand. arch. rare. me. CB 5 Southey Aright, aleft. The affrighted foemen scatter from his spear. ■ arightly adverb (now rare or obsolete) = aright 1 Lt6. f arights

zoology & botany. A bristly or beardlike process. ■ aristate adjective furnished with aristae; awned, bearded: El 9.

Aristarch /'aristaik/ noun. Also t-chus. pl. -chi. Mi6. [Latin Aristarchus from Greek Aristarkhos (2nd cent, bc), a severe

adverb (rare) = aright 1: only in 116.

critic of Homeric poetry.]

aril /'aril/ noun. Also in Latin form arillus /-as/, pi. -Hi /-1m, -li:/. M18. [mod. Latin arillus of unkn. origin; medieval Latin arilli = dried grape-pips.] botany. An additional envelope, often fleshy, developed around the seed in certain plants (e.g. yew). ■ arillate adjective havingan aril E19.

A severe critic. aristo /a'nstau/ noun, colloq. Pl. -os. Mi9. [French, abbreviation of aristocrate aristocrat.] An aristocrat. aristocracy/ari'stDkrasi/ noun. ns. [Old & mod. French aristocratic from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best: see -cracy.]

Arimasp /'arimasp/ noun. PI. Arimasps, Arimaspi /an'maspAi/. Li6. [Latin.Arimaspi pl., Greek Arimaspoi, said to mean ‘one-eyed' in Scythian.] Any of a mythical race of one-eyed men in northern Europe who tried to take gold guarded by griffins. ■ Also Ari maspian noun M17.

1 The government of a State by its best citizens, ns. 2 Government of a State by those who are most distin¬ guished by birth and wealth; oligarchy; a State so gov¬ erned. LI 6. 3 A ruling body of nobles, an oligarchy. E17. 4 The class to which such rulers belong, the nobility; the patrician or privileged class, regardless of the form of government. M17. 5 transf. & fig. The best representatives of any quality, skill, etc.; any privileged or elite group. Ml9.

arioso /an'aozau, a:-/ adjective, adverb, & noun. eis. [Italian, from aria.] music. ►A adjective. Melodious, songlike, cantabile; having something of the quality of an aria. Also as adverb as a direction, eis. ► B noun. PI. -os. A piece of vocal or instrumental music of this kind. L19.

£3 5 G. B. Shaw The plays which constitute the genuine aristocracy of modem dramatic literature. G. M. Trevelyan The working class aristocracy, the engineers and the men of other skilled trades. B. Bainbridge He was convinced that physicians were an ignorant aristocracy kept afloat by witch¬ craft.

a ariose /(i:n 3US. adjective = arioso adjective E18.

-arious /'smas/ suffix. [from Latin -anus -ary' + -ous.] Forming adjectives, as vicarious, gregarious, etc.

aristocrat /'aristakrat, a'nst-/ noun. L18. [French aristocrate (a word of the French Revolution) from

aripple/a‘rip(a)l/ adverb & pred. adjective. E19. [from A-2 + ripple noun3.]

In a ripple, rippling. arise h'i/az/ verb intrans. Pa. t. arose /a'rauz/; pa. pple arisen /a'rizrijn/. [Old English arisan, (Northumbrian) arrisa = Old Saxon arisan, Old High German ur-, ar-, irrisati, Gothic us-, urreisan: see A-', rise verb. Largely replaced by rise except in senses in branch III.] ► I Rise from sitting, repose, inaction, etc. Now arch. & poet. 1 Get up from sitting or kneeling; stand up. OE. |2 Get up from a fall. 0E-M17. 3 Get up from sleep or rest. oe. 4 Of the sun, moon, etc.: come above the horizon. Of the day, morning, etc.: dawn, begin, oe. 5 Rise from the dead. oe. 6 Rise from inaction or quiet, esp. in hostility or rebel¬ lion. OE. 7 Rise in agitation or violence, as the wind, sea, etc.; boil up. oe. 8 Of a sound: become audible, be heard, me. £3 1 AVJohn 14:31 Arise, let us go hence. 2 Milton Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n. 3 Goldsmith Nash generally arose early in the morning. 4 Shares. Rom. ejul. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon. 5 AV Matt. 27:52 Many bodies of the saints which slept arose. 6 Shakes. Oth. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell. 7 Tennyson A wind arose and rush'd upon the South. 8 AV Arts 23:9 There arose

a great cry. ► II Go or come higher. b but, d dog, f few, g get,

aristocratic, -tique: see prec., next, -crat.] A member of an aristocracy or of the nobility, orig. of the French aristocracy in the French Revolution of 1790 (cf. democrat noun 1). Also (rare), an advocate of aristo¬ cratic government. ■ ari1 stocratism noun aristocratic conduct; haughty exclusive¬ ness: L18. ari stocratize verb traps, make aristocratic L18

aristocratic (arista1 kratik adjective. Ei7. [French aristocratique from Greek aristokratikos: see aristocracy, -ic]

1 Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; attached to or favouring aristocracy. E17. 2 Befitting an aristocrat; grand, stylish, distinguished. M19. ■ aristocratical adjective oligarchical; aristocratic: L16. aristocratically adverb L16. aristocraticalness noun [rare] M18.

aristolochia /.ansta'laukia/ noun. oe. [medieval Latin aristologia, French aristoloche, from Latin aristolochia from Greek aristolokhia, -eia, from aristolokhos well-born (from its medicinal repute).]

Any of numerous climbing shrubs or other plants of the genus Aristolochia (family Aristolochiaceae), bearing tubular, often bizarre, flowers; esp. A clematitis. Also called birthwort. aristology /an'stDbdji/ noun, mi 9. [from Greek ariston breakfast, luncheon + -locy.] The art or science of dining. ■ aristo logical adjective L19. aristologist noun M19,

h he. j yes, k cat, 1 leg.

Aristophanic /.ansta'famk/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [Latin Aristophanicus. Greek Aristophanikos, from Aristophanes (see below): see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Athenian comic dramatist Aristophanes (d. C380 bc). E19.

► B noun, classical prosody. A logaoedic tripody beginning with a dactyl, mi9. Aristotelian /.arista'tclian/ adjective & noun. L16. [from Latin Aristotelius, -eus from Greek Aristoteleios, from Aristoteles Aristotle (see below): see -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (d. 322 bc) or his philosophical system based on the theory of syllogism, and on the choice of matter, form, potentiality, and actuality as basic concepts; logical, deductive. Li 6. ► B noun. An adherent or student of Aristotle’s philoso¬ phy. Li6. ■ Aristotelean /anstoti'lnn? adjective & noun (now rare} = Aristotelian Ei7. Aristotelianism noun the philosophical system or any doctrine of Aristotle Ei8. Aristotelic .arista telik/ adjective = Aristotelian adjective Ei7. fAristotelical adjective L16-L17.

Aristotle’s lantern noun phr. see lantern noun 7b. Arita /a'ri:ta/ adjective. Li9. [A town in 5. Japan.] Designating Japanese porcelain of a distinctive style made in or near Arita, typically with unsymmetrical floral designs in blue and white underglaze or poly¬ chrome enamel. arithmancy/'ariBmansi/ noun. Li6. [from Greek arithmos number + -mancy.] Divination by numbers. ■ arith mantical adjective Mi6.

arithmetic /a'nBmatik/ noun'. Also (earlier) tarsmet(r)ike & similar vars. me. [Old French arismetique ult. from Latin arithmetica from Greek arithmetike (tekhne) counting (art), from arithmein reckon, from arithmos number. Early forms were infl. by Latin ars metrica ‘meas¬ uring art’: conformation to orig. Latin and Greek forms took place in 16.]

1 The science of numbers; (the branch of mathematics that deals with) the properties and manipulation of numbers; calculation, reckoning, me. 2 A treatise on this. Lis. 1 binary arithmetic, decimal arithmetic see decimal adjective, mental arithmetic: see mental adjective', universal arithmetic see universal adjective. Comb.: arithmetic and logic unit, arithmetic unit a unit in a computer which carries out arithmetical and logical oper¬ ations.

arithmetic /ari0‘m£tik/ noun2 & adjective. mi7. [French arithmetique: see prec.] ►JA noun. An arithmetician. Only in M17. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or connected with arith¬ metic; according to the rules of arithmetic. Mi7. arithmetic mean (of n numbers): their sum divided by n. arithmetic progression, arithmetic series: in which there is a constant (positive or negative) difference between successive quantities, as 2,5,8,11.

arithmetical /ari0'mEtik(3)l/ adjective. Mi6. [from Latin arithmeticus from Greek arithmetikos: see arithmetic noun', -al\]

= arithmetic adjective arithmetical ratio: see ratio noun 2a.

■ arithmetically adverb according to arithmetic; by calcula¬ tion: L15.

arithmetician /snema'tijfojn, ,an0-/ noun. Mi6. [French arithmeticien from Latin arithmetica: see arithmetic noun', -ICIAN.]

A person skilled in arithmetic. arithmetize /a'nOmat,\iz/ verb. Also -ise. M17. [from arithmetic noun' + -IZE.]

1 verb intrans. & trans. Use arithmetic; calculate, rare. Mi7. 2 verb trans. Express arithmetically; reduce to arithmet¬ ical form. LI 9. ■ arithmeti zation noun E20.

arithmo- /a'nOmau/ combining form of Greek arithmos number: see -o-. ■ arith mology noun the science of numbers; (a) writing on this subject: Li6. arithmo mania noun a pathological desire to count objects or make calculations Li9. arithmo maniac noun a person affected with arithmomania Li9. arith mometer noun (now rare or obsolete) a calculating instrument E19.

arity /'anti/ noun. M20. [from -ary' (in binary, ternary, etc.) + -ity.]

math. The number of elements by virtue of which some¬ thing is unary, binary, etc. -arium l'e:noml suffix. Pl. -ariums. -aria /'£:na/. [Latin, neut. of adjectives in -arms: see -ary1.] Forming nouns with the sense ‘a thing connected with or employed in, a place for’, as herbarium, honorarium. planetarium, vivarium, etc., freq. (after aquarium) ‘a place for keeping and exhibiting something’, as dolphinarium etc.

m man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van. w we, z zoo, J she. 3 vision, 0 thin, 6 this, g ring, tj chip, d3 jar

117

Ariz. | armado Ariz. abbreviation. Arizona. Arizonian

adjective & noun. Also -nan

/an'zaunran/

/-nan/

M19.

E17.

[from Arizona (see below) + -ian.]

Of or pertaining to, a native or inhabitant of, the State of Arizona, USA. arjun /'a:d3An,

-u:n/

noun.

M19.

[Sanskrit atjuna.] = KUMBUK.

ark /a:k/ noun. In senses

2,3

also A-.

[Old English arrc (eark) corresp. to Old Frisian erke. Old High German arc(h)a, Old Norse prk, ark-, Gothic arka from Latin area chest, box, coffer.]

1 A chest, coffer, basket, or similar receptacle; (chiefly dial.) a chest or bin for storing meal, fruit, or other food¬ stuffs. OE. 2 spec. The wooden chest which contained the tables of Jewish law and was kept in the holiest place of the Taber¬ nacle and of the First Temple in Jerusalem (also more fully Ark of the Covenant. Ark of Testimony). Now also, the chest or cupboard housing the Torah scrolls in a synagogue (also more fully Holy Ark), oe. 3 The large floating covered vessel in which Noah, his family, and animals were said to be saved from the Flood. Also fig., a place of refuge, oe. 4 A ship, boat, etc.; esp. (N. Amer.) a large flat-bottomed riverboat. lis. CQ 1 AV Exod. 2:3 She tooke for him an arke ofbul-rushes. lay hands on the ark, touch the ark treat irreverently what is held to be sacred. 3 fig.: H. Fast They stood on the deck as the ancient, rusty ship that had been their home and ark for seventeen days wore into Ellis Island, have come out of the Ark colloq. be very antiquated. A Byron No more he said: but.. commits him to his fragile ark. M. Twain Drifting arks and stone-boats. 2

Comb.: ark shell (a shell of) a small bivalve belonging to Area or a related genus. ■ arkite adjective (rare) of or pertaining to Noah's ark Li 8.

Ark. abbreviation. Arkansas. t Arkansa

7 A part of an apparatus which resembles an arm in shape, disposition, or function. See also yard-arm. Mi6. ►b The middle segment of the bucket of a water-wheel

noun & adjective var.

of Arkansas.

Arkansan /a:'kanz(a)n/ noun & adjective.

M19.

[from Arkansas (see below), formed as next: see -an.]

A native or inhabitant of, of or pertaining to, Arkansas, a State of the US. ■ Also Arkansian noun & adjective M19.

Arkansas /'a:k(o)nso:/ noun & adjective. Also t-sa(w). PI. of noun same. L17. [French from Illinois akansea: cf. Ozark.] = Quapaw.

Arkansaw noun & adjective var. arkose /'enkaus, -zJ noun.

of Arkansas.

M19.

[French, prob. from Greek arkhaios ancient.]

geology. A coarse-grained sandstone which is at least per cent feldspar.

25

■ ar kosic adjective E20

arles /a:lz/ noun. Scot. & north,

me.

[App. repr. medieval Latin dim. of Latin arrha: cf. Old French ere, pi. erres, arres, (16) arrhes.] Money given to bind a bargain; earnest-money. Also fig.,

an earnest, a foretaste. Comb.: arles-penny a sum of money given as earnest,

arm /a:m/ noun1. [Old English arm, earm = Old Frisian arm, erm. Old Saxon, Old High German (Dutch, German) arm. Old Norse armr, Gothic arms from Germanic.]

► I A limb. 1 Either of the upper limbs of the human body, from the shoulder to the hand (the part from the elbow down¬ wards being the forearm)', (in pi.) the space enclosed by a person’s arms. oe. 2 fig. Might, power, authority; a prop, a support, oe. 3 The forelimb of an animal; a flexible limb or other appendage of an invertebrate, lme. >b falconrv. The leg of a hawk from thigh to foot. Li 6. 4 A sleeve. Lis. IB 1 G. Stein He got up and put his arm around her like a brother. J. Conrad Outside I met Therese with her arms full of pillows and blankets. D. Lodge Allowing his long, gorilla¬ like arms to hang loosely over the edge of his seat. 2 AV Jer. 17:5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arme. D. Brewster No period of his life can be named when his intellectual arm was shortened. 3 D. Morris The anthropoid apes differ from the true monkeys in that they are tailless and have elongated arms. D. Attenborough These creatures appear to be crinoids that .. are lying in an inverted position with.. their five arms out¬ stretched.

63 5 C. Darwin The islands, though in sight of each other, are separated by deep arms of the sea. P. Larkin I dreamed of an out-thrust arm of land Where gulls blew over a wave'. 61. Murdoch A great tree spread its arms over a circle of grass. D. Storey The road divided, one arm leading to the Dell, the other to the station. 7 G. F. Fiennes The arm had fallen off the Up starter at Tottenham. Encycl. Brit. That device .. directs the robot’s arm and hand to repeat a specific sequence of movements. G. J. King The modem pickup con¬ sists of an arm and a cartridge. 8 J. D. Salinger He came over and sat down on the arm of Stradlater’s chair. Phrases: an arm and a leg fig. a large sum, something of high value to one, (esp. in cost an arm and a leg. give an arm and a leg for), arm in arm (of two or more people) with arms inter¬ linked. a shot in the arm: see shot noun1, as long as my arm, as long as your arm colloq. very long, at arm’s length as far as the arm can reach; fig. without undue familiarity; (of dealings) with neither party controlled by the other, chance one’s arm: see chance verb 3. give one’s arm (to), offer one’s arm (to) allow or invite (someone) to walk arm in arm with one, or to lean on one’s arm. have a good arm (esp. cricket) be a strong thrower, in arms (of a child) too young to walk (babe in arms), in a person’s arms embraced by him or her. left arm: see left adjective, offer one’s arm (to): see give one’s arm to above, on one’s arm: sup¬ ported by it. right arm: see right adjective, secular arm: see secular adjective, trem arm. tremolo arm: see tremolo noun 2b. twist a person's arm: see twist verb, under one’s arm: between it and the body, within arm’s reach near enough to reach by extending one’s arm; fig. readily available, with open arms cor¬ dially, eagerly. Comb. : armband a band worn round the arm; arm-bone (now rare or obsolete) the humerus; arm candy [after eye candy] a sexu¬ ally attractive companion accompanying a person, esp. a celeb¬ rity, at social events; armchair; armhole (a) (obsolete exc. dial.) an armpit; (b) a hole through which the arm is put into the sleeve of a garment or out of which it is put in a sleeveless garment; armlock a close hold by the arm in wrestling or judo; armpit (a) the hollow under the arm where it is joined to the trunk; the axilla; (b) the corresponding region of other animals; (c) fig. (N. Amer. colloq.) a disgusting or contemptible place or part; the lowest place; armrest something to support the arm of a seated person; armstrong adjective (long arch.) having strong arms; arm-twisting fig. (persuasion by) the use of physical force or moral pressure; arm-wrestle verb trans. & intrans. engage in armwrestling (with); arm-wrestling: in which two people sit opposite each other at a table, and each places one elbow on the tabletop, grips the other’s hand, and tries to force the other’s arm down on to the table. ■ armful noun as much as one arm, or both arms, can hold lme. armless adjective1 without arm or branch lme. armlet noun (a) an ornament or band worn round the arm; (b) a small arm of the sea, branch of a river, etc.: Mi6. armlike adjective resembling (that of) an arm Li9.

arm/a:m/noun2, me. [Old & mod. French armes pi. from Latin arma (no sing.).]

► I Something used in fighting. 1 In pi. Defensive covering for the body; armour, mail. Now poet. me. 2 A weapon. Usu. in pi., instruments used in fighting, weapons, armaments, me. 3 In pi. Defensive or offensive parts of animals or plants, rare. lme. 63 1 Shakes. Rich. IT Boys.. clap their female joints In stiff unwieldy arms. 2 R. Graves As a final arm for use when even the lance failed they carried a heavy broadsword. H. Macmillan As regards defence, Pakistan wanted more arms, especially tanks and bombers, fig.: SirT. Browne Unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason.

► II Elliptical senses. 4 In pi. The exercise of arms; fighting, war. me. 5 In pi. The practice or profession of arms; soldiering. ME. 6 In pi. Feats of arms; valiant deeds, poet. lme.

7 Each kind of troops in an army, as cavalry, infantry, etc. (orig. these two only); a branch of the armed forces, or (transf.) of any organization. (Occas. understood as a fig. use of arm noun1) L18. 63 4 Shakes. Rich. II Thou art a banish’d man, and here art come.. In braving arms against thy sovereign. Steele It is a barbarous Way to extend Dominion by Arms. 5 G. B. Shaw A patrician keeping a shop instead of following arms! 6 Dryden Arms and the man I sing. 7 G. R. Gleig They num¬ bered about 12,000 of all arms. H. G. Wells The Emperor .. placed him in control of the new aeronautic arm of the German forces. Daily Telegraph Opel, the European arm of General Motors.

► III 8 In pi. Heraldic insignia or devices, borne orig. on the shields of knights or barons to distinguish them in battle, which later became the hereditary possessions of their families; armorial bearings. Also, the insignia of a country, corporation, company, etc. (Freq. also in names of inns and public houses.) me.

► II Something resembling an arm. 5 A narrow strip of water or land projecting from a larger body. oe. 6 Each of the branches into which a main trunk divides, e.g. of a tree, road, nerve, etc. me. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

8 A side part of a chair or sofa upon which the sitter’s arm may rest, mi7. 9 astronomy. Any of the luminous bands of stars and gas which form the outer parts of a spiral galaxy. U9.

0:

saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. au how, ei day. .

£0 8 J. Betjeman Balkan Sobranies in a wooden box. The college arms upon the lid. G. Heyer An impressive vehicle which bore its noble owner’s arms emblazoned on the doorpanels. Dylan Thomas It is always opening time at the Sailors Arms. Phrases etc.: assault-at-arms. assault-of-arms: see assault noun 1. bear arms be armed, serve as a soldier; have a coat of arms, coat of arms: see coat noun. College of Arms: see college noun, companion in arms: see companion noun]. firearms: see firearm noun, in arms armed, prepared to fight, in arms with heraldry quartered with. King at Arms, King of Arms see king noun, iay down arms, lay down one’s arms cease fighting, surrender, man-at-arms (arch.), tman-of-arms a soldier, esp. one heavily armed, master-at-arms the chief police officer on a man-of-war or merchant vessel, office of arms see office noun, passage at arms, passage of arms: see passage noun 15b. place of arms: see PLACE noun', small arms see small adjective, take up arms arm oneself, begin fighting, to arms! prepare to fight! under arms ready for war or battle, up in arms actively rebelling; fig. strongly protesting. Comb.: arms control international agreement to limit or reduce armaments; arms race competition between nations in the development and accumulation of weapons. ® armless adjective2 (arch.) without arms; unarmed: E17.

arm la:ml verb\ me. [Old & mod. French arma from Latin armare, from arma: see prec.]

► I verb trans. 1 Provide with weapons or (arch.) armour; equip for war. me. 2 Provide with equipment, qualities, advantages, etc., for a task; prepare, make ready, me. 3 Provide (an animal etc.) with organs of offence or defence. Usu. in pass. lme. 4 heraldry. (Earlier as armed adjective1 2.) Represent as wearing armour; represent (an animal) with distinct teeth, talons, etc. lme. 5 Plate, coat, cover, or furnish with something provid¬ ing strength, protection, etc. Usu. in pass. lme. J6 Provide (a magnet) with an armature. M17-M19. 7 Make (a weapon) ready for immediate use; activate the fuse or firing device of (a bomb etc.). E20. IB 1 G. K. Chesterton Enough swords, pistols, partisans, cross-bows, and blunderbusses to arm a whole irregular regi¬ ment. P. Gailico Armed themselves, fought and won battles against their hostile neighbours. 2 Shakes. Mids. N. D. Look you arm yourself To fit your fancies to your father's will. I. Walton First you must arm your hook. 5 Dryden Ceres .. armed with Iron Shares the crooked Plough, arm the lead nautical cover the base of the sounding-weight with tallow (to pick up a sample from the bottom). 7 Country Life When the airship made an attack.. it was the pilot who had to arm the bombs, take a sight, and drop them. J. Clavell He had broken open some of the crates of muskets and had set those who could to arming them with powder and with shot.

► II verb intrans. 8 Take up arms; provide oneself with weapons or (arch.) armour; prepare oneself, me. (B 8 Burke It certainly cannot be right to arm in support of a faction, though it is most laudable to arm in favour of our country. G. B. Shaw Protestant Ulster.. armed against the rest of Ireland and defied the British Parliament. J. Kirkup If we permit our governments to arm for peace. We sanction war. ■ arming noun (a) the action of the verb; f (b) arms, armour; (c) a defensive or protective covering; a part which protects, strengthens, or fits for a purpose: me.

arm /a:m/ verb2. Mi6. [from arm noun1.]

11 verb intrans. Project like an arm. Only in M16. 2 verb trans. Embrace; put one’s arm(s) round, rare. E17. 3 verb trans. Give one’s arm to; conduct by walking arm in arm. E17. armada la: 'ma:da/ noun. Also f-ado, pi. -o(e)s. M16. [Spanish from Proto-Romance armata army: see -ade.]

1 A fleet of warships. M16. Fb spec. (A-.) = Spanish Armada s.v. Spanish adjective. L16.

J2 A single warship. L16-M17. 3 transf. & fig. A large army or airborne force: a large fleet of vessels of any kind. E18. CD 3 Lytton Nor was the naval unworthy of the land armada. C. Ryan As the long sky trains swarmed out over the English Channel.. a new kind of expectancy began to per¬ meate the armada. 5 Formerly pronounced/a:'meida/.

armadilla/cuma’dLlja./oragrianna'SiAa/ noun. Also f-illo. pi. -oes. L17. [Spanish, dim. of prec.]

A small (Spanish) fighting ship. Also, a small naval squadron. armadillo /erma'dibu/ noun1. PL -os. L16. [Spanish, dim. of armado armed man, from Latin anrmtus pa. pple of armare arm verb'.]

Any of a number of burrowing edentate mammals native to S. and Central America, which have bodies encased in bony plates and are able to roll themselves into a ball when threatened. Jarmadillo noun2 var. of armadilla. Jarmado noun var. of armada. no, s: hair,

10

near,

01

boy, os poor, ms tire, ana sour

118

Armageddon | armourer armorial /a:'mo:ns!/ adjective & noun. L16.

armed /a:md/ adjective’. E17.

Armageddon cmbgcdoln/ noun. Ei9.

[from ARMORY noun' + -Al1.]

[from arm noun1 +-ed2.]

[The place of the last battle at the Day of Judgement: see Revelation 16:16 (AV).]

Having upper limbs, or extensions resembling these. Chiefly as 2nd elem. of comb., as long-armed, nine¬ armed, open-armed, etc.

(The scene of) a decisive conflict on a great scale. Armagnac "a:m(3)njak/ noun. Mi9. [Former name of a district of SW France (department of Gers).]

Armenian/a:‘mi:ni3n/ adjective & noun. Mi6.

A brandy made in the former Armagnac district.

[from Latin Armenia from Greek from Old Persian Arminu, Arminiya + -IAN.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Armenia, a country ot

armalcolite dfmalkaUit/noun.

120.

[from Neil A. Armstrong. Edwin E. Aldrin, and Michael Collins, US astronauts. + -ite’.J mineralogy. An orthorhombic titanate of iron and magne¬

SW Asia; of or pertaining to the people of this region, their language, or the ancient Christian community established there, mi6. Armenian bole: see bole noun21. ► B noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Armenia; a member of the Armenian church. Mi 6. 2 The Indo-European language of Armenia. Ei8.

sium first found in lunar rocks. Armalite /'mmalAit/ noun. M20.

2

[from arm noun + -a- + -lite (alteration of light adjective1).]

(US proprietary name for) a type of light automatic rifle. armament/'a:mam(a)nt/noun. Li7.

■ Armeniac adjective = Armenian adjective lme. Armenoid

/'a.munoid/ adjective of or pertaining to an eastern branch of the Alpine racial group L19.

[Latin armamentum (in classical Latin only pi.), from armare arm verb'', see -ment.J 1 A force (esp. naval) equipped for war. arch. L17. 2 sing. & in pi. Military weapons and equipment; (usu. sing.) the weapons mounted on a warship, aircraft, tank,

armes blanches noun phr. pi. of arme blanche.

armet /'a:mit/noun. Ei6. [French (infl. by armes: see arm noun2) from Spanish almete or Italian elmetto helmet.] Hist. A round iron helmet with visor, beaver, and

etc. E18. 3 The process of equipping for war. E19.

gorget.

03 1 Tolkien Ar-Pharazon.. prepared then the greatest armament that the world had seen, and when all was ready he sounded his trumpets and set sail. 2 M. Arnold-Forster Throughout the rest of 1940 .. Britain imported the food and armaments she needed from the United States in her own ships. J. G. Farrell Fleury looked to his armament, which .. included a sabre,.. a couple ofwavy-bladed daggers from Malaya, and another. Indian, dagger. D. Howarth Going in to attack, the Exeter drew the fire of the Graf Spee’s main armament. 3 A. J. P. Taylor Armament on a large scale was begun after the general election of 1935.

armiger 'a:mid33/noun. Mi6. [Latin = bearing arms, from arma arms: see arm noun2, -gerous.]

An esquire: orig., a person who attended a knight to bear his shield; now, a person entitled to heraldic arms. ■ ar'migerous adjective entitled to heraldic arms mis.

1 A bracelet, rare. ns. 2 A stole of cloth of gold put on the monarch at the cor¬ onation. LI 5. 3 fa armil sphere, an armillary sphere. M16 E17. >b = ARMILLA noun 1. M19.

[Latin = arsenal, armoury.]

f2 Armed troops, lme-mis. f3 The art of fighting with armour. lme-ei8. 4 Defensive covering (or occas. offensive apparatus) of animals or plants. E18. 5 a A keeper for a magnet, mi 8. Fb The iron core of an electromagnetic machine together with the windings which carry the induced electromotive force. Also, the moving part of a relay, electric bell, or similar device. M19. 6 An internal framework to support a sculpture during construction. E20. Sir T. Browne Not the armour of Achilles, but the Armature of St. Paul. £3 1 fig.:

[from arm noun' + chair noun'.]

► A noun. A chair with arms or side supports. Li6. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Confined to an armchair; fig. the¬ orizing rather than participating; lacking or not involv¬ ing first-hand experience. E19.

Armco /'aimkau/ noun. PI. -os. E20. [Acronym, from American Rolling /Will Company.]

1 (Proprietary name for) a very pure soft iron. E20. 2 (Proprietary name for) a motorway or motor-racing track crash barrier. M20. arme blanche arm bla:J/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced

same). L19. [French, lit. ‘white arm'.]

includes a number of species which grow in woodland and can spread over large areas, parasitizing several trees.

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to armillae; armillary sphere, a skeleton celestial globe, consisting of a number of graduated rings or hoops representing the principal celestial circles, which revolves on an axis within a wooden horizon. M17. ► B noun. An armillary sphere, mi9. Arminian /afmmian/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [from Arminius Latinized form of Harmensen (see below) + -AN.]

■ Arminianism noun (adherence to) the Arminian doctrines E17. Arminianize verb (a) verb intrans. teach Arminianism: (b) verb bans, make Arminian: EI7.

armory noun2 see armoury. armour /'a:mol noun & verb. Also *-or.

A cavalry sword or lance; the cavalry.

[Latin armipotent-, -ens, from arma arms + potens powerful, potent objective2.]

Mighty as a warrior (orig. an epithet of the god Mars). [French, or mod. Latin armistitium, from arma arms + -stitium stop¬ page. after solstitium solstice.]

A cessation from hostilities; a short truce.

[from arm verb' + -ed'.]

1 Equipped with weapons, me. 2 heraldry. Of a charge: having teeth or talons of a speci¬ fied tincture, lme.

Comb.: Armistice Day (an anniversary of) 11 November 1918, when an armistice was concluded which ended the war of 1914-18; (since 1945 superseded by Remembrance Sunday and Veterans' Day).

3 A suit of mail. arch. lme. The exercise of arms; fighting, warfare. lme-ei7. 5 Protective or defensive covering of animals or plants.

M17.

A diver’s suit. Ei9. 7 Sheathing or cladding usu. of metal plates protecting a warship, tank, etc., from projectiles. Mi9. 8 Tanks and other armoured vehicles collectively. 6

M20.

£□ 1 Shakes. Hen. VThe sun doth gild our armour; up, my lords! T. H. White Sir Ector was dressed in 'sensible' leather clothes—it was not considered sporting to hunt in armour, fig.: Milton And also arme With spiritual Armour. Byron Suspicion is a heavy armour, hog in armour, see hog noun, in armour fig. (arch, slang) wearing a condom, shining armour: see shining adjective. 2 R. Holinshed The people.. were up in armour against the King. 3 Caxton He had.. armours ynowe for to gamysshe with seuen thousand men. 5 D. Morris In contrast to all other armadillos.. the body armour is connected to the animal’s back only down the mid-line. 7 C. Ryan Gliders were without protective armour, except in the cockpits. R. V. Jones Such charges could be used in bombs against battleships, where they would easily penetrate the deck armour. 8 M. Richler In response to an Egyptian attack, Israeli armour had gone into action.

[French: see aumbry.]

A cupboard, a wardrobe; esp. one that is ornate or antique. tarmoniac adjective & noun var. of ammoniac. armor noun & verb, armored ppl adjective, armorer noun, see armour etc. p pen, r red, s sit, t top,

►

II Corresp. to arm noun2 III. 9 Blazonry, heraldic arms, obsolete exc. in coat armour s.v. coat noun. lme. Comb.: armour-bearer Hist, a person who carried a warrior’s armour; a squire; armour-clad adjective provided with armour, esp. armour-plated; armour-piercing adjective (of a shell etc.) designed to penetrate the armour of a warship, tank, etc., before exploding; armour-plate (a plate of) the protective metal sheathing of a warship, tank, etc.; armour-plated adjective pro¬ vided with armour-plate; armour-plating (the material of) armour-plate. ► B verb trans. Put armour on; furnish with protective or defensive covering. Freq. in pass. lme. 03 R. Graves In battle the nobler men wear leather coats armoured in front with overlapping plates, fig.: N. Hampson There are no killers here, whom crusted pride Armours against their own humanity. ■ armouring noun an external covering, usu. of steel wire, to protect electric cables etc. E20. armourless adjective without armour, defenceless lme. Ei7.

[from armour verb + -ed1.] 1 Clad in armour; having a natural protective or defen¬ sive covering. E17. 2 Ofa ship, vehicle, cable, etc.; furnished with armourplate, armouring, or other protective covering. Mi9. 3 Of glass: toughened. M20. 4 Of a military force: equipped with tanks and other armoured vehicles. Of warfare: fought with tanks etc. M20.

2 armoured car armoured train: protected with armourplate and usu. equipped with guns.

armourer/'amars/noun. Also *-orer me.

armoire/a;'mwa:/noun. Li6.

m man. n no,

me.

[Old & mod. French armure, earlier armeure, from Latin armatura armature: see-our.] ► A noun. I Corresp. to arm noun21, II. 1 Hist. Defensive covering for the body worn when fighting; mail. me. •f 2 sing. & in pi. The whole apparatus of war; arms.

armoured /'ccmsd/ ppl adjective. Also *-ored.

armipotent /a:'mip3t(3)nt/ adjective, lme.

armistice /a:mistis/noun. eis.

armed /a:md. adjective', me.

lme.

[Old French armoi(e)tie (mod. armotries pi.), from armoier blazon, from arme arm noun2: see -Y3. Cf. armoury.] 1 Heraldry, lme. 2 Armorial bearings, arch. lis. ■ armorist noun a person skilled in heraldry Li6.

[mod. Latin (see below), formed as prec. (so called because of a bracelet-like frill on the stem) + Latin -aria -ary'.] An agaric (fungus) of the genus Armiilaria, which

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the Dutch Protestant theologian Arminius (Jakob Harmensen, 1560-1609) or his doctrines, which opposed those of Calvin, esp. regarding predestination. E17. ► B noun. An adherent of the doctrines of Arminius. E17.

E. A Powell After.. the arm-chair historians have settled down to the task of writing a connected account of the campaign. Discovery Armchair travel becomes easier and more pleasant every day. Day Lewis We don't want big talk from an armchair critic. £3

Mi7.

armory 'crmari/ noun',

armillaria /am'ltns/ noun. Mi9.

[mod. Latin armUlaris, from Latin armilla: see -ary2.]

armchair mm'tjs:; as adjective 'airntje:/ noun & adjective. Also arm-chair Li6.

rare.

■ tArmoric adjective & noun M17-E19.

1 An ancient astronomical instrument consisting of a graduated ring or hoop fixed in the plane of the equator (equinoctial armilla), sometimes crossed by another in the plane of the meridian (solstitial armilla). Mi7. 2 = ARMIL2. L17. 3 Chiefly archaeology. A bracelet, an armlet. Ei8.

armillary /afmitari/ adjective & noun. Mi7.

armazine noun var. of armozeen.

b but, d dog. f few. g get, h he. j yes, k cat. 1 leg.

language,

[Latin, dim. of annus shoulder.]

[French from Latin armatura, from armat- pa. ppl stem of armare arm verb': see -ure.] 1 Arms, armour, arch. lme.

Lis.

[from Latin Armoricae (Caesar) the NW provinces of Gaul (mod. Brittany), from Gaulish are in front of + mar sea, + -an.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to Armorica (Brittany), its inhabitants, or their language (Breton), lis. 2 geology. = Hercynian adjective 2b. E20. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Armorica; the Breton

armilla /a:'mils/ noun. Pi. -Mae /-li:/, -Has. Mi7.

armature /'crmatja/ noun. lme.

03 1 fig. : F. Raphael At last she felt armed against the empty bourgeois life of Cricklewood. E. Heath We were armed with the addresses ofyouth hostels, armed bullhead the pogge Agonus cataphractus, a fish with a broad spined head and a tapering body covered with bony plates, armed camp a town, territory, etc., fully armed for war. armed forces: see force noun1, armed neutrality: with weapons kept available armed services: see service noun', armed to the teeth see tooth noun.

Armorican /a:'monk(3)n/ adjective & noun.

f4

[Partly from Old & mod. French armille from Latin armilla; partly a more recent adaptation of Latin.]

The medicines, equipment, and techniques available to a medical practitioner,

arms. L16. 2 Of porcelain etc.: bearing heraldic arms. E20. ► B noun. A book of coats of arms. M18. ■ armorially adverb Ei7.

ME-E19.

armil /'a:mil/ noun. lis.

armamentarium /cumamEn'tsmsm/ noun. PI. -ia /-is/. L19.

► A adjective. 1 Pertaining to or of the nature of heraldic

v van,

w

[Anglo-Norman armorer. Old & mod. French ormurier, formed as armour noun: see -er2.] 1 A maker or repairer of armour or weapons, m e. A person who assisted warriors in putting on their armour, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 3 An official who has charge of the arms of a warship, regiment, etc. mi8. 9 First recorded as a surname. 2

we, z zoo. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin. 6 this, q ring, t.f chip, d3 jar

119

armoury j arrah

armoury /’a:m3ri/ noun. Also *-ory. me.

aroint /s'romt/ verb trans. arch. Also -oynt. Ei7.

[Old French armoi(e)ric armory noun', assim. to armour.] 1 Arms or armour collectively (arch.); an array of weapons or (fig.) resources etc. me.

[Origin unkn.] 1 aroint thee! avaunt! begone! El 7. 2 Drive away with an execration. Mi9.

2 A place where arms and armour are kept or (chiefly

£3 1 Shakes. Much. ‘Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries. 2 Browning That Humbug, whom thy soul aroints.

US) made; an arsenal; N. Amer. a drill hall. lme. ffi 1 Wordsworth In our halls is hung Armoury of the invincible Knights of old. fig,: J. Wain It was only the presence of the two visitors.. that stopped her from setting about him with the full armoury of feminine weapons. C. Sagan I was outfitted under my raincoat with a full armory of shirt, tie, and jacket. 2 J. Cheever Touch a suit of chain mail in the armory and your hand comes away black with rust, fig.: Coleridge Language is the armoury of the human mind; it .. contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests.

9 First recorded in Shakes.

arolla /a'rob/ noun. Li9. [Swiss French arol(!)e.[

The Swiss stone pine, Pirns cembra. Also arolla pine. aroma /a'rauma/ noun. PL -mas, (rare) -mata /-mats/. Orig. t-mat. me. [Latin aroma, -mat- from Greek aroma spice; earlier form from Old French aromat (mod. -ate) from Latin pi. aromata.] 11 A fragrant plant, spice. Usu. in pi. me-mis.

armozeen /a:m3'zi:n/ noun. Also armazine & other vars. El 6.

2 The distinctive fragrance of a spice, plant, etc., an agreeable odour. E19. 3 A subtle pervasive quality or charm, mi9.

[French armoisin, (16) tafetas armoisy, armezin, from Italian ermesino from Egyptian Arab, ’irmiz, Arab, kirmiz kermes.] Orig. f armozeen taffeta. A heavy plain silk, usu. black,

Comb. : aromatherapeutic adjective of or pertaining to aroma¬ therapy; aromatherapist an advocate or promoter of aroma¬ therapy; aromatherapy the use of essential oils and other plant extracts to promote personal health and beauty. ■ aromal adjective M19.

used esp. for clerical gowns and for mourning. armure /’armjuo/ noun. Li9. [French.J

A fabric made of wool, silk, or both, with a twilled or ribbed surface. army /'a:mi/noun. In sense

3

aromatic /ars'matik/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old & mod. French aromatique from late Latin aromaticus from Greek aromatikos: see prec., -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 Fragrant, pungent, spicy, sweet-smelling.

also A-. lme.

[Old & mod. French armee from Proto-Romance armata use as noun of fern. pa. pple of Latin armare arm verb': see -Y5.] ► I lit. f 1 An armed expedition by sea or land. LME-E16.

LME. 2 chemistry. (Of a compound) possessing one or more planar conjugated rings of the form typified by the benzene molecule; designating or pertaining to such a compound. M19. ► B noun. 1 A substance or plant emitting a spicy odour; a fragrant drug. lme. 2 chemistry An aromatie compound. E20.

2 An armed force whether by land or sea; a host. Without qualification, now spec, a force equipped to fight on land; an organized body of soldiers, lme. 3 The entire body of land forces of a country; the mili¬ tary service or profession. Mi7. ca 1 Ld Berners They gette the duke of Burgoyne in great desyre to make an armye into Englande. 2 AV S. of S. 6:10 Terrible as an armie with banners. G. B. Shaw Whenever he won an election his opponent raised an army and attempted a revolution. A. J. P. Taylor The Russians had just destroyed a German army at Stalingrad, ormy of occupation, army of reserve see reserve noun, land army: see land noun', private army see private adjective. Red Army, see red adjective, regular army see regular adjective, standing army: see standing adjective. Territorial Army: see territorial adjective. White Army: see white adjective, you and whose army? 3 Scott Fitzgerald A young major just out of the army and covered over with medals he got in the war. E. Waugh Hooper had no illusions about the Army.. He had come to it reluctantly, under compulsion... He accepted it, he said, ‘like the measles’.

■ faromatical adjective = aromatic adjective 1 LME-E19. aromatically adverb with aromatic odour or taste; spicily: E17. aromaticity /-'tisiti/ noun (chemistry) aromatic character or condi¬ tion M20. aromaticness noun the quality of being aromatic lme.

aromatize /s'raomatAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. lme. [Old & mod. French aromatiser from late Latin aramatizare from Greek ardmatizdn to spice: see aroma, -ize.]

1 Render aromatic or fragrant; flavour or season with spice. LME. 2 chemistry. Make aromatic (aromatic adjective 2). M20. ■ aromati zation noun (a) the action or process of rendering aromatic; chemistry conversion into an aromatic compound; (b) aromatic flavouring: E17. aromatizer noun L17.

■faron noun see arum.

► II transf. & fig. 4 A large number, a multitude; an array. LIS. 5 A body of people organized for a cause. M16.

around /a'raund/ adverb & preposition, me. [Prob. from A preposition' 1 + round noun1: cf. Old French a la reond in the round, French en rond in a circle, au rond de round about (is)-] ► A adverb. 1 In circumference; in a circle; so as to sur¬

£0 4 D. Livingstone An army of locusts. E. Bowen An army of evening shoes was drawn up under the bureau. E. F. Schumacher The modern man of action may surround himself by ever-growing armies of forecasters. 5 Addison Latimer, one of the glorious Army of Martyrs. Church Army: see church noun. Salvation Army: see salvation.

round. ME. 2 Along the periphery, on or along the circuit or surface, (of something round), me. 3 On every side; in every direction or in various direc¬ tions from a fixed point. Ei8. 4 Here and there; at, in, or to various places; all about; at random; with no definite direction or aim. Li 8. 5 With more or less circular motion; with return to the starting-point after such motion; with rotation; with change to the opposite position; with regard to relative position; to a particular place, point, or state. E19. 6 To all points of a circumference or within a given area; to all members of a company etc. L19. 7 Near at hand; somewhere in the vicinity, colloq. L19.

Comb.: army ant = driver 6; army corps a main subdivision of an army in the field; Army List an official list of commissioned officers in the British army: army worm any of various moth or fly larvae occurring in destructive swarms.

arnatta, arnatto. nouns vars. of annatto. Arnaut/a:‘naot/noun. E18. [Turkish.]

An Albanian, spec, one serving in the Ottoman army. arnica /'amika/noun. mi8. [mod. Latin, of uncertain origin.]

Any plant of the genus Arnica, of the composite family; esp. mountain tobacco, A. montana, native to central Europe. Also, a medicinal tincture prepared from this plant, and used esp. for bruises. Arnoldian /afnauldran/ adjective. Li9. [from Arnold (see below) + -ian.] Pertaining to or characteristic of either Thomas Arnold (1795-1842), Headmaster of Rugby School, or his son Matthew Arnold (1822-88), poet and critic.

■ Arnold ism noun doctrine, theory, or practice formed after the precepts and example of either Thomas or Matthew Arnold MI 9.

Arnoldist /‘a:n(a)ldist/ noun. Mi7. [from Arnold (see below) + -ist.] ecclesiastical history. A follower of Arnold (or Amaldus) of

Brescia, a religious reformer in the

12th

cent.

arnotto noun var. of annatto. aroar /o'to:/ adverb & pred. adjective, arch. lme. [a preposition1 6 + roar noun’.]

► B preposition. 1 On or along the circuit or periphery of; at points on the circumference of; so as to make a circuit of. LME. 2 On all sides of; in all or various directions from or with regard to; so as to centre or have a basis in. M17.

In a roar, roaring. aroid 'e:roid/ noun& adjective. Li9. [from arum noun + -oid.] botany (A plant) belonging to the family Araceae, exem¬

plified by the arums. a cat. a: arm. e bed. a; her.

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

LQ 1 Joyce The players closed around, flushed and muddy. W. Stevens A blue pigeon it is, that circles the blue sky. .. around and round and round. 2 Dryden All their heads around With chaplets green of cerrial-oak were crowned. 3 Pope While op'ning blooms diffuse their sweets around. G. B. Shaw Every stick and stone for miles around falling and crumbling. 4 J. Bowen If you want to do exercises, then do them. Don’t hang around hinting. C. FLampton I haven’t been sitting around brooding about it for days. T. Stoppard He has been looking around for a place to put his pants, go around, play around, sleep around, etc. have been around colloq. have gained worldly experience. 5 Scott Fitzgerald Turning me around by one arm. Dylan Thomas The weather turned around. J. Cheever She waited in the rain for him to bring their car around. S. Hill He could not reach around to find his water bottle. S. Gray I shall find out later which way around it is. get around (to) 6 know one's way around see WAY noun. 7 G. Vidal Well. I’ll see you around. Cy. J. F. Kennedy These very qualities.. have in times of peace caused him to be considered ’dangerous’, and a little uncom¬ fortable to have around. J. Cheever When I got downstairs. Lawrence wasn't around, but the others were all ready for cocktails, stick around see stick verb'.

0

: saw, a run. u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. au how. ei day.

3 So as to surround; enveloping. E19. 4 Here and there in or near; to various places in; from one member of (a company) to another; all about. Ei9. 5 So as to double or pass in a curved course; having passed in a curved course; in a position that would result from passing in a curved course. Chiefly N. Amer. M19. 6 in the vicinity of; near; close to. M19. 7 At approximately, at about. Chiefly N. Amer. Li 9. 03 1 Milton No war or battle’s sound Was heard the world around. Joyce Lifted from the dish the heavy cover pearled around the edge with glistening drops. Scott Fitzgerald Her own party.. were spread around a table on the other side of the garden. W. Stevens Perhaps The truth depends on a walk around a lake. S. Gray There are a few hard-backed chairs around the walls. 2 J. Tyndall The air around and above us was.. clear. Scott Fitzgerald 1 saw Jordan Baker and talked over and around what had happened to us together. K. Amis There’s a lot of stuff in and around Lisbon we’ve still got to see. B. Lovell Planetary systems around stars other than the Sun. 3 E. O’Neill Tenderly solicitous now, puts an arm around her. A. Burgess Fussing as if she thought he ought to have rugs around him and his feet in a footcosy. W. Trevor His short pale hair was plastered around his head. 4 Joyce He looked around the little class of stu¬ dents. H. MacLennan He had been walking around Halifax all day. 5 P. Shaffer I know it’s just around the comer, that’s not the point. Anne Stevenson You watch a workman wheel his bicycle around a stile, get around 6 B. Schulberg That's why I took this job, so I can be around writers, 7 W. G. McAdoo The convention adjourned around four o’clock. E. Bowen Last May, around that time of the funeral.

arouse /a'rauz/ verb. Li6. [from A-11 + rouse verb', after rise, arise, etc.] 1 verb trans. Raise or stir up (a person or animal) from

sleep or inactivity; excite sexually. Li 6. 2 verb trans. Stir up into activity (principles of action, emotions, etc.); bring into existence. E18. 3 verb intrans. Wake up. E19. CQ 1 D. Runyon The noise of John Wangle's yelling .. arouses many of the neighbors. R. Ellison Such an effect¬ ive piece of eloquence .. you aroused them so quickly to action. P. H. Johnson She was still sleeping, and now she looked so serene, so peaceful, that 1 hated to arouse her. 2 G. Greene I wondered whether Miss Smythe was so con¬ venient a sister as Henry was a husband, and all my latent snobbery was aroused by the name—that y, the final e. T. Capote A case like the Clutter case, crimes of that magni¬ tude, arouse the interest of lawmen everywhere. A. Storr Everyone knows that anger, once thoroughly aroused, takes time to subside. 3 J. Thurber Always a deep sleeper, slow to arouse. ■ arousable adjective 119. arousal noun tire action of arousing or fact of being aroused M19. arouser noun M19.

arow /a'rau/ adverb & pred. adjective, me. [from A preposition' 1 + row noun1.] 1 In a row, rank, or line. me.

f2 in succession. ME-L16. aroynt verb var. of aroint. ARP abbreviation. Air-raid precautions. arpeggiate /ai'pedjieit/ verb trans. E20. [from next + -ate3] music. Play (a chord, theme, etc.) as an arpeggio or arpeg¬ gios. Chiefly as arpeggiated ppl adjective. m arpeggi ation noun L19. arpeggiator noun L20.

arpeggio /a:'pEd3rou/ noun. Pi. -os. eis. [Italian, from arpeggiare play on the harp, from arpa harp noun.] music. The sounding of the notes of a chord in (usu. rapid

upward) succession, not simultaneously; a chord so sounded. arpeggione /a:p£d3i'3oni,/oragnarpe'd3o:ne/ noun. Li9. [German, formed as prec.]

An early lgth-cent. bowed musical instrument, resem¬ bling a guitar. arpent /'a:p(a)nt; foreign arpa (pi. same)/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also arpen /-p(a)n; foreign -pd (pi. same)/. Mi6. [Old & mod. French.]

An old French measure of land, of varying amount but ffeq. equal to about two-fifths of a hectare (approx, one acre). 9 Used in parts of Canada and other areas of French influence, as well as in France itself.

arquebus noun var. of harquebus. arra noun var. of arrha. arrack /'arak/ noun. Also arak. E17. [Arab, ‘arak sweat, esp. in ‘arak at-tamr fermented and distilled juice of dates. Aphet. to rack noun7.]

In Eastern countries: an alcoholic spirit of local manu¬ facture, esp. distilled from the sap of the coco palm or from rice. JArragonese adjective & noun, farragonite noun vars. of Aragonese, aragonite.

arrah /‘am/ interjection. Anglo-Irish. L17. [Irish ara, aril.]

Expr. emotion or excitement, no, e: hair, id near, dj boy, oa poor, \io tire, aua sour

120

arraign | arrest arraign /a'rein/ verb1 & noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman arainer, areiner, Old French aratsmer, areismer, ult. from Latin ad ar-+ ratio(n-) account, reason noun'.] ► A verb trans. 1 Call on (a person) to answer a criminal

charge before a court; call to account, indict, accuse. LME.

.

lme.

arrear /s'n3/ noun.

arrant /'ar(a)nt/ adjective, lme. [Var. of errant adjective. Sense 2 developed from its use to desig¬ nate an outlawed, roving thief.] jl = ERRANT adjective l. IME-M17. 2 Of a thief, wrongdoer, etc., or with gen. terms of opprobrium: openly criminal, professed; public, notori¬ ous' downright, unmitigated. (Earlier as errant adjective 2a.)Mi6. kb Of an (undesirable) action, opinion, quality,

ffl 1 Baroness Orczy He was arraigned for treason against the nation, and sent to the guillotine. A. Miller As though arraigning the entire clock industry, she adds: I ve got six or eight clocks in this house, and none of them work 2 Gibbon He boldly arraigned the abuses of public and private life. ► B noun. = arraignment. Mt7. ■ arraiqner noun E19. arraignment noun the act of arraigning or fact of being arraigned; indictment, accusation, censure. LME.

11 In the past. Only in me. 2 Behind in time; behind in the discharge of duties or liabilities; esp. behindhand in payment. Ei7. j-3 Behind in position. Only in mi7. 4 Behind as to state or condition. (Foil, by of.) Mi9. CQ 2 Steele The World is in Arrear to your Virtue. A. Knox I am two or three letters in arrear to different persons. S. Raven For years we’ve had a system whereby we pay tradesmen a term in arrears. A. Brink Others.. had been evicted from their homes.. because they d fallen in arrears with the rent. 4 R. Ford The arts of medicine and surgery are somewhat in arrear in Spain.

etc.: unmitigated, utter, blatant. Mi7. 3 (Without opprobrious force.) Thorough, complete; genuine, inveterate. Li6. f 4 Thoroughly bad, wicked; good-for-nothing. LI6-MI8.

-[arraign verb2. lme-ei9. [Anglo-Norman arraigner, arainer, alt. of aramer - Old French arami(e)r from medieval Latin arramire guarantee, decide, from ad ar- + Frankish hramjan appoint a place or time.] law. Appeal to, claim, demand, (an assize).

£□ 2 Swift Every servant an arrant thief as to victuals and drink Henry Fielding The arrantest villain that ever walked upon two legs W. Howitt The inhabitants of solitary houses are often most arrant cowards, b R. Bentley They cover the most arrant Atheism under the mask and shadow of a Deity. W. Gerhardie The guest, a Russian general, was talking arrant nonsense. 3 G. B. Shaw Nobody but an arrant cockney would dream of calling it a brogue now.

arrand noun var. of arain. arrange Wreindy verb. lme. [Old French arangier, arengier (mod. arranger), from A-s + rangier range verb'.] ► I verb trans. 1 Draw up in ranks or in lines of battle. obsolete exc. as passing into sense 2. lme.

► II Without in. 5 Something in which one has fallen behind; some¬ thing remaining to be done; a duty or liability undis¬ charged; an outstanding debt. Now usu. in pi. lme. 6 The rear, esp. of a train or procession. Long arch. Ei7. [7 A portion held back; something held in reserve. M17-M18.

CQ 5 Burke Having so faithfully and so fully acquitted towards me whatever arrear of debt was left undischarged. F. Marryat To obtain my arrears of pay, and some prizemoney which I find due. Dickens To you .. I owe a long arrear of thanks. J. Buchan If I were you I would go to bed, for you must have considerable arrears of sleep to overtake. E. F. Benson The arrears of general events were soon cleared off,.. and the talk became more intimate.

■ arrantly adverb L16.

arras /'aras/ noun. lme. [Arras, a town in Artois, NE France, famous for the fabric.] 1 A rich tapestry fabric, in which figures and scenes are

2 Put into proper or requisite order; dispose; adjust. Mis. 3 Plan or settle beforehand the details of (something to be done); give instructions for, cause to take place. Li8. 4 music. Adapt (a composition) for instruments or voices other than those for which it was written. Ei9. 5 Settle (a dispute, claim, etc.). M19. 6 Adapt (a play etc.) for performance, esp. for broad¬ casting. M20.

woven in colours. Freq. attrib. lme. 2 Hist. A screen of this hung round the walls of a room.

[arrear adverb.

LI 6. ■ arrased /arest/ adjective hung or covered with arras E17. [Anglo-Norman ami from Old French arei (mod. arroi), formed as next.] 1 A state of special preparedness esp. for war, festiv¬ ities, etc.; preparation. Now poet. me. 2 Arrangement in line or ranks, esp. martial order; orderly disposition, lme. 3 Hist. The mustering of an armed force; the arming of a

In or to the rear; behind; overdue. arrear-band: see arriere-ban GUARD.

arrearage inrar\d~J noun.

of a county etc. lme. 5 Attire, dress; (an) outfit. Now poet. lme. |6 Plight, condition; state of affairs. LME-M16. 7 MW. The order of empanelling a jury; the panel itself. LI 6. 8 An imposing or well-ordered series of persons or things; an assemblage, an arrangement. E19. kb math. A matrix or other ordered arrangement of quantities, mi 9. ►c computing. A set of memory locations or data items of which each member is identified by a common identi¬ fier together with one or more subscripts. M20.

2 in arrearages in arrears in payment. ■f arrear-guard

[from prec. + -MENT.]

1 The action of arranging; the fact of being arranged. L17.

2 A manner of being arranged; an orderly disposition. mis.

3 A disposition or preparation for a future event (freq. in pi.); something planned or agreed; a settlement or agreement between parties. Mis. 4 A number of objects arranged or combined in a par¬ ticular way. El 9. 5 A setting of a piece of music for instruments or voices other than those for which it was originally written; a piece so arranged, mi9. HI 2 C. Darwin I believe that the arrangement of the groups within each class.. must be strictly genealogical. E. O'Neill Her general appearance, the arrangement of her hair and clothes, has the disheveled touch of the fugitive. 3 Burke Arrangements with the Rajah.. for the better

1

attentive, alert. arrent /a'rent/ verb trans. Now arch. & Hist.

[Anglo-Norman araier, Old French areer, ult. from Latin ad ar- + a Germanic base meaning 'prepare' (cf. ready verb).] 1 Set or place in order of readiness (orig. esp. for battle); marshal, dispose, arrange, me. |2 Make ready, prepare; equip, fit out. ME-M16. 3 Attire, dress, esp. with display; fig. adorn, embellish, furnish (with), lme. [4 Discomfit, thrash; afflict; disfigure, dirty, iron. LME-L16. 5 mw. Empanel (a jury). L16. EQ 1 Ld Macaulay A force of thirteen thousand fighting men were arrayed in Hyde Park. J. London He saw arrayed around his consciousness endless pictures from his life. A. Wilson Three sorts of ink—blue, red and green—were carefully arrayed before her. 3 K. Grahame Mr. Toad, arrayed in goggles, cap, gaiters, and enormous overcoat, came swaggering down the steps. W. S. Maugham I was taking them to a very smart restaurant and expected to find Isabel arrayed for the occasion. W. S. Churchill Mary had arrayed herself superbly for the final scene, fig.: Earl Rivers Arraye you withe justice. R. Ellison A panel arrayed with coils and dials.

man,

n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top, v van, w we.

Mi7.

[Latin arrectus pa. pple of arrigere raise up, from ad ar- + regere straighten.] Upright, pricked up (as of the ears of an animal); fig.

array /a'rei/ verb trans. me.

arrangement .Vremd^mioim/ noun. Li7.

noun var. of arriere-guard.

arrect /a'rekt/ ppi adjective, arch.

■ arrayal noun the process of arraying, muster; array: E19.

[| Rare before Lis; not in AV, Shakes., Milton's poetry, or Pope. ■ arrangeable adjective M19. arranger noun a person who arranges something (esp. music) Lis.

me.

12 The state or condition of being in arrears in payment; indebtedness, debt. ME-117. 3 gen. The state or condition of being behind; back¬ wardness. Li6.

CD 1 Pope The pomp, the pageantry, the proud array. 2 R. Holinshed They found them out of araie in following the chase. K. Amis What howls of dismay From his fans in their dense array, fig.: AV Job 614 The terrors of God doe set themselues in aray against mee. 3 Commission of Array a body of officials responsible for raising a militia. 4 Ld Macaulay The whole array of the city of London was under arms. 5 Shakes. Tam. Shr. We will have rings and things, and fine array. T. H. White A Man or a Power set upon Lancelot.. and clothed him in another array which was full of knots. 8 Nature An array of particle detectors laid out in a suitable pattern. W. Trevor He drew back his lips, displaying a small array of teeth. F. Weldon A really magnifi¬ cent show of sports trophies to join her own array of cups and shields. D. Halberstam He filled his bureau with a stun¬ ning array of the best reporters in America.

£Q 8 Burke We cannot arrange with our enemy in the present conjuncture. N. Hawthorne To arrange about my passport. J. B. Priestley Next morning I was up in good time, for I had arranged to go round the Fish Market. E. O’Neill I shall arrange for places in the stage. B. England If you find your duties too arduous.. I can arrange to have you relieved of them.

arrear-guard: see arriere-

[Old French arerage (mod. arrerage), from arere: see prec., -age.] 1 = arrear noun 5. Now usu. in pi. Now US. me.

militia, lme. 4 A military force, an armed host; esp. (Hist.) the militia

► II verb intrans. 7 Get into order; fall into place, rare. E16. 8 Come to an agreement or understanding (with a person, about something); settle or determine matters, take steps, make plans, (about, for, to do). L18.

ME-E19.

[Old French ar(i)ere (mod. arriere) from medieval Latin adretro, from Latin ad ar- + retro backward, behind. Cf. arear.]

array /a'rei/ noun. me.

o IlD Berners There he araynged his men in the stretes. 2 G. B. Shaw Each atom .. arranging itself by attraction and repulsion in orderly crystalline structure. J. C. Powys Crummie had.. taken to helping old Mrs. Robinson arrange the flowers for the church altar. C. Isherwood A plateful of jam tarts arranged in the shape of a star. S. Bellow The room where the old woman lay. her white hair arranged in a fringe that nearly met her brow. A. Wilson He had read .. that the process of arranging one's thoughts in good order was often helped by an equally careful ordering of external objects. E. J. Howard He.. took off his scarf and arranged it .. round her neck. Encyd. Brit Mendeleyev arranged all the known elements according to their atomic weights on what he called a periodic table. M. Keane She seemed less well arranged than usual—her hair not so crisply set, her jersey and cardigan not twins. 3 Ld Macaulay The details of a butchery were frequently discussed, if not definitely arranged. T. Hardy They had arranged that their meeting should be at the holm-tree. Scott Fitzgerald Why didn't he ask you to arrange a meeting? arranged marriage a marriage planned and agreed by the families or guardians of the couple concerned, who have little or no say in the matter themselves. 5 G. B. Shaw 1 have arranged that little diffi¬ culty with Trench. It was only a piece of mischief made by Lickcheese.

me.

[from the adverb.] ► I in arrear(s).

rtffUA A If'IT-

2 Find fault with, censure, call in question (an action, statement, etc.). L17.

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg,

■ arrayer noun a person who arrays; esp. (Hist.) a person who musters armed men: lme arrayment noun (a) dress, accoutre¬ ment: an outfit; (b) the act of arraying; the state of being arrayed:

government and management of his Zemindary. Ld Macaulay It was impossible to make an arrangement that would please everybody. G. Stein Mrs. Kreder and Mrs. Haydon.. made ail the arrangements for the wedding. A Koestler His staying in the flat was a reasonable and prac¬ tical arrangement. 4 B. Pym An expensive florist's arrange¬ ment of white chrysanthemums had been placed at the side

z zoo,

lme.

[Old French arentir. from a a-s + rente rent noun', or French arrenter.] Let out or farm at a rent; spec, allow the enclosure of

(forest land) for a yearly rent.

■ arren tation noun the action or the privilege of arrenting land El 6.

arrest/a'rESt/noun.

LME.

[Old French areste stoppage, and arest (mod. arret) act of arrest¬ ing, formed as next.]

11 The act of standing still or stopping in one’s course; halt; delay. LME-L16. 2 The act of stopping something; stoppage; check, lme. kb medicine. A sudden, sometimes temporary, cessation of function of an organ or system, esp. (more fully cardiac arrest) the heart. Li9. 3 The act of catching and holding, seizure, (lit. & fig.); legal apprehension, lme. 4 The state of having been arrested; custody, imprison¬ ment, detention, lme. |5 An abode, lme-lis. f 6 A resting-place for the butt of a lance on a piece of armour, lme-lis. f7 = ARRET. E16-E18.

t£S 2 Bacon Some Checke or Arrest in their Fortunes. J. H. Burn Arrest of the patient’s respiration might sometimes assist the surgeon. 3 C. Lamb The first arrests of sleep. Geo. Eliot This strong arrest of his attention made him cease singing. 4 Byron The Forty hath decreed a month’s arrest. Phrases: arrest of judgement wiv a stay of proceedings after a verdict, on the ground of error, cardiac arrest: see sense 2b above, citizen's arrest: see citizen noun, false arrest: see false adjective, house arrest: see house noun1, funder an arrest = under arrest (b) below, under arrest (a) legally arrested; (b) under legal restraint.

arrest /a1 rest/ verb.

lme.

[Old French arester (mod. arreter), ult. from Latin ad ar- + restare stop behind (rest verb3).] ► I verb intrans. fl Stop, stay, remain, rest. LME-E17. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

d this,

13 ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

121

arrestment | arrow tQ 1 J. Gower A wilde beast. In whom no reson might areste. Caxton Without arestyng for to helpe them. Donne We must arrest awhile vpon the nature, and degrees, and effects of charity.

► II verb trans. 2 Stop; detain; retard. (Cf. sense 6.) lme. 3 Apprehend (a person, a ship) by legal authority, lme. >b Seize (property) by legal warrant. Now only Scot. & admiralty law. L15. >tc fig. Take as security, rare (Shakes.). L16-E17.

4 gen. Catch, lay hold on. obsolete exc. as fig. use of sense 3. L15.

f5 Fix, engage; keep (one’s mind, oneself) on a subject. L15-M17. 6 Catch and fix (one of the senses, the attention, mind, etc.); catch and fix the attention of. (Passing into sense 2.)

E19. HI 2 Dryden My Dogs with better speed Arrest her flight. Gibbon In the pursuit of greatness he was never arrested by the scruples of justice. Geo. Eliot Her tears were arrested. J. Galsworthy He found Irene seated at the piano with her hands arrested on the keys. D. L. Sayers Peter made a move¬ ment to go back, but a strong conviction that he could only make matters worse for her arrested him. S. Spender A famous educationist whose interest in education seemed to stop or be arrested when it came to governing his own college. K. Waterhouse I caught his eye and waved to him, a half-wave arrested before it began. H. Kissinger The Soviet advance was first arrested and finally reversed, arrest judgement law stay proceedings after a verdict, on the ground of error. 3 D. Lodge Sixteen people .. were arrested .. for stealing used bricks from the demolition site, b D. H. Lawrence The Unholy Inquisition has arrested all my pictures. 4 Spenser Whenas Morpheus had with leaden mace Arrested all that courtly company. J. Ruskin We cannot arrest sunsets nor carve mountains. 5 Jer. Taylor We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies. 6 Byron The gleaming turret.. and yon solitary palm arrest the eye. T. Hardy He was about to leave his hole of espial.. when he was arrested by the conversation. E. Wharton Miss Bart was a figure to arrest even the suburban traveller rushing to his last train. A. J. Cronin His gaze instantly arrested by the smudged grey headlines. H. Read A work of art must be dynamic—it must arrest the attention of the onlooker, move him, infect him. ■ arrestable adjective (a) liable to be arrested; (b) (of an offence etc.) such that the offender may be arrested without warrant: M16. arre station noun the action of arresting, an arrest Lis. arre stee noun (a) scots law the person in whose hands another's earnings or other assets are attached; (b) a person being legally arrested: mis. arrester noun (a) a person who arrests someone or something; (b) something which arrests; esp. a device for retard¬ ing an aircraft by a hook and cable on landing, esp. on an aircraft carrier: lme. arrestingly adverb in a manner that arrests the attention, strikingly Li 9. arrestive adjective tending to arrest the attention etc., striking M19. arrestor noun = arrester lme.

arrestment /3'res(t)m(3)nt/ noun. lme. [Old French arestement or medieval Latin arrestamentum: see prec., -MENT.]

1 The action of apprehending a person by legal author¬ ity; arrest. Chiefly Scot. lme. 2 A seizure of property by legal authority; scots law attachment of earnings or other assets held by a third party. M16. 3 The action or result of stopping or checking, mi9. arret/are (pi. same), a'ret/ noun. M17. [French: see arrest noun.]

An authoritative sentence or decision, spec, of the monarch (Hist.) or parliament of France. Arretine /'aretAin/ adjective. Also Aret-. lis. [Latin Ar(r)etinus, from Ar(r)etium: see below, -ine'.]

Of or pertaining to Arretium (mod. Arezzo), an ancient city in central Italy; spec, designating fine red pottery made at Arretium and elsewhere from c 100 bc until the late 1st cent. ad. arrha /'aro/ noun. Also arra. PL arr(h)ae /'ari:/. Li6. [Latin arrjh)a (Gellius) abbreviation of arr(h)abo (Plautus) from Greek arrabon earnest-money. Cf. arles.] Chiefly roman & scots law. Money given to bind a bargain,

earnest-money. arrhenotoky/ari'nDtoki, .arsna'taoki/noun. Li9. [from Greek arrenotokos bearing male children + -Y!.] zoology. Parthenogenesis in which unfertilized eggs give

rise to males. Cf. thelytoky. ■ arrhenotokous adjective Li9.

arrhythmia/a'ndmio/noun. Li9. [Greek arruthmia lack of rhythm: see A-'", rhythm, -ia'.] medicine. Deviation from the normal rhythm of the

heart. arrhythmic /a'ridmik/ adjective. Also arh-. Mi9. [from a-10 + rhythmic, after Greek: see prec.]

Not rhythmic; without rhythm or regularity. b A literary or scien¬ tific club. E19. 3 (A-.) As the title of various periodicals devoted to lit¬ erature, science, and art. Mi9. Athenian /a'Oimsn/ noun & adjective. E16. [Latin Atheniensis adjective & noun, from Athenae, Greek Athenai Athens.]

athirst /a'Gsist/ pred. adjective. Now literary. [Old English ofpyrst shortened from ofpyrsted pa. pple of ofpyrstan suffer thirst: formed as off adverb + thirst verb.]

Very thirsty; fig. eager, longing, {for).

athlete 'a01i:t/ noun. Also in Latin form t-eta, pl. -tae. LME. [Latin athleta from Creek athletes, from athlein contend for a prize, from athlon prize.]

1 A competitor or performer in physical exercises or games, lme. 2 transf. & fig. A strong competitor; a vigorous performer. mis. 3 A person who is physically strong or fit by training and exercise; a muscular or physically robust person. E19. tO 1 athlete’s foot ringworm infection of the foot.

2 J. R. Lowell The long-proved athletes of debate. R. Pearl Present-day examples of sexual athletes who make Casanova .. seem a somewhat puny performer.

athletic /aOTetik/ noun & adjective. E17. [French athletique or Latin atlilrticus from Greek athletikos: see prec., -ic.[

► A noun. 1 sing. & (now) in pl. (often treated as sing.). The practice of or competition in physical exercises (running, jumping, throwing, etc.); N. Amer. physical sports and games generally. E17. f2 An athlete. L17-E19. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to athletes or athletics. M17. 2 Physically powerful or fit; muscular, vigorous. Mi7.

1 athletic support, supporter = jockstrap : ■ athletical adjective (long rare) = athletic adjective L16. athletically adverb mis. athleticism /-siz(3)m/ noun athletic quality, physical fitness; the practice of athletics: L19.

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Athens, the leading city of Greece in antiquity and its modern capital. El 6. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Athens. Li 6.

Athoan /a'Ososn/ adjective. Mi9.

atheologian /eiOia'budjisn/ noun. rare. Ei7.

Athole brose ,a0(3)l 'brsuz/ noun phr. Also Atholl brose.

[from A-10 + theologian.]

A person who knows no theology; a person opposed to or not admitting theology. atheology /eiOi'Dtadj/ noun. Li7. [from A-10 + theology.]

Opposition to theology. ■ atheological /ei9io’ 1 od3ik(o)l/ adjective M17. atheous /'eiBras/ adjective. E17. [from Greek atheos (see atheism) + -ous.] |1 Atheistic. E17-M19. 2 Not concerned with the existence of God. rare. L19. atherine /"aOsrAin/ noun. Also in Latin form -ina /-ms/. mis. [mod. Latin atherina from Greek atherine: see -ine3.] = silverside (b) s.v. silver noun & adjective. atherogenesis aOarso'djcnssis. noun. M20. [formed as next + -genesis.] medicine The formation of fatty deposits in the lining of

the arteries; the mechanism or process by which this occurs.

■ atherogenic adjective of or relating to atherogenesis; causing or promoting atherogenesis: M20. atherogerilcity noun M20.

atheroma /aGa'raums noun. PL -mas, -mata mala. L16. [Latin from Greek atheroma, from athere - athare groats: see -OMA.] medicine

1 A sebaceous cyst. Now rare or obsolete. L16.

2 A deposit or the deposition of fatty material on the inside surface of an artery. Cf. next. L19.

■ atheromatous adjective of the nature of or characterized by atheroma L17.

atherosclerosis /.aOsrsusklra'rsusis, -skh-/ noun. PL -roses /-Taosiiz/. E20. [formed as prec. + sclerosis.] medicine A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by the

deposition of fatty material in the lining of the arteries. ■ atherosclerotic / - rotik/ adjective pertaining to or character¬ ized by atherosclerosis E20.

athetesis /a0i'ti:sis/ noun. Pl. -teses /-'ti:si:z/. Li9. [Greek athetesis. from athetem: see next.] In textual criticism: the rejection of a passage as spuri¬ ous. athetize /'a0itAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. Li9. [from Greek athetos (see next) + -ize, rendering Greek athetein.]

In textual criticism: reject (a passage) as spurious. athetosis /aGi'tsusis/ noun. PI. -toses /-'taosiiz/. Li9. [from Greek athetos without position or place, set aside + -osis.] medic/ne. A form of involuntary slow writhing movement of the extremities. a athetoid /'aBitoid/, athetotic '-'totik/ adjectives of. pertaining to, or characterized by athetosis Li 9. saw, a run, o put, u: too, 3 ago, ai my, ao how. ei day,

[from Greek Athoos of Athos + -an.]

Of or pertaining to Athos, a mountainous peninsula of Macedonia, or the monasteries situated upon it. Cf. Athonite. ns. [from Atholl (Athole) a district in Tayside, Scotland + brose]

Honey and whisky, often mixed with meal.

at-home ot'houm noun. mis. [from at home (see HOME noun).]

A reception of visitors within certain stated hours, during which the host or hostess or both have announced that they will be at home.

-athon /30(3)n, 30on/ suffix. After a vowel -thon. [from marathon.]

Forming nouns denoting activities of abnormal length, as talkathon, radiothon. etc.

Athonite /'aOsnAit/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from Athon- taken as stem of Greek Athos + -ite1.]

► A noun. A member of an Athoan monastery. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Athos or (esp.) its monas¬ teries. M20.

athort preposition & adverb see athwart. athrill /s'Onl/ adverb & pred. adjective, literary. Li9. [from A-2 + thrill noun2 or verb1.]

In a thrill, thrilled.

athrob /s'Brob/ adverb & pred. adjective, literary. Mi9. [from a-2 + throb noun or verb.]

Throbbing.

athrong TOmr) adverb & pred. adjective. Now literary, me. [from a preposition16 + throng noun.]

In a throng; thronged, crowded,

athwart /3'0wo:t/ preposition & adverb. Also (Scot.) athort fa'Oo’.tl. LME. [from A preposition' 1 + thwart adverb, prob. after Old Norse um pvert over in a transverse direction.)

► A preposition. 1 From side to side of; transversely over, across, lme. 2 Across the course or direction of, freq. so as to oppose or meet; fig. in opposition to; to the notice of. lme. 3 Across in various directions; to and fro over, all over. Chiefly Scot. Mi6. ta 1 Shakes. LLL Nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart His loving bosom, to keep down his heart. J. Galsworthy Its latticed window athwart which the last of the sunlight was shining. A. E. Coppard The wind blew strongly athwart the yellow field. 2 R. Hawkins If this Spanish shippe should fall athwart his King's armado. Milton I have seen this present work, and finde nothing athwart the Catholick faith. Smollett If you come a-thwart me, 'ware. HAL Fisher The Avars, whose barbarous power.. lay athwart the middle Danube athwart the hawse see hawse noun', run athwart nautical pass across the line of a ship's course.

► B adverb. 1 Across in various directions, about, Scot. Li 5. 2 Across from side to side, transversely. Mie. 3 Across the course or direction of something; fig. in opposition, perversely, awry. 116. 30 no. c: hair, is near, 01 boy, os poor, ais tire, aus sour

142

-atic | atomic ta 1R. Bailue There goes a speech athort.. dissuading the king from war with us. 2 Sir T. Browne The Asse having.. a crosse made by a black list down his back, and another athwart, or at right angles down his shoulders. W. Falconer The fore-sail right athwart they brace. Tennyson The cloud sweeps athwart in storms. 3 Shakes. Meas. for M. Tire baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Goes all decorum. W. Cowper And with his spear Advanced athwart pushed back the Trojan van. Comb, athwart-hawse see hawse noun1; athwartship adjective. athwartships adverb (nautical) (extending, lying) from side to side of the ship.

-atic /'atik/ suffix. 1 [(French -atique from) Latin -aticus suffix combining -tc with verb- or noun-stems in -at-: cf. -ace.] Forming adjectives and derived nouns, as aquatic, erratic, lunatic, etc. 2 [(Late Latin -aticus from) Greek -atikos suffix combining -ic with noun-stems in -at-.] Forming adjectives and derived nouns, as aromatic, idiomatic, problematic, rheumatic, etc.

-atile /otAil/ suffix. [(French -atile from) Latin -atilis suffix combining -ilis -he with verb- or noun-stems in -at-.] Forming adjectives and derived nouns expressing cap¬ ability or quality, as aquatile, volatile, etc.

atilt /a'tilt/ adverb & pred. adjective. Mie. [Sense i from A preposition1, sense 2 from a- of uncertain origin, + tut noun-.] 1 Tilted up; on the point of falling over, mi 6. 2 ride atilt, run atilt, etc.: on horseback with the thrust of a lance. Chiefly fig. arch. L16. £□ 1 J. Heywood We apply the spigot, till tubbe stande a tilte. D. C. Peattie One searched for Saturn and found it, rings a-tilt, tearing out of the field of vision. 2 Shakes, i Hen. W What will you do, good grey-beard? Break a lance. And iun a tilt at death within a chair? H. Taylor He rode a-tilt and smote the scaly Dragon. J, H. Burton A paper in defense of queen Mary's honour, in which he ran atilt with Buchanan.

atingle /3'tirjg(3)l/ adverb & pred. adjective. Mi9.

-2

[from a + tingle verb & noun3.] Tingling.

-ation/'eijfrjn/ suffix. [(Old French -ari(o)un, mod. -ation, from) Latin -atio(u-) suffix com¬ bining -(t)ion with verb stems in -a(t)-.] Forming nouns denoting verbal action or an instance of it, or a resulting state or thing. Most such English words, as creation, moderation, saturation, etc., have corresp. verbs in -ate3, but some do not, as capitation, constellation, duration, etc. Others are formed directly on verbs in -ize, as civilization, organization, etc. The remainder correspond to a verb without suffix, derived from French, as alteration, causation, formation, vexation, etc.; the suffix was thence applied to words of various origin, as botheration, flirtation, starvation, etc. Cf. -fication.

Orig. restricted to the seas adjacent to the western shores of Africa (sometimes including parts of the Medi¬ terranean). lme. 2 Of or pertaining to the Atlantic Ocean; (of or involv¬ ing countries or regions) bordering the Atlantic Ocean; fig. (rare) far-reaching, distant. Ei7. kb Crossing the Atlan¬ tic Ocean; transatlantic. Mi9. 3 Designating or pertaining to the climatic period in northern Europe or elsewhere following the boreal period. Li 9. 2 Atlantic Charter Hist, a declaration of common aims and principles drawn up by British Prime Minister Winston Church¬ ill and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt at a meeting in the W. Atlantic in 1941. Atlantic seal = grey seal s.v. grey adjective. Atlantic States: those forming the eastern coastline of the US. Atlantic Time the standard time used in eastern Canada. Middle Atlantic States: see middle adjective. ►f II 4 = Atlantean adjective 1. E17-E18. ► Ill 5 Of or pertaining to Atlantis (see Atlantean adjective 2); utopian, rare. Mi7. ► B noun. 1 The Atlantic Ocean, lme. 2 A steam locomotive of 4-4-2 wheel arrangement. E20. ■ Atlanticism /-siz(a)m/ noun belief in or support for NATO or the close political relationship of western Europe and the US generally M20. Atlanticist /-srst/ noun & adjective (a person) advo¬ cating or favouring Atlanticism M20. atlanto-/at'lantoo/ combining form. E19. [from Greek atlant- (see atlas noun') + -o-.] anatomy. Forming adjectives with the sense ‘atlantal and’, as atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital, etc. atlas /'atlas/ noun' & verb. Li6. [Latin Atlas, Atlant- from Greek Atlas, Atlant-, the Titan supposed to hold up the pillars of the universe, and a mountain range in western N. Africa also regarded mythically as supporting the heavens.] ► A noun. 1 (A-.) A person who supports a great burden; a mainstay. Li6. 2 A collection of maps or charts bound in a volume. (Orig. published with a figure of Atlas at the front.) Mi7. ►b A similar collection of diagrams or illustrations in any subject. Li9. 3 an/homy More fully atlas vertebra. The first or upper¬ most cervical vertebra, which articulates with the skull. L17. 4 (A-.) A large size of drawing-paper. E18. Comb.: atlas moth a very large tropical satumiid, Attacus atlas: atlas vertebra see sense 3 above. ► B verb trans. (A-.) Infl. -s(s)-. Prop up or carry after the manner of Atlas, rare. L16. atlas /'atlas/ noun2. Now arch, or Hist. Also -ss. Ei7. [Ult. from Arab, ’atlas smooth; smooth silk cloth, satin. Cf. German Atlas.] An oriental satin; a piece of this; a garment made of this.

atiptoe /a'tiptao/ adverb & pred. adjective. Mi6. atlatl /'at(3)lat(3)l/ noun. Li9. [Nahuatl ohtlati.] A throwing-stick used by American Eskimos.

[from a preposition' l + tiptoe noun.] On the tips of one's toes.

atishoo /a'tifu:/ interjection & noun. Li9. [Imit.] (Repr.) the characteristic sneeze; a sneeze.

noises

accompanying

a

Ativan /'atrvan/ noun. L20. [invented name.] pharmacology. (Proprietary name for) the benzodiazepine tranquillizer lorazepam.

-ative /ativ, 'eitiv/ suffix. [from or after French -atif, fern, -ative, or Latin -ativus suffix com¬ bining -ivus -ive with verb-stems in -at-.] Forming adjectives, as authoritative, demonstrative, figurative, imitative, qualitative, talkative, etc.

Atjehnese noun & adjective var. of Achinese. atlantal /at'lant(a)l/ adjective. Ei9. [from Greek atlant- (see atlas noun1) + -al1.] anatomy, fl Of or pertaining to the upper half of the body. E-M19. 2 Of or pertaining to the atlas vertebra. Mi9.

atlantes /at'lanti:z/ noun pi. ei7. [Greek, pi. of atlas noun1.] architecture. Male figures used as pillars to support an entablature.

Atlantic /at'lantik/ adjective & noun. lme. [Latin Atlanticus from Greek Atlantikos, from Atlant-: see atlas noun1, -ic. Branch A.l from the Atlas mountains, II from the Titan Atlas, III from the island of Atlantis.] ► A adjective. I 1 Atlantic Ocean, the ocean separating Europe and Africa in the east from America in the west b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes, k cat, 1 leg, n

Indians

and

ATM abbreviation1. 1 telecommunications. Asynchronous transfer mode, a method of transmitting data over a network in small packets of a fixed length, at variable speeds and with a variable allocation of bandwidth. 2 Automated or automatic teller machine. atm abbreviation2. Atmosphere(s). atman /'adman/ noun. lis. [Sanskrit atman.] Hinduism. The self as the subject of individual conscious¬ ness, the soul; the supreme personal principle of life in the universe.

atmometer/at'mmnita/noun. E19. [from Greek atmos vapour + -meter.] An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation of water into the atmosphere. atmosphere /‘atmasfia/ noun & verb. M17. [mod. Latin atmosphaera, from Greek atmos vapour + splmira sphere noun.] ► A noun. 1 The spheroidal gaseous envelope surround¬ ing the earth or a celestial object; the whole quantity of such gas. M17. kb A body of gas or vapour surrounding any object or substance, or occupying a given space. M19. 12 A supposed region of influence surrounding a body such as a magnet. M17-MI8. 3 A (unit of) pressure approximately equal to the mean pressure of the atmosphere at sea level; now, 101,325 pascal (about 14.6959 lb per sq. inch). E18. 4 1 he air in any particular place, esp. as regards some characteristic such as temperature, wholesomeness etc mis. man. n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

characteristic mood. lis. (HIE. Denison The earth's atmosphere decreases so rapidly in density, that half its mass is within 3V2 miles above the sea; and at 80 miles high there can be practically no atmosphere. B. Lovell The atmosphere of Mars contains about 95 percent carbon dioxide. W. Boyd It must be.. some trick of the atmosphere, the stillness and dryness of the air. upper atmosphere: see upper adjective, b J. K. Jerome A permanent atmosphere of paraffin, however faint, is apt to cause remark. N. Calder The main batch of samples went into an atmosphere of sterile nitrogen. 2 B. Franklin The additional quantity [of'electrical fluid') does not enter, but forms an electrical atmosphere. 4 N. Hawthorne No amount of blaze would raise the atmosphere of the room ten degrees. Anthony Huxley This plant prefers a very moist atmosphere under glass. 5 J. S. Mill Genius can only breathe freely in an atmosphere of freedom. J. B. Priestley The town seems to have no atmosphere of its own. N. Shute There was an atmosphere of cheerful activity in the garage that warmed his heart. J. D. Watson These ideas.. did a great deal to liven up the atmosphere of the lab. M. Fonteyn Their [ballets'] special quality lies in their greater dependence on mood and atmosphere than on choreographic exactitude. ► B verb trans. Surround (as) with an atmosphere (lit. & fg.). Usu. in pass, mi9. atmospheric /atmas'ferik/ adjective & noun. lis. [from prec. + -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; exist¬ ing or taking place in the atmosphere; operated or pro¬ duced by the action of the atmosphere, lis. 2 Possessing or evoking a particular or characteristic tone, mood, or set of associations. E20. 1 atmospheric engine a steam engine in which the piston is forced down by atmospheric pressure after the condensation of the steam which has raised it. atmospheric pressure spec. = atmosphere noun 3. atmospheric railway: in which motive power is provided by atmospheric pressure acting against a partial vacuum produced in a pipe laid between the rails. ► B noun. 1 In pi. Evocative qualities or effects, esp. in a photograph. L19. 2 In pi. & (rare) sing. Electrical disturbances in the atmos¬ phere; interference with telecommunications so caused. E20. ■ atmospherical adjective = atmospheric adjective M17. atmospherically adverb L19. atole /a'tsuli/ noun. Chiefly US. Mi7. [Amer. Spanish from Nahuatl atolli.] Gruel or porridge made of maize or other meal. atoll /‘atDl, s'tDl/ noun. Orig. Jatollon. E17. [Sinhalese (Maldivian) atolu.] A coral island consisting of a ring-shaped reef enclosing a lagoon. atom /’atam/ noun & adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French atome from Latin atomus smallest particle, from Greek atomos use as noun of adjective 'indivisible', formed as A + temnein to cut. Sense 1 from medieval Latin: cf. ecclesiastical Greek atomos moment (1 Corinthians 15:52). Cf. atomy noun2.] ► A noun. The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to 15/94 second. lme-mi6. 2 Hist A hypothetical ultimate particle of matter, so small as to be incapable of further division, lis. 3 A speck of dust; a mote in a sunbeam, arch. Ei7. 4 A very small portion of anything; a particle, a jot. M17. 5 Anything relatively very small, arch. M17. 6 A particle of a chemical element which is the unit in which the elements combine and which cannot be divided into further particles all having the properties of that element now known to consist of a positively charged nucleus, containing most of the mass, sur¬ rounded by a number of electrons. E19. kb A corres¬ ponding particle of a compound or radical. Now rare or obsolete, mi9. 7 An irreducible constituent unit of something. Li 9.

-10

Atlantean at lantinn, ation ti:on adjective. Mi7. [from Latin Atkmteus, from Atlant- (see atlas noun1): see -ean.] 1 Of or pertaining to the Titan Atlas; having the super¬ human strength of Atlas. Mi7. 2 Of or pertaining to Atlantis, a mythical island placed by the ancient Greeks in the far west. E19.

5 fig. Mental or moral environment; a pervading tone or mood; associations, effects, sounds, etc., evoking a

t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

EQ 2 Swift That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms. 3 Byron Moted rays of light Peopled with dusty atoms. 4 Hobbes Casting atomes of Scripture, as dust before mens eyes. E. F. Benson They haven’t succeeded one atom. F. King She was a sweet girl, there wasn’t an atom of badness or meanness in her. 5 G. Herbert The smallest ant or atome knows thy power. 6 split the atom colloq. bring about nuclear fission. 7 A. S. Eddington The quantum .. is apparently an atom of action, logical atom philosophy 3 propositional element which cannot be analysed into simpler elements.

Comb.: atom-smasher colloq. a particle accelerator.

► B attrib. or as adjective. = atomic lb. M20. atom bomb etc.

atomic /s'tDmik/ adjective. L17. [mod. Latin atomicus, from atomus: see prec., -ic.] 1 Of or pertaining to atoms; about or concerned with atoms. L17. kb spec. Of, pertaining to, or connected with atoms as a source of power or destructive force; nuclear; employing or driven by nuclear energy; possessing or employing nuclear weapons. E20. J she,

3 vision,

6 thin,

8 this,

ri ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

143

atomicity | atrium

2 Adhering to the doctrine of the atomism of matter. L17. 3 Like atoms in size; minute. Ei9. 4 Simple, elemental; esp. in philosophy, (of a proposition etc.) unanalysable, ultimate. Li9. 5 Existing in the form of separate atoms. Opp. molecular. E20. CO 1 Discovery The quantum of action.. forms the founda¬ tion of atomic physics. N. Calder All geology and all life are a continual reordering of the same atomic ingredients, b H. G. Wells Destined to see atomic energy dominating every other source of power. Daily Telegraph How atomic power might be used to maintain the future peace. A Boyd The arrival of the 'atomic age'. O. Bradley The way to win an atomic war is to make sure it never starts. A. Koestler The only deterrent against atomic aggression is an atomic stock¬ pile. Times The Soviet atomic icebreaker Lenin left Leningrad to-day on her maiden voyage. 3 H. Edib Flies, with atomic specks of brilliant red and green on their wings. 4 D. R. HoFSTADTERlhe dissection can go only so far, and then we hit the 'atomic' nature of reasoning processes. Special collocations:

atomic bomb: deriving its destructiveness from the release of nuclear energy, atomic clock an instrument which uses atomic vibrations as a standard oftime. atomic heat the heat capacity of one gram-atom of an element, atomic mass = relative atomic mass s.v. relative adjective: atomic mass unit, a unit of relative atomic mass equal to V12 the mass of an atom of the isotope carbon-12, atomic number the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom of an element, atomic particle a subatomic particle, atomic philosophy = atomism 1. atomic pile = pile noun'16. atomic theory la) = atomism 1; (b) the theory that chemical elements consist of atoms of definite rela¬ tive weight combining with those of other elements in fixed pro¬ portions. atomic volume the volume occupied by one gram-atom of an element under standard conditions, atomic weight = relative atomic mass s.v. relative adjective. • atomical adjective (now rare) M17. atomically adverb Li7.

atomicity ato'misiti/noun. M19. [from prec. + -ity.]

1 chemistry. Oiig., combining power, valency. Now, the number of atoms in a molecule of an element, mi 9. 2 The property of existing as atoms or analogous elem¬ ental units; philosophy the ability to be analysed into atomic propositions. E20.

atomise verb var. of atomize. atomism /'atsmiz(a)m/ noun. Li7. [from atom + -ISM.]

1 The theory that all matter consists of mirfute indivis¬ ible particles or atoms. Li7. 2 Any doctrine or theory which propounds or implies the existence of irreducible constituent units. Also = atomicity 2. Ml9. 5 2 S. Baring-Gould Liberal atomism, the doctrine that all social and political economy must start from the individ¬ ual. B. Russell The philosophy which I wish to advocate may be called logical atomism or absolute pluralism, because while maintaining that there are many things, it denies that there is a whole composed of those things, logical atomism the theory that all propositions can be analysed into logical atoms, psychological atomism the theory that mental states are made up of elementary units.

atomist /'atamist/ noun. Ei7. [formed as prec. + -ist.]

An exponent or adherent of the atomism of matter, or of any atomistic theory. nil j. Healey Of the Atomists, some confound all, making bodies of coherent remaynders. John Phillips Symbols of chemical constitution, on which there is still some want of agreement among atomists. P. F. Strawson Atomists and Positivists alike accepted the skeleton language of the new mathematical logic.

atomistic ato'mistik/ adjective. Li7. [from prec. + -ic]

1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of atomism, in any field. L17. 2 Consisting or of the nature of atoms or analogous elemental units. Li 9. £□ 1 Coleridge It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis. B. Russell When I say that my logic is atomistic. I mean that I share the common-sense belief that there are many separate things. R. S. Woodworth An atomistic psychology attempts to explain any total activity by analysing it into its elements. ■ atomistical adjective [rare]

E18

atomistically adverb L19.

atomize /'atamAiz/ verb. Also -ise. 117. [from atom + -IZE.]

f 1 verb intrans. Hold the doctrine of the atomism of matter, rare. Only in L17. 2 verb trans. a Reduce to atoms or (rare) to an atom. Chiefly fig., divide into small units, fragment, disunite. M19. kb Convert (a liquid or solid) into fine particles or spray. Mi9. 3 verb trans. Damage or destroy with nuclear weapons. colloq. M20. a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her,

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot. o.

£□ 2a J. W. N. Sullivan Matter, electricity, energy, they have all been atomized. 1. Deutscher The atomized mass of Moslem labourers did not lend itself easily to propaganda or organization, b D. Bagley The rain had slackened and there were no large drops, just an atomized mist. 3 A. Wilson Atomized into eternity. ■ atomi zation noun M19. atomizer noun a device for atomiz¬ ing a liquid or solid M19. atomy /'atami/ noun': arch. Li6. [from anatomy by metanalysis as an adjective (indef. article) + atomy.]

A skeleton; an emaciated body. atomy /'atami/ noun2, arch. Li6. [Prob. Latin atomi pi. of atomus atom, but assoc, with prec.)

1 An atom, a mote. Li 6. 2 A tiny being, a pygmy. Li6. atonal /ei‘taun(3jl, a-/ adjective. E20. [from A-10 + tonal adjective.] music.

Not written in any particular key or mode.

■ atonalism noun the practice of writing atonal music E20. atonalist noun E20. ato nality noun atonal style of composition E20. atonally adverb M20

atop /a'ttip/ adverb & preposition. M17. [from A

preposition'

1 + top noun'.]

► A adverb. On the top (of), above. M17. ► B preposition. On the top of. mi7. atopy /’atopi/ noun. E20. [Greek atopia unusualness from atopos unusual, from place: see -Y3.]

A-10

+ topos

medicine. An allergic reaction which is associated with a hereditary predisposition to allergy in some form. ■ a topic adjective pertaining to or of the nature of atopy E20.

-ator /eita/ suffix. [from or after (French -ateur, f-atour, from) Latin -ator suffix, from pa. ppl stems in -at-: see -or.]

Forming agent-nouns, as creator, denominator, dictator, mediator, spectator, translator, etc.; also (esp. from Ei9) in names of instruments, implements, and machines, as detonator, escalator, generator, percolator, refrigerator, ventilator, etc. d tort et a trovers Ip to:r e a travs:r/ adverbialphr. mis. [French = wrongly and across.]

At random, haphazardly. atour /a'tau3/ preposition & adverb. Scot. & north, lme. [App. from at preposition +

over

prep, adverb.]

atone /a'taun./ verb & noun. me. [Isolated early use from at one s.v. one adjective etc.; later (Mi6) back-form, from next.]

► A preposition. Over; beyond; in addition to. lme. ► B adverb. Over and above, moreover, in addition, lme.

► A verb. verb intrans. Become reconciled; come into unity or concord. me~ei7. 12 verb trans. Compose, appease, (differences, quarrels); reconcile, bring into unity or concord, (contending persons). M16-M19. f 3 verb trans. & intrans. Join in one; harmonize. E17-M19. |4 verb trans. Conciliate, propitiate, appease, (an offended person). E17-E19. 5 verb intrans. Make propitiation or amends (for an offence, Jan offender). M17. 6 verb trans. Expiate, make amends for (an offence, Jan offender), arch. M17.

a toute outrance adverbial phr. see A outrance.

£3 1 Shakes. AY.L. Then is there mirth in heaven. When earthly things made even Atone together. 2 Milton The king and parliament will soon be attoned. N. Rowe Could I attone The fatal Breach 'twixt thee and Tamerlane. 3 G. Chapman High built with pines, that heaven and earth attone. Ld Houghton Welcome such thoughts! They well atone With this more serious mood. 4 Pope So heaven atoned, shall dying Greece restore. 5 Dryden If sheep or oxen could atone for men. E. Waugh The stewards.. sought to atone for ten days' neglect with a multitude of un-needed services. W. S. Churchill No administrative achievements, .. no magnitude of personality, could atone to his former friends for his desertion. 6 R. B. Sheridan I will endeavour to atone the.. errors. Lytton They endeavoured to atone the loss by the pursuit of Artabazus.

►|B noun. Atonement. L16-M19. ■ atoner noun El 8.

atrabilarious /atrabi'fcnas/ adjective. Li7. [from medieval Latin atrabilarius (formed as next + -ous.]

-ary1)

+

Of or pertaining to choler adust; atrabilious. ■ atrabilarian adjective (now rare) = atrabilarious fatrabilary adjective = atrabilarious L17-E18.

L17

atrabilious /atra'bilias/ adjective. M17. [from Latin atra bills choler adust, black bile, translating Greek melancholy noun: see -ious.]

melankholia

Orig„ affected by choler adust, one of the four supposed cardinal humours of the body. Now only gen.: melan¬ choly, hypochondriac; acrimonious, splenetic. £Q R. Graves He broke school bounds, he dared defy The Master's atrabilious eye. T. H. White There were atrabilious hawk-masters.. quarrelling with their assistants. ■ atrabiliar adjective (rare) = atrabilious M19. atrabiliary adjective (now rare or obsolete) = atrabilarious eis. atrabiliousness noun L19.

atrament /'airam(a)nt/ noun. arch. lme. [Latin atramentum, from ater black: see -ment.]

Blacking; ink; any similar black substance. ■ atra'mental. atra entous adjectives of or pertaining to ink, inky, black as ink M17.

atraumatic/eitrofmatik, a-; -trau-i/ adjective. M20. [from A-10 + traumatic.]

atonement a'taunm(a)nt/ noun. Ei6. [from at one (see one adjective etc.) + -ment, after medieval Latin adunamentum, from adunare unite, and earlier onement.]

•fl Unity of feeling; harmony, concord, agreement. E16-E17.

Of surgical techniques or instruments: causing minimal injury to the tissues. medicine. ■

atraumatically adverb

M20

atrazine /'atrazi:n/ noun. M20. [from a(mino- + tr(i)azine.)

12 a Restoration of friendly relations between persons, reconciliation. E16-L17. kb theology. Reconciliation between God and man. E16. j3 Settlement o/(differences, strife, etc.). Only in E17. 4 Expiation; reparation for wrong or injury; amends; theology propitiation of God by expiation of sin. E17. £0 1 Sir T. More Having more regarde to their olde variaunce then their new attonement. 2a Shakes. Rich. Ill He desires to make atonement Between the Duke of Glouces¬ ter and your brothers. P. Massinger A perfect sign of your atonement with me. 4 W. Blackstone No suitable atone¬ ment can be made for the loss of life, or limb. G. Saintsbury The admirable Dialogues of the Dead which make atonement in prose for the.. thing written.. to vex Dryden. N. Mosley It is part of Christian mythology.. that without Christ's exe¬ cution there would be no atonement for the sins of the world. Day of Atonement the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish year, celebrated on the tenth day of Tishri. at-oneness /at'wAnms/ noun. Li9. [from at one s.v. one adjective etc. + -ness.]

The state of being at one (with), harmonious relation¬ ship. atonic /a'tDmk/ noun & adjective, mis. [from a- 10 + tonic adjective: sense B.i from atony + -ic.[

► A noun, prosody (esp. Greek prosody). An unaccented word, a proclitic, mis. ► B adjective. 1 medicine. Lacking tone; characterized by atony, lis. 2 prosody. Unaccented; not bearing the main stress. L19. atony/'at(a)ni/noun. Li7. [Old & mod. French atonie or late Latin atonui debility from Greek, from atonos lacking tone, formed as A-'0 + tonos tone noun: see -Y3.]

Lack of tone of muscle or other body tissue, saw. A run. o put, u: too,

ATP abbreviation. biochemistry. Adenosine triphosphate.

3

A selective, highly persistent herbicide, used esp. to control annual weeds in crops, atremble /a'trEmbjajl/ adverb&pred. adjective. Mi9. [from a-2 + tremble noun or verb.]

Trembling. atresia /a'triija, -zja/ noun. E19. [from a-'“ + Greek tresis perforation +

-iaL]

medicine. 1 Absence or occlusion, esp. congenital, of a channel or opening of the body, ei 9. 2 Degeneration of non-ovulating ovarian follicles during the menstrual cycle. E20. ■

atresic /s'triisik, -zik/ adjective = atretic L19. atretic o tretik/ or displaying atresia E20.

adjective pertaining to

atria noun pi. see atrium. atrip /a'trip/ adverb & pred. adjective. Ei7. [from a preposition' 6 + trip noun1.] NAUTICAL. 1 Of yards: swayed up, ready to have the stops

cut for crossing. Of sails: hoisted from the cap, sheeted home, and ready for trimming. E17. 2 Of an anchor: just raised perpendicularly from the ground in weighing. Mi7. atrium /'eitnam/ noun. PL -ia /-is/, -iums. Li6. [Latin.]

1 architecture. A central court, orig. that of an ancientRoman house; a covered court or portico; (a building with) a large light-well; a central hall or glassed-in court in a building. Li6. 2 anatomy & zoology. Any of various chambers into which one or more passages open; spec, (a) either of the two upper chambers of the heart (in fish, a single chamber), into which the veins conduct blood (cf. auricle 1): (b) the tympanic chamber of the ear. L19. ■ atrial adjective (anatomy & zooiocy) of or pertaining to an atrium M19 atrioven tricular adjective (anatomy) of or pertaining to the

ago, ai my, ao how, ei day. au no, e: hair, is near, di boy, ua poor, via lire, aua sour

144

atrocious j attack atrial and ventricular chambers of the heart; atrioventricular bundle, a bundle of nerves leading ffom the right atrium to the ventricles and serving to maintain the heartbeat: Li9.

atrocious /.Vtroujos/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin atroc-, atrox fierce, cruel; see -ious.] 1 Excessively and wantonly savage or cruel; heinously wicked. Mi7. ■\2 Stern, fierce; extremely violent. Only in mis. 3 Very bad; execrable, colloq. li 9. (BIT. Pennant Here all atrocious criminals were excluded. P. H. Gibbs Your pity for the world's young manhood in that atrocious war. M. Lowry Spots where dia¬ bolical plots must be hatched, atrocious murders planned. 2 ]. Thomson The fierce, atrocious frown of sinewed Mars. 3 B. Bainbridge Her knowledge of German was poor and her accent atrocious. D. M. Thomas The weather was atro¬ cious, and for three days we couldn't set foot outside because of a snowstorm. ■ atrociously adverb mis. atrociousness noun (now rare) mis.

atrocity /s'trositi/ noun. Mi6. [Old & mod. French atrocite or Latin atroritas, formed as prec; see -ITY.] 1 Horrible or heinous wickedness; wanton cruelty. M16. 2 Fierceness, sternness, arch. Mi7. 3 An act of wanton cruelty or extreme heinousness; an atrocious deed. Li 8. 4 A repellent act or thing, colloq. L19. LQ 1 Clarendon They desired justice might be done upon offenders, as the atrocity of their crimes deserved. 2 S. Baring-Gould They besiege it with atrocity, striving to break in the doors. 3 F. Fitzgerald The extortion rackets, rape, pillage, and outright militaiy atrocities. a trois /a trwa/ adjective & adverbial phr. Li9. [French.] Shared by, or in a group of, three people. menage a trois: see menage l.

atrophy /'atrafi/ noun. Ei7. [French atrophie or late Latin atrophia from Greek = lack of food, from a-10: see -trophy.) 1 /medicine. Orig., wasting away of the body ffom lack of nourishment; emaciation. Now, wasting away of an organ or tissue, through any cause. E17. 2 fig. Wasting away, enfeeblement. M17. 1 red atrophy: see red adjective, yellow atrophy: see yellow adjective. m atrophic In' trnfik/ adjective pertaining to,

affected by, or char¬

acterized by atrophy M19.

atrophy /'atrafi/ verb. Li6. [French atrophier formed as prec., or from the noun.] 1 verb trons. Affect with atrophy. Chiefly as atrophied ppl adjective. Li 6. 2 verb intrans. Undergo atrophy, waste away. Ml9. Lid 1 J. S. Mill Organs are strengthened by exercise and atrophied by disuse. R. Fry The pressure of commercial life has crushed and atrophied that creative impulse completely. B. Pym She was too old to learn anything new and.. her brain had become atrophied. 2 D. Livingstone The horns, mere stumps not a foot long, must have atrophied. K. Vonnegut Foresight and the ability to reason have simply atrophied from long neglect. H. Kissinger Causing the North Vietnamese forces in the South to atrophy owing to normal attrition. ■ i atrophiated ppl adjective atrophied M17-M19.

atropine /'atrapiin, -in/ noun. Also -in /-in/, Mi9. [from mod. Latin Atropa (belladonna) deadly nightshade, fern, from Greek Atropos ‘Inflexible', one of the Fates, + -ine5.] chemistry & pharmacolocy. A poisonous alkaloid, C17H23N03, found in deadly nightshade, thorn-apple, and other plants, and used medicinally esp. to relax muscles and to inhibit secretion. ■ fatropia noun = atropine: only in 19. .atropini'zation noun treatment or poisoning with atropine L19. atropinized adjective treated or poisoned with atropine L19. atropism noun atropine poisoning L19.

atropous /'atropos/ adjective. M19. [from Greek atropos not turned from a-'" + tropos a turn, + -ous.] botany. Of an ovule: not inverted on its funicle; orthotropous.

ATS /colloq. ats/ abbreviation. Auxiliary Territorial Service (for women in Britain, members of this.

1938-48);

Atsina /at'simo/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun same, -s. L19. [Blackfoot, lit. ‘good people’.] A member of, of or pertaining to, an Arapaho people of Montana and Saskatchewan; (of) the Arapaho dialect of this people. Also called Cros Ventre.

atta /'ats/ noun. M19. [Hindi ata, Panjabi dtta.] In the Indian subcontinent: wheat flour or meal.

attaboy /’ataboi/ interjection, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). E20. [Prob. repr. a pronunc. of that’s the boy!] Expr. encouragement or admiration. b but. d dog. f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

I leg, m

attach /a'tatjV verb & noun. me. [Old French atachier (mod. attacker) = Italian attaccare, Spanish atacur; in sense A.II, III, from Old French estachier fasten, fix = Pro¬ vencal, Spanish estacar (see A-7): ult. from a Germanic base (see stake noun1).] ► A verb. I verb trans. 1 law. Place or take (a person, goods) under the control of a court; seize or arrest by authority. me. f2 Indict, accuse. LME-M17. 13 Seize, grasp, take hold of. M16-L17. J4 Attack. E-M17. CO 1 Shakes. Hen. VIII For France.. hath attach'd Our mer¬ chants goods at Bordeaux. Sir W. Scott I attach thee of the crime of which thou hast but now made thy boast. C. M. Yonge The Earl Marshal attached Gloucester for high treason. 2 T. Nashe They shall not easily be attached of any notable absurditie. 3 Shakes. Temp. Old lord, I cannot blame thee. Who am myself attach'd with weariness. J. Guillim The Lion,. lesse able to attach and rend his Pr^c ► II verb trans. Usu. in pass, or refl. 5 Fasten or join (a thing to another, to a point), lme. 6 Join or connect functionally to (esp. a person to a group etc.); join on to another person as companion etc. Freq. refl. L17. kb Allocate or join for service to a particu¬ lar (orig. military) unit etc. E19. 7 Join in sympathy or affection to; bind in friendship, make devoted. Now usu. in pass. mis. 8 Fix to something or someone as a property, descrip¬ tion, or other adjunct. Ei9. 9 Attribute (importance, a meaning, etc.) to. M19. B3 5 G. Fennell The young of the oyster.. attach them¬ selves immediately to the first clean, hard substance they meet with.J. K. Jerome Attached to the boat-hook was a line, which trailed behind them. W. Trevor Clumps of mistletoe were attached by drawing-pin to the centre of the door¬ frames. 6 Sir W. Scott That I should seriously consider to which department of the law I was to attach myself. J. E. Tennent A cemetery.. attached to the city. P. G. Wodehouse He had never speculated on any possible family that might be attached to her. Day Lewis What shall I do this afternoon?—attach myself, probably, to Keyes and follow him around in a daze of pure satisfaction, b A. C. Clarke Since I’ve been attached to the Pacific branch of the bureau I've more or less adopted Australia as a second home. C. Ryan Ringsdorf's unit was told to report immedi¬ ately to a command post... There, a major attached them to a company of the 21st Panzer Grenadier Regiment. 7 J. Austen So totally unamiable, so absolutely incapable of attaching a sensible man. D. L. Sayers She has told us herself, with great candour, how she became deeply attached to Philip Boyes. J. Johnston We'll have to decide what we're going to sell and what we’re going to keep... One becomes so attached to things. H. Segal Under the influ¬ ence of a French governess to whom she was very attached. 8 J. Bryce Legends which attached themselves to the name of Charles the Emperor. B. Taylor To this treasure a curse is attached. 9 H. Kissinger The President.. attached the utmost importance to the avoidance of war. attach credence to: see credence 1. ► III verb intrans. 10 Be attributable or appertain to; fall upon as an obligation etc. Li 8. 11 Take legal effect; come into legal operation, arch. El 9. EU 10 A. W. Kinglake Blame attaches upon Lord Aberdeen’s Cabinet for yielding. H. Belloc There is a flavour of Fame certain to attach to his achievement. N. Mitford She was clever enough to avoid the ridicule which often attaches to such a situation. 11 Southey Wherever they should make their settlement, there the laws of England attached. J. Williams The wife's right to dower accordingly attached. ►t B noun. 1 An attack (of disease etc.). lme-li7. 2 An act of legal seizure; arrest. E16-M17. 3 A thing attached; an attachment. L16-M18. ■ attachable adjective liable to be attached; able to be attached (to): Li6. attacher noun a person who attaches; a means of attach¬ ing: LME. attache /a'tafei/ noun. Ei9. [French, pa. pple of attacher attach verb.] A junior official attached to the staff of an ambassador etc.; a representative of his or her government in a foreign country. cultural attache see cultural 2. military attache see military adjective. Comb.: attache case a small rectangular case for carrying docu¬ ments etc. ■ attacheship noun M19. attachment /n'tatfmjajnt/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French attachement from atachier attach verb: see -ment.] 1 Apprehension or arrest, esp. for contempt of court; a writ authorizing this. lme. 2 Legal seizure of property. L16. 13 Confinement, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. 4 Affection, devotion; a sympathetic, friendly, or romantic connection, eis. 5 Something attached, or intended to be attached; an adjunct. Lis. kb computing. A file appended to an email L20. man.

n no,

p pen.

r red, s sit, t top,

v van. w we. z zoo.

6 The action of fastening, joining, affixing, or attribut¬ ing; the condition of being fastened etc. Ei9. 7 A means of attaching; a fastening, a bond. E19. fa IT. Shadwell I'll follow and apprehend him. and his attachment will secure me. J. Galsworthy If you wish to give me your information, you can; otherwise I’m afraid we shall have to get an attachment for contempt. 2 attachment of earnings the payment of debts by direct deduction from the debtor's earnings, under a court order. 3 fig.: Shakes. Tr. & Cr. Sleep kill those pretty eyes. And give as soft attachment to thy senses As infants' empty of all thought! 4 Sir W. Scott The lover's eye discovered the object of his attachment. J. Galsworthy At the most a flirta¬ tion, ending, as all such attachments should, at die proper time. H. A. L. Fisher A fierce attachment to the faith of their ancestors. E. Longford The Duke’s romantic attachment to the lovely Marianne Patterson was no fabrication. 5 D. Nobbs There was a hand-held shower for washing the back, and he utilized this attachment to the full. 6 R. Owen The rest of the cranium is modified.. for the attachment of muscles to work the jaw. C. Caudwell Their desertion of their class and their attachment to another. F. Hoyle The attachment of mystic significance to symbols, words, and objects is still widespread today. 7 J. E. Tennent The falling timber.. dragging those behind to which it is harnessed by its living attachments.

attack /a'tak/ noun.

Mi7. [from the verb or French attaque from Italian attacco.] 1 Ain act of attacking with violence or weapons; an attempt to defeat, kill, or injure; offensive action. Mi7. 2 An assault with hostile words or other actions, mi8. 3 chess. A move or series of moves played with the object of checkmating, gaining a positional advantage, or capturing a man. Also, an opening or opening vari¬ ation played by White. Mi8. 4 sports & games. An attempt to gain a scoring or other sig¬ nificant advantage; play, moves, or tactics aimed at gaining such an advantage; (the function of) those members of a team whose principal responsibility is to mount attacks; cricket bowling or the bowlers (as opp. to batting or the batsmen); lacrosse any of three players in a team whose positions are nearest the opponents’ goal, ns. 5 A (sudden) bout of an illness, a mental condition, etc. E19. 6 The beginning of an arduous task; a determined attempt upon something. Ei9. 7 A destructive action by a physical agency; corrosion, eating away, dissolution. M19. 8 Chiefly music. The action or manner of beginning a piece, passage, etc.; brilliance or decisiveness of style. L19. IB 1 Milton The dire attack Of fighting Seraphim. Ld Macaulay A night attack might be attended with success. J. G. Farrell Not a single day had gone by without news of a raid or shooting or terrorist attack somewhere in Ireland. 2 H. Wilson The attacks on me in the Press and in politics. 5 L. M. Montgomery Anne was the victim of an overwhelm¬ ing attack of stage fright. V. Brittain 1 had been really ill with a sharp attack of influenza, heart attack: see H eart noun, vasovagal attack. 6 A. Koestler Kepler's first attack on the problem is described, angle of attack: between the wing chord of an aircraft in flight and the direction of the airflow. 8 A. L. Haskell Riabouchinska is not a purely clas¬ sical dancer, lacking the necessary hardness and attack H. C. Schonberg His fortissimo attack had an almost savage quality.

attack /a'tak/ verb.

E17. [French attaquer from Italian attaccare join (battle), attach verb] ► I verb trans. 1 Act against with violence or force of arms; seek to kill or injure. E17. 2 Of disease: begin to affect; seize upon, afflict. Ei7. 3 Act against with hostile words or actions, mi7. 4 chess. Attempt to gain a positional advantage in rela¬ tion to (a piece or square); threaten to give checkmate to or capture (a man), mi8. 5 sports & games. Attempt to gain a scoring or other sig¬ nificant advantage over (an opponent); attempt to score points, goals, etc., against (an opponent) or in (a particu¬ lar goal etc.). LI 8. 6 Of a physical agent: act harmfully upon, begin to destroy; corrode, dissolve. L18. 7 Begin vigorous work on (a task etc.); music begin (a piece, passage, etc.), esp. decisively or confidently. Ei9. ft: 1 W. S. Churchill 673 horsemen, led by Lord Cardigan, rode up the valley under heavy fire.. to attack the Russian batteries. D. Morris Killers [whales] prefer to attack aquatic mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, seals, [etc.]. E. Caldwell Several teen-age girls and young women had been attacked by a nighttime prowler, fig.: R. G. Collingwood I was attacked by a strange succession of emotions. 2 F. A. Kemble Rheumatism.. attacks indiscriminately the young and old. 3 Milton Under colour of a pretended partie .. the Parliament is attaqued. G. Greene There were speakers out on the Common: the I.L.P. and the Communist Party... a man attacking Christianity. 6 B. Stewart Hydrofluoric acid.. attacks the glass where the wax has been scratched off. 7 Shelley Mrs. Shelley is attacking Latin

J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

145

attain attend

with considerable resolution, H. C. Schonberg Notes of scales could not have been more evenly matched..: chords could not be attacked more precisely. ► II verb intrans. 8 Make or begin an attack: take the offen¬ sive; chess attempt to checkmate, to gain a positional advantage, or to capture an opposing man; sports & games attempt to gain a scoring or other significant advantage, be in possession of the ball, puck, etc. Ei7. Q3 8 Donne Ere sicknesses attack, yong death is best. A. j. P. Taylor On 8 August the British attacked in from of Amiens, in order to protect the railway junction there. Times Kent attacked with fire and finy and it seemed impossible that they should fail to score. ■ attackable adjective Ei9. attacker noun a person who attacks; an assailant; an attacking player: Mi7.

attain /a'tein/ verb & noun.

me.

[Anglo-Norman atain-, atein-, Old French ataign-, ateign-, stem of ataindre, ateindre (mod. atteindre), from Latin attingere touch on. reach, from ad at- + tangere to touch.] ► A verb. (See also attaint pa. pple & ppl adjective.) ► I verb traps, fl Convict, condemn; bring to justice. Only in me. 2 Accomplish, achieve (an end or purpose); reach, gain (a state, rank, or quality), me. 3 Reach or arrive at by motion in space or time, or by the passage of time. lme. t4 Encroach on. Only in lme. f5 Overtake, come up with, catch. LME-E17. 6 Come into the possession of, acquire, obtain, (now usu. something immaterial, passing into sense 2). lme. |7 Get to know, find out. LME-M17. t8 Touch, hit, strike. L15-LI6. fl! 2 J. Wesley Let me the Life Divine attain. A. J. Toynbee Buenos Aires is a great modem city that has attained its present stature gradually. D. Jacobson I never came close to attaining any of my goals. R. Adams She was a woman.. who had already attained a position of authority and trust. 3 Southey Now had they almost attain'd The palace portal. S. Bellow I might be concerned with age merely because I might never attain any great age. 6 Ld Berners To atteyne thereby the towne of Berwike. J. Conrad At that moment I attained the knowledge of who it was I had before me. H. J. Laski A new class of men attained control of the nation's economic power. 7 Caxton Secretes that humayne nature may not attayne, knowe, ne understonde. 8 G. Chapman Yet him beneath the eare The sonne of Telamon attain'd. ► II verb intrans. Usu. with to, (arch.) unto. 9 Succeed in coming or get to a state, condition, goal, etc. LME. 10 Succeed in coming or get to a point in space; live on to a time or age. lme. til Extend, reach; amount; matter, lme-mi6. 112 Foil, by to, unto: get to know, find out. M16-E17. Q3 9 W. Cowper To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber. H. J. Laski He had attained to the highest office under Anne at an exceptionally early age. J. Hilton After ten years in various parts of Asia he had attained to a somewhat fastidious valuation of places and happenings. 10 AV Arts 27:12 If by any meanes they might attaine to Phenice. Sir W. Scott Nor nearer might the dogs attain. OED He has attained to years of discretion. ► B noun. Attainment; a thing attained, rare. Ml6. ■ attaina bility noun attainableness E19. attainable adjective able to be attained M17. attainableness noun M17.

attainder/a’teinda/noun.

lme.

[Anglo-Norman attainder, atteinder, use as noun of inf. atteinder, Old & mod. French atteindre attain verb: see -er4.] 1 Hist. The action or process of attainting: spec, the legal consequences of a sentence of death or outlawry, i.e. for¬ feiture of estate, deprivation of rank or title, and loss of civil rights generally, lme. f2 fig. Condemnation; dishonour; slander. L16-M18. £□ 1 act of attainder, bill of attainder: introduced in Parliament for attainting a person without trial 2 Shakes. Rich, n Have mine honour soil'd With the attainder of his slanderous lips. S. Johnson A resumption of ancestral claims, and a kind of restoration to blood after the attainder of a trade.

attainment/o'temmfalnt/noun.

Mi6.

[from attain verb + -ment.] 1 The action or process of attaining, reaching, or gaining, mi6. 2 Something which is attained; an achievement, an accomplishment. Mi7. HI 2 T. F. Dibdin A prelate and poet of very distinguished attainments.

13 A contusion or wound on the leg of a horse, esp. one caused by overreaching. EI6-MI8. 4 law (now Hist.). The process of convicting a jury for having given a false verdict, and reversing the verdict. El 6.

5 |a (A temptation to) a dishonourable act. Only in Mi6. >b Imputation or touch of dishonour; stain. Li 6. |6 = attainder noun 1. Only in 17. £0 1 Shakes. Hen. V He.. freshly looks, and over-bears attaint With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty. 5b D. G. Rossetti Among the faults.. Are two so grave that some attaint is brought Unto the greatness of his soul thereby.

tattaint pa. pple & ppl adjective,

me.

[Old French ataint, ateint pa. pple of ataindre, ateindre attain verb: later infl. by taint verb.] 1 Convicted, attainted, me-mis. 2 Affected with sickness, passion, etc.; infected. ME-E16. 3 Exhausted, overcome. LME-E16.

attaint /a'teini/ verb trans.

me.

[from prec.: infl. by taint verb.] 11 Touch, reach, strike; accomplish, get at. me-mi6. f 2 Convict, prove guilty, lm e- m 18. 3 Subject to attainder, lme. 4 Accuse of crime, dishonour, etc. arch. E16. 5 Affect or infect with disease, contagion, corruption, etc.; sully, taint. E16. CO 3 Hobbes To be attainted is. that his Blood be held in Law. as stained and corrupted. H. P. Brougham On Edward IV's victory, they unanimously attainted Henry IV. 4 W. D. Howells Who are you to attaint me of unworthy motives? 5 J. Skelton They be so attaynted With coveytous and ambycyon. Spenser Lest she with blame her honour should attaint. Dryden The same shivering sweat his lord attaints. De Quincey Even to have kicked an outsider might have been held to attaint the foot. ■ attaintment noun bare) conviction, attainder Mi6. fattainture noun conviction; attainder; imputation of dishon¬ our, stain: MI6-M17.

tattame verb trans.

me.

[Old French atamer from Latin attaminare to attack: see AT-. Aphet. to tame verb2.] 1 Cut into, pierce, me-lis. Fb Broach (a cask etc.). Only in lme.

2 Attack; meddle with. Only in lme. 3 Begin, undertake. Only in lme.

attap 'atop/ noun. Also atap.

E19.

[Malay atap roof, thatch.) Palm fronds used in SE Asia for thatching, esp. those of the nipa palm; a thatch made of these. Freq. attrib.

attar /'ato/ noun. Also (earlier) otto Dtao/.

M17.

[Persian 'itr, Arab, 'itr, colloq. Arab, 'atar perfume, essence.] A fragrant volatile essence, esp. (more fully attar of roses) that obtained from rose-petals. p/I fig:. T. Hardy That buzz of pleasure which is the attar of applause. Comb.: attar-gul gul/ [Persian gul roses] attar of roses,

atteal /'ati:l/ noun. Scot. (esp. Orkney). Li6. [Origin unkn.] A pochard, teal, or other small duck.

attemper /o'tsmpo/ verb trans. arch.

me.

[Old French atemprer (mod. attremper) from Latin attemperare, from ad AT- + temperare temper verb'.] fl Regulate, control; order, arrange. ME-L18. 2 Qualify, modify, or moderate by admixture; temper. LME.

3 Make warmer or cooler, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 2. lme. 4 Moderate, assuage (passion, harshness); soothe, appease, (a person), lme. J5 Restrain. Usu. refl, LME-M16. 6 Make fit or suitable; accommodate, adapt. Foil, by to. LME.

7 Attune, bring into harmony. Foil, by to. Li6. £Q 1 T. Cranmer The Holy Ghost hath so ordered and attempered the Scriptures. 2 Hor. Walpole The most perfect taste in architecture, where grace softens dignity, and lightness attempers magnificence. 3 Evelyn Attemper the air with a fire of charcoal. 4 Bacon How the . Habit, To be Angry, may be attempred, and calmed. 6 E. B. Pusey God often attempers Himself and His oracles to the condition of men. 7 Pope High airs, attemper'd to the vocal strings. ■ attemperament noun the bringing to a proper temper: mixture in due proportions: Mi7.

attemperate /o'tempsreit/ verb trans. Mi6. attemperat- pa. ppl stem of attemperare: see prec., -ate3.] Moderate, regulate; accommodate or adapt to.

[Latin

attaint /a'temt/ noun.

•fl

me.

[Old French atainte, ateinte use as noun of fern. pa. pple of ataindre. ateindre attain verb.] 11 Exhaustion, fatigue. (Cf. attaint pa. pple & ppl adjective rare. me~li6. 2 The act of touching or hitting, esp. in jousting. Cf.

3.)

earlier taint noun 1. arch. E16. a cat, a: arm, a bed, a: her.

1

M16-E18.

2 Modify in temperature as required. E17. ■ attempe ration noun (now rare or obsolete) EI7 attemperator noun (brewing) a system of water pipes for controlling the tempera¬ ture of the fermenting wort M19. fattemperature noun attempered condition Mi7-Mi9.

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a ran,

u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

attempt /3'tem(p)t/ noun. M16. [from the verb.] 1 An act of malting an effort to accomplish something uncertain or difficult; a trial, an endeavour (esp. when unsuccessful or incomplete). Mt6. 2 An attack, an assault; an effort to conquer or to kill (now usu. with specification, as an attempt on the summit of. an attempt on the life of). L16. Mb An endeavour to seduce; a temptation. E-M17. f 3 Something attempted, an aim. E17-L18. 4 Something produced in an endeavour or effort. L19. CQ 1 Shakes. Macb. They have awak'd. And 'tis not done. Th' attempt, and not the deed. Confounds us. J. M. Barrie [He] flung away his life in a gallant attempt to save a servant who had fallen overboard. J. Marquand I tried to smile, but I made a rather poor attempt at it. L. Durrell All attempts to meet her have failed so far. make an attempt try. 2 S. Rohmer I know that Fu-Manchu will make an attempt upon him. J. Masters Your adjutant has just told me about the attempt on the Karode bridge. Encycl. Brit. Seven succes¬ sive attempts on the Northeast Ridge .. failed, b AVEcdus 9:4 Vse not much the companie of a woman that is a singer, least thou be taken with her attempts. 3 W. Paley His design and attempt was to sail.. immediately from Greece. 4 P. V. White The trellis, its attempt at grapes mildewed by the humidity. ■ attemptless adjective (rare) L16.

attempt/a'tEm(p)t/ verb. lme. [Old French attempter. Latinized form of atenter (mod. attenter) from Latin attemptare, from ad at- + templar,: tempt verb.] 1 verb trans. Try to accomplish (an action); make an effort, use one’s endeavour, to do something, lme. 2 verb trans. Attack, assault; try to take by force, over¬ throw, kill; try to take (a person’s life), lme. kfb Try to ravish or seduce. E17-M18. f3 a verb intrans. Make an attack against, (up)on. LME-L17. ►b verb trans. Venture (hostile action) fupjon. E17-M18. f4 verb traps, a Try with temptations; seek to win over; tempt, lm e-mi 9. kb Try with afflictions. E16-M17. f5 verb trans. Try to obtain or attract (friendship etc.). LME-M18. f6 verb trans. Try to move by entreaty etc.; address urgently. M16-L17. 7 verb trans. gen. Try to attain, venture upon, or engage with (the object of any action understood). Mi6. CQ 1 Shakes. Oth. If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear. D. Hume To embolden her to attempt extorting the right of investitures. R. Graves Tiberius answered.. that his troops were not yet fit to attempt the task. W. Trevor He attempted to smile back at him, but found it difficult. 2 Defoe How I should escape from them, if they attempted me. J. Morse Those rash hands which attempted his father's crown. J. Langhorne They attempted the Capitol by night. 3a W. Congreve Look that she attempt not on her life, b Shakes. Hen. VDI If you cannot Bar his access to th' King, never attempt Anything on him. 4a Spenser Why then will ye, fond dame, attempted bee Unto a stranger's love? Milton God., Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the minde of Man. b ]er. Taylor 0 Pain, in vain do'st thou attempt me. 5 S. Johnson Shall.. No cries attempt the mercy of the skies? 6 Milton I have attempted .. the lords With supplica tion prone and father's tears. To accept of ransom for my son. 7 J. Ray Courage and Hardiness to attempt the Seas. Day Lewis Though I was shamed.. into attempting The Ambas¬ sadors and the Recherche. I rejected these masterpieces. Encycl. Brit. This expedition .. was the eighth team in 30 years to attempt Everest. ■ attemptable adjective (rare) M17. fattemptate noun an attempt; esp. a violent or criminal attempt, an attack, an assault: LME-E18. attempter noun a person who makes an attempt L15. attemptible adjective (rare) attemptable E17.

attend /o'tend/ verb. me. [Old French atendre (mod. attendre wait for) from Latin attendere, from ad at- + tendere stretch. Aphet. to tend verb'. ] ► I Give one's attention, efforts, or presence (to). 1 verb trans. (arch.) & intrans. (with to, (arch.) unto, or absol). Pay attention, listen, (to); apply one’s mind, give thought, (to). ME. 2 verb intrans. (with to. fto do, (arch.) unto, fupon) & ttrans. Turn one’s energies, apply oneself practically, (to), me. 3 verb trans. & intrans. with to. Direct one’s care to (a matter); look after, tend, guard, (something), lme. 4 verb trans. & intrans. (with on, (arch.) upon, or absol.). Wait on as a servant or attendant, or in answer to a summons; escort; follow or accompany for the purpose of rendering services, lme. 5 verb trans. & intrans. (with at, fon, or absol.). Be present at or go to (a meeting, function, etc., or its location); go regularly to ((a) school, (a) church, etc.), lme. 6 verb trans. Apply oneself to the care of, tend, (a person, esp. an invalid); visit (a patient) professionally. Lie. 7 verb trans. & (rare) intrans. (with on). Of things (usu. immaterial): accompany, occur with or as a result of; follow closely upon. E17. -f 8 verb trans. Follow up or conjoin (a thing) with another. E17-L18. 19 verb trans. & intrans. (with to). Follow in order to counter or defeat. L17-E19. j no, e: hair, 10 near, 31 boy, os poor, ar tire, atR sour

146

attendance | attestation dl 1 Shakes. Cymb. I do condemn mine ears that have So long attended thee. AV Ps. 17:1O Lord, attend vnto my cne. Pope Thus Chryses pray’d: the favouring power attends. E. M. Forster Mrs. Honeychurch started and smiled. She had not been attending. J. W. Krutch Everything seems designed to be glanced at rather than attended to. 2 S. Daniel First, he attends to build a strong conceipt Of his usurped powre. AV Rom. 13:6 They are Gods ministers, attending continually vpon this very thing. Pope The maids.. dispersing various tasks attend. I. Comfton-Burnett Well, Nance, send the ser¬ vants to church, and attend to the dinner yourself. 3 Pope Leave only two the gaily to attend. Day Lewis After the hens had been attended to, the sisters would sit.. shelling peas. 4 Shakes. Two Gent. We'll both attend upon your ladyship. Dryden Officious Nymphs, attending in a Ring. Southey Following the deep-veil’d Bride Fifty female slaves attend. D. L. Sayers The prisoner was brought in, attended by a female wardress. J. Buchan The High Commissioner and his wife.. are attended by a lady-in-waiting, by several maids of honour, and by four A.D.C.’s. 5 Boston Transaipt To attend church tomorrow in the Bloomer costume. T. Hardy This fair was frequently attended by the folk of Weatherbury. OED He attends regularly at the City Temple. R. Macaulay He wanted to know what churches she had been used to attend when in London. J. B. Priestley She died about ten days later, and I didn't even attend her funeral. J. Wain He had arranged to attend the hospital as an out-patient. Jo Grimond He never attended unless personally sum¬ moned. 6 Defoe Hired nurses who attended infected people. G. Stein He would not let a doctor come in to attend Melanctha. 7 Shakes. Tr. 6 Cr. All fears attending on so dire a project. Henry Fielding Our food was attended with some ale. E. Bowen The birth of the third of her little boys, attended by a quite serious illness. J. Cheever The song, attended with laughing and clapping, came from the far end of the basement. F. Weldon The shock, dismay and disagree¬ able nostalgia which attends any untimely and violent death. 8 G. Anson The Governor.. had returned a very obliging answer.. and had attended it with a present of two boats. 9 Clarendon He was.. strong enough to have stopped or attended Waller in his western expedition. H. Nelson Cruizing off Cadiz for the purpose of attending to L’Aigle, and securing the approach of our Convoy. ► II Wait for. 110 verb traps. Look forward to, expect. LME-L17. 11 verb traps. Look out for, await (an event, time, etc.; Ja person), arch. L15. f 12 verb intrans. Wait, tarry. MI6-MI8. CO 10 J. Ray So dreadful a Tempest that all the People attended therein the very End of the World. 11 Smollett Here I attend The king—and lo! he comes. T. Walker The first breath / of a day breeze blows and quiet- / ly he attends a new night, jig.: J. Locke The state that attends all men after this. 12 L. Sterne The lady attended as if she expected I should go on. ■ atten dee noun = attendant noun 3 M20. attender noun lme. attendance/3'tend(o)ns/noun. lme. [Old French: see prec., -ance.] fl = ATTENTION 1. LME-M19. J2 = ATTENTION 2. LME-L17. 3 The action or condition of waiting upon or accom¬ panying someone to render service; ministration, assiduous service, lme. 4 The action or condition of awaiting the leisure, con¬ venience, or decision of a superior, lme. 5 The action or fact of being present at a meeting, func¬ tion, etc., or when summoned, lme. |6 Waiting; delay; expectation. LME-M17. 7 A body of attendants, a retinue, arch. lme. 8 The body or number of people present at any pro¬ ceedings. M19. Q3 3 Defoe Reputation for.. good attendance on his cus¬ tomers. 5 Pope The King in council your attendance waits. D. L. Sayers Whatever fantastic pictures she had.. conjured up of married life.., none of them had ever included attend¬ ance at village concerts. P. Scott Her own attendances had fallen off, and she had not gone to communion for years. 6 R Hooker That which causeth bitterness in death, is the languishing attendance and expectation thereof. W. Raleigh Compelled.. to put the matter in hazard without further attendance. 7 R Graves He had a meagre attendance of four or five young officers, who clung to him from loyalty. 8 B. James The poor attendance, only 35,000, was attributed to the strong counter-attraction of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Phrases: dance attendance (on), fwait attendance (on) follow about obsequiously, be deliberately kept waiting (by), in attendance waiting upon someone, attending. Comb.: attendance allowance a social-security benefit payable to a severely disabled person needing constant attendance at home (formerly constant attendance allowance); attendance centre a place where young delinquents must attend regularly mstead of being sent to prison; attendance officer a person whose duty it is to see that children attend school. attendant a'tendfajnt/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old & mod. French: see attend verb, -ant1.] ► A adjective. J1 Attentive. LME-M17. 2 Waiting upon, ministering; accompanying in a sub¬ ordinate capacity, lme. 13 law. Dependent on, owing service to. LME-M17. 4 Present at a meeting etc. rare. 116. b but. d dog, ffew. g get, h he. j yes,

5 Closely consequent (on, upon); resulting, associated. E17.

EH 2 Milton Other Suns.. With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie. Ld Macaulay Fresh meat was never eaten by the gentlemen attendant on a great Earl. R. L. Stevenson Alone, on the other side of the railway, stands the Springs Hotel, with its attendant cottages. 5 R. D. Laing The anxie¬ ties attendant on the schizophrenic’s phantasmic omnipo¬ tence. H. Macmillan The.. revolt in the capital city with all its attendant horrors.

► B noun. 1 A person in attendance or providing service; a servant, assistant, subordinate companion, etc. mi6. 2 A close consequence, an accompanying circum¬ stance etc. E17. 3 A person who is present at a meeting etc. Mi7. 03 1 Milton Least sin Surprise thee, and her black attend¬ ant, Death. Byron Two.. ladies, who With their attendant aided our escape. Saki He left all the parcels in charge of the cloak-room attendant. Arnold Bennett An attendant.. was feeding the sheets at one end of the machine and another attendant.. taking them off at the other. 2 Pope The laugh, the jest, attendants on the bowl. 3 D. H. Lawrence She was .. a regular attendant at morning service.

attenuate /s'tsnjueit/ verb. M16. [Latin attenuat- pa. ppl stem of attenuare, from ad at- + tenuare make thin, from tenuis thin: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. Make thin or slender. Mi6. 2 verb trans. Make thin in consistency; dilute; rarefy. Mi6.

3 verb trans. Weaken; reduce in force, effect, value, etc. mi6. Fb physics. Reduce the amplitude of (an oscillation, esp. an electrical signal). L19. kc medicine Reduce the viru¬ lence of (pathogenic organisms) or of pathogenic organ¬ isms in (vaccines). Usu. as attenuated ppl adjective. Li9. 4 verb intrans. Become slender, weaker, etc.; esp. (physics) decrease in amplitude, mi9. U3 1 E. Young The spider's most attenuated thread. 2 C. Lamb Attenuated small beer. 3 J. Galsworthy ’I expect we shall be sick.’ They were, and reached London somewhat attenuated. T. Sharpe My conditions are final... I am not prepared to attenuate them. H. Acton Experience had attenuated and finally extinguished Nancy’s Socialist sympa¬ thies. ■ tattenuater noun (medicine) = attenuant noun L17-L18. attenuator noun f(a) = attenuant noun (Diets.); (b) physics a device which produces attenuation: L19.

attenuation tttrnjo'eijfsjn/ noun. lme. attent/a'tsnt/ noun. arch.

me.

[Old French atente (mod. att-) use as noun of fem. pa. pple of atendre attend verb: in Old French conf. with entente intent noun.]

tl Intention, purpose. Only in f2 Attitude, me-lis. 3 Attention; care, heed. me. attent /s'tent/ adjective, arch.

me.

115.

[Latin attentus pa. pple of attendere attend verb.]

Attentive (to); intent (on). attentat /in sense 1 foreign atata (pi. same); in sense 2 attentat/ noun. Also (now only in sense 2) -ate /-eit/. Ei7. [Old & mod. French, or medieval Latin attentatum, from attentatpa. ppl stem of attentare var. of Latin attemptarc attempt verb.] 1 An attack; an attempted assassination. Ei7. 2 mw. Something wrongfully done by a judge in a pro¬ ceeding, pending an appeal. E18. attention /a't£nf(3)n/ noun. lme. [Latin attentio(n-), from attent- pa. ppl stem of attendere attend 1 The action, fact, or state of attending or giving heed; the mental faculty of attending, attentiveness; applica¬ tion of the mind, consideration, thought, lme. 2 Practical consideration, observant care. mis. 3 The action of attending to the comfort or pleasure of others; ceremonious politeness, courtesy. Freq. in pi. mis.

4 Orig. military. An erect attitude of readiness; chiefly in at attention, to attention. Also as interjection, a command to assume such an attitude, lis. Q3 1 Shakes. Rich. II The tongues of dying men Enforce attention like deep harmony. W. Lindgren Brought to my attention three specimens of a mineral. Day Lewis I must have weakened my capacity for attention and observation. E. Roosevelt Whenever he read anything aloud like this, he acted it straight through, which was why he held the atten¬ tion of the little children so well, attract attention: draw attention to: give attention (to), pay attention (to), etc. call attention to: see call verb, selective attention. 2 Encounter Please address it for the attention of John Hall. 3 Chestereield Nice and scrupulous, in points of ceremony, respect, and attention. P. Ackroyd He fed my vanity with his attentions, pay one’s attentions to court. 4 G. B. Shaw Remember that you are in the army now... Attention! Left turn! Quick march. C. S. Forester Each officer in turn came up to attention as his name was spoken. ■ attentional adjective of or pertaining to the mental faculty of attention Li 9.

attentisme /atatism/ noun. M20. [French, from attente wait, waiting: see attent noun, -ism.) The policy of waiting to see what happens. attentive attentiv/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French attentif, -ive, formed as attent noun + -ive.] 1 Steadily applying one’s mind or energies; intent, heedful, lme. kb = attentional adjective. Li9. 2 Assiduously attending to the comfort or wishes of others; polite, courteous. Li6. ■ attentively adverb lme. attentiveness noun lme. E17.

[French attenuant from Latin attenuant- pres, ppl stem of attenuare: see next, -ant1.] medicine. ►A adjective. Having the property of thinning the secretions. E17-M19. ► B noun. A drug or other agent credited with this prop¬ erty. E18-M19.

attenuate /a'tenjuat/ adjective,

[Old English atr, at(t)or = Old Saxon ettor. Old High German eitar (German Eiterj, Old Norse eitr.] 1 Poison, venom, esp. that of reptiles, oe. 2 Gall; bitterness. OE. 3 Corrupt matter, pus. lme. ■ attery adjective venomous; spiteful; bitter; purulent: oe.

1 Slender, thin; emaciated; tapering to thinness, lme. 2 Thin in consistency; weakened, rarefied, refined. arch. lme. p pen, r red, s sit,

t top, wan,

[Old English dttorcoppe, formed as prec. + (perh.) cop noun1.] 1 A spider, oe. 2 fig. A malevolent person. Ei6. 3 A spider's web. M16.

tattermine verb trans. lme-ei9. [Old French aterminer from late Latin atterminare, from ad at- + terminare terminate verb.] Settle the term or limit of; set a date for (esp. payment of a debt).

tatterrate verb trans. Li7 mis. [Italian atterrare, from a to + terra earth: see -ate3.] Fill up with (esp. alluvial) earth. ■ i atterration noun L17 M18

attest /a'tsst/ verb & noun. E16. [French attester from Latin attestari, from ad at- + testari to witness, from testis witness.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Bear witness to, affirm the truth or validity of; testify, certify formally. Ei6. 2 verb trans. Of things: be evidence or proof of; testify to, tend to confirm. Li 6. 13 verb trans. Call to witness. E17-L19. 4 verb trans. Put (a person) on oath; esp. administer an oath of allegiance to or enrol (a recruit) for military service.Li7. 5 verb intrans. Bear witness, testify, to. L17. 6 verb intrans. Enrol oneself as ready for military service. E20. 03 1 Swift I will assert nothing here, but what I dare attest. L. A. G. Strong As if to attest the excellence of her nursing, he began quickly to recover. D. Cecil An oath attesting him to be a member of the Church, attested cattle, attested milk: certified free from disease, attesting witness: see witness noun 4. 2 Gibbon Twenty-two acknowledged concu¬ bines. and a library of sixty-two thousand volumes attested the variety of his inclinations. James Sullivan Physical appearances attest the high antiquity of the globe. 3 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. But I attest the gods, your full consent Gave wings to my propension. 4 Wellington They are to be attested according to the following form.. I, A. B. do make oath [etc.). 5 J. Wilkins To the reasonableness of this, several of the wisest heathens have attested. 6 Observer I attested for military service but was not called up. ► B noun. Testimony, evidence, attestation. Ei7. ■ attestant noun a person who makes a formal attestation L17. attester noun L16. attestor noun an attester M17.

attestation /ate'steij(a)n/ noun. lme. [French, or late Latin attestatio(n-), from attestat- pa. ppl stem of attestari: see prec., -ation.]

lme.

[Latin attemmtus pa. pple. formed as next: see -ate2.)

k cat, 1 leg, m man, n no,

after /'ata/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial, (north.).

attercop /‘atakop/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial.

verb: see -ion.]

tattenuant adjective & noun.

[French attenuation or Latin attenuatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] 1 The action of making something thin or slender; diminution of thickness, emaciation, lme. 2 The action of making something thinner in consist¬ ency; diminution of density, esp. (skewing) of the wort during fermentation. Li6. 3 The process of weakening; reduction in force, effect, etc. mi9. kb physics. Reduction of the amplitude of an electrical signal or other oscillation. 119. kc medicine Reduction of the virulence of a pathogenic organism. L19.

w we.

1 The action of bearing witness, testimony; evidence, proof, confirmation; spec, formal confirmation by signa¬ ture or oath, esp. by a witness in verification of the exe¬ cution of a will, deed, etc. lme.

z zoo. J she. 3 vision,

6

thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

147

Attic attraction

t2 The action of calling to witness. M16-M18. 3 The administration of an oath of allegiance, esp. to a military recruit. E19. ■ a ttestative adjective of the nature of or pertaining to attest¬ ation Mi9. attestator noun an attester Li6.

Attic /'atik/ adjective1 & noun1. Li6. [Latin Atticus from Creek Attikos of Attica: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Attica, a district of ancient Greece, or Athens, its chief city, or (formerly) Greece generally; (of literary style etc.) refined, elegant, classical. Li6. £3 C. Thirlwall A wooden theatre still sufficed for the Attic drama. M. Arnold Addison's prose is Attic prose. Joyce He will never capture the Attic note. The note of Swinburne, of all poets. Attic base architecture a column base consisting of an upper and lower torus divided by a scotia and two fillets. Attic dialect Greek as used by the ancient Athenians Attic order cmss/gu architecture a square column or pillar. Attic salt. Attic wit refined, delicate, poignant wit ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Attica or ancient Athens; the Attic dialect. Li7.

attic /'atik/ adjective2 & noun2. Li7. [French attique formed as prec.] ► A adjective. 1 architecture. Designating a small order above a taller one (see sense B.i below), rare. U7. 2 (Passing into ottrib. use of the noun) Designating the highest storey of a building, under the beams of the roof, or a room in this. Ei8. £3 2DEFOEThe Rustic and Attic Stories are 12 Feet high each. Carlyle The attic floor of the highest house. W. Faulkner Behind a loose board in the wall of his attic room. ► B noun. 1 architecture. A small (usu. Attic) order (column and entablature) placed above another order of much greater height constituting the main fagade. mis. 2 The highest storey of a house, usu. immediately under the beams of the roof, a room in this. Ei9. 3 anatomy. The upper part of the cavity of the middle ear. arch. Li 9. £3 2 E. Linklater The servants got it first and in a drove took to their garrets and attics. E. O'Neill It might be in an old trunk in the attic.

Atticise verb var. of Atticize. atticism/‘atistz(3)m/ noun. Also A-. li 6.

1

[Greek AttOdsmos, from Attikos: see Attic adjective & noun1, -ism.] 1 An ancient-Athenian idiom; an instance of elegant Greek; a well-turned phrase. L16. 2 Hist. Siding with or attachment to Athens, rare. Ei7.

Atticist /'ahsist/ noun. Mi7. [Greek Attikistes, from Attikos: see Amc adjective1 & noun1, -ist.] Hist A person who affected Attic literary style.

Atticize 'atisAiz' verb. Also -ise. Ei7.

1

[Greek Attikizein, from Attikos: see Attic adjective & noun1, -ize.] 1 a verb intrans. Affect Attic style; conform to Athenian or (in a wider sense) Greek habits, modes of thought, etc. E17. >b verb trans. Make Attic in character. M19. 2 verb intrans. Side with or favour Athens, mi 8.

attingent /3’tmd3(3)nt/ adjective, rare. Li6. [Latin attingent- pres, ppl stem of attingere: see attain, -ent.] Touching, contiguous (to).

tattirail noun. Also -al. E17-L18. [French, formed as attire verb: see -al1.] Apparatus, gear.

attire /o'tAio/ noun. me. [from the verb.] 11 A person’s complete equipment for war. Only in me. 2 Dress, apparel; esp. fine, formal, or special clothing. me. tb An outfit of clothes; a style of dress, arch. Li6. t3 Personal adornment or decoration. LME-M17. t4 Covering for the head; a head-dress, esp. for a woman. LME-E17. 5 hunting & heraldry. A deer’s antlers, mi6. £3 2 Shakes. JuL Coes. And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? G. Gissing Her attire of subdued mourning indicated widowhood. V. S. Naipaul He had eaten, dressed—not in English clothes but in his normal Flindu attire, fig.: Milton Earth in her rich attire Consummate lovly smil’d, b F. Burney Two new attires, one half, the other full dressed. G. K. Chesterton it seemed odd to them that men had once worn so elvish an attire. 3 T. Fuller Commonly known by her whorish attire: As crisping and curling.

attire /s'tMs/ verb trans. me. [Old French atir\i)er arrange, equip, from a tire. Provencal a tirira in succession or order, of unkn. origin.] 11 Equip, fit out; make ready, prepare, me-lis. 2 Dress, esp. in fine, formal, or special clothing; clothe. Now chiefly re/I. & as attired ppl adjective, me. 3 Adorn, arrange, (the hair, the head), arch. lme. 4 hunting & heraldry. Provide with antlers, esp. of a distinct colour. Chiefly as attired ppl adjective. Li 6.

CJ 2 Dryden His shoulders large a mantle did attire. R. Kipling I was.. attired as a Sahib. G. Heyer Nattily attired in the correct town-dress of a gentleman of fashion, fig.: Burke The rose and the apple blossom are both beautiful, and the plants that bear them are most engagingly attired. 3 Spenser Her golden tresses. She dothe attyre vnder a net of gold. Tennyson The women who attired her head. ■ attirement noun (a) an outfit, a dress, apparel; t(b) an orna¬ ment, an adornment: Mi6. attiring noun (a) the action of the verb; f(b) a dress, an outfit; a head-dress; an ornament; in pi. trap¬ pings: ME. attitude 'atitju:d noun. L17. [French from Italian attitudine, Spanish artitud, fitness, dispos¬ ition, posture, from late Latin aptitudo, -din- aptitude.] 1 ART. The disposition of a figure in painting, statuary, etc.; the posture given to a figure, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 2. L17. 2 The posture of the body proper to or implying some action or mental state, eis. >b A posture or disposition of the body in dancing. E18. >c The orientation of an air¬ craft, spacecraft, etc., relative to the direction of travel. E20. 3 Settled behaviour, as representing feeling or opinion; (also attitude of mind| settled mode of think¬ ing. Ml 9. 2 W. Cather He stood in an attitude of self-defense, his feet well apart, his hands clenched and drawn up at his sides. P. Hesketh The fox's sculpted attitude was tense With scent¬ ing, listening. D. Jacobson Those portraits of languid houris lying about in attitudes suggestive of inner heats, strike an attitude: see strike verb. 3 H. Spencer Much depends on the attitude of mind we preserve while listening to, or taking part in, the controversy. E. Wilson Michelet’s fundamental attitude is.. realistic and not romantic. R. Hogg art Characteristic working-class relationships and attitudes. G. J. Warnock A marked capacity for abstract thought is compatible with an ‘attitude to life’ entirely ordinary, or even dulL T. Stoppard Her whole attitude in the play is one of innocent, eager willingness to please. ■ atti tudinal adjective of or pertaining to attitudes or attitude Mi9 attitudi narian noun a person who uses postures and poses Mi8. attitudi narianism noun the (excessive) use of attitudes El 9.

attitudinize ati'tjuriin.uz verb intrans. Also -ise. Li6. [from Italian attinidine (see prec.) + -ize.] Practise or adopt attitudes; strike an attitude: speak, write, or behave affectedly. ■ attitudinizer noun EI9. attn. abbreviation. Attention, for the attention of. atto- atau/ combining form. [from Danish or Norwegian atten eighteen: see -o-.] Used in names of units of measurement to denote a factor of io~’8, as attowatt etc. Abbreviation a. attorn b’ta-.n/ verb. me. [Old French atomer, atumer assign, appoint, from a A-5 + tomer turn vert.] 11 verb trans. Turn; change, transform; deck out Only in ME. 2 verb trans. Turn over (goods, service, allegiance, etc.) to another; transfer, assign, arch. lme. 3 verb intrans. Transfer one’s tenancy, or (arch.) homage or allegiance, to another; formally acknowledge such transfer, lme. 2 attorn tenant (to) law formally transfer one’s tenancy (tol. make legal acknowledgement of tenancy (to a new landlord). ■ attornment noun the transference of bailor status, tenancy, or (orcfi.) allegiance, service, etc., to another; formal acknow¬ ledgement of such transfer: lme. attorney a’taini noun & verb. me. [Old French atome, atume, or (branch A.I1) atomee (fern.), use as noun of pa. pple of atomer. see prec.] ► A noun. II law. A person formally appointed to act for another in legal or business matters. Also attorneyin-fact. private attorney, me. ttb gen. A person appointed to act for another; an agent, a deputy, a repre¬ sentative. LME-M17. 2 A legal practitioner properly qualified to represent a client in a court of law (now chiefly US). In English law (Hist.). a legal practitioner entitled to conduct litigation in lower courts (distinguished from counsel), a solicitor (freq. derog.). Also attorney-at-law. public attorney Also A-|. the title of certain law officers of the Crown, coun¬ cils, etc. ME. |3 An advocate, a mediator. LME-L16. £3 1 tAttorney general: one empowered to act for his principal without restriction to specified matters, b Shakes. Com. Err. I will attend my husband... .Mid will have no attor¬ ney but myself. 2 Attorney-General the highest legal officer in England and Wales and some other countries, empowered to act for the Crown or State in legal matters. Attorney-Generalship the position of Attorney-General. district attorney see district noun. tKing’s Attorney tQueen’s Attorney the Attorney-General. Scotch attorney see Scotch adjective. 3 Shakes. Rich. ID Therefore, dear mother.. Be the attorney of my love to her.

a cat. a: arm, e bed, 3: her. 1 sit. i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw. a ran, o

put, u: too. a ago, ai my. au how, ei day.

► II 4 The action or fact of appointing a person to act as one’s representative in legal or business matters. Now chiefly in power of attorney, the authority conferred by this action: the legal document conferring such author¬ ity. LME. rid 4 Shakes. Rich. Ill I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother. letter of attorney the legal document conferring power of attorney, warrant of attorney: see warrant noun1. ► B verb trans. Appoint as attorney; perform etc. by attor¬ ney or proxy, rare. Lis. ■ attorneydom noun Mt9 attorneyism noun (orcb.) the prac¬ tice of attorneys; unscrupulous cleverness: M19. attorneyship noun (a) acting as attorney, proxy; lb) the position of an attorney: L16.

attract

s trakt verb traps, lme. [Latin attract- pa. ppi stem of attrahere, from ad at- + trahere draw.] 1 (Tend to) draw to oneself or itself, cause to come near, esp. (a) by an invisible force such as gravity, magnetism, or electricity, (b) by influencing the will or actions of people or animals, (c) by presenting favourable condi¬ tions or opportunities, lme. |2 Draw or pull in; absorb, inhale. M16-L17. 3 Excite (pleasurable emotions) in a person towards oneself or itself: give or promise pleasure to (a person). El 7. 4 Draw out and fix upon oneself or itself (the attention etc. of others). L17. 5 euphem. Come by dishonestly, pilfer. Li 9.

£3 1 Sir T. Browne Jet and amber attracteth straws. J. A. Froude Like all other systems which have attracted fol¬ lowers, it addresses itself, not to the logical intellect, but to the imagination. E. F. Schumacher Neither the successful farmers nor the Soil Association have been able to attract official support or recognition. M. Girouard The old red¬ brick houses and innumerable artistic associations of Hamp¬ stead attracted architects, artists, and writers. J. Updike There was no population here, until your contraption attracted it. D. Attenborough Some orchids.. attract insects by sexual impersonation. 3 Milton Adomd She was indeed, and lovely to attract Thy Love. I. Fleming She had the sort of firm, compact figure that always attracted him. R. Dawkins The ability to attract loyal friends. 4 Dryden A wife .. Made to attract his eyes, and keep his heart. E. Waugh Now and then 1 noticed him attract curious glances, but most of the party knew him too slightly to see the change in him. M. Leitch He couldn’t have attracted their attention more if he had waved a red, white and blue flag. ■ attractable adjective able to be attracted ns. attractant noun an agent which attracts; esp. a substance used to attract insects: E20. attractor noun a person who or thing which attracts some¬ thing or someone else (great attractor strange attractor see strange adjective) M17.

attraction 3’trakJ(3)n/noun. lme. [French, or Latin attractio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ION.] fl medicine The action of a poultice etc. in drawing matter from the tissues; something applied for this purpose. LME-M17. t2 Absorption; the taking in of food; inhalation. M16-M17. 3 The action of a body in drawing another towards itself by some physical force such as gravity, magnetism, etc.; the tendency for this to occur. Opp. repulsion. E17. 4 An attractive quality. Freq. in pi. E17. 5 The action of causing people or animals to come nearer by influencing their conscious actions, providing favourable conditions, etc. M18. 6 The action or capacity of eliciting interest, affection, sympathy, etc.; attractiveness, charm, fascination. M18. 7 A thing or feature which attracts visitors, customers, etc. Ei 9. 8 GRAMMAR The influence of a word in context causing an adjacent word to be given an incorrect form, as in one in six have [for has) this problem. E20. £3 3 Longfellow Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth. A. Koestler Explanation of the tides as an effect of the moon's attraction, capillary attraction: see capillary adjective 3. centre of attraction: see centre noun, chemical attraction = affinity 6. 4 Shakes. Per. She, questionless, with her sweet harmony And other chosen attractions, would allure. Day Lewis A capacity for relishing the every¬ day and recognising the attractions in the commonplace. A. J, P. Taylor Here, he believed, he could win the war—with the added attraction of doing so before the Americans arrived. 5 OED The attraction of the disaffected to his stand¬ ard. Roger Johnson Sexual attraction has been a frequently suggested function of scent glands. 6 E . Waugh She was daily surprised by the things he knew and the things he did not know, both.. added to his attraction. T. Stoppard What is the attraction or the point in thinking better of oneself? E. F. Schumacher Scientific.. 'solutions' which poison the environment or degrade the social structure.. are of no benefit, no matter how brilliantly conceived or how great their superficial attraction. 7 Anthony Huxley Another major flowery attraction is nectar, a.. sugar secretion which is of course food of a delicious kind to many insects. P. Theroux There are few tourist attractions in Veracruz: there is an old fort and .. a beach.

j no, e: hair, is near. 01 boy. us poor, ais tire, aoa sour

148

attractive | auburn [French attracttf, -ive from late Latin attracttvus, formed as attract + -IVE.] ► A adjective, fl Absorptive. LME-E18. j-2 medicine. Having the property of drawing bodily humours etc. lme 118. 3 Having the property or capacity of attracting towards itself by a physical force; of the nature of such attraction.

■ attributable adjective able to be attributed to, owing to M17.

Opp. repulsive. Mi6. 4 Having the property or capacity of attracting towards oneself or itself by influencing will and action, having the property of attracting interest, attention, affection, desire, etc.; interesting, pleasing, alluring. L16.

attribution /atn'bju:j|g)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin attributio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ION.] fl Bestowal, awarding. LME-E19. f 2 Something ascribed in estimation or opinion, as a quality, appellation, meaning, etc. L15-M18. 3 logic. Predication of an attribute. Ei7. 4 Ascription of a quality etc. as belonging or proper to a

IB 3 W. Herschel The sun, by its attractive power, retains the planets.. in their orbits. 4 Sir W. Scott Interesting and attractive for those who love to hear an old man s stories of a past age. W. Cather A gay young fellow, so attractive that the prettiest Bohemian girl in Omaha had run away with him. S. Hill What an attractive garden you have here! P. Scott The proposal could turn out to be financially attract¬ ive One might presume to make a small profit. ►t B noun. 1 medicine. A preparation used to draw bodily humours etc. lme-lis. 2 An attractive thing or quality. L16-M19. ■ attractively adverb Ei7. attractiveness noun Mi7.

tattrap verb trans. Infl. -pp-. L16-L17. [from a-1 + trap verb1.] Provide (a horse) with trappings. Chiefly as attrapped ppl adjective.

attribute atribju:t/noun. lme. [Old & mod. French attribut or Latin attributum use as noun of neut. pa. pple of aUrihuere attribute verb.] 11 medicine. A condition of the bodily humours. Only in LME. 2 A quality or character ascribed (esp. in common esti¬ mation) to a person or thing. Also, an epithet denoting this. LI 5. 3 A material object recognized as appropriate to or symbolic of a person or office; a conventional symbol serving to identify a figure in a painting etc. L16. 4 An inherent characteristic quality or feature of a person or thing; a property; in statistics etc., a nonquantifiable property. E17. Fb iocic. That which may be predicated of something. Li 8. |5 Distinguished quality or character; reputation, credit. Only in 17. 6 grammar An attributive word or phrase. E19.

attribute /a'trfbjuit/ verb trans. li5. [Latin attribut- pa. ppl stem of attribuere, from ad AT- + tribuere allot: cf. tribute noun.] 11 Assign, give, or concede to a person as a right. L15-L18. 2 Ascribe as belonging or appropriate to. Mi6. 3 Ascribe to as an inherent quality or characteristic. M16. 4 Ascribe to as an effect or consequence, mi6. 5 Ascribe to an author, painter, etc., as his or her work. M16.

6 Assign in one’s opinion to its proper time and place. M16.

but, d dog. f few, g get,

h he. j yes,

k cat,

I leg,

[from a preposition1 2 + twain noun.] In two; apart, asunder.

atweel /s'twi:l/adverb. Scot. mis. [Prob. contr. of I wot wed = I wot well.] Certainly, for sure; indeed,

atween /a'twrn/ preposition & adverb, arch. & dial. lme. [from A preposition11 + stem of between, on the analogy of afore, before.] ► A preposition. Between, lme. ► B adverb. In between, lme.

atwist /s'twist/ adverb & pred. adjective, mis. [from a-2 + twist noun'.] Twisted, askew,

tatwit verb see twit verb. atwitter /o'twita/ adverb & pred. adjective. Mi9. [from a-2 + twitter noun2 or verb1.] Twittering; aflutter.

atwixt /a'twikst/ preposition, arch. & dial. me.

attrit /a'tnt/ verb trans. US colloq. Infl. -tt-. M20. [Back-form, from attrition: cf. attrite verb.] Wear down in quality or quantity by military attrition.

atwo /.Vtu:/ adverb, arch. & dial. oe.

[from A preposition' 1 + stem of betwixt: cf. ATWEEN.] Between. [from A preposition1 2 + Two.] in two; apart, asunder.

atypia /ei'tipia, a-/ noun. M20.

attrition /a'trijfrln/noun. lme. [Late Latin attritio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ion.] 1 theology. Regret for sin, e.g. through fear of punish¬ ment, falling short of true repentance or contrition. LME. 2 medicine. Comminution; tearing; excoriation, abrasion (passing into sense 3). Now rare or obsolete, lme. 3 Rubbing away, wearing or grinding down, by fric¬ tion. Li 5. 4 The action of rubbing one thing against another; mutual friction. E17. 5 The gradual wearing down of an enemy’s forces in sustained warfare; loss of men or material by enemy action; gen. gradual loss or reduction. E20.

[Latin attributus pa. pple, formed as next.] Attributed; assigned, given.

All-terrain vehicle.

fattrist verb trans. L17-M19. [French attrister, from a A-5 + triste sad, from Latin tristis.] Make sad, sadden.

attrite /o'trAit/ verb trans. mis. [Latin attrit- pa. ppl stem of atterere, from ad at- + terere to rub.] 1 Wear down by continued friction. Chiefly as attrited ppl adjective, mi8. 2 = attrit. US colloq. M20. ■ attritive adjective (rare) = attritional Mi9. attritor noun (rare) an agent which wears something down by attrition Ei9.

tattribute ppl adjective. lme-li6.

b

atwain /a’twein/ adverb. Long arch. me.

attrite /a'trAit/ adjective, lme. [Latin attritus pa. pple, formed as next.] fl Worn or ground down. LME-M17. 2 theology. Having attrition. Et7.

DD 2 Shakes. Metrh. V But mercy is above this sceptred sway,,. It is an attribute to God himself. T. Wright It is sur¬ prising how soon historical personages become invested with romantic attributes. 3 Wordsworth A crown, an attribute of sovereign power. K. Clark The Greek philo¬ sophers are represented with their attributes. Aristotle, with the severe figure of Dialectic. 4 Bacon The attributes and acts of God, as far as they are revealed to man. Sir W. Scott Beauty was an attribute of the family. H. Fast It had all the attributes and virtues and sins that history requires of a great city. H. Kissinger At this point I experienced for the first time two of Nixon's distinguishing attributes. S. Naipaul Recycling is the highest good, biodegradability the most sought-after attribute. 5 Shakes. Tr S Cr. Much attribute he hath, and much the reason Why we ascribe it to him.

Attorney. atua Tatua, a’tuio/ noun. mis. [Maori, & other Polynesian langs.] A supernatural being, god, or demon.

ATV abbreviation.

(Shakes.). Only in £17. 2 tocic. That assigns an attribute to a subject. Mi9. 3 grammar That expresses an attribute; spec. (opp. predicative) designating adjectives (or their equivalents) that premodify or occas. immediately follow nouns (e.g. old in the old dog, a dog old in years, but not in the dog is old). M19. 4 Of a work of art etc.: that is such by attribution. M19. ► B noun, grammar An attributive word or phrase, mi8. ■ attributively adverb M19.

attrait /atrel noun. E20. [French, from attmire attract.] theology. Vocation; inclination.

■ attunement noun M19.

Atty. abbreviation.

etc. M17. 6 An authority or function granted to a ruler, court,

attributive /a'tribjottv/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [French attributif -ive, from attribut: see attribute noun, -ive.] ► A adjective, fl Characterized by attributing, rare

[Latin attrahent- pres, ppl stem of attrahere attract: see -ent.[ (Something) that attracts.

in 1 Pope For Phemius to the lyre attuned the strain. 2 Milton Aires, vernal aires.. attune The trembling leaves. 4 M. L. King My hearing was not attuned to the sound of such bitterness. C. Sagan Life forms developed that were finely attuned to their specific environments. J. Carey It’s curious.. that a novel so attuned to the selfishness and pain behind every face should transmit such an exuberant sense of life. 5 fig.: R. Langbridge This might have been carefully studied so as to attune with his general appearance.

person or thing. Ml7. 5 Ascription of an effect to a cause, a work to an author,

etc. LI 8. Comb.: attribution theory psychology a theory which supposes that people attempt to understand the behaviour of others by attributing feelings, beliefs, and intentions to them.

fattrahent adjective & noun. mi7-lis.

LD 1 Ld Berners These two townes were attributed to Flaunders by reason of gage. Bacon What celsitude of honour Plinius Secundus attribufeth to Trajan in his funeral oration. 2 Milton God attributes to place No sanctity, if none be thither brought By men. W. S. Churchill Opposition speakers were pleased to attribute to him an aim he did not possess, tattribute much to attach great importance or value to. 3 E. Bishop Their gods, to which, in their present historical state of superstition and helpless¬ ness, they attribute magical powers. 4 R. L. Stevenson It

4 verb trans. fig. Bring into harmony or accord; make per¬ fectly suited or receptive to. Ei8. 5 verb intrans. Harmonize with. E20.

was the character of the man to attribute nothing to luck and but little to kindness. R. Lynd Some writers have attrib¬ uted the tendency to laugh at mispronunciations to snob¬ bery. G. Vidal I attributed my condition to the altitude. 5 P. Galuco He repeated the words John had attributed to Jesus. M. Girouard Two more houses in Cambridge . can be attributed to him with reasonable confidence. 6 F. H. A. Scrivener Several copies which may fairly be attributed to the fourth century.

attractive a'traktiv/ adjective & noun. lme.

£13 3 C. Lyell Pebbles and sand.. decrease in size by attri¬ tion. fig.: Max-Muller Contact with English society exercises a constant attrition on the system of castes. 4 j. Priestley Some.. think that heat is produced in the lungs by the attri¬ tion of the blood in passing through them. 5 H. Wouk Combat attrition was taking a steep toll, and to send green replacements into the skies was fruitless. P. F. Boller He |Ulysses S. Grant] was similarly resistant to retreating; he hammered stubbornly away at the enemy and wore him down by sheer attrition. Scientific American The resulting family of poults is subject to a high rate of attrition, owing to predators, vagaries of the weather and desertion. Daily Telegraph The unions said that '8,000 job cuts’ would be nego¬ tiable only if the jobs could be eliminated by ‘attrition’ (encouraging early retirement), war of attrition a prolonged war characterized by continual small-scale actions rather than by decisive battles. ■ attritional adjective characterized by or of the nature of attri¬ tion M19. attune /o’tju.n/ verb. Li6. [from at-+ tune verb.] 1 verb trans. Bring into musical accord. (Foil, by to.) Li6. 12 verb trans. Make tuneful or melodious. M17-118. 3 verb trans. Bring (an instrument) to the correct pitch; tune. Ei8.

m man. n no. p pen,

r red, s sit,

t

top, v van,

w

we,

z

[from a-10 + Greek tupos type noun + -ia'.] medicine. An atypical condition; irregularity, abnormal¬ ity.

atypical /ei'tipik(b)l, a-/ adjective. L19. [from A-10 + typical adjective.] Not typical; not conforming to type. ■ atypically adverb E20.

AU abbreviation. 1 Angstrom unit. 2 Astronomical unit.

Au symbol. [Latin aurum.] chemistry. Goid.

aubade 3u’ba:d;/oreign obad {pi. same)/ noun. U7. [French from Spanish albada, from alba (= French au be) dawn.] A piece of music or a poem written to be heard at or appropriate to dawn. aubaine:oben/ noun. Li6. [French, from aubain foreigner, of unkn. origin.) Hist. In full droit d’aubaine /drwa dobsn/. The right of the French monarch to claim the property of any foreigner who died in France.

auberge /oo'be^; foreign ober3 (pi. same)/ noun. Li6. [French from Provencal alberga lodging.] An inn, esp. one in France. ■ aubergiste obr.iqisl (pi. same)/ noun the keeper of an auberge Mis.

aubergine /'aobajkn/ noun & adjective. Lis. [French from Catalan alberginin from Arab, al-badinjan, from al-2 + Persian bddingan, -injan from Sanskrit vatimgana.] ► A noun. 1 The fruit of the eggplant, Solanum melongena, eaten as a vegetable; the plant itself, lis. 2 A dark purple colour typical of the skin of the fruit. LI 9. ► B adjective. Of the colour aubergine, dark purple. Li9.

aubrietia /o:'bri:Ja/ noun. Also -ta /-to/, aubretia. Ei9. [mod. Latin Aubrieta, from Claude Aubriet (1668-1743). French bot¬ anist: see -ia'.J Any of several dwarf trailing cruciferous plants of the genus Aubrieta. usu. bearing violet or purple flowers. ? Aubrieta is the original spelling of the name of the genus but in ordinary usage the form with -tia has been predominant.

auburn /'o:ban, -bo:n/ adjective, lme. [Old French alborne, auborne from medieval Latin aiburmis whitish, from Latin oibus white: later assoc, with brown by false etymology (through forms with metathesis).]

zoo, .[ she.

3

vision,

6

thin.

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

149

Aubusson | auditory

Orig., of a yellowish- or brownish-white colour. Now, of a golden- or reddish-brown colour. (Used esp. of a person’s hair.)

Aubusson /obys5/ noun.

PI. pronounced same. E20. [A town in central France.] Tapestry or (esp.) a tapestry carpet woven at Aubusson.

AUC abbreviation. Latin ab urbe condita from the foundation of the city (of Rome, in 753 bc), or anno urbis conditae in the year of the founding of the city.

aucht /o:xt/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Scot. Also aught. [Old English Xht (= Old High German chi, Gothic aihts), from agati to own. possess (pa. t. ahte).] Possessions, property.

aucht verb see ought verb.

au courant /o kura/ adverbial & pred. adjectival phr.

mis. [French.] In an informed position; aware of current develop¬ ments. (Usu. foil, by with, of.)

auction /'o:kJ(a)n/ noun & verb. Li6. [Latin aurtio(n-) lit. 'increase', from auct- pa. ppl stem of augere to increase: see -ion.] ► A noun. 1 A (usu. public) sale in which articles are sold to or reserved for the highest bidder. Li6. 2 The bidding in a hand of a card-game such as bridge. Also ellipt.. = auction bridge s.v. bridge noun2. E20 1 all over the auction Austral, slang everywhere. Dutch auction a sale in which the price is gradually reduced by the auctioneer until a buyer is found, mock auction see mock adjective. 2 auction bridge see bridge noun2. ► B verb trans. Sell by auction. Ei9.

3 (A) formal interview, esp. with a monarch or a member of government. (Foil, by of, with.) lme. 4 a The persons within hearing; an assembly of listen¬ ers. lme. tb transf. The readership of a book, newspaper, etc.; the whole group of spectators or viewers of a play, television programme, etc. mis. 5 Hist. (The territory administered by) a SpanishAmerican court of government or justice, eis. m 1 Shakes. Coriot List to your tribunes. Audience! peace, 1 say. H. F. Cary Thou in his audience shouldst thereof dis¬ course. Ld Macaulay These teachers easily found attentive audience, give audience give ear. listen. 2 Court of Audience Hist, an ecclesiastical court, orig. held by an archbishop, later by his auditors. 3 Shakes. Hen. VThe French ambassador upon that instant Crav'd audience. Daily Telegraph The Rt. Hon. James Callaghan .. had an audience of Her Majesty this evening. M. Amis I had then had a brief audience with Rachel's guardians. 4a E. M. Forster The lec¬ turer was a clergyman, and his audience must be also his flock, captive audience: see captive adjective 1. b A. Toffler Like radio broadcasters and moviemakers, publishers tended to seek the largest and most universal audience. G. Ewart Opposite was the audience, to watch the total effect, / a sort of firework display.

taudiencernoun.

audient /'a:diant/ noun & adjective. Ei7. [As noun from late Latin audient-, -ens (Cyprian) catechumen; as adjective from Latin audient-: see audience. -ENT.] ► A noun. A hearer, a listener; ecclesiastical history a hearer of the gospel, not yet a member of the Church, a catechu¬ men. E17. ► B adjective. Listening. M19.

aucuba /'o:kjuba/noun. lis. [mod. Latin, from Japanese aola (name of the shrub) + (prob.)-ba, ha leaf.] A hardy evergreen shrub belonging to the Far Eastern genus Aucuba, of the dogwood family; esp. the Japanese laurel, A japonica.

aucupate /'o:kjupeit/ verb trans. M17. [Latin aucupat- pa. ppl stem of auoipari lit. 'go bird-catching', from avis bird + capere to catch: see -ate3.] Lie in wait for, gain by craft.

audacious /oldeijas/ adjective. Mi6. [from Latin audac-, -ax bold, from audcrc dare: see -acious.) 1 Daring, bold, confident, intrepid, mi6. 2 Openly disregarding decorum or morality; impu¬ dent, shameless. Li6. EB 1A.J. Cronin Claire began to look at the paintings, seeing little.. but an audacious contrast of brilliant colours. J. Berger The bold and audacious youth who had the fabu¬ lous vision of the Alps conquered and fleeing under his glance. 2 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI Such is thy audacious wicked¬ ness. Defoe I grew more hardened and audacious than ever. ■ audaciously adverb L16. audaciousness noun = audacity Lie.

audacity /ofdasiti/ noun. lme. [from medieval Latin audacitas, formed as prec.: see -acity.] 1 Boldness; reckless daring, lme. 2 Effrontery; impudence. M16.

Audenesque Axda'nesk/ adjective. M20. [from Auden (see below) + -esque.] Resembling in matter or style the works of the English poet and critic Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-73).

audible /'o:dib(a)l/ adjective & noun. lis. [Late Latin audibills, from audire hear: see -ible. Cf. earlier inaudible] ► A adjective. Able to be heard. Li 5. Q S. Richardson I had rather have their silent Prayers, than their audible ones. R. Lardner The hubbub must have been audible to Miss Jackson outside. M. Frayn He could hear a distant banging and shouting, but it was scarcely audible over the noise of the celebration. ► B noun. 1 A thing able to be heard, rare. E17. 2 aimer, football. A play called at the line of scrimmage to replace that previously agreed on. M20. ■ audi bility noun the quality of being audible, audible cap¬ acity M17. audibleness noun E17. audibly adverb M17.

audience/'o:drans/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, refash, after Latin of foiance from Latin audientia. from audient- pres, ppl stem of audire hear: see -ence. Sense 5 from Spanish audientia.] 1 Hearing; attention to what is spoken, arch. lme. 2 Judicial hearing. Now arch. & Hist. lme. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her.

1

Comb. : audit ale an ale of special quality formerly brewed at certain colleges of English universities, orig. for use on the day of audit; audit-house, audit-room a building or room attached to a cathedral for the transaction of business; audit trail a system allowing tracing of the detailed transactions underlying any part of an audit record. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Conduct an audit of (accounts etc.); gen. review methodically and in detail, lme. J2 verb intrans. Draw up or render an account. M17-E18. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Attend (a lecture, course, etc.) without intending to receive credits. N. Amer. M20. IO T J. A. Froude With subscribed funds, regularly audited. Chtistian Science Monitor Honeywell.. would audit a building, identify [energy] conservation possibilities, install the equip¬ ment, and monitor its operation. 3 A. Lurie She audited his undergraduate lectures; she waylaid him in the department office.

li6-mis.

[Old & mod. French audientier from medieval Latin audientiarius, from audient-: see prec., -er2.] An officer in Chancery who dealt with all letters patent.

[from prec. + -eer.] ► A noun. A person who conducts sales by auction, esp. a person whose business is to do this. eis. ► B verb intrans. & trans. Sell by auction. Chiefly as auctioneering verbal noun. mis. [from Latin aurtor author noun + -ial.] Of or pertaining to an author. Cf. authorial adjective.

ffi 3 Milton With his orisons I meddle not, for hee appeals to a high audit. Shell Technology In the safety audit, an inde¬ pendent safety team reviews the design and construction work, concentrating on safety aspects. 5 T. Dekker Those heapes of Siluer.. will he a passing bell.. calling rhec- to a fearefull Audit.

Comb.: audience-chamber a reception room in a palace etc.: audience participation participation by the audience esp. in a broadcast programme: audience research investigation into the numbers and opinions of listeners or viewers of broadcast programmes.

auctioneer /mkjVnia/ noun & verb. Eis.

auctorial /o:k'to:ri3l/ adjective. E19.

3 A hearing, an inquiry; a methodical and detailed review; arch, a judicial hearing or examination, lme. 4 A periodical settlement of accounts between land¬ lord and tenants. Li 5. 5 fig. A searching examination; a reckoning, a settle¬ ment; esp. the Day of Judgement. Mi6.

■ audita bility noun L20. auditable adjective L20.

audition /o:'diJ(o)n/ noun & verb. Li6. [Latin auditiojn-). from audit-: see prec., -ion.] ► A noun. 1 The action, power, or faculty of hearing; lis¬ tening. Li 6. 2 Something heard, rare, mi7. 3 A trial hearing or viewing of an applicant for employ¬ ment as a singer, actor, etc. Li9. CO 1 E. Pound All that the critic can do for the reader or audience or spectator is to focus his gaze or audition. 2 Hor. Walpole I went to hear it for it is not an apparition but an audition. 3 J. Berger She had the impression that everyone was waiting their opportunity to compete, like singers at an audition.

audile /'o:dAil/ adjective & noun. Li9. [Irreg. from Latin audire hear + -ile.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or predominantly involving the sense of hearing. Li 9. 2 psychology. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by responses that involve audile imagery; (of a person) responding to perceptions more readily in terms of audile imagery than in tactile or visual terms. E20. ► B noun, psychology. An audile person. Li9.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Give an audition to (an applicant); test by means of an audition M20. 2 verb intrans. Undergo an audition; be tested by means of an audition. M20.

auditive /'o:drtxv/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French auditif, -ive, from Latin audit-: see audit, -ive.] = auditory adjective 1.

audio /'o:drau/ noun. E20. [Independent use of next: orig. used attrib. or as adjective.] Audible sound, esp. as electrically reproduced; sound reproduction. Comb.: audio frequency: within the normal frequency range of human hearing; audio secretary: who does audio typing; audio typing typewriting directly from a tape or other sound recording; audio typist: who types directly from a tape or other sound recording.

auditor 'o:dito/noun. me. [Anglo-Norman auditour. Old & mod. French audtteur, from Latin auditor, from audit-: see audit, -or.] 1 A person who conducts an audit of accounts etc.; spec, (more fully auditor of court) a taxing-master in a Scot¬ tish court, me. 2 A hearer, a listener, lme. 3 A person who listens judicially and tries cases, esp. in an ecclesiastical court, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 4 A person who learns by oral instruction; a pupil, a disciple; a catechumen, lis. 5 A person who attends a lecture, course, etc., without intending to receive credits. N. Amer. M20.

audio- /'.rdiao/ combining form of Latin audire hear: see -o-.

■ audio-active adjective (of language teaching, facilities for this) providing opportunity for listening and response M20. audiobook noun a sound recording of a reading of a book L20. audio genic adjective caused by sound M20. audiogram noun a graphic record of sensitivity of hearing produced by an audiom¬ eter M20. audio-lingual adjective pertaining to listening and speaking, as opp. to reading and writing, esp. in language teach¬ ing M20 audiophile noun a devotee of high-fidelity sound repro¬ duction M20. audiotape noun & verb (a) noun (also as two words) magnetic tape on which sound can be recorded; (a sound record¬ ing on) a length of magnetic tape: (b) verb trans. record on audiotape: M20. audio visual adjective (esp. of aids to teaching) usingor pertaining to both sight and sound M20.

GQ 1 Shakes. Timon Calf me before th'exactest auditors, And set me on the proof. 2 S. Johnson He that long delays a story, and suffers his auditor to torment himself with expect¬ ation. 3 J. Ayliffe The Auditor, or Official of Causes and Matters in the Court of Audience of Canterbury. 4 Anthony Wood Bodley.. was an auditor of Chevalerius in Hebrew. ■ auditorship noun the position of an auditor lme, auditress noun (now rare) a female auditor M17.

audiology /Dxli'obdji/ noun. M20.

auditorial /p:di’tp:rral/ adjective, rare. Mi9. [Sense 1 from auditory adjective + -al1; sense 2 from prec. + -IAL.] 1 = auditory adjective 1. Mi9. 2 Of or pertaining to auditors or an audit. L19. ■ auditorially adverb Li 9.

[from prec. + -logy.]

The branch of science that deals with hearing. ■ audio logical adjective M20. audiologist noun M20.

audiometer /oidi’miuts/ noun. Li9. [from AUDIO- + -METER.] An instrument for measuring the sensitivity of the ear to sounds of different frequencies. ■ audio metric adjective of or pertaining to audiometry L19. audiome trician audiometrist nouns a person who specializes in audiometry M20. audiometry noun the measurement and testing of the sense of hearing L19.

auditorium /o:di'to:riom/ noun. Pl. -riums. -ria -no E17. [Latin, use as noun of neut. of auditorius: see auditory adjective. -ORIUM.] 1 gen. A place for hearing, rare. E17. 2 spec. The part of a theatre, lecture-hall, or other public building occupied by the audience; (N. Amer.) such a build¬ ing as a whole, mi9.

audion /'oidian/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. E20.

auditory/'o;dit(o)ri/ noun. arch. lme.

[from Latin audire hear + -on.] A triode valve of the earliest form.

[from Latin auditorium: see -ory'.] 1 An assembly of hearers, an audience, lme. 2 A place for hearing; an auditorium, lme.

audit /'o:dit/ noun & verb. lme. [from Latin auditus hearing, from audit- pa. ppl stem of audire hear; in medieval Latin auditus (compoti) audit (of an account).] ► A noun. 1 An official examination and verification of (orig. orally presented) financial accounts, esp. by an independent body. lme. j 2 A statement of account; a balance sheet. LME-M17.

sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, a: saw, a run. o

put. u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how. ei day.

>tb A

lecture-room; a philosophical school. E17-L18. auditory / o:dit(3)ri/ adjective. L16. [Late Latin auditorius. from Latin auditor: see -ory2.] 1 Pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing. Lie. 2 Pertaining to an auditorium, rare. mis. j

no. e: hair, is near, .11 boy. us poor. a» tire, aoa sour

150

auditual [ Augustine ■ augltic /o:'d3itik/ adjective pertaining to or characterized by augite E19.

1 a auditory scanning: see scanning noun, m auditorily adverb by means of hearing or listening M20.

augment /'o:gm(o)nt/ noun.

auditual /ofditjual/ adjective. Long rare. Mi7. [from Latin auditus sense of hearing from audit- (see -AL1.]

audit),

+

Of or pertaining to the sense of hearing, auditory, au fait /ao fei, foreign o fel adverbial & pred. adjectival phr. M18. [French, lit. 'to the fact, to the point'.]

Thoroughly conversant (with, tof). well instructed (in), expert or skilful (at). tauf(e) nouns see oaf noun. aufgabe /'aofgaiba/ noun. E20. [German.] Chiefly psychology. A task, an assignment. Cf. task noun

lme. [Old & mod. French augmenter or late Latin augmentare, from augmentum: see prec.] ► I verb trans. 1 Make greater in size, number, amount, degree, etc.; increase, lme. 2 Raise (a person) in estimation or dignity. Now rare.

£Q 1 Sir W. Scott The insurgents were intent upon aug¬ menting and strengthening their forces. W. Plomer I took on stray jobs of this kind to augment my income. A. J. Toynbee Man has been content just to live on Nature's bounty without seeking to augment it. 2 P. H. Johnson Certain things Rupert really loved, his wife (when he was not put to the necessity of augmenting her) and his games.

At bottom, basically. Aug. abbreviation. August.

► II verb intrans. 4 Become greater in size, amount, etc.;

tauge noun. L16-M18.

increase, lme.

[Old French from Arab, 'awj peak, apogee.] APOGEE, APSIS.

Augean /o:'d3i:an/ adjective. L16. [from Latin Augeas, Greek Angelas (see below) + -an.]

Abominably filthy; resembling the stables of Augeas, King of Elis, that had been uncleaned for 30 years until Hercules turned the River Alpheus through them. augelite MgaUit, 'o:d3-/ noun. Mi9. [from Greek auge lustre + -LITE.] mineralogy. A monoclinic basic aluminium phosphate

occurring usu. as colourless or reddish tabular crystals. augen /'aug(a)n/ noun pi. 119. [German, pi. of Augr eve noun.] geology. Lenticular mineral grains or aggregates present in some metamorphic rocks. Usu. attrib. or comb., denot¬

ing the presence of these, as augen-gneiss. augend /'o:d3(a)nd/ noun. Li9. [German from Latin augetidus gerundive of augere to increase: see -END.]

The quantity to which an addend is added. auger iygs! noun'. Also fn-. [Old English nafogar, from nafu nave noun' + gar spear, piercer: corresp. to Old Saxon nabuger. Old High German nabuger. Old Norse nafarr. The initial n was lost by misdivision as in adder, apron, etc.]

1 A tool for boring holes in wood, having a long shank with a usu. helical cutting edge, and a transverse handle fixed to the top of the shank by means of which the tool is turned by hand. oe. 2 An instrument for boring in earth, working on a similar principle. L16. 3 More fully auger-shell. (The slender tapering spiral shell of) any marine gastropod of the genera Terebra and Turritella. Li 8. 4 A helical bit used to convey material, or to mix material and force it through an aperture. M20. Comb. : auger-hole a hole drilled by an auger: auger-shell see sense 3 above.

Auger I’ouyei/ noun2. M20. [P. V. Auger (1899-1993), French physicist.] physics. 1 Auger effect, the emission of an electron,

rather than an X-ray photon, accompanying the filling of a vacancy in an inner electron shell of an atom. M20. 2 Auger electron, an electron emitted in this effect. M20. aught noun var. of aucht noun. aught /o:t/ pronoun, adjective, & adverb. Also ought, (Scot.) ocht /DXt/, (dial.) owt /aot/. [Old English awiht, dvvuht, duht, dht, corresp. to Old Frisian dwet, det. Old Saxon eowiht, Old High German eowiht, iewiht, from West Germanic compound of aye adverb’ 8, wight noun.] ► A pronoun. Anything whatever; anything, oe. CD B. Malamud For aught he meant to anyone, Yakov Bok did not exist.

►t B adjective. Worth something; worthy, doughty. Only in me. ► C adverb. To any extent, in any respect, at all. me. £9 W. Owen Lest aught she be disturbed or grieved at all. ought

augment feg'ment/ verb.

arms). M17.

au fond lo f5/ adverbial phr. lis. [French.]

aught verb see

£P 1 W. H. Auden April's rapid augment of colour.

Mi6. 3 heraldry. Make an honourable addition to (a coat of

i(d)-

Aufklarung /'aufkleirug/ noun. Ei9. [German = enlightenment.] = ENLIGHTENMENT 2.

ASTRONOMY. -

lme. [Old & mod. French, or late Latin augmentum, from augere to increase: see -ment.] 1 Increase, lme. 2 grammar. The prefixed vowel marking the past tenses of verbs in the older Indo-European languages. Li7.

■ augmentable adjective f(o) capable of increasing; (b) able to be increased: Lis. augmenter noun = augmentor eis. augmentive adjective & noun (rare) = augmentative E17. augmentor noun a person who or thing which augments some¬ thing Mi6.

augmentation /o:gm8n'teiJ(a)n/ noun.

lme. [Old French augmentation (mod. augmentation) from late Latin augmentation), from augmentat- pa. ppl stem of augmentare: see prec., -ATioN.] 1 The action or process of making or becoming greater in size, amount, etc.; enlargement, increase, lme. •f2 The action or process of raising in estimation or dignity; exaltation, honouring. lme-ei7. 3 Something by which anything is augmented; an add¬ ition, an increase, lis. 4 Augmented or intensified state or condition; increased size etc. M16. 5 heraldry. An honourable addition to a coat of arms. LI 6. 6 music. The repetition of a subject (esp. in fugues) in notes uniformly longer than those of the original. Li6. 7 scots iaw. An increase of clerical stipend obtained through an action in the Court of Teinds. obsolete exc. Hist. M17. 1 Court of Augmentation(s) Hist, a court established in the reign of Henry VIII in order to settle the disposal of the property of monasteries upon dissolution.

augmentative teg'mentatrv/ adjective & noun.

lme. [Old & mod. French augmentatif, -ive or medieval Latin augmentativus, from augmentat■: see prec., -IVE.] ► A adjective. 1 Having the property of increasing or adding to; logic. = ampliative. lme. 2 grammar Of an affix or derivative: intensive; esp. indi¬ cating something large of its kind (opp. diminutive). M17. ► B noun, grammar An augmentative formative or word. L17.

augmented

tig'mentid/ adjective. E17. [from augment noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.] 1 That has been augmented; increased. E17. 2 music. Of an interval: greater by a semitone than the corresponding major or perfect interval. Of a chord: con¬ taining such an interval. Opp. diminished 2. Ei9. 3 grammar Having an augment. Ml9.

au grand serieux /o gra serje/ adverbial phr.

M19.

[French.] In all seriousness. Cf. au serieux.

au gratin /o grate/ adverbial & pred.

adjectival phr. E19. [French, from au with the + gratin.] cookery. Sprinkled with breadcrumbs and/or grated cheese and browned.

taugrim noun var. of algorism. augur /'o:ga/ noun.

augite /'o:d3Ait/ noun. E19. [Latin augites a precious stone, prob. turquoise, from Greek augites. from auge lustre: see -ite1.] mineralogy. A monoclinic mineral of the pyroxene group which occurs as black or dark green prisms esp. in many basic igneous rocks. k cat, 1 leg, n

A Roman religious official who interpreted omens derived from the behaviour of birds, the appearance of entrails, etc., and gave advice in accordance with them; gen. a soothsayer, a diviner, a prophet. ■ augural /b:gjur(3)l/ adjective (a) of or pertaining to augurs or augury, (b) significant of the future, lucky or ominous: E16. augurate noun the position of augur Mis. augurous xgjures/ man. n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit,

augur/'ygo/ verb. Mi6. [from prec.: cf. Old & mod. French augurer from Latin augurari.] 1 verb trans. Usher in (or in) with auguries; inaugurate. M16. 2 verb intrans. a Take auguries; conjecture from signs, have a foreboding. M16. >b (With well, ill, etc.) (Of a person) anticipate, (of a thing) portend, a good or bad outcome, lis. 3 verb trans. Divine, forebode, anticipate; portend, give promise of. Ei7. O 1H. Latimer Numa Pompilus, who was augured and created king (of] the Romaynes next after Romulus. 2a Sir W. Scott Not that he augur'd of the doom. Which on the living closed the tomb, b Wellington 1 augur well from this circumstance. W. H. Prescott A reverential deference, which augured well for the success of his mission. E. J. Howard Everything augured badly—they weren't meant to be together. 3 Jonson I did augur all this to him beforehand. W. Sparrow He may augur the gust is coming, but cannot prevent it. Lytton Whose open, handsome, hardy face augured a frank and fearless nature. L. Strachey The strange mixture of ingenuous light-heartedness and fixed determination.. seemed to augur a future perplexed and full of dangers. ■ augurer noun = augur noun lme. auguration /;>:gjo'reiJ(3)n/ noun. Now rare. lme. [Latin auguratio(n-). from augurat- pa. ppl stem of augurari: see prec., -ATION.] Augury; an omen, a token. ■ t augurate verb trans. & intrans. -augur verb L16-M18. augury /'o:gjuri/ noun. lme. [Old French augurie or Latin augurium, formed as augur noun: see -Y3.]

1 The art of the augur; divination; arch, skill in this. LME. 2 An augural observance or rite. E17. 3 An omen, a portent, a token. Ei7. 4 Foreboding, anticipation; promise, indication. L18. ■ augurial .Ygjoomt adjective (rare) Ei6 August /'o:gost/ noun. oe. [Latin augustus (see next): named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor.j The eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calen¬ dar. august /y.'gAstladjective. Mi7. [Old & mod. French auguste or Latin augustus consecrated, vener¬ able.] 1 Inspiring reverence and admiration; solemnly grand, stately. M17. 2 Venerable by birth, status, or reputation; eminent, dignified; (sometimes as an honorific). Li7. ■ augustly adverb M17. augustness noun mis. august /'ccgsst/ verb trans. rare. Li7. [from August noun, after French aouter.] Ripen, bring to fruition. Augustal /o: 'gAst(3)l/ adjective. M17. [from Latin augustaiis, from Augustus: see August noun, -al*.] Hist. Of or pertaining to Augustus Caesar; imperial Roman. Augustal Prefect (the title of) the prefect of Roman Egypt. Augustan/o:'gAst(a)n/ adjective & noun. M16. [Latin (sense A.i medieval Latin) Augustanus, from (sense A.i) Augusta (Vindelicorum) Augsburg, a city in Bavaria, (sense A.2) Augustus: see August noun, -an.] ► A adjective. 1 ecclesiastical history. Of Augsburg, where in 1530 Luther and Melanchthon drew up their confession of Protestant principles. Mi6. 2 Designating or pertaining to the reign of Augustus Caesar (27 bc-ad 14), esp. as a period of outstanding refinement of Latin literature, or the corresponding period of any national literature; classical; spec, designat¬ ing or pertaining to English literature from the mid 17th to the late 18th cent. El 8. ► B noun. 1 Augustan literary style, rare. M19. 2 A writer of the Augustan age of any literature. L19. ■ Augustanism noun Augustan principles, quality, or condi¬ tion, spec, in English literature E20. jAugustean adjective = Augustan adjective 2: only in 117. auguste /'o:gu:st; foreign ogyst (pi same)/ noun. E20. [French from German August, male forename, (slang) clown, fool.] A circus clothes.

lme.

[Latin.]

verb.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes.

£9 4 Dryden The Winds redouble, and the Rains augment. J. Tyndall The polarizing angle augments with the refractive index of the medium.

adjective (rare) full of foreboding, anxious E17. augurship noun = augurate noun E17.

t top,

v van. w we, z zoo.

clown

wearing ill-fitting

or

dishevelled

Augustine /ofgAstin/ noun & adjective. Also f-in. lme. [Old & mod. French augustin, from Latin Augustinus Augustine (see below); cf. Austin.] ► A noun. A member of the monastic order named after

St Augustine of Hippo (354-430), a Father of the Church. LME. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to St Augustine or the Augustines. lme. I she-

3 Vision,

9 thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

151

Augustinian | auricle

Augustinian /crga'stinisn/ adjective & noun.

M16.

[from prec. + -ian.] ► A adjective. = Augustine adjective. Mi6. ► B noun. = Augustine noun. Also, an adherent of the doc¬ trines of St Augustine. M16. ■ Augustinianism noun the doctrines of St Augustine, esp. those regarding predestination and grace Mi9.

auk/o:ky noun.

L17.

[Old Norse alka razorbill (orig. neck) (Swedish alka, Danish aik).] Any of several short-winged diving sea birds of the family Alcidae, native to the northern oceans, which includes razorbills, guillemots, and puffins, great auk a large flightless auk, Pinguinus impennis, of the N. Atlantic, now extinct, little auk a small Arctic auk, Alle allr. ■ auklet noun any of various small auks, chiefly of the N. Pacific Li 9.

aul /'a:ul/ noun. Also aoul.

E19.

[Eastern Turkic.] A Caucasian or Tatar village or encampment.

aula /'o:\sl noun. PI. -lae /-li:/, -las. mis. [medieval Latin = hall, court, college, from Greek aule.] 1 Hist, aula regis /'riid^s/, the King’s Court of the Norman kings of England, mis. 2 A hall; an assembly hall, esp. at a German school or university. Li 9. aulacogen/o;Takad3(3)n/noun. 120. [from Greek aulak-, aulax furrow + -ocen.] geology. A sediment-filled trough in continental crust representing the trace of an incipient rift which failed to develop.

aularian /o:'le:rran/ noun & adjective.

Li7.

[from medieval Latin aularius adjective, from aula: see -arian.] Oxford & Cambridge Univs. ►A noun. A member of a hall (as opp. to a college). Li7. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a hall. M19.

auld /odd, add/ adjective, noun, & adverb. Scot. lme. [Var. of OLD adjective repr. Old English (Anglian) aid.] = old adjective, noun2, & adverb auld alliance the political alliance between Scotland and France, beginning with the treaty of 1295 and repeatedly renewed until the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, auld lang syne /lag SAin/ 'old long since’, the days of long ago (esp. as the title and refrain of a song sung at parting etc.). Auld Reekie ‘Old Smoky'. Edinburgh, auld thief. aulic/'odik/adjective. Ei8. [French aulique or Latin milieus, from Greek aulikos, from aide court: see -ic.] Of or pertaining to a court; courtly. Aulic Council Hist, the personal council of the German Emperor; later, a council managing the war department of the Austrian Empire.

aulnage/'odmds/ noun. Also aln-, faun-, lme. [Old French alnage. (mod.) aunage, from alner, auner measure by the ell, from nine, aune: see -AGE. Cf. ulnage.] Hist. The official measurement and inspection of cloth; the fee paid for this. ■ aulnager noun an officer appointed to measure and inspect cloth M16.

aum noun var. of aam. aumail noun & verb var. of amel. aumbry /'o:mbri/ noun. Also almery /'a:m(o)ri/, ambry /'ambri/. me. [Old French almarie var. of armarie (mod. armoire) from Latin armarium closet, chest, from arma utensils.] A place for keeping things; spec. f(a) a library, an archive; (b) (now dial.) a pantry, a store-closet; (c) a closed recess in the wall of a church; (d) Hist, a small cupboard. CQ R. Macaulay The Blessed Sacrament had had to be locked in an aumbry when no one was on guard.

faumelet noun see

[Anglo-Norman aunte. Old French ante (mod. tante) from Latin amita. Cf. naunt, tante.] 1 The sister of one’s father or mother; an uncle’s wife. ME. ►b A woman to whom one can turn for help; an unrelated older woman friend, esp. of children, colloq. LI 8. 12 An old woman; a gossip. Only in L16. 13 A bawd, a procuress; a prostitute. E17-M19.

[Late Latin

CQ 1J. R. Ackeriey My Aunt Bunny, my mother's younger sister. Aunt Sally a game in which players throw sticks or balls at a wooden dummy; fig. an object of unreasonable attack, great-aunt: see great adjective, my aunt!, my giddy aunt!, my sainted aunt!, etc., expr. surprise, disbelief, etc. Welsh aunt see Welsh adjective, b H. B. Stowe These univer¬ sally useful persons receive among us the title of ‘aunt’ by a sort of general consent. J. le Carre She.. became.. their guide, friend and universal aunt, agony aunt 2 Shakes. Mids. N. D. The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale. ■ auntly adjective having or showing the qualities of an aunt Mi 9. auntship noun (a) (with possess, adjective, as your auntship etc.) a pompous form of address to an aunt; (b) the relationship of aunt: El 9.

LI 8. [from prec. +-IE, -Vs.] 1 = AUNT. L18. 2 (A-.) An institution regarded as conservative in its approach; spec, the BBC. M20. CQ 1 R. Burns My auld Auntie Katie upon me taks pity. W. Faulkner She began to ask her old schoolmates that their children call her 'cousin' instead of 'aunty'. J. Braine Honestly, that woman's magazine stuff, just the son of advice these damned aunties give. Day Lewis You'd better not tell your Auntie.

au pied de la lettre lo pje da la letr/ adverbial phr. Li 8. [French = to the foot of the letter.] Down to the last detail; literally.

aura I'rrol noun. PL -ras, (rare) -rae l-n:l. lme.

aumil, aumildar nouns vars. of amil,

amildar.

aumdniere /omonje:r/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Ei9. [French, fem. of aumonier: see almoner.] A purse carried at the waist. noun var. of aulnage.

aurelia /o:'ri:!ra/ noun.

auncel /'o:ns(3)l/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. [Anglo-Norman, earlier aunser, = Anglo-Latin auncella, a(u)nser of unkn. origin.] A kind of balance and weight; a steelyard. Lis.

[French.] An ell; a French measure of doth,

gold: see

see prec.,

-ity.]

116.

11 A helichrysum, Helichrysum stoechas. L16-E17. 2 A chrysalis. Now rare or obsolete. E17. 3 A jellyfish of the common genus Aurelia, esp. A. aurita. Li 9.

aurelian /ofridran/ adjective & noun. Lis. [from prec. + -an.] Of or pertaining to, a student or collector of, butterflies and moths.

aureola /o:'ri:ala/ noun. PL -lae /-li:/, -las. ns. [Latin, fem. (sc.

corona crown) of aureolus adjective,

dim. of aureus

golden, from aurum gold.]

= AUREOLE.

aureole /'otisuI/ noun & verb, me, [Old & mod. French aureole formed as prec.]

► A noun. 1 roman catholic church. The celestial crown won by a martyr', virgin, or doctor as victor over the world, the flesh, and the devil; the special degree of gloiy which distinguishes these, me. 2 The glory around the head or body in depictions of divine figures. Mi9. 3 A halo or ring around thesunormoon.Mi9. 4 transf. & fig. Something that surrounds like a halo; an aura, mi9. 5 CEOtocv. The zone of metamorphosed rock surround¬ ing an igneous intrusion. L19. CQ 4 0. W. Holmes The aureole of young womanhood had not yet begun to fade from around her. J. Agate One of the downs wearing a flaming aureole of silly yellow hair. A. Sillitoe The glow of her soft features was framed and accentuated by an aureole of silence backed by the sound of the dty. ► B verb trans. Encircle with or as with an aureole. Chiefly as aureoled ppl adjective. M19.

aureolin /'o:nalm, ofnslin/ noun. Li9. [formed as aureola + -in1.] Cobalt yellow, a transparent yellow pigment.

Aureomycin tarra'mAisin/ noun. Also a-. M20. (Streptomyces) aureofaciens, the source bacter¬ -faciens -facient, + -mycin.] (Proprietary name for) the antibiotic chlortetracycline. [from mod. Latin

[Latin from Greek = breath, breeze.] 1 A gentle breeze, a zephyr, arch. & poet. ime. 2 A subtle emanation or exhalation: a surrounding glow; fig. an atmosphere diffused by or attending a person, place, etc.; a distinctive impression of character or aspect. M18. >b In arts criticism: the quality of uniqueness or authenticity possessed by an object or artefact, which cannot be present on a reproduction.

ium, from aureus golden +

au reste lo rest/ adverbial phr. Ei7. [French.]

As for the rest.

aureus /'o:rras/ noun. Pl, -rei /-riAi/. Ei7. [Latin, use as noun of aureus golden, from aurum gold.] A Roman coin of the late republic and the empire, of the value of 25 silver denarii.

M20. 3 A premonitory sensation experienced before an attack of epilepsy or migraine. Lis.

au revoir lo ravwa:r, so ra'vwa: interjection & noun phr. L17.

Q ic. Patmore I did respire the lonely auras sweet. 2 Coleridge The electrical aura of oxygen. A. Miller There is an aura of far places about him. L. Lee A dog trotted past like a ghost in a cloud, panting his aura around him. J. G. Farrell A dimly lit table above which a faint aura of exasperation seemed to hang.

[French, lit. 'to the seeing again'.]

(Goodbye) until we meet again; a farewell for the present.

auric "o:nk/ adjective'. Ei9. [from Latin aurum gold + -ic.]

■ au 'ratic adjective relating to or possessing aura (sense 2b); ori¬ ginal. authentic: L20.

Of or pertaining to gold, golden; spec, (chemistry) of gold in the trivalent state (cf. aurous). auric acid (a) the weakly addic hydroxide Au(OH),: t(b) auric oxide, Au203.

[from Latin auris ear + -AL'.] Of, pertaining to, or received by the ear. ■ aurally adverb L19.

auric /'o:nk/ adjective2. Li9. [from aura + -ic.] = aural adjective2.

aurichalc noun var. of orichalc.

[from AURA + -AL1.] Of or pertaining to an aura.

aurichalcite /o:rikalsAit/ noun. Mi9.

auramine /'o:r3mi:n, -in/ noun. Li9.

[from

[from Latin aurum gold + amine.] A synthetic yellow dyestuff of the diphenylmethane

Latin

aurichalcum, orichalcum.

from

Greek

oreikhalkon

'mountain copper', (brass or copper made from) a yellow ore. +

-ITE'.j mineralogy. An orthorhombic basic carbonate of copper and zinc, occurring usu. as greenish-blue incrustations.

aurar noun pi. of eyrir.

aurichalcuin noun see orichalc.

aurata /ofreits/noun. Ei6.

auricle /'a:rik(a)l/ noun. lme.

[Latin, use as noun of fem. pa. pple of aurare gild, from aurum gold.] A gold-coloured marine fish, esp. the gilt-head. Spams

[from Latin auricula: see -cle.]

1 ANATOMY. A small muscular pouch situated on the upper anterior surface of either atrium of the heart. For¬ merly also, an atrium of the heart, lme. 2 anatomy. The external ear. Formerly also, the lower

aurata.

aurate /'o:reit/ noun. Ei9. [from Latin aurum gold +-ate1.] chemistry. A salt derived from auric acid.

: saw, A run, o put, u: too, 3 ago, m my. ao how. ei day, a cat, a: arm, e bed, 3: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a.

aurum

[Italian, fem. of aurelio golden; as noun a silkworm in its cocoon.]

series.

au naturel!0 natyrsl/ adverbial phr. Ei9. [French.] In the natural state; cooked plainly; uncooked.

golden, from

[medieval Latin aureitas, from aureus: The peculiar quality of gold.

au pair lou pe:/ adjectival & noun phr. Li9. [French = on equal terms.] ► A adjectival phr. Of arrangements between two parties: paid for (entirely or largely) by mutual services. Of a person: party to such an arrangement; spec, (of a (usu. foreign) girl) undertaking domestic duties in return for room and board. Li 9. ► B noun phr. An au pair girl. M20.

aureus

aureity /o:'ri:iti/noun. E19.

[Contr.]

auntie /'a:nti/ noun, colloq. Also -ty; (esp. in names) A-.

from

1 Golden, gold-coloured, lme. 2 Resplendent; (of literary style or diction) highly orna¬ mented, elaborate, lme. ■ aure ation noun the condition of being aureate in literary style E20.

aunter /'omta/ noun & verb trans. & introns. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north. Also (Scot.) anter /'ants/, me. = ADVENTURE HOUR Verb.

aureatus,

-ate-.]

aural /'o:r(3)lI adjective2. Mi9.

(someone).

aune ly.nl noun, obsolete exc. Hist.

aureate /'o:ri3t/ adjective, lme

aunt /a:nt/ noun. Also (esp. as a title) A-. me.

aural l'o:r(o)ll adjective'. Mi9.

omelette.

au mieux /o mjo/ adverbial phr. Mi9. [French = at the best.] On the best of, or on very intimate, terms with

f aunage

aung verb var. of oung.

lobe of the ear. Mi 7. 30

no, e: hair, ra near. 31 boy, os poor, ais tire, aos sour

152

auricula | austerity 3 Chiefly zoology & botany. A projection or process shaped like an ear or ear-lobe. M17.

auricula /ofrikjula/ noun. In sense 1 orig. f-culus. M17. [Latin, dim. of aims ear: see -cule.) 1 A primula. Primula auricula, having ear-shaped leaves. M17. |2 = auricle 2. Only in Li7. 3 A pulmonate mollusc of the family Ellobiidae, found in brackish marshes. Now rare or obsolete. Li 8. 4 zoology. A perforated projection from an ambulacral plate of an echinoid, to which jaw muscles are attached. L19.

auricular/ofrikjub/ adjective & noun. lme. [Late Latin auricmaris, formed as prec.: see -ar'.] ► A adjective. 1 Of confession: spoken into the ear. private, lme. 2 Audible. L16. |3 Addressing, affecting, or employing the ear only (without mental apprehension). L16-M18. 4 gen. Of or pertaining to the ear. mi 7. 5 Of, pertaining to, or resembling an auricle of the heart, mi9. CJ 2 Shakes. Lear 1 will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satis¬ faction. 3 C. Cibber Not mere auricular imitators of one another. 4 auricular finger the little finger (see sense B.i below), auricular witness: one who relates what he has heard. ► B noun. 1 The little finger (as most easily inserted into the ear), mi7. 2 Any of the feathers in the tuft covering the orifice of a bird’s ear. L18. 3 An ear. rare. M19. ■ auricularly adverb Lie.

auriculate 'ofnkjubt/ adjective,

eis.

[from AURICULA + -ATE2.] botany & zooiogy. Furnished with one or more auricles or earlike processes. ■ Also auriculated adjective eis.

auriculo- /ofrikjubu/ combining form. Mi9.

auriculotherapy

rikjabo’eerapi/ noun. L20. [French auriculotherapie, formed as auriculo- + therapy.] A form of acupuncture applied to points on the ear in order to treat other parts of the body.

aurochs /'o:roks, 'ao-/ noun. lis. [German, early var. of Auerochs (Old High German urohso. from irr = old English fir etc. of unkn. origin, + ahso ox). Cf. ure-ox, urochs, URUS.] The extinct wild ox. Bos primigenius. which is the ances¬ tor of domestic cattle in Europe and many parts of the world. Also, the European bison, aurora Ix'rxrol noun. PI. -rae l-ri:/, -ras. lme. [Latin: cf. east.] 1 The rising light of the morning; the dawn. Also (A-), a goddess in Roman mythology, lme. fb fig. The begin¬ ning, the early period, mi9. 2 A rich orange colour, as of the sky at sunrise, mi 7. 3 A luminous phenomenon, often taking the form of variable streamers or resembling drapery, seen in the upper atmosphere in high northern or southern lati¬ tudes, and caused by the interaction of charged solar par¬ ticles with atmospheric gases, under the influence of the earth’s magnetic field; orig. with specifying adjective (see below). E18. 3 aurora australis /ofstreilis/ [southern] the aurora of the southern polar regions, the southern lights, aurora borealis /bo:n'eilis/ [northern] the aurora of the northern regions, the northern lights, aurora polaris /pa(u)'la:ns/ [polar] either ofthe auroras of the polar regions, the northern or southern lights. Comb, aurora snake a non-venomous southern African snake, Lamprophis aurora, which is olive-green with an orange-yellow stripe. ■ aurorean adjective belonging to dawn, or like it in hue Ei9. auroral /o:'ro:r(3)l/adjective. Mi6. [Orig. from French, or medieval Latin auroralis; later from prec. + 1 Of or pertaining to the dawn; eastern; fig. of or per¬ taining to the first period of anything, mi 6. 2 Like the dawn; dawning, roseate. E19. 3 Of or pertaining to the aurora (borealis or australis). E19. 4 Resembling the aurora in its bright display. L19. £QI 1 P. Bayne Auroral splendours of promise.. which accompany all revolutions in their earlier stages. V. Nabokov An atmosphere of.. barbecue smoke, horseplay, jazz music, and auroral swimming. 2 Longfellow Her cheeks suffused with an auroral blush. 3 E. K. Kane A true and unbroken auroral arch. 4 F. T. Palgrave Auroral flashings of wit.

auriferous /oLnffsjras/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin aurifer gold-bearing, from aurum gold, + -ous: see -FEROUS.] Containing or yielding gold (lit. & fig.). m auriferously adverb (rare) mid

aurify /'o:rifAi/ verb trans. & intrans. Mi7. [from Latin aurum gold + -I- + -fy.] Turn into gold. ia- lme.

[Latin auriga charioteer, Auriga, from aureae bridle + -iga from agere drive.] 11 A charioteer; fig. a leader. Only in lme. 2 (The name of) a constellation of the northern hemi¬ sphere in the Milky Way, near Orion; the Charioteer, the Wagoner, mi6. Ei7. [Latin aurigatio(n-), from aurigut- pa. ppl stem of aurigare, from auriga a charioteer: see -ation.] The action or art of driving a chariot or coach. rare.

Aurignacian /o:ri'njeiJ(a)n, -ig’nei-/ adjective & noun. E20. [French Aurignarien, from Aurignac in SW France, where remains of it were found.] ► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to a culture of the palaeolithic period in Europe following the Mousterian and preceding the Solutrean. E20. ► B noun. (A person of) this culture. E20.

faurigonoun.

me-lis.

[Latin.] Jaundice.

aurin /'xnnl noun. Also -ine. Mi9. [from Latin aurum gold + -in'.] A red synthetic dyestuff of the triphenylmethane series.

tauripigment noun. Also in Latin form -mentum LME-E19. [Latin auripigmentum: see orpiment.] = ORPIMENT.

An instrument for visual examination of the

h he. j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, m

aurous/'o:ras/ adjective. Mi9. [from Latin aurum gold + -ous.] chemistry. Of gold in the monovalent state. Cf. adjective1.

-ATE3.]

1 verb intrans. Listen, hear. rare, mi8. 2 verb trans. medicine. Examine by auscultation, mi9. ■ au scult verb trans. & intrans. = auscultate M19. au scultative adjective (medicine) of or pertaining to auscultation Mi9. auscultator noun (medicine) a person who examines by ausculta¬ tion mi9. auscultatory adjective of or pertaining to listening or (medicine) auscultation Mi7. auscultation /o:sk(3)l'teiJ(3)n/ noun. Mi7. [Latin auscultatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] 1 The action of listening. M17. 2 medicine. The action of listening, usu. with a stetho¬ scope, to the heart, lungs, or other organs, as an aid to diagnosis. Ei9.

2 Initiate with an auspicious ceremony; give a fortu¬ nate start to. Ei7. 3 Enter upon in a specified way or with specified con¬ sequences. E17. 4 Begin; inaugurate. M17. auspice/'b:spis/noun. Mi6. [French, or Latin auspiaum taking omens from birds, from avis bird + var. stem of specere look.]

1 a An observation of birds for omens; a sign or token given by birds. Mi6. tb gen. A prophetic token or pre¬ monition, esp. of a happy future; a forecast. Mi7. 2 sing. & (now) in pi. Patronage, favouring influence. El 7. 2 Esp. in under the auspices of. m au spicial adjective auspicious; of or pertaining to auspices or augury; E17.

auspicious /ofspijss/ adjective. Li6. [from prec. + -ous.]

1 Propitious; favourable, favouring; conducive to success. LI6. 2 Giving or being an omen; spec, of good omen, betokening success. Ei7. tb Of a person: predicting or prognosticating good. eis. 3 Prosperous, fortunate. E17. 1 Shakes. AH's Weil Fortune play upon thy prosperous helm. As thy auspicious mistress! E. Caldwell You might want to consult Evelyn about the most auspicious date for our wedding. 2 E. Young Beneath auspicious planets bom. K. Amis But such an auspicious debut Was a little too good to be true. A. K. Ramanujan A belief/ in auspicious/ snakes in the skylight, b C. Rossetti The aspect of jubilant auspicious angels. ■ auspiciously adverb Lie auspiciousness noun Mi7.

Aussie /'Dzi,

'Dsi/ noun & adjective, coHog. E20. [Abbreviation of Australian, Australia: see -ie. Cf. Ozzie.] ► A noun. An Australian; Australia. E20. ► B adjective. Australian. E20. DstinAit, 'o:-/ noun. E20. [from Sir William Roberts-Austen (1843-1902), English metallur¬ gist + -ITE1.] metallurgy. A solid solution of carbon in a non-magnetic

high-temperature allotropic form of iron. ■ auste'nitic adjective pertaining to or consisting principally of austenite E20. Auster/'Dsta,

'x-/ noun. lme.

► It Stem in manner, appearance, or disposition; severe in judgement, me. >b Resolute in warfare, me. 2 Severe in self-discipline; stringently moral; strict. LME.

3 Severely simple; without any luxury. Li 6. 4 Grave, sober, serious. M17. £Q 1 Browning They would be gentle, not austere. E. O’Neill His mask-like face is.. grimly remote and austere in death, b C. M. Yonge Simon, Count de Montfort, an austere warrior. 2 Ld Macaulay' To these austere fanatics a holiday was an object of positive disgust. W. S. Churchill He ruled according to the laws, and he made it known that these were to be administered in austere detachment from his executive authority. 3 R. Macaulay I'm afraid our meals are rather austere.. Our meat ration is so tiny. J. K. Galbraith An austere community is free from tempta¬ tion . Not so a rich one. L. Deighton The white-painted office was bare and austere. 4 Milton Eve.. With sweet austeer composure thus reply'd.

► II 5 Harsh to the taste; astringent and bitter or sour. arch. lme. G

5 W. Cowper The bramble, black as jet, or sloes austere.

austerity /n'stsriti, 0:-/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French austerite from Latin austeritas, from austerus: see prec,, -ity.]

auslaut/'aoslaut/noun. Li9. [German, from aus- denoting termination + Laut sound.] philology. The final sound of a syllable or word. t top, v van. w we,

austere o'stia, 0:-/ adjective, me.

■ austerely adverb lme. austereness noun lme.

au grand serieux.

r red, s sit,

[Latin auspicat- pa. ppl stem of auspicari, from auspidum: see next, -ATE3.] 1 Prognosticate; predict. E17.

[Old & mod. French austere from Latin austerus from Greek austeros severe.]

auscultate/'o:sk(3)lteit/ verb. mis. [Latin auscultat- pa. ppl stem of auscultare hear with attention: see

p pen,

auspicate /'o:spikeit/ verb trans. Now rare. E17.

The south wind, esp. personified; the south. auric

[Latin.] Gold. taurum fulminans gold fulminate aurum mosaicum /ma zeiikam/, aurum musivum mo'zi:vam, stannic sulphide, SnS;, formerly used as a bronzing powder, faurum potabile potable gold.

n no,

(A native or inhabitant) of ancient central and southern Italy; (an) Italian.

[Latin.]

aurum I'xrsmJ noun. arch. lme.

man,

[from Latin Ausonia southern Italy, in poetry Italy, from Greek, from Alison son of Odysseus, who was said to have settled there, + -AN.]

austenite/

L19.

aurothiomalate /.oTolojOAi'omoleit, -0Ai3(o)'maleit/ noun. M20. [from AURO- + THIO- + MALATE.] pharmacology. The sodium salt of a gold- and sulphurcontaining derivative of succinic acid, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Seriously. Cf.

ear. f few, g get,

aurorally adverb

[French.]

[from Latin auris ear + -scope.]

b but, d dog,

■

au serieux o serjo/ adverbial phr. M19.

auriscope /'oinskoup/ noun. M19. medicine.

Ausonian /oFsaunran/ adjective & noun. L16.

auro- I'xroul combining form. [from Latin aumm gold: see -o-.] Used chiefly in chemistry & mineralogy to form names of sub¬ stances containing gold, as auro-chloride

tauriculus noun see auricula.

aurigation /D:ri'geiJ(o)n/ noun.

A white wine made (esp. in Germany) from selected bunches of grapes picked later than the general harvest.

aurivorous /o:'nv(a)r3s/ adjective, rare. Lis. [from Latin aurum gold + -i- + -vorous.] Consuming gold; avidly desirous of gold.

-AL'.]

[formed as auricle + -o-.[ Forming adjectives with the sense ‘of the auricle and —as auriculo-temporal. auriculo-ventricular

Auriga/ofrAiga/noun. In sense

Auslese /'ausle.zo/ noun. Also a-. PI. -sen l-zonl. -ses. Mi9. [German, from aus out + lese picking, vintage.]

aurist /'xrist/ noun. Li7. [formed as prec, + -ist.] medicine. A specialist with regard to the ear.

1 Sternness of manner, appearance, or disposition; severity in judgement, lme. tb transf. Rigour. El8. z zoo.

J she.

3

vision,

0 thin.

6 this.

13

ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

153

Austin | authoritative

2 Severe self-discipline; moral strictness; asceticism; severe simplicity, lack of luxury or adornment; abstin¬ ence, economizing, esp. nationwide; in pi., ascetic prac¬ tices, economies, lme. 3 Harshness to the taste; astringent bitterness or sour¬ ness. arch. Mi7.

Austrian blind a blind made from ruched fabric, which extends about a third of the way down a window. Austrian brier see brier noun'. Austrian pine a very hardy pine, Pinus nigra, of Europe and Asia Minor, with a dense branch system.

2 Establish the credibility of a statement, reported occurrence, reputed fact, etc. mi7. 3 Establish as genuine or real; certify the origin or authorship of. mi9.

austringer /'o:strind39/ noun. Also ost- /'dsW. lis. [Alt. of Old French ostruchier, aust- ostreger: cf. messenger,

B3 1 R. North Antiquity to authenticate their ceremonies. C. V. Wedgwood The minutes read in the form in which Phelps finally authenticated them on the great roll of parch¬ ment .. as a perpetual record. 2 C. Lamb A room, which trad¬ ition authenticated to have been the same. C. Darwin 1 doubt whether any case of a perfectly fertile hybrid animal can be considered as thoroughly well authenticated. J. Cheever Letters, photographs, diplomas—anything that authenticated the past was always thrown into the fire. 3 H. T. Cockburn We went through the whole work, authen¬ ticating all his papers. V. Woolf Tire authenticated master¬ piece by Michael Angelo.

passenger.]

ffl 1W. Raleigh He gave presence.. with such austeritie, that no man durst presume to spit or cough in Iris sight, b Byron Which soften'd down the hoar austerity Of rugged desolation. 2 Shakes. Mids. N. D. On Diana's altar to protest For aye austerity and single life. Byron And wherefore blame gaunt wealth's austerities? Because, you’ll say, nought calls for such a trial. R. Church The austerity of life in the boys' school did not improve my health. A. J. P. Taylor Cripps .. rejoiced at introducing measures of austerity: no petrol for pleasure motoring, the clothes ration cut down. H. Acton In spite of the prevalent austerities he managed to conjure suc¬ culent meals for his guests.

Austin /'Dstin, 'o:-/ noun & adjective, me. [Contr. of Old & mod. French augustin: see Augustine.] = Augustine.

Austin Friars: see

friar

[Spanish = southern, formed as next.] A monetary unit of Argentina replacing the peso between 1985 and 1992. [Latin australis, from Auster: see -al‘.) 1 Southern; influenced by the south wind. Lis. 2 Of or pertaining to Australia or Australasia. E19. El 9. [from Australasia (see below) from French Australasie, formed as Australia + Asia, + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Australasia (Australia and the islands of the SW Pacific). E19. Australasian warbler: see warbler 2C. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Australasia. E19.

Australian /n'streilisn, 0:-/ noun & adjective. Li7. [French australien, from Latin australis in Terra Australis southern land (see sense A.i below). + -an.] ► A noun, fl A native of the Terra Australis, the supposed continent and islands lying in the Great Southern Ocean, now identified as including Australasia, Poly¬ nesia, and parts of southern S. America. L17-L18. 2 A native or inhabitant of the island-continent of Aus¬ tralia. El 9. 2 new Australian see new adjective. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Australia. Ei9. Australian cattle-dog Austral. & NZ a cattle-dog with a dark speckled body. Australian crawl a fast swimming stroke origin¬ ating in Australia. Australian football = Australian Rules football below Australian magpie. Australian pratincole Australian Rules (the rules governing) a form of football developed in Australia (= Australian Rules football below). Australian Rules football a form of football played on an oval pitch with a rugby ball by teams of 18 players. Australian salmon a large green and silver percoid fish. Arripis trutta. found off the coast of New Zealand and SE Australia. Australian teak - flindosa. Australian terrier a wire-haired terrier of an Australian breed. Australian warbler see warbler 2c. ■ Australi ana noun pi. [-ana] publications or other items con¬ cerning or associated with Australia M19 Australianism noun (a) a word or idiom peculiar to Australia; (b) = Australianness: U9 Australianize verb trans. make Australian in character etc. L19. Australianness /-n-n-/ noun the state or quality of being Aus¬ tralian M20.

australite /'DstraUit, 0:-/ noun. E20. [from Australia + -ite' .] A tektite found in the Australian strewn field.

ceoiocy,

adjective & noun. Now con¬

sidered offensive, mi9. [from Australian + -oid.] (A person) of the ethnological type of the Australian M19.

Australopithecus/ Dstrabo'piOikss, p:-/ noun. E20. [mod. Latin, from Latin australis southern + -o- + Greek pithekos ape.] Any of various small-brained fossil hominids of the genus Australopithecus, known from remains found in Africa and southern Asia. ■ Australopith australopithecine

noun

=

Australopithecus

/-si:n/ adjective & noun

Austronesian /Dstra(o)'ni:zj3n, -3(o)n, x-l adjective & noun. E20. [from German austronesisch, from Latin australis southern + -o- + Greek nesos island: see -ian.] (Of or pertaining to) a family of agglutinative languages spoken widely in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of SE Asia, and in the islands of the central and southern Pacific,

■ authentication noun the action or process of authenticat¬ ing something; the condition of being authenticated: lis. authenticator noun a person who authenticates something Ml 9.

authenticity /xten'tisiti/ooun. Mi7. [from authentic adjective + -ity.] The quality of being authentic.

Association of University Teachers,

authigenic /D:0i'd3Emk/ adjective. L19.

aut- combining form see auto-1.

[from Greek authigenes born on the spot, native + -ic.] geology. Originating where found; formed in situ, m authigenesis noun formation in situ M20.

autarchic /o:'ta:kik/ adjective'. Li9.

author/'o:03/noun& verb, me.

autarchic adjective2, autarchical adjective2 vars. of

Australasian /Dstre'lei3(3)n, -J(9)n; 0:-/ adjective & noun.

Aborigine. ■ Also Aus tralioid adjective

adjective 2) and Australian, as Austro-Asiatic, AustroMalayan, etc.: see -o-.

[from autarchy noun1 + -ic.] Absolute, despotic. ■ autarchical adjective' M20.

austral /'ostr(9)l, '0:-/ adjective. In sense 2 also A-. lis.

0:-/

Austro-Hungarian, Austro-Prussian, etc.: see -o-.

Austro- /'Dstrso, '0:-/ combining form2 of Austral (austral

AUT abbreviation.

austral /ao'stra:l/ noun. PI. -les /-liz/. L20.

Australoid /'nstrabid.

A keeper of goshawks.

Austro- /'ostrau, 'o:-/ combining form' of Austrian, as

M20.

AUTARKIC, AUTARKICAL.

autarchy /'o:ta:ki/ noun'. Mi7. [mod. Latin autarchia after monorchia monarchy: see auto-1, -ARCHY.] Absolute sovereignty, despotism. ■ autarch noun an absolute ruler, an autocrat E19.

autarchy noun2 var. of autarky. autarky /'o:ta:ki/ noun. Also -archy. Ei7. [Greek autarkeia, from autarkes self-sufficient, from auto-1 + suffice.] Self-sufficiency, esp. in spiritual or economic matters. ■ au tarkic odjective of, pertaining to, or characterized by autarky; (economically) self-sufficient: Li9. au tarkical adjective = autarkic M20. autarkist noun an advocate of autarky M20.

arkein

[Anglo-Norman autour. Old French autor(mod. auteur) from Latin auctor, from augere auct- increase, promote, originate.] ► A noun. 1 gen. The person who originates, invents, gives rise to, or causes something (now only an immaterial thing, a condition, an event, exc. of God), me. ►'fh A person who authorizes or instigates. M16-M17. 2 A father, an ancestor, arch. lme. 3 The writer of a book, essay, article, etc.; a person who writes books etc. lme. kb el//pt. An author’s writings. E17. ►|c The editor of a journal. L17-M18. 4 A person on whose authority a statement is made; an informant, obsolete exc. dial. lme. Q3 1 W. Lambarde One Robert Creuequer, the authour of the Castle. J. Cheever Embittered by the waste that he himself was the author of. A. Hailey He was the author of early legislation to protect minorities, the Author (of all), the great Author God, the Creator, b Shakes. Tit. A. The gods of Rome forfend I should be author to dishonour you! 2 C. Lamb Certainly old Walter Plumer (his reputed author) had been a rake in his days. 3b Shakes. Twel N. I wall be proud, I will read politic authors. 4 W. Dampier Islands that abound with Gold and Cloves, If I may credit my Author Prince Jeoly.

autecious adjective see autoecious. autecology /o:ti'kol3d3i/ noun. E20. [from auto-' + ECOLOGY.] biology. The ecology of an SYNECOLOGY. ■ auteco logical odjective E20.

individual

species,

Cf.

auteur /su'ta:, 0:-/ noun. M20. [French = author.] A film director who so greatly influences the films dir¬ ected as to be able to rank as their author. ■ au teurism noun M20. au teurist noun & adjective L20.

authentic /o:'0entik/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old French autentique (mod. authentique) from authenticus from Greek authentikos principal, genuine.]

late Latin

Comb.: author-craft arch, (exercise of) skill as an author (of books etc.). ► B verb trans. 1 Originate, bring about, (an action, condi¬ tion, circumstance, etc.). Li6. j-2 State, declare. E-M17. 3 Write, be the author of, (a book, essay, article, etc.). Orig. US. E20.

► A adjective, fl Of authority, authoritative; entitled to obedience or respect. lme-mi9. f2 Legally valid; legally qualified, lme-eis. 3 Entitled to belief as stating or according with fact; reliable, trustworthy, lme. 4 Real, actual, genuine; original, first-hand; really pro¬ ceeding from its stated source, author, painter, etc. L15. f5 Own, proper. L16-M17. 6 music. Of a church mode: having sounds comprised between a final note and its octave (cf. plagal). Of a cadence: perfect. Ei8.

£a 1 M. Lowry Who would ever have believed that some obscure man .. was authoring their doom. 3 Time Her father .. authored several successful plays and movies. •j The spelling with -th- was rare before 16. ■ authoress noun a female author Lis. authorial /o:10.i:nol/ adjective of or pertaining to an author (of books etc.) Li8. authorially adverb M19. authorism noun (now rare or obsolete) the position or character of an author of books etc. Mi 8. authorless adjective Ei8. authorling noun a petty or insignificant writer L18, authoriy adjective proper to or characteristic of an author or authors L18.

03 1 Ld Berners One of the moost autentyke men of the court of parlyment. Swift Some short plain authentick tract might be published. 2 Shakes. All's Well All the learned and authentic fellows. J. Flavel What is done by Commission is Authentick. 3 T. Norton To discredit so many authentike witnesses. A. J. P. Taylor The battles of El Alamein or Stalin¬ grad only became fully authentic when they appeared on the |cinema[ screen. Listener BBCi’s Tettko was the most authentic representation to date of the Far East prisoner's life. 4 Milton Him who had stole Joves authentic fire E. Waugh A treasure house of period gems; pure authentic 1914. R, D. Laing To be 'authentic' is to be true to oneself, to be what one is, to be 'genuine'. 5 G. Chapman Then Nestor cut the gears With his new-drawn authentic sword.

authorise verb, authorised adjective vars. of authorize, AUTHORIZED

authoritarian/oiOoriteiran/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from authority + -arian.] ► A adjective, Favouring or characterized by obedience to (esp. political) authority as opp. to personal liberty; tyr¬ annical, dictatorial. L19. Cl P. Nichols I don't want to sound authoritarian or fascist but there's only one useful approach to any human problem and that's a positive one. A. Storr A parent who is too dom¬ inant may become frightening, and no one would wish to advocate a return to the authoritarian rale of the Victorian pater famiUas. B. Magee Whereas a free society cannot impose common social purposes, a government with Utopian aims has to, and is bound to become authoritarian.

M20.

Australorp /'ostrabip, 0:-/ noun. E20. [from Australian + Orp(ington.[ A black Orpington fowl of an Australian breed.

Austrasian /D’streiJ(9)n/ adjective & noun. Lis. Latin Austrasia, Ost- + -an.) Hist. (A native or inhabitant) of the eastern part of the Frankish empire in the Merovingian period. [from medieval

Austrian /'Dstnon, 0:-/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [from Austria (= German Osterreich Eastern kingdom) + -an.] (A native or inhabitant) of Austria, a country in central Europe. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, r sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 3

► B noun. 1 An original or authoritative document. Long obsolete exc. as below, lis. f2 An authority, rare. Only in Ei7. 1 the Authentics a collection of enactments of Justinian. ■ authentical adjective (now rare or obsolete) - authentic adjective Mie authentically adverb L16. fauthenticalness noun M17-M19 f authenticly adverb lme-mis. authenticness noun Mi6.

► B noun. A supporter of authoritarian principles or

authenticate /oriBentikeit/ verb trans. Ei7.

authoritative ■: (jnntativ, -teitiv/ adjective. Ei7.

methods. Li9. ■ authoritarianism noun E20

[medieval Latin authenticat- pa. ppl stem of authenticate, from late Latin authenticus: see prec.. -ate1.] 1 Give authority or legal validity to, establish as valid.

[from next-*- -ative.] 1 Having authority; exercising or assuming power; imperative, commanding. E17.

E17. saw, a run, o put. u: too, 9 ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

90

no, s: hair, 1.1 near, 91 boy, 09 poor, aid tire, aua sour

154

authority | autocrat 03 1 Coleridge Received and authorized opinions. 2 OED The arrangement was made by your own authorized agent. 3 Authorized Version the 1611 English translation of the Bible.

2 Possessing or claiming due authority; entitled to def¬ erence or acceptance. M17. 3 Proceeding from a competent authority. E19. £13 1 R. North He was diligent and in acting authoritative. L. W. Mbynbix Above the general chatter, a loud authorita¬ tive voice cried, ‘Now, then, what's the trouble ere? 2 Henry More A number sufficient to constiuite an Authori¬ tative Church. E. F. Schumacher If the 'rich' populations grow at.. tV4 per cent and the ‘pool'' at.. 2V2 per cent a year, world population will grow to about 6900 million by ad 2000—a figure not very different from the most authorita¬ tive current forecasts. 3 J. B. Marsden An authoritative dec¬ laration of pardon. ■ authoritatively adverb lme. authoritativeness noun M17.

authority /3:'0Dnti/noun. me. [Old 8, mod. French autorite from Latin auctoritas, from auctor: see AUTHOR, -ITY.j ► I Power to enforce obedience. 1 Power or right to enforce obedience; moral or legal supremacy; right to command or give a final decision. ME. 2 Derived or delegated power; authorization, lme. 3 Those in power or control (treated as sing, (abstract) or pi.); the governing body; a body exercising power in a particular sphere. M16. £0 1 J. RusKiNlfeveryou find yourselves set in positions of authority. D. Lodge You conspired with the students to weaken the authority of the senior staff, in authority in a position of power or control. 2 Coverdale Ezra 7:24 Ye shall have no auctorite to requyre taxinge & custome. Carlyle He carries in him an authority from God. 3 Westminster Gazette The Port of London Authority is a thoroughly practical body of men. K. Amis If you want to get up a charity.., then you must first get the authorities' permission. C. P. Snow As a natural conservative, his feelings would be on the side of authority, local authority: see local adjective. ► II Power to influence action, opinion, belief, etc. 4 The book, quotation, etc., acknowledged or alleged to settle a question or give conclusive testimony, me. 5 Power to inspire belief; right to be believed; testi¬ mony, statement, me. 6 Power over the opinions of others; authoritative opinion, intellectual influence, me. 7 Power to influence the conduct and actions of others; personal or practical influence, commanding manner etc. LME. 8 A person whose opinion or testimony is to be accepted; an expert in any subject. M17. £□ 4 Sir T. More Hys fyrst authorite be these words of saynte Austyne. J. R. Green Giving in detail the authorities for every statement. 5 OED Do not accept news on the authority of the evening papers. G. B. Shaw I await the decision of the Church. Until that is delivered the story has no authority. 6 J. S. Mill He is either led by authority, or adopts.. the side to which he feels most inclination. W. H. Dixon I hear on good authority.. that Cardinal Wolsey is not now in favour of a divorce. 7 V. S. Pritchett He was a man of authority with a deep, curt sarcastic voice used to command. 8 W. H. Prescott Historians in a season of faction are not the best authorities. Lady Bird Johnson I became an authority on the climate of India. I knew exactly where the rain fell and where it failed to fall.

authorize /'o:0arAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. lme. [Old & mod. French autoriser from medieval Latin auctorizare, from auctor: see author, -ize.) 11 Set up or acknowledge as having authority. LME-E17. 12 Make legally valid. LME-L17. 3 Give formal approval to; sanction, countenance. LME. f4 Vouch for, confirm. LME-M17. 5 Endow (a person, body, etc.) with authority; commis¬ sion. LME. 6 do; 7 8

Give legal or formal warrant to (a person or body) to empower, permit authoritatively, lme. Of things: give grounds for, justify. E17. Of things: give grounds to. 118.

03 3 Isaiah Berlin Why should any conduct be tolerated that is not authorized by appropriate experts? 4 Shakes. Macb. A woman's story at a winter's fire. Authoriz'd by her grandam. 6 Ld Macaulay A royal message authorizing the Commons to elect another Speaker. 7 G. Anson These reasons alone would authorize the insertion of those papers. 8 James Sullivan Nothing which can authorise us to suppose it formed in the sea. ■ authorizable adjective f(a) able to be entrusted with author¬ ity: f(b) having the power of authorizing; (c) able to be author¬ ized. lme author! zation noun formal approval or warrant L15. authorizer noun a person who authorizes something or someone L16.

authorized /'o:(hr,\izd/ adjective. Also -ised. lme. [from prec. + -ed1.] 1 Acknowledged as authoritative; thoroughly estab¬ lished. arch. lme. 2 Endowed with authority, lme. 3 Legally or formally sanctioned or appointed, lme. b but. d dog, f few, g get.

h he. j yes,

k cat,

1

authorship/‘o:0ajip/noun. Ei8. author noun + -ship.] 1 Occupation or career as a writer; the dignity or pos¬ [from

ition of an author. Ei8. 2 Literary origin (of a writing); gen. origination of any action or circumstance. Ei9.

autism /'o:tiz(3)m/noun. E20. [from Greek autos self + -ism.) psychiatry. Abnormal withdrawal from the world of reality; spec, a condition which has its onset in childhood and is marked by severely limited responsiveness to other persons, restricted behaviour patterns, and usu. abnormal speech development. ■ au tistic adjective & noun (a) adjective pertaining to, associated with, or affected by autism; (b) noun a person affected by autism: E20.

auto /'auto/ noun1. PL -os /-os/. Mi6. 1 = AUTO-DA-FE. M16.

2 A play (by a Spanish or Portuguese author). Li 8. L19.

► A noun. PL -os. A motor car. Li9. Comb.: auto bra: see bra noun' 2; automaker N. Amer. a manu¬ facturer of motor vehicles, a company that manufactures motor vehicles. ► B verb intrans. Travel in or drive a motor car. E20.

auto- /'o:tou/ combining form'. Before a vowel also aut-. auto-, from autos self.] 1 IJsed in words adopted from Greek and in English words modelled on these, and as a freely productive prefix, with the sense ‘one’s own, of or by oneself, by itself, independent, self-produced, spontaneous, auto¬ matic’. 2 genetics. Used in comb, with -ploid (and also -ploidy) to refer to individuals whose chromosome sets are derived from a single parent species (cf. allo-), as autodiploid, autopolyploid, etc. ■ auto-a nalysis noun self-analysis L19. auto-'antibody noun an antibody produced by an organism in response to a constitu¬ ent of its own tissues M20. auto bracketing noun a facility on a camera which automatically takes a number of photographs of the desired subject at different exposures L20. auto’centric adjective centred in the self; making oneself the centre: M19. auto cephaious adjective [Greek kephale head] independent of archiepiscopal or patriarchal jurisdiction Mi9. autochange, autochanger nouns a mechanism for the automatic substitu¬ tion of one gramophone record or compact disc for another during use M20. autocode noun a low-level programming lan¬ guage in which each instruction corresponds to an instruction in machine code M20. auto critical adjective critical of oneself or one's own work mi?. Autocue, a- noun (proprietary name for) a device which projects a rolling script, out of camera range, in front of a speaker on television M20. auto-destruct noun & verb (a) noun self-destruction, esp, as a built-in feature of a machine etc.; (b) verb intrans. destroy oneself, self-destruct: L20. autodestruction noun self-destruction L20. auto-destructive adjective self-destructive; spec, designating or pertaining to art in which the art-work is destroyed as it is created: M20. autodial verb intrans. (computing) (esp. of a modem) dial a telephone number automatically; establish a connection with a computer auto¬ matically: L20. autodi gestion noun = autolysis L19. autofocus noun & adjective (photography) automatic(ally) focusing M20. auto focusing noun automatic focusing M20. autograft noun (surgery) a graft of skin or other tissue taken from the same indi¬ vidual E20. autoharp noun a musical instrument of the zither type, with dampers to facilitate the production of arpeggio effects L19. auto-in fection noun (a) self-infection: (b) continued infection with parasitic worms owing to their larvae maturing without leaving the body: L19. auto-infective adjective of or pertainingto auto-infection L19. auto-intoxi'cation noun poisoning by a toxin formed within the body L19. autoland noun & verb (a) noun automatic landing; (b) verb trans. & intrans. land automatic¬ ally: M20. autolatry r:'lolotri/ noun self-worship E17. autoload noun (photography) a facility on a camera which, on insertion of a film, automatically feeds it on to its spool and advances it to the first frame (ffeq. attrib.) L20. auto logical adjective (of a word) having the property which it denotes (opp. heterological) E20. autologous h: t Dbg as/ adjective obtained from the same individ¬ ual E20. autology b:'tDbd3i/ noun study of oneself, selfknowledge M17. automath noun (rare) = autodidact mis. autophagic /-'feidjik/ adjective pertaining to or concerned with (lysosomal) autophagy M20. autophagy s:'tnfoci^i/ noun diges¬ tion of the body’s own tissues; esp. breakdown of cell constitu¬ ents within lysosomes: L19; autopilot noun - automatic pilot s.v. automatic adjective M20. auto’plastic adjective of or pertaining to autoplasty M19. auto plastically adverb by means of autoplasty E2o. autoplasty noun plastic surgery using autografts M19. Autoplate noun (printing, now chiefly Hist.) (proprietary name for) a machine for making curved stereotype plates; a stereotype plate made by such a machine: E20. autopsy chography noun psychography of oneself M19. autosave noun & verb (computing) (a) noun a software facility which automatically saves a user’s word-processed or other work at regular intervals; (b) verb trans. save (work) . automatically using such a facility: L20. autose mantic adjective & noun (a word or phrase) having meaning outside its context: categorematic: E20. auto sexing adjective (of a breed of poultry) possessing sex-linked characters (Repr. Greek

n no, p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top.

[Abbreviation of automobile adjective & noun: cf. auto noun2.] Forming words relating to motor vehicles. ■ autobus noun = bus noun 1 L19. autocade noun (US) [after cavalcade] a motorcade M20. autocar noun (arch.) = automobile noun Li 9. autocrime noun theft of motor vehicles or their con¬ tents L20. autocross noun motor racing across country or on unmade roads M20. autocycle noun (arch.) a bicycle with an aux¬ iliary engine E20.

[German, from Auto automobile + Bahti road.] A German, Swiss, or Austrian motorway.

autobiographer /.oitobAi'Dgrofo/ noun. E19.

[Abbreviation of automobile.]

leg. I- m man,

auto- /'o:too/ combining form2.

autobahn /'o:toba:n, foreign 'autobain/ noun. PL -bahns, -bahnen /-ba:non/. M20.

[Spanish & Portuguese from Latin actus act noun,]

auto /'o:tou/ noun2 & verb, colloq.

which enable easy identification of sexes on hatching M20. autosoteric /-sa(o)'tenk/ adjective [Greek soteria salvation] relat¬ ing to salvation by one's own efforts Li9. autotelic /-’tdik/ adjective having or being an end in itself E20. auto therapy noun treatment of one’s own infirmity M20. autotrans'former noun (electricity) a zooidtransformer having a single winding of which part is common to both primary and secondary circuits L19. autotrans fusion noun (medicine) (a) a transfer of blood within the body; (b) transfusion with a patient's own blood: E20. autotrans plant verb trans. transplant (tissue) from one site to another within the same individual E20. autotransplan tation noun transplantation of tissue from one site to another within the same individual E20. autozooid /-’zaooid/ noun (zooiocv) a typical zooid of an anthozoan or bryozoan Li 9.

van,

w we, z zoo,

[from auto-1 + biographer.] A person who writes the story of his or her own life,

autobiographical /,o:tobAio'grafik(o)l/ adjective. Ei9. [from auto-' + biographical.] Of or pertaining to an autobiography; of the nature of autobiography, relating to one’s own life story. ■ autobiographic adjective = autobiographical E19. autobiographically adverb M19

autobiography JodabAi'Dgrofi/noun. Li8. [from auto-1 + biography.] The writing of one’s own history; a story of a person’s life written by himself or herself. ■ autobiographist noun = autobiographer M19.

autocatalysis /,o:t3(u)k3'talisis/ noun. li9. [from auto-1 + catalysis.] chemistry. Catalysis of a reaction by one of its products. ■ auto catalyst noun a product effecting autocatalysis M20. autocata' lytic adjective E20 autocata lytically adverb M20.

autochthon /o:'tDk0(3)n, -03un/ noun. PL -thons, (senses 1,2)

in Latin form -thones /-0oni:z/. Li6. [Greek autokhthon indigenous, from auto-1 + khthdn earth, soil.] 1 (Usu. in pi.) Any of the earliest known dwellers in a region; an original inhabitant, an aboriginal. Li6. 2 A human being living in his or her place of origin, rare. M17. 3 geology An autochthonous rock formation. M20. ■ autochthonal adjective - autochthonous adjective 1 E19. autoch thonic adjective = autochthonous adjective 1 Mi9. autochthony noun autochthonous condition M19.

autochthonous /odtDkGsnss/ adjective. Ei9. [from prec. + -ous.) 1 Indigenous, native, aboriginal. Ei9. 2 medicine. Of a blood clot etc.: that originated where it is found, or without external agency. Li9. 3 geology. Formed in situ; consisting of indigenous material. E20. ■ autochthonous^ odi-erb li 9

autoclave, frtoklerv/ noun & verb. Li9. [French, formed as auto-1 + Latin davus nail orclavts key: so called because self-fastening.) ► A noun. 1 A pressure cooker, rare. Li 9. 2 A strong vessel used for chemical reactions at high pressures and temperatures, or for high-pressure steril¬ ization using steam. L19. ► B verb trans. Heat in an autoclave. E20.

autocorrelation /,3:t3(u)kDriTeiJ(3)n/noun. M20. [from auto-1 + correlation.] A correlation between the elements of a series and those respectively separated from them by a given interval. ■ auto correlator noun a machine for performing auto¬ correlations M20. auto correlogram noun a graphical repre¬ sentation of an autocorrelation M20.

autocracy /odtokrasi/noun. Mi7. [Greek autokratefa, formed as next: see -cracy.] 11 Independent power; autonomy. M17-M19. 2 Absolute government; controlling authority or influ¬ ence. E19. 3 Autocrats collectively. E20.

autocrat /’oftskrat/ noun. Ei9. [French autocrate from Greek autokrates, from auto-1 + krate-, kratos power, authority.] A monarch of uncontrolled authority, an absolute ruler; a person with dictatorial powers or tendencies. ■ auto cratic. auto cratical adjectives of the nature of or per¬ taining to an autocrat; despotic, dictatorial: E19. auto cratically adverb M19. autocratism x'tDkratizfajm/ noun the principles or practices of autocrats mi 9. J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

S this,

p ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

155

autocrator | automatous

autocrator/oftDkreta/ noun. arch, mi8. [Late Latin = emperor, from Creek autokrator one's own master,

from auto-' + krator ruler.] An absolute monarch. ■ f autocratorical adjective M17-E19. autocratrix noun a female autocrator, esp. Hist (A-) as a title of empresses of Russia ruling in their own right mis. auto-da-fe autoda'fe; ,o:t3uda:'fei, ,aat-/ noun. PI. autosda-fe /autosda'fe; pitauzdai'fei, .aotsuz-/, auto-da-fes E18. [Portuguese = act of the faith ]

(The execution of) a judicial sentence of the Inquisition; esp. the public burning of a heretic. autodidact/'oriaodidakt/ noun. mis. [from Creek autodidaktos self-taught; see auto-' , didactic.]

A person who is self-taught. ■ autodi dactic adjective self-taught; of or pertaining to selfteaching: M19.

autoecious r'tkfos/ adjective. Also *autec-. L19. [from auto-’ + Creek oikia house + -ious.] botany. (Of a parasitic fungus) completing its life cycle on a single host; (of a bryophyte) having antheridia and archegonia on separate branches of the same plant. ■ Also autoicous .v'toikos/ adjective E20. auto-erotic/.odsufrotiky adjective. L19. [from auto-1 + EROTIC.] psychology. Of or pertaining to auto-eroticism; character¬ ized by or given to auto-eroticism. ■ auto-erotically adverb E20. auto-eroticism /,3:t30i'rDtisiz(3)rrL/ noun. E20. [from auto-' + eroticism] psychology. Sexual arousal or gratification obtained without the involvement of another person; masturba¬ tion. auto-erotism rftau'erstizfajm/ noun. L19. [from auto-1 + EROTISM.] psychology. = prec.

► C adjective. Written in the author’s own handwriting; (of a painting) done by the artist himself, not by a copier. M19. £□ P. G. Wodehouse You will appreciate another capture of mine, the autograph manuscript of Don Juan, Canto Nine. Times Lit. Suppl. Some of the Madonnas.. must be wholly or in large part autograph.

autographic /a:to'cjrafik/ adjective. [from prec. +

Ei9.

-ic.]

1 Written with the author’s own hand. El 9. 2 Of or pertaining to reproduction by direct facsimile; esp. = autouthographic adjective, arch. M19. ■ autographical adjective f(a) = autobiographical; (b) = autographic: M17. autographically adverb L17.

autography/oftografi/ noun.

Mi7.

noun + -y3.] 1 The action of writing with one's own hand; the author’s own handwriting. M17. 2 = autobiography. Now rare or obsolete. M17. 3 Reproduction of writing, drawing, etc., by direct fac¬ simile; esp. = AUTOUTHOGRAPHY. flfd). M19. [from autograph

autogyro noun var. of autogiro. autohypnosis

/qrisuhip'nausis/

(A) self-induced hypnosis; self-hypnotism. ■ autohypnotic /-hip nDtik/ adjective E20. auto'hypnotism noun self-hypnotism L19.

autoimmunity /.utaui'mjumrti/ noun.

E20.

[from auto-' + immunity.]

medicine, fl Immunity produced within the body. Only in E20. 2 The production or presence within the body of auto¬ antibodies. M20. ■ autoimmune adjective pertaining to, caused or character¬ ized by autoimmunity (sense 2) M20. autoimmuni zation noun f(a) = autoimmunity 1; (b) the induction of autoimmunity (sense 2): E20.

autokinesis/,o:t3(u)ki'ni:sis, -kAi-/noun.

autogenesis /a:ta(u)'d3Enisis/ noun. Li9. [from auto-' + -GENESIS.] Self-production; spontaneous formation.

autolithography /p:t3(u)li'0Dgrefi/ noun.

■ autogenetically adverb

[from

auto-1

Mi9.

+ Greek kinesis motion.]

1 Spontaneous motion. Only in Diets. M19. 2 An illusion of the motion of a stationary object in an otherwise empty visual field. M20. ■ autokinetic adjective L19. Li9.

L19.

ings etc. ■ auto lithograph noun & verb (a) noun a picture or print made by autolithography; (b) verb trans. produce or reproduce by autolithography: L19. autolithographic adjective L19.

autolysis/oftolisis/noun.

E20.

[from auto-1 + -lysis.]

self-generated

autogenic training a method of learning to hypnotize oneself and then induce physiological changes in the body.

autogenous/o:'tDd3in3s/ adjective. Mi9. [from Greek autogenes: see auto-1, -genous.] Self-produced; spec, (a) (of a weld, welding) formed by or involving the melting of the joined ends, without added filler; (b) (of a vaccine) derived from the patient’s own infecting micro-organisms. ■ autogenously adverb L19.

biology. Destruction of cells or tissues by their own enzymes, esp. as released from lysosomes. ■ autolysate noun a substance produced by autolysis E20. autolyse /-Iaiz/ verb intrans. & trans. (cause to) undergo autolysis E2o. autolysin noun an enzyme causing autolysis E20. auto lytic adjective E20.

automacy /oftDmssi/ noun. rare.

Mi9.

The condition or state of being an automaton; automatdcity. [German from French

automata noun pi. see automaton. tautomate noun & adjective.

3 A person’s own handwriting. M19.

4 A reproduction made by direct facsimile; esp. = autolithograph noun. arch. M19. £Q 1 Dickens Left our autographs and read those of other people. 2 W. W. Skeat The MS. of Piers Plowman.. seems to be an autograph of the author. 3 N. Hawthorne Poems of Tasso in his own autograph. Comb.: autograph album, autograph book a book in which a person collects the signatures of various people, often with rhymes etc.: autograph-hunter a person who makes a collec¬ tion of signatures of celebrities. ► B verb trans. 1 Write with one’s own hand. E19. 2 Write one’s signature on or in; sign. Mi9.

ta 2 S. Leacock The Prince took the pen and very kindly autographed for us seven photographs of himself. D. Welch A book that had been signed by Walter de la Mare.. the first autographed book I had ever held.

a cat, a: arm. e bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a:

Mi7.

[French from Latin automaton.]

► A noun. An automaton. M17-M18. ► B adjective. Automatic. Only in E19.

automate /'orismeit/ verb. [Back-form, from

M20.

automation.]

1 verb trans. Convert to or equip for largely automatic operation. Freq. as automated ppl adjective. M20. 2 verb intrans. Apply or introduce automation. M20.

automatic [from

r.to'matik/

Greek automates +

adjective & noun. Mi8.

-ic: see automaton.]

► A adjective. 1 Like the action of an automaton; unintelli¬ gent, merely mechanical; done without thought, uncon¬ scious; occurring as a matter of course without debate. M18.

M20.

[Irreg. from automatic + -ation.] Automatic control of a manufacturing or other process through a number of successive stages; the use of auto¬ matic devices to save mental and manual labour; the introduction of automatic methods or equipment.

automatise verb var. of automatize. tDm3tiz(3)m? noun. M19.

[French automatisme, from automate noun: see -ism.] 1 The quality of being automatic, or of acting mechan¬ ically only; involuntary action; a doctrine ascribing this quality to animals. Mi9. 2 Mechanical, unthinking routine. Li9. 3 The faculty of independently originating action. Now rare or obsolete. Li9. 4 psychology. An action that is, unusually, performed subconsciously or unconsciously, the mental state accompanying such an action. L19. 5 art. A surrealist technique seeking to eliminate con¬ scious thought from the creative process. M20. ■ automatist noun an adherent or practitioner of, or a person subject to, automatism Li9. [French automatiser, formed as prec.: see -ize.] Reduce to an automaton; make automatic; automate. ■ automati'zation noun E20.

automaton /oftDmatfsjn/ noun. PL -matons, -mata

noun.]

1 = AUTOMATON. LI 7. 2 A cafeteria in which food is obtained from a slotmachine; a slot-machine. Chiefly US. E20.

autograph "o:togra:f/ noun, verb, & adjective. Ei7.

document signed by its author. mi7.

automation /oits'meiftajn/ noun.

Li7.

automate

autogiro /o:tau'd3Airaa/ noun. Also -gyro. PI. -os. E20. [Spanish, formed as auto-1 +giro gyration.] A type of aircraft having a propeller and freely rotating horizontal rotary blades. [French autographe or late Latin autographum from Greek autographon use as noun of neut. of autographos written with one's own hand: see auto-', -graph.] ► A noun. 1 A person’s own signature. E17. 2 A manuscript in an author’s own handwriting; a

► B noun. 1 A machine, device, etc,, operated automatic¬ ally; esp. (a) an automatic firearm; (b) a motor vehicle with automatic transmission. L19. 2 AIMER. FOOTBALL = AUDIBLE noun 2. M20. ■ automatical adjective (now rare or obsolete) L16. automatically adverb M19. automaticity /-ma'tisiti/ noun automatic condition, nature, or functioning L19.

automatize /oftDmatAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. Mi9.

[from automatic: see -acy.]

automat/Atsmat/noun.

C3 1 A. Bain The winking of the eyes is essentially auto¬ matic. J. Masters I tossed my head—it is an automatic gesture 1 cannot help—and went forward again. Day Lewis A natural system.. under which the demands of the younger are not given automatic priority over the rights of the older. C. Jackson The invitation was compulsive and automatic, it sprang from old habit merely. T. Bailey As a batsman, he would have been an automatic choice for any Test team of any period. Lancet Approximately a quarter of narcoleptics have frequent periods of automatic behaviour in the daytime when they are only half-awake. 2 OED A Sewing Machine with automatic tension. G. B. Shaw A box of matches will come out of an automatic machine when I put a penny in the slot. T. S. Euot She smoothes her hair with automatic hand. And puts a record on the gramophone. J. Hedgecoe Fully automatic metering systems set both aperture and shutter speed automatically, automatic landing landing of an aircraft under the control or guidance of instruments, automatic pilot a device for keeping an aircraft or ship on a set course; on automatic pilot (/ig.) acting without conscious thought or careful attention. 3 automatic writing: done by means of a planchette etc. 4 Washington Post Brown was charged with a game misconduct, his fourth, and will sit out the next two games on an automatic suspension.

automatism

[from auto-1 + lithography.]

Lithographic printing done directly from original draw¬

autogenetic/,o:t3(u)d33'netik/od/ectiVe. Li9. [from prec.: see auto-’, -genetic.] Self-produced; spontaneously formed. autogenic /3:t3(u)'d3emk/ adjective. L19. [from auto-1 + -genic.] Self-produced, autogenous; ecology without external influence.

-noses

[from auto-1 + hypnosis.]

autogamy /oirngami/ noun. U9. [from auto-1 + -gamy.] biology. Self-fertilization; (in some unicellular organ¬ isms) fusion of sister nuclei.

■ autogamic /oita'gamik/, autogamous adjectives pertaining to or characterized by autogamy L19.

PI.

noun.

/-'nooscz/. E20.

vehicle: changing gear automatically according to speed and acceleration. Of a vehicle: equipped with automatic transmission. M20. 3 Of psychic phenomena etc.: occurring subcon¬ sciously or unconsciously. L19. 4 Occurring as a necessary consequence; (esp. of a legal sanction) taking effect without further process in set cir¬ cumstances. E20. 5 art. Characterized by or pertaining to surrealist automatism. M20.

, .

2 Self-acting; esp. (of a machine, device, etc.) working ot itself, with little or no direct human actuation; (of a process etc.) working thus, involving such equipment. mis. >b spec. Of a firearm; having a mechanism for con¬ tinuous loading, firing, and ejecting until ammunition is exhausted or pressure on the trigger is released. Li9. ►c spec. Of a telephone exchange: operated by automatic switches. L19. >d spec. Of the transmission in a motor saw, A run, u put, u: too. 3 ago, as my, ao how. ei day.

/-mats/. Ei 7.

[Latin (also -turn) from Greek, use as noun of neut. of automatos acting of itself.] 1 Something having the power of spontaneous motion; esp. a living being viewed as a machine. E17. 2 A piece of mechanism with concealed motive power, esp. one simulating a living being; a robot. M17. 3 A living being whose actions are purely involuntaiy or mechanical; a person behaving without active intelli¬ gence or mechanically in a set pattern or routine. L17. 4 computing. A machine whose responses to all possible inputs are specified in advance. M20. p is. Boyle These living Automata. Human bodies. Burke The perfect Drama, an automaton supported and moved without any foreign help, was formed late and gradually. T. H. Huxley Such a self-adjusting machine, containing the immediate conditions of its actions within itself, is what is properly understood by an Automaton. 2 Evelyn Another automaton strikes the quarters. L. Mumford The belief that automatons would ultimately displace human labor was common to the new Utopias. 3 J. Priestley Descartes made the souls of brutes to be mere automata, j. a. Symonds How could a Spartan, that automaton of the state .. excel in any fine art? C. S. Forester Last night they had staggered into the village, exhausted automata.

automatous .rt'tnmoOs/ adjective.

Mi7.

(from Greek automates (see prec.) + -ous.] 1 Of the nature of an automaton; acting mechanically. M17.

so no, e: hair, in near, di boy. 03 poor, mo tire, aus sour

156

automobile | auxo2 Acting spontaneously; having the power of selfmotion. Ml 8.

automobile /'n:tam3bi:l/ adjective, noun, & verb. Chiefly N. Amer. Li 9. [French, formed as auto-' + mobile adjective.] ► A adjective. 1 Esp. of a vehicle: self-propelling (as opp. to horse-drawn), arch. L19. 2 [The noun used attrib.J Of or pertaining to motor vehicles. Li 9. ► B noun. A motor vehicle; a car. Li 9. ► C verb intrans. Drive or travel in a motor vehicle. Li9. ■ auto mobilism noun (arch.) the use of motor vehicles L19. auto mobilist noun (arch.) a motorist 119. automo bility noun the use of motor vehicles: mobility based on this: E20.

automorphism /3:t3u'mo:fiz(3)m/ noun. M19. [from auto-1 + Greek morphe form + -ism.J 1 math. Any of various lands of transformation or cor¬ respondence which relate a function etc. to itself or to another of the same kind; spec, an isomorphism of a structure with itself, mi9. 2 The ascription of one’s own characteristics to another. Now rare or obsolete. Li9. ■ automorphic adjective pertaining to, characterized by, or invariant under automorphism M19

automotive /oda'mautrv/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [from auto-1 + motive adjective.] ►t A noun. A self-propelled vehicle. Only in Mi9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to an automobile or auto¬ mobiles. LI 9.

autonomic/oita'iiomik/ adjective. Mi9. [from autonomy + -ic.]

1 Self-governing, independent. M19. 2 physiology. Functioning independently of the will; esp. denoting the parts of the nervous system serving organs which control the normally involuntary functions of the body. L19. ■ autonomical adjective (rare) = autonomic M17. autonomically adverb M19.

autonomous/oi'tDnamas/ adjective. Ei9, [from Greek autonomos (see next) + -ous.] Of, pertaining to, or characterized by autonomy; selfgoverning, independent; free of external influence or control. aaj. Reed At Helsingfors the Finnish Senate .. declared Finland autonomous, and demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops. R. G. Colungwood Consciousness is abso¬ lutely autonomous: its decision alone determines whether a given sensum or emotion shall be attended to or not. J. C. Ransom English might almost as well announce that it does not regard itself as entirely autonomous, but as a branch of the department of history.

[Greek autonomia, from autonomos having its own laws, from + nomos law: see -nomy.] 1 The right or condition of self-government (freq. only in specified matters) of a State, community, institution, etc. E17. 2 Freedom of the will. L18. 3 gen. Independence, freedom from external control or influence; personal liberty. E19. auto-1

. 3 1 C. G. Seligman The village is the administrative unit, to which the most complete autonomy is allowed. Encyd. Brit. The national autonomous regions [of China] reflect the CCP policy of seeking to .. accord cultural autonomy—but not political independence—to areas in which national minority peoples predominate. 3 A. Storr The therapist should not give advice or do anything else which might interfere with the patient's autonomy. U. Le Guin They preserved auton¬ omy of conscience even at the cost of becoming eccentric. autonomist noun

an

autonym/'o:tonim/ noun. M19.

autopista /o:t3'pi:ste,/oragn auto'pista/ noun. M20. [Spanish, from auto automobile + pista track, piste.] A motorway in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.

[French autopsie or mod. Latin autopsia from Greek, from autaptes eye-witness: see auto-1, optic, -y3.] ► A noun. 1 Seeing with one’s own eyes; personal obser¬ vation. rare. M17. 2 Dissection of a dead body so as to determine the cause of death or the extent of disease; a post-mortem examination; fig. a critical dissection, mi9. ► B verb traps. Perform an autopsy on (a body). E20. ■ autopsie adjective of or pertaining to an autopsy Li9

by engine power. 2 Rotation resulting from the shape or structure of an object (e.g. a winged seed). L20. ■ autorotate verb intrans. undergo autorotation E20.

autumn /'ortsm/ verb trans. & intrans. Now rare. Mi7. [Latin autumnare bring on autumn, (medieval Latin) ripen, from autumnus autumn noun.] Bring or come to maturity; ripen.

autoroute /'oitaruit, foreign otorut (pi. same)/ noun. M20. [French, from auto automobile + route route noun.] A French motorway.

autoschediastic/.nrtauskedi'astik/adjective. Ei9. [Greek autoskhediastikos, from autoskhediazem act or speak extem¬ pore, from autoskhedios personally near, off-hand: see -ic.) Done on the spur of the moment, improvised.

autoscopy /o/toskspi/noun. Li9. [from auto-1 + -scopy.] Viewing or examination of oneself; a hallucination of viewing one’s own body. ■ autoscope noun an instrument for self-observation; esp. any device which reveals subliminal actions (e.g. a dowsing-rod): Li 9. auto'scopic adjective E20.

autos-da-fe noun pi. see auto-da-fe. autosome /’ortasaum/ noun. E20. [from auto-1 + -SOME1.] biology. A chromosome other than a sex chromosome. ■ auto somal adjective M20.

autostrada /orta'strcuda, foreign auto’stra:da/ noun. PL -stradas, -strode /-'stra:de/. E20. [Italian, from auto automobile + strada road from STRATUM.] An Italian motorway.

Latin

autotheism /o:t3u'0i:iz(3)m/ noun. Li6. [from eccl. Greek autotheos very god, from auto-' + theos god, + -ISM.] 1 theology. The doctrine of the self-subsistence of God or (esp.) Christ. L16. 2 Self-deification. Ei7. ■ autotheist noun Mis. autothe istic adjective M19.

autotomy /.r'tDtami/noun. Li9. [from auto-1 + -TOMY.] zoology. The casting off of a part of the body by some animals (e.g. lizards, crabs) as a means of escape. ■ autotomize verb trans. lose by autotomy E20.

autotoxin /o:t3(o)'tDksin/ noun.

119.

[from auto-' + TOXIN,]

[from Greek autoptikos, from autoptes (see prec.), + -al'.J 1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of an eye-witness' based on personal observation. M17. k cat,

I leg,

m

autumnal /3:'tAmn(3)l/adjective. Li6. [Latin autumnalis, from autumnus autumn noun: see -al'.] 1 Of or pertaining to autumn; characteristic of or appropriate to autumn; maturing or blooming in autumn. L16. 2 fig. Past the prime of life; in decline. E17. CQ 1 Milton Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strew the Brooks In Vallombrosa. Ld Macaulay The autumnal rains of Ireland are usually heavy. M. Drabble The autumnal colours were deeper.. in the sinking light, autumnal equinox the point in time at which the sun crosses the celestial equator in a southerly direction (approx. 22 September), or, in the southern hemisphere, in a northerly direction (approx. 21 March). 2 Donne No Spring, nor Summer Beauty hath such grace. As I have seen in one Autumnall face, absoi.: Dickens Melissa might have seen five and thirty summers or there¬ abouts, and verged on the autumnal. ■ autumnally adverb M19. autunite/'oflAnAit/ noun. M19. [from Autun, a town in eastern France + -ite'.J mineralogy. A tetragonal hydrated phosphate of uranium and calcium, occurring usu. as yellow crystal aggregates or incrustations. Auvergnat /overjia/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M19. [French, from Auvergne: see -AT'.] A native or inhabitant of the Auvergne, a region of central France; the dialect spoken in the Auvergne. auxanography toksa’nDgrafi/ noun. E20. [formed as next + -ography.] biology. A technique for determining the substances required by a micro-organism for growth, in which dif¬ ferent nutrients are distributed on a culture of the micro-organism. ■ au xanogram noun a plate culture used in this L19. auxano graphic adjective E20 auxanometer/oikss’nomits/ noun. Li9. [from Greek auxanein to increase + -ometer.) botany. An instrument for measuring growth in plants. auxesis/3:k’si:sis/noun. Li6. [Late Latin from Greek auxesis increase, amplification.) 1 rhetoric. Increase in intensity of meaning; hyperbole; amplification. L16. 2 biology. Increase, growth; esp. increase in size by expansion of cell size or number of cells. Mi9. ■ auxetic - setik/ adjective mis.

1 A reproduction in facsimile; a true representation of an original, mi9.

auxiliary feg’zilreri, og-/ adjective & noun. lme. [Latin auxiliarius, from auxilium help: see -ary1.] ► A adjective. 1 Helpful; giving support or succour; orig., (of foreign troops etc.) assisting an army at war. lme. 2 Subsidiary, additional, ancillary; (freq. in names of military or other service bodies). 117. 3 grammar. Used in forming words, constructions, etc. Now spec, (of a verb) used in forming tenses, moods, aspects, or voices, of other verbs. L17. ► B noun. 1 (A member of) a body of foreign or allied troops etc. in the service of a belligerent nation. E17. 2 A person who or thing which assists, supports, or is subsidiary or ancillaiy. mi7. 3 grammar. An auxiliary verb. L17. ■ tauxiliar adjective & noun = auxiliary LI6-M19.

2 (A facsimile produced by) a photographic printing process for monochrome reproduction. M19.

auxin/’3:ksm/ noun. M20.

A product of an organism’s metabolism which is poi¬ sonous to the organism itself. ■ autoto xaemia noun toxaemia due to an autotoxin 119. autotoxic adjective E20. [from auto-' + -TROPHIC.] biology. Of an organism: requiring only simple inorganic compounds for nutrition. ■ autotroph(e) noun an autotrophic organism M20. autotrophically adverb M20. au totrophism noun E20. [from auto-1 + -type.]

autoxidation /,o:tDksi'deiJ(3)n/ noun. L19. [from AUTO-1 + OXIDATION.] chemistry. Spontaneous oxidation by molecular oxygen. ■ au toxidize verb intrans. undergo autoxidation E20. autoxi dizable adjective susceptible to autoxidation L19. [Old French autompne (mod. automne), later directly from Latin autumnus.] 1 The third season of the year, between summer and winter: in the northern hemisphere freq. regarded as man,

11

no,

p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

[from Greek auxein to increase + -in'.) Any of a class of compounds that cause the elongation of plant cells in shoots and (with cytokinins) control plant growth and development. biochemistry.

autumn /’3:13m/ noun. lme.

autoptical o tDptrki 0)L adjective. Mi7.

CO 1 b Milton On her ample square, from side to side, All Autumn pil’d. 2 J. Langhorne The very autumn of a form once fine Retains its beauties.

[from AUTO-' + ROTATION.) 1 aeronautics. Rotation (esp. of rotor blades) not caused

autorotation /lo:t3(o)r3(o)'teiJ'(3)n/noun. E20.

autotype/'a:t3(u)tAip/noun. M19.

autopsy /'o:topsi, oftDpsi/ noun & verb. As noun also in Latin form t-opsia. Mi7.

comprising September, October, and November, or (astronomy) reckoned from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice; in the southern hemisphere correspond¬ ing in time to the northern spring, lme. >b The fruits of autumn; harvest, poet. E17. 2 fig. A season of maturity or incipient decay. Li6.

Co mb. autumn crocus see crocus noun': autumn equinox = autumnal equinox: autumn gentian felwort, Gentianella amarella: autumn tints the brown and gold colours of dying leaves. ■ autumnity /o/tAmnrti/ noun (rare) autumnal quality or condi¬ tions Li6 autumny /’.xtsmi/ adjective suggestive or characteristic of autumn E20.

autotrophic/o:t3(o)'tr3ofik, -'trofik/adjective. Li9.

[from AUTO-' +-NYM.] (A work published under) an author’s own name. Opp. PSEUDONYM.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes,

[from AUTO-1 + RADIOGRAPH.] ► A noun. A photograph of an object obtained using radi¬ ation from radioactive material in the object. E20. ► B verb trans. Make an autoradiograph of. M20. ■ autoradiogram noun = autoradiograph noun M20. autoradio graphic, autoradio graphical adjectives of or per¬ taining to autoradiography or an autoradiograph M20. autoradio graphically adverb M20 autoradi ography noun the production and interpretation of autoradiographs M20.

[from AUTO-1 + SUGGESTION.) psychology. Suggestion to oneself; the hypnotic or subcon¬ scious adoption of an idea originating within oneself. ■ auto-su ggest verb (a) verb trans. produce, remove, influence (ideas, feelings), by auto-suggestion; (b) verb intrans. undergo auto¬ suggestion: E2o. auto-su ggestible adjective able to be influ¬ enced by auto-suggestion E20. auto-su ggestive adjective of the nature of or pertaining to auto-suggestion E2o.

■ autonomously adverb L19

L19.

autoradiograph /o:t3oTeidragra:f/ noun & verb. E20.

auto-suggestion /,o:t3(o)s3'd3EstJ(3)n/ noun. Li9.

autonomy hTunami/ noun. Ei7.

■ autonomism noun = autonomy advocate of autonomy M19

2 = AUTOPSIC. L20, ■ autoptic adjective (a) rare = autoptical i; (b) = autopsic: mis. autoptically adverb M17.

w we,

z zoo.

auxo- /'o:ks3o/ combining form of Greek auxein to increase: see -o-. ■ auxochrome noun (chemistry) a polar group which when introduced into a chromogen produces a dyestuff L19: auxo chromic adjective (chemistry) of or pertaining to an auxochrome L19. auxospore noun (botany) a vegetative cell formed by diatoms, usu. sexually L19. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

157

auxology | avenge

auxology/o:k'solod3i/noun. 119. [from auxo- + -ology.] The study of growth and development; spec, in medicine, the study of physical growth and development in humans on the basis of measurements such as height, weight, and rate of growth. ■ auxo logical adjective M20. auxologist noun 120

auxotroph/'oiksatrauf, -trof/noun. M20. [from Latin auxiHum help + -o- + Creek trophos feeder.] bioiogy. A mutant bacterium, fungus, etc., having an add¬ itional nutritional requirement compared with the ori¬ ginal strain. ■ auxo trophic adjective M20. au xotrophy noun M20.

AV abbreviation. 1 Audiovisual. 2 Authorized Version (of the Bible).

Av noun var. of Ab noun1. ava /'a:va/ noun. lis. [Hawaiian ’awa.] = KAVA.

ava /a'va:/ adverb. Scot, mi 8. [Repr. a pronunc. of of all.] Of all; at all.

avadavat avadavat/ noun. Also (earlier) am- /'am-/. L17. [from Ahmadabad, a city in western India where the birds were sold.] Either of two southern Asian waxbills, the green Amandavaformosa and (esp.) the red A amandava.

avail /a'veil/ noun. lme. [App. from the verb, but cf. Anglo-Norman avail] 1 Beneficial effect, advantage; assistance; value, esti¬ mation. arch. exc. in neg. or interrog. phrs. lme. 2 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Profits, proceeds; remuneration, perquisites, arch. lme. 1 of little avail, of no avail, to little avail, to no avail to what avail? without avail.

avail /a'veil/ verb. me. [from vail verb1, app. on the analogy of pairs like amount, mount.] 1 verb intrans. & trans. Be of use, help, value, or advan¬ tage, (to); have efficacy, profit, me. 2 verb re/I. & in trans. Make use of, obtain the benefit of, take advantage of. lme. 13 verb intrans. Do well, prosper. E16-E17. 4 verb trans. Give (a person) the advantage of, inform, assure, of. US. arch. Li 8. 03 1 Chaucer Moore it auaileth a man to haue a good name, than for to haue grete richesses. AV Esther 5:13 All this auaileth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the lew sitting at the kings gate. Pope Nor aught the warrior's thundering mace avail'd. Sir W. Scott Words avail very little with me, young man. Disraeli What avail his golden youth, his high blood.. if they help not now? E. M. Forster How little, we feel, avails knowledge and technical cleverness against a man who truly feels! 2 Milton Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names. Places, and titles. J. Tyndall I.. availed myself of my position to make an excursion into North Wales. R. W. Emerson Power.. must be availed of, and not by any means let off and wasted. D. Lessing This time 1 availed myself of the invitation to move about. 4 T. Jeffer¬ son It will rest, therefore, with you, to avail Mr. Barclay of that fund. F. Trollope We should have got no invites, you may be availed of that. ■ availing adjective advantageous, profitable, of beneficial effect lme. availment noun benefit, efficacy L17.

available /a'veibb(a)l/ adjective, lme. [from prec. + -able.] 1 Capable of producing a desired result; effectual, valid; obsolete exc. law. lme. 2 Of advantage (to, unto), arch. lme. 3 Able to be used or turned to account; at one’s dis¬ posal; within one’s reach, obtainable; (of a person) free for consultation, service, amorous advances, etc. E19. 4 Of a political candidate: likely to succeed in gaining office irrespective of ability, because of political associ¬ ations, personal popularity, etc. US. Mi9. £Q 3 J. Tyndall We spent every available hour upon the ice. S. Kauffmann He was vividly excited by the renewed evi¬ dence that right here in the house was an available female. J. Orton I’d like another woman present. Is your wife avail¬ able?]. T. Story To have a hire car made available for a visit¬ ing Member of Parliament. M. Bradbury Of course Henry would elect to carry a tray when he had only one available hand. ■ availability noun (a) the quality of being available; (b) some¬ thing available:Ei9. availableness noun L17. availably adverb LME.

avalanche /'avalamj/ noun & verb. lis. [French from Romansh. alt. of Alpine French dial, lavanche (of unkn. origin), by blending with avaler descend: cf. Provencal lavanca, Italian valanga.] ► A noun. 1 A large mass of snow, rocks, and ice, moving swiftly down a mountainside. 118. 2 transf. & fig. A sudden onrush or descent; a rapidly des¬ cending mass. M19. >b physics. A process of cumulative ionization in which each electron and ion generates a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

further charged particles. Also more fully Townsend avalanche. Freq. attrib. M20. ffl 2 A. G. Gardiner An avalanche of indignant protests and appeals burst on him. C. McCullers He grasped the scuttle .. and rattled an avalanche of coal on the fire H. Arendt The Nazis let loose an avalanche of laws and decrees. Comb.: avalanche lily N, Amer. an erythronium commonly found near the snowline, esp. the yellow Erythronium grandi/lorum. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Descend in or like an avalanche.

L19. 2 verb trans. Strike, carry, or envelop (as) by an ava¬ lanche. L19. 3 verb intrans. physics. Undergo a rapid increase in con¬ ductivity due to an avalanche process. M20. (DIM. Twain We avalanched from one side of the stage(coach] to the other. 2 Daily Telegraph just one touch of rustique from a designer who used to avalanche us with folk¬ lore; cream. Aran-knit coats.. glamorised by lynx collars. P. Gillman He and three other men were avalanched. ■ avalanchy adjective susceptible to avalanches L19.

tavale verb. me. [Old & mod. French avaler, from d val at the bottom, down, from Latin ad vallem. Cf. amount verb, devall.] 1 verb intrans. Sink, drop; flow down; descend, alight.

M E-LI 6. 2 verb trans. Cause to descend or fall; let down, lower; remove or doff (one’s headgear), open (one’s visor). ME-L18. tb /ig. Abase, degrade. lme-mi7. avania /avs'ni:a/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -iah. Li6. [Ult. from medieval Greek abania perh. from Arab, 'awdri mis¬ chievous damage. Cf. Italian avania, French avanie.]

A tax (esp. an extortionate one) levied by the Turkish authorities. ■ avanious adjective (orc/i.) extortionate L17.

avant-courier/av6:'kuri3/noun. E17. [from French avant forward, before + courier noun, after French avant-coureur. Cf. earlier vaunt-courier.]

A person who runs or rides before; a herald; a member of the advance guard of an army. avant-garde /av6:(ij)'ga:d/ noun & adjective, lme. [French, from avant forward, before + garde guard noun.]

► A noun. 1 The vanguard of an army. Now arch, or Hist. LME. 2 The pioneering or innovative writers, artists, etc., in a particular period. E20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the artistic avant-garde; progressive, ultra-modern. E20.

■ avant-gardism noun the characteristic quality or principles of the artistic avant-garde M20. avant-gardist noun a member of the artistic avant-garde M20.

avanturine noun var. of aventurine. Avar/'ava:, 'a:-/ noun & adjective. Li8. [Avar.]

A member of, of or pertaining to, a people of the NE Caucasus, identified with a people prominent in SE Europe from the 6th to the 9th cent.; (of) the language of this people.

■ Avarian /a'vcrrian, a;-/ adjective & noun (a) adjective of or pertain¬ ing to the Avars or their language; (b) noun the language of the Avars: L19.

avarice /'avfrlris/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin avaritta, from avarus greedy: see -ICE1.] Greed for gain, cupidity; fig. eager desire to get or keep

something for oneself. avaricious /avs'rijas/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French avarideux, formed as prec. + -feus, -ieux -IOUS.]

Manifesting avarice; grasping; greedy for wealth. ■ avariciously adverb M16 avariciousness noun M16

avascular /a'vaskjula, ei-/ adjective. E20. [from A-10 + VASCULAR.]

Characterized by or associated with an absence or defi¬ ciency of blood-vessels. ■

avascu larity noun M20.

avast /s’vaist/ interjection. E17. [from Dutch hou’vast, houd vast hold fast, with 1st syll. assim. to A preposition'.] nautical.

Stop! cease! hold!

ta Smollett Avast there friend, none of your tricks upon travellers. F. Marryat 'Avast heaving,' said Gascoigne.

avatar/'avsta:/ noun. lis. [Sanskrit avatara descent, from ava off, away, down + tar- pass over.] 1 h/ndu mythology. The descent of a god to earth in incar¬

nate form. L18. 2 An incarnation or embodiment (of another person, an idea, etc.). Ei9. 3 A manifestation to the world as a ruling power or as an object of worship; gen. a manifestation, a phase. Ei9. : saw, a run. u put, u: too, a ago, Ai my, ao how, ei day.

UJ 1 R. K. Narayan Krishna was the eighth avatar of Vishnu, incarnated to help the Five Brothers regain their kingdom. 2 Q, Bell A certain kind of beauty appears and reappears, sometimes vaguely, sometimes strikingly reincar¬ nated from avatar to avatar. M. McCarthy The classic English butler, of which he personally was the avatar. 3 L. Stephen Wit and sense are but different avatars of the same spirit. Listener I knew Victor Neuburg so well during his avatar as editor of the Poets' Corner'. t avaunt verb1 & noun', me. [Old French avanter, avaunter, formed as a-s + vaunt verb.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Boast or brag of; praise; vaunt (oneself). ME-L16. 2 verb intrans. Boast, brag. lme-li6. ► B noun. Boasting, bragging; a brag, a boast. LME-L16. 9 vaunt noun1, verb partly from this.

avaunt /a'vornt/ adverb, interjection, verb2, & noun2. Long arch. LME. [Anglo-Norman, Old & mod. French .avant to the front, before, onward, ult. from Latin ab from + ante before.]

►t A adverb. Forward; to the front. LME-E17. ► B interjection. Onward! go on! begone! away! lme. ►|C verb. 1 verb intrans. Advance, go forward; depart, be Off. LME-E17. 2 verb trans. Raise, advance. IME-E17. ►t D noun. An order to go away. L16-E18.

AVC abbreviation. Additional voluntary contributions scheme).

(to

a

pension

ave /'a:vi, 'a:vei/ noun & interjection, me. [Latin asimper. sing, of avere be or fare well, used as an expression of greeting or farewell. In earliest use short for Ave Maria.]

► A noun. 1 (Also A-.) = Ave Maria 1. me. tb A bead on a rosary (as used for counting the number of aves recited). ME. 2 A shout of welcome or farewell. E17. Comb.: ave-bell a bell rung at the hours when aves are to be said. ► B interjection. Hail! farewell! lme.

Ave. abbreviation. Avenue.

avellan /a'vsbn, avabn/ noun & adjective. Also -l(l)ane /-lern/. me. [from Latin

Aveltanus of Avella, a town in Campania, Italy: see

-an.]

► A noun. A filbert, a hazelnut, me. ► B adjective. 1 avellan nut = sense A above, lme. 2 heraldry. Of a cross: resembling four thin filberts joined together. Ei7.

Ave Maria/,a:vim3'ri:a, ,a:vei/ interjectional & noun phr. Also Ave Mary/'mE:ri/. me. [Latin = hall, Mary!: see ave.]

1 The angel’s greeting to the Virgin Maiy combined with that of Elizabeth (cf. Luke 1:28 & 42), used as a devo¬ tional recitation; the prayer to the Virgin as Mother of God beginning with these words; a recitation of this devotional phrase or prayer, me. 2 (The time of) the ave-bell. Li 6.

aven /'eiv(a)n/ noun. Li9. [French dial., of Celtic origin.]

A vertical shaft in limestone, dosed or almost closed at the top; a swallow-hole.

avener /a'vimal noun, obsolete exc. Hist. me. [Anglo-Norman avener, Old French avenier, from medieval Latin avenarius use as noun of the Latin adjective, from avena oats: see -ARY'.] A chief officer of the stable, in charge of provender for

the horses.

avenge /a'vendj/ verb & noun. lme. [Old French avcngier, from a (intensifier) + vengier (mod.

venger)

from Latin vindlcare vindicate.]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. Take vengeance, inflict retribution, exact satisfaction, on behalf of (another person, oneself], or on account of (a wrong, injury, etc.). Freq. in pass. Foil, by (up)on, fof, j against the offender, lme. 2 verb intrans. Take vengeance, arch, mi6. f 3 verb trans. Take vengeance upon. Only in M17. m 1 Coverdaie Ps. 119:84 When wilt thou be auenged of my aduersaries? Milton Avenge. O Lord, thy slaughtered saints. W. N. Massey Private grudges were avenged. W. F. Hook Edwy had the power to avenge himself upon Dunstan. A. Trollope Those who offend us are generally punished .. but we so frequently miss the satisfaction of knowing that we are avenged. L. Trilling Why Hamlet.. did not avenge upon his hated uncle his father's death. D. Jacobson The ferocity and guile with which Absalom had avenged the rape of his sister, 2 AV Lev. 19:18 Thou shalt not auenge nor beare any grudge against the children of thy people. ► B noun. Retribution, vengeance, arch. M16. ■ Javengeance noun vengeance lme-eis. avengeful adjective larch.) full of vengeance, taking vengeance Lis avengement noun (arch.) vengeance U5. avenger noun J(a) a person who takes vengeance on (an offender); (b) a person who avenges (an injured ao no. e: hair, 13 near, di boy. 03 poor, are tire, aoa sour

158

averts | avgolemono person or an injury): lme. auengeress noun (rare) a female avenger L16.

avens 'eiv(3)nz/ noun. me. [Old French avetice = medieval Latin avencia, of unkn. origin.] Any of a number of rosaceous plants belonging to the genus Geum or a related genus. mountain avens a creeping alpine. Drycis octopetala. bearing white flowers, water avens Geum rivale, bearing bell-like flowers having dull pink petals and a purple calyx, wood avens Geum urbanum, bearing small yellow flowers; also called herb bennet.

aventail /'av(o)nteil/ noun. Also -ayle. me. [Anglo-Norman - (see A-7) Old French esventail air-hole, from esventer (mod. evcntcr), ult. from Latin ex-1 + ventus wind, see -AL1.] Hist. The movable front or mouthpiece of a helmet, which may be raised to admit air. Cf. ventail 2.

aventure /a'ventja/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Ei7. [Old French = adventure noun.] mw. Pure accident, as a MISADVENTURE).

cause

of

death

(cf.

aventurine /a'ventjarin/ noun. Also avan- /o'van-/. eis. [French from Italian avventurino, from awentura chance (from its accidental discovery): see adventure noun, -ine1 .] 1 A brownish ornamental glass containing spariding particles of copper or another foreign material. Also aventurine glass E18. 2 A variety of quartz or of feldspar spangled with, par¬ ticles of another mineral (usu. mica or haematite respectively). Also aventurine quartz, aventurine feldspar. L18.

avenue /'av(a)nju:/ noun. Ei7. [French, use as noun of fern. pa. pple of avenir arrive, approach, from Latin advenire. from ad- + venire come.] 1 A way of access or approach. Now chiefly fig., a way, a means. Ei7. 2 A tree lined approach to a country house; lines of trees forming such an approach; a broad roadway marked by trees or other objects at regular intervals. M17. 3 A broad street; an urban street with trees. (Freq. in proper names.) Li8. 4 zoology. = ambulacrum. Now rare or obsolete. M19. B3 1 H. Belloc Cheating on a large scale was an avenue to social advancement in most of the progressive European countries. D. Carnegie She had found in making the break¬ fast food an avenue of subexpression, explore every avenue 2 Geo. Eliot Arthur Donnithome passed under an avenue of limes and beeches. A. P. Stanley The avenue of sphinxes leading to the huge gateway. 3 D. Lessing I’d better be getting home to 16 Plane Avenue. S. Cisneros Down the avenue one block past the bright lights.

aver 'ervo/ noun & verb'. Scot. & north. Also aiver. [Old English eofor, whence Anglo-Norman aver, Anglo-Latin av(e)ra, ajjrus.] ► A noun. A draught horse; an old horse, a nag. oe. ►t B verb trans. Supply with horse-transport. Only in oe.

aver /o'vxl verb2 trans. Infl. -rr-. lme. [Old & mod. French averer, from A-5 + veir, voir from Latin verus true.] ■fl Declare true. LME-M17. f2 Prove true; confirm. LME-L17. 3 mw. Prove or justify (a plea etc.); make an averment that. lme. 4 Assert as a fact; state positively, affirm. L16. 5 Assert the existence or occurrence of. arch. E17. £3 4 P. Sidney How often doe the Phisitians lye, when they auer things good for sicknesses. R. Bentley Which being .. within the reach of my own Knowledge, I do averr to be a Calumny. Coleridge They all averr'd I had killed the Bird That brought the fog and mist. G. P. R. James What one author avers upon the subject, another denies. Baroness Orczy A brilliant matrimonial prize for which, as all chron¬ iclers aver, there had been many competitors. 5 Milton /Esop’s Chronicles auer many stranger Accidents.

average aviojndy noun2. Lis. [from French avarie damage to ship or cargo, (earlier) customs duty, from Italian avaria from Arab. 'awdr damage to goods' -age after damage etc.] ► I Maritime use. 1 A minor charge over and above the freight incurred in the shipment of goods, and payable by their owner or consignee. Also petty average. L15.

average /'av(a)nd3/ noun1, dial. Mi6. [Origin unkn.] The pasturage of arable land after harvest; land under stubble.

average /'av(a)rid3/ adjective. li8. [from average noun2.] Estimated or calculated as an average; medium; of the ordinary standard or kind; typical. D! Arnold Bennett The average age appeared to be about fifty. E. Glasgow In a democracy.. it was safer to be average. W. H. Auden Average distance run per week: two hundred miles. B. Pym There was something very unattractive about the average man’s pyjamas.

■ averagely adverb to an average degree; ordinarily: M19. averageness noun E20.

average/'av(a)rid3/verb. mis. [from average noun2.] 1 verb trans. Amount to on average; do or achieve on average in any activity. Mi8. 2 verb trans. Work out or estimate the average of. Li 8. 3 verb trans. & intrans. (with out). (Cause to) result in or yield on average a moderate value, intermediate level, even distribution, etc.; even or cancel out; remove (vari¬ ation) by calculating an average. E20. £□ 1 D. Masson The sale of the book.. averaged a thousand copies a year. G. Greene Over twenty years I have probably averaged five hundred words a day for five days a week. R. Lardner It averaged about two dollars per day for the two of us. 2 Southey His Sunday congregation was averaged at about six hundred persons. 3 Times Lit. Suppl. The particular obstacles will vary from time to time.. but on the whole will average out. D. W. Sciama The clustering might then be real, but be averaged out by this procedure. Accountant Those who seek to average out profits by taking profit by stages. ■ averager noun (a) a person whose business is average adjust¬ ment; (b) a small computer designed for the automatic aver¬ aging of a series of input signals: 119.

avermectin /eiva'mektin/ noun. L20. [from mod. Latin averm(itilis) (see below), peril, formed as a-10 + Latin vermis worm: see -IN1.] pharmacology. Any of a group of compounds, isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis, which are macrocyclic lactones with a disaccharide ring attached and have anthelmintic and insecticidal properties.

[Latin avemalis, from avemus {lacus) = Greek aomos (limne) birdless (lake), from a-10 + omis bird: see -AL1.] Of the nature of or pertaining to Avernus, a lake in Cam¬ pania, Italy, the effluvium from which was anciently said to kill overflying birds; gen. infernal, devilish.

Averroist /o'vErauist, avs'rauist/ noun. Also -rrhoist. mis. [from Averroes (see below) + -ist. ] Any of a sect of peripatetic philosophers in preRenaissance Italy, who adopted the supposed tenets of Averroes (1126-98), a Muslim philosopher from Cordoba, esp. the belief that the individual soul returns after death to a universal, immortal soul. ■ Averroism noun M18. Averro istic adjective M19. Averro'istical adjective M17. El 7.

3 (The equitable apportionment of) liability resulting from loss of or damage to an insured ship or its cargo.

1 leg,

Comb.: average adjustment the apportionment of liability due to average.

averruncate /avo'rAnkeit/ verb trans. rare exc. in Diets.

f2 A duty charged upon goods; a customs duty etc E16-M18.

k cat,

£D 5 I. Compton-Burnett I never can make out whether Father’s hearing is below the average or above it. R. Hoggart Those whose husbands earned just a few shillings above the average for the street. R. Davies We played an average of five days a week, law of averages the proposition that the occurrence of one extreme will be matched by that of the other extreme so as to maintain the average, weighted average see weight verb 3c.

Avernal /a'vo:n(3)l/ adjective. Li6.

[medieval Latin averagitim, from aver verb': see -ace.] A service (orig. with draught animals) owed by a tenant to a feudal superior.

h he, j yes,

the mean number ot runs per completed innings scored by a batsman, or the mean cost in runs per wicket achieved by a bowler, during a season, tour, etc.; in baseball (more fully batting average), the mean number of safe hits made by a batter per time at bat. Mi 9. cricket,

[Anglo-Norman, Old French aver(r)ement: see aver verb2, -ment.] 1 The action of proving, by argument or evidence; esp. (mw) a formal statement including an offer of proof or justification, lme. 2 Assertion, affirmation; a positive declaration. E17.

average /'avjojridy noun1, obsolete exc. Hist. Also (Scot.) arage, arriage,/’artdp/. lme.

f few. g get,

(formerly also with at), mis. 5 The generally prevailing rate, degree, or amount; the ordinary standard; the arithmetic mean. mis. kb spec. In

averment/3'vo:m(o)nt/ noun. lme.

■ averrable adjective M16.

b but. d dog,

3 general average, arising from the deliberate partial sacri¬ fice of a ship or its cargo in order to avoid total loss, particular average: arising from accidental partial damage or loss. ► II transf. 4 The determination of a medial estimate or arithmetic mean. Chiefly in on average, on the average, on an average, as a mean value or general rule, usually,

m

aversation /ava'seijfsjn/ noun. arch. Ei7. (Latin aversatiojn-), from aversat- pa. ppl stem of aversari turn away from, frequentative of avertere: see avert, -ation.] = AVERSION.

averse /o'vsis/ adjective (usu. peed.) & adverb. Li6. [Latin aversus pa. pple of avertere avert.] ► A adjective. 1 Turned away in thought or feeling; opposed, disinclined. (Foil, by from, to.) L16. |2 Of things: adverse. Only in 17. j3 Lying on the opposite side. rare. Only in Mi7. f4 Turned away or in the reverse direction. L17-E18. ££J 1 AV Micah 2:8 As men auerse from warre. E. M. Forster Averse to wasting her time, she went on sewing. J. Galsworthy She was ever silent, passive, gracefully averse. B. Pym He wasn’t averse to a bit of a rest. 2 Hobbes What Opinions and Doctrines are averse, and what condu¬ cing to Peace. 3 Milton On the Coast averse From entrance or cherubic watch.. Found unsuspected way. 4 Dryden The tracks averse a lying notice gave. ►t B adverb. In the reverse or opposite direction. E17-E19. CO E. Topsell The hair groweth averse.. forward toward his head. ■ aversely adverb M17. averseness noun E17.

aversion h'vo:j(o)n/ noun. Li6. [French, or Latin aversio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ion.] 1 The action of turning away oneself, one’s eyes, etc. Long rare. Li 6. 2 A mental attitude of opposition or repugnance; a habitual dislike; antipathy, unwillingness. (Foil, by to, from,for, ftowards, f against.) E17. 3 An object of dislike or repugnance. L17. EB 1 T. Berger He might turn no female heads, but neither would he cause the aversion of faces. 2 Bacon His aversion towards the house of York. Addison An unconquerable aver¬ sion which some stomachs have against a joint of meat. R. L. Stevenson She had conceived at first sight a great aver¬ sion for the present writer, which she was at no pains to conceal. H. A. L. Fisher Charles had married, and on grounds of personal aversion divorced, the daughter of the Lombard king. J. Galsworthy Her aversion from him who had owned her body, but had never touched her spirit or her heart. W. S. Churchill The Tories regarded with aversion the sending of large armies to the Continent. K. A. Porter He had a moral aversion to poverty, an instinctive contempt and distrust of the swarming poor. 3 M. Twain For years my pet aversion had been the cuckoo clock. Comb.: aversion therapy behaviour therapy designed to cause the patient to give up an undesirable habit by associating it with an unpleasant effect.

avert h'vo-.Uverb. lme. (Partly from Old French avertir, partly directly from Latin avertere, from a ab- + vertere turn.] 1 verb trans. Turn away (a person) from a place, course of action, etc. arch. lme. 2 verb intrans. Turn away (from), arch, li 5. 3 verb trans. Alienate, estrange, arch. Mi6. 4 verb trans. Turn away (the face, eyes, thoughts, etc.). Li6. 5 verb trans. Prevent: ward off. Ei7. |6 verb trans. Oppose; view with aversion. Only in M17. £9 1 Dryden Mighty Caesar, whose victorious Arms.. Avert unwarlike Indians from his Rome. A. Trollope How fatal it might be to avert her father from the cause while the trial was still pending. 2 Southey And from that hideous man Averting, to Ocellopan he turn’d. 3 L. Morris Appease Zeus and the averted Gods. 4 Shakes. Lear I.. therefore beseech you T’avert your liking a more worthier way. R. G. Collingwood I could not bear to look at it, and passed with averted eyes. F. Raphael James was asleep... his head averted from the light of the door. 5 J. B. Priestley Elsie averted the kiss that she knew would inevitably have descended upon her a moment later. A. Lurie Time is of the essence if a frightful disaster is to be averted. ■ avertable adjective = avertible ventable M17.

119.

avertible adjective pre¬

Avesta/o'vEsta/noun. E19. [Persian.] (The text of) the Zoroastrian scriptures, compiled by Zoroaster as a means of reforming an older tradition. See also Zend-Avesta. ■ Avestan adjective & noun (a) adjective of or pertaining to the Avesta or the ancient Iranian language in which it is written; (b) noun this language: M19. Avestic adjective & noun - Avestan L19.

avgas /’avgas/ noun. Orig. US. M20. [from av(iation + gas noun2.] Aviation gasoline, petrol for aircraft.

avgolemono

[Latin avciruncat- pa. ppl stem of avemincare avert, from a ab- + verruncare turn: see -ate3. Erron. explained in 17 as from Latin ab off + eruncare weed out.] 1 Root out, weed; prune. E17. man,

f2 Avert, ward off. m-li7. ■ faverruncation noun M17-E19. faverruncator noun (horticulture) 3 long-handled pruning implement: only in 19.

n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top.

v van.

w we, z zoo.

/avgaoTsmanou/ noun. Also (earlier) avgho-. E20. [mod. Greek augolemono, from augo egg + lemoni lemon.] (In Greek cuisine) a sauce made from eggs and lemon juice; a soup made using this sauce. f she.

3

vision.

0

thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

159

avian j avouch

avian /'eivisn/ adjective. Li9. [from Latin avis bird + -an.] Of or pertaining to birds.

avocado /ava’ka:dau/ noun & adjective.

aviary /'eiviari/ noun. Li6. [Latin aviarium, from avis bird: see -ary1.] A large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds. aviate /'eivieit/ verb. Li9. [Back-form, from next.] 1 verb intrans. Pilot or fly in an aeroplane. L19. 2 verb trans. Fly (an aeroplane). M20.

M17.

[Spanish, alt. (after avocado lawyer) from aguacate from Nahuatl ahuacati.] ► A noun. PI. -os, *-oes.

1 (The rough-skinned pear-shaped edible fruit of) the tree Persea americana, of the laurel family, native to Central America and the W. Indies. Also avocado pear. M17.

Avocado green.

2

L20.

Comb.:

aviation /era'eij(a)n/ noun. M19. [French, irreg. from Latin avis bird: see -ation.] The operation of aircraft, aeronautics; the development and manufacture of aircraft.

avocado green (of) the green colour of the flesh of the avocado; avocado pear see sense 1 above. ► B adjective. Of avocado green. L20.

"favocate

verb trans. Mi6. [Sense 1 from Latin avocat- (see next); sense 2 after French favoquer from Latin advocare advoke]

1 Call away, withdraw, (from).

civil aviation.

aviator /'eivieitsi noun. Li9. [French aviateur, formed as prec.: see -ator.] 1 A pilot of an aeroplane; an airman, an airwoman. LI 9. f2 An aeroplane. L19-E20. ■ aviatrix noun a female aviator E20.

avicide /'ervisud/ noun. rare. M19. [from Latin avis bird + -cide.] The slaughter of birds, bird-shooting. avicularium /o.vikju'lEiriam/ noun. PI. -ria /-rra/. M19. [mod. Latin, from avicula dim. of avis bird: see -cule, -arium.] zoology. A specialized member of an ectoproctan colony, having the form of a pair of snapping jaws resembling a bird's head. aviculture /"eivik,\itJo/ noun. L19. [from Latin avis bird + -culture.] The breeding and rearing of birds. ■ avi'culturist noun a person who breeds and rears birds

E20.

avid /'avid/ adjective, mis. [French a vide or Latin avidus, from avere long for: see -id'.] Eager; eagerly desirous, greedy, (of, for), m avidly adverb M19.

M16-M18.

2 = ADVOKE. M-L17.

avocation /ava'ketJXajn/ noun.

Ei6.

[Branch I after Latin advocatio(n-) advocation; branch II from Latin avocatio(n-), from avocat- pa. ppl stem of avocare, from a- ab- + vocare to call: see -ation.] ► 11= advocation 3. E16.

► II t2 Diversion of the thoughts. E17-MI8. 3 The condition of having one’s attention diverted; dis¬ traction. arch. M17. 4 A (less important) distraction; a minor occupation; colloq. (a) vocation, (a) calling. MI7. £Q 2 T. Gray Try, by every method of avocation and amuse¬ ment, whether you cannot.. get the better of that dejection. 3 S. R. Maitland He devoted himself, with less avocation, to prayer. 4 G. B. Shaw It was at the university that I became .. a sky pilot. When the war took me it seemed natural that I should pursue that avocation as a member of the air force. W. Faulkner A horseman, a groom, merely by accident, but by avocation and dedication a minister of God. ■ avocational adjective M20.

avocatory /a'vDkatJajri,

ava'keitari/ adjective. M17. [medieval Latin avocatorius, from avocat-: see prec., -ory2.]

Recalling; that recalls. letters avocatory Hist.: by which a monarch recalled subjects from a foreign State or ordered them to desist from illegal pro¬ ceedings.

avidin /'avidrn/ noun. M20.

9 verb trans. Keep off; prevent; obviate. E17. ca 7 Aldous Huxley He always does his best to avoid me; goes out of the room when I come in;.. won’t even look at me. L, P. Hartley He avoided looking at himself in the glass, so as not to see the circles under his eyes. C. Jackson Harry Harrison avoided the main highway as tiresome, and took an older, less direct route instead. W. Maxwell The epidemic was raging and people were told to avoid crowds. 8 J. Galsworthy How, by some sort of settlement, he could best avoid the payment of those death duties which would follow his decease. C. IsHERWooDAsecondjoumeyhadtobe made through the living-room in the dark .., skirting the table, avoiding the chairs. W. Trevor A red Post Office van had to swerve to avoid him. 9 Carlyle That the Body.. be decently interred, to avoid putrescence. ■ avoidable adjective (a) able to be avoided; f(b) to be shunned: lme. avoidably adverb M19. avoidal noun (rare) avoidance L17. avoidant adjective tending to avoid; spec, (psychology& psychiatry) des¬ ignating (a person displaying) behaviour which tends towards avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus or situation: L19. avoider noun ei?. avoidless adjective (poet.) that cannot be avoided M17.

avoidance /3'void(a)ns/ noun. lme. [from prec. + -ance.] fl The action of emptying; ejection, excretion; removal; dismissal; departure (from, out of). LME-M17. 2 The occurrence of a vacancy (of an office, benefice, etc.); the right to fill up a vacancy, arch. lme. 3 The action of keeping away or refraining from some¬ thing; escaping, evasion; shunning, holding aloof from someone or something; prevention, lme. 4 Chiefly mw. The action of making void or of no effect; invalidation, annulment. E17. 15 An outlet. Only in ei 7. O 1 J. Hayward By voluntary avoidance out of tire Realme. Donne The King having made avoydance of those hee esteemed not necessary. 2 G. F, Maclear On each avoidance of the abbacy, to fill up the situation from founder's kin. 3 Donne For avoydance ofscandallis Divine law. Listener The avoidance of marked peaks and troughs in tire amplitudefrequency characteristic. A. Lurie The same avoidance of all topics which might annoy them, tax avoidance: see tax noun. 4H.H. Milman The obsequious clergy.. pronounced at once the avoidance of the marriage.

[from avid + -in1.]

biochemistry. A protein found in raw egg-white which combines with and inactivates biotin.

avodire/avau'diarei/noun. M20.

[French.]

avidity /a'viditi/ noun. lme. [French avidite or Latin aviditas, from avidus: see avid, -ity.] 1 Extreme eagerness, greediness (for, of), lme. 2 spec. Graspingness, avarice. Mi7.

(The smooth, light-coloured hardwood of) either of two W. African trees, Turraeanthus africanus and T. vignei, of the mahogany family. Avogadro /ava'ga:drao/ noun.

|aview verb trans. Also ad-. Lis Li6. Survey; reconnoitre; view. 1X1 Spenser All which when Artegall.. well advewed.. He could no longer beare.

avifauna /'ervifo:na/ noun. L19. [from Latin avis bird + fauna.] The birds of a region collectively. ■ avifaunal adjective Li9.

6.023

x to23. E2°-

lme.

[Anglo-Norman avoider = Old French esvuidier, evuider (see A-7), from es- ex-1 + vuide empty, void adjective.]

[from avi(ation + electrJonics.]

1 Treated as sing. Electronics as applied to aviation. M20. 2 Electronic equipment fitted in an aircraft. M20. ■ avionic adjective of or pertaining to avionics M20. avirulent/ei'vujuKalnt, a-/ adjective. E20. [from a-10 + VIRULENT.]

Of a micro-organism: not virulent. noun M20.

■ avirulence

avisandum noun var. of avizandum. aviso /o'vAizau/ noun. arch. PI. -os, f-oes. eiz. (Spanish: see advice.] f 1 Intelligence, information; a notification, a dispatch. E-M17. 2 A boat bringing news, a dispatch-boat. E18. noun. PI. -noses

/-'naosi:z/. E20. [from a-10 + vitamin + -osis.]

A vitamin deficiency disease.

tavives noun pi. var. of vives. avizandum /avt'zandam/ noun. Also -isa-. Ei7. [medieval Latin, neut. gerund of avizare, -sare consider, advise.] scots law. Further consideration, esp. out of court; private consideration by a judge etc. 1

Avogadro’s number Avogadro number. Avogadro’s constant, Avogadro constant, the number of molecules 2

avoid /a'void/ verb.

avionics/eivi'Dmks/ noun pi. M20.

a cat, o: arm. e bed, a: her,

under the same conditions of temperature and pressure contain equal numbers of molecules. 119.

in a mole of material,

avine /'eivAin/ adjective, rare. 119. [from Latin avis bird + -ine1.] Avian; birdlike.

medicine.

L19.

[Count Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856), Italian scientist.] chemistry. 1 Avogadro’s law: that equal volumes of gases

[from a-11 + view verb.]

-,VAit-/

Li7.

[French avocette from Italian avosetta.]

A wading bird of the genus Recurvirostra, having a long upturned beak; esp. the black and white R. avosetta of Europe.

avidious /a'vidias/ adjective, rare. M16. [formed as avi d + see -lous.] Avid; greedy, eager. ■ avidiously adverb lme.

avitaminosis /ei.vitami'naosis,

avocet /'avaset/ noun. Also f-set(ta)

sit, i cosy, i: see,

0

hot, o

► I Make empty. 11 verb trans. Empty; clear, free, rid (of); depart from, quit (a place). LME-E19. 2 verb trans. Chiefly 1aw. Make void or of no effect; refute. Formerly also, defeat (pleading); invalidate, quash (a sentence etc.), lme. 13 verb trans. Clear out, put away; eject, excrete; do away with; get rid of; expel, banish. LME-L17. 4 verb refl. Leave, withdraw. Long arch. lme. f 5 verb intrans. Leave, withdraw, depart; retire, retreat. L15-M18. fb Of things: escape; run out or away. L15-E17. f6 verb intrans. Fall vacant. E16-E18. Q IT, Elyot Commanded the chambre to be avoided. 3 R. Fabyan He auoyded y* munkys out of the house of Aumbrisbury. R. Hakluyt It causeth vrine to be avoided in great measure. W. Prynne His Images and Pictures .. should be pluckt down and avoided out of all Churches. R. Baxter There was then no Judge of such controversies . to avoid and end them. 4 Sir W. Scott Avoid thee, Fiend! 5AVi Sam. 18:11 Dauid auoided out of his presence. G. Sandys The Musicians spent so much time in unseasonable tuning, that he commanded them to auoid. b G. Markham If you put a hollow quill therein.. the wind will auoyd the better. 6 J. Ayliffe If a Person takes a Bishoprick. it does not avoid by Force of that Law of Pluralities, but by the antient Common Law.

► II Keep (away) from, keep off. 7 verb trans. Keep away from; shun; refrain from. Foil, by a person or thing, doing, f to do. lme. 8 verb trans. Evade, escape; keep or get out of the way of (something coming towards one or in one's path), lme. : saw, a run, u put. u: too, a ago, ai my, au how. ei day,

avoirdupois /avodo'poiz, ,avwa:djo'pwa:/ noun. me. [Old French aveirdepeis goods of weight, from ave(i)r (mod. avoir) use as noun of avoir have (from Latin habere) + de of + peis, pois (mod. poids) weight, poise noun'. Substitution of du for de estab¬ lished 17.] f 1 Merchandise sold by weight. ME-117. 2 A system of weights based on a pound (the avoirdupois pound) of 16 ounces or 7,000 grains. More fully avoirdupois weight. L15. 3 Weight, heaviness. L16.

tavoiation

noun. M17-E19. [medieval Latin avolatio(n-), from avolat- pa. ppl stem of avolare, from a- AB- + volare to fly: see -ation.] The action of flying away; exhalation; evaporation.

avondbloem noun see aandblom. tavoset(ta) nouns vars. of avocet. avouch /o'vautj/ verb & noun, arch.&rhet. L15. [Old French avochier from Latin advocare: see advoke. Cf. avow verb1.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Declare as a thing one can prove or, formerly, on which one is an authority; testify to as a per¬ sonal witness; affirm, assert, ns. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Guarantee; vouch for or for. M16. 3 verb trans. Acknowledge; take responsibility for; admit; sanction. Ml6. 4 verb trans. Establish, prove. Ll 6. 15 verb trans. Appeal to; cite as warrant, authority, or tes¬

timony. L16-E18. -J6 verb trans. Establish upon testimony. L16-L17. CD 1 Byron A report.. Avouch'd his death. C. M. Yonge His own deposition, as three Cardinals avouched that he had made it before them. J. Carey A locket containing ringlets which he avouches, in confidence, to be relics of a Spanish girl. 2 Bacon The seller must bring one to avouch his sale. Defoe I can avouch for her reputation. H. H. Milman The authority of Erasmus avouches the accomplished scholar¬ ship of Pace. 3 S. Daniel He for whom thou dost this villanie will not avouch thy fact. AV Dent. 26:17 Thou hast auouched the Lord this day to be thy God. Sir W. Scott The first time that I have heard one with a beard on his lip avouch himself a coward. R. C. Trench Milton in his prose works frequently avouches the peculiar affection to the Italian literature and language which he bore. 4 C. Marlowe And will avouch his saying with the sword. 5 G. Harvey Reasuns he usid none against me, but only avouchid and maintainid M. Osbums. 6 F. Thynne Wliiche I will sufficiently advouche, yf Instances be called for at my handes. ► B noun. Guarantee, assurance. E17. ■ avouchable adjective Lie avoucher noun L16 avouchment noun the action of avouching; an assurance, guarantee: a positive declaration: ns. au no, s: hair, ra near, at boy, us poor, aw tire, aua sour

160

avoue | away AWACS /'eiwaks/ abbreviation. military. Airborne warning and control system, an air¬ borne long-range radar system for detecting other air¬ craft and controlling weapons directed against them.

avoue /avwe/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Ei9. [French: see advowee.] 1 = ADVOWEE 2. El 9. 2 A French solicitor. ei 9.

/await noun.

avow /a'vao/ noun. arch. me.

lme.

[Anglo-Norman, formed as next.] 1 A waylaying with hostile intent; (an) ambush; a plot.

[from avow verb2.]

1 A vow, a solemn promise, me. /2 A votive offering. Only in lme.

Long rare. lme-mi9. 2 Watching, watchfulness, caution. lme-mi6.

avow /a'vau/ verb1, me.

await /a’weit/ verb.

[Old French avouer acknowledge, recognize as valid, from Latin see advoke. Cf. avouch.] -fl ver6 trans. Acknowledge (a person) as one’s own.

[Anglo-Norman awaitler = Old French aguaitier, formed as A-5 + verb.] /I verb trans. & intrans. Keep watch (on); lie in wait (for);

ndvocare:

ME-E17.

/2 verb trans. Authorize, approve. me-mi7. 3 verb trans. Declare as a thing one can vouch for; affirm, maintain, me. 4 verb trans. Admit, confess; re/1, reveal one’s identity or character, lme. / 5 verb re/1. Affiliate oneself to; put oneself under the pat¬ ronage of (foil, by (up) on). LME-E17. 6 verb intrans. MW. Justify or maintain an act done, esp. a distraining for rent. arch. Ei6. (33 1 R. Hakluyt Not our subjects, nor by vs any way to be advowed. 2 Hobbes Be contented to avow all the actions he shall do. 3 SirT. More Ryghte worshipful folk, that before me aduowed it in his face. F. Weldon God can be wor¬ shipped anywhere, the Reverend Allbright avowed. 4 T. Williams For the first time.. I saw her beauty, I con¬ sciously avowed it to myself. W. S. Churchill By a custom, openly avowed, the Paymaster was permitted to carry his balances to his private account and draw the interest on them. ■ avowable adjective E17. avowal noun acknowledgement, unconstrained admission mis. avowant noun (uw, now Hist.) a challenger; a person who admits an act but believes it to be justi¬ fied: Ei6. avowedly .Vvaoidli/ adverb with open declaration or acknowledgement Li6. avower noun' f(o) a patron, a protector; (b) a person who declares or acknowledges something: lme. favower noun2 [-ER4] a vow; avowal: only in 16.

Javow verb2, me.

me.

wait

waylay. ME-L17. / 2 verb trans. & intrans. Look (at), observe. Only in me. /3 verb intrans. Remain (in a place); wait (for, on). ME-E19. 4 verb trans. Wait for (a coming event or person); expect. ME.

/ 5 verb trans. Plot (harm of some kind) to. Only in lme. /6 verb trans. & intrans. Attend to; take care, endeavour, (that, tO do). LME-E17. /7 verb trans. & intrans. Wait on (or (up)on) as a servant, attendant, etc. lme-mis. 8 verb trans. Be in store for. Li6. CO 1 M. Drayton Thou seest who doth awaite, T intrap thy Beautie. Milton Your ill-meaning politician lords .. Appointed to await me thirty spies. 3 Sir W. Scott The acclamations.. of the commons who awaited without. 4 J. Agate On arrival, found Lady H. awaiting us with won¬ derful cocktails. H. Innes If this were England.. you’d be in a condemned cell awaiting execution. 7 H. Surrey Then issued she, awayted with great train. Pope On whom three hundred gold-capt youths await. 8 Ld Macaulay Honors and rewards which he little deserved awaited him. ■ awaiter noun (now rare) lme.

awake /a'weik/ pred. adjective,

me.

[Use as adjective of obsolete pa. pple of next.] 1 No longer or not yet asleep, me. 2 Vigilant; alert. E17. 2 awake to fully aware of.

awake /o'weik/ verb. Pa. t. awoke /a'wook/, /awaked; pa. pple awoke, awoken .Vw,-iok(3)n\ awaked.

[Old French avo(u)ervow, formed as A-5 + vow verb.] 1 verb trans. Bind with a vow (to, to do); devote, conse¬ crate, (to). ME-L16. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Make a vow (that, to an act, to do); undertake solemnly, vow, (something, to do). LME-E19.

[Old English awxcnan & awacian: see a preposition’ 6, wake verb] ► I verb intrans. 1 Come out of the state of sleep; cease to sleep, oe. 2 Come out of a state resembling sleep; become active.

avowry /a'vau(3)ri/ noun. me.

ME.

[Anglo-Norman avowrie, Old French avoerie, from avoeor (formed as avow verb' + -or): see -Y3, -ry.] f 1 Acknowledgement as one's own. Only in me. 12 Authorization, approval. Only in me. /3 Patronage, protection. Only in me. 4 A patron, a protector; a patron saint, lme.

/5 The right of presentation to a benefice; advowson. LME-M17.

6 The avowal of an act done; esp. in law (now Hist.), the plea whereby a person who distrains for rent avows the act and justifies it. lis. avoyer /a'vaio; foreign avwaje (pi same)/ noun. Li6.

3

avulse /s'vaIs/ verb trans. mis. [Latin avals- pa. ppl stem of aveltere, from a ab- + vellere to pluck.]

CPI 1 AV Judg. 16:20 Hee awoke out of his sleepe. Addison I was so transported with joy that I awaked. M. McCarthy Terrible dreams about money, from which she would awake sweating. F. Tuohy He fell asleep and when he awoke it was bright sunshine. 2 S. Johnson Whenever he awakes to ser¬ iousness and reflection. E. A. Freeman The national spirit again awoke, awake to become fully aware of. ► II verb trans. 4 Rouse from sleep, me. 5 Rouse from a state resembling sleep; stir up, make active, me.

■ awaker noun (rare) E17.

avulsion /a'vAlJfyin/ noun. Ei7.

awaken /a'wetkjajn/ verb. [Old English aw3'cn(i)an: see A preposition' 6, waken verb.]

-ion.]

1 The action of pulling off or tearing away; forcible sep¬ aration. E17. 2 A part tom off; a detached portion. L17. 3 mw. The sudden removal of land by a change in the course of a river, flood-water, etc., to another person’s estate (the land remaining the property of the original owner: cf. alluvion 4). M19. avuncular /a'vAgkjuta/ adjective. M19. [from Latin avunculus maternal uncle, dim. of avus grandfather, + -AR1.]

Of, pertaining to, or resembling an uncle. avunculate /a'vAgkjulat/ noun. E20. [formed as prec. + -ate'.] anthropology. The special relationship in some societies between a maternal uncle and his sister’s son.

aw adjective, noun, & adverb see a’.

► I verb intrans. 1 = awake verb

1. oe.

/2 Come into existence, originate, oe-me. 3 = awake verb 2. eis. ► II verb trans. 4 = awake verb 4. me. 5 = awake verb 5; esp. arouse to a sense of, make aware. ME.

■ awakener noun li6. awakening noun (a) rising, (an) arousal, from sleep, inaction, indifference, etc. Li6. awakenment noun (now rare) an awakening mi9.

awald /'a:w(3)ld/ adverb & pred. adjective. Scot. Also -It /-It/.

awa’ adverb, adjective, & noun see away.

awanting /a’wDntig/ ppl adjective. Chiefly Scot. Li6.

[Japanese.]

b but, d dog,

F few, g get,

award to'wcrd/ noun.

lme.

[Anglo-Norman, formed as next.] ► 11 A judicial decision, lme. 2

A payment, penalty, etc., appointed by a judicial

2 Tony award: see Tony noun'. ►/II 3 Custody, wardship. IME-L16.

The Japanese abalone, Haliotis gigantea. h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg.

/award verb2 trans. Mi6. [from a-” + ward verb,]

1 Guard. Only in Mi6. 2 Ward off (blows etc.). L16-M19. aware /a’we:/ pred. adjective. [Old English gewxr (see a-4, ware adjective) = Old Saxon giwar (Middle Dutch gheware), Old High German gawar, gi- (German gewabr) from West Germanic.] /1 Vigilant, cautious, on one’s guard. (Foil, by lest, of.) OE-M19.

2 Conscious, sensible, not ignorant, having know¬ ledge, (of, that); colloq. (occas. attrib.) well-informed, responsive to conditions etc., (with specifying adverb) informed about current developments, oe. CQ 2 R. P. Warren It was cold in the room, and he was aware of the cold, but as knowledge, as it were, not as sensa¬ tion. E. F. Benson I am aware there are many different sorts of people in the world. J. Steinbeck Along the road the trackers would become aware that they had missed the path. J. 1. M. Stewart He seemed scarcely aware of us when we did turn up. Gay News I think a lot of aware men influenced fashion. Chicago Tribune You’d think people would be more ecologically aware.

tawarn verb trans. rare. lme-li6. [from a-" + warn verb’.]

Give notice to; warn. CQ Spenser That every bird and beast awarned made To shrowd themselves.

/awarrant verb trans. LME-L19. [from a-” + warrant verb]

Vouch for, warrant, guarantee. awash /a’woj/ adverb & pred. adjective.

M19.

[from a-2 + wash noun or verb.]

Level with the surface of water, so that it just washes over; flooded (lit. & fig.); washing about. CQ C. Reade The rising water set everything awash. C. Mackenzie An unpleasant black reef awash at half tide. A. Seton The glorious singing mingled with the exultant organ and the Abbey was awash with beauty of sound. J. P. Donleavy The bar was awash Uncontrolled pints. Times The stock market has suddenly become awash with takeover bids and rumours.

away Is'wei/ adverb, adjective, & noun. Also (Scot.) awa’ /a'wa:, s'wo:/. [Late Old English aweg (earlier on weg): see a preposition' i, on preposition, WAY noun.]

► A adverb. I 1 On one's way; onward, on, along. Long obsolete exc. Scot, & north, loe. 2 From this or that place; to a distance (lit. & fig.), loe. 3 From adherence, contact, or inclusion; aside, off. 4 From or out of one’s personal possession, loe. 5 Towards or into non-existence; so as to remove, reduce, eliminate, bring to an end, reach the end of, etc., something by the action of the verb. loe. 6 Gone from a place; absent; wanting, me. 7 Gone from existence; vanished; consumed; dead, fainted. Now dial. me. 8 At a (stated) distance; in another place, lme. Fb With adverbs with intensive force: a considerable distance or time back, down, up, etc. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. >c sport. On an opponent’s ground. Li9. 9 In the other direction, from the place, person, etc., in question, lme. 10 Continuously, constantly, persistently. Mi6. 11 Without hesitation or delay: forthwith, directly, M16.

decision; a prize or other honour assigned by authority.

awabi /a'wcubi/ noun. Ei8.

■ awardable adjective able (esp. legally) to be awarded Ei7. awar’dee noun a person to whom an award is given M20. awarder noun M16.

LOE.

[from a preposition' 8 + wanting ppl adjective of want verb: cf.

Expr. mild remonstrance, entreaty, commiseration, disgust, or disapproval.

Cl 3 Shakes. Merck. V. A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine. The court awards it and the law doth give It. G. B. Shaw A Court of Discipline, which awarded him two years imprisonment and fifty lashes. A. J. Cronin For his thesis on Dust Inhalation, he had been awarded his MD.

[Perh. ult. from Old Norse af from + velta to rise.] Of an animal, esp. a sheep: on its back and unable to rise; of a person: incapacitated through intoxication, insensible.

Missing, wanting.

[Imit.]

2 Decide judicially (a process); issue judicially (a docu¬ ment etc.). LME. 3 Grant, assign, (to a person); order to be given as a payment, penalty, prize, etc. lme. J4 Sentence, appoint, (a person, to custody etc., to do). LME-M17.

M18.

AMISSING.]

aw h;/ interjection. Scot. & N. Amer. M19.

[Anglo-Norman awarder var. (see A-7) of Old Northern French eswarder, Old French esguarder consider, ordain: see ex-1, ward verb.] /1 gen. Decide or determine (something, that, to do) after consideration or deliberation, lme-eis.

■ awareness noun E19.

Pull or pluck off; tear away. [French, or Latin avulsio(n-), formed as prec.: see

award /a'wo:d/ verb' trans. lme.

Be wakeful; be vigilant, rare. lme.

(33 4 Dryden No dreadful Dreams awak’d him with affright. W. Owen Move him into the sun—Gently its touch awoke him once. 5 Sir W. Scott But morning beam, and wild bird’s call. Awaked not Mortham's silent hall. G. Orwell The young, strong body, now helpless in sleep, awoke in him a pitying, protecting feeling.

[Swiss French from Old French avoir corresp. to French avoue.] Hist. In some Swiss cantons: the chief magistrate.

Comb: award wages Austral. & NZ minimum wages fixed by an industrial court for a particular industry or occupation; award¬ winning adjective that has won an award.

m man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top. v van. w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision, 0 thin, d this, g ring, tj chip. d3 jar

161

awayward | AWS

E3 1 Shakes. Twel. N. Come away, come away, death; And in sad cypress let me be laid. R. L. Stevenson And now come awa’ to your bed. 2 Dryden And hungry sent the wily fox away. W. Cowper Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig. Dylan Thomas I have longed to move away but am afraid. P. Larkin That Whitsun, I was late getting away: Not till about One-twenty.. Did my.. train pull out. E. Roosevelt He had grown away from her in some ways and .. in later years they had often not been in sym¬ pathy. M. Keane I stepped up to my reflection, then away from it. carry away, drive away, etc. go away. run away, slip away, steal away, etc. far and away, out and away by far, by a very large amount. 3 Longfellow She folded her work, and laid it away. G. B. Shaw She touches her eyes as if to wipe away a tear, fall away. 4 Longfellow This passing trav¬ eller, who hath stolen away The brightest jewel of my crown to-day. give away, put away, take away, throw away, whisk away, etc. 5 AVJob 33:21 His flesh is consumed away. Yeats She grew pale as death and fainted away. R. Hughes The breeze having dropped away almost to a calm. Dylan Thomas There could I marvel My birthday Away, die away, fade away, pine away, waste away, wither away, etc. pass away, explain away, idle away (time), while away (time), do away with: see do verb, make away with: see make verb. 6 A. Cowley How could it be so fair and you away? N. Coward They’re away in Tunis. 7 Coverdale Jer. 31:15 Rachel moumynge for hir children, and wolde not be com¬ forted, because they were awaye. 8 R. D. Blackmore His home was some miles away. Yeats Hidden away where nobody can find it. S. Heaney Kelly’s kept an unlicensed bull, well away From the road. B. Pym She had chosen a seat away from the other people. 9 J. N. Lockyer The axis of rotation is inclined away from the Sun. A. Loos Mr Spoffard turned on his heels and walked away. Scott Fitzgerald I turned my head away and wept. 10 Thackeray He sat down and worked away, very, very hard. A. Helps And kept ‘pegging away’.. with all my might, pound away. 11 fire away: see fire verb, right away: see right adverb, straight away: see straight adverb1.

► II Ellipt. uses (esp. for an imper. or inf.). 12 Go away. me. 13 Take away; go or get away with. lme. 14 Get on or along with. Li 5. 03 12 AV Exod. 19:24 Away, get thee downe. R. L. Stevenson I’m weariet. an’ here I'm awa to my bed. Yeats We must away, and wait until she dies. 13 Dickens In his honest indignation he would reply. Away with it!’ 14 Carlyle Idolatry.. is a thing they cannot away-with. ► B adjective. Played or taking place on an opponent’s ground. E20. away game, away goal, away match, away win, etc. ► C noun. A match or win on an opponent’s ground. M20. ■ aways adverb (long dial.) = away adverb lis. t a way ward adverb & adjective, me. [from away adverb + -ward.] ► A adverb. In a different direction; aside; away. ME-L16. ► B adjective. = wayward. Only in me. «J Aphet. to WAYWARD. awe lo:l noun & verb. [Old English ege = Gothic agis fear, from Germanic; replaced in Middle English by forms cognate with Old Norse agi.] ► A noun. |1 Terror, dread, oe-lis. 2 Reverential fear or wonder, oe. 3 Power to inspire reverential fear or wonder, arch. oe. d 1 W. Cowper His voice Shook the delinquent with such fits of awe. 2 J. Keble There is an awe in mortals’ joy, A deep mysterious fear. A. S. Neill Some parents taught their chil¬ dren that sex was sacred and spiritual, something to be treated with awe and wonder. V. S. Pritchett We walked behind them listening with awe to their astonishing manof-the-world talk about girls. A. Eden We boys were in con¬ siderable awe of Smitton, whose rules were strict and whose praise was sparing. 3 D. Bagley Clothing himself in the full awe of British majesty. Comb.: awestricken, awestruck adjectives suddenly affected with awe. ► B verb trans. Inspire with awe; influence or control by awe. me. £□ Shakes. Much Ado Shall quips, and sentences,.. awe a man from the career of his humour? Gibbon He was not awed by the sanctity of the place. J. K. Jerome They awe us, these strange stars, so cold, so clear. J. B. Priestley He looked so imposing that immediately an awed silence fell on the company. A. Schlee Ellie, awed out of ill temper, turned shyly to face them. ■ aweless adjective (a) without feeling awe; t(b) without inspir¬ ing awe: lme. awelessness noun (rare) Li6. aweary /a'wiari/ peed, adjective, mi6. [from a-11 + weary adjective.] Tired, weaiy, (of). ■ Also a wearied adjective E17. aweather/o'weda/ adverb, pred. adjective, & preposition. Li6. [from a preposition' 1 + weather noun.] nautical. Towards the weather or windward side (of). aweel ii'wi:! adverb. Scot. Ei9. (Weakened form of ah well/] Well then, well. a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her. i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o:

aweigh /o'wei/ adverb & pred. adjective. Ei7.

of an animal: on its back and unable to rise (cf. awald).

[from A preposition'

6 + weigh noun1.] nautical. Of an anchor: just raised perpendicularly above the ground in weighing. Of a ship, crew, etc.: just about to set sail. tawent verb pa. t.: see ago verb. awesome /'o:s(a)m/ adjective. Li6. [from awe noun + -some'.]

1 Filled with awe. Li6. 2 Inspiring awe. 117. 3 Outstanding, remarkable, colloq. M20. kb Excellent, marvellous, slang. L20. m awesomely adverb (a) so as to inspire awe: (b) colloq. outstand¬ ing. very: Li9. awesomeness noun U9.

aweto noun var. of awheto. awful /'o:fol, esp. in senses A.4, B -f(o)l/ adjective & adverb, oe. [from awe noun + -FUL.]

► A adjective. I Objectively. 1 Causing terror or dread; appalling, oe. 2 Worthy of or commanding profound respect or rev¬ erential fear or wonder, oe. 3 Solemnly impressive, sublimely majestic. M17. 4 Notable of its kind (esp. in badness); exceedingly bad, long, etc. colloq. E19. 03 1 W. S. Churchill The grim and awful cataclysm of war. 2 Addison Cato's character.. is rather awful than amiable. 3 Anne Stevenson The great trees, as soon as they die, /

immediately become ghosts, / stalk upright among the living with awful composure. 4 Keats It is an awful while since you have heard from me. M. Drabble He likes such awful people. A. Lurie An awful, vulgar sport shirt.., made of shiny green material. ► II Subjectively. |5 Terror-stricken; timid. L16-M18. 6 Profoundly respectful or reverential, arch. L16.

► B adverb. = awfully 3. colloq. Ei9. 03 A. Trollope It is awful lonely here, too. R. D. Paine A prairie town .. that looks awful good to me.

■ awfulness noun f(a) rare an awe-inspiring act; f(b) profound reverence, awe; (c) the quality of inspiring with awe; impressive solemnity; terribleness; colloq. poor quality: lme. awfully /'o:fuli, esp. in sense 3 -fli/ adverb, lme. [from prec. + -ly2.]

► I Objectively. 1 So as to cause terror, lme. 2 So as to cause reverential fear or wonder; majestic¬ ally. LME. 3 Exceedingly; veiy much, colloq, E19. 03 3 G. B. Sh aw Thanks awfully, old chap. Joyce Pretend to want something awfully. Scott Fitzgerald I certainly am awfully glad to see you again.

► II Subjectively. 4 With a feeling of awe; fearfully; reverentially, arch.

LI 6. awheel /o'wi:!/ adverb & pred. adjective. L19.

■ awkwardish adjective (colloq.) E17. awkwardly adverb lme. awkwardness noun Li7. [Old English xl = Old High German ala (German Ahle), Old Norse air, of unkn. origin.] A small pointed tool for pricking or piercing holes, esp. such a tool used by shoemakers. cobbler’s awls: see cobbler ic. Comb.: awl-bird dial, (a) the green woodpecker; (b) the avocet; awlwort a cruciferous aquatic plant, Subularia aquatica, having white flowers and awl-shaped leaves.

awmous noun see alms. awn ly.nl noun. oe. [Old Norse agn- oblique stem of pgn (Swedish agn, Danish avn) corresp. to late Old English xgnan (pi.), egenu husk, chaff. Old High German agana (German Ahne), Gothic ahana chaff.] botany. A bristle-like projection; esp. that terminating the grain-sheath of barley, oats, and other grasses. ■ awned adjective' having an awn E19. awnless adjective lis. awny adjective (chiefly Scot) bearded, bristly ns.

awn /a:n/ verb' trans. Ei9. [from the noun.] Remove the awns from. ■ awner noun a machine for awning grain. Li9.

awn ly.nl verb2 trans. M19. [Back-form, from next.] Cover with an awning. ■ awned adjective2 = awninged Li9.

awning I'y.mql noun. Ei7.

[from A-2 + wheel noun.]

On wheels; on a bicycle. NZ.

03 3a Swift I have not seen a more clumsy, .aukward, and unhandy people. J. Irving Basketball and football players, great big awkward sorts of boys, awkward squad: see squad noun11. b J. Frame His body uncontrolled and his gait awkward. F. Ormsby We laughed at your awkward dress. Your half-hearted passes at a fat waitress, the awkward age adolescence. 4 Shakes. 2 Hen. VT Twice by awkward wind from England’s bank Drove back again. 5 J. O’Hara Frances’s father.. had caught his daughter and Snyder in an awkward position and had given Snyder the choice of mar¬ riage or death. D. Lodge It was the most awkward time, about 6, just as I was about to serve up the dinner. W. Trevor They didn’t say anything, and after a few moments the silence hardened and became awkward. 6 Leigh Hunt He was.. beginning to feel awkward with his Whig friends. 7 J. Tyndall We let ourselves down an awkward face of rock. G. Orwell It was an awkward job getting the wounded down the narrow, crowded trench. B. Hines There’s always someone you can’t suit, who has to be awkward, who refuses to be interested in anything.

awl /o:l/ noun.

EQ 5C. Marlowe Monarch of hell under whose black survey Great potentates do kneel with awful fear. 6 Gibbon At an awful distance they cast away their garments. J. Keble Towards the East our awful greetings Are wafted.

awheto /'uweitoo, 'a:fei-/ noun. /'a:weit3u/. PI. -os. L19.

lme. ► B adjective, f 1 Oblique; back-handed. E16-M19. 2 Froward, perverse, cantankerous, (passing into sense 7). Now dial. M16. 3 a Of a person: lacking dexterity, clumsy, bungling; ungainly, uncouth. M16. >b Of things and actions: clumsy; ill-adapted for use; ungainly. E17. |4 Unfavourable; adverse. LI6-M17. 5 Of things or actions: causing embarrassment; incon¬ venient; reflecting embarrassment E18. 6 Of a person; embarrassed; ill at ease. eis. 7 Difficult or dangerous to deal with. M19.

Also

aweto

[Maori]

A caterpillar infested with a parasitic fungus of the genus Cordyceps, which reduces its host to 'mummified' form. Also called vegetable caterpillar.

[Origin unkn.] 1 A sheet of canvas etc. forming a shelter against sun or rain, orig. on a ship’s deck. Ei7. 2 The part of the poop-deck of a ship which is con¬ tinued forward beyond the bulkhead of the cabin, mis. ■ awninged adjective furnished with an awning Mi9.

awoke, awoken verbs see awake verb. AWOL /colloq. 'eiwol/ abbreviation. Absent without (official) leave,

awhile /o'waiI/ adverb, oe. [Orig. two words, from a adjective + while noun.] For a short time.

awork /a'waik/ adverb & pred. adjective, lme.

awhirl /o'wa:l/ adverb & pred. adjective. L19.

awrong /o'ror)/ adverb, lme.

+ whirl noun or verb.] In a whirl; whirling, [from a-2

awing /a'wig/ adverb & pred. adjective. Ei7. [from A preposition11

+ wing noun.] On the wing; flying (lit. & fig.). l awk adjective, adverb, & noun. Long dial. lme. [Old Norse afugr, turned the wrong way. back foremost. For the phonetic devel. cf. hawk noun1.]

► A adjective. 1 In the wrong direction; back-handed. LME-M16. 2 Perverse; clumsy; awkward. LME-M19. ► B adverb. Backwards, in reverse order, confusedly; esp. in ring awk. ring (bells) as a warning or summons. E17-M19. ► C noun. 1 Awkwardness; back-handedness. M-L17. 2 An awkward person, rare. Only in E19.

awkward /'oikwsd/ adverb & adjective, lme. adjective + -ward.] ► A adverb. In the wrong direction; in reverse order; in a backwards direction; upside down. Long obsolete exc. dial. [from awk

saw, A run, o put. u: too. o ago, ai my, ao how, er day.

[from a preposition' 6 + work noun.] At or to work; in activity. [from a preposition' 4 + wrong noun-.] Wrong, in a wrong way.

awry /o'tai/ adverb & (usu. pred.) adjective, lme. [from a preposition' 6 + wry noun.] 1 Oblique(ly); crooked(ly); uneven(ly); askew; askance. LME. 2 Improper(ly); wrong; distorted(ly); amiss, lis. CD 1 Pope Not Cynthia when her manteau’s pinned awry. E’er felt such rage. C. Darwin Some of our party began to squint and look awry. M. Mitchell His new coat did not fit very well, for the tailor had been hurried and some of the seams were awry. I. McEwan The hair, so tightly drawn back before, was slightly awry. 2 E. B. Browning Those who think Awry, will scarce act straightly. Carlyle Far worse, the marriage itself went awry. Arnold Bennett Most invalids got their perspective awry.

AWS abbreviation. Automatic warning system, a system of providing train drivers with audible indications regarding signals and where necessary applying brakes automatically. ao no. e: hair. 19 near, di boy,

uo

poor, aio tire, aoa sour

162

aw-shucks | axolotl aw-shucks /o:'|’aks/ interjection, adjective, & verb. Chiefly N. Amer. E20. [from aw interjection + shuck noun-’ 3.] ► A interjection. Expr. mild disagreement, entreaty, embarrassment, self-deprecation, or similar sensations

axilla /ak’sila/ noun. PI.

-Ilae /-li:/. Ei7.

[Latin, dim. of ala wing.] 1 anatomy & zoology. The region of the armpit; the corres¬

ponding part of a bird or other creature. 2

botany. = axil. rare. Mi9.

axillant /ak'sil(o)nl/ adjective.

of unease. E20. QJ K. Atkinson Whenever things started to get steamy he’d say tilings like ‘Aw shucks,’ and look embarrassed. ► B adjective. Of a person’s manner, etc.: awkward, selfdeprecating, unsophisticated: supposedly typical of that of the inhabitants of rural North America, colloq. L20. LH T. Clancy The congressman would smile in his aw-shucks way. ► C verb trans. & intrans. Disparage (one's achievements): speak or behave with (esp. affected) awkwardness or selfdeprecation. L20. 03 Sports liter. Ryan aw-shucksed his own achievement.

ax /aks/ noun'. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also axe. [Old English eax, xx = Old Frisian axe, Old Saxon, Old High German ahsa, also Old Norse gxull (see axle), from Germanic.] = AXLE. Comb.: axtree = axle-tree.

E17.

Li9.

[from prec. + -ant'.] botany. Of a leaf: growing at a particular axil.

axillar /ak'silo/ adjective & noun.

Mi6.

[from Latin axilla + -ar1, after French axillaire.] ► A adjective. 1 = axillary adjective 1. Ml6. 2 = axillary adjective

2. rare. Mi9.

► B noun. Something axillary; spec. t(tt) anatomy an axillary vein; (b) ornithology an axillary feather. Ei8. axillary /ak'silari/ adjective & noun.

Ei7.

[from AXILLA + -ARY2.] ► A adjective. 1 anatomy & zooiocy. Of or pertaining to an axilla. Ei7. 2 botany. Pertaining to, situated in, or growing from an

axil. Opp. terminal. M18. ► B noun. Something axillary; feather. Li 9.

esp.

(ornithology) an axillary

ax verb- see ask verb. axal /'aks(a)l/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. E19. [Irreg. from axis noun1 + -al1.]

group containing calcium, iron, manganese, alumin¬ ium, and boron, and occurring as brown or yellow, often large, crystals. axinomancy /ak'smamansi/ noun.

= AXIAL.

axe /aks/ noun'. Also *ax. [Old English xx (eax), xces = Old Frisian axa. Old Saxon akus (Dutch aaks). Old High German ackus (German Axt), Old Norse ox, Gothic aqizi, from Germanic.) 1 A chopping-tool, having a blade usu. of iron with a steel edge and a wooden handle, oe. 2 spec a Hist. A battleaxe. me. >b Hist. An executioner’s axe. lme. fc the axe (fig.), drastic reduction or elimin¬ ation of expenditure, staff, etc.; abolition; dismissal. E20. 3 archaeology. A double-edged or wedge-shaped stone implement. M19. 4 A musical instrument used in jazz and rock music, esp. (orig.) a saxophone, (now) a guitar, slang. M20. 1 an axe to grind a private end to serve, battleaxe. Danish axe double axe. pole axe. tommy-axe. etc. Comb.: axe-breaker Austral, a tree. Notelaea longifolia, with very hard timber; axe-grinding verbal noun & ppl adjective serving a private end; axe-hammer a tool consisting of an axe and a hammer combined; axe-head the cutting blade of an axe; axeman a person who works with an axe; slang a jazz or rock guitarist; axemanship skill in using an axe.

Ei7.

[Latin axinomantia from Greek axinomanteia, from axine axe: see -MANCY.]

Divination by means of an axe-head. axiology /aksi'Dlad3i/ noun.

adverb

E20.

1 An established or generally accepted principle; a maxim, a rule. lis. f2 logic. A proposition (true or false). L16-M18. 3 math. A self-evident truth; a proposition on which an abstractly defined structure is based. Li 6. 'mkdia/ noun phr. pi. M19.

[mod. Latin (Bacon) = middle principles.] philosophy. Principles above simple empirical laws but

below the highest generalizations or fundamental laws. L18.

[Greek axiomatikos, from axiomat-, -ma: see axiom, -atic.]

► A adjective. 1 Self-evident; indisputably true; of the nature of a maxim. Li 8. 2 Characterized by self-evident principles. E19. 3 Full of maxims, aphoristic. M19.

[French from Latin axis noun'.]

= axis noun'.

axe noun3 var. of ax noun'. axe /aks/ verb' trans. Also *ax. Li7.

ta 1 H. Spencer These axiomatic truths are truths recog¬ nized by the simplest order of reasoning. N. Gordimer It’s axiomatic the faults you see in others are often your own. 2 H. Davy He gave an axiomatic form to the Science. 3 Southey The most axiomatic of English Poets.

[from axe noun'.]

1 Shape or trim with an axe. Li7. 2 Cut down drastically (costs, services, etc.); eliminate, remove, abolish, dismiss. E20.

axe verb2 see ask verb.

► B noun. In pi. (usu. treated as sing.). A body of axioms; the study or use of axioms. E20.

axel /'aks(s)I/ noun. Also A-. M20. [from Axel Rudolph Paulser (1885-1938), Norwegian skater.]

skating. A iy2-tum jump from the forward outside edge of one skate to the backward outside edge of the other.

axenic /ei’zsmk/ adjective. M20. A-10 + Greek xenikos alien, strange + -ic.] biology. Free from living organisms of any kind other than that stated or implied. ■ axenicallyodver6M20. [from

axes nouns pis. of ax noun1, axe noun', axis noun1.

axiomatical /aksia'matiktajl/ adjective. Now rare.

Li6.

[formed as prec. + -al1.]

11 logic. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a simple state¬ ment or proposition. L16-L17. 2 Of or pertaining to maxims, self-evident truths, or accepted first principles. L17.

axiomatically /aksra’matikjajli/ adverb.

Li6.

In an axiomatic manner; as an axiom. eis.

[from axiomat(ic adjective + -ize.]

1

Make an axiom or axioms, rare. El 8. Render axiomatic; reduce to a system of

verb intrans.

■ axiomati'zation noun M20.

axion /’aksion

axiate /’aksist/ adjective. E20.

noun. 120.

[from axial + -ON.]

[from axis noun' + -ate2.]

ZOOLOGY. = AXIAL.

particle physics. A light neutral pseudoscalar particle pos¬ tulated in order to account for the rarity of processes which break charge-parity symmetry.

axil /’aksil/ noun. lis. [from Latin axilla.]

botany. The upper angle between a leaf or petiole and the stem from which it springs, or between a branch and the trunk.

axile /’aksAil/ adjective, ei 9. [from AXIS noun1 +-ile.]

Axial; esp. (botany) growing or occurring along an axis. b but. d dog. f few, g get,

axiomatize /aksi'DmotAiz/ verb. Also -ise.

2 verb trans. axioms. M20.

h he. j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, n

axis /'aksis/ noun'. PI. axes /'aksi:z/.

lme.

[Latin, rel. to Sanskrit aksa, Greek axon, Old Church Slavonic osi, Lithuanian aszis, and ax noun1.]

► I Of rotation. 1 The imaginary straight line about which a body such as the earth rotates; the prolongation of that of the earth on which the heavens appear to revolve, lme. man. n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

[from axis noun' +

symmetric.]

Symmetrical with respect to an axis. ■ axisymmetrical adjective M20. axi symmetry noun

M20.

axle /'aks(a)l/ noun. me. [formed as earlier axle-tree.]

1 The centre-pin or spindle upon which a wheel revolves or which revolves along with it. Also = axle-tree 1. ME. J2 = AXLE-TREE 3. M16-M19.

G3 1 fig.: F. Tuohy Below them stood the Palace of Culture, an axle with the whole grey city gyrating around it. axle tramp: see tramp noun 3b. wheel and axle see wheel noun. 2 Milton The earth.. With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft Axle. ■ axled adjective having an axle (usu. as 2nd elem. of comb., of a specified type) M17.

axle-tooth /'aks(3)ltu:0/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. PI. -teeth /-ti:9/. lis. [from Danish axel molar + tooth noun: cf. Danish axel-tand.]

A molar tooth. axle-tree/'aks(a)ltri:/ noun. me. [Old Norse pxultre, from pxti 1! ult. formed noun.]

as ax

noun' +

as tree

1 A fixed bar or rod on the ends of which a pair of wheels of a vehicle revolve, me. 12 The spindle upon or with which a wheel revolves. LME-L17. |3 = axis noun11; poet, the heaven, the sky. lme-mi7. [A town in Devon, SW England.]

4 = axiomatic adjective 3. mis.

[from AXIS noun1 +-AL1.]

Of or pertaining to an axis; of the nature of or forming an axis; round or about an axis. axial flow flow parallel to an axis of rotation (usu. (with hyphen) attrib. designating turbines etc. in which such flow occurs), axial vector: see vector noun 2a. ■ axi’ality noun L19. axially adverb M19.

axisymmetric /.aksisi’metrik/ adjective. L19.

Axminster /’aksminsta/ noun. Et9.

3 = axiomatic adjective 1. L17.

[from axiomatic adjective or prec.; see -ically.]

axial /‘aksrol/ adjective. M19.

axis /'aksis/ noun2. PI. same. Ei7. = chital. Also axis deer.

[French axiome or Latin axioma from Greek = what is thought fitting, a self-evident principle (Aristotle), from axios worthy.]

axiomata media /aksi.Dmato

► III Of symmetry or reference. 8 A straight line which divides a figure into two sym¬ metrical parts, or with respect to which the parts of a body or system are symmetrically arranged. L17. 9 Any of various lines or directions defined by the geometry of optical systems, or by the structure and physical properties of crystals, eis. 10 Each of a set of (usu. mutually perpendicular) lines used to define a system of coordinates, as in a graph.

[Latin (Pliny).]

lis.

axiomatic /aksra'matik/ adjective & noun.

taxe noun2. MI6-118.

between countries regarded as a pivot about which they and their associates revolve; spec. (A-) the alliance of 1939 between Germany and Italy, later extended to Japan and other countries; these countries collectively. Also transf., (a link between) any two or more places, bodies, etc., acting or being considered together. M20. 5 anatomy. More fully axis vertebra. The second cervical vertebra, upon which the head is turned. Formerly also, the odontoid process of this vertebra. Li7. ► IX A line from pole to pole; a principal direction of extension. (Passing into branch III.) 6 A straight line between the poles of a magnet. Mi 7. 7 A main line of extension or growth, esp, (anatomy, zoology, etc.) of (a part of) a body or organism; a central structure following this. mis. ►b botany. The central column of an inflorescence or other part; the main stem. 11 8. >c geology. The direction of a linear feature such as a ridge, mountain range, or valley; esp. the line of intersec¬ tion of the land surface with the plane bisecting a fold.

M19. 8 conjugate axis, major axis, minor axis, principal axis, etc. 9 crystal axis: see crystal adjective & noun, optic axis: see optic adjective, visual axis: see visual adjective. 10 x-axis. y-axis. etc.

E20.

[French axiologie, from Greek axia value + -ology.] philosophy. The theory of value. ■ axiological adjective E20. axiologically axiologist noun M20

axiom /’aksiam/ noun.

13 An axle. E17-E19. 4 fig. a A central support or pivot. Ei7. fb An alliance

M19.

axinite/'aksinAit/ noun. Ei9.

[from Greek axine axe + -ite1.] mineralogy. A rock-forming triclinic silicate of the epidote

ax noun2, verb' vars. of axe noun', verb'.

2 The imaginary line by rotation about which a plane figure is conceived as generating a solid. Li6.

t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

In full Axminster carpet, Axminster rug. A carpet or rug with a soft tufted cut pile of a type orig. manufactured at Axminster. axo- /'akssu/ combining form of Greek axon axis or of axon: see -o-. ■ axolemma noun [Greek lemma husk, skin] anatomy the plasma membrane of an axon L19. axo'nemal adjective (biology) of or per¬ taining to an axoneme M20. axoneme noun [Greek nema thread] biology a central strand of a locomotor organelle such as a cilium or flagellum E20. axoplasm noun the cytoplasm of an axon E20. axopod noun = axopodium M20. axo podium noun. pi. -ia /-is/, zooiocy a rodlike pseudopodium having a central microtubular filament L19. axostyle noun (zoology) a central flexible rod of microtubules present in certain flagellates E20. a'xotomous adjective (mineralogy, now rare or obsolete) (having a cleavage) perpen¬ dicular to the axis of growth El 9.

axolotl /'aks3lDt(3)l/ noun. lis. [Nahuatl,

from

atl water + xolotl servant.]

Any of a number of Centra] American salamanders of the genus Ambystoma (esp. A. mexicanum), which live in lakes and retain many larval characters, including exter¬ nal gills, throughout life, although capable in certain conditions of developing full adult form. J she, 3 vision,

9 thin, 6 this, ij ring, tj chip, d3 jar

axon Aztec

163

axon /‘aksDn/ noun. Also -one /-sun/. M19. [Creek axon axis.]

anatomy. |1 The main axis of the body. M-L19. 2 A filamentous extension of a nerve cell, serving to conduct impulses to other cells. Li9. ■ a xonal adjective E20. a'xonic adjective M20. axonometric /.akslalnafufmatrik/ adjective. E20. [from Creek axon axis + -o- + -metric.] Of a (method of) pictorial representation: using an orthographic projection of the object on a plane inclined to each of the three principal axes of the object. axunge ‘aksAndj/ noun. Now rare. M16. [French faxunge (now axonge) from Latin axungia axle-grease, formed as axis noun1 + ung- of ungere to grease.]

The internal fat of the kidneys etc.; goose-grease, lard; gen. fat, grease. ay adverb1 & noun1 var. of aye adverb1 & noun1. ay adverb2, interjection', & noun2 var. of aye adverb2, interjection, & noun2. ay /at/ interjection2. Also (earlier) fey. me. [Natural exclam.; ay me is prob. modelled on Old French aimi or Italian ahime, Spanish ayde mi.]

1 Expr. surprise or earnestness. Now north. ME. 2 ay me!: expr. regret, sorrow, or pity, mi6. ayah /’ais/ noun. lis. [Portuguese aia fern, of aio tutor.] A nurse or maidservant, esp. of Europeans in India, SE Asia, etc. ayahuasca /Aia'waska/ noun. M20. [S. Amer. Spanish from Quechua ayawdskha, from aya corpse + waskha vine, creeper.] 1 Any of various South American vines of the genus Banisteriopsis (family Malpighiaceae), noted for their hal¬ lucinogenic properties. 2 A hallucinogenic drink prepared from the bark of such a vine.

ayatollah /Aia’tDta/ noun. Also (as a title) A- M20. [Persian from Arab, ’ayatu-llah miraculous sign of Cod.]

A Shiite religious leader in Iran; fig. a dogmatic leader, an influential or powerful person. aye let. At/ adverb1 & noun1. Now arch.&Scot. Also ay. me. [Old Norse ei, ey = Old English d, Old Saxon eo. Old High German eo, io (German je). Gothic aiws age, eternity, from Germanic, rel. to Latin aevum age. Creek aie(i) ever, aidn aeon.] ► A adverb. Ever, always; at all times, me. ffl R. Burns And ay the ale was growing better. OED Things grew ay the longer, the waur (worse). L. G. Gibbon But poor folk aye have to work. Comb.: aye-green dial, a houseleek. ► B noun, for aye, (expanded for ever and aye), for ever, for all time. me. aye /ai/ adverb2, interjection, & noun2. Also ay; orig. |l-ti6 [Prob. I pronoun expr. assent.]

► A adverb & interjection. Yes. Now arch. & dial. exc. nautical & in formal voting. Li 6. fIJ Bunyan Ai, ai, so I mean. H. E. Manning Ay. but it was not only men who have so endured. W. Owen Proud to see him going, aye, and glad. L. G. Gibbon There were cries Rob, what about a song now. man? And Rob said, Och, ay, I’ll manage that fine. S. O'Faolain ‘Did anyone come to warn me?’. ‘Aye The girl of the Mullinses.' aye, aye, sir! nautical: I understand and will carry out your order. ► B noun. PL ayes. An affirmative answer or vote. L16. the ayes have it affirmative voters are in the majority. aye-aye/'ai.ai/noun. lis. [French from Malagasy aiay.[

An insectivorous tree-dwelling primate of Madagascar, Daubentonia madagascariensis, which is closely related to the lemurs and has a narrow elongated finger on each hand for prising insects from bark,

Ayurveda /.ajoa'veida, -'vi:ds/ noun. lis. [Sanskrit oyur-veda, from ayus life + veda (sacred) knowledge.] The traditional Hindu system of medicine, which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing. ■ Ayurvedic adjective of or pertaining to the Hindu medical tradition (opp. Unani) E20.

AZ abbreviation. aza- /'eizs/ combining form. [from azo-.]

Used in chemistry to indicate the presence of a nitrogen atom in a molecular ring or chain,

azalea /a'zeilia/ noun. mis. [mod. Latin from Greek, use as noun of fem. of azaieos dry (because flourishing in dry soil).] Any of a large group of rhododendrons, most of which are deciduous. mountain azalea, trailing azalea a pink-flowered evergreen alpine shrub, Loiseleuria procumbens, of the heath family. *( Orig. regarded as members of a distinct genus Azalea. azan h'za.n/ noun. M19. [Arab, 'adan announcement.] The Muslim call to ritual prayer, often made by the muezzin from the minaret of a mosque.

[French azerole, faza- from Spanish azarolla, acerola from HispanoArab. az-za'rura: see al-2.] (The edible fruit of) the tree Crataegus azarolus, related to the hawthorn and native to the eastern Mediterra¬ nean region.

azedarac/a'zEdarak/ noun. mis.

and Peru near Lake Titicaca, mi9. 2 The language of this people, related to Quechua. M19.

tayne noun & adjective var. of eigne. ayont /s’jont/ preposition, dial. Also -nd /-nd/. E18. [from a-2 + beyond, after afore, before.] Beyond, on the other side of, ayre noun see air noun1. Ayrshire /'e:Ja/ noun. Mi9. [A former county in SW Scotland.]

In full Ayrshire bull, Ayrshire cow, Ayrshire cattle, etc. (An animal of) a breed of mainly white dairy cattle. a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, 1: see, d hot.

azoic /o'zooik, ei-/ adjective1. Mi9. [from Creek azoos + -ic: see A-10, zoic.]

Having no trace of life, or organic remains; spec, (geology) referring to the early Precambrian era. azoic/ei'zouik/ adjective2. Li9. azutque: see azo-, -ic.] chemistry. Orig. (rare) = azo- used adjectivally. Now spec. [French

designating a class of water-insoluble azo dyes made by coupling their components on the fibre; pertaining to or using such dyes. azole /'eizoul/ noun.

Li9.

[from azo- + -ole2.] chemistry. Any organic

compound having a fivemembered ring containing at least two hetero-atoms of which at least one is nitrogen. azolla /a'zDb/noun. Li9.

[French azedarac from Spanish acedaraque from Arab, ’azdd-dirakt from Persian ’azad free, dirakt tree.] A tall Asian tree, Melia azedarach (family Meliaceae), bearing fragrant lilac flowers. Also called bead-tree,

[mod. Latin, from Creek azem to dry + ottunai slay.]

A floating mosslike fern of the genus Azoila. azonal /ei'z3un(3)l, a-/ adjective.

L19.

[from a-10 + zonal: cf. next.]

China tree.

Having no zonal arrangement or structure; esp. (of soils) lacking distinct horizons.

azelaic /azi'lenk/ adjective, mi 9. [from azo- (since nitric acid was involved in its orig. preparation)

azonic /ei'ztmik, s-l adjective, lis.

+ Creek dawn oil + -ic.] a solid fatty acid obtained by oxi¬ dizing various fats (such as castor oil) and present in rancid fat; nonanedioic acid, HOOC(CH2)7COOH.

[from Greek azonos formed as a-10 + zone zone noun, + -ic.)

chemistry, azelaic acid,

Not confined to a zone, not local. azoospermia /.eizsus'spsimre, a'zoo-/ noun. Li9. a-10 + zoosperm + -ia1.] medicine. Absence of motile sperms in the semen. Cf. [from

azeotropic /.eizis'troupik, -'trpp-, o.zv.a-l adjective. E20. [from

+ Greek zeo-, zein to boil + -tropic.] chemistry. Of a mixture of liquids: having a constant boiling point during distillation; of or pertaining to such a mixture. ■ azeotrope /’eiziatrsup, a'zi:s-/ noun an azeotropic mixture E20. aze otropism, aze otropy nouns azeotropic behaviour E20. A-10

ASPERMIA.

azotaemia /aza'thmre/ noun. Also Memia.

[from Azerbaijan (see below) + -I2.] ► A noun. A member of a people of Azerbaijan, in SW Asia; the Turkic language of this people. L19. ► B ottrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Azerbai¬ janis or their language. L19.

medicine The presence of excessive urea or other nitro¬ genous waste products in the blood.

■ azotaemic adjective pertaining to or affected with azotaemia M20.

azote /'azaut/noun. arch. lis. [French, from Creek a-10 + zde life.]

Nitrogen.

■ fazotic adjective of, pertaining to, or combined with nitro¬ gen: nitric: 118-M19, azotize verb trans. (now rare) nitrogenize E19.

azide /'eizAid/ noun. E20.

azotea /aGo'tea, az-/ noun.

[from azo- + -IDE.]

chemistry. A salt or ester of hydrazoic add, HN3.

called zidovudine ij A proprietary name for this drug is

The flat terrace roof of a house in Spain and Spanish¬ speaking countries. azotemia noun see azotaemia. azoth /'azaoG, 'azD0/ noun. lis. [Hispano-Arab. az-zuk from Arab,

oz-zfiwuk: see al-2.]

(The alchemists’ name for) mercury, as the first prin¬ ciple of metals. Also, Paracelsus’ universal remedy.

Retrovir.

azotobacter /a'zautsbakta/ noun.

E20. [mod. Latin (see below), formed as azote + -0- + bacter(ium.[

Azilian /a’zilran/ adjective & noun. Li9.

An aerobic nitrogen-fixing bacterium of the genus Azotobacter.

azoturia /.aza'tjoarra/ noun. Mi9. [from azote + -URIA.] medicine The presence of excessive urea or other nitro¬ genous substances in the urine.

azimuth /'azimofl/ noun. lme.

azoxy- /o'zDksi/ combining form. Also as attrib. adjective azoxy

[Old & mod. French azimut from Arab, as-samt, from al-2 + samt way, direction: see zenith.] 1 An arc of a celestial great circle extending from the zenith to the horizon. Now only in azimuth circle, a great circle passing through the zenith, lme. 2 Horizontal angular distance of such an arc (usu. that passing through a given celestial object) from the north

[from azo- + oxy-.] chemistry. Designating or containing the group -N,0-.

AZT abbreviation. pharmacology. (Proprietary name for) azidothymidine. Aztec / aztek/ noun & adjective, lis.

or south point. E17. 3 Horizontal angle or direction; compass bearing. Mi7. ■ azimuthal /azi'mju:0O)l/ adjective of, pertaining to, or used in measuring azimuth: measured in azimuth: Mi? azi'muthally adverb Mi9.

[French Azteque or Spanish Azteca, from Nahuatl from Aztlan (their legendary place of origin).]

L18.

2 The language of the Aztecs, ei 9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Aztecs or their lan¬ guage. E19.

[from azo- + -ine5.]

1 Any organic compound containing the

group =N-N=. Li9. saw, A run, u put. u: too. a ago, ai my, au how. ei day.

aztecatl person

► A noun. 1 A member of the native American people dominant in Mexico until its conquest by Cortes in 1519.

azine/'eizi:n/noun. Li9. chemistry.

E19.

[Spanish.]

azidothymidine /,eizidau'0Aimidi:n, ei/Aidau-/ noun. L20. [from prec.+ -o- + thymidine.] pharmacology. An antiviral derivative of thymidine which is used to treat HIV infection and Aids; 3‘-azido-3'deoxythymidine, C10H13NA; abbreviation AZT. Also

E20.

[from AZOTE + -AEM1A.]

Azerbaijani /,'azobM'dyo:ml noun & adjective. Li9.

the Magdalenian.

Aymara /’Aimara:/ noun. M19. [Bolivian Spanish: cf. Spanish aimara.] 1 A member of a S. American Indian people of Bolivia

■ azo benzene noun a synthetic crystalline compound, (C6H5)N=N(C6H5), used chiefly in dye manufacture L19. azo colour, azo dye nouns any of a large class of dyestuffs which contain the azo group, made by coupling of diazonium com¬ pounds L19. azo methine noun any compound having the general formula R'R2C=NR3; a Schiffbase: Li9. azo'protein noun (biochemistry) a protein coupled to another molecule by an azo group E20.

azarole /'azaraul/ noun. M17.

In full Aylesbury duck. (A bird of) a breed of white domestic duck.

[from azote.] chemistry. Indicating the presence of nitrogen in a com¬

Azande noun & adjective see Zande.

[A town in Buckinghamshire, central England.]

Aylesbury/'eilzb(a)ri/ noun. Mi9.

azo- /'eizau/ combining form.

pound, spec, as the group -N=N- joined to two carbon atoms. Freq. as attrib. adjective azo, as ozo compound, azo group, etc.

Arizona.

[from Mas d'Azil in the French Pyrenees, where remains were found, + -ian.] archaeology. (Of or pertaining to) a culture of the transi¬ tion period between the palaeolithic and mesolithic ages in southern France and northern Spain, following

ayle noun var. of aiel.

2 Any (usu. polycyclic) organic compound containing a six-membered ring with two nitrogen atoms occupying opposite positions. Usu. attrib., denoting dyestuffs based on such structures. Li9.

30

no, e: hair, is near, di boy.

03

poor. ak> tire, aus sour

164

azuki j Azymite Aztec hop, Aztec revenge. Aztec two-step s/ong diarrhoea suffered by visitors to Mexico. ■ Aztecan adjective Lis.

4 The blue colour of the unclouded sky (orig. the deep intense blue of more southern latitudes, now the soft clear bright blue of more northern latitudes). L15. 5 The unclouded vault of heaven. Mi7.

azuki noun var. of adzuki. azulejo /aOu'lexo, azju'leihau/ noun. PI. -os /-os, -ouz/. M19.

B3 5 Milton Not like those steps On Heavens Azure, fig. : Carlyle Borne aloft into the azure of Eternity.

[Spanish, from azul blue.]

A kind of glazed coloured tile used in Spanish build¬ ings. azulene/’azjuli:n/noun. L19. [from Spanish azul blue + -ene.] chemistry. A blue liquid hydrocarbon, C,0Hg, which has a

molecule containing a five- and a seven-membered ring fused together, and occurs in some natural oils. Also, any hydrocarbon having this bicyclic structure.

► B adjective. 1 heraldry. Blue. lme. 2 Of the colour azure. E16. 3 [After Latin caeruleus.] Designating or pertaining to a seagod or river-god. poet. L17. 4 fig. Cloudless; serene. E19. 5 bookbinding. Of a tooled or stamped design: composed of horizontal parallel lines. Of a tool: used to produce such a design. (Cf. sense A.2 above.) L19.

azuline/'azjuli:n/noun. Mi9.

f l.i 3 Pope An azure sister of the main.

[App. from Spanish azulino bluish, from azul blue.)

■ azury adjective of azure E17.

A shade of blue, esp. as a fashion colour. azure /'d^s, -3(0)0, -zjuo; 'ei-/ noun & adjective,

me.

[Old French osur, (also mod.) azur from medieval Latin azzurum, azolum from Arab, al-lazav/ard. formed as al + Persian lazward lapis lazuli.] ► A noun. 1 A bright blue pigment or dye; ultramarine. Now rare. me. 2 heraldry. Blue (represented in engraving by horizontal

-2

lines), me. 3 The semiprecious stone lapis lazuli (from which ultramarine is made), arch. lme.

b but, d dog,

f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat,

a

colour resembling azure, tinted with

azure /'a33, -3(0)3, -zjua; 'ei-/ verb trans. me. [from prec.: cf. French ozurer, azure.] 1 As azured ppl adjective. = azure adjective, obsolete exc. bookbinding, me. 2 Paint, dye, or colour azure, lme.

azurine /'a3urAin, -3j(u)3r-, -zjuar-; 'ei-/ adjective. Now rare.

Of an azure colour.

n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

t top, v van,

[from azure noun & adjective + -ite '.] MINERALOGY, fl = LAZULITE. Only in El 9.

2 A monoclinic basic copper carbonate found as blue prisms or crystal masses, usu. with malachite. Ei9. azygos /'azigas/ noun & adjective. As adjective also -gous. M17.

-10 + zugon yoke: see -ous.]

[from Greek azugos, from a

Chiefly anatomy. (An organic part, esp. a vein) that is not one of a pair. azygos vein a large vein of the right posterior thorax, draining into the superior vena cava.

azyme /'azim, -Aim/ noun. Li6. [ecclesiastical Latin azymus adjective, -ma noun pi. from ecclesi¬ astical Greek azumos, ta azuma noun phr. pi., from A-10 + zume leaven.]

(A cake or loaf of) unleavened bread, esp. as used by Jews at Passover or by Christians of the Western Church in the Eucharist. Azymite /'azimAit/ noun. Ei8. [medieval Latin azymita from medieval Greek azumites, from azumos: see prec., -ite',] ecclesiastical history. (A contemptuous name used by the

Orthodox Church for) a member of any of the Western Christian Churches which administer the Eucharist with unleavened bread. Cf. Prozymite.

M16. [French azurin: see azure noun & adjective, -ine1.]

1 leg, m man,

azurite /'ajorAit, -3j(o)3r-, -zjuar-/ noun. Ei9.

w we.

J she.

3 vision,

8 thin,

6 this,

p ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

Bb B, b/bi:/. The second letter of the modem English alphabet and of the ancient Roman one, corresp. to Greek beta, Hebrew beth. The sound normally represented by the letter is a voiced bilabial plosive consonant. PI. B’s, Bs. ► 11 The letter and its sound. 1 not know a B from a battledore. ► II Symbolical uses. 2 Used to denote serial order; applied e.g. to the second group or section, sheet of a book, etc. 3 music. (Cap. B.) The seventh note of the diatonic scale of C major (in German notation repr. by H, B repr. English B flat). Also, the scale of a composition with B as its keynote. 4 The second hypothetical person or example. 5 math. (Usu. italic b.) The second known quantity. 6 (Usu. cap. B.) Designating the second or secondhighest class (of road, academic marks, population as regards affluence, etc.). 7 (Cap. B.) The blood group characterized by the pres¬ ence of the agglutinogen designated B and the absence of that designated A. 8 (Cap. B.) Designating a series of international stand¬ ard paper sizes with a fixed shape and twice the area of the next size, as Bo, Bi. B2. B3. 64, etc. 9 physiology. B-lymphocyte [from b(ursa, referring to the organ in birds where such cells were first identified], a lympho¬ cyte not processed by the thymus gland, and responsible for producing antibodies. 2 B-DNA biochemistry the commonest form of DNA, in which the base pairs are almost at right angles to the axis of the double helix. 4 from A to B: see A, a 6. 6 B-film. -movie, -picture a film made for use as a supporting feature in a cinema pro¬ gramme. B-side (the music of) the less important side of a gramophone record. B Special Hist, a member of a paid occa¬ sional special police force in Northern Ireland. 7 AB: see A. a 9. ► III 10 Abbrevs.: B. = Bachelor or [Latin] baccalaureus (in academic degrees); Blessed; British. B = bar (in B-girl [US slang) a bar-girl); (physics) bel(s); (chess) bishop; black (of pencil lead); (chemistry) boron, b. = [colloq.) bastard, bugger

(as a euphemism sometimes printed b—); billion; born; (cricket) bowled by, bye(s). b = (nuclear physics) bam; (particle physics) beauty, bottom. BA abbreviation. 1 Bachelor of Arts. 2 British Academy. 3 British Airways. 4 British Association

bab noun see babe. baba /'ba:ba:/ noun'. E19. [French from Polish, lit. ‘married (peasant) woman'.]

A rich sponge cake; spec, (more fully rum baba) one served in a rum syrup.

In Malaysia, a Straits-bom person of Chinese descent. babaco /ba'baikoo/ noun. PI. -os. E20. [S. Amer. Spanish.]

An Ecuadorian tree, Carica pentagona, related to the papaya or pawpaw; the large yellow fruit of this tree, similar in shape to a marrow. babacoote /'babakuu noun. U9. [Malagasy babakoto lit. 'father-child'.]

baba ganoush /,ba:ba ga'nu:f/ noun phr. Also baba ghanouj /ga'nu:3/ & other vars. M20. [Arab, baba ghannuj father of coquetry, from baba father + ghanj coquetry, flirtation; perh. in reference to its supposed invention by a member of a royal harem.]

A Middle Eastern dish of pureed roasted aubergines, tahini, olive oil, lemon, and garlic. babassu /baba'su:/ noun. Also babagu E20. [Brazilian Portuguese babaipi from Tupi yba fruit + guasu large.]

A palm of the genus Orbignya, native to NE Brazil and yielding an edible oil. babbitt /'babit/ noun1 & verb. Also B-. L19. [Isaac Babbitt (1799-1862), US inventor.]

► A noun. Any of a group of usu. tin-based alloys used for antifriction linings in bearings. Also more fully babbitt metal. 119. ► B verb trans. Line with babbitt. L19.

Babbitt /'babit/ noun2. E20. [(The hero of) a novel by Sinclair Lewis, 1922.]

A materialistic and complacent businessman conform¬ ing to the standards of his set.

■ Babbittry -itry noun the Philistine behaviour of a Babbitt E20.

Inclined to babble, loquacious. the

Advancement

of

Science).

babble /'bab(a)l/ noun. Also jbable. L15. [from the verb. Cf. French babil.]

Barium.

ba /ba:/ noun. L19. [Egyptian.] The soul of a person or god which, according to the ancient Egyptians, survived after death but had to be sus¬ tained with offerings of food, typically represented as a human-headed bird. Cf. ka.

1 Idle, foolish, or inopportune talk; (esp. as 2nd elem. of comb.) pretentious jargon. L15. 2 Confused murmur or noise, as of many voices heard at once, a stream, etc. E17. 3 Inarticulate speech, as of infants. M17. 4 telephony Crosstalk from conversations on other lines. M20. 03 1 Carlyle A great deal of unwise babble on this subject. psychobabble, technobabble, etc. 2 W. Morris Nought he seemed to hear Save the brook's babble. G. F. Newman The general babble of conversation didn't decrease.. but a few heads turned. P. Ackroyd The babble of voices was indescrib¬ able. 3 C. Darwin Man has an instinctive tendency to speak, as we see in the babble of our young children.

BAA abbreviation. British Airports Authority. baa /ba:/ noun & verb. E16. [Imit.] ► A noun. The bleat of a sheep or lamb. E16. Comb.: baa-lamb (a child's name for) a lamb. ► B verb intrans. Pa. t. & pple baaed, baa’d. Esp. of a sheep: bleat. L16. Baal /'beial/ noun. PI. -im /-im/. lme. [Hebrew Ba'al from Canaanite, = lord.] A Phoenician or Canaanite god; gen. a false god. ■ Baalism noun the worship of Baal; idolatry: E17. Baalist noun a worshipper of Baal, an idolater E17. Baalite noun = Baalist M17. baas /ba:s/ noun. Ei7. [Dutch: see boss noun".] 11 A Dutch sea-captain; a Dutch foreman etc. E-M17. 2 A (usu. white) employer, master, foreman, etc. Freq. as a form of address. S. Afr. Now regarded as offensive. L18.

babble /'bab(a)l/ verb. Also jbable me. [Prob. from Middle Low German (Dutch) babbelen, or a parallel native imit. formation; cf. French babiller prattle, from onomato¬ poeic base bab-.] 1 verb intrans. Talk childishly, prattle; talk incoherently

or foolishly; utter meaningless words, me. 2 verb intrans. Utter inarticulate or indistinct sounds, like a child; (of a stream, bird, etc.) produce a more or less continuous succession of indistinct sounds, lme. 3 verb intrans. Talk excessively or inopportunely; prate. LME.

4 verb trans. Repeat or utter with meaningless iteration; utter incoherently or foolishly. Lis. 5 verb trans. Reveal (a secret etc.) by talking, mi6. 12 1 R B. Sheridan They only babble who practise not reflection. 2 W. Jones Echo babling by the mountain's side, babbling brook Austral. & NZ rhyming slong a cook. esp. for a camp or for an isolated group of shepherds, musterers, etc. 3 E F. Benson Maud sat quite silent, while Lucia babbled on. I Thurber An eccentric elderly woman who babbled ot her recently inherited fortune. 4 Quiller-Couch His lips happily babbling the curses that the ships' captains had

baasskap /'ba:skap/ noun. S. Afr. M20. [Afrikaans from Dutch baasschap. formed as prec. + -schap -ship.] Domination, esp. of non-whites by whites. Baath /ba:0/ noun. Also Ba’ath & other vars. M20. [Arab, bat lit. 'resurrection'.] More fully Baath party etc. A pan-Arabic socialist move¬ ment founded in Syria in the early 1940s. • cviw

» run

n nut. u: too.

3

ago.

■ babblement noun babble; idle chatter, incoherent or mean¬ ingless talk; Mi7. babblingly adverb in a babbling manner, with babbling Ei7.

[from prec. + -er'.] 1 A foolish or idle talker, a chatterer, mi6. 2 A gossip, a teller of secrets. L16. 3 A foxhound that gives tongue too freely, mi8. 4 Any of a large group of Old World passerine birds (belonging to the family Timaliidae) with loud chatter¬ ing voices. M19. 5 = babbling brook s.v. babble verb 2. Austral. & NZ slang. E20.

babby noun see baby noun.

= INDRI.

[from babble verb + -ative.] (for

taught him. R. Kipling He babbled tales of oppression and wrong till the tears ran down his cheeks. 5 I. D’Israeli The queen .. impatiently babbled the plot. R. Davies Didn’t you yourself babble out all the secrets of your life to me?

babbler/babb/ noun, mi6.

Baba /'baba/ noun2. Also b-. Mi9. [Malay.]

babblative /'bablatrv/ adjective. Li6.

Ba symbol. chemistry.

■ Baathism noun the beliefs of the Baath party M20. Baathist noun & adjective (a member or supporter) of the Baath party M20.

ai

babe /beib/ noun. Also (now dial.) bab /bab/. lme. [Prob. a contraction of an imit. form derived from childish utter¬ ance, similar to mama, papa: cf. Middle English baban.] 1 A young child, a baby. Chiefly biblicol & arch, lm e. 2 A childish, inexperienced, or guileless person. E16. |3 = BABY noun 2. M-L16. 4 A girl or woman (freq. as a form of address), slang (chiefly N. Amer.). E20. 1 babe in arms a newborn baby, babe of clouts see clout noun' 4. milk for babes: see MILK noun 3a. 2 babe in Christ a person newly converted to Christianity, babes in the wood [with ref. to the old ballad The Children in the Wood] inexperienced persons.

babel /'beib(a)l/ noun & adjective. Also B-. E16. [Babel, the city and tower where the confusion of tongues took place (Genesis 11), = Hebrew babel Babylon, from Akkadian bab ili gate of God.] ► A noun. 1 A contused medley of sounds; meaningless noise. Ei6. 2 A scene of confusion; a noisy assembly. Ei7. 3 (B-.) A lofty structure; a visionary project. M17. CQ 1 Alan Ross Their words are a Babel whose meaning is plain—The shadow of Cain has been thrown on to Abel. Tolkien There was a hoot of snarling horns and a babel of baying voices. 2 Swift The whole babel of sectaries joined against the church. S. Gibbons A babel broke out, in which Aunt Ada could dimly be discerned beating at everybody. 3 Milton And still with vain designe New Babels, had they wherewithall. would build. ►B

attrib.

or as adjective. Confused, turbulent; lofty,

visionary. M17. CO Dickens Babel towers of chimneys. E. H. W. Meyerstein I never thought I should come round to Eliot as a poet. Here he has dropped his Poundian Babel-tongues. ■ babelish adjective noisily confused E17. babelism noun noisy confusion of speech; a strange utterance: M19. babelize verb trans. make a babel of E17.

tbabery noun, lme-lis. [Perh. var. of baboonery, assim. to babe: see -ery.] Absurdity; grotesque ornamentation.

babesiosis babi:zi'aosis/ noun. PI. -oses /-'aosi:zI. E20. [from mod. Latin Babesia (see below), from Victor Babes (1854Romanian bacteriologist: see -ia\ -osis.] veterinary medicine. Tick-borne infection of animals (and rarely of man) with sporozoans of the genus Babesia. Also called murrain, red-water (fever), m Also babesiasis /ba:bi'zAiasis/ noun, pi. -ases /-asi:z/, M20.

1926),

Babi /'ba:bi/ noun. Mi9. [Persian, from Arab, bob intermediary, lit. 'gate'. The title Bab was assumed by the founder.] A member of a Persian eclectic sect founded in 1844, emphasizing the coming of a new prophet or messenger of God, and from which Baha'ism developed, a Babism noun the doctrine or practice of the Babis M19. Babist noun & adjective (a) noun a Babi; (b) adjective of or pertaining to the Babis: M19. Babite noun a Babi E20.

babiche /ba'bi:JVnoun.

N.Amer. Ei9 [Canad. French from Micmac a:papi:c.] Thongs or thread made of rawhide, sinew, etc.

babify /'beibifAi/ verb trans. Also babyfy. M19. [from baby noun + -fy.) Make baby-like or babyish.

my, ao how, ei day. au no, e: hair, is near, ai boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour

166

babingtonite | baccivorous

-ITE\]

mineralogy. A triclinic basic silicate of iron and calcium, occurring as glassy greenish-black crystals. babirusa /ba:bi'ru:sa/ noun. Also -r(o)ussa. L17. [Malay, from babi hog + nisa deer.] A wild hog, Babyrousa babyrussa, of the Malay archipe¬ lago, having upturned hornlike tusks. babish /'berbij/ adjective, arch. M16. [from BABE + -ISH1.]

Infantile, baby-like; babyish, silly, babka /'babka/ noun. M20. [Polish, lit. 'old woman, grandmother’, from baba baba noun1 + -ka fern, dimin. suffix.] A Polish cake (similar to a baba) made from a yeast dough and usu. containing raisins and almonds. |bable noun, verb var. of babble noun, verb. |baboo noun var. of babu. babool noun var. of babul. baboon /ba'buai/ noun. me. [Old French babuin gaping figure, manikin, baboon, or medieval Latin babewynus; perh. from Old & mod. French baboue muzzle, grimace.] -f 1 A grotesque figure used in architecture etc. ME-L16. 2 Any of a number of large African and Arabian monkeys, having muzzles resembling those of dogs. LIME. 3 An ugly or uncouth person; a stupid person. Also gen. as a term of abuse. Lis. 2 cbacma baboon, gelada baboon, hamadryas baboon, sphinx-baboon, ursine baboon, yellow baboon, etc. Comb. : baboon spider any of various large, hairy burrowing spiders of Ceratogyrus, Harpactira, or related genera, found in Africa. ■ baboonery noun f(o) = babery; (b) rare a baboon colony, a place where baboons are kept; (c) baboonish behaviour or con¬ dition: lme. baboonish adjective resembling (that of) a baboon

Comb.: baby-blue-eyes a N. American ornamental annual plant,' Nemophila menziesii, having saucer-shaped blue flowers with a white centre: baby blues colloq. (a) postnatal depresssion; (b) blue eyes; baby bonus Canad. colloq. a family allowance; baby boom (the children born at a time of) a marked increase in the birth rate: baby boomer a person bom during a baby boom; baby-bouncer = baby-jumper below; Baby Buggy (a) (propri¬ etary name for) a kind of child's pushchair; (b) N, Amer. (with lower-case initials) a pram; baby bust colloq. (orig. US) (a period of) a marked decrease in the birth rate; baby buster colloq. (orig. US) a person bom during such a period; baby carriage a pram; baby-dolt (a) = doll noun’: (b) an ingenuous girl or woman with pretty features like those of a doll; (c) attrib. denoting women's clothing resembling that traditionally worn by a doll or young child, esp. short, high-waisted, short-sleeved dresses; baby-face (a person with) a smooth rounded face like a baby's; baby-farm derog. a place where baby-farming is carried on; baby-farmer derog. a person engaged in baby-fanning; baby-farming derog. the lodging and care of babies for payment; baby food a milksubstitute or light diet suitable for a baby; Babygro (propri¬ etary). babygrow a kind of all-in-one stretch garment for babies; baby house (now arch, or Hist.) a doll's house: babyjumper a hanging frame on springs, in which a child is fastened to exercise his or her limbs; baby-minder a person who looks after babies for payment, esp. while their parents or guardians are at work; baby nest a warmly lined pouch, similar to a sleep¬ ing bag, designed for a young baby; baby oil a mineral oil used to soften babies' skin; baby powder a skin powder for babies; baby's breath (chiefly N. Amer.) any of various scented plants, esp. Gypsophila paniculate:: babysit verb trans. & intrans. look after (a child) while his or her parents or guardians are out; fig. look after (a thing) while its owner is away; babysitter a person engaged to babysit; baby-snatcher (a) a person who abducts a very young child; (b) colloq. a person who is sexually attracted to, has an amorous affair with, or marries a much younger person; baby-snatching the action of a baby-snatcher; baby stay sai unc an additional forestay sometimes used on offshore racing yachts; baby-talk imperfect or contrived speech used by or to young children; baby-walker a device for helping a baby learn to walk. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Small or diminutive of its kind; young. E17.

E19.

OF. A. Forbes I have in my room a baby rhododendron in full bloom. E. Waugh Julia always drove herself, in the latest model of mass-produced baby car. Daily Telegraph Early pick¬ ings of baby carrots, baby beef flesh of young cattle older than those producingveal. baby grand a small grand piano.

babouche /bo'bu:J/ noun. Li7. [French from Arab, babuj, Persian papus, from pa foot + pus cover¬ ing.] A Turkish or oriental heelless slipper. babu /'ba:bu:/ noun. Also f-oo: B-. L18. [Hindi babu.] 11 Orig., a Hindu title of respect. Later, a Hindu gentle¬ man. L18-E19. 2 Hist. An Indian clerk or official who could write English; derog, an Indian, esp. in Bengal, who had had a superficial English education, mi9. Comb.: babu English Hist, ornate and unidiomatic English regarded as characteristic of an Indian who had learned the lan¬ guage from books. babul /ba'bul/ noun. Also -ool. E19. [Hindi babul, Bengali babul, from Sanskrit babbula.] Esp. in the Indian subcontinent: a tropical acacia, Acacia nilotica, introduced from Africa and used as a source of fuel, gum arabic, and (formerly) tannin. Cf. kikar, nebneb, SUNT. babushka/ba'bujka/noun. M20. [Russian = grandmother.] 1 In Russia: a grandmother, an old woman. M20. 2 A head-scarf folded diagonally and tied under the chin. M20. baby /'beibi/ noun & adjective. Also (dial.) babby /'babi/. lme. [Prob. formed as babe: see -Y'-.] ► A noun. 1 An infant; a very young child, esp. one not yet able to walk. lme. Fb fig. A person’s invention, achieve¬ ment, or concern. Li 9. 12 A doll, a puppet. E16-E18. 3 A small image of oneself reflected in the pupil of another’s eye. obsolete exc. as below. L16. 4 In pi. [perh. orig. ornamental work with cupids etc.] Pictures in books. Now only north. L16. 5 An unduly childish person. (Cf. cry-baby.) E17. 6 A (relatively) tiny or diminutive animal or thing; a small version of something generally larger; esp. a small¬ sized bottle, jar, etc. M19. 7 A person; a thing; a young woman, a girlfriend. Freq. as a form of address, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). M19. 8 The youngest or most junior member of a family, team, group, etc. Li9. EB 1 battered baby: see batter verb11. blue baby, see blue adjective, carry the baby, hold the baby bear an unwelcome responsibility, jelly baby see jelly noun1. surrogate baby see SURROCATE adjective, throw away the baby with the bathwater & vars.. reject what is essential or valuable along with the inessential or useless, wet the baby's head: see wet verb, b it’s your baby you must deal with it. 2 Pope Sober over her Sampler, or gay over a jointed Baby. 3 look babies gaze into another s eyes. 7 C. Sandburg My baby’s going to have a new dress. A. Lomax Some terrible environments inhabited by some very tough babies. New York Times You need that left ankle for strength when you hit the brake.

b but, d dog, f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg.

baccalaureate /baka'bxrat/ noun.

That's why I couldn’t drive stocks. You got to stay on the brake with those babies, this baby slang I, me.

babingtonite /'babnjtanAit/ noun. Ei9. [from William Babington (1756-1833), English mineralogist +

■ babyhood noun infancy; babies collectively: mis. babyish adjective resembling or characteristic of a baby; unduly childish, silly: M18. babyishly adverb M19. babyishness noun L19. babyism noun babyhood; a babyish phrase or action: M19. babykins noun (colloq.) (a term of endearment for) a baby M20. baby-like adjective resembling (that of) a baby E19.

baby/'beibi/ verbtrans.

mis.

[from the noun.] Treat as a baby; coddle, pamper. £Q M. Amis Women do adore to be cuddled and babied in the morning.

Babylon /'babibn, -bn/ noun.

M17. [Latin from Creek Babulon (from Hebrew babel babel), name of the ancient Chaldean capital and also of the mystical city of the Apocalypse.]

1 A great and decadent city. Formerly esp. (derog.) Rome or the papal power, mi7. 2 Among blacks, esp. Rastafarians: white society; the representatives of this, esp. the police, M20. ■ Baby Ionic adjective = Babylonian adjective E17. Babylonish /babi'bunij/ adjective (a) of or pertaining to Babylon; f(b) popish; (c) babelish, confused in language: Mi6.

Babylonian /babi'lauman/ noun & adjective.

Mi6. [from Latin Babylomus from Greek Babuldnios: see prec., -ian.] ► Anoun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Babylon, mi 6. Ffb A papist. L17-L18. 2 The Akkadian dialect of Babylon. Li 9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Babylon or its dialect; fig. (a) huge, gigantic, f(b) popish, (c) (with ref. to Revelation 17:4) scarlet. Li6. E20.

[Abbreviation.] Baccarat.

E20. [Bacardi 8, Co., Nassau, Bahamas (orig. based in Cuba).] (Proprietary name for) a dry white rum; a drink of this,

tbacare interjection var. of backare. colloq. Also [Abbreviation.] Tobacco. Cf. bacco, baccy.

baccer. backer.

E19

baccer noun var. of bacca. Bacchanal /'bakan(a)l,

-nal/ adjective & noun. Also b-. M16. [Latin bacchanalis, from Bacchus: see -At1.] ► A adjective. 1 = Bacchic 1. Mi6. 2 = Bacchic 2. Li6. ► B noun. 1 An occasion of drunken revelry; an orgy. Mi6. 2 A priest, priestess, or devotee of Bacchus. Mi6. 3 A dance or song in honour of Bacchus; sing. & (usu.) in pi., a festival in honour of Bacchus. E17. 4 A scene of revelry painted or sculptured, mis. 5 A noisy or drunken reveller. E19. ■ bacchanalize verb intrans. indulge in drunken revelry M17.

Bacchanalia /baka'neilia/ noun pi. Also b-.

L16. [Latin bacchanalia neut. pi. of bacchanalis: see prec.] 1 The Roman festival in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine. li 6. 2 Drunken revelry; an orgy. M17.

Bacchanalian

/baka'neilian/ adjective & noun. Also b-. Mi6. [from Latin bacchanalis Bacchanal + -ian.] ► A adjective. 1 Marked by, connected with, or given to drunken revelry; riotously drunken. Mi6. 2 Connected with or relating to the worship of Bacchus, the Greek and Roman god of wine. Ei7. ► B noun. A Bacchant; a drunken reveller. Ei7.

Bacchant /'bakant/ noun & adjective. Bacchants. Bacchantes/ba'kantiz/. Li6

s sit,

t top,

v van,

b-.

Also

PL

[French bacchante: see next.] ► A noun. A priest, priestess, or devotee of Bacchus, the Greek and Roman god of wine; a drunken reveller, a rois¬ terer. LI 6. ► B adjective. Bacchus-worshipping; wine-loving. E19. ■ Bacchantic /ba'kantik/ adjective M19. /'bak(a)nt, ba'kant, ba'kanti/ noun & adjective.

[French, from Latin bacchant- pres, ppl stem of bacchari celebrate the feast of Bacchus (in Latin only in fern. pi. bacchantes).] ► A noun. A priestess or female devotee of Bacchus, the Greek and Roman god of wine. Li 8. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of, pertaining to, or character¬ istic of a Bacchante. Ei9. 9 The second pronunc. is after French; the third is after Italian, influenced by the freq. English pi. (of both genders) Bacchantes after Latin. baccharis/'bakaris/ noun. Also tbacchar. Mi6. [Latin baccar, bacc(h)aris from Creek bakkaris, bakkh-.] Orig., a plant with an aromatic root, mentioned by the ancients and variously identified; any of several plants identified with this. Now spec, any American shrub of the genus Baccharis, which includes the groundsel tree, B. halimifolia.

Bacchic /'bakik/ adjective. Also b-.

Mi7. [Latin bacchicus from Creek bakkhikos: see Bacchus, -ic.[ 1 Of or pertaining to Bacchus, the Greek and Roman god of wine, or his worship. M17. of Bacchus;

riotously

w we.

PI. bacchii /ba'kAiAi/. L16. [Latin from Creek bakkheios (pons foot).] prosody. A metrical foot of three syllables, one short and two long, ■ bacchiac adjective M18.

Bacchus /'bakas/ noun.

lme. [Latin from Creek Bakkhos the god of wine.] Wine or intoxicating liquor personified. Mi7. [from Latin bactifer (formed as next) + -ous: see -ferous.] Berry-bearing; producing berries.

M19. [from medieval Latin baccalaureus (see bachelor) + -an.| Of or befitting a bachelor. p pen, r red.

E19. [Latin baccatus, from bacca berry: see -ate3.] botany. Bearing berries; berry-lilce.

bacciferous /bak'sif(a)ras/ adjective.

baccalaurean /baka'b:nan/ adjective.

n no,

baccate /'bakeit/ adjective.

bacchius /ba'kAias/ noun.

Bacardi /ba'ka:di/ noun.

m man,

Mi9. [French baccara, of unkn. origin.] A gambling card-game, played between a banker and one punter, or several punters in turn, in which the best one- or two-card hand is that yielding the highest remainder when its total face value is divided by 10.

2 Frenzied like a devotee drunken, roistering. L17.

bacalao /baka'lao/ noun. Also -lhau /-Aau/. Mi6. [Spanish bacal(!)ao, Portuguese bacalliau.] Codfish, esp. dried or salted.

bacca /'baka/ noun,

baccarat /'bakara:/ noun. Also -ra.

Bacchante Also b-. L18.

babyfy verb var. of babify.

bac /bak/ noun.

Mi7. [French baccalmreat or medieval Latin baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus: see bachelor, -ate1.] 1 The university degree of bachelor. M17. 2 = bachelor 4. rare. L17. 3 International Baccalaureate, (a qualification awarded for satisfactory performance in) a set of exam¬ inations intended to qualify successful candidates for higher education in any of several countries. 120.

baccivorous /bak'srv(a)ras/ adjective.

M17. [from Latin bacci- combining form of bacca berry + -vorous.] Berry-eating.

z zoo.

J she.

3 vision.

0 thin,

6 this,

n ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

167

bacco | back

bacco /'bakau/ noun, colloq. Li 8.

bacillus /ba'silas/ noun. Pi. -Hi /-1m, -li:/. L19.

[Abbreviation.]

[Late Latin = little rod, dim. of bacillus rod, stick.]

Tobacco. Cf. bacca. next. baccy baki/ noun, colloq. Also

backy.

Any rod-shaped bacterium; loosely any pathogenic bac¬ terium.

Ei9.

■ bad lluria noun (medicine) die presence of bacilli in the urine

[Abbreviation.]

L19.

Tobacco. Cf. bacca, prec. bach /batj/ noun' & verb, colloq. Also

bacitracin /basi'treisin/ noun. M20. batch.

M19.

[from prec. + Margaret Tracy, an Amer. child in whom the sub¬ stance was discovered in a wound + -in1.] An antibiotic obtained from bacteria of the Bacillus subtilis group.

[Abbreviation of bachelor.] ► A noun. 1 A bachelor. US. M19.

2 A small makeshift hut; a small holiday house. NZ. E20.

back /bak/ noun'.

► B verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Live alone and cater for oneself as a bachelor. N. Amer,, Austral., &NZ. Li9.

[Old English tec = Old Frisian bek, Old Saxon bak. Middle & mod. Low German, Middle Dutch bak, Old High German bah, Old Norse bak, from Germanic.]

bach /ba:x/ noun2. Welsh dial. L19. [Welsh, lit. ‘little’.]

► I Orig. sense. 1 The convex surface of the body of humans and ver¬ tebrate animals which is adjacent to the spinal axis and opposite to the belly, and extends from the neck and shoulders to the extremity of the backbone, oe. 2 Regarded with reference to its position or functions, spec, fa The hinder surface of a person’s body, esp. as turned away from someone else. oe. fb The part of the body which bears burdens, oe. >c That part of the body which is the special recipient of clothing (often repr. the whole body in this capacity), me. >d in animals, the upper surface opposite to that on which they move or rest. lme.

Dear, beloved; little one; friend. (Chiefly voc. and often placed appositionally after personal names.) C3 A. Burgess How different your voice sounds tonight, R. Davies Time to pay back now, Dicky bach.

bach.

Bach /bat]/ noun3. L20. [Edward Bach (1886-1936), Brit, physician.] Bach (flower) remedy, any of a number of preparations

of the flowers of plants used in a system of complemen¬ tary medicine intended to relieve ill health by influen¬ cing underlying emotional states.

stop annoying or harassing him or her. give a back = make a back below, have a monkey on one's back, have the monkey on one’s back: see monkey noun, in back (of) N. Amer. behind, in or at the back (of), know like the back of one’s hand be thoroughly familiar or conversant with, left back, left half (-back) see left adjective, loose back: see loose adjective, make a back bend the body to provide a surface for jumping over, e.g. in leapfrog. make a rod for one's own back: see rod noun, not a shirt to one's back: see shirt noun, on one’s back laid up or ill in bed; pros¬ trate, helpless, on the back of behind, immediately following; weighing upon as a burden; fig. harassing, annoying, pat on the back: see pat noun' 3, verb 5. put a person’s back up = get a person's back up above, put one’s back into use all one's efforts or strength in (a particular endeavour), right back, right half (-back): see right adjective, running back: see running ppl adjective, scratch my back and I will scratch yours: see scratch verb, see the back of be rid of. short back and sides colloq. a short haircut, slap on the back: see slap noun' 1, slap verb', stab in the back: see stab noun' 2, stab verb 3. the back of beyond: see beyond noun, the beast with two backs: see beast noun, the last straw that breaks the camel’s back: see straw noun, the shirt off one’s back: see shirt noun, turn one’s back on turn away from, flee, forsake, abandon, upon the back of = on the back of above, watch one’s back, watch a person’s back: see watch verb. Watteau back, with one’s back to the wall hard-pressed, at bay. ■ backed adjective having a back, background, or backing, (usu. as 2nd elem. of a comb., of a specified kind) lme. backless adjective without a back, having no back; (of a woman’s garment) cut low at the back: Ei9.

back /bak/ noun2. Li6. [Dutch

Bacharach /'bakarak, foreign 'baxarax/ noun. E17.

ffl 1 O, Henry Down his back from his mane to his tail went a line of black. A Schlee She stood with her back against the door feeling the brass handle press against a bone in her spine. 2a Shakes. Cymb. The army broken. And but the backs of Britons seen, b Shakes. Tit. A. Wrongs more than our backs can bear. R. V. Jones More than one careerist in the Admiralty had climbed on Butterworth's back by exploiting his work, c G. B. Shaw Give them the clothes off my back.

[A town on the Rhine, western Germany.]

A (usu. white) wine produced in the area of Bacharach. bachata /ba'tjata/ noun. PI. -s, same. L20. [Caribbean Spanish = party, good time.)

A style of romantic music originating in the Dominican Republic; a song in this style. bachelor /'batjala/ noun. Also

► n transf. The surface of things analogous in position to the (human) back; the hinder side. 3 The side or surface of any object which answers in position to the back and is opposite to the face or front, or to the side approached or contemplated, or away from the normal direction of motion; e.g. the outer side of the hand, the underside of a leaf, the convex part of a book, the rear part of a house or vehicle, me. 4 The side or part of any object that is away from or more remote from the spectator; the farther side. M17. 5 ellipt. = backblocks. back country s.v. back-. L19. 6 In pi. (Also B-.) The grounds behind some Cambridge colleges bordering on the River Cam. L19.

me. [Old French bacheler young man aspiring to knighthood, from Proto-Romance, of uncertain origin: in academic use the medieval Latin form was baccaiarius, later altered to -1 aureus, with ref. to bacca lauri laurel berry.] 1 Hist. A young knight who followed the banner of another; a novice in arms. me. -[batch-,

2 An unmarried man (usu. of marriageable age); occas. (rare before 19) an unmarried woman, me.

3 A junior member or ‘yeoman’ of a trade-guild, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. 4 A man or woman who has taken a degree below that of Master (usu. a first degree) at a university or other aca¬ demic institution, lme. 5 A male animal, esp. a male fur-seal, which is pre¬ vented from breeding by more dominant males in a social group. Li9. 6 An apartment suitable for a bachelor. Chiefly N. Amer.

CQ 3 Lytton At the back of the cottage .. there are some fields. OED The back of the leaf is lighter in colour. F. O'Connor He .. wrote down the address on the back of an envelope. A. Burgess Took three bullets straight in the back of the throat. T. Stoppard He got into the back of the motor. 4 J. Tyndall A plate of copper against the back of which a steady sheet of flame is permitted to play. G. B. Shaw Finally comes the band, which posts itself at the back of the square.

M20. 1 knight bachelor a knight of the lowest order; the full title of a gentleman who has been knighted. 4 bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, etc. determining bachelor: see determine 4b. Comb.: bachelor apartment, bachelor flat: suitable for an unmarried person; bachelor girl a young unmarried woman who lives independently; bachelor party: for men only. esp. to mark the end of a man's bachelorhood; bachelor's button(s) any of various double-flowered forms of plants grown for orna¬ ment, esp. a double form of the meadow buttercup, Ranunculus acris, or sneezewort, Achillea ptarmica: bachelor's degree a degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.; bachelor's hall a home presided over by a bachelor (or a man living apart from his wife); bachelor’s wife the ideal wife of whom a bach¬ elor theorizes or dreams. ■ bachelordom noun = bachelorhood L19 bachelo rette noun (N. Amer.) (o) = bachelor girl above; (b) an apartment suitable for a bachelor girl: M20. bachelorhood noun the state or quality of a bachelor El 9. bachelorism noun a habit or peculiarity of a bachelor: the condition or behaviour of a bachelor: El 9. bachelorly adjective like a bachelor L16. bachelorship noun = BACHELORHOOD L16.

bachelorize /'batjalarxiz/ verb intrans. Also

-ise.

► III Parts of things having relation, or analogous in pos¬ ition, to the human back. 7 The hind part, e.g. of a chair, garment, etc. lme. 8 A body of followers or supporters; backing. Now only Scot. Mi6. 9 The rear of an armed force, arch. Li6. 10 FOOTBALL & HOCKEY etc. (The position of) a defending player stationed behind the forwards. Li9. BJ 7 Ld Macaulay The back of the chimney did not seem to be firmly fixed. J. Conrad I grabbed the back of the nearest piece of furniture 8 J. Speed Scotland .. was a special backe and second to King Henry. 9 Shakes. 2 Hen. N He leaves his back unarm'd. 10 centre back, full-back, half-back, quarterback, etc.

► IV Surfaces or parts of things analogous to the back of animals. 11 The upper surface of anything, esp. as bearing burdens; the ridge of a hill; poet, the surface of water, the waves, etc. lme. 12 The keel and keelson of a ship. L17.

Mi8.

[from prec. + -ize.]

1 Take the degree of bachelor, rare. Mi 8. 2 Live as a bachelor; spec. (NZ) = bach verb, mi9.

H 11 Shakes. Temp. I saw him beat the surges under him. And ride upon their backs: he trod the water. N. Hawthorne We now rambled about on the broad back ofthe hill. 12 P. O'Brian I drove her on to the rock before Gijon... She was hopelessly bilged, her back broken.

Bachian /'bcukian, 'ba:x-/ noun & adjective. E20. [from Bach (see below) + -ian.]

► A noun. An interpreter, student, or admirer of the music of the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach

Phrases etc. (see also back-): at the back of behind in support, pursuit, or concealment, at the back of one's mind in the memory but not consciously thought of or immediately recalled bock and edge see edge noun, back of Bourke back o' Bourke [Bourke, a town in western New South Wales] Austral, slang the most remote outback, the back of beyond, back-to-back adjective (a) (of houses) built in a continuous terrace divided along its length so as to produce two terraces of houses adjoining at the rear: (b) N. Amer. (of events) consecutive, behind one's back in one's absence or without one’s knowledge, break the back of fig overburden, crush (a person), finish the greatest or hardest part of (a task) claw the back of see claw verb 2 fall off the back of a lorry see lorry noun, get a person's back up make a person angry or stubborn, get off a person’s back fig. (colloq.)

(1685-L75O). E20. , . „ , ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bach or

his music. M20. bacillary /ba'silari/ adjective. Mi9. [from late Latin bacillus + -ary’.]

1 Of, pertaining to, or consisting of little rods. mi9. 2 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of bacilli; caused by bacilli. li 9. 2 bacillary white diarrhoea = pullorum disease ■ bacillar adjective = bacillary 2 L19. bacilliform adjective rod¬ shaped M19. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a; her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

: saw, a run. u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day, 0

bak,

Low German

back

large dish: cf. medieval Latin

bacca

‘vas aquarium’ (Isidore).]

A tub, a trough, a vat, esp. as used in brewing, dyeing, or pickling. back /bak/ adjective (attrib.) Superl. backmost; compar. (obsolete exc. in sense 2) backer. Freq. with hyphen (see also BACK-). LME. [Attrib. use of back

noun'

or ellipt. use of back adverb.]

► I From the noun. 1 Situated at the back, behind, or away from the front; remote, obscure; inferior, subsidiary, lme. 2 phonetics. Of a sound: formed at the back of the mouth. M19. £Q 1 J. Ray A small flat back claw, or toe. L. Sterne Coming unexpectedly from a back parlour into the shop. Thackeray A little morocco box, which .. contained the Major’s back teeth. E. C. Shepherd The bomber.. might have to travel only 50 miles .. to the back areas of the German Army to bomb dumps. J. le Carre Leamas looked out of the back window, and saw the DKW following them. R. P. Jhabvala She lived off the main shopping district in a back lane. F. Forsyth They sat over a pot of tea in the back kitchen.

► II From the adverb. 3 In arrears, overdue; behindhand; belonging to the past. E16. 4 Turned back, reversed. Li6. back /bak/ verb. lme. [from back noun'.]

► I Provide a back; cover the back; support. 1 verb trans. |a Clothe. Only in lme. ►b Put a back to, line the back of. mi6. 2 verb trans. Support or help (a person or thing) materi¬ ally or mechanically; support morally, esp. by argument. Also foil, by up. ei 6. 3 verb trans. Mount, ride on, or (now esp.) break in (a horse or other animal). L16. 4 verb trans. Countersign, endorse; print on the back (as well as the front) of; Scot. & US address (a letter). Li7. 5 verb trans. Support (an opinion or judgement) by a wager; bet on the success of (a horse in a race, an entrant in any contest, etc.); fig. be confident of (a stated outcome). Li7. 6 a verb trans. Form, lie, or stand at the back of. Ei9. ►b verb intrans. Be so situated that the back abuts on or on to a piece of land etc. Li9. 7 verb trans. Accompany (a singer or instrumentalist, esp. in popular music or jazz). M20. IbJ. Smeaton The ashler walls were backed.. with rubble stone, or with bricks. 2 E. A. Freeman Demands which had been backed by an armed force. W. Lippmann Guarantees, backed by the authority of the state. W. S. Churchill Canning had backed the Spanish national rising in 1808. 3 backing dog Austral. &NZ a sheepdog that jumps on to the backs of sheep to help move them. 5 Byron Most men (till by losing render’d sager) Will back their own opinions with a wager. E. Longford Bets were laid in the London clubs, many of Brooks’s Whigs backing Napoleon for a win. back the field bet on the rest of the horses against the favourite, back the wrong horse fig. make a wrong or inappropriate choice. 6a T. H. Huxley The chalk cliffs which back the beach. M. Mitchell Turning so that she backed the corpse, she caught a heavy boot under each arm and threw her weight forward, b Edinburgh Review St. James' Square, on which the club backs. M. Bradbury The gardens, the houses backing onto them.

► II Move or hold back. 8 verb trans. Set or lay back; restrain, check; esp. (nautical) lay (a sail or yard) aback to slow the ship down. lme. au no, e: hair. is near, di boy. 00 poor. ais tire, aus sour

168

back | backcloth 9 verb intrans. Of a person, vehicle, etc.: go or move backwards; retreat. Li5. 10 verb trans. Cause to move backwards or in the oppos¬ ite direction; reverse, mis. 11 verb intrans. Of the wind: change in an anticlockwise direction. Opp. veer, mi9. CQ 9 J. Steinbeck Ahead the truck pulled up and then backed slowly. L. P. Hartley She did not move towards it— rather, she backed away. E. L. Doctorow As the great liner backed into the river he stood at the rail and waved, back and fill N. Amer. move to and fro; fig. vacillate. 10 Dickens Backing his chair a little. E. Waugh Dennis locked the office and backed the car from the garage, back water reverse a boat’s forward motion with the oars. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: back down, back off fig. abandon a claim made, stand taken, etc. back out move backward out of a place; fig. withdraw from a commitment or dif¬ ficulty. back up (a) verb phr. trans. & intrans. (cricket) (of a fielder) place oneself in readiness to stop the ball if it is missed by (another fielder); of the batsman at the bowler's end: start in readiness for a possible run made by (the striking batsman); (b) verb phr. intrans. & trans. (orig. N. Amer.) of water, traffic, etc.: accu¬ mulate behind an obstacle etc.; of a barrier etc.: cause (water, traffic, etc.) to accumulate; (c) verb phr. trans. & intrans. (orig. N. Amer.) drive (a vehicle etc.) backwards; move backwards; (d) verb phr. trans. (computing) provide backup for; make a duplicate copy of (a disk, file, program, etc.); (see also sense 2 above). back /bak/ adverb, lme. [Aphet. from aback.J

► I Of motion or direction. 1 To the rear (often, esp. in the imper., with the verb go, come, etc., omitted); away from what is considered to be the front or the normal position, lme. 2 In the opposite direction, so as to return to the place originally left; to a former or normal condition, in rever¬ sal of progress or in restoration of former circumstances. Mi6. ►b Come, received, put, etc., back. Mi7. 3 Into the past; backward in time. Li6. 4 In return or retaliation. Li 6. 5 Away from a promise or undertaking, lis. £9 1 AV Matt. 28:2 The angel of the Lord rolled back the stone. Sir W. Scott Back, beardless boy! Back, minion! J. D. Salinger I sort of brushed my hair back with my hand. P. Porter Looking back when at the gate. 2 E. A. Freeman The whole country fell back into heathenism. E. Hemingway She came back from wherever she had been. S. Spender Across the bay, the searchlight beams Swing and swing back across the sky. J. D. Salinger I started to get up and all, but Mr. Antolini got hold of my jacket and pulled me back down, b J. Conrad She was back from the remoteness of her medi¬ tation, very much so indeed. G. B. Shaw She’ll come to no harm. She’ll be back for tea. A. Rook Our toys of Monday are scarcely back on their tray. J. P. Donleavy Make a fire in the stove. I’ll be back. 3 Steele If we go back to the days of Solomon. Q. Crisp Old men looking back on their lives. 4 Shakes. Much Ado What have I to give you back? J. Michie ‘That’s a dirty crooked question,’ back I roared, answer back, pay back, strike back. etc. ► II Of position: 6 At a distance, to the rear, away (from a specified point), lme. 7 In a state of check to forward movement or progress in condition, mi6. 8 In the past; (a specified time) ago. lis. • .i 6 Shakes. Rich. Ill My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass. OEDI left him back at the second milestone. E. Bowen The intruder had occupied a pew .. some way back from the last of the rows of relatives. 8 T. Pynchon Pierce had died back in the spring. C. Causley Got into trouble two years back With the local gentry. Phrases etc. (see also back-): back and forth to and fro. back of (chiefly N. Amer.) behind, back on one's heels see heel noun', back to nature to a simpler and supposedly more ‘natural’ existence. back to square one: see square noun, laid-back: see laid ppl adjective 4. back- /bak/ combining form. oe. [Repr. back noun', adjective, adverb, or (occas.) verb.] In combs, in various relations (often difficult to distin¬ guish) and senses, as ‘of or on the back’, ‘backwards’, ‘reverse’, ‘rearmost’. (Many, esp. when back has an adjec¬ tival function, can be written with or without a hyphen.) backache pain or discomfort in the back, back-acter = backhoe below, back-action (orig. US) backward or reverse action, as in a machine, back-along adverb (dial.) = back adverb 2, 8. back-and-forth exchange, reciprocity, backhand a broad strap or chain passing over a cart-saddle, and serving to support the shafts, tbackbear ouv the act of carrying game killed illegally (cf. back-berand adjective). back beat a strongly accented beat in a position generally unaccented, back-bench one of the benches in an assembly (esp. the House of Commons) occupied by members not entitled to sit on the front benches, back-bencher a member who occupies a back bench, backblocker Austral., NZ, & Canad. a resident in the backblocks. backblocks Austral.. NZ, & Canad. land in the remote and sparsely inhabited interior; land cut off from a river-front, fback-blow a blow struck at the back or from behind, back-boiler a boiler behind a domestic fire or cooking range, back-bond scors uuv a deed qualifying the terms of another that is apparently absolute, back-breaking adjective (fig.) extremely laborious, exhausting. back burner: see on the back burner s.v. burner 3. back-cast b but, d dog,

f few, g get,

h he, j yes, k cat,

1

adjective, noun, & verb (a) adjective cast or thrown backwards; (b) noun a backward swing of a fishing line preparatory to casting; (c) verb intrans. swing a fishing line backwards preparatory to casting, back catalogue the totality of all the works previously pro¬ duced by a recording artist, film director, record company, etc. back channel (a) Canad. a secondary channel of a stream or river, esp. one forming an island; (b) politics a means of conveying infor¬ mation without passing it through normal (esp. diplomatic) channels (freq. attrib. or as adjective); (c) linguistics any of various means, as nods, grunts, etc., by which a listener may indicate attention to a speaker and thereby invite continued speech, backchat colloq. impertinent or impudent repartee, esp. to a superior, backcomb verb trans. & intrans. comb (the hair) back towards the scalp, back country (chiefly N. Amer., Austral., & NZ) the country lying towards or in the rear of a settled district, backcourt a smaller court to the rear of a house ; tennis the part of the court behind the service line, back-crawl swimming a form of crawl in which the swimmer lies on his or her back, back cross verb & noun phr. (a) verb trans. cross (a first-generation hybrid) with one of its parent strains; (b) noun an instance of back crossing, a hybrid so produced, backdate verb trans. assign an earlier date to, make retrospectively valid, back door (a) a door at the back of a building or enclosure; a secondary or private entrance; (b) fig. a second (usu. secret or less conspicuous) means of entry or approach, back-door adjective secret, clandestine, underhand, back-double colloq. & dial, a backstreet, a side road, backdraught (a) a reverse draught of air or current of water; (b) (freq. backdraft) the explosion of a build-up of hot flammable gases produced by incomplete combustion in a confined space, as a result of a sudden influx of oxygen, backdrop noun & verb (a) noun (theatrical) (orig. US) = backcloth i; (b) verb trans. (fig.) provide with a background, set off. back emf an electromotive force opposing that driving the current in a circuit, back-end (a) the hinder of two ends; (b) the later part of the year, late autumn; (c) the latter stages or outcome of a process, esp. in relation to financial matters such as the profits of a film; (d) computing a specialized part of a computer system with which the user does not interact directly; spec, (attrib.) designating the interface between a data¬ base and the interactive programs used to query that database; back-fanged adjective (zoology) = opisthoglyph adjective. backfield amer. football (the positions occupied by) the players behind the line of scrimmage, backfill verb & noun (a) verb trans. fill (an excavation) in again with material removed earlier, e.g. around foundations; (b) noun earth etc. used for backfilling, backfist karate a punch using the back of the fist, backfit verb trans. fit (an advanced component) to an older product; upgrade (an older product) in this way. back-flash the act or process of flashing back; esp. = flashback (b) s.v. flash verb, backflip a back¬ ward somersault, back-formation philology the formation of what looks like a root-word from an already existing word which might be (but is not) a derivative of the former; a word so formed, back-front the rear boundary line or elevation of a building, backhaul (a) the return journey of a vehicle from its original destination to its base; a load carried on such a journey; (b) broadcasting the satellite signal of an event recorded by a tele¬ vision channel, radio station, etc., as it is returned for editing, back-heel (a) verb trans. kick (esp. a ball) backwards with the heel; (b) noun such a kick, backhoe N. Amer. a mechanical excav¬ ator which operates by drawing towards itself a bucket attached to a hinged boom, back-house (now dial.) an outhouse; a privy, a lavatory, back issue an edition of a journal, magazine, etc., earlier than the current one. backland = back country above, back-lift (in various games) a backward lift given to the bat etc. before playing a stroke, or to the leg before kicking the ball, back-lighting photography lighting coming from behind the subject, back-line (a) a rearmost line; esp. in games, a line marking the limit of play; (b) rugby football the players behind a scrum or line-out lined out across the field, back-liner rugby football a player in the back-line, backlist (a catalogue of) books still available but no longer recent, backlit adjective illuminated from behind, backlot (orig. US) an outdoor area in a film studio where large exterior sets are made and some outside scenes are filmed, back-marker one who starts from scratch or has the least favourable handicap in a race; a horse etc. at the rear of the field, back number a number of a periodical earlier than the current one; colloq. a person who or a thing which is out of date, behind the times, or useless, backpack noun & verb (chiefly N. Amer.) (a) noun a pack carried on the back, esp. a rucksack; (b) verb intrans. & trans. travel with a backpack, esp. for recreation; carry in a backpack, backpacker a hiker, camper, etc., with a backpack, back pass football a deliberate pass to one’s own goalkeeper (who is not now allowed to pick up the ball if the pass was kicked), back passage colloq. the rectum, back-pay pay to cover a past period of time, back-payment payment to cover a past period of time, back-pedal verb intrans. work the pedals of a bicycle, backwards; fig. (try to) reverse one’s previous action, backpiece a piece of armour protecting the back; the piece that forms the back of something, backplane a board to which the main circuit boards of a computer may be fitted, and which pro¬ vides connections between them, backplate a plate of armour for t he back; a plate placed at or forming the back of something, back-pressure pressure opposing the normal flow of a liquid or gas. back-projection projection on to a translucent screen from the rear, as a means of providing a still or moving background to a scene etc. backrest a support for the back, back room a room at the back of a house or other building: spec, a room or premises where (esp. secret) research etc. is carried outbackroom boy. a person who does such research or wields influ¬ ence behind the scenes, back-rope nautical a rope leading inboard from the martingale, back row the rear line (of a chorus rugby scrum, etc.), back-saw a saw with a blade strengthened by a metal strip at the rear, back-scatter verb & noun (phvsics) (o) verb trans. scatter (radiation etc.) with more or less complete reversal of direction; (b) noun back-scattering; radi¬ ation etc. so scattered, back-scratcher an implement for scratching one’s own back; fig. a person who takes part in mutual services for gain, back-scratching the performance of such ser¬ vices. back-set a setting back, a reverse; an eddy or counter¬ current. backsight (a) surveying a sight or reading taken

backwards, or towards the point of starting; (b) the rearsight of a gun. back slang a form of slang in which words are spelt and pronounced backwards (as yob for boy), backslapper fig. a vigor¬ ously hearty person, backslapping slapping the back, esp. in congratulation or encouragement; fig. vigorously hearty behav¬ iour. backslash a backward-sloping diagonal line, a reverse solidus, back-space verb intrans. use the back-spacer, backspacer a key on a typewriter etc. that moves the printing pos¬ ition one space backward, back-spin a backward spin on a ball in motion, back-stabber fig. a person who attacks another unfairly, or behind his or her back, back stage theatrical the rear part of a stage; the part of a theatre behind the stage or curtain, esp. the wings, dressing-rooms, etc. backstage adverb & adjective at or to the back stage of a theatre; (situated, occurring, etc.) behind the scenes (lit. & fig.), backstair(s) noun & adjective (a) noun stairs at the back of a house, a secondary staircase; the private stairs in a palace, used for other than State visitors; fig. a secret method of approach; (b) adjective relating to or employing underhand intrigue, back-door, backstay nautical each of a number of ropes extending downwards and aft from the top of the mast towards the stern of the ship (usu. in p/.); gen. a stay or support at the back (lit. & fig.), backstitch noun & verb (a) noun a method of sewing with overlapping stitches; (b) verb trans. & intrans. sew in backstitch, back-stop noun & verb (a) noun something or someone placed at the rear to serve as a barrier or support; cricket = longstop s.v. long adjective': (b) verb trans. (chiefly US) act as a back-stop to (chiefly fig.), back-straight the stretch along the side of a race¬ course or racetrack opposite to that on which the races end. backstreet noun & adjective (a) noun a street in a quiet part of a town etc., away from the main streets; (b) adjective taking place in a backstreet, taking place illicitly or illegally, backstroke a blow or stroke in return; a back-handed stroke; swimming a stroke in which the swimmer lies on his or her back in the water, backswimmer a carnivorous aquatic bug of the family Notonectidae, a water-boatman, back-swing a backward swing, esp. of the arm or a golf club when about to hit a ball, back-talk colloq. (orig. dial.) = backchat above, backtrack verb (orig. US) (a) verb intrans. return, retrace one’s steps; fig. go back on, withdraw; (b) verb trans. trace, pursue, investigate, backtracker a person who backtracks, backveld 5. Afr. primitive rural districts, backvelder S. Afr. (freq. derog.) a dweller in the backveld. backwater dammed or still water, esp. that beside a stream and fed by the back flow; fig. a remote or neglected place, (a place or condition of) intellectual stagnation, back-way a way leading to the back, a roundabout way. backwind verb & noun (sailing) (a) verb trans. (of a sail or vessel) deflect a flow of air into the back of (another); (b) noun a flow of air deflected into the back of a sail, back-winter a return of winter after its regular time, backwoods wholly or partly uncleared forest; a remote or sparsely inhabited region, backwoodsman an inhabitant of the backwoods; fig. an uncouth person; a peer who very rarely attends the House of Lords, back-word dial, withdrawal from a promise or invitation; a contradictory or rude answer backyard a yard or enclosure at the back of a building; fig. an adjacent or easily accessible area.

tbackare interjection. Also bacare.

M16-M17.

[Prob. joc. from back adverb + -are Latin inf. ending.]

Go back! Give way! back*berand /'bakber(3)nd/ adjective, arch. Also -ind.

1

[Old English baec-berende, formed as back noun + pres, pple of bear verb'.]

beran

Bearing on the back. Long obsolete exc. law (of a thief) apprehended in the possession of stolen goods. backbite /'bakbAit/ verb trans. Pa. t. -bit /-bit/; pa. pple -bitten /-bit(a)n/. me. [from back noun' + bite verb.]

Slander, speak ill of (someone) behind his or her back. Freq. as backbiting verbal noun. ■ backbiter noun a slanderer, a secret calumniator me.

backboard /'bakbo:d/ noun & verb.

oe.

[from back noun' + board noun.]

► A noun. 1 nautical. =

port

noun5. Now Scot, rare or obsolete.

OE.

2 A board placed at or forming the back of anything; esp. (a) one fastened across the back of the shoulders to straighten the figure; (b) one behind the basket in bas¬ ketball, off which the ball may rebound; (c) one against which tennis-strokes maybe practised, mis. ► B verb trans. Subject to the use of a backboard, mi 9. backbone /'bakbaon/ noun.

me.

[from back noun' + bone noun.]

1 The vertebral column, the spine, me. 2 transf. A central support or axis; the chief substantial part; N. Amer. the spine of a book. Li7. 3 fg. The main element or support; the mainstay, mi9. 4 fig. Strength of character, stability of purpose, firm¬ ness. M19. 1 to the backbone fig. completely, through and through. ■ backboned adjective having a backbone mi9. backboneless mi9.

adjective

backcloth /'bak.klDG/ noun.

Li9.

[from back- + cloth noun.]

1 theatrical, a painted cloth hung across the back of the stage as the principal part of the scenery. Freq. fig. Li9. 2 A cloth placed between a fabric that is being printed and the blanket, to keep the latter clean. Li9. LU 1 fig.: G. S. Fraser A river, for a Restoration poet, would be primarily .. a backcloth for pastoral.

leg. m man. n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top.

wan,

w we, 2 zoo. J she.

3 vision,

0 thin.

d this,

r) ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

169

back-down | backward

back-down /'bakdaun/ noun, colloq. M19. [from back down s.v. back verb,] A surrender of a claim or claims made; a retreat from a stand taken.

backen /'bak(a)n/ verb. Now rare. Mi7. [from back adjective, adverb + -ens: cf. lessen verb.] 1 verb trans. Put or throw back; retard. M17. 2 verb intrans. Move or draw back; esp. = back verb n. M18.

backer/'baks/noun1. Li6. [from back verb + -ER’.[ A supporter, esp. a person who makes a bet; a person who provides financial backing, backer-up a person who backs (up).

backer noun2 var. of bacca. backer adjective see back adjective. backet /'bakit/ noun. Scot. lme. [Old & mod. French baquet dim. of bar back noun-: see -et'.] A shallow wooden trough for carrying ashes, lime, salt, etc.

backfall /'bakfo;l/ noun. L17. [from back- + fall noun1.] 11 music. An accessory note a tone or a semitone above the main note. L17-L19. 2 A fall or throw on the back in wrestling. E19. 3 A lever in the coupler of an organ, li 9.

Comb.: background heater, background heating a heater, heating, intended for general warmth; background music music played in the background: esp. music accompanying a film etc. (cf. sense 6 above); background noise noise in the back¬ ground; esp. adventitious radio etc. signals (cf. sense 5 above). ► B verb trans. 1 Form a background to. mis. 2 Put in the background. Chiefly fig., treat as unimport¬ ant, give no emphasis to. L19. 3 Provide with background information or knowledge. M20. ■ backgrounder noun (N. Amer.) an official briefing or hand-out giving background information M20.

[from back adverb + fire noun.] 1 A fire deliberately lighted ahead of an advancing prairie fire or bushfire in order to deprive it of fuel and so extinguish it. N. Amer. & Austral. M19. 2 A premature ignition or explosion in an internalcombustion engine or its exhaust-pipe. H9. >b fig. The recoiling of a plan, scheme, etc., adversely on its origin¬ ator (see backfire verb 2b). E20.

backfire/bak'fAio/verb. Li9. [from prec.] 1 verb intrans. Light a fire ahead of an advancing prairie fire in order to deprive it of fuel. N. Amer. L19. 2 verb intrans. Of an internal-combustion engine or its fuel: ignite or explode prematurely; also transf. (esp. of a firearm). Li9. >b fig. Of a plan, scheme, etc.: recoil adversely on its originator. E20. 3 verb trans. Expel backwards in backfiring. E20. /'bakfif/ noun. PI. -e/-g/. H9. [German, lit. ‘fish for frying'.] A girl in late adolescence, a teenage girl.

backfisch

backfriend /'bakfrend/ noun. lis. [from back- + friend noun.] 1 A pretended friend; an unavowed enemy, obsolete exc. dial, li 5. 2 A supporter, a backer. Li 6.

backgammon /bakgaman/ noun. Mi7. [from back adverb + an earlier form of came noun (see gammon noun4).] 1 A game for two played on a special (usu. hinged) double board, with draughtsmen whose moves are determined by throws of the dice. Mi7. 2 spec. The most complete form of win at backgammon. LI 9.

background /'bakgraond/ noun & verb. L17. [from back adjective + ground noun.] ► A noun. 1 The ground or surface lying at the back of or behind the chief objects and foreground in a scene, picture, or description. L17. 2 fig. A less prominent position; obscurity, retirement. LI 8. 3 fig. Surroundings, ambience, the prevailing circum¬ stances; esp. (information about) events or facts regarded as a basis on which more particular matters may be con¬ sidered or apprehended, mi9. 4 fig. A person’s cultural knowledge, education, experi¬ ence, environment, etc.; social surroundings. E20. 5 Adventitious radio, sound, etc., signals; the normal level of radioactivity, electromagnetic radiation, or other phenomena, arising from natural sources. E20. 6 Music or sound-effects used as an accompaniment, esp. to a film or broadcast programme. E20. £QI 1 R. B. Sheridan Elvira walks about pensively in the background. J. Hedgecoe The most convenient way to photograph a silhouette is to position the subject some dis¬ tance in front of a white background. 2 Ld Macaulay Political friends thought it best.. that he should remain in the background. 3 J. le Carre He told you about Mundt, gave you the background? attrib.: M. Innes Do some back¬ ground reading in published sources. 4 C. Jackson Who they are and where they came from—their backgrounds, I mean. T. Stoppard Do you find it incredible that a man with a scientific background should be Archbishop of Canter¬ bury? 5 J. Narlikar Penzias and Wilson found a radiation background which was isotropic.. and which corresponded to a black body temperature of ~3-5 K 6 L. Feather Vocals with fine backgrounds and solos by Bird.

a cat, a: arm, r, bed, a: her. i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a.

M19.

[from back adjective + seat noun.] 1 A seat at the back of a vehicle; an inferior seat at the back of a hall etc. Mi9. 2 A position of comparative obscurity or inferiority. colloq. mi9. 2 take a back seat (orig. US) occupy a subordinate place. Comb.: back-seat driver a person who rides in the back seat of a motor vehicle and gives unwanted advice to its driver; fg. a person who criticizes or attempts to control without responsi¬ bility.

backsheesh noun & verb var. of baksheesh. backhand /'bakhand/ noun, adjective, & verb. M17. [from BACK- + HAND DOUR.]

► A noun. The hand turned backwards in making a stroke; spec, in tennis, badminton, and similar games, a stroke played with the arm across the body and the back of the hand facing one’s opponent, M17. on the backhand (on the side on which one must strike a ball etc.) backhanded. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of a stroke etc.: played backhanded. Of an area of a tennis or badminton court, etc.: in which it is usually necessaiy to play backhanded. 117. ► C verb. 1 verb intrans. Take an extra glass of wine out of turn: see backhander 2. rare. M19. 2 verb trans. Hit with the back of one’s hand. M20. backhanded/'bakhandid/ adjective & adverb. Ei9. [from prec. + -ED2.]

backfire /'bakfais/ noun. Mi9.

back seat /bak si:t/ noun phr.

► A adjective. 1 Of a stroke etc.: made with the back of the hand or with the hand turned backwards; spec, in tennis, badminton, and similar games, played as a backhand (backhand noun). Ei9. 2 fig. Indirect, ambiguous. Ei9. CQ 2 K. Tynan Is it a backhanded compliment to say that this actor is best when maddest? ► B adverb. With the back of the hand or with the hand turned backwards; with a backhand. Li9. ■ backhandedly adverb L19. backhander /'bakhanda/ noun. Ei9. [formed as prec. + -er1.]

1 A blow with the back of the hand, E19. Kb fig. A hurtful or stinging remark, mi9. 2 An extra glass of wine out of turn, the bottle being passed back. rare. Mi9. 3 A backhanded stroke or blow (cf. backhanded adjective 1). L19, 4 A tip or bribe made surreptitiously; a secret payment, slang. M20. backing /'bakig/ noun. Mi6. [from back

verb

+ -ing1.]

1 The action of back verb, esp, the action of supporting at the back; motion in a backward direction. M16. 2 collect. Something which backs or forms the back, esp. a body of supporters; the material used to form the back or support of something. Li 8. fb Instrumental or vocal accompaniment, esp. on a recording. M20. Comb.: backing store computing secondary storage (usu. disk) supporting the primary storage (usu. volatile); a device for this. backlash /'baklaj/ noun. Ei9. [from back

adverb

+ lash noun'.]

1 An irregular recoil or excessive play in a piece of mechanism, ei 9. 2 transf. & fig. An excessive or violent reaction; reaction¬ ary attitudes or opinion. E20. CO 2 P. Brickhill She learned the police had searched her room. I caught the backlash. M. L. King The white backlash had always existed underneath and sometimes on the surface of American life. backload /'bakbud/ noun & verb. eis. [from back- + load noun &

verb.]

► A noun. 1 An amount that can be carried on the back. El 8. 2 A cargo carried by a vehicle returning to its base. E19. ► B verb. 1 verb in trans. Of a cargo vehicle: return to its base carrying a new load; be loaded with a cargo for its leturn journey. M20. 2 verb trans. Defer the bulk of (expenditure, fees, etc.) until the latter part of a certain period of time. Chiefly US. L20. ■ backloaded adjective (of payment, etc.) deferred until the latter part of a period of time L20. backlog ’baklog/noun Li7. [from back- + log noun'.]

1 A large log placed at the back of a fire. Chiefly N. Amer.. Austral.. & NZ. L17. 2 fig. a An accumulation, a reserve. L19. fb Arrears of unfulfilled orders, uncompleted work, etc. M20. backmost/'bakmsust/ adjective, lis. [from BACK

adjective

after foremost, hindmost: see -most.)

Furthest to the back, hindmost. Opp. foremost.

backside /bak'sAid; in sense 4 also 'baksAid/ noun. lme. [from back adjective + side noun.] 1 The hinder or back part; the hack, the rear. lme. 2 The back premises of, or an outbuilding attached to, a dwelling; also, a privy, a lavatory. Now dial. & US. lme. |3 = back noun1 3. lme-eis. 4 The buttocks. E16. 15 fig. The reverse or wrong side; the opposite. M-L17.

backslide /'baksUid/ verb intrans. Pa. t. & pple -slid /-slid/. Mi6.

[from back adverb + slide verb.] Slide back (in fig. sense); fall away from attained excel¬ lence, esp. of religious faith and practice; relapse into sin or error. ■ backslider ndun a person who backslides, an apostate Li 6.

backstone noun var.

of bakestone.

back-sword /'bakso:d/ noun. arch.

Mi6.

[from back noun' + sword noun.] 1 A sword with only one cutting edge. Mi6. 2 A single stick used instead of a sword in fencing; (an) exercise using this. L17. 3 A fencer with a back-sword. L17.

backup /'bakAp/ noun.

E20.

[from back up s.v. back verb.] 1 Backward motion of a vehicle. N. Amer. E20. 2 An accumulation of water, traffic, etc., behind an obstruction. N. Amer. M20. 3 A reserve, a stand-by or spare; support, backing; computing (the making of) a duplicate copy of a disk, file, program, etc. Freq. attrib. M20. Comb.: backup light a reversing light.

Backus /'bakAs/ noun.

M20.

[John W. Backus (b. 1924), US computer scientist.] COMPUTINC. Backus-Naur /naos/ [Peter Naur, 20th-cent. math¬ ematician] or Backus normal form, a form of notation used to describe context-free programming languages. Abbreviation BNF

backward /’bakwsd/ adverb, adjective, verb, & noun. As adverb & (rare) adjective also -wards /-wadz/. me. [Aphet. from abackward: later assoc, with back noun’.] ► A adverb. I Towards one’s back, or the back of any¬ thing. 1 Of movement: in the direction of one’s back or away from one’s front, me. fb With verbs of continuous motion: with the back foremost, with the face to the rear. me. 2 Of position: towards the back or rear of a place; away from the front, obsolete or arch. lme. CQ 1 S. Hill She had fallen heavily backwards down the stairs, bend over backward(s). fall over backward(s). lean over backward(s) fg. go to the opposite extreme to avoid possible bias etc., do one’s utmost to oblige, accommodate, etc. b J. H. Newman We walk to heaven back¬ ward. A. J. P. Taylor Like the country at large, they entered war socialism backwards, and were surprised at what they had done. ► II Towards what is behind in position or course. 3 In the direction which (as regards one’s ordinary pos¬ ition) is behind one, or from which one is moving. (Now more usu. expressed by back or behind.) arch. lme. 4 Of things: towards the place of stalling, in the direc¬ tion opposite to that of previous progress. (Not normally used of people or animals, where ambiguity might arise.) lme. 5 In the direction of retreat, lme. 6 fig. Towards or into a worse state; into decline, lme. 7 Of time: towards or in the past. (More usu. expressed by back.) arch. lme. CQ 3 Browning Whom else could I dare look backward for? 4 Dryden Like some impetuous flood, which mastered once, With double force bends backward, backward and forward backwards and forwards in both directions alternately, to and fro. 5 Byron They are beaten backward from the palace. 6 G. B. Shaw He regarded that as a step backward in civilization. 7 M. Mitchell Bitter-eyed women who looked backward, to dead times, to dead men, evoking memories that hurt and were futile. ► III In the reverse direction or order. 8 In a direction opposite to the normal, in the reverse way. lme.

:: hair. saw, a ran, u put, u: too, 9 ago, ai my, au how, ei day. au no, e

19

near, di boy, ira poor, ais tire, aim sour

170

backwardation | bad Q3 8 L. Durrell Damn the word [love)... I would like to spell it backwards as you say the Elizabethans did God. J. le Carre Sloping his pen backwards he practised the second signature until he was satisfied with it. M. Frayn As it in a film of a breaking vase run backwards the pieces flew miraculously together, know something backward(s) know something thoroughly, be very well versed in something, ring the bells backward(s) arch, ring bells beginning with the lowest, to give an alarm etc. ► B adjective. [Attrib. (often ellipt.) use of the adverb; but analo¬ gous to adjectives in -ward of Old English origin.]

1 Directed to the back or rear. lme. 2 Directed in the opposite way; of or pertaining to return, lme. |3 Perverse, unfavourable. H6-M18. 4 Turning or hanging back from action; reluctant, chary; shy, bashful. Li 6. 5 Placed towards or at the back; obsolete exc. cricket (of a fielding position) behind the line of the wicket. Ei7. 6 Reaching into the past; retrospective. M17. 7 Behindhand in respect of progress; late (esp. of the season or crops); slow to learn; educationally subnormal. L17. 8 Done in the reverse way; reversed. E18. 1R. Sutcliff He watched her walking away without a backward glance. 2 W. C. Bryant And takes the backward way with trembling limbs. 4 Shakes. Hen. V Perish the man whose mind is backward now. backward in coming forward colloq. reluctant, shy (to do something), reticent, (ffeq. in neg. contexts). 5 S. Johnson A lodging in the back¬ ward garret of a mean house, backward point, backward short leg, etc. (in cricket). 6 Byron The soul.. flies uncon¬ scious o'er each backward year. 7 G. Greene I’d have gone to Oxford.. but they are very backward in technology. A. S. Neill We do not take mentally defective children, but a child who is backward at school is a different story. A. J. Toynbee To help.. other still backward peoples on the outer edges of Mexico, to find their way into the modem world. 8 Pope The backward labours of her faithless hand.

► C verb trans. & intrans. Put or keep back, retard; go back¬ ward. Now rare. L16. ► D noun. The past portion of time. rare. Ei7. 03 Shakes. Temp. What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? backward compatibility (of new technology) the capacity to interact with products designed to be used with an earlier version of that technology, backward compatible adjective having backward compatibility, backward masking psychology a diminution in the response to a stimulus as a result of a second stimulus following closely after it. ■ backwardly adverb mi6. backwardness noun Li6. Special collocations & comb.:

backwardation /bakwa’deiftsln/ noun. Mi9. [from prec. + -ation.] commerce. A premium paid by the seller of stock or com¬

modities in some cases where deliveiy is to be deferred. Cf. contango noun. backwards adverb & adjective see backward. [from back adverb + wash noun.]

► A noun. 1 The motion of a receding wave, a backward current; fig. repercussions. L19. 2 The process of cleaning a filter by flushing it in the reverse direction to normal flow; the liquid used in this process. E20. ► B verb trans. 1 Move or otherwise affect (a boat etc.) with backwash. Li 9. 2 Clean (a filter) by flushing it in the reverse direction to normal flow; remove (sediment, an obstruction) using this method. M20. backy noun var. of baccy. bacon /'beik(a)n/ noun & verb. me. [Old French bacon, -un = Provencal bacon from Frankish bako ham, flitch = Old High German bahho from Germanic, rel. to back noun1.]

► A noun. 1 The cured back or side of a pig (formerly also the ffesh flesh now called pork), me. 12 The carcass of a pig. me-mis. 13 A rustic. Cf. chaw-bacon s.v. chaw verb, rare (Shakes.). Only in li 6. 1 bring home the bacon fig. (colloq.) achieve success, save a person's bacon, save one's bacon: see save verb. Comb, bacon beetle = larder beetle. ► B verb trans. Convert into bacon. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. ■ baconer noun a pig fit for being made into bacon and ham M18.

Baconian /bei'kaumsn/ adjective & noun. Ei9. Bacon (see below) + -ian.]

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626) or the experimental or inductive system of philosophy propounded by him El 9. 2 Designating or pertaining to the theory that Bacon wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare. Li 9. ► B noun. An adherent of Bacon's philosophical system, or of the Baconian theory of Shakespeare's plays. M19. b but, d dog,

f few, g get.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

Also

noun.

*-remia,

[from bacterium + -aemia.]

[from

The presence of bacteria in the blood.

medicine.

1 leg, m

Bactrian camel: see camel 1.

baculine /’bakjuUin/ adjective, rare. Ei8. Latin

baculum, -us rod, stick + -ine1,]

Of or pertaining to punishment by caning or flogging.

■ bacteraemic adjective M20.

baculovirus /'bakjotafofvAiras/ noun. L20.

bacteria noun pi. of bacterium.

[formed as prec. + virus.]

bacteriaemia noun var. of bacteraemia.

Any of a family of DNA viruses which infect arthropods (esp. insects) and include some forms used for pest control.

bacterial /bak'tiarial/ adjective. L19. [from bacterium + -al1.]

Of. pertaining to, or caused by bacteria.

baculum /'bakjubm/ noun. Pi. -la /-la/. M20.

■ bacteriaily adverb L19.

[mod.

bactericide /bak'tiariSAid/ noun. Li9.

Latin:

see baculine.]

= os penis s.v. os noun'.

[formed as prec. + -cide.]

bad /bad/ adjective, noun, & adverb, me.

A substance able to kill bacteria. ■ bacteri cidal adjective bacteri cidally adverb L19.

able

to

kill

bacteria

Li9.

bacterio- /bak'tianau/ combining form of bacterium: see -0-.

■ bacteriocidal adjective = bactericidal adjective M20. bacteriophage noun a virus that causes lysis or prophage for¬ mation in bacteria E20. bacterio phobia noun irrational fear of bacteria Li9 bacteriorho dopsin noun (biochemistry) a protein pigment in the bacterium Halobacterium halobium which under the action of light transports protons across the cytoplasmic membrane L20. bacteri'osis noun, pi. -oses /-'aosi:z/, a bacterial disease of plants L19.

bacteriocin /bak'trarrasin/ noun. M20. [French bacteriodne. formed as bacterio- + colicin.]

A protein produced by bacteria of one strain and active against those of a closely related strain, bacteriology.

bacterioid /bak'tiarioid/ adjective & noun. L19. [from BACTERIUM + -OID.] = BACTEROID

bacteriological /bak.tram'lDd3ik(3)l/ adjective. Li9. [from next + -ical.]

Of or pertaining to bacteriology. bacteriological warfare the deliberate use of bacteria to spread disease among an enemy. ■ bacteriologic adjective = bacteriological 119 bacteriologically adverb L19.

bacteriology /bak,ti3ri'Dl3d3i/ noun. Li9. [from BACTERIO- + -LOGY.]

The branch of science that deals with bacteria. ■ bacteriologist noun L19.

bacteriolysis/bak.tisri'Dlisis/ noun. PI. -lyses /-lisi:z/. Li9. [from BACTERIO- + -LYSIS.]

11 Artificial liquefaction of organic waste by bacteria. Only in Li9. 2 The destruction of bacteria by an antibody. E20. ■ bacteriolysin '-'lAism/ noun a bacteriolytic antibody E20. bacteriolytic /-'litik/ adjective of, pertaining to, or capable of bac¬ teriolysis E20.

bacteriostasis /-'steisiiz/. E20.

/bak.tisrra’steisis/

noun.

PI.

-stases

Inhibition of the proliferation of bacteria without killing them. ■ bacteriostat bak’tiariastat/ noun a bacteriostatic agent E20. bacteriostatic -'statrk/ adjective pertaining to or capable of bac¬ teriostasis E20.

bacterium /bak'tisram/ noun. Pi. -ia /-ra/. M19. [mod. Latin from Greek bakterion dim. of bakteria staff, cane.]

Any of the very widely distributed group Bacteria of microscopic prokaiyotic mainly single-celled organ¬ isms, many of which are symbiotic or pathogenic in animals and plants. iron bacterium: see iron noun & adjective, purple bacterium: see purple adjective & noun. Bacteria were formerly classified as fungi, but are now usu. regarded (with blue-green algae) as constituting a distinct div¬ ision of plants, or an independent kingdom. ■ bacterize /'baktar/uz/ verb trans. treat with bacteria E20. bacteri zation noun E20.

bacteriuria /bak.trari'jusrra/ noun. Also bacteruria /bakts'rusris/. L19. [from prec. + -uria.] medicine.

The presence of bacteria in the urine.

bacteroid.baktsroid/ adjective & noun. M19. [formed as prec. + -oid.]

► A adjective. Of the nature of or resembling a bacterium. M19. ► B noun. A bacteroid organism or structure; esp. a modi¬ fied cell formed by a symbiotic bacterium in a root nodule of a leguminous plant. L19. bacteruria noun var. of bacteriuria. Bactrian /'baktrisn/ noun & adjective, lme. [Greek Baktrianos, Latin Bactrianus, from Bactrim see below -ian.]

► A noun. 1 Hist. A native or inhabitant of Bactria, an ancient country of central Asia lying between the Hindu Kush and the Oxus. lme. 2 = Bactrian camel s.v. camel 1. E17. ► B adjective. Of or belonging to Bactria. E17. man,

n no,

p pen.

r red.

[Orig. disyllabic perh. repr. Old English biddel hermaphrodite (cf. noun') with loss of I as in mudi(e), wench(e) for Old English

badling

[formed as prec. + Greek stasis stopping.]

backwash '’bakwDjV noun & verb. Li9.

[from

bacteraemia /bakta'rcmia/ -riaemia /-ri'i:mra/. Li9.

s sit,

t top,

v van.

w we, z zoo,

mycel, wencel.]

► A adjective. Compar. worse adjective, (now non-standard) badder. superl. worst adjective, (now non-standard) baddest ► I In a privative sense: not good. 1 Of defective quality or worth; worthless, inferior, deficient, deteriorated; debased, counterfeit, me. 2 Unfortunate, unfavourable; incurring or involving disapproval or dislike, me. 3 law. Not valid, li 9. QH 1 T. R. Maithus Children perished.. from bad nourish¬ ment. E. Glasgow All ways are long over bad roads. S. Goldwyn Why should people go out to see bad films when they can stay at home and see bad television? K. Laffan I couldn't do it on the phone—his hearing’s bad. 2 Milton Perplexed and troubled at his bad success. E. Waugh He .. could talk at length of [Vatican] policy and appointments, saying which contemporary ecclesiastics were in good favour, which in bad. come to a bod end. see come verb.

► II In a positive sense: evil, noxious. 4 Morally depraved; immoral, wicked; (in weakened sense) naughty, badly behaved, blameworthy, me. 5 Of a person: in ill health, sick, unwell; transf. dis¬ tressed, regretful (about something). Of the body or a part of it: diseased, injured, me. 6 Causing inconvenience or trouble; offensive, unpleasant; (of weather) inclement. Ei6. 7 Injurious, hurtful, or dangerous (for someone); more gen. as an intensifying word in unfavourable contexts: extreme, pronounced. M17. £0 4 J. Fordyce Young people.. are often corrupted by bad books. Ld Macaulay Discreet counsellors implored the royal brothers not to countenance this bad man. S. Hill That is a bad habit which must be cured at once. P. Roth When I am bad and rotten in small ways she can manage me herself. 5 S. Richardson Still very bad with my Gout. W. H. Herndon Tiger felt bad about the matter. E. O’Neill You were afraid his heart was bad. 6 A Cherry-Garrard Polar exploration is.. the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time. L. Uris The children.. smelled bad from the lack of water to wash with. J. Harvey Barry’s father saw that something serious and bad had happened. 7 Ld Macaulay He had just had a bad fall in hunting. N. Mitford He caught a bad cold.. and stayed indoors. B. Pym Too much washing was bad for the skin. K. J. Dover A trustfulness which admits regretfully that he made some bad mistakes.

► III 8 Good, excellent, slang (chiefly US). M20. Special collocations, phrases, & comb.: a bad sport: see sport noun, a bad taste in the mouth see taste noun1, bod bargain see bargain noun 2. bod blood: see blood noun, bad break: see break noun', bad business an unfortunate matter, bad cess to: see cess noun’, bad coin see coin noun 4. bod conscience, bad debt: which cannot be recovered, bad egg (a) an egg that is inedible through deterioration; (b) a person or scheme that comes to no good, bad faith see faith noun, bad form: see form noun, bad hair day colloq. a day on which one’s hair is particularly unmanageable: (in extended use) a day on which everything seems to go wrong, bod hat see hat noun, bad health: see health noun 5. bad job: see job noun1, badland, badlands (chiefly N. Amer.) barren, inhospitable land with many gullies, ridges, and other erosional features, esp. in certain parts of the western US. bad language: see language noun1 zd. bad law: that is not sustainable or not justifiable, bad loser: see loser 2. bad lot: see lot noun, bad luck!, bod luck to you! etc.: see luck noun, badman (chiefly N Amer) a desperado, an outlaw, bad mouth N. Amer. slang malicious gossip or criticism, bad-mouth verb trans. (N. Amer. slang) abuse, criticize maliciously, bad news slang an unwelcome guest; something undesirable. bad penny: see penny noun, bad scran to —: see scran 2. bad show: see show noun', bad-tempered adjective having a bad temper; easily angered, come to a bad end: see come verb, from bad to worse: see worse adjective, noun, & adverb, go bad decay, (esp. of food) become mouldy, sour, etc. in a bod temper see temper noun, in a bad way ill, in trouble, in bad repair: see repair noun2, in bad stead see stead noun, in someone's bad books: see book noun, just too bad: see just adverb, keep bad time see time noun, not bad. not half bad. not so bad better than might have been expected, fairly good, throw good money after bad see throw verb, too bad regrettable (often iron.), with a bad grace see grace noun.

► B noun. 1 Something bad; bad condition; ill fortune. LME.

2 (As a count noun) A bad thing, quality, or (rare) person. Li6. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

ij ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

171

bad | bag

Q3 1 Shakes. Two Gent. T'exchange the bad for better, from bad to worse: see worse noun, get in bad: see get verb, in bad colloq. out of favour (with), to the bad to a bad state, to ruin; in deficit.

► C adverb. =

badly.

Now chiefly N. Amer.

The fruit of Chinese anise or star-anise.

m baddish adjective mis. baddy noun (colloq.) a bad person, a criminal, a villain (esp. in a film or play) M20. badness noun lme. bid

verb.

[from Badari (see below) + -an.] archaeology. ►A adjective. Designating or pertaining to an

early predynastic culture of Upper Egypt, evidence for which was first found in the Badari region. E20. ► B noun. (A person of) the Badarian culture. M20. badass "badas/ noun & adjective, slang (orig. and chiefly US). M20. [from bad adjective + ass noun2.]

► A noun. A tough, aggressive, or uncooperative person; a trouble-maker. M20. ► B adjective. Belligerent or intimidating; tough; bad, nasty. Also used approvingly: terrific, excellent. M20. as. King Elbert was a strange fellow with a badass temper. T. Clancy This Nikon F-20 was one badass camera. ■ bad-assed adjective L20.

baddeleyite /'bad(o)liAit/ noun.

Li9.

[from Joseph Baddeley (fl. 1892), English traveller + -ite' .] mineralogy. Zirconium dioxide, occurring as colourless,

yellow, brown, or black monoclinic crystals. badder compar. adjective see

bad

adjective.

baddest super/, adjective see

bad

adjective.

bid

verb.

badge /bad^ noun & verb',

lme.

[Origin unkn.: cf. Old French bage, Anglo-Latin bagia.] ► A noun. 1 A distinctive device, emblem, or mark (orig. in heraldry, a device borne for distinction by all the

retainers of a noble house: cf. cognizance), worn as a sign of office or licensed employment or of membership of a society, lme. 2 A distinguishing sign, token, or emblem; fig. a charac¬ teristic feature revealing a quality or condition. Ei6. 3 nautical An ornamental window-surround, or a representation of a window, at the stem of a small sailing vessel, mis. a 1 T. H. White There were already thousands.. who carried his badge of a scarlet fist clenching a whip. N. Hamilton Monty's contempt for army regulations was epitomized by his adoption.. of a tank beret with two badges, rogue’s badge: see rogue noun. 2 G. W. Knight Dark secrecy and night are in Shakespeare ever the badges of crime. A. Haley Every cook.. would walk in a way to make those keys jangle as a badge of how important and trusted she was. yellow badge: see yellow adjective. Comb. : badge-man a person who wears an official badge.

► B verb trans. Mark with or distinguish by a badge, lme. ■ badgeless adjective

L16.

badge IbadyJ verb2 intrans. & trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. M16. [Prob. back-form, from badger noun'.]

Deal as a badger; trade in (com etc.) as a badger. badge verb3 see

Badian /'beidion/ noun2 & adjective. Mi9. [Abbreviation of Barbadian. See also Bajan.]

= Barbadian. badigeon /bo'did3(3)n/ noun. Now US.

mis.

[French, of unkn. origin.]

A composition used to fill up gaps in stone or wood.

Badarian /ba'dsxion, bo'damon/ adjective & noun. E20.

bade verb see

badian /'batiisn/ noun'. M19. [French badiane from Persian 8, Urdu badyan fennel, anise.]

Et7.

£9 L Hellman I only came cause she's so bad off. M. K. Rawlings She's bad hurt. B. Schulberg If you needed shoes that bad you could have told me. have got it bad: see get verb.

tbad verb see

■ badgerer noun (a) a dog used for badger-baiting; (b) a person who badgers another; Li 9.

[French, from baditter to joke, from badin fool from Provencal, from badar gape from Proto-Romance: see -age.] ► A noun. Humorous banter or ridicule. M17. ► B verb intrans. & trans. Banter playfully. Ei9.

badling badlig/ noun'. Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English bzdling, from biddel: see bad adjective, -ling'.]

An effeminate man; a sodomite; a worthless fellow. badling /'badlirj/ noun2. Lis. [Perh. var. of paddling verbal noun of paddle verb'.]

A small group of ducks. badly /'badli/ adverb & adjective,

me.

[from bad adjective + -ly2.] ► A adverb. Compar. worse adverb, superl. worst adverb.

1 In a bad manner; inadequately; incorrectly; immor¬ ally, wickedly; severely, me. 2 With want, need, etc.: greatly, very much. L19. a 1 Shakes. John How goes the day with us?.. Badly, I fear. Southey One of the Indian chiefs was badly wounded. Dickens A mean and badly-furnished apartment. J. Ruskin So great a painter.. would never paint badly enough to deceive. G. B. Shaw Think of the temptation to behave badly when he had us all there helpless, badly off in poor circumstances, lacking money, have got it badly: see get verb. 2 E. O'Neill His blond hair, badly in need of a cut.

► B adjective. Sick, unwell; regretful, dial. Lis. a D. H. Lawrence ‘I want my mother.'.. 'Ay, but she’s badly'. A. Haley Kunta felt badly for having wished some¬ times that he might strike the man.

badmash /'bAdma:J/ noun. M19. [Urdu from Persian, from bad evil + Arab, ma'ds means of liveli¬ hood.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a rascal, a hooligan. badminton /'badminton/ noun. Mi9. [Badminton, a town in SW England and seat of the Duke of Beau¬ fort.]

1 A summer drink of claret, soda, and sugar. M19. 2 A game played on a court (usu. indoors) across a net with rackets and a shuttlecock. Li 9. BAe abbreviation. British Aerospace. Baedeker 'beidiko/ noun. Mi9. [See below.]

Any of a series of guidebooks published by Karl Bae¬ deker (1801-59), German publisher, or his successors; gen. any guidebook. Comb.: Baedeker raids Hist, a series of German reprisal air raids in 1942 on places in Britain of cultural and historical import¬ ance.

bael /'beil/ noun. Also bel /bel/. Ei7.

bag verb2.

badger /'badja/ noun1. Long obsolete exc. dial.

[Hindi bel from Sanskrit bilva from Tamil vilavu,] me.

(The aromatic fruit of) a thorny Indian tree, Aegle

[Origin unkn.]

A person who buys and sells grain or other commod¬ ities; a huckster. badger /'bad^n/ noun2 & verb.

badinage /'badma:^ noun & verb. Mi7.

Ei6.

[Perh. from badge noun + -ard, with ref. to the distinctive headmarkings.] ► A noun. 1 A nocturnal burrowing Eurasian mammal, Meles meles, of the weasel family, having a grey coat and

marmelos. Also called Bengal quince.

baetyl /'bi.til/ noun. Also in Graecized form baetylion /bi'tilisn/, pi. -lia /-ire/. M19. [Latin baetulus from Greek baitulos.]

A sacred meteoric stone. baff /baf/ noun & verb. Scot. E16. [Prob. from Old French baffe a slap in the face.]

distinctive white facial stripes. Ei6. kb Any of various animals of similar appearance or habits; esp. (o) the related N. American badger, Taxidea taxus: (b) Austral, the wombat. Mi7. 2 A brush, or a fishing-fly, made of badger’s hair. L18.

► A noun. A blow with something flat or soft. E16. ► B verb trans. Beat, strike; golf strike (the ground) with the sole of the club-head in making a stroke. E16.

1 draw the badger fig. entice one's opponent into the open. b honey-badger see honey noun, stinking badger see stinking adjective. Comb.: badger-baiting, badger-drawing setting dogs to draw a badger from its set or from a cask; badger game slang luring men into (esp. sexually) compromising situations in order to blackmail them; Badger State US Wisconsin. ► B verb trans. Bait or pester as a dog does a badger;

[In sense 1 perh. alt. of bauchle verb. In other senses perh. rel. to French bafouer (16) ridicule, alt. of Old Provencal bafar: cf. French fbeffler (Rabelais) mock, deceive.) ► A verb. I verb trans. fl Subject to public disgrace or

torment, tease, nag. L18. m f. O'Connor She began to badger him about his health. C Ryan Badgered by Field Marshal Model to capture the Arnhem bridge quickly. L. van der Post I could easily have been talked, badgered and teased out of my belief.

a

cat, a: arm, s bed, a: her. r sit, i cosy, i: see.

d

baffle /‘baffa)!/ verb & noun. Mi6.

infamy; treat with scorn. M16-L17. f2 Hoodwink, cheat, lig-eis. 3 Bewilder, confuse; reduce to perplexity, puzzle. M17. 14 Confound, bring to nought. M17-E19. 5 Defeat in one’s efforts, thwart, foil (passing into sense 3); (of the weather) impede the progress of (a ship). LI 7. 6 Restrict by means of a baffle; equip with a baffle. L19.

hot. 0: saw. a run, u put. u: too, a ago. ai my, au how, ei day.

CO 1 Spenser He by the heels him hung upon a tree And bafful’d so, that all which passed by The picture of his pun¬ ishment might see. 2 Defoe He had not a mind to cheat or baffle the poor man. 3 M. Innes Such incongruities.. had an insidious power to paralyse the will, to baffle the intellect. W. Faulkner He looked about with a strained, baffled gaze, as if.. trying to remember what it was he wanted to say or to do. H. E. Bates She had been a little sorry for Parker; she had been a little puzzled and baffled by him; and now she was hurt. W. H. Auden A murder which has the professionals baffled. 4 G. Crabbe A wish so strong, it baffled his repose. 5 E. A. Freeman The murderer baffled pursuit. R. L. Stevenson The more they tried, the more obstinately fixed I grew to baffle them. H. Allen She had met light, baf¬ fling airs from the coast of Puerto Rico onward. W. S. Churchill Hamilton, the baffled peacemaker, returned.. full of self-reproach for the advice he had given to the King.

► II verb intrans. Trifle, quibble, mi7-mi8. 8 Struggle ineffectually or futilely. rare, mi9. Comb.: bafflegab colloq. (chiefly N. Amer.) incomprehensible or pretentious verbiage or jargon. ► B noun. Confusion, discomfiture; a setback; a dis¬

grace or affront. E17-E19. 2 A state of being baffled. Mi9. 3 A plate or other device which serves to restrict or regulate the passage of fluid, gas, etc., or to limit the emission of sound, light, etc. Freq. attrib. Li 9. 3 baffle-board, baffle-plate, etc. ■ bafflement noun the action of baffling; the state of being baffled: Mi9. baffler noun (a) a person who or thing which baffles; (b) = baffle noun 3: E17 bafflingly adverb 119.

baft /ba:ft/ noun. Also bafta /'ba:fts/. L16. [Urdu from Persian baft a textile, bafta woven.] A coarse (usu. cotton) fabric. baft /ba:ft/ adverb, arch. [Old English bexftan, from be by. at + xftan behind. Cf. aft.] Behind, in the rear. Latterly only nautical, astern, aft. BAFTA /'bafta/ abbreviation. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. bafta noun var. of baft noun. bag /bag/ noun. me. [Perh. from Old Norse baggi bag, bundle, of unkn. origin.] ► 11 A receptacle made of flexible material with an open (usu. closable) top (esp. with preceding word indicating its contents or purpose), me. 2 spec, a A money-bag; a handbag, lme. kb A small pouch used to hold the back-hair of a wig. E18. kc A mailbag, ei 8. kd A diplomatic bag. Ei 9. 3 fig. A concern or preoccupation; one’s particular interest or distinctive style, slang. M20. a 1 R. Hawkins Any man that putteth himself into the enemies port, had need of Argus eyes, and the wind in a bagge. R. Lawler She's got her bags piled up by the stairs, 'n' if she doesn't take to you by tomorrow momin' she’s shiftin' out. S. Plath I cracked open a peanut from the ten-cent bag I had bought.. and ate it diplomatic bag. gamebag. handbag, mailbag, money-bag. paper bag, shoulder bag. sleeping-bag. etc. 3 E. McBain She developed a new bag after she moved, writing poetry. Wild, huh? A. Glyn He'd never do that. It's just not his bag.

► II 4 A measure of quantity, varying according to the nature of the commodity (rare before 17). me. 5 The amount of game a sportsman has shot or caught; gen. an amount obtained or achieved in any activity. M19. 6 In pi. Much or many (of), lots, heaps, collog. E20. a 5 N. Mitford Davey.. often made little bachelor excur¬ sions into it |the wide world) from which he would return with a bag of interesting anecdotes. R. V. Jones My bag was mainly rabbits but over the years I had also shot hares, stoats, pigeons, crows, and jays. 6 J. B. Morton It’s not gay, this life, but it might be bags worse. A. Wesker We 'ad bags o' fun. bags o' it.

► Ill 7 A fold of skin, esp. under the (human) eye; a dewlap; an udder, lme. 8 A sac in the body of an animal, containing poison, honey, etc. E16. 9 In pi. (Loosely fitting) trousers, colloq. Lie. 10 A base in baseball. N. Amer. L19. 11 A woman, esp. one who is unattractive, elderly, or promiscuous, slang, derog. E20. a 7 E. Bowen That lamp makes Thomas's face all bags and lines. 8 fig.: Dryden The swelling poison of the several sects Shall burst its bag. 9 D. L. Sayers Can't feed with Freddie Arbuthnot in these bags. Oxford bags 11 M. Dickens I've never really known a pretty girl like you. At the tr aining college they were all bags. C. Jackson Heaven knows.. what hell the old bag would give him if she had |waited for him]. Phrases a hundred in the water-bag see water noun, bag and baggage (with) all belongings, (of departure) entire, absolute; ong. (military) march out with bag and baggage, march out bag and baggage, make an honourable retreat, leave with equip¬ ment etc. intact, bag of bones an emaciated person or animal, bag of mystery slang a sausage, bag of nerves see nerve noum bag of tricks a stock of resources hold the bag. be left holding the bag be (left) in an awkward situation, in the bag au no, e: hair, ia near, di boy, oo poor, Aia tire, aua sour

172

bag l bail virtually secured, (as good as) in one’s possession or power, captured, let the cat out of the bag: see cat noun', mixed bag. Petty Bag see petty adjective, rough as bags: see rough adjective. the whole bag of tricks everything, tote bag see tote noun '. Comb, bag job US slang an illegal search of a suspect's property by a federal agent, esp. to copy or steal incriminating docu¬ ments; bag lady (chiefly N. Amer.) a homeless woman, esp. an elderly one, who carries her possessions in bags; = SHOPPinc-bag lady: bagman f(a) a maker ofbags or pouches; (b) a person who carries a bag; spec.: derog. a commercial traveller; (slang. chiefly US& Austral.) a person who collects or distributes the proceeds of illicit activities; Austral, a tramp, a vagrant; bag-net a bag-shaped net for catching fish etc. bag people N. Amer. homeless people who carry their possessions in bags; bagpudding arch, a pudding boiled in a bag; bag-shaped adjective shaped like a bag; esp. (of a fishing net) rounded and with an opening at the top; bagstuffer (orig. US) a piece of promotional literature handed to shoppers, esp, one put into shopping-bags at a checkout; bagwash (a laundry that undertakes) the rough unfinished washing of clothes; bag-wig an i8th-cent. wig with the back-hair enclosed in an ornamental bag; bagworm US any of various destructive moth larvae which live within a silken case covered with plant debris. ■ bagful noun as much or as many as a bag will hold; colloq. a lot: ME. baglike adjective resembling (that of) a bag M19. colloq.

bag 'bag/ verb'. Infl. -gg-. lme. [from the noun.] 1 verb intrans. Swell out, bulge; nautical drop away from the direct course, lme. >b Hang loosely; esp. (of trousers)

become out of shape at the knees. Ei9. 2 verb trans. Put into a bag or bags. lme. 3 verb trans. Cause to swell; cram full. lme. 4 verb trans. Succeed in killing (so much game); gen. add to one’s ‘bag’; seize, catch; steal, appropriate. Ei9. ►b Esp. among children: claim or reserve, usu. on the ground of being the first to do so. Freq. in bags I. slang. M19.

3 A disreputable or immoral woman; joc. a young woman (usu. with saucy, artful, etc.), colloq. Li 6. O 1 E. Gowers Englishmen travel by land with luggage and by sea and air with baggage Americans, more sensibly, travel everywhere with baggage, bag and baggage see bag noun. b R. Firbank ’Naturally’, the lieutenant interposed, 'her intellectual baggage is nil—simply nil.' 3 Goldsmith Tell them they are two arrant little baggages. Dylan Thomas She’s tucked her dress in her bloomers—oh, the baggage! Comb: baggage car N. Amer. a railway luggage-van; baggage check N. Amer, a luggage ticket; baggage claim = baggage reclaim (b) s.v. reclaim noun 1; baggage reclaim see reclaim noun 1: baggage room N. Amer. a luggage-office or cloakroom; baggage tag N. Amer. a luggage label. ■ baggager noun a person who carries or has charge of baggage; an animal carrying baggage: E17.

Baggie /'bagi/ noun. N. Amer. M20. (Proprietary name for) a small plastic bag typically used for storing food. bagging 'bagirj/noun1. north, mis.

[Bantu, from ba- pi. prefix Uganda. Cf. Muganda.] ► A noun. PI. of Muganda. H9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Baganda.

L19.

A tumult; a scuffle, a brawl. bagasse /bs'gas/ noun. E19. [French from Spanish bagazo.]

The residue left after the extraction of juice from sugar cane or sugar beet. ■ bagassosis hags'ssosis/ noun respiratory disease due to inhalation of bagasse dust M20.

bagatelle /baga'tel/ noun. Mi7. [French from Italian bagatella perh. dim. of Latin baca berry, or from Italian baga baggage.]

1 A trifle, a thing of no value or importance; a negli¬ gible amount, mi7. 2 A piece of verse or music in a light style, mi 8. 3 A game in which small balls are struck (usu. by a mechanical striker operated by the player) towards numbered holes on a board with a semicircular end. E19. c -J 1 C. Isherwood They were well-to-do gentlemen, to whom a miserable fifty-mark note was a mere bagatelle. 3 Russian bagatelle.

^ Sense 3 is purely English in origin and use. See also vive la s.v. vive interjection.

bagatelle

[Yiddish beygel.]

A usu. hard ring-shaped roll of bread, baggage /'bagid3/ noun. lme. [Old 8, mod. French bagage. from baguer tie up, or from bagues (pi.) bundles (thought to be formed as bag noun): see -age.] Usu. collect, in senses 1 and 2 (formerly occas. with pi.).

1 Packages of belongings (now usu. suitcases etc.) that a traveller takes on a journey, luggage; spec, the portable equipment of an army (= Latin impedimenta), lme. lb fig. Encumbrances, burdensome matters; (esp. mental) equipment. E17. 2 Rubbish, refuse, dirt; pus. Freq. attrib. obsolete exc dial Mi6. b but, d dog. f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg, m

baht /bait/ noun. Pi, same. E19. The basic monetary unit of Thailand, equal to satangs. bahut/bay/

100

noun. Pi. pronounced same. Mi9.

An ornamental chest or cabinet.

[Sanskrit bahuvrihi, from bahu much + vrihi rice (as a typical com¬ pound of this type).]

[from bag noun + -inc': cf. sacking etc.]

Coarse woven fabric out of which bags are made. baggit /'bagit/ noun. Mi9. [Scot, form of bagged pa. pple & ppl adjective of bag verb'.]

A female salmon that has not shed its eggs when the spawning season is over. Cf. kelt noun1.

grammar. (Designating) an exocentric compound adjec¬ tive or noun. baignoire

/bepwa:r/ noun. Pi. pronounced same. Mi9.

[French = bath-tub.]

A box at a theatre on the same level as the stalls, bail /bed/ noun', me.

baggy /'bagi/ adjective & noun. lis. [from bag noun + -Y1.]

[Old French bail, bail(!)e power, custody, jurisdiction, delivery, from baiUier take charge of, receive, hand over, deliver from Latin bajulare bear a burden, manage, from bajulus carrier. Senses 2-5 are peculiarly English, and their development is uncertain.]

■ bagginess noun M19.

f 1 Custody, charge, jurisdiction. ME-L16. f2 The friendly custody of a person otherwise liable to be kept in prison, upon security given for his or her appearance at a time and place assigned. LME-E19. 3 Temporary delivery or release of a prisoner who pro¬ vides security to appear for trial, lme. 4 Security given for the release of a prisoner awaiting trial. Li 5. 5 The person(s) acting as surety (now only by financial guarantee) for a prisoner’s appearance for trial. Li 6.

bagne bap/ noun. PI. pronounced same. mis. [French formed as next.]

= bagnio 1. bagnio /'bamjao/ noun. PI. -os. Li6. [Italian bagno from Latin balneum bath.]

LL3 1

[from bag noun + pipe noun1.] 1 sing. & (freq.) in pi. A wind instrument having a bag as

a reservoir for air, sound being emitted through a melody pipe (chanter), played with a reed, and from one to three single-note (drone) pipes. Also set of bagpipes, pair of bagpipes me. 2 fig. A long-winded speaker; a windbag. Ei7.

baguette /ba'get/ noun. eis. [French from Italian bacchetto dim. of bacchio from Latin baculum staff.]

1 architecture. A small moulding of semicircular section, like an astragal. Ei8. 2 A gem, usu. a diamond, cut in a long rectangular shape. E20. 3 A long narrow French loaf. M20. 4 A slim rectangular handbag with a short strap. L20. bah /ba:/ interjection. E19. [Prob. after French.]

Expr. contempt, irritation, or annoyance, bahada noun var. of bajada. Bahadur /ba'haidua/noun. Also fBahawder: b-. Li8. [Urdu & Persian bohddurfrom Mongolian.]

A brave man; a great or distinguished man. Freq. as a title appended to a name. Baha' 1 /ba:’ha:i/ noun & adjective. L19. [Persian, from Arab, baha' splendour.]

bagel /'beig(a)l/ noun. Also beigel /'bAiqtejl/. E20.

[from Bahrain (see below) + -if]

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Bahrain, a sheikhdom consisting of a group of islands in the Persian Gulf. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Bahrain or the Bahrainis. M20.

bahuvrihi /bahu’vri:hi/ adjective & noun. M19.

5 Formerly a popular instrument in rural England with dis¬ tinct regional forms; now chiefly associated with the Scottish Highlands and Ireland. ■ bagpiper noun a person who plays the bagpipes (usu. called a piper) ME. bagpiping noun L16.

bagarre 'bagair/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li9. [French.]

Bahraini /ba/reini/ noun & adjective. Also -eini. L19.

tea. bagging /'bagnj/noun2. mis.

bagpipe /'bagpAip/ noun. me.

■ bagger noun2 a person who harvests in this way mi9.

Bahiric noun & adjective var. of Bohairic.

Bahutu noun pi. of Hutu.

1 An oriental prison; a slave-house, obsolete exc. Hist. Li6. f2 A bath, a bathing-house. E17-E19. 3 A brothel. E17.

Baganda /bo'ganda/ noun pi. & adjective. Li9.

Bahasa Malaysia).

fBahawder noun var. of Bahadur.

[Perh. orig. a verbal noun expressing the act of carrying food in a bag.] Food eaten between meals; spec, a substantial afternoon

■ bagger noun1 a person who or a machine which puts some¬ thing into bags mi8. [Origin unkn. Cf. fag verb2.]

Malay as the national language of the Indonesian Republic (in full Bahasa Indonesia) or of Malaysia (in full

[French.]

► A adjective. Puffed out, hanging in loose folds. Li 8. ► B noun. In pi. Loose wide-legged swimming-trunks, shorts, or trousers, colloq. M20.

Cut (wheat etc.) with a reaping-hook.

[Malay from Sanskrit bhhsb speech, language.]

[Thai bat.]

[from bag noun: see -ie.]

a i f. Marryat He was bagging to leeward like a .. barge laden with a hay-stack. 2 bag up store up. 3 J. Smeaton Almost all the lights [= windows | in the church, tho' not broke were bagged outward. 4 P. Hawker To bag a dozen head of game without missing. J. Dos Passos He was almost bagged by a taxicab crossing the street. T. Pynchon Slothrop’s grandfather.. in typical sarcasm and guile bagged his epitaph from Emily Dickinson, without a credit line, b A. A. Milne Bags I all the presents. B. Marshall Bags I do not ask about the room. R. A. Knox The other girl bagging the hot-water pipes first.

bag /bag/ verb2 trans. Infl. -gg-. Also badge /bad3/. Li7.

Bahasa /ba’hccso/ noun, M20.

► A noun. A member of a religious faith developed from Babism by Baha’ Allah (1817-92) and his son 'Abd al-Baha’ (1844-1921), emphasizing the unity of humankind and its religions, and seeking world peace. L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Baha’is or Baha’ism. E20. ■ Baha ism noun the doctrine or practice of the Baha’is E20. Baha ist. Baha’ite nouns a Baha’i E20. Bahama

(see below)

+

-ian.]

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of the Bahama Islands in the western Atlantic, mi8. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Bahama Islands or their people. L19. man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top, v van.

Faunus, now within their baile. 5

Shakes. 2

Ye’ll spend it like a man of spirit—I’ll go bail for that. Phrases: admit to bail allow to be released on bail, deny bail refuse bail below, forfeit bail, forfeit one’s bail, by failing to appear for trial after release on bail, give leg bail: see leg noun. grant bail allow the prisoner to be released on bail, hold to bail see hold verb, jump bail colloq. fail to appear for trial after release on bail, justify bail see justify verb 6. on bail (with permission to be temporarily released from custody) on provision of security to appear for trial, refuse bail not allow the prisoner to be released on bail, surrender to one's bail surrender to bail see surrender verb id. Comb: bail-bond the bond or security entered into by a bail; bail bondsman - bailsman below; bail-jumper colloq. a person who fails to appear for trial after release on bail; bail-jumping colloq. failure to appear for trial after release on bail; bailsman a person who gives bail for another.

bail /beil/ noun2, me. [Old French bail, bail(l)e palisade, enclosure (cf. baillier enclose), perh. from Latin baculum rod. Cf. bailey.]

1 The wall of the outer court of a feudal castle; by extension, a wall of an inner court; one of the courts themselves; in pi., an outer line of fortification formed of stakes, palisades, me. 2 fa A crossbar. Only in Li 6. kb cricket. Either of two wooden crosspieces (formerly a single crosspiece) placed over the stumps (cf. wicket 3). mis. 3 A bar to separate horses standing in an open stable. M19. 4 A framework for securing the head of a cow at milking. Austral. & NZ. mi9. 5 On a typewriter, a hinged bar that holds the paper against the platen. M20. Comb: bail-dock Hist, at the Old Bailey, a small open-topped room formed from the comer of the court and used to accom¬ modate accused persons. tbail noun3. ME-M19. [French bailie bucket from Proto-Gallo-Romance from Latin bajulus carrier: cf. bail noun1.] nautical

A bucket or scoop for bailing water from a

boat.

Bahamian /ba’heimran/ noun & adjective, mis. [from

Spenser

Hen. VI The sons of York.. Shall be their father’s bail. G. Greene He ought to be brought before a magistrate... I will stand bail for any reasonable amount, fig: Thackeray

w we, z zoo.

bail /beil/ noun4, lme. [Prob. from Old Norse beygla from beygja = Old English began, bygan bend, bow.]

A hoop or ring, esp. a half-hoop for supporting the cover of a wagon; the hoop-handle of a kettle, pail, etc. f she.

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

173

bail | bake

bail /bell/ verb1 trans. Mi6. [from BAIL noun1 or (sense 3) immed. from French baiilier.]

1 Of a magistrate etc.: grant bail to, release on bail. M16.

2 Obtain the release of (a person) by providing security for his or her later appearance; provide bail for. Li6. 3 Deliver (goods) in trust for a specified purpose, mis. 2 bail out release from imprisonment by providing bail; fig. release from (esp. financial) difficulty. ■ bailable adjective entitled to be released on bail; admitting of or providing for bail: Mi6. bailage noun (Hist.) a duty on delivery of goods Mi6. bailment noun (a) delivery in trust; (b) the action or process of bailing a person: Mie.

bail /beil/ verb2. Exc. in sense 1, Austral. & NZ. Li6. [App. from Old French baiilier enclose, shut, rel, to bailie bail noun2: the priority of bailie or baiilier is uncertain.] 1 verb trans. Confine, rare. Li6. 2 verb trans. Secure the head of (a cow) in a bail while milking. Usu. foil, by up. Mi9. 3 verb trans. Make (a person) hold up the arms to be

robbed; detain or buttonhole (a person); corner (a wild animal). Usu. foil, by up. mi9. 4 verb intrans. Surrender (by throwing up the arms). Usu. foil, by up. Mi 9. bail /bed/ verb3. Also (esp. sense 2) bale. Ei7. [from bail noun3.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Scoop (water) out of a boat; scoop water out of (a boat). Freq. foil, by out. E17. 2 verb intrans. Foil, by out: jump out of an aircraft, make

an emergency descent by parachute; (of a surfer) leave the surfboard. M20. *1 In sense 2 usu. spelt bale, as if the action were that of letting a bundle through a trapdoor; but also (esp. N. Amer.) spelt bail, as if the action were that of scooping out.

Ba-ila noun & adjective see Ila. bailee /belli:/ noun. E16. [from bail verb1 + -ee1.]

A person to whom goods are delivered in trust. bailer/'bedo/noun1. M19. [from bail verb3 + -ER1.]

A utensil or machine for bailing water etc. Comb.:

bailer-shell = melon-shell s.v. melon noun' & adjective.

bailer/'beda/noun2. Now rare. M19. [from bail noun2 + -er1.] cricket. A ball that hits the bails.

bailer noun3 var. of bailor. bailey/'belli/noun. me. [Prob. from Old French bail, bail(l)e (whence medieval Latin ballium, ballia): see bail noun3.] 1 The outer wall and first line of defence of a castle; gen. any of a castle's defensive circuits, me.

2 The outer court of a castle; any of the courts enclosed between the circuits of walls or defences. Ei6. 2 Old Bailey the seat of the Central Criminal Court in London, which formerly stood in the ancient bailey of the city wall between Lud Gate and New Gate.

Bailey bridge /'belli bndyj noun phr. M20. [Sir D. Coleman Bailey (1901-85), English engineer, its designer.]

A bridge of lattice steel designed for rapid assembly from prefabricated parts, used esp. in military oper¬ ations. bailie /'beili/ noun1. Also -II-. me. [Old French baillHs): see bailiff.] 1 = bailiff, obsolete exc. dial. me.

2 Scot, a The chief magistrate of a barony or part of a county. Long obsolete exc. Hist. lme. lb A municipal coun¬ cillor serving as a magistrate. Now Hist. exc. as an honor¬ ary title conferred on a senior councillor, lme. ■ bailiery /'beiliari, -liri/ noun (Scot., obsolete exc. Hist.) the office or jurisdiction of a bailie; the district under the jurisdiction of a bailie: lme. bailieship noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) = bailiwick lme.

tbailie noun2 var. of baillie noun\ bailiff /'beilif/ noun. me. [Old French baillif oblique case of bailli(s) from medieval Latin bajulivus (ballivus) adjective, from bajulus carrier, manager, adminis¬ trator: cf. bail noun1.] 1 Hist. (exc. in formal titles). A person charged with

public administrative authority in a certain district; in England, a representative of the monarch, esp. the chief officer of a hundred; in Jersey and Guernsey, the first civil officer, appointed by the Crown, me. 2 An officer of justice under a sheriff, who executes writs and processes, and performs distraints and arrests. ME.

3 The agent of the lord of a manor, who collects rents, etc.; the steward or manager of an estate or farm; the agent of a landlord, me.

■ bailiffshlp noun the office of bailiff lme. fbailiffwick noun the office of bailiff: the district under a bailiff's jurisdiction: LME-M18.

a cat, a; arm, e bed, a: her. r sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

bailiwick/'beihwik/ noun. lme. [from bailie noun1 + -wick.]

1 A district or place under the jurisdiction of a bailiff. lme. Fb transf. A person’s concern or sphere of oper¬ ations. Chieflyjoc M19. 2 The office or jurisdiction of a bailiff, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. P3 1 Eitcyd. Brit. They [the Channel Islands] are.. grouped into two distinct bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, with dif¬ fering constitutions, b E. Roosevelt I established the fairly well-understood pattern that affairs of state were not in my bailiwick.

3 verb trans. & intrans. Attack with endeavour to bite and tear, as dogs attack a confined animal, lme. 4 verb trans. Give food and drink to (an animal), esp, on a journey, arch. lme. >b verb intrans. Of an animal: feed. arch. LME. 5 verb intrans. Stop on a journey to take food or rest. LME. 6 Put bait in or on (a trap, hook, fishing-place, etc.). LME. 7 verb trans. Offer bait to; allure, entice. Chiefly fig. Li6. EQ 1 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI We’ll bait thy bears to death. S. Johnson 1 wall not be baited with what and why. R. Hughes There was not even any fun to be got out of baiting her; nothing seemed to ruffle her temper. 3 W. Somerville Raving he foams, and howls, and barks, and bares. 4 Thackeray Whilst their horses were baited, they entered the public room. 5 R. B. Sheridan To bait here a few days longer, to recover the fatigue of his journey, fig.: Milton Evil news rides post, while good news baits. 6 Pope My absent mates .. Bait the barb'd steel, fig.: L. DuRRELLThe Tripartite Conference was .. rumoured to be a trap, baited by an unacceptable constitution. 7 Shakes. Merch. V. Why, .. thou wilt not take his flesh. What’s that good for? To bait fish withal. E. Roosevelt He would.. bait me into giving an opinion by stating a point of view with which he knew I would disagree, bait-and-switch a sales technique by which a customer is inveigled into purchasing a more expensive product by the display or advertisement of a cheaper one. 2

bailliage / beilitdy noun. lme. [French, from bailli: see bailiff, -ace.]

The jurisdiction or district of a bailiff (now usu. in a foreign country). tbaillie noun'. Also bailie, -Hy ME-M18. [Old French, from baillir have under one’s jurisdiction etc.: cf. medieval Latin bajulia tutelage etc.: see bail noun', -Y3.]

The office or jurisdiction of a bailiff; delegated author¬ ity baillie noun2 var. of bailie noun1. fbailly noun var. of baillie noun1. bailor /bei'lo:/ noun. Also -er /-a/. Li6. [from bail verb' + -OR.J

A person who delivers goods in trust. Occas. now also = bailsman s.v. bail noun1. bailout /'beilaut/ noun. In sense 1 also bale-. M20. [from bail out s.v. bail verb3 2, verb' 2.]

1 An act of bailing out from an aircraft; an emergency descent by parachute. M20. 2 An act of bailing out a person or organization; a release from (esp. financial) difficulty. L20. Baily's beads /'beiliz bi:dz/ noun phr. Mi9. [Francis Body (1774-1844), English astronomer.] astronomy. The appearance of the sun’s crescent as a

string of brilliant points at the beginning or end of total¬ ity in a solar eclipse. bainin noun var. of bawneen. bain-marie /banmo'ri:, foreign bemari/ noun. PI. bains(pronounced same), eis. [French, translating medieval Latin balneum Marine translating medieval Greek kaminos Marias furnace of Maria, a supposed Jewish alchemist.]

A vessel of hot water in which cooking-pans and their contents are slowly heated; a double saucepan. Also, a dish prepared in this. Bairam /bAi'ra:m/ noun. Li6. [Turkish fbairam (now bayram), ult. from Persian bazram.]

Either of two annual Muslim festivals, the Lesser Bairam, lasting one day, which follows the fast of Ramadan, and the Greater Bairam, lasting three days, seventy days later. bairn /be:n/ noun. Chiefly Scot., north.. & literary. Also (north.) barn /ba:n/. [Old English beam = Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse, Gothic bam, from Germanic, rel. to bear verb1.]

A child; a young son or daughter. Comb.: bairn’s part scors:A.*. = legitime noun 2; bairn-team, -time north, a family of children. ■ bairnly adjective childish, childlike M16.

tbaisemain noun. M17-MI8. [French.]

A kiss of the hands; in pi., compliments, respects, bait /beit/ noun', me. [Old Norse beit (neut.) pasture, beta (fem.) food; in part from bait verb1.)

1 Food placed on a hook or in a trap to entice fish or animals as prey; fig. an allurement, temptation, me. 2 Food, refreshment, esp. a feed for horses or a meal for travellers on a journey, obsolete exc. in dial, sense, a snack taken between meals. Lis. 3 A stop on a journey for refreshment or rest. arch. Lis. CS 1 I. Walton Let your bait fall gently upon the water. Defoe The profits of trade are baits to the avaricious shop¬ keeper. A. Hailey Nim knew he.. was rising to the bait, probably just as Birdsong intended, ground-bait, ledger-bait, spoon-bait, etc smig bait etc. live bait see live adjective.

bait noun2 var. of bate noun '. bait /beit/ verb', me. [Old Norse beta hunt or chase with dogs or hawks (= Old English bitan. Old High German beizen. German beizen), causative of bita bite verb. Senses 6 &7 prob. from bait noun1.] 1 verb trans. Worry or torment (a chained or confined

animal) by setting dogs at it; attack with dogs for sport. me. , 2 verb trans. fig. Harass or persecute (a more or less help¬ less person) persistently; worry or torment; cause (a person) to be troubled or annoyed with something, me. : saw, A run, u put, u: too, a ago, at my, ao how, ei day,

■ baiter noun E17.

bait verb2 var. of bate verb1. baittle adjective see

battle

adjective.

baity adjective var. of batey. baiza /'bAiza:/ noun. PI. same, -s. 120. [Arab.] A monetary unit of Oman, equal to one thousandth of a rial. baize /beiz/ noun & verb. Li6. [French bates fem. pi., use as noun of bat reddish brown, bay noun7 (so named presumably from its original colour).] ► A noun. 1 A coarse usu. green woollen stuff with a long

nap, used for coverings and linings. Li 6. 2 A curtain or covering of baize. E19. Phrases: green baize: see green adjective.

► B verb trans. Cover or line with baize. M19. 5 The pi. form bates was early taken as a sing.; the form baize was not established before 19.

bajada /bo'hccda/ noun. Orig. US. Also

bah-.

M19.

[Spanish = descent, slope.]

A broad slope of alluvial material at the foot of an escarpment. Bajan /'beid3(s)n/ noun & adjective, colloq. M20.

2

[Repr. a pronunc. of Badian noun & adjective.] =

Barbadian.

Bajau /'bad3ao/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [Origin unkn.]

► A noun. 1 A member of a nomadic maritime people (for¬ merly notorious as pirates) found throughout the islands and coastal areas of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and eastern Indonesia to New Guinea and northern Australia (also called sea gypsy) Mi9. 2 The Austronesian language of this people. M19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Bajaus or their language. Li 9. bajra /'ba:d3ra:/ noun. Also -ri /-ri:/. E19. [Hindi bajra, Mjri.J

In the Indian subcontinent: pearl millet or a similar grain. baju /'ba;d3u:/ noun. E19. [Malay.]

A short loose jacket worn in Malaysia and Indonesia. bake/beik/ noun. Mi6. [from the verb.]

1 The act or process of baking; baked food. M16. 2 A biscuit, a small cake. Scot. E17. 3 A social gathering, esp, for eating baked food. US. M19. bake /berk/ verb. Pa. pple /'beik(o)n/.

baked,

(arch. & dial.) baken

[Old English bacan strong verb - Old High German badcon. Old Norse baka. from Germanic from Indo-European; rel. to Greek phogein roast, parch. The weak form baked appeared as a pa. t. before 15 and as a pa. pple by 16 (it is the only form in Shakes.).] ► I verb trans. 1 Cook by dry heat acting by conduction

and not by radiation, as in an oven or on a heated surface, oe. 2 Harden by heat. lme. |3 Form into a cake or mass. LME-L17. 4 Of the sun: ripen (fruit), tan (the skin). Li7. j no, e: hair, 13 near, 01 boy, 03 poor, mo tire, aoa sour

174

baked | balas £B 1 Smollett My bread is.. baked in my own oven. Dickens We have half a leg of mutton, baked, at a quarter before three. A. Thomas Bake the aubergines in an oiled dish for about 45 minutes. J. Bronowski The women.. bake bread—in the biblical manner, in unleavened cakes on hot stones, bake blind: see blind adverb. 2 F. Norris All Tulare County.. was bone-diy, parched, and baked and crisped after four months of cloudless weather. J. C. Rich The clay form that is to be baked hard must be adequately.. dried before it is placed in the kiln, traitsf: Shakes. Temp. Th' earth when it is bak’d with frost. 3 Donne The old dirt is still baked on my hands. 4 Dryden The Vine her liquid Harvest yields. Bak’d in the Sun-shine.

► II verb intrans. 5 Cook a batch of bread, cakes, etc. me. 6 Undergo cooldng by dry heat; be cooked, hardened, or tanned by heat; colloq. become uncomfortably hot. LME. ffl 5W. Faulkner Now that she had a stove to bake in. 6 J. R. Green The cakes which were baking on the hearth. OED These apples do not bake well. M. Sharp ’I'm going to bake' thought [ulia.. and indeed the plain.. shimmered under a heat mist. R. Carrier The warm and spicy smell of apple pie baking in the oven. Comb.: bakeapple Canad. the (dried) fruit of the cloudberry; bakehouse a house or room with an oven for baking bread; fbake-meat a pie, pastry; bakeware vessels, trays, etc., used in baking.

baked /beikt/adjective. Mi6. [from prec. + -ed1.]

Cooked by dry heat; hardened by heat; colloq. uncom¬ fortably hot. baked beans haricot beans baked, and usu. tinned in tomato sauce, fbaked-meat = bake-meat s.v. bake verb, baked potato a potato baked in its skin, half-baked see half-.

Bakelite /'beikalAit/ noun. Also b-. E20. [from Leo H. Baekeland (1863-1944). Belgian-born US chemist + -ITE'.]

(Proprietary name for) a characteristically dark brown thermosetting plastic made by copolymerization of a phenol with formaldehyde. baken verb see bake verb. baker/'beika/ noun. [Old English bxcere, formed as bake verb + -er'.]

A person who bakes; esp. one who bakes and sells bread. baker's bread bread baked professionally by a baker, baker's dozen thirteen (the 13th loaf representing the retailer’s profit). the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker: see butcher noun. • bakery noun

a baker’s work, baked items: a place where baked products are made or sold: M16.

Baker day 'beika dei/ noun phr. colloq. L20. [from Kenneth Baker, Brit. Education Secretary (1986-9), who introduced the practice.]

Any of several days in the normal school year statutor¬ ily set aside for in-service training for teachers. bakestone /'beikstaun/ noun. dial. Also back- /'bak-/. me. [from bake verb + stone noun.]

A flat stone or metal plate on which cakes are baked in the oven. Bakewell /’beikwel/ noun. M19. [A town in Derbyshire. N. England.] Bakewell pudding, Bakewell tart, a baked tart of pastry

lined with jam and filled usu. with an almond paste. baking /'beikig/noun. me. [from bake verb + -ing'.]

1 The action of bake verb; cooking by dry heat, esp. of bread, cakes, etc.; hardening by heat. me. 2 The product of baking; (a batch of) baked items, esp. bread, cakes, etc. lme. Comb.: baking-powder a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, cream oftartar, etc., used instead ofyeast to make cakes etc. rise; baking sheet a metal tray used for baking cakes etc.; baking soda: see soda 2c.

baking /'beikii]/ adjective, lis. [from bake verb + -ingL]

That bakes; colloq. extremely or uncomfortably hot. ■ bakingly adverb M19.

baklava biuklovn noun. M17. [Turkish.]

A dessert made of thin pieces of flaky pastry, honey, and nuts. baksheesh /bak'JLJ/ noun & verb. Also back-, mis. [Ult. from Persian baklis, from baksidan give.]

► A noun. In Eastern countries: a gratuity, a tip. mi 8. ► B verb trans. Give a gratuity to, tip. M19. bal /bal/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. E17. A mine in Cornwall. Balaam /’beibrn/ noun. M17. [The prophet in Numbers 22-4.]

1 A person who follows religion for profit. M17. 2 Superfluous or trivial material used to fill up a column, journalists' slang. E19. I few, g get,

Balaclava /bab'klccva/noun. L19. [A village near Sebastopol in the Crimea, site of a battle fought in 1854.]

In full Balaclava helmet. A woollen covering for the head and neck, worn orig. by soldiers on active service, balafon /'babfon/ noun. Also (earlier) balafo and other vars. ns. [French, from Manding bala xylophone +/o to play.]

A large xylophone with hollow gourds as resonators, used in the performance of West African music. balalaika /bab'Uika/ noun. lis. [Russian, of Tartar origin.]

A musical instrument of the guitar kind, with a triangu¬ lar body and from two to four strings, popular in Sla¬ vonic countries. balance/'bal(a)ns/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Proto-Romance from late Latin intone-, bilanx (in libra bilanx balance having two scales), from bi- bi- + tonx scale.]

► I A physical object. 1 An apparatus for weighing, consisting of a beam poised so as to move freely on a central pivot, with a scale pan at each end. me. kb Any apparatus used in weighing, esp. a spring or lever substitute for the above. E19. 2 (Usu. B-.) The constellation and zodiacal sign Libra; the Scales, lme. 13 Either scale of a balance; in pi. (occas. with sing, form) scales. LME-M17. 4 A counterpoise, rare in lit. sense. E17. 5 In full balance-wheel. A mechanical device which regulates the speed of a clock or watch. Mi7. ► II Gen. fig. senses. 6 The metaphorical balance of justice, reason, or opinion, by which actions and principles are weighed or estimated, me. ►tb Either scale of this. L16-M17. 7 The wavering of fortune or chance, by which issues hang in suspense, me. k|b Uncertainty. me-li7. 8 Power to decide or determine, lme. 9 A thing of equal importance; a counterbalancing consideration etc.; a set-off. E17. 10 Equilibrium; the even distribution of weight or amount (of things ponderable and imponderable). M17. 11 Stability due to equilibrium between the forces within a system; (ability to maintain) steadiness of pos¬ ition; transf. mental stability. M17. 12 General harmony between the parts of anything; esp. in art etc., harmony of proportion and design, mis. ►b spec, (The sound produced by) the adjustment of the relative positions, volume levels, etc., of sources of sound. E20. 13 The preponderating weight or amount. M18. G3 8G.B. Shaw The balance is held in my constituency by the tradesmen and shopkeepers. 9 J. R. Green If France had ceased to be a balance to Spain, she found a new balance in Flanders. 10 W. Derham Such alterations in the equipoise or ballance of the Atmosphere. D. H. Lawrence Life is so made that opposites sway about a trembling centre of balance. X. J. Kennedy Hovering scale-pans.. Settled their balance slow as silt. T. Benn The balance between freedom and security poses special difficulty in political democracies. 11 E. K. Kane If my mind had retained its balance. E. Albee Her balance is none too good, and she bumps into or brushes against the door chimes by the door. N. Gordimer He stands with his hands on his hips, for balance, looking down into the hole. 13 H. P. Brougham The balance of evidence appears in favour of the due execution.

► III The adjustment of accounts. 14 (The process of finding) the difference between credits and debits; a statement of the results. Li6. 15 The difference between the debit and credit sides of an account. E17. 16 An equality between the total of the two sides of an account (cf. sense 10 above). Mi7. 17 A sum remaining (either in hand or due) after the settlement or partial settlement of an account or accounts; colloq. the rest, the remainder. E18. £Q 14 L. P. Hartley This increase of personal worth, which the bank balance so eloquently conveyed. 15 A. Crump Such arrangements may continue for years without the balance ever being a credit-balance. 16 Gladstone While we exported £8,860,000, we imported £8,509,000. That is very nearly a balance. 17 S. Unwin I sent for water, and after he had had a drink, spilt the balance over his head. J. Clavell We still haven’t had a down payment, let alone the balance. see sense 17 above, balance of mind sanity, balance of nature a state of equilib rium in nature produced by the interaction of living organisms; ecological balance, balance of payments the difference of value between the payments into and out of a country, including invisible exports and imports, balance of power a state of international equilibrium with no nation predominant, balance of terror balance of power based on the possession of terrifying weapons, esp. nuclear weapons, balance of trade the Phrases: balance due, balance in hand:

[Cornish = tin-mine.]

b but, d dog,

Comb.: Balaam basket an editor's container for unwanted material. ■ Balaamite noun = Balaam 1 Mi6.

h he,

j yes,

k cat,

1 leg, n

man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

difference between a country’s exports and imports, be In the balance, hang In the balance be uncertain, keep one's balance not fall; maintain physical or mental stability, lose one's balance fall or stumble physically; become upset men¬ tally. off balance in danger of falling; confused; unprepared, on balance taking everything into consideration. Roman balance see Roman adjective, spiral balance: see spiral adjective', strike a balance determine the difference between two sides of an account {lit. & fig.); arrive at a medial position or course. Comb.: balance sheet a written statement of the assets and liabilities of an organization on a particular date; balance spring - hairspring s.v. hair noun: balance-wheel: see sense 5 above.

balance /'bal(a)ns/ verb.

Li6.

[Old & mod. French balancer, formed as prec.) ► I gen. 1 verb trans. Weigh in or with a balance, rare in lit.

sense. Li6. 2 verb trans. Weigh (two or more arguments, consider¬ ations, etc.) against each other; consider with a view to making a choice. 116. 3 verb trans. Equal in weight; neutralize the weight of; make up for. Li6. 4 verb trans. Counterbalance or match (one thing) by, with, or against another. Ei7. 5 verb trans. Weigh (a matter or problem); ponder. Mi7. 6 verb trans. Bring into or keep in equilibrium {lit. & fig.); keep steady or erect. Mi7. kb spec. Adjust (sources of sound) to the correct relative positions, volume levels, etc. E20. 7 verb intrans. Waver, deliberate, hesitate, arch. Mi7. 8 verb intrans. Keep steady or erect, esp. as a feat of acro¬ batics or dancing. Ei9. m 2 Yeats I balanced all, brought all to mind, The years to come seemed waste of breath. J. le Carre Do you think they sit like monks.. balancing the rights and wrongs? 3 R. Lynd The craving for getting things done is balanced ., by the craving for leaving things undone. A. J. P. Taylor They were reinforced by Irish immigrants and made a number of intel¬ lectual converts, roughly balancing the old Catholics who lapsed. 4 j. Ruskin A mass of subdued colour may be bal¬ anced by a point of a powerful one. T. Hardy And don't you know that a woman who loves at all thinks nothing of perjury when it is balanced against her love? 5 Tennyson She balanced this a little. And told me she would answer us to-day. 6 Dickens Strong men.. balancing chests of drawers .. upon their heads. G. Murray The future seemed about equally balanced between good and evil. Scott Fitzgerald He was balancing himself on the dashboard of his car. F. Chichester 1 trimmed the tail as delicately as 1 could to balance the plane, but she would not stabilize. S. Hill Dorothea stood alone,.. balancing the two pots in her hand. 7 C. Merivale The same disposition to balance and tempor¬ ize. 8 Joseph Strutt Tumbling and balancing.. exhibited

by the gleemen. fig.: Times Lit Suppl. The East-West balancing act of Rapallo.

► II spec. Of an account {lit. &fig.). 9 verb trans. Add up and compare the debit and credit sides of (an account or set of accounts). Li6. 10 verb trans. Make entries in (an account or set of accounts) that will make the two sides equal; of an entry: make the two sides of (an account) equal. Ei7. 11 verb trans. Settle (an account) by paying the amount due. mis. 12 verb intrans. Of an account: have its two sides equal. LI 9.

■ balanceable adjective M17. balanced adjective poised, in equi¬ librium; well arranged or disposed; with no constituent lacking or in excess: Li6. balancer noun (a) a person who balances, esp. an acrobat; (b) a thing which balances; spec. = haltere 2: lme.

balance /balase/ noun. PL pronounced same. lis. [French = balanced (sc. pas step).] dancing.

A swaying step from one foot to the other,

balancing /'bal(o)nsii)/ verbal noun.

L16.

[from balance verb + -ing1.] The action of balance verb; an instance of this. Comb.: balancing act an (acrobatic) act involving feats of balance; fig. a maintaining of equilibrium or harmony in difficult circumstances.

balanitis/bab'nAitis/noun.

Mi9.

[from Greek balanos acorn, glans penis + -ms.] medicine

&

veterinary medicine.

Inflammation of the glans

penis. balanoid /'babnoid/ adjective & noun.

M19.

[from mod. Latin Balanus genus name from Latin balanus from Greek batonos acorn, + -oid.]

zoology. (Of, pertaining to, or being) an acorn barnacle (see acorn). balao /ba'lao/ noun. Also ballahoo /bab'hu:/. Mi9. [Spanish balajii.]

The half-beak. balas /'balas/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French balais from medieval Latin balascus, -aus from Arab, balaks, from Persian Badaks(an), a district in Afghanistan, where it is found.]

A delicate rose-red variety of the spinel ruby. Now usu. more fully balas-ruby J she.

3 vision,

0

thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

ds jar

balata | ball

175

balata /'batata, tbarratta E17.

bs'lcuts/ noun. Also ball-,

(earlier)

[Carib balata.]

(The wood of) any of a number of tropical American trees of the sapodilla family, spec. Manilkara bidentata. Also, the dried latex of this tree, used as a substitute for gutta-percha.

baldicoot noun see s.v.

bald

adjective.

baldmoney /‘boddniAni/ noun.

lme.

[Origin unkn.] 1 Gentian, obsolete exc. Scot. lme.

In isolated use before 19.

balboa /bal'baua/ noun. E20. [from Vasco Nunez de Balboa (c 1475-1519). Spanish explorer and discoverer of the Pacific Ocean.)

The basic monetary unit of Panama, equal to tesimos.

3 transf. A senseless jumble of words; nonsense, trash (spoken or written). L17. ►t B verb trans. Make a jumbled mixture of (liquors); adul¬ terate With. L17-E19.

100

cen-

Balbriggan /bal'brig(a)n/ noun & adjective. Li9. [A town near Dublin in Ireland, where orig. made.]

(Of) a knitted cotton fabric used esp. for underwear. balcony/'balkani/ noun. E17. [Italian balcone (whence also French balcon. Spanish balcon), prob. from Germanic base repr. by baulk noun with augm. suffix: see -OON.]

1 A railed or balustraded platform projecting from the wall of a building, with access from an upper-floor window. ei 7. 2 In a theatre: formerly, a stage-box; now usu. a tier of seats above the dress circle; the gallery; N. Arner. the dress circle. In a cinema etc.: an upper tier of seats, eis. Until E19 usually with pronunc. /bal kauni/, but /'balkani/ occurs in Swift (eis). ■ balconied adjective having a balcony mis. bal costume /bal kostyme/ noun phr. PI. bals costumes

(pronounced same). Ei9.

2

= SPIGNEL. L16.

baldric/'boddrik/ noun.

me.

[Cf. Middle High German balderich, of uncertain origin (doubtfully referred to Latin balteirs belt); occas. early forms from Old French baudre.] 1 Hist. A belt or girdle, usu. richly ornamented, hung

from the shoulder across the body to the opposite hip, and used to support a sword, bugle, etc. me. 12 A leather strap etc. by which the clapper of a church bell was suspended. LME-L19. |3 A necklace. MI6-M19. £Q 1 fig.: Spenser Those twelve signes which nightly we do see The heavens bright-shining baudricke to enchace.

bale /bed/ noun', arch. & poet. [Old English balu (bealu) = Old Frisian, Old Saxon balu, Old High German balo. Old Norse bpl. from Germanic.]

1 Evil, esp. as an active and destructive force; a malign influence; woe, harm, injury. In early use ffeq. spec. death, oe. 2 Evil as something suffered; physical torment, pain, misery, me. 3 Mental suffering; misery, sorrow, grief, me. Marked obsolete in Diets, from E17; after that rare until 19. ■ baleless /-l-l-/ adjective (longarch.) harmless, innocent oe. 5

[French.]

A fancy-dress ball, bald /bold/ adjective, me. [Prob. from a base meaning orig. 'white patch' + -ed2. In branch I perh. from ball noun'.]

►til Round, ball-shaped; rotund, corpulent. Only in ME. ► II2 Lacking hair on part or all of the scalp, me. 3 Lacking hair on other parts of the body. Of an animal etc.: hairless, featherless. me. 4 fig. Devoid of force; meagre, dull, basic, unadorned; (of bad qualities) undisguised, lme. 5 Of things: without the usual or natural covering; treeless; leafless; napless; worn bare; (of a tyre, colloq.) having lost its tread by wear. E17. 03 2 J. D. Salinger He was one of those bald guys that comb all their hair over from the side to cover up the bald¬ ness. G. Vidal Completely bald, his neat round head shone pinkly under the indirect lights. L. Deighton The crown of his head was bald, but a natural wave gave him curls across the ears and over his collar. 4 Boswell Tom Davies repeated, in a very bald manner, the story of Dr. Johnson's first repartee to me. H. T. Cockburn In towns the great modern object has.. been to reduce everything to the dullest and baldest uniformity. J. R. Lowell A bald egotism which is quite above and beyond selfishness. L. M. Montgomery Just stick to bald facts. Begin at the begin¬ ning. 5 Shakes. AY.L Under an oak, whose boughs were moss'd with age. And high top bald with diy antiquity. E. Bowen A bald patch in the carpet under her desk. L. Simpson My right front tyre is as bald as Odysseus. P. Theroux The bald hills, stripped of all foliage, were rounded on their slopes.

► III 6 Streaked or marked with white (cf. Welsh cejjyl bal a horse with a white streak or mark on its face), lme. as bald as a coot completely bald. Comb. & special collocations: bald coot, baldicoot a coot (because of its white plate on the forehead); fig. a bald-headed person , bald cypress: see cypress noun lb; bald eagle a white-headed, white¬ tailed. fish-eating eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, the national emblem of the US; baldhead (a) a person who has a bald head; (b) = baldpate below; (c) (orig. & chiefly W. Indies) a person without dreadlocks, a non-Rastafarian: bald-headed adjective = sense 2 above; go bald-headed (colloq.), proceed (at. for. into) regardless of the consequences; bald ibis either of two ibises of the genus Geronticus, which have bare heads (cf. waldrapp|; baldpate a white-crowned American wigeon. Anas americana. ■ balding adjective going bald M20. baldish adjective Eis. baldly adverb in a bald, basic, or dull manner; meagrely; undisguisedly: E17. baldness noun lme. baldy noun & adjective (colloq.) (a) noun a bald person; a bald head; (b) adjective (somewhat) bald: M19. Phrases:

1

baldachin /'baldakin, 'bo:ld-/ noun. Also -quin. L16. [Italian baldacchino, from (with suffix -ino -ine1) Baldacco Italian form of Baghdad, its place of origin. Cf. baudekin.]

1 A rich embroidered material, orig. woven with woof of silk and warp of gold thread; rich brocade. Li6. 2 (Now the usual sense.) A canopy (orig. made of the material in sense 1), supported on columns or fixed to a roof or wall, and placed over an altar, throne, or doorway, mi7. ■ baldachined adjective covered with a baldachin E20.

balderdash /'boddadaj/ noun & verb. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

► A noun. |1 Frothy liquid, rare. Only in L16. f2 A jumbled mixture of liquors, e.g. of milk and beer, beer and wine, etc. Only in 17. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, 0 hot. a

bale /beiV noun2, arch. [Old English bit = Old Norse bal great fire, cogn. with Sanskrit bhala lustre, Greek phedos shining, bright. In Middle English and mod. English from Old Norse bal. Much confused with bale noun1, esp. in balefire below).] 11 gen. A great consuming fire, a conflagration. 0E-E19. 2 spec, a A funeral pile or pyre. oe. kb A signal- or

beacon-fire. Scot.

lme.

Comb.: balefire a great open-air fire, esp. a funeral pyre; a beacon-fire.

bale /beil/ noun3 & verb1,

me.

[Prob. from Middle Dutch bale (Dutch boal) from Old French bale (later and mod. balk): ult. identical with ball noun1.] ► A noun. 1 A package of merchandise, orig. round in

shape, now usu. compressed, wrapped in canvas etc., and tightly corded or hooped; the quantity in a bale, used varyingly as a measure, me. f2 A set of dice. Li 5-El 9. Comb.: bale-goods merchandise in bales. ► B verb trans. Make up into a bale or bales, mi8. ■ baler noun L19.

bale verb2 see

bail

verb3.

Balearic /bali'ank/ adjective. Mi7. [Latin Balearicus, from Balearis adjective (Baleares insulae the islands listed below): see -ic.J

Designating, of, or pertaining to a group of islands off the east coast of Spain, comprising Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, and seven smaller islands. ■ Balearian adjective & noun (rare) (a) adjective = Balearic; (b) noun a native or inhabitant of the Balearic Islands: E17.

balection adjective & noun var. of bolection. baleen /ba'li:n/ noun.

me.

[Old & mod. French baleine whale, from Latin balaena.]

|1 A whale. ME-E17. 2 Whalebone, me. 13 Some kind of fish,

perhaps sea bream. me-li6.

Comb.: baleen whale any whale of the suborder Mysticeti, members of which yield whalebone.

baleful /'beilfol,

-f(a)l/

adjective, oe.

[from bale noun' + -ful.]

1 Pernicious, destructive, malignant (physically or morally), oe. 2 Miserable; distressed, sorrowful, arch. me. ■ hatefully adverb lme balefulness noun L16

baleout noun see

bailout.

tbalester noun var. of balister. balibuntal

/bali'bAnt(a)l/ noun. E20. [from Baliuag in the Philippines, where it originated + suntal.]

A fine close-woven straw, used for hats, Balinese

badi'm:/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [from Bali (see below) + -ESE, after Dutch Balinees.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the island of Bali in Indo¬

nesia. E19. ► B noun. PI. same. A native or inhabitant of Bali; the Indonesian language of Bali. Ei9. balinger

'balmd^a/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. I Anglo-Norman balyngere - medieval Latin balingaria. -gera whale boat, -artus a kind of warship, MFr. (north.) balenghier(e). balengier. Old & mod. French bdleinier whaler, formed as baleen.]

: saw. a run. o put. u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how. ei day.

A small seagoing sailing vessel without a forecastle, used mainly for coastal trade. t balister noun. Also -est-. me-eis. [Old French bakstre = medieval Latin balistarlus, -est-, from Latin ballista: see -er2.]

A crossbowman; = arbalester. balk noun, verb var. of baulk noun, verb. Balkan /‘bDlkan, 'bo:l-/ adjective & noun. Mi9. [Turkish balkart chain of wooded mountains, name of a chain in Bulgaria: assim. to words in -an.] ► A adjective. Designating, of, or pertaining to a mountain

chain in Bulgaria, and (by extension) the peninsula bounded by the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas, or the countries or peoples of this region, mi 9. ► B noun. In pi. The Balkan mountains (formerly also sing.): the Balkan countries, mi9. ■ Balkani zation noun the action of Balkanizing an area E20. Balkanize verb trans. divide (an area) into smaller mutually hostile States E20.

ball /ho:l/noun',

me,

[Old Norse ball-, bpllr (Old Swedish bailer, Swedish ball) from Ger¬ manic.]

1 A globular body. me. kb spec. A planetary or celestial body. Now always with specifying word. me. 2 A spheroid used in games or play, varying greatly in size, material, and degree of hardness, and inflated or solid, according to the purpose for which it is intended. me. kb A game played with a ball. me. kc A single throw, kick, or other kind of delivery of a ball in the course of a game (ffeq. with specifying word indicating the nature or quality of the movement); baseball (esp.) a single delivery of the ball by a pitcher outside specified limits and not struck at by the batter, li 5. 3 A globular or rounded mass of any substance, me. kb spec. A large pill or capsule of medicine. Now only in VETERINARY MEDICINE. LME. 4 In pi. The testicles; fig. (treated as sing.) nonsense, a muddle, an unsuccessful attempt. Now coarse slang, me. kb Manliness, power, strength; courage, nerve, slang. M20. 5 Any rounded protuberant part of the body, esp. that at the base of the thumb or the big toe. me. |6 An orb as a symbol of sovereignty, lme-eis. 7 A solid non-explosive missile (orig. always spherical) fired from a cannon, rifle, pistol, etc. (In small arms now usu. called bullet.) lme. 8 The eye within the lids and socket (formerly, the pupil). LME. 9 A small wooden or ivory sphere used in voting (cf. ballot noun). L16.

10 A leather-covered pad used by printers for inking type, obsolete exc. Hist. Li 6. 111 A rounded package. Cf. bale noun3. L16-L18. £Q 1 M. W. Montagu The.. tents.. are adorned on the top with guilded balls. R. E. Vernede The sun's a red ball in the oak. R. Campbell A kind of sweet known as Moor Balls, fla¬ voured with anis. D. Attenborough All the flagella around the sphere beat in an organised way and drive the tiny ball in a particular direction, ball and chain, chain and ball a heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner or convict to prevent escape; fig. a severe hindrance, esp. (colloq.. derog. &joc.) one's wife, claw-and-ball see claw noun1, red ball see red adjective, three balls a pawnbroker's sign, b Addison What, though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball 2 billiard-ball, cricket ball rugby ball, tennis boll, etc.; (also sense 2b) baseball, basketball, football, handball. netball, volleyball, etc. Have one's eye on the ball fig. be paying attention, be alert, have the ball at one's feet fig. be able to take advantage of opportunity, be in a controlling position, keep one’s eye on the ball fig. remain alert, keep the ball rolling fig. play one s part in a conversation, an undertaking, etc. on the ball in contact with or playing the ball in football, hockey, etc.; fig. (colloq.) competent, sharp, alert, run with the ball fig. take and maintain control, keep the initiative, see off the new ball: see SEE verb, spot-ball: see spot noun 6b. start the ball rolling fig. initiate a conversation, an undertaking, etc. the ball is in your court: see court noun1, trap and ball see trap noun1, b play ball (with) fig (col/og) act fairly, cooperate, (with), c S. Raven Nigel had sent him down some five or six balls, all of which he played correctly and neatly. C. Potok He ignored it completely, and the umpire called it a ball. base on balls: see base noun1, no-ball: see NO adjective, short ball: see short adjective, sinker-ball: see sinker noun' 7. 3 AV Sus. 1:17 Bring me oil & washinge balls. F. Marryat You had a ball of twine) ball of fire (o) slang a glass of brandy; (b) a person of great energy or spirit, snowball noun. 4 B. Marshall What do you mean by talking all that unpatri¬ otic balls? S. Beckett I've made a balls of the fly. balls-up. b M. Puzo What gives you the balls to think I'd leave my wife for you? 5 J. Steinbeck One foot was to the ground. the other rested on the ball. 6 Shakes. Hen. VThe balm, the sceptre, and the ball. The sword, the mace, the crown imper¬ ial. 7 J. C. Oates A thirty-two-pound ball was fired by the British. F. Smyth The leaden ball extracted from the dead man by a surgeon, collect.: Ld Macaulay A body of troops was ordered to load with ball. 8 Sir W. Scott Raising his sightless balls to heaven, eyeball. 9 black ball blackball see black adjective. ao no. e: hair, is near, ai boy, oa poor. Aia tire, aoa sour

176

ball j balloon Comb.: ball-and-socket joint a form of joint having a rounded end in a concave cup or socket, allowing great freedom of move¬ ment; ball-bearing a bearing in which friction is reduced by the use of small balls; a ball for this purpose; ballboy one who retrieves balls for the players in lawn tennis: ball-breaker, ballbuster coarse slang a sexually demanding woman, a woman who destroys men's self-confidence; ball clay a very adhesive clay. esp. a fine-textured clay used in the manufacture of earthenware; ballcock an automatic device with a floating ball, to control the level of water in a cistern; ball-court an area (such as a paved yard) for the playing of ball games; ball flower architecture an ornament resembling a ball within the petals of a flower; ball game a game played with a ball; spec. (N. Amer.) a game of baseball; colloq. a particular affair or concern (esp. in whole new ball game & vars.); ball hawk N. Amer. slang o skilled ball player; a footballer etc. who is quick to get possession of the ball; baseball a defensive outfielder skilled in catching fly balls; ball-hawk verb intrans. (N. Amer. slang) be quick to get possession of the ball in a game of foot¬ ball etc.; ball joint = ball-and-socket joint above; ball lightning a rare globular form of lightning; ballpark N. Amer. a baseball ground; colloq. an area, a region, (lit & fig.), esp. in in the right ballpark, close to one’s objective, approximately correct; ballpark figure, a rough estimate; ball-peen, -pein adjective (of a hammer) having a ball-shaped peen; ball-point (pen) a pen having a tiny ball as its writing point; ball-proof adjective able to withstand the impact of a cannon etc. ball; balls-aching adjective (coarse slang) annoying, boring; ball-tampering cricket illegal alteration of the surface or seam of a ball on the field, to affect its motion when bowled. ■ ball-like adjective resembling (that of) a ball, globular L19.

ball /bo:l/ noun2. Ei7. [Old & mod. French bal dance, from fbal(l)er to dance from late Latin ballare rel. to Creek balifiti to throw (cf. Creek ballizein to dance).]

1 A formal social assembly for dancing, usu. with an organized programme and accompanied by special entertainment. Ei7. 2 A wildly enjoyable time. Esp. in have a ball, have oneself a ball, colloq. M20. 1 hunt boll see hunt noun2, masked ball open the ball fig. begin operations. Comb.: ball gown a gown suitable for wearing at a ball; ballroom a large room in which balls are held; ballroom dancing, dancing of a type usual at balls (by couples, dances including the foxtrot, waltz, tango, and rumba, old-time dances, and sometimes folk-dances).

composition of two or more verses each sung to the same melody. Li 5. kb A popular song, esp. one attacking persons or institutions, obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6. >c A popular narrative song in slow tempo. E20. 12 A proverbial saying, usu. in the form of a couplet. E16-E17. 3 A lively poem in short stanzas, in which a popular narrative is graphically told (orig. sung), mis. ballad-monger a person who deals in ballads (used contempt., orig. by Shakes.), ► B verb. 1 verb Intrans. Compose or sing a ballad or ballads (about, tagainst). Now rare. Li6. 12 verb trans. Compose or sing a ballad about. E17-E18. Comb.:

till 1 R. Graves The best of all years to ballad about. 2 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. Scald rhymers [will] Ballad us out o' tune. ■ balla deer noun a person who sings or composes ballads Mi9. hallader noun a writer of ballads Lie. ba'lladic adjective pertain¬ ing to or of the nature of ballads M19 balladize verb intrans. & trans. compose a ballad or ballads (about) Li6. balladry noun com¬ position in ballad style Li6. noun & verb. lme. [formed as prec., with differentiation of application.] ► A noun. 1 A poem (orig. for singing with accompani¬ ballade /baicud/

ment) of one or more triplets of stanzas having 7,8, or 10 lines, each usu. ending with the same refrain line, and an envoy; more gen., a poem divided into stanzas of equal length, usu. of 7 or 8 lines. Also collect., poetry of this form. lme. 2 music. An extended, usu. dramatic, piece usu. for the piano, mi9. 1 ballade royal - rhyme royal s.v. rhyme noun. ►t B verb intrans. Compose ballades. Only in lme. ballahoo

noun var. of balao.

ballahou/bab'hu:/noun. M19. [Spanish balahu schooner.] nautical A type of fast two-masted schooner. Also, an ungainly vessel. Cf. ballyhoo noun'.

ballan/'babn/noun. mis. [Irish ball an. from ball spot.] In full ballon wrasse. A wrasse, Labrus bergylta, usu.

green or greenish-brown.

ball /bo:l/ noun3. Chiefly Anglo-Irish. E20. A glass o/(an alcoholic drink).

[Prob. from Low German or Scandinavian, in Old Swedish and Old Danish ballast, barlast (taken to be from bar bare or barm hull (of a ship) + last burden).] ► A noun. 1 A heavy substance, such as gravel, sand, iron,

[from ball noun1.] 1 verb truns. Round or swell out. rare. Li 6. 2 verb trans. Make into a ball; wind (thread) off into a ball; clench or screw up (the fist) tightly; roll up into a ball-like mass. Mi7. 3 verb intrans. Gather into a ball. E18. 4 verb intrans. Become clogged or blocked, esp. with snow. Also foil, by up; fig. make a mess of something, fail, M18. 5 verb trans. Clog, block. Also foil, by up. M19. kb Bring

or lead, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability. Mi6. kb A substance, usu. sand or water, carried in an airship or balloon-car to stabilize it, and jettisoned for higher flight. Lis. 2 fig. That which gives stability in morals or politics; experience or principles regarded as reinforcing charac¬ ter. El 7. 3 Gravel or coarse stone used to form the bed of a railway track or the substratum of a road, mi 9. 4 A passive component used in an electric circuit in order to moderate changes of current. Freq. attrib. E20.

into a state of confusion or difficulty; make a mess of. Usu. foil, by up. slang. Li9. 6 verb trans. & intrans. Of a man (verb intrans. also of a woman): have sexual intercourse (with). (V. Amer. slang.

1 in ballast (of a ship) laden with ballast only. 21. Walton Having to his great Wit added the ballast of Learning. H. T. Cocilburn Delay is often the ballast of sound legislation.

M20. D3 2 E. K. Kane Brooks balls off twine. P. Gallico Small hands balled into possessive fists. E. Crispin This handker¬ chief, balled up in Mavis's hand. 3 Southey In clogs.. snow balls under the wooden sole. 5 A. Bronte The snow .. clogged the wheels and balled the horses’ feet. J. Herriot Not merely a few of the hair-like worms irritating the tubes, but great seething masses of them crawling everywhere, balling up and blocking the vital air passages, b N. Coward You can't even do a straight walk off without balling it up. 6 G. Vidal You can tell the world all about those chicks that you ball. ■ bailer noun (chiefly tedin.) a person who or a machine which makes balls Ei9. balling verbal noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) the administration of medicine to an animal in the form of a capsule (usu. attrib. as balling-gun etc., an instrument for this purpose): El 8.

ball /bo:l/ verb2. Mi7.

steady with ballast, mi6. 2 Load with cargo; fig. burden or weigh down, steady. Now only arch, in fig. sense. M16. 3 Form (the bed of a railway line etc.) with ballast. M19. noun

(a) the action of the verb; (b) ballast: Mi6.

ballata/ba'la:ta, bo'lcuta/ noun1.

PI.

ballabile /baiaibile/ noun. PI, -li/-li/. Mi9. [Italian, from ballare to dance.] A dance by the corps de ballet or by the chorus in an

opera; a piece of music for this; any piece of instrumen¬ tal music suggestive of a dance. ballad /‘babd/ noun & verb. L15. [Old & mod. French ballade from Provencal balada dance, song or poem to dance to. from balar to dance: cf. ball noun2.] ► A noun. 1 A light, simple song; spec. t(a) a song intended

to accompany a dance; (b) a sentimental or romantic k cat, 1 leg, m

ballistic /ba'Iistik/ adjective. L18. [from prec. + -ic.] Of or pertaining to projectiles or their flight; moving under the action of no force except gravity, ballistic galvanometer: with little or no damping, used to measure transient currents ballistic missile, ballistic rocket moving under gravity only, after an initial period of powered, guided flight, go ballistic colloq. fly into a rage. ■ ballistically adverb in a ballistic manner; as regards ballis¬ tics; L19. ballistician /bali’stifOJn/ noun an expert in ballistics E20. ballistics/ba'listiks/noun. Mi8. [formed as prec. + -ics.] The science of the motion of projectiles; esp. that part of the subject connected with firearms, exterior ballistics, interior ballistics: dealing respectively with motion after and during the period when a projectile is subject to propulsive force or guidance, terminal ballistics: see terminal

adjective.

ballistocardiograph /bs.lista'kaidiagrcuf/ noun. M20. [from ballistic adjective + -o- + cardiograph.] An instrument for recording the movements of the body caused by ejection of blood from the heart at each beat. ■ ballistocardiogram noun the record made by a ballistocardiograph M20. ballistocardio graphic adjective M20. ballistocardi ography noun M20 ballium /'baliam/ noun. Li8. [medieval Latin formed as bail noun2.] = BAILEY 1.

[Old English bealluc dim. of Germanic base of ball noun1.] 1 A testicle. Usu. in pi. oe. 2 fig. In pi. (treated as sing.) Nonsense; a mess, a muddle. Also as interjection. M20. ballock /'bobk/ verb trans. coarse slang. Also bollock. M20. [from the noun.) Reprimand severely. Freq. as bollocking verbal noun. ballon balo/ noun. PI. pronounced same, mi9. [French: see balloon.] 1 Elasticity and buoyancy in dancing; smooth passage from step to step. M19. 2 = balloon noun 3b. M20. See also ballon-soNDE. ballon d’essai /bab dess/ noun phr. PI. ballons d'essai (pronounced same). L19. [French - trial balloon.] An experiment to see how a new policy or project will be received; a tentative proposal. ballonet /'babnet/ noun. Also -nn-. E20. [French ballonnet dim. of ballon balloon noun: see -et1.] A compartment in a balloon or airship into which air or another gas can be forced in order to maintain the craft’s shape as buoyant gas is released. bailorme /babne/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li8. [French, pa. pple of ballonner swell or puff out, distend.] A bouncing step in dancing. ballonnet noun var. of ballonet.

-te /-te, -ti/. mis.

[Italian from Provencal balada: see ballad.]

An Italian ballad; an old Italian verse-form in which the refrain occurs at the beginning and the end of each stanza.

ballons d’essai noun phr. pi. of ballon d’essai. balloon /ba'licn/ noun& verb. L16. [French ballon or Italian baMone augm.

of

balla

ball

nounl: see

-OON.]

ballata

noun2 var. of balata.

ballate noun pi. of ballata noun1.

[from ball noun-.] 1 verb intrans. Attend a ball or balls. M17. 2 verb trans. Entertain at a ball. M19. 3 verb intrans. Enjoy oneself greatly, have a wildly enjoy¬ able time. N.Amer. slang. M20.

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes,

Comb.: ballast-tank: that can be flooded with water to allow a submarine to dive. ► B verb trans. 1 Provide (a ship etc.) with ballast; fill or

a ballasting

ballista /ba'lista/ noun. PI. -stae /-sti:/, -stas. Ei6. [Latin, ult. from Creek ballein to throw.] A military engine used in antiquity for hurling stones and other missiles.

noun.

ballast

ball /bo:l/ verb1. L16.

balllst /'balist/ noun. rare. lme. [formed as next.] = next.

ballock /'bobk/ noun. Now coarse slang. See also bollock

"babst/ noun& verb. Mi6.

[Origin unkn.] 03 S. O'Casey There’s nothin’ like a ball o’ malt occasional like.

■ balletic /ba’letik/ adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic ofballet M20. balletically adverb M20. balletomane/’balitamein/ noun an enthusiast for ballet M20. balletomania /.balito'memia/ noun enthusiasm for ballet M20.

noun. Pi. -nas, t-ne. ns. [Italian, fern, of ballerino dancing-master, from ballare to dancesee ball noun2.]

ballerina /bata'rkns/

A female ballet-dancer, esp. one who undertakes a leading role in classical ballet. PRIMA BALLERINA.

/' balei, -li/ noun. Mi7. [French from Italian bulletin dim. of hallo ball noun2.]

ballet

1 (A theatrical performance of) dancing and mime to music: a company performing this. M17. 12 gen. A dance. L18-E19. 1 ballet d’action /bale daksjo/. pi ballets d’action (pronounced same), [French = of action] a dramatic ballet, a ballet with a plot. corps de ballet, maitre de ballet see maTtre ta. Russian ballet symphonic ballet: see symphonic 3. Comb.: ballet-master a trainer of ballet dancers. man.

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top. v van,

w we.

z zoo.

► Anoun.fi (A game played with) a large inflated leather ball, struck to and fro with the arm protected by a bracer Of wood. L16-E19. 12 A pasteboard ball filled with combustible matter, projected into the air as a firework. M17-M19. 3 A spherical glass with a narrow neck or mouth; spec.: ► ta chemistry. A receiving-vessel of this shape. L17-M19. ►b A brandy goblet of this shape. M20. 4 A usu. round or pear-shaped airtight envelope designed to rise into the air when inflated with hot air or another gas that is lighter than air; esp. one carrying a basket or car for passengers, lis. kb A small rubber pouch with a neck, which is inflated with air for use esp. as a child’s toy. mi9. 5 A round or pear-shaped outline containing words, esp. those in a cartoon or comic strip representing a person's words or thoughts and shown as issuing from the mouth or head. M19. f she.

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj

chip, d3 jar

177

ballot | balsam

6 fig. A high hit or kick given to a ball, colloq. E20.

ballsy /'borizi/ adjective, slang. M20.

bally /'bali/ adjective & adverb, slang. Li9. [Alt. of bloody adjective & adverb, perh. from the written form W—y.] = bloody adjective & adverb as a vague intensive; confounded(ly); unpleasant(ly); very.

ballyhoo /bali'hu:/ noun1. Mi9. [Perh. formed as ballahou.] nautical More fully ballyhoo of blazes. A vessel that one dislikes.

ballyhoo /bali'hu:/ noun2 & verb. Orig. US. Li9. [Origin unkn.] ► A noun. A showman’s touting speech; bombastic non¬ sense; extravagant or brash publicity; noisy fuss. Li 9. ► B verb trans. Cajole by ballyhoo; praise or advertise extravagantly. E20.

ballyrag /'balirag/ verb. dial. & slang. Also bully- /'bull-/. InfL. -gg-. Li8. [Origin unkn.] 1 verb trans. Overawe; intimidate; maltreat by jeering at or playing practical jokes on. Li8. 2 verb intrans. Jeer; indulge in horseplay or practical jokes. Ei 9.

result of a hard landing. E20. CO 31. Murdoch His shirt ballooned out over his trousers. S. Brett His face .., ballooned out with indignation. T. Keneally The doctor was forced to work with a ballooning face, now half again its normal size, fig.: Poetry Nation Review What started with a perfectly defensible basis has ballooned out of all proportion.

balm

4 Aromatic ointment used for soothing pain or healing wounds; fig. a healing or soothing influence, consolation. LME. 5 A tree yielding a fragrant and medicinal exudation; esp. an Asian and N. African tree of the genus Commiphora (family Burseraceae). lme. 6 Any of various fragrant herbs; spec (more fully lemon balm) a labiate herb, Melissa officinalis, with lemonscented leaves, lme.

[Italian ballotta dim. of balla ball noun1.]

1 A small ball used for secret voting; a ticket, paper, etc., soused. M16. 2 The system of or an instance of secret voting, orig. by means of small balls placed in an urn or box; the number of votes thus recorded, mi 6. 3 Lot-drawing, orig. by taking out small balls etc. from a box. Li7.

£Q 3 Shakes. Rich, n Not all the water in the rough rude sea Can wash the balm from an anointed king. ]. Thomson When nought but balm is breathing thro' the woods. 4 Milton As Balm to fester'd wounds. D. Welch The stillness in the room was balm. A. Storr No amount of recognition could have brought balm to that tortured soul.

HI 2 G. M. Trevelyan Protected by the ballot, the agricul¬ tural labourer could vote as he wished, regardless of farmer and landlord. B. Castle In the ballot the railwaymen voted six to one to escalate the dispute into a national strike. second ballot see second adjective, short ballot see short adjective.

Phrases etc.: balm in Gilead |Jer. 8:22] comfort in distress, succour, balm of Gilead [balm in Coverdale Genesis 37:25, earlier rendered resin] (a) (a fragrant medicinal gum from) any of various trees, spec, of the genus Commiphora: (b) a balsam poplar, Populus candicarts; (c) balm of Gilead fir = balsam fir s.v. balsam noun. bastard balm a labiate herb of European woodland, Melittis melissophyllum. with leaves smelling of new-mown hay. Molucca balm Comb.: balm-apple = balsam apple s.v. balsam noun.

Comb.: ballot-box a box used to contain ballot-papers etc., esp. to preserve secrecy; fig. election by ballot; ballot-paper the voting-paper used in a ballot.

ballot /'balat/ verb. Mi6. [Italian ballottare, formed as prec.]

► If! verb trans. Vote by ballot on (a proposal, candidate, etc.). M16-L17. 2 verb intrans. Give a (usu. secret) vote (for, against), mi6. 3 verb trans. Take a ballot of (a body of voters). Li9. ► II4 verb intrans. Draw lots (for). E17. 5 verb trans. Select (esp. conscripts) by the drawing of lots. LI 8.

balm noun2 var.

of barm

[from French ballot small package of merchandise, rel. to prec.]

A lidless box with a transparent cellophane cover, in which chocolates and other items are sold.

balm verb2 var.

of barm verb.

balmacaan /balma’ka:n/ noun. E20.

ballotine /'babti:n/ noun. M19.

[from the name of Balmacaan, an estate near Inverness in Scot¬ land.] A loose-fitting overcoat with a small, rounded collar, typically having raglan sleeves.

[French, ult. from balk a package of goods.]

A piece of roasted meat which has been boned and stuffed before being folded or rolled into an egg-like shape; a dish of this.

bal masque bal maske noun phr. PI. bals masques (pro¬ nounced same). M18. [French.] A masked ball.

ballotini /bate'timi/ noun pi. M20. [Italian ballottini, pi. of ballottino, dim. of baliotta small ball.]

Small particles or beads of glass, used for a variety of industrial and scientific applications.

balm-cricket 'ba:mkrikit/ noun. Also fbaum-. Mi7. [Partial translation of German Baumgrille lit. 'tree cricket', alt. after balm noun'.] A cicada.

ballottement/ba'lDtm(a)nt/ noun. Mi9. [French.] medicine. Palpation of a fluid-filled part of the body to detect a floating object, spec, of the uterus to discover the presence or position of the foetus.

Balmer/'bcrmo/ noun. L19. [J.). Balmer (1825-98), Swiss physicist.) physics. Used attrib. & (now rare) in possess, to designate (the mathematical formula describing) a series of lines in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum of atomic hydrogen, between 656 and 365 nanometres.

tballow noun. dial. rare. Ei7-Li9. [Origin unkn.]

A cudgel; a truncheon. Cfl Shakes. Lear Whether your costard or my ballow be the harder.

balmoral /bal'morto)!/ noun. Also B-. M19. [from Balmoral Castle, a royal residence in NE Scotland.] 1 In full Balmoral boot A stout front-lacing ankle boot.

balls /bo:lz/ verb trans. slang. M20.

M19. 2 Hist. In full Balmoral petticoat. A stiff woollen or horsehair underpetticoat. Mi9. 3 A round flat cap worn by some Scottish regiments.

[from ball noun14.] Mess up. Cf. ball verb1 5b.

balls-up 'bo.lz/Lp' noun, slang. M20. [from prec.]

Li 9.

A confusion or muddle, a mess,

: saw. A run. 0

o

put, u: too, a ago,

balmy /'baimi/ adjective', lme. [from balm

1 2 3 4

noun'

+ -y\]

Fragrant, aromatic, or soothing like balm. lme. Deliciously soft and soothing; pleasant. E17. Of the weather, air, etc.: mild and fragrant. E17. Yielding or producing balm, mi7.

CJ 1 M. R. Mitford Under the shade of those balmy firs. E. Irving The cure for a disease, is to send .. balmy medi¬ cines. 2 E. Young Tir’d Nature's sweet restorer, balmy Sleep! G. Clare Those happy and balmy days for fathers, when they and their wishes were immediately obeyed. 3 G. Santayana The next spring was singularly balmy Crocuses and snowball blossoms were out in April. C. Sagan A time.. of balmy tem¬ peratures, soft nights. ■

balmily adverb Mia. balminess noun M18.

balmy adjective2 var. of barmy. balneal ,fbalmal/adjective. Mi7. [from Latin balneum bath + -al1 .]

Of or pertaining to a (warm) bath or bathing. balneary /’balmsri/ noun & adjective. Mi7. [Latin balnearium bathing-place, use as noun of neut. of balnearius adjective, from balneum bath: see -ary1.] ► A noun. A bath or bathing-place; a medicinal spring.

M17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to baths or bathing. Li 9. balneo- /'balmau/ combining form of Latin balneum bath; see -o-.

■ balneo logical adjective of or pertaining to balneology L19. balne ologist noun an expert in or student of balneology L19. balne ology noun the branch of knowledge that deals with the medicinal effects of bathing and mineral springs M19. balneo therapy noun the treatment of disease by bathing, esp. in mineral springs L19.

Baloch. Balochi nouns & adjectives see Baluchi. baloney noun var. of boloney. baloo /bo'lu:/ noun & interjection, obsolete exc. dial. Also balow /ba'lau/. E17. [App. a nursery word of unkn. origin.]

A lullaby. As interjection, used to lull a child to sleep. BALPA /’balpa/ abbreviation. British Air Line Pilots Association. balsa /'bDlso/ noun. Ei7. [Spanish = raft.]

1 A raft or fishing boat, used chiefly on the Pacific coasts of S. America. E17. 2 A tropical American tree, Ochroma pyramidak (more fully balsa tree): its strong, very light wood, used for rafts, floats, etc. (more fully balsa-wood). Mi9. [from Latin balsamum from Greek balsamon, perh. of Semitic origin (cf. Arab, balasan).]

me.

[App. from balm noun1.] 1 Embalm, me. 2 fa Anoint (with oil etc.). LME-E17. >b Smear with something sticky; daub, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 Soothe or alleviate (pain, sorrow, etc.), lme.

■ balloter noun a voter by ballot Mis.

[French.]

In France, a popular dancehall (with an accordion band).

balsam /'bodsam, 'bol-/noun. oe.

noun2.

balm /ba:m/ verb1 trans. arch.

ballotin /'babtin/ noun. uo.

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot.

noun’, me.

lme.

ballot /'balat/ noun. Ml6.

1

/ba:m/

[Old French ba(s)me from Latin balsamum balsam noun.] 1 A fragrant and medicinal exudation from certain trees (see sense 5 below), me. |2 An aromatic preparation for embalming. ME-E17. 3 Fragrant oil or ointment; fig. fragrance, perfume.

■ ballooner. balloonist nouns a person who travels in a balloon Li 8.

bed, a: her,

nounced same). E20.

Manly, powerful; courageous; having or requiring nerve.

Comb.: balloon angioplasty medicine a technique in which a tiny balloon is passed along a blood-vessel and inflated to remove a clot or other blockage; balloon barrage a connected system of balloons and cables used as a defence against hostile aircraft; balloon catheter medicine an inflatable catheter used in the oper¬ ation of balloon angioplasty; balloon-fish a puffer-fish; balloon-flower = platycodon; balloon frame architecture: of light timbers nailed together; balloon glass, balloon goblet = sense 3b above; balloon sleeve a large sleeve puffed out over the upper arm; balloon tyre a low-pressure pneumatic tyre with a large cross-section; balloon vine a tropical American vine. Cardiospermum halicacabum, which bears inflated pods. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Lift up in or as in a balloon, rare. L18. 2 verb intrans. Travel in a balloon. Chiefly as ballooning verbal noun. Li8. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Swell, puff out; distend, mi 9. 4 verb trans. Hit or kick (a ball) high in the air. colloq. E20. 5 verb intrans. Of an aircraft: rise up in the air, esp. as a

a cat, a: arm,

bal musette /bal myzet/ noun phr. PI. bals musettes (pro¬

[from ball noun1 + -s1 + -Y1.]

S3 3b M. Gee Cradling brandy.. in his elegant glass balloon. 4 fig.: Carlyle The hollow balloon of popular applause, barrage balloon see barrage noun, captive balloon: see captive adjective i. when the balloon goes up when the action, excitement, or trouble starts. 5 Dickens Diabolical sentiments.. were represented as issuing from his mouth in fat balloons. D. L. Sayers I’m afraid it’s rather full of marginal balloons and interlineations.

ai

my,

ao

how,

ei

day,

1 A resinous exudation from various trees, esp. = balm noun' 1. oe. kb spec, chemistry. A resinous product which is

insoluble in water and is a source of benzoic or cinnamic acid. Li 7. 2 A tree yielding balsam; = balm noun1 5. oe. 3 An aromatic ointment or other resinous medicinal preparation; esp. one of various substances dissolved in oil or turpentine. L16. kb fig. A healing or soothing agency. E17. 14 alchemy, a healthful preservative essence considered by Paracelsus to exist in all organic bodies. M17-M18. |5 = balm noun' 2: fig. a preservative. M17-MI8. 6 Any plant of the genus Impatiens (see impatiens), esp. (a) (more fully garden balsam) Impatiens balsamina, native to southern and eastern Asia and cultivated for its showy pink flowers; (b) (in full Himalaya balsam) I. glandulifera, a large Himalayan plant with purplish-pink flowers now widely naturalized along streams in Europe and N. America (also called policeman’s helmet) M18. CO 1 Canada balsam: see Canaoa 1. 3 friar’s balsam tolu balsam b Tennyson Was not the people’s blessing .. a balsam to thy blood? Co mb.: balsam apple (the fruit of) the tropical gourd Momordi ca balsamina: balsam fir a common N. American fir, Abies balsamea, yielding Canada balsam; balsam pear (the pear-shaped fruit of) the tropical gourd Momordica charantia balsam poplar any of several N. American poplar s, esp. Populus balsamifera, whose buds exude a fragrant gum. ■ balsa’miferous adjective yielding balsam L17. fbalsamine noun (a) = balsam-apple above: (b) = garden balsam (sense 6 above): L16-M19. balsamy adjective like balsam in fragrance, balmy L17.

balsam /'borisam, 'bol-/ verb trans. Mi7. [from the noun.]

Anoint or impregnate with balsam, ao no, s: hair,

10

near,

01

boy, ua poor. ,\ia tire, aoa sour

178

balsamic | banana [from balsam

noun + -ic.]

► A adjective. Of the nature of or yielding balsam; fra¬ grant; soothing. Ei7. balsamic vinegar a dark, sweet Italian red-wine vinegar from the Modena region, matured in wooden casks.

► B noun. A soothing medicine. El 8. tbalsamum noun.

oe-mi7.

[Latin: see balsam noun.]

Balm; balsam. bals costumes, bols mosques, bals musettes noun phrs.

pis. of BAL COSTUME etc. Balt/bo:lt, bolt/ noun. L19. [late Latin Balthae pi.]

A native or (esp. German) inhabitant of one of the Baltic States. baiter /'bolts/ verb' intrans. obsolete exc. dial.

anced circuit (i.e. one whose two terminals are equal and opposite with respect to ground) to an unbalanced one.

baiter /'bolts/ verb2, obsolete exc. dial. Also bolter. Ei7. [Perh. frequentative of ball verb'.] 1 verb trans. Clot, clog; tangle (the hair). Ei7. 2 verb intrans. Become tangled; form into lumps or balls.

El 7. Also

noun.

-sar,

noun. Ei7. [French balustre from Italian balaustro; so named from Italian balausta, balaustra blossom of the wild pomegranate (Latin balaustium, Greek balaustion), which a baluster resembles in shape.]

1 A short pillar or column of circular section and with a curving outline, usu. one of a series called a balustrade. Also, a similar pillar used in a window. E17. 2 A slender upright post helping to support a rail, mi7. kb Usu. in pl. = BANISTER. M18. 3 collect, sing. = balustrade, arch, mi7. balustrade /bab'streid/ noun.

Mi7.

A row of balusters surmounted by a rail or a coping as an ornamental parapet to a terrace, balcony, etc. ■ balustraded adjective furnished with a balustrade LI 8. balustrading noun balustrade-work Li9. Balzacian /bal'zakian/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from Balzac (see below) + -ian.] ► A adjective. Pertaining to or characteristic of the French novelist Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) or his works. L19. ► B noun. An admirer or student of Balzac or his writing. E20.

[The King of Babylon who 'made a great feast.. and drank wine before the thousand' (Daniel 5:1).]

A very large wine bottle, usually holding the quantity of sixteen regular bottles.

bam /bam/ verb & noun, slang & dial.

E18.

[Rel. to bamboozle: either an abbreviation of it or the source of its 1st syll. Sense B.2 and the compounds may be unrelated to this.] ► A verb trans. & intrans. Infl. -mm-. = bamboozle verb 1.

[Origin uncertain; perh. a use of next.]

A type of Pakistani cuisine in which the food is cooked and served in a small two-handled pan known as a karahi and accompanied by nan bread; a dish prepared in this way. App. introduced in the area of Birmingham, England.

► B noun. 1 A hoax, a trick, eis. 2 A foolish or silly person. Scot.

M20.

Cl 21. Pattison Ya ungrateful bam! I just saved your poxy life! Comb.:

bampot, bamstick Scot. = sense B.2 above. E20.

[Imit.]

[Balti.]

► A adjective. Of or relating to Baltistan, a Himalayan region of Kashmir (now in northern Pakistan), its inhab¬ itants, or their language. M19. ► B noun. 1 The Tibetan language of Baltistan. mi9. 2 (PI.-is.) A native or inhabitant of Baltistan. L19.

Repr. the sound of a hard blow. Also gen. introducing a sudden action or occurrence. CO B. Holiday Then bam, they’d be drafted and end up right back in some camp in the South. M. French ‘All of a sudden, bam!' She put her hand on her head. 'The lump's as big as a marble!’

Baltic/'bodtik, 'bolt-/ adjective & noun. Li6. Balticus, formed

as Balt: see -ic.]

► A adjective. 1 Designating, of, or pertaining to an almost land-locked sea separating Scandinavia from the rest of Europe. Li 6. 2 Designating a branch of the Indo-European lan¬ guages comprising Lithuanian, Latvian, and Old Prus¬ sian, usu. classified with the Slavonic group (see Balto-). 119. the Baltic States Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, which border the Baltic Sea betwen Poland and Russia. ► B noun. The Baltic Sea; the lands bordering on it. E18. 1

Baltimore/'bodtimo:, 'bolt-/ noun. M17. [Lord Baltimore (c 1580-1632), English proprietary of Maryland, the bird’s colours being those of his coat of arms.] In full Baltimore oriole. Baltimore bird. A N. American oriole. Icterus galbula galbula, coloured bright orange and

black. 9 See also Lady Baltimore (coke) s.v. lady noun 8, adjective. Baltimorean /bolti'momon/ noun. E19. [from Baltimore (see below) + -an.]

bambino /bam'bi:no, -ou/ noun. PL -n//-ni/, -nos. E18. [Italian, dim. of bumbo silly.) A young child or baby (in Italy); spec, an image of the

infant Jesus in swaddling-clothes. bamboo /bam'bu:/ noun & verb. Also (earlier) T-bos. t-b(o)us L16. [Dutch bumboes, mod. Latin bambusa, ult. from Malay mamby. Forms in -s later taken as pl.]

► A noun. 1 Any of numerous, mainly tropical, giant grasses belonging to the genus Bambusa and various related genera; the hollow stem of such a plant, used as a stick or as material. Li6. 2 Cane-coloured biscuit porcelain. L18. 3 A light yellowish brown. Mi9. Comb.: bamboo curtain [after iron curtuin] a political and eco¬ nomic barrier between China and non-Communist countries; bamboo-fish a small fish. Sarpa salpa, of the family Sparidae, found in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean; bamboo shoot a young shoot of bamboo, eaten as a vegetable. ► B verb trans. Beat with a bamboo; provide with bamboo. E19.

A native or inhabitant of the city of Baltimore in Mary¬ land, USA.

bamboozle /bam'bu:z(a)l/ verb & noun, slang,

eis.

(Prob. of cant origin: cf. bam verb & noun.]

Balto- /' boiltou, 'bDltao/ combining form. [from Baltic + -o-.]

Forming combs, in the sense ‘Baltic and — ■ Balto-Sla vonic adjective & noun (designating, of, or pertain¬ ing to) the group of Indo-European languages which comprises the Baltic branch and the Slavonic branch. E20.

Baluchi /bo'luftji/ noun & adjective. Also -lochi /-'both/' -ch. E17. [Persian Buluc(I).]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. Hoax, deceive, trick, cheat, eis. 2 verb trans. Mystify, perplex. Ei8. 3 verb intrans. Practise trickery, rare. Ei8. £Q| 1 N. Rowe You intend to bambouzle me out of a Beef Stake. P. Roth She had allowed herself to be bamboozled into eating lobster Newburg. 2 E. Gaskell He fairly bam¬ boozles me. He is two chaps. 3 C. Cibber The old Rogue .. knows how to Bamboozle.

► A noun. Pl. same, -s. A native or inhabitant of Baluchi¬ stan, a region lying between the lower Indus and SE Iran; the Iranian language of Baluchistan. E17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the people or language of Baluchistan. M19.

► B noun. = bamboozlement, rare. Ei8. 9 Mentioned in 1710 by Swift in the Tatler no. 230 (on 'the con¬ tinual Corruption of our English Tongue’) among other slang terms recently invented or brought into vogue. ■ bamboozlement noun hoaxing; cheating; tricky deception; mystification: Mi9. bamboozler noun eis.

Baluchistan /ba'lu:tjjsta:n/ adjective. E20.

tbambos noun see

[A province of SW Pakistan.]

1 Of or designating a type of rug, made largely by Baluchi people, characterized by its dark colours. E20. 2 = Baluchi adjective. E20. b but, d dog,

t few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg,

[Ga-Adangme (a W. African lang.) bumi.]

More fully bammie cake. A type of bread or cake made from cassava meal. ban /ban/ noun'. See also

banns, me.

[In branch I, partly aphet. from Middle English iban, Old English gcbunn (cf. Old High German ban. Old Norse bunn), partly from Old French ban from Germanic base of ban verb, whence late Latin bannus, bannum. In branch II, strictly a separate word, from ban verb.]

► II A public proclamation or edict; a summons (esp. to arms); spec, the gathering of the (French) King’s vassals for war, or the body of vassals so assembled (orig. = ARRIERE-BAN). Now arch. & Hist. ME. 2 A section of an army; esp. in the later French system, the younger part of the population liable to serve in the militia, as distinct from the arriere-ban of reserves. E19. ► II3 A formal ecclesiastical denunciation, an interdict, an excommunication; gen. a curse supposed to have supernatural sanction, li s. kb The invoking or utter¬ ance of a curse; an angry execration, arch. Li6. 4 A formal or authoritative prohibition (on or against something), an interdict. Mi7. kb A proclamation issued against a person by the civil power; a sentence of out¬ lawry. L17. 5 A practical denunciation or prohibition not formally announced, esp. one tacitly effected by public opinion. M19. 4 test ban etc. [Persian bun lord, master, introduced by the Avars who ruled in Slavonic countries subject to Hungary.] Hist. A viceroy and military commander of certain

districts in Hungary, Slavonia, and Croatia. ban /ba:n/ noun3. PL bani /'ba:ni/. L19. [Romanian.]

bam /bam/ interjection.

Balti /'balti/ adjective & noun2. M19.

[medieval Latin

[Arab, bumiyu okra.]

A variety of okra; a dish prepared using okra.

ban /ban/ noun2. E17.

E18.

balti /'bo:lti, 'balti/ noun1. PI. -s. L20.

bamboo.

bamia /'bamia/noun. Mi9.

bammie /'bami/ noun. Jamaican. M20. baluster/'batasta/

-ADE.)

Tumble about; walk unsteadily.

9

[Short for balance to unbalance (transformer).] electricity. A type of transformer used to connect a bal¬

[French after Italian balaustrata, Spanish balaustrada: see prec., lme.

[Prob. from Old Norse: cf. Danish baltre, boltre wallow, welter, tumble.]

Balthazar /bal'0aza, 'balflaza:/ Belshazzar/bel'Jaza/. M20.

Jbamb(o)us nouns see

balun/'baUn/noun. M20.

balsamic /bod'samik, bol-/ adjective & noun. E17.

m

bamboo.

bamboula /bam 'bu:la/ noun.

M19.

[Louisiana creole.]

A dance of black American origin to tambourine accompaniment. man, n no.

p pen.

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo.

A monetary unit of Romania, equal to one-hundredth of a leu. ban /ban/ verb. Infl. -nn-. [Old English bunnun = Old Frisian banna, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch batmen. Old High German bannan, Old Norse banna, from Germanic base repr. also by Greek phanai, Latin/uri speak. Cf. ban noun1.] J1 verb trans. Summon by proclamation (esp. to arms).

OE-LME. 2 verb trans. Curse or damn. arch. me. kb spec. Pronounce an ecclesiastical curse upon. arch. me. 3 verb intrans. Utter curses, arch. ME. 4 verb trans. & intrans. Chide, speak angrily (to), dial. me. 5 verb trans. Exclude or proscribe (a person, esp. from something); interdict or formally prohibit, lme. Q 2W. Morris Ever she blessed the old and banned the new. 3 Byron Yet harsh and haughty, as he lay he bann’d. 5 W. Story He banned them from the city. A. j. P. Taylor The American government banned virtually all trade with Japan. E. Longford His wife tried to ban his friends in the mis¬ guided belief that she was protecting her hero. ■ bannable adjective E20.

banal /ba'na:l, -'nal; bein(a)l/adjective, mis. [Old & mod. French, from ban: see ban noun’, -al1.] 1 Hist. Of or belonging to compulsory feudal service.

M18. 2 Commonplace, trite, trivial. Mi9. 9 Sense 2 developed from the intermediate French sense ’common to all’. ■ banalize verb trans. M20. banally adverb M20.

banality/ba'naliti/noun. M19. [French bunalite: see prec., -ity.)

A trite or trivial thing, a commonplace; commonplace character, triviality. banana 'ba'ncuna/ noun. Li6. [Spanish & Portuguese, from Mande.]

1 The edible finger-shaped pulpy fruit of any of various tropical and subtropical plants of the genus Musa (family Musaceae), borne in clusters and yellow-skinned when ripe. Li6. 2 The treelike herbaceous plant bearing this fruit, which has a stem of overlapping leaf sheaths. L17. 3 In top banana, second banana. The most important, second most important, person in an organization, activ¬ ity, etc. Orig. Theatrical slang, with ref. to comedians in a variety show, colloq. (orig. US). M20. Phrases: go bananas slang become crazy or angry. Comb.: banana belt a region in which bananas are grown, or which is warm enough for bananas to be grown; banana bird any of various fruit-eating birds; esp. = bananoquit below; Bananaland Austral, colloq. Queensland; Bananalander Austral. J she.

3 vision,

0

thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tf chip, d3 jar

179

banate | banderole

colloq. a Queenslander; banana plug eiectsonics a single-pole con¬ nector with acurvedstripof metal forming a spring along its tip; bananaquit [quit noun'] a tropical American passerine bird, Coereba fiaveola; banana republic (usu. derog.) a small tropical (usu. Central or S. American) country that is economically dependent on its fruit-exporting or similar trade; banana skin fig. a cause of upset or humiliation: banana split a dessert of ice¬ cream and a split banana.

banate noun var. of bannat. banausic /bs’no:sik/ adjective, derog. M19. [Creek banausikos of or for artisans: see -ic.]

Suitable for artisans; uncultivated; materialistic. Banbury /'banb(s)ri/noun. M20. [Fernley H. Banbury, English-born US inventor.] In full Banbury mixer (Proprietary name for) a type of

mixing machine used in the manufacture of rubber and plastics. Banbury cake 'banb(o)ri keik/ nounphr. Li6. [Banbury in Oxfordshire, where orig. made.]

A cake of pastry filled with a currant mixture. bancassurance /'bar]ka,jb:rsns/ bankassurance. L20.

noun.

Also

3

[Blend of bank noun and assurance, perh. from French.]

The selling of insurance products and services, esp. life assurance, by banking institutions. ■ bancassurer noun L20.

bancha /ban'tja;/ noun. E20. [Japanese, from ban vigil, watch (because the tea is sometimes used to promote wakefulness during meditation) + cha tea.]

A type of green tea produced in Japan, containing old or inferior leaves and stalks. banco /'barjksu/ interjection. lis. [French from Italian: see bank noun3.]

In baccarat etc.: expr. a player’s willingness to meet single-handed the banker’s whole stake. Cf. va banque. band /band/ noun1, arch. exc. as identified with band noun2. LOE. [Old Norse band = Old Frisian, Old Saxon band. Old High German bant (Dutch band, German Band), from Germanic, from base of bind verb. Cf. band noun3, bend noun1, bond noun2.] ► I lit. 1 A thing with which a person is bound in restraint

of personal liberty; a shackle, a chain, loe. 2 A string with which some loose thing (esp. straw) is bound, loe. Fb bookbinding. Each of the cords or straps crossing the back of a book, to which the sheets are attached; the raised part on the spine formed by this. M18. 3 A connecting piece that holds together the parts of something, loe. 4 A strap, chain, etc., used as a lead for a child or animal, loe. 5 A hinge, lme. ► II fig. 6 The restraint on freedom of action regarded as imposed by sin, convention, sleep, etc. loe. 7 An obligation or circumstance which restricts action or binds persons reciprocally; a tie, a restraint; a binding agreement or promise; a force effecting or maintaining union, loe. Fb Security given; a legally executed deed. arch. El 6. 8 A covenant, a league. Scot, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. f9 Binding quality or power. Only in Ei 7. ■ bandster noun (dial.) a person who binds sheaves ns.

£B 1 H. Allen The rather ponderous wedding ring.. had just below it a narrow, worn, gold band. 2 AV Ecclus 6:30 Her bands are purple lace. W. J. Locke He selected a cigar, .. removed the band and clipped the point. Q. D. Leavis An enterprising publisher will reissue the novel with a band or new dust-jacket exhibiting the caption. M. Laski There was a black band round the sleeve of his jacket. H. E. Bates Many pound notes, neatly folded and packed tight inside the hat, under the greasy leather band, armband, hairband, hatband, headband, neckband, waistband, etc. Alice band: see Alice 2b. elastic band, rubber band a band of rubber to hold papers etc. together, b G. Crabbe Careless was he of surplice, hood, and band. J. Archer The official dress of the Vice-Chancellor, bands, collar, white tie and all. c swaddling-band(s): see swaddling verbal noun 2. 3 Geo. Eliot The.. sunshine.. came.. through the windows in slanting bands of brightness. S. Beckett It seemed to have a red band or stripe running down its side, b G. K. Chesterton There seemed to be.. a continuous band round the earth .. a thing like the ring of Saturn, 6 R. V. Jones All we needed to do was to listen in the right frequency band, citizens’ band: see citizen noun, narrow band: see narrow adjective. S-band: see S, s 9. Comb.: bandfish any of several elongated bottom-dwelling marine fishes of the family Cepolidae, with long continuous fins; band gap physics the difference in energy between the valence and conduction bands of a semiconductor, consisting of a range of energy values forbidden to electrons; band-limited adjective (eiectronics) (of a signal) restricted to a particular range of frequencies; bandpass the band of frequencies transmitted by a filter; band-saw an endless saw, consisting of a steel belt with a serrated edge running over wheels; bandwidth the extent of a band of frequencies, esp. of one used in telecommunications. ■ bandlet noun = bandelet Mi8. bandlike adjective M19.

band /band/noun3. Lis. [Old & mod. French bande - Provencal, Spanish, Italian, medieval Latin batida, prob. of Germanic origin and assoc, with medieval Latin batida scarf, bandum banner (cf. Gothic bandwa sign), also company, crowd.]

1 An organized company of people having a common purpose; spec, a troop of armed men, robbers, etc. Lis. 2 A company of people or animals in movement. E17. Fb A herd, a flock. N. Amer, Ei9. 3 A body of musicians, now esp. those playing brass or wind instruments; (a section of) an orchestra. Now also, a rock or pop group. M17. O 1 Byron The 'black bands' who still Ravage the frontier. S. Gibbons Mr. Mybug and Rennet joined the band of watch¬ ers. F. Fitzgerald The enemy in the south consisted of little more than a band of guerrillas. Band of Hope an association of young people pledged to total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, sacred band: see sacred adjective. 2 AV Gen. 32:7 Hee diuided the .. camels into two bands. J. R. Green The little band of fugitives. 3 P. Kavanagh 1 joined the Sinn Fein Pipers' Band that was started. P. Scott She felt and heard the thmm and drum of the band, big band, brass band, German band, jazz band, marching band, military band, silver band, wind band, etc. beat the band fig. (slang) surpass everything. Schrommel band see Schrammel 2 when the band begins to play fig. when matters become serious. Comb.: bandmaster die leader or conductor of a band of musi¬ cians; bandmate a fellow musician in a band (chiefly a pop or rock one), band-shell a bandstand in the form of a large concave shell with special acoustic properties, bandsman a member of a band of musicians; bandstand a covered outdoor platform on which a band plays; bandwagon (orig. US) a large wagon used by a band in a parade etc.; fig. as of one carrying a group of successful (political) leaders, esp. in climb on the bandwagon, jump on the bandwagon, seek to join the party or group that is likely to succeed.

[Old & mod. French bande. earlier bende (cf. bend noun2) “ Proven¬ cal, Spanish, Italian, medieval Latin benda, from Germanic, from base of bind verb. Cf. band noun1.] 1 A hoop; a ring of metal etc., now esp. one round a

bird’s leg to identify it. lme. 2 A flat strip of thin flexible material to contain or bind (cf. band noun1 2, 3) or (in later use) to identify or label; (freq. with specifying word) a fabric strip round or forming part of a dress, hat, etc. L15. >b spec. The neck¬ band or collar of a shirt, a collar, a ruff, (now arch, or Hist.): (now in pi.) the development of this into two strips hanging down in front in clerical, legal, or academic dress. Mi6. Fc A strip of linen etc. wrapped round (part of) the body; a bandage, arch. Li 6. 3 A stripe distinguished by colour or aspect from the surface which it crosses; a particular portion of a certain breadth crossing a surface, lis. Fb A ring or stripe around an object. M19. Fc fig. A range of values within a series; a scale extending between certain limits. E20. Fd A section of a disc, tape, etc., containing a specified sequence of recorded material. M20. 4 An endless belt or strap transmitting motion between two wheels, pulleys, etc. ei8. 5 A narrow stratum of coal or rock. M19. 6 physics etc. A broad feature in a spectrum; a range of wavelengths, energies, etc., between well-defined limits. Mi9.

/'bandufy noun & verb. Li6. [French, formed as band noun2 + -age] ► A noun. 1 A strip of woven material used to bind up a wound or to protect an injured part of the body. Li6. bandage

2 A strip of material used for binding or covering up, esp. for blindfolding the eyes. E18. 3 A strip or band of stone, iron, etc., used to bind together and strengthen any structure, arch, mi8. ► B verb trans. Tie or bind up with a bandage. Li 8. ■ bandaging noun the applying of bandages; material for ban¬ dages: El 9.

/'bandeid/ noun, adjective, & verb. Also band-aid E20. [from band noun + aid noun.] ► A noun. 1 (Proprietary name for) a type of stickingplaster with a gauze pad; a strip of this. E20. 2 fig, A makeshift or temporary solution to a problem etc.; a palliative. M20. ► B adjective. Makeshift, temporary; palliative. L20. ► C verb trans. Apply a makeshift or temporary solution to (a problem etc.). L20. Band-Aid

2

/ban'dans/ noun. Also -ana. mis. [Prob. from Portuguese from Hindi (badhnu method of tie-dyeing, spotted cloth, from badhna to tie).]

bandanna

A coloured silk or cotton handkerchief or headscarf with white or yellow spots. bandar /’bAnds/

noun. Also -der. Li9. [Hindi badarfrom Sanskrit vdnara.]

In the Indian subcontinent: the rhesus monkey. Comb.: bandar-log /-bug/ [Hindi log people from Sanskrit loka] the monkeys collectively; a body of irresponsible chatterers. b. & b.

abbreviation.

Bed and breakfast. bandbox /'bandbDks/ [from band

band /band/ verb', lis. [Old & mod. French bander, formed as sand noun3. Perh. partly from the English nouns.] 1 verb trans. Bind or fasten with a band or bands. Li 5. 2 verb trans. Provide or cover with a band, rare in gen. sense, mi6. Fb spec. Provide (a bird) with an identifying

box

noun & adjective. M17. noun2.]

look as if one came out of a bandbox & vars.. look extremely smart. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Resembling a bandbox; provid¬

ing little space; fragile, flimsy; conspicuously neat and smart, lis. EQ N. Shute It had come through the Grand Prix unscratched, in bandbox condition. ■ band1 boxical adjective resembling a bandbox, esp. in provid¬ ing little space lis. bandboxy adjective = bandbox adjective mi9.

/'bandsu, foreign bado/ noun. PI. -eaux /-soz, foreign -0/. ei 8. [French from Old French bandel dim. of bande: see band noun2.

bandeau

EL2-]

.

.

1 A band or strip of material, esp. one used for binding a woman's hair. eis. 2 A narrow brassiere; a women’s strapless top formed from a band of fabric fitting around the bust. E20. /'band(s)lit/ noun. Also f-ette. M17. [French bandelette dim. of Old French bandele fern, of bandel: see prec.] A small band, streak, or fillet; architecture a small flat

bandelet

moulding, encompassing a column. /’bands/ nounb arch. Mi6.

bander

A ridge of a hill; in the Lake District of northern England, a long hill resembling a ridge, or a narrow sloping offshoot from a higher hill or mountain.

noun2 +

► A noun. A lightweight paper-covered box for millinery (orig. for neckbands). M17.

band /band/ noun". E16. [Origin unkn.]

band /band/ noun2, lme.

verb2. L16-L17. [Abbreviation of bandy verb.] = bandy verb.

tband

[from band verb1 + -er'.]

A member of a league, a confederate. noun2 var. of bandar.

bander

banderilla /bande'riAa, bands’riljs/ noun. PI. -as /-as, -ozJ. L18. [Spanish, dim of bandera banner.]

A decorated dart thrust into a bull’s neck or shoulders during a bullfight.

band. E20. 3 verb trans. (chiefly refl.) & intrans. Join or form into a band or company; unite, mi6. 4 verb trans. Mark with a band or stripe, or with bands or stripes. Freq. as bandedpp! adjective. Mi8. 5 verb trans. Divide into bands or ranges based on a numerical characteristic, with a view to treating the bands differently; education group or allocate (pupils) on the basis of ability. L20.

banderillero -(bander: vcro. (bandsrilje:rsu/ noun, PI. -os

Q3 3 Milton What multitudes Were banded to oppose his high Decree. R. Ellison We have banded together in brother¬ hood so as to do something about it. 1. Colegate People banding themselves together in order to work for a better world. 4 E. K. Kane An opalescent purple, that banded the entire horizon. D. Attenborough Waving tentacles of the most delicate colours, banded, striped and patterned in many shades, banded rudder-fish see rudder noun. 5 Financial Times Making the community charge more fair by banding the rate of charge in proportion to ability to pay.

1 A long narrow flag with a cleft end, flown from the masthead of a ship. Mi6.

a cat. a: arm, e bed, s: her, 1 sit, i cosy. 1: see, 0 hot, s: saw, a run, u

/-OS, -SUZ/. LI 8. [formed as prec. + -ero agent-suff.]

A bullfighter who uses banderillas. /'bandsrsol/ noun. Also -ol /-sol, -(a)L ; (esp. in , the earlier form) bannerol /'bansrsol, -(s)l/.

banderole

sense

2

Ml6[French ban(n)erole. later banderole, from Italian banderuola dim. of bandiera banner noun1: see -ole1.]

2 A rectangular banner borne at the funerals of public figures and placed over the tomb. Mi6. 3 An ornamental streamer of the kind attached to a knight’s lance. Li 6.

4 =

banner noun' 4. rare. 116.

5 A ribbon-like scroll bearing a device or inscription. E17.

:: hair, is near, si boy, us poor, ais tire, aos sour put. u: too, s ago, ai my, au how, ei day, so no, e

180

bandersnatch | bangle bandersnatch bandasnatJV noun. Li9. [Invented by Lewis Carroll; presumably a portmanteau word.]

A fabulous creature of dangerous propensities, immune to bribery and too fast to flee from; alius, any creature with such qualities. fflC. S.I ,ewis No one ever influenced Tolkien--you might as well try to influence a bandersnatch.

3 (A bent or curved stick used in) a form of hockey. E17.

bandy /'bandi/ nouni lis. [Telugu bandi, Tamil vanti.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a carriage, a buggy, a cart. bandy /'bandi/ adjective. Li7. [Perh. attrib. use of bandy noun13.]

bandh /ba:nd/ noun. M20. [Hindi, Urdu bandh from Sanskrit bandh tie, fetter, from bahdhna to bind, tie, shut, close, stop.) In India: a stoppage of work as a form of protest; spec, a

general strike. bandicoot /'bandikuit/ noun. lis. [Alt. of Telugu pandikokku lit. ‘pig-rat'.]

1 A large destructive southern Asian rat, Bandicotn Mica. Also bandicoot rat. lis.

2 Any of various mainly insectivorous marsupials of the family Peramelidae, found in Australia and New Guinea. Li 8. bandit /'bandit/ noun. PL bandits, (now chiefly Hist.) banditti /ban'diti/. L16. [Italian bandito, pi. -ti, use as noun of pa. pple of bandire ban = medieval Latin bannire proclaim, proscribe, banish.)

1 An outlaw; a lawless robber or marauder; a gangster. li6. >b In pi. banditti as collect, sing. A company of bandits, arch. E18. 2 transf. An enemy aircraft in action. M20. G3 1J. R. Green The routed soldiery turned into free com¬ panies of bandits. W. H. Auden The bandit who is good to his mother. P. Theroux Bandits stop this train and rob the pas¬ sengers. one-arm bandit, one-armed bandit slang a fruit machine or the like operated by pulling down an armlike handle, b Sir W. Scott Deer-stealers.. are ever a desperate banditti. ■ banditism noun the practices of bandits Li 9 banditry noun = BANDITISM E20.

bandobast noun var. of bundobust. bandog bandog/ noun. [from

band

noun' +

dog

me.

noun.]

Orig., a (fierce) dog kept on a chain; a mastiff, a blood¬ hound. Now usu. spec., a dog specially bred for fighting by crossing aggressive breeds. bandoleer noun var. of bandolier. bandolero /banda'terau/ noun. PI. -os. Mi7. [Spanish.]

A Spanish bandit. bandolier /bando'lra/ noun. Also -eer. Li6. [French bandouliere perh. from Spanish bandolero, from banda sash or from Catalan bandolero, from batidoler bandit.] fl A shoulder-belt for carrying a wallet. L16-M18. 2 A shoulder-belt for holding ammunition. (Hist.) with

small cases each containing a charge for a musket, (now) with small loops or pockets for carrying cartridges. Li 6. ►b Any of the cases containing a charge for a musket. No worth, or Hist. E17. ■ bandoliered adjective wearing a bandolier E20.

bandoline /'bandolun/ noun & verb. Now arch, or Hist. Mi9. [French, formed as

bandeau

+ Latin linere bedaub, anoint.]

► A noun. A gummy preparation for setting hair, mi9. ► B verb trans. Set (hair) with this. M19. bandoneon ban'daomon/ noun. Also -ion. E20. [(Spanish bandoneon from) German Bandomon, from Heinrich Band its inventor, a igth-cent. German musician + -on- as in harmonilea harmonica + -ion as in akkordion accordion.]

A type of concertina used esp. in S. America. bandore /ban'do:/ noun’. Also -ra l-tol. M16. [Origin uncertain: cf. Dutch bandoor, Spanish bandurria, Italian pandora, -ura from Latin pandura from Greek pandoura pandora noun. Cf. banjo, vandola.]

A bass stringed instrument of the cittern family, having a long neck and a scallop-shaped body. tbandore noun2. L17-EI8. [Alt.

of

French

bandeau.]

A widow’s head-dress. bandura /ban'du:ro/ noun. M20. [Ukrainian, Russian bandura, perh. from Polish from Italian pandura, pandora: cf. bandore noun1.]

A Ukrainian stringed instrument resembling a large asymmetrical lute with 30 or more strings, held verti¬ cally and plucked like a zither. bandurria /ban'duarra, foreign ban'durria/ noun. M19. [Spanish.]

A Spanish stringed instrument of the lute type, b. & w. abbreviation. Black and white (television etc.).

Of legs: curved so as to be wide apart at the knees. Of a person: bandy-legged. ■ handiness noun

M19.

bandy "bandi/ verb. Li6. [Perh. from French bander take sides at tennis, formed as band noun*. Cf. Italian bandore, Spanish bandear.] 1 verb trans. Throw, pass, strike (a ball) to and fro (as in

tennis etc,). Chiefly fig. L16. j2 verb trans. Cast away or aside; fig. dismiss or reject. L16-M17. 3 verb trans. Toss from side to side, from one to another, or about, esp. fig., pass (words, stories, etc.) around in a circle or group, discuss in this way. H6. fb Give and take

(blows, words, etc.); exchange (conversation, compli¬ ments, etc.) with a person. Li6. j4 verb trans. (esp. refl.) & intrans. Band together, confeder¬ ate. L16-E19. f 5 verb intrans. Contend, fight. L16-E18. £0 1 Tennyson To be the ball of Time, Bandied by the hands of fools. 2 C. Marlowe The Cardinal, would bandy me away from Spain. 3 G. Anson Thus was this unhappy vessel bandied about within a few leagues of her intended harbour. Dickens The stories they invent.. and bandy from mouth to mouth! H. Read The poet must use words which are bandied about in the daily give-and-take of conversation. W. Irving Your name is.. frequently bandied at table among us. b [. L. Motley Bandying blows in the thickest of the fight. N. Mitford She bandied repartee with the various Rorys and Rolys. 4 G. Herbert Joyntly bandying. They drive them soon away. Sir W. Scott Here is his son already bandy¬ ing and making a faction. 5 Milton Neither did the People of Rome bandy with their Senate while any of the Tarquins liv’d.

bandy-bandy /'bandi.bandi/ noun. E20. [Aboriginal.]

A nocturnal Australian snake, Vermicella annulata, marked with black and white bands. bane /bein/ noun & verb. [Old English bana = Old Frisian bona, Old Saxon, Old High German bano, Old Norse bani, from Germanic: ult. connections unkn.) ► A noun. 1 A slayer, a murderer. Long oreh. rare. oe. 2 A thing which causes death or destroys life, esp. poison. Long arch. exc. in comb., as henbane, wolf’s bane,

etc. oe. f3 Murder, death, destruction. ME-M17. 4 Ruin, woe. Chiefly poet. lme. 5 A cause of ruin, harm, or trouble. Li6.

[Obscurely rel. to

bandy ver6.[

12 A stroke with a racket; a ball, esp. a return, struck at tennis. LI6-M17.

[Imit., perh. of Scandinavian origin (cf. Old Norse bang hammer¬ ing, banga hammer): Low German has bange(l)n beat.] 1 verb trans. Strike or shut noisily; cause to make the

sound of a blow or explosion. Mi6. 2 verb intrans. Move impetuously, dash, jump. dial. Li6. 3 verb trans. Knock about, damage, (N. Amer. also foil, by up): drab, defeat (lit. & fig.). Ei7. 4 verb intrans. Strike or shut violently or noisily, thump; make a sudden loud noise. Ei8. 5 verb trans. Surpass. Chiefly dial. lis. 6 verb trans. stock exchange Depress (share prices, the market), arch. Li 9. 7 verb trans. & intrans. Copulate (with), slang. H9. 8 verb intrans. bang away, continue in or at an action persistently or repetitively. Li 9. 9 verb intrans. bang on, talk tediously and at length about something, colloq. L20. EQ 1 Tennyson Like an iron-clanging anvil banged With hammers. A. Koestler It was the sound of Sonia banging the bathroom-door behind her that woke him. bang out produce (a tune on a piano, etc.) noisily and roughly. 3 M. Edgeworth English Clay.. banged down to Clay-hall. Shakes. Oth. The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turk That their designment halts, banged to rights: see right noun'. 4 Wilkie Collins Taking great pains not to let the doors bang. C. Jackson She had only to bang on the small painted drum, bang heads together reprimand people severely, esp. in an attempt to stop them arguing, bang one’s head against a brick wall: see wall noun'. 5 Dickens The next Pickwick will bang all the others. 8 G. Josipovici Genius is.. poor old Sartre banging away at his trilogy.

bang /bag/ verb2 trans. Orig. US.

Cut (hair) in a fringe straight across the forehead. bang /bag/ adverb, lis. [from banc verb'.]

1 With sudden impact; abruptly; explosively (as the conventional imitation of a shot or explosion, lit & fig.). Freq. in go bang. L18. 2 Completely; exactly. Also as a mere intensive, colloq. El 9. CQ 1 O. W. Holmes Bang went the magazine! T. Stoppard Bang goes your credit at the off-licence. 2 Times Lit. Suppl. Bang-up-to-date neutron know-how. E. Crispin Gobbo cer¬ tainly did leave here that evening bang on time, bang off slang immediately, bang on slang exactly right, excellent. bang to rights: see right nouni bang-up adjective (N. Amer. slang) first-class, splendid.

Bangalore torpedo /bagga'b: to:'pi:doo/ noun phr. Pl. Bangalore torpedoes. E20. [from Bangalore, a city in southern India.] military. A tube containing explosive used by infantry for

blowing up wire entanglements etc. [Aboriginal.]

Comb.: baneberry any of several Eurasian and N. American plants of the genus Actaea, of the buttercup family; the bitter poi¬ sonous fruit of these plants; banewort dial, any of various, mainly poisonous, plants, esp. lesser spearwort. Ranunculus flammula.

► B verb trans. 1 Hurt, harm, poison, arch. lme. 12 Esp. of poison: kill. Only in Li 6.

Either

of two

Australian

of the

genus

bang-bang 'bag ’bag/ noun & adjective. Orig. US. M20. [Redupl. of bang noun1.]

► A noun. (Repeated) gunfire or explosions; armed combat. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Characterized by gunfire or explosions, or transf. by any rapid and thrilling sequence of events (spec, in baseball, the near-simultaneous arrival of a runner and the ball at a base). M20. banger/'bags/ noun'. Chiefly colloq. Mi7. [from banc verb' + -er’.[

■ baneful adjective lethal: poisonous; pernicious: Li6.

bang /bar)/ noun'. Mi6. [from banc verb1.]

t banger noun2 var. of banjo.

1 (The noise of) a heavy resounding blow; a thump.

banghy noun var. of bangy.

M16.

Bangla /'bAgb:/ noun & adjective. M20.

2 Impetus, energy, rate. Li 8. 3 A loud sharp noise, as the report of a gun; the sound of an explosion; a sonic boom. M19. 4 An injection of a drug. Cf. bhang. US slang. E20. 5 Excitement, pleasure; a thrill. N. Amer. slang. M20. 6 An act of sexual intercourse, slang. M20. 1 Suffolk bang see Suffolk 1. 3 bang for the buck, bang for one’s buck N. Amer. colloq. value for money (orig. of military weapons spending), return on investment, big bang see big adjective, sonic bang see sonic 2. with a bang fig. successfully; impressively, spectacularly; go out with a bang, make a dra¬ matic exit, perform a final startling or memorable act 6 gangbang: see gang noun.

bang /bag/ noun2. Chiefly N. Amer. Li9. [from banc adverb: cf. bangtail.]

A fringe of hair cut straight across the forehead, tbang noun3 var. of bhang. 11

palms

Archontophoenix, having feathery leaves. Also bangalow palm.

Something which makes a bang or is noisily conspicu¬ ous; spec, (a) a blatant lie; (b) a firework which goes off with a bang; (c) an enthusiastic kiss; (d) a sausage; (e) a dilapidated old car.

t banes noun pi. see banns.

bbut, d dog, ffew, g get. h he, j yes, k cat, I leg, m man,

.

119

[from bang noun1.]

bangalow '"baggabu/noun. E19.

i U 2 Tolkien The Ring gleamed and flickered as he held it up... ’Behold Isildur’s Bane!’ said Elrond. 3 Shakes. Mach. I will not be afraid of death and bane Till Bimam Forest come to Dunsinane, 4 R. Greene That sweet boy that wrought bright Venus bane. 5 Burke Theoretic plans of con¬ stitution have been the bane of France. C. Bronte She who had been the bane of his life. M. M. Kaye His attentions soon became the bane of the boy’s existence.

bandy /'bandi/ noun1, lis. ti A (now unknown) way of playing tennis. L16-E17.

bang /bag/ verb1. Mi6.

no, p pen, r red, s sit, (top, wan, w we.

[Bengali batigla.]

(Of or pertaining to) the Bengali language. Bangladeshi /baggb'dEfi, bAgg-/ noun noun Same, -s. L20.

&

adjective. PL of

[from Bangladesh (see below) + -H.[

(A native or inhabitant) of the People's Republic of Ban¬ gladesh in the north-east of the Indian subcontinent (for¬ merly East Pakistan). bangle /'bagg(a)l/ noun. lis. [Hindi bnriglT (orig.) coloured glass bracelet.] A rigid ring as a bracelet or anklet. slave bangle see slave noun' & adjective1, m bangled adjective wearing or adorned with bangles M19.

bangle /'bagg(o)l/ verb, obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. [Origin unkn.]

1 verb intrans. Flap, hang loosely; waste time, mess about. M16. z zoo, J she,

3

vision, 0 thin, 3 this, g ring, tf chip. d3 jar

181

bango | bankrupt

2 verb trans. Fritter away, squander. Ei7. bango "baggau/ interjection.

US.

An ant-hill, obsolete exc. dial. Mi7. 8 The lateral inclination of an aircraft when turning in flight; a lateral inclination given to a road at a curve. E20. 7

E20.

[from banc noun' + -o.j

Suddenly, all of a sudden, that instant. IB C. Buckley Finally we're getting some cooperation and then bango. the top law enforcement officer goes.

Bangorian /bag'gomian/ adjective. E18. [from Bangor, a town in N. Wales + -ian.] Of or pertaining to Bangor; spec. (Hist.) designating a reli¬

gious controversy raised by a sermon directed against nonjurors preached before George I by the then Bishop ofBangor. bangster /'bagsto/ noun. Scot. M16. [from banc verb' + -ster.]

A bully, a ruffian; a victor in fights. ■ bangstry noun violence to person or property

L16

bangtail /'bagteil/ noun. Li 9. [from banc

verb'

+ tail noun'.]

(A horse etc. with) a tail cut straight across. Comb. : bangtail muster Austral, a counting of cattle by cutting across the tuft of each animal's tail. ■ bangtailed adjective mis.

bangy /'bAggi/ noun. Also -ghy. lis. [Hindi bahangi, Marathi bang: (Sanskrit vihatigika).]

In the Indian subcontinent: a shoulder-yoke with con¬ tainers for canying loads,

03 1 Shakes. Jut Cues. Tiber trembled underneath her banks. W. Wollaston Daisies on the banks of the road, burst its banks: see burst verb 8 left bank, right bank (of a river): respectively to left or right of someone looking down stream. South Bank see south. 2 Shakes. Mids. N. D. 1 know a bank where the wild thyme blows. E. Waugh I.. organized lines of men to pass tire stores from hand to hand down the steep bank. 3 J. A. H. Murray Thomas, lying on Huntley Banks, sees the lady riding by. 5 Scottish Daily Express The Albert had been fishing in the Belgian banks of the North Sea. fig.: Shakes. Much. But here upon this bank and shoal of time—We'd jump the life to come. bank-barn N. Amer. a bam built on a slope; bank-full full to the bank or brink; bank martin a sand-martin; bankside (o) the sloping side of a bank; (b) the margin of a lake, river, etc.; banksman mining a pit-head overseer; bank swallow - bank martin above; bank vole: see vole noun2, m bankless adjective without banks or borders Ei7. banky adjective full of banks, hilly; like a bank, inclined: Ei7. Comb.: adjective

[Old & mod. French banc (= Provencal banc, Spanish, Italian banco), from Proto-Romance deriv. of Germanic: see prec., bench noun.] [ 1 A bench; a platform. (Cf. mountebank.) ME-L17.

banian noun var. of banyan. banish /'banif/ verb trans. lme.

bank /bagk/ noun3, lis.

bania /'bAnia/ noun. L18. [Hindi baniya from Sanskrit vanija: see

banyan.]

A Hindu trader or merchant,

[Old French baniss- lengthened stem of banir (mod. bannir) from Proto-Romance from Germanic, from base of ban noun1: see

[French banque or its source Italian banco (also banco), from medi¬ eval Latin bancus, banco, from Germanic: cf. bank noun', noun2.]

-ISH2.]

[ 1 The place of business of a money-dealer; the table on which such business is conducted. L15-M19. 2 An accumulated sum of money; a joint stock, esp. contributed for charitable purposes, obsolete exc. as in sense 4 below. Ei6. 3 An establishment for the custody, deposit, loan, exchange, or issue of money, which it pays out on the customer’s order; a building occupied by such an estab¬ lishment. E17. 4 In gaming, the amount of money, chips, etc., which the keeper of the table, or one player playing against all the others, has before him or her; the proprietor as con¬ trolling this. El 8. 5 A small enclosed receptacle for money. Chiefly in piggy bank s.v. piggy noun. M20. 6 A reserve of something (e.g. blood, data) stored for future use; a place holding this. M20.

11 Proclaim (a person) an outlaw. lme-ei7. 2 Condemn to removal esp. to another country; exile. LME. 3 gen. Dismiss from one's presence or mind; expel. LME. t4 Clear out, empty. li 5-li 6. G3 2 Shakes. Temp. This damn'd witch Sycorax .. from Argier.. was banish'd. J. Morse He that shall be convicted there of is to be banished the kingdom. 3 Disraeli Who had they dared to imitate him.. would have been banished society. E. M. Forster He was.. a stimulus, and banished morbidity. R. Lowell Old lumber banished from the Temple. W. Trevor He tried to think of something else, to banish away the face of the man who had been rude.

■ banisher noun lme. banishment noun the action of banish¬ ing; a state of exile or enforced absence: dismissal: lis.

banister /‘bamsta/ noun. Also -nn-, (earlier) -[barrister. M17. [Alt. of

baluster,

partly by assoc, with

bar

noun'.]

Any of the upright pillars supporting the handrail of a staircase; the whole structure of rail and uprights. Usu. in pi. banjax /‘band3aks/ verb trans. Anglo-Irish. M20. [Origin unkn.]

Ruin, destroy; incapacitate. banjo /'band33o/ noun. PI. -o(e)s. Also t-ore, [banger. M18. [Black American alt. of bandore noun'.]

1 A stringed musical instrument with a head and neck like a guitar and a body like a tambourine, played with the fingers or with a plectrum, mis. 2 Any of various appliances resembling this instru¬ ment in shape; Austral. & NZslang a shovel. M19. ■ banjoist noun a person who plays the banjo Li 9.

banjolele noun var. of banjulele. banjolin /'bandjalin/ noun. Also -ine. Li9. [from

BANJO

+

MANDOLIN.]

A four-stringed instrument, combining characteristics of the banjo and the mandolin. [banjore noun var. of banjo. banjulele /band3a'leili/ noun. Also -jo-. E20. [from banjo + ukulele.]

A simplified banjo tuned as a ukulele. bank /bagk/ noun'. me. [Old Norse bakki ridge, bank (Old Danish bfluke; Swedish backe. Danish bakke hillock, ascent) from Germanic: rel. to bench noun ]

1 The sloping margin of a river, stream, etc.; ground at the side of a river etc. Also, the edge of a hollow place such as a mine shaft, ditch, etc. me. 2 A ridge or shelf of ground with (steeply) sloping sides; a slope of such a ridge etc. me. 3 A hill, a hillside (dial.); a railway incline, lme. 4 The seashore, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 5 A shelving elevation in the seabed or a river-bed. Li 6. 6 A long flat-topped mass (of cloud, fog, snow, etc.). E17. a cat, a: arm. £ bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

Cl 1 R. Greene A silent streame .. Banckt about with choyce of flowers. Southey A ridge of rocks that bank’d its side. M. McCarthy The altar was completely banked with flowers. 2 H. Martineau They had banked up the snow. J. Kosinski Before retiring for the night women would bank up ashes to make certain that the embers would keep glowing until morning. D. Bagley Consoles of telemetering devices were banked fore and aft. 7a R. V. Jones Cecil, with all his old bomber pilot's reactions, banked us sharply into a turn heading directly at the fighter, b C. A. Lindbergh I banked around in an attempt to get back to the field.

bank /bagk/ noun2, me.

[2 A seat of justice. ME-L19. 3 A bench or table used in various trades, esp. in print¬ ing to receive the printed sheets, obsolete exc. Hist, mi6. 4 The bench occupied by the rowers of each oar in a galley; a line of oars set at the same height, esp. on either side of a galley. ti6. 5 A set of similar pieces of equipment (e.g. lights, drawers) grouped together, esp. in rows or tiers. L19.

bani noun pi. of ban noun3.

[ 3 verb trans. Coast, skirt, rare (Shakes.). Only in 116. 4 verb trans. & intrans. watchmaking. Limit the movement of (the escapement) in a watch; (of a watch or its escape¬ ment) impinge against its limits of movement, mis. 5 verb intrans. Rise or pile up or up into banks; build up. L18. 6 verb trans. Assist (a train) to ascend an incline by pushing at the rear. E20. 7 a verb trans. Tilt (an aeroplane, road vehicle, etc.) side¬ ways in making a turn; build (a road etc.) higher at one side than the other to assist fast cornering. E20. Fb verb intrans. Tilt in this way. E20.

£0 3 G. Stein She would not let Lena touch her wages, but put it in the bank for her. G. Greene Drawing a cheque is not nearly so simple an operation in an American bank as in an English one. bank of issue, bank of circulation: one that issues its own notes, central bank a national (not commercial) bank. CLEAftmc-bank cry all the way to the bank colloq. iron, receive ample financial compensation or reward. Federal Reserve Bank: see federal, in bank, in the bank fig. to one's credit, in reserve, joint-stock bank see joint adjective, merchant bank: see merchant adjective. private bank: one with not more than twenty unincorporated partners, reserve bank: see reserve noun & adjective, savings bank: see saving noun. Swiss bank the Bank (of England) the central bank of the UK, which acts as the Government's banker, manages the public debt, and issues legal tender, a break the bank: see break verb. 6 I. Asimov The time would come when unfertilised ova could be stored in banks at liquid-air temperatures and utilised for artificial insemination. Times We must be prepared for the day when banks' of different organs .. will be integral parts of all major hospitals bottle bank, paper-bank. etc. Comb. : bank balance the net amount held by a depositor in a bank, loosely a person's wealth; bank-bill (a) a bill drawn by one bank on another; (b) N. Amer. a banknote; bank-book a book sup¬ plied by a bank to a customer to provide a record of sums depos¬ ited or withdrawn; bank card a cheque card; bank charge commission charged by a bank for transactions and services: bank holiday a weekday on which banks are legally closed, in Britain usu. kept as a general holiday; bank manager the person in charge of a local branch of a bank, banknote a banker's promissory note, esp. from a central bank, payable to the bearer on demand, and servingas money. Bank Rate Hist, the minimum rate at which the Bank of England would agree to dis¬ count approved bills of exchange; bankroll noun & verb (orig. N. Amer.) (a) noun a roll of banknotes; funds; (b) verb trans. (colloq.) finance, remunerate; bank statement a statement showing the balance of a bank account together with amounts paid in or withdrawn.

bank /bagk/ verb2. Mi7. [from bank noun3.] 1 verb intrans. Keep a bank; trade in money. M17. 2 verb intrans. In gaming; act as banker. E19. Fb Put one’s money on orupon; base one's hopes (up)on; count or rely (up)on. Li 9. 3 verb intrans. Keep money at or with (a particular bank

etc.). M19. 4 verb trans. Deposit (money etc.) in a bank. M19. 5 verb trans. Store (blood, tissue, etc.) for future use. M20. ■ banka1 bility noun the quality or condition ofbeing bankable t20. bankable adjective receivable at a bank; profitable, commer¬ cially feasible: El9. bankassurance noun var. of bancassurance. banker/'bagka/ noun1. Long arch. & dial. me. [Anglo-Norman bankeur= Old Northern French bankier, banquier, from banc: see BANK noun2, -er2.]

A covering for a bench or chair. banker/"bagka/ noun2. Mi6. [Old 8. mod. French banquier (cf. Italian banchiere. Anglo-Latin bancarius), from banque: see bank noun3, -er2.]

1 A person who keeps or manages a bank (see bank noun31,3); in pi. also, a banking company. M16.

2 In gaming, a person who keeps the bank; the dealer in some games of chance. E19. Fb A particular gambling game of cards. L19. 3 In a football pool: a result which one forecasts iden¬ tically in a series of entries; gen. a match etc. for which a specified outcome is confidently predicted. M20. 1 merchant banker see merchant adjective. Swiss banker Comb.: banker’s card a cheque card; banker’s order: see order noun; bankers' ramp see RAMP noun3. ■ bankerish adjective bankerly M20. bankerly adjective charac¬ teristic of or appropriate to a banker 120.

banker ''bagka/ noun3. Mi7. [from bank noun1 or verb' + -er1.]

1 A ship or fisherman employed in cod-fishing on the Newfoundland banks. M17. 2 A labourer who makes banks of earth etc. dial. E18. 3 A river flooded to the top of its banks. Austral. & NZ. M19. 4 A locomotive used for banking (see bank verb1 6). E20. banker/'bagka/noun4. Li7. [from

bank

noun2; perh. alt. of Italian banco (a statuary's) bench.]

A wooden or stone bench on which bricks are dressed or stone is worked. banket/bag'ket, 'bagkit/noun. Orig. S.Afr. L19. [Afrikaans = almond toffee.] ceolocy. Compact gold-bearing conglomerate.

banking /'bagkig/ noun. Ei7. [from

bank

nouns & verbs +

-ing'.]

1 The construction of banks or embankments. E17. Fb An embankment or artificial bank, mi 8. 2 The business of a banker (banker noun2). Mis. 3 Sea-fishing on a bank, esp. on the Newfoundland banks, lis. 4 watchmakirc. Limitation of the motion of the balance, usu. by special pins. E19. 5 The raising of the outer side of a road etc. on a bend to facilitate cornering. E20. merchant banking see merchant adjective. Comb. : banking-house a mercantile firm engaged in banking.

2

bank /bagk/ verb', lme. [from bank noun1.] 1 verb trans. Confine or contain within a bank or banks;

border, edge, surround, lme. 2 verb trans. Heap or pile (up) into banks; build (a fire) up or up with tightly packed fuel so that it burns slowly. Ml 6. : saw, A run. u put. u: too. a ago. ai my. au how. ei day.

bankrupt /'bagkrApt/ noun, adjective, & verb. Also [-rout. M16. [Italian banco rotta lit. 'bench (or table) broken', infl. by French banqueroute and assim. to Latin ruptus broken.]

► A noun. [1 = BANKRUPTCY l. M16-E18.

au no, e: hair, ra near, ai boy ua poor, Aia tire, aua sour

182

bankruptcy | baptism 2 An insolvent debtor, a person who is hopelessly in debt; spec, an insolvent person (orig., a trader or mer¬ chant) whose estate is administered and distributed for the benefit of all his or her creditors by a court of law. Ml 6. ► B adjective. 1 Insolvent; undergoing legal process of bankruptcy, mi6. 2 fig. At the end of one's resources; destitute or bereft of (a quality etc.). L16. ► C verb, fl verb intrans. Become bankrupt; fail financially. M16-L17. 2 verb traps. Make bankrupt, reduce to insolvency; fig. exhaust the resources of, beggar. 116.

ME. [Old French banerete dim. olbaniere: see banner noun', -ette.]

A small banner. bannerol noun see banderole

111 1 Adam Smith Bankruptcies are most frequent in the most hazardous trades. H. Cecil Unless Martin and his partner could raise another very substantial sum of money, they would be put into bankruptcy and their affairs investi¬ gated. 2 Burke A general bankruptcy of reputation in both parties. bankshall /'bat)ksho:l/ noun. Ei7. [Malay bangsal shed, perh. from Sanskrit vaniksala merchants’ hall.)

In the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia: a warehouse; the office of a harbour-master etc. banksia /'barjksio/ noun. lis. [mod. Latin, from Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), English naturalist, or (sense 2) his wife Dorothea: see -ia1 .]

1 Any of various evergreen flowering shrubs of the proteaceous genus Banksia. native to Australia. L18. 2 banksia rose, a climbing rose, Rosa banksiae, native to China. Li9. ■ banksian adjective (a) Banksian cockatoo, a largely black Aus¬ tralian cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii: (b) banksian rose = banksia rose\ (c) banksian pine, the jack-pine, Pinus banksiana: LI 8.

bannat /'banot/ noun. Also banate. E19. [Serbo-Croat, formed as ban noun1 + -ate1.] Hist. The district under the jurisdiction of a ban. banner /'bans/ noun' & adjective, me. [Anglo-Norman banerc, Old French baniere (mod. banniire) ult. from medieval Latin bandum: see band noun3.] ► A noun. 1 A piece of cloth attached by one side to the

upper part of a pole, and used as the standard of a king, knight, army, etc.; a national flag, esp. as inspiring emo¬ tional attachment; heraldry a flag displaying a person’s arms. me. 2 An ensign with a symbolic device, motto, etc., as the emblem of a guild, company, or other group, borne in religious, civic, or political processions; esp. such an ensign on two poles or a crossbar; a strip of cloth etc. with a sign or slogan, hung or outstretched for display; fig. something used as a symbol of principles, me. 13 The company ranged under a particular banner, rare. ME-E19. t4 A fringed flag hanging on a trumpet, rare (Shakes.). Only in L16. 5 A flag awarded as a distinction. US. M19. 6 Hist. Any of the principal divisions of the Manchu army, each with a distinguishing flag or banner. Also, a military subdivision of Mongolian tribes. M19. 1 follow the banner of, join the banner of Jig. adhere to the cause of. red banner: see red adjective. Star-Spangled Banner see star noun' & adjective. Comb. : banner-cry arch, a cry summoning men to join a banner, a slogan; bannerman (a) Scot. arch, a standard-bearer; (b) Hist, a soldier of one of the banners of the Manchu army. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Entitled to a banner of distinc¬ tion; pre-eminent, supreme. US. mi9.

2 Conspicuous. E20. Sd 2 V. Gollancz The Daily Herald came out with a huge banner headline, in letters half an inch high, on its opening page. ■ bannerer noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) a standard-bearer lme. banner /'bans/ noun2, lme. [from BAN verb + -er1.]

A person who bans something or someone, banner/'bans/ verb. Li6. [from banner noun1.]

11 verb intrans. Raise a banner or standard against, rare. Only in Li 6. 2 verb trans. Provide with a banner or banners. Chiefly as bannered ppl adjective. M17. 3 verb trans. Bear or blazon on a banner. Chiefly as bannered ppl adjective. Lis. 4 verb trans. Announce in a banner headline. M20. banneret /'banarrt/ noun'. Also (as a title) B-. me. [Old French banercz, (later) -et. ult. formed as banner noun'.] Hist. 1 (Also knight banneret) Orig., (the title of) a

knight able and entitled to bring vassals into the field k cat. 1 leg, m

Banishment, expulsion, esp. from university.

The treatment of obesity by abstinence from sugar, starch, and fat. ■ Bantingism noun M19.

bantling /’banthi)/ noun. Li6.

bannock /'banak/ noun. Scot. & north. [Old English bannuc (recorded once), orig. from a British word repr. by Welsh ban, Breton bannach, bonne, Cornish bonna drop.)

A round, flat (but fairly thick) girdle-cake, usu. made of oatmeal, barley, pease, or flour; (local usage varies). banns /banz/ noun pi. Also (with unexpl. lengthening of the vowel) fbanes. me. [PI. of ban noun', after medieval Latin pi. banna.]

1 Notice given in church etc. of an intended marriage, read on three Sundays to give an opportunity for objec¬ tions to be made. me. 2 Proclamation of a performance of a play; a prologue. Long obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 1 ask the banns, bid the banns, publish the banns forbid the banns make a formal objection to an intended marriage.

banoffi pie /ba'nDli pai/ noun phr. Also banoffee pie. L20.

[Blend of banana and (alt. of) toffee.]

A dessert made with toffee (derived from condensed milk), bananas, and cream, and typically with a base or flan of shortcrust pastry. banquet/'barjkwit/noun. lis.

[Perh. from German Bankling bastard, from Bank bench, bank noun1: see -ling' and cf. bastard.]

A young child, a brat. Formerly also, an illegitimate child, a bastard. Q fig.: Byron The interest you have taken in me and my poetical bantlings.

Bantu /ban'tu:, 'bantu:/ adjective & noun. M19. [In certain Bantu langs., pi. of-ntu person.]

(Designating, of or pertaining to) a group of NigerCongo languages spoken extensively in equatorial and southern Africa. Also (now racially offensive), (of or pertain¬ ing to, a member of) the family of peoples speaking these languages. ■ Bantustan /-'sto:n, -’stan/ noun (S. Afr. colloq.) [-stan as in Hindustan etc.] Hist, an area reserved for members of a particular ethnic or linguistic group M20.

banxring /'bagksriri/ noun. Ei9. [Javanese bangsring.]

In Java and adjacent islands: a tree shrew. banyan /'banian, -njon/ noun. Also banian, li 6.

[Old & mod. French, dim. of banc bench, bank noun2.]

1 A sumptuous entertainment of food and drink; (now usu.) an elaborate dinner with speeches in celebration of something or to further a cause. Lis. |2 A slight meal or snack between meals. Also running banquet. E16-M17. 3 A course of sweets, fruit, and wine; a dessert. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north. E16. ►tb A sweet confection; collect, sweets, confectionery foods for dessert. M16-L17. |4 A wine-drinking carousal. M16-E18. banquet /'bagkwit/ verb. Lis. [French banqueter, formed as prec.] 1 ver6 intrans. Take part in a banquet or banquets; feast, carouse. Lis. 2 verb trans. Entertain at a banquet or banquets; feast,

regale. E16. 13 verb intrans. Take a snack, take dessert, (see banquet noun 2, 3). M16-E19. ■ banque'teer noun = banqueter (b) E19. banqueter noun t(a) the giver of a banquet; (b) a guest at a banquet; a feaster, a reveller: M16.

banquette /baq'kst/ noun. Ei7. [French from Italian banchetta dim. of banca bench, shelf: see -ETTE,]

[Portuguese from Gujarati vaniyo man of the trading caste, from Sanskrit vdnija merchant.]

► 11= BANIA. L16. 2 An Indian broker or steward attached to a firm or individual; a sircar, mi7. 3 In full banyan shirt etc. A loose flannel shirt or jacket, eis. ► II [Orig. applied by Europeans to a particular tree under which traders had built a pagoda.]

4 In full banyan tree. An Indian fig tree, Ficus benghalensis, the branches of which root themselves over a wide area, mi7. Comb.: banyan-day arch, (chiefly nautical): on which no meat is served: banyan shirt: see sense 3 above; banyan tree: see sense 4 above.

banzai /ban'zAi/ interjection & adjective. L19. [Japanese = ten thousand years (of life to you).]

► A interjection. A form of acclamation used by the Japan¬ ese esp. to their Emperor, a cheer used in battle etc. Li9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. (As if) shouting ‘banzai’; uproari¬ ous; (of an attack by Japanese) reckless, slang. E20. banzuke/ban’zu:ki/noun. L20. [Japanese.]

1 A raised step or way running along the inside of a rampart, at the bottom of a trench, etc., on which sol¬ diers stand to fire at the enemy. E17. 2 A raised footway or sidewalk, arch. rare. Li 8. 3 A long upholstered seat along a wall, mi9. banshee/ban’Ji:, 'banfi:/ noun. L17. [Irish bean sidhe. Old Irish ben side, from ben woman + side of the fairy world.]

In Irish and Scottish folklore: a female spirit whose wail portends death in a house. bantam /'bantam/ noun. mis. [App. from Bantam, a district of NW Java, but the fowls are not native there.]

1 A small land of domestic fowl, of which the cock is a spirited fighter, mis. 2 fig. A small but spirited person. Li 8. Comb.: bantamweight (of) a weight at which boxing etc. matches are made, intermediate between featherweight and fly¬ weight, in the amateur boxing scale now being between 51 and 54 kg, though differing for professionals, wrestlers, and weightlifters, and according to time and place; (a boxer etc) of this weight.

banteng,’banter)/ noun. E19.

baobab/'beiabab/noun. M17. [Prob. from a central African lang.: first mentioned (in Ethiopia) in Latin by Prosper Alpinus (1592).]

An African tree, Adansonia digitata (family Bombacaceae), having an enormously thick trunk and large edible pulpy fruit that hangs down on stalks; Austral. = gouty-stem s.v. gouty 2. Also baobab tree. BAOR abbreviation. British Army of the Rhine. bap /bap/ noun. L16. [Origin unkn.]

A large soft bread roll. Baphometic/bafo'metik/ adjective. M19. [from French baphomrtfrom medieval Latin (for Mahomet), + -ic.) Chiefly Hist. Of or pertaining to (the worship of) Baphomet, the alleged idol of the Knights Templars.

baptise verb var. of baptize. [Old French ba(p)te(s)me (now bapteme) from ecclesiastical Latin baptismus, -um (also -a) from ecclesiastical Greek baptismos ceremo¬ nial washing, baptisma baptism, from baptizein baptize. Refash after Latin & Greek.]

An ox. Bos banteng. of SE Asia. banter /'bants/ verb & noun. Li7. [Origin unkn.J

► A verb. I verb trans. 1 Make fun of (a person), rally, esp good-humouredly. Li7. r red, s sit, t top,

The ranking list of sumo wrestlers.

baptism/'baptiz(3)m/noun. me.

[Malay.]

n no, p pen,

■ banterer noun L17. banteringly adverb in a bantering manner, jestingly M19.

[W. Banting (d. 1878), English dietitian.]

[medieval Latin baroiltio(n-), from bannit- pa. ppl stem of bannire from Proto-Romance base also of banish: see -ion.]

man,

2 Impose upon (a person), orig. in jest; delude, cheat, bamboozle, arch. U7. f 3 Make a jest of (a subject, thing), e-mis. 4 Challenge or defy to a race, match, etc. arch. US. Lis. ► II verb intrans. 5 Indulge in banter; talk jestingly. Li7. ► B noun. 1 Nonsense talked to ridicule a subject or person; humorous ridicule; good-natured personal remarks. Li7. 2 An instance of such humorous ridicule, arch. eis. 3 A challenge to a race, match, etc. arch. US. M19.

Banting /'bantu]/ noun. arch. Also b-. Mi9.

jbannition noun. M17 mis.

1 The state of being, or fact of becoming, bankrupt. E18. 2 fig. Total loss (of a quality etc.); ruin. mis.

h he, j yes,

banneret /’banont/ noun1. Also bannerette /bana’ret/.

bannister noun var. of banister.

bankruptcy 'barjkrAptsi/ noun. eis. [from bankrupt adjective + -CY.]

b but, d dog. f few, g get,

under his own banner (esp. a French rank). Later, (the title of) a person on whom a knighthood was conferred on the field for valour in the king’s presence; hence as a rank or order of knighthood, me. 2 = BANNERER. LME. 3 A title borne by certain officers in some of the Swiss cantons and Italian republics. L17.

v van,

w we, z zoo.

1 The application of water to a person by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling, as a religious rite, symbolical of purification or regeneration, and, with Christians, J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

183

baptismal | barb

betokening initiation into the Church, often accompan¬ ied by naming, me. 2 The naming of church bells and of ships. Li 6. 1 fig.: baptism of blood martyrdom of the unbaptized, baptism of fire a soldier’s first battle.

baptismal bap'ttzm(a)l/ adjective, mu. [medieval Latin baptismalis, from baptismus etc.: see prec., -al'.]

Of, pertaining to, or connected with baptism, baptismal name the personal or Christian name given at baptism, baptismal vows: see vow noun. ■ baptismally adverb M19.

baptist /'baptist/ noun & adjective. Also (as a specific epithet and of the religious body) B-. me. [Old & mod. French baptists from ecclesiastical Latin baptists from ecclesiastical Creek baptistes, from baptizein baptize: see -ist.)

► A noun. 1 A person who baptizes; spec. John, the fore¬ runner of Christ (St John the Baptist), me. 2 A member of a Protestant Christian religious body practising baptism only of believers (not infants) and by immersion (cf. Anabaptist 2). Li6. 2 Free Will Baptist: see free will Particular Baptist: see particular adjective. Primitive Baptist see primitive adjective & noun. Southern Baptist: see southern adjective. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the religious body of the Baptists; being a Baptist. E18.

baptistery /'baptist(a)ri/ noun. Also -try /-tri/. me. [Old French ba(p)tistere, -eric (mod. baptistere) from ecclesiastical Latin baptisterium from ecclesiastical Greek baptisterion, from baptizein (see next).]

1 That part of a church (or, formerly, a separate build¬ ing adjacent to a church) used for baptism, me. 2 In a Baptist chapel, a receptacle containing water for baptism by immersion. Ml9. baptize /bap'tAiz/ verb. Also -ise. me. [Old & mod. French baptiser from ecclesiastical Latin baptizare from Creek baptizein dip. immerse, (eccl.) baptize.] 1 verb trans. Administer baptism to. ME. >b verb intrans. Administer baptism, me. 2 verb trans. Name (as in baptism), denominate, nick¬ name. LME. ■ baptizable adjective capable of or fit for baptism M17. tbaptization noun = baptism lme-eis. baptizer noun L15.

bar /ba:/ noun', me. [Old & mod. French barre from Proto-Romance, of unkn. origin.] ► I 1 gen. A straight piece of wood, metal, or other rigid material, long in proportion to its thickness, me.

2 spec, a A rod or pole made to fasten, confine, or obstruct, me. Fb A thick rod thrown in a trial of strength. Lis. Fc = barre 2. L19. Fd The crossbar of a foot¬ ball goal. li 9. Fe A heating element of an electric fire. E20.

J3 An ornamental (esp. transverse) band or boss. ME-M16.

4 A straight stripe, a broad band of colour etc. on a surface, lme. 5 heraldry. A narrow horizontal stripe equal to or less than one fifth of the width of the field. Cf. barrulet. lme.

6 An oblong piece of metal or something manufac¬ tured (as soap, chocolate, etc.). L16. Fb One pound ster¬ ling. slang. E20. 7 In pi. The transverse ridged divisions of a horse’s palate. E17. 8 A strip of silver below the clasp of a medal signifying an additional distinction; a distinction so signified. Mi9. I parallel bars see parallel adjective. T-bar see T, T 2. 2a behind bars in prison, crossbar noun 4 Stars and Bars see star noun' & adjective. 5 bar sinister (erron. for) a bend or baton sinister, a supposed sign of bastardy.

► II 9 A material structure of any shape, forming a barrier, me. 10 Hist. spec, a A barrier or gate closing the entrance into a city. me. >b A toll-house gate or barrier. Mi6. II In pi. Prisoners’ base (see base noun2) or a similar children’s game. Cf. prison bars s.v. prison, prisoners’ bars s.v. prisoner, me. 12 law. A plea or objection of force sufficient to block an action or claim, lme. 13 fig. An obstruction, an obstacle; a restriction. M16. 14 A bank of sand, silt, etc., across the mouth of a river or harbour, obstructing navigation. Li6. 15 music. Any of successive vertical lines across the staff dividing a composition into metrical groupings, often of equal time-value, and placed before the initial accent of each grouping; a section between two such lines, a measure. Mi7. CQ 12 in bar of as a sufficient reason or plea against to prevent, personal bar: see personal adjective. 13 Burke Thereby fixing a permanent bar against any relief. L. A. G. Strong Disparity in years.. is not invariably a bar to harmony. 15 double bar: see double adjective & adverb.

► III Specialized uses in courts of law, legislative assem¬ blies, etc. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

16 In a court of law, the barrier or rail at which a pris¬ oner stands. In the Inns of Court, formerly, a barrier or partition separating the seats of the benchers from the rest of the hall, to which students, after they had reached a certain standing, were ‘called’ (long popularly understood to refer to that in a court of justice, beyond which the King’s or Queen’s Counsel (and Serjeantsat-Law) have place, but not ordinary barristers), me. Fb A tribunal (lit. & fig.); a (particular) court of law. lme. 17 the bar: Fa The whole body of barristers or (US) lawyers: the outer bar, barristers not King’s or Queen’s Counsel, lme. Fb The profession of barrister; occupa¬ tion as counsel in a court of justice. M17. 18 A rail dividing off a space in a legislative assembly etc. to which non-members may be admitted on busi¬ ness. LI 6. GJ 16 at the bar, (arch.) at bar in court, in open court, be called to the bar be admitted as a barrister, be called within the bar be appointed King’s or Queen's Counsel, call to the bar admission as a barrister, go to the bar. see go verb, inner bar see inner adjective, prisoner at the bar b Carlyle The Judgment-bar of the Most High God. H. P. Brougham I have practised at the bar of the House of Lords. New Republic The United States may be called to account before the bar of world opinion .. for its LatinAmerican policy.

► IV Any other barrier or rail acquiring technical signifi¬ cance from its use. 19 A counter in a public house, hotel, etc., across which alcoholic refreshments are served; the space behind such a counter; the room or premises containing such a counter. Li 5. 20 With specifying word: a place where something is served or offered across a counter; a specialized depart¬ ment in a large shop. M20. 03 19 J. Heller He went to the bar for more bourbon. P. Norman Although Jack worked in a bar, it did not seem to make him tired of bars, and he and Olwen became frequent visitors .. to the pierhead pub. lounge bar. public bar. etc. prop up the bar. see prop verb 2. wet bar: see wet adjective. 20 coffee bar. food bar, snack bar, suchi bar. tapas bar, etc. heel bar. stocking bar. etc.

f.i 3 statute-barred see statute noun, time-barred see time noun. 4 N. Harpsfield Is there anything here that barreth those that be under the patriarch of Alexandria.. to appeal to the see apostolic? Shakes. 2 Hen. iVI will bar no honest man my house. R. L’Estrange A Disease.. barrs us of some Pleasures, but procures us others. Tennyson Last from her own home-circle.. They barr’d her. 5 P. G. Wodehouse No more friendly little games with nothing barred except biting and bottles. F. Raphael Its sale was barred on station book¬ stalls. no holds barred, with no holds barred: see hold noun1 2b. 6 R. Herrick When next thou do’st invite, barre state, And give me meate. ► II9 Mark with bars or stripes; divide or make into bars. Chiefly as barred ppl adjective, lme. ffl 9 Keats Eyed like a peacock, and ail crimson barr’d. R. G. Collingwood The Scherzo of Beethoven's C minor Symphony begins by reproducing the Finale of Mozart’s G minor, differently barred.

bar/ba:/preposition. Ei8. [Imper.

prec.,

prob.

after

except, save,

etc.:

cf.

barring

Except; excluding from consideration; but for. all over bar the shouting, bar none with no exceptions, bar two, bar three, etc. (in stating the odds in racing) except the two. three, etc., horses already named; also ellipt. with the number omitted.

bara brith /.bara 'briB/ noun phr. Also barabrith. PI. same. M20. [Welsh, lit. ‘speckled bread', from bara bread, loaf+brith mottled, spotted.]

A traditional Welsh tea bread, typically made with raisins, currants, and candied peel. baracan noun var. of barracan. barack /‘baratsk, 'barak/ noun. M20. [Shortened from Hungarian barackpalinka apricot brandy, from barack apricot + palinka brandy, schnapps.)

A type of apricot brandy originating in Hungary. baragouin /baragws, bara'gwm/ noun. E17. [French.]

Gibberish; unintelligible jargon.

barbell an iron bar with a heavy ball at each end used in exercising; bar billiards a game (popular in public houses) using a small table similar to a billiard-table but with holes of different score values on the bed of the table, into which the balls have to be directed; bar chart a chart using bars to represent quantities; bar code a code of lines and numbers printed in a band on wrappings, packages, etc., and interpret¬ able by an optical scanner; bar-coding the practice or process of marking goods etc. with bar codes; barfly coliog. (a) a person who frequents the bars of public houses etc.; (b) (more fully barfly jumping) the practice of taking a running jump at a specially coated hanging surface with the aim of sticking to it on impact; bar-girl US a woman employed to encourage customers to buy drinks at a bar; barhop verb intrans. spend time drinking in a series of bars, staying in each one for only a short while; barkeel: see keel noun'; barkeep N. Amec = bartender below; bar-line music a line across a stave marking metrical accent (see sense 15 above); bar magnet: see magnet 2; barmaid, barman a female, male, bartender; bar-room a room with a bar selling alcoholic refreshments; bar soap soap made up into bars (rather than cakes or tablets); bartend verb serve alcoholic refreshments at a bar; bartender a person serving alcoholic refreshments at a bar; bar tracery: bar wing an Asian bird of the genus Artinodura, of the babbler family, having barred feathers on the wings and tail. ■ fbarful adjective (rare. Shakes.) full of hindrances: only in E17. Comb.:

Baralipton /baroTiptJajn/ noun. Li6. [A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers, first used in medieval Latin, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition and I a par¬ ticular affirmative proposition.] logic. The first indirect mood of the first syllogistic figure, in which a particular affirmative conclusion is drawn from two universal affirmative premisses.

barasingha/bara'sigga/noun. Mi9. [Hindi barah-sigga lit. ‘twelve-tined’.]

= swamp deer s.v, swamp noun. barathea /bara'Gi:?/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [Origin unkn.]

(Of) a fine-textured twill doth, made of wool or a man¬ made fibre, often with an admixture of silk, cotton, or other lighter fibre. barathrum /'baraGram/ noun, obsolete or Hist. PI. -thra /-Gra/, -thrums. E16. [Latin from Greek barathron pit, gulf.]

J1 Hell. E16-M18. { 2 An insatiable extortioner or glutton. E-M17. 3 Hist. A pit in Athens into which condemned criminals were thrown. Mi9.

bar/ba:/ noun2. E18. [French barfs) from Dutch baars: see barse, & cf. bass noun1.]

baraza ./ba'ra:za/ noun. Li9.

= MEAGRE noun'.

[Kiswahili]

In E. Africa: a place of public audience or reception; a meeting, a reception,

bar/ba:/noun3. US. Ei9. [Louisiana French boire.]

In full mosquito bar. A type of mosquito netting.

barb /ba:b/ noun'. In sense 1 also barbe. me.

bar /ba:/ noun'. E20.

[Old & mod. French barbe from Latin barba beard.]

1 A piece of vertically pleated linen cloth worn over or under the chin, as by nuns. me. 2 Ja A man’s beard, rare. lme-li7. »b An appendage in an animal resembling a beard; esp. = barbel 2. Lis. 3 A secondary backward-projecting point of an arrow, fish-hook, etc., making its extraction difficult, lme. ' Fb fig. A wounding quality or remark, lis. 4 veterinary medicine. Usu. in pi. Any of the folds of the mucous membrane which protect the submaxillary glands of cattle and horses; (in pi.) inflammation of these folds. El 6. 5 HERALDRY. A sepal (in pi. the calyx) of a flower. Also, the head of an arrow. Li 6. 6 Any of the lateral processes from the shaft of a feather. M19. 7 A sciaenid fish of the genus Menticirrhus, found on the N. American Atlantic and Gulf coasts; also called kingfish. Also, a brightly coloured tropical fish of the genus Barbus. L19.

[Greek baros weight.] Chiefly metcorolocy. A unit of pressure equal to 105 pascal

(about 0.9870 atmosphere). bar /ba:/ verb trans. Infl. -rr-. me. [Old & mod. French barrer, formed as bar noun1.]

► I Make fast with a bar or bars. 1 Make fast (a door etc.) with a bar or bars; fasten up (a place) with a bar or bars; provide with a bar or bars. me. 2 Fasten in, shut up, or confine securely (a person or thing) with a bar or bars; keep or shut in or out. lme. 3 law. Block (a person, an action or claim) by objection. LME. 4 Hinder, prevent, or prohibit (a person) jrom; deprive or debar of. Also foil, by (arch.) 2nd obj., |to do. lme. 5 Stop, hinder, prevent, prohibit, (an action or event). M16. 6 Exclude from consideration, set aside, (cf. bar. barring prepositions). Li6. 7 Obstruct (a way of approach, a person's progress). 116. 8 Take exception to, object to. Now slang. E17. : saw. A run, o put, u: too. 3 ago, ai my, au how, ei day,

of

preposition.]

Comb, barbwire (chiefly US) = barbed wire s.v. barbed adjective' 2. so

no, e: hair, 13 near, 31 boy, ua poor, »b tire, ana sour

184

barb | barberry O 1 Shakes. CorioL I would they were barbarians.. not Romans. Hobbes The Athenians.. expecting the coming of the Barbarian. J. Clavell Even that would not have mattered

tbarbnoun2. M16-M17.

[Alt. of bard noun2.] Usu. in pi = bard noun21. £3 Spenser His loftie steed with.. goodly gorgeous barbes.

,. if he still had the barbarian in his power..; he would simply have handed over the foreigner. 2 Dryden Skins of Beasts, the rude Barbarians wear. K. Clark Into that chaos came real barbarians like the Huns, who were totally illiter¬ ate and destructively hostile to what they couldn't under¬ stand. 3 D. Hume Cromwell, though himself a barbarian, was not insensible to literary merit.

barb /ba:b/ noun3. Mi7. [French bnrbe from Italian barbero of Barbary: see Barbary 1.]

1 (An animal of) a breed of horse from Barbary. m 17. 2 (A bird of) a breed of pigeon from Barbary. E18. 3 A black kelpie dog. Austral. Li9.

►j II4 A native or inhabitant of Barbary (see

Barbary 1).

lme-eis.

barb /ba:b/ noun1, slang. M20.

barb /ba:b/ verb trans. lme. [French fbarber, formed as

barb

►t A

noun1.]

1 Clip or trim (a fleece, cloth, coin, etc.). Long rare. lme. 2 Shave or trim the beard of. Long rare. Li 6. 3 Provide (an arrow, hook, etc.) with a barb or barbs. E17. £□ 3 fig.: R. H. TawneyThe needlessly sharp censures with

noun. = barbarian noun 1. Only in lme. ► B adjective. 1 Uncivilized, uncultured; savage; savagely cruel, lis. 2 Of or pertaining to barbarians; characteristic of the artistic taste or style of barbarians; unrestrained. M17. 3 = barbarian adjective 1. arch. Mi9. HI 1 H. J. Laski The noble savage, on investigation, turns out to be a barbaric creature with a club and scalping knife. 2 Milton Barbaric pearl and gold. R. Lehmann Like one

which he barbed the fine imposed upon an enclosing land¬ lord.

moving in a barbaric rite of dedication towards some altar. Sending envoys to the Persian King and not to other barbaric powers.

Barbadian /ba: 'beidian/ noun & adjective, eis. (A native or inhabitant) of Barbados in the W. Indies. Cf. Badian.

tBarbadoes noun var. of Barbados.

Barbados /bai’beidos/ noun. Also

f-oes. Li7.

[An island in the W. Indies, formerly (the) Barbadoes.] Used attrib. to designate things from or characteristic of

Barbados, esp. plants. Barbados cherry (the edible fruit of) a neotropical tree, Malpighi a glabra (family Malpighiaceae). Barbados gooseberry. Barbados lily = hippeastrum. Barbados pride a W. Indian leg¬ uminous shrub, Caesalpiniapulcherrima, bearing red flowers with yellow petal margins.

Latin barba

beard

+

Mi7.

-AL'.]

Of or pertaining to the beard. tbarbar noun & adjective, lme. [formed as barbarous.]

► A noun. = barbarian noun, lme-eis. ► B adjective. = barbarous, lme-eis. Barbara /'bmbara/ noun.

lis-mis.

= BARBAROUS.

Transport to Barbados.

barbal /'ba:b(a)l/ adjective, rare.

tBarbarin noun var. of Berberine. [from (the same root as) Barbary + -ous.]

[from (the) Barbadoes: see next.]

barbarise verb var. of barbarize. barbarism /'ba:boriz(a)m/ noun.

affirmatives. Barbaresco /ba:ba'jeskau/ noun. M20. (The name of a village in Piedmont, NW Italy.]

A variety of red wine produced from the Nebbiolo grape in the vicinity of Barbaresco. Barbaresque /bccba'resk/ adjective & noun. In sense A.2 b-. El 9. [French Barbaresque from Italian barbaresco from Barbaria Barbary see Barbary 1, -esque.]

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to Barbary (see Barbary 1). Now arch, or Hist. E19. 2 Barbarous in (esp. artistic) style. E19. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Barbary. Now arch. 01 Hist Ei 9. barbarian /bafbsxian/ adjective & noun. me. [French jbarbarien or Latin, extended (after chretieu etc. Christian adjective, noun) from Old & mod. French barbare formed as barbar: see -ian.]

► A adjective. 1 Foreign; spec. non-Hellenic, (esp.) nonRoman; also, pagan, non-Christian, Usu. depreciative. Now arch, or Hist. me. 2 Uncivilized, savage. L16. f3 Of or pertaining to Barbary (see Barbary 1). L16-L17. -3 1 Shakes. Tr. S Cr. Thou art here but to thrash Troians, and thou art bought and sold . like a barbarian slave. Pope Barbarian blindness, Christian zeal conspire. H. T. Colebrooke Several other terms.. are not Sanscrit, but, apparently, barbarian. H. Hallam Establishment of the barbarian nations on the mins of the Roman Empire. 2 A. Paton A barbarian people, who not long since plun¬ dered and slaughtered under the most terrible chief of all.

► B noun. I 1 A foreigner; a person with a different lan¬ guage or different customs; spec, a non-Hellene, a nonRoman; also, a pagan, a non-Christian. Usu. depreciative Now arch, or Hist. lme. 2 Asavage, wild, or uncivilized person, lis. 3 An uncultured person; a person without sympathy for literary or artistic culture, mis.

lme.

[Old & mod. French barbarisme from Latin barbarismus from Greek barbarismos, from barbanzem behave or speak like a foreigner: see -ISM.]

1 Uncivilized nature or condition; uncultured ignor¬ ance; absence of culture; barbaric style (in art etc.), unre¬ strainedness. lme. kb A trait or characteristic of such uncivilized condition. M17. 2 The use of words and idioms not in accordance with the (supposed) normal standard language, esp. of those of foreign origin; absence of cultivation in language. Mi6. kb A foreign, non-classical, or non-standard word or idiom. Li6. |3 = BARBARITY

3.

[Amer. Spanish, app. from Spanish verbasco from Latin verbascum mullein.]

(A poison obtained from the roots of) any of various S. American plants; esp. = cube noun2. barbastelle /bcrba’stel, ba:bastd/ noun. L18. [French from Italian barbasteUo.]

Either of two bats of the genus Barbastella; esp. B. barbastellus, found in southern Britain. barbate /'ba:beit/ adjective. M18. [Latin barbatus bearded, from barba beard: see -ate2.]

Bearded; furnished with a small hairy tuft or tufts. barbe noun see barb noun1.

P. Stanley The imperceptible boundary between civilisation and barbarism. K. Clark Its sculpture is miser¬ ably crude, without even the vitality of barbarism, b J. Howell Plundering and other barbarismes that reign now abroad. barbarity /bafbanti/ noun.

Mi6.

[from Latin barbarus (see barbarous) + -ity.] 11

= BARBARISM 2. M16-L18.

arch. LI6. Savage cruelty; harsh unkindness. savage cruelty, eis.

►til A wooden framework for storage, sleeping on, etc. M-L17. ► II 2 An animal broiled or roasted whole, esp. out of doors; meat etc. cooked out of doors on a frame over an open fire. Ei8. 3 An outdoor entertainment at which meat is cooked on a frame over an open fire. Mi8. 4 A wooden or (now esp.) metal frame for cooking, smoking, or drying meat over an open fire; a (usu. port¬ able) fireplace containing such a frame. L19. ► III 5 An open floor on which coffee beans etc. may be spread out to dry. mi8. Comb.: barbecue sauce a highly seasoned sauce used esp. with grilled or roasted meat. barbecue /'ba:bikju:/ verb trans. M17. [from (the same root as) prec.]

Cook, smoke, or dry (meat etc.) on a frame over an open fire, esp. out of doors; broil or roast (an animal) whole. barbed /ba:bd/ adjective1, lme.

3

barbarize /'ba.-barAiz/ verb. Also -ise.

L17.

Fb An act of

2

[from barb noun + -ed2.]

Barded (see bard verb 1). barbel /'ba:b(a)i/ noun. lme.

lme.

[Late Latin barbarizare from Greek barbarizein (see barbarism) or formed as next + -ize.)

1 verb intrans. Use barbarisms in speech or writing; violate classical grammatical rules, lme. 2 verb trans. Make (esp. language) barbarous. E17. 3 verb intrans. Become barbarous. Ei9. ■ barbari zation noun Ei9.

[Old French from late Latin barbeilus dim. of barbus, from barba beard.]

1 A large European freshwater fish of the genus Barbus, having a number of fleshy filaments hanging from its mouth. LME. 2 A fleshy filament hanging from the mouth of any fish, ei7. barber /'ba:ba/ noun & verb. me.

barbarous /'ba:baras/ adjective. Also occas. in Latin form t-rus. LME.

[from Latin barbarus (from Greek barbaros non-Greek, foreign, esp. of speech) + -ous.]

1 Uncultured; uncivilized; rough; rude; coarse, lme. 2 spec. Of language: not Greek; not Greek or Latin; not classical or standard; having many barbarisms. Mi6. 3 Of a person: = barbarian adjective 1. arch. Mi6. 4 Cruelly savage; harshly unkind. M16. 5 Harsh-sounding; coarsely noisy. Mi7. 16 = barbaric adjective 2. rare. Only in eis. £Q 1 Shakes. Twel. N. Ungracious wretch, Fit for the moun¬ tains and the barbarous caves. Where manners ne’er were preach'd! Carlyle An uncultured semi-barbarous son of Nature, J. Hawkes Most of them [villas] were built by romanized Britons, sometimes even on the foundations of their old barbarous homes of wood and wattle. 2 W. Cowper The Carians, people of a barbarous speech. D. Bagley Formulating his phrases carefully in the barbarous French these people used. 4 Henry Fielding It would be barbarous to pair Tom and the girl. G. B. Shaw England was a civilized Power and would not stand these barbarous lashings and vindictive hangings. 5 Yeats The barbarous clangour of a gong. 6 Dryden The trappings of his horse emboss'd with barbarous gold.

■ barbarously adverb Mi6. barbarousness noun M16

n no, p pen. r red, s sit, t top’•

11 Wearing a barb (see barb noun11). LME-E17. 2 Furnished with a barb or barbs (see barb noun13, barb verb 3). E17. 3 heraldry. Of a flower: having a calyx of a specified tinc¬ ture. E17. 2 barbed wire wire of twisted strands with short pointed pieces inserted at intervals, used for fences and as an obstruction in war. barbed /ba:bd, poet. 'ba:bid/ adjective2. Long arch. E16.

2 = barbarism i, ib.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes. k cat, 1 leg, m man,

barbecue /'ba:bikju:/ noun. M17.

[from barb noun1, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.]

E-M17.

£Q 1 A.

Mi6.

[Latin = barbarous things, taken as a mnemonic for its three o’s, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition.] logic. The first mood of the first syllogistic figure, in which both premisses and the conclusion are universal

1 (An old name for) the western part of N. Africa, me. 12 Foreign nationality; paganism; barbarity; barbarism; foreign or non-Christian lands. LME-M17. Comb.: Barbary ape a macaque, Macaca sylvana. ofN. Africa and Gibraltar; Barbary falcon a falcon, Fako pelegrinoides, of N. Africa and the Middle East; Barbary partridge a N, African par¬ tridge, Akctoris barbara; Barbary sheep = aoudad.

[Spanish barbacoa perh. from Arawak barbacoa raised wooden framework of sticks.]

■ barbarically adverb M19.

barbarious adjective,

tBarbadoes verb trans. M17-M19.

also b-. me.

3 G. Grote

[from Barbados, f(the)Barbadoes + -ian.)

[from

lme.

[French jbarbarique or Latin barbaricus from Creek barbarikos, from barbaros foreign: see -ic.]

A barbiturate (tablet).

2

[Sense 1 ult. from Arab, barbar (cf. Berber); sense 2 from Old French barbarie or Latin barbaria, -ies land of barbarians, formed as prec.: see -Y3.]

barbasco /bafbaskoo/ noun. PL -os. Mi9.

barbaric /ba: 'bank/ noun & adjective,

[Abbreviation.]

Barbary/'ba:bori/ noun. In sense

V

[Anglo-Norman barber, -our. Old French barbier, from Old & mod. French barbe beard: see barb noun1, -er2.] ► A noun. 1 A person who cuts and dresses men’s hair and

shaves or trims beards; a men’s hairdresser; Hist, such a person also acting as a surgeon and dentist, me. 2 A cutting cold wind, colloq. (chiefly Canad. & NZ). M19. 1 spud barber see spud noun. Comb.: barber-shop (a) (now chiefly N. Amer.) a shop where a barber works; (b) attrib. designating (an ensemble, esp. a male quartet, singing) dose harmony music; barber's itch, barber's rash ringworm of the face or neck communicated by unsterilized shaving apparatus; barber's pole a pole spirally painted in red and white, used as a barber’s sign; barber’s rash: see barber's itch above. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Cut or trim the hair or beard of; cut (grass etc.) short. E17. 2 verb intrans. Work as a barber. Chiefly as barbering verbal noun, mi7. ■ barbery noun (now rare) the art or craft of a barber lme. barberry /’ba:bari/ noun. Also ber- /’ba:-/. lme. [Old French berberis, assim. to berry noun1.]

1 Any of numerous shrubs of the genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae), usu. thorny and with yellow wood; esp. B. vulgaris, bearing racemes of yellow flowers succeeded by red oblong berries, lme. 2 The berry of such a shrub. Mi6.

van. w we. z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this, 0 ring, t) chip, d3 jar

185

barbet j barely

barbet/'ba:bit/ noun. Li6. [French, from barbe beard: see -et1.] j"1 A poodle. L16-E19,

2 Any of numerous brightly coloured fruit-eating trop¬ ical birds of the family Capitonidae, which have tufts of bristles at the base of the bill, Ei9. barbette /ba: 'bet/ noun. L18. [French, formed

as

A platform in a fort or ship ffom which guns fire over a parapet etc. and not through an embrasure. barbican /'ba:bik(a)n/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French barbacane = medieval Latin barbacana, barbi-, prob. ult. from Arab.] An outer defence to a city or castle, esp. a double tower

erected over a gate or bridge. barbicel /'ba:bis(a)l/ noun. Mi9. [Italian & mod. Latin barbicella dim. of barba beard.]

Any of the minute hooked filaments which interlock the barbules of a bird’s feathers. [Abbreviation: see -ie.] = BARBECUE 00U0 3, 4.

Barbara +

doll

noun',]

(Proprietary name for) a doll representing a slim, fash¬ ionably dressed, conventionally attractive young woman; transf. a pretty but passive or characterless woman. barbiers /‘bccbiaz/ noun. arch. Li7.

[A city in Spain.)

fl In full Barcelona handkerchief. Barcelona neckerchief. A handkerchief or neckerchief of soft twilled silk. M18-M19. 2 In full Barcelona nut. A hazelnut imported from Spain or an adjacent country. Mi9. barchan /'ba:k(a)n/noun. Also -ane. Li9.

barbital /'ba:bit(a)l/ noun. US. E20. [formed as barbituric + -At2.] = BARBITONE.

barbiton noun var. of barbitos. barbitone /'baibitaun/ noun. E20. [formed as barbituric + -one.]

5,5-Diethylbarbituric acid, or its sodium salt (usu. barbitone sodium), used as a hypnotic drug. Also called veronal.

barbitos /'bmbitas/ noun. PI. -toi /-toi/. Also -ton /-tan/. Mi6. [Latin from Creek.]

An ancient musical instrument with many strings, prob. a type of lute or lyre. barbiturate /bcr'bitjurst/ noun. Li9. [from next + -ate1.]

A salt of barbituric acid; any of the large class of hyp¬ notic and sedative drugs derived from barbituric acid. barbituric/ba:bi'tjuank/ adjective. M19. [French barbiturique from German Barbituijsdure acid), from Barbara a woman's name: see uric.] chemistry, barbituric acid, malonyl urea, C4H403N2, a syn¬

thetic cyclic dibasic acid from which many hypnotic and sedative dntgs are derived. Barbizon /'ba:bizon,foreign barbizo/ noun. Li9. [A village near the forest of Fontainebleau, France.]

Used attrib. to designate (a member of) a mid-igth-cent. school of naturalistic painters.

[A river in western Queensland.]

1 Barcoo grass, a Queensland pasture grass. L19. 2 Barcoo rot, chronic ulceration of the skin. L19. 3 Barcoo spew, Barcoo vomit, etc., illness accompan¬ ied by acts of vomiting. Li 9. 4 A violent storm. Also Barcoo buster. M20.

Resembling or characteristic of Bardolph, a character in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Henry V, and Merry Wives of Windsor, noted for his red nose. bardy bare

1 Any of an ancient Celtic order of minstrel-poets, who composed and sang (usu. to the harp) verses celebrating the achievements of chiefs and warriors, recording his¬ torical events, traditional lore, etc. In Wales spec, a poet honoured at an eisteddfod, me. Fb A strolling musician or minstrel. Scot. arch. lme. Fc A minstrel or poet of any other oral tradition, as an Anglo-Saxon scop, a Scandi¬ navian scald, etc. mis. 2 Any poet; esp. a lyric or epic poet, literary. Mi7. 2 the Bard (of Avon) Shakespeare. ■ bardic adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a bard Lis. bardish adjective (somewhat derog.) = bardic E17. bardism noun the art or practice of bards E18. bardling noun a young or inexperienced poet, a poetaster mis. hardship noun the office, dignity, or character of a bard li 8.

bard Ibcy.AI noun2. lis. [Old & mod. French barde ult. from Arab, barda'a saddle-cloth, stuffed saddle.) 1 Hist. Usu. in pi. A covering of armour for the breast and

flanks of a warhorse; occas. an ornamental covering of velvet or the like. lis. ►tb Armour for men-at-arms composed of metal plates. M16-E17. 2 cookery. A thin slice of bacon used in covering a fowl etc. El 8. bard /ba:d/ verb trans. Ei6. [French harder, formed as prec.] 1 Hist. Arm or caparison with bards. Freq. as barded ppl adjective. E16.

[Arbitrary formation from next.]

In full barbola work. Decorative work on small articles consisting of coloured models of flowers, fruit, etc., made from a plastic paste.

► A adjective. 1 Of the body or its parts: unclothed, naked. oe. Fb With the head uncovered; hatless. arch. lme. 2 fig. Open to view, unconcealed, oe. 3 Of things: without the natural covering which they have at other times; lacking vegetation, foliage, etc. oe. 4 Deprived of hair, wool, flesh, etc.; bald. me. 5 Lacking appropriate covering; unfurnished; undec¬ orated. me, Fb Of weapons: unsheathed. Esp. of the hands: unarmed, me. 6 Without addition; mere, simple; scant, slight, me. f 7 Unprotected, deserted; laid waste, desolate. ME-M17. 8 Destitute, empty, short, of, lacking in. me. 9 absol. a Of a person: destitute, needy, arch. me. Fb Empty; without contents, lme. 10 Spare, meagre. Chiefly of literary style etc.: plain, unelaborate, me. til Poor in quality, paltry. LME-L16. CQ 2 Milton Bare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear! J. A. Froude His mind was.. in contact with the bare facts of life. 3 AVJoel 1:7 He hath.. barked my figge tree: he hath made it cleane bare. A. P. Stanley Hills which are now bare were then covered with forest. R. Lehmann Every branch was bare at last. 5 Edward Thomas No one left and no one came On the bare platform. I. Murdoch Laid down as a covering upon the bare floorboards. S. King The two bare, dangling light bulbs, under bare poles: see pole noun' ie. 6 Addison Nature indeed furnishes us with the bare Neces¬ saries of Life. H. P. Brougham A bare majority of seven to five. G. Murray I know only the barest outline of what took place. G. Greene It was hard for me to show even bare polite¬ ness. bare bones: see bone noun. 11 Shakes. Ven. SAd. What bare excuses mak’st thou to be gone!

► B adverb. (With numeral adjectives.) = barely, arch. me. ► C noun. |1 A naked part of the body; a bare space or place. ME-E18. 2 The bare skin. lme. Comb.: bareback adjective & adverb (of a horse or rider) without a saddle; bare-backed adjective & adverb with the back bare, esp. = bareback above; barebacking slang the practice of having anal sex without the protection of a condom; bareboat noun & verb (a) noun a vessel chartered under an arrangement by which the charterer is responsible for manning the vessel and operating costs; (b) verb intrans. charter or sail a bareboat; barefaced adjective with the face uncovered or clean-shaven; fig. undis¬ guised, impudent, shameless; barefacedly adverb in a barefaced manner; barefacedness the quality of being barefaced; barefoot adjective & adverb = barefooted below (barefoot doctor. (in rural China) a paramedical worker with basic training; dance barefoot: see dance verb): barefooted adjective & adverb without shoes or stockings, with naked feet; barehanded adjective & adverb having nothing in or covering the hands, esp. carrying no weapon; barehead adjective & adverb (arch.) = bareheaded below; bareheaded adjective & adverb with the head uncovered, esp. as a sign of respect. ■ bareness noun lme. barish. bareish adjective M17. bare /be:/ verb' trans. [Old English barian (formed as prec.) = Old Frisian baria, Old High German gibaron, Old Norse bera: see prec.]

2 Cover (a fowl etc.) with slices of bacon. M17. tbardash noun. MI6-L19. A catamite.

1 Make bare, uncover; expose to view; unsheathe (a weapon), oe, 2 fig. Make manifest, reveal, me. 3 Strip, divest, denude, (of), lme,

bardee /'ba:di/ noun. Austral. Also -di, -dy. Mi9.

O 1 J. R. Green Earl Warrenne bared a rusty sword. Tennyson He bows, he bares his head. J. Kirkup Scalpel bares a creamy rib. N. Gordimer Sometimes.. she bares

[Aboriginal.]

The edible wood-boring grub of a beetle or moth. Also bardee grub.

barbotine /'bcrbotm, -ti:n/ noun. M19. [French.]

(Pottery ornamented with) a slip of kaolin clay.

her teeth without smiling, a mannerism like a pleased snarl, 2 D. Parker The intimate places of your heart.. you bared to me, as in confession. 3 D. Livingstone He quite bared his garden in feeding us.

Bardfield oxlip/'ba:dfi:ld 'okslip/ noun phr. M19. [Bardjield, a village in Essex, England.]

Barbour/'ba:ba/ noun. uo. [John Barbour (d. 1918), a draper in NE England who sold weather¬ proof clothing.]

In full Barbour coat. Barbour jacket. (Proprietary name for) a type of weatherproof garment manufactured byj. Barbour and Sons, Ltd. bar-b-q /'ba:bi:kju:/ noun, colloq. M20. [Respelling of barbecue noun.]

A barbecue; used esp. in advertisements for, or names of, restaurants serving barbecue food. 120.

(see below) + -an.]

(A native or inhabitant) of the W. Indian island of Barbuda, part of the country Antigua and Barbuda. barbule /'ba:bju:l/ noun. Mi9. [Latin barbula dim. of barba beard: see -ule.] 1 = barbel 2. Now rare or obsolete. Mi9.

2 A filament branching from a barb of a feather as the barb from the shaft. Ml9. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0:

noun var. of bardee.

/be:/ adjective, adverb, & noun.

[Old English brer = Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old & mod. High German bar. Middle Dutch baer (Dutch baar), Old Norse berr, from Germanic from Indo-European.]

[Gaelic bard, Irish bard, Welsh bardd, from Celtic (whence Greek bardos, Latin bardus). First used in Scotland and as a term of con¬ tempt, but idealized by Sir Walter Scott.]

[French bardache from Italian bardascia, perh. from Arab, bardaj slave.]

barbola /bai'bsub/ noun. E20.

Barbudan ba:'bu:d(n)n/ noun & adjective.

Barcoo /bo:'ku:/ noun. Austral, slang. L19.

/bafdolfian/ adjective, mis. [from Bardolph (see below) + -ian.]

Bardolphian

bard /ba:d/ noun1. ME.

alt. of beriberi.]

A paralytic disease occurring in the Indian subcontin¬ ent.

Barbuda

Barcelona/ba:si'tauno/noun. mis.

leeward side.

Barbie doll /'ba:bi dDl/ noun phr. Chiefly N. Amer. M20.

[from

A song sung by Venetian gondoliers; a piece of music in imitation of such songs or suggestive of the rocking motion of a boat.

[Turkic barkhan.] A shifting crescent-shaped sand-dune, concave on the

barbie /'ba:bi/ noun, colloq. (chiefly Austral). L20.

[French,

barcarole /'bmksraul, ba:ka'raul/ noun. Also -rolle /-ml/. Lis. [French barcarolle from Venetian Italian barcarola rel. to barcarolo gondolier, from barca bark noun3.]

prec.: see -ette.]

[from dim. of female personal name

BarcaLounger /'ba:ka,laund3a/ noun. US. 120. [from Barca (of unkn. origin) + lounger.] (Proprietary name for) any of various models of reclin¬ ing easy chair.

The true oxlip. Primula elatior. bare

bardi noun var. of bardee.

bareca

bardo /'ba:dao/ noun. Mi9. In Tibetan Buddhism: a state of existence between death and rebirth, varying in length according to a person's conduct in life and manner of, or age at, death. bardolatry ba/dolatn. noun. E20. [from bard noun' + -o- + -latry.]

Excessive admiration of a poet, spec, of Shakespeare, 'the Bard of Avon'. worshipper

of

the

Bard

E20.

Bardolino /ba:daTi:noo/ noun. M20. [The name of a village in northern Italy in the region of which the wine is produced.]

A light, dry, red wine produced in northern Italy. saw, A run,

u

put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day

/bo'reika/ noun. lis.

[Spanish: cf. barrico.]

[Tibetan bdr-do. from bar intermediate space, interval + do two.]

■ bardolater noun a bardolatrous adjective E20

verb2 arch. pa. t. of bear verb'.

A small cask or keg; = breaker noun2. barege bars:;7/ noun & adjective. E19. [French, from Bareges a village in SW France.] ► A noun. PL pronounced same. (A garment made of) a

gauzelike fabric of silk and wool. B adjective. Made of barege. M19.

E19.

►

barely/'belli/

adverb, oe.

[from bare adjective + -ly2. ]

1 Without concealment or disguise; nakedly; plainly, explicitly, arch. oe. 2 Merely, simply, arch. lme. 3 Scarcely, hardly; only just. lis. 4 Scantily, poorly, arch. M16. 30 no, e: hair, is near, di boy, us poor, ms tire, aua sour

186

baresark | barker EB 1J. Hacket Here is the Resurrection of our Saviour barely and positively affirmed. 2 Jas. Mill The only objec¬ tion .. might have been easily removed, by barely prescrib¬ ing what sort of evidence they ought to receive. 3 J. Galsworthy How much older he looked than on that day, barely two months ago, when she first saw him. A. Haley George began singing one of Miss Malizy's songs, barely audibly, as if just for himself. C. Freeman At first he didn't even recognize her because he could barely see. 4 G. Crabbe Thy coat is thin;.. thou'rt barely drest.

baresark noun & adjective var. of berserk, barf /ba:f/ verb & noun, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). M20. [Prob. imit.J

► A verb intrans. & trans. Vomit. M20. ► B noun. An act of vomiting; vomited food etc. Also as interjection. L20.

barfam /'ba:f(o)m/ noun. dial. Also tbargham, barkum /'ba:k(o)m/, brecham, & other vars. me. [from stem of Old English be(o)rgan protect + hame noun1.]

A collar for a draught horse. barfi noun var. of burfi.

4 A small boat; now spec, a warship’s boat for the con¬ veyance of senior officers, lme. 5 A large carriage. US. Li9. 1 schooner barge: see schooner noun1. Comb, bargeman a person who has charge of, or works on, a barge; bargemaster the master or owner of a barge; bargepole a long pole used on a barge for fending; would not touch with a bargepole (colloq.), would refuse to have anything to do with. ► B verb 1 fa verb trans. with it. Travel by barge. Only in Li6. >b verb intrans. Travel by barge. E20. 2 verb trans. Carry by barge, mi7. 3 verb intrans. Lurch or rush heavily (into, against, about, etc.). L19. Eb verb trans. Make one's way thus. E20. 4 verb trans. Push or collide with heavily; cause to move

thus. E20. £□ 3 K. Mansfield Why should he come barging over to this exact spot? B. Hines He.. barged into the kitchen door, and bounced back when it wouldn’t open. M. Richler The moment Joshua barged into the room, Uncle Oscar slapped the book shut, barge in butt in, intrude. 4 W. J. Locke By degrees he edged (or barged) his huge frame to the front rank. Western Mail (Cardiff) Uncle Owen was barged from behind, spilling his beer over the second tenor.

bargain /'ba:gin/ noun. me. barge- Iba-.dgJ combining form.

[Old French barga(i)gne, -g(u)igne: see next.]

|1 Discussion between two parties over terms; haggling. ME-L16. 2 An agreement on the terms of a transaction, a compact. With specifying word, as good, bad, etc.: a good, bad, etc., agreement from the point of view of one of the parties, me. 3 A thing acquired by bargaining; any purchase, esp. regarded according to whether or not one obtained value for money; spec, an advantageous purchase, lme. |4 Contention, struggle, fight. Scot. & north. LME-L19. ►b An article offered at a reduced or allegedly reduced price, esp. in a special sale. Li9. 2 bargain and sale law (a contract for) a sale followed by the payment of the agreed price, esp. (Hist.) referring to the sale of an estate etc. without deeds, drive a hard bargain, see drive verb. Dutch bargain: see Dutch adjective, into the bargain, (US) in the bargain over and above what is agreed; besides, make a bargain, strike a bargain come to terms over a transaction. make the best of a bad bargain: see best adjective & adverb. Smithfield bargain see Smithfield noun1, strike a bargain: see make a bargain above. Comb.: bargain basement, bargain counter: where bargains are offered for sale; bargain-hunter a person who shops for bargains; bargain-hunting shopping for bargains; bargain price a low or (allegedly) reduced price.

[Old French bargaignier trade, dispute, hesitate (mod. barguigner hesitate) = Provencal barganhar, Italian bargagnare, medieval Latin barcaniare, prob. from Germanic, whence Old"High German borgen look after. Middle High German, German borgen borrow: the -a- of the ist syll. is unexpl.] 1 verb intrans. Discuss the terms of a transaction, negoti-

ate; seek to secure the most favourable terms, haggle. LME. |2 verb intrans. Contend, struggle, fight. Scot. & north. LME-L19. 3 verb intrans. Arrange or agree terms; strike a bargain. Foil, by with a person, for a thing, that, to do. lis. 4 verb trans. Agree to buy and sell; contract for; obsolete exc. (law) in bargain and sell. lis. 5 verb trans. Foil, by away: part with in a bargain; sell cheaply mi9. B3 1 H. Allen They were congratulating him: already beginning to chaffer and bargain. R. P. Jhabvala He had to bargain quite hard in order to be quoted a reasonable price. J. M. Keynes A system of free wage-bargaining, bargaining counter, bargaining chip a potential concession etc. which can be used to advantage in negotiations, plea bargaining: see plea noun. 3 Shakes. Tam. Shr. ’Tis bargain’d ’twixt us twain.. That she shall still be curst in company. Addison A merchant.. bargained for it, and carried it off. M. W. Montagu The marble was bespoke and the sculptor bargained with. 5 Geo. Eliot The heir.. had somehow bar¬ gained away the estate. M. L. King Fathers and mothers were sold from their children and children were bargained away from their parents. With prepositions in specialized senses: bargain for expect, be pre¬ pared for (usu. with neg. or more than), bargain on colloq. (a) = bargain for above; (b) count on. ■ bargai nee noun the purchaser in an agreement of bargain and sale L16. bargainer noun a person who bargains LME. bargai nor noun the seller in an agreement of bargain and sale

bargander noun var. of bergander. barge /ba:dj/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French barge, medieval Latin bar™, perh. ult from Greek bans Egyptian boat: cf. bark noun3.]

► A noun. 1 A small seagoing vessel with sails; spec, one next in size above a balinger. obsolete exc. Hist. me. 2 A flat-bottomed freight-boat or lighter, for canals, rivers, and harbours, lme. 3 A ceremonial vessel of state, usu. one propelled by oars; an ornamental houseboat, lme. f few, g get,

building.

■ bargeboard noun a board or ornamental screen along the edge of a gable M19. barge-couple noun a strong pair of rafters at a gable-end Mi6. barge-course noun coping or tiles overhanging the wall of a house at a gable-end M17.

bargee /ba:'d3i:/ noun. M17. [from barge noun + -ee1 (used irreg.).]

A bargeman. Bargello /ba:'d3£tao/ noun & adjective. M20. [The Bargello Palace in Florence, Italy.]

(Designating) a kind of embroidery worked on canvas in stitch patterns suggestive of flames. tbargeret noun var. of bergerette. f bargham noun var. of barfam. barghest/'ba:gest/noun. mis. [Origin unkn.]

A goblin in the shape of a large dog, fabled to portend death or misfortune.

h he. j yes,

E19.

[from baryta + -ium.]

A reactive white chemical element, atomic no. 56, which is one of the alkaline earth metals. (Symbol Ba.) Comb.: barium meal a radio-opaque mixture containing barium sulphate, taken before radiological examination of the alimentary tract. bark /ba:k/ noun'. [Old English (gejbeorc: later from bark verb1.]

1 The sharp explosive cry of a dog, fox, squirrel, etc. OE. 2 Any harsh, abrupt noise, as of a cannon, cough, shouted command, etc. L19.

one’s bark (opp. one’s bite) one’s words as opp. to one's actions. ■ barkless adjective' (of a dog) having no bark M20.

bark ^a:k/ noun-, me. [Old Norse bark-, bprkr (Swedish, Danish bark), perh. rel. to birch noun: the Old English word is rind noun1.]

1 The layer of tissue lying outside the vascular cambium in the stem of a tree or woody plant, consisting of phloem, cortex, and periderm; esp. the corky outer layer of this. me. Eb spec. That used in dyeing, tanning, etc., or its bruised residue, lme. Ec spec. That of certain trees used medicinally, esp. cinchona, lme. 2 gen. or fig. An outer covering; a rind, a husk; the skin. Now dial, or obsolete, lme. 1 bitter bark: see bitter adjective. Peruvian bark see Peruvian noun & adjective, red bark see red adjective, slippery elm bark sweetwood bark: see sweet adjective & adverb. Comb.: bark beetle a wood-boring beetle of the family Scolytidae (typographer bark beetle see typographer 3); barkcloth cloth made from the inner bark of the paper mul¬ berry or similar tree; bark-tree a cinchona. ■ barken adjective (chiefly poet.) made or consisting of bark mis. barkless adjective2 devoid of bark E17. barky adjective covered with or of the nature of bark Li 6.

bark /ba:k/ noun3. Also (esp. sense 3) barque, lme. [Old & mod. French, prob. from Provencal barea from late Latin: cf. barge noun.]

1 Any small sailing vessel. Now only poet. ime. A (large) rowing boat. Now only poet. Li6. 3 An ocean-going sailing vessel of particular rig; spec. one with the aftermost mast fore-and-aft rigged and the other masts square-rigged. Ei7. ■ barkey noun (colloq.) a little bark; a ship: eis.

bark /ba:k/ verb'.

tbarghmote noun var. of barmote. bar-goose /'ba:gu:s/noun. dial. PI.

bar-geese. Li6. [bar app. abbreviation of barnacle noun' or as in bargander var. of bergander.]

A barnacle goose; a shelduck. bariatrics /bari'atriks/ noun pi. M20. (from baro- + iatric + -s.[

The branch of medicine concerned with obesity and weight control. ■ bariatric adjective 120. baria’trician noun a doctor who spe¬ cializes in obesity and weight control M20.

barilla /bs’rih/ noun. Ei7. [Spanish barrilla dim. of barra bar.] 1 The alkali plant, Salsola soda. E17.

2 Impure alkali made in Spain and neighbouring regions by burning dried plants, esp. of this species. E17. Barisal guns /bari'sad gxnz/ noun phr. lis. [from Barisal, a town in Bangladesh.]

Booming sounds of unknown origin.

[Old English beorcan from Germanic, perh. ult. metath. alt. of break verb] 1 verb intrans. Of a dog, fox, etc.: utter a sharp explosive

cry. oe. 2 verb intrans. Speak or cry out aggressively, petulantly, or imperiously, me. 3 verb trans. Utter as a bark; ejaculate with a bark. lme. 4 verb trans. Drive away, back, off, by barking. E19. 5 verb intrans. Of a firearm etc.: emit a harsh explosive sound. M19. 6 verb intrans. & trans. Call out to attract custom (for); tout. US. E20.

O 1 barking bird the black-throated huet-huet, Pteroptochos tamii. of S. America, barking deer = muntjac. barking squirrel = prairie dog s.v. prairie. 2 H. Latimer It is the scripture and not the translation, that ye bark against. 3 Spenser Cerberus, whose many mouthes doo bay And barke out flames. J. Clare The dog bark’d a welcome. L. Uris Bill Fry stood on his bridge barking orders through a mega¬ phone. S. Brill He popped a few mints into his mouth, looked up and barked, ‘Let’s get started.' 5 S. E. White The Colt’s forty-five barked once.and then again. Phrases: bark against the moon, bark at the moon clamour to no effect, bark up the wrong tree make an effort in the wrong direction, be on the wrong track.

barista /ba'rbsta/ noun. L20. [Italian = barman.]

A person who serves in a coffee bar.

bark /ba:k/ verb2 trans. lme.

barite /'bar Ait, 'be:-/ noun. Also -yte. M19.

[from bark noun2.]

[from barium noun + -ite1.] MINERALOGY. = BARYTES 2.

baritone /'baritaon/ noun & adjective. Also (sense A.2) baryton /'bantDn/. E17.

barium /'be:rram/ noun.

2

tbarghmaster noun var. of barmaster.

bargain /'ba:gin/ verb. lme.

b but. d dog,

[Cf. medieval Latin bargus a kind of gallows (= classical Latin jiirca).] Forming terms in architecture relating to the gable of a

■ bari tonal adjective 120.

1 Steep in an infusion of bark; tan. lme. a Strip the bark from (a tree). Mi6. >b Abrade skin from (a shin, knuckle, etc.). Ei9. 3 Enclose (as) with bark; encrust. Mi7. 2

tbarytone

[Italian baritone from Greek barutonos deep-sounding, from bams deep + tonos pitch: cf. barytone noun' & adjective'.] ► A noun. 1 The male voice between tenor and bass,

ranging typically from lower A in the bass clef to lower F in the treble clef; a singer having such a voice; a part written for such a voice. E17. 2 A kind of bass viol. M17. 3 The member of a family of similar instruments pitched between tenor and bass, esp. a tenor saxhorn in B flat or C. li 9. ► B adjective. 1 Of the voice: having a compass intermedi¬ ate between bass and tenor. Hence, suited for or possess¬ ing such a voice, eis. 2 Of an instrument: pitched between tenor and bass varieties (cf. sense A.3). L19. 2 baritone horn, baritone oboe, baritone saxophone, etc.

k cat, 1 leg, m man, n no. p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van.

barkentine noun var. of barquentine. barker/'ba:ka/noun1. me. [from bark verb2 + -er1.] 1 A tanner. Now rare or obsolete, me. 2

A person who barks trees.

E17.

barker /'berka/ noun2, lme. [from bark verb' + -er1.]

1 A person who or thing which barks; spec, a dog. lme. A noisy assailant or protester, lme. 3 Any of various wading birds with harsh cries, esp. a spotted redshank, avocet, orgodwit. dial. M17. 4 A tout at an auction-room, sideshow, etc. Chiefly N. 2

Amer. L17.

5 A pistol; a cannon, arch, slang.

w we, z zoo, J she, 3 vision,

E19.

0 thin. 6 this, g ring, tf chip, d3 jar

187

barkevikite | baron

barkevikite 'bcrkavik.Mt/ noun. L19.

barmy /'ba:mi/ adjective. Also balmy, lis.

[from Barkevik, a place in Norway + -ite’.]

[from barm

mineralogy. An iron-rich sodium and potassium amphi-

bole occurring as dark brown or black monoclinic crys¬ tals. barkle /'ba:k(a)l/ verb traps, dial. E19. [from bark

2

verb

-ly1:

cf. Old

(The grain of) a hardy awned cereal of the genus Hordeum, used as food and in making malt liquors and spirits. four-rowed barley, pearl barley, sea barley, sprat-barley, etc. Comb.: barley-bird dial, any ofvarious birds which appear at the time of barley-sowing in spring, e.g. a wryneck, yellow wagtail, or nightingale; barley-bree barley-broth strong ale; barleyhood (now rare or obsolete) a fit of drunkenness or of bad temper brought on by drinking; barleymow a stack of barley; barley sugar a confection of boiled sugar, usu. in twisted sticks; barley-sugar adjective (of columns etc.) twisted like barley sugar; barley water a decoction of pearl barley for invalids etc. or (esp. with some further flavouring) drunk for refreshment; barley-wine a wine or ale prepared from barley; spec, a strong English ale.

barley /'batlif interjection. Scot. & north, lme. French parlez

parley.]

Parley, truce; (in children’s games). barley-break/'ba:libreik/ noun. Mi6. noun or interjection +

break

verb.]

An old country catching-game, resembling prisoners’ base, played by three couples, one of which had to catch the others, who were allowed to ‘break’ and change part¬ ners when hard-pressed. barley-corn /'ba:hko:n/ noun. lme. [from barley

noun

fbarling noun, me-mis. [Old Norse: cf. Swedish barling pole, from bara to bear.]

A pole, esp. one on or used with a boat. barlow/'ba:bu/noun. US. lis. [Russell Barlow, i8th-cent. English inventor.) In full barlow knife. A large single-bladed pocket knife.

barm /ba-.m/ noun1. Long obsolete exc. dial, in comb. [Old English barm, bearm = Old Frisian, Old Saxon. Old High German barm. Old Norse barmr, Gothic barms, from Germanic, rel. to bear verb1.]

A bosom, a lap.

[from var. of burn verb + var. of gound.] bere

noun'

+ arm, ern

► A noun. 1 A covered building for the storage of grain, hay, straw, flax, etc. oe. 2 A building for housing livestock, vehicles, etc. N. Amer. LI 8. 3 A large unduly plain building or room. M20. 4 physics. A unit of area equal to io~ss sq. metre, used in expressing nuclear cross-sections. M20. 1 Dutch barn see Dutch adjective. Robin Hood's barn 2 receiving barn see receiving adjective. Comb.: barn-ball US a children’s game involving bouncing a ball off the gable of a building; barn-burner N. Amer. colloq. an excel¬ lent, rousing, or remarkable person or event; barn dance (a) an informal social occasion for country dancing (orig. one held in a bam); (b) a dance for a number of couples forming a line or circle, with the couples moving along it in turn; barn door the large door of a bam; fig. a target etc. too large to be missed; nail to the barn door, see nail verb: barn-gallon Hist, a measure of two imperial gallons, orig. used in the milk-trade; barnlot US the ground upon or around which a bam stands; barn owl an owl of the genus Tyto; esp. T. alba, which usu. has a white face and underside and frequently nests in farm buildings; barnstorm verb intrans. [back-form, from barnstormer] tour etc. as a barn¬ stormer (chiefly as barnstorming verbal noun or ppi adjective); barnstormer (orig. & chiefly N. Amer.) (a) an itinerant actor; (b) a politician making a rapid electioneering tour; (c) an aviator who tours the country giving aerobatic displays, an adventurous pilot; barn swallow N. Amer. the common swallow, Hirundo rustica. ► B verb traps. House in a bam; garner, lme.

Barnabite /'bansbAit/noun. eis. [from

Barnabas the

apostle + -ite1.]

A member of a small religious order founded in named from its church of St Barnabas in Milan.

1530,

Barnaby/'bernsbi/noun. U6.

barm Iba-.ml noun2 & verb. Also balm. [Old English beorma prob. from Low German: cf. Old Frisian berme, barm, Danish barme, Swedish bdrma, German Bdrme.] ► A noun. The froth on the top of fermenting malt

liquors, used to leaven bread and to ferment other liquors; yeast, leaven. OE. ► B verb traps. & intrans. Mix with yeast, leaven; rise in froth or fermentation, lme. barmaster /'ba:ma;sta/ noun. Also Jbargh- Mi6. [German Bergmeister from Berg- mining: see Hist. An officer of a barmote.

master noun1.]

barmbrack noun var. of barnbrack. Barmecide /'ba:miSAid/ noun & adjective. Ei8. [Arab, barmaid, the patronymic of a prince in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments who feasted a beggar on a succession of empty dishes to test his humour.] ► A noun. A person who offers imaginary food or illusory

benefits, eis. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Illusory, unreal; offering imagin¬ ary food or illusory benefits, mi9. ■ Barme cidal adjective illusory, unreal M19.

bar mitzvah /ba: ’mitsvs/ noun & verb phr. Also B-. Mi9. [Hebrew barmiswah son of commandment.] ► A noun phr. (A religious initiation ceremony for) a

Jewish boy aged thirteen, regarded as liable to observe the religious precepts and eligible to take part in public worship. Mi9. ► B verb trons. In pass. Be confirmed in the Jewish faith at a bar mitzvah ceremony. M20. barmkin /'ba:mkm/ noun, north. Now arch, or Hist. lme. [Perh. alt. of barbican.]

(The battlement of) the outer fortification or barbican of a castle; a turret or tower on this. barmote /'bamoot/ noun. Also fbargh-. Mi6. mote var.

of moot noun1.]

Hist. A local court with jurisdiction as to lead-mining

rights and related matters. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, a

Barnum /'ba.nom/ noun.

Mi9.

[Phineas T. Barnum (1810-91), US showman.]

Humbug; empty showmanship. Comb. : Barnum effect psychology the tendency of individuals to accept types of information such as character assessments or horoscopes as being particularly true of themselves, even when the information is so vague as to be worthless. ■ Barnu mese noun inflated or sensational language Li9.

barnyard /'ba:nja:d/ noun & adjective, lme. [from barn noun1 + yard noun1.]

► A noun. The enclosure round a barn, a farmyard, lme. Comb.: barnyard grass = cockspur grass.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Typical of a barnyard; fig. earthy, coarse, scatological, colloq. M20. baro- /'baroo/ combining form of Greek baros weight, usu. with the sense ‘pressure’: see -o-. ■ barogram noun the record made by a barograph Li9. barograph noun a self-recording barometer Mi9. barophile noun a barophilic organism M20. baro philic adjective (of an organism, esp. a bacterium) growing optimally under high pres¬ sures (as in the deep ocean), or requiring such conditions to survive M20. barore ceptor noun (physiology) a receptor sensitive to changes in pressure M20. baro'reflex noun (physiology) a reflex mechanism whereby blood pressure in the arteries is sensed by baroreceptors, and controlled by various feedback processes M20. barostat noun an automatic device for regulating pressure M20. baro thermograph noun an instrument which records pressure and temperature simultaneously L19. baro tolerance noun the behaviour of a barotolerant organism L20. baro tolerant adjective (of an organism, esp. a bacterium) capable of growing in conditions of very high pressure although growing optimally at or near atmospheric pressure M20. barotrauma noun (medicine) ear injury due to change in ambient pressure M20.

barocco /ba'rokau/ adjective & noun. PI. of noun -os. Li9. = BAROQUE.

1 Barnaby bright. Barnaby-day. long Barnaby. St Bar¬ nabas’ day, 11 June, the longest day of the year, Old Style. 116.

2 Barnaby thistle, Barnaby’s thistle, St Barnoby’s thistle, the yellow star-thistle, Centaurea solstitialis, flowering on or near St Barnabas' day. Li6. barnacle/'ba:nok(3)l/noun1, me. 1 A black, white, and grey goose, Branta leucopsis, breed¬ ing in the Arctic and visiting Britain in winter. Now usu. barnacle goose, me 2 A cirripede; esp. any of those which attach themselves directly or by a fleshy footstalk to rocks, ships’ bottoms, or other objects. Li6. 3 fig. A companion or follower who is difficult to shake off. El 7. •j The geese, whose breeding grounds were long unknown, were formerly fabled to grow from the shells of the cirripedes, or else from a tree or its fruit. ■ barnacled adjective' covered with barnacles (barnacle noun' 2); fig. encrusted: lit.

baroclinic/baro'klmik/

adjective. E20.

[from baro- + Greek klinein to bend, slope + -ic.] meteorology. Characterized by or associated with an atmospheric condition in which surfaces of constant pressure intersect surfaces of constant density. ■ baroclinically adverb barodinity nouns M20.

M20.

baroclinicity

Baroco /bo'raokoo/ noun. Also -oko. PI.

-'nisiti/,

-os. Mi6.

[A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers, first used in medieval Latin, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition and 0 a par¬ ticular negative proposition.!

logic. The fourth mood of the second syllogistic figure, in which a particular negative conclusion is drawn from a universal affirmative major premiss and a particular negative minor.

Barolo/bo'rsobo/noun. Li9. [A region of Piedmont, Italy.]

A full-bodied red Italian wine from Barolo. barometer/bo’rDmito/ noun.

Mi7.

[from BARO- + -METER.]

barnacle/'ba:n3k(a)l/noun-, lme. [Alt. of Anglo-Norman bemac, of unkn. origin.]

1 A kind of bit or twitch for restraining a horse or ass; spec, an instrument of two branches joined by a hinge, placed on the nose of the animal. Usu. in pi. lme. 2 In pi. Spectacles, arch. & dial. L16. 3 An instrument of torture fashioned and applied Uke a barnacle (sense 1 above). Usu. in pi. obsolete exc. Hist. E17. ■ barnacled adjective3 {arch, or dial.) wearing spectacles

An eruption of the skin; shingles.

[Italian.!

[By-form of Barnabas (see prec.): cf. French Bamabe.]

[medieval Latin beniaca, of unkn. origin.]

Abraham's barm: see Abraham i. Co mb.: barm cloth an apron; barm-skin a leather apron.

[formed as barmaster +

see crumpet

barn noun2 var. of bairn.

+ corn noun1.]

1 = barley noun. lme. fb Personified as John Barleycorn, esp. as the source of malt liquors. E17. 2 Hist. The length of a grain of barley as a measure, usu. Ms inch. lme.

► A noun. A noisy altercation; an argument, a quarrel. M19. ► B verb intrans. Quarrel, argue, mi9. barngun /'ba.ngAn/ noun. dial. mis.

[Old English berfejn. earlier berem, formed as a place.]

[Old English ban-lie adjective, formed as bere noun' + Norse burr barley. Gothic barizeins of barley.]

barley

barmy in the crumpet, barmy on the crumpet

barn /ba:n/ noun1 & verb.

barley "bali/ noun.

[Perh. from

[Origin unkn.]

1 Of, full of, or covered with barm; frothy, lis. 2 fig. Excitedly active; empty-headed, daft, crazy. Now slang. Li 6. 2

barkum noun see barfam.

alt. of

barney /'ba:ni/ noun & verb, colloq. M19.

+ -y1.]

3-

+ -le3.]

Cake, encrust, (with dirt etc.),

[Perh.

noun2

E18.

An instrument for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere, ffeq. also giving a forecast of change in the weather. CQ fig.: H. W. Van Loon The arts are an even better barom¬ eter of what is happening in our world than the stock market or the debates in Congress.

barometric /bara'mEtrik/ adjective. Ei9. [from

Barnardo /ba:'na:dou/ noun. E20. [See below.]

Used attrib. and in possess, to designate an orphan or des¬ titute child brought up in one of the homes founded by the British philanthropist Dr Thomas John Barnardo (1845-1905)O P. Hobson She was a Barnardo baby.. she was illegitim¬ ate. M. Hardwick I was a Barnardo's girl... They found me in a slum in Walsall.

barnbrack /'ba:nbrak/ noun. Anglo-Irish. Also barm/'ba:m-/. M19. [Irish bairin brear speckled cake.]

A currant bun. barnet/'ba:mt/ noun, rhyming slang. M19. [Barnet, now a borough of Greater London.]

In full hornet fair The hair; the head. : saw, A run, u put. u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day,

BARO- + -METRIC.]

Of, pertaining to, or indicated by a barometer. ■ barometrical adjective = barometric Mi7. barometrically adverb Li 8.

barometry/boVomitri/ noun. eis. [from barometer: see -metry.]

The art or science of barometric observation. noun. Ei7. baranets dim. of baran ram.]

barometz/'barornets/ [Russian

A fabulous Russian creature, half plant and half sheep; the inverted woolly caudex etc. of the tree-fern Cibotium barometz, which was used to create the illusion of such a creature. baron /'bar(3)n/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman banm, Old & mod. French baron, accus. of ber = Provencal bar, accus. baron, from medieval Latin baro, -on- man. male, warrior, prob. of Frankish origin.]

no, e: hair, ia near, ai boy. oa poor, ,\ia tire, aoa sour

188

baronage | barre ► II Hist. A person who derived a title, by military or other honourable service, from the king or other super¬ ior; a noble, a peer, esp. any of those summoned to attend Parliament; Scot, a holder of a barony (sense 3). me. 2 A member of the lowest order of the British or Irish nobility, me. Fb A holder of a similar foreign title. Li 9. 3 Applied to Christ and the saints, or to any man out of respect, rare. me. 4 Hist. A freeman of London, York, or certain other cities; a freeman or a burgess of the Cinque Ports, lme. 5 Hist. Ajudgeofthe Court of Exchequer, lme. 6 mw (now Hist) & heraldry. Husband (conjoined with fem(m)e). lme. 7 A magnate in industry, finance, etc. (usu. with speci¬ fying word, as beef baron, press baron); gen. a powerful or influential person. Orig. US. Ei9. ► II8 baron of beef, a joint consisting oftwo sirloins left joined at the backbone, mis. Comb.: baron-bailie Scottish HisroRr a deputy appointed by a baron to exercise the latter's jurisdiction in a court; baron COUrt HiSt. = COURT-BARON. ■ jbaronry noun = barony lme-mis.

baronage / baftalnidy noun. me. [Old French

bamage, medieval Latin bar(o)mgiwn: see prec.,

-AGE.)

bar(o)nesse (Anglo-Latin baronissa, -essa): see baron,

-ess1.]

The wife or widow of a baron; a woman holding the rank of baron in her own right. baronet /'bar(a)mt/ noun & verb. lme. baronettus: see baron, -et1.] ► A noun, frl A lesser baron; esp. a gentleman, not a baron [Anglo-Latin

[from baro- + otitis.]

Discomfort and inflammation in the ear caused by the changes of pressure occurring during air travel. medicine.

barotropic/bara'troopik, -'tropik/ adjective. E20. [from baro- + -tropic.]

meteorology. Characterized by or associated with an atmospheric condition in which surfaces of equal pres¬ sure coincide with surfaces of equal density. ■ barotropically adverb M20 ba rotropy noun E20.

Barotse /bo'rDtsi/ noun & adjective, arch. PI. of noun same. M19. [Bantu.]

= LOZI. barouche/bo'ru:J/noun. E19. [German dial. Barutsche from Italian baroccio (Spanish barrocho) two-wheeled ult. from Latin birotus, from bi- + rota wheel.] Chiefly Hist. A four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a

by tenure from the king, who was summoned to Parlia¬ ment. LME-M17. 2 A member of the lowest hereditaiy titled British order, with the status of a commoner but able to use the prefix ‘Sir’. E17. ► B verb trans. Infl. -t-, *-tt-. Raise to the rank of a baronet. Mis.

■ baronetage noun the rank of baronet; baronets collectively; an annotated list of baronets: eis. baronetcy noun a baronet's rank or patent E19. baronetess noun (rare) the wife of a baronet M17. baronetize verb trans. confer a baronetcy on M19.

baronial /ba'raomal/ adjective. M18. [from next + -ial.]

1 Of or pertaining to a baron or barons; befitting the rank of baron. M18. 2 architecture. Of or in the turreted style characteristic of Scottish country houses. Usu. Scottish baronial. Scotch baronial. Li9. barony /'bar(a)ni/ noun. me. [Old French baronie (mod. -nn-), medieval Latin baronia: see baron, -v3.]

1 The domain of a baron, me. >b Scottish history An estate held under barony (see sense 3 below), lme. ►c Irish history A division of a county. L16. f2 The barons collectively. ME-L16. 3 The tenure of a baron from the Crown; spec, in Scottish history, the freehold of a chief tenant of a single unit of lands (not necessarily contiguous) with defined rights of civil and criminal jurisdiction, lme. 4 The rank or dignity of baron. L18, ■ baronian /ba’rsuman/ adjective (rare) - baronial M17.

baroque /ba'rok, -'rsuk/ adjective & noun. Orig. derog. Also B- M18. [French (in earliest use, of pearls) from Portuguese barroco, Spanish barraeco, (of architecture) Italian barocco: ult. origin unkn.)

► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or characterized by an exuberant and ornate style prevalent in the arts (esp. in architecture and music) of the 17th and early 18th cents. Of a musical instrument etc.: belonging to or designed as in that period, mis. 2 gen. Elaborately or grotesquely ornate; whimsical, bizarre. Mi9. 3 Of a pearl: irregularly shaped. Li9. £lS 1 W. D. Howells The building.. coldly classic or frantic¬ ally baroque. W. S. Maugham The sonorous periods and the baroque massiveness ofjacobean language. H. Read Michelangelo has been called the father of Baroque art, and the style can be actually traced to him. Encycl. Blit. The Baroque era reached its zenith in the work of Johann Sebas¬ tian Bach .. and George Frideric Handel. 2 S. Spender The baroque extravagance, the ribbons and trimmings, of Tony’s conversation.

► B noun. (The style, music, or architecture of) the and early 18th cents.; baroque ornamentation. L19.

17th

£□ J. N. Summerson At Blenheim the English Baroque cul¬ minates.

1 leg.

barquentine /'bcnksnthn/ noun. Also bark-. Li7. [from barque bark noun after brigantine.)

1

A three-masted vessel with foremast square-rigged and main and mizzen masts rigged fore-and-aft. barquette /bai'ket/ noun. ti9. [French, lit. 'little boat', from barque (see

bark

noun3,

-ette).]

A small, boat-shaped pastry shell with a sweet or savoury filling. barrable/'ba:rab(3)l/ adjective, us. [from

bar

verb +

barracuda

/bara'ku:da/

1 -couta

noun. Also

See also

BARRACOUTA. PI. same, -S. L17.

[Origin unkn.) 1 Any of various fishes of the family Sphyraenidae, comprising predatory perciform fishes of tropical and temperate seas. L17. 2 See BARRACOUTA.

barotitis /bara'tAitis/ noun. L20.

barque noun var. of bark noun3.

baroness /'bar(a)ms/ noun. lme.

b but, d dog, f few, g get. h he, j yes. k cat,

A very large herbivorous sauropod dino¬ saur of the upper Jurassic genus Barosaurus, with a long neck and tail. palaeontology.

collapsible half-hood, a seat in front for the driver, and seats facing each other for passengers, a barouchette. -et noun a kind of light barouche E19.

1 The body of barons or nobles collectively, me. |2 = BARONY. ME-M17. 3 An annotated list of barons or peers. Li 9. [Old French

barosaurus /bare'so:ras/ noun. E20. [mod. Latin (see below), from Greek bans heavy, weight + sauros lizard.]

-able.]

Able to be legally excluded or stayed. barracan /'barakfyln/ noun. Also bara-. M17. [French barracan, bouracan from Arab, burrukan, barra- cloak of camlet: cf. barragon.]

1 A coarsely woven fabric of wool, silk, and goat's hair. M17. 2 In Eastern countries, a cloak or mantle made of this or another fabric. Ei9. barrace /'baras/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [Old French pi. of barre bar noun1.]

11 A barrier or outwork in front of a fortress, lme-lis. 2 The scene of knightly contests; the lists, lme. J3 Contention, strife. L15-E17. barrack /'barak/ noun'. Li7. [French baraque from Italian baracca or Spanish barraca soldier’s tent: ult. origin unkn.] 1 A temporary hut or cabin, obsolete exc. north. L17. 2 sin g. & (usu.) in pi. (also treated as sing.) A set of build¬ ings used as a residence for soldiers. L17. kb transf. A large

building or range of buildings in which a number of people are housed; any large, austere building suggest¬ ive of a military barracks. Ei9. kc The regular quarters of the Salvation Army, obsolete exc. Hist. Li 9. Cl 1 Gibbon He lodged in a miserable hut or barrack. 2 Disraeli His own idea of a profession being limited to a barrack in a London park, b E. Gaskell We went to.. her

old town house,.. an immense barrack of an old halffortified house. Joyce I don’t like being alone in this big bar¬ racks of a place. Comb.: barrack-room lawyer a would-be knowledgeable, pompously argumentative person; barrack-square a drill ground near a barracks. barrack /‘barak/ noun2. Austral. &NZ. L19. [from barrack verb2.]

An act, or the action, of barracking a person, team, etc. barrack /'barak/ verb' trans. E18. [from barrack noun'.]

Provide barracks for, locate in barracks. barrack /'barak/ verb2 intrans. & trans. Orig. Austral. & HZ. 119. [Prob. from N. Irish dial.]

Of spectators at games etc.: shout vociferously (for), jeer (at). ■ barracker noun L19.

barracoon /bara'ktun/ noun. M19. [Spanish barracan augm. of barraca: see barrack noun', -oon.] Hist. An enclosure in which black slaves were confined

for a limited period. barracouta /bara'ku:ta/ noun. PI. same, -s. L17. [Alt. of barracuda.] ►fl 1 See BARRACUDA. L17.

2 A long slender food fish, Thyrsites atun (family Gempylidae). of southern oceans; = snoek noun. M19. 3 A small narrow loaf of bread. NZ. L20.

1 great barracuda a large tropical barracuda, Sphyrama barracuda, of the western Atlantic which is readily provoked to attack humans and is valued as a game-fish; also called picuda

barracudina ^barakufdima/noun.

L20.

[Amer. Spanish, dimin. of prec.) Any of various predatory ocean fishes of the family Paralepididae, which have a slender body with a long head.

barragan noun var. of barragon. barrage/'barafy noun & verb.

Mi9.

[French, formed as bar verb: see -ace.] ► A noun. 1 A barrier constructed in a river (esp. the Nile) to increase the depth of water. Mi9. 2 An intensive artillery or machine-gun bombard¬ ment, employed to check an enemy, or protect one’s own soldiers, in advancing or retreating. E20. ►b A rapid succession of questions, utterances, etc. E20. 3 A heat or deciding event in fencing, showjumping, etc. M20. (13 2 S. Sassoon My only idea was to collect all available ammunition and then renew the attack while the Stokesgun officer put up an enthusiastic barrage. H. Kissinger The North Vietnamese attacked with the heaviest artillery barrage of the war and large numbers of tanks, creeping barrage, b C. S. Forester They shielded Curzon.. by group¬ ing themselves round him and surrounding him with a pro¬ tective barrage of professional explanation. S. King There was a moment's gaping pause.. and then the barrage of questions came again, everything mixed together into a meaningless stew of voices. Comb.: barrage balloon a large captive balloon supporting a steel cable forming part of an anti-aircraft barrier. ► B verb trans. 1 Subject to a barrier of continuous fire. E20. 2

Bombard with questions, exclamations, etc.

barragon /barag(a)n/ noun. Also -gan.

M20.

M17.

[Spanish barragan from Arab.: see barracan.] A coarsely-woven cloth; a kind of fustian.

barramundi /baraWndi/ noun.

Li9.

[Aboriginal.] Any of various Australian freshwater food fishes; spec. the percoid fish Lates calcarifer, of estuaries and coastal waters.

barranca /ba'ragka/ noun. Also -co /-kau/, pi. -os.

L17.

[Spanish.] A narrow, winding river gorge.

barras /'baras/ noun. Now dial. Also burras /'bAras/. 115. [French b ourras.] A coarse linen or hessian cloth; canvas.

barrator/'barata/ noun. Also -er. lme. [Anglo-Norman baratour, Old French barateor cheat, trickster, from barater from Proto-Romance from Greek prattein do, perform, manage, practise (sometimes dishonestly); perh. infl. by Old Norse baratta contest, fighting.] 1 A person who buys or sells ecclesiastical preferment or offices of state or accepts money to influence judicial proceedings. Now rare exc. Hist. lme. f2 A person who indulges in riotous or violent behav¬ iour, esp. for money; a hired bully, lme-lis. 3 A malicious raiser of discord; a troublemaker; spec, a vexatious litigant (now Hist.), lme.

barratry /'baratri/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French baratene deceit, from Old French barat(e) deceit, fraud, trouble, etc., from barater: see prec., -ery.J 1 Hist. The purchase or sale of ecclesiastical or state preferments or of judicial influence, lme. 2 The malicious incitement of discord; spec, (now Hist.) the persistent practice of vexatious litigation. Li 6. 3 maritime law. Fraud or gross or criminal negligence prejudicial to a ship's owner(s) or underwriters on the part of the master or crew. E17. ■ barratrous adjective (maritime law) of or pertaining to barratry M19. barratrously adverb M19.

Jbarratta noun see Barr body /ba:

balata.

'bDdi/

noun pin. M20.

[from M. L. Barr (1908-95), Canad. anatomist.) genetics. A strongly heterochroma tic body just inside the membrane of non-dividing cell nuclei in females, representing a condensed, inactive X chromosome and diagnostic of genetic femaleness.

barre /ba:/ noun.

E20.

[French: see bar noun1.] 1 music. (A finger used as) a capotasto. E20. 2 A waist-level horizontal bar to help dancers keep their balance during some exercises. M20.

man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo. J she,

3

vision. 9 thin,

6

this,

0

ring, tj chip, d3 jar

189

barre | barter

barre /bare/ adjective & noun. PI. of noun pronounced same.

barret /'bant/ noun.

LI 9. [French, pa. pple of barrer bar verb.]

E19.

[French burette from Italian fbar(r)etta: see biretta.] A small flat cap, esp. a biretta.

music. (A chord) played with strings stopped by a

barrette /ba'ret/ noun. E20.

capotasto or finger.

[French, dim. of barre: see -ette.]

barred /ba:d/ adjective, lme.

A bar-shaped clip or ornament for a woman's or girl’s hair; a hair-slide.

[from bar noun1, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.]

1 Marked or ornamented with bars; striped; streaked.

barretter bs'reta noun. E20.

LME.

[App. from barrator with the idea of exchange.] CLEcr/uarr. A device consisting essentially of a fine wire

2 Secured or shut with a bar or bars. Ei6. 3 Of a harbour: obstructed by a sandbank. Mi6. 4 Having or furnished with a bar or bars (bar noun1 i). LI 6. 5 music. Marked off by bars. Li9.

with a high temperature coefficient of resistance, used esp. for current stabilization. barricade/bari'keid/noun. Li6. [French, from barrique from Spanish barrica cask, from stem of barril barrel noun: see -ade. Cf, barricado.]

barrel /'bar(a)l/ noun. me. [from Old & mod. French baril from medieval Latin barriclus a small cask.]

1 A rampart constructed of barrels, stones, furniture, etc., set up across a street, esp. during revolutionary fighting or some other such civil disturbance; freq. (esp. in pi.) used allusively of the site of the final defences of a cause, movement, etc. L16. 2 Any barrier or defensive construction impeding passage. Li6. 3 nautical (now Hist.). A wooden fence built across the quarterdeck of a sailing man-of-war, barricaded to provide protection for those stationed there during an action, mi 8.

1 A wooden vessel of cylindrical form, usu. bulging in the middle, made of curved staves bound together by hoops, with flat ends; a similar vessel made of metal, plastic, etc. Cf. cask noun i. me. 2 Such a vessel and its contents; the capacity of such a vessel as a measure for both liquid and dry goods, varying with the commodity; spec, a unit of capacity for oil and oil products equal to 35 imperial or 42 US gallons (about 159 litres), lme. 3 A revolving cylinder around which a chain or rope is wound as in a capstan, watch, and other machines, lme. f4 Brand, quality, sort. M16-L18. 5 The cylindrical body or trunk of an object, as a pump, a fountain-pen, etc. M17. 6 The metal tube of a gun, through which the shot is discharged. In double-barrel, single-barrel, etc., also, a gun with the specified number of barrels. Mt7. 7 The trunk ofa horse etc. ei 8. 8 Money for use in a political campaign, esp. for corrupt purposes. US slang (now Hist.). Li9.

HI 1 fig:. E. Glasgow Would die upon the literary barricade of defending the noble proportions of War and Peace', man the barricades, go to the barricades oppose strongly or protest against a government or other institution or its policy.

[from the noun after French barricader.]

1 Block (a street etc.) with a barricade, obstruct, render impassable. Lt6. 2 Defend (a place, a person) as with a barricade. M17. ■ barricading noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) (the materials of) a barricade: L17.

barricado /barikeidau/ noun & verb. arch. Li6. [formed as barricade noun: see -ado.]

► A noun. PL -o(e)s. = barricade noun. L16. ► B verb trans. = barricade verb. L16. barrico /bo'rbkao/noun. PI. -oes. Mi6. [Spanish barrica cask: see barricade noun and cf. bareca.)

A keg, a small barrel. barrier /'bans/ noun & verb. lme. [Anglo-Norman barren. Old French barriere from Proto-Romance formed as bar noun1: see -ier.] ► A noun. 1 A palisade or stockade erected to defend a

gate, passage, etc.; a fortification commanding an entrance. Now chiefly Hist. lme. 2 gen. Any fence or railing barring advance or prevent¬ ing access; a physical obstacle placed in the way. lme. ►b The starting-gate ofa racecourse. E17. tc The point of access to a railway platform at which tickets must be shown. M20. 3 In pi. The martial exercise of sword-fighting across the central railing dividing a tournament ground (freq. in to fight at barriers). Also, the palisades enclosing a tourney ground, the lists, obsolete exc. Hist. L15. 4 Any physical, esp. natural, obstacle which prevents access or separates; spec, the mass of ice fringing the Ant¬ arctic coast. El 8. 5 Anything immaterial that obstructs, prevents com¬ munication, or separates. El 8. Fb physics. A state, region, or level of high potential energy which must be sur¬ mounted (or tunnelled through) for a given physical change to occur. E20.

barrel /bar(a)l/ verb. Infl. -II-, *-l-. lme. [from the noun.]

1 verb traps. Place or store in a barrel or barrels, lme. ►b Store up. Li 6. 2 verb intrans. Drive fast; proceed with force and speed. Freq. foil, by along. N. Amer. slang. M20. CQ 1b Milton All benefit and use of Scripture, as to public prayer, should be deny’d us, except what was barreld up in a Common-praier Book. 2 K. Atkinson Wooden carts barrel across the cobblestones.

barren /'bar(a)n/ adjective & noun. me. [Anglo-Norman barai(g)ne from Old French batfa)haine, brehai(g)ne (mod. brehaigne). of unkn. origin.] ► A adjective. (Foil, by of.)

1 Of a woman: incapable of bearing children; infertile. ME.

2 Of an animal: not pregnant at the usual season, me. 3 Of a tree or plant: not producing fruit or seed. lme. 4 Of land: producing little vegetation; unproductive; infertile, lme. 5 Destitute of interest or attraction; arid; dull. lme. 6 Producing no result; fruitless; unprofitable. Mi6. 7 Ofa person: unresponsive; dull. Li6.

t 1 2 vapour barrier see vapour noun, b Sherwood Anderson Then when the barrier goes up he is off like his name, Sunstreak. 4 isolating barrier 5 sonic barrier, sound barrier, thermal barrier, etc. b J. A. Wheeler Odd nuclei have a higher barrier against fission than corresponding even nuclei. Schottky barrier Comb.: barrier cream a cream to protect the skin from damage, infection, etc.; barrier method a method of contraception using a device or preparation which prevents live sperm from reaching an ovum; barrier reef a coral reef separated by a broad deep channel from the adjacent land. ► B verb trans. Close or shut with a barrier, mi8.

3 barren strawberry: see strawberry 2. Comb.: barren wort a low rhizomatous herb of the barberry family, Epimedium alpinum, once thought to cause sterility. ► B noun. 1 A barren woman or animal. Long dial. rare. me. 2 A tract of barren land, esp. (freq. in pi. and with speci¬ fying word) in N. America. M17. 2 oak-barrens, pine-barrens, etc. ■ barrenly adverb Mi6. barrenness /-n-n-/ noun me. verb trans.

barring /'ba:rig/ verbal noun. lme. [bar verb + -inc1.]

The action of bar verb: marking with or dividing into bars.

L16-E18.

Comb.: barring-out (obsolete exc. Hist) a form of schoolboy rebel¬ lion in which a master was shut out of a classroom or school by his pupils.

[from the adjective.]

Make barren or unfruitful; render unproductive. barrera /ba'rrera/ noun. E20.

barring

[Spanish = barrier.]

e

bed,

9:

her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, 0 hot,

/'bamij/preposition. Lis.

[Use of pres, pple of bar verb 6: see -inc2. Cf. bar preposition.]

(The row of seats nearest to) the barrier encircling a bullring. a cat, a; arm,

[Spanish, perh. from Arab.]

A ward or quarter of a town or city in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries; a Spanish-speaking quarter of a US town or city. barrique /bs'rv.k, foreign bairik (pi same)/ noun. lis. [French = barrel, cask.]

A wine barrel; spec, a small cask of new oak in which Bor¬ deaux and other wines are aged. barrister/'barista/ noun1, lme. [from

bar

noun1, perh. after legister or minister noun.]

A lawyer who has been called to the bar, and has the right of representing clients in the higher courts (more fully barrister-at-law); US any lawyer. ■ barristerial /bari'stianal/ adjective of or pertaining to a barris¬ ter Ml 9.

■[barrister noun2 see banister. barrow /'barao/ noun'. See also berry noun2, burrow noun3 [Old English beorg = Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old High German (Dutch. German) berg, from Germanic. Cf. Old Norse berg, bjarg rock, precipice, Gothic bdirgahei hill country,] 1 A mountain, a hill, obsolete exc. as forming a place-

name element, oe. 2 archaeology. A grave-mound or tumulus, oe. 2 round barrow: see round adjective. Comb: barrow-wight pseudo-arch, a guardian spirit believed to inhabit a grave-mound.

barrow /'barau/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial. [Old English b(e)arg = Old Frisian, Middle Dutch barch (Dutch barg), Old Saxon, Old High German bar(u)g (German dial. Barch), Old Norse bqrgr from Germanic.]

A castrated boar. barricade /bari'keid/ verb trans. L16.

1 over a barrel (chiefly N. Amer.) helpless, scrape the barrel be obliged to use the last available resources. 2 a barrel of fun, a barrel of laughs coiloq. (a source of) much amusement, a barrel of monkeys see monkey noun. 6 lock, stock, and barrel: see lock noun2. Comb.: barrel-chested adjective having a large rounded chest; barrel distortion a type of defect in optical or electronic images in which vertical or horizontal straight lines appear as convex curves; barrel-fish a large stromateoid fish, Hyperoglyphe perdforme, of the western Atlantic, often seen near floating wreckage or following vessels; barrelhead the flat top of a barrel; on the barrelhead (N. Amer.), (esp. of payment) without delay, immediately; barrel-house a low-class drinking saloon; forceful unrestrained jazz-playing; barrel-organ a musical instrument in which a handle-turned pin-studded cylinder opens pipes to act upon the keys or strikes metal tongues; barrel vault a vault with a roof of uniform concave structure. ■ barrelage noun the total amount of any commodity, esp. beer, as measured by barrels (during a specified period) L19.

tbarren

barrio /'bariao/ noun. PI. -os. Mi9.

Excluding from consideration, except. 0

: saw, A run, u put. u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

barrow / 'barsu/ noun3 & verb1. [Old English beanve from Germanic, from base of

bear

verb1. Cf.

BIER.]

► A noun. 1 A frame for loads etc. carried by two people; a stretcher, a bier. Now usu. more fully hand-barrow, oe. 2 A shallow open box with shafts for pushing by hand and a wheel or wheels, for the transportation of loads; spec, (a) = wheelbarrow noun 1; (b) a two-wheeled hand¬ cart used by a costermonger; (c) a metal frame with two wheels for transporting luggage etc. me. 3 The quantity carried by a barrow; the contents of a barrow, lme. Comb: barrow-boy a costermonger.

► B verb trans. Wheel or transport in a barrow, rare, mi6. ■ barrowful noun -

barrow noun3

3

Lis.

barrow /’barau/ verb2 intrans. Austral.&NZ. M20. [Origin uncertain: cf. Irish, Gaelic bearradh shearing, clipping.]

Of a novice shearer or shedhand: complete the shearing of or partly shear a sheep for a shearer. Barrowist 'barauist/ noun. Li6. [from Barrowe (see below) + -1ST.) Hist. A follower of (the beliefs of) Henry Barrowe, one of

the founders of Congregationalism, executed in 1593 for nonconformity. barrulet/'barjulit/noun. Mi6. [Dim. of assumed Anglo-Norman dim. of French

barre:

see

-ule.

-let.)

heraldry. A narrow horizontal stripe, equal to the fourth part of a bar (see bar noun' 5).

barruly/'baijuli/od/ect/ve. Mi6. [Anglo-Norman barrule: see prec., -Vs.] heraldry. Of a field: crossed by ten or more bars.

barry /'ba:n/ adjective. lis. [French barre barred, striped, from barrer bar verb: see -Y5.] heraldry. Of a field: divided horizontally into equal parts by eight or fewer bars of alternating tinctures. (Foil, by of

the number of parts.) Barsac /'ba:sak/ noun. eis. [French (see below).]

A sweet white wine from the district of Barsac, depart¬ ment of Gironde, France. barse /ba:s/ noun. Long dial. [Old English baers, bears = Old Saxon bars. Middle Dutch ba(e)rse, Dutch baars. Middle High German bars. German Barsch: cf. bar noun2, bass noun1.]

A kind of fish, esp, a perch. Bart /ba:t/ noun. Also (esp. when following a name) Bart, (point). Li 8. [Abbreviation]

= BARONET. Baronet is preferably abbreviated Bt.

tBartelemy noun var. of Bartholomew. barter/'ba:ta/ noun. lme. [from the verb.]

1 Traffic by exchange of goods, lme. 2 Goods to be bartered. M18. 3 fig. Exchange, interchange, (of blows, insults, talk, etc,), ei9. no, s: hail-, a near. 01 boy, ua poor, Aia tire, aua sour

190

barter | base barytes /ba'rAitbz/ noun. lis.

barter/'baita/ verb. lme. [Prob. from Old French

banner: see barrator.)

1 verb trans. Exchange (goods or something intangible, for other goods etc.), lme. kb Foil, by away. Dispose of by barter, part with for a (usu. mercenary or unworthy) con¬ sideration. M17. 2 verb intrans. Trade by exchange. Lis. LI J 1 Yeats Barter gaze for gaze. L. van der Post He .. replaced it with what he could buy, or barter, from Somalis. C. V. Wedgwood The Scots bartered him to the English Parliament in return for payment for their troops. 2 F. Quarles With thy bastard bullion thou hast barterd for wares of price. D. Livingstone We did not see much evi¬ dence of a wish to barter. a

[from Greek bams heavy + -ites -ite1.] -[1 = BARYTA. L18-M19.

2 Native barium sulphate, occurring usu. as white or colourless tabular crystals; heavy spar. Lis. ■ barytic l-'n-l adjective of, pertaining to, or containing baryta or barium Li 8.

baryton noun var. of baritone noun 2. barytone /'baritaon/ noun' & adjectiveL Mi7. [Late Latin barytonos from Greek barutonos not oxytone: cf. BARITONE.)

CREEK grammar. (A word) not having the acute accent on the

last syllable. tbarytone noun2 & adjective2 var. of baritone noun &

barterable adjective M19. barterer noun E17

adjective.

Barthian /'baton/ adjective & noun. E20. )from

basal /'beis(a)l/ adjective & noun. Ei7.

Barth (see below) + -ian.)

► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) or his writings. E20. ► B noun. A follower of Barth. M20. Bartholomew LME.

/bafSolaniju:/

noun. Also tBart(e)lemy.

[Name of the apostle, from ecclesiastical Latin Bartholomaeus, Creek Bartholomaios partly through French Barthelemy.]

1 Bartholomew-day, Bartholomew-tide, St Bartholo¬ mew’s day, 24 August, arch. lme. 2 Bartholomew Fair, a fair held at West Smithfield annually from 1133 to 1855 around St Bartholomew’s day. Bartholomew pig etc., a pig etc. sold at this fair. obsolete exc. Hist. Li 6. bartizan /baiti'zan/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -san. Mi6.

[from base noun1 + -al1.]

► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, situated at, or forming a base. E17. 2 fig. Fundamental, mi9. 1 basal body a kinetosome basal cell biology & medicine a cell located at or near the base of an organ or other structure; spec. any of the relatively undifferentiated cells that form the lowest layer of the epithelium, and from which more specialized cells are generated; basal-cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer that originates in the basal cells of the epithelium or hair follicles, basal ganglion anatomy any of the ganglia situated at the base of the cerebrum, i.e. the lentiform, caudate, and amyg¬ daloid nuclei, basal metabolism: of an organism completely at rest, basal pinacoid plane, basal plane crystallography a pinacoid intersecting the vertical axis. ► B noun. Something pertaining to, forming part of, or

situated at the base. Ei7.

[Scot, form of bratticing found esp. in 17 and reinterpreted Ei9 by Sir Walter Scott.)

basalt /'basodt, -(a)lt; ba'sodt, -'sDlt/ noun. Orig. in Latin form tbasaltes. E17.

A battlemented parapet at the top of a castle or church; esp. a battlemented turret projecting from an angle at the top of a tower.

[Latin basaltes var. of basanites from Greek basanites (lithos stone), from basanos touchstone.) geology. A dark, fine-grained igneous rock, often display¬

■ bartizaned adjective furnished with a bartizan or bartizans E19. f Bartlemy

■ basaltic /ba'sodtik, -'sDlt-/ adjective of, pertaining to, or con¬ sisting of basalt: of the nature of basalt: Lis. ba'saltiform adjective having the form of basalt lis.

noun var. of Bartholomew.

Bartlett 'ba:tlit/noun. Chiefly N. Amer. Mi9. [Enoch Bartlett (1779-1860), US merchant who first distributed the pear in the US.)

More fully Bartlett pear. = Williams noun'. bere-tfm. formed as bere noun1 + town noun. Cf. barn

11

A threshing-floor. Only in oe. 2 Hist. A demesne farm; land on a manor not let to tenants but retained for the owner’s use. me. 3 A farmyard, arch. M16. f4 A pen for poultry. Mi6-Li8. bartonellosis /baitsnE'bosis/ noun. PI. -loses /-'tousi:z/. E20. [from mod. Latin Bartonella (see below), from Alberto L. Barton (1871-1950). Peruvian physician: see -osis.j medicine. Infection with the micro-organism Bartonella bacilliformis, endemic in parts of S. America and mani¬ fested either as an acute febrile anaemia (also called Oroya fever) or in wartlike eruptions of the skin (also called verruga peruana). Cf. Carrion’s disease. bartsia /'ba:tsia/noun.

mis.

[mod. Latin Bartsia, from Johann ician and botanist: see -ia1 .]

Bartsch (1709-38), Prussian phys¬

A plant of the genus Bartsia, of the figwort family, or for¬ merly included in this genus; esp. (more fully red bartsia) Odontites vema, a common wayside weed bearing racemes of purplish-red flowers. barwood /'ba:wud/ noun. Lis. [Prob. from bar noun' + wood noun1.]

A hard red African wood, orig. that of the tree Baphia nitida, but now usu. padoulc. barycentric/ban'sentrik/ adjective. L19. [from Greek

basan /'baz(a)n/ noun. Also bazan. See also basil noun3. LI 5. [Old & mod. French bosatie from Provencal bazana from Spanish badana (cf. medieval Latin bedana, Anglo-Latin basana) from Arab, bitana (dressed sheepskin used as) lining.)

barton /'ba:t(a)n/ noun. [Old English noun1.]

ing columnar structure and usu. composed largely of plagioclase with pyroxene and olivine.

bams heavy + -centric.)

Of or pertaining to the centre of gravity. ■ barycentre noun the centre of gravity E20.

baryon /'barmn/ noun. M20.

Sheepskin tanned in bark. basanite 'basan.Mt/ noun. lis. [Latin basanites: see basalt, -ite'.]

A black form of jasper or quartzite, formerly used as a touchstone; geology any basaltic rock consisting of calcic plagioclase, augite, olivine, and a feldspathoid. bus bleu /ba bio/ noun phr. PI. bas bleus (pronounced

same). L18. [French, translating from English.)

A bluestocking. bascinet noun var. of basinet. bascule/'baskjud/ noun. L17. [French (earlier bacule) = see-saw, from stem otbattre to beat + oil buttocks.)

A lever apparatus of which one end is raised when the other is lowered. Comb.: bascule bridge a type of bridge raised or lowered with a counterpoise.

base /beis/ noun', me. [Old & mod. French, or directly from Latin basis.)

► 11 The part of a column between the shaft and the ped¬ estal or pavement; the pedestal of a statue, me. 2 gen. Something on which a thing stands or by which it is supported, lme. kb geometry. The line or surface of a plane or solid figure on which it is regarded as standing. Li6. kc heraldry. The lower part of a shield, ei 7. kd botanyK zoology. The extremity of a part or organ by which it is attached to the trunk or main part, mi8. ke surveying. A known line used as a geometrical basis for trigonometry. M19. 3 fig. A fundamental principle; a foundation. L15. 4 The principal ingredient, the fundamental element.

[formed as prec. + -on.]

L15.

particle physics. Any of the heavier elementary particles

5 A starting-point, goal-line, or station in certain games; esp. in baseball, each of the four stations that must be reached in turn when scoring a run. Li 7. 6 chemistry. Any substance which is capable of combin¬ ing with an acid to form a salt (including, but wider than, alkali). Also, in mod. use, any species capable of donating pairs of electrons or of accepting protons. E19. kb spec, in biochemistry. Any of the purine or pyrimidine groups present in nucleotides and nucleic acids. M20. 7 math. The number from whose various powers a system of counting, logarithms, etc., proceeds. E19. 8 A town, camp, harbour, airfield, etc., from which (esp. military) operations are conducted and where

(proton, neutron, and hyperons), which have halfintegral spins and take part in the strong interaction. ■ bary onic adjective m20.

barysphere /'barisfia/ noun. E20. [formed as prec. + -sphere.)

The dense interior of the earth, under the lithosphere. baryta /ba'rAita/ noun.

E19.

[from barytes after soda etc.)

Barium oxide or hydroxide. baryte noun var. of barite. b but. d dog,

f few, g get.

h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg, m

man,

n no,

p pen,

r red, s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

stores and supporting facilities are concentrated; a centre of operations, a headquarters. Mi9. 9 grammar. A root or stem as the origin of a word or as the element from which a derivative is formed by affixation etc. Mi9. 10 The middle part of a transistor, between collector and emitter. M20. 11 A notional structure or entity conceived of as underlying some system of activity or operations; the resources etc. on which something draws or depends for its operation. Usu. with specifying word. M20. 03 1 Nation They toppled the statue of Mussolini.. and inscribed a motto on its base. 2 A. Wilson They passed the magnolia tree, around whose base lay the last fallen petals. J. Irving There was a flat shelf at the base of the slope. 3 R. L. Stevenson A man who has a few friends.. cannot forget on how precarious a base his happiness reposes. G. Murray That is my feeling, and there must be some base for it. 4J. C. Oates He brewed a special concoction of poison, with an arsenic base. 5 G. Greene It was like that

child's game when you.. are sent back to base to start again. C. Potok Mr Galanter always began a ball game by putting me at second base. 7 T. Lehrer Base eight is just like base ten really—if you're missing two fingers. 8 S. Sassoon He had been two years with a fighting battalion and was now down at the Base for good. N. Monsarrat Malta was a base for bombers as well. M. Arnold-Forster Halsey’s immediate objective was the Japanese air base at Munda. E. Heath The YMCA hostel.. provided us with a base for the next few days. 11 Economist After its customer base, IBM’s biggest asset is that $1 billion annual R&D budget, database: see data. ► II12 sing. & (usu.) in pi. A pleated skirt appended to a doublet, reaching from the waist to the knee; an imita¬ tion of this in mailed armour for man or horse. Also, the skirt of a woman’s outer petticoat or robe, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. Phrases: base on balls baseball a batter’s advance to the first base when the pitcher has delivered four balls outside specified limits (see ball noun12C). conjugate base see conjugate adjective, get to first base N. Amer. slang achieve the first step towards one’s object¬ ive. naval base off base N. Amer. slang (a) mistaken; (b) unpre¬ pared, unawares, off one's base US slang mistaken, power base see power noun. Schiff base. Schiff’s base see Schiff. semidine base touch base: see touch verb. Comb. : baseband the waveband occupied by the modulating signals of a carrier wave, or of signals transmitted without a carrier wave; baseboard a board forming a base; spec. (N. Amer.) a skirting-board; base hit baseball a hit enabling the batter to reach a base safely; base level ceolocy a level representing a lower limit of erosion; baseline a starting-line, a reference line; esp. (a) the back line at each end of the court in tennis, badminton, etc.; (b) typography the imaginary straight line through the feet of most letters in a line of type; base load the permanent minimum load that a power supply system is required to deliver; baseman baseball a fielder stationed near the specified (first, second, or third) base; base-pair biochemistry a pair of complementary bases, one in each strand of double-stranded nucleic acid, held together by a hydrogen bond; base pay = basic pay s.v. basic adjective lb; base rate a standard minimum rate, esp. of interest charged or allowed by a bank (generally, or US in particular circumstances); base-runner baseball a member of the batting team at a base or running between bases; base-running baseball running between bases; bases-loaded adjective (baseball) made or occurring with runners occupying the first, second, and third bases; basestealer baseball a base-runner who advances to the next base when no hit or error has been made; base-stealing baseball advancing to the next base when no hit or error has been made.

base /beis/ noun2, lme. [Prob. alt. of bars: see bar noun111.] More fully prisoners’ base. A chasing game played by two sides occupying distinct areas, the object being to catch and make prisoner any player from the other side running from his or her home area, tbid a person base challenge a person to a chase in this game; gen. challenge. tbase noun3 var. of bass noun2. tbase noun4 var. of bass noun'. base /beis/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French bas from medieval Latin bassus, found in clas¬ sical Latin as a cognomen.) 1 Low; of small height, arch. lme. kb In plant-names: of low growth. ii6. 2 Low-lying, esp. topographically or geographically. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 3 Of a sound: low, not loud; deep, bass. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 4 Of inferior quality, of little value; mean, poor, shabby, worthless; (of language) debased, not classical. lme. kb Of coin etc.: alloyed, counterfeit. E16. 5 lain. Of feudal service, tenure, etc.: involving villein¬ age etc. rather than military service (Hist.); later (of tenure etc.), held in fee simple subject to some qualification or limitation, lme. 6 Low in the social scale, plebeian; menial, degrading. arch. L15. 7 Reprehensibly cowardly, selfish, or mean; despic¬ able. Mi6. 8 Low in the natural scale, arch. Mi6. 9 Illegitimate, obsolete exc. in baseborn below. Li6. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

191

base | basil

ta 7 W. Raleigh A most base piece of flatterie. H. Belloc A few base contemporaries no older than ourselves, but cads. B. Russell He has thoughts and feelings and impulses which may be wise or foolish, noble or base. J. Braine Underneath the rough exterior their hearts were as base as anyone's. 8 Shakes. A.Y.L. Civet is of a baser birth than tar—the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Special collocations & comb,: baseborn adjective of low birth or (arch.) origin; illegitimate, base metal: not classified as noble or pre¬ cious. base-minded adjective having a base mind, mean, despic¬ able. base relief: see bas-relief. ■ basely adverb lis. baseness noun lme.

base /beis/ verb trans. Li6. [from base noun'.]

1 Make or act as a foundation for. rare. L16. 2 Found, build, or construct (up)on a given base, build up around a base, (chiefly fig.): provide with a base; estab¬ lish securely. Freq. in pass. Ml9. 3 Station or deploy at a particular place as centre of operations or headquarters, or on land, the sea, etc. Freq. in pass. E20. PIG, Macdonald Great roots based the tree-columns. 2 F. Raphael His pools forecasts were based entirely on what the experts said. E. J. Howard A whole set of false assump¬ tions, based on sentiment, lust and.. nostalgia. Scientific American The roads were always carefully based and drained. Listener I doubt whether ten years from now this ’sciencebased’ or technological university will be very different from any other. Classic CD The famous second movement.. is based around a Ldndler. 3 E. F. Norton No. i party was to .. remain based there for the purpose of getting the next camp on to the North Col. New Scientist United States bases in the Pacific were warned to expect a carrier-based air strike. D. Fraser The British Eastern fleet was based at Kalindini on the Kenyan coast.

baseball

/‘beisbo:l/ noun. Ei9. [from base noun' + ball noun1.]

A team game played with a bat and ball, in which runs are scored by reaching a number of bases in turn; now spec, the American field-game of this type, played by two teams of nine players, the object of which is for each batter to hit the ball delivered by the opponent’s pitcher and then traverse a diamond-shaped circuit of four bases to score a run; a ball used in this game. Comb. : baseball cap a cotton cap of a kind originally worn by baseball players, with a large peak and an adjustable strap at the back.

base-court/’beisko:t/noun. lis. [French fbasse-court (now basse-cour): see base adjective 2, court noun*.]

Hist. The lower or outer court of a castle, mansion, etc., usu. occupied by servants.

tbase dance noun phr. see basse danse. base jump /'beis djAmp/ noun & verb phr. Also BASE jump. L20. [base from building, antenna-tower, span, earth (denoting the types of starting-point used).]

► A noun phr. A parachute jump from a fixed point, typic¬ ally a high building or promontory, rather than an air¬ craft. ► B verb intrans. Perform a base jump. ■ base jumper noun L20. base jumping noun L20

baselard /'basila:d/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [Old French baselard(e) (more commonly bazelaire, bad-) = medi¬ eval Latin baselardus, basi-, etc., of unkn. origin.]

A dagger or hanger, worn at the girdle.

baseless /'beislis/ adjective. Ei7. [from base noun' + -less.]

Without a base; groundless, unfounded. ■ baselessly adverb 120. baselessness noun M19.

basement /'beism(a)nt/ noun. mis. [Prob. from Dutch fbasement foundation, in Western Flemish bazement, perh. from Italian basamento base of a column etc., from basare to base: see -merit. Cf. Old & mod. French soubassement.]

1 A storey of a building wholly or partially below ground level, mis. 2 The lowest or fundamental part of a structure; an underlying layer. Li 8. tb geology. The oldest rocks under¬ lying a given area; spec, an Archaean formation under¬ lying identifiable strata, Freq. attrib. mi9. 1 attrib.: T. S. Eliot They are rattling breakfast plates in basement kitchens.J. G. Bennett My wife and 1 had found a small basement flat in Bayswater. bargain basement: see bargain noun. 2 F. Hoyle When a glacier or ice sheet rests on a flat, slippery basement, such as sand or water, the ice can move more quickly at its base than at its surface. Comb.: basement membrane anatomy the thin delicate mem¬ brane separating the epithelium from underlying tissue.

basenji /bo'sendji/ noun. M20. [Bantu.]

A smallish hunting dog of a central African breed, which rarely barks,

base relief noun var. of bas-relief. bases nouns pis. of base noun1, basis. a cat. a: arm, e bed, 0: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot. 0:

bash /baj/ noun. Ei9. [from bash verb3.]

1 A heavy blow. Orig. Scot. ei 9. 2 A party, an entertainment; a spree, a drinking-bout. slang. E20. 3 An attempt, a go. slang. M20. £9 1 M. Gee Peg’s injunction to ’give ’im a bash’. 2 K. Millett We were invited to the big bash for Marjory Strider’s opening. N. Thornburg A party there.. a cocktail bash for the energy conference delegates. 3 Times Tried some anti-rust oil? Worth a bash. Phrases: have a bash at slang (a) strike a blow at; (b) make an attempt at. on the bash slang on a drinking-bout.

bash /bajY verb1. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Aphet. from abash.]

1 verb trans. Disconcert, dismay, abash, lme. 2 verb intrans. Be daunted; be abashed, lme. bash /baj/ verb2. M17. [Ult. imit.: perh. blend of bang and ending of dash, smash, etc.]

1 verb trans. Strike heavily; beat soundly (also foil, by up); smash down etc. with a heavy blow; injure by strik¬ ing; fig. act or speak to the detriment of, criticize heavily. M17. kb Subject to some prolonged arduous activity. Usu. as verbal noun as 2nd elem. of a comb, with specify¬ ing word, as ear-bashing, spud-bashing, square¬ bashing. slang. M20. 2 verb intrans. Strike at heavily and repeatedly; work at crudely and persistently, mi9. 3 verb intrans. Carry on unheedingly. M20. D3 1 D. Lessing London’s full of students rushing about bashing policemen. J. Herriot He had lifted a stone from the pasture and was bashing something with it. fig.: Times Voices in the Conservative Party arguing moderation rather than ’union bashing’ in its approach to the dosed shop. 2 J. B. Priestley It wasn't my kind of painting, and I just bashed away at it. J. Raban Men were bashing at pavements with pickaxes and sledgehammers. ■ basher noun a person who bashes, a fighter L19. bashing noun the action of the verb; an instance of this, a heavy beating: Mis.

basha /'bajo/ noun. E20. [Bengali.]

In SE Asia: a bamboo hut with a thatched roof. tbashalik noun see pashalic. bashaw /bo'Jo:/ noun. arch. lis. [Var. of pasha.] 1 = PASHA. LI5.

2 fig. A grandee; a haughty imperious man. L16. ■ bashawship noun L17.

bashful /'bajfol, -f(3)l/ adjective, ns. [from bash verb1 + -ful.]

11 Lacking self-possession: daunted, lis-eis. 2 Shy, diffident, modest; shamefaced, sheepish, mi6. ■ bashfully adverb Mi6. bashfulness noun M16.

bashi-bazouk /,bajib,Vzu:k noun. M19. [Turkish bagi bozuk lit. 'wrong-headed', from ba? head + t/ozuk out of order.]

Hist. A mercenary of the Turkish irregulars, notorious for pillage and brutality. Bashkir /baj'kn/ noun & adjective. Ei9. [Russian from Turkic Baskurt.] ► A noun. PL -s, same. 1 A member of a Muslim people living in the southern Urals. E19. 2 The language of this people. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Bashkirs or their lan¬ guage. M19. bashlik "bajlik/ noun. Li9. [Russian bashlyk from Turkic.] A kind of hood with long side-pieces, worn orig. by Rus¬ sians as protection against the weather. basho /'bafoo/ noun. PI. same, -os. L20. flapanese.]

A sumo wrestling tournament, basi- /'beisi/ combining form of base noun1, basis noun: see -I-.

■ basi branchial adjective (zoology) of, pertaining to. or forming, the base of the branchial arch (in fishes) L19. basi cranial adjective (anatomy) of, pertaining to. or forming, the base of the cranium Mi9 basifixed adjective (bomivv) (of an anther) attached to its filament by the base L19. hasifuq.il bei'sifjog(a)l/ adjective (botany) tending away from the base H9. ba sifugally adverb (botahy) in a basifugal manner, away from the base L19. basiled '’basilekt, ’beisi-/ noun [-lect] uncuistics the dialect or variety of any language with the lowest prestige M20. basilectal /basi lekt(3)l. beisi-/ adjective (uhcuistics) of, pertaining to, or charac¬ teristic of the basilect L20. basioccipital adjective (anatomy) of, per¬ taining to. or forming, the base of the occiput Mi9. basipetal /bei’sipitfajl/ adjective (botany) developing from the apex towards the base M19. ba sipetally adverb (botahy) in a basipetal manner, from the apex towards the base M20. basi sphenoid adjective &

noun (anatomy & zoology) (forming or pertaining to) a bone of the floor of the cranium (in the human skull, the hind part of the sphenoid bone) mi9.

BASIC /'beisik/ noun'. Also Basic. M20. [Acronym, from Beginners’ All-purpose Symbolic instruction Code, after basic adjective.]

The name of a high-level programming language designed for easy learning.

basic /'beisik/ adjective & noun2, mi9. [from base noun1 + -ic.J ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or forming a base; funda¬ mental, essential, mi9. ►b Constituting a minimum, esp. in a standardized scale (of wages, prices, etc.); at the lowest acceptable level. E20. 2 a chemistry. Having the properties of a base; derived from or characteristic of a base, mi9. ►b geology. Of an igneous rock: having a relatively low silica content. Li9. ►c metallurgy. Pertaining to, resulting from, or designat¬ ing steel-making processes involving lime-rich refractor¬ ies and slags. Li9. E=S 1 A. J. Cronin In his complete severance from tradition he has lost sight of the basic principles of proportion. E. Roosevelt The basic food of the people is rice for every meal.. but there is a feast about once a week when they eat chicken and pork. J. Irving He felt a need, almost as basic as survival, to find something he could finish. H. Nemerov The study of symbolism, which is basic To the nature of money. Basic English a simplified form of English with a select vocabulary of 850 words, for international use. basic industry an industry of great economic importance, b New York Times Most offer basic accommodations (many don’t have electricity or hot water), basic pay a standard rate of pay exclusive of extra payments, overtime, and allowances. 2 basic dye a dye which is a salt of a coloured organic base, basic salt a salt formed by incomplete neutralization of a base, basic slag phosphate-rich slag from basic steel¬ making, freq. used as a fertilizer, c basic oxygen process a steel-making process in which a jet of oxygen is delivered by a lance on to molten iron in a retort lined with a basic refractory, burning away excess carbon and producing enough heat to keep the iron molten while oxidized impurities are removed as gases or slag.

► B noun. Something basic, esp. basic pay; (B-) Basic English; in p/., essentials, fundamental aspects. M20. £□ A. Hackney There's a job in Stores and Packing. Hundred and eighty-nine shillings basic. Times The Commission should ignore the grander politics and concentrate on the basics, back to basics (a catchphrase calling for) a return to fundamental principles, esp. in education. In techn. senses the adjective is opp. acid adjective. ■ basically adverb (a) fundamentally, essentially, in sum; (b) (esp. modifying a sentence) actually, in fact: E20.

basicity bei’sisrti/ noun. Mi9. [from basic adjective + -ity.] Chiefly chemistry 1 The number of hydrogen atoms replaceable by a base in a particular acid, mi9. 2 Basic character or condition. Li 9.

basidiomycete /bs.sidis'mAisbt/ noun. Orig. only in pi. -mycetes /-'mAisi:ts, -mAi’si:ti:z/. L19. [Anglicized sing, of mod. Latin Basidiomycetes (see below), formed as next + -o- + Greek muketes pi. of makes fungus.)

mycology. A fungus of the subdivision Basidiomycotina (formerly the class Basidiomycetes), which includes the agarics. ■ basidiomy cetous adjective L19.

basidium /bs'sidiam/ noun. PI. -dia /-dio/. M19. [mod. Latin, from Greek basis: see-iDiuM.) botany. A club-shaped spore-bearing structure produced by a basidiomycete. ■ basidiocarp noun a fruiting body which bears basidia M20. basidiospore noun a spore produced by a basidium. M19.

basil /'baz(3)l, -zil/ no un'. lme. [Old French basile from medieval Latin basilicum from Greek basilikon: see basilicon.]

1 A shrubby aromatic labiate herb of the genus Ocimum; esp. 0. basilicum (more fully sweet basil) and 0. minimum (more fully bush basil), having culinary use; (in the Indian subcontinent) 0. sanctum (more fully holy

basil), sacred to Hindus. Also, the dried leaves of such a herb, used as flavouring, lme. 2 In full wild basil. An aromatic labiate herb, Clinopodiumvulgare, of hedges and scrub. Mi6. Comb.: basil thyme a small aromatic labiate herb, Clinopodium acinos, of dry arable land.

basil /'baz(o)l, -zil/ noun2. Now rare or obsolete. Mi6. [Oid French basils basilisk.]

fl = basilisk 2. Only in M16. 2 A prisoner's ankle-iron. Li 6.

basil /'baz(o)l, -zil/ noun’. Also bazil. E17. [App. var. of basan.] = BASAN.

basil nounb botany & zoology. = base noun1 2d. E17. f2 GEOMETRY. = BASE noun1 2b. L16-M18. 3 The main constituent. Ei7. 4 A thing by or on which anything immaterial is sup¬ ported or sustained. Ei7. 5 A thing on which anything is constructed and by which its constitution or operation is determined; a footing (of a specified kind); a determining principle; a set of underlying or agreed principles. E17. 6 = base noun' 8. arch. Mi9. G3 1 Shakes. Temp. To th’ shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bowed. As stooping to relieve him. Addison Observing an English inscription upon the basis. 3 Jabez Hogg Colouring-solutions should be always prepared with glycer¬ ine .. as a basis. 4 Shakes. Macb. Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure. J. Tyndall This speculation.. rested upon a basis of conjecture. 5 John Bright It is necessary therefore to have a basis for our discussion. J. Galsworthy She believed .. in putting things on a commercial basis, on the basis of using as a criterion or a principle of action; taking account of. Comb.: basis point finance the smallest unit in which a rate or value (esp. an interest rate) is expressed (usu. equal to onehundredth of one per cent). bask /ba:sk/ adjective, dial. me. [Old Norse brisk.]

Basilidian /basi'lidran/ noun & adjective. Li6. [from Latin Basilides (see below), Greek Basilides + -ian.] Hist. b-A noun. A disciple or follower of Basilides, a 2nd-

cent. Alexandrian Gnostic. Li 6. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Basilides or his followers. LI 9.

basilisk/'bazilisk/ noun & adjective,

basis /'beisis/ noun. PI. bases /'beisi:z/. Li6. [Latin from Greek = stepping. Cf. base noun1.]

lme.

[Latin busilisms from Greek basiliskos kinglet, kind of serpent, goldcrest, dim. of basileus king.]

► A noun. Also (after Spanish) f-lisco, (after Latin) t-liscus. 1 A fabulous reptile, whose gaze or breath is fatal, hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg (= cockatrice i); HERALDRY, = COCKATRICE lb. LME.

2 fig. A person who casts a malicious look; a person or thing with a destructive influence, lis. 3 A large brass cannon. Ei6. 4 A small tropical American iguanid lizard of the genus Bosiliscus, having a prominent crest. El 9. G3 2 C. Burney Satire.. becomes a basilisk in the hands of a man.. who employs it to blast the reputation of another.

Bitter, acrid. bask /ba:sk/ verb & noun. lme. [Origin uncertain, perh. from Old Norse precursor of baSast refl. of barn bathe verb.] ► A verb, fl verb intrans. & refl. Bathe; fig. swim in blood.

LME-M16. 2 verb trans. (usu. refl.). Expose to a flood of warmth, esp. sunshine. E17. 3 verb intrans. Disport oneself or revel in warmth and light, esp. of the sun, a fire, or fig. of love, favour, pleasant feelings. Mi7. tQ 2 Milton The lubbar fiend.. Basks at the fire his hairy strength. R. Dahl Do you like to swim and to bask yourself in the sun? 3 J. Galsworthy The sun now only reached the wall at the end, whereon basked a crouching cat. fig.: E. A. Freeman Traitors basking in the royal smiles. D. Halberstam Everyone wanted to talk to him, to sit next to him at dinner, to bask in the excitement and originality of his mind. P. P. Read He basked in the confident feeling that should he want them they were his for the taking, basking shark a very large plankton-eating shark, Cetorhinus maxitnus, which habitually lies near the sea surface.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Of a glance, eye, etc.: malicious, casting an evil influence, lis.

► B noun. A spell of basking; radiance etc. in which one basks, mis.

03 2 G. W. Knight Fixed by the basilisk eye of a nameless terror.

Baskerville/'baskavil/noun. E19. (See below.] typography. A typeface modelled on that designed byjohn

basin /'beis(o)n/ noun. Also (arch.) bason, me. [Old French bade (mod. bassin) from medieval Latin bo(s)dnus. from bacca water-container, perh. from Gaulish.]

1 A circular vessel of greater width than depth, esp. for holding water, a bowl, a dish; a fixed shallow open con¬ tainer for water for washing etc. me. kb The quantity held by a basin; a basinful, lme. 12 A cymbal or other metal dish struck or clashed to produce sound. me-ei7. f 3 anatomy. = pelvis t, 2. Only in 18. 4 A hollow depression containing water; a land-locked harbour or bay; a large submarine depression, eis. 5 A dock with floodgates to maintain the water-level; a widened part of a canal or river with wharves. E18. 6 A circular or oval valley or natural depression; spec. (a) the tract of country drained by a river, or which drains into a lake or sea; (b) a circumscribed geological forma¬ tion in which the strata dip inwards to the centre. E19. b but, d dog, f few. g get,

h he. j yes,

k cat, 1 leg.

Baskerville (1706-75), English typefounder and printer; a book printed by Baskerville. basket/'ba:skit/noun. me. [In Anglo-Latin baskettum, Anglo-Norman & Old French basket, of unkn. origin.]

1 A container made of plaited or interwoven osiers, cane, rushes, wire, etc. me. ib spec. Such a container regarded as the model of daily or charitable provisions; alms, mi6. 2 A basketful, lme. 3 Chiefly Hist. The overhanging back compartment on the outside of a stagecoach. Li 8. 4 A structure suspended from the envelope of a balloon for carrying crew, ballast, etc. Li 8. 5 A net fixed on a ring (or, orig., a fruit-basket) used as a goal in basketball; a goal scored in basketball. L19. 6 fig. A group, category; a range. E20. 7 euphem. = bastard noun, colloq. M20.

m man.

n no,

p pen.

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w

we, z zoo,

£Q 1 alms-basket, bread basket, clothes-basket, fruitbasket, waste-basket, work-basket, etc. hanging basket: see hanging adjective, in the basket (of a dish of (esp. fried) food) served in a small basket lined with paper etc., not on a plate. waste-paper basket, see waste noun. 6 Hugh Walpole Semyonov at this time flung Nikitin, Andrew Vasslievitch, Trenchard and myself into one basket We were all 'crazy romantics'. Times Sterling's effective devaluation against a basket of other currencies rose to 43.6 per cent. 7 N. Coward Come on, Johnnie—don't argue with the poor little basket. Comb.: basketball a game, in its codified form for two teams of five players, the object of which is to toss a large inflated ball through the opponent's goal, orig. a fruit-basket, now a net fixed on a ring mounted on a board (properly) ten feet above the ground at either end of the court of play, and in which players may throw the ball to each other or advance bouncing it but not run or walk with the ball in their hands; the ball used in this; basket-boat a boat of basketwork; basket case colloq. (offensive) a person who has lost both arms and both legs; fig. a completely helpless person, a nervous wreck, a bankrupt country; basket chair a wickerwork chair; basket clause; of a comprehensive nature; basket fish a brittle-star having branched arms; basket hilt a sword hilt with a guard resembling basketwork; baskethilted adjective having a basket hilt; basket-maker a person who makes baskets; spec, in archaeoiocy (with cap. initials) used attrib. to designate an ancient culture in the south-western US characterized by basketwork; basket meal: served ‘in the basket’ (see sense 1 above); basket star = basket psh above; basket weave a style ofweave whose pattern resembles basketwork; basket-woman: carrying goods for sale in a basket; basketwork (the art of making) a structure of interwoven osiers etc. ■ basketful noun the content of a basket me. basketing noun basketwork E17. basketry noun basketwork Mia.

basket /'ba:skit/ verb trans. L16. [from the noun.]

1 Put into, or hang up in, a basket. Li6. 2 Throw into the waste-paper basket; discard, reject. E19.

Baskish noun & adjective var. of Basquish. basmati /bas'ma:ti, -z-/ noun. M19. [Hindi basmati lit. 'fragrant'.]

More fully basmati rice. A kind of rice with very long thin grains and a delicate fragrance.

basnet noun var. of basinet. bason /'beis(a)n/ noun1 & verb.

E18.

[Origin unkn.] hat-making (chiefly Hist.). ► A noun. A bench with a hot plate, on which to harden felt. E18. ► B verb trans. Harden the felt of (a hat) on a bason. Ei8.

bason noun2 see basin. basophil /'bcisofil- adjective & noun. Also -phile /-fAil/. Li9. [from Greek basis + -o- + -phil] biology. b-A adjective. Readily stained by basic dyes; esp. in basophil cell, a kind of granulocyte having this property. LI 9. ► B noun. A basophil cell. E20.

■ baso philia noun affinity for basic dyes; the presence of abnormally large numbers of basophil cells in the blood: E20. baso philic adjective basophil; pertaining to or displaying basophilia: L19.

Basotho /ba'sudu:/ noun & adjective. Also (earlier, now arch. or Hist.) Basuto. Mi9. [Sesotho, from

ba- pi. prefix + Sotho.]

► A noun. 1 (erron.) sing. PI. -os. A member of the Sotho people, (sing.) a Mosotho. Mi9. 2 pi. (Members of) the Sotho people. Li 9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. = Sotho adjective, mi9.

Basque /bask, ba:sk/ adjective & noun. In sense B.3 usu. b-. E19. [French from Latin Vasco: cf. Gascon.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to an ancient people inhabiting both slopes of the western Pyrenees, adjacent to the Bay of Biscay, or their non-Indo-European lan¬ guage. El 9. Basque beret, Basque cap a beret as traditionally worn by Basque peasants. Saut Basque see saut 1.

► B noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of the Pyrenees area adjacent to the Bay of Biscay; a member of the Basque people. M19. 2 The Basque language. Mi9. 3 A short continuation of a doublet, waistcoat or bodice below the waist; a bodice having this, mi9. pas de basque. ■ basqued adjective furnished with a basque (sense 3) 2

basquine

/ba'ski:n, ba:-/ noun. Also

-ina

L19.

/-i:na/,

-ina

/-i:njs/. ei9. [(French, from) Spanish basquina, from basco Basque.]

1 An ornamented outer skirt worn by Basque and Spanish women. E19. 2 A type of basqued jacket. Mi9.

Basquish /'baskij,

'ba:sk-/ noun & adjective. Also

Baskish.

E17. [formed as Basque + -ish’.]

(Of or pertaining to) the Basque language. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

tj ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

193

bas-relief j bastille

bas-relief /'basnli:f, ■fbase relief E17.

ba:(s)-/ noun. Also bass-relief,

basset /'basit/ noun3, obsolete exc. Hist. Also

-ette. Mt7.

[French bassette from Italian bassetta fern, of bassetto]

[Italian basso-rilievo (see basso-relievo), assim. to French.)

A card-game from which faro originated.

(A sculpture, moulding, carving, etc,, in) low relief (see relief noun2).

basset /'basit/ verb intrans.

Li7.

[from basset noun1.]

bass /bas/ noun1. Also basse, fbase. PI. -es /-iz/, (usu.) same. lme.

Of the edge of a geological stratum: be exposed at the surface, crop out.

[Alt. of BARSE.]

The common perch; any of numerous spiny-finned freshwater and marine percoid fishes related to or resembling the common perch; esp. a European marine fish, Dicentrarchus labrax.

basse-taille bastu:j/ noun. L19. [French, from basse fern, of bas low (see

base

adjective) + taille

cut.)

A technique of applying translucent enamels to metal reliefs so that the shade of the enamel is darkest where the relief is most deeply cut.

black bass, large-mouth bass. striped bass, white bass, etc.

bass /bets/ noun2. Also fbase. lme. [from base adjective, bass adjective.]

basset-horn /'basithoin/noun.

1 The lowest part in harmonized musical composition; the deepest male voice, or the lowest tones of an instru¬ ment or group of similar instruments, which sound this part. lme. 2 An instrument, string, etc., having such a part or compass; spec, a double-bass or bass guitar. M16. 3 A singer having a bass voice; a bass player. Li6. 4 The low-frequency component of transmitted or reproduced sound. M20.

M19.

[German, partial translation of French cor de basset from Italian como di bassetto (como horn, di of, bassetto.)

A tenor clarinet with extended compass. bassette noun var. of basset noun3. bassetto /bo'setau/ noun.

PI.

-os.

eis.

[Italian, dim. of basso.)

A violoncello. bassi noun pi. of basso,

£□ 1 figured bass = thorough bass, fundamental bass see fundamental adjective, ground bass: see ground noun. thorough bass, walking bass see walking ppl adjective. 2 double-bass. 4 attrib.: Which? Treble and bass controls are good enough, but you can also get a graphic equaliser.

bassus

nouns.

bassinet /basinet/ noun. Also -ette. Li6. [French, dim. of bassin basin: see -et‘.) f 1 A marsh marigold; a geranium, a ranunculus. L16-E18.

Comb.: bass-bar a strip of wood glued inside the table of a stringed instrument along the line of the lowest string, to support the left foot of the bridge; bassman (chiefly jazz) = bassist (b). (See also combs, of bass adjective, with which attrib. uses of the noun sometimes merge.) ■ bassist noun (a) rare a bass singer; (b) a person who plays a bass instrument, esp. a double-bass or bass guitar: H9.

2 A hooded wicker cradle or pram, basso /'basso/

noun

& adjective.

mi9.

bassos, bassi /’basi/.

PI.

eis.

[Italian = low from Latin bassus: see base adjective (Earlier in English in basso-relievo.)] music. = bass noun2 (esp. sense 3), adjective. Comb. & special collocations: basso buffo bolbo/. pi. bassi buffi /-ft/, basso buffos, [buffo] a bass singer who takes comic parts in opera, basso cantante /kan’tantei/, pi. bassi cantanti /-ti/, [lit. 'singing'] (a singer with) a voice in the upper register of the bass range; basso continuo /kan'tinjoao/, pi. basso continuos. [continuo] a figured bass, a thorough bass; basso ostinato /osti'naitao/, pi. basso ostinatos. [ostinato] = ground bass s.v. ground noun: basso profundo pra’fAndao/ (occas. basso profondo fond-/), pi. bassi profundi -di/. basso profundos. [lit. ‘deep'] (a singer with) a very deep and rich voice.

fbass noun3. lme-li6. [Prob. from bass verb' (though recorded earlier). Cf. buss noun2.]

A kiss. bass /bas/ noun4. L17. [Alt, of bast noun.)

1 A fibre obtained from certain palm trees or (orig.) from the inner bark ofthe lime or linden. Li7. 2 An article made of this. eis. Comb.: basswood (the wood of) the American lime or linden, Tilia americana.

bassoon/ba'surn/noun. eis. [French bassoti from Italian bassone augm. of basso: see -oon.] 1 (A player of) a bass instrument of the oboe family.

bass /bas/ noun5. L17. [Perh. for bas- or base-coal, as in base coin (base adjective 4b).] mining. Carbonaceous shale.

E18.

2 An organ or harmonium stop similar in tone to this instrument. Li 9.

bass /beis/ adjective, lme.

1 double bassoon: larger and longer than the normal bassoon and an octave lower in pitch. ■ bassoonist noun a bassoon player E19.

[from base adjective, assim. to Italian basso.)

f 1 Low in sound, soft. lme-ei6. 2 Deep-sounding, low in the musical scale; of, pertain¬ ing to, or suited to the bass (bass noun2); lowest-pitched (in a series of similar instruments or strings). Ei6.

basso-relievo

/.basaun'lbvau/

noun.

Also

-rilievo

/-ri'ljeivau/. PI. -os. M17.

Comb, (partly attrib. uses of bass noun2); bass-baritone noun & adjective (designating) a voice higher than bass, yet of bass and not tenor quality; a singer having suchavoice: bass clef: placing F below middle C on the second highest line of the stave; bass drum a large drum of indefinite low pitch; bass-horn an early instrument made in the shape of a bassoon but much deeper in its tones: bass viol (o) a viola da gamba for playing the bass part in older concerted music; (b) US a double-bass.

[Italian basso-rilievo:

bass-relief noun var. of bas-relief. of noun -ssi

/-sai,

-si:/.

LI 6.

[Latin: see base adjective.] earit music. = bass noun2, adjective.

jbass verb1 trans. & intrans. L15-L16. [Prob. from Old & mod. French baiser from Latin basiare.)

Fibrous material from the phloem of certain plants, as hemp, jute, or (orig.) the lime tree. Also (bomiw), the phloem or vascular tissue of a plant.

[from bass noun2.]

Utter with bass sound. bassarid /'basand/ noun. M19.

■ hasten adjective (now rare or obsolete) made of bast oe.

[Latin Bassarid-, -arts, from Greek Bassaris Thracian bacchanal, lit. ‘fox' (prob. from the dress of fox-skins).]

basta "basta/interjection. ti6. [Italian.]

A Thracian bacchanal; a Bacchante. basse noun var.

of bass

basse dance noun phr. see

basse danse /'bas da:s/ noun phr. PL -s -s (pronounced same). Also basse dance. Orig. fully Anglicized as fbase dance. Ei6. triple time which originated in France in the

15th

► A noun. 1 A person conceived and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child. Now arch, or derog. me. 2 A sweet Spanish wine, resembling muscatel; any sweetened wine, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 3 Something of unusual make, shape, or proportion, or of inferior quality; esp. (a) a kind of culverin; (b) a size of paper, Li 5. 4 A person of mixed Nama and European ancestry; a Griqua, a Rehobother. S. Afr. Li 8. 5 An unpleasant or unfortunate person or thing; (in weakened sense) a chap, a fellow, colloq. M19. 6 Bastarda script. E20.

cent.

basset/'basit/noun'. Mi6. [Origin unkn.)

The edge of a geological stratum exposed at the surface; an outcrop. Freq. attrib. basset/'basit/ noun2. Ei7. [French, from bas low: see -et‘.)

A short-legged hound for hunting hares etc. Also basset-hound. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a; her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, Dhot,

0:

saw, A run, u put, u: too.

bastardize /'bmstadAiz, 'bast-/ verb. Also -ise. ti6. [from bastard noun + -ize.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) deteriorate. Li 6. f2 verb trans. Beget as a bastard, rare (Shakes.). Only in

E17. 3 verb trans. Declare or stigmatize as illegitimate.

Ei7.

■ bastardi zation noun E19.

bastardy /'baistadi, ‘bas-/ noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman, Old French see bastard noun, -Y3.]

bastardie (medieval Latin bastardia):

1 The condition of being a bastard; illegitimate birth. LME. 2 Begetting of bastards, fornication, arch. Lie. Comb. : bastardy order (now arch, or Hist) = AFFILIATION order

Sew loosely together; esp. tack together temporarily with long loose stitches. i 1! fig.: Sir W. Scott You have.. basted up your first story very hastily and clumsily.

1 Moisten (roasting meat) with gravy or melted fat to prevent drying. Li 5. 12 Perfuse as with a liniment. L16-M18. baste 'beist/ verb3 trans. mi6. [Perh. a fig. use of prec.]

Beat soundly, cudgel, thrash, [from var. of bastille noun + house noun1.]

[Old French bastart (mod. batard) = Provencal bastard. Italian, Spanish. Portuguese bastardo, from medieval Latin bastardus, prob. from bastum pack-saddle: see bat noun2, -ard.]

[French = low dance.) Hist. A slow stately dance; spec, a court dance in duple or

bastardo: see prec.j

A fortified house,

bastard /'ba:stad, 'bast-/ noun & adjective. Also S. Afr. (senses A.4, B.6| bastaard. baster /'ba:sta/. me.

basse danse.

[Italian

(Designating, of or pertaining to) a cursive Gothic script for vernacular use, originating in France and used in Germany and the Low Countries in the 14th and 15th cents.

bastel-house /'bast(a)lhaos/ noun. Also bastle-. Mi6.

Enough! No matter!

noun1.

bastarda /ba'stccds/ noun & adjective. M20.

[Origin unkn.]

[Old English barst, corresp. to Middle & mod. Dutch, Old & mod. High German, Old Norse bast from Germanic, of unkn, origin.]

fbass verb2 trans. rare (Shakes.). Only in Ei7.

Special collocations & comb.: bastard hartebeest = tsessebi. bastard mahogany any of several Australian eucalypts. esp. Eucalyptus botryoides. bastard sandalwood = naio. bastard title a half-title, bastard-trench verb trans. (houticuituse) dig (ground) by digging over the lower soil with the topsoil tempor¬ arily removed, bastard trout US the silver sea trout, Cynoscion nothas. bastard wing ommoLOCY a group of small quill feathers borne by the first digit of a bird's wing. ■ tbastardism noun = bastardy L16-M18. f bastardly adjective^ bastard adjective M16-L18.

baste /beist/ verb2 trans. Li 5.

bast /bast/ noun.

Kiss.

CD 2 Disraeli That bastard, but picturesque style of archi¬ tecture, called the Italian Gothic. J. Cheever It was not Italian.. it was a bastard language of a little Spanish and a little something that Clementina had never heard before. 4 BACONUsurie .. is the Bastard use of Money. 5 R. I. Murchison A bastard limestone charged with encrinites. bastard balm, bastard pellitory, bastard saffron, bastard toadflax, etc.

[Old French bostlrtack, prepare, from Frankish equiv. of Old High German, Middle High German besten lace, sew, from Germanic: rel. to bast.]

= BAS-RELIEF.

PI.

► B adjective. 1 Born out of wedlock. Now arch, or derog. ME. 2 Hybrid; not genuine; spurious, corrupt, lme. 3 Of unusual shape or size (applied e.g. to a file inter¬ mediate between coarse and fine, to a font of type, etc.). LME. 4 Irregular, unauthorized, unrecognized. M16. 5 Having the appearance of; of an inferior kind; esp. (in names of animals, plants, etc.) closely resembling (the species etc. whose name follows). M16. 6 Designating, of or pertaining to, a person of mixed Nama and European race. S, Afr. L18. 7 Bastarda. Li 9.

baste /beist/ verb1 trans. lme.

see basso, rilievo.]

bassus /'basAs/ noun & adjective.

tQ 1 fig.: T. Fu lle r Fame being a bastard or fllia populi ,'tis very hard to find her father. 2 Shakes. Meas.for M. We shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. 5 H. G. Wells Serve the cocky little bastard right. T. Rattigan johnny, you old bastard! Are you all right? J. Maclaren-Ross This bastard of a bump on the back of my head. M. Shadbolt At first Ned and Nick had to milk in the open, which was a bastard when it rained.

0

baster noun & adjective see bastard. bastide/ba'sti;d/noun. Ei6, [Old French from Provencal bastida (medieval Latin bastida): see next.]

1 Hist. A fortlet; a fortified village or town. Ei6. 2 A country house in southern France. E18. bastile noun, verb var. of bastille noun. verb. bastille /ba'stid/ noun. Also -ile. lme. [Old & mod. French, refash, of contemp. bastide from Provencal

bastida use as noun of fern. pa. pple of bastir build.] 1 Hist. A tower or bastion of a castle; a small fortress.

lme. 2 In siege operations, a wooden tower on wheels, or an entrenched protective hut used by the besiegers, lme, 3 a (B-.) The prison-fortress built in Paris in the 14th cent., and destroyed in 1789. M16. Fb A prison. E18.

ago, ai my, ao how. ei day, 30 no, s: hair, 13 near, 01 boy, 03 poor, ais tire, aos sour

194

bastille | bateau EQ 5 J. Welcome We turned on to the main.. road and started going a hell of a bat across the Cotswolds. 6 C. Fry We were at the boy in the bat of an eye.

Comb.: Bastille Day 14 July, the date of the storming of the Bas¬ tille in 1789, celebrated as a national holiday in France.

bastille /ba'sti:l/ verb trans. arch. Also -ile. [Sense 1 from Old French

lis.

bastiller, formed as prec.; sense 2 from

prec.j fl Fortify (a building). L15-E16.

2 Confine in a bastille; imprison.

bastillion /ba'stiljan/ noun.

Ml8.

Mi6.

[Old French basttllon dim. of bastille noun.] Hist. A small fortress or castle; a fortified tower.

bastinade /basti'neid/ noun & verb trans. /-o'neid/. E17. [Refash, of next after French

etc. Li 7.

arch. Also -onade

bastonnade: see -ade.]

= next.

bastinado /basti'neidsu/ noun & verb. [Spanish

bastonada, from boston

Li6. stick, cudgel: see baton noun,

-ADO.] A noun. PI. -o(e)s.

►

1 A blow with a stick or cudgel, esp. the feet.

one

on the

soles

of

arch. Li 6.

2 a A beating with a stick, a cudgelling, arch. Li 6. ►b spec. (Punishment or torture involving) a caning on the soles of the feet. eis. 3 A stick, staff, truncheon, or similar instrument. Li 6. ► B verb trans. 1 Beat with a stick; thrash, arch. E17. 2 spec. Beat or cane on the soles of the feet. Li 7.

bastion

'hasten/noun. Mi6.

[French from Italian

► III 7 a A lump, a piece. Long obsolete in gen. sense exc. in bits and bats (see bit noun-), lme. tb spec. A piece of brick with one end entire, obsolete exc. in brickbat (see brick noun). Ei6. >c pottery. A small piece of baked ware separ¬ ating pieces of biscuit ware in the kiln; a flattened-out piece of unfired clay. Ei9. 8 Shale interstratified between seams of coal, iron ore,

bastwne, from bastin' to build ]

1 A fortified outwork often in the form of an irregular pentagon, projecting from the main works so as to allow defensive fire in several directions. Mi6. tb A similar natural rock formation. Mi9. 2 fig. An institution, person, principle, etc., serving as a defence. Li 7.

9 hat-making. A felted mass. M19. Comb.: batboy baseball a boy or youth who looks after the bats of a team etc.; tbat-fowling catching birds by night using lights to dazzle them. bat /bat/ noun2, obsolete exc. Hist. Also bat/ba/.

Li6.

[Alt. (perh. by assoc, with medieval Latin b(!)atta, blarta) of forms with /-k/ (Middle English-) from a Scandinavian word repr. in Middle Swedish aftanbakka, natbakka evening-, night-bat, Middle Danish nat{h)bakke.]

1 A member of the order Chiroptera of mainly noctur¬ nal flying mammals which have forelimbs modified to support membranous wings extending to the tail. Also (1/1/ Indies) rat-bat. lis. 2 A large moth or butterfly. Chiefly W. Indies. Li 6. Phrases: blind as a bat completely blind, have bats in the belfry colloq. be crazy or eccentric, like a bat out of hell slong very quickly, at top speed, serotine bat: see serotine noun', vampire bat: see vampire noun 3. Comb.: batfish a marine fish of the family Ogcocephalidae,

EQ 2 A. Koestler We have made our country a bastion of the new era. G. Greene We are the true bastion against the communists.

related to and resembling the angler-fishes: batwing sleeve a sleeve with a deep armhole and a tight cuff.

■ bastioned adjective furnished with or defended by a bastion El 9.

bat /bat/ noun4, slang, mi9. [Origin unkn.: cf.

bastite/'bastAit/ noun.

occurring as foliated masses and having a characteristic schiller. Also called Schiller spar

[Hindi

[Spanish (el)

'bast-/

noun. L17.

[Old French: see

me.

noun & verb var. of bastinade.

bat/bat/ verb2. Infl. -tt-.

basuco /bo'smkau/ noun. Also -z-. L20. Impure cocaine mixed with coca paste and other sub¬ stances, often including tobacco and marijuana (a highly addictive preparation when smoked); gen. impure or lowgrade cocaine.

Basuto noun & adjective see Basotho. bat /bat/ noun1. In sense 9 also batt. loe. [Perh. partly from Old & mod. French batte, from batre: see batter verb1; sense 6 from bat verb2. Branch III of unkn. origin.]

► I 1 A club, a cudgel; a stick or staff for support or defence. Now arch. & dial. loe. 2 An implement with a rounded (usu. wooden) handle and a solid head, for striking a ball in cricket, rounders, baseball, table tennis, etc. E17. >b An object like a tabletennis bat used to guide aircraft taxiing. Usu. in pi. M20. 3 A person who uses a bat in cricket etc.; a batter a batsman, mis. £3 1 Spenser A handsome bat he held, On which he leaned. Sir W. Scorr I have given up.. my bat for a sword. 2 at bat baseball taking one’s turn at batting (see also at-bat). beat the bat: see beat verb' 5. carry one’s bat. carry the bat cricket be not out at the end of a side’s completed innings (esp. after having batted throughout the innings), dead bat: see dead adjective & adverb, hang one’s bat out to dry: see hang verb, off one s own bat fig. unaided, on one’s own initiative, right off the bat fig. (N. Amer.) immediately. 3 E. Linioater He was an accomplished bat and.. fielded boldly at cover-point.

► II4 A firm blow as with a staff, club, etc. lme. 5 Rate of stroke or step; pace, speed, dial. & slang 6 A movement of the eyelids, a blink. M20.

E19

b but. d dog,

I leg,

f few, g get,

Ei7.

of bate verb', verb2.] 1 verb intrans. = bate verb1 2. E17. 2 verb trans. Blink. E19.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

2 not bat an eye(lid) (a) not sleep a wink; (b) betray no emotion.

Batak 'batak/ noun1 & adjective. [Batak (Indonesian): cf.

Ei9. Batta noun3 & adjective.]

Batak /ba'tcrk/ noun2 & adjective. PI. of noun same. -s.

E20.

[Batak (Austronesian).]

A member of, of or pertaining to, a people on the island of Palawan, Philippines; (of) the Austronesian language of this people. batardeau botardo noun. PI. -eauxl-ol. Mi8. [French, earlier bastardeau dim, of Old French bastard of unkn origin.]

A coffer-dam. Also, a wall built across the moat or ditch surrounding a fortification.

batata /ba'tate/ noun. mt6.

noun & adjective. Now arch or Hist

Mi6.

n no,

bate /belt/ noun3. Long dial.

Mi7.

[Origin unkn.]

The grain of wood or stone. bate /beit/ noun4, slang. Also bait,

mi9.

[from bait verb'.]

Esp. among children: a rage, a temper. bate /beit/ verb1. Also bait. me. [Old

French batre: see batter verb'.]

11 verb intrans. & (rare) refl. Fight, contend, with blows or arguments. (Foil, by on.) dial. ME-M19. 12 verb trans. Beat, flutter, (wings etc.), rare. me-mi7. 3 verb intrans. falconry. Beat the wings impatiently and flutter away from the fist or perch, lme. ►j’b fig. Struggle; be restless or impatient. L16-L17. £3 3b Dryden You are eager, and baiting to be gone.

bate /beit/ verb2,

me.

abate verb'.] fl = abate verb11. Only in me. 2 verb trans. & (rare) intrans. = abate verb1 4. Now chiefly in

bote one’s breath, restrain one’s breathing through anxiety, suspense, etc. me. t3 verb trans. Lower, let down; humble, depress. Cf. abate verb1 2. LME-M19. Ffb = abate verb1 2b. LME-E19. 4 verb trans. = abate verb1 5, oreh. lme. >b = abate verb1 5b. obsolete exc. as bating preposition. Ei7. 15 verb trans. & intrans. = abate verb' 3. L15-L17. 6 verb trans. Blunt (lit. & fig.). Cf. abate verb1 7. Long rare. M1E.

£3 2 R. L. Stevenson The pirates no longer ran separate and shouting... but kept side by side and spoke with bated breath. 4 Addison They offered.. to bate him the article of bread and butter in the tea-table account. W. Irving I do not bate one nail's breadth of the honest truth. E. Gaskell Take the bated wage, and be thankful. (rare)

t(a)

that cannot be

blunted;

bateau /baton, Jbreign bato/ noun. PI. -eaux /-ouz, foreign -o/. Also fbattoe. eis. [French = boat.]

► A noun. 1 A member of an ancient people who inhabited the island of Betawe between the Rhine and man,

lme.

bate verb2.]

■ bateless adjective (b) unabating: Li6.

[Spanish from Taino.]

= sweet potato s.v. potato noun 1.

+l™njLatin Batavia, from Batavi the people of Betawe (see below),

m

makebate. lme-li9.

debate noun, or from bate verb1.]

[Aphet. from

► A noun. PI. same, -s. A member of a people of the north¬ ern part of Sumatra; the Indonesian language of this people. ei9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Batak or their language. L19.

Batavian /bo'teivion/

batty 2,

Deduction; diminution; discount.

[Var.

bazucar shake vio¬

Li9.

batty.]

lme.

£□ 1 W. Barnes Well here.. ’S a ball for you if you can bat it. B. Hines He batted him twice about the ears, forehand left ear, backhand right. 2 H. de Selincourt Padded and gloved, and rather nervously waiting his turn to bat.

1 A staff or stick used as a weapon or a symbol of office.

[Colombian Spanish, perh. rel. to Spanish lently.]

-tt-.

2 verb intrans. Use a bat; have an innings at cricket, base¬ ball, etc. mis. 3 verb intrans. Move, esp. in a casual or aimless fashion (about, along, around, etc.), dial. & slang. Li9.

arch. & dial. me. 12 HERALDRY. = BATON noun 3 L16-M17. bastonade

[from

[from bat noun' or formed as batter verb1.] 1 verb trans. Strike with or as with a bat; cudgel; beat.

baton noun.]

batch noun2 & verb2 var. of bach noun1 & verb. f batchelor noun var. of bachelor.

Contention, strife; an argument.

batz. Infl.

Comb. : batch loaf a loafbaked close to others in a batch (and so not completely crusted at the sides), batch process: treating materials in batches, not continuously: batch processing (a) the processing of raw materials in batches in an industrial process: (b) computing the processing of previously collected batches of data. jobs, etc., esp. offline without user intervention; batch production - batch process above. ► B verb trans. Treat or arrange in batches. Li 9.

bate /belt/ noun2. Long dial.

LME.

basto (the ace of) clubs.]

In ombre, quadrille, and related card-games, the ace of clubs in its fixed capacity as third highest trump. baston/'bast(a)n/ noun.

bat /bat/ verb1.

HQ 3 Coverdaie A lytle leauen sowreth the whole batche, wherwith it is myngled. 4 Milton This worthy Motto, No Bishop, no King is of the same batch, and infanted out of the same feares. 5 M. E. Braddon That last batch of soup was excellent. 6 T. Hood I am not going to favour you with a batch of politics. Sari Several packages, evidently an early batch of Christmas presents. G. Gorer Most of the questions were arranged in batches of 4 or 5 dealing with the same subject. A. Schlee The next batch of tourists was arriving at the head of the path.

[Aphet. from

sling the bat speak the local language abroad. tbat noun7 see

A yellow to brown hexagonal fluorocarbonate of cerium and other rare earth metals.

treated as a set; (less commonly) a quantity of a thing coming at one time, an instalment. Li8.

tbate noun1. Long dial. exc. in

The colloquial language of a foreign countiy.

bastnasite/'bastneisMt/noun. Also

[from Bastnds, a locality in Vastmanland, Sweden, + -ite'.]

6 A number of things or persons coming at once and

Crazy, dotty; =

tbat noun6 var. of bath noun2.

mineralogy.

L16-E18.

Li 9.

bat speech, language, word.]

bastle-house noun var. of bastel-house. -naes-. li9.

Old English

► A noun, fl The process of baking. lis-mi6. 2 A baking; the quantity of bread produced at one baking. Also = batch loaf below, lis. 3 The quantity of flour or dough used for one baking. Long arch, mi6. 14 The sort or lot to which a thing belongs by origin.

[Origin uncertain: cf.

bat /bat/ noun5, arch, slang.

lis.

[from base of bake verb (cf. watch, wake). Repr. an word: cf. Old English gebxc baking, thing baked.]

batchy /'batfi/ adjective, slang.

batter noun’’.]

A spree, a binge.

M19.

[from Baste in the Harz Mountains in Germany: see -ite'.] mineralogy. A greenish or brownish kind of serpentine

basto /'bcustou,

bast from

A pack-saddle. Only in comb, as below, bat-horse: carrying the baggage of military officers during a campaign, batman noun2, bat-money an allowance for carrying baggage in the field, bat-mule: used as a pack-animal in a mili¬ tary campaign, f bat-needle a packing-needle. bat /bat/ noun2.

Batavian endive: see endive 2.

batch /batJ7 noun1 & verb1,

5 A quantity produced at one operation, eis.

lme.

[Old French bat, earlier bast, (mod. bat), from Provencal medieval Latin bastum pack-saddle.]

the Waal (now part of the Netherlands). Mi6. 2 A Dutch person, mi8. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the ancient people of Betawe or the people of the Netherlands, lis.

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top, v van,

w we, z zoo,

A light riverboat, esp. of a flat-bottomed kind used in Canada. bateau-mouche /batomuJV, pi. bateaux-mouches (pronounced same), a boat which takes sightseers on the Seine in Paris, J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

tj ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

195

bateleur | baton

bateleur/'bat(a)b:/ noun. Mi9.

bathe /beiS/ noun. Mi9.

[French, lit. 'Juggler, mountebank'.]

bateleur eagle

batement /'beitm(s)nt/ noun. lme. [Aphet. from

1 batement light, in Gothic architecture, an upper window or opening with a sloping or curved sill (i.e. cut off at the low end to accommodate the curve of an arch etc.). LME. J2 Reduction, diminution. L15-L17. Bates belts/ noun. E20. [W. H.Bates (1860-1931), Amer. ophthalmologist.)

Bates method, a technique of alternative medicine intended to improve eyesight using eye exercises rather than lenses or surgery.

[from H. W.

119.

Bates (1825-92), English naturalist + -ian.]

zoology. Designating or characterized by a form of mimicry in which an edible species is protected by its resemblance to one avoided by predators. batey /’beiti/ adjective, slang. Also baity. E20. [from bate noun1 + -Y1.]

In a rage; bad-tempered. bath /bo:0/ noun1. PI. baths /ba:5z/. In branch IIB-. [Old English bzp = Old Frisian beth. Old Saxon ball. Old & mod. High German bad. Old Norse bad, from Germanic.]

► I 1 An immersion in liquid for cleansing or therapy. Also (with specifying word), an immersion in or copious application of any medium to produce analogous effects. OE. 2 A quantity of water or other liquid for bathing or taking a bath in. oe. 13 A spring of water suitable for bathing in, esp. one that is hot or contains minerals, oe-eis. 4 A place for bathing for cleansing or therapeutic pur¬ poses; a town with mineral springs or other facilities for therapeutic bathing etc., a spa; (chiefly N. Amer. & in advertisements) a bathroom; sing. & (usu.) in pi., a build¬ ing for bathing or swimming in. me. 5 A medicinal or disinfectant wash or lotion; a vessel for containing or applying such a wash etc. lme. 6 The state of being suffused with a liquid, esp. perspir¬ ation. Now rare. L16. 7 a (A vessel containing) a medium such as water, oil, sand, ice, or steam, in which chemical or other appar¬ atus can be placed and subjected to a steady high or low temperature. li 6. rb (A vessel containing) a chemical in which objects can be immersed, as film for developing, etc. L18. 8 A receptacle for liquid, usu. water, for bathing or taking a bath in. E17. LJ 1 have a bath, take a bath, cold bath, hot bath, etc. dust-bath, mud-bath, shower-bath, sun-bath, Turkish bath, vaporous bath, etc. blood-bath: see blood noun. Order of the Bath an order of knighthood, named from the bath which preceded the knight's installation, warm bath: see warm adjective. 2 Steele To rise the next Morning and plunge into the Cold Bath. C. Kingsley Countess, your bath is ready. 4 municipal baths, swimming baths, etc. Russian bath, steam bath, Turkish bath. etc. 5 eye-bath 7b nitrate bath. silver bath, etc. 8 bird-bath, hip-bath. etc.

► II 9 (B-.) A town in SW England named from its hot springs. Also fthe Bath. oe. Comb.: Bath brick a preparation for cleaning polished metal; Bath bun a type of round spiced bun with currants and icing: Bath chair a wheeled chair for an invalid: Bath chap a type of pickled pig's chap; bath cube: of a preparation which crumbles and dissolves to soften or perfume bathwater; bath essence a concentrated liquid to soften or perfume bathwater; bath-mat; on which one stands after getting out of a bath; Bath metal a silvery-white alloy of zinc and copper, formerly used for table¬ ware; Bath Oliver an unsweetened biscuit invented by Dr William Oliver (1695-1764) of Bath; bathrobe a dressing-gown, esp. of towelling; bathroom a room containing a bath and often other toilet facilities; euphem. a water-closet, a lavatory; bath salts: that dissolve to soften or perfume bathwater: Bath stone oolite from the formation near Bath, used as building stone; bath towel a large towel; bath-tub = sense 8 above: bathwater water in a bath (throw out the baby with the bathwater see baby noun 1); Bath white a white butterfly, Pontia daplidice, with greenish mottling on the underwings, which is a rare migrant to Britain.

bath /ba0/ noun2. Also tbat(us). lme. [Hebrew

[from Bathurst, a town in New South Wales + bur noun'.]

An immersion in liquid, esp. in the sea, a river, a swim¬ ming pool, etc., for recreation. bathe /bei3/ verb.

abatement noun'.]

Batesian /'beitsian/ adjective. Also b-.

Bathurst bur /'ba0s:st bs:/ noun phr. Austral. Mi9.

[from bathe verb 4.]

A short-tailed African eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus. Also

bat: late Latin (Vulgate) batus.]

Hist. An ancient Hebrew liquid measure equivalent to about 40 litres, or 9 gallons.

bath /ba:0/ verb trans. & intrans. Lis. [from bath noun1.]

Wash (a child, invalid, animal, etc., or oneself) in a bath; take a bath. •j In early instances perh. only a variant spelling of bathe. Infl. forms (exc. baths) are usu. avoided in writing because of coinci¬ dence with those of bathe. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

bathy- ,-ba0i/ combining form of Greek bathus deep.

[Old English bafiian = Dutch baden. Old High German badon (German baden), Old Norse baba, from Germanic, from base of

bath noun'.] ► I verb trans. 1 Immerse in liquid for cleansing or

therapy. Also, immerse in any other medium for analo¬ gous effects, oe. 2 Wash; wet or moisten all over; apply liquid to. oe. 3 Envelop, suffuse, encompass. E16. £33 1 F. W. Robertson The later martyr bathes his fingers in the flames. 2 j. Hervey The laborer, bathed in sweat, drops the scythe. Gibbon The river bathed the foot of the walls. B. T. Washington Rarely was there any place provided .. where one could bathe even the face and hands. K. Grahame He .. bathed the Mole's shin with warm water. 3 Coverdale isa. 63:6 And thus have I troden downe the people in my wrath, and bathed them in my displeasure. J. Agate Changes of lighting bathe the audience in a glow of tender dawn warming to wanton sunset. P. G. Wodehouse If when I have finished you are not bathed in shame and remorse, you must be dead to all human feeling. S. J. Perelman The room was bathed in dense shadow. D. Attenborough This mixture allowed ultraviolet rays from the sun to bathe the earth's surface with an intensity that would be lethal to modern animal life.

► II verb intrans. 4 Immerse oneself in water, esp. in the sea, a river, a swimming pool, etc., for recreation. (Cf. bath verb.) oe. 5 transf. & fig. Bask; wallow; immerse oneself in any medium, lme. 03 4 bathing beauty, bathing belle an attractive woman in a swimsuit. 5 C. Marlowe Now lie the Christians bathing in their bloods. J. Trapp Shall Christians be bathing in their beds on their Lord’s day? sun-bathe: see SUN noun1. • bather noun J(a) an attendant at a bath; (b) a person who bathes; (c) in pi. (esp. Austral.), swim-trunks, a swimming costume: M17.

bathybius /bs'Gibiss/ noun. Mi9. [mod. Latin, formed as bathy- + Greek bios living.]

(A name given by Thomas Huxley to) a gelatinous inor¬ ganic substance obtained from the bed of the Atlantic Ocean, and at first supposed to be a formless mass of living protoplasm. bathymetry /bs'Gimitri/ noun. M19. [from bathy- + -metry.]

The measurement of depths in oceans, seas, or lakes. ■ bathy metric, bathy metrical adjectives pertaining to or connected with bathymetry M19. bathy'metrically adverb L19.

bathyscaphe /‘baGiskaft noun. Also -scaph. M20. [French, formed as bathy- + Greek skaphos ship.]

A navigable manned submersible vessel for deep-sea diving and observation. batik /‘batik, bs'ti:k/ noun & adjective. L19 [Javanese, lit. 'painted'.]

► A noun. A method (orig. used in Java) of making col¬ oured designs on textiles by waxing the parts not to be dyed; (a garment made of) a fabric dyed by this method. Li 9.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Executed or ornamented by this method. E20. verb2 4b.]

batiste /ba'tiist/ noun & adjective. Ei9.

bathing beiSig/noun. lme.

[French (earlier batiche), perh. from base of verb'.]

[from bathe verb + -ing'.]

1 The action of bathe verb; immersion in or exposure to water or some other medium; application of liquid, wetting, moistening, lme. 2 The conditions for bathers at a particular resort etc. M19. 1 sea-bathing etc. mixed bathing Attrib. & comb.: Designating garments worn when bathing, as bathing-costume, bathing-suit, bathing-trunks, etc. Special combs., as bathing-machine Hist, a wheeled dressing-box drawn into the sea for bathing from.

bathochromic /baGs'krsomik/ adjective. L19. bathos + khroma colour + -ic.]

Causing or characterized by a shift of the absorption spectrum towards longer wavelengths.

battre: see batter

(Of) a fine light cotton or linen fabric like cambric. fbatler noun, rare (Shakes. First Folio). Only in E17. [Perh. taken as from battle

verb3 + -ER'.J

= next. tbatlet noun. dial. M17-L19. [from bat noun' + -let.]

A wooden stick for beating and stirring clothes during washing, etc. «] Substituted in the second (and subsequent) folios of Shakes, for the first folio's batler (AY.L ii) and preferred in many mod. editions.

batman /'batman/ noun'. Li6. [Turkish batman, batman (whence also Russian batman).]

Hist. A weight in Turkey, Persia, etc., varying according

batholith /'ba0sli0/ noun. E20. [from Greek bathos + -lith.] geology. A large dome-shaped mass of igneous intrusive

rock extending to unknown depth.

to the locality. batman /'batman/ noun2. PI. -men. mis. [from bat noun2 + man noun.]

■ batholithic adjective 119

military. Formerly, a man in charge of a bat-horse and its

load. Now, an officer’s personal servant, an orderly.

bathometer bs’GDmits/ noun. U9.

■ batwoman noun M20.

[from Greek bathos + -ometer.]

An instrument for ascertaining the depth of water.

■ batho metric adjective = bathymetric L20 bathometry noun

= BATHYMETRY M20.

bat mitzvah /ba:t 'mitsva/ noun phr. Also B-. M20. [Hebrew

bat miswah daughter of commandment, after bar

mitzvah.]

Bathonian /bs'Oounisn/ adjective & noun. M18. noun1 II) + -an.]

1 (A native or inhabitant) of the town of Bath. M18. 2 geology. (Denoting or pertaining to) a subdivision of the Jurassic typified by formations at Bath. Mi9. bathorhodopsin 'baOsrs'dnpsin/ noun. L20. [formed as next + rhodopsin.] BIOCHEMISTRY.

[from BATHY- + -AL'.]

Of or pertaining to the zone of the sea between the con¬ tinental shelf and the abyssal zone.

Excepting, leaving out of account.

Marked by bathos.

[from Bathonia Latinized form of Bath (see bath

bathyal /'baGisl/ adjective. E20.

[Absol. use of pres, pple of bate

bathos after pathos, pathetic.]

[from Greek

■ bathype lagic adjective pertaining to or inhabiting the depths of the sea, spec, below the level to which light penetrates 119. bathysphere noun a large strong submersible sphere for deep-sea observation M20 bathy thermograph noun an auto¬ matic instrument for recording water temperature at various depths M20.

bating /'beitrg/ preposition, arch. Mi7.

bathetic bo'Getik/ adjective, lis. [from

(A bur from) the spiny cocklebur, Xanthium spinosum, naturalized in Australia.

= PRELUMIRHODOPSIN.

bathos/'bei0Ds/ noun. Mi7. [Greek = depth. In purely English sense 2 introduced by Pope.]

1 Depth, lowest phase, bottom, rare, mi7. 2 rhetoric. Ludicrous descent from the elevated to the commonplace; anticlimax. E18. 3 A comedown; an anticlimax; a performance absurdly unequal to the occasion. E19. CO 1 S. Johnson Declining.. to the very bathos of insipid¬ ity. 3 F. Marryat It was rather a bathos.. to sink from a gentleman's son to an under usher. L. A. G. Strong The rest of their married life will be one hideous bathos after the glory of its start.

bathotic 'bs'Ootrk adjective. Mi9. [Irreg. from prec. after chaos, chaotic.]

= BATHETIC. : saw, a run. 0 put. u: too, a ago. ai my. ao how. ei day, a

(A religious initiation ceremony for) a Jewish girl aged twelve years and one day, regarded as the age of religious maturity. batologist /bs'tDbdjist/ noun. Li9. [from Greek batos bramble + -ologist.]

A botanist who specializes in the genus Rubus, and esp. in the microspecies of bramble (R. fruticosus aggregate). baton / bat(a)n: in senses 4 and 6 also foreign bats (pi. same)/ noun. Ei 6. [French baton (earlier boston) * Provencal, Spanish boston, Italian bastonc, from Proto-Romance from late Latin bastum stick.)

1 A staff or stick used as a weapon; a cudgel, a club. obsolete in gen. sense. Ei6. Fb In pi. One of the four suits

(represented by cudgels or batons) in packs of playingcards in Italy, Spain, and Spanish-speaking countries, and in some tarot packs. Cf. club noun 4. M19. Fc spec. A police constable's truncheon, esp. a relatively long one. LI 9.

2 A staff etc. carried as a symbol of office, esp. that of a field marshal. Li 6. 3 heraldry. A narrow truncated bend. mis. 4 music. A conductor's wand for beating time etc.; a drum major’s stick. L18. 5 A staff or stick used in walking. Now rare. E19. no. e: hair, is near. 01 boy, us poor, ais lire, aus sour

196

baton | battery A long loaf or stick of bread. Mi9. 7 A short tube or stick carried in a relay race and passed from one participant to the next. E20. 3 baton sinister a supposed sign of bastardy. 4 under the baton of conducted by. Comb.: baton charge a charge by police constables with drawn truncheons: baton-charge verb intrans. & trans. make a baton charge (at); baton round a rubber or plastic bullet. 6

baton 'bat(a)n/ verb trans.

Ei7.

dancing.

[formed as baton noun: see -oon.[

► Anoun. 1 = baton noun t. M16. 2 = baton noun 2. M16. f 3 = baton noun 3. M16-E18. ► B verb trans. = baton verb. ti6.

[Old French

Mi9.

(Pertaining to, of the nature or characteristic of) a frog or toad; = anuran. batracho- 'batrakau/ combining form of Greek batrakhos frog: see -o-. ■ batracho toxin noun an extremely toxic alkaloid secreted by the Colombian ffogPhyllobates aurotaenia M20.

bats /bats/ adjective (usu. pred.). colloq. bat

E20.

m J. Coe Poor Aunty Tabs has been driven completely bats by the news.

batsman /'batsman/ noun. PI. -men. mis. noun.]

1 A user of a cricket, baseball, etc., bat. mis. 2 A signaller using bats to guide an aircraft. M20. 1 batsman’s wicket a cricket pitch favouring batsmen. ■ batsmanship noun the art of batting at cricket etc.; batting performance: E20. Batswana /ba'tswama/ noun & adjective. Also (earlier, now arch, or Hist.) Bechuana. -wana, /bstju'ama, bs'tfwamo/. [Setswana, from bn- pi. prefix + Tswana.]

► A noun. 1 (erron.) sing. PL -s. A member of the Tswana people, (sing.) a Motswana. E19. 2 pi. (Members of) the Tswana people. L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. - Tswana adjective. Ei9. batt noun see bat noun1. batta /'bata/ noun1, obsolete exc. Hist. Ei7. [Urdu batta.]

In the Indian subcontinent: agio; discount on coins not current or of short weight. batta /'bata/ noun2. Anglo-Indian, obsolete exc. Hist. L17. [Portuguese (of the Indian subcontinent) bata - Kannada bhotta rice from Sanskrit bhakta food.]

Allowance for subsistence; extra pay; spec, that given to officers serving in India. Batta /'bata/ noun3 & adjective, lis. [Batak (Indonesian).]

= Batak noun1 & adjective.

Li6.

noun.]

[from batten noun'.] 1 verb trans. Strengthen or secure with battens, lis. 2 verb trans. & intrans. nautical. Fasten down (the hatches

etc.) against bad weather. Mi7. HU 1 K. Douglas We dried our clothes on the exhaust.. and battened ourselves into the turret. F. Weldon Boarded up by means of a row of assorted doors battened together with railway sleepers. I. McEwan A kiosk, shuttered and battened for the night. ■ battening noun the application or addition of battens; strengthening or securing with battens; a structure formed with battens: lis.

batten /'bat(a)n/ verb2. L16. 1 verb intrans. Improve in condition; esp. (of an animal) grow fat. Li6. 2 verb intrans. Feed gluttonously on or upon. E17. 3 verb intrans. fig. Thrive, prosper, esp. at the expense of another. (Foil, by on.) E17. 14 verb trans. Feed to advantage, fatten up. M17-L18. £Q 1 Jonson It makes her fat you see. Shee battens with it. 2 E. B. Browning The strong carnivorous eagle shall .. batten deep Upon thy dusky liver. 3 D. Lessing There are some unscrupulous firms.. which batten on the ignorance of Africans about legal matters. 4 Milton Battening our flocks with the fresh dews of night.

Battenberg /'bat(a)nba:g/ noun. Also -burg. E20. [A town in Germany.]

In full Battenberg cake. A marzipan-covered oblong sponge cake whose slices show four squares in two colours. [Anglo-Norman bat(t)ure = Old French bateiire (mod. action of beating, from batre: see batter verb', -er-.J

2 Order of battle; battle array. Esp. in in battalia, into battalia. E17.

batture)

► II A runny mixture of flour and eggs or the like beaten up with milk or water, for cooking, lme. 12 A cement or paste of flour and water. Chiefly Scot. 3 A thick paste of any kind. E17. ► II 4 printing. A damaged area of metal type or blocks. E19.

battalia pie /ba'tadre pAi/ noun phr. arch. Orig. 1 beatille pie & other vars. M17. [French beatUles, medieval Latin beatillae small blessed articles (as samplers worked by nuns, etc.), dim. of beatus blessed: popular assim. to prec.]

A pie of titbits such as sweetbreads, cocks’ combs, etc. battalion /ba'talian/ noun & verb.

[French bataUUm from Italian battaglione augm. of battaglia noun.]

battle

► A noun. I wumv. 1 gen. A large body of men in battle array; each of the large divisions of an army. Li6. 2 spec. A unit of infantry composed of several com¬ panies and forming part of a brigade or regiment. E18. ► II transf. & fig. 3 A large well-ordered group; an array; a large group of people with similar tasks etc. E17. ► B verb trans. Form into a battalion or battalions, rare El 9. battel 'bat(a)l/ verb f trans. & intrans. arch. Also battle. L16. [Cf. battle verb2.] At Oxford University: charge (one's provisions etc.) to a college account. f few, g get.

[from batter verb2.]

A receding slope from the ground upwards. batter /'bata/ noun2. Li8.

h he. j yes. k cat, 1 leg, r

batter /'bata/ noun4, slang. Mi9. unkn.: cf. bat noun1.]

A spree, a debauch. on the batter (a) on a spree; (b) engaged in prostitution,

batter /' bata/ verb1, me. [Old French batre (mod. battre) to strike, beat, fight, from ProtoRomance devel. of Latin bat(t)uere beat: ending after verbs in -er5. Cf. battle noun.]

1 verb trans. & intrans. Strike repeatedly so as to bruise, shatter, or break; beat continuously or violently, me. 2 verb trans. Operate against (walls, fortifications, etc.) with artillery or (formerly) with a battering ram. ii6. 3 verb trans. & intrans. fig. Subject (a person, opinion, etc.) to heavy or persistent attack; handle severely. Li6. man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

■ batterer noun

E17.

batter ''bat3/ verb2 intrans. mi6. [Origin unkn.]

Of a wall etc.: incline from the perpendicular; have a receding slope from the ground upwards. tbatter verb3 trans. Li6. [from batter noun1.]

1 Mix into a paste or batter. Li 6-ei 7. 2 Paste, fix as with paste; cover with things stuck on. Scot. E17-L19.

beaten together during a leap. E18. 2 batterie de cuisine /da kqizinI [French = for cookery], apparatus or utensils for serving or preparing a meal. LI 8. 3 = BATTERY 16. M20. battering /'batamj/ noun. me. [from batter verb' + -inc1.]

1 The action of batter verb1; a prolonged or violent assault, me. 2 The result of batter verb1; a bruise, indentation, or other mark of damage from continuous or violent beating etc. Li6. Comb.: battering-engine military history = battering ram (a); battering ram (a) military history a swinging beam used for breaching walls, sometimes with a ram's-head end: (b) a similar object used by firemen etc. to break down doors; batteringtrain military history 3 number of cannon intended for siege pur¬ poses.

Battersea enamel ''batasi i'nam(a)l/ noun phr. Mi9. [from Battersea a district of London + enamel noun.]

Decorative enamel work produced at York House, Battersea, London, in the 18th cent. battery 'baton/ noun. me. [Old French baterie (mod. batterie), from batre: see batter verb'.

-ERY.] ► II (Articles of) metal, esp. (of) brass or copper, wrought by hammering, arch. me. ► II military uses. 2 A number of pieces of artillery combining in action; an artillery unit of guns and men and vehicles, lme. t3 A succession of heavy blows inflicted on the walls of a city or fortress by means of artillery; a bombardment. M16-M19. 4 An emplacement for artillery on land or on a ship. LI 6. IB 2 N. Monsarrat The Turks put batteries of their largest cannon.. on Tigre Point. A. Eden Marjorie advocated the Royal Horse Artillery.. as that battery was already on active service, fig.: Smollett The fellow who accused him has had his own battery turned upon himself. 3 Milton By Batterie, Scale, and Mine, Assaulting. 4 Wellington The batteries and works erecting at Cadiz. F. Marryat She continued her destructive fire.. from the main-deck battery.

ffl 5 assault and battery see assault noun}. 6 Shakes. Ven, & Ad. For where a heart is hard they make no batt’ry.

[from bat verb' + -er1.]

[Origin

LO 1 Shakes. Temp. With a log Batter his skull. J. Reed A number of huge packing cases stood about, and upon these the Red Guards and soldiers fell furiously, battering them open with the butts of their rifles. R. Graves The door was battered down and in came the Palace guard. G. Maxwell The hail roars and batters on the windows. D. Lessing 1 unroll the veal that I remembered to batter out flat this morning, battered baby a baby with signs of repeated violence by adults, battered wife a woman subjected to repeated violence by her husband. 2 W. S. Churchill For six hours these two ironclads battered each other with hardly any injury or loss on either side. F. Warner City now utterly destroyed, her walls, Her sanctu¬ ary battered down. 4 Dickens The sexton's spade gets worn and battered. J. Rhys Some of the flowers were battered.

► III Physical beating of a person. 5 The action of assailing with blows; law the infliction of any menacing touch to the clothes or person. Mi6. f6 A mark of beating; a bruise. L16-M17.

batter /'bata/ noun2. M18.

A player using a bat.

Li6.

4 verb trans. Beat out of shape; indent; damage by blows or other rough usage. L16.

batterie batri/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Ei8. [French: see battery noun.] 1 dancing. A movement in which the feet or calves are

LME-M19.

fl = BATTALION 1. L16-E19.

b but. d dog,

[French battant.] A movable bar in a loom which closes the weft.

batter /'bats/ noun1, lme.

battailous 'bat(a)las/ adjective, arch. lme. [Old French bataillos, -eus, formed as battle noun: see -ous.] Fond of fighting; ready for battle. battle

batten /'bat(a)n/ noun2. M19.

[Old Norse batna improve, get better (for base cf. Old English gebatian get better): see -en5. Cf. battle verb3.]

E19.

battalia /ba'tadia/noun. arch.

1 A long narrow piece of squared timber, lis. 2 A strip of wood used for clamping the boards of a door etc. M17. 3 nautical. A strip of wood or metal for securing tar¬ paulin over a hatchway or for preventing chafing of masts and spars. M18. 4 A strip of wood etc. carrying electric (or formerly gas) lamps. Mi9.

batten /'bat(a)n/ verb1. Lis.

noun'.]

Crazy, dotty; = batty adjective 2.

man

batant use as noun of pres, pple of batre: see batter

verb', -ant1.]

[from mod. Latin Batmchia former name of the order Anura, from Creek batrakheia neut. pi. (sc. 2da animals) of adjective from batrakhos frog: see -an.]

[from have bats in the belfry s.v.

Any of a number of beating leg movements.

batten /'bat(a)n/ noun1. Lis.

batrachian/ba'tretkian/ adjective & noun.

[Italian battaglia

battle verb1.]

grand battement see grand adjective1, petit battement see petit adjective1.

batoon /ba‘tu:n/ noun & verb. arch. Mi6.

noun1 + -'s’ +

[Perh. from

At Oxford University (formerly also elsewhere): a college account for board and provisions supplied, or for all college expenses. [French = beating.]

Strike with a baton.

bat

battels/'bat(a)lz/nounpi. Li6.

battement /batma (pi same); 'batm6/ noun. M19.

[from the noun.]

[from

■ batteier. battler noun (obsolete exc. Hist., at Oxford University) a person who boards and lodges in college; spec, a member of an order of students below commoners: Ei7.

s sit,

t top, v van.

w we, z zoo,

► IV Uses rel. to or devel. from branch II. 17 A number of Leyden jars connected together so as to act simultaneously. MI8-M19. 8 A device, consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity. E19. 9 = batterie de cuisine s.v. batterie 2. E19 10 mining. A set of stamps that work in one mortar of a stamp-mill. M19. 11 A submerged box or boat used in wildfowl shoot¬ ing. US. mi9. 12 baseball. The pitcher and catcher (orig. the pitcher alone). M19. 13 gen. A set of connected similar units of equipment; an extensive series, sequence, or range, (of). L19. 14 psychology. A series of tests. E20. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

d this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

197

batting [ baulk

15 A series of cages etc. in which hens are confined for intensive laying or in which poultry or cattle are reared and fattened. M20.

£0 1 b J. R. Green Walpole battled stubbornly against the cry of war. D. Bagley A series of bloody civil wars engen¬ dered by ruthless men battling for power. H. Fast To battle through the storm and cold waves. A. McCowen My little auntie Peggy battling with a complicated menu in the kitchen. A. Brink I was just battling on blindly, not really knowing what was happening. 3 Times Lit. SuppL Battling the anarchy of fragmenting cultures. 4 Byron They battle it" beyond the wall, battle it out fight to a conclusion.

B3 8 E. J. Howard The battery was low in the torch and it can't have been very strong to see. j. Barnes We couldn't start the car: the heater had run the battery flat, attrib.: M. McLuhan The Bedouin with his battery radio, solar battery see solar adjective', recharge one's batteries fig. have a period of rest and recuperation, voltaic battery: see voltaic adjective'. 13 Times Adults were interviewed and asked a battery of questions. A. Toffier Lectures must inevit¬ ably give way to a whole battery of teaching techniques. F. Hoyle It would be necessary to use a battery of the largest and fastest computers. 15 battery hen. battery system etc.

battle /'bat(o)]/ verb2 trans. arch. me. [Later Old French bataillier: see prec.]

Fortify or provide with battlements. Chiefly as battled ppl adjective.

► V 16 musk. The percussion section of an orchestra or band. E20.

batting /'batuj/ noun.

IS Tennyson The valleys of grape-loaded vines that glow Beneath the battled tower.

■fbattle verb3 trans. dial. E16-L19.

Ei7.

[from bat verb1 + -inc1.]

[Frequentative of bat verb': see -le3.]

1 The action of bat verb1. Ei7. 2 Cotton fibre prepared in sheets for quilts etc. Ei9.

Beat (clothes) with a wooden stick (see battledore 1). tbattle verb4. Long dial. M16.

battle /‘bat(o)l/ noun. me.

[App. from battle adjective. Cf. batten verb2.]

1 verb trans. Nourish (as a rich pasture does); render (soil etc.) fertile and productive. M16-M19. 2 verb intrans. Grow fat, thrive; become fertile and pro¬ ductive. L16-E18.

[Old & mod. French bataille battle (also, fortifying tower) from Proto-Romance devel. of late Latin battualia military or gladiatorial exercises, from bat(t)uere to beat: cf. batter verb1.]

► I A fight; fighting. 1 A fight between (esp. large organized) opposing forces, me. 2 A fight between two people; a single combat, a duel. me. Fb A fight between two animals, esp. as providing Sport, E17. 3 Fighting; conflict between enemies; war. me. 4 fig. A contest; conflict, me. f5 Awar. lme-mi6. 6 The victory in a fight or other contest, lme.

battle verb5 var. of battel. battledore /‘batfyjldo:/ noun. lme. [Perh. from Provencal batedor beater, from batre to beat (see batter verb1): cf. battle verb3.]

1 A wooden usu. paddle-shaped instrument used in washing for beating, stirring, or smoothing clothes; a similarly-shaped utensil for inserting objects into an oven, kiln, etc. Now chiefly Hist, lme, 12 More fully battledore book. A hornbook, an ABC, a child’s primer. (So called from its usual shape.) M17-L19. 3 A small racket used with a shuttlecock. Also (more fully battledore and shuttlecock) the game played with these, a forerunner of badminton. L17.

£□ 2 Joyce It was a historic and a hefty battle when Myler and Percy were scheduled to don the gloves. 4 Coverdale Ps. 55:21 Yet have they batell in their mynde. E. O'Neill A perpetual battle of wits with his elder son. K. Millett That imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as ‘the battle of the sexes’. 6 AV Eccles. 9:11 The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.

► II 7 f8 t9

Phrases: not know a B from a battledore arch, be completely illiterate or ignorant.

(The disposition of) a body of troops. = battalion 1. Long arch. me. The main body of an army or navy force. M16-M19. = battalia 1. Only in L16.

battlement /'bat(o)lm(3)nt/ noun. lme. [from Old French bataillier (see battle verb1, verb2) + -ment.]

Usu, in pi. 1 An alternately high and low parapet at the top of a wall, for the defence of a building, lme. 2 A roof enclosed by this. L16.

HJ 7 Sir W. Scott In battles four beneath their eye. The forces of King Robert lie.

■ battlemented adjective furnished with orsuiTounded by bat¬ tlements E17.

Phrases: battle of the giants: see giant noun, battle royal a battle in which several combatants or all available engage; a fl ee fight; a general argument, do battle fight, give battle attack, engage in combat, half the battle a large contributory factor in success; the main effort, join battle enter into a combat, line of battle (the disposition of) troops or warships arranged for battle: lineof-battle ship, a ship of sufficient size to take part in a main attack, a battleship, losing battle: see losing ppl adjective, order of battle the disposition of sections of an army or navy force; now spec, (the discovery of, a tabular record of) the organization, movements, weaponry, etc., of an enemy force, pitched battle. see pitched adjective', running battle: see running ppl adjective, set battle see SET adjective, trial by battle Hist, the legal decision of a dispute by the issue of a single combat, woger of battle see wager noun 5b. Comb.: battle array the disposition of troops etc. arranged for battle; battleaxe (a) a type of broad-bladed axe used as a weapon, esp. in medieval or prehistoric times and in Africa; (b) colloq. a formidable or domineering (esp. middle-aged) woman; battlebus a bus or coach used as a mobile operational centre during an election campaign; battle-cruiser a heavygunned warship of higher speed and lighter armour than a battleship: battle-cry a war cry, a slogan; battledress a sol¬ dier's or airman's everyday khaki uniform of a tunic and trou¬ sers; battle fatigue mental illness due to stress in wartime combat (= combat fatigue): battlefield, battleground afield or ground on which a battle is fought (lit. & fig.): battleship [from line-of-battle ship above] a warship of the most heavily armed and armoured class, of sufficient size to take part in a main attack; battleship grey, a slightly bluish grey (often used for war¬ ships as reducing their visibility); battle-wagon slang a battle¬ ship; an armed or armoured vehicle. ■ battleworthy adjective fit for use in battle L19.

battler /'batlo/noun1. ME. [Orig. from Old French batailleov, -ier warrior, formed as battle verb1; in mod. use from battle verb1 + -er1.]

1 A person who battles (usu. fig.); colloq. a person who fights against the odds or does not give up easily, me. 2 Aswagman. Austral. Li 9. battler noun2 var. of batteler.

[French, use as noun of fern. pa. pple of battre: see batter verb1.]

1 A driving of game towards the guns by beaters; a shooting-party on this plan. E19. 2 transf a A thorough search. M19. Fb A wholesale slaughter, mi9. batture /ba'tjoo/ noun. N. Amer. Ei9. [French.]

1 A stretch of river shore, usu, formed by deposition, between the natural embankment and the low-water mark. E19. 2 Canod. A sand bar in a river. E19. battuta /ba'tiLta/ noun. eis. [Italian, from batten to beat.) music. The beating of time; a strong beat; the regular

beat. a battuta a direction: return to the strict tempo.

batty /'bati/ noun. W. Indies & Black English colloq. M20.

battle /'bat(o)l/ verb', me.

[from botty (hypocoristic form of bottom noun).]

[Old & mod. French bataillier, formed as battle noun.] 1 verb intrans. a Fight; engage in war. Now rare in lit. sense, me. Fb fig. Contend; struggle (against, for an end

The buttocks, the backside. Comb: batty boy, batty man derog, a homosexual man,

batty /'bati/ adjective. L16.

etc., through a hostile environment etc., with, etc.); carry on struggling, lme. j2 verb trans. Arrange for battle; dispose in battalions. Only in me. 3 verb trans. Fight or struggle against. Now chiefly N. Amer. lme. 4 verb trans. with it. Fight, struggle E18. 5 verb trans. Make one’s way fighting or struggling. L18. a cat, a: arm, e bed, o: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

[from bat noun3 + -Y1; for sense 2 cf. bats.]

1 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a bat or bats. LI 6. 2 Crazy, dotty, colloq. E20. j'batus noun see bath noun2. Batwa noun pi. see Twa noun1. :

bauble /'bo:b(o)l/ noun. me. [Old French ba(u)bet child's toy, plaything, perh. ult. from redupl. of be! beautiful: cf. bibelot.]

1 A showy trinket; a piece of vulgar or ostentatious jewellery, me. 2 Hist. A baton surmounted by a fantastically carved head with asses’ ears, carried by a jester as a rod of office. LME. 3 a A plaything, a toy. obsolete exc. as passing into other senses, lme. Fb A coloured glass ball or similar orna¬ ment hung for decoration on a Christmas tree. M20. 4 A childish or trivial matter; something of no import¬ ance. Ml 6. CJ 1 Shakes. Tam. Shr. It is a paltry cap,.. a bauble, a silken pie, Lytton The knight’s baubles become the alderman's badges. J. Carey Women dripping with baubles. 4 Ld Macaulay The Right Honourable before my name is a bauble. ■ ' baubling adjective trifling, paltry E17-M19.

bauch /ba:x,

bo:x/ adjective. Scot. Ei6. [Peri, from Old Norse bdgr uneasy: cf. Icelandic bdgur difficult, hard, (eiga) bdgt (be) poor, hard up.]

Weak, poor, spineless. bauchle /’ba:x(o)l,

'bo:-/

noun. Scot. E17.

[Origin uncertain: cf. next.]

1 A spoiled or distorted thing; spec, an old shoe worn down at the heel. E17. 2 A ne’er-do-well. E19. bauchle /'ba:x(o)l, 'bo:-/ verb trans. Scot. Long dial. rare.

saw. a run, o put, u: too, a ago, ai my. ao how, ei day,

lis.

[Origin uncertain: perh. from bauch.)

Subject to disgrace or ignominy, vilify; =

baffle

verb 1.

baud /baud, bo:d/ noun. Pl. -s, same. M20. [from J. M. E. Baudot (1845-1903), French engineer.] telecommunications & computinc. A unit of signal transmission speed equal to one information unit per second; loosely a

unit of data transmission speed of one bit per second. baudekin /’bo:dikin/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also baudkin /'bo:dkm/, & other vars. me. [Old French baldachin.)

from

medieval

Latin baldachinus formed

as

= baldachin 1.

Baudelairean /hooda'lsmon/ adjective & noun. Also -ian. L19. [from Baudelaire (see below) + -ean.]

► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the French poet and critic Charles Baudelaire (1821-67) °r his works. li 9. ► B noun. An admirer or student of Baudelaire or his writing. E20. baudkin noun var. of baudekin.

battue Iba'tffiu:; foreign baty (pi. same)/ noun. E19.

1 Of grass or pasture: improving to sheep and cattle, fattening. Ei6. 2 Of soil or land: rich, fertile, productive. Mi6.

[German fBatze (now Batzen); English bat by mistaking for a pi.]

A small coin of Switzerland and South Germany, worth four kreutzers.

baudrons /'bo:dronz/ noun. Scot.

■ battologize verb trans. & intrans. repeat (a word or phrase, words or phrases, etc.) needlessly M17.

[Prob. from base also of batten verb2: see -le'. Cf. battle verb'.]

obsolete exc. Hist. PI. -en /-on/, -es. Also

| battoe noun var. of bateau.

A needless and tiresome repetition in speaking or writing.

/'bert(o)l/. E16.

noun,

battology/bo'tDbdji/noun. Li6. [mod. Latin battologia from Greek, from battos stammerer: see -logy.]

battle /'bat(o)l/ adjective, obsolete exc. dial. Also (Scot.) baittle

batz /bats/ tbat. Li6.

lis.

[Origin unkn.: cf. bawd noun2.]

(A name for) the cat. £3 Sir W. Scott He had a beard too. and whiskers.. as long as baudrons’.

bauera /'baooro/ noun.

E19.

[mod. Latin, from Franz (1758-1840) and Ferdinand (1760-1826) Bauer, Austrian botanical draughtsmen: see -A1.] A small Australian evergreen shrub of the genus Bauera,

bearing rose-coloured or purple flowers. Bauhaus/'bauhaos/noun. E20.

[German, from Bau building +Haus house.]

(The principles of) a German school of architecture and design founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 and closed in 1933bauhinia /boo'himo/ noun, lis, [mod. Latin, from Jean (1541-1613) and Gaspard (1560-1624) Bauhin, Swiss botanists: see -ia1.] A leguminous plant of the tropical genus Bauhinia, of

which there are many species. baulk /bo:lk,

bo:k/ noun. Also balk. loe. [Old Norsebalkr partition, from Germanic; rel. to Old Frisian balca, Old Saxon. Old High German balco (Dutch balk, German Balken), Old Norse bjdlii, from a Germanic base meaning 'beam'.]

► I jl A ridge, a mound, esp. a grave-mound; a dividing ridge of land. L0E-M17. 2 A ridge left in ploughing, either intentionally (esp. as a boundary line between sections) or unintentionally. LOE.

13 A mistake, a blunder; an omission. LME-L19. |4 A ridge in one’s way; a stumbling-block, an obstacle, LME-M18.

5 fig, A hindrance, a check; a disappointment. M17. billiards & SNOOKER etc. A marked-off area on the table from which play begins and which governs play in certain situations varying according to the game being 6

no, e: hair, 10 near, 01 boy, oo poor, aio tire, aoo sour

198

baulk | bay played (for example, protecting a ball from a direct stroke); the area between the baulk line and the bottom cushion. Also (in some games), a play bringing one's own and the red ball within this area. Lis. 7 baseball. An illegal action by a pitcher, mi9. CO 2 make a baulk of good ground waste an opportunity. 5 Defoe This was a balk to them and put a damp to their new projects. D. Lessing The balk, the disap¬ pointment, is felt as a promise that has been broken. 6 baulk-cushion, baulk-end. baulk-pocket, etc. give a missin-baulk: see Miss noun'.

► ii 8 A beam of timber; a tie-beam of a house (now chiefly north.), me. 9 The beam of a balance, obsolete exc. dial. lme. HJ 8 J. Masters Each man carried a stave—a big balk of wood, rather. Co mb.: baulk line a line drawn on a billiard- or snooker-table parallel to the face of the bottom cushion at a distance one-fifth of the length of the playing area,

bavaroise /bava'warz, foreign bavarwa:z/ noun. Also -ois /-'wa:, foreign -wa/. Mi9. [French, use as noun of fern, adjective, = prec.)

A dessert containing gelatin and whipped cream, served cold. Bavarian.]

A type of greatcoat or cloak for men.

baxter/'baksts/ noun. Long dial. (esp. Scot.).

[Dutch.]

= baboon 2,3.

[Old English bxcestre fem. of bxcere baker: see -ster.)

A baker.

bavin /'bavin/ noun. me.

bay /bei/ noun1, me.

[Origin unkn.]

(A bundle of) brushwood, firewood.

[Old French bai or aphet. from abay from Old French abai (mod. aboi), from (a)batier bay verb'.]

baw /bo:/ interjection, arch. lme. cf.

1 The deep bark of a large dog or of hounds in pursuit;

bah.)

esp. the chorus raised on drawing close to the hunted

Expr. contempt or aversion. bawbee /'bo:bi:/ noun. Chiefly Scot. Mi6. (from the laird of Sillebawby, mint-master under James V.)

baulk /bo:lk, bo:k/ verb. Also balk. lme. [from the noun.)

f 1 verb trans. & intrans. Make baulks in (land) in ploughing. LME-E17. tb verb trans. fig. Heap up in ridges, rare. Only in L16. 2 verb trans. Shirk or ignore; pass over (a topic, oppor¬ tunity, etc.); avoid or refuse (a duty, thing offered, etc.). LME. ■f 3 verb trans. Pass by (a place); avoid, shun. L15-L18. 4 verb intrans. Stop short as at an obstacle; jib or shy (lit. & fig.). li6. 15 verb trans. Miss by error or inadvertence. L16-E18. 6 verb trans. Place a baulk in the way of (a person); hinder, thwart, disappoint, frustrate. L16. |7 verb intrans. & trans. Quibble; argue; chop (logic). L16-M17. Twel N. This was look’d for at your hand, and this was baulk'd. S. Johnson I never.. balked an invitation out to dinner. D. H. Lawrence It’s got to be done, so why balk it? 4 C. J. Lever Burke.. suddenly swerved his horse round, and affecting to baulk, cantered back. B. Spock A baby may first balk at the transition from bottle to weaning cup. W. Golding Steam could lift a weight that an elephant would baulk at. 5 Spenser They.. balk the right way, and strayen abroad. 6 Pope Balk'd of his prey, the yelling monster flies. Defoe An enemy who is baulked and defeated, but not overcome. Swift The most effectual Way to baulk Their Malice, is—to let them talk. H. Martineau My home affections.. all the stronger for having been repressed and baulked. H. Read A personal will to dominate materia] and form which refuses to be balked by any conventions. Oil 2 Shakes.

■ baulkiness noun the quality of being baulky L19. baulky adjective liable to baulk (baulk verb 4); reluctant to proceed; per¬ verse: Ml 9.

tbaum-cricket noun var. of balm-cricket. Baume /'baomei/ noun. Also Beaume M19.

Orig., a silver coin worth three, later six, Scottish pennies. Now, a coin of low value. bawcock /'bo:kDk/ noun. arch, colloq. Li6. [French beau coq fine cock.)

A good fellow. bawd /bo:d/ noun', lme. [Shortened from

bawdstrot.]

A procurer, now only a female one, a woman who obtains women for prostitution. bawd /bo:d/ noun2, dial. Li 5. [Perh. from baudrons: cf. the English use of puss and Scot, of malkin for both hare and cat.)

A hare. jbawd verb intrans. M17-E18. [from bawd noun1.]

Pander. bawdry /'bo:dri/ noun. lme. [from bawd noun1 + -rv.)

The practice of a bawd; procuring, lme-eis. |2 Immorality, fornication. lme-m17. 3 Obscenity in speech or writing. Li 6. tbawdstrot noun, me-lis. [Old French baudetrot, baudestroyt, from baut, baude lively, gay, shameless (from Germanic, = bold adjective) + base of AngloNorman Irate trot noun2.]

= bawd noun'. tbawdy adjective'. lme-ei7.

1 Used attrib. and in possess, to denote a kind of hydrom¬ eter invented by Antoine Baume (1728-1804), French chemist, and an associated arbitrary scale of relative density, mi9. 2 degree Baume, a unit on this scale. Li 9. baum marten /baum ‘ma:tin/ noun phr. Li9.

Soiled, dirty.

► A adjective. Of or befitting a bawd, esp. (of language) humorously indecent. E16. bawdy-house arch, a brothel.

► B noun. Humorously indecent language or talk (esp. in talk bawdy): licentiousness. Mi7. E17.

bawdiness noun2 lewdness, obscenity:

[Partial translation of German Baummarder lit. ‘tree marten'.]

bawl /bo:l/ verb & noun. lme.

The pine marten; the fur of this animal.

[Imit.: cf. medieval Latin baulare bark, Icelandic baula (Swedish bola) low, as an ox.) ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Bark, howl, etc., as an animal. obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 verb intrans. Shout, howl, etc., at the top of one’s voice;

bauson /’bo:s(a)n/ noun. arch. & dial. Also baw-. lme. [from next.)

1 badger noun2, lme. 2 A fat or obstinate person. E18.

bausond /'bo:s(a)nd/ adjective, dial. Also baw-. me. [Old French bausant piebald = Provencal bausan (Italian balzano, whence mod. French balzan), from Proto-Romance adjective (= belted, striped), from Latin balteus belt.)

Of an animal: having white spots on a black or bay ground: esp. having a white patch on the forehead, or a white stripe down the face. bauxite /'bo:ksAit/ noun. Also1 beaux- M19. [French, orig. beauxite, from Les B(e)aux, locality near Arles, Francesee -ite’.)

The major commercial source of aluminium, an earthy rock consisting of hydrated alumina with variable pro¬ portions of iron oxides and other impurities, ■ bauxitic bi:k sink, adjective L19.

bavardage /bavarda:;;/ noun. E19. [French, from bavarder to chatter, from bavard talkative from bave saliva, drivel.]

Idle gossip, chit-chat. Bavaria (German Bayern) (see below) + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Bavaria, formerly a [from

kingdom of the German Empire, now a State in Germany, its natives or inhabitants, or their dialect. E17. Bavarian cream = bavaroise.

► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Bavaria; the dialect of German used there. L18. b but, d dog. f few, g get, h he, j yes,

weep or wail loudly. Lis. 3 verb trans. Utter with bawling, shout loudly. (Freq. foil, by out.) L16. 4 verb trans. Foil, by out. Reprove or reprimand severely. colloq. (orig. US). E20. £E! 1 Robert Burton A barking dog that alwayes bawls, but seldome bites. 2 W. Cowper And ev’ry soul cried out, well done, As loud as he could bawl. P. G. Wodehouse Her Uncle George was bawling to somebody to fetch a policeman. T. Capote He started to cry. Sat down and bawled like a kid. 3 Shakes. 2 Hen. IVThose that bawl out the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom. Thackeray ‘I will fling you out of window’.. bawled out Mr. Pen. H. Blishen They all rose and bawled the final hymn. 4 L. A. G. Strong He bawled him out. Gave him such a tongue-lashing. M. Gee They bawled each other out in the street.

► B noun. A shout at the top of one’s voice; a loud pro¬ longed cry. Lis. ■ bawler noun 116. bawley /'bo:li/ noun. Li9.

Bavarian /bs'veman/ adjective & noun. E17.

k cat, 1 leg, n

[Origin unkn.]

A fishing smack used on the coasts of Essex and Kent, bawn /bom/ noun. Mi6. [Irish badiin, perh. from ba cows + dun fortress.] 1 Hist. A fortified enclosure; the fortified court or

outwork of a castle. M16. 2 A fold for cattle, dial, mi9. man,

n no. p pen,

r red,

s sit,

tfl 1C. Bronte Formidable-looking dogs.. all bristle and bay. 2 Shakes. Ven. b Ad. The hounds are at a bay. T. H. White The boar was not at bay any more, but charging Master Twyti. fig.: Shakes. Rich. IITo rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay. D. H. Lawrence Gerald seemed always to be at bay against everybody, bring to bay come close to (the quarry), hold at bay. keep at bay keep at a distance, resist, hold off. stand at bay turn against one’s assailants.

bay /bei/noun2. lme. [Old & mod. French bate from Latin baca berry.] fl A berry, esp. of the laurel. LME-M19. 2 In full bay tree. An evergreen tree of the laurel family, Laurus nobilis, with dark green aromatic leaves. Also (US), any of various similarly aromatic trees and shrubs, esp. of the genera Magnolia and Myrica. Mi6. 3 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Leaves or twigs of bay, esp. as a wreath for a conqueror or poet; fig. fame. Mi6. 4 In the coastal states of south-eastern US: a tract of low marshy wooded ground with numerous bay trees. LI 8. 2 red bay: see red adjective, sweet bay see sweet adjective & adverb. Comb.: bay-laurel: see laurel noun 1; bay-leaf a dried leaf of sweet bay, used as flavouring; bay rum perfume (esp. for the hair) distilled from rum and leaves of the bayberry Pimento acris. [Old & mod. French baie from Old & mod. Spanish bahia, perh. of Iberian origin.)

1 (A part of the sea filling) a broad, large indentation in a coastline, lme. 2 An indentation or recess in a range of hills etc. Mi9.

■ | bawdiness noun1 M16-M18.

bawdy /'bo:di/ adjective2 & noun. Ei6.

■ bawdily adverb mis.

quarry, me. 2 The position or action of a hunted animal when, unable to flee further, it turns and defends itself at close quarters. Freq. fig. Only in at bay. to bay. fat a bay. t to a bay me.

bay /bei/ noun3, lme.

[Origin unkn., but cf. Welsh bawaidd dirty, vile, from baw dirt.)

[from bawd noun1 + -v1: prob. assoc, with prec.)

[See below.)

[Irish bainin dim. of ban white.]

bawson noun, bawsond adjective, vars. of bauson, BAUSOND.

baviaan /bavi'ain/ noun. S. Afr. mis.

[Imit.:

bawneen /'bo:ni:n/ noun. Also in Irish form bainin (pro¬ nounced same). E20. Undyed off-white yam used in Ireland for knitting (esp. in Aran wear) and weaving; a garment made of this,

bavaroy havorn noun, obsolete exc. Hist. eis. [Prob. from French bavarois

3 An expanse of rocks, a meadow, etc,, on which salted cod are spread out to dry. Canad. dial. Li9.

£□ 1 Shakes. AY.L. My affection hath an unknown bottom, like the Bay of Portugal. N. Calder Around the bay are sunken ruins of other seaports. 2 L. van der Post Each bay cut in a cliff of green was ardent with white and blue lilies' hearts. Comb.: bayman N. Amer. a person resident beside a (usu. speci¬ fied) bay; Canad. a backwoodsman, a rustic: bay salt: obtained as large crystals by slow evaporation (orig. by the sun from seawater); Bay State ^Massachusetts; bay-whaler Austral.&NZ a boat used in bay whaling; bay whaling Austral. & NZ whaling from land-based stations, practised when the whales come into shallow inshore waters to calve; baywood [Bay of Campeche, Mexico] mahogany from the Central American tree Swietenia macrophylla.

bay /bei/ noun4, lme. [Old & mod. French baie, from bayer (earlier baer, beer) stand open, gape from medieval Latin batare, of unkn. origin.)

1 A division (of a wall) of a room between columns, pilasters, party-walls, bookcases, etc. lme. 2 (In full bay window, a window across) an internal recess formed by the outward projection of a wall beyond the general line. Cf. bow-window s.v. bow noun'. lme.

3 A recess, a compartment; a partitioned or marked area forming a unit. Freq. with specification of purpose, as bomb-bay, loading bay, sickbay Li6. 4 A railway line at a station, having a closed end and acting as a terminus for a side-line; a platform adjoining this. Usu. attrib. E20. 03 1 F. R. Wilson The last two bays of the nave.. are unoccupied. J. Hilton A very delightful library.. containing a multitude of books so retiringly housed in bays and alcoves. 2 E. Walford A substantial brick house, the front diversified by two bays. H. Fast A slanted bay looked out over a greenery-choked backyard. 3 C. Ryan From the bays of the B-24S.. supplies began to fall haphazardly. E. Crispin A single-lane carriageway lined on either side with V-shaped bays in which pedestrians could take refuge. 4 A. Christie A train . came slowly puffing in and deposited itself in a modest bay. Comb, : bay window: see sense 2 above: bay-windowed adjective having a bay window.

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo,

J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

199

bay | be

■ bayed adjective (of a window) having or set in a bay ei9.

[Origin unkn.]

An embankment, a dam. bay/bei/noun6. Mi6. [from bay adjective ]

1 A bay horse. Ml6. 2 Hist The Bays, The Queen’s Bays, the 2nd Dragoon Guards (now incorporated in the ist Queen’s Dragoon Guards), who orig. rode bay horses. Mi9. [Old & mod. French baie or Dutch baai, from bai bay adjective: see BAIZE.]

baize,

the mod. form).

bay /bei/ noun8. Mi9. [Abbreviation of bez-antler.]

The second branch of a stag’s horn, above the brow antler. Also bay-antler. bay /bei/ adjective, me. [Old & mod. French bai from Latin badius chestnut-coloured (only of horses), rel. to Old Irish buide yellow.]

Usu. of a horse: reddish-brown and (of a horse) with black mane and tail. bay /bei/ verb', lme. [Old French (a)baiier (mod. aboyer) = Italian (ab)baiarefrom an imit. base: infl. by bay noun'.] 1 verb intrans. Esp. of a large dog: bark, howl. Freq. foil,

by at. lme. 2 verb trans. 3 verb trans. 4 verb trans. L16. 5 verb trans.

2 A swordlike stabbing blade which may be fixed to a rifle muzzle for use in hand to hand fighting, eis. >b A soldier armed with a bayonet; military force. Li 8. 3 A pin, plug, etc., which engages in a hole or socket by a push-and-twist action (orig. merely by pushing). Usu. attrib., designating electrical fittings designed to engage in this way. Li 8. 2

bay /bei/ noun7, obsolete exc. Hist. Li 6. Baize. Freq. in pi. (whence

bayonet /’beismt/ noun & verb. Li7. [French bawnnettc, from Bayonne, France, the orig. place of manu¬ facture: see-ET’.] ► A noun, fl A short flat dagger. L17-E18.

bay /bei/ noun5, lme.

Spanish bayonet: see Spanish adjective.

► B verb trans. 1 Stab with a bayonet. Li 7. 2 Coerce by means of bayonets. L18. Comb.: bayonet-grass NZ = Spaniard noun 3.

bayou / bniu:/ noun.

US.

mis.

[Amer. French from Choctaw bayuk.]

In the southern States: a marshy offshoot of a river, lake, etc. bazaar/ba'za:/ noun. Li6. [Italian bazarro from Turkish from Persian bazar market.]

1 An oriental market. L16. 2 A large shop, or arcade of shops, selling fancy goods, bric-a-brac, etc. E19. 3 A sale of miscellaneous (usu. second-hand) goods in aid of charity. E19. bazan noun var. of basan. baze /beiz/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. E17. [Origin unkn.: cf. Dutch bazen.]

Bark at, assail with barking, lme. Utter by baying, shout. Li 6. Pursue with barking like a pack of hounds.

bazil noun var. of basil noun3.

Bring to bay, hold at bay. Li6.

bazillion /ba’ziljon/ noun, colloq. (orig. & chiefly N. Amer.). L20.

03 1 fig.: P. Gallico For twenty years they have been baying at your heels in Washington. B. Malamud The wind bayed at the window like starving wolves. 2 Shakes. Jul. Caes. 1 had rather be a dog and bay the moon Than such a Roman. fig.: Coleridge Superstition and her wolfish brood Bay his mild radiance. 3 E. K. Kane These.. servants.. bayed their fullmouth welcome. 4 Shakes. 2 Hen. IVThe French and Welsh Baying him at the heels. C. Darwin The jaguar is killed by the aid of dogs baying and driving him up a tree. 5 Shakes. Jul. Caes. We are at the stake. And bay’d about with many enemies.

Stupefy; frighten.

[Prob. alt. of billion after gazillion.]

A very large (but indefinite) number or quantity. LXl K. Kelly Take ten designs .. and do the tenth one up in a bazillion variations.

bazoo /ba'zu:/noun. US slang. L19. [Origin unkn.: cf. Dutch bazuin trombone, trumpet.]

1 = KAZOO. LI9. 2 The mouth. E20. bazooka /ba'zu:ka/ noun. M20.

bay /bei/ verb2 trans. Li 6. [Conn, with bay noun5, either as source or (prob.) as deriv.] Obstruct, dam (water). Usu. foil, by back, up.

tbay verb3 trans. rare (Spenser). Only in Li6. [App. pseudo-arch. alt. of bathe verb. Cf. embay verb2.]

Bathe, immerse. bay /bei/ verb4 intrans. & trans. rare, mi7. [from bay noun1.]

Stand at bay (against). bayadere /beija’de:, -’dro/ noun. Li6. [French from Portuguese bailadeira, from bailor to dance, rel. to medieval Latin baliare to dance.]

1 A Hindu dancing-girl (esp. at a southern Indian temple). Li6. 2 A striped textile fabric. M19. bayard /’beia:d/ adjective & noun. arch. me. [Old French baiart, -ard, from bai bay adjective: see -aro. Sense 8.2 alludes to the name of the magic steed given (in medieval romance) by Charlemagne to Renaud de Montauban, which was celebrated as a type of blind recklessness.] ► A adjective. Bay-coloured, me.

► Bnoun. 1 A bay horse, lme. 12 A person blind to his or her own ignorance, a selfconfident fool. E16-L17. bayberry /’beiberi/ noun. Ei6. [from bay noun2 + berry noun’.]

1 The fruit of the bay tree. Ei6. 2 A N. American shrub or small tree, Myrica cerifera, allied to the bog myrtle (also called wax myrtle); the fruit of this tree, which yields a wax made into candles. Li7. 3 (The fruit of) a fragrant oil-bearing W. Indian tree, Pimenta acris. Mi 8. Bayes’ theorem /’beiz Oiaram noun phr. Mi9. [The Revd Thomas Bayes (1702-61), English mathematician.] math. A theorem expressing the probability of each of a

number of mutually exclusive events, given some other event E, in terms of the probabilities of those events independently of E and the probabilities of E given each of those events in turn.

■ Bayesian adjective & noun (a) adjective pertaining to or employ¬ ing concepts arising out of Bayes’ work on calculations of prob¬ ability: esp. designating methods of statistical inference in which use is made of prior information on the distributions of param¬ eters; (b) noun a person who uses or advocates Bayesian methods: M20. Bayesianism noun advocacy or use of Bayesian methods L20. a cat. a: arm. e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

[App. from prec.]

1 A crude musical instrument resembling a trombone. US. M20.

2 A portable tubular anti-tank rocket launcher. M20. bazoom /ba'zu:m/ noun, slang. M20. [Prob. alt. of bosom noun.]

A woman’s breast. Usu. in pi. bazuco noun var. of basuco. BB abbreviation. double-black (of pencil lead). b-ball /'bi:bo:l/ noun. N. Amer. slang. L20. [Abbreviation.]

Basketball.

BBB abbreviation. treble-black (of pencil lead).

BBC abbreviation. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC English a form of standard English regarded as character¬ istic of BBC announcers.

bbl. abbreviation. Barrels (esp. of oil). b-boy/’bi:boi/noun. US slang. L20. [b- prob. from beat noun' or break-dancing.]

A young man involved with hip-hop culture.

BBQ abbreviation. Barbecue.

BBS abbreviation. coMPUtiA/c. Bulletin board system.

BC abbreviation. 1 Before Christ. 2 British Columbia. bcc abbreviation. Blind carbon copy.

BCD abbreviation. Binary coded decimal.

BCE abbreviation. Before the Common Era.

BCF abbreviation. British Cycling Federation. : saw, A run, u put. u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

BCC abbreviation. Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (anti-tuberculosis vaccine), developed by Albert Calmette (1863-1933) and Camille Guerin (1872-1961), French bacteriologists.

BD abbreviation. Bachelor of Divinity.

Bde abbreviation. Brigade.

bdellium /'deliam/ noun. lme. [Latin from Greek bdellion, of Semitic origin: cf. Hebrew

budolah.]

A tree, esp. of the genus Commiphora, yielding a fragrant gum resin; the resin itself.

bdelloid /'debid/ adjective. E20. [from Greek bdclla leech + -oid.] zoolocy. bdelloid rotifer, a rotifer of the order Bdelloidea,

resembling a leech.

Bdr. abbreviation. Bombardier.

BDS abbreviation. Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

BE abbreviation. 1 Bachelor of Education. 2 Bachelor of Engineering. 3 Bill of exchange.

Be symbol. chemistry. Beryllium.

be /bi:, unstressed bi/ verb. Pres, indie.: 1 am /am, am/; 2 & pi. are /a;, a/; 3, (dial.) 1, 2, &pl. is/iz/; 2(arc(i.)art/a:t, at/; 2 St pi. (arch. & dial.) be. Past indie.: 1 & 3 was /wdz, waz/; 2 & pi. were /wa:, we;, wa/, (dial.) was; 2 (arch.) wast/wDSt, wast/ or wert /wa:t, wat/. Pres, subjunct. (now often repl. by indie, forms): be; 2 sing, also fbeest. Past subjunct.: were; 1 & 3 sing, (colloq.), Si 2 & pi. (arch. & dial.) also was; 2 sing, also (arch.) wert. Imper.: be. Pres, pple being I'bv.irjl. Pa. pple been /bi:n, bin/. Informal abbreviated forms: ’m = am; ’s = is, ’re = are; aren’t /a:nt/ = are not, (interrog.) am not; isn’t /'iz(a)nt/ = is not; i’nt /mt/ (non-standard) = is not; wasn’t /'wDz(a)nt/, (now dial., chiefly US) wa’n’t /wa:nt/ = was not; weren’t /wa:nt, ws:nt/ = were not; ain’t /eint/, (arch.) an’t /a:nt/ (colloq.) = am not, (slang &joc.) = is not, are not. oe. [An irreg. and defective verb, the full set of forms of which is made up of the surviving inflections of four bases: (i) the Indo-European verb with stem base also of Sanskrit as-, Greek es-, Latin es-, ’s-; (ii) the Indo-European verb with stem base also of Sanskrit vas-. Gothic wisan to remain; (iii) the Indo-European verb with stem base also of Sanskrit bhu-, Greek phu-. Latin fu-, Old English beon become; (iv) the old Germanic perfect formation, base of are, of unkn. origin.]

► I As full verb. 1 Have place in the realm of fact; exist, live. oe. 2 Come into existence, come about; happen, occur, take place, oe. 3 (With adverbs and preposition phrs.) Have or occupy a given position; exist in a stated circumstance, condi¬ tion, or relation; occupy oneself in a given way, hold a given opinion, etc. oe. >b Take or direct oneself; go. come; (often with infinitive expr. purpose); (in pa. pple) called, visited. M17. 4 Go on in its existing condition; remain, continue; take or last (a specified time), me. 5 Be the case or the fact; obtain, me. 6 Befall, pertain (un)to; (now only in exclams, and wishes), me. B3 1 AV Gen. 5:24 Enoch walked with God: and hee was not, for God tooke him. Dryden Troy is no more. Pope Some nymphs there are, too conscious of their face. R. Heber Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shall be. Dickens There ain’t anything the matter. 2 R. B. Sheridan Your husband that shall be. OED The flower-show was last week. 3 Shakes. Rich, in Where is thy husband now? Where be thy brothers? Evelyn There was not his equal in the whole world. R. Burns Oh. were I on Parnassus' Hill! W. S. Gilbert Peter's been at the old brown sherry. J. Galsworthy I thought that you .. might.. ascertain what the fellow is about. Dylan Thomas The House is 5 minutes from the station. R. Kennedy One fifth of the people are against everything all the time. J. I. M. Stewart I do have two daughters. They're still at school, b C. Burnby Fanny.. had been to enquire after him 2 days ago. A. E. Housman Oh I have been to Ludlow fair. 4 Shakes. All's Well Nay. I’ll fit you. And not be all day neither. V. McNabb St. Malachy was some months in reach¬ ing Clairvaux. 5 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV You loiter here too long, being you are to take soldiers up in counties as you go. Aldous Huxley It may be that, later on, I shall take your advice after all. 6 Shakes. Lear To thine and Albany’s issues Be this perpetual.

► II As copular verb. 7 (With noun, adjective, or (passing into sense 3) adjec¬ tival phr.) Have the state or quality expressed by the predicate, oe. 8 (With noun) Coincide with, be identical to; form the essential constituent of, act the part of. oe. kb Amount to, mean; cost. me. no, e: hair, ra near. 01 boy. 0,1 poor, a 10 tire, aua sour

200

be-|beak first position established on a beach by the landing of troops; beach-master an officer supervising the landing of troops: beach plum (the edible fruit of) a straggling N. American mari¬ time shrub, Prunus maritima: beach-rock a conglomerate con¬ sisting of beach sand cemented by calcium carbonate; beachwear clothes for wearing on a beach. ■ beached adjective (rare) having a beach, covered with shingle or sand Li6. beachward(s) adverb towards the beach M19. beachy adjective covered with sand and shingle Li6.

£3 7 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. Be'est thou sad or merry. The vio¬ lence of either thee becomes. J. Grainger What is fame? an empty bubble. Silt W. Scorr Be of good courage. Geo. Eliot I’m a stranger in Florence. E. Waugh Aunt Julia .. lived to be eighty-eight. P. Gallico He was an honest man. was Patrick. P. Larkin Some must employ the scythe.. That the walks be smooth For the feet of the angel. 8 j. Austen We have got a play.. and I am to be Count Cassel. G. Stein Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. A. J. P. Taylor The overriding problem was where to land. Listener For us during thirty years Kingsley Martin.. was the New Statesman. J. Bronowski The gas was oxygen, b AV Lam. 1:12 Is it nothing to you. all ye that passe by? T. Hardy A genial and pleasant gentleman, whom to meet.. was to know, to know was to drink with, and to drink with was, unfortunately, to pay for. D. L. Sayers Yours is one-and-a-penny and mine's ninepence.

beach /bi:tj/ verb trans. mi9. 1 Haul or run up (a ship, whale, etc.) on the beach; freq. refl., drive itself on to the beach, become stranded, Mi9. 2 fig. As beached ppl adjective = on the beach s.v. beach noun 2. E20.

tfl 9 Shakes. Com. E11: Ill deeds is doubled with an evil word. G. White The manor of Selborne, was it suictly looked after.. would swarm with game. C. M. Yonge His parents were grown old. D. Parker If all the girls attending it were laid end to end, I wouldn't be at all surprised, b Milton Therefore I am returned. Goldsmith Silence is become his mother tongue. 10 Bunyan He was talking of thee. Dylan Thomas I'll be ringing you in August, b C. Lamb A man who is being strangled. OED We stayed there while our house was building. US. Richardson I am to thank you . for your kind Letter. Dickens You was to come to him at six o'clock. E. A. Freeman Normandy was to be invaded on each side, j. Conrad He was nowhere to be seen. R. A. Knox It wasn't for him to mix himself up in political quarrels. Phrases etc.. & with adverbs in specialized senses: be-all. be at be doing, aim at, intend, be away leave (at once), depart, set out. been and —, been and gone and —: colloq. amplification of pa. pple expr. surprise or annoyance, be for be bound for, be on the side of, agree with, want, being that, being as arch. & dial, it being the case that, since, be me: see ME pers. pronoun, be off = be away (freq. as command), be that as it may: see may verb1, brideto-be etc., a future bride etc. for the time being for the present, just now. has-been. I were better. I were as good, etc. (& similar constructions) arch. I had better etc., it would be (or have been) better etc. for me. let be: see LET verb'. (Miss X) that was: her maiden name being (X). powers-that-be: see power noun, so being: see so adverb, conjunction, & adjective, such as it is, such as they are, etc.: see such demonstr. adjective & pronoun, tell it like it is: see tell verb, thanks be: see thank noun, that is as may be see may verb', that was. there it is there you are time was see time noun, to-be.

be- /bi/ prefix. [Old English

be-, weak form of In-, big by preposition & adverb.]

A freely productive prefix forming verbs and adjec¬ tives. 1 Forming verbs from verbs, with the sense ‘around, all over, throughout', as beset, besmear, etc.; with inten¬ sive force ‘thoroughly, excessively', as begrudge, belabour, etc.; or (no longer productive) with the priv¬ ative sense 'off, away’, as bereave etc. 2 Forming trans. verbs from intrans. verbs by adding a prepositional relation, as bemoan, bespeak, bestride. etc. 3 Forming trans, verbs from adjectives and nouns, with the sense ‘make —as befoul, besot, etc., or ‘call, dub', as bemadam etc. 4 Forming trans. verbs from nouns, with the sense 'surround or cover with, affect with, treat in the manner of’, as becloud, bedew, befriend, benight, etc., or (no longer productive) ‘deprive of’, as behead etc, 5 Forming adjectives from nouns + -ed2, with the sense having, furnished with’ (often excessively or conspicu¬ ously), as bejewelled, bespectacled, bewhiskered, etc. BEA abbreviation. 1 British Epilepsy Association. 2 Hist. British European Airways, beach /bi;tj/ noun. Mi6. [Origin uncertain: perh. identical with Old English bare, bece brook, stream (cf. beck noun-), with transf. meaning '(pebbly) river valley', surviving in many place-names as Sandbnch, Wisbech.]

1 The water-worn pebbles of the seashore; sand and shingle, arch. M16. 2 The sandy or pebbly shore of the sea, a lake, or a large rivei, esp. that part lying between high- and low-water marks. Li6. 2 on the beach (orig. Murid!) ashore, retired, unemployed, raised beach ctoioct a beach now situated above water-level owing to changes since its formation, the only pebble on the beach; see pebble noun. Comb: beach-ball a large inflatable ball for games on a beach' beach buggy a motor vehicle with large tyres for use on beaches: beach bum slang a loafer on or around a beach; beach front (chiefly N. Amer.) the sea front beside a beach; beach-grass marram. Ammophila arenaru 1; beachhead [after bridgehead] the

b but, d dog, f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg.

bead /bud/ verb. Li6.

[from the noun.]

► Ill As auxiliary verb. 9 With pa. pple of verb trans., forming the pass, voice. oe. >b With pa. pple of verb intrans., forming perfect tenses, arch, (now usu. repl. by have), oe. 10 With pres, pple forming progressive act. tenses, oe. ►b With pres, pple, or more usu. with being + pa. pple, forming progressive pass, tenses. Mi6. 11 With infinitive, expr. duty or obligation (often repl. by have), intention, possibility, destiny, or hypothesis. ME.

beachcomber /'butjkooma/ noun. Mi9. [from beach noun + comber noun1,]

1 A white person in the Pacific islands etc. living by col¬ lecting jetsam; a longshore vagrant, mi9. 2 A long wave rolling in from the sea. Mi9. ■ beachcombing noun the activity of a beachcomber, search¬ ing the beach for jetsam M19.

beach-la-mar/bktjb'mci:/ noun. Et9. [Alt. of Portuguese bicho do mar: see beche-de-mer. Cf. Bislama.]

fl = BECHE-DE-MER 1. Only in E19. 2 (Also B-.) An English-based pidgin formerly used as a trade language and contact vernacular in the SW Pacific. Also = Bislama. Li9.

beacon /'bi:k(a)n/ noun & verb. [Old English beam = Old Frisian becen, bacen, Old Saxon bokan, Old High German bouhhan, from West Germanic (cf. beckon verb), of unkn. origin.] ► A noun, fl A sign, a portent; an ensign, a standard.

OE-L15. 2 A signal fire lighted on a pole, a hill, or other high place, me. 3 A signal station, a watch-tower, lme. 4 Any light or other object serving as a signal, warning, or guide, esp. at sea (a lighthouse etc.) or on an airfield. lme. >b A radio transmitter whose signal helps to deter¬ mine the position of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft. E20. 5 A conspicuous hill suitable for the site of a signal fire. Freq. in names, as Brecon Beacons, Dunkery Beacon, etc. L16. 03 4 M. Lowry The mariner who, sighting the faint beacon of Start Point after a long voyage, knows that he will soon embrace his wife. M. M. Kaye With the lights of the camp providing a beacon that could be seen for miles across the plains, fig.: Shakes. TV. & Ci: Modest doubt is call'd The beacon of the wise. Belisha beacon.

► B verb, f 1 verb trans. Foil, by up: kindle as a beacon. Only in M17. 2 verb trans. Provide or indicate with a beacon or beacons, lis. 3 verb trans. Illuminate, lead, or guide in the manner of a beacon. E19. 4 verb intrans. Shine like a beacon. E19. ■ beaconage noun (a) a toll paid for the maintenance of beacons; (b) a system ofbeacons: E17.

[Partly aphet. from gebed prayer, partly generalized from bedhLts house of prayer: rel. to Old Frisian bede, Old Saxon beda (Dutch bede), gibed, Old High German beta, gibet (German Gebet), Gothic bida, from Germanic. Cf. bid verb.]

1 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Prayer; devotions, latterly spec. using a rosary, arch. oe. 2 Each of a string of small perforated balls forming the rosary or paternoster, used for keeping count of the prayers said. lme. 3 A small rounded perforated piece of glass, metal, wood, etc., used ornamentally, either threaded with others on string or wire or sewn on fabric; (in pi.) a neck¬ lace of such beads, lme. 4 a A drop of liquid, or of molten metal etc. Li 6. fb A bubble, esp. in sparkling wine, spirits, etc. mis. >c A small knob forming the front sight of a gun. mi 9. 5 a An ornamental moulding resembling a string of beads; an individual ornament in this. L18. >b A narrow moulding of semicircular section. E19. 6 The thickened inner edge of a pneumatic tyre, grip¬ ping the rim of the wheel. E20. 1 Joyce Confession will be heard all the afternoon after beads, bid a bead say one’s beads offer a prayer. 2 tell one s beads, count one's beads say one's prayers. 4 C. P. Snow In the warm evening, beads of sweat were standing out. R. P. Warren The leaves and the grass.. were wet, and beads of water hung here and there, glistening in the clear light, c draw a bead on N. Amer. take aim at. Comb.: bead-folk arch, people who pray for a benefactor, almstolk; bead-house a chapel; an almshouse; bead-plant a small creeping plant of the madder family, Nertera granatensis, of the southern hemisphere, bearing round orange fruits and sometimes grown for ornament: bead-rim a thickened, rounded rim: bead-roll a (long) list of names (orig. of persons to n no,

p pen,

r red,

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Provide

or ornament with beads or beading. Li 6. 2 verb trans. Make into beads; string together like beads. Li6. 3 verb intrans. Form or grow into a bead or beads. Li9. ■ beading noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) decoration in the form of or resembling beads, esp. lacelike looped edging; (c) bead moulding; the bead of a tyre: M19.

beadle /'bi:d(a)l/ noun. Also (now only in sense bedel(l).

3)

[Old English bydel = Old High German butil (German Buttel) from Germanic base of Old English beodan (see bid verb), superseded by forms from Old French bedel (mod. bedeau) from Proto-Romance from Germanic.]

11 A person who makes a proclamation; a court usher; a town-crier. OE-L17. 12 A messenger or under-officer of justice, oe-eis. 3 A ceremonial usher, a mace-bearer, spec, in certain universities, city companies, etc. (sometimes conven¬ tionally spelt bedel, -ell); in University College, London, a porter, me. 4 a Hist. A parish officer appointed by the vestry to keep order in church, punish petty offenders, etc. L16. fb In Scotland, a church official attending on the minister. M19. ■ beadledom noun (arch.) stupid officiousness M19. beadleship noun the office or jurisdiction of a beadle Mi6.

beadsman /'bi:dzman/ noun. Orig. fbeadman; also (arch.) bedesman. PI. -men. me. [from bead noun + man noun: prob. altered after almsman.] Hist. 1 A person who prays for the soul of another, me.

2 A person paid to pray for others; a pensioner bound to pray for his benefactors, an almsman; (in Scotland) a public almsman, a licensed beggar, lme. 3 A petitioner, lme. 1 tyour beadsman: used as a conventional form when writing to a superior or patron.

beagle /'bi:g(o)l/ noun & verb. L15. [Perh. from Old French beegueule having the mouth open, from beer open wide (cf. bay noun+ gueule throat (see gules).] ► A noun. 1 (An animal of) a breed of usu. small hound,

used for hare-hunting when the field follows on foot. LI 5. 2 fig. A spy, an informer; a constable, mi6. 1 legal beagle see legal adjective.

► B verb intrans. Hunt with beagles, Freq. as beagling verbal noun, ei 9. ■ beagler noun M19.

beak /bi:k/ noun', me.

bead /bi:d/ noun. oe.

m man.

be prayed for); bead sedge the bur-reed. Sparganium erectum: bead-tree = azedarac; bead-work lo) ornamental work with beads, beading; (b) open-mesh canework in furniture. b The animal nature in man.

M17. 2 A quadruped mammal, as distinct from birds, rep¬ tiles, fish, insects, etc.; esp. a wild animal, or one hunted as game. me. 3 A domesticated animal; esp. (a) a bovine farm animal; (b) a draught animal, me. 4 A brutal, savage, or loathsome person; someone one detests or dislikes (freq. in a weakened sense), me. ►b Something loathsome; an abominable or unpleasant example of. Mi9. 5 cards. An obsolete game resembling nap; a penalty at this game, or at ombre or quadrille. M17. 03 1 AV Rev. 13:11.. saw a beast rise vp out of the sea. hauing seuen heads, and ten homes. OED There's a little beast crawling up your back! C. Hampton No help at all to man or beast. 2 AV i Kings 4:33 Hee spake also of beasts, and of foule, and of creeping things, and of fishes. G. B. Shaw There are wild beasts in this wood: lions, they say. 3 Ld Macaulay Travellers.. compelled to alight and lead their beasts. D. Holliday That year the fanners prospered, beasts were fat. 4 Shakes. Meas.forM. O you beast! 0 faith¬ less coward! 0 dishonest wretch! Steele Morn' sends stagg'ring Home a Drunken Beast. E. Waugh He’s in an amorous stupor, poor beast, and doesn't quite know where he is. b W. S. Gilbert It’s a beast of a name. H. C. Bunner I’ve got to stay and finish my grind. It’s a beast. Phrases: beast of burden a draught animal, beast of prey an animal that kills and feeds on the flesh of other animals, blond beast: see blond adjective, the Beast Antichrist (the mark of the Beast, a sign of heresy or evil nature), the beast with two backs, two-backed beast a man and woman copulating, the nature of the beast, see nature noun. «J Orig. used to translate Latin animal (in which it replaced Old English deor deer), and in turn largely supplanted by animal itself in senses 1-3. ■ beastie noun (Scot, or joc.) a small animal; an insect: L18. beastish adjective (now rare) beastly, brutish lme. beastlike adjective like a beast in nature or manner Ei6.

beast /bi:st/ verb trans. Mi7. [from the noun.]

1 Make a beast of; treat or regard as a beast, rare. M17. 2 be beasted. fail to win the game, incur a penalty, at ombre. M17. beastings noun pi. var. of beestings. beastly ’birstli/ adjective, me, [from beast noun + -ly1.]

f 1 Unthinking, unintelligent, irrational, me-eis. 2 Obeying animal instincts, sensual, me. 3 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a beast; animal, natural, arch. lme. 4 Abominable, foul; disgusting, offensive; colloq. unpleasant, ill-natured, undesirable, detestable. L16. £3 1 R. Recorde To bring the people from beastly rage to manly reason. 2 Swift The beastly vice of drinking to excess. 3 J. Ruskin The ‘breeding’ of a man is what he gets from the Centaur Chiron; the ’beastly’ part of him in a good sense. 4 Disraeli The steam packet is a beastly conveyance.

a cat, a: arm. e bed, a; her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

N. Coward It was beastly of you to laugh like that. I felt so humiliated. Stevie Smith There goes the beastly bell Tolling us to lessons. J. Johnston You must stop biting your nails. It’s a beastly habit. ■ beastliness noun beastly quality or behaviour lme.

beastly /’bi:stli/ adverb, lme. [from beast noun + -ly2.]

11 In a beastly manner, like a beast. LME-E17. 2 (W. adjectives) Abominably, offensively, brutally; nowusu, in weakened sense: regrettably, very. Mi6. beat /bi:t/ noun', me. [from beat verb1. Branch III perh. a different word.]

►It1 Beating, whipping. Only in me. 2 A blow, a stroke in beating, me. Fb fencing. A blow struck upon the opponent’s weapon, me. Fc 8allet. = BATTEMENT. E20. 3 A stroke upon or the striking of a drum; the sound or a signal so produced. L17. 4 (The sound produced by) any recurring stroke, or a regular sequence of strokes, e.g. of the heart, the pulse, a clock, etc. ei 8. 5 A pulsation or periodic variation of amplitude pro¬ duced by the combination of two sounds or other oscilla¬ tions (e.g. radio waves) of slightly different frequencies. Mis. 6 music, a A grace-note or ornament, obsolete exc. Hist. E19. ►b (The movement of a conductor’s baton indicating) the principal recurring accent of a piece of music; a unit of measurement of greater or lesser rhythmic accentu¬ ation (expressed as a certain number of beats to or in the bar). L19. Fc The strongly-marked rhythm of jazz or popular music. M20. 7 US. a Something which surpasses, excels, or outdoes something else, ei 9. Fb A journalistic scoop. L19. 8 An act or spell of beating to rouse game. Li 9. ca 4E. Gaskell The measured beat of the waters against the sides of the boat W. Faulkner The dry, dust-laden air vibrated steadily to the rapid beat of the engine. J. Masters One of the telegraphs was ringing the call-attention beat. S. King Her heart slowed a little and then made speed for a dozen beats or so. 6b M. Kennedy In 12/8 time there are 12 beats to a bar if taken very slowly, or else 1 for each dotted crotchet. A. Schlee Charlotte heard his foot tap restlessly to the beat of the new waltz, offbeat, c L. Armstrong Anything played with beat and soui is jazz. Crescendo The jazz Messengers were .. a beat group! 7a 0. Henry I never saw the beat of him for elegance.

► II 9 The course or area regularly patrolled by a police officer, sentinel, etc.; gen. a person’s habitual round, terri¬ tory, or ambit. E18. 10 A tract of country traversed by a hunter in search of game; a stretch of water fished by an angler. Mi9. iTJ 9 Dickens The costermongers repaired to their ordinary ‘beats’ in the suburbs. W. C. Williams The cop on the beat yelled at him to halt, jig.: N. Gordimer Space is conceived as trackless, but there are beats about the earth frequented by cyclones given female names.

► III 11 A distance sailed, or a spell of sailing, to wind¬ ward. Li 9. Comb.: beatbox slang (a) a type of synthesizer producing percus¬ sion sounds; (b) a radio or radio-cassette player, as used to play loud music, esp. rap; (c) music, esp. rap music, with a largely per¬ cussion background; beat frequency the number of beats per second, equal to the difference in the frequencies of the two interacting tones or oscillations. ■ beaty adjective (of jazz etc.) with a strongly marked beat M20.

beat /bi:t; dial, also belt/ noun2. Also beet. lme. (Perh. from beat verb1.]

A bundle of flax or hemp. beat /bi:t; dial also beit/noun3. E17. [Origin unkn.: cf. beat verb2.]

The rough sod or matted growth of waste or fallow land. beat /bi:t/ adjective & noun1, lme. [Shortened from beaten.)

► A adjective. 1 = beaten, arch. & dial. exc. as below, lme. 2 Overcome with hard work or difficulty, worn out, exhausted. Cf. dead-beat adjective. Mi8. 3 beat-up. (a) = sense 2 above; (b) worn out, shabby, damaged by overuse. E20. 4 beat generation, young people (esp. in the 1950s and 1960s) adopting unconventional dress, culture, and behaviour as a form of self-expression and social protest. M20. >b Of. belonging to, or characteristic of the beat generation. M20. o 2P. Frankau 1 was too beat and hazy to take anything in. 3 Daily Express We were all beat up after few days of the hardest soldiering you ever dreamt of. W. R. Bu rnett The girl was sitting.. in the beat-up leather chair. 4 J. C. Holmes It was John Kerouac.. who.. said ’You know, this is really a beat generation.’ b A. Tate For the Beat poets, antiquity ends at about 1956.

► B noun. 1 An idle or worthless fellow, a vagrant. Cf. DEAD-BEAT noun. US. M19. : saw, A run,

0

put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

2 A member of the beat generation. M20. beat /bi:t/ verb1. Pa. t. beat; pa. pple beaten /'bi:t(a)n/, (arch, colloq.) beat (esp. in sense 5). [Old English beatan = Old High German bozan, Old Norse from Germanic.]

bauta

► I Strike repeatedly, thrash, defeat. 1 verb trans. Strike with repeated blows, oe. 2 verb trans. Inflict blows on with fist(s) or a weapon, thrash; punish, assault, or injure in this way. oe. 3 verb trans. Strike (the ground etc.) in walking, tramp; make (a path) by trampling; make (one’s way), oe. 4 Of natural agents or forces: Fa verb trans. Dash against, impinge upon, assail, oe. Fb verb intrans. Impinge, fall, come violently or relentlessly (against, at, (up)on, etc.); freq. (esp. of the sun’s rays) foil, by down. oe. 5 verb trans. Overcome, conquer; defeat esp. in games or other competition; get the better of, baffle; outdo, surpass; be quicker than. (See also beat adjective) me. Fb verb intrans. Gain the victory, win. arch. Li 8. 6 verb intrans. Strike repeated blows, knock against, at, (up)on. ME. 7 verb intrans. Of the heart, pulse, etc.: throb, pulsate

rhythmically; gen. pulsate, make rhythmic strokes or sounds. (Cf. sense 17 below.) me. Fb Produce a beat (beat noun1 5). ei 9. 18 verb trans. Assail with sound or voice. LME-L17. J9 verb trans. Batter with missiles, bombard. lme-mi7. 10 verb trans. & intrans. a Flap (the wings) forcefully; move the wings up and down rapidly, lme. Ffb Strike (the eyelids or teeth) together. LME-E17. 111 verb trans. & intrans. Hammer at (a subject); thrash out, discuss; insist repeatedly (upjon. L15-M17. £□ 1 S. Johnson At what hour they may beat the door of an acquaintance. J. Rhys Then I beat my fist on a stone, forcing myself to speak calmly, beat one's breast: in woe or mourning, beat the air strive in vain, beat the meat: see meat noun, beat the wind = beat the air above. 2 J. Ruskin My brothers would beat me to death, Sir. Day Lewis He never beat me, even for major crimes. A. Hailey The businessman .. attacked the company serviceman with a pipe wrench and beat him badly, beat into fits, beat to fits: see fit noun2. 3 beat it slang go away, clear off. 4a Wordsworth Some island which the wild waves beat, b AV Mark 4:37 The waues beat into the ship. Southey We heard the rain beat hard. R. Macaulay That place where the hot sun beat down on the fig trees. 5 Steele He had beat the Romans in a pitched battle. C. Bronte I have heard of love at first sight, but this beats all! W. de la Mare Why you should have taken so much trouble about it simply beats me. E. Bowen You can't beat the military swagger. J. Fowles We played chess and he let me beat him. beat all to sticks: see stick noun', beat a person at his or her own game: see game noun, beat creation: see creation 4. beat the band: see band noun2 3. beat the bat cricket make the batsman play and miss, beat the clock see clock noun', beat the gun. beat the pistol = jump the gun s.v. gun noun, beat the rap: see rap noun1, beat to it, beat to the punch get there before, anticipate, (a person), can you beat it? slang: expr. surprise or amazement. 6 Shakes. Lear 0 Lear, Lear, Lear! Beat at this gate that let thy folly in. Tolkien Gandalf stood before the door of Orthanc and beat on it with his staff. 7 fig.: Dryden Such Rage of Honey in their Bosom beats. 8 Wyclif Ecclus 43:18 The vois of his thunder schal beten the erthe. 10 Shakes. Tam. Shr. These kites That bate and beat, and will not be obedient. Tolkien The great beast beat its hideous wings, and the wind of them was foul.

► II Shape, alter, move, etc., by striking. 12 verb trans. Pulverize with repeated blows, pound, oe. Fb Mix or stir vigorously, whip (eggs, cream, etc.), lme. 13 verb trans. Work, shape, deform, by repeated blows; hammer, forge, lme. 14 verb trans. Impel or force (a thing) to move by blows; drive (a person, army, etc.) by force away, back, off, out of (a place), etc. lme. 15 verb trans. Strike (cover of any kind) in order to rouse or drive out game; range over in hunting; fig. work over roughly, search unceremoniously, lme. Fb verb intrans. Cover an area thus; go over or about an area thus. L16. Ffc verb intrans. Of the brain: think hard. E-M17. 16 verb intrans. & trans. Of game: move here and there in an attempt to escape; take to (a stream etc.) to elude pursuit. LME. 17a verb trans. Strike (a drum or other instrument) so as to make a rhythmical sound; make or express (a signal, rhythm, etc.) by striking or sounding (often of the heart, a clock, etc.: cf. sense 7 above), lme. Fb verb intrans. Of a drum etc.: sound when struck. Of a signal: be sounded upon a drum. Mi7. 18 verb trans. Break, smash, or bring down by hard knocks. li 6. 19 verb trans. Bring down (a price) by haggling; cause (the seller) to reduce his price. Now only foil, by down. LI 6.

20 verb trans. Strike (a carpet, a tree, etc.) repeatedly so as to loosen or shake out dust, fruit, etc.; strike repeat¬ edly so as to put out a fire. E17. ca 11 b J. Smeaton The mortar.. was prepared for use by being beat in a very strong wooden bucket. R. West She

1 no, e: hair, re near. 01 boy, oa poor. Are tire, aoa sour

204

beat|beauty heated the fruit and.. the sugar and beat them up together tor half an hour. 13 AV Isa. 2:4 They shall beate their swords into plow-shares. 14 Defoe The blow.. beat the breath quite out of my body. W. Faulkner A Cossack sergeant beat his brains out with the shod hooves of a horse, fig.: Leigh Hunt The classics were beaten into their heads at school. beat hell out of: see hell noun, beat the pants off beat the shit out of see shit noun, beat the stuffing out of beat the tar out of see tar noun' 1. 15 beat about the bush fig. approach a subject indirectly, not come to the point, beat one's brains: see brain noun, beat the bounds trace out the boundaries of a parish, striking certain points with rods. 17a N. Maskelyne A pendulum clock beating half seconds. Ld Macaulay The drums of Limerick beat a parley, beat a retreat fig. retreat , abandon an undertaking, beat time mark or follow the time of music with the feet, a baton, etc. beat to quarters itmtlCAL summon the crew to action stations. 18 H. Nelson The man who may have his Ship beat to pieces. 20 AV Deut. 4:20 When thou beatest thine olive trees, thou shalt not go over the boughs again. [. Hersey Mr. Tanimoto.. told others to beat the burning underbrush with their clothes.

► III 21 verb intrans. & (rare) trans. nautical. Sail to windward, make way against tire wind. Freq. foil, by up. Li7. 03 21 Pope The toss'd navies beat the heaving main. W. S. Maugham A big schooner.. was beating up against the breeze towards the harbour. J. Clavell To beat to windward .. or to run before the wind. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: beat down (a) verb phr. trans. force or drive down, demolish, or overthrow by beating; (see also sense 19); (b) verb phr. intrans. see sense 4b. beat in drive or smash in. or crush, with heavy blows, beat off drive back; overcome (a challenge etc.), beat out (o) forge, make, or remove by hammering; (b) extinguish (a fire) by beating; (c) sound (a rhythm) by beating; (d) N. Amer. defeat in a competi¬ tion. beat up (a) verb phr. trans. thrash (a person) severely, assault with blows; (b) verb phr. trans. collect or attract (recruits etc.); (c) verb phr. trans. pass very closely in an aeroplane; (d) verb phr. intrans.: see sense 21. ■ beatable adjective that can be beaten E17.

beat /bid; dial, also belt/ verb’ trans. M16. [Origin unkn.: cf. beat noun’.] Slice off the rough turf from (uncultivated or fallow land). beaten /'bi:t(a)n/ ppl adjective,

me.

[pa. pple of beat verb'.] ► I gen. 1 That has been beaten, me. ► II spec. 2 Shaped by hammering; esp. (of metal) ham¬

mered into foil. ME. 3 Trodden, worn by repeated use. L15. ffb fig. Trite, hackneyed. M16-M18. 4 Whipped to a uniform consistency; pulverized, pounded. Mi6. 5 Conquered, defeated; overcome, baffled, dejected. Mi6. 6 military. Of a zone: covered by gunfire. E20. 3 beaten-up = beat-up (b) s.v. beat adjective 3. the beaten track the ordinary or usual way, the well-frequented route, wellknown territory, (lit. &fg.); freq. in off the beaten track.

beatenest/'bi:t(o)mst/ adjective. US dial. Mi9. [from prec. or beating pres, pple of beat verb1 + -est'.J Best, finest; most unusual. beater /'bi:to/ noun.

2 beating-up a violent assault on a person. 4 have the beating of be able to defeat take a lot of beating take some beating be hard to defeat or surpass.

1 carpet-beater, egg-beater, etc. 2 panel-beater: see panel noun1, world-beater: see world noun.

beath ;bi:6/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English bepian from Germanic: rel. to bathe verb.] 11 Bathe, foment, oe-me. 2 Heat (unseasoned wood) in order to straighten it. LME. beatific /buo'tifik/ adjective. M17. [French beatifique or Latin beatificus, from beatus blessed: see -fic] Making blessed, imparting supreme happiness; colloq. (of a smile etc.) blissful, serenely happy, beatific vision Christian moLocv the first sight of the glories of heaven; the direct experience of God by those in heaven. ■ beatifical adjective (now rare) E17. beatifically adverb EI7.

beatification /bi,atifi'keiJ(o)n/ noun. et6. [Old & mod. French beatification or ecclesiastical Latin beatificatio(n-), from beatifical- pa. ppl stem of beatificnre’ see next -ation.]

1 The action of malting or being made blessed. E16. 2 roman catholic church. A declaration by the Pope that a deceased person is in a state of bliss, constituting a first step towards canonization and permitting public vener¬ ation. E17. beatify /bi'atifAi/ verb trans. Mi6. [Old 8, mod. French beatper or ecclesiastical Latin beatificare, from Latin beatus blessed: see -fy.] 1 Make blessed or supremely happy. Mi6. k cat,

] leg, n

[Old & mod. French beatitude or Latin beatitudo, from beatus blessed: see -tude.]

1 Supreme blessedness; bliss, lme. 2 A declaration of blessedness, a blessing; spec, (in pi.) those made by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11). Ei6. 3 his Beatitude, your Beatitude: an honorific patri¬ archal title in the Orthodox Church. M17. 4 = BEATIFICATION 2. M19. Beatle/'bi:t(3)l/noun. M20. [from 'The Beatles', the name of a pop and rock group from Liver¬ pool, active in the 1960s.] Used attrib. to designate the pudding-basin hair-style or

other characteristics of the Beatles or of their imitators. ■ Beatle mania noun enthusiastic or frenzied admiration for the Beatles or their music M20. Beatle maniac noun M20. Beatl esque adjective L20.

A member of the beat generation.

[French = fine role.)

A fine acting part; the leading part. beau sabreur /bo sabroe:r/ noun phr. PI. beaux sabreurs [French = fine (or handsome) swordsman: orig. a sobriquet of Joachim Murat (1767-1815), French cavalry officer and brotherin-law of Napoleon.]

A gallant warrior, a handsome or dashing adventurer. beaut /bju:t/ noun & adjective, slang. Chiefly (V. Amer., Austral., & NZ. mi9. [Abbreviation of beauty.]

► A noun. A beautiful or outstanding person or thing. M19. ► B adjective. Beautiful, first-rate. M20. beaute du diable /bote dy dja:bl/ noun phr. M19. [French = devil's beauty.]

Superficial attractiveness; captivating charm. beauteous/'bju:ti3s/ad/ect/Ve. literary,

lme.

[from beauty after bounteous, plenteous.]

[from beauty + -ician.]

[from Beatrice (see below) + -ian.)

Of, pertaining to, or resembling (the vision of) Beatrice in Dante’s Vita Nuova and Divina Commedia; of or concern¬ ing a revelatory or transcendental vision, experience, etc. [from beet verb + -ster.]

[from beautify: see -fication.]

lme.

[from beauty + -ful.] ► A adjective. Full of beauty, delightful to the eye or ear, or

beatster/'butsto/noun2. M20.

to any faculty or taste; morally or intellectually impres¬ sive or satisfying; colloq. that one likes very much; very good, excellent; pleasant, delightful, lme.

[from beat adjective & noun'1 + -ster.]

A member of the beat generation. beau ban/ noun. PI, beaux 'boozy beaus. L17. [French, use as noun of adjective, ult. from Latin bellus fine, beau¬ tiful.)

1 A fashionable man, a ladies’ man; a fop, a dandy. Li7. 2 A lady’s male companion, a suitor; a boyfriend, a lover. Now chiefly N. Amer. E18. L17.

A scale of whole numbers denoting ranges of wind speed, from 0 for 0-0.2 metres per second (calm) to 12 for over 32.6 metres per second (hurricane). ? The scale is sometimes extended to higher numbers. beau geste /bo 3sst/ noun phr. PI. beaux gestes (pro¬

nounced same). E20. [French = splendid gesture.]

A display of magnanimity; a generous act. beau gregory/bou 'gr£g(o)ri/ noun phr. Mi9. [Origin unkn.]

A blue and yellow percoid fish, Eupomacentrus leucostictus (family Pomacentridae), of the W. Indies and Florida.

CQ AV Ps. 48:2 Beautifull for situation, the ioy of the whole earth is mount Sion. D. Hume Another argument.. which seems to me very strong and beautiful. N. Hawthorne It had been the beautiiullest of weather all day. P. G. Hamerton A beautiful patience, and resignation. R. Kipling Everybody paid in full—beautiful feelin'. E. St V. Millay Sweet sounds, oh, beautiful music, do not cease! G. B. Shaw Her lover, a beautiful youth of eighteen. M. de la Roche I’ll never forget how beautiful you were to me. Aldous Huxley A very nice fellow and a beautiful pianist. E. O'Neill Your mother was one of the most beautiful girls you could ever see. Day Lewis It is.. a face which might be beautiful one day and plain another, but never uninteresting, beautiful letters L/S= belles-lettres, beautiful people colloq. (a) hippies, esp. flower people; (b) the fashionable rich, the — beautiful: with the adjective postposed for emphasis or irony; the — in its ideal form. esp. as a cult.

► B absol. as noun. 1 Beautiful one. Used chiefly as a form of address. Mi6. 2 That which is beautiful; the qualities constituting beauty, mi8. ■ beautifully adverb in a beautiful manner, delightfully; colloq very well, excellently: Mi6. beautifulness noun Ei6.

beautify /'bju:tifAi/ verb trans. Ei6. [from next + -fy.]

beau ideal /boo Ai'dral/ noun phr. E19. [French beau ideal = ideal beauty (now often misunderstood as = beautiful ideal): see beau, ideal.]

One's highest or ideal type of excellence or beauty; the perfect model. Beaujolais /’b3U33lei,/oreign bo3ole/ noun. M19. [See below.]

A red or (less commonly) white light burgundy wine produced in the Beaujolais district of France. Beaujolais nouveau /mu'vao, foreign nuvo/ [= new]: of the latest vintage.

Beaume noun var. of Baume. beau monde /boo 'mond, foreign bo mo:d/ noun phr.

117.

[French = fine world.]

(The world of) fashionable society. beaumontage /boomDn'teig/ noun. Also Beaumont('s) egg /.baorntmtls) 'eg/ & other vars. L19. [Origin unkn.]

A composition used to conceal cracks and holes in metal, wood, etc. t top, v van,

beautification /,bju:tifi‘keif(o)n/ noun. M17.

beautiful /'bju:trfbl, -f(o)l/ adjective & noun.

A mender or mounter of fishing nets.

See also en beau. ■ beauish adjective foppish, dandified

A person who runs a beauty parlour; a specialist in beauty treatment.

The action or an act of beautifying; (an) adornment.

beatster/'bi:tsto/ noun'. Also beet-. U6.

s sit,

same). Li9.

beautician /bju:'tiJ(o)n/ noun. E20.

Beatrician /bjo'trtf(o)n/ adjective. M20.

p pen, r red,

beau role /bo rod/ noun phr. PI. beaux roles (pronounced

■ beauteously adverb Lis beauteousness noun M17.

[from beat adjective & noun' + -nik.]

n no,

[Alt. of bough-pot s.v. bough noun.]

(A large vase containing) a display of cut flowers.

Beautiful.

beatnik /'bi:tmk/ noun. M20.

man,

[A town in the department of Cote d'Or, France.]

A red burgundy wine produced in the district around Beaune.

(pronounced same). Mi9.

beatitude /bi'atrtju:d/ noun. lme.

[Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857), English admiral.]

1 An implement or device for beating something, me. ►b spec. A machine for preparing wet pulp for the making of paper. E19. 2 A person who beats something or someone, lme. ►b spec. A person engaged to rouse and drive game. E19.

Beaune /boon, foreign bo:n/ noun. Ei9.

beau-pot/'boopDt/ noun. mis.

[from beat verb1 + -INC1.]

► I gen. 1 The action of beat verb', me. ► II spec. 2 A thrashing; chastisement or assault with blows. ME. 3 A pulsation or throbbing esp. of the heart, lme. 4 A defeat; defeating, surpassing. Li 9.

Beaufort scale /'boofot skeil/ noun phr. M19.

[from beat verb’ + -er1.)

g get. h he, j yes,

ibeatille pie noun phr. see battalia pie. beating /'biitirj/ verbal noun. me.

beaufin noun see biffin.

me.

b but, d dog, f few,

2 roman catholic church. Announce the beatification of; declare blessed. Ei7.

w we, z zoo.

Make beautiful; adorn, embellish. ■ beautifier noun Lie.

beauty /'bju:ti/ noun & verb.

me.

[Anglo-Norman brute, Old French belte, beaute (mod. beaute) from Proto-Romance, from Latin bellus: see beau, -ty'.] ► A noun. 1 That quality or combination of qualities which delights the senses or mental faculties; esp. that

combination of shape, colour, and proportion which is pleasingto the eye. me. fb (B-.) This quality personified. LME. 2 A beautiful feature, a charm, an embellishment; a particular point giving pleasure or satisfaction, me. ►b In pi. (In titles) choice examples of the work of a writer etc. arch. mis. 3 A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman, lme. ►b Beautiful persons collectively. E17. 4 A beautifiil thing; a particularly good specimen of something, mi8. 5 particle physics. A quark flavour associated with a charge of —Vn. Also called bottom. (Symbol b.) L20. J she,

3

vision, 0 thin, d this, ij ring, tj chip, d3 jar

205

beaux | become

G3 1 Keats A thing of beauty is a joy for ever; Its loveliness increases: it will never Pass into nothingness. Tennyson There sat.. All beauty compass'd in a female form. The Prin¬ cess. FL W. Emerson We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end. W. S. Gilbert There is beauty in the bellow of the blast. There is grandeur in the growling of the gale. T. E. Lawrence That trumpet call had an almost liquid beauty. M. Drabble Her gawky, bony clumsiness had sud¬ denly transformed itself into dazzling beauty, line of beauty see line noun2. 2 AVPs. 110:3 Thy people shalbe willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holinesse from the wombe of the morning. S. Richardson That's the beauty of it; to offend and make up at pleasure. Ld Macaulay The one beauty of the resolution is its inconsistency. 3 P. S. Buck It is better to be first with an ugly woman than the hundredth with a beauty, bathing beauty: see bathe verb 5. sleeping beauty see sleeping ppl adjective, b Byron Belgium's capital had gather’d then Her Beauty and her Chivalry. 4 P. G. Wodehouse She.. swung her right and plugged Slingsby a perfect beauty in the eye. In names of butterflies and moths: brindled beauty. Camberwell beauty, oak beauty, painted beauty, etc. Comb.: beauty contest. (N. Amer.) beauty pageant a competi¬ tion for a prize given to the woman judged the most beautiful; beauty parlour an establishment in which beauty treatment is practised professionally; beauty queen a winner of a beauty contest; beauty salon, (US) beauty shop = beauty parlour above; beauty sleep: before midnight; beauty spot (a) a small patch placed on a woman's face as a foil to her complexion; (b) a beautiful locality; beauty treatment the use of cosmetics, facemassage, manicuring, hairdressing, etc., to enhance personal appearance. ► B verb trans. Beautify, adorn, arch. lme. ■ beautiless adjective Li6.

beaux noun pi. see

beau.

[French beaux-arts.)

► A nounphr.pl. Fine arts. Also ellipt.. the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. E19. ► B adjectival phr. Of or pertaining to the classical decora¬ tive style maintained by the Ecole des Beaux-Arts esp. in the 19th cent. E20. beaux esprits. beaux gestes noun phrs. pis. of bel esprit, BEAU CESTE.

Charm, fascinate; subject to an enchantment,

beavered /'bi:vad/adjective. Ei7.

beche-de-mer /bej'da'me:/ noun. PL same, beches/bej-/. Li 8.

[from beaver noun1, noun2, noun4 + -ed2.]

Wearing a beaver hat; bearded; (of a helmet etc.) equipped with a beaver. bebeeru /bi'biaru:/ noun. Also bibira /bi'biara/ & other vars. M19. [Spanish bibirufrom Carib.]

(The timber of) the greenheart tree, Ocotea rodiaei, of northern S. America. bebleed /bi'bli:d/ verb trans. Long arch. Pa. t. & pple -bled /-'bled/, me. [from be- 2 + bleed verb.]

[from be- 1 + bless ver6".]

pis. of beau

role, beau sabreur.

beaux yeux /boz jo/ noun phr.

Ei9.

Beautiftil eyes; admiring glances; favourable regard. beaver /'bitvs/ noun1 & adjective. [Old English beofor, befor = Middle & mod. Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch bever. Old High German bibar (German Biber), Old Norse bjorr from Germanic, ult. from Indo-European base meaning ‘brown’.] ► A noun. 1 PI. same, -s. A semi-aquatic rodent (of which there are two species, the Eurasian Castor fiber and the N. American C. canadensis), which has a broad flat paddle¬

like tail and soft fur, and is notable for its habit of making dams to maintain a supply of water, and its ability to gnaw down trees, oe. 2 The fur of the beaver, lme. 3 A hat made of beaver’s fur. E16. 4 A heavy woollen cloth resembling beaver’s fur. M18. 5 A shade of brown like the colour of beaver’s fur. L19. 6 (B-.) A member of a group of six- to eight-year-old boys affiliated to the Scout Association. 120. 1 eager beaver colloq. a zealous or overzealous person. mountain beaver, work like a beaver be very industrious, work hard. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of beaver’s fur; coloured lme.

Comb.: Beaverboard N. Amer. (proprietary name for) a type of wood-fibre building-board; beaver cloth = sense 4 above; beaver-dam: see dam noun' lit; beaver lamb lambskin cut and dyed to resemble beaver’s fur; beaver meadow: see meadow noun 3; beaver-tail a tapering wedge-shaped end.

beaver /'bi:va/ noun2, obsolete exc. Hist.

lis.

[Old French baviere orig. child's bib, from baver slaver, from ProtoRomance.]

The lower face-guard of a helmet. Beaver/'bi:va/ noun2. PI. -s,

same.

Lis.

[from beaver noun’, translating Chipewyan Tsa-ttine dwellers among beavers.]

A member of a group of Athapaskan peoples of north¬ ern Alberta, Canada; the language of this group. beaver /'bi:va/ noun", slang.

E20.

[from be- 1 + blister verb.]

Blister (skin etc.) badly; cover with blisters. beblood /bi'bUd/ verb trans. Long arch. Li6.

1 A bearded man; a beard. E20. 2 The female genitals (with pubic hair); a woman, a girl (offensive). Chiefly N. Amer. M20. split beaver see split adjective. bever

noun.

becca, perh. ult. from Celtic: cf. Welsh bach hook.] me.

A brook, a rivulet; spec, a mountain, hill, or moorland stream. verb.]

fcU 1 A. Wilson He equally ignored all Rose Lorimer's flus¬ tered bobs, becks and smiles. 2 Defoe With a beck of the head or hand, as we beckon to servants, at the beck and call of subservient to, at the absolute command of.

be- 4 + blood noun.]

= bebleed. beblubber /bi'bUba/ verb trans. Mi6. [from be- 1 + blubber verb.]

Smear over or suffuse with tears; disfigure with weeping. Chiefly as beblubbered ppl adjective. [Imit. of a typical musical phrase.)

Abbreviated as bop noun2. m bebopper noun a performer or adherent of bebop M20. 5

/'be:bug/ noun. L19.

beck /bek/ verb. arch.

me.

[Shortened from beckon verb.]

1 verb intrans. = beckon verb 1. me. 2 verb trans. = beckon verb 2. Lis. 3 verb intrans. Make a sign of acknowledgement; bow, curtsy. Chiefly Scot Ml6. becket /'bekrt/ noun', obsolete exc. dial.

lme.

1 + -et1.]

[Prob. from obsolete var. of beak noun

Any protruding or overhanging structure, as a corbel, a mantelpiece, etc.

[German = trembling.] music. A pulsating or trembling effect given to a sus¬ tained note; spec, such an effect produced on the clavi¬ chord by rocking the fingertip,

becket /'bekit/ noun2,

eis.

[Origin unkn.)

nautical. A contrivance of rope-loop, hook, bracket, etc., used to secure loose ropes, tackle, or spars.

becket/'bekit? noun3, dial.

mis.

[from beck noun' + -et'.]

f 1 Accuse of. Only in me. |2 Call upon, summon, challenge, lme-lis. 3 Miscall, abuse; rail at. Long dial. L17.

A spade used in cutting peat or turf. beckon /'bek(a)n/ verb & noun. [Old English becnan (biecnan) = Old Saxon bbknian, Old High German bouhnen, from West Germanic, formed as beacon noun.]

[from be- i,4 + calm verb.]

1 nautical. Deprive (a ship) of wind. Usu. in pass. Ml 6. 2 Make calm or still, soothe, assuage. E17.

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Signal with a gesture of head, hand, or finger, esp. to indicate that someone should approach. OE.

CB 1 Ld Macaulay The fleet was becalmed off the Goodwin Sands. 2 Pope What power becalms the innavigable seas?

became verb pa. t. of become verb.

2 verb trans. (orig. with dat. obj.). Gesture to (a person) to approach, by a movement of head, hand, or finger; summon by such a signal, oe. £Q 1 Joyce The old woman, seeing that I hesitated to enter, began to beckon to me again repeatedly with her hand. fig.: S. Brett The West End then beckoned, and he appeared as a solid juvenile in.. light comedies. 2 Shakes. Oth. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.

becard /'beika:d/ noun. Mi9. [French

becarde, from bee beak.]

Any of numerous tyrant flycatchers of the genus Pachyramphus, of Central and S. America.

because /bl'kDz/ adverb & conjunction, me. [Orig. two words, formed as by preposition + French par cause de by reason of.]

cause

noun, after Old

► A adverb. 1 For the reason that (also foil, by twhy), arch. ME. 2 By reason of, on account of. lme. 3 because why ? why? Chiefly dial. Li9. CB 1 Byron I abhor death, because that thou must die. 2 A. Lurie Clark doesn't support me because of my writing, but in spite of it. 3 D. H. Lawrence The painters try to paint her.. in vain. Because why?

► B conjunction. 1 For the reason that, inasmuch as, since. lme. Fb Used ellipt. in answer to a question, implying that a fuller reply has been withheld, mi8. 12 In order that, with the purpose that. L15-M17. £33 1 R. Kipling I buy them because they are pretty, b M. Carroll 'Why didn't you leave the bottle?' ‘Because!’ I said shortly. 1 wasn't going to explain my feelings on the matter. 2 Robert Burton Anointing the doors and hinges with oyl, because they should not creak.

Phrases: ffor because = senses A.i. 2. B.i above,

beccafico beka'fikao/ noun. PI. -os. Ei7. [Italian, from

beccare to peck + fico fig noun'.]

Any of a number of warblers esteemed as a delicacy in the Mediterranean region, bechamel /'beijamel, foreign bejamel/ noun. Mis. [from the Marquis de Bechamel, steward of Louis XIV.]

More fully bechamel sauce. A fine savoury white sauce, freq. made with added cream or milk, cookery.

[Origin unkn.]

[Old English

An agricultural implement with two hooks, a mattock.

1 A bow, a curtsy, a gesture of acknowledgement, me. 2 A significant gesture indicating agreement, command, etc. me.

becalm bi'kcrm/ verb trans. Mi6.

[French.]

Batswana.

beck /bek/ noun'. Long dial. rare.

[from beck

beblister /bi'blista/ verb trans. Li6.

[from be- 1 + call verb.]

beaux roles, beaux sabreurs noun phrs.

Bechuana. Bechwana nouns & adjectives see

beck /bek/ noun3, me.

Cover with blessings; bless profusely.

bebung

1 A sea cucumber eaten as a Chinese or Japanese deli¬ cacy. L18. 2 = beach-la-mar 2. Also beche-de-mer English L19.

[Old Norse bekkrfrom Germanic; rel. to German Bach.]

tbebless verb trans. Pa. t. & pple -blessed, -blest. L16-L18.

[from

[Pseudo-Fr. from Portuguese bicho do mar lit. 'worm of the sea’.Cf. BEACH-LA-MAR, BlSLAMA.]

beck /bsk/ noun2. Long north,

Soak or stain with blood; make bloody.

becall /bi'kod/ verb trans. me.

tbeauxite noun var. of bauxite.

beaver noun5 see

[from be-i + charm verb1.]

beaver away, work very hard or persistently (at).

A kind of modem jazz characterized by complex harmony and rhythm.

E19.

2

becharm /bi'tja:m/ verb trans. me.

[from beaver noun'.]

bebop /'biibDp/ noun. Orig. US. M20.

beaux arts /boz a:r/ noun & adjectivalphr. Also beaux-arts.

like beaver’s fur.

beaver /'bi:va/ verb intrans. M20.

bechance /bi'tja:ns/ verb. Ei6. [from BE- + CHANCE verb.) 1 verb intrans. Happen, fall out; occur by chance. E16.

2 verb trans. Befall. M16.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot. a: saw, a run, o

put, u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day, .

► B noun. A significant gesture, esp. one indicating assent or command, rare. E18. beclad

verb

see

beclothe verb.

bedip /bi'klip/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -pp[Old English

beclyppan, formed as be- 1 + clip verb1.]

Embrace, fold in the arms. OE-M17. 2 Enclose or wrap round; encircle, arch. J 3 Lay hold of, grip; overtake. LME-M16.

oe.

beclog /bi'ktag/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -gg-.

lme.

fl

[from be- 1 + clog

verb.]

Encumber with a sticky substance, as mire etc; daub lib¬ erally with clotted matter. Usu. in pass. beclothe /bi'klaoS/ verb trans. Pa. t. & pple -clothed, -clad/-'klad/. lme. [from be- 1 + clothe verb.]

Clothe round, dress. Usu. in pass. becloud /bfklaud/ verb trans.

Li6.

[from be- 4 + cloud noun.]

Cover or darken with clouds or murk; make obscure or gloomy. become /bi'kAtn/ verb. Pa. t. became /bi'keim/; pa. pple become. [Old English becuman = Old Frisian bicuma, Middle Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch bekomen, Old High German biqueman (German bekommen) obtain, receive, Gothic hiqiman, from Ger¬ manic: see be-, come

verb.]

► I Come —. fl verb intrans. Come to a place, arrive; travel, go. 0E-MI8. verb intrans.

12

OE-E19.

a Come in the course of time (to be or do). Fb Foil, by of. come from, originate from.

ME-E17.

no. e hair, ia near, ai boy, ua poor Aia tire, aoa sour

206

becoming | bedark f3 verb intrans. with dat. or to, later verb trans. Happen, befall. OE-M17. 4 As copula with noun or adjective compl. or (verb intrans. with (injto. Come to be, begin to be. me. 5 verb trans. Foil, by of: (formerly) result from; (now) happen to, befall. Only with what as subj. mi6. 6 verb intrans. Come into being, rare. Li 6. CO 1 Bacon Houses so full of Glasse, that one cannot tell, where to become, to be out of the Sunne. 2a Syd. Smith It becomes to be loved on its own account. 4 Evelyn The Church of God, being now become, from a private family .. to a great and numerous nation. Ld Macaulay When first they became known to the Tyrian mariners. E. M. Forster Their pleasantry and their piety show cracks, their wit becomes cynicism, their unselfishness hypocrisy. S. Bellow Depressives tended to form frantic dependencies and to become hysterical when cut off. R. K. Narayan After college, the question was whether I should become a dancer or do something else. C. Milne You can keep tadpoles until they become frogs or toads. 5 Shakes. Twel N. What will become of this?.. My state is desperate. J. Conrad I haven’t seen him for a week. What has become of him?

intimacy, or (arch.) procreation and childbirth, me. ►c The use of a bed; being in bed; the time to go to bed. lis. Fd A bed and associated facilities in a hospital; a place for a patient in hospital. Li 9. Fe spec. Uninflected pi. after a numeral or quantifier: bedrooms. (Chiefly an advertising term.) E20. 2 Any sleeping-place; an extemporized resting-place for the night, me. 3 (Usu. with specifying adjective or contextual indica¬ tion.) The grave. Freq. in narrow bed me. 4 The resting-place of an animal. L17. 03 I Caxton He was in his bed and a slepe on a fethyr bedde. M. W. Montagu I carried my own bed with me. J. Carlyle My great comfortable four-posted bed. bunk-bed, camp-bed, double bed, French bed, single bed. twin bed. etc. deathbed, hospital bed. marriage-bed. sickbed, etc. b Steele He betrays the Honour and Bed of his Neighbour. G. Crabbe And hoped, when wed. For loves fair favours, and a fruitful bed. J. I. M. Stewart I don't believe.. that Law¬ rence was any good in bed. c S. Pepys We began both to be angry, and so continued till bed. R. Ford The traveller should immediately on arriving secure his bed. M. Pattison Bed, with its warmth and recumbent posture, he found favour¬ able to composition, d Times Twenty beds have been closed at the 52-bed post-operative Courtaulds Hospital, e P. G. Wodehouse A joyous suburban villa equipped with main drainage,.. four bed,.. and the usual domestic offices. 2 Shakes. Mids. N. D. Find you out a bed Fori upon this bank will rest my head. 3 R. Burns Welcome to your gory bed, Or to victorie. F. O’Connor The desolate edges of the bog that was to be their last earthly bed. 4 Dryden The Water-Snake .. lyes poyson'd in his Bed.

► II Befit. 7 verb trans. (orig. with dat. obj.). Accord with, be appro¬ priate to, befit. Also impers. in (it) becomes etc. me. 18 verb intrans. impers. in it becomes, be appropriate or fitting (to, for, that). (Replaced by is becoming.) ME-L16. 9 verb trans. Of a property, attribute, quality, etc.: suit, look well on or with, (its owner or subject), me. 10 Of a person: grace (a place, position, etc.); look well in (a dress etc.), arch. Li6. B3 7 Disraeli He had that public spirit which became his station. Sir W. Scott I thought it became me to make public how far I was concerned. 9 Shakes. Macb. Nothing in his life Became him. like the leaving it. J. K. Jerome This hat fits me sufficiently well, but.. do you consider that it becomes me? 10 Steele A graceful man ., who became the dignity of his function. A. Helps She with her dark hair did most become that yellow gown.

■ tbecomed ppl adjective (rare. Shakes.) befitting: only in L16. fbecomely adjective fitting me-lis.

becoming bi'kAmiij/verba/noun. Et7. [from prec. + -ing1.] 1 [become n.J The action of befitting or gracing; some¬ thing becoming, rare. Et7. 2 [become 4.] The action of coming to be something or

passing into a state, mi9. becoming /bi'kAmn)/ adjective, lis. [formed as prec. + -ing2.]

Fitting, suitable; characterized by grace or decorum; tending to show the wearer etc. to advantage, attractivelooking.

► II Other uses. 5 A garden-plot (to be) filled with plants; a place where osiers, willows, etc., are grown, oe. 6 The bottom of a sea, lake, river, or other watercourse. L16. 7 A level surface or other base upon which something rests or in which something is embedded; an extended substructure furnishing a support or foundation. Li6. Fb The surface of a stone or brick that is embedded in the mortar; the underside of a slate. Li7. Fc The body of a cart, wagon, or truck, dial. & N. Amer. E18. Fd The founda¬ tion of a road or railway. Li 9. Fe The slates or other flat surface below the cloth-cover of a billiard-table. L19. 8 A layer, esp. one of several; a horizontal course. E17. Fb A layer of small animals congregated in a particular spot; esp. a layer of oysters etc. E17. Fc A geological stratum. L17. 9 A division of the marked surface in hopscotch, shovelboard, etc.; in pi. (local), hopscotch. E19. ED 5 L. A. G. Strong A small, neat front garden, with .. a circular bed containing four standard rose-trees. G. Heyer The narrow paths which separated various beds filled with vegetables and currant bushes, flower-bed, onion-bed. etc. 7 Wellington The mortar beds and howitzer carriages. Arnold Bennett There was another cracking sound . beneath the bed of the machine. M. Laski A diamond ring, .. on its cream velvet bed. V. Strauss The bed of the press .. is a flat, even surface on which the form is placed for print¬ ing. 0. Dopping An acoustic coupler contains a 'bed' upon which a telephone receiver is laid. 8 New Yorker Scallops on a bed of spinach sauteed in butter.

G3 L. M. Montgomery We are so much older.. that it isn't becoming to talk of childish matters. W. C. Williams In their crisp and becoming uniforms, they appear as beautiful young women. I. Murdoch Her hair is permanently waved in whatever fashion is declared to be the most becoming. N. Pevsner Wren's sense of becoming conformity in putting Tom Tower on Cardinal Wolsey's gatehouse at Christ Church, absol.: Ld Macaulay Selfcommand and a fine sense of the becoming. ■ becomingly adverb

E17.

becomingness noun

M17.

becquerel /‘bekorsl/ noun. In sense i B-, L19. [A. H. Becquerel (1852-1908), French physicist, discoverer of radio¬ activity.] physics. 1 Becquerel rays, Becquerel’s rays, radiation from radioactive substances, obsolete exc. Hist. L19. 2 The SI unit of radioactivity, equal to one disintegra¬ tion per second. (Symbol Bq.) L20.

becripple bi'kripjoll verb trans. M17. [from be- 1 + cripple verb.]

Make lame, cripple. becross 'bi'kros/ verb trans. Mi6. [from be- 1.4 + cross verb or noun.]

Mark with the sign of the cross; decorate with crosses. Chiefly as becrossed ppl adjective. becrown /bi'kraun/ verb trans. Li6. [from be- 1 + crown verb'.]

Surround as a crown, crown. becudgel /bi'kAdsftOl/ verb trans. Infl. -II-, *-l-. li6. [from be- 1 + cudgel verb.]

Cudgel soundly. becurl /bi'ks:l/ verb trans. civ. [from be- 1, 4 + curl verb or noun.]

Form into curls; cover or deck with curls. bed /bed/ noun. Eng'ish bed(d) - Old Frisian bed(d). Old Saxon bed, bedc Middle Dutch bedde (Dutch bed). Old High German betti (Germa Bett), Gothic badi, from Germanic.]

Corn/)., bed-blocking the long-term occupation of hospital beds by the elderly due to a shortage of places in residential homes, bed-bottle a bottle for urination for the use of male invalids in bed: bedbug a bloodsucking hemipteran insect of the genus Cimex (esp. C. lectularius), which infests beds' bedchamber a bedroom (orc/i. exc. in the titles of attendants of he monarch, as lady of the bedchamber, lord of the

► I The sleeping-place of people or animals. 1 A permanent structure for sleeping or resting on, es a framework equipped with mattress and covers; also mattress. (In preposition phrs. usu. without article c possessive.) oe. Fb (The place of) conjugal union, sexu: b but. d dog. f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat. 1 leg,

Hnrases etc.: bed and board (hospitality with) food and lodging: arch, full connubial relations with a husband, bed and breakfast overnight accommodation and breakfast next morning as offered by hotels etc.: fig. (attrib.) designating finan¬ cial transactions in which shares are sold and then bought back the next morning, bed-and-breakfast verb trans. sell (shares) and then buy back the next morning, bed of justice french history the throne of the king in the parliament of Paris; a sitting of this parliament in the presence of the king, esp. one to enforce the registration of one of his own decrees, bed of nails (a) a board studded with protruding nails, lain upon for self-mortification or as a display of self-control or skill; (b) fig. a hazardous or uncomfortable situation brought upon or chosen by oneself, bed of roses a position of ease and luxury, bed of sickness the state of being an invalid, brought to bed arch, delivered of (or of) a child, die in one's bed: see die verb', get out of bed on the wrong side (usu. in pa. t.), have got out of bed on the wrong side behave bad-temperedly during the day. go to bed retire for the night, have sexual intercourse with; of a newspaper: go to press, in bed, into bed between the lower and upper bed¬ clothes. hop into bed: see hop verb'. hotbed: see hot adjective keep one's bed remain in bed because of illness etc. lie in the bed one has made accept the natural consequences of one’s acts, make a bed put a bed in order after it has been used, make up a bed (a) put bedclothes on a bed; (b) prepare an extempor¬ ized resting-place for the night, mixed bed. out of bed from between the lower and upper bedclothes, up and about away from one s bed. put to bed prepare (a person) for rest in bed; send (a newspaper) to press. Reading beds: see Reading adjective2 1. red beds see red adjective, take to bed. take to one's bed retire to bed because of illness, often for a prolonged period of time, test bed: see test noun'.

bedchamber, gentleman of the bedchamber, etc.); bedclothes the sheets, blankets, covers, etc., which are put on a bed; bed¬ cover: see cover noun' 2b; bedfast Scot. & north, confined to bed; bedfellow a person who shares a bed with another; a compan¬ ion, an associate (lit & fig.): bedgown arch, (a) a nightgown, a nightdress; (b) north, a kind of jacket formerly worn (usu. over a petticoat) by working women; bed-head the upper end of a bed; bed-hop verb intrans. (colloq.) engage in successive casual sexual affairs; bedjacket a short jacket worn, esp. by women, when sitting up in bed; bedlinen sheets and pillowcases; bedload the

sediment transported by a river in the form of particles too heavy to be in suspension; bed maker a person who puts beds in order after use; spec, a person who attends to the bedrooms and other living accommodation in a college, hotel, etc.; bed¬ moulding architecture: under a projection, as a cornice; bedpan t(a) a warming-pan; (b) an invalid’s utensil for urination or defe¬ cation when in bed; bedplate a metal plate forming the base of a machine; bedpost one of the upright supports of the frame¬ work of a bed (between you and me and the bedpost: see between preposition 3); bedrest (a) a support for a person in bed; (b) the confinement of a sick person to bed; bedrock solid rock underlying alluvial deposits etc.; fig. the ultimate facts or prin¬ ciples of a belief, character, etc.; bedroll N. Amer., Austral., & NZ an item or set of bedding rolled into a bundle for carrying; bedsettee a settee that can be converted into a bed; bedsit (colloq.), bedsitter (colloq.), bedsitting room a room serving as both a bedroom and a sitting-room; bedsock a warm sock worn in bed; bedsore an ulceration of the buttocks, heels, etc., developed by the constant pressure of the mattress on an invalid’s skin; bedspread (orig. US) a cloth or sheet to cover a bed when not in use; fbedstaff a staff from a bed, used as a cudgel; bedstead t(a) the place occupied by a bed; (b) the framework of a bed (French bedstead: see French adjective); bedstock (obsolete exc. dial.) one of the upright parts of the framework of a bed; a bed¬ stead; bedtable a small tray or table for the use of a person sitting up in bed; bedtick a flat four-sided case or cover filled with feathers, straw, or other material to form a bed; bedwarmer a device for warming a bed; bedwetter a person, esp. a child, given to bedwetting; bedwetting urinary incontinence while in bed. ■ beddy adjective (of stone) having natural cleavages, with a tendency to split eis. beddy-bye(s) /'b£dibAi(z)/noun (nursery&joc.) bed, sleep E20. bedward(s) adverb [orig. to bedward] f(a) towards bedtime; (b) towards bed: lme. bedworthy adjective (colloq.) sexu¬ ally attractive E20.

bed /bed/ verb. Infl. -dd-. [Old English beddian, formed as prec.]

► I Uses connected with a bed for sleeping. 11 verb intrans. & trans. with cognate obj. Prepare (a bed). OE-LME. 2 verb trans. Put to bed; put (an animal) to rest for the night; provide with a bed or bedding. Also foil, by down. Freq. as bedded pa. pple. me. 3 verb intrans. Go to bed (with). Now usu. foil, by down. ME. 4 verb trans. Take (a woman) to bed; have sexual inter¬ course with. Ml6. 0 2W. Whateley To see a stranger bedded with him instead of his owne Spouse. J. Wesley See.. that your horse be rubbed, fed, and bedded. Dylan Thomas Young girls lie bedded soft. 3 H. Carey 0 then we’ll wed, and then we’ll bed. N. Marsh She meant to come back and bed down with Garcia. T. Sturge Moore They bedded on the downs. 4 Shakes. Tam. Shr. Him .. that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her. P. Cohen Rodolphe, her previous lover who was only interested in bedding her.

► II Other uses. 5 verb trans. Plant (out) in or as in a garden bed. lme. 6 verb trans. Lay (bricks, stones, etc.) in position in cement or mortar, lme. 7 verb trans. Embed, mi6. 8 verb trans. Lay or strew in a layer; stratify in beds. Chiefly as bedded ppl adjective. E17. 9 verb intrans. Form a compact layer. E17. 10 verb intrans. Rest on, lie on for support, mi9. £□ 7 R. Hooker A place where the ships lie bedded. I. Walton Many of them [eels] together bed themselves, and live without feeding on anything. Mrs H. Wood The bullet .. must have bedded itself in the wall.

■ beddable adjective sexually attractive M20.

B.Ed. abbreviation. Bachelor of Education.

bedabble /bi'dab(o)l/ verb trans.

arch. Li6.

[from be- i + dabble verb.]

Sprinkle over or stain with dirty liquid. Chiefly as bedabbled ppl adjective.

bedad /bi'dad/ interjection. Anglo-Irish arch. eis. [Alt. of by God!: cf. begad etc.]

Expr. amazement or emphasis.

bedaff /bi'daf/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. [from be- 3 + daff noun'.]

Make a fool of, bewilder.

bedangled /bi'daijg(o)ld/ adjective,

rare. Ei7.

[from be- 1 + dangle verb + -ed1.]

Adorned or hung about with dangling objects.

bedark /bi'da:k/ verb trans.

rare. lme.

[from be- i + dark verb.]

Cover with darkness.

m man.

n no,

p pen.

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w

we, z zoo,

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

207

bedarken I bee

bedarken /bi'da:k(a)n/ verb trans. Li6. [from be- l + darken verb.]

Make dark; overshadow; obscure. bedash /bi'daj/ verb trans. lme. [from be- i + dash verb'.]

1 Beat about; dash down. lme. 2 Cover with dashes of colour etc. lis. bedaub /bi’da:b/ verb trans. Mi6. [from be- i + daub verb.] 1 Besmear; fig. vilify. Mi6.

2 Overload with ornamentation; bedizen. Li6. C9 1 T. Otway The names of Honest Men bedawb’d. P. H. Gosse With a painter’s brush had bedaubed the trunks of several large trees. 2 Marvell Set off, and bedawb'd with Rhetorick. M. W. Montagu All bedaubed with diamonds.

bedaze /bi'deiz/ verb trans. lme. [from be- i + daze verb.]

Daze; bewilder; stupefy. Chiefly as bedazed ppl adjective. m bedazement noun L19.

bedazzle /bi'daz(a)l/ verb trans. Li6. [from be- i + dazzle verb.]

Dazzle completely or thoroughly; confuse by excess of brilliance. ■ bedazzlement noun Ft9

bedder/'beds/noun1, lme. [from bed noun + -er'.]

► 11 A manufacturer of beds; an upholsterer, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 A college bedmaker. colloq. L19. 3 early bedder, early go-to-bedder, a person who habitually goes to bed early; late bedder. late go-tobedder. a person who habitually goes to bed late. E20. ► 114 A bedding-out plant, mi9. bedder/'bsda/ noun-, slang. li9. [from bed noun + -er1’.]

A bedroom. bedding /'bedir)/ noun. oe. [from bed noun or verb + -ING1.] 1 collect, sing, or tpl. The articles which compose a bed,

as mattress, bedclothes, etc.; materials provided for sleeping or resting on. oe. ►tb Sleeping accommoda¬ tion. LME-L17. 2 A putting to bed, esp. of a bride; (an act of) sexual intercourse. Li6. 3 A bottom layer, a foundation. E17. 4 geology. Layering or stratification of rocks. Mi9. 5 The process of planting flowers (out) in beds, mi 9. £Q 1 Jonson He hath sold my hangings, and my beddings! Dryden Spread with Straw, the bedding of thy Fold. C. V. Wedgwood Fairfax.. ordered the citizens to provide

bedding so that every two soldiers could share a mattress, a bolster and a pair of sheets and blankets, b Spenser The ground.. which useth to be his bedding. 2 Sir W. Scott A .. description of the wedding, bedding, and throwing the stocking. V. S. Pritchett Their private sexual comedy, in momentary beddings in the backs of cars. Comb, bedding plant, bedding-out plant a plant suitable for setting out in a garden bed; bedding plane a plane forming the junction between two layers or strata of rock.

bedeck /bi'dek/ verb trans. Mt6. [from be- i + deck verb.]

Deck round, adorn, (with). bedeguar/'b£diga:/noun. lme. [French bedegarfrom Persian bad-awarld lit. 'wind-brought'.]

A mosslike gall on a rose bush caused by the gall-wasp Diplolepis rosae.

bedel(l) nouns see beadle. bedene /bi'diin/ adverb, obsolete exc. dial. me. [from unkn. 1st elem. + Old English ine once, at once, in one. together.] = anon adverb', occas. a mere expletive or rhyme word.

bedesman noun see beadsman. bedevil /bi'd£v(3)l/ verb trans. Infl. -II-. *-l-. Li6. [from be- 3,4 + devil noun.] 1 Possess (as) with a devil. Chiefly as bedevilled ppl adjec¬ tive. LI 6.

2 Transform mischievously; corrupt, spoil. L17. 3 Treat with diabolical violence or abuse; drive frantic; plague, afflict, mis. £Q 1 Carlyle One age. he is hagridden, bewitched; the next, priestridden, befooled; in all ages, bedevilled. 2 Disraeli So bedevil a bottle of Geisenheim you wouldn't know it from the greenest Tokay. 3 Byron My poor.. Muse they have.. so be-deviled with their.. ribaldry. S. Rushdie Confused thinking was to bedevil much of his career. ■ bedevilment noun E19.

bedew bi'dju:/ verb trans. me. [from be- 4 + dew noun.]

Cover or soak with dew or drops of moisture; bathe, suffuse. a cat. a: arm, e bed, a: her, r sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o:

► B adjective. = bedridden, oe.

Bedford cord /jbedfad 'ko:d/ nounphr. Li9. [Bedford, a town in central England + cord noun1.]

A woven fabric with prominent cords running in the direction of the warp. In pl„ trousers made of this. Bedfordshire/'bedfadja/ noun.joc. or nursery.

Mi7.

[An English county.]

[Irreg. from prec. + -en\]

Confined to bed through sickness or infirmity; fig. wornout, decrepit.

bedroom /'bedru:m, -rum/ noun. Lis.

= bed noun i in preposition phrases, bediasite /bi'dAiasAit/ noun.

bedridden /'b£drid(a)n/ adjective, me.

[from bed noun + room noun'.]

M20.

A tektite from the strewn field in Texas,

1 Space in abed. rare, li5. 2 A room intended to house a bed; a sleeping apart¬ ment. E17.

bedight /bi'dAit/ verb trans. arch. Pa. t. bedight: pa. pple bedight(ed) lme.

£0 1 Shakes. Mids. N. D. Then by your side, no bedroom me deny.

[from Bedias a locality in Texas + -ite*.] geologv.

[from be- i + dight verb.] Comb.: bedroom eyes eyes holding an expression of sensual invitation; bedroom farce a play depicting an absurd situation deriving from one or more (esp. extramarital) sexual adven¬ tures; bedroom slipper a soft indoor shoe intended to be worn when one is not fully dressed.

Equip, apparel, bedeck. bedim /bi'dim/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -mm-. Mi6. [from be- i + dim

verb.]

Make dim, cloud, obscure.

bedrop /bi'drop/

bedip /bi'dip/ verb trans. arch. Infl. -pp-. [Old English

tbedirt verb trans.

Drop upon; sprinkle with or (chiefly as pa. ppl adjective) as with drops.

ei6-eis.

[from be- 4 + dirt noun.]

Beds, abbreviation.

Make dirty, throw filth at, defile. bedizen /bi'dAiz(a)n, -'diz-/ verb trans. + dizen

lme.

[from be- 2,4 + drop verb, noun.]

Dip, immerse.

[from be- i

verb trans. arch. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple

-dropped, -dropt.

bedyppan: see be- r, dip verb.]

Bedfordshire.

Mi7.

bedside 'bsdsAid/ noun. me.

verb.]

Deck or ornament, esp. overlavishly; trick out.

[Contr. of bed's side: see bed noun, - V, side noun.]

■ bedizenment noun M19.

The place or position at the side of a bed.

bedlam /'bedlam/ adjective & noun. In senses A.i, 2, & occas. others B-. lme. [Form of Bethlehem (see below).]

► A noun. J1 The town of Bethlehem in Judaea. lme-ei7. 2 The Hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem (Bethlem Royal Hospital in London), used as an asylum for the insane. arch. lme.

13 A person who was mentally ill; spec, a discharged but not fully cured patient of the Hospital of St Mary of Beth¬ lehem, licensed to beg. E16-E18. 4 A lunatic asylum; a madhouse, arch. M17. 5 (A scene of) mad confusion; a wild uproar. Mi7. B3 2 Tom o’ Bedlam, Jack o’ Bedlam arch, a person who is mentally ill. 3 Swift She roar’d like a Bedlam. 4 R. Graves Declared him a lunatic and shut him up in a Bedlam. 5 Quiller-Couch Hearkenin' to the bedlam outside: for ’twas the big storm in 'Seventy. M. Mitchell Amid a bedlam of hounds barking and small black children shouting. J. P. Donleavy I’m a man for bedlam .. Did you ever relish the broken dish or twisted chandelier?

► B adjective. Belonging to or fit for a madhouse; lunatic; foolish. LI 6. £9 Milton This which foilowes is plaine bedlam stuff. m Bedlamite noun an inmate of Bedlam or a madhouse, a men¬ tally ill person Li6.

bedlar /'bedla/ adjective & noun, obsolete exc. Scot. [from bed

noun + Old Norse lag lying +

lme.

[Old French beduin (mod. bedouin) ult. (through medieval Latin beduini pi.) from Arab, badnwi, pi. badawin (from bndw desert, nomadic desert tribes): see -ine1. Cf. Bedu.]

► A noun. 1 An Arab of the desert, lme. 2 A person living a nomadic life; a Gypsy. M19. ► B adjective. Of the desert or Bedouins; nomadic, wander¬ ing. Ml 9. bedrabble /bi'drab(a)!/ verb trans. arch. lme. verb.]

Make wet or dirty with rain or mud. Chiefly as bedrabbled ppl adjective. eis.

[from be- i + draggle verb.]

Wet (an article of clothing etc.) so that it hangs limp; make (a person) wet and untidy or dishevelled (chiefly as bedraggled ppl adjective).

bedral /'bedr(a)l/ noun'. Scot. E16. beadle,

perh. under infl. of next.)

A minor church officer, often acting as clerk, sexton, and bell-ringer. Also, a gravedigger, bedral /'b£dr(a)l/ adjective & noun2. Scot. Also -rel. [Prob.

metath. alt.

of

Ei6.

bedlar.]

►f A adjective. Bedridden. E16-E17. ► B noun. A bedridden person, ei 6. bedrench /bi'dren(t)J/ verb trans. lme. [from be- i + drench verb.]

Drench completely; soak. bedrid /’bedrid/ noun & adjective, arch. [Old English ride

bedreda. -rida. formed as

saw,

bed

noun + short base of

verb.]

►JA noun. A bedridden A run,

o

put.

u:

[from bed noun + time noun.)

The hour at which a person habitually goes to bed. bedtime story a story told to a child at bedtime.

Bedu /’bedu:/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun same. E20. [Arab,

budw: see Bedouin.]

(Of) a Bedouin; collect, (of) Bedouins.

Beduin noun & adjective var. of Bedouin. bedull /bi'dAl/ verb trans. Li6. [from be- l + dull verb.]

Make dull.

bedust /bi'dAst/ verb trans.

arch.

lme.

[from be- 4 + dust noun.]

Cover with dust. Chiefly as bedusted ppl adjective. bedyeing.

E16.

[from BE-i + dye verb.]

In full Bedlington terrier. A narrow-headed sporting terrier with fairly long legs and curly grey hair. Bedouin/’bedoin/ noun & adjective. Also Beduin. b-. lme.

[App. alt. of

bedtime /'bedtAim/ noun. me.

verbal noun

Mi9,

bedraggle /bi'drag(a)l/ verb trans.

[from bed noun + straw noun.]

11 Straw used for bedding. lme-mi7. 2 Any of numerous straggling plants of the genus Galium, belonging to the madder family and bearing many tiny flowers; esp. (in full lady’s bedstraw) a yellowflowered European plant, Galium verum, of dry grassland. E16.

bedye /bi'dAi/ verb trans. Pa. t. & pple bedyed; pres, pple &

[A village in Northumberland, N. England.]

[from be- i + drabble

bedstraw /‘bedstra:/ noun. lme.

-er1.]

(A person who is) bedridden. Bedlington /'b£dlii]t(a)n/ noun.

bedside lamp, bedside table, etc. Comb.: bedside book a book for reading in bed; bedside manner the manner of a doctor when attending a patient (freq. with specifying adjective, as good).

person, oe-me.

too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day,

Stain (as) with dye. Chiefly as bedyed ppl adjective.

bee /bi:/ noun'. [Old English beo = Old Frisian be. Middle Low German. Middle Dutch bie (Dutch by). Old High German bid (German dial. Brie), Old Norse by, from Germanic.]

1 A stinging hymenopterous social insect of the genus Apis, which collects nectar and pollen and produces wax and honey: a colony consists of one perfect female or ‘queen’, several males or ‘drones’, and very many sterile females or 'workers’, oe. tb Any of numerous other insects, including both social and solitary species, consti¬ tuting the superfamily Apoidea. Freq. with specifying word. oe. 2 A busy worker. Also (now rare or obsolete), a pleasing writer, mi8. 3 A gathering for combined work or amusement. Usu. with word specifying its purpose. Orig. US. mis. 4 A lump of yeast which rises and falls in a brew as bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced. E20. ID lb bumble-bee. carpenter bee. mason bee. mining bee. etc. 3 W. Irving Now were instituted quilting bees and husking bees and other rural assemblages. J. Galt 1 made a bee; that is, I collected .. the settlers to assist at the raising. spelling bee Phrases: as busy as a bee very busy or industrious, bees and honey rhyming slang money, goat and bee jug see goat, have a bee in one's bonnet be obsessed on some point, put the bee on (slang, chiefly US) (a) put an end to; beat; (b) ask for a loan, borrow money, from (cf. sting verb), the bee’s knees slang some¬ thing or someone outstandingly good. Comb. : bee-balm the plant Oswego tea, Monarda didyma: beebird any ofvarious birds, esp. a spotted flycatcher; bee-biter dial. the great tit; bee-bread f|a) a honey-containing honeycomb; (b) (honey and) pollen used as food by bees; bee-eater a brightly coloured insectivorous bird of the family Meropidae; esp. Merops apiaster. a rare visitor to Britain (wattled bee-eater see wattled 2); bee-fly a parasitic fly of the family Bombylliidae, resembling

J no. e: hair, ia near, oi boy. ua poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

208

bee | beetle a bee; bee-glue propolis; bee-gum US a hollow gum tree acting as or fashioned into a beehive; bee-keeper a person who keeps bees; beeline a straight line orcourse between two places fmake a beeline for, hurry towards, go straight up to); bee man, beemaster a man who keeps bees; bee martin US a kingbird (Tyrannus); bee-moth = wax moth s.v. wax noun'; bee orchid an orchid, Ophrys aptfera, with a flower in part resembling a bee; bee plant any plant visited by bees for nectar; esp. (more fully Rocky Mountain bee plant) a N. American cleome. Cleome serrulata, formerly grown by bee-keepers; bee-stung adjective (orig. & chiefly US) (of lips) full, red, and pouting, beag, beah = Old Norse baugr, Old High German bouc, bow verb1.]

from Germanic; rei. to

1 A ring or torque of metal, usu. for the arm or neck. Long obsolete exc. Scot. oe. 2 In full bee block. A wooden block bolted to the side of a bowsprit, occas. with metal sheaves to reeve the fore¬ topmast stays through. Lis. Beeb /bi:b/ noun, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation.]

Resembling beef; containing much beef; muscular, solid. ■ beefiness noun

M19.

03 J. K. Rowling He was a big, beefy man with hardly any neck.

beech /bi:tJ7 noun. [Old English bice = Middle Low German boke, boke (weak fem.) from Germanic base rei. to that of Old English hoc (see buckwheat): cogn. with Latin fagus beech, Greek phagos, phegos edible oak.]

1 A forest tree of the genus Fagus, having thin, smooth bark and glossy oval leaves, and bearing nuts; esp. the European F. sylvatica. Also (usu. with specifying word), any of various similar trees, esp. (in the southern hemi¬ sphere) of the genus Nothofagus. Also beech tree. oe. 2 The wood of this tree. ME. 1 copper beech see copper noun', red beech see red adjective, silver beech see silver noun & adjective, southern beech = NOTHOFAGUS. Comb.: beech-drops N. Amer. a broomrape. Epifagus virginiana, parasitic on beech roots; beech-fern a fem of damp rocky woods. Phegopteris connectilis: beech marten the stone marten, Mattes foina: beechmast the fruit of the beech; beech-oil an oil extracted from beechmast; beech tree see sense l above; beechwood (a) = sense 2 above, (b) a wood of beech trees. ■ beechen adjective (arch. & poet.) (a) of, pertaining to, or derived from the beech; (b) made of the wood of the beech: oe. beechy adjective of, characterized by, or having many beeches Ei7.

beedi noun var. of bidi. beef /bi:f/ noun. PI. beefs, in sense ME.

2

also beeves /bi:vz/.

boef buef(mod. bceuf) from Latin bov-,

1 The flesh of an ox, bull, or cow, used as food. me. ►b fig. Muscle, flesh; strength, size, power. M19. 2 An ox or similar beast, esp. a fattened one or its carcass. Exc. US usu. in pi. me. Fb collect. Cattle. US. eis. 3 A complaint, a grievance, slang (orig. US). Li 9. U3 1 beef olive, beef stew, etc. baby beef : see baby adjective, beef STROGANOFr. corned beef: see corned adjective2 2. sour beef see sour adjective, b P. V. White As from his cattle, the beef had dwindled from the man, but he was still large. R. M. Patterson We.. were.. putting all the beef we could behind it. beef to the heel(s) slang (of a person) massive, brawny. 2 Clarendon One half in Money, and the other half in good Beefs, b S. E. White Drivin' some beef up to the troops. 3 D. Runyon A beef from her over keeping the baby out in the night air. Comb, beefburger a hamburger; beefcake slang (the display of) sturdy masculine physique; beef cattle: raised for beef; beefeater (a) an eater of beef; t(b) colloq. a well-fed menial; (c) colloq. a Yeoman of the Guard, a Yeoman Warder in the Tower of London; beefsteak a thick slice of beef, usu. cut from the hindquarters, for frying or grilling (beefsteak fungus, a red bracket fungus, Fistulina hepatica, resembling raw meat in appearance; beefsteak tomato (N. Amer.) = beef tomato below); beef tea stewed-beef juice used as food for invalids: beef tomato an exceptionally large and firm variety of tomato; beefwitted adjective stupid; beef-wood (the timber of) any of vanous Australian and W. Indian trees with red wood, esp. [Austral.) casuarina. ■ beefer noun an animal bred for beef M17.

[from bee

noun'

1 verb trans. Slaughter for beef; fig. (US slang) knock down. M19. 2 verb tram. Put muscle into, strengthen, reinforce; add power or importance to. Usu. foil, by up. slang (orig US) M19. 3 verb intrans. Complain, grumble, protest, slang (orig US). li 9. b'

C2 2 D. Acheson The Defense Department required no persuasion that the defense of Europe needed, in their phrase, 'beefing up'. I. Banks I’d brought a half bottle of whisky .. which we used to beef up the coffee. 3 Stevie Smith Not beefing about being solitary Or the sparseness of the fare.

beefalo / bidalao/ noun. PI. -oes. same. L20. beef noun + buffalo.]

(An animal of) a breed of bovine that is % buffalo and % domestic cow. b but, d dog, f few, g get,

h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

[Old English beost = Northern Frisian bjast, bjiist, Middle & mod, Dutch biest. Old High German Most (German Biest, as in Biestmilch). from West Germanic: ult. origin unkn.]

| beest verb see be verb.

+ hive noun.]

1 An artificial habitation for bees, traditionally of thick straw work in the shape of a dome, but now usu, a wooden box containing the combs on wooden slides, me. ►b fig. A busy place etc. Ei7. 2 the Beehive, (the name of) a star-cluster in the con¬ stellation Cancer. Also called Praesepe. Ml9. 3 A hat or hairstyle having the shape of a traditional beehive. E20.

Beelzebub /bi'elzibAb/ noun. oe. [Late Latin Beelzebub (Vulgate), translating (i) Hebrew ba’al zebiib Lord of Flies, a Philistine god (2 Kings 1:2) and (ii) Greek Beelzeboul (Matthew 12:24).]

The Devil; a devil.

been verb pa. pple of be verb. [from prec. + to preposition.]

A person who has been to Britain, esp. for education.

beep /bi:p/ noun & verb.

E20.

[Imit.]

► A noun. The sound of a motor-car horn; a short highpitched sound emitted by any device (e.g. an echosounder). E20. ► B verb trons. & intrans. (Cause to) emit a beep or beeps. M20.

■ beeper noun a device that emits beeps M20.

beer /bis/ noun'. [Old English beor = Old Frisian bidr, bier. Middle Low German, Middle Dutch ber (Dutch bier). Old High German bior (German Bier), from a West Germanic word from monastic Latin biber drink, from bibere to drink.]

1 Alcoholic liquor produced by fermentation of malt etc. and flavoured with hops or other bitters, esp. the lighter kind of liquor so produced; a type of this; a drink of this. Cf. ale, porter noun2. OE. 2 A similar drink made from other ingredients. Usu. with specifying word. oe. 1 bitter beer, keg beer, lager beer, mild beer. etc. all beer and skittles: see skittle noun, on the beer on a bout of drinking, porter's beer: see porter noun 3. single beer: see single adjective & adverb, small beer weak beer, or a small measure of beer (usu. half a pint); fig. small matters, something of little importance (think no small beer of, have a high opinion of). 2 birch beer, ginger beer, nettle beer, root beer, spruce beer, etc. Comb.: beer belly siring = beer gut below; beer-boy (now arch, or Hist.) a pot-boy; beer-cellar a cellar for storing beer; a bar etc. selling beer in a cellar or basement; beer-engine = beer pump below; beer garden a garden where beer is served; beer glass a glass for beer or similar long drinks; beer gut slang a protruding abdomen (regarded as) due to drinking large quantities of beer; beer hall a hall where beer is served; beerhouse a public house licensed for the sale of beer, but not spirits; beer-mat a small table-mat for a beer glass: beer money (a) Hist, an allowance of money to servants, instead of beer; (b) a small amount of money allowed or earned: beer-off slang an off-licence; beer-parlour Conod. a room in a hotel or tavern where beer is served; beer pump a machine for drawing beer up from barrels in the cellar to the bar: beer-swilling adjective (derog.) that drinks a lot ofbeer; disreputable, rowdy; beer-up a drinking-bout or party. ■ beerage noun (slang) brewers collectively, esp. those who have been created peers; derog. the British peerage: L19. beerless adjective Mi9.

2

verb

lme.

+ -er'.]

Someone who is or exists, esp. the Self-existent, God.

beer /bia/noun3, [Alt.

beesty noun var. of bhisti. beeswax /'bi:zwaks/ noun & verb. L17. [from bee noun' + -'s' + wax noun'.] ► A noun. Wax secreted by bees as material for their combs, used as a polish etc. Li7. ► B verb trons. Rub or polish with beeswax. M19. beeswing /'bi:zwirj/ noun. E19. [from bee noun' +-'s' + WING noun.] A filmy second crust of tartar formed in port and other wines after long keeping; an old wine.

eis.

[Old English bete = Middle Low German bete (Low German beete, whence German Bete), Middle Dutch bete (Dutch beet). Old High German bieza, from early West Germanic from Latin beta, perh. of Celtic origin.)

A plant. Beta vulgaris, of the goosefoot family, having a red or white succulent root; numerous varieties are cul¬ tivated as garden vegetables, as cattle food, and as a source of sugar. Also = beetroot noun, seakale beet, silver beet, spinach beet, sugar beet. etc. Comb.: beetroot noun: beet sugar sugar from beets. beet noun2 var, of beat noun2. beet /bi:t/ verb trons. obsolete exc. dial. (Old English betan, older bcetan = Old Saxon botian (Middle Low German boten. Middle Dutch boeten), Old High German buozen (German btiflen), Old Norse baft a, Gothic b otjan from Germanic, from base of boot noun'.]

1 Make good; mend or repair; relieve or supply (a want), oe. 2 Make, kindle, mend, or feed (a fire), oe. Beethovenian /beithau'vhmon/ adjective & noun. L19. (from Beethoven (see below) + -ian.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), his music, or his the¬ ories of musical composition. L19. ► B noun. An interpreter, student, or admirer of Beet¬ hoven or his music. M20. ■ Beethovenish adjective resembling or suggestive of Beet¬ hoven or his music, characteristic of Beethoven L19. beetle /'bi:t(o)l/ noun'. [Old English betel, (West Saxon) bietel from Germanic, from base of beat verb': see -le".]

1 A tool with heavy head and handle for ramming, crushing, driving wedges, etc. oe. 2 A machine for beetling cloth. L19. 1 (as) deaf as a beetle arch, completely deaf or unresponsive, (as) dumb as a beetle arch, insensitive, dumb. Comb, beetle-brain = beetle-head (a) below; beetle-head (a) a blockhead; (b) the monkey of a piledriving engine. beetle /'bi:t(3)l/ noun2. [Old English bitula, bitela, from short base of bitan bite verb: see -le1.)

1 An insect of the order Coleoptera, having the fore¬ wings converted to hard, opaque wing-cases closing over the hindwings; in popular use extended to other (esp. black) insects of similar appearance, such as the cock¬ roach. OE. 2 fig. A person who is (esp. intellectually) short-sighted. 116. 3 A dice game with the object of drawing or assem¬ bling a figure resembling a beetle. M20.

of BIER.]

In weaving, a (variable) number of ends in a warp.

beeregar /'biango/ noun.

lis.

[from beer noun1 after vinegar.]

= ALEGAR. Beerenauslese

'be:r,-m,ausle:za/

noun.

Also b-. PI. -sen

/-zon/, -ses. E20. [German, from

Comb.: beetle-back a back shaped like the closed wing-cases on the back of a beetle; beetle-backed adjective having a beetleback; beetle-crusher colloq. a heavy boot or foot , beetle drive a social gathering at which beetle is played.

beetle 'bi:t(3)1 adjective, lme.

Beeren berries,

grapes + as Auslese.]

A white wine made (esp. in Germany) from selected individual grapes picked later than the general harvest.

Beersheba noun see Dan noun2. n no. p pen,

Q3 1 black beetle, diving beetle, shard-born beetle, skipjack beetle, etc. blind as a beetle short-sighted; devoid of moral etc. sense. 2 A. Tucker A blockhead, yea a numb¬ skull, not to say a beetle.

beer noun4 var. of bere noun2.

man,

beestings /'bustigz/ noun pi. Also beast-, oe. [Rei. to beest noun.] The first milk drawn, esp. from a cow, after partur¬ ition.

beet /bi:t/ noun'.

been-to /'bi:ntu:/ noun. Afr.&Asia. M20.

[from be

[from the noun.]

jbeest noun, oe-lis.

= BEESTINGS.

beer /'bi:a/noun2, rare. Also be-er.

beef /bi:f/ verb. M19.

beery /'biori/ adjective. Mi9. [from beer noun' + -Y1.] Pertaining to or containing beer; resembling beer; showing the influence ofbeer. ■ beerily adverb 119. beeriness noun L19.

me.

beehive-hat a hat shaped like a traditional beehive: beehive tomb a dome-shaped tomb cut into a hillside, distinct¬ ive of Mycenaean Greece.

The BBC.

[from

mis.

[from beef noun+ -Y1.]

Comb.:

beebee noun var. of bibi.

[Anglo-Norman, Old French bos ox: cf. cow noun'.]

beefy /'bi:fi/ adjective,

beehive /'bi:hArv/noun.

bee ,'bi:/ noun2. [Old English

beefing noun see biffin.

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo,

[Origin unkn.] 1 beetle-browed, having prominent or bushy eye¬ brows; scowling. LME. 2 beetle browfs), prominent or bushy eyebrows; a scowling expression. Mi6.

I she

3 Vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

209

beetle | beg

LO 1 R. H. Barham A beetle-browed hag. 2 fig.: P. Sidney A pleasant valley of either side of which high hills lifted up their beetle-browis. ■ beetled adjective = beetle-browed above Ei6.

beetle /'bi:t(a)l/ verb'

intrans. E17.

[from prec.)

Project, overhang; fig. hang threateningly. Of eyebrows (also): lour. £3 Shakes. Haml. The dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles o'er his base into the sea. Dickens His beetling brow almost obscured his eyes. R. W. Emerson The justice of states, which we could well enough see beetling over his head. K. Crossley-Holland Thor's eyebrows beetled and the farmers.. cowered. 9 First recorded in Shakes.

a befitting adjective suitable, fitting, appropriate, due Mi6, befittingly adverb Ml?

beflower /bi'flaoa/ verb trans. Li6. [from be- 4 + flower noun.]

Cover or deck (as) with flowers. befoam /bi'faum/ verb trans. Ei7. [from be- 4 + foam noun.]

Cover (as) with foam. befog bi'fog/ verb trans. Infl. -gg- Ei7.

eration). before one's time see time noun, before the beam: see beam noun, before the mast see mast noun11 before the secular worlds see secular adjective 5. before the wind helped or driven on by the force of the wind, leg before wicket: see leg noun, not before time: see time noun, walk before one can run: see walk verb'.

► C conjunction. 1 Previous to the time when. Also (arch.) before that. me. 2 Of preference: sooner than that, rather than that. L16. £3 1 AVJohn 1:48 Before that Philip called thee.. I saw thee. E. Hemingway I woke for good long before it was light. D. Lodge His hair is the texture and colour of Brillo pads before they’ve been used. 2 Shakes. Merch. V. Treble that. Before a friend.. Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. OEDI will die before I submit.

[from be- 4 + fog noun2.]

beetle /'bi:t(a)l/ verb2 trons. E17.

Envelop in fog; obscure, confuse.

[from beetle noun1.]

Beat with a beetle in order to crush, flatten, etc.; emboss or heighten the lustre of (cloth) by pressure from rollers. [from beetle noun2.]

Move or fly (like a beetle), make one’s way; go, take oneself off. QJP.G. Wodehouse 'What are you doing about two weeks ffom now?'.. 'Nothing in particular. Just beetling around.' N. Coward There was.. a terrible scene.. and Freda beetled off to America.

beetroot /'bi:tru:t/ noun & adjective. L16. [from beet noun' + root noun1.]

► A noun. A root of beet, esp. the deep crimson form eaten as a vegetable. L16. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Deep red, crimson; red-faced esp. ffom embarrassment, colloq. E20.

beetster noun var. of beatster noun'. beeve /bi:v/ noun. M19. [Back-form, from next.]

An ox; = beef noun i.

beeves noun see beef noun. beezer /'bi:za/ noun & adjective, slang. E20. [Origin unkn.: senses perh. different words.]

► A noun. 1 A (smart) person; a chap, a fellow. Orig. Scot. E20. 2 The nose. E20. 3 Something which is a particularly impressive or large example of its kind. E20. ► B adjective. Excellent, fantastic; of the highest quality. M20. £3 J. Burchill So finally Matt's got a beezer set of twentyfour of these babies.

BEF abbreviation. British Expeditionary Force, the British army on the Western Front, August-November 1914 and 1939-40.

Befa /bi:'fa;/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also B fa.

befool bi'fu:l/ verb trans. lme. [from be-3,4 + fool noun1.]

Make a fool of, dupe, delude; treat as or call a fool, before /bi'fo:/ adverb, preposition, & conjunction.

beetle /'bi:t(s)l/ verb3 intrans. colloq. E20.

lme.

[from B as a pitch letter +fa designating a tone in the solmization of Guido d'Arezzo (c 990-1050).]

medieval music. The note B flat in Guido d’Arezzo's 3rd and hexachords, where it was sung to the syllable fa. Cf. Alamire, Bemi, Cefaut, etc. 6th

befall /bi'fo;]/ verb. Pa. t. befell /bi'fel/; pa. pple befallen /bi'fo:l(3)n/. [Old English befeallan = Old Frisian German bifallan: see be-, fall verb.]

£0 1 Shakes. Temp. Any business that We say befits the hour. E. L. Doctorow His son now had a desk, as befitted all young students. B. Trapido We’re giving you the guest room, as befits your station as.. senior guest, b Shakes. Haml. It us befitted To bear our hearts in grief. 2 L. Sterne He had .. befitted him with just such a bridle and saddle.

befalla. Old Saxon, Old High

11 verb intrans. Fall. Chiefly fig. 0E-M17. 2 verb intrans. Fall to; pertain, belong, be fitting, arch. me. 3 a verb intrans. Take place, happen; arch. foil, by (un)to, upon (a person etc.), me. kb verb trons. (orig. with dat. obj.). Flappento. me. •f 4 verb intrans. Become of. LME-L16. E LI 2J. M. Neale Giving to the dearer ones What to each befalleth. 3a Thackeray Ethel's birthday befel in the Spring. C. Kingsley And so it befell that they often quar¬ relled. b Milton Thus it shall befall Him who .. Lets her Will rule. C. Chaplin Only when ill-fortune befell her did she seek relief. D. Jacobson The most significant events that befell the kingdom and its people during David's reign. 4 Shakes. Com. Err. Do me the favour to dilate at full What have befall'n of them and thee till now. ■ befalling noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) an occurrence, an event: lme.

befile /bi'fAil/ verb trans. Long rare. oe. [from be-i + file verb'.]

Befoul, defile.

befit /bi'fit/ verb trans. Infl. -tt-. Li6. [from be- 1 + fit verb'.]

1 Be fitted or appropriate for, suit. Li 6. Fb Be morally right for. Ei7. |2 Equip with. L16-M18. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

[Old English beforan = Old Frisian befora, Old Saxon biforan. Old High German bifora (German bevor), from Germanic: see by adverb & fore adverb & preposition.] ► A adverb. 1 In front in place or order; ahead, at or on the front, oe. preposition,

beforehand /bi'faihand/ adverb & pred. adjective. Orig. two words, me. [from before preposition + hand noun: cf. Anglo-Norman, Old French nvant main.]

In advance; in anticipation; in readiness, esp. (arch.) financially. £3 AV Mark 13:11 Take no thought before hand what ye shall speake. Steele Having little or nothing before-hand, and living from Hand to Mouth. K. Amis Do you write all this stuff out beforehand and learn it off, or.. [do] you make it up as you go along? be beforehand with anticipate, forestall.

2 Earlier in time; previously, beforehand, in the past. me. Fb spec. Contrasted with after (see after adverb 2b):

preceding an event or (esp.) the use of a remedy, cos¬ metic, or other product, mis. £3 1 Shakes. Mids. N. D. 1 am sent with broom before. To sweep the dust behind the door. Macb. Had he his hurts before?.. Ay. on the front. S. Baring-Gould Onward, Chris¬ tian soldiers, Marching as to war. With the Cross ofjesus Going on before. 2 Ld Macaulay Charles the First, eighteen years before, withdrew from his capital. Arnold Bennett He had never spoken to Tom Orgreave before. C. Causley He felt younger than he had for some time before. D. Bogarde He would come back one day and it would all be as before. have been there before have seen it all before see see verb, the mixture as before see mixture 2. b Puck A before and after' racket for a hair-renewer advertisement.

► B preposition. I Of motion or position. 1 Of motion; ahead of, in advance of. oe. Fb Driven in front of, under the impulse of. Mi6. 2 Of position or direction: in front of. oe. 3 In the sight or presence of; under the notice of. oe. 4 In the view or opinion of. arch. oe. 5 Open to the knowledge of; claiming the attention of. LME.

6 In prospect for, open to; awaiting. (Merging with branch II, of time.) lme. HI 1 Ld Macaulay Behind him march the halbardiers: before him sound the drums, b Shakes. 2 Hen. VI Our enemies shall fall before us. A. Sillitoe Running before the wrath of cop or farmer. A. J. P. Taylor The anti-waste cam¬ paign .. swept all before if. 2 Tennyson Once more before my face 1 see the moulder’d Abbey-walls. T. S. Eliot Each man fixed his eyes before his feet. A. Sillitoe Emerging to scrub himself dry.. before the fire. M. Bragg His back to the fells, before him the plain and the sea. 3 Steele As ill an Action as any that comes before the Magistrate. J. M. Barrie Is it to be before the ladies, Mr. Ernest, or in the privacy of the wood? Tolkien The song of Luthien before Mandos was the song most fair that ever in words was woven. 4 P. Stubbes Though this be not theft before the world. 5 H. T. Buckle The accusations .. are before the world. T. Hardy Such was the argument that Oak set outwardly before him. 6 Milton The World was all before them, where to choose. Their place of rest. B. Webb Sidney and I have plenty of work before us—Sidney in the Labour Party and I on Government Committees.

► II Of time. 7 Preceding in order of time. oe. 8 Previous to, earlier than (an event, point of time, etc.), me. Fb Earlier than the end of (a future period of time). M19. H 7 Byron Brave men were living before Agamemnon. J. D. Watson With luck, Francis’s coiled coils would get into print as soon as ifnot before Pauling's. 8 S. Johnson It was written before the Conquest of Granada. A. J. P. Taylor Singapore had been neglected before the war and still more during it. b A. Trollope This grief.. may be cured some day before long.

► Ill Of order or rank. 9 In advance of in development; further on than. me. 10 In preference to, rather than. me.

11 In comparison with. eis. £□ 9 Hobbes Atrides is before you in command. Ld Macaulay The nation which was so far before its neigh¬ bours in science. 10 AV 2 Sam. 6:21 The Lord chose me before thy father, Si before all his house. D. H. Lawrence 1 was a good animal before everything. 11 Addison The Women were of such an enormous Stature, that we appeared as Grashoppers before them. Phrases: before Christ (of a date) reckoned backwards from the birth ofjesus. before Cod as God sees me (usu. as solemn assev-

: saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how. ei day.

tbeforesaid adjective. Orig. two words, me-mis. [from 8EFORE

adverb + said ppl adjective.]

Previously mentioned, aforesaid. beforetime /bi'fo:tAim/ adverb. Orig. two words, me. [from before preposition + time noun.]

Formerly, previously. befortune /bi'fo:tJu:n/ verb trans. & intrans. rare.

116.

[from be- 1 + fortune verb.]

Befall. befoul bi'faol/ verb trans. me. [from be- i + foul verb.]

Make foul (lit. & fig.), cover with filth. ■ befoulment noun M19.

befriend /bi'frend/ verb trans. Mi6. [from BE- 3 + FRIEND HOUR.]

Act as a friend to; help, favour. ■ befriender noun M19.

befringe /bi'frindj/ verb trans. Ei7. [from be- 1 + fringe verb.]

Border, provide, or adorn (as) with a fringe. befrog /bi'frog/ verb trans. Infl. -gg-. Mi9. [from be- 4 + frog noun3.)

Decorate with frogging. befuddle /bi'fAd(a)l/ verb trans. Li9. [from be- 1 + fuddle verb.]

Make stupid through drink etc.; confuse, bewilder. ■ befuddlement noun E20.

befur/bi'fa:/ verb trans. Infl. -rr-. Lis. [from be- 1,4 +

FUR

verb, noun'.]

Cover (as) with a fur or furs; deck out with furs. Chiefly as befurred ppl adjective. beg /beg/noun'. Li6. [Turkish: cf. begum, bey.]

Hist. = BEY. beg /bsg/ verb & noun2, me. [Prob. from Old English bedecian. from Germanic base of bid verb: cf. Gothic bidagwa beggar.] ► A verb. Infl. -gg-. 1 a verb trans. Ask for (food, money, etc.) as a charitable gift. me. Fb verb intrans. Ask for (orfor) a charitable gift of

food, money, etc.; live by asking for such gifts. (Foil, by of, from, Jot a person.) me. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Ask someone earnestly or humbly for a thing desired. As obj. the person asked, the thing asked (which may take the form of a noun or pronoun, a clause introduced by that, or an inf. phr.), or both. (Also foil, by fat, of, from the person asked, for the thing desired.) Ei6. 3 verb trans. Ask (pardon, leave, etc.) formally or politely. L16. Fb eilipt. Ask or take leave to do something. M18. Fc eilipt. As an epistolary formula: offer, wish to send (compliments etc.), arch. M18. 4 verb trans. Take (a disputed matter) for granted without warrant. Chiefly in beg the question below. L16. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Foil, by off. get (a person) excused a penalty etc.; decline to take part etc. mis. 6 verb trans. & intrans. cards. Of the elder hand in all fours (seven-up): ask for (a point, or three additional cards and a new trump). Lis. 7 verb intrans. Of a (trained) dog: sit up with forepaws raised expectantly. Freq. in imper. as a command. E19. no, e: hair, » near, .11 boy, os poor, ais tire, auo sour

210

begad | begot £U 1 C. S. Lewis Father’s min was approaching, that we should all soon beg our bread in the streets. S. Beckett 1 went to the house and begged a glass of milk and a slice of bread and butter beg, borrow, or steal acquire by any means at all. b G. Orwell A fat man eating quails while chil¬ dren are begging for bread is a disgusting sight. P. S. Buck Holding up a bowl and begging of any one who passed. C. Hampton A hunchback.. who used to sit on the pave¬ ment and beg. P. Scott If the hippie was there, and came begging at the coffee shop, Ibrahim threw him a few paise. go a-begging, go begging fig. (of an opportunity etc.) find no taker; (of a thing) be unwanted. 2 Tindale Mutt. 27:58 Ioseph.. went to Pilate and begged the body of Iesus. Shakes. L.L.L. How I would make him fawn, and beg, and seek. Evelyn Our prisoners.. beg at us, as a mercy, to knock them on the head. Hor. Walpole I have three favours to beg of you. Tennyson I will beg of him to take thee back. Ld Macaulay Shrewsbury begged that.. he might be appointed. C. Stead She also begged them for money so that she could take home presents to all the children. A. Koestler I beg you to take note that 1 am not moralising. J. Baldwin Of them all she would have begged forgiveness, had they come with ears to hear. D. Lodge He turned up again yesterday evening to beg a rather odd favour. J. Updike Did they die ignobly, begging and cackling for mercy? 3 Addison I must however beg Leave to dissent from so great an Authority, beg a person's pardon see pardon noun 2. b OEDI beg to enclose my price list. D. L. Sayers Here Sir Impey Biggs interposed and begged with submission to suggest that his lordship should remind the jury of the evi¬ dence given by Mr. Challoner. c Dickens Begging my best remembrances to Mrs. Thomson. 4 H. Rogers Many say it is begging the point in dispute, beg the question assume the truth of a thing to be proved or a thing equivalent to it; popularly evade a difficulty. 5 S. Richardson Is the Creature begging me off from Insult? J. Rathbone I was a little drunk and very tired and begged off. Co mb.: begging letter: asking for a charitable gift to be sent; beg-pardon Austral bNZcolloq. an apology. ► B noun. An act of begging. E19. ■ beggingly adverb in the manner of a person who begs. L16.

begad /bi'gad/ interjection. Li6. [Alt. of by God!: cf. egad etc.)

02 1 M. Mitchell The Cause which had taken their friends, lovers, husbands and beggared their families. M. Na Gopaleen He also beggared nine weak-minded rela¬ tives. beggar-my-neighbour a card-game in which one seeks to capture one’s opponent's cards; fig. a policy of advancement at the expense of one's neighbours. 2 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. For her own person, It beggar'd all description. C. Priest It beggared belief that she should twice interrupt me at precisely the same place.

beggarly /'begad/ adjective. E16. [from beggar

noun +

-ly1.]

1 In the condition of or befitting a beggar; povertystricken; fig. intellectually poor, valueless. Ei6. 2 Mean, sordid, 116. ■ beggarliness noun Mie.

beggarly /'begali/ adverb, arch. [from beggar

noun

+

lme.

-ly2.]

As a beggar; indigently, humbly. beggary /'began/ noun. [from beggar

noun

+

lme.

-Y3.]

1 The condition of a beggar; extreme poverty, 2 The action or habit of begging, lme. t3 Contemptible stuff, rubbish. M16-M17. 4 Beggars collectively, arch, mi6. 15 Contemptible meanness. Only in Ei7.

lme.

S3 1 Swift This coin.. will reduce the kingdom to beggary. 2 X. Herbert Perhaps he would abandon beggary when there was no poor fool about to beg from. 3 J. Foxe Your Ceremonies in the Church be beggary and poyson. 5 Shakes. Cymb. Not I.. pronounce the beggary of his

change.

beghard /'begad/ noun. Mi6. [medieval Latin Beghardus from Old French Begard, -art. Middle Dutch Beggaert, Middle High German Beghart, from stem of Beguina etc.: see beguine noun', -ard.] Hist. A member of one of the lay brotherhoods which

arose in the Low Countries in the 13th cent, in imitation of the female beguines. begift /bi'gift/ verb trans. lme.

Expr. amazement or emphasis.

[from BE- 4 + gift noun.]

began verb pa. t. of begin.

[from be- 1 + gild verb'.]

begem bi'djem/ verb trans. Infl. -mm-, mis. [from be- 4 + gem noun.]

2 beginner's luck good luck supposed to attend a beginner at games etc.

beginning /bi'giniij/ noun. me. [formed as prec. + -inc1.]

1 Entering upon existence or action; bringing into existence; commencing, origination, me. 2 The point at which anything begins; spec, the time when the universe began to be. me, 3 An origin or source, me. ►|b A first cause, a first prin¬ ciple. LME-L16. 4 The first part (of a period of time, of a book, journey, etc.); the earliest stage of development (freq. in pi.), me. CO 2 Coverdale Hab. 1:12 Thou o Lorde.. art from the begynnynge. B. Spock If you miss, you must penalize your¬ self, go back to the beginning, and start again. P. Davies The vexed question of whether it is possible.. for time to have a beginning or ending has been debated by philosophers for over two thousand years. 3 Carlyle Thy true.. Beginning and Father is in Heaven. 4 Book of Common Prayer Who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Adam Smith Great fortunes acquired from small beginnings.]. R. Green The beginnings of physical science were more slow and timid there. G. B. Shaw You have made a slip at the very beginning of your fairy tale. Isaiah Berlin All movements have origins, forerunners, imperceptible beginnings. Day Lewis Looking at that photograph of our house in the Queen's County, and blindly reaching out across fifty-four years to my beginnings, the beginning of the end the first clear sign of the end of something. ■ beginningless adjective without a beginning, uncreated

[Old English begietan. corresp. to Old Saxon bigetan seize. Old High German bigezzan receive = Gothic bigrtan find: see be-, get verb.]

11 Get, acquire, esp, by effort, oe-ei?. 2 Procreate (usu. said of the father, occas. of both parents), me. ►tb Get with child. LME-E17. 3 fig. Call into being, occasion; give rise to, Li 6. £□ 2 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI Richard, Edward’s son. The firstbegotten and the lawful heir. V. Woolf Begetting one son .. by Lady Bradshaw. A. Storr It is unproven that the strong¬ est males necessarily beget the strongest offspring, fig.: Book of Common Prayer The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten. 3 Conan Doyle As usual, famil¬ iarity begat contempt. ■ begetter noun a person who begets; a procreator, an origin¬ ator: LME.

beggar/'begs/ noun. me. [from beg verb + -ar3.]

1 A person who begs; esp. a person who lives by begging, me. 2 A person in needy circumstances; a poor person, me. 3 A mean or low fellow; joc a person, a chap. Now also euphem. for bugger noun1 3. me. 14 A person who begs a favour; a suppliant. LME-E17. 15 A person who begs the question. L16-E19. Ea 1 Proverb: Beggars cannot be choosers, sturdy beggar: see sturdy adjective, valiant beggar see valiant adjective 1. 2 Coverdale Ecclus 37:30 Some man.. can geve.. prudent councell.. and contynueth a begger. 3 E. Langley At last, the poor little beggars did their dialogue to a thunder of wellfed applause. Fortune The plane starts taxiing in from the runway, and look: the beggars are already standing up ready to jump off. Comb: beggar’s purse N. Amer. an appetizer consisting of a crepe stuffed with a savoury filling, orig. caviar and creme fraiche; beggar-ticks (the prickly fruits of) any of several N American bur-marigolds, esp. Bidensfrondosa. m begqarhood noun (people in) the condition of a beggar me. beggarism noun (now rare) practice characteristic of a beggar beggary Mi7. ’

beggar /'begs/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

1 Make a beggar of; impoverish, lme. 2 Exhaust the resources of; go beyond, outdo. E17. k cat, 1 leg, m

[Old English beginnan = Old Frisian biginna, Old Saxon. Old High German biginnan (Dutch. German beginnen), from West Germanic, formed as be- + Germanic base of unkn. origin, found in various compounds meaning 'begin'.] 1 verb intrans. Take the first step in some action or

process; commence, start. (Foil, by inf.) OE. 2 verb intrans. Come into being, start occurring, arise; have its commencement or nearest boundary (at some place or time), oe. 3 verb trans. Set about doing, start upon; perform the first part of. oe. 4 verb trans. Start (a thing) on its course, bring into being, initiate; be the first to do. me. 5 verb intrans. & trans. Start speaking (with the words). LME. 6 verb intrans. (Usu. with preceding neg.) Come any¬ where near, show any attempt or likelihood to do some¬ thing; ellipt. (US) compare in any degree (with), colloq. M19. 1 AV Gen. 4:26 Then began men to call upon the Name of the Lord. Byron My way is to begin with the beginning. E. O'Neill During dinner I began to get a headache. Day Lewis The night I began to be bom. G. Vidal He paused and then he began to speak carefully but casually. 2 AV Num. 16:46 There is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. J. Bryce The greatness of the Prussian monarchy begins with Frederick II. OED The paragraph begins about the middle of the page. L. DuRRELLHe had already given the signal for dinner to begin. 3 Chestereield The Spaniards began their conquests .. by the islands of St. Domingo and Cuba. Earl of Chatham I rejoice to hear you have begun Homer's Iliad. J. B. Priestley They begin work at half-past seven and end at five. R. Graves The senior Consul called for order and began reading the letter. 4 Pope Proud Nimrod first the savage chace began. J. M. Barrie Watch whether Crichton begins any of his answers to my questions with The fact is . R. H. Tawney The events which seemed to aris¬ tocratic Parliamentarians to close the revolution seemed to the left wing of the victorious army only to begin it 5 Milton To whom th' Arch-Enemy.. Breaking the horrid silence, thus began: [etc.]. Scott Fitzgerald 'You ought to live in California—’ began Miss Baker, but Tom interrupted her. 6 M. Twain There ain't a book that begins with it N. Mailer The American hipsters' writings cannot begin to compare with the work of the arch-hipsters of modem Euro¬ pean literature, Celine and Genet. Lady Bird Johnson I cannot begin to say how impressed I am with Mrs Rose Kennedy. --...... in speuuneea senses: Degin at start fre begin on set to work at. begin school attend school for the f time, begin the dance: see dance noun, begin the world star n no, p pen,

r red.

s sit,

116.

be-

1,

gird

verb'.]

1 Gird about or around, oe. 2 Encompass, encircle with. oe. |3 Besiege. LI6-H8. begirdle/bi'gaidfo)!/ verb trans.

Cover with, or as with, gold. begin /bi'gin/ verb. Pa. t. began /bi'gan/, tbegun Pres, pple beginning /bi'ginig/. Pa. pple begun /bi'gAn/.

beget /bi’gst/ verb trans. Pa. t. begot /bi'gDt/, (arch.) begat /bi'gat/; pres, pple begetting; pa. pple begotten /bi'gDt(3)n/.

f few, g get. h he. j yes,

1 A person who begins; an originator, lme. 2 A person just beginning to learn a skill etc.; a novice, an inexperienced person, lme.

[from be-

Set about or stud with gems.

b but, d dog.

[from prec. + -er‘.]

[Old English begyrdan: see

begild /bi'gild/ verb trans. Pa. pple begilded, begilt /bi'gilt/. Li6.

begat verb see beget.

beginner/bi'gino/noun. lme.

begird /bi'gsrd/ verb trans. Now literary. Pa. t. & pple begirt /bi'gart/.

11 Entrust. Only in lme. 2 Present with gifts. li 6.

begah noun var. of bigha.

life begin upon = begin on above, begin with take first or as one's starting-point, to begin with at the outset; as a first point. ■ beginning adjective that begins; eduguioiv (N. Amer.) elementary: L16.

1

+ girdle

Mi9.

verb.]

Encompass like a girdle. begirt /bi'gs:t/ verb1 trans. Pa. t. & pple begirt. E17. [from be- 1 + girt verb'.]

Surround, encircle, begirt verb2 pa. t. & pple of begird. beglamour /bi'glams/ verb trans. Also *-or. M19. [from be- 4 + glamour noun.]

Glamorize; invest with (deceptive) glamour. beglerbeg /'begbbeg/ noun. Also -bey /-bei/. Mi6. [Turkish = bey of beys, from beg noun1, pi. begler.] Hist. The governor of a province of the "Ottoman Empire,

in rank next to the grand vizier. begloom /bi'glu:m/ verb trans. L18. [from

be-

4

+ gloom

noun'.]

Render gloomy. begnaw /bi'no:/ verb trans. Pa. pple -gnawed, -gnawn /-‘nxn/. [Old English begnagan: see

be-i, gnaw

verb.]

Gnaw at, nibble, corrode. bego /bi'gso/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. as pa. pple begone /bi'gDn/, now only in woebegone. [Old English began. Old Saxon bigangan, Old High German bigan. Gothic bigaggan: see be-2, go verb.]

Go round or about; surround, overrun; beset, afflict; adorn, clothe. begob /bi'gob/ interjection. Anglo-Irish. L19. [Alt. of by God!: cf.

etc.)

begad

Expr. amazement or emphasis. begone /bi'gDn/ verb1 intrans. Only in imper. & inf. lme. [Imper. & inf. BEWARE.]

be

gone (see

go

verb 30) treated as one word- cf

Go away immediately. G3 Carlyle Kaiser’s Ambassador.. is angrily ordered to begone. W. de la Mare Sweet sounds, begone.

begone verb2 see bego. begonia /bi'gaunis/ noun. mis. [mod. Latin (see below), from Michel Begon (1638-1710), French patron of science: see -ia1.]

A plant of the genus Begonia, having a coloured perianth but no petals, and often brilliant foliage. begorra /bi'gora/ interjection. Anglo-Irish. Also -ah. M19. [Alt. of by God!: cf.

begad

etc.]

Expr. amazement or emphasis. begot, begotten verbs see beget.

t top, v van, w we, z zoo. J she,

3

vision,

6 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

211

begrace | behold

begrace /bi'greis/ verb trans. Ei6. [from

be-

3+

grace

behave /bi'heiv/ verb. lme.

noun.]

[from be- 1 + have verb (with early stressed pronunc.).] 1 verb refl. & (now usu.J intrans. Conduct or bear oneself

Address as ‘your grace’.

in a specified manner, lme. 12 verb trans. Handle, manage, regulate. EI6-M17. 3 verb refl. & intrans. Esp. to or of a child: conduct oneself well or with propriety; show good manners. 117. 4 verb intrans. Of a thing: function, act, or react in a spe¬ cified manner. mi 9.

begrease /bi'gri:s/ verb trans. Mi6. [from be- i + grease

verb.]

Besmear with grease. begrime /bi'grAim/ verb trans. M16. [from be- 4 "E grime noun.]

Blacken with grime; make grimy.

1 behave to, behave towards deal with or treat (someone) in a specified way. ill-behaved see ill adverb, well-behaved: see well adverb.

begrudge /bi’grAcky verb trans. lme. [from be- i + grudge verb.]

Feel or show dissatisfaction at (a thing); resentfully envy (a person) the possession of; give reluctantly. £3 Shaftesbury They will.. begrudg the pains of attending. S. Unwin No time spent by parents on their children during that period should be begrudged. A. Sillitoe He begrudged big talkers their unearned glory. D. Lodge I didn’t really begrudge him the food, since he was obviously starved of decent home cooking. ■ begrudging adjective given or done in a grudging manner or spirit M19. begrudgingly adverb M19.

begrutten /bi'grAt(3)n/ adjective. Scot. Ei7. [from

be-

+ grutten pa. pple of greet verb2.]

Swollen in the face with much weeping. beguile /bi'gAil/ noun. arch. Long obsolete exc. Scot. lme. [from the verb.]

Deception. beguile /bi'gAil/ verb trans. me. [from be- i + degiler.]

guile

verb: cf. Middle Dutch begilen. Anglo-Norman

1 Deceive, delude. ME. 2 Deprive of by fraud; cheat (out) o/(something) or into (doing), me. |3 Cheat (hopes etc., or a person in them); disappoint, foil. L15-M17. 4 Divert, distract (a person, his or her attention); charm, amuse. Li 6. 5 Divert one’s attention pleasantly from (time passing, something tedious or unpleasant); while away (time). L16. ■ beguilement noun E19 beguiler noun adjective that beguiles; esp. charming, beguilingly adverb M19.

beguiling ppl fascinating; Li6.

lme

[Colloq. French.]

An infatuation, a fancy. beguine /bei'gim/ noun1. Also be-, lme. [Old & mod. French beguine (Middle Dutch. Middle High German begine), medieval Latin Beguina, perh. ult. from Middle Dutch verb = mutter (prayers): see-ine3.]

A member of a lay sisterhood in the Low Countries, formed in the 12th cent, and not bound by vows.

■ beguinage /'beigrnid3, -00:3/ noun an establishment of, or house for. beguines Li7.

beguin.]

(The distinctive rhythm of) a dance of W. Indian origin. begum /'beigsnV noun. Mi7. [Urdu begum from Eastern Turkic begim, formed as 1st person sing, possess, suffix.]

beg

noun1 + -im

In the Indian subcontinent: a Muslim noblewoman or lady of high rank. Also (B-), a title given to a married Muslim woman (= Mrs). begun verb see begin. [Origin unkn.]

► A noun. A piece of deception, a trick. E18. ► B verb trans. Play a trick on, take in. E19. on his halve

and

bi halve him,

both meaning 'on his side': see by preposition, half noun.]

1 on behalf of. (now chiefly N. Amer.) in behalf of : ►a As the agent or representative of (another); in the name of. me. Fb On the part of, proceeding from. (Long rare or obsolete but revived L20.) lme. fc In the interest or for the benefit of (another person, a cause, etc.): for the sake of. Li6. 2 in this behalf, in that behalf, fon this behalf, fon that behalf, in respect of or concerning a particular matter, arch. lme. behang /bi'hag/ verb trans. obsolete exc. as pa. pple behung /bi'horj/. verb.]

Drape or hang (a thing) about with. tbehappen verb trans. & intrans. lme-mi7. [from be- 1, 2 + HAPPEN

1 be on one’s best behaviour, be on one’s good behaviour take care to behave well (when being observed or tested). Comb.: behaviour pattern a set of actions which occur charac¬ teristically in a given situation and are regarded as a unified whole; behaviour therapy treatment of a psychological dis¬ order by gradual training of the patient to react normally.

behavioural /bi'hervjar(3)l/ adjective. Also *-ior-. E20. [from prec. + -al'.]

Of, pertaining to, or forming part of behaviour, behavioural science the science of animal (and human) behaviour. ■ behaviouralism noun behavioural science esp. as applied to politics M20. behaviouralist noun & adjective (a) noun a practi¬ tioner of behaviouralism; (b) adjective of or pertaining to behaviouralism or behaviouralists; M20. behaviouraily adverb as regards behaviour M20.

behaviourism bi'heivjanzfalm/ noun. Also *-ior- E20. [formed as prec. + -ism.] psychology. The doctrine that objective investigation of

■ behaviourist noun an adherent or practitioner of behaviour¬ ism E20. behaviou risticadjective E20 behaviou ristically adverb E20.

behead /bi'hed/ verb trans. [Old English beheafdian: see be- 4. head noun.]

Cut off the head or top part of; kill in this way. a beheadal noun M19.

beheld verb pa. t. & pple of behold. [Hebrew behemot intensive pi. ofbeficmdli beast.] An enormous creature (in Job 40:15 prob. a hippopot¬ amus or a crocodile); fig. something vast. £Q S. B. FLEXNERThe Great Eastern ... an iron behemoth designed for the England-to-India run. a behemothian /bi:hi'm8u6ran/ adjective (literary) ofa behemoth; monstrously huge: E20.

behest /bi'hest/ noun. [Old English behis (+ parasitic t) from Germanic base meaning 'bid, call’: see be-, hest, hight verb.]

behight /bi'hAit/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. (rare). Pa. t. & pple behight. (later) -ed.

behalf /bi'haif/ noun. me.

be-i. hang

1 Manner of bearing oneself; demeanour, manners; observable actions; treatment shown to or towards another or others, lme. Ffb spec. Good manners, elegant deportment. L16-E18. 2 (As a count noun) An instance or way of behaving. Now usu. of animals or people as objects of study: an observable pattern of actions, a response to a stimulus. Mi6. 3 The way in which an object, device, substance, etc., acts or works. Li7.

fl A vow, a promise. OE-L16. 2 A command; bidding, instigation. Now chiefly in at the behest of me.

begunk /bi'gATjk/ noun & verb. Scot. E18.

[Old English behon: see

[from prec. after haviour.)

behemoth /bi'hi:mD0, 'bchimauG/noun. lme.

beguine/bi'gi:n/noun-. E20.

[from combination of earlier phrs.

behaviour /bi'hervja/ noun. Also *-or. lme.

stimuli and responses is the only valid psychological method; psychological analysis in terms of stimulus and response.

beguin fbegll noun. PL pronounced same. E20.

[Amer. French from French

behavior noun, behavioral adjective, behaviorism noun see behaviour etc.

verb.]

Befall. Behari adjective & noun var. of Bihari. a cat, a: arm. e bed. a: her. 1 sit, 1 cosy, i: see, d hot, a

[Old English behatan, bi- = Old High German biheiszan: see be-, hight verb ]

► I Proper uses. 1 Vow, promise; hold out hope of; warrant, oe. ► II Improper uses introduced by Spenser. 12 Grant, deliver; command, ordain. Only in Li6. 3 Call, name. Li6. behind /bi'hAind/ adverb, preposition, & noun.

[Old English behindan, bi- = Old Saxon bihindan, from bi by preposition + hindan from behind (= Old High German hint ana (German hinten) behind. Gothic hindana beyond, etc.: cf. hind adjective.] ► A adverb. 1 Remaining after the departure of oneself or

others; in a place, position, state, etc., from which others or other things have gone or been removed, oe. rb In reserve, still to come. arch. me. Fc In the past. lme. 2 At the back of something stationary, in the rear; on the far side of something, hidden, oe. Fb spec. Behind the scenes in a theatre. E19. 3 In the rear of something moving; following, trailing; at a less advanced stage of progress, rank, attainment, ; saw, A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

etc. me. Fb Less advanced than one should be; in arrears (with payments etc.), lme. 4 Late; slow in coming forward. Long obsolete exc. dial. ME. 5 Towards or into the rear; backwards, lme. £E3 1 Donne To leave this world behinde, is death. T. H. Huxley The salt is left entirely behind, and nothing but pure water evaporated. A. J. P. Taylor Conditions for those who remained behind were also bad. P. Jay I left the table behind In the attic, b Ld Macaulay But stronger evidence is behind, c Shakes. Sonn. My grief lies onward and my joy behind. 2 Shakes. Jul Cues. Damned Casca, like a cur, behind Struck Caesar on the neck. T. S. Eliot Shall 1 part my hair behind? J. Squire A place Of dingy yards with towering buildings behind. Daily Telegraph To be caught behind off the last ball of an over, stop behind see stop verb 22c. 3 [as. Mill The opponents were not behind in violence. W. S. Churchill In a poll of about 23,000 votes.. I was 1,300 behind and Mr. Mawdsley about 30 lower. B. England Now Lt Truly hobbles on from the right, far behind, limping, come from behind win after lagging, b W. Maxwell His father gets behind in his spring plowing because of the rains. E. Figes A bit rushed, having somehow got behind with everything. 5 Wordsworth O'er rough and smooth she trips along. And never looks behind.

► B preposition (in Old English also with dat. obj.). 1 In a place, position, state, etc. left by (a person who or thing which has gone); existing from or belonging to the earlier life of (a person still alive or now dead). (Usu. with pronoun.) oe. 2 At the rear or back of (someone or something station¬ ary); on the further side of (esp. so as to be concealed), beyond, oe. Fb fig. At the back of as a supporter or as a cause or instigator, mi9. 3 Towards the back or further side of; backwards from; into a position at the rear of. me. Fb fig. Out of one’s attention or thought. M19. 4 In the rear of; after, following; inferior to in progress, rank, attainment, etc. lme. 5 Later than (a set time). Li6. £□ 1 Shakes. Twel. N. He left behind him myself and a sister. G. B. Shaw I had left the follies.. of the old days behind me for ever. K. Amis The last two and a half years freelancing.., with even a book behind him. S. Hill The gate clicked shut behind Doctor Sparrow. 2 S. Johnson They wondered how a youth of spirit could spend the prime of life behind a counter. G. Ewart I know that behind her spectacles she/ has the most beautiful eyes. J. le Carre He lives in Chelsea, just behind Sloane Square, behind bars: see bar noun1 2a. behind closed doors, behind one’s back: see back noun\ behind the curtain see curtain noun 4. behind the scenes: see scene. behind the veil: see veil noun 3. hide behind a person’s skirts see skirt noun 1. b J. Martineau Behind every phenomenon we must assume a power. S. Hill She liked flowers, liked even more the thought behind them. B. England At least it would have the sanction of proper authority behind it. 3 AV Matt. 26:23 Get thee behind mee, Satan. S. Johnson Venturing to look behind him. OED The sun has sunk behind the mountains. L. Uris She walked up behind him and touched his shoulder, b put behind one refuse to consider. 4 R. Hooker Beasts, though otherwise behind men, may.. in actions of sense and fancy go beyond them. Sir W. Scott Behind him rode two gallant squires. E. Waugh Of the Uni¬ versity he said: ‘No, I was never here. It just means you start life three years behind the other fellow’. J. le Carre Peters was three or four behind him in the queue, behind the times: see time noun. 5 Shakes. AY.L. If you .. come one minute behind your hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise, behind schedule, behind time unpunctual, late. Other phrases: fbehind the hand = behindhand.

► C noun. 1 The buttocks, colloq. L18. 2 austral, rules football. A kick etc. scoring one point. Li 9. behindhand /bi'hAindhand/ adverb & pred. adjective, mi6. [from behind preposition + hand noun, after beforehand.]

1 In arrears with regard to payments or other obliga¬ tions. Ml 6. 2 Less advanced than others or than one should be; lacking in (a quality etc.), mi6. 3 Behind time, late; out of date. Ei8. behither /bi'hido/ preposition & adverb, obsolete exc. dial. Ei6. [from be- + hither: cf. behind etc.]

On this side (of). Behmenism noun var. of Boehmenism. behold /bi'hoold/ verb, literary or arch. Pa. t. beheld /-'held/; pa. pple beheld, tbeholden (cf. next). [Old English bihaldan = Old Frisian bihalda, Old Saxon bihaldan, (Dutch behouden), Old High German bihaltan (German behalten): see be-, hold verb.] 11 verb trans. Hold, retain. OE-E16. |2 verb trans. & intrans. Concern, relate to; pertain to.

OE-LME. f3 verb trans. & intrans. Regard, consider; have regard (un)to. OE-LME. 4 verb trans. See, become aware of by sight; hold in view, watch, oe. 5 verb intrans. Look, obsolete exc. as in sense 7. me. |6 verb trans. Of buildings, land, etc.: look towards, face. LME-L17. ao no. e: hair, ia near. 01 boy. oa poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

212

beholden | belfry 7 In imper. as interjection, used to call or direct attention: Look! Lo! M16. 7 lo and behold: see lo interjection'. m beholder noun a person who beholds, a watcher: lme. beholding noun seeing, sight; a thing beheld, a vision: me. beholding adjective (a) looking, watching; (h) (obsolete exc. dial.: orig. an error for beholden) under an obligation, dependent: L15.

beholden /bi'hsuldjajn/pred. adjective, lme. [Orig. pa. pple of prec., which is not otherwise attested in these senses.]

1 Under an obligation (to); indebted, lme. 2 Duty-bound. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

beisa/'beisa/noun.

A gemsbok of the E. African race, Oryx gazella beisa. Also beisa oryx. Beja /'bed33/ noun & adjective. E19. [African name.]

► A noun. PI. same. A member of a nomadic Cushitic people living between the Nile and the Red Sea; the Cushitic language of this people. Ei9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Beja. M20. bejabers /bi'd3eib3z/ interjection. Anglo-Irish. Also -jabb/-'d3ab-/, t-jap(p)-. E19. [Alt.

behoof /bi'hu:f/ noun. arch. [Old English beh6/= Old Frisian bihof Middle & mod. Dutch behoef, Middle High German behugf (German beta/), from West Germanic, formed as be- + var. of base of heave verb.]

Benefit, advantage. Chiefly in for behoof of, for the behoof of, on behoof of, on the behoof of, to behoof of, to the behoof of. behove bi'hoov/ verb. Also “behoove /bi'hu:v/. [Old English behofian = Old Frisian bihovia, Middle Low German behoven, Middle Dutch behoeven, from prec.] 11 verb trans. Have need of, require. oe-mi7. f 2 verb trans. & intrans. Be physically of use or needful (to). OE-M17.

3 verb trans. Be morally required of (a person), be incum¬ bent upon; befit. Now usu. impers. in behoves to do, (usu.) it behoves to do, etc. oe. 4 verb intrans, Be proper or due, be suited. Now usu. impers. in (it) behoves etc. (Foil, by to; impers. to do, that.) arch. oe. 5 verb intrans. (with pers. subj.) Be under obligation to do. Long obsolete exc. Scot. lme.

beigel noun var. of bagel. beignet/'bsnjei, ben’jE; foreign bejie (pi. same)/ noun. M19. [French.]

A fritter; spec. (US) a square of fried dough eaten hoi sprinkled with icing sugar. Usu. in pi. bein /bi:n/ adjective & adverb. Long obsolete exc. dial, (chiefl) Scot.). Also bien. me. [Origin unkn.]

► A adjective. 1 Pleasant, kindly; nice, good. me. 2 Comfortable, well-furnished. Mi6. 3 Comfortably off, well-to-do. M16. ► B adverb. Pleasantly, nicely, lme. being I'barjl noun. me. [from be + -Inc1.]

1 Existence, material or immaterial; life. me. ►b Existence in some specified condition, circumstance etc. El 6. |2 Condition; standing, position; livelihood, me- E19. 3 Substance, constitution; nature, essence- person ME. 4 That which exists or is conceived as existing; esp. a person or other intelligent creature, lme. P 1 Tindale Arts 17:28 In him we lyve, move & have oure beynge. S. Johnson Good humour.. is the balm of being. R A Freeman The house had no corporate being. Tolkien the Light of the Trees I brought into being, being-for-itself philosophy conscious being, being as actuality, being-in-itself philosophy being that lacks conscious awareness, being as potentiality, call into being: see call verb, fleet in being see FLEET noun'. In being existing, in existence, b Coverdale Luke 9:33 Master here is good beynge for vs. G. Burnet What he has acquired during his being a Bishop. W. Faulkner Evil is a part of man,.. the same as repentance and being brave. 2 Steele Such.. as want help towards getting into some being in the world. 3 Trevisa The comparyson bitwene a poynte and a lyne in beynge. M. de la Roche He awoke with a start, exated in all his being. B. Bettelheim Man's inner¬ most being.. —man’s soul. 4 Baroness Orczy A surging seething murmuring crowd, of beings that are human only in name. I Murdoch A separate being with troubles and desires of her own. C. Sagan The probability that we are fre¬ quently visited by extraterrestrial beings, human being see human adjective, the Supreme Being God. 9 ■ beingness noun M17.

being verb pres, pple of be.

becjaune yellow beak, i.e. fledgling, with

A first-year undergraduate, orig. at any Scottish univer¬ sity but now only at St Andrews. tbejap(p)ers interjection vars. of bejabers. bejasus interjection var. of bejesus. bejel/'beid3(a)l,

'b£d3-/noun. E20.

[Iraqi Arab.)

medicine. A non-venereal form of syphilis formerly endemic in N. Africa and the Middle East. bejesuit /bi'd3ezjuit/ verb trans. M17. [from be-3,4 + Jesuit.]

Initiate into Jesuitism; subject to the influence of Jesuits. bejesus /bi'd3i:z3s/ interjection. bejasus /bi'djeizas/. E20. [Alt.

of

by Jesus!:

cf.

Also

(esp. Anglo-Irish)

bejabers.]

Expr. amazement or emphasis. bejewel /bi'd3u:3l/ verb trans. Infl. -II-, *-l- mi6. [from be- 4 + jewel noun.]

Deck or adorn (as) with jewels; spangle. bekiss /bi'kis/ verb trans. L16. [from be- 1 + kiss

verb.]

Kiss excessively; cover with kisses.

beige /bei3, beii-jJ noun & adjective, mi9. [French.]

bejesus.]

[French bejaune, from parasitic t]

behung verb pa. t. & pple of behang.

► A noun. 1 A fine woollen fabric, usu. undyed and unbleached. M19. 2 A yellowish-grey colour like that of undyed and unbleached wool. L19. ► B adjective. Esp. of fabrics: of a yellowish-grey colour. LI 9.

by Jesus.1: cf.

Expr. amazement or emphasis.

[from BEHOOF + -FUL.)

Advantageous, expedient; necessary, fitting.

of

bejant /’bi:d3(3)nt/ noun. Scot. Also t-jan. M17.

■ behovely adjective (long rare) = behoveful oe.

behoveful /bi'hauvful, -f(a)l/ adjective, arch. lme.

M19.

[Amharic.]

beknave /bi'nerv/ verb trans. E16. [from be- 3 + knave

noun.]

Treat as or call a knave. beknow /bi'nsu/ verb trans. Long arch. & dial. Pa. t. beknew /bi'nju:/; pa. pple beknown /bi'nsun/. me. Be or become acquainted with; recognize, acknow¬ ledge, know. be beknown of be aware of, avow, acknowledge

bel /bel/ noun1. E20. [from Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), inventor of the tele¬ phone.]

A logarithmic unit used in comparing electrical power levels, intensities of sounds, etc., corresponding to a power ratio of 10 to 1. Cf. decibel. bel noun2 var. of bael. [Old French (fern, bele) from Latin betas, fem. beta.]

Fair, fine, beautiful. belabour /bi'leibs/ verb trans. Also *-or. lme. 1,2 +

labour

verb.]

jbel-accoil noun. me-li6. bel acoil fair welcome.]

Kindly greeting, welcome. belah /'bids/ noun. Austral. Also -ar. M19. [Aboriginal.]

(The timber of) any of various trees of the genus Casuarina. tbelamour noun. LI6-E17. [French, formed

as bel

adjective +

amour.]

A loved one, a sweetheart, f belamy noun. ME-L17. [Old French bel ami.]

Fair friend (esp. as a form of address). belap /bi’lap/ verb trans. Long rare. Infl. -pp- me [from

be-

1+

lap

verb2.]

Lap about, enfold, surround, belar noun var. of belah. belate /bfleit/ verb trans. Earliest & now only as next. E17. [from be- 3 + late

adjective.]

Make late, delay. belated /bi’leitid/ adjective. E17. [from prec. +

-ed’.]

1 Overtaken by darkness, arch. E17. 2 Delayed; tardy; coming (too) late. M17.

b but, d dog, f few. 9 get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m man.

[from be-

1

M19.

+ laud verb.]

Load with praise. belay /bi'lei, in mountaineering also 'bi:lei/ verb & noun. [Old English belecgan = Old Frisian bilega, Dutch beleggen. Old High German bileggen (German belegen); branch II is app. a re-formation on the Dutch: see be-, lay verb'.] ► A verb, fl 1 verb trans. Surround, enclose, adorn, etc.,

with; beset, beleaguer; waylay,

oe-mis.

CQ 1 Spenser A woodmans iacket.. Of Lincolne greene, belayd with silver lace. Dryden The speedy Horse all pas¬

sages belay. ► II2 verb trans. & intrans. nautical. Fix (a rope) round a cleat, pin, etc., to secure it; secure (something) thus. Mi6. ►b In imper., freq. foil, by there; stop! enough! no more of (something)! slang. Ei9. 3 transf. a verb trans. gen. Make fast, tie, secure, mi8. ►b verb trans. & intrans. mountaineering. Fix (a rope) round a rock, piton, etc.; secure (a climber, oneself) thus. E20. 2 belaying pin a heavy wooden or iron pin which can be fixed in position for belaying on. ► B noun, mountaineering. An act of belaying; the point where this is done. E20. running belay, thread belay, etc.

bel canto /bel kantau/ noun phr. L19. [Italian = fine song.]

(A style of) singing characterized by full rich broad tone, legato phrasing, and accomplished technique. belch /beltj/ verb & noun. Also (long obsolete exc. dial.) belk /belk/. See also bolk. [Old English: forms in /k/ repr. telcan, forms in /tj/ repr. either a related form or a shortening of belcettan, beak] ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Emit wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth, oe. 2 verb trans. Emit by belching; utter forcibly, give vent to. Usu. foil, by out. oe. 3 verb trans. |a lit. Vomit. M16-L18. kb Eject, send/orth or out; expel violently. Li6. 4 verb intrans. Gush out; flow in gulps. L16. 1 An act of belching. E16.

2 Poor beer; malt liquor, arch, slang.

L17.

belcher /'beltja/ noun. arch. E19. [Jem Belcher (d. 1811), English pugilist.]

A neckerchief with white spots on a blue ground. beldam /'beldam/ noun. arch. Also -dame.

lme.

[from bel adjective + dam noun2.]

11 A grandmother; any remote ancestress. LME-M19. 2 An old woman; a hag, a virago. Li6. L16.

[Dutch belegeren, formed as be- + leaguer noun' or verb.] Besiege (lit. or fig.). ■ beleaguerer noun (rare) E17.

belee /bi'li:/ verb trans. rare. Pa. t. & pple beleed. E17. [from be-

11 Cultivate, till. Only in lme. 2 Buffet, thrash, assail, lme. 13 Labour at, ply. Only in 17. 4 Labour (a point etc.); treat at excessive length, overuse. E20. [Old French

belaud /bi'lo:d/ verb trans.

beleaguer /bi'lkgs/ verb trans.

fbel adjective. ME-117.

be-

■ belatedly adverb L19. belatedness noun M17.

Belauan noun & adjective var. of Palauan.

► Bnoun.

[from be- 1 + know verb.]

[from

Q 1C. White Belated shepherd swains See the cowl’d spectre. 2 S. T. Warner I have been shamelessly belated in writing to thank you. D. Bagley He.. realized with belated terror that he had nearly been shot.

4

+ lee noun1.]

Cut off from the wind, becalm. belemnite /'bebmnAit/ noun. E17. [mod. Latin belemnites, from Greek belemnon dart: see -ite'.] PALAtONTOLOCY. A tapering sharp-pointed fossil from the internal shell of an extinct cephalopod of the order Belemnoidea, most abundant in Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits; the animal itself. ■ beiemnitic /-'nitik/ adjective pertaining to or yielding belem¬ nites mi9. belemnoid adjective & noun (a cephalopod) belonging to Belemnoidea; pertaining to or resembling an animal of this order: 119. bel esprit /bel espri/ noun phr. PI. beaux esprits /boz csnri/ M17.

[French = fine mind.] A brilliant or witty person. belfry /'belfri/ noun.

me.

[Old French berfrei, later belfrei, be(ljjroi (mod. be/froi), in medieval Latin bel- berfridus, etc., from Frankish (= Middle High German ber(c)vnt), prob. from verb meaning ’protect’ + base of frith noun1forms with / reinforced by assoc, with bell.]

1 A (movable) wooden tower employed as a siege engine. Long obsolete exc. Hist. me. 2 A bell tower, usu. attached to a church etc., but some¬ times standing separate, me. kb A chamber or storey in which bells are hung. mis. kC A chamber or space where bell-ringers stand. Mi6. 3 A shed for cattle, carts, etc. dial. Mi6. 4 A housing or canopy for a ship’s bell, often highly decorated, mis. 5 The head, slang. E20. 2b have bats in the belfry: see bat noun3.

n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top. v van. w we. z zoo, Jshe.

3

vision,

0

thin, 3 this, g ring, tj chip, d3jar

213

Belgae | Bell

Belgae /'beU^:/ noun pi. Ei7.

believe /bi'liiv/ verb.

[Latin.]

[Late Old English belyfan, belefan, replacing, by prefix-substitution, earlier gelefan, (West Saxon) gelie/ati = Old Frisian geteva, Old Saxon giloBan (Dutch geloovert), Old High German gilouben (German giauben), Gothic galaubjan, from Germanic, formed as y- + lief.] ► I verb intrans. 1 Have confidence or faith in or (arch.) on (a

An ancient people of N. Gaul and S. Britain. tbelgard

noun. LI6-E19.

[Italian belguardo.]

A kind or loving look.

person, God, etc.), loe. 2 Put one’s trust or have confidence in (or fon) the truth of (a proposition, doctrine, etc.), the efficacy or advisabil¬ ity of (a principle, institution, practice, etc.), the exist¬ ence of (a person or thing), the occurrence of (an event).

Belgian /'beld3(a)n/ noun & adjective. E17. [from Belgium (see below) + -an.]

(A native or inhabitant) of Belgium, orig. the whole Continental territory of the Belgae or the Low Countries generally, since 1830 an independent country on the south shore of the North Sea and English Channel.

LOE. 3 absol. Exercise (esp. religious) faith; gen. hold an

opinion, think, lme.

Special collocations: Belgian block US a type of stone paving block; Belgian hare a dark-red slender long-eared breed of domestic rabbit.

Belgic , 'beld3ik,

t4 Give credence LME-M17.

1 Of or pertaining to the Belgae. L16. 2 Of the Low Countries. E17. E17.

[from Belgian + -ie.]

A Belgian. Belgravian /bel'greman/ noun & adjective. M19. [from Belgravia (see below), from Belgrave Square in this district: see-iA', -an.]

(A resident) of Belgravia, a fashionable part of London south of Knightsbridge. Belial /'bidiol/ noun. [Hebrew

► II verb trans. 5 Accept the truth or reality of (a propos¬ ition etc.). ME. 6 Hold as true, be of the opinion, that; (with adverbial obj.) think so etc.; ellipt. (passing into verb intrans., paren¬ thetically) think that it is, was, etc. me. 7 Give credence to (someone making statements etc.).

ME.

behyya'al worthlessness.]

The Devil, Satan. belibel /bi'kiblajl/ verb trans. Infl. -II-, *-l-. E17. [from be- 1 + libel verb.]

Assail with libels; traduce, slander.

LME.

|8 Hold as true the existence of. L15-M18. 9 Think or suppose (someone or something) to be or to

belie /bi'Ui/ verb trans. Pa. t. belied /bi'Uid/; pres, pple & verbal noun belying /bi'lAtig/. [Old English beleogan = Old Frisian biliuga, Old High German biliugan (German beliigen): see be-, lie verb2.]

be. Ei6. CQ 5 J. Tyndall The Guide Chef evidently did not believe a word of it. E. O'Neill The bartender cannot believe his luck for a moment. 6 Defoe He believed there were more wolves a coming. B. Jowett Some one—Critias, I believe—went on to say [etc.]. E. Waugh There’s another sister too. I believe, in the schoolroom. G. Orwell How easy it was, thought Winston,.. to believe that the physical type set up by the Party as an ideal.. existed and even predominated. 7 Shakes. Sonn. When my love swears that she is made of truth, I do believe her. 8 G. Berkeley Shall we believe a God? 9 Milton Our Conqu'ror whom I now Of force believe Almighty. B. Lovell Anaximander believed our world to be only one of many.

► I|1 Deceive by lying. Only in oe. 2 Tell lies about (someone); slander, me. F|b Tell lies about (the truth, something). 1ME-M17. 13 Give the lie to, contradict; reject as false L16-M17. 4 Misrepresent; give a false notion of. E17. Fb Disguise, mask. Ei8. 5 Act or speak at variance with, be false or faithless to; show to be false, fail to corroborate or justify. Li7. EQ 2 D. Hume It was rendered criminal to belie the subjects of the king. 3 AV Jer. 5:12 They haue belyed the Lord, and said; It is not he. 4 Milton He a declar'd Papist, If his own letter to the Pope belye him not. G. Greene Her face didn’t belie her nature, for she was the kindest woman I knew, b L. Deighton The grimy condition of the coasters was belied by the fresh rain that had glossed their decks and given their hulls the polish of old jackboots. 5 W. Cowper Novels.. Belie their name, and offer nothing new. M. Beerbohm Only in that he forgot there was nothing to pay did he belie his calm. M. Bragg There was a silence after he stepped into the cottage, one so marked that it belied the existence of the querulous voice which had bidden him in. H. Clurman The actor who merely 'imitates' the surface impression that we might gather from a perusal of the play's text.. belies the art of the theatre. J. C. Oates That Veronica had a dainty appetite was bluntly belied by her full, comfort¬ able figure.

►fll 6 Fill with lies,

rare

Phrases: believe It or not colloq. it is surprising though true. believe me: see believe you me below, believe one's ear(s). believe one's eyes, etc., accept that what one apparently per¬ ceives is true (usu. in neg. contexts), believe you me, believe me colloq. it really is so. moke believe see make verb, would you believe it? colloq.: emphasizing the truth of a surprising fact etc. you’d better believe (it): see better adjective etc. ■ believa bility noun ability to be believed; credibility: Mia. believable adjective able to be believed; credible: lme. believer noun a person who believes, esp. in a particular religion (Old Believer see old adjective) lme. believlngly adverb with belief or faith M17.

belike /bi'Uik/ odverb & adjective, arch. Mi6. [from by preposition + like adjective or noun2.]

► A adverb. Probably; perhaps. Freq. iron. M16. ►t B adjective. Like, likely (to do something). M16-E19.

(Shakes.). Only in Ei7.

■ belier noun a person who belies

statement, etc.).

CP 1 AV John 3:16 For God., gave his only begotten Sonne; that whosoever beleeveth in him, should not perish, but have etemall life. G. B. Shaw I am going to be frank with you, I don't believe in doctors. G. Boycott Be positive and believe in yourself, otherwise you will start to doubt your own ability. 2 M. W. Montagu I find that I have.. a strong disposition to believe in miracles. J. B. Priestley It is only up here that you can believe in such people as Heathcliffe. G. Vidal Sullivan believed in exercise. A. J. P. Taylor Protection was carried by the Conservatives who claimed to believe in free enterprise. 3 Henry Fielding I will not believe so meanly of you. G. B. Shaw The right to think and believe according to our conscience. B. Rubens How long ago, Norman thought, had he truly believed, and when and at what precise moment, had he lost his faith.

adjective. 116.

[from Latin Belgicus, from Belgae: see -ic.]

Belgie /'belc^i/ noun. Now derog.

to (a person,

mis.

Belisha beacon /bi'liija 'bi:k(a)n/ nounphr. M20. belief /bi'li:f/noun. ME.

[Leslie Hore-Belishn (1893-1957), Brit, politician, Minister of Trans¬ port 1931-7.]

[Alt. of Old English geleafa: cf. next.]

1 Trust, confidence; faith. (Foil, by in, fof a person or thing.) me. Fb spec. Trust in God; religious faith; accept¬ ance of any received theology (passing into sense 2). me. 2 Mental acceptance of a statement, fact, doctrine, thing, etc., as true or existing. (Foil, by in a thing, in or of a statement etc., that something is the case.) me. 3 The thing believed; a proposition or set of proposi¬ tions held to be true; a religion; an opinion or persua¬ sion. ME. 4 the Belief, fone’s Belief, the Apostles’ Creed, arch.

A black and white post topped by an amber-coloured globe (now usu. containing a flashing light), erected on the pavement at each end of a pedestrian crossing. belittle /bi'lit(a)l/ verb trans. Orig. US. L18. [from

3+

LITTLE

adjective.]

■ belittlement noun L19. bellttllngly adverb in a belittling manner, depreciatingly L20.

ME.

belive /bi'lArv/ adverb, obsolete exc. Scot. me.

1 Tennyson Beyond mine old belief in womanhood. A. J. P. Taylor He had no belief in the administrative capacity of the Unionists, b Carlyle That war of the Puritans.. the war of Belief against Unbelief. C. P. Snow He went to church out of propriety more than belief. 2 P. Sidney My only defence shal be beleefe of nothing. OED His statements are unworthy of belief. Arnold Bennett He had been brought up in the belief that the Dragon was a place of sin. R. D. Laing Many people are prepared to have faith in the sense of scientifically indefensible belief in an untested hypothesis, beyond belief, see beyond preposition 6. to the best of one’s belief, see best adjective etc. 3 M. W. Montagu It is my belief you will not be at all the richer. J. Galsworthy If he had a political belief, it was a tax on wheat C. S. Forester Some of his beliefs and convictions had been almost shaken lately. La

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot,

BE-

1 Make small; diminish in size. L18. 2 Depreciate, decry. L18. 3 Cause to appear small; dwarf. M19.

[from by preposition + oblique form of life noun: cf. alive.]

Quickly, speedily; before long, soon. Belizean /be'lfzian/ noun & adjective. Also -ian. M20. [from Belize (see below) + -an. -ian.]

(A native or inhabitant) of Belize, a country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, formerly British Honduras. belk verb & noun see belch. bell /bel/ noun1. [Old English belle = Middle Low German, Middle Dutch belle (Dutch bel): perh. rel.to bell verb1.]

1 A hollow body formed to emit a sound when struck, typically of cast metal in a deep cup shape widening at saw, a run, u put, u; too, a ago. ai my, au how, ei day, 0

the lip, and emitting a clear musical note when struck by a clapper or hammer usu. suspended within it; any instrument or device designed to emit a similar sound for calling attention etc. Also, the sounding of such an instrument or device for a particular purpose (identified contextually or specified), as summoning worshippers to church, schoolchildren to classes, etc., signalling the start of the final lap of a track race, warning of a fire or other hazard, (of church bells) celebrating a wedding or a happy event of national importance, etc. (see also sense 2 below), oe. 2 spec, a A bell rung to tell the hours; the bell of a clock. LME. Fb nautical The bell which is struck on board ship every half-hour, indicating by the number of strokes the number of half-hours elapsed in a watch; a period thus indicated. E19. Fc In boxing etc., the bell rung to mark the start or end of a round. M20. Fd A telephone call. colloq. L20.

3 Any object or part shaped like a bell; spec.: Fa Abell¬ shaped corolla of a flower; the female flowering cone of the hop. Also in the names of plants with bell-shaped flowers. L16. Fb Abell-shaped vessel. M17. Fc architecture. The part of a Corinthian or composite capital around which the foliage and volutes are arranged. M17. Fd music The flared open end of a wind instrument. Ei9. £□ 1 alarm-bell, church bell, dinner bell, doorbell, electric bell, fire bell, handbell, school bell, sleigh-bell, vesper bell, wedding bells, etc. 2b R. H. Dana At seven beLls in the morning all hands were called aft. 3 bluebell, Canterbury bells, Coventry bells, harebell, etc. Phrases: (as) clear as a bell see clear adjective, bear away the bell, bear the bell take first place, win. bell, book, and candle: a formula for cursing (alluding to the rite of excommu¬ nication), bells and whistles computing (colloq.) speciously attract¬ ive but superfluous facilities, bells of Ireland the shell-flower. Moluccella laevis. cap and bells: see cap noun', diving-bell: see diving verbal noun, hell’s bells: see hell noun, ring a bell colloq. awaken a memory, ring the bell colloq. be the best of the lot (in allusion to a fairground strength-testing machine), ring the bells backward(s): see backward adverb 8. saved by the bell in boxing, saved by the end of a round from being counted out; fig. saved (from an unpleasant occurrence) in the nick of time, slow bell: see slow adjective & odverb. sound as a bell very sound, in good order or health, tubular bells: see tubular adjective l warm the bell: see warm verb. Comb.: bell-animal, bell-animalcule = vorticella; bellbird any of various S. American or Australasian birds with a clear ringing call, esp. a cotinga of the genus Procnias: bell-bottomed adjective (of trousers) flared below the knee; bell-bottoms bellbottomed trousers; bell-boy N. Amec a page-boy in a hotel or club; bell-buoy a buoy with a warning bell rung by wave motion; bell captain N. Amer. a supervisor of a group of bell-boys; bell-cord a cord that is pulled to ring a bell; bell-cot(e) a shelter protecting a bell; bell-crater creek antiquities a large wine-mixing bowl shaped like an inverted bell; bell curve a graph of a normal (Gaussian) distribution; bellflower a campanula (ivy-leaved bellflower see ivy noun): bell-founder, bell-founding, bellfoundry a caster, the casting, a manufactory, of large bells; bellglass a bell-shaped glass cover for plants; bell-hanger a person who installs bells; bell-heather Eiica cinerea, a common heath with bell-shaped flowers; also called fine-leaved heath: bell¬ hop N. Amer. = bell-boy above; bellhouse arch, a belfry; bell-jar a bell-shaped glass esp. for covering instruments or containing gas in a laboratory; bell lyra = lyra glockenspiel s.v. glockenspiel 2; bellman Hist, a town crier; bell-metal an alloy of copper and tin (with more tin than in bronze), used for casting bells; bellminer an Australian honeyeater, Manorina melanophrys. noted for its bell-like call; bell-pepper a large bell-shaped variety of capsicum; bell-pull a cord or handle attached to a bell-wire, by which a bell is rung; bell-punch a punch which perforates a ticket and rings a bell at the same time; bell-push a button that is pushed to ring an electric bell; bell-ringer a practitioner of bell-ringing; bell-ringing the ringing of church etc. bells with changes, freq. as a hobby; bell-rope a rope by which a bell is rung, esp. in a church; bell-shaped adjective shaped like a bell, esp. having the shape of an inverted cup widening at the lip. bellskirt a skirt flared widely from a narrow waist; bell-sleeve a long sleeve flared at the lower edge; bell-string = bell-rope above; bell-tent a conical tent with a central pole; bell-topper a top hat, esp. one with a bell-shaped crown, bell-wether (a) the leading sheep of a flock, on whose neck a bell is hung; (b) a ring¬ leader; (c) a clamorous person; (d) something which sets a stand ard or leads a trend; bell-wire a wire pulled to ring a bell, esp. at a door; bel I wort N. Amer a plant of the genus Uvularia of the lily family, bearing yellow bell-like flowers. ■ bell-like -1-1-/ adjective resembling (that of) a bell, bell¬ shaped. having a clear musical note mi8.

bell /bel/ noun2. Now chiefly Scot, lis [Origin unkn.: cf. synon. Dutch bel. Middle Dutch bellen bubble up; corresp. to bell verb4.]

A bubble. bell /bel/ noun3. Ei6. [from bell verb'.]

The cry of a stag or buck at rutting time. Bell /bel/ noun4. US. M20. [The name of the N. Amer. Bell System or Telephone Company (from the surname of Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), Scotsborn Amer. inventor of the telephone), part of AT&T and before divestiture in 1984 the major US telephone company.l 1 Ma Bell, a familiar name for the Bell System. M20. au no, e: hair, 13 near. 31 boy, oa poor. M3 lire, aoo sour

214

bell | belong 2 Baby Bell, any of the subsidiaiy regional US tele¬ phone companies after divestiture. L20.

1 Having a belly (usu. of a specified size or form). Lis. >b Big-bellied, corpulent; fig. bombastic. Mi6. 2 Made large and full; blown or puffed out. Li 6. belligerence /bi'lid3(a)r(3)ns/ noun. Ei9.

rutting time), oe. 2 verb trans. Shout, bellow forth. Li6.

bell /bel/ verb3,

■ belligerency noun - belligerence M19.

belligerent /bi'hd3(3)r(o)nt/ adjective & noun. Also J-ant. Li6.

belgan, pa. pple bolgen swell.]

Swell up, be puffed out. lme.

[from bell noun'.]

[Latin belligerant- pres, ppl stem of belligerare wage war, from belliger waging war, from helium war: later irreg. assim. to gerentpres. ppl stem of gerere bear, carry, carry on; see -gerous, -ent.) ► A adjective. 1 Waging regular war as recognized by the law of nations; pugnacious, aggressively hostile. L16.

1 verb trans. Provide or equip with a bell. lme. 2 verb intrans. Of hops: be or begin to be in flower (the female flowers being in bell-shaped cones). Li6. 3 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) spread or flare out like the lip of a bell. Li 9.

2 Of or pertaining to a belligerent, mi 9. ► B noun. A nation, party, or person engaged in conflict. E19.

1 bell the cat take the danger of a shared enterprise upon oneself (in allusion to the fable in which mice proposed hanging a bell around a cat's neck so as to be warned of its approach).

fbelligerous adjective.

■ belligerently adverb M19.

Waging war, belligerent.

[from bell noun-.]

Bubble.

Bellini /be'limi/ noun. M20,

belladonna /bela'dona/ noun. [mod. Latin from Italian

[Named after Giovanni Bellini (0430/40-1516), Venetian painter (the cocktail is said to have been invented in Venice).]

mis.

bella donna lit. 'fair lady'.]

1 belladonna lily, a southern African amaryllis, Amaryllis belladonna, with red or white flowers. M18. 2 a A therapeutic preparation of the leaves and root of deadly nightshade, of which the active principle is atro¬ pine. li8. tb Deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna. Mi9.

A cocktail consisting of peach juice mixed with cham¬ pagne. bellipotent /bi'lip3t(3)nt/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. M17. [Latin bellipotent-, -ens, from helium war + potens mighty, potent adjective2.]

bellarmine /'bebincn/ noun. Mi7. [St Robert F. R. gian.]

Mighty or powerful in war,

Bellarmine (1542-1621), Jesuit cardinal and theolo¬

Bellona/bs'buna/noun. Li6. [Latin, the Roman goddess of war, from helium war.]

Hist. A large glazed drinking-jug in the form of a pot¬

A war-goddess; a spirited woman of commanding pres¬ ence.

bellied burlesque likeness of Cardinal Bellarmine. belle /bel/ noun. E17. [French, fern, of he!,

bellow /'bebu/ verb & noun. me.

beau, from Latin bella fern, ofbellus pretty.]

A beautiful woman; the reigning beauty of a place etc.

[Perh. from late Old English bylgan rel. to bell verb'.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Of a bull or excited cow: roar. Of another animal or a human: roar like a bull; cry in a loud deep voice, shout; roar with pain. Of a thing: make a loud roaring noise, me. 2 verb trans. Utter or proclaim loudly and usu. angrily; give forth with loud noise. Freq. foil, by out, forth. L16.

£□ J. Grenfell I'd like a great big.. party And the belle of the ball is me. E. McBain A Southern belle waiting to be asked for a dance, bathing belle: see bathe verb 5. yellow belle see yellow adjective.

belled held/ adjective, mis. [from bell noun', verb3: see -ed2, -ed1.]

£Q 1 Milton Not fit for that liberty which they.. bellowed for. Wordsworth And Ocean bellow from his rocky shore. 2 A. Ransome He put his hand like a trumpet to his mouth and bellowed one word. K. Vonnegut Everything that any

1 (With flowers) shaped like a bell. mis. 2 Furnished with a bell or bells, mi9. Belleek/befi:k/ noun.

M19.

[A town in Fermanagh, N. Ireland.] In full Belleek ware etc. A light, fragile kind of porcelain

pottery produced in Belleek. belle epoque

/bel /belzei'prik/. M20.

one of us said.. was bellowed out at the crowd through .. horns.

► B noun. A bellowing sound; a roar. Lis. ■

ei'pok/ noun phr. PI. belles epoques

[French = fine period.]

belle laide /bel led/ noun phr. PL -s -s (pronounced same) E20.

[French, from belle beautiful + laide ugly (fern, adjectives).]

An attractive though ugly woman. beileric /bi'lerik/ noun. Now rare or obsolete.

bellower noun a person who or thing which bellows M17.

bellows/'bebuz/noun p/. (occas. treated as sing.), me.

A period of settled comfort and prosperity, spec, the penod in France from the late 19th cent, to the war of 1914-18.

M17.

[French Meric ult. from medievalArab. balilaj from Persian balila.]

The fruit of the Indian tree Terminalia bellirica, a source of tannin. Also beileric myrobalan

[Prob. repr. Old English belga, belgum pi. of bel(i)g, bael(i)g belly noun, abbrevialion of bfetbd(i)g 'blowing-bag' = Old Norse blhstrbelgr: cf. German Blasebalg.j

1 A portable or fixed contrivance for producing a blast of air, esp. for fanning a fire or for supplying an organ, harmonium, etc. (The simplest form consists of two boards connected by flexible sides and enclosing a cavity of alterable volume so that air may be drawn in and then expelled through an attached nozzle.) me. >b fig. That which blows up or fans the fires of passion etc. lme. ►c fig. The lungs, ei 7. 2 An expansible, light-tight, flexible sleeve connecting the lens to the body of a camera. L19. 03 1 pair of bellows a two-handled bellows used to blow a tire, b Keats My voice is not a bellows unto ire. c bellows to mend colloq. short wind.

belles laides noun phr. pi. of belle laide. belles-lettres /belletr/ noun pi. (occas. treated as sing) M17.

[French, lit. ‘fine letters’.]

Studies or writings of a purely literary character, esp. essays, criticism, etc. Orig. more widely, literature gener¬ ally, the humanities. belletrist/bel'letrist/noun. Also tbelles-lettreist

E19

[from prec. + -ist.]

A devotee or practitioner of belles-lettres. ■ be'letrism noun the study or composition of belles-lettres M2 ,adJectlve °f or pertaining to belles-lettres El belle tristical adjective = belletristic lis. ?* 1 ,!r!sSc

bellicose /'belikous/ adjective, lme. Min bellicosus. from bellicus warlike, from helium war: see -11

Her fingers curled into a bellicose fist 1. Kizzia For the government to take away native huntine nghts .. would be a bellicose act. by an outside power. a D. Mortman

bellicosity beli'kositi/ noun warlike inclination M19.

b but, d dog. f few, g get, h he. j yes, k cat,

corrw.: Dellows-blower a person who works the bellows of an organ etc, bellows-fish the snipe fish. Macrorhamphosus scolopax, bellows pocket a patch pocket with side folds allow¬ ing it to expand or he flat.

tbellows verb trans. E17-M18. [from prec.] ucnuws;, gamer up (wind).

1

leg.

Bell s palsy /belz 'po:lzi/ noun phr. M19. [Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842), Scot, anatomist ] medicine. Paralysis of the facial nerve causing muscula: weakness m one side of the face with drooping of the corner of the mouth and inability to close the eye. n no, p pen,

r red.

s sit,

t top,

[Iraqi Arab, bclem.] A small wooden boat used to carry passengers for short

belly /‘bcli/ noun. [Old English belig var. of tel(i)g (West Saxon) biddjg, byl(i)g = Middle Dutch balch. Old High German balg. Old Norse belgr. Gothic balgs from Germanic (= bag), from a base meaning 'be inflated, swell’.]

►JI1 A bag, a purse. Only in oe. ► II Of humans (increasingly regarded as colloq. or coarse) and animals. 2 The cavity of the human body from the diaphragm to the groin, containing the stomach, bowels, etc.; the abdomen; the front surface of the body from waist to groin, me. fb The part of a garment covering the belly. Li6. 3 The corresponding part or surface of the body of an animal, lme. fb In full belly-wool. The inferior wool from a sheep’s belly. Austral. & NZ. M19. fc In full belly of pork. A cut of pork from the underside between the legs. L19. 4 The stomach; the body as needing food; appetite; gluttony, lme. ► Jb The bowels. LME-L17. 5 The womb. lme. t6 The internal cavity of the body. L15-M17. ffl 3 Milton A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone. C. A. Johns The Common Curlew.. belly white, with longi¬ tudinal dusky spots. 4 S. Johnson He who does not mind his belly, will hardly mind any thing else. 5 Shakes. L.L.L. She's quick; the child brags in her belly already. 6 R. Bernard It made my heart cold in my belly.

► Ill Of things. 7 The internal cavity or interior of anything, whether material or immaterial, mi6. 8 The bulging part of anything, e.g. of a pot or bottle, a vein of ore, etc.; a concave surface; the front, inner, or lower surface of anything. Li6. 9 spec, a The surface of a violin etc. across which the strings pass. Li6. >b The thicker part of a muscle. E17. ►c The soundboard of a piano, mi9. >d The under part of the fuselage of an aircraft. E20. Q3 7 J. Potter Ships of Burden .. having large and cap¬ acious Bellies. J. A Froude A.. candle lighted in the belly of a dark dead past. 8 Spenser Leaning on the belly of a pot. R. H. Dana To fall from aloft and be caught in the belly of a sail. G. Jones Put the belly of your hand here on my heart and swear it. Comb.: bellyache noun & verb (a) noun pain or discomfort in the abdomen, colic; slang a querulous complaint; (b) verb intrans. (slang) complain whiningly, grumble; bellyband a band around a horse’s belly for holding carriage shafts etc. in place; slang a wide belt or corset; belly button colloq. the navel; belly-dance an oriental solo dance by a woman, involving the rippling of her abdominal muscles; belly-dancer a woman who performs belly-dances; belly-flop noun & verb (colloq.) (make) a dive landing flat on the belly; belly-god (arch. exc. Jamaican) a glutton; bellylanding the crash-landing of an aircraft on its belly without the use of the undercarriage; belly-laugh colloq. a deep unrestrained laugh: belly-timber (obsolete exc. dial.) food, provisions; belly-up adverb & adjective in or into a position with the belly uppermost esp. (of a fish) in or into such a position as a result of death; fig. (of businesses, projects, etc.) in or into a state of bankruptcy: bellywool: see sense 3b above.

belly /'beli/ verb. E17. [from the noun.]

1 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) swell out (usu. of sails) E17. 12 verb intrans. Become corpulent. M17-L18. bellyful /’behful, -f(o)l/noun. M16. [from belly noun + -ful.]

As much as the belly will hold; a sufficiency of food; slang as much as or more than one wants of anything. £3 Smollett I never once had my belly-full, even of dry bread. S. Beckett Will you stop whining! I've had about my bellyful of your lamentations.

[from be- 1 + lock verb'.]

Bell s inequality /bdz im'kwDliti/ noun phr. L20. [John S. Bell (1928-90), Brit, physicist.] The statement (serving as a test of the validity ( quantum theory) that the number of pairs of partick measured as having positive spin in one pair out of thre directions is less than the total number of pairs mea

m man,

bellum/'bebm/noun. E20.

tbelock verb trans. rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.

directions371118 P°SltlVe Spin in the other ^ Pairs
b verb re/7. & intrans. Apply oneself to or to do. arch. Li6. 113 verb trans. Aim or level (weapons, forces, etc.; against or at). M16-E19.

14 verb trans. Direct or turn (one’s eyes, on something seen; one’s ears, to something heard). Li6. 15 verb trans. fig. & gen. Direct or turn (against, on, tofwards), etc.). Li6. C3 11 Shakes. All’s Well For thence we came And . Thither we bend again. Milton Thither his course he bends Through the calm Firmament. 12 A. J. Cronin Immobilized sud¬ denly, his attention bent upon the sheet before him. D. J. Enright He bends his strength against the flood. H. J. Laski Yet it was a great work to which they bent their effort, b Bunyan If any shall.. bend themselves to disap¬ point the designs of the Eternal God. E. K. Kane Bending to our oars. 13 Spenser So bent his speare and spurd his horse. O. Cromwell They bent their guns at the frigate. 14 Milton And to my cries.. Thine ear with favor bend. Southey Every eye on her was bent. 15 William Collins To Britain bend his iron Car. E. Welty |He( bent on her his benign smile. Phrases: bend one’s elbow slang = crook one's elbow s.v. crook verb l. bend over put oneself into position to be thrashed on the buttocks, bend over backward(s) see backward adverb i. bend

someone’s ear importune someone with persistent talk; have a word with someone, bend the brow(s) tin) arch the eye¬ brows; (b) knit the brow; scowl bend the head, fbend the face bow the head, bend the rules: see rule noun, catch a person bending colloq. catch a person at a disadvantage, on bended knee(s) kneeling, esp. in reverence, supplication, or submission. ■ bendable adjective E17. benday process /'bendei .prouses/ noun phr. obsolete exc. Hist. Also Ben Day process E20. [Benjamin Day (1838-1916), US printer.]

A method of tint production in lithography and photo¬ engraving by transferring lines or dots from gelatin sheets. noun. Li 5. [from bend verb + -er1.]

bender /'benda/

1 An instrument for bending; a pair of pliers. L15. 2 A person who bends. L16. >b A homosexual, slang, derog. 120. |3 a A hard drinker. Scot. E18-E19. >b About of drinking;

a riotous party, mi9. 4 A sixpence. Cf. cripple noun 2a. slang. Ei9. 5 A leg, a knee, slang. Orig. US. Mi9. 6 A shelter made by covering a framework of bent branches with canvas or tarpaulin, slang. L20. a

bendy 'bendi/adjective1. lis. [Old French bende (mod. bande): see bend noun2, -v5.] heraldry. Of a field: divided into an even number of bends, coloured alternately.

bendy 'bendi/ adjective2. E20. [from bend verb + -Y1.] 1 Capable of bending; soft and flexible. E20. 2 Of a road, track, etc.: that has many bends. L20.

bene /bi:n/ noun. Long arch. [Old English ben = Old Norse been from Germanic base of boon noun1.] Prayer, petition.

beneaped /bi'ni-.pt/ adjective. Li7. [from be- 5 + neap verb + -ED2.] Left aground by a neaping spring tide.

beneath /bi'ni:0/ adverb, preposition, & adjective. [Old English binipan, bineopan, from hi by preposition etc. + nipan, below, down, (orig.) from below, from Germanic base of NETHER.] ► A adverb. 1 gen. In a lower position; = below adverb 1. oe. ►b fig. Lower in rank, position, quality, etc. arch. oe. 2 a Under heaven; on earth, arch, me. ib Under the earth; in hell. arch. me. 3 Directly below; underneath, me. neopan

EQ 1 Southey Pure water in a font beneath reflects The many-colour’d rays. 3 Dryden Spread with Straw, the bedding of thy Fold; With Fem beneath. D. du Maurier It was a gold chain for my keys, with a disk upon it bearing our initials,.. and the date beneath. ► B preposition. 1 gen. In a position lower than (= below preposition 1); downhill or downstream from. Now rare or obsolete, oe. 2 fig. Lower than in rank, position, quality, etc. oe. 3 Unbefitting the dignity of; unworthy of. oe. 4 Directly down from; overhung by; at the foot of. me. 5 Under, as overwhelmed by pressure; under the weight of. Often fig. me. 6 Immediately under; covered or concealed by. El 7. B3 2 Addison Beings above and beneath us have probably no Opinions at all. J. McCosh The copies ever fall beneath the original. 3 Shakes. Twel. N. So far beneath your soft and tender breeding. S. Bellow I shut the door with a crash, already aware, under my anger, that this was beneath me and altogether out of proportion to the provocation. 4 Dryden Lands that lye beneath another Sun. W. H. Auden We see you sitting / in a wide-brimmed hat beneath a monkey-puzzle. W. Trevor In the far distance, a speck on the beach beneath the cliffs. Commander Abigail ran towards the sea. 5 Shakes. Macb. Our country sinks beneath the yoke. R. Bloomfield Brisk goes the work beneath each busy hand. 6 Day Lewis A scoop of sandy earth beneath a boulder. B. Bainbridge The underground spring that ran beneath the sloping street overflowed from time to time, fig.: A. Hailey Beneath his outward reaction, Nim was startled and shocked. Phrases: beneath contempt not worth despising, beneath one's dignity: see dignity 2. beneath the sun see sun noun1. ►tC adjective. Lower, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.

benedicite /bem’d/usiti/ interjection & noun. me. [Latin, 2nd person pi. imper. of benedicere wish well to, bless, from bene well + dicere say.) ► A interjection. 1 Expr. a wish: God bless you! me. 2 Expr. astonishment: Good gracious! me. ► B noun. 1 An invocation of a blessing; esp. a grace at table, me. 2 CHRISTIAN CHURCH, the Benedicite. the canticle beginning Benedicite, omnia opera '0 all ye works [of the Lord], bless ye (the Lord]’, known also as ‘The Song of the Three Chil¬ dren’, which is an alternative to the Te Deum at matins in the Book of Common Prayer. Mi7.

Benedictine /beni'diktkn/ noun2. Also b-. Li9. [French

Benedictine, fem. of benedictin (see prec.).]

(Proprietary name for) a liqueur of brandy and herbs, made orig. by Benedictine monks. benediction /b£in'dikj(3)n/ noun. lme. [(Old & mod. French benediction from) Latin benedictio(n-), from benedict- pa. ppl stem of benedicere: see benedicite, -ion.]

1 The utterance of a blessing; devout or formal invoca¬ tion of blessedness, prosperity, etc., esp. at the conclu¬ sion of a church service, at the consecration of an abbot, or as a grace at table, lme. ►b A chiefly Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament. Ei9. 2 Blessedness, favour, ns. 1 J. A. Froude Amidst the benedictions of tens of thou¬ sands of people. 2 Shakes. Wint. T. As if my trinkets .. brought a benediction to the buyer. F. Norris A sense of benediction brooded low—a divine kindliness manifesting itself in beauty, in peace, in absolute repose. ■ benedictional noun a book of forms of benediction mis. benedictionary noun = benedictional lis. benedictory adjective of or pertaining to the utterance of benediction Ei8.

benedictive /bem'diktiv/adjective. Mi7. [from Latin

benedict- (see prec.) + -ive.]

Tending to bless. Benedictus /bem'diktas/ noun. Mi6. [Latin, pa. pple of benedicere bless: see benedicite.]

1 The canticle beginning Benedictus Dominus Deus ’Blessed be the Lord God’ from the hymn of Zacharias (Luke 1:68). mi 6. 2 The fifth section of the ordinary of the Mass, begin¬ ning Benedictus qui ventt 'Blessed is he who comes’; a musical setting of this. L19. benedight/benfdAit/ adjective. Long arch. me. [from Latin

benedictus (see prec.), with assim. to dight.]

Blessed. bene esse /'bEni esi/ noun phr. E17. [mod. Latin.]

Well-being, welfare, esp. opp. esse. benefact /'benifakt/ verb. Li6. [Back-form, from benefactor.]

11 verb intrans. Act as a benefactor, rare. Only in Li 6. 2 verb trans. Help or endow as a benefactor. Li 9. benefaction /beni'fakj(a)n/ noun. Mi7. [Late Latin benefactiojn-), from stem fact-: see -faction.]

bene facere do good (to), pa. ppi

1 A doing good, beneficence; a benefit or blessing. M17. 2 esp. The bestowal of money for a charitable purpose; a gift, an endowment. L17. benefactive /bEm'faktrv/ adjective & noun. M20. benefactus capable of giving (formed as prec.) + -ive.] grammar. (An affix, phrase, or verbal aspect) indicating [from Latin

that someone is benefited. benefactor ''bemfakta/noun. lme. [Latin, from bene facere: see benefaction, -or.]

1 A person who gives friendly aid; a patron of or donor to a cause or charitable institution, lme. 2 A person who does good. rare. E17. 03 1 J. le CarrL You cannot imagine that some kindly bene¬ factor .. would ever concern himself with putting you on your feet. K. M. E. Murray As a benefactor of Keble College he was influential in Oxford circles. 2 Shakes. Meas.for M. Well—what benefactors are they? Are they not malefactors? ■ benefactory adjective of or pertaining to a benefactor; bene¬ ficial: M18. benefactress noun a female benefactor E18. f benefactrice noun = benefactress lme-eis. benefactrix noun — BENEFACTRESS E17.

benefic /binsfik/ adjective. Ei7. Benedick 'benidik/ noun. Also -diet -dikt/. E19. [A character in Shakespeare's Much Ado.] A newly married man; esp. an apparently confirmed bachelor who marries.

Benedict /'bEmdikt/ noun. E20. [Stanley R. Benedict (1884-1936). Amer. chemist.] Benedict's reagent. Benedict's solution, an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium citrate, sodium carbon¬ ate, and copper sulphate, which is blue in colour but yields a red, orange, or yellow precipitate in the pres¬ ence of reducing sugars such as glucose, and hence is used clinically to test urine for evidence of diabetes. Benedictine /beni'diktin/ noun1 & adjective. Ei7. [French benedictin or mod. Latin benedictinus. from Benedictus of Nursia (St Benedict). C480-C550, abbot of Monte Cassino: see -ine'.] ► A noun. A member of a community of monks (also known, from their dress, as ’Black Monks’), following the rule established by St Benedict c 529. Ei7. ► B adjective. Of or belonging to St Benedict or the order following his rule. Mi7.

cat, o: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, 1 cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a run, u

[Latin benejicus formed as prec.: see -fic.]

1 astrology. Of favourable influence. E17. 2 gen. Beneficent, kindly. M17. benefice /'bsnifis/ noun & verb. me. [Old French (mod. benefice profit, perquisite) from Latin beneficium favour, support, from (after beneficus benefic) bene well +fic- var. of fac- in facere do, make. In sense A.2 translating Latin.]

► A noun. 11 An ecclesiastical living; property held by a rector, vicar, or other church officer, me. 2 Hist. Land granted in feudal tenure, a fief, lis, ► IIJ3 A kindness or favour; an indulgence. LME-L17. 4 Favourable influence or operation; advantage, pro¬ tection. obsolete exc. Hist. lme. J5 Beneficial property or action (as of natural causes). IME-M17. ► B verb trans. Endow or invest with a church living. Chiefly as beneficed ppl adjective, lme. beneficence/bi'nefrs(a)ns/noun. lme. [Latin

beneficentia, from beneficus: see benefic, -ence.]

1 Doing good, active kindness, lme. 2 A benefaction; a gift; a good deed. M17.

:: hair, ra near, ai boy, ua poor, Ata tire, aoa sour put. u: roo, a ago, ai my, au how. ei day. ao no, E

218

beneficent j benjamin £□ 1 J. Galsworthy It had long been her pet plan that her uncles should benefit themselves and Bosinney by building country homes. H. Kissinger The lessons we learned bene¬ fited our handling of later crises. 2 N. Mitford The younger ones were now benefiting from the fact that Louisa and Linda were married women. E. Longford Lord Castlereagh was no financial wizard and it was through Wellington’s labours that the world at large benefited.

£□ 1 A. S. Neill A child is bom neither good nor bad, but with tendencies toward both beneficence and criminality. 2 Carlyle Sterling now.. zealously forwarded schools and beneficences. R. Niebuhr The universal beneficences of nature. ■ beneficency noun (now rare) = beneficence i L16.

beneficent /bi'nefis(3)nt/ adjective. Ei7. [Latin beneficent- stem of beneficentior compar. of beneficns benefic: cf. MAGNIFICENT.]

Benelux /'bemUks/ noun.

■ beneficential /-'senj(3)l/ adjective of or pertaining to benefi¬ cence mi9. beneficently adverb eis.

benempt(ed) verb see bename. benet/'benit/noun.

[French beneficiaire, from

benefice benefice + -aire -ar .]

benet /bi'net/ verb trans. Infl. -tt-.

1 Of benefit, advantageous, (to), lme. ►fb Lucrative, bringing pecuniary profit. E16-M19. f2 Actively kind. E16-M17. J3 Of or pertaining to a church benefice; beneficed. M16-M19. 4 law. Of, pertaining to, or having the use or benefit of property etc. M19. ■ beneficially adverb Mi6. beneficialness noun E16.

beneficiary /beni'fif(a)ri/ adjective & noun. E17. [Latin

beneficiarius, from beneficium: see benefice, -ary1.]

► A adjective. Holding, held as, or pertaining to the holding of, a benefice; spec. (Hist.) feudatoiy. Ei7. ► B noun. 1 Hist. The holder of a fief; a feudatoiy. E17. 2 The holder of a church living, mi 7. 3 A person who receives or is entitled to receive a favour or benefit, esp. under a trust or will or life insur¬ ance policy, mi7. [from Spanish

[Italian beneventano from medieval Latin Beneventanus, from Beneventum Benevento, a province of Italy + -an.]

Designating or pertaining to a medieval script princi¬ pally of southern Italy. ■ Also Beneventine adjective (now rare or obsolete) Li9.

benevolence /bi'ncvolfajns/ noun.

Treat (ore, raw material, etc.) to improve its properties.

1 Disposition to do good; kindness, generosity, charit¬ able feeling (towards humankind at large), me. 12 Affection, goodwill (towards a particular person or on a particular occasion). lme-ei9. 3 An act of kindness; a gift of money, a charitable con¬ tribution. LME. 4 Hist. A forced loan or contribution levied by certain English monarchs without the consent of Parliament (first demanded by Edward IV in 1473 as a token of good¬ will). LI 5.

The quality of being benevolent; a gift of money.

[Anglo-Norman benjet. Old French bienfet, ■fait ult. from Latin benefactum good deed, from benefacere: see benefaction.]

fl A thing well done; a good deed. LME-E19. 2 A kind deed; a favour, gift; a benefaction, arch. lme. 3 MW (now Hist.). The advantage of belonging to a privil¬ eged order exempted from the jurisdiction or sentence of ordinaiy courts of law. lts. 4 gen. (An) advantage, (a) good. E16. ffb A natural advantage or gift, rare (Shakes.). L16-E17. >c Pecuniary profit. Li6. 5 = benefice noun 1. obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. 6 A theatrical performance, concert, sporting event, etc., the proceeds of which go to a player or other par¬ ticular person or group; also, the proceeds from such a performance etc. eis. 7 The allowance to which a person is entitled under a social security or insurance scheme or as the member of a benefit-club or benefit society. Li 9. £Q 2 Shakes. A.Y.L. |Fortune’s| benefits are mightily mis¬ placed. 4 S. Johnson Having long laboured for the benefit of mankind, j. F. Kennedy We have, however, one great advan¬ tage over the English. We have the benefit of their experiCe vB! I’1"'1”1116 ■'6ncy decorated birthday cake was for the children s benefit. B. Bbttelheim Whatever practical benefits may be derived from psychoanalysis, they are only incidental to its cultural achievements, b Shakes. A.Y.L Disable all the benefits of your own countty. c Steele My Estate is seven hundred Pounds a Year, besides the Benefit of Un-Mines. 6 C. Chaplin Three months before I left the troupe we appeared at a benefit for my father. R. K. Narayan ft was a benefit show for building a maternity home, benefit match benefit performance, etc. 7 maternity benefit —be"^ ^PP^ntary benefit, unemployment benefit, etc Phrases: benefit of clergy benefit of the doubt assumption of a Hie nh J mn°cence; ughtness, etc., rather than the contrary in the absence of proof. fringe benefit see fringe noun & adject^on henefi? suPP°rt«* by social security etc. payments, social benefit, see social adjective. Comb.: benefit-dub. benefit society: whose members bvthe rfd arient|,0f SI^al1 SUmS'are entitled t0 Pecuniary help in time of distress: benefit tourist colloq. a person who travels to or W1*hl:?1BJlf,aIn,m order t0 Uve off social security payments Jhfte untruthfully claiming to be seeking work.

benefit /'benifit/ verb. Infl. -t1 verb trans- Do 8ood

2

-tt-. L15.

be of advantage to; improve.

r verb intmns- Receive benefit; profit. (Foil, by by, from.)

E17.

b but. d dog, f few, g get. h he,

j yes,

k cat,

benevolent /bi'n£v(3)l(o)nt/ adjective,

■ benignly adverb lme.

benignant /bi'mgnant/ adjective. L18. [from prec. or Latin benignus, after malignant: see -ant1.]

1 Kind or gracious to inferiors or dependants; (esp. con¬ descendingly) benevolent, lis. 2 Of things: favourable, beneficial. Li8.

benignity /bi'mgmti/ noun.

lme.

[Old French bemvolent from Latin benevolent- pres, ppl stem of bene velle wish well: see -ent.]

1 Desirous of the good of others; of a kindly dispos¬ ition; charitable, lme. 2 Well-disposed (to another). Lis. £0 1 Pope Beloved old man! benevolent as wise. J. Galsworthy Her plan met with more opposition from Providence than so benevolent a scheme deserved. 2 Milton Raphael now.. Benevolent and facil thus repli'd. ■ benevolently adverb Mi6.

lme.

[Old & mod. French benignite or Latin benignitas, from benignus: see BENIGN, -ITY.)

1 Kindly feeling; kindness of disposition or of manner (esp. towards inferiors or juniors), lme. >b A kindly or generous deed. Mi6. 2 Of things: benign quality, arch. E17. Benin /b£'ni:n/ noun pi. & adjective. L19. [Origin unkn.]

(Of or pertaining to) a people ofsouthem Nigeria, noted for their production of fine bronzes and carved ivories. ■ Beni nese noun. pi. same, a member of the Benin people LI 9.

B.Eng. abbreviation. Bachelor of Engineering.

benga /'bengg/ noun.

mis.

EQI 1 R. D. Laing Assurance that during sleep he is being watched over by benign presences (parents, good fairies, angels). 2 R. Macaulay He nodded and was benign, but anyone could see he did not agree. J. Heller Sid was regard¬ ing the assault upon Gold with a smiling and benign coun¬ tenance. benign neglect lack of attention reflecting confidence in or a favourable disposition towards a person or thing; well-intentioned or beneficial neglect. 3 C. Bronte On whose birth benign planets have certainly smiled. A. J. P. Taylor The weather was uniformly benign. E. F. Schumacher We were very rapidly using up a certain kind of irreplaceable capital asset, namely the tolerance margins which benign nature always provides.

3 MEDICINE. = BENIGN 4b. 119. ■ benignancy noun L19. benignantly adverb L18.

mi6-mis.

[formed as prec.: see -ency.]

■ benefici ation noun U9.

benefit/'bsmfit/noun. lme.

[from the noun.]

me.

[Old & mod. French benevolence (Old French also beni-) from Latin benevolentia, from benevolent-: see benevolent, -ence.]

fbenevolency noun.

me.

►b Of a disease or tumour: not malignant,

Beneventan /benfvcnt(3)n/ adjective. E20.

2 do one’s benevolence lend one’s friendly offices.

beneficiar, from beneficio benefit: see -ate3.]

me.

[Old & mod. French beingne from Latin benignus prob. for benigenus, from bene well + -genus born; for the formation cf. malign adjective, for the sense Latin gentilis gentle adjective.] 2 Manifesting kindly feeling; bland, gentle, mild. lme. 3 Of a thing: favourable, propitious, salutary, lme. 4 medicine, fa Of a medicine: mild in action. M17-M18.

[from be- i. 4 + net verb1 or noun'.]

beneficiate /benf fifieit/ verb trans. Li9.

■ benightedness noun the state of being benighted M19. benightment noun (rare) M17.

1 Of a kindly disposition, gracious, me.

Cover as with, or catch in, a net. Chiefly fig.

beneficial /bemTiffs)!/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French beneficial or late Latin beneficialis, from beneficium: see benefice, -al1.]

CO 1 De Quincey The tourists were benighted in a forest. 2 W. Davenant Now jealousie no more benights her face. J. Wilson What men .. call Religion, now benighting half file earth. Isaiah Berlin The mass of the proletarians them¬ selves were too benighted to grasp the role which history had called on them to play.

benign /bi'nAin/ adjective,

lme.

[Anglo-Norman benet, Old French beneeit from Latin benedictus blessed: see Benedictus.) ecclesiastical HISTORY. = EXORCIST lb.

beneficiaire /.benrfiJVe:/ noun. Mi9. The recipient of the proceeds from a benefit perform¬ ance etc.

1 Cover, hide, or involve in the darkness of night. Usu. (and arch, exc.) in pass. lme. 2 fig. Involve in intellectual or moral darkness; darken, cloud. Freq. in pass. E17.

M20.

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg collect¬ ively; esp. these countries in association as a regional eco¬ nomic group.

lme.

[from be- 4 + night noun,]

[Acronym, from Belgium. Netherlands, Luxemburg.]

Doing good; actively kind; showing or expressive of active kindness; beneficial (to). Pope Gentle of speech, beneficent of mind. H. J. Laski A revolution which, beneficent to the masses, would be fatal to themselves. W. Styron His face is illumined by a benefi¬ cent smile.

benight /bi'nAit/ verb trans.

Benioff /'beniDf/ noun. M20. [V. Hugo Benioff (1899-1968). US seismologist.]

L20.

geology. 1 Benioff seismograph, Benioff seismometer,

[Luo.]

A style of popular music originating in Kenya, charac¬ terized by a fusion of traditional Kenyan music and a lively arrangement of guitars, bass, and vocals.

Bengal /bErfgo:]/ noun & adjective.

L17.

{A former Indian province: see Bengali.]

► Anoun, fl In pi. Fabrics or clothing, esp. silks, imported from Bengal. L17-M19. 2 royal Bengal. = Bengal tiger below. 119. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to Bengal. E18. Bengal light a firework producing a steady and vivid blue fight. Bengal quince = bael Bengal tiger, royal Bengal tiger a tiger of a variety found in the Indian subcontinent, distin¬ guished by unbroken stripes.

Bengalese /beggaTuz/ adjective & noun. PI. of noun same

an instrument of a kind invented by Benioff in which movement of a horizontal rod induces an electrical voltage. M20. 2 Benioff zone, an inclined zone of high seismicity underlying island-arc systems at the overlap of oceanic and continental crust. M20.

benison 'bcnrzfojn,

-s-/ noun. me. [Old French beneifon, (later) benisson from Latin benedictioln-) BENEDICTION.]

A blessing, benediction; blessedness, beatitude. B3 Jer. Taylor The most glorious issues of Divine Benison upon this Kingdome. Sir W. Scott I have slept sound under such a benison. P. Norman The benison of that smile, bestowed on well-eaten dinner or an unusual Dinky car.

LI 8.

benitier/benitje/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Mi9. [French, from benitje blessed + -ier-ER2.]

[from prec. + -ese.]

= next.

A vessel for holy water.

Bengali thsfrgoAi/adjectives, noun. Also f-lee. lis. [from Hindi bangali.]

benitoite /bo'niitauAit/ noun. E20.

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Bengal, a former Indian ?fTn^l,nOW const‘tuting Bangladesh and the Indian State ot West Bengal, its people, or their language, lib. B noun. A native or inhabitant of Bengal, or of Bangla¬ desh or West Bengal; the Indo-Aiyan language of Bengal, the national language of Bangladesh and the official language of West Bengal. E19.

bengaline /'bsqgaliin/ noun. ug.

[from San Benito County. California + -ite1.] mineralogy. A sapphire-blue hexagonal barium titanium

silicate, sometimes of gem quality. benjamin/'bcndjamin/noun1. Mi6. [Alt. of benjoin var. of benzoin, by assoc, with male forename Benjamin.] = BENZOIN 1. Com6 : benjamin bush = benjamin-tree (b) below; benjamintree (a) a tree yielding benzoin; (b) a spicebush.

B[ENGACLhnoun01)n] med beCaUSe 0f the Similarity t0 Be"Sak b Mix (sorts or grades of spirits, tea, tobacco, etc.) so as to produce a certain quality; produce by so mixing, lme. kc Mix (components) intimately or harmo¬ niously so that they are inseparable and their individu¬ ality is obscured; produce by so mixing. E17. |2 Stir up; trouble, agitate, disturb. ME-L16. 3 Mix or mingle intimately or closely with; mix thor¬ oughly in (with) or into. Li6. CO 1 b blended whisky: spec, made of blended malt and grain whiskies, c Conan Doyle A cry in which joy and sur¬ prise seemed to be blended. Tolkien Evil dreams and evil waking were blended into a long tunnel of misery. D. Lessing Ant-heap earth .. has.. been blended by the jaws of a myriad workers. 2 Spenser These stormes, which now his beauty blend. Shall turn to calmes. 3 Wordsworth Never to blend our pleasure or our pride With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels. R. Carrier Blend in egg yolks until the mixture is a smooth homogeneous mass.

► II verb intrans. 4 Mix or mingle together; unite intim¬ ately so as to form a uniform or harmonious mixture; (esp. of colours) pass imperceptibly into each other, lme. 5 Mix or mingle intimately or closely with; mix harmo¬ niously or thoroughly in (with); pass imperceptibly into. LME.

CQ 4 B. Plain The air was full of sounds, blending into one long hum of afternoon. M. Moorcock The town and country met and blended in almost perfect harmony. 5 P. G. Wodehouse Pleasant Spring scents.. to blend with the robuster aroma of coffee and fried bacon. J. McPhee His for blends so well into the tundra colors that sometimes it is hard to see him. ■ blender noun a person who blends (esp. spirits, tea, tobacco, etc.); an implement for blending, esp. a (usu. electric) device for blending foods (Waring blender see Waring noun2): M19.

Native zinc sulphide, sphalerite.

[Old French He(s)miss- lengthened stem of ble(s)mir render pale, injure, prob. of Germanic origin: see -ish2.]

[from the verb.)

[Old English

manic; later infl.

[German, from blenden deceive (see blend verb1): so called from its resembling galena but yielding no lead.]

A physical or moral defect; a stain; a flaw. blemish /'blemij/ verb trans. lme.

bleed /bli:d/ noun. Li6.

adverb.

blench /blen(t);/ verb'. Also (by assoc, with blanch verb') blanch /bla:n(t)J/; (chiefly Scot & north.) fblenk.

blende /blend/ noun. Li7.

[from the verb.)

blee /bli:/ noun. Long arch.

1 (As blench.) A trick. Only in me. (As blenk.) A sudden gleam of light. me-ei6. 3 (Both forms.) A (usu. bright or cheerful) glance; a side glance. lme-li6. blench adjective, noun2, & adverb see blanch adjective, noun, & 2

yblent

blemish /'blemijv noun. E16.

bled verb pa. t. & pple of bleed verb.

me.

blench verb'; later inti, by blink noun.]

fblend verb' trans. Pa. t. & pple blended, blent. See also

[Imit.: cf. blip.]

bieck /blek/ noun & verb, obsolete exc. Scot. & dial. me.

d dog, f few. g get,

[from

bleeder /'blcda/ noun. me.

bleat /bli:t/ verb & noun.

b but,

f blench noun'. Also (Scot. & north.) blenk.

1 nosebleed: see nose noun.

bleed /bli:d/ verb. Pa. t. & pple bled 'bled/.

s sit,

t top,

v van. w we,

z zoo.

Blenheim /'blenim/ noun.

M19.

[Blenheim Palace, the name ofthe Duke of Marlborough's seat, at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, named after his victory (1704) at Blen¬ heim in Bavaria.]

1 In full Blenheim spaniel. A white variety of spaniel with chestnut markings. M19. 2 A golden-coloured late-ripening variety of apple. Also more fully Blenheim Orange. Blenheim Pippin. M19. I she.

3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

247

blenk J blind tblenk noun, verb see

blench

noun', verb

blenniid

/'blsnnd/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from BLENNY + -ID3.]

(A blenny) of the family Blenniidae. blenno- /'blsnao/ combining form of Greek blennos, blenna mucus: see -o-. ■ blenno rrhagia blenno rrhoea nouns a copious discharge of mucus, esp. from the urethra in gonorrhoea E19.

blenny /'bleni/ noun.

mis.

[from Latin Uennius from Creek blennos slime (with ref. to the mucous coating of the scales).]

Any of various small spiny-finned marine fishes belong¬ ing to the Blenniidae or a related family, most of which are bottom-dwelling fishes of intertidal and shallow inshore waters. butterfly blenny smooth blenny see smooth adjective & adverb, viviparous blenny see viviparous 1

blent verb see

blend

verb', verb2.

blepharitis /blsfa'rAitis/ noun.

M19.

[formed as next + -ms.] medicine. Inflammation of an eyelid.

blepharo- /'blef(3)r3u/ combining form of Greek blepharon eyelid: see -o-. ■ blepharoconjuncti vitis noun inflammation of the eyelid and conjunctiva L19 blepharoplast noun (bioiocy) an organelle from which a flagellum or cilium develops L19. blepharo plastic adjective of or pertaining to blepharoplasty M19. blepharoplasty noun (an instance of) the surgical repair or reconstruction of an eyelid M19. blepharospasm noun involun¬ tary tight closure of the eyelids L19.

blerry /'bleri/ adjective & adverb. S. Afr. slang. Also blirry /'bliri/. E20. [Alt. of bloody adjective & adverb.]

Bloody, damn, cursed(ly). blesbok /’blEsbDk/ noun. Also -buck -bAk/.

E19.

[Afrikaans, from Dutch Wes blaze noun2 + bok buck noun'.] A white-faced southern African antelope, Damaliscus dorcas.

bless /bles/ verb1 trans. Pa. t. & pple blessed /blest, arch. & poet, 'blesid/, (orch.) blest /blest/. See also blessed. [Old English bletsian, bledsian, bloedsian, formed as blood noun. No corresp. verb in other Germanic langs.]

1 Consecrate by a religious rite, a spoken formula, a prayer, etc.; invoke divine favour upon. oe. kb spec. Sanc¬ tify by the sign of the cross, arch. oe. 2 Call holy, adore, praise, (God); give thanks to for espe¬ cial goodness or beneficence; attribute one’s good fortune to (esp. one’s stars), oe. 3 (Pronounce words to) confer or invoke divine favour upon; load with devout good wishes, oe. 4 Confer well-being upon, make happy, cause to prosper; endow with. oe. f 5 Protect, guard, (another, oneself, a thing) from evil or danger. ME-M19. 6 refl. Account oneself supremely happy or fortunate (in, that, with), arch. E17. 7 iron. Pronounce an imprecation upon; curse; damn. colloq. E19. £3 1 Southey The bishop had blest the meat. bM.W. Montagu I fancy I see you bless yourself at this ter¬ rible relation. 2 Shakes. Tam. Shr. Then, God be bless’d, it is the blessed sun. 3 Steele The Fatherless.. and the Stranger bless his unseen Hand in their Prayers. 4 Byron I have possess'd. And come what may, I have been blest 5 Milton The bellmans drowsy charm To bless the doors from nightly harm. Smollett He blessed himself from such customers. 6 AV]er. 4:2 The Lord liveth..: and the nations shall bless themselves in him. 7 Dickens Blessed if I don't think he's got a main in his head as is always turned on. Phrases: bless her heart, bless his heart, etc.: expr. pleasure in a person, bless me: expr. surprise, pleasure, or indignation, bless my heart: expr. surprise, bless my soul: expr. surprise, pleasure, or indignation. God bless (sc. you): expr. well-wishing. God bless me. God bless my soul. Lord bless me. Lord bless my soul: expr. surprise, pleasure, or indignation. Lord bless you: expr. surprise not have a penny to bless oneself with be impoverished (with ref. to the cross on the silver penny). b verb trans. Substitute a short bleep for (words) in broadcasting. M20. 4 verb intrans. Of a figure, price, etc.: rise, esp. in short sporadic bursts. Also foil, by up. L20.

L17.

Comb. : blink-eyed adjective given to blinking. 9 Rare before L16. ■ blinking adjective S, adverb (a) adjective that blinks; (b) adjectives, adverb (colloq.) cursed(ly). bloody: M16.

► II verb intrans. 6 Become blind, rare. me. 7 Go blindly or heedlessly, esp. in a motor vehicle, slang. E20. ■ blindingly adverb in a blinding manner M19.

bliny noun pi. see blin noun. blip /blip/ noun & verb. Li9.

E16.

[from pa. t. 8, pple of blindfell, by assoc, with fold verb'.]

blink /blirjk/ noun.

= blin noun.

v van, w we, z zoo,

1 A thin vesicle on the skin filled with serum, caused by friction, a burn, other injuiy, or disease, me. 2 medicine. An application to raise a blister. Now chiefly Hist. Ml6. 3 A swelling (filled with air or fluid) on the surface of a plant, cloth, cooled metal, painted wood, etc. Li6. 4 An offensive or troublesome person; a worthless fellow, slang. E19. 5 A disease of peach trees caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans, which produces a distortion of the leaves, mi9. 6 nautical. An underwater outer covering fitted to a vessel. E20. 7 A summons, slang. E20. 8 A rounded compartment protruding from the body of an aeroplane. M20. Comb. : blister-beetle, blister-fly any of various beetles of the family Meloidae, exuding a vesicant when disturbed, esp. Lytta vesicatoria (also called Spanish fly): blister blight a fungal disease of tea plants, producing blistered leaves; blister copper impure copper with a blistered appearance, obtained during smelting; blister-fly: see blister-beetle above; blister gas poison gas causing blisters on the skin; blister pack, blister packaging: consisting of a transparent moulded cover sealed to a card etc.: blister pearl an irregular pearly excrescence on an oyster-shell: blister steel carbon steel made by cementation, freq. with a blistered surface. ■ blistery adjective characterized by blisters lme.

blister /'blista/ verb. lme. (from the noun.]

1 verb intrans. Be or become covered with blisters, lme. 2 verb trans. Cover with blisters; raise blisters on. lme. 3 verb intrans. Cause blisters, lme. ■ blistering adjective that causes blisters; colloq. (contextually) extremely hot, fast, severe, etc.: lme. blisteringly adverb L19. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

249

blite | block blite /bUit/ noun. lme. [Latin Mi turn from Creek bliton.] Any of various plants of the goosefoot family formerly eaten as vegetables; esp. Good King Henry, Chenopodium bonus-henricus. sea-blite: see sea noun, strawberry blite.

11 Soft, pliable. Only in me. 2 Swollen, puffy, esp. with overindulgence. 5 Now only in echoes of Shakes.

bloat /blaot/ verb' trans.

Li6.

[App. from bloat adjective'.]

Cure (herring etc.) by salting and smoking slightly.

blithe ZblAiS/ adjective & adverb. [Old English Mipe " Old Frisian Wi(d-), Old Saxon bli/>i (Dutch bhjde, blij). Old High German Midi cheerful, friendly. Old Norse bliSr. Gothic bleips: from Germanic. Cf. bliss noun.] ► A adjective. 1 Kindly, clement, gentle. Long obsolete exc. Scot. dial. oe. 2 Joyous, merry; glad, happy, well pleased. Now chiefly poet. oe.

3 Heedless, careless. E20. ca 2 Milton A daughter fair. So buxom, blithe, and debon air. Sir W. Scott A blithe salute The minstrels well might sound. 3 A. McCowen Their complacency, and their blithe intolerance of most of the outside world. ► B adverb. In a blithe manner. Now chiefly poet. oe. ■ blitheful adjective f(a) kindly, friendly; (b) joyous, merry: oe. blithefully adverb Mis blithely adverb in a blithe manner: heed¬ lessly. carelessly: oe blitheness noun oe. blithesome adjective cheerful eis. blithesomely adverb Mi9

CES OED Bloated herrings are opposed to dried or red herrings.

bloat

hlaut/ verb2. L17. [App. from bloat adjective2.] 1 verb trans. Blow out, inflate, make turgid. L17. 2 verb intrans. Swell, become turgid. M18. ■ bloated adjective swollen, puffy, esp. through overindulgence; of excessive size; swollen with pride, pampered: IW17. bloatedness noun M17.

bloater /‘blaota/ noun.

Mi9.

[from bloat verb' + -er 1.]

A herring cured by bloating. Yarmouth bloater

bloatware /’blautwe:/ noun, co Hog.

L20.

[Var. of BLATHER.) ► A verb intrans. & trans. = blather verb t, 2. M19. ► B noun. = blather noun l. Mi9. ■ blithering adjective senselessly discursive or talkative; (as an intensive) consummate, utter, hopeless; contemptible: 119.

[Imit.: cf. blubber noun, verb, bubble noun, ver6.] ► A noun. 1 A bubble, obsolete exc. north, lme. 12 A pimple, a pustule. Scot. & north. LME-E17.

blitter /'blits/ noun. dial. Lis. [Var.] = BITTERN noun'. bog-blitter see bog noun1.

■ blobby adjective lme.

[Abbreviation of next.] ► A noun. 1 A sudden or intensive (esp. aerial) attack with the object of immediate destruction or reduction of defences; spec, the air raids on London in 1940. M20. 2 transf. & fig. a gen. A period of sudden or intense activity. M20. ►b amer. football. A charge by one or more defensive backs into the offensive backfield to anticipate a pass. M20. S3 2a Guardian The women did only the bare essentials of housework during the week, with a 'blitz' at weekends. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Make a sudden or intensive (esp. aerial) attack. M20. 2 verb trans. Attack, damage, or destroy by a blitz. M20. 3 verb intrans. amer. football. Charge into the offensive backfield. M20.

blitzkrieg /'bhtskriig/ noun. Also B-. M20. [German, from Blitz lightning + Krieg war.] A violent campaign intended to bring about speedy victory.

blivit /’blivit/ noun. US slang. Also -et. M20. [Origin unkn.] Something pointless, useless, or impossible; a nuis¬ ance. Also, a gadget.

blizzard /'blizad/ noun. Orig. US. Et9. [Origin uncertain: perh. imit.] 1 A sharp blow or knock; a shot. US. ei 9. 2 A severe snowstorm. L19. 3 fig. A large or overwhelming amount of something, typically arriving suddenly. M20. CO 3 L. Erdrich A blizzard of legal forms. ■ blizzardy adjective L19.

BLM abbreviation. Bureau of Land Management, a US government office responsible for the administration of public lands.

tblo adjective, dial, ME-L18. [formed as blae.] = blae adjective 1.

bloat /blaot/ noun. M19. [from bloat adjective'-’.] 1 A conceited or contemptible person. US slang, mi9. 2 a A disease of livestock characterized by an accumu¬ lation of gas in the stomach. L19. Fb gen. Bloatedness. E20.

bloc /blDk/ noun.

Comb.: bloc vote - block vote s.v. block noun. 9 See also en bloc (earlier).

block /blDk/ noun.

► I A solid piece or mass. 1 A log; a tree stump, me. 2 A large piece of wood on which chopping, hammer¬ ing, etc., is done. lme. Fb spec. Hist. The piece of wood on which the condemned were beheaded. Li 5. Fc A piece of wood on which something can be moulded or shaped; esp. a mould for a hat; fig. (arch.) a style or fashion of hat. L16. Fd A stump etc. from which to mount a horse. E17. ►e In full starting-block. A shaped rigid piece for bracing the foot of a runner at the start of a race. M20. 3 A pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case, used to direct or increase the lifting power of the rope(s) running through it. lme. 4 gen. Any bulky or massive piece of matter; a large amount or body of anything treated as a whole, lme. ►b spec. An unhewn lump of rock; a piece of stone or other material prepared for building; one of a set of wooden or plastic cubes etc. that fit together, as a child’s toy. M19. Fc A compact set of sheets of drawing-paper etc. fastened together at one edge. M19. Fd A body of rock (often of large extent) bounded by faults. L19. Fe = bloc. E20. Ff A square unit in a patchwork design. E20. 5 A lump of stone, wood, or other material that bars one’s way; an obstacle. Now chiefly in stumbling-block s.v. stumble verb. Lis. Fb A chock. M20. 6 fig. a A stupid person, a blockhead; a stolid or hard¬ hearted person. Mi6. Fb The head, slang. E17. 7 A piece of wood or metal engraved for printing on paper or fabric, mis. 8 a A compact mass of buildings bounded by (usu. four) streets; (chiefly N. Amer.) any urban or suburban area so bounded, the length ofsuch an area. Lis. Fb Alargearea of land or seabed sold or allocated to one person or organization for settlement, development, etc, mi9. Fc A large single building, esp. one divided into offices or flats, mi9.

[Old Norse blautr soft, infl. by prec. The spelling bloat is recorded from M17 although it is not the regular representative of Middle English blout, and has been used for the blowt of quartos of Shakes. Haml. ill. iv. 182 from M18.] i

cosy,

i:

me.

[Old & mod. French bloc from Middle Dutch blok, Middle & mod. Low German block, of unkn. origin.]

bloat /blaot/ adjective2, arch. me.

sit,

adjective.

[French: see next.]

[Perh. from an Old Norse word parallel to blautr soaked: with sense 2 cf. Old Norse Mautr fisir soft fish. Relation to next obscure.] 1 Soft and wet. rare. Only in me. 2 bloat herring, a bloater. L16-M17.

i

blubber

E20.

A combination of States, parties, groups, or people, formed to promote a particular interest.

tbloat adjective', me.

a cat, a: arm, abed, a: her,

bleb. lme.

3 A drop or globule of liquid or viscous substance. E18. 4 A small roundish mass, esp. of colour. M19. 5 A batsman’s score of no runs (0) at cricket, slang. Li9. 6 A blunder, a senseless error; a fool, an idiot, a useless person, slang. E20. ► B verb trans. Infl. -bb-. Mark with a blob of ink, colour, etc.; blot. lme. Jblobber adjective see

blitz /blits/ noun & verb. M20.

£□ 10 J. Galsworthy Swithin was so long over this course .. that he caused a block in the progress of the dinner. P. G. Wodehouse One of those blocks in the traffic which are inevitable in so congested a system as that of London. J. T. Story We were stopped by a two-car police block at the junction with the Huntingdon Road, roadblock: see road noun, b heart-block: see heart noun, spinal block: see spinal adjective, c M. Stewart He's been going through a bad period, a more or less complete block since he got Tiger Tiger off his desk.

of the excessive memory it requires. blob /blob/ noun & verb. See also

Latin Baccalaureus Litterarum Bachelor of Letters.

► II Senses from the verb. 19 A bargain, an exchange; a scheme. Scot E16-L18. 10 An act or instance of blocking; a stoppage, an obstruction. Ei9. Fb An interruption of physiological function, esp. in the passage of nerve impulses. L19. Fc psychology. A sudden and temporary inability to con¬ tinue a thought process or mental link. In popular use usu. more fully mental block, psychological block M20 Fd amer. football. Obstruction of an opponent with the body, as a legal move. M20. 11 cricket. The spot on which the batsman rests the toe of the bat when facing the bowling, mi9. 12 chess. A problem position in which Black is not under threat but must become exposed to a threat if obliged to move. E20.

[from bloat noun + ware noun3.] computing. Software whose usefulness is reduced because

blither /'blido/ verb & noun, co/lop. mi 9.

B.Litt. abbreviation.

There's not a person on the block who doesn’t know the truth. S. Kauffmann He had walked six blocks to the nearest subway station, j. T. Story She cruised round the block twice, b backblocks: see back-, c tower block: see tower noun' 3h.

E17.

see, o hot, a: saw,

Q 1 chip off the old block, chip of the old block, a child resembling a parent or ancestor, esp. in character, on the block N. Amer. for sale at auction. 2 Chinese block: see Chinese adjective. 3 block and tackle see tackle noun 5a. 4 J. Tyndall The more solid blocks of ice shoot forward in advance of the lighter debris. J. G. Holland The combination began by selling large blocks of the Stock for future delivery. O. Dopping The information on the tape is concentrated into blocks, separated by empty gaps, b erratic block sec erratic adjective. 6b do one’s block, lose one's block (chiefly Austral. & NZ) become angry or agitated, knock someone's block off slang strike someone about the head, thrash someone, off one’s block slang crazy, angry. 8a A. Miller

a

run, o put. u: too,

a

ago.

ai

Comb.: block-board a plywood board with a core of thin wooden strips; block-book: printed from woodcut blocks; block booking the booking of a large number of seats etc. as a unit; blockbuster slang (a) a heavy aerial bomb; (b) a thing of great power or size, esp. an epic best-selling book or successful film; block capitals capital block letters, block delete computing the deletion of a block of text or data in a single operation; block diagram: in which squares and other conventional symbols show the general arrangement of parts of an apparatus; blockfaulting geology faulting which divides a region into blocks having different elevations; block grant an inclusive grant made for a particular purpose; blockhead f(a) a wooden block for hats or wigs; a wooden head (lit. &fig.): (b) colloq. a stupid person; blockheaded, blockheadish adjectives (colloq.) stupid, dull, obtuse; blockheadism colloq. blockheaded behaviour, stupidity; block heater a storage heater; blockhole cricket (a) = sense n above; (b) an indentation marking this; blockhouse [Middle & mod. Dutch blokhuis] (a) a detached fortified defensive building with loopholes, usu. of timber or concrete; (b) a house of squared logs; (c) a concrete shelter; block letters (esp. capital) letters written without serifs and separate from each other; block mountain a mountain formed by block-faulting; block move computing the process or an act of moving a block of text or data as a whole; block party US a (usu. outdoor) party for all the resi¬ dents of a block or neighbourhood; block plane a plane with a blade set at an acute angle, used esp. for planing end-grain; block release release of a person from his employment for the whole of a stated period to attend a course of study; block-ship a ship moored or grounded in order to block a channel; block signalling, block system a system of railway signalling which divides the track into sections and allows no train to enter a section that is not wholly clear; block tin refined tin cast in ingots: block vote (a vote by) a method of voting whereby a delegate’s vote has influence according to the number of members he or she represents. ■ blockish adjective of the nature of a block; like a block in form or character; obtuse, stupid, clumsy: Mi6 blockishly adverb Mi6. blockishness noun Mi6. blocky od/'ect/Ve of the nature of or resembling a block or blocks L19. block

/blok/ verb. lme.

[from the noun or from French bloquer, formed as bloc.]

► I Obstruct, hinder. 1 verb trans. Obstruct, close, seal, or confine with obs¬ tacles; put obstacles in the way of, hinder the progress of, prevent. Freq. foil, by up, in. or off. lme. 2 verb trans. spec. Blockade, besiege. L16. 3 verb trans. & intrans. cricket. Stop (a ball) with the bat, with no attempt to score runs. L18. 4 verb trans. Obstruct or prevent (a physiological or mental function or effect, esp. the passage of nerve impulses); interrupt the action of (a nerve, organ, etc.). LI 9. 5 verb trans. cards. Prevent (cards, esp. in a particular suit) from being played as winners. 119. 6 verb trans. & intrans. amer. football. Obstruct (an oppon¬ ent) with the body, as a legal move. L19. 7 verb trans. Restrict the use or conversion of (currency or other assets). M20. CO 1 W. Prynne Blocking vp their hearts against the Lord.

E. K. Kane Our little harbor was completely blocked in by heavy masses |of ice]. T. Williams Mitch has started towards the bedroom. Stanley crosses to block him. G. Greene The passage was nearly blocked by dustbins. E. J. Howard Cressy had tried to talk to him, but he had courteously blocked con¬ versation.

► II In constructive senses. 8 verb intrans. Make a bargain or an exchange. Scot. H6. 9 verb trans. Shape, mould, or smooth on a block. L16. Fb Emboss or impress a design on (a book-cover) by means of a block. Mi9.

my, ao how, ei day, au no,

e:

hair, ra near ai boy,

ua

poor,

aid

tire, aua sour

250

blockade| bloodsucker 10 verb trans. Sketch or mark out or in roughly; lay out, plan. Li6. 11 verb trans. Make into blocks; provide or support with blocks. M19. £Q 10 J. G. Lockhart The latter Cantos having. been merely blocked out when the first went to press. P. McGerr Wednesday Warren finished blocking the first act. 11 blocked letters: designed so as to appear threedimensional. ■ blockage noun a blocked(-up) state; an obstruction. 119. blocking noun (o) the action of the verb; (b) railway signalling by the block system: (c) a wooden block; blocks collectively. Li6.

blockade /bb'keid/ noun & verb. Li7. [from prec. + -ade, prob. after ambuscade.]

► A noun. 1 The surrounding of a place, blocking of a harbour, patrolling of a coast, etc., by hostile forces in order to prevent supplies or forces from entering or leaving it. L17. 2 transf. & fig. A stoppage or obstruction, esp. (ft/. Amer.) of a road or railway by snow etc. M18. >b Obstruction or pre¬ vention of a physiological or mental function. M20. 1 raise a blockade, raise the blockade (compel to) withdraw the blockading forces, run a blockade, run the blockade (attempt to) evade the blockading force. Comb.: blockade-man Hist, a coastguard active against smug¬ gling; blockade-runner a ship or a person attempting to run a blockade. ► B ver6 trans. Subject to blockade; block up, obstruct.

L17.

■ blockader noun a person or a ship engaged in a blockade Ml 9.

blocker /'bloka/ noun. me. [from BLOCK noun or verb + -ER1.)

1 A person who uses a block (in various trades), me. 2 A person who or thing which blocks or obstructs; spec, (a) cricket a habitually defensive batsman; (b) amer. football a player whose task is to block opponents; (c) a substance which prevents or inhibits a given physio¬ logical function, mi9. 3 A person who occupies or farms a block of land. Chiefly in backblocker s.v. back-. li9. 4 A bowler hat. slang. M20. 2 beta blocker: see beta 2a(e).

blodge/bbd3/noun. M20. [Imit-: cf. blotch, splodge, splotch, etc.]

A splotch, a blotch. bloke /btauk/ noun, colloq. mi9. [Shelta.] A man, a fellow. ■ blokey adjective = blokeish M20,

blokeish "bbokij adjective. Also blokish. M20. [from prec. + -ish.]

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a bloke or ordinaiy man; stereotypically masculine. IS Grace Some blokeish task, like waxing the car or mowing the lawn. Independent on Sunday He is not blokeish: he is serious, fastidious and moral. ■ blokeishly adverb L20 blokeishness noun L20.

blond /blond/ adjective & noun. Also (fem., but often used indiscriminately) blonde. L15. [Old & mod. French from medieval Latin blundus, blondus yellow, perh. of Germanic origin: fem. form introduced from French in 17.] ► A adjective. (Esp. of the hair) of a light golden-brown

colour, flaxen, fair; (of the complexion) light-coloured with fair hair. Li 5. ash blond, platinum blond, silver blond, strawberry blond, etc. blond beast [translating German blonde Bestie] a man of the Nordic type, blond bombshell, blonde bombshell see bombshell s.v. 80MB noun, blonde lace silk lace (orig. unbleached) of two threads, twisted and formed in hexagonal meshes, blonde ray a pale brown ray, Raja brachyura, of SW European coastal waters. ► B noun. 1 A person (esp. a woman) with blond hair and

complexion, mis. 2 (blonde) = blonde lace above, mis. 1 dumb blond, dumb blonde: see dumb adjective & noun, peroxide blond, peroxide blonde: see peroxide noun i. • blondish adjective somewhat blond or light-coloured M20. blondness, blondeness noun Li9.

Blondin /’blondm/ noun. Also b-. M19. [Professional name of J. F. Gravelet (1824-97), French tightropewalker.]

A tightrope-walker; a tightrope, a cableway, blondine /bbn'di:n/ noun & verb. US. L19. [from BLOND adjective + -iNEt]

► A noun. A bleach for the hair. Li9. ► B verb trans. Bleach with blondine. L19. blood /bkd/ noun. [Old English Mod = Old Frisian. Old Saxon Mod (Dutch blocd). Old High German bluot (German Blut), Old Norse blob. Gothic Mop (Crimean Gothic pint), from Germanic, of unkn. origin.)

1 A complex fluid, red when oxygenated and contain¬ ing various suspended cells, circulating in the arteries and veins of the higher animals; the corresponding fluid in other multicellular organisms, oe. kb A liquid or b but, d dog,

f few, g get, h he,

j yes, k cat, 1 leg, r

juice resembling blood (always with conscious ref. to the primary sense), lme. 2 a Blood that is shed, in theological writings esp. in sacrifice, as that of Christ; the taking of life. oe. kb The guilt of bloodshed, oe. kc A blood-and-thunder story. Freq. in penny blood. Usu. in pi. arch. Li 9. f3 Vital fluid; the vital principle; life, me-mis. 4 a The blood as the supposed seat of emotion; passion, temperament, mettle, me. kb The blood as the supposed seat of animal or sensual appetite; sexual desire, me. 5 a The blood as the vehicle of hereditary character¬ istics or relationship; consanguinity; parentage, lineage; family, race, nationality, me. kb Persons of any specified blood or family collectively; kindred, me. kc Good par¬ entage or stock, lme. kd One’s offspring; a near relative. arch. lme. ke A fellow black person. US B/adc English. M20. t6 A living being. Only in me. |7 A disease in sheep or swine. E16-L18. 8 a A rowdy, a roisterer; a dandy; a rake. Now arch, or Hist. Mi6. kb A leader of fashion, esp. at a public school or university, slang. Li9. 9 (B-.) PI. -s, same. A member of a N. American Indian people belonging to the Blackfoot confederacy. PI. same. LI 8. (Bib Shakes. Timon Go, suck the subtle blood o' th' grape. R. Hooker Either my blood or banishment shall sign it. Addison An Affront that nothing but Blood can expiate, b C. V. Wedgwood The blood of Strafford lay heavy on his conscience because he had consented to his death in the knowledge that he was innocent. 4a Shakes. Merck V. The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o’er a cold decree. 5a Pope Your antient but ignoble blood Has crept thro' Scoundrels ever since the Flood. L. van der Post They had clear traces of Bushman blood. Proverb: Blood is thicker than water, b Shakes John Father, to arms! .. Against the blood that thou hast married? c R. W. Emerson The obstinate prejudice in favour of blood, which lies at the base of the feudal and monarchical fabrics ofthe old world, d Dryden Thou art my blood where Jonson has no part. Hor. Walpole So many cousins, and uncles, and aunts and bloods. 2a

Phrases: bad blood ill feeling, blood and iron [translating German Blut and Eisen] military force as distinguished from diplo¬ macy, esp. as associated with Bismarck (see Bismarckian). blue blood see blue adjective, corruption of blood first blood the first shedding of blood (in boxing or jig.), flesh and blood see flesh noun, freeze someone's blood: see freeze verb, fresh blood = new blood below, full-blood: see full adjective, get blood from a stone, get blood from a turnip, get blood out of a stone, get blood out of a turnip achieve the impossible, esp. obtain pity from the hard-hearted or money from the impecunious or avaricious. tGod’s blood! an oath or forcible exclamation; abbreviation 'sblood. half-blood: see half-, ill blood = bad blood above, in blood hunting (of an animal) full of life, vigorous, in cold blood without passion, deliberately, in one’s blood characteristic of one's family etc., fundamental in one’s charac¬ ter. let (a person) blood (now arch, or Hist.) bleed (a person) as medical treatment, transf. shed the blood of, kill, (a person) (freq. in indirect pass, as be let blood), mixed blood, new blood a new member or new members admitted to a family, society, etc. one’s blood boils see boil vert, one’s blood is up one is in fight¬ ing mood, one's blood runs cold one is horrified, out for a person’s blood determined to defeat him or her. out of blood hunting (of an animal) lifeless, not vigorous, restore in blood, restore to blood Hist, re-admit (a person under sentence of‘cor¬ ruption of blood j to forfeited privileges, seal one’s testimony with blood see testimony noun 3. shed the blood of see shed vert1 6. spit blood see spit verb2, suck the blood of: see suck verb, sweat blood see sweat vert 2b. taste blood fig. be stimulated by early success, the blood (royal) the royal lineage or family (of the blood, royal), young blood (a) arch, a young rowdy or dandy; (b) a young member of a party etc. Comb.: blood-ally a white playing-marble marked with red spiral lines; blood-and-soil adjective [from Nazi catch-phrase Blut und Boden] of or pertaining to Nazism; blood-and-thunder adjective designating a book etc. describing bloodshed and vio¬ lence; blood bank a place where a supply of blood for trans¬ fusion is stored: blood-bath a massacre; fblood-boltered adjective (esp. of hair) clotted with blood; blood-brother (a) a brother by birth; (b) a person who has been bound to another in solemn friendship by a ceremonial mingling of blood; blood cell, blood corpuscle any of the kinds of cell normally circu¬ lating in the blood; blood count (a determination of) the number of corpuscles in a definite volume of blood: blood¬ curdling adjective so horrific as to seem to curdle the blood; blood donor a person who gives blood for transfusion; blood doping the injection of oxygenated blood into an athlete before an event in an (illegal) attempt to enhance athletic performance; blood eagle [Old Norse blod-gm] Hist, a Viking method of killing someone, usu. the slayer of a man's father, by cutting out the ribs in the shape of an eagle; blood feud a feud between fam¬ ilies of which one has killed or injured a member or members of the other; blood-flower (a) = blood-lily below; (b) a tropical American plant. Asclepias curassavica, with deep red flowers; blood group any of the types into which human blood may be divided according to its compatibility in transfusion; esp. each of the four types based on the A and B antigens; blood-grouping the determination of the blood group of a person or sample of blood; blood-guilt, blood-guiltiness responsibility for blood shed; blood-guilty adjective responsible for bloodshed; bloodheat the ordinary temperature of human blood in health, approx. 37°C (98°F); blood horse (chiefly N. Amer.) a thorough¬ bred horse; bloodhound a large keen-scented dog. formerly man,

n no, p pen, r red,

s sit, t top. v van,

w we, z zoo,

used to track cattle, criminals, etc.: fig. a detective; blood-knot a knot tied in a rope used as a whip, in order to draw blood: bloodletter a person who or thing which lets blood; blood-letting surgical removal of some of a patient’s blood; joc. bloodshed; blood-lily a haemanthus, esp. one grown for ornament; blood¬ line descent, pedigree, esp. as transmitting characteristics in an animal: blood-lust lust for the shedding of blood; blood meal [German Blutmehl] dried blood used for feeding animals and as a fertilizer; blood-money (a) a reward for bringing about the death of another, as a reward paid to a witness for securing a capital sentence: (b) a fine paid to the next of kin for the slaugh¬ ter of a relative; blood orange a variety of orange with redstreaked pulp: blood plasma the straw-coloured liquid fraction of the blood, in which the cells and platelets are suspended; blood platelet: blood-poisoning the presence of pathogenic bacteria or bacterial toxins in the blood: blood pressure the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries; colloq. hypertension; blood pudding (a) black pudding; blood-red red as blood: blood relation, blood relative a person related to another or others by blood, not marriage; bloodroot any of various plants; esp. a N. American plant, Sanguinaria canadensis. of the poppy family, with white flowers and red sap; blood sausage (a) black pudding; bloodshedder a slaughterer, a mur¬ derer; bloodshedding (a) = bloodshed noun 1; t(b) = bloodshed noun 2: blood spavin: see spavin noun1: blood sports sports involving the killing of animals, esp. hunting: bloodstain a stain made by blood; bloodstained adjective stained with blood, fig. disgraced by bloodshed; bloodstock thoroughbred or pedigree horses collectively; bloodstone a precious stone, esp. a green chalcedony, that is streaked or spotted with red; tbloodstrange [origin unkn.] the plant mousetail, Myosurus minimus: bloodstream the circulating blood; blood-sugar (the concen¬ tration of) glucose contained in the blood; blood-test a test per¬ formed on a sample of blood esp. for diagnosis; blood-test verb trans. test the blood of (a person or animal); bloodthirst eager¬ ness for bloodshed; blood transfusion see transfusion 2; blood-tub slang a theatre presenting lurid melodrama; bloodvein (moth) a geometrid moth, Timandra griseata, with a red line across its wings; blood-vessel a vein, artery, or capillary, conveying blood; blood wagon slang an ambulance; bloodwite. -wit [wite noun2] (a) Hist, in Anglo-Saxon England, a fine for shedding blood paid to an alderman or king (cf. werceld); (b) gen. a penalty for murder; bloodwood (the red wood of) any of various trees, esp. certain Australian eucalypts; bloodworm a bright red worm or wormlike creature, esp. (a) a worm of the genus Arenicola or Tubifex: (b) the aquatic larva of a midge of the genus Chironomus: blood-wort a plant with red roots or leaves, esp. red-veined dock, Rumex sanguineus, m t blooding noun a black pudding lme-lis. bloodlike adjective resembling blood lme.

blood /bL\d/ verb trans.

M16.

[from the noun.]

1 Bleed, esp. surgically. M16. 2 Wet or smear with blood. Now rare in gen. sense. Li6. 13 Arouse the hostile feelings of (esp. soldiers) against an

enemy. Only in 17. 4 Give a first taste of blood to (a hound); smear the face of (a novice at hunting) with the blood of the kill; initi¬ ate. LI 8. blooded

/'bUdid/ adjective, me. [from blood noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed'.]

11 Stained with blood. me-mi7. 2 As 2nd elem. of comb.: having blood of the specified kind. Li6. 3 Of a horse; of good breed, thoroughbred. Lis. 2 cold-blooded, full-blooded, warm-blooded, etc

bloodless /'bUdlis/ adjective,

me.

[from blood noun + -less.]

1 Without blood, lifeless; pale, pallid; unemotional. ME.

2 Without bloodshed.

Ei7.

■ bloodlessly adverb E19 bloodlessness noun M19.

bloodshed /'bUdjEd/ noun & adjective,

lme.

[from shed blood.] ► A noun. 1 The spilling of the blood of another or others;

slaughter, lme. 12 The shedding of one's own blood (orig. & chiefly with ref. to Jesus). L15-M19. J3 An act of spilling blood. L16-L17. J4 = bloodshot noun. L17-MI8. ► B adjective. = bloodshot adjective 2. Long obsolete exc. Scot. E17.

bloodshot

''bUdjDt/ adjective & noun. Mi6. [from blood noun + shot ppl adjective.] ► A adjective, fl Of a person: with eyeballs tinged with

blood. Only in Mi6. 2 Ofthe eyeball: tinged with blood. E17. ►t B noun. An effusion of blood affecting the eyeball. L16-L17.

■ Also bloodshotten adjective (arch.) lme.

bloodsucker /'bUdsAka/ noun.

lme.

[from blood noun + sucker noun.]

1 An animal which sucks blood; esp. (a) the leech; (b) any of various Asian and Australian lizards, esp. an Australian crested lizard of the genus Amphibolurus. lme.

J2 A bloodthirsty or blood-guilty person. 3 An extortioner; a sponger. Ei7.

M16-M17.

■ bloodsucking adjective & noun U6. J she.

3

vision,

6

thin,

5 this,

g ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

251

bloodthirsty | blot bloodthirsty /'bUdGaisti/ adjective. [from

Mi6.

blood noun + thirsty, after Luther's blutdiirsttg.]

Eager for bloodshed. 9 First recorded in Coverdale. ■ bloodthirstily adverb L19. bloodthirstiness noun tvm.

bloody /'bl\di/ adjective & adverb. [Old English biodig = Old Frisian blddich, Old Saxon biodig (Dutch Moedig), Old High German bluotag (German blutig), Old Norse blodigr from Germanic: see blood noun, -y’.] ► A adjective. 1 Of the nature of, composed of, resem¬

bling, or pertaining to blood, oe. 2 Covered, smeared, or stained with blood, oe. 3 Accompanied by or involving bloodshed, me. 4 Of thoughts, words, etc.: concerned with, portend¬ ing, or decreeing bloodshed, me. |5 Of animal bodies: containing blood. IME-E19. 6 Bloodthirsty, blood-guilty. Mi6. 7 Blood-red. Li6. 8 (See comment at sense B.2.) ka Used vaguely as a strong imprecation or intensive; confounded, dam¬ nable, cursed. M17. kb Unpleasant, deplorable; per¬ verse. M20. 2 Yeats Their throats tom and bloody. 3 D. Bagley Semirier.. took power in bloody revolution and kept it by equally bloody government. 5 E. Topsell A Serpent (is].. a Bloudy Beast without feet. 6 AV Ps. 5:6 The Lord will abhorre the bloodie and deceitful] man. 7 G. M. Hopkins Tender pinks with bloody Tyrian dye. 8 OED Not a bloody one. S. L. Elliott The Army must be payin’ you more than the bloody Colonel. E. Blishen That bloody boy! Wait till I get you home, call a spade a bloody shovel: see spade noun'. b C. Connolly Oxford is just bloody. R. Lehmann He made me so mean and bloody. 63

► B adverb, fl Bloodily. Only in me. 2 Used vaguely as a strong imprecation or intensive; exceedingly, very; confoundedly, damnably. Also inserted within words (tmesis). (In general colloq. use until M18; later regarded as on a par with obscene or profane language, hence numerous euphemistic alter¬ natives as blasted, blinking, blooming, etc.; now usu. regarded as strong but not deeply offensive.) Li7. £3 2 Dryden The doughty Bullies enter bloody dmnk. Henry Fielding This is a bloody positive old fellow. G. B. Shaw Walk! Not bloody likely. L. W. Meynell

Remember the News Chronicle?.. On sale one day. Amalgabloody-mated the next. R. Rendell The furthest bloody abroad I'm going ever again will be the Isle of Wight. Comb. & special collocations: bloody flux, f bloody flix dysentery; bloody grave the grave of one who has been murdered; bloody hand: the armorial device of some baronets; Bloody Mary (a) Mary Tudor; (b) a mixed drink of vodka and tomato juice; bloody-minded adjective (a) inclined to bloodshed, blood¬ thirsty, cruel; (b) perverse, cantankerous, stubbornly intransi¬ gent; bloody-mindedly adverb in a bloody-minded manner; bloody-mindedness the state or quality of being bloodyminded; Bloody Monday see Monday noun: bloody-nosed beetle a large black beetle, Timarcha tenebricosa, which exudes a red liquid from its mouth when handled; bloody shirt: see shirt noun; bloody sweat an exudation of blood mixed with sweat; bloody warrior: see warrior noun 2: raw head and bloody bones: see raw adjective. ■ bloodily adverb in a bloody manner; with blood, with blood¬ shed: Mi6. bloodiness noun lib.

bloody /’blAdi/ verb trans.

E16.

Make bloody; stain with blood. E20.

(Gone) awry, amiss, ME.

[Old Norse blom flower, blossom; bio mi prosperity, pi. flowers, = Old Saxon blomo. Middle Dutch bloeme (Dutch bloem). Old High German bluomo, -ma (German Blume), Gothic bloma from Germanic, from base of

bloom /blu:m/ verb', me. [from bloom noun'.]

► I verb intrans. 1 Bear flowers, come into flower, me. 2 Come into or be in full beauty or vigour; flourish; cul¬ minate. ME. 3 Glow with warm colour, mi9. 63 2 B. Jowett Your beauty is fading away, just as your true self is beginning to bloom. 3 J. Tyndall Heaps of snow .. bloomed with a rosy light.

► II verb trans. 4 Bring into bloom; cause to flourish, arch. Li 6. 5 Colour with a soft warm tint. El 9. 6 Cloud (a shiny surface), mi9. 7 photography. Coat (a lens) so as to reduce reflection from its surfaces. M20. £3 4 R. Greene Each fair thing that summer bloomed. 5 Keats While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day. ■ blooming adjective & adverb (a) adjective that blooms; (b) adjective & adverb (colloq.) cursed(ly), bloody: ime. bloomingly adverb

Ml9.

bloom /blu:m/ verb2 trans. E19. [from bloom noun2.]

Make (iron etc.) into blooms. Chiefly as blooming verbal noun.

bloomed /blu:md, poet, ’bhrmid/ adjective. E16. [from bloom noun1, verb': see -ed2, -ed'.]

1 In bloom; bearing blooms. Chiefly poet. E16. 2 That has been bloomed (esp. in sense 7 of bloom verb'). M20. bloomer "bluima/ noun', mis. [from bloom verb1 + -er'.] 1 A plant that blooms (esp. in a specified manner). mis. 2 A floriated letter, li 9. 3 [=b!oomitig error.) A great mistake, a blunder, slang. L19. bloomer/'blu:ma/noun2. M19. [Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-94) of New York, who advocated such dress.) ► I sing. Hist. 1 In full bloomer costume, bloomer dress. = sense 4 below, mi9. 2 bloomer trousers, = sense 5 below, mi9. 3 A woman who wears a bloomer costume, mi9. ► II In pi. 4 Hist. A woman’s costume with loose trousers gathered at the ankle or knee, mi9. 5 Hist. Knee-length trousers or knickerbockers, esp. as worn by women for active pursuits as cycling etc. Li 9. 6 A woman’s or girl’s loose knee-length knickers; colloq, knickers of any style. E20. noun (Hist.)

(Origin unkn.)

bloom /blu:m/ noun'.

■ bloomery. -ary noun a forge or mill where blooms (esp. of wrought iron) are rolled or hammered L16.

■ bloomered adjective wearing bloomers L19. bloomerism the principles ofA.J. Bloomer as to female dress M19.

[from the adjective.)

blooey /'blu:i/ adjective & adverb. US slang.

bloom /blu:m/ noun2. [Old English bloma, identical in form with prec., but prob. a differ¬ ent word.] A mass of iron, steel, or other metal rolled or ham¬ mered into a thick bar for further working. Also loosely, an unworked mass of puddled iron.

blow verb2.]

1 A blossom or flower of a plant, esp. one which is grown or admired chiefly for this; collect, blossom, flowers, me. 2 Flowering; fig. the state or season of greatest beauty; prime; perfection, me. 3 The delicate powdery deposit on grapes, plums, etc.; a similar deposit or appearance; a cloudiness on a shiny surface. M17. kb Freshness; delicate beauty. Lis. kc In full water-bloom. (A scum formed by) the rapid prolifer¬ ation of microscopic algae on water. E20. 4 The crimson tint of the cheek; flush; glow. mis. Sight of vernal bloom. L. M. Montgomery ‘June bells', those shyest and sweetest of woodland blooms. fig.: R. Ellis A chosen array, rare bloom of valorous Argos. 2 Addison While her Beauty was yet in all its Height and Bloom. 3 H. E. Bates Covered with a white bloom of chalk dust. N. Gordimer The blur of frost: a cold bloom formed on the outside of a glass. 4 Henry Fielding Miss Bath had not only recovered her health but her bloom. 63 1 MtLTON

Phrases: in bloom in flower, flowering, take the bloom off deprive (a thing) of its first freshness or beauty. ■ bloomless adjective Lie. bloomy adjective (chiefly poet.) (a) full ofblooms, flowery; (b) in the bloom of youth; (c) covered with or resembling a powdery bloom: L16.

bloomer/'blirma/noun3. M20. [Origin unkn.] A large loaf with a rounded diagonally slashed top. Bloomfieldian /'blu:mfi:ldian/ noun & adjective. M20. [from

Bloomjield (see below) + -ian.]

► A noun. An adherent or student of the (largely structur¬ alist) linguistic theories of the American scholar Leonard Bloomfield (1887-1949). M20. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bloom¬ field or his theories or adherents. M20. Bloomsbury /'blu:mzb(a)ri/ adjective & noun. E20. [A district in west central London.] ► A adjective. Designating, characteristic of, or pertaining to a group of writers and aesthetes living in or associated with Bloomsbury in the early 20th cent.; intellectual, highbrow. E20. ► B noun. The Bloomsbury group; (also joc. Bloomsberry) a member of this. E20. ■ Bloomsburyite noun a member of the Bloomsbury group M20.

bloop /blu:p/ verb, noun, & adjective. E20. [Imit.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. (Cause a radio set to) emit a howling noise. E20. 2 verb trans. Patch or treat (a splice on a soundtrack) so as to prevent an intrusive noise during projection. M20. 3 verb trans. baseball. Score (a run) by hitting a ball high beyond the reach of the infielders. 120. ► B noun. A howling or popping sound. M20.

a cat. a; arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw. a run. o put, u: too, a ago, ai my. ao how. ei day,

► C adjective, baseball Of a run: scored by hitting a ball high beyond the reach ofthe infielders. M20. ■ blooper noun (colloq.) (a) a radio set that causes others to bloop; (b) an embarrassing error, a blunder (c) baseball a ball hit high beyond the reach of the infielders, or thrown high by the pitcher: E20.

''bluta, Scot 'blutar/ noun & verb, colloq. (orig. & chiefly Scot.). E17.

blooter

[Origin unkn.)

► A noun. 1 A stupid, clumsy, noisy, or babbling person; an oaf, a blunderer. Ei7. 2 A hard and (usu.) wild kick; a ball kicked in this way. L20. ► B

verb, fl verb intrans. Cry shrilly. L18.

2 verb intrans. Bungle, blunder; talk foolishly, babble. M19.

3 verb trans. Kick (a ball) hard and (usu.) wildly. L20. 4 verb trans. Hit hard; beat up; smash. L20. ■ blootered adjective very drunk E19. blootering adjective stupid, dumpsy, babbling M19, blooth blore

noun see blowth.

/bio:/ noun. Long arch.

lme.

[Prob. imit.: cf. blow, blast.]

A violent blowing. /'blDs(o)m/ noun. [Old English blostm, blds(t)ma = West Frisian blossum. Middle 8, mod. Dutch bloesem, Middle Low German blos(s)em (cf. also Old Norse blomsttj, gen. referred to the same base as bloom noun'.]

blossom

1 A flower, esp. as promising fruit; collect, the mass of flowers on a fruit tree etc. oe. 2 The state or season of blossoming (lit. & fig.); an early stage of growth; promise, me. 3 A person who is lovely and full of promise, lme. 4 (Minerals forming) the decomposed outcrop of an ore or coal deposit. E19. 61 1 Day Lewis The white blossom streaming away on a gale. W. Bronk Tulips or other big blossoms, fig.: W. H. Prescott The first blossoms of that literature which was to ripen into so rich a harvest. 2 Shakes. Haml. Thus was I.. cut off even in the blossoms of my sin. 3 Shakes, i Hen. VI And there died, my Icarus, my blossom, in his pride. Phrases: in blossom in flower, blossoming. ■ blossomed adjective covered with blossoms; in blossom: lme. blossomless adjective mi9. blossomy adjective covered or adorned with blossoms lme.

/'blDs(3)m/ verb intrans. [Old English bldstmian, formed as prec.] Bear blossom; open into flower (lit. & fig.); develop desir¬ ably or advantageously (into).

blossom

£□ Pope Now hawthorns blossom. M. L. King [Neither] expected this quiet beginning to blossom into a large-scale operation. D. Storey Mrs. Reagan, in adversity, appeared to blossom. S. King This thought suddenly blossomed in his mind. noun', lme. [Prob. of Scandinavian origin; cf. Old Norse blettr (Icelandic blettur) blot, stain, Danish dial. Mat spot, blot.]

blot /blot/

1 A spot or stain of ink, mud, etc.; any black or dark patch; a blemish, a disfigurement, lme. kb spec. An oblit¬ eration by way of correction. E18. 2 a A moral stain; a disgraceful act or quality in a good character; a defect, lme. kb Imputation of disgrace; def¬ amation. L16. kc A person who is in disgrace, colloq. ao. 3 biology & medicine. The distribution of proteins etc. on a medium on to which they have been blotted. L20. 61 1 N. Mitford It looked.. like an ordinary ink blot. Listener Charabancs and monstrous hordes of hikers are blots upon the landscape, a blot on one’s escutcheon. 2 J. R. Green The execution of Wallace was the one blot on Edward's clemency. 3 Northern blot see northern adjective. Southern blot. Western blot: see western adjective. ■ blotless adjective ime. blotty adjective M19. noun2. Li6. [Prob. from Dutch bloot naked, exposed, but as noun only in English.] 1 backgammon. An exposed piece liable to be taken; the

blot /bbt/

action of exposing a piece. L16. 2 An exposed point in one's procedure; a mark, a butt. M17.

verb. Infl. -tt-. lme. [from blot noun'.] ► I verb trans. 1 Spot or stain with ink. tears, etc.; blur, blot /bbt/

smudge, lme. j-2 Cover (paper) with worthless writing. LME-M17. 3 Disgrace; tarnish, sully, (good qualities or reputa¬ tion). arch. lme. kfb Stigmatize, calumniate. LME-E17. 4 Obliterate (writing); efface; obscure (a view etc.); exterminate, destroy. Usu. foil, by out. lme. 5 Dry with blotting-paper, mi 9. 6 biology & medicine, Transfer from a medium used for electrophoretic or chromatographic separation to an no, e: hair

i.i near, m boy, on poor, Ala tire, aon sour

252

blotch | blowed instrument; slang a jazz session, lis. >b (The quantity of metal dealt with in) a single operation of a steel-making retort using an oxygen or air blast. U9. 2 A fly's egg deposited in meat etc. (Earlier in fly-blow

immobilizing medium where the constituents can be identified. L20. Q3 i blot one’s copybook colloq. spoil one's character or record, commit an indiscretion. 3 N. Rowe Blot not thy innocence with guiltless blood. 4 Shakes. Rich. II My name be blotted from the book of life. C. S. Forester The German trenches were blotted out by the smoke and debris. E. Figes My arrival has been blotted out: 1 cannot remember it. A. Price Any chance of a reply.. was blotted out by the roar of another big jet.

noun.) E17. 3 A boast; boastfulness; a boaster. Chiefly US. L17.

/bbu/ noun’, arch. E18. [from blow verb-.]

blow

1 A display of blossoms; a brilliant display, eis. 2 Blossoming; bloom, mis. 3 (A) blossom. Li 8.

►

II verb intrans. 7 Of a pen, ink, etc.: make blots, lme. f 8 Sully a reputation etc. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16. 9 Become blotted, smudge, mi9.

blotch

/bbu/ verb1. Pa. t. blew /bln:/; pa. pple /bbon/, (senses I2d, 19, & non-standard) blowed.

blow

ZblDtJ/noun. Mi7.

[Old English blawan. pa. t. Meow, pa. pple blawen = Old High German bla(h)an, repl. by weak Old High German bifan (German Waken blow up. swell), from Indo-European base repr. also by Latin flare.]

[Partly alt. of plotch noun after blot noun1, partly blend of blot noun’ and botch noun1.]

1 A

discoloured patch on the skin; a pustule, a boil.

► I Senses connected with the production of an air current. 1 verb intrans. Of wind, air, etc., or impers. with it: move along, act as an air current. Freq. with the type or strength of wind as compl. oe. 2 verb intrans. Send a directed air current from the mouth; (of a bellows etc.) produce an air current, oe. ►fb Hiss; whistle. ME-M16. tc Of a whale: eject water and air, spout. L17. 3 verb trans. Send out by breathing; emit or pass (air); drive, carry, or move by an air current; fig. proclaim, publish. Usu. with adverbs & prepositions of direction.

M17. fb A plant disease characterized by areas of discol¬ oration. E20.

2 A large irregular spot or blot of ink, colour, etc. mi 8. 1 b leaf blotch see leaf noun1, sooty blotch see sooty adjective, m blotchiness noun E20. blotchy adjective E19.

blotch /bbtj/ verb trans.

E17.

[from the noun.]

Mark with a blotch or blotches. blotter/'biota/ noun.

Li6.

[from blot verb + -er1.]

1 A person who or thing which blots or blots out (or out); spec (a) an inferior writer, a scribbler; (b) something used for drying ink-marks, as a blotting-pad. L16. 2 A temporary recording-book, as a police chargesheet. (V. Amer. Li7. blottesque /blo'tesk/ adjective.

ME.

4 verb intrans. Breathe hard, puff, pant; dial, (simply) breathe, lme. 5 verb intrans. Bluster; boast, brag. Chiefly dial, or US & Austral, colloq. lme. k|b verb trans. Utter, esp. boastfully, angrily, or maliciously. Also foil, by out. LME-L19. 6 verb trans. Work (bellows); work the bellows of (an organ etc.), lme. 7 verb trans. Cause to pant, exhaust of breath. Usu. in

Mi9.

[from blot verb + -esque, after grotesque etc.]

Of painting: characterized by blotted touches heavily laid on. blotting /'bbtii)/ noun.

lme.

pass. M17. 8 verb intrans. Be driven, carried, or moved by the wind

[from blot verb + -ing1.]

1 The action of blot verb; an instance of this; a blot, smear, obliteration. Also foil, by out. lme. 2 (Material for) blotting-paper. Li9.

or other air current. Freq. with adverbs & prepositions of direction. Mi7. tb verb intrans. & trans. Depart suddenly (from), slang. E20.

Comb, blotting-pad a pad of blotting-paper; blotting-paper absorbent unsized paper for drying wet ink.

blotto /'blotsu/ adjective, slang.

£3 11. Walton Heark how it rains and blows. OED It blew a gale. J. Steinbeck The wind blew fierce and strong. 3 Dryden Winnow’d Chaff by Western Winds is blown. Sir W. Scott As soon as Richard's return is blown abroad. P. Savage The winds.. blow the dead leaves down. J. Herriot He blew smoke pleasurably from his nostrils. A. Price He.. blew the dust from it. 4 Pope Each spent courser at the chariot blow. 7 Blackwood's Magazine The Rus¬ sians .. were.. pretty well blown in the pursuit. 8 Tennyson Her cap blew off, her gown blew up. W. Cather Her skirts blowing in the wind, b E. Linioater He's blown. He's gone up north. R. Macdonald I’m blowing this town tonight.

E20.

[from blot noun' or verb + -o.]

Very drunk, intoxicated. blouse /'blauz/ noun & verb.

E19.

[French, of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. 1 A loose linen or cotton garment resembling a

shirt, usu. belted at the waist, worn by workmen or peas¬ ants, esp. in France. Ei9. fb transf. A French workman. M19.

2 A jacket as part of US military uniform; the upper part of a soldier's or airman’s battledress. mi 9. 3 A woman's loose upper garment usu. worn tucked into a skirt or trousers at the waist. L19.

► II Senses connected with the application of an air current. 9 verb trans. Make (a wind instrument) sound; slang play jazz on (any instrument). Also, sound (a note, a signal) on (or on, upon, with) a wind instrument. Of a wind instru¬ ment: sound (a note, a signal), oe. 10 verb intrans. Of a wind instrument, its blower, or the note etc. produced: sound. Also (slang) play jazz (on any instrument), me. 11 verb trans. Direct an air current at so as to cool, warm, dry, etc. (also with the effect as compl.) or (with a fire as obj.) to make burn more brightly (also foil, by up). me. ►•fb fig. Inflame, arouse, (feeling). Usu. foil, by up.

Phrases: (big) girl's biouse see girl noun.

► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Swell out or hang loosely like a blouse. E20. 2 verb trans. Make (a bodice etc.) loose like a blouse. M20.

blouson /’blu:zDn; foreign bluzo (pi. same)/ noun.

E20.

[French.]

A short jacket shaped like a blouse. blow /bbu/ noun1,

lme.

M E-LI 8.

[Origin unkn.]

1 A (usu. hard) stroke with the fist, an implement, etc. lme. tb A stroke of the shears in shearing sheep. Austral. & NZ. Li9. tc An outcrop of mineral. Austral. & NZ. Li 9. 2 fig. A sudden disaster, a shock, a setback. L17. B3 1 D. H. Lawrence Catching him a light blow.. with the back of her hand. R. Dahl It was too late to check the blow and the axe blade struck the tree. fig.: Shakes. Lear A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows, at one blow at a single stroke, in one operation, a word and o blow: see word noun, break a blow: see break verb, come to blows, (orcfi.) fall to blows begin fighting, exchange blows fight, strike a blow take action (foil, by for, on behalf of, against, in opposition to), strike the first blow take the first action, begin a process, without striking a blow without a struggle, putting up no opposition, b long blow see long adjective’. 2 C. Chaplin Dicky died at the age of nineteen, a sad and terrible blow from which she never recovered. Comb, blow-by-blow adjective (of a description etc.) giving all details in sequence.

blow /bbo/ noun-,

lis.

[from blow verb’.]

1 A blowing; a blast of air; a gust of wind; collog. a breath of fresh air; a blowing of one’s nose; a blowing of a wind b but. d dog.

t few, g get,

blown

h he, j yes, k cat,

I leg.

12 verb trans. Swell by an air current; make or shape (a bubble, glass, etc.) by blowing into it. (Foil, by up, out.) lme. tfb Inflate (a person) with pride or vanity. Usu. foil, by up. LME-E18. tc Enlarge, magnify; exaggerate. Usu. & now only foil, by up. Mi6. td Cause (the stomach of an animal) to swell, lis. fe In pass. Of a food-tin etc.: be swollen by internal gas pressure. Li 9. 13 verb trans. Clear (the nose, a pipe, an egg, etc.) by an air current. Mi6. 14 verb trans. Scatter, destroy, or send flying by an explosion etc. (freq. with adverbs, esp. up, or with the result as compl.); break into (a safe etc.) with explosives; fig. (colloq.) bungle. Foil, by up also f(a) destroy, ruin; (b) colloq. reprove, scold. Li6. ►b verb intrans. Be shattered etc. by an explosion, explode, (usu. foil, by up): fig. foil, by up, lose one’s temper. L17. >c verb trans. Produce (a hole etc.) by an explosion etc. L19. 15 verb trans. Expose, reveal; inform on. (Foil, by f up.) Now slang. L16. fb verb intrans. Act as an informer, reveal a secret, slang. M19. 16 verb intrans. & trans. Of an electric filament or fuse: melt when overloaded. Also, cause (an electric filament etc.) to melt on overload. Also foil, by out. L19.

m man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top, v van, w we.

z zoo.

17 verb trans. Fellate. coarse slang.

M20.

£3 9 Tennyson The belted hunter blew His wreathed bugle-horn. N. Shute The siren blew five blasts. 10 Tennyson Let the mournful martial music blow. R. Kipling The bugles blew for dinner. J. Kerouac Everybody in Frisco blew. R. Bolt A pilot’s whistle, upon which he will blow. 11 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. To.. blow them dry again. F. Marryat The winter was cold.. and he blew his fingers. 12 J. Dickey I blew up the air mattresses with a hand pump, c Punch 1 blew up the two faces on an epidiascope. 14 Steele One of our Bombs fell into a Magazine .. and blew it up. R. Conquest The bridge attributed to Belisarius Is blown. ]. Betjeman When mankind Has blown himself to pieces, b C. Kingsley The mountain had blown up like a barrel of gunpowder. J. Clavell When the magazine blew. 16 J. Raban Every light bulb blows when you switch it on.

► III Other senses. 18 verb trans. Of a fly etc.: deposit eggs on or in; = fly¬ blow verb l. L16. ►fb verb trans. & intrans. Deposit (eggs). E17-L18. 19 verb trans. Curse, confound, damn, (freq. in pass.).

Foil, by if with 1st person expr. surprise or as a disclaimer (also foil, by tup), slang, lis. fb verb intrans. in imper. Damn! E20.

20 verb trans. Squander, spend (money) recklessly. Also (chiefly US) foil, by in. (Cf. blue verb2.) slang. L19. 21 verb trans. Treat (a person to). US slang. L19. £3 18 A. Burgess The flies blew the cold beef on the kitchen table. 19 P. Egan Blow me tight if ever I saw such a thing in my life before. Dickens One blowed thing and another. Phrases: blow a cloud colloq. smoke a pipe, blow a fuse see fuse noun2, blow 0 gasket see gasket noun, blow a kiss kiss one’s fingers and wave or pretend to blow something from them to a (distant) person, blow a person’s brains out shoot a person through the head, blow a person’s mind slang cause a person to have drug-induced hallucinations or a similar experience, blow great guns (of wind) blow violently, blow high, blow low US whatever may happen, blow hot and cold vacillate, be incon¬ sistent. blow one’s cool slang lose one's composure, become angry or agitated, blow one’s own trumpet praise oneself, blow one’s top, Amer.) blow one’s stack collog. show great anger, blow sky-high see SKY noun, blow that for a game of soldiers: see soldier noun, blow the gaff see gaff noun2, blow the whistle on draw attention to (something illicit or undesir¬ able), bring to a sharp conclusion, inform on. blow trade: see trade noun. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: blow away slang kill, destroy, defeat, blow in (a) verb phr. trans. (metauurgv) set (a blast¬ furnace) in operation; (b) verb phr. intrans. (colloq.) come in unex¬ pectedly; (see also sense 20 above), blow off verb phr. trans. allow (steam etc.) to escape forcibly; fig. get rid of (superfluous energy etc.) in a noisy way. blow on —. blow upon — discredit, defame, make stale; (see also sense 9 above), blow out (a) verb phr. trans. & intrans. extinguish or be extinguished by blowing; (b) verb phr. trans. (mfhuurgy) take (a blast-fumace) out of operation; (c) verb phr. intrans. (of a pneumatic tyre) burst; (see also senses 5b, 12, 16 above), blow over pass off without threatened conse¬ quences. blow up verb phr. intrans. (of a wind) increase in force; arise, come to notice; (see also senses 11,12, 14, 15.19 above). blow upon see blow on above. Comb.: blow-away adjective likely to be blown away by the wind etc.: blow-back the action or process of blowing back, esp. (a) of pressure in a boiler or internal-combustion engine; (b) of gun¬ powder that has not burned completely; (c) of the slide or breech-block of some firearms; blow-ball the globular seedhead of a dandelion etc.: blowdown (a) a gust of wind down a chimney; (b) N. Amer a tree blown down by the wind; the blowing down of trees by the wind; (c) the removal of solids or liquids from a container or pipe using pressure; blow-drier a blower used in blow-drying; blow-dry verb & noun (a) verb trans. arrange (hair) while drying it with a hand-held blower; (b) noun an act or instance of blow-drying hair; blowfish (a popular name for) any of several fishes which inflate their bodies when frightened etc.; blowfly any of various flies of the family Calliphoridae, which deposit their eggs on meat and carcasses; a bluebottle, a meat¬ fly; blowhard adjective & noun (colloq.) (a person who is) boastful; blow-hole (a) a hole for breathing through; the nostril of a whale etc.; (b) a hole formed by escaping air. steam, etc.; (c) a vent in a tunnel etc. for the escape of steam, gas. etc.: blow-job coarse slang an act or instance of fellatio or cunnilingus; blowlamp a lamp or torch for directing a very hot flame on a selected spot; blow-off adjective & noun (of or pertaining to) the removal of water or sediment from a boiler by the force of steam; fig. an outburst; blow-out (a) collog. a large meal; (b) dial. S US an outbreak of anger, a row; (c) (orig. US) an isolated hill with a crater-like top created by the wind; a hollow eroded by the wind; (d) a bursting of a pneumatic tyre; (e) a rapid uncontrolled uprush of fluid from an oil well; blow-out preventer: see preventer 3; blowpipe (a) a tube for heating flame by blowing air or other gas into it; (b) a tube used in glass-blowing; (c) a tube for propelling arrows or darts by blowing; blowtorch = blowlamp above; blow-up (a) an explosion; fig. an outburst of anger, a row; (b) the vessel in which raw sugar is dissolved; (c) colloq a photographic enlargement. /bbu/ verb2, arch. Pa. t. blew /blu:/; pa. pple blown /bbun/.

blow

[Old English biowati strong, corresp. to weak verbs Old Frisian biota. Old Saxon blojan (Middle & mod. Dutch Moeien), Old High German bluojan, bluoen (German bliihen), from Germanic base also of bloom noun’, blossom noun & perh. blade.] 1 12

verb intrans. Blossom, flower; fig. flourish, bloom, oe. verb trans. Cause to bloom. M17-E19.

blowed

J she.

3

verb see blow verb’. vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

ij ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

253

blowen | blue blowen

arch, slang.

/’bboan/ noun.

Also blowing /'bboin/

2 verb trans. Cadge, scrounge. M20.

L17.

► B noun. An easy job or assignment.

[Origin unkn.]

A prostitute, a wench. blower /'bboa/ noun',

bludgeon /’bUd3(a)n/ noun & verb. Mis. [Origin unkn.]

oe.

[from blow verb' + -er'.]

1 gen. A person who or thing which blows. (Foil, by of.) 2 A boaster, a blusterer. Chiefly dial, or US & Austral, colloq. L16.

3 An apparatus that produces or increases an air current, as a sheet of iron across a fireplace to increase a fire’s draught, a fan heater, etc. L18. 4 An escape of gas through a fissure in a coalmine etc.; a fissure through which gas escapes. £19. 5 A telephone; a speaking-tube, colloq. E20. blower /’bbua/ noun2, rare.

2

mis.

[from blow verb + -er1.]

blown verb', verb2 pa. pple of blow verb', verb2. blowsy

adjective vars. of

blowze,

BLOWZY.

blowth /bbo9/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also (dial.) blooth /blu:9/. E17.

2

[from blow verb + -th1.]

Blossoming; (a) bloom. blowy /'bbui/ adjective.

Ei9.

[from blow verb' + -y1.]

Windy. blowze /blauz/ noun & verb. Also

blowse. Li6.

[Origin unkn.]

► A noun. |1 A (beggar’s) wench. L16-E18. 2 A coarse red-faced woman; a slattern. Long obsolete exc. dial. Li6. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Make red-faced; dishevel. Chiefly as blowzedppladjective, mi8. 12 verb intrans. Tend to be blowzy. Chiefly as blowzing ppl adjective. M18-M19. blowzy /'blauzi/ adjective. Also

blowsy. E17.

[from prec. + -y’.]

Coarse and red-faced; slatternly; unkempt, dishev¬ elled. ■ blowzily adverb E20. blowziness noun M19.

BLT abbreviation. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato (sandwich). blub /bUb/ verb & noun, colloq.

Ei9.

[Abbreviation of blubber verb.] ►

A verb. Infl. -bb-. 1 verb trans. Wet or disfigure with weeping. 2 verb intrans. Shed tears, weep. M19. ► B noun. A fit or spell of weeping. Li 9. blubber/'bUba/noun.

E19.

lme.

[Prob. imit.: cf. Low German blubbem bubble. German blubbem bubble, splutter.] ■fl

The foaming of the sea. Only in lme. 2 A bubble on water, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 The fat of whales, seals, etc. lme. 4 More fully sea blubber. A jellyfish. E17. 5 The action of blubbering. M17. ■ blubbery adjective L18.

blubber /'bUba/ adjective. Also (the earliest form)

fblab-;

[Prob. imit.: cf. bleb, blob, bubble noun & adjective.] Esp. of the lips or cheeks: swollen, protruding, fl First recorded in comb,

blubber-lipped adjective.

1 Blue colour; a shade of this. me. kb A pigment of a blue colour (freq. with specifying word); a blue sub¬ stance; spec, a blue powder used as a whitener in launder¬ ing. Li 5. 2 Blue clothing, dress, or uniform; blue fabric, me. kb spec. The uniform of the Union troops in the Ameri¬ can Civil War. US. M19. 3 ellipt. Anything distinguished by blue colour, as the blue ball in snooker, a blue butterfly (spec, one of the family Lycaenidae), etc. Li 6. 4 The clear sky; the sea; the desert; the indefinite dis¬ tance, the unknown, mi7. 5 As the colour adopted by a party, faction, etc. (cf. blue adjective 5); transf. a member of such a group. M17. kb = bluestocking noun. arch. L18. kc (Also B-.) A person who has represented Oxford University or Cambridge Univer¬ sity at a particular sport in a match between the two universities; such a distinction. L19. 6 A soldier, police officer, etc., in blue uniform. Usu. in pi. Mis. 7 An argument, a fight or brawl; a mistake, a blunder. Austral. & NZ slang. M20. LQ 1 j. Ruskin The blue of distance, however intense, is not the blue of a bright blue flower. Alice blue, cobalt blue, electric blue. Eton blue, navy blue. Prussian blue, royal blue soluble blue, violet-blue, etc. b S. Rowlands Set her to starch a band .. She euer spoyles the same with too much blew. French blue: see French adjective, scratch blue: see scratch verb, scratched blue verdigris blue 2 men in blue, boys In blue, etc., policemen; the Royal Navy: US Federal troops. 3 Admiral of the Blue Hist.: of the Blue squadron (one of three divisions of the Royal Navy made between the 17th and 19th cents.). Danish blue see Danish adjective. Russian Blue. See also blues. 4 Geo. Eliot Where one may float between blue and blue. j. T. Story I am not.. one of those people who can vanish into the blue never to be heard of again. N. MacCaig The weather doodles a faint cloud / on the blue / then pensively washes it out. bolt from the blue, bolt out of the blue: see bolt noun', out of the blue without warning, unexpectedly. 5 dark blue, light blue: adopted by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively, c get one’s blue, win one’s blue, etc., represent one's university etc. in a sporting contest. 6 R. Kipling Next time you see the ‘blue’ ashore you do not stare unintelligently. the Blues (in the British army) the Royal Horse Guards, later merged with the 1st Dragoons as the Blues and Royals 7 K. Tennant Every time Rene comes round there's some kind of a blue. N. Shute I put up a blue right away by order¬ ing a pink gin.

[Old & mod. French bleu from Proto-Romance from Germanic (whence also Old English blrt-hrewen, bld’wcn blue, Old Norse blar dark-blue, livid, blae).]

[from blubber noun.]

1 verb intrans. Bubble (up); make a bubbling sound, lme. 2 verb intrans. Weep noisily; weep and sob unrestrain¬ edly. LME. 3 verb trans. Utter with crying and sobbing. (Foil, by out, arch, forth.) Li6. 4 verb trans. Wet, disfigure, or swell (the face) with weeping. Li6. t£l 2 Brendan Cleary Her mouth agape and blubbering she fled into the kitchen. blubberingly adverb with noisy

blucher/'blu:ka,foreign 'blygar/noun. Also B-.

bludger/’blAd3o/noun, slong. Mi9. [Abbreviation of bludgeoner.] 1 A man who works with prostitutes to rob their clients; a pimp, mi9. 2 A loafer, a shirker, a hanger-on. Austral. & NZ. E20.

blue /blu:/ adjective. Also fblew. me.

lme.

■ blubberer noun L18. weeping Mi9.

■ bludgeoner noun a person who is armed with or uses a bludgeon M19.

Com6.: blue bag a bag containing laundry blue, used also in the treatment of insect bites and stings; blue spot the spot on which the blue ball is placed in snooker, fl The usual spelling until 18 was New.

fblob- L15.

blubber /'bUba/ verb.

ild A. Burgess I did not wish to give up my freedom. I was bludgeoned into marriage.

[The adjective used ellipt. orabsol.]

blowing noun var. of blowen.

noun & verb,

► A noun. A heavy-headed stick or club, mi8. ► B verb trans. Strike repeatedly or fell with a bludgeon; coerce. M19.

blue /blu:/ noun. Also ( blew me.

A plant that blooms early, late, etc.

blowse

M20.

E19.

[G. L. von Blucher (1742-1819), Prussian general.]

Hist. 1 A kind of horse-drawn cart or coach. Also more Blucher coach. E19. 2 A strong laced leather half-boot or high shoe. Also blucher boot. Usu. in pi. Mi9. fully

bludge /bUdj/ verb & noun, slang (chiefly Austral. & NZ).

Li9.

[Back-form, from bludger.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. a Shirk responsibility or hard work. Li9. kb Impose on. E20. kc Pimp. E20. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

0:

1 Of the colour of the sky and the deep sea, between green and violet in the spectrum; of a hue resembling this. me. kb Livid, leaden-coloured (esp. of the skin as a result of cold, fear, etc.), me. kc Of a flame or flash: without red glare. L16. 2 a Taken as the colour of constancy, lme. kb Taken as the colour of sorrow or anguish (see also sense 3). lme. kc Taken as the colour of plagues and things hurtful. Ei6. 3 fig. Depressed, low-spirited; dismayed, downcast; (of circumstances) dismal, unpromising. Mi6. kb Intoxicated, s/ong (chiefly US). E19. kc music. Pertaining to or characteristic of the blues. E20. 4 Dressed in blue; wearing blue. L16. 5 Belonging to a party etc. that has chosen blue for its colour; spec, (a) (Hist.) true-blue, of the Scottish Presbyter¬ ian or Whig party in the 17th cent.; (b) of the Conserva¬ tive Party in the UK. M17. 6 Of a woman; learned, pedantic (cf. bluestocking). arch, derog. Li 8. 7 Obscene, indecent; profane, colloq. mi9. saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how. ei day,

£0 1 Shakes. Ant. & CL My bluest veins to kiss. Scott Fitzgerald The blue smoke of brittle leaves. C. Mackenzie Eyes as blue as the kingfisher’s wing. L. van der Post A great plain between blue hills. I. McEwan ‘Can I borrow a blue pencil?’ ‘Blue for the sea or blue for the sky?’ between the Devil and the deep blue sea: see devil noun, b Milton Blue meagre hag. T. C. Wolfe His lips chattered and turned blue. black and blue: see black adjective, blue in the face livid with effort, excitement, etc. (used hyperbol.). c Defoe When the candles bum blue the Devil is in the room. 2a true blue faithful, unwavering, genuine (see also sense 5 above), b V. Nabokov A combination of blue sulks and rosy mirth, Lolita, c E. Young Riot, pride, perfidy, blue vapours breathe. 3 R. Boldrewood It seemed a rather blue look-out. G. Stein She wondered.. how she could go on living when she was so blue. 4 thin blue line: see thin adjective. 5 G. B. Shaw The bluest of Tories. 6 M. Edgeworth They are all so wise, and so learned, so blue. 7 P. G. Wodehouse A jocund little tale, slightly blue in spots. R. Lowell What blue movie is worth a seat at the keyhole. Special collocations & comb.: blue asbestos crocidolite. blue baby a baby with congenital cyanosis, blueback (chiefly N. Amer.) a bird or fish, esp. a trout or a sockeye salmon, having a bluish back, blue bag a barrister’s (orig. a solicitor’s) brief-bag of blue mater¬ ial; (see also blue noun), blue beat (music) = ska. blueberry any of certain N. American shrubs of the genus Vaccinium, of the heath family, allied to the bilberry but bearing their fruits in clusters; the sweet edible blue or blackish fruit of such a plant, blue-bill N. Amer. & dial. = scaup, bluebird (a) a small N. American bird of the genus Siatia, related to the thrushes, and having skyblue upperparts; esp. the eastern bluebird. S. sidlis; (b) fig. happi¬ ness. blue-black adjective & noun (of) a black colour with a tinge of blue, blue blood [translating Spanish sangre azul, claimed by certain families of Castile, as having no Moorish, Jewish, or other admixture] a sign of high birth, blue-blooded adjective aristo¬ cratic. blue-bonnet (a) a peasant or soldier wearing a broad round flat woollen cap, formerly in general use in Scotland; (b) any of various blue flowers and blue-headed birds; esp. (N. Amer.) either of two lupins, Lupinus subcamosus and L texensis, native to Texas, blue book a book bound in blue, spec (a) a parliamentary or Privy-Council report, issued in a blue cover; (b) US a printed book giving personal details of government officials, bluebottle (a) a cornflower or occas. another blue-flowered plant; (b) a nickname for a beadle (arch.) or a police officer; (c) a large dark-blue fly of the genus Calliphora; (d) Austral., NZ, & S. Afr., a Portuguese man-of-war. bluebunch wheat-grass: see wheat noun, blue-bush any of various shrubs with bluish foliage or blue flowers, esp. (Austral.) a bluish-leaved shrub of the genus Bassia. bluecap t(o) a Scotsman; (b) dial, a salmon in its first year (so called because of a blue spot on its head); a cornflower; a blue tit. blue-cheeked adjective having blue cheeks: blue-cheeked bee-eater, an African and Asian bee-eater, Merops supercdiosus, which has mainly green plumage with a black eyestripe bor¬ dered by pale blue, blue cheese cheese marked with veins of blue mould (Danish blue cheese see Danish adjective), blue chip (orig. US) a high-value poker counter; transf. a stock exchange investment considered to be fairly reliable, though not entirely without risk, blue-chip adjective of the highest quality; (of an investment) fairly reliable, blue-coat a person who wears a blue coat, e.g. a police officer, a sailor, a scholar at a charity school (esp. Christ's Hospital), (formerly) an almsman, a beadle, blue cohosh, blue-collar adjective designating a manual or industrial worker, as opp. to a ‘white-collar’ (office) worker, blue copperas. blue corn N. Amer. a variety of maize with bluish grains, blue crab a large edible crab, Callinectes sapidus, of the N. American Atlantic coast, blue crane: see crane noun' lb blue dahlia some¬ thing rare or unheard of. blue devil (a) a baleful demon; (b) in pi.. depression of spirits; delirium tremens (cf. blues 1). bluedomer colloq. one who does not go to church, preferring to worship beneath the ‘blue dome’ of heaven, blue duck a greyblue duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos, of mountain streams in New Zealand; also called mountain duck. whio. blue ensign see ensign noun, blue eye (a) an eye of which the iris is blue; f(b) = black eye (b) s.v. black adjective: (c) a blueness round the eye from weeping etc. blue-eyed adjective having a blue eye or blue eyes; blue-eyed boy (colloq.) a favourite, a pet; blue-eyed grass, any of several plants of the genus Sisyrinchium, bearing blue flowers; blue-eyed Mary, a blue-flowered ornamental plant, Omplwlodes vema, of the borage family, bluefin (tuna) N. Amer. the common tuna. Thunnus thynnus. bluefish any of various fishes of a blue colour; esp. (a) (chiefly N. Amer.) Pomatomus saltatrix (family Pomatomidae). a large edible blue-backed percoid marine fish; (b) (Austral. & NZ) Girella cyanea (family Kyphosidae), a bright blue edible percoid marine fish, blue flag (a) a European award for beaches based on cleanliness and safety; (b) motor racing a blue flag used to indicate to a driver that there is another driver trying to lap him. blue fly a bluebottle, blue funk slang a state of extreme nervousness, bluegill (sunfish) a small fish, Lepomis macrochirus, of lakes and ponds in central and south-eastern US. blue gown Hist, in Scotland, (the dress of) a king’s bedesman or licensed beggar, bluegrass (a) any of various grasses with bluish flowers; spec. Poa pratensis, characteristic of Kentucky and Virginia, or other grasses of the same genus; (b) the State of Kentucky; (c) a type of folk music associated with Kentucky and Virginia, bluegreen (alga) a primitive prokaryotic alga containing blue and green photosynthetic pigments; also called cyanobacterium blue-grey a breed of cattle, a cross between Aberdeen Angus and shorthorn, blue groper see groper noun2 2. blue ground dark greyish-blue brecciated kimberlite in which diamonds may be found, bluegum any of several Australian eucalypts with bluish bark or leaves, blue hare = mountain hare blue hawk any of various bluish-grey birds of prey; esp. the male hen-harrier, blue heeler Austral. & NZ a cattle-dog with a dark speckled body, blue helmet a member of a United Nations peacekeeping force, bluejacket a sailor, esp. as opp. to a marine, blue jay (a) a crested jay, Cyanocitta cnstata, largely blue with white underparts, native to eastern N. America; (b) = roller noun2. Blue john (a) a blue or purple variety of fluorite found in Derbyshire, England; f(b) = after-wort s.v. after-, blue-joint US a grass of the no, e: hair, ia near, 01 boy, oa poor. Aia tire, aoa sour

254

blue | blunt genus Calamagrostis or a related genus, with bluish stems, blue Taws US severe puritanical laws. orig. those alleged to have been in force among early colonists of New England, blue line: spec. marking off an area of play in a game, as in ice hockey either of the two lines midway between the centre of the rink and each goal, blue ling either of two small lings, Molva macrophthalma and M. dypterygia. blue marguerite. Bluemantle one of four pursuivants of the English College of Arms, blue metal bluish argillaceous shale, used in road-making, blue monkey the samango monkey, Cercopitheais mitls. blue moon colloq. a rarely recurring period (esp. in once in a blue moon), blue mould a fungus in food, esp. in certain cheeses when mature. Blue Mountain (coffee) a type of Jamaican coffee, blue-mouth a spiny deep¬ water scorpaenid fish of the N. Atlantic, Helicolenus dactylopterus, with a reddish body and a blue mouth; also called red bream blue murder slang an extravagant outcry, a loud or alarming noise, blue-nose (chiefly N. Arner.) (a) (B-) a person or thing from Nova Scotia; (b) a priggish or puritanical person, blue-nosed adjective (chiefly N. Amer. colloq.) priggish, puritanical; contempt¬ ible. blue note music a minor interval where a major would be expected; an off-pitch note, blue peafowl, blue pencil a pencil with a blue lead, used in marking corrections, etc. blue-pencil verb trans. score through or obliterate with a blue pencil, make cuts in, censor. Blue Peter a blue flag with a white square in the centre, hoisted by a ship as a signal of immediate sailing, blue pill (chiefly Hist.) a mercurial antibilious pill, blue pincushion. blue-plate adjective (N. Amer.) designating a restaurant meal in which the main course is served as a single menu item, blue pointer, blueprint noun & verb (a) noun a photographic print com¬ posed of white lines on a blue ground or vice versa, used for making copies of plans and designs; fig. a plan, scheme; (b) verb trans. plan, project, blue riband, blue ribbon (a) a ribbon of blue silk, worn as a badge of honour; esp. that of the Order of the Garter; (b) the greatest distinction, the first place or prize; attrib. of first quality, carefully chosen; (c) a small strip of blue ribbon worn as a sign of teetotalism. blue rinse (an elderly woman with) a bluish tint for grey or white hair, blue-rinsed adjective having a blue rinse, blue roan: see roan adjective & noun2, blue rock: see rock noun1, blue rod an official of the order of St Michael and St George, blue ruin slang gin, esp. of poor quality. blue runner: see runner 5c. blue-screen adjective designating or employing a special-effects technique in which scenes filmed against a blue background are superimposed on other scenes, blue shark a large shark, Prionace glauca, having a dark-blue back, blue shift displacement of spectral lines towards shorter wavelengths or the blue end of the spectrum (opp. redshift noun), blue-sky adjective (a) N. Amer., designating dealing in worth¬ less securities or legislation to prevent their sale; (b) hypothet¬ ical; not yet practicable or profitable, blue sowthistle: see sowthistle s.v. sow noun1, blue stone (a) copper sulphate; (b) a bluish-grey stone used for building, esp. US a sandstone from near the Hudson River, Austral. & NZ a basalt; (c) any of the dolerite stones forming the inner parts of Stonehenge, believed to be from the Preseli Hills, S. Wales, blue streak colloq. (chiefly N. Amer.) a fast-moving thing or person; a constant stream of words. blue tangle: see tangle noun2 3. bluethroat a Eurasian bird, Luscinia svecica, related to the robin, having a blue throat with a chestnut or white spot, blue tit a common European tit, Pams caemleus, having blue upperparts. bluetongue (a) (orig. S. Afr.) an insect-borne viral disease of sheep (transmissible with less serious effects to cattle and goats), characterized by fever, lame¬ ness, and a blue, swollen mouth and tongue; also occas. a com¬ parable disease of horses; (b) Austral, a lizard of the genus Tiliqua. blue tulp. blue vinny (cheese), blue vinney (cheese) a bluemould skimmed-milk cheese; also called Dorset cheese, blue vitriol, blue water the open sea. blue whale a baleen whale, Balaenoptera musculus, the largest of all animals, blue whiting a small blue-backed oceanic whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, common in the eastern Atlantic, blue-wing the blue-winged teal. Anas discors, of N. America. fj The usual spelling until 18 was blew. ■ bluely adverb (a) with a blue colour or tinge; |(b) badly (only in come off bluely): Mi7. blueness noun ns.

blue /blu:/ verb1 trans. Pres, pple blueing, bluing. Also tblew (cf. blue adjective). Ei7. [from the adjective.] 1 Make blue. Ei7. 2 Treat (laundry) with blue. Li8. ■ blueing, bluing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) laundry blue: Mi7.

blue /blu:/ verb2 trans. slang. Pres, pple & verbal noun blueing, bluing. M19. [Perh. from past tense of blow verb' 20.] Spend extravagantly, squander.

Bluebeard /'blu:biad/ noun. E19. [A character in a fairy tale told in French (Barbe-bleue) by Pen rault.] A man who has murdered several wives and concealed their bodies, or has other mysterious or horrible things to conceal.

bluebell /'blu:bel/ noun. Li6. [from blue adjective + bell noun1.] 1 The harebell. Campanula rotundifoha. Chiefly Scot. & north. Li6. 2 A bulbous-rooted woodland plant, Hyacinthoides nonscripta, bearing racemes of narrow bell-like blue flowers in spring; a flowering stem of this plant. Li8. 2 Spanish bluebell: see Spanish adjective. Virginia bluebell see Virginia 1.

blueish adjective var. of bluish. b but. d dog. f few, g get,

h he. j yes. k cat,

blueism /’blu:iz(3)m/ noun. arch. Also bluism.

118.

[from blue adjective + -ism.]

The characteristics or behaviour of a bluestocking; feminine learning. blues /blu:z/ noun. mis. [Ellipt. for blue devils: see blue adjective] 1 pi. the blues, depression of spirits, melancholy, mis. 2 pi. & (sometimes) sing. A (type of) haunting melody or

melancholy song, ffeq. in a twelve-bar sequence using blue notes, originating among southern black Ameri¬ cans. E20. Q3 1 S. Bellow He realized he had not spoken three words to a living soul and the blues descended on him. 2 J. Baldwin Frank sang the blues. R. D. Laing Martyn's elec¬ tronic version of the Skip James blues ‘I d Rather Be The Devil', rhythm and blues. m bluesy adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic of blues music M20.

bluestocking /'blurstDkiij/ adjective & noun, derog.

Li7.

[from blue adjective + stocking noun2.]

► A adjective. 1 Wearing blue worsted stockings; in homely dress, arch. Li7. 2 Designating or pertaining to (those frequenting) assemblies for literary conversation etc. held at Montagu House in London about 1750 (where some of the men wore the blue stockings of ordinary daytime dress), lis. 3 Of a woman: having or affecting literary tastes, learned. E19. ► B noun. A female supporter of bluestocking assemblies; a learned woman, lis. ■ bluestockingism noun E19

bluet /'bluat/ noun. Chiefly US.

E18.

[French bl(e)uet dim. of bleu blue adjective: see -et1.]

Any of various blue-flowered plants; esp. (a) the corn¬ flower, Centaurea cyanus: (b) the plant Hedyotis caemlea, of the madder family. Also called innocence, quaker-lady. Freq. in pi. Bluetooth /1 blu:tu:0/ noun. L20. [Said to be named after King Harald Bluetooth (910-85). credited with uniting Denmark and Norway.]

A standard for the short-range wireless interconnection of mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices; (proprietary name for) devices conforming to this standard. bluey /'blua/ adjective, adverb, & noun.

E19.

[from blue adjective + -Y1.] ► A adjective & adverb. More or less blue; with a blue tinge. E19.

► B noun. 11 Lead, slang. Now rare or obsolete. M19. ► II Austral. & NZ colloq. 2 a A bushman’s bundle (often wrapped in a blue blanket); a swag. L19. Vb A rough outer garment; the material from which such garments are made. L19. 3 A summons (on blue paper) to appear in court. E20. 4 A blue cattle-dog. M20. 2 hump bluey travel with a swag, hit the trail.

bluff /bUf/ noun'. Orig. N. Amer. M17. [from the adjective.)

1 A cliff or headland with a broad precipitous face; a high steep bank, esp. by a river or shore. M17. 2 A grove or dump of trees. Canad. mi 8. bluff /bUf/ noun2. L18. [Prob. from the verb, to which it is certainly related, but perh. earlier.]

1 A blinker for a horse. Now obsolete or dial. lis. 2 The game of poker; the action or an act of bluffing, orig. in poker; threatening or confident language or behaviour adopted without basis, in order to intimidate or mislead an opponent. Orig. US. mi9. £H 2 C. Connolly I leamt that sulking, crying, moping, and malingering were bluffs that paid. A. Wilson There's a lot of bluff goes with this act; he knows nothing about brandy, call someone’s bluff challenge or invite a showdown with someone believed to be bluffing, double bluff, see double adjective & adverb.

bluff /bUf/ adjective.

E17.

[Orig. nautical, perh. of Low Dutch origin.]

1 Presenting a broad, flattened front; (of a ship’s bows) broad and with little or no rake. E17. 2 fig. a Rough or surly in manner; abrupt, curt. E18. ►b Good-naturedly blunt; frank, hearty. E19. C1L 2a Swift 1 maul d you when you look'd so bluff. Lytton Finally wound up with a bluff‘Go, or let alone'. B. Plain iou re so blunt and bluff lately, so outspoken! b R. L. Stevenson He had a bluff, rough-and-ready face. W. Faulkner He would correct them.. with a bluff hearty amiability, making a joke of it. ■ bluffly adverb L18. bluffness noun M19.

bluff /bUf/ verb.

L17.

[Dutch blujfen brag, boast, orblufbragging. boasting.) I verb trans. Blindfold, hoodwink. Now obsolete or dial L17.

1 leg,

m

man. n no.

p pen, r red. s sit,

t top, v van,

w we, z zoo.

2 verb trans. & intrans. (Attempt to) deceive or intimidate by a pretence of strength (orig. in the game of poker). Orig. US. mi9. tO 2 Conan Doyle I bluffed him by giving him the impres¬ sion that I was absolutely certain. J. F. Kennedy There was considerable feeling.. that Hitler and Mussolini were just bluffing. Show strength and they will back down, bluff it out seek to avoid trouble by bluffing, bluff off frighten off by bluffing. ■ bluffer noun LI9

bluggy /'bUgi/ adjective. Li9. [Repr. a supposed infantile pronunc. of bloody adjective.]

Bloody; spec, bloodthirsty, blood-and-thunder. bluing verb & noun see bluish

blue verb1,

/'blu:iJ7 adjective. Also

verb2.

blueish. tblewish lme.

[from blue adjective + -ish 1.]

Somewhat blue; with a blue tinge. ■ bluishness noun E17.

bluism noun var. of blueism. blunder/'blAnda/noun.

lme.

[App. from the verb.)

fl Confusion; clamour, lm E-u 8. 2 A stupid or careless mistake. ei 8. blunder /'bUndo/ verb.

me.

[Prob. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Middle Swedish blundra, Norwe¬ gian blundre shut the eyes, frequentative of Old Norse, Swedish blunda, Old Danish blunde, rel. to blind adjective.] 1 verb intrans. Move blindly; flounder, stumble, me. 2 verb trans. Orig., treat clumsily, damage. Later, mingle; make turbid; mix up (lit. & fig.), arch. & dial. me. 3 verb trans. Utter thoughtlessly; blurt out. Li 5. 4 verb intrans. Make a stupid or careless mistake. E18. 5 verb trans. Mismanage, make a blunder in. Ei9. £B 1 J. B. Priestley He felt as if he had blundered into a party given by a complete stranger. B. Bainbridge Someone behind him, blundering through the undergrowth, blunder upon find through a stupid or careless mistake. 4 Tennyson The soldier knew Someone had blunder’d. 5 Si r W. Scott The banker’s clerk, who was directed to sum my cash-account, blundered it three times, blunder away waste or lose by mismanagement ■ blunderer noun lme. blunderingly adverb in a blundering manner E19.

blunderbuss /'bUndabAs/ noun. Mi7. [Alt. (by assoc, with blunder) of Dutch donderbus, from donder thunder + bus gun (orig. box, tube; cf. German Biichse).] 1 Hist. A short gun with a large bore, firing many balls or slugs at once. M17. 2 A talkative or blundering person. Li7.

blunderhead

/'bUndahed/noun.

Li7.

[Prob. alt. of dunderhead.]

A blundering dunderheaded person. ■ blunderheaded adjective mib

blunge /bknfdjy verb trans. Ei9. [Combining plunge with words in bl- as blend.] pottery. Mix (clay, bone, flint-powder, etc.) with water in a revolving apparatus. ■ blunger noun an apparatus for blunging E19.

tblunket adjective & noun,

lme-lis.

[Origin unkn.: unlikely to be rel. to blanket noun S adjective.] (Fabric of) greyish blue.

blunt /bknt/ adjective & noun.

me.

[Perh. from Scandinavian neut. formation (cf. scant, thwart) on base of Old Norse blundr dozing, sleep, blunda shut the eyes (Nor¬ wegian blunde doze): cf. blunder verb.] ► A adjective. 1 Of sight, the perceptions generally, the

intellect: dull, insensitive, me. 2 Without a sharp edge or point; (of an angle, point, etc.) not sharp, obtuse, lme. 3 Rude, unpolished, without refinement. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

|4 Barren, bare. M-L16. 5 Abrupt in speech or manner; unceremonious; out¬ spoken; uncompromising. Li6. £3 2 AV Eccles. 10:10 If the yron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength. G. Greene The man’s moving fingers.. were short, blunt and thick, blunt instrument fig. a crude means to an end. 3 Pope Tho' not in phrase refin'd: Tho' blunt my tale. 5 A. Radcliffe Be pretty blunt with them if they want to come in here. W. S. Churchill In his blunt way he declared . that the militia was useless. K. Crossley-Holland Good, blunt words with Anglo-Saxon roots.

► B noun, f 1 A blunt sword for fencing. E17-E19. 2 Ready money, arch, slang. E19. 3 A type of needle used for heavy stitching work. Mi 9. 4 [from (Phillies) Blunt, proprietary name for a brand of cigar.) A cigar whose wrapper has been emptied of tobacco and stuffed with marijuana. L20. ■ bluntish adjective Mi6. bluntly adverb lme. bluntness noun LME. f she.

3

vision.

6

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

255

blunt | board blunt /bUnt/ verb. lme.

5 verb trans. Make red or roseate. Li6.

[from the adjective.]

► I verb trans. 1 Dull or make less sharp (an edge, point, etc.). LME. 2 Make dull (the feelings or faculties). L16. 3 Weaken the sharpness of (anything acid etc.); neu¬ tralize partly; dilute, mis. £B 1 C. McCullough Eucalyptus wood blunted the sharp¬ est axe in no time at all. jig.: H. Arendt It blunts the impact of one of the basic totalitarian tenets. 21. Murdoch My appe¬ tite for Hugo's conversation was not blunted. J. Heller Twenty-nine months in the service had not blunted his genius for ineptitude.

► II verb intrans. 4 Become dull or less sharp.

Li7.

1 A smear which partially obscures; fig. a moral stain or blemish. Mi6. 2 An indistinct, unfocused, or dim image, sound, or apprehension; confused dimness. Mi9. BJ 1 F. Quarles He that clenses a blot with blotted fingers makes a greater blurre. Milton These blurs are too apparent in his life. 2 S. Gibbons A contused blur of voices and boots in the yard outside. I. Murdoch The farther roses merged into a multi-coloured blur. ■ blurriness noun blurry condition M20. blurry adjective full of blurs, indistinct L19.

-rr-.

Mi6.

[formed as prec.]

► I verb trans. 1 Smear (clear writing etc.) with ink etc. M16.

2 fig. Sully, disfigure, defile. Li6. 3 Make indistinct. Ei7. 4 Dim or make undiscriminating (the senses, judge¬ ment, etc.). E17. £3 2 Shakes. Haml. Such an act That blurs the grace and blush of modesty. 3 Tennyson One low light.. Blurr'd by the creeping mist. N. Gordimer Reception was blurred by static interference. R. Hayman A narrative style which helps to blur distinctions between mental events and external reality. 4 H. Wouk The alcohol hadn't blurred his brain.

► II verb intrans. 5 Become smeared or indistinct. 6 Make blurs in writing. E17.

E17.

With adverbs in specialized senses: blur out efface, blot out. blur over obscure by a blur, make indistinct.

blurb /bb:b/ noun, slang (orig. US).

E20.

[Fanciful form by US humorist Gelett Burgess.]

A publisher’s brief, usu. eulogistic, description of a book, printed on its jacket or in advertisements; descrip¬ tive or commendatoiy matter. blurt /bb:t/ verbs, noun.

L16.

[Prob. imit.: cf. blirt.]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. Utter abruptly or injudiciously; burst out with. Li 6. |2 verb intrans. Make a contemptuous puffing gesture with the lips. L16-M17. til 1 Q. Bell She told secrets, not realising they would be blurted out in company. W. Styron ‘I’m going to miss you, Sophie,' I blurted.

► B noun. tl An (esp. contemptuous) eruptive emission ofbreath. L16-E17. 2 An abrupt or injudicious utterance, rare. M19. blush /bUJ/ noun & adjective, lme. [from the verb.] ► A noun. 1 A gleam; a blink; a glance, glimpse, obsolete

exc. as below, lme. 2 A reddening, redness, of the face caused by embar¬ rassment, shame, modesty, etc. Li6. 3 A flush of light or colour; spec, a rosy colour or glow as of dawn. Li 6. 4 A blush wine. L20. £3 1 at first blush, at the first blush, on first blush, on the first blush on the first glance or impression. 2 Wordsworth Her blushes are joy-flushes. W. Boyd The hot blush had left his face but he felt his ears were still glowing, put to the blush put to shame spare a person's blushes not embarrass a person by praise.

► B adjective. Delicate pink; of the colour of a blush.

L16.

blush wine a wine with a slight pink tint, made in the manner of a white wine but with a red grape variety. ■ blushful adjective given to blushing; rosy, ruddy: EI7. blushless adjective M16. blushy adjective E17.

blush /bUJ/ verb. Pa. t. & pple -ed, (arch.) -t. [Old English blyscan corresp. to Middle Low German bloschen. Low German blusken: rel. to Middle Dutch blozen, blozen (Dutch blozen) blush. Cf. Old English ablysian blush, etc.] 1 verb intrans. Glow red; be or become roseate, oe. f2 verb intrans. Shine forth; glance. Only in lme. 3 verb intrans. Become red in the face because of embar¬

rassment, shame, modesty, etc. lme. 4 verb intrans. Be ashamed at, for, to do.

M16.

2 A long coil of fur or feathers wom around a woman’s neck, mi9. rainbow boa. sand boa. tree boa. yellow boa. etc. Comb.: boa constrictor a very large boa. Constrictor constrictor, of South and Central America; loosely=sense 1 above. 1

BOAC abbreviation. Hist. British Overseas Airways Corporation.

[from prec.+ -ER1.]

1 Something red or roseate, rare. M17. 2 A person who blushes with embarrassment etc. Li 9. 3 The edible mushroom Amanita rubescens, the flesh of which reddens when bruised. 119. 4 A cosmetic used to give colour to the face. M20.

[from the verb.]

M16.

Infl.

■ blushingly adverb with blushing, as if ashamed L16. blusher /'bUJa/ noun. M17.

bluster /'blasts/ noun. L16.

[Perh. rel. to blear.]

blur /bb:/ verb.

To blush and beautify the cheek.

blusht verb see blush verb.

d 4 M. Mitchell Her weapons of scorn, coldness and abuse blunted in her hands.

blur /bla:/noun.

ffl 1 Shakes. Rich. HThe blushing discontented sun. 3 J. Braine She blushed and turned away. D. M. Thomas She blushed scarlet and was full of apologies. 5 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI

1 Boisterous blowing; a rough and stormy blast; fig. the storm or tempest of the passions; a noisy commotion. LI 6. 2 (A sound like) the blast of a wind instrument, rare. E18. 3 Noisy, inflated talk; violent but empty self-assertion, menace, etc. eis. ■ blusterous adjective rough, stormy; truculent, given to blus¬ tering: M16. blusterously adverb Mt6. blustery adjective stormy, windy; noisily self-assertive: mis.

bluster /'blasta/ verb. lme. [Ult. imit.: cf. Low German blustem, blistem flutter. Sense 1 may be another word.] 11 kerb intrans. Wander or stray blindly. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. Of the wind, waves, or other elements:

blow or beat violently, lme. 3 verb intrans. Of a person: storm or rage boisterously; talk with exaggerated violence; utter loud empty menaces, protests, etc. lme. 4 verb trans. Utter with stormy violence. Usu. foil, by out. lme. 5 verb trans. Force into (an action) by violent or hectoring talk, mi7. £B 2 J. K. Baxter Waves bluster up the bay. J. T. Story The rain.. was blustering against the window. 3 A. Wilson Ron began to bluster and expostulate.

■ blusterer noun U6. blustering ppl adjective stormy, tempestu¬ ous; noisily self-assertive: E16. blusteringly adverb M16. Blu-tack /'blu:tak/ noun & verb. L20. [from Blu- (alt. of blue adjective) + tack noun’.]

► A noun. (Proprietary name for) a blue sticky material used to attach paper to walls. ► B verb trans. Attach using Blu-tack. blutwurst /'blutwaist/ noun. Mi9. [German, from Blut blood + Wurst sausage.]

(A) black pudding. BM abbreviation. 1 Bachelor of Medicine. 2 British Museum. BMA abbreviation. British Medical Association. BMI abbreviation. medicine. Body mass index. B mi noun var. of Bemi noun. BMR abbreviation. biology. Basal metabolic rate. B.Mus. abbreviation. Bachelor of Music. BMX abbreviation. Bicycle moto-cross. Bn. abbreviation'. Battalion, bn. abbreviation2. Billion. BNF abbreviation. computing. Backus-Naur form (see Backus). BNP abbreviation. British National Party. BO abbreviation, colloq. Body odour. bo /bau/ noun', slang (chiefly US). Ei9. [Perh. a shortening of boy.] (As a form of address) mate, old chap, bo /bao/ interjection & noun2. Now rare or obsolete. Also boh. lme. [Imit.: cf. boo interjection, noun2.]

An exclamation intended to startle. boa /'baua/ noun. lme. [Latin (Pliny), of unkn. origin.]

1 Any of numerous constricting snakes of the family Boidae, esp. any of the larger New World examples; loosely any constricting snake, a python, lme.

Boal noun var. of Bual. Boanerges /baua'na:d3i:z/ noun pi. (also used as sing.). E17. [Greek, prob. ult. from Aramaic (= sons of thunder), repr. the name given by Jesus to the two sons of Zebedee (Mark 3:17).] Loud vociferous speakers or preachers; (as sing.) one

such person. boar/bo:/ noun. [Old English bar = Old Saxon ber-swin, Middle & mod. Dutch beer. Old High German ber (arch. German Bar boar), from West Ger¬ manic.]

1 An uncastrated male pig. Also, the (full-grown) male of certain other animals, esp. the badger, guinea-pig, and hedgehog, oe. kb wild boar, the wild pig, Sus scrofa, of Europe, Asia, and Africa, me. 2 The flesh of the animal, me. Comb.: boar-fish a marine fish. Capros aper, related to the dory. ■ bearish adjective pertaining to or resembling a boar; sensual, cruel; (cf. boorish): Mi6.

board /bo:d/ noun. See also bord. [Old English bord, combining two Germanic words with meanings 'board, plank’ and 'border, ship's side': reinforced in Middle English by cognate Old French bort, French bord. edge, rim, ship's side, and Old Norse bora board, table.]

► I A piece of wood etc. 1 A long thin usu. narrow piece of sawn timber, a thin plank, often spec, as used for floors or other purposes in building; such timber collectively, oe. 2 A thin rigid usu. rectangular piece of any substance, used esp. for display or support; spec, a blackboard; a notice-board; a scoreboard. Also, a surface or structure likened to this. me. kb spec. The surface or frame on which some games are played, as chess, backgammon, Monopoly, etc. Also, the target in darts, lme. kc A surf¬ board. L18. 3 In pi. Rectangular pieces of strong card etc. used for the cover of a hardback book. Lis. 4 Material of various lands, esp. compressed wood fibres, made into stiff sheets. M17. EH 1 Southey They carried her upon a board In the clothes in which she died. Tennyson Pattering over the boards, she comes and goes at her will. J. Steinbeck Grass grew up through the porch boards. W. van T. Clark The buildings were log or unpainted board, floorboard, skirting board, tread board, etc. 2 Times They had 84 on the board for eight wickets. A. Brink When I come into my classroom, I find insults scrawled all over the board, billboard, blackboard, circuit board, clapperboard, dashboard, diving-board, drawing-board, emery-board, finger-board, footboard, headboard, ironing-board, keyboard, mortar-board, noticeboard. pegboard. running-board, sandwich-board, scoreboard, skateboard, soundboard, splash-board. springboard, surfboard, switchboard, weatherboard, etc. b C. S. Lewis All over the board my pieces were in the most disadvantageous positions, chessboard, dartboard, draughtboard, shovelboard. etc. 4 cardboard, chipboard, hardboard. pasteboard, strawboard, etc.

► II A table. 5 gen. A table, obsolete exc. as below, oe. kb A piece of furniture like a table. Now chiefly in sideboard lme. 6 A table used for meals or spread for a meal. me. kb Food served at a table; the provision of daily meals (and often also lodging), esp. at an agreed price or in return for services, me. kc The condition of boarding at a house etc. lme. 7 A table at which meetings are held; the meeting of a council etc. round a table; a committee, a body of exam¬ iners, interviewers, etc.; spec, the body of directors of a company, mi6. CQ 5 stall-board, above-board 6 G. M. Trevelyan The labourer.. ate at the board of the farmer, b J. Heath-Stubbs He'd be glad of a share of your board, Or a place by the fire. J. C. Oates To work at the castle for no salary, only for room and board? cj. Cleveland An expensive Lord. That.. lives at board. 7 Ld Macaulay How little he was pleased with what had passed at the board. A. J. P. Taylor The poor law was administered by local boards of guardians. H. Fast The second vice president of the Seldon Bank .. delivered the formal sentiments of the board. Board of Customs and Excise. Board of Inland Revenue. Federal Reserve Board, medical board, etc.

►till 8 A shield. OE-M16. ► IV A side, an edge. 9 A border, an edge; a coast. Long obsolete exc. in SEABOARD. OE. 10 The side of a ship. Now only in distinct phrases and combs, (often used in non-nautical contexts), oe. 11 nautical. A distance covered in one tack. M16. 12 mining. = bord. EI8.

au no. s: hair, ra near, 01 boy, oa poor, ais tire, aoa sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw. A run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day.

256

board |bob j_U 10 larboard, overboard, starboard, etc. 11 Capt. Cook We passed the night in making short boards. Phrases: across the board all-embracing(ly). generally), bed and board: see bed noun, board and board (a) (of ships) close alongside, side by side; (b) (sailing) by a succession of short tacks, board and lodging provision of accommodation and meals, board of control a supervisory body; spec. (Hist.) a board of six members established by Pitt in 1784 to govern British India_ board of trade (a) US a Chamber of Commerce; (b) (Board of Trade) a (now nominal) British government department con¬ cerned with commerce and industry (Board of Trade Unit (Hist,), a kilowatt-hour), full board see full adjective, go by the board (of a mast etc.) fall overboard; fig. be entirely neglected, go for good and all. half-board: see half-, on board = aboard adverb & preposition, red board: see red adjective, sweep the board see sweep verb, take on board fig. (a) drink, consume, swallow; (b) accept (an idea etc.), come to terms with, the board Austral. & NZ the part of the floor of a shearing-shed where the shearers work, the shearers working there, the boards spec those forming the stage of a theatre or music hall; fig. the actor s pro¬ fession. tread the boards: see tread verb, within board, without board nautical within, outside of, the ship. Comb.: board foot a unit of volume (for timber) equal to 144 cu. in.; board game a game played on a special board; boardroom (the meeting place of) the directors ofa company; boardsailing windsurfing; board school Hist, an elementary school under the management of a School Board, established in Britain by the Education Act of 1870; board-wages arch. wages allowed to ser¬ vants for food; boardwalk (chiefly N. Amec) a footway (of a type originally) made of boards; board-work wig-making.

board /bo:d/ verb. lme. abord verb. French border.] ► I Rel. to board = side. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Orig., come close up to or alongside (a ship), usu. for the purpose of attacking (tverb intrans. [from the noun: cf.

foil, by with the ship). Now, force one’s way on board (a ship). LME. 2 verb trans. fig. Approach, assail; make advances to. arch. Mi6. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Go on board of, embark on (a ship); enter (a train, vehicle, aircraft, etc.). L16. f4 verb trans. & intrans. Border (on); approach; lie close by. L16-M17. 5 verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Of a ship: tack. E17. 03 1 M, Arnold To decide the battle by boarding. 2 J. Vanbrugh What.. do you expect from boarding a woman.. engag'd to another?

► II Rel. to board = thin plank, table. 6 verb trans. Cover or provide with boards; close up with boards, lme. 7 verb trans. Provide with daily meals and usu. also lodging, esp. at a fixed rate. Mi6. fb Put up and feed (an animal). Li 9. 8 verb intrans. Receive daily meals and usu. also lodging; live with for an agreed price. Mi6. 9 verb trans. Place in lodgings etc. Freq. foil, by out. M17. 10 verb trans. Bring (a candidate) before a board of inter¬ viewers. E20. 03 6 W. D. Howells The floors were roughly boarded over. W. Havighurst Many people boarded their houses tight. L. Hellman I went down to the comer store. It was boarded up and nobody answered the bell. 7 Shakes. Hen. VWe cannot lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen. 8 W. Irving He had engaged to board with the family. C. McCullough They were sent to the convent.. to board, for there was no school closer. 9 E. Figes My brother.. had been boarded out with the family of a schoolfriend. 10 New Society Of the 715 candidates boarded, 104 were selected. ■ boarder noun (a) a person who boards at a house etc.; spec, a pupil who boards at a school; (b) a sailor who boards an enemy ship: M16. boarding noun (a) the action ofthe verb; an instance of this; boarding-house a house offering board and lodging for paying guests; boarding-school a school at which most or all pupils board; (b) material for boards, boards collectively: Lis.

boardly adjective var. of buirdly.

boast/baust/ noun1, me. boast verb'.]

1 Loud speech, outcry, clamour; menacing speech, threats. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. 2 Proud or vainglorious speech, bragging; an exces¬ sively proud statement, me. 3 An occasion or cause of pride. Li6. E3 2 Shakes. Cymb. The swell'd boast Of him that best could speak. E. A. Freeman They soon found such a boast was vain indeed. 3 T. E. Lawrence Some make a boast of vice, to cover innocence. M. Spark One of Joyce Emily's boasts was that her brother.. had gone to fight in the Spanish Civil War. ■ boastful adjective full of or given to boasting me. boastfully adverb lme. boastfulness noun E19.

about. LME. 3 verb trans. Speak of with (excessive) pride, claim proudly (that). Chiefly with obj. clause, lme. 4 verb trans. Display ostentatiously, show off. Li6. 5 verb trans. Possess as a source of pride, have to show. L17. ■ boaster noun' a person who boasts ME. boastingly adverb in a boasting manner lme.

boast /baust/ verb2 trans. Ei9. [Origin unkn.]

Shape or model (stone, wood, etc., or a design in these) roughly with a chisel. ■ boaster noun1 a heavy chisel used on masonry etc. (cf. BOLSTER noun2) LI9.

boast /boost/ verb3 trans. & intrans. Li9. [Cf. boast noun2.] real tennis & rackets. Play a boast; make (a stroke) into a

boast. boat /boot/ noun. [Old English bat rel. to Old Norse beit, from Germanic: Dutch boot, German Boot, French bateau, have come from English or Scandi¬ navian.]

1 A small open vessel propelled by oars, engine, or sail. Also (colloq., esp. among submariners) a submarine, oe. ►b Any small or distinctive kind of vessel, esp. a fishing vessel, mail packet, ferry, or small steamer. Also (chiefly US) a large seagoing vessel. Li6. 2 A boat-shaped utensil for holding gravy, sauce, incense, etc. Li7. 1 cockboat, ferryboat, gunboat, houseboat. lifeboat, longboat, motor boat, narrow boat, rowing boat, showboat, speedboat, stake-boat, steamboat, tugboat. U-boat, whaleboat, etc. bridge of boats: see bridge noun' l. burn one’s boats see burn verb 8. dreamboat: see dream noun2, in the same boat fig. in the same predicament, facing like risks etc. miss the boat: see miss verb1, push the boat out colloq. celebrate, rock the boat: see rock verb1, ship’s boat a small boat carried on board a ship, swing-boat see swing verb, take boat embark in a boat, take to the boats escape from a sinking ship using the ship’s boats; fig. abandon an undertaking precipitously, the man in the boat: see man noun. 2 gravy-boat, sauce-boat, etc. Comb. : boat-axe archaeology [Swedish batyx] a boat-shaped battleaxe of the neolithic period in northern Europe; boat-bill a neo¬ tropical heron, Cochlearius cochlearius, with a broad, flat bill; boat-cloak: orig. for use by officers on duty at sea, now worn mainly on social occasions; boat-deck the deck from which a ship’s boats are launched; boat-drill exercise in the launching and manning of a ship’s boats; boat-fly a water-boatman; boat¬ hook a long pole bearing a hook and spike, for fending off or pulling a boat; boat-house a shed at the water’s edge for keeping a boat or boats; boatlift [after airlift s.v. air noun1] the transportation of people by boat; boatload as many or as much as a boat will hold; boatman (a) a man who hires out a boat or boats, or who provides transport by boat; (b) (in full waterboatman) an aquatic bug of the family Notonectidae, which swims on its back; boatmanship (skill in) managing a boat; boat neck, boat neckline a wide neckline passing below the collar-bone; boat people (a) people who live on boats; (b) refu¬ gees fleeing a country by boat; boat race (a) a race between rowing crews; spec, that between Oxford and Cambridge Univer¬ sities, held annually on the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake; (b) rhyming slang the face; boat-shaped adjective resem¬ bling a boat in shape; spec, shaped like the outline of the hull of a boat; boat-tail a N. American grackle, Quiscalus major, with a boat-shaped tail; boat-train a train scheduled to connect with the arrival or departure of a boat; boatwoman a woman who rows or manages a boat; boat-yard: in which boats are built and stored. ■ boatful noun. pi. boatfuls, fboatsful, as much or as many as a boat will hold lme. boatie noun (colloq., chiefly Austral. & NZ) a person who goes boating, an owner of a small boat L20. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Place or cany in a boat. E16. 2 verb intrans. Take boat, embark. Scot, mi6. 3 verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Go in a boat; row, sail, esp. for pleasure. Chiefly as boating verbal noun. Li7. 4 verb trans. Go in boats upon or across, navigate. Li7. 1 boat the oars lift the oars out of the rowlocks and lay them inside the boat. ■ boatable adjective navigable by boat Li7. boatage noun (a charge paid for) carriage by boat Ei7.

boatel noun var. of botel.

realtennis&rackets. A stroke which causes the ball to strike either of the side-walls before hitting the end wall. h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg, n

1 A person who rows or manages a boat; a person who goes boating, rare. me. 2 A hard flat straw hat (orig. assoc, with boating). Li9.

1 A ship’s petty officer or warrant officer who has charge of sails, rigging, etc., and is responsible for sum¬ moning men to duty. loe. 2 The Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus, lis. n no, p pen,

r red,

bob /bob/ noun', lme. [Origin unkn.: cf. bob verb4.]

► II A bunch, a cluster. Scot. & north, lme. |2 The grub of a beetle used as a bait for fish. Also, a beetle (usu. in comb.). L16-L18. 3 A rounded mass at the end of a rod etc.; a knob. Li6. ►b spec. The weight on a pendulum, a plumb-line, etc. L17. 4 An ornamental pendant; a pendent earring, mi7. 5 A bunch of lobworms threaded together as bait for eels. M17. 6 A knot or bunch of hair; a short bunch, a curl resem¬ bling a tassel. Li7. ►b In full bob-periwig, bob-peruke, bob-wig. A wig having the bottom locks turned up into bobs or short curls. ii7. 7 A horse’s tail docked short; a short knoblike tail. eis. ►b A style of cutting the hair short and even all round; hair cut in this way. E20. 8 A knob, knot, or bunch of coloured ribbons; a weight on the tail of a kite, mi 8. 9 A short sleigh-runner. N. Amer. mi9. ►b In full bob¬ sled, bob-sleigh. Either of two types of sledge, (a) US (either of) two short sledges coupled and used for tobog¬ ganing and drawing logs; (b) a mechanically braked and steered sledge used in Alpine sport, mi9. ► I110 The refrain or burden of a song. arch. Ei7. ►b The short line at the end of the stanza in some old forms of versification. Cf. wheel noun. Mi9. Phrases: bear a bob arch, join in a chorus, bits and bobs: see bit noun2, odds and bobs: see odds noun pi. Comb.: bobcat a short-tailed N. American lynx, Felis rufus; bobperiwig, bob-peruke: see sense 6b above; bobskate Canad. an adjustable skate for a child’s foot, consisting of two sections of double runners; bob-sled: see sense gb above; bob-sledding riding in a bob-sled, esp. as a sport; bob-sleigh: see sense gb above; bob-sleighing = bob-sledding above; bob-wig: see sense 6b above. ■ boblet noun a bob-sled for two people E20.

bob /bob/noun2. mi6. [from bob verb3.]

1 An act of bobbing or suddenly jerking up and down; Scot, any of various dances, mi 6. 2 A curtsy. Ei9. bob ftDb/ noun3, obsolete exc. dial. Li 6. [from bob verb2.]

1 A blow with the fist. L16. 2 A sharp rebuke; a taunt, a bitter gibe. L16. bob /bob/ noun3. L17. [Perh. connected with bob noun3.] campanology. One of several kinds of change in long

peals. plain bob see plain adjective1 & adverb.

bob /bDb/noun5. E18. [Pet-form of male forename Robert.]

1 With certain specifying adjectives (see below): a man, a boy. eis. 2 = BOBWHITE. LI9. 1 dry-bob, wet-bob (at Eton College) a boy who is involved in land or water sports respectively, esp. in the summer term, light-bob a soldier of the light infantry. Other phrases & comb. : Bob’s-a-dying: see bobsy-die. Bob’s your uncle, bob’s your uncle slang everything is all right, the thing needed is done.

bob /bob/ noun6, slang. PL same. Li 8. [Origin unkn.]

A shilling (now Hist.); five decimal pence, a five pence piece. bob a job: the former slogan of the Scout Association's annual fund-raising effort during which odd jobs are done for a nominal charge (orig. a shilling), bob a nob a payment of a shilling a head.

bob /bob/ adjective. M17. [Sense i bob in bobtail used as a separate word; sense 2 perh. from bob verb3.]

1 Cut short (as a horse’s tail). Mi7. 2 Lively; agreeable, oreh. slang, eis. [Old French bober befool (cf. bobu stupid, and Spanish bobo fool): see booby noun’.]

[from boat noun or verb + -er\]

man,

Comb.: boatswain bird a tropic bird; boatswain’s chair a wooden seat suspended from ropes for work on the side ofa ship or building; boatswain’s mate a boatswain’s deputy or assist¬ ant.

bob /bob/ verb1 trans. obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -bb-. me.

boater/ boots/ noun. me.

[Late Old English batswegen, formed as boat noun + swain.]

[Perh. from French bosse a projection of the wall in a French tenniscourt.]

f few, g get,

Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 verb intrans. & treft. Praise oneself, make boasts; brag of.

boatswain /'b9os(o)n/ noun. Also bosun.

boast /baust/ noun2.119.

b but. d dog,

lme.

[Origin unkn.: cf. soast noun1.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Threaten, speak menacingly (to).

boat /baut/ verb. Ei6.

boart noun var. of bort. [Origin unkn.: cf.

boast /boost/ verb1,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we. z zoo,

1 Make a fool of; deceive; cheat, me. 12 Take by deception; filch, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. 1 bob of, bob out of cheat out of.

bob /bob/ verb2 trans. Infl. -bb-. me. [Prob. imit.]

11 Strike with the fist; buffet. ME-E17. 2 Cause to rap or bounce against, at, etc. (Merging into bob verb3 2.) Ei7. 3 Rap, tap. M18. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

5 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

257

bob|bodega bob /bob/ verb3. Infl. -bb-. lme. [Prob. same word as prec.]

1 verb intrans. Make a quick short movement up and down; rebound; dance; curtsy; come or go in, into, up, etc., quickly or briefly, lme. 2 verb traps. Move (a thing) up and down with a slight jerk. (Merging into bob verb2 2.) Li7. 3 verb traps. Move up and down quickly or briefly in (a curtsy). li9. 1 bob and weave make quick bodily movements up and down and from side to side (as a boxer evading punches, etc.), bob for try to catch (floating or hanging fruit) with the mouth, as a game. Comb.: bob-apple, bob-cherry a game in which the players bob for apples or cherries respectively; bob-fly anclihc a dry fly that bobs on the water, to indicate the position of the tail-fly.

bob /bob/ verb4. Infl. -bb-. Et7. [Origin unkn.: cf. bob noun\ Prob. earlier in bobtail.] 1 verb intraps. Fish with a bob (for eels). Ei7. 2 verb traps. Provide with a bob; esp. dock, cut short, (a

horse's tail etc.). Mi7. tb Cut (a person's hair) short and even all round. E20. 3 verb intrans. Ride on a bob-sleigh. Chiefly as bobbing verbal noun. Ll 9.

bobac /'baubak/ noun. Also -ak.

L17.

bobby /'bobi/ noun', colloq. Also B-. Mi9. [Pet-form of male forename Robert, after Sir Robert Peel (1788who founded the Irish constabulary and introduced the new Police Act in Britain in 1828. Cf. peeler noun3.]

1850),

A (British) policeman. bobby /'bobi/ attrib. adjective & noun2. L19. [Prob. from bob noun1 + -y\] ► A adjective. In various collocations (see below), usu. with the sense ‘small, short’. L19. bobby calf an unweaned calf slaughtered soon after birth, bobby-pin N. Amer. a kind of sprung hairpin or small clip, orig. for use with bobbed hair, bobby socks, bobby sox (orig. US) socks reaching just above the ankle, esp. those worn by girls, bobby-soxer (usu. derog.) an adolescent girl wearing bobby socks, bobby wren dial, the wren. ► B noun. = bobby calf above. E20.

bobby-dazzler /bobi'dazla/ noun. dial. & slang, mi 9. [from obscure 1st elem. + dazzler.] A remarkable or excellent thing or person; a strikinglydressed person. Bobo /'baubau/ noun. PI. -os. colloq. L20.

[Polish bobak.]

bobachee /'bDbatJi:/ noun. arch. Also -archee; -jee /-d3i:/. E19.

In the Indian subcontinent: a male cook. Bobadil/'bcibadil/noun.

[App. imit. of the bird's call.]

A N. American songbird, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (family Icteridae), the male of which is black with yellow and white markings, and the female yellowish buff Also called meadow bird.

Li 8.

[A character in Jonson's Every Man in His Humour.]

A braggart who pretends to prowess. bobajee noun var. of bobachee.

bobotie /ba'bauti/noun. S.Afr. L19.

bobak noun var. of bobac.

[Afrikaans, prob. of Malay or Javanese origin.]

bobance /'bDb(a)ns/ noun. Long arch, or Hist.

A dish of curried minced meat with a variety of add¬ itional ingredients.

me.

[Old French.]

Boasting; pomp.

bobstay bnbstei./ noun. mis. [from bob (uncertain in what sense) + stay noun1.] nautical. A rope used to hold down the bowsprit of a ship and keep it steady.

bobarchee noun var. of bobachee. bobber/'briba/ noun'.

Lis.

[from bob verb3 + -ER1.]

A person who or thing which bobs up and down; spec, in angling (a) a type of float; (b) a bob-fly.

bobber/'bobs/ noun2.

Li9.

[from BOB verb4 + -ER1.]

1 A person who bobs for eels. 2 A bob-sleigh rider. E20. bobber/’bobs/ noun3.

Li9.

E20.

[Perh. from bob noun6, as an hourly rate of pay.]

A workman who unloads fish from trawlers and drift¬ ers. bobbery /'bDb(a)ri/ noun & adjective. Chiefly Anglo-Indian. E19.

[Alt. of Hindi Bap re 0 father! an exclam, of surprise or grief.] ►

A noun. A noisy disturbance; a row. E19. ► B adjective. (Of a pack of hounds) miscellaneous in breed or quality; loosely poor in quality, made from what is avail¬ able. Li 9. bobbin /'bobin/ noun.

Mi6.

[French bobine, fbobin, of unkn. origin.]

1 A small cylinder or similar article round which thread or yam is wound, in order to be wound off again easily and as required, for use in weaving, sewing, etc.; a reel round which wire etc. is coiled; a spool. Mi6. 2 A fine cord or narrow braid in haberdashery. Li6. 3 A rounded piece of wood attached to a string for raising a door-latch, eis. Comb.: bobbin-lace lace made by hand with threads wound on bobbins and worked over a pillow; bobbin-net: see next.

bobbinet /'bDbinEt/ noun. Also bobbin-net.

Mi9.

[from prec. + net noun'.]

A machine-made cotton or silk net, orig. imitating bobbin-lace. bobbish

/'bobij/ adjective, dial. & slang. Li8. [from bob adjective or verb3 + -ish1.]

bobtail /'bDbteil/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Prob. from bob verb' (though recorded earlier) + tail noun1.] ► A noun, fl A broad-headed arrow. Only in Mi6. 2 (A horse or dog with) a docked tail. E17. 3 fa A contemptible person. Only in E17. >b collect, in ragtag and bobtail, rag, tag, and bobtail, earlier tagrag and bobtail, tag, rag, and bobtail. The rabble, the common herd, mi7. 4 In full bobtail discharge. A dishonourable discharge. US. Li 9. 5 In full bobtail flush, bobtail straight. A hand needing one card to make a flush or a straight in draw poker. US. LI 9. ► B verb traps. Dock the tail of; fig. curtail. Li 6. ■ bobtailed adjective with tail cut short, short-tailed M17. bobwhite /'bDbwAit/ noun. Ei9. [Imit. of the bird's call.]

Any of several quails constituting the American genus Colinus, esp. C. virginianus. Also bobwhite quail bob-wire /'bDbwAia/ noun. N. Amer. colloq. E20. Barbed wire. bocage /ba'ka:3, foreign boka:3 (pi. same)/ noun. Li6. [French: see boscage ] 1 Wooded country interspersed with pasture (in France); a thicket, a wood. L16. 2 (A, the) representation of sylvan scenery in ceramics. Freq. attrib. E20.

1 toc/c. The fifth mood of the third syllogistic figure, in which a particular negative conclusion is drawn from a particular negative major premiss and a universal affirmative minor. E16. 2 a Hist. The prison in the old North Gate of the city of Oxford, pulled down in 1771. Mi6. Mb (b-.) PI. -os. A prison, a dungeon. M16-E18.

E20.

[from bob noun' + -le1 .]

A small woolly ball used as an ornament or trimming. ■ bobbled adjective ornamented with bobbles M2o. Ei9.

[from bob verb3 + -le3.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. & refl. Move with continual bobbing.

bocasin /'bokosin/ noun. lme.

E19.

[Spanish bocaci(n) cotton stuff used for lining (so French bnucassin, fboccasiti) from Turkish bogasi.]

2 verb intrans. & traps, spout. Fumble (a catch), mishandle (a ball). US. M20. ► B noun. 1 Bobbling motion; choppiness of water. Li 9. e

bed, a: her.

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

A fine buckram. 0:

saw, a run, u put, u: too,

[Italian = mouth.]

1 A circular opening in a glass-furnace through which the pots can be inserted and withdrawn. Li 8. 2 A volcanic vent from which lava emerges. L19.

boccaro /'bDkarau/ noun. Also bucc- l'b\k-l. PI. -os. Li9. [Prob. from Spanish biicaro from Portuguese pucaro clay cup, ult. from Latin pocuium cup.]

A scented red unglazed earthenware of a type orig. made by the Portuguese.

bocce /'bDtJei/ noun. Also boccia /'botfra/. M19. [Italian, pi. of boccia ball.]

An Italian game similar to bowls but played on , a shorter, narrower green. bocconcino/bDkDn'tJi:iiao/noun. PI. -cini /-'tji:ni/. L20. [Italian.]

A small ball of mozzarella cheese.

bocconia /ba'kaonia/ noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin, from Paolo Boccone (1633-1704), Sicilian botanist: see

-IA1.]

A plant or shrub of the genus Bocconia, of the poppy family, or one formerly included in this genus; esp. Macleaya cordata, which bears cream-coloured flowers. [French slang, = rascal, (from the war of 1914-18) German.]

► A noun. A German (soldier); the Germans collectively. E20. ► B adjective. German. E20.

bock /bok/ noun, mi9. (French from German, abbreviation of (Eimjbockbier = Einbecker bier, from Embed:, a town in Lower Saxony.]

A strong dark variety of German beer; a glass or drink of this or other beer.

bocking /'bDkny noun. mis. [Bucking, a village in Essex, England.]

A coarse woollen drugget or baize made in or near Bocking.

BOD abbreviation. Biochemical oxygen demand.

bod /bod/ noun, slang. Orig. Scot. lis. [Abbreviation of body noun; in Scot, use perh. from next.]

A body; esp. a person. odd bod: see odd adjective. 5 Not recorded outside Scotland before M20.

bodach /'baudcrx/ noun. Scot. & Anglo-Irish. E19. [Gaelic 81 Irish.]

A male peasant. Also (Scot.), a spectre.

bodacious /bo'defos/ adjective & adverb. USdial. Mi9. [Perh. var. of boldacious.]

Complete(ly), utter(ly), downright. ■ bodaciously adverb M19.

bode /baud/ noun1. Long obsolete exc. Hist. [Old English boda = Old Frisian boda, Old Saxon bodo, Old High German boto (German Bote), Old Norse bobi. from Germanic, from weak grade of base of bid verb.]

A herald, a messenger.

bode /baud/ noun2, arch. & dial. [Old English bod (chiefly north, for gebod) = Old Frisian bod, Old Saxon gibod, Old High German gibot (German Gebot). Old Norse bod, from Germanic, from base also of prec.]

11 |2 3 4

A command; behest, oe-me. Amessage, tidings. ME-M17. A bid. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north, me. A premonition, an omen; a foreboding, arch. lme.

Comb.: bodeword (Scot. & north.) f(a) a command; t(b) a message; (c) a premonition.

bode /bond/ verb1. [Old English

[Alt. of barb wire.]

[A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers first used in medieval Latin, 0 indicating a particular negative proposition and A a uni¬ versal affirmative proposition.]

■ bobbishly adverb E19.

bobble /'bDb(o)l/ verb & noun2, colloq.

bobsy-die /bDbzi'dAi/ noun, dial., Austral., & NZ. Also (earlier) Bob's-a-dying /bcbza'dAiig/. E19. [See bob noun5.] A great fuss, pandemonium.

Bocardo/ba'ka:dau/ noun. ei6.

Well; in good spirits. bobble /'bDb(a)l/ noun1.

A bourgeois Bohemian, a person having both the values of the counterculture of the 1960s and the materialism of the 1980s. bobolink /'boboliqk/ noun. Also (earlier) bob(-o’)lincoln /bDb(a)'ligkan/ & other vars. L18.

[Urdu babarchi from Persian bawarch.]

bocca /'boko/ noun. Lis.

Boche Ibojl noun & adjective, slang, derog. E20.

[Abbreviation.]

A marmot, Marmota bobak, of the east European and Asian steppes.

a cat. a: arm,

2 sport. A fumbling of a catch, a mishandling of a ball. US. E20. ■ bobbly adjective uneven, knobbly E20.

3

bo diem = Old Frisian bodia, formed as bode noun1,]

fl verb trans. Announce, proclaim, oe-me. Fb verb intrans. Preach the gospel, oe-me. 2 verb traps. Of a person: foretell, presage, have a pre¬ sentiment of (esp. evil), oe. 3 verb trans., & intrans. with well, ill Of a thing: betoken, portend, promise, me. 14 verb trans. Command (a person) that. Only in me, H) 2 B. Franklin There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin. 3 J. TYndall That lingering rosy hue which bodes good weather. A. Sillitoe Winnie laughed, an expression of mirth that boded no good for her husband. ■ bodement noun an augury, omen; a presentiment; a proph¬ ecy, a prediction: E17. boder noun oe. boding noun (a) the action ofthe verb: (b) = bodement: oe. bodingly adverb ominously: with a presentiment: Et9.

bode verb2 var. of bude. bodeful /'baodfol, -f(a)l/ adjective. E19. [from bode

noun2 + -ful.]

Ominous, presageful.

bodega /bo'dv.go, foreign bo'dega/ noun. Mi9. [Spanish from Latin

apotheca: see boutique.]

(Orig. in Spain) a shop selling wine.

ago, ai my, ao how. ei day. ao no, e: hair, ia near, ai boy. ua poor, Aia tire, aua sour

258

bodegon | body bodegon /bode'gon/ noun. PI. bodegones /bode gones/.

M19. [Spanish, from prec.. as orig. representing a bodega scene ]

A Spanish picture representing still life or a genre subject. boden bnodin. 'bod-/ adjective. Scot. arch. Also -in. lme. [Origin unkn.J

f 1 Accoutred, armed. LME-E19. 2 (Esp. well, ill) provided, prepared, dressed, lme. Bode's law /'baodz b:, 'baodaz/ noun phr. M19. [Johann E. Bode (1747-1826), German astronomer, who drew attention to the law; it had been discovered earlier by another German, Johann D. Titius (1729-96).] astronomy. An empirical formula giving the approximate

distances of several planets from the sun as a geometric progression in powers of 2, starting at the orbit of Mercury. bodge /body verb & noun. Mi6, [Alt. of botch verb (cf. grudge from gratch).]

► A verb trans. = botch verb, mi6. ► B noun. = botch noun2. Li 6. [from bodge verb + -er1.]

= botcher noun'.

LI 8. 03 2 Southey This is our father Francisco, Among us bodily. 3 E. B. Browning As if that.. Bodily the wind did carry The great altar. J. Conrad To hurl himself bodily against the panels.

► III An aggregate of individuals. 12 An artificial person created by legal authority; a cor¬ poration; an officially constituted organization, an assembly, an institution, a society, me. 13 A force of fighting men; gen. an assemblage of persons or things characterized by a common purpose or attribute; a collective mass. li6. 14 A collection of the details of any subject; a collec¬ tion of information; arch, a textbook, mi 7.

bodin adjective var. of boden. bodkin /‘bDdkin/ noun.

me.

[Origin uncertain; perh. dim. from Celtic (cf. Irish bod, Welsh bidog, Gaelic biodag dagger).] [1 A dagger, a stiletto, ME-M17. 2 A small pointed instrument for piercing cloth etc.

H3 12 B. T. Washington The Alabama Legislature was in session... This body passed a resolution to adjourn. Jan Morris The Thames Water Authority, the managing body of the river. 13 W. Robertson Escorted by a body of horse. J. P. Mahaffy This large and respectable body of opinion. H. J. Laski The State must live with other States, both as regards its individual members, and as a collective body. 14 Addison 1 could wish our Royal Society would compile a Body of Natural History.

LME. 3 A long pin used to fasten up the hair. Li6. 4 A person squeezed between two others, arch. M17. 5 printing. An instrument for removing pieces of type

► IV A portion of matter; substance. 15 A separate piece of matter, a material thing, lme. kb geometry. A figure of three dimensions, a solid, arch. mi6. kc anatomy & medicine With specifying word: a distin¬ guishable component of structure. Ml 9. 16 Substance as opp. to representation; reality, lme. 17 A distinct form or kind of matter: ► ta Each of the seven metals, gold, silver, iron, mercury, lead, tin, and copper, answering to the seven heavenly bodies (see below). Only in lme. kb chemistry & mineralogy. Any kind of (solid, liquid, or gaseous) substance, arch. Mi6. kc Paste or clay (of a particular kind) used in porcelain manufacture. LI 8. 18 metaphysics etc. A thing which has existence and occu¬ pies space; that which is perceptible to the senses, matter. Li6. 19 A compact quantity, an amount, a bulk; spec, a deposit of metalliferous ore. Mi7. 20 Comparative solidity or fullness; substantial char¬ acter or flavour in a material, wine, colour, etc. mi7.

bodle /'bDd(3)l/ noun. M17.

bodger/'bod3o/ noun2, dial. mis.

[Perh. from a mint-master named Bothwell: cf. bawbee.] Hist. A Scottish copper coin equivalent to one-sixth of an English (old) penny; the smallest coin. Also called turner.

[Perh. var. of badger noun'.]

A pedlar, a dealer. bodger i'boi^ol adjective. Austral, slang. M20. [Prob. from bodge verb.]

B3 Sir W. Scorr Not that I cared a brass bodle for his benison.

Inferior, worthless; (of a name) false, assumed. bodgie /'bodj/ noun. Austral. & NZ. Now Hist. M20. [Perh. from prec. + -IE.] A young lout, a larrikin; a Teddy boy.

Bodleian /‘bodlian, esp. as adjective bodTban/ noun &

Bodhisattva /bDdi'sa:tva/ noun. E19. [Sanskrit = a person whose essence is perfect knowledge, from bodhi perfect knowledge (from budh- know: see Buddha) + sattva being, reality.] buddhism. In Mahayana Buddhism, a person who is near

to attaining nirvana but delays doing so because of com¬ passion for human suffering. In Theravada Buddhism, the future Buddha. bodhran /'baurcun, bauTcun/ noun. E20. [Irish Gaelic, from bodliardull (of sound).]

A shallow one-sided Irish drum, typically played using a short stick with knobbed ends. bodice /’bDdis/ noun. Orig. -[bodies pi. M16. [PI. of body noun, retaining earlier unvoiced sound of -s' (cf. dice noun).]

1 The upper part of a woman's or girl’s dress down to the waist; spec, the part covering the upper body (exclud¬ ing sleeves); a (usu. sleeveless) undergarment for the upper body. M16. 2 Hist. pi. More fully pair of bodice A whalebone corset for the upper body. E17. 1 liberty bodice, petticoat bodice. Watteau bodice. Zouave bodice, etc. Comb, bodice-ripper colloq. a sexually explicit romantic (esp. historical) novel or film with seduction of the heroine.

bodied /'bDdid/ adjective, lme. [from body noun + -ED": cf. body verb.]

1 As 2nd elem. of comb.: having a body of the specified kind. lme. 2 Having material form, corporeal, embodied, rare. M17. 03 1 Shakes. Com. Eir. 111-fac’d, worse bodied, shapeless everywhere, able-bodied, big-bodied, full-bodied, wide¬ bodied. etc. 2 Browning Like the bodied heaven in clear¬ ness Shone the stone.

bodikin /'bodikin/ noun. arch. Li6. [Dim. of body noun: see -KIN.] 1 Cod's bodikinsl. ods bodikins! & vars., God’s dear

body!: an oath. See also ’sbodikins. L16. 12 A small body; a minute particle of matter. M17-L18. bodiless /‘bodilis/ adjective, lme. [from body noun + -less.]

Having no body; incorporeal; insubstantial. bodily /'bodili/ adjective, me. [from body noun + -ly1 .]

1 Corporeal, physical, (opp. spiritual); real, actual. Now rare. me.

2 Of, belonging to, or affecting the human body or physical nature, lme. 13 Solid; of or pertaining to a solid. M16-E17. 03 1 R. G. Collingwood Something bodily and perceptible, a painted canvass, a carved stone,.. and so forth. 2 T. Reid My memory is not limited by any bodily organ. F. Swinnerton A return of bodily discomforts and melan¬ choly thoughts, grievous bodily harm see grievous adjective.

m bodiliness noun (rare) corporeality, substance L16. h he, j yes. k cat,

£□ 6 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI But when the fox hath once got in his nose. He'll soon find means to make the body follow. 7 C. Cotton The body of the Emblem was a figure of the Duke himself. A. Trollope The body of the will was in the handwriting of the widow, as was also the codicil. E. Blishen Once inside we hurled ourselves into the body of the cinema. 8 Ld Macaulay The great body of the people leaned to the royalists.

me.

[from prec.: see -ly2.] [1 Corporeally, unspiritually. ME-L17. 2 In body, in person, lme. 3 With the whole bulk or body; as a whole, completely.

for correction etc. Li 7. 6 A blunt thick needle with a large eye for drawing tape etc. through material, eis. 4 ride bodkin, sit bodkin, etc., ride etc. squeezed between two others.

bodger/’bod3a/ noun1. Now dial. Mi6.

b but, d dog. f few. g get,

bodily /’bodili/ adverb,

I leg, r

adjective. M17. [from Sir Thomas Bodley (1545-1613), English diplomat, who re-founded the library in 1603, + -an.] (Designating, of, or pertaining to) the Library of Oxford University. ■ Also Bodley noun (co/loq.) M17.

Bodoni /ba'daoni/ noun & adjective. L19. [See below.) (A book or edition) printed by the Italian printer Giambattista Bodoni (1740-1813); (in) a typeface based on that of Bodoni.

LD 15 S. Johnson All attraction is increased by the approach of the attracting body. F. Hoyle All bodies collapse in one way or another when the forces inside them become large enough. 16 W. van T. Clark Sparks had given a kind of body.. to an ideal. 17b D. Brewster Crystallised bodies, such as nitre and arragonite. 18J. S. Mill A body.. maybe defined, the external cause to which we ascribe our sensa¬ tions. F. Bowen We cannot think of body without extension. 19 R. I. Murchison Another body of igneous rock lies sub¬ jacent. C. Francis The oceans and seas of the world form one continuous body of salt water. 20 R. Dahl It [a wine] is far too light in the body to be from either St Emilion or Graves. J. C. Oates Her hair.. was dull and lusterless, and lacked body.

tbodrag noun. M-116. [Prob. from Irish: cf. buaidhreadh molestation, disturbance, tumult, Old Irish budraise excitement.] A hostile incursion, a raid. ■ Also fbodraging noun: only in L16.

body /'bodi/ noun. [Old English bodig corresp. to Old High German botah corpse (Middle High German hotich, mod. German Bavarian dial. Bottech body of a chemise), ult. origin unkn.] ► I The material frame of people or animals. 1 The physical frame of a human or an animal; the whole material organism, oe. >b The corporeal nature of a human; flesh as opp. to soul or spirit, me. 2 A corpse, me. 3 Christian church. The consecrated bread used in the Eucharist, me. 4 An individual, a person. Now chiefly colloq. me. 5 The material being of a human; the person, lme.

Phrases: astral body: see astral adjective 3. black body : see black adjective, body corporate a corporation, body of Christ (a) the community of the Christian Church, of which Christ is held to be the head: (b) = sense 3 above, body politic the State; organ¬ ized society, celestial body the sun. the moon, a planet, a star, etc. dead body a corpse; over my dead body, over his dead body. etc. (hyperbol.), entirely without my etc. consent, with the strongest opposition from me etc. fruiting body see fruit verb, governing body: see govern verb, heavenly body the sun, the moon, a planet, a star. etc. (the seven heavenly bodies, (in medi¬ eval astrology etc.) the sun, the moon. Mars. Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus), heir of one’s body, heir of the body see heir noun, in a body all together, as one. keep body and soul together manage to remain alive, pituitary body Platonic body: see Platonic adjective 1. polar body: see polar adjective, soul and body lashing: see soul noun, squire of the body see squire noun’ 1C. Comb.: body art (a) items of jewellery or clothing worn on the body and regarded as art; (b) the practice of decorating the body by means of tattooing, piercing, etc.; (c) an artistic genre, origin¬ ating in the 1970s, in which the actual body of the artist or model is integral to the work: body bag (a) a sleeping-bag; (b) a bag for carrying a corpse from the scene of warfare, an accident, a crime, etc.: body-blow a blow to the body in boxing etc.; fig. a crushing setback; bodyboard a short, light type of surfboard ridden in a prone position: body boarder a person who surfs on a bodyboard; body-builder (a) a person who builds vehicle bodies: (b) a person who develops the muscles of the body by sys¬ tematic exercise; body-building (a) the building of vehicle bodies; (b) development of the muscles of the body by systematic exercise; body-centred adjective (of a crystal structure) in which an atom or ion occurs at each vertex and at the centre of the unit cell; body-check noun & verb (a) noun (in various sports) the placing of one’s body in the way of an opponent in order to impede him; (b) verb trans. impede thus; body clock the bio¬ logical clock of the human body; body-colour an opaque pigment; body count colloq. a list or total of casualties; body double a stand-in for a film actor during stunts or nude scenes; body dysmorphic disorder a psychiatric disorder in which a person becomes preoccupied with an imagined defect in their appearance; bodyguard (a member of) an escort or personal guard of a dignitary etc.; body language gestures and move-

B3 1 J. Steinbeck Then down from the car the weary people climbed, and stretched stiff bodies. D. Attenborough Elongated animals with segmented bodies, b Pope All are but parts of one stupendous whole. Whose body Nature is, and God the soul. Sir W. Scott While we are yet in the body. 2 Shakes. John At Worcester must his body be interr’d. Tennyson In the ghastly pit.. a body was found. 4 Shakes. Merry W. 'Tis a great charge to come under one body’s hand. F. Weldon She was a plump, busy little body, with a husband two years dead, anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody. 5 Book of Common Prayer With this Ring 1 thee wed.. with my body I thee worship. ► II The main portion. 6 The main part of the human or animal frame, apart from the head and limbs; the trunk, oe. >b The main stem of a tree, plant, etc. me. 7 The main portion of something as distinct from sub¬ ordinate parts or appendages, as the nave of a church, hull of a ship, load-bearing part of a vehicle, central text of a document, etc. (Foil, by of.) oe. 8 The majority, the larger part of anything. (Foil, by of.) LME. 9 a The part of a dress down to the waist, or the portion of the dress that covers the body as distinct from the arms. See also bodice, arch. Mi6. kb A woman’s usu. close-fitting stretch garment for the upper body, fasten¬ ing at the crotch. L20. [10 A chemical retort. M16-E19. 11 typography. (The breadth of) a shank of metal type from head to tail; the nominal depth of photocomposed type. L17. man,

n no, p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we, z z

,

J she.

3

vision,

0

thin,

d this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

259

body | Bohemia

ments by which a person unconsciously conveys meaning; body-line (bowling) cricket fast short-pitched bowling on the leg side, threatening the batsman's body; body louse a human louse infesting the body rather than the head; body mass index medicine an approximate measure of whether a person is over- or underweight, calculated by dividing his or her weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres; abbreviation BM; body odour the (esp. unpleasant) smell of the body; body¬ piercing the piercing of parts of the body (other than the ear) in order to insert rings, studs, or other ornaments; body-popping (orig. US) a kind of dancing with jerky movements of the joints; body scanner a scanner designed to screen the whole body for the presence of cancer etc.; body search a search of a person's body and clothing for a hidden weapon, concealed drugs, etc.; body-servant a valet; bodyshell the metal frame of a motor or railway vehicle, to which the metal panels are attached; body shop a workshop where vehicle bodies are repaired; bodysnatcher Hist an illicit exhumer of corpses for dissection; bodysnatching Hist, illicit exhumation of corpses for dissection; body-stocking a (woman’s) one-piece undergarment covering the trunk and legs; bodysuit a close-fitting one-piece stretch garment, esp. worn by women for sporting activities; bodysurf verb intrans. ride a breaking wave without using a surfboard; body type: used for printing the main text of a book; body wave an artificial wave in the hair to give it fullness; bodywhorl conchology the last-formed and usu. largest whorl of a spiral shell, containing the animal itself when alive; bodywork (a) the structure of a vehicle body; (b) therapies and techniques in complementary medicine which involve touching or manipu¬ lating the body; bodyworker a practitioner of a therapy that involves bodywork. ■ bodyhood noun (rare) the quality of having or being a body 117.

£□ 1 D. Runyon You cannot find out if he can take a punch .. until you see him boffed around good in the ring. 2 T. Clancy Those kind will start boffing every girl that crosses their path. ■ boffing noun M20.

boffin /'bofin/ noun, slang. M20. [Origin unkn.]

1 An elderly naval officer. M20. 2 A person engaged in backroom (esp. scientific or technical) research, a technical expert. Now also, an intellectual or academic. M20. ■ boffinry, -ery noun boffins (sense 2) collectively; the activity of a boffin: M20.

boffo /' bofao/ adjective. N. Amer. slang. M20. [Abbreviation of next.]

1 (Of a review of a theatrical production etc.) whole¬ heartedly commendatory; resoundingly successful; extraordinarily good. M20. 2 (Of a laugh) deep and unrestrained, loud, raucous; boisterously funny. M20. boffola /bD'faola/ noun. US slang. M20. [Extension of boff: cf. -ola.] = BOFF.

[Site of a munition works in Sweden.]

In full Bofors gun etc. A type of light anti-aircraft gun

with single or twin 40-mm (approx. 1.6-inch) barrels. bog /bog/ noun', me. [Gaelic (& Irish)

1 Provide with a body; embody; give substance to; reinforce, arch. lme. 2 Foil, by forth: give mental shape to; exhibit in outward form; typify. 116.

fen). raised bog. Serbonian bog. Comb.: bog asphodel: see asphodel 2; bog-bean = buckbean; bog berry cranberry; bog-blitter, bog-bumper dial, the bittern; bog-butter butter of medieval or earlier origin found buried in peat-bogs; bog fir. bog oak. bog pine; preserved as ancient timber in a blackened state in peat-bogs; bog-garden a piece of land laid out and irrigated to grow plants which prefer a damp habitat; bog-hole a natural hole in the ground with a swampy bottom; bog iron (ore) soft, spongy limonite deposited in bogs; bog-land marshy land; joc. Ireland; bog lemming; bog moss sphagnum; bog myrtle a fragrant shrub, Myricagale, which grows in moist ground; = gale noun1; bog oak: see bog fir above; bog onion: see onion noun lb; bog orchid a small orchid, Hammarhya paludosa, with tiny yellow-green flowers; bog ore = bog iron ore above; bog pimpernel; bog pine: see bog fir above; bog rosemary = Andromeda 2; bog-rush (a) a densely tufted sedge of the genus Schoenus; esp. S. nigricans of Eurasia and N. Africa; (b) N. Amer. a rush of the genus Juncus; bog-spavin see spavin noun1: bog-trot verb intrans. trot over, live among, bogs; bog-trotter offensive an Irishman; bog violet (a) butterwort; (b) = marsh violet s.v. marsh noun1, m bogginess noun boggy quality Mi7. boggy adjective of the nature of, or characterized by, bog Li6.

Boehm /ba:m, foreign b0:m/ noun. M19. [Theobald Bohm (1794-1881), German musician.]

Applied attrib. to a system of keys and fingering which Bohm invented, and to woodwind instruments (esp. flutes) which use this system. Boehmenism /'b3:maniz(3)m/ noun. Also Beh- /'bei-/. M17. [from Jacob Bohme or Boehme (see below), known in Britain also as Behmen, + -ISM.]

The mystical and theosophical doctrines of the German mystic Bohme (1575-1624). ■ Boehmenist noun & adjective M17. Boehmist noun & adjective M18.

boehmite I'bo-.mwtl noun. E20. [from Johann Bohm (1895-1952), German chemist +

-ite' .]

mineralogy. An orthorhombic basic aluminium oxide

occurring esp. as a major constituent of bauxite,

( bog /bog/ noun2, colloq. mi7. [Origin uncertain: perh. same word as prec.]

Boeotarch /br'aotcrk/ noun. E19. [Greek

A privy, a lavatory. Orig. as bog-house (now arch.).

Boidtarkhes, from Boidtia Boeotia (see next) + -arkhes

-ARCH.]

bog /bog/ verb trans. & intrans. Infl. -gg-. Ei7.

ancient history. A chief magistrate of the Boeotian league.

[from bog noun1.]

Sink or submerge in a bog (lit. &fig.). Freq. in pass, and foil, by down.

Boeotian /bi'auj(a)n/ noun & adjective, lis. [from Boeotia (see below) + -an.] ► A noun. A native of Boeotia, a district of ancient Greece

CQ P. V. White He would proceed awkwardly across the mud, but soon became bogged. A. Moorehead They .. bogged most fearfully in the waterholes. A. Powell He gets bogged down in self-pity about the difficulties of a writer’s life, bog off slang go away (usu. in imper.).

proverbial for the stupidity of its inhabitants; a stupid person. Li 5. ► B adjective. Of Boeotia; dull, stupid. Li 6. ■ Boeotic /bi'otik/ adjective = Boeotian adjective M17.

bogart /'baogcut/ verb, slang (orig. & chiefly US). M20.

Boer /bo:, 'bouo, boo/ noun & adjective. Mi9.

[from Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957). US film actor who special¬ ized in tough-guy roles.]

boer farmer: cf. boor.] ► A noun. A South African of Dutch descent, an Afrikaner; Hist, an early Dutch inhabitant of the Cape. Cf. boor lb. [Dutch

1 verb intrans. & trans. Act or treat like a tough guy; bully (someone). M20. 2 verb trans. Selfishly appropriate (something); take an unduly large share of (something, esp. a cannabis joint).

M19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of, made by, or typical of Boers, Li 9.

2 A. Garland Don’t bogart that joint, my friend.

bogey /'boogi/ noun1. Also bogy. Mi9.

baeuf/beef/ noun. E20.

[Prob. rel. to bogle etc., bug noun1.]

[French - beef.]

1 (As a proper name, B-.) The Devil, mi9.

cookery. Used in the names of various beef dishes. bceufbourguignon /burgijiS/ [= of Burgundy] beef stewed in red wine, baeuf stroganoff.

2 An evil spirit, a goblin; a bogle. Also bogey man M19. 3 fig. A bugbear, mi9. 4 A detective, a police officer, slang. E20. 5 A piece of nasal mucus, colloq. M20. 6 An unidentified enemy aircraft, slang. L20.

boff /bDf/ noun & verb. US slang. Li9. [Imit.]

^ A noun. 1 A blow or punch; fig. a buzz, a thrill. Li9.

2 A resoundingly successful theatrical production, song, etc., a hit. M20. 3 A joke, line, etc., intended to produce a belly-laugh. M20. 4 (An instance of) sexual intercourse; a person (esp. a woman) regarded as the object of intercourse. M20. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Hit, strike (a person); handle roughly. M20. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Have sexual intercourse (with); copulate. M20.

bogey /'boogi/ noun2. Austral, colloq. Also bogie, bogy. Mi9. [from bogey verb’.] A swim, a bathe; a bath. bogey 'baugi/noun3. Li9. [Prob. from bogey noun1 as an imaginary opponent.]

golf. Orig., the number of strokes a scratch player

should need for the course or for a hole. Now, a score of one over par for a hole. double bogey see double adjective & adverb. :

[Aboriginal bti-gi.]

Swim, bathe. bogey /'baogi/ verb2 trans. & intrans.

M20.

[from bogey noun3.] golf. Complete (a hole) in one stroke over par.

(boggard /'bogad/ noun. dial. Also -art /-at/.

Li6.

[Rel. to boggle verb & noun2, bogle, etc.] 1 = BOGLE. L16.

12 An object at which a horse boggles. boggle noun'

E17-E18.

var, of bogle.

boggle/'bog(a)l/ verb & noun2.

Li6.

[Prob. of dial, origin & rel. to bogle, boggard, etc.] ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Start with fright, shy as a startled

horse. Li6. 2 verb intrans. Equivocate, quibble. E17. 3 verb intrans. Hesitate, demur at, about, etc.; (of the mind) be overwhelmed or baffled. M17. 4 verb trans. Cause to hesitate or demur; baffle, over¬ whelm mentally. (rare before M20.) Mi7. ► B noun. 1 The act of shying or taking alarm, dial. M17. 2 Scruple, demur. Chiefly in make a boggle. M17. 3 A bungle, mi9. ■ boggier noun a person who boggles or hesitates E17.

bogie /'baugi/ noun'.

E19.

[Origin unkn.]

1 A low truck on four small wheels; a trolley, north, ei 9. 2 An undercarriage with two or more wheel-pairs, pivoted below the end of a railway locomotive, carriage, etc. mi9. bogie noun2, verb var.

of bogey

noun2, verb'.

bogie /'baog(a)l/ noun. Scot. & north. Also (north.) boggle /'bog(a)l/. E16, [Prob. rel. to bogey.]

1 A phantom; a goblin; an undefined creature con¬ jured up by superstitious dread. E16. 2 Abugbear; a scarecrow. M17. BOGOF /'bDgDf/ abbreviation. Buy one, get one free. Bogomil /'baugamrl, 'bDg-/ noun. Also -mile /-mAil/.

M19.

[medieval Greek Bogomilos from Bogomil, the first propagator of the heresy, lit. 'beloved of God’, from Old Church Slavonic Bogu god + milu dear.] ecclesiastical history. A member of a heretical medieval

Balkan sect professing a modified Manichaeism.

■ Bogo milian adjective & noun Mr9. Bogomilism noun L19.

bogong /'baugog/ noun. Austral. Also bug- /'burg-/.

Mi9.

[Aboriginal.]

A large dark noctuid moth, Agrotis infusa, prized as food by Aborigines. bog-standard /'bog.standad/ adjective, colloq. L20. [Prob. alt. of box-standard = unmodified, as in its original pack¬ aging.]

Ordinary, basic; unexceptional or uninspired. L:1 N. Hornby It was bog-standard, lie-back-and-think-of-Rob sort of sex.

bogue /baug/noun.

Mi9.

[French from Old Provencal boga from medieval Latin boca, Latin, Greek box, from hoax a grunting fish.) A sea bream, Boops boops, found mainly in the Mediter¬

ranean. bogus /'baugas/ noun & adjective. Orig. US.

Li8.

[Origin unkn.] ►t A noun. An apparatus for making counterfeit coins; a

counterfeit coin. L18-M19. ► B adjective. Spurious, sham, fictitious.

M19.

■ bogusly adverb M19. bogusness noun E20.

M20.

Boer War: between Britain and the Boer Republics in South Africa 1880-1 and (esp.) 1899-1902.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o

bogach, from bog soft.]

(A tract of) wet, spongy ground too soft to support any heavy body; ecology wet land with acid, peaty soil (cf.

[from the noun.]

L18.

4 mind-boggling: see mind noun1.

Bofors /'boofaz/ noun. PI. same. M20.

body /'bodi/ verb trans. lme.

bogey /'bougi/ verb' intrans. Austral, colloq. Also bogie, bogy.

saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how, ci day.

bogy noun', noun2, verb vars.

of bogey

noun', noun2, verb'.

boh interjection & noun var. of bo interjection & noun2. Bohairic /ba'hAiank/ noun & adjective. Also Bahiric.

M19.

[from Bohairah etc., a province of Lower Egypt, from Arab, buhayra lake: see -ic.]

(Of) the standard form of Coptic formerly spoken in Alexandria and the NW Nile Delta, and used in the Bible of the Coptic Church. bohea /bao'hi:/ adjective & noun.

eis.

[Chinese dial. Bu-yi var. of Wu-yi (see below).] ► A adjective. Of the Wuyi hills in Fukien province, SE

China, whence black tea first came to Britain. Also, des¬ ignating black tea grown elsewhere. E18. ► B noun. (An infusion of) black tea, orig. of the finest, now of the lowest, quality. E18. Bohemia/bao'hkmia/noun.

M19.

[formed as next in transf. uses.]

The world of social Bohemians. J no, e: hair, is near, 01 boy, us poor, ais tire, aoa sour

260

Bohemian | bold Bohemian/baoiiLnuan/ noun & adjective. In senses A.3, B.3 also b-. lme. [from Bohemia (see below) +

-an;

senses A.2,3, B.2,3 from French

bohemien.] ► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Bohemia, formerly a central European kingdom, now forming the western part of the Czech Republic, lme. 2 A Gypsy. L17. 3 A socially unconventional person, esp. an artist or writer, of free-and-easy habits, manners, and sometimes morals, mi9. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to Bohemia; loosely Czech.

El 7. 2 Of or pertaining to Gypsies. M18. 3 Of, or characteristic of, social Bohemians, mi9. 1 Bohemian waxwing. ■ Bohemianism noun the conduct and manners of a social Bohemian mis.

bohereen noun var. of boreen.

boist /baist/ noun, obsolete or dial. me.

to 4 AV Ezek. 46:20 Tire place where the Priests shall boyle the trespasse offring. 5 H. Glasse When you boil a leg of pork.. save the liquor. A. Simon Add cream, but do not boil mixture again. B. Pym She never really used the kitchen except to boil a kettle or make a piece of toast.

[Old French boiste (mod, boite) from medieval Latin taxida from late Greek puxid-, -is box.] fl A box, a casket. ME-M17. 2 A temporary bed or lodging-place, dial, mi9.

Phrases: boil a wallop see wallop noun 2. boil the kettle, (Austral. & NZ) boil the billy colloq. make tea. boil the pot. keep the pot boiling see pot noun', one's blood boils one is in a state of extreme anger or indignation. With adverbs in specialized senses: boil away verb phr. intrans. & trans. (cause to) evaporate in boiling, boil down (o) verb phr. trans. reduce by boiling; fig. condense, epitomize; (b) verb phr. intrans. with to (fig.) amount to, signify basically, boil off verb phr. trans. cause to evaporate in boiling, boil over verb phr. intrans. overflow by boiling; fig. (of passions etc.) get out of control, (of a person) lose one's temper, boil up verb phr. intrans. (a) reach boiling point; (b) colloq. boil water, make tea.

fboisteous adjective var. of boistous. boisterous /'boisfiajras/ adjective, lme. [Alt. of next, through var. of-eons.]

11 Coarse in texture; rank; stiff, unyielding, lme-eis. f 2 Of a thing: violent in action or properties, m 1 6-li 7. 3 Of a person or action: rough and turbulent in behav¬ iour and speech; (now esp.) exuberant, noisily cheerful. Mi6. Ffb Savage, truculent. 116-LI8. 14 Rough in effect or operation. L16-E17. 5 Of wind, weather, etc.: rough, stormy, wild. Lt6. f6 Massive, bulky, cumbrous. L16-M17. ■ boisterously adverb lme boisterousness noun lme

[from boil verb + -eo'.]

[Abbreviation of Bohemian.]

► A noun. 1 A person from Bohemia, a Czech, spec, one who is resident in the US. rare. E20. 2 A person who has an unconventional or Bohemian way of life. Also, such a lifestyle, or the subculture associ¬ ated with it. M20. tii 2 Ticket Hippies and bohos gather to freak-out to the rockier end of acid jazz. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to bohos or their lifestyle; unconventional, decadent; artistic, fashionable. M20. in Atlantic The romance of the boho artist for whom no social rules apply.

Bohora noun var. of Bora noun1. Bohr/bo:/ noun. E20. [Niels Bohr (1885-1962), Danish physicist.] physics. Used attrib. with ref. to a simple theory of atomic structure in which the nucleus is surrounded by planet¬ ary electrons in quantized orbits.

bohrium I'by.mml noun. L20. [from prec. + -ium.] A radioactive transuranic chemical element, atomic no. 107, produced artificially by high-energy atomic colli¬ sions. (Symbol Bh.) Orig. called Nielsbohrium.

bohunk /'bauhAqk/ noun. N. Amer. slang, (derog.). E20. from Bohemian + -hunk alt. of Hungarian. Cf. hunk

noun3.] An immigrant from central or SE Europe; a rough fellow, a lout,

► A adjective. 1 Brought to the boiling point; subjected to boiling, lme. 2 Intoxicated, slang. Li9.

boistous /’boistas/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also bustious/'bAStias/; f-eous, f-uous. me.

1 boiled lobster: see lobster noun1 2. boiled oil a preparation of linseed oil used as a diying-oil. boiled shirt a dress-shirt with a starched front, boiled sweet a sweet made of boiled sugar. hard-boiled see hard adjective, adverb. & noun, soft-boiled see soft adjective. ► B noun. Boiled beef, mutton, etc. arch, colloq. E19.

11 Of a person: rustic, coarse, unpolished. me-mi6. 2 Massive, bulky. Now only of a person: corpulent, me. f3 Fierce, powerful, rough. LME-E19. Fb = boisterous 5. L15-L16. f4 = BOISTEROUS 1. LME-L16.

[Origin unkn.]

■ I boistously adverb LME-L16. tboistousness noun LME-L16.

boiler /'boils/ noun. me.

boite /hwat/ noun. PI. pronounced same. E20.

[from boil verb + -ER1.]

[French = box.]

1 A person who or thing which boils something, me. 2 A vessel in which water or other liquid is boiled; esp. a strong vessel for generating steam under pressure in a locomotive, ship, etc.; a tank in which water is heated for central heating etc.; a metal tub for boiling laundry.

A small (French) restaurant or nightclub. bokay /bao'kei/ noun, non-standard. Mi9. [Repr. a pronunc.]

= BOUQUET.

E18.

fboke noun1 var. of boko.

3 An article of food best cooked by boiling. El 9. 4 An unattractive or unpleasant woman, esp. one who is middle-aged or elderly. Freq. in old boiler colloq., derog. M20.

boke /batik/ verb1 trans. obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. [App. var. of poke verb’.]

Prod, butt.

1 pot-boiler see pot noun1. 2 Cornish boiler, double boiler. Lancashire boiler. Scotch boiler, etc. Comb.: boilermaker a person who makes boilers, a metal¬ worker in heavy industry; boiler-plate (a piece of) rolled steel for making boilers; fig. (US) stereotyped writing esp. as syndicated for newspapers; mountaineering (in pi.) smooth, overlapping, and undercut slabs of rock; boiler suit a one-piece garment combin¬ ing overalls and shirt; boiler-tube each of the tubes by which heat is diffused through the water in a boiler.

boke verb2 & noun2 var. of bolk. Bok globule noun phr. see globule 3. Bokhara /b,Vku:ra/ noun. E20. [Bukhara, a town and district in Uzbekistan, central Asia.]

A Turkoman rug or carpet (most commonly having red as the main colour). bokken /’bDk(a)n/ noun. M20.

boilery /'boilsri/ noun. Ei7.

boier noun var. of boyer.

[Japanese.]

[French bouillerie distillery, from bouillir boil verb: see -ERY.]

boil /boil/ noun1. Also fbile. [Old English by], byle = Oid Frisian bele, beil, Old Saxon bula (Dutch tail). Old High German talln bladder (German Beulc), from West Germanic (cf. Gothic ufjbauljan puff up. Old Norse beyla hump).]

An inflamed suppurating swelling of the skin, caused usu. by infection of a hair follicle,

boil /boil/ noun2, lme. [from boil verb.] 1 An act of boiling, lme. Fb spec. An act of making tea, esp. outdoors. M20. 2 Something boiled, a boiling preparation, mi 8. 3 (The state of being at) the boiling point. E19. 4 A swirling upheaval of water in a river etc.; a whirl¬ pool. N.Amer. E19. 5 angling. A sudden rise of a fish at a fly. L19. 1 rolling boil: see rolling adjective. 3 off the boil fig. no longer at its most active or urgent, on the boil, at the boil at boiling point (lit. & fig.), to the boil to boiling point (lit. & fig.). Comb.: boil-off the evaporative loss from liquefied gases; boilup an act of boiling, esp. of water for making tea.

A wooden sword used as a practice weapon in kendo.

A place where boiling (of salt, sugar, etc.) is carried on. Freq. in comb. sugar-boilery etc.

Bokmaat noun var. of Bokm al. >

boilie /’boili/ noun. L20.

bouillir) from Latin bullire

► I verb intrans. 1 Of liquid: be at or reach the temperature at which it becomes a vapour; bubble up, undulate. Also predicated of the containing vessel or of any substance in the heated liquid (for cooking etc.), me. 2 Move with agitation like boiling water; seethe, me. 3 fig. Of passions, persons, etc.: be stirred up or inflamed, lme. ffl 1 P. Fletcher Boyling in sulphur, and hot-bubbling pitch. Edmund Smith [Pierce] the oranges as they are boiling. B. Jowett Putting in anything that we like while the pot is boiling. J. Cheever He puts some water on to boil. 2 Pope The storm thickens, and the billows boil. G. Santayana A torrent romantically boiled among the wildest of rocks and bushes. 3 D. Hume Resentment was boiling in his sullen, unsociable mind. C. S. Forester Curzon boiled with contempt for Phelps at that moment. ► II verb trans. 4 Subject to the heat of boiling liquid; esp. cook in boiling water, me. f b Hist. Execute (a person) by boiling. Mi6. 5 Bring (liquid, the vessel containing it, a substance in it) to or keep at the boiling point; cause to bubble with b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat.

I leg, m

A type of flavoured fishing bait, spherical in shape with a hard outer layer, used chiefly to catch carp. boiling /'boilir)/ noun. lme. [from boil verb + -ing1.]

1 The action of bubbling up under the influence of heat; the action of bringing to or keeping at the boiling point, lme. 2 fig. Violent agitation; raging, lme. 3 A substance or quantity of liquid subjected to boiling; a decoction. L17. 3 the whole boiling slang the whole lot. Comb.: boiling point the temperature at which a liquid (esp. water) boils; fig. a state of high excitement or extreme agitation.

► A adjective. 1 (Bubbling up) at the boiling point, me. 2 Violently agitated; raging, lme. 3 Very hot. colloq. M20. ► B adverb, boiling hot, very hot. colloq. E17. ■ boilingly adverb (rare) E19.

boina /bo'ina/ noun. E20. [Spanish from Basque.]

boing /boirj/ interjection. Also redupl. boing boing M20 [Imit.] Repr. the noise of a compressed spring suddenly released, or a reverberating sound.

bois brute /bwa bryle/ noun phr. N. Amer. PI. bois brutes (pro¬ nounced same). E19. [French = burnt wood.]

An American Indian half-breed, esp. one of French and Indian descent.

bois d'arc /bwa dark/ noun phr. N. Amer. Ei9. [French = bow-wood.]

The wood of the maclura (Osage orange), used by American Indians for making bows. s sit,

t top, v van,

Bokmal /'boikmoil/ noun. Also Bokmaat. M20. [Norwegian, from bok book noun + mdl language.]

The Danish language as modified and used in Norway after its separation from Denmark, Cf. Landsmal, Riksmal. boko /'baukau/ noun, slang. PI. -os. Also fboke. M19. [Origin unkn.]

The nose. bola noun see bolas. bolar /'baula/ adjective. L17. [from bole noun3 + -ar1.] ■ Also tbolary adjective (rare): only in M17.

bolas /' baulas/ noun sing, (with pi. bolases) or pi. Also (sing.) bola /'baula/. E19. [Spanish, Portuguese, pi. of bola ball.]

A missile (chiefly S. American) consisting of balls con¬ nected by a strong cord, which is thrown to entangle the legs of a quarry. bold /bauld/ adjective, adverb, & noun.

A flat cap worn in northern Spain.

n no, p pen, r red,

A yellow, green, and black shrike, Telophorus zeylonus, of southern Africa.

Consisting or of the nature of bole clay.

[from boil verb + -ing3.]

man,

bokmakierie /bDkma'ktari/ noun. S. Aft. M19. [Afrikaans, imit. of the bird's call.]

(Perh. from boil verb + -ie.]

boiling /'bailrg/ adjective & adverb, me.

boil /boil/ verb. me. [Old French boillir (earlier bolir. mod. bubble, boil, from bulla a bubble.]

[French.]

Wainscoting, wooden panelling.

boiled /boild/ adjective & noun. lme.

boho /'boohau/ noun & adjective, colloq. E20.

[App.

boiserie bwazri/ noun, mi9.

heat; manufacture (soap etc.) by boiling, lme. Ffb fig. Agitate or inflame (a person, feelings, etc.); make fervent. LME-E18.

w we. z zoo,

[Old English bald, (West Saxon) beald = Old Saxon bald (Dutch bond), Old High German baid (Middle High German bait, surviving in German adverb bald soon), Old Norse ballr dangerous, fatal, from Germanic.]

► A adjective. 1 Courageous, enterprising, confident, stout-hearted; daring, brave, oe. 2 Presumptuous, forward, immodest, me. 3 Strong, big. Now dial, or obsolete, me. f 4 Certain, sure (of), trusting (in). ME-E17. 5 Of a cliff, coast, etc,: steep, projecting, bluff. Also (nautical), used of water close to a steeply-shelved shore. E17. 6 Striking, well marked, clear; free or vigorous in con¬ ception etc. Mi7. Fb typography. Of type: having a heavy and conspicuous appearance. 119. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin.

6

this,

q ring,

t.f chip,

d3 jar

261

bold | bolt

QJ 1 Milton The bold design Pleas'd highly those infernal States. R. Graves Nobody could be found bold enough to take their places. W. S. Maugham Though attered, he put on a bold front. 2 K. A. Porter The girl.. had fine eyes, but her bold, airy manner spoiled her looks. 3 Allan Ramsay Boreas with his blasts sae bauld. 4 Shakes. Cymb. I would I were so sure To win the King as I am bold her honour Will remain hers. 6 S. Johnson I do not think Gray a first-rate poet. He has not a bold imagination. Phrases: as bold as brass see brass noun, make bold (as), make so bold (as), be so bold (as) venture, presume, (to do), tmake bold with take liberties with, put a bold face on see face noun. Comb.: bold-face noun & adjective (a) (a person who is) impudent; (b) typocsaiw bold (type); bold-faced adjective (a) that looks bold, impudent; (b) typography= sense 6b above. ► B adverb. In a bold manner. Now rare. me. ► C absol. as noun. 1 A bold person. Now only as collect, pi. the bold. me. 2 TYPOGRAPHY. Bold type. L19. ■ boldly adverb OE boldness noun me

bold /bould/ verb. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north. [Old English baldian - Old High German balden, from prec.]

11 verb intrans. Be or appear bold; grow strong. |2 verb trans. Embolden, encourage. ME-E17.

0E-E18.

3 verb trans. Kindle (glowing coals); blow up (a fire). LME.

boldacious /bsol’deijos/ adjective, dial. U9. [from bold adjective + audacious.] Impudent, brazen. ? Perh. the source of bodacious. E16.

bol round object: corresp. to Old

11 A bubble. Only in me. 2 A rounded seed-vessel or pod. esp. of flax or cotton. LME. Comb.: boll-weevil a weevil, Anthonomusgrandis, which is a pest of cotton plants in N. America; bollworm (chiefly US) an insect pest of cotton, esp. (a) the boll-weevil or its larva; (b) = corn ear worm s.v. corn noun1; (c) = pink bollworm s.v. pink adjective2, m 1 boiled adjective having bolls M16-M17.

boll /bool/ noun2, me, [Old Norse bo Hi (cf. bowl noun': cf. prec.]

blotboili sacrificial bowl) = Old English bolla

A dry measure for grain etc., most commonly equiva¬ lent to six bushels. tboll noun3 var. of bowl noun1. Bollandist/’bDlandist/noun. mis. [from Bolland (see below) + -ist.]

Any of the Jesuit writers who continued Acta Sanctorum, first published by the Flemish Jesuit John Bolland (1595-1665).

*[ After an isolated me use not recorded again until 19.

bollen verb pa. ppie of bell verb2.

-os. E18.

me.

[Old Norse bolr. cf. Middle High German bole (German Bohle) plank. Perh. rel. to baulk noun.] The stem or trunk of a tree. me.

[Late Latin bolus.] 1 Any of various kinds of fine, compact, earthy clay, usu. coloured by the presence of iron oxide, me. J2 = bolus noun ia.Ei7-Ei8. 1 Armenian bole, fbole Armeniac an astringent earth from Armenia, formerly used as an antidote and styptic.

bole IbooV noun3. Scot. Also (earlier)

jbowall. -ell. Ei6. [Origin unkn.] 1 A small recess in a wall for holding articles; a small cupboard. E16. 2 An unglazed (usu. shuttered) aperture in a wall for admitting air or light. Ei9.

tbole noun4. L17-M19. [Anglo-Latin bola, of unkn. origin.] A place or furnace where lead ores were anciently smelted.

bolection /ba'lekjfajn/ adjective & noun. Also

ba-.

M17.

[Origin unkn.] (Designating) a decorative moulding above or around a panel etc.

bolero /ba'lEHsu, in sense 2 also 'bDbrsu/ noun. PL

-os. Li8.

[Spanish.] 1 A lively Spanish dance; a piece of music for this dance. L18. 2 A short jacket just reaching the waist, worn by men in Spain; a woman’s short open jacket, with or without sleeves. Li9.

bollito mistO/bDjutao 'mistao/ nounphr. PL bolliti misti /bt>,li:ti 'misti/. 120. [Italian = boiled mixed (meat).]

An Italian dish of mixed meats, as chicken, veal, and sausage, boiled with vegetables in broth. bollix /'bDliks/ verb & noun pi. coarse slang. Also -lux /-loks/. M20. [Alt. of bollocks, pi. of next.]

► A verb trans. Bungle, confuse; mess up. M20. ► B noun pi. = bollock noun 2. M20. bollock /'bDbk/ noun, coarse slang. PL -s, bollix, mis. [Var. of ballock noun.]

1 A testicle. Usu. in pi. mis. 2 fig. In pi. (treated as sing.). Nonsense; a mess, a muddle. Also as interjection. E20. bollock verb var. of ballock verb. bollux verb & noun pi. var. of bollix. Bollywood /'bDliwod/ noun, colloq. L20. [Blend of Bombay and Hollywood.]

The Indian popular film industry, based in the city of Bombay (Mumbai), CO attrib.: S. Rushdie Why must everything! say end up sounding like .. a goddam cheap Bollywood song?

bolo /'bsubu/ noun'. Also B-. PL -os, E20. [Paul Bolo, a Frenchman executed in 1918 for pro-German activ¬ ities: later reinforced by association with Bolshevik.]

A Bolshevik, a Communist. bolo /'bautau/ noun2. US. PI. -os. M20. [Origin unkn.]

boxing. An upper-cut.

bolo/'baobu/ noun3. AI.Amer. PL -os. M20. [Alt. of bola (see bolas).]

In full bolo tie. A type of tie consisting of a cord worn around the neck with a large ornamental fastening at the throat. Bologna/ba'bunjs, -'bn-/noun. M19.

boletus /bs'Ii :tas/ noun. PI. -ti /-tAi/,

-tuses,

same. Also

Anglicized as bolet /bs'lst/, -lete /-'li:t/. Ei6. [Latin, from Greek bolites, perh. from boles lump.] A mushroom or toadstool of the large genus Boletus. having the undersurface of the cap full of pores.

bolide /"boo]Aid/ noun. Ei9. [French from Latin bolid-, bolis, from Greek bolis missile.] A large meteor, a fireball.

bolivar/bDli'va:, bD'li:va:/ noun. L19. [from Bolivar, see next.] The basic monetary unit of Venezuela, equal to loo centimos.

Bolivian /ba'livran/ adjective & noun.

Mi9.

[from Bolivia (see below), from Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), S. Amer. soldier and statesman: see -an.] (A native or inhabitant) of Bolivia, a republic in S.

[A city in Italy.]

1 (Also b-.) In full Bologna sausage. A large sausage made of bacon, veal, pork-suet, etc. and usu. sold ready for eating cold, mi9. 2 Bologna spar. Bologna stone, native barium sul¬ phate from near Bologna, exhibiting phosphorescence when calcined. Li9. ■ Bolognian adjective of or pertaining to Bologna L16.

Bolognese /bob'n®eiz,.foreign bolojie:ze/ noun & adjective. M18. [Italian: see prec., -ese.] ► A noun. PL same. 1 Hist. The territory of Bologna, in Italy, mis.

2 A native or inhabitant of Bologna. £19. 3 The Italian dialect of Bologna. M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Bologna. E19. spaghetti

Bolognese

bolometer/bs'lDnuta/noun. Li9.

America.

boliviano /bslivi'amau/ noun. PL

[Middle Dutch bolk, Dutch English bolla bowl noun’.]

-os.

Li9.

|Spanish, formed as prec.] The basic monetary unit of Bolivia (1863-1962 and since 1987), equal to 100 centavos or cents. a cat. a: arm, £ bed, 0: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0

■ bolo metric adjective of, pertaining to, employing, or meas¬ ured by a bolometer; bolometric magnitude (astronomy), a measure of the total energy emitted (e.g. by a star) over all wave¬ lengths: Li9. bolo metrically adverb M20. bolometry noun E20.

boloney /bo'boni/noun. slang. Also ba-. E20.

boll /haul/ noun1, me.

1 A post on a ship, quay, etc., for securing ropes to. me. 2 A post on a traffic island. M20.

[Amer. Spanish from Araucanian voldo.] A Chilean evergreen tree, Peumus boldus. Also, a medi¬ cinal preparation of its leaves, formerly used as a tonic.

bole /boul/ noun2,

verb.]

[Perh. from Old Norse bolr bole noun' + -ard.]

[from bold adjective * -en5.] Embolden.

bole /baul/ noun',

[Var. of belch

► A verb intrans. & trans. Belch, vomit, retch, me. ► B noun. A belch, a vomiting. LME.

bollard /'bDla:d, -lad/ noun. me.

bolden /'bauldfejn/ verb trans. obsolete exc. dial.

boldo /'bDldau/ noun. PL

bolk /bank/ verb & noun. dial. Also boke. me.

[from Bologna.]

1 A Bologna sausage. N. Amer. E20. 2 Humbug; nonsense. Also as interjection. E20. Bolshevik /'bDlJmk/ noun & adjective. E20. [Russian bolshevik * member of the majority, from bol’she greater from bolshoi big.] ► A noun. 1 Hist. A member of the majority faction of the

Russian Social-Democratic Party, which in 1903 favoured extreme measures; an advocate of proletarian dictator¬ ship in Russia by soviets; a Russian Communist. Cf. Menshevik noun. E20. 2 gen. A socialist revolutionary. E20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Bolsheviks or Bolshev¬ ism. E20. ■ Bolshevism noun the doctrine and practices of the Bol¬ sheviks; revolutionary communism: E20. Bolshevist noun & adjective = Bolshevik E20. Bolshevize verb trans. make Bolshevik: convert (a country etc.) to Bolshevik government: E20.

Bolshie /‘bolji/ noun & adjective, slang. Also -shy, b-. E20. [from prec. + -Y6.]

► A noun. = Bolshevik noun. E20. ► B adjective. = Bolshevik adjective’, left-wing; uncoopera¬ tive, recalcitrant. E20. ■ bolshiness noun L20.

bolson /'bools(o)n/ noun. Orig. US. Mi9. [Spanish bolson augm. of bolsa purse.)

A basin-shaped depression surrounded by mountains, esp. in the southern US and Mexico, bolster /'baul'sta/ noun'. [Old English bolster = Middle & mod. Dutch bolster, Old High German bolster (German Polster), Old Norse bolstr, from Germanic, perh. from base meaning 'swell': cf. belly noun.]

1 A long pillow or cushion for the head of a resting or sleeping person; now esp. a long under-pillow across a bed or couch. OE. 2 Any of various kinds of padding or support, esp. in a machine or instrument; nautical a piece of wood fitted to prevent chafing. Ei6. kjb A surgical compress, mi6-ei9. bolster /'baulsta/ noun2. E20. [Prob. alt. of boaster noun2.]

A heavy chisel used to cut bricks etc. bolster/'bsolsto/verb. Ei6. [from bolster noun'.] 1 verb trans. Support with a bolster; fig. prop up, aid,

strengthen; uphold, aid and abet (evil, wrongdoers, etc.). Freq. foil, by up. E16. 2 verb trans. Pad; stuff out with padding. Mi6. ► jb Equip with a surgical compress. E17-M19. J3 verb intrans. Share the same pillow, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17 4 verb trans. Belabour with bolsters. M19. CD 1 Wellington 1 have done every thing in my power to bolster up the credit of the government. M. Drabble Inseparable friends, who bolstered each other by their mutual devotion. Daedalus The Inquisitors had bolstered their principal accusation with .. vague secondary charges. ■ bolstering noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) padding, support: M16.

bolt /bault/ noun'. [Old English bolt - Middle Low German bolte(n) bolt, fetter. Middle & mod. Dutch bout, Old High German bolz (German Bolzeri) arrow, bolt for a door: of unkn. origin.]

► I A projectile. 1 An arrow, esp. a short heavy one for a crossbow, oe. 2 A discharge of lightning with a clap of thunder. (Earlier in thunderbolt.) L16. 1 have shot one's bolt fig. have done all one can. 2 bolt from the blue, bolt out of the blue fig. something completely unexpected.

► II3 A stout pin for fastening; a door-fastening compris¬ ing a sliding bar and a socket on a jamb, lintel, or thresh¬ old; a metal pin with a head for holding things together, usu. secured with a nut or riveted, me. J4 A fetter. L15-L17. 5 The sliding piece of the breech mechanism of a rifle. M19. 3 expansion bolt, joint bolt, safety-bolt, screw-bolt, togglebolt. etc. nuts and bolts: see nut noun.

► III 6 A measure of rolled fabric, me. 7 A bundle of osiers etc. of a certain size. me.

Comb., bolt-head (a) the head of a bolt; (b) arch, a long-necked globular flask used in distillation; bolt-rope a rope sewn round the edge of a sail to prevent teaiing. ■ boltless adjective Mil).

bolt /bsult/ noun2. Also boult. lme. [from bolt verb1.]

electromagnetic radiation (esp. infrared and microwaves) electrically.

1 A flour-sieve. Long dial. lme. 2 Hist. A hypothetical law case privately propounded and argued for practice by students of the Inns of Court. Mi6.

: saw, A run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my. au how. ei day.

no, e: hair, ra near, di boy. 00 poor. ak> tire, aua sour

[from Greek

bole ray of light + -ometer.]

physics. An instrument for measuring the intensity of

262

bolt | bombilla bolt /bault/ noun3. [from

1

bolt verb1.]

sudden start. M16. 2 An act of breaking away or fleeing. Freq. in make a bolt. Ml9. A

bolt/baull/ verb' trans. Also boult.

me. [Old French butter (mod. Muter), earlier buleter = Italian burattare, ult. origin unkn.: the spelling bolt has arisen by assoc, with bolt

noun1.]

Sift, pass through a sieve; fig. investigate, find out. ■ bolter noun' (a) a person who sifts flour etc.; (b) a sieve, a piece of cloth, etc., for sifting: lme. bolting noun' (a) the action of the verb; (b) in pi., coarse matter separated by sifting: me.

bolt /boult/ verb2, me. [from bolt noun'.]

► I Move suddenly. •fl verb intrans. Spring or start (up, upright); fall back, recoil, me Ei9 2 verb trans. Discharge like a bolt; shoot, expel, lme. kb Cause (an animal) to leave its hole or burrow. Li6. 3 verb intrans. Move suddenly, dart, rush, (away, forth, off); flee, escape; spring, bound, (into, fupon). ei 6. kb Of a rabbit, fox, etc.: escape from its burrow or earth. Of a horse: escape from control. Li6. 4 verb trans. Ejaculate, blurt (out, forth). Li6. 5 verb trans. Gulp down or down hastily without chewing, colloq. L18. 6 verb trans. & intrans. Break away from, refuse to support further, (a political party etc.). US colloq. E19. 7 verb intrans. Of a plant: run to seed. Li 9. £□ 1 Sir W. Scott Screaming with agony and fright, He bolted twenty feet upright. 3 N. Hawthorne The landlord .. keeping his eye on a man who he suspected of an inten¬ tion to bolt. D. Lodge They seemed to avoid him, bolting into their offices just as he emerged from his own. 5 L. Lee 1 sprinkled some sugar on a slice of bread and bolted it down.

► II Make fast. |8 verb trans. Fetter, shackle. LME-E17. 9 verb trans. Secure (a door etc.) with a bolt; shut in, out, up, etc., thus. L16. 10 verb trans. Fasten (together) with bolts. E18. 11 verb intrans. Of a door etc.: be secured with a bolt (in a particular manner). E20. £0 9 R. Hayman It is useless to bolt the door against him: he breaks it down with an axe. 10 J. Braine My feet seemed bolted to the floor. Comb, bolt-hole a hole by which to escape; bolt-on adjective (of car parts etc.) able to be fixed by bolts; fig. able to be added when required. ■ bolter noun2 a person who or thing which bolts, esp. (a) a horse etc. liable to bolt: (b) Australian history a fugitive: Li7. bolting noun2 (a) the action of the verb [bolting-hole = bolt-hole above); (b) a sudden flight etc.: ti7.

bolt /boult/ adverb, me. [from

bolt noun', verb2.]

1 bolt upright, f bolt up. rigidly erect (like a bolt), 2 With sudden rapid motion. Ei9.

me.

£0 2 T. Hood Bolt up the stairs they ran. ■ bolt-uprightness noun E18.

boltel /'baoltfo)!/ noun. Also bowtell /‘baot(3)l/.

lme.

[Origin unkn.]

architecture. A plain round moulding; a shaft of a clus¬

tered pillar. bolter noun', noun2 see

3 An aimer and releaser of bombs from an aircraft. N.

bomb /bom/ noun. li6.

Mi6.

bolt

Amer. M20. Comb, bombardier beetle any of various carabid beetles able to eject audibly an irritant vapour when alarmed; spec. Brachinus crepitans, found in Britain.

2 Orig., an explosive projectile fired from a mortar. Now, a container filled with high explosive or incendi¬ ary material, smoke, poison gas, etc., or a body of high explosive etc., which may be dropped from an aircraft, fired from a gun, thrown, or deposited manually, and is exploded in various ways. Li7. 3 Hist. In full bomb-ketch, bomb-vessel, etc. A small naval vessel equipped with one or more mortars for throwing bombs. L17. 4 More fully volcanic bomb, lava bomb A rounded mass of lava thrown out of a volcano. 118. 5 An airtight vessel used to conduct scientific experi¬ ments under pressure. E20. 6 A large sum of money, slang. M20. 7 An old road vehicle. Austral. & NZslang. M20. 8 A marijuana cigarette, slang. M20. 9 aimer, football. A long pass or kick. M20.

bombardon /'bDmba:d(3)n/ noun. Also -done /-'dsuni/. M19.

2 atomic bomb, buzz-bomb, hydrogen bomb, incendiary bomb. Mills bomb, nuclear bomb, plastic bomb, smoke bomb. Stokes bomb, time bomb. etc. Phrases: go down a bomb colloq. be a great success, like a bomb colloq. at great speed; very successfully, the bomb the atomic or hydrogen bomb as the supreme weapon. Comb.: bomb bay a compartment in an aircraft for holding bombs; bomb calorimeter a thick-walled steel container used in experiments to determine the energy contained in a sub¬ stance by measuring the heat generated during its combustion; bomb disposal the defusing, or removal and detonation, of unexploded and delayed-action bombs; bomb factory a factory or other place where bombs are made, esp. illegally by terrorists; bomb-happy adjective (colloq.) shell-shocked; bomb-ketch: see sense 3 above; bombproof adjective & noun (a) adjective able to resist attack by bombs; US not exposed to the dangers of war; (b) noun a bombproof shelter; US = bombproofer below; bombproofer US a person who avoids exposure to the dangers of war; bombshell an artillery shell; fig. a devastating or shatter¬ ing act, event, etc. (blond bombshell, blonde bombshell, a fairhaired person, esp. a woman, regarded as having a startling physique or good looks); bomb-sight a device used in an air¬ craft for aiming bombs; bomb-site an area where buildings have been destroyed by bombing; bomb squad a division of a police force appointed to investigate the planting and exploding of terrorist bombs; bomb-vessel: see sense 3 above. ■ bomblet noun a small bomb M20. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Attack with a bomb or bombs; throw or drop a bomb or bombs (on). L17. kb verb trans. Drive out of a building etc. by bombing. E20. 2 verb trans. Foil, by up: load (an aircraft etc.) with

bombs. M20. 3 verb intrans. Fail, flop, slang (orig. US). M20. 4 verb intrans. Move or travel quickly. Usu. with adverb or adverbial phr. slang. M20. ■ bombing verbal noun the action of attacking with bombs, the throwing or dropping of bombs (bombing run. the flight of a bombing aircraft over its target); the loading up of aircraft etc. with bombs: L17.

t bombace noun. See also bombast noun. M16-M17. [Old French from medieval Latin bombax, -ads, alt. of bombyx. Cf. BOMBAZINE.]

Boltzmann (1844-1906), Austrian physicist.] physics. Used oftrib. and in possess, to designate various concepts, esp. relating to the statistical description of large systems of molecules obeying classical mechanics. Boltzmann constant: see Boltzmann's constant below. Boltzmann distribution (a formula describing) the statistical distribution of particles in a system among different energy levels, proportional to exp. (-E/lcT), where E is the level energy, k is Boltzmann's constant, and T is the absolute temperature. Boltzmann's constant. Boltzmann constant the gas constant per molecule, equal to 1.381 x 10 23 joule per kelvin. Stefan-Boltzmann.

bolus /'bsubs/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Late Latin from Creek bolos clod, lump of earth.]

► A noun. 1 a A large pill of medicine. Often contempt, arch. exc. veterinary medicine (cf. sense ic below). Mi6. kb A small rounded mass of anjfthing, esp. of masticated food at the moment of swallowing. Li 8. kc medicine. A single dose of a pharmaceutical preparation given intravenously. M20. 2 = bole noun21. Now rare or obsolete. L16. ► B verb trans. Dose with a bolus or boluses, mi8. boma /'bsoms/ noun. E.Afr. L19. [Kiswahili.]

A defensible enclosure, esp. for animals; a police or military post; a magistrate’s office. h he, j yes, k cat,

[Old 8, mod. French bombarde, medieval Latin bombarda, prob. from Latin bombus: see bomb noun.] 1 Hist. A cannon of the earliest type, usu. firing stone

cannon-balls, lme. 2 music. A low-pitched shawm, lme. kb A bombardon stop in an organ. 119. 3 A leather jug or bottle for liquor, obsolete exc. Hist. L16. f4 = bomb noun 3. L18-M19. bombard/bDm'baid/verb. Li6.

shot and shell, assault with artillery. Li 6. 2 verb trans. transf. & fig. Assail forcefully (with arguments, questions, abuse, etc.); subject to a hail of missiles. M18. kb physics. Subject (a substance) to a stream of highenergy particles. E20. 3 verb trans. Stuff (a fillet of veal). Now rare or obsolete. mis. ■ bombarder noun L16. bombardment noun

E18.

1 Raw cotton; cotton wool, esp. as padding, obsolete exc. Hist. Ml6. 2 fig. Inflated,

turgid, or high-sounding language; empty rhetoric. Li 6.

■ bom bastic adjective of the nature of bombast; given to inflated language: eis bom bastical adjective (arch.) = bombastic M17 bom bastically adverb E19.

bombast /'bombast/ adjective. Mi6. [Orig. pa. pple of bombase verb; later = the noun used attrib.]

11 Stuffed, padded, m 1 6-m 17. 2 fig. Puffed, empty, inflated; grandiloquent, bombas¬ tic. E17. bombast/bDm'bast, 'bombast/verb trans. arch. Mi6. [from the noun.]

■fl Stuff or pad with cottonwool or the like. M16-E19. 2 fig. Stuff, swell out, inflate, mi6. bombax /'branbaks/ noun1. Mi9. [mod. Latin from Latin bombyx.]

Any deciduous tropical tree of the genus Bombax, bearing fruit containing seeds surrounded by a silky fibre; esp. the Indian silk-cotton tree, B. ceiba. tbombax noun2 var. of bombyx. Bombay duck .jbDmbei 'dAk, bran.bei/ noun phr. M19. [Alt. of

bombil (see bummalo), infl. by Bombay (now Mumbai), a

city in India.]

Bummalo, esp. dried as a relish. 120.

[from Bombay (see prec.) + mix noun.]

An Indian snack consisting of lentils, peanuts, sev, and spices. bombazine/'branbazi-.n/ noun. Also -sine. M16. [Old & mod. French bombasin from medieval Latin bombadnum from bombytinum neut. of bombydnus silken, from bombyx: see -INE'.]

■fl = BOMBACE. M-L16. 2 A twilled dress-material of worsted with or without silk or cotton; esp. a black land formerly much used in mourning. Li 6. bombe /bomb, foreign b5:b (pi. same)/ noun. L19. [French = bomb noun.]

A conical or cup-shaped confection, freq. frozen.

bombed /bDmd, poet. 'bDmbid/ adjective’, rare. Li9. [formed as prec. + -ed’.]

Rounded, convex. bombed /brand/ adjective2. M20. [from bomb

1 A soldier in charge of a bombard, an artilleryman; a master-gunner’s man employed with mortars and how¬ itzers. Now arch, or Hist. Mi6. 2 In the British army, a non-commissioned officer in the artillery, mi9. s sit, t top, v van,

verb + -ed']

1 Subjected to bombing; bombed-out, driven out by bombing, rendered uninhabitable by bombing. M20. 2 Intoxicated by drink or drugs. Also bombed-out. M20. bomber /'boma/ noun. E20. verb + -er'.]

1 A person who throws, plants, activates, or is other¬ wise involved in the use of, bombs, esp. as a terrorist. E20. 2 An aircraft used for dropping bombs. E20. 3 A large rolled cigarette containing marijuana, canna¬ bis resin, etc. Also, a barbiturate drug, slang. M20. Comb.: bomber jacket a jacket tightly gathered at the waist and cuffs.

bombilate /'bombileit/ verb intrans. literary. Li9. Buzz, hum.

[French: see bombard noun, -ier.]

P pen, r red,

[Var. of bombace ]

[medieval Latin bombilat- pa. ppl stem of bombilare buzz, from Latin bombus: see bomb noun, -ate3. Cf. bombinate.]

bombardier /bombs'dra/ noun. Mi6.

n n°,

bombast/'bombast/noun. M16.

(from bomb

[French bomb order, formed as prec.] 1 verb trans. & fintrans. Fire heavy guns at. batter with

1 leg. L m man.

bombasine noun var. of bombazine.

Esp. of furniture: rounded, convex.

Baggy trousers worn in some S. American countries.

[Ludwig

fbombase verb trans. See also bombast adjective. M-L16. [from bombace.] Stuff (with cotton wool), pad.

[French, pa. pple of bomber swell out: cf. next.]

bombard /'branbcrd/ noun. In sense 2 also -de. lme.

Boltzmann /'boultsmon/ noun. Li9.

bombardone augm. of bombardo bombard noun.]

bombe /babe/ adjective. E20.

Raw cotton; cotton fibre for padding etc. [S. Amer. Spanish, from bombacho loose-fitting, wide.]

bolter verb var. of balter verb2.

[Italian

music. A low-pitched brass instrument of the tuba family; an organ reed-stop imitating this.

Bombay mix /.bombei 'miks, bom,bei/ noun phr.

bomb Iboml verb. L17.

bombachas /bmn'batjsz/ noun pi. M20.

verb', verb2.

bolter noun3 var. of boulter.

b but, d dog, f few, g get,

[French bombe from Italian bomba prob. from Latin bombus from Creek bombos booming, humming, of imit. origin.] j 1 bomb of fire [translating Spanish bomba de fuego], a fireball (weapon). Only in Li 6.

w we, z zoo,

■

bombi lation noun M17.

bombilla/bDm'bilja/noun. M19. [Amer. Spanish, dim. of Spanish

bomba strainer.]

A tube with a strainer at the end, from which mate is drunk in S. America. J she. 3 vision,

0 thin,

d this, g ring, tj chip, d3 jar

263

bombinate | bone

bombinate /'bombineit/ verb intrans. literary. Li9. [medieval Latin bombinat- pa. ppl stem of bombinare buzz, from Latin bambus: see bomb noun. -ate3. Cf. bombilate.]

Buzz, hum. bombo bombao. noun. PI. -os. L20.

[French, lit. 'good-good': see bon.]

A piece of confectionery, a sweet.

bonce /bDns/ noun.

bombus: see bomb noun.)

bombora /bom'bmrs/ noun. Austral. Li9.

1 (A game played with) a large marble, The head, slang. Li 9.

A dangerous stretch of water where waves break over a submerged reef. bombyx /'bDmbiks/ noun. Also f-ax. lme. A silkworm or silkworm moth. ■ bombykol noun a pheromone secreted by the female of the silkworm moth Bombyx mori M20.

A peasant. Only in ME. 3 A serf, a base vassal; a slave, obsolete exc. Hist. me. ► B adjective. 1 In a state of slavery; in bondage; tied to. arch. me. |2

bon /bo/ adjective. Li 6. adjective.]

■ bon appetit /bon apeti/ [lit. ‘good appetite']: used as a salu¬ tation to a person about to eat Ml 9. bon Chretien /kretjS/, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), [lit. ‘good Christian'] any of several varieties of pear Li6. bon enfant /bon dfd/ [lit. ‘good child’] good company M19. bon gre mal gre /gre mal gre/ [lit. 'good will, III will'] (whether) willingly or unwillingly E19. bon jour /3u:r/, bonjour interjection good day, hello L16. bon mot /mo/, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), [lit. 'good word’] a clever or witty remark, a witticism mi 8. bon ton /& [lit. 'good tone'] the fashionable world, arch, good breeding M18. bon vivant /viva/, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), [lit. ‘who lives well’] a gourmand, an epicure ltz bon viveur /vivoeir/, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), [pseudo-French after bon vivant, from viveur a living person] a person who lives luxuriously M19. bon voyage lvwa.yi-.yj [lit. ‘pleasant journey']: used as a salutation to a person about to travel L17. (See also no bon s.v. no adjective.) 'fAidi/

adverbial & adjectival phr. M16.

[Latin = with good faith (abl. of next).]

(Acting or done) in good faith; sincere(ly), genuine(ly). bona fides /.bauna 'fAidi:z/ noun phr. L18. [Latin = good faith.]

1 Good faith, freedom from intent to deceive. L18. 2 (Erron. treated as pi.) Guarantees of good faith, cre¬ dentials. M20. bonaght/ba'no:t/noun. M16. [Irish.]

Irish HistoRV. A tax or tribute levied by Irish chiefs for the

maintenance of soldiers. bonallie /bD'nali/ noun. Scot. arch. Also bonnail(lie) /bD'neil(i)/. Lis. & mod. French bon + aller go.]

(A wish for) a good journey, farewell. Esp. in drink a person's bonallie

bonanza /ba'nanza/ noun & adjective. Orig. US. Ei9. [Spanish = fair weather, prosperity, from Latin

bonus good.]

► A noun. A run of good luck, an unexpected success (orig. esp. in mining); prosperity; a source of great wealth or good fortune. Ei9. ► B adjective. Greatly prospering or productive. L19. Bonapartist /'baunapcutist/ noun & adjective. Also Buon-. El 9. [from Bonaparte (see below)

+ -ist.] Hist. ►A noun. An adherent of the government and

dynasty of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of France. Ei9. ► B adjective. Of or adhering to Bonaparte or Bonapartism. El 9. ■ Bonapartism noun attachment to or advocacy of the govern¬ ment and dynasty of Napoleon E19.

bona-roba /bouno'rauba/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. [Italian buonaroba, from buona good + roba dress.] A wench; a prostitute. bonasus /ba'nasas/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. PI. -nasi /-'nasAi, -'nasi:/. L16. [Latin from Creek bonasos.]

The European bison. bona vacantia /.bsuna va'kantia/ noun phr. Mi8. [Latin = ownerless goods

(vacate be ownerless).]

law. Goods without any apparent owner, and to which the Crown has right.

bonaventure /bDna'ventJa/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lis. [Italian

bonaventura lit. 'good fortune’, from fbona (now buona)

good + ventura fortune.]

nautical A lateen sail carried on an extra mizzen mast; a mast with such a sail (freq. more fully bonaventure mast, bonaventure mizzen). tj Commonly found as a ship's name, with its Italian significa¬ tion.

bonavist /'bonavist/ noun. Mi7. [Perh. from

Servile, slavish.

LME-M16.

bond-land Hist, land held by bondage; bondmaid, bondmaiden a slave girl; bondman (now arch, or Hist) a peasant; a serf, a slave; a villein; bondmanship the state or condition of a bondman; bondservice slavery; bondslave a slave; a person in a state of utter servitude; bondwoman a slave-woman. Comb,

The French (masc.) for 'good', occurring in various phrases used in English

[from Old

loe.

[Old Norse bdndi occupier and tiller of the soil (cf. husband noun) from boandi use as noun of pres, pple of boa var. of bua dwell, from Germanic base also of booth.] ► A noun, f 1 A householder, a husband. Only in loe. f2

[Latin from Creek bombux.]

bona fide /.bsuns

m 19.

2

bond /bond/ noun' & adjective,

[Aboriginal.]

Bona Vista var. of Boa Vista, Cape Verde islands.]

= lablab. Also bonavist bean. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

bond /bond/ noun2,

6 Connect by means of an electrical bond. L19. 7 chemistry Join or hold by a chemical bond. Freq. in pass. E20. 8 Join or hold by an emotional or psychological bond. M20. 4 bonded warehouse: where goods are kept in bond.

Mi9.

[Origin unkn.]

A large, deep bass drum, used in traditional Portuguese, Spanish, and S. American music.

[French: see boon

lis.

■ bonbonniere /b3bpnje:r (pi. same)/ noun a fancy box for holding sweets ei 9.

■ bombi nation noun ei 9.

[Spanish, from Latin

bon-bon /’bonbon/ noun.

me.

[Alt. of band noun1, preserving more the connection with bind, bound.] ► I lit. 1 Something with which a person is bound; a

shackle; a fetter; confinement, imprisonment, custody. Nowusu. in pi. me. 2 Something with which a thing is tied, fastened to another, or made to cohere, me. J3 A bandage. LME-117. £Q 1 Milton To endure Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain. 2 L. T. C. Rolt Bags of clay laced with hazel rods to form a bond.

► life. 4 A restricting or imprisoning circumstance; a constraining force, a tie. me. feb Obligation, duty. LME-M17.

5 A binding engagement, an agreement, me. 6 A uniting or cementing force or influence; adhesion, union, lme. B3 4 F. M. Ford To enjoy a woman's favours made him feel that she had a bond on him for life. D. H. Lawrence Breaking the bonds of authority. 5 R. C. Sherriff An hon¬ ourable man whose word was his bond. 6 J. Locke Speech being the great Bond that holds Society together. J. Galsworthy Attached to the dead by the bond of kinship. W. H. Auden Siblings can live in a bond / as close as wedlock.

► Ill Legal & techn. uses. 7 A deed by which one person binds himself or herself to pay another; a (government's) documentary promise to repay borrowed money, usu. with interest; a deben¬ ture; an insurance policy; a financial guarantee against the collapse of a company, esp, a tour operator etc. L16. 8 Surety; spec, security for a released prisoner's return for trial, bail. arch. exc. US. M17. 9 The jointing or fastening of masonry, timber, etc.; esp. any of various methods of holding a wall together by making bricks overlap. L17. 10 Storage of goods in special warehouses under the charge of Customs pending the payment of duty by the importer. Chiefly in in bond, out of bond. etc. M19. 11 chemistry. A linkage between atoms in a molecule; esp. = covalent bond s.v. covalent adjective. M19. 12 electricity. A conductor connecting metal parts, esp. for the purpose of earthing. Mi9. 13 In full bond paper. Writing-paper of high quality suitable for bonds etc. Li 9. 9 English bond IRICKIAYINC: with alternate courses of headers and stretchers. Flemish bond bricklaying: with courses of alter¬ nate headers and stretchers, monk bond bricklaying: with courses alternating with pairs of stretchers. 11 double bond see double adjective & adverb, metallic bond see metallic adjective, sigma-bond: see sigma 2a. Comb, bondholder a person holding a bond granted by a private person or company; bond paper, see sense 13 above: bondstone a stone or brick running through a wall to bind or strengthen it; bond-washing dividend-stripping.

bond /bont/ noun’. S. Afr. Also B-. Li9. [Afrikaans from Dutch j= German Bund), from binder bind.]

An Afrikaner league or association. bond /bond/ verb. L16. [from bond noun3.]

► I verb trans. 1 Pledge or confirm by a bond. L16. kb In pass. Of a travel agency, tour operator, etc.: be bound by an agreement limiting loss and inconvenience to cus¬ tomers if the company should cease trading. L20. 2 Reinforce or make solid by a bond or bonds; bind (bricks etc.) together by making them overlap; cement or clamp together; hold together by embedding in a solid, LI 6. 3 Connect by overlapping or by a bond to. lis. 4 Put (goods) into bond. E19. 5 Subject to bondage. M19. : saw, A run, o put, u: too, 3 ago, ai my, au how. ei day.

► II verb intrans. 9 Hold together; adhere. Mi9. 10 Form an emotional or psychological bond (with). L20. Cl 10 A. Tyler She and her husband need to bond with the baby. ■ bonding noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) the manner in which bricks, atoms, etc., are bonded, bonds collectively: L17.

bondage /'bondid;^ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Latin bondagium, from bond noun': see -age. Infl. in sense by bond noun3.] ► A noun. 1 Serfdom, slavery; Hist, tenure in villeinage,

services due from a tenant to a proprietor, me. 2 The condition of being bound or tied; fig. subjection to authority, constraining force, or obligation, lme. ►b spec. Sado-masochism involving binding, handcuff¬ ing, etc. M20. 3 That which binds; obligation, rare. E17. ► B verb trans. Reduce to bondage, enslave, arch. Ei7.

■ bondager noun (Hist.) a person who performs services as a condition of feudal tenure; in S. Scotland and NE England, a female outworker supplied to a proprietor by a tenant: mi 9.

bonder/'bonds/ noun', rare. Mi9. [from bond verb + -er'.] 1 building. A binding stone or brick. M19.

2 A person who puts goods into bond or owns goods in bond. Li 9. bonder/'bonds/ noun2. M19. [Erron. from Norwegian bonde, pi. bonder.] Hist. A Norwegian peasant farmer or petty freeholder. bondieuserie /bodjazri/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M20. [French, from bon good + Dieu God.] A church ornament or devotional object, esp. one of

little artistic merit; such objects collectively. bondsman /'bDn(d)zmsn/ noun. PI. -men. Ei8. [from bond noun', noun2 + -’s’ + man noun.]

1 A person who stands surety for a bond. E18. 2 A person in bondage, a slave; = bondman s.v. bond noun'. M18. bonduc /'bDndAk/ noun. Li7. [French from Arab, bimduk hazelnuts, ult. from Greek poniikon marine (karuon nut).] = nicker-tree s.v. nicker noun-1.

bone /bsun/ noun. [Old English ban = Old Frisian. Old Saxon ben (Middle Dutch, Low German been), Old High German, German bein, Old Norse bein, from Germanic.]

1 Any of the pieces of hard tissue that make up the skeleton of a vertebrate animal, and consist largely of calcium phosphate or carbonate in a matrix of collagen fibres, oe. kb (Part of) a bone to which some meat adheres, providing possible sustenance, lme. kc spec. A bone used by Australian Aborigines in spells to cause death or sickness. L19. 2 In pi. The skeleton; the body; the mortal remains; fe. the essential framework of anything, oe. 3 The bony structure of the body; the body's hard, solid, or essential part. oe. 4 The material or tissue of the bones; any similar animal substance, as ivory, dentine, etc. oe. 5 An article orig. or usu. made from bone or ivory, esp. a domino, (in pi.) dice, castanets, lme. Fb spec. A strip of whalebone or other stiffening material in a corset etc. LI 6. 6 A dollar. US slang. Li 9. Ill 1 backbone, breastbone, cheek-bone, collar-bone, frontal bone, funny-bone, jawbone, knuckle-bone, marrowbone, shin-bone, thigh-bone, wishbone, etc. 2 P. Larkin The plain bones of the matter is just this: if you're prepared to work.. we shall get on splendidly. W. Golding Here the bones of the land showed, lumps of smooth grey rock. 3 Dickens An immense brown horse dis¬ playing great symmetry of bone. 4 whalebone etc. Phrases: a bone in her mouth nautical (arch.) water foaming before a ship's bows, a bone in one’s leg. a bone in one’s head colloq. a (feigned) reason for idleness, a bone to pick with someone a dispute or problem to resolve with someone, bog of bones see bag noun, bare bones the mere essentials, be skin and bone see SKIN noun, bone of contention a subject of dispute bred in the bone see bred ppl adjective, close to the bone = near the bone below, dog and bone: see dog noun, feel in one’s bones, know in one’s bones, etc.: instinctively, in one's innermost being, lay one's bones: see lay verb', long bone see long adjective', make no bones about not hesitate or scruple about, make old bones live to an old age. Napier's bones, near the bone (o) destitute; (b) near the permitted limit (esp. of decency), point the bone in an Australian Aboriginal ritual intended to bring about a person's death or sickness rack of bones see rack noun3, roll the bones see roll verb, skin and bone see skin noun, to the bone fg. to the bare minimum; pene tratingly. work one's fingers to the bone work very hard. no, e: hair, ra near, 31 boy. os poor. M3 tire, aos sour

264

bone|bony Comb. : bone-ache arch, pain in the bones, spec, as a symptom of venereal disease; bone-ash the mineral residue of calcined bones; bone-black a mixture of bone-ash and charcoal obtained by carbonizing bones; bone breccia breccia contain¬ ing fossil bones; bone-charcoal - bone-black above; bone china chinaware made of day mixed with bone-ash; bone-dry adjective completely dry; bone-earth = bone-ash above; bonefire see bonfire: bonefish lchiefly N.Amer.ja fish with many small bones, spec. Albula vulpes, a silvery marine game-fish; bonehead slang a stupid person; boneheaded adjective (slang) thick-headed, stupid; bone idle adjective utterly idle; bone-lace bobbin-lace of a type orig. made with bone bobbins: bone lazy adjective utterly lazy: bone marrow: see marrow noun1 1; bonemeal crushed or ground bones used esp. as fertilizer; bone-oil dark, fetid oil obtained in the carbonizing of bones; bone-seed a chiefly southern African plant of the genus Osteospermum. of the composite family; bone-seeking adjective (of a substance) tending to be deposited in the bones; bone-setter a person who sets broken or dislocated bones, esp. without being a qualified surgeon; boneshaker colloq. a jolting vehicle; Hist, a bicycle without rubber tyres; bone spavin: see spavin noun': bone-tired adjective utterly tired; bone turquoise: see turquoise noun 2; bone weary adjective utterly weary; fbone-wort any ofvarious plants held to be of use in healing bone, e.g. the daisy and the violet; bone-yard a place where the bones of dead animals are deposited; slang a cemetery. ■ boned adjective having bones (of a specified kind) me. boneless adjective without bones; fig. wanting backbone or will¬ power; boneless wonder: see wonder noun: oe. boner noun (slang, orig. US) a stupid mistake E20.

bone /boon/ verb'. Lis. [from the noun: sense 3 is perh. a different word.]

1 verb trans. Remove the bones from (meat, fish, etc.).

L15. 2 verb trans. Treat or equip with bone, esp. as stiffening or strengthening. 117. 3 verb intrans. Apply oneself diligently; study inten¬ sively. Usu. foil, by up, study hurriedly. (Foil, by on the object of study etc.) slang (orig. US). Mi9. 4 verb trans. Point a bone at (a person) as part of an Aus¬ tralian Aboriginal ritual intended to bring about death or sickness. E20.

A sucking-pig. bonheur du jour /bonce:r dy 311 :r/ noun phr. PI. bonheurs du jour (pronounced same). Li9. [French, lit. 'happiness of the day’.]

A small writing-table, usu, fitted to hold toilet accessor¬ ies, popular in i8th-cent. France, bonhomie /'bonami:/ noun. Also J-hommie Li8. [French, from next + -ie -Y1]

Good-natured friendliness, geniality. ■ bonhomous adjective showing bonhomie E20.

bonhomme/‘bonom, foreign banarn (pi. same)/ noun. E16. [French, lit. 'good man, good fellow’: in medieval Latin bonus homo.] Hist. A member of an order of mendicant friars who

arrived in England in the 13th cent. t bonhommie noun var. of bonhomie. Boniface /'bDmfeis/ noun. arch. Ei9. [A character in G. Farquhar’s The Beaux'Stratagem.]

(A name for) an innkeeper.

Seize; snatch, steal.

Cognizant of moral goodness; having the form of good. bonify /'bonifAi/ verb trans. Ei7. [French bonifier improve, formed as

bon

+ -ficr-FV.]

[Irish bainbhin, from banbh sucking-pig + -in dim. suffix.] A young pig.

[Perh. from French bonne et belle 'good and fair’.]

A fair maid.

boning /’baumr)/ noun. lts. [Origin unkn.] surveying etc. The process of judging the straightness of a

surface or line by eye, as by looking along the tops of two straight edges, or along a line of poles. Freq. attrib. bonism /'boniz(a)m/ noun. Li9. -ism.]

[Prob. from bone noun + set verb1, on account of medicinal use.] 11 Comfrey. Only in L17. 2 A plant of the composite family, Eupatorium petfoliatum, bearing white flowers; = thoroughwort 2.

[from late Latin bonitarius from Latin bonitas goodness + -anus -ARY'.]

■ Also bonitarian adjective M19.

boneta noun var. of bonito. bonfire /'bonfAia/ noun & verb. Also tbonefire. lme. [from bone noun + fire noun.] ► A noun. Orig., a large open-air fire in which bones were burnt; also, a fire in which heretics, proscribed books, etc., were burnt. Now, any large open-air fire kindled for the disposal of waste material, brushwood, garden refuse, etc., or in celebration of some event or occasion (as was often the case with ‘bone-fires'), or for other pur¬ poses. LME. E3 W. Raleigh Celebrate the victorie with bonefiers in euerie town, make a bonfire of destroy. Comb.: Bonfire Night 5 November, the anniversary of the Gun¬ powder Plot (1605), on which large fires are built and effigies of the conspirator Guy Fawkes are burnt. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Light bonfires (in). E17.

[Spanish.]

tbonity noun. L16-L18. [Latin bonitas goodness,

bounty:

see -ity.]

(Emit) a low-pitched sound as of a bell.

bonk /bDrik/ noun, slang. M20. 1 An abrupt heavy sound of impact; a bump. M20. 2 An act of sexual intercourse. L20. Comb: bonkbuster colloq. [after blockbuster] a type of popular novel characterized by frequent explicit sexual encounters.

[Thai baung cylindrical wooden tube.] A kind of water pipe used for smoking marijuana or other drugs.

bongo/‘bDijgau/ noun1. PI. same. -s. M19. [Kikongo.]

A large striped antelope, Tragelaphus euryceros, of central Africa.

bongo ’bDijgau/ noun2. PI. -o(e)s. E20.

[Imit.]

Either of a pair of small drums, usu. held between the knees and played with the fingers.

bongrace /‘bDngreis/ noun. Mi6. bonnegrace lit. 'good grace’: see bon, grace noun.] 1 A shade worn on the front of a woman’s bonnet to protect the complexion, obsolete exc. Hist. M16. 2 A broad-brimmed hat. arch. & dial. Li6. [French

k cat, 1 leg, m

bonus/'baunas/ noun. L18. [Prob. joe. or ignorant use of Latin bonus (masc.) for bonum (neut.) good thing: prob. orig. Stock Exchange slang.]

a la bonne femme, bonne femme (a la) bon fam/ [lit. ’in the manner of a good housewife’] applied esp. postpositively to desig¬ nate particular dishes of food, bonne bouche buj/, pi. -s -s (pro¬ nounced same), [French = mouth] a dainty morsel, a titbit, esp. to end a meal, bonne fortune /bon fortyn/, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), a lady s favours, as a source of pride for the recipient.

► B noun. PI. pronounced same. T1 A good girl. Only in ei 6. 2 A (French) nursemaid, lis.

r red,

s sit,

2 no-claim bonus, no-claims bonus: see no adjective. Comb.: bonus issue = scrip issue s.v. scrip noun3. [Norwegian bunksi, from bimke dumpy body from Old Norse bimici heap (cf. Norwegian burike fat woman).]

The great skua.

1 a A head-dress of men and boys, usu. soft and brim¬ less; a round brimless Scotch cap. ime. Fb An outdoor head-dress of women or children, usu. with no brim at the back, and tied with strings, lis. Fc The ceremonial head-dress of an American Indian. Usu. more fully warbonnet. M19. Fd heraldry. The velvet cap within a coronet Li 9. p pen,

1 Something, esp. money, over and above that which is normally expected; something to the good or into the bargain. Occas., a douceur, a bribe. U8. 2 spec. An extra dividend paid to shareholders of a company; a portion of profits allowed to the holder of an insurance policy; a gratuity to employees beyond their normal pay. E19.

bonxie /'bDijksi/ noun. Orig, Shetland. Li8.

[Old French bonet from medieval Latin abonnis headgear.)

n no,

A sporting contest, a match. Now spec, a major curlingmatch.

A reddish white-faced southern African antelope (usu. regarded as conspecific with the blesbok Damaliscus dorcas).

bonkers /’bDqkaz/ adjective, slang. M20.

man,

[Prob. of Low German origin: cf. Western Flemish bonespel a children's game.]

[Afrikaans, from Dutch bont pied + bob buck noun’.]

1 Hit resoundingly; bang, bump. E20. 2 Have sexual intercourse (with). L20.

bonnet /'bond/ noun. lme.

bongo.]

[Japanese, from bon tray + sai planting.]

The (Japanese) practice of cultivating artificially dwarfed potted plants or small trees; a plant or tree culti¬ vated by this method.

bontebok /'bontabok/ noun. Also -tb- /-tb-/. PI. same. LI 8.

bonk /bm}k/ verb trans. & intrans. slang. E20.

► A adjective. Good. Long restricted to certain phrs. adopted from French (see below). E16.

mountaineering. A large piton.

bong Iboql noun3. L20.

bonsai /'bonsAi/ noun. PL same. E20.

bonspiel /’bonspid/ noun. Scot. M16.

[Imit.]

bonne /bon/ adjective & noun. Ei6. [French, fern, of bon.]

[Prob. imit.]

The pygmy chimpanzee. Pan paniscus, of the Congo.

Good sense.

bonnail. bonnaillie nouns vars. of bonallie.

bong /bDt]/ noun2. M20.

Milk naturally dotted on souring. bonobo /'bonabao/ noun. PL -os. M20.

[from French bon good, after nonsense.]

bonjour interjection see bon.

Crazy; insane.

[Imit.]

[Irish bainne dabcitr thick milk for churning, from bainne milk, clabar dasher of a churn.]

bonsense /:,bDns(a)ns/ noun. li7.

Goodness.

[Origin unkn.: see -er6.]

bong /bray noun' & verb intrans. Orig. US. E20.

1 Pleasing to the sight; comely; expressing homely beauty. Scot. & north, lis. 2 Nice, good, fine. Often iron. Scot. & north. M16. f3 Smiling; bright. L16-E19. 4 Of fine size, big. Now usu. (healthily) plump, looking well. LI 6.

[African name.]

bonito /ba'nbtau/ noun. PI. -os. Also boneta /ba'nita/. Li 6. Any of various striped tuna, esp. Sarda sarda of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

N. Amer. E19.

lis.

[Origin uncertain: perh. to be referred to Old French bon (fern, bone) good.]

bonny-clabber /'bomklaba/ noun. Anglo-Irish. Ei7.

Beneficial; having beneficial possession without formal legal title.

tbonefire noun & verb var. of bonfire.

bonny /'boni/ adjective, dial. & colloq.

■ bonnily adverb Lie. bonniness noun E17.

bonitary /'bDnit(a)ri/ adjective. M19.

roman law.

boneset /'baunsEt/ noun. L17.

f 1 verb intrans. Take off the bonnet in token of respect. rare (Shakes.). Only in Ei7. 2 verb trans. Put a bonnet on. ei 9. 3 verb trans. Crush down the hat of (a person) over the eyes. Mi9. bonnibel /'bonibel/ noun. arch. Li6.

11 Benefit. Only in Ei7. 2 Make good; turn into good. Li7.

■ bonist noun 119

boneen /ba'nin/ noun. Anglo-Irish. PI. -s, same. M19.

1 a fill a person’s bonnet fill a person's place, have a bee in one’s bonnet see bee noun', poke-bonnet see poke noun '. Scotch bonnets: see Scotch adjective, vail bonnet, vail one’s bonnet, vail the bonnet see vail verb2 2. Comb.: bonnethead a hammerhead shark. Sphyma tiburo, with a relatively narrow head; bonnet laird arch, a petty Scottish landowner wearing a bonnet like the humbler classes; bonnet monkey an Indian macaque. Macaco radiata. havinga tuft of hair on top of the head; bonnet-piece a gold coin of James V of Scot¬ land, on which the king is represented wearing a bonnet; bonnet rouge /bone rw.y, pi. -s -s (pronounced same), [French = red] the red cap of the French sansculottes of 1793, taken as a symbol of the revolutionary spirit.

[from the noun.]

[mod. Latin boniformis (Henry More) translating Greek agarhoeid.es (Plato): see -FORM.]

Latin bonus good +

2 nautical. An additional strip of canvas laced to the foot of a sail to catch more wind. lme. 3 A raised portion of a fortification at a salient angle, serving to protect from enfilade fire etc. Li7. 4 The reticulum or second stomach of a ruminant. lis. 5 A thing or person used to put a good face on under¬ hand proceedings, arch, slang. Ei9. 6 A protective cover or cap, esp. a hood over the engine of a motor car, a cowl on a chimney, etc. M19.

bonnet /'bomt/ verb. Ei7.

boniform /'bomfoim/ adjective. Li7.

The doctrine that the world is good, but not the best possible.

[Origin unkn.]

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes,

[Irish banbh.]

[from

bone /boon/ verb2 trans. slang, lis.

[Amer. Spanish

bonham /'bDiiom/ noun. Anglo-Irish. L19.

t top, v van,

w we, z zoo.

bony /'baoni/ adjective,

lme.

[from bone noun + -y'.[

1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of bone or bones; consisting or made of bone or bones, lme. 2 Having many bones; having large or prominent bones, esp. with little flesh, lme. Special collocations: bony fish (a) a fish with bones rather than a cartilaginous skeleton, i.e. a member of the class Pisces (or Osteichthyes), to which the majority of living fishes belong; (b) N. J she.

3

vision.

0 thin,

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

ds jar

265

bonze | bookish

Amer. the menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus. bony labyrinth ahatomy the system of bony canals and chambers surrounding the mem¬ branous labyrinth of the inner ear. ■ boniness noun L19.

bonze /bDnz/ noun.

boogie /'bu:gi/ noun1. US slang, offensive. E20. [Perh. alt. of bogey noun1.]

A black person. boogie /'bu:gi/ noun2 & verb. E20.

116.

[Origin unkn.]

[French bonze or Portuguese bonzo (prob. from Japanese bonzo, bonso priest).]

► A noun. 1 A party, esp. a rent party. US slang. E20. 2 = BOOGIE-WOOGIE. M20. ► B verb intrans. Pres, pple & verbal noun boogieing. Dance (orig. to boogie-woogie music). M20.

A Japanese or Chinese Buddhist religious teacher. ■ bon zess noun (rare) a female bonze Mi9.

bonzer /'bonzo/ adjective. Austral. & NZ slang. E20.

Comb.: boogie board = bodyboard.

[Perh. alt. of bonanza.]

boogie-woogie/bu:gi'wu:gi/ noun. E20.

Excellent, first-rate. boo /bu:/ noun1, slang.

[Prob. redupl. of boogie noun2.]

M20.

Apercussive style ofplayingblues, esp. on piano, with a repetitive bass figure.

[Origin unkn.J

Marijuana,

boohai noun var. of booay.

boo /bu:/ interjection, noun1, & verb. E19.

boohoo /bu:'hu:/ interjection, noun, & verb intrans. Mi9.

[Imit.: cf. bo interjection & noun2.] ► A interjection & noun. A prolonged sound expressing deri¬

[imit.]

(Make) a sound of loud esp. childish weeping, or occas. laughter or derision.

sion or disapproval, or an exclamation intended to startle. Occas., a sound (as) of cattle lowing. E19. can’t say boo to a goose is very timid or shy.

boojum /'bu:d3am/ noun. L19.

► B verb trans. & intrans. Make such a sound (at); jeer (a person, an action, etc.). Ei9.

[Nonsense word invented by Lewis Carroll.] Ap imaginary dangerous animal.

■ booer noun E20.

book /buk/ noun.

booay 'bu:Ai/ noun. NZ colloq. Also boo(h)ai. M20.

[Old English hoc = Old Frisian, Old Saxon bok (Dutch boek), Old High German buoh (German Buch), Old Norse bok (cf. Gothic boka letter of the alphabet), from a Germanic base usu. taken to be rel. to beech, as the wood of rune-tablets.]

[Perh. from place-name Puhoi, N. Auckland, NZ.] The remote rural districts. up the booay completely wrong or astray.

boob /bu:b/ noun1 & verb, slang (orig. US).

1 A writing, a written document; a charter, a deed. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. 12 A narrative, a record, a list. OE-L17. 3 A collection of sheets of paper or other material, blank, written, or printed, fastened together so as to form a material whole; esp. one with sheets pasted or sewn together at the edge, with protective covers; a liter¬ ary composition of any kind long enough to fill one or more such volumes, oe. 4 spec, a The Bible. Formerly also, a copy of the Bible, me. kb A volume of blank sheets in which financial transac¬ tions, minutes, notes, etc., are entered; in pi., accounts, annals, records, lme. Fc The script of a play, film, etc.; the libretto of an opera, oratorio, etc. L16. Fd A maga¬ zine. Now colloq. El 9. Fe A record of bets made with several different people on a particular race etc. E19. Ff The telephone directory. E20. 5 A main subdivision of a literary composition; any of the component works forming the Bible, me. 6 Book learning, study, scholarship. Now only in pi, passing into sense 3. ME. F-fb Benefit of clergy. E17-E18. 7 fig. Anything from which one may learn or be instructed; an imaginary narrative, record, etc. lme. 8 A set of things bound or collected together to resem¬ ble a book, e.g. sheets of gold leaf, tickets, matches, stamps, six tricks at cards, etc.; an aggregate of laminar crystals. L15.

E20.

[Abbreviation of booby noun'.] ► A noun. 1

= booby noun11. E20.

2 A lock-up, a cell. E20. 3 A foolish mistake. M20. Comb.: boob tube noun' the or a television.

► B verb intrans. Make a foolish mistake. M20. boob /bu:b/ noun2, slang (orig. US). M20. [from bub noun3 or abbreviation of booby noun2.]

A woman’s breast. Usu. in pi. Comb.: boob tube noun2 a woman's low-cut close-fitting usu. strapless top.

boobialla noun var.

of boobyalla.

booboisie/bu:bwa:'zi:/noun. US slang. E20. (Joe. from boob noun' after bourgeoisie.]

Boobs as a class, stupid people. boo-boo /’bu:bu:/ noun, slang (orig. US). E20. [Prob. redupl. of boob noun'.]

1 A prank, a trick. E20. 2 = boob noun1 3. E20. boobook /'bu:bok/ noun. E19. (Aboriginal, imit. of the bird’s call.]

In full boobook owl. A small brown spotted owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae, native to Australasia. Also called mopoke, morepork

booby /’bu:bi/ noun1.

Q3 1 AVJer. 32:12 The witnesses, that subscribed the booke of the purchase. 2 AV Gen. 5:1 The booke of the generations of Adam. 3 G. Gissing She must read the best books that had been written on the training of children’s minds. Aldous Huxley Life became safe, things assumed meaning, only when they had been translated into words and confined between the covers of a book. R. Hoggart Of another author’s books more than six million copies are said to have been sold in three years. K. A. Porter She sits in her deep chair with an open book on her knees, commonplace-book, daybook, guidebook, handbook, hymn-book, log-book, notebook, picture-book, prompt-book, scrapbook, servicebook. textbook, wordbook, etc. 4b J. Morley The books show that the nett profits.. had exceeded £23.000 for the year. B. Hines Just tell him to put it in t1 book and I'll pay him at t’ week-end. e P. G. Wodehouse I am still willing to make a little book from time to rime to entertain sportsmen and gentlemen. 5 Shakes. Hen, V In the book of Numbers is it writ.J. Gross As a child. Mill [had]. .an entire book of The Faerie Queene read aloud to him. 6 Shakes. Merry W My son profits nothing in the world at his book. 7 Shakes. Wlnt. T. My name put in the book of virtue! J. G. Strutt That great poet to whom the book of Nature.. seemed.. laid open.

E17.

[Prob. from Spanish bobo (in both senses), from latin balbus stam¬ mering, stuttering: see-Y6.]

1 A silly, stupid, or childish person. Ei7. 2 Any of various sea birds of the genus Sula, closely related to the gannet. M17. Comb.: booby-hatch (a) hautical a small companion or hatchcover; (b) US slang a lock-up, a cell; an asylum; booby prize: awarded in fun or ridicule to the last competitor, lowest scorer, etc.; booby trap (a) something designed as a practical joke to catch the unwary, esp. an object placed on top of a door so as to fall on the first opener; (b) an apparently harmless device con¬ cealing an explosive charge designed to go off when tampered with; booby-trap verb trans. place one or more booby traps in or on. ■ boobyish adjective awkward and silly 118.

booby /’bu;bi/ noun2, slang (orig. US). M20. [Alt. of bubby noun1.] = boob noun2. Usu. in pi.

boobyalla /bu:bi’ata/ noun. Austral. Also boobi-. M19. [Aboriginal.]

Any of various coastal trees and shrubs, esp. a wattle. Acacia longifolia, or a shrub of the genus Myoporum.

Phrases: bell, book, and candle see bell noun', black book see black adjective, blue book see blue adjective, book of fate the future as being predetermined, book of life theology the record of those achieving salvation, book of reference see reference noun 7. book of words a libretto; a set of rules etc. bring to book call to account, by the book according to the rules; in set phrases, closed book a thing of which one has no understand¬ ing. close the books make no further entries, cease business etc. comic book: see comic adjective, good book the Bible, have one’s nose in a book: see nose noun, in someone's bad books, in someone's black books in disfavour with someone, in someone's good books 111 favour with someone, in my book as I see the matter, know someone like a book have a thor¬ ough knowledge of someone’s character make a book see make verb, not in the book not allowed, irregular, one for the book, one for the end book see one adjective, noun. & pronoun, on the books, upon the books listed as a member etc., on the staff. open book see open adjective, people of the Book people adher¬ ing to a book of divine revelation, spec, the Jews and Christians as regarded by Muslims, read someone like a book understand someone's motives or intentions fully, red book see red adjective.

boodie /’bu:di/ noun. Austral. Mi9. [Aboriginal.]

A rat-kangaroo, Bettongia lesueuri. Also boodie-rat boodle /'bu:d(a)l/ noun & verb, slang (chiefly US), Ei7. [Dutch boedel. boel possessions, disorderly mass, = Old Frisian bodel movable goods. Low German bodel.] ► A noun. 1 Crowd, pack, lot; = caboodle. E17 2 Money; spec, money acquired or spent illegally or

improperly; proceeds of corruption, mi 9. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Bribe; give or take bribes. Li9. «| Rare before 19. ■ boodler noun a person who gives or takes bribes L19

boogaloo /bu:gaTu:/ noun & verb intrans. Chiefly US. M20 [Perh. alt. of boogie-woogie after hullabaloo etc.]

(Perform) a dance with swivelling and shuffling move¬ ments. a cat. a: arm. e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

■

saw. a run. u put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day.

sealed book Sibylline books: see sibylline adjective, speak like a book: with full or correct information, suit one’s book be con¬ venient to one symbolical books: see symbolical 4. take a leaf out of a person's book: see leaf noun', talking book see talking ppl adjective, throw the book at make all possible charges against, upon the books: see on the books above, without book from memory; without authority. Comb.: bookbinder a person whose trade is bookbinding; bookbindery a bookbinding establishment; bookbinding the binding of books; bookcase a case containing shelves for books; book club a society whose members can buy selected books on special terms; book-craft arch, scholarship; authorship; bookend either of a pair of often ornamental props for keeping a row of books upright; book-fell Hist, a skin prepared for writing on; a vellum or parchment manuscript; book-hand Hist, a formal style of handwriting used by professional transcribers of books before the invention of printing; bookkeep verb intrans. [backform.] do bookkeeping; bookkeeper a person responsible for keeping the accounts of a trader, public office, etc.; bookkeeping (the art of) keeping accounts; bookland Hist, land granted by charter into private ownership: book-Latin Latin; scholarly language; book-learned adjective knowing books (but lacking practical experience); book learning, book-lore know¬ ledge gained from books, mere theory; book-louse a minute insect of the order Psocoptera, injurious to old books; booklung a lamellate respiratoiy organ of an arachnid; bookmaker (a) a professional betting person; a person who manages a betting-shop; (b) (usu. derog.) a compiler of books; |(c) a printer and bookbinder; bookmaking the trade or action of a book¬ maker; bookman (a) a scholar; (b) an author or publisher, a liter¬ ary man; bookmobile N. Amer. a mobile library; book-muslin fine muslin (folded like a book when sold in the piece); book name a name for a plant or animal (other than its scientific name) not widely used except in books; book page (a) a page of a book; (b) a page of a newspaper etc. devoted to reviews of books; book-plate a label affixed to a book as a mark of owner¬ ship; book-post the transmission of books by post at special lower rates; book-rest an adjustable support for an open book on a table etc.; book-scorpion a small pseudoscorpion, Chelifer caucroides, found in houses; bookseller a dealer in books; bookselling the selling of books, esp. as a trade; bookshop a shop where books are sold; book-shy adjective reluctant or unwillingto read books; bookstack see stack noun ic; bookstall a stall for the sale of books out of doors or in a station etc.; bookstore N. Amer. a bookshop; book token a voucher exchangeable for books costing up to a specified amount of money; book-trough a V-shaped rack for displaying books on a table etc. to show their titles; book value value as entered in a book, as opp. to market value; book-wise adjective = booklearned above; bookwork the studying of textbooks, as opp. to practical work; bookworm (a) a beetle- or moth-larva destruc¬ tive to books; (b) fig. a person devoted to reading. ■ bookful noun the entire contents of a book; as much as fills a book: Li 6. bookless adjective destitute of books; poet, unscholarly, uneducated: Li6. booklet noun a small book, esp. if papercovered M19. booklike adverb & adjective (a) adverb in the manner of a book; (b) adjective resembling (that of) a book: mi 9. bookling noun (now rare) a tiny book Ei9. booky adjective (colloq.) bookish M19.

book /buk/ verb.

oe.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Grant or assign (land) by charter, obsolete exc. Hist. OE. 2 verb Irons. Enter in a book or list; record, register, enrol, me. Fb spec. Of a police officer, referee, etc.: make

an entry of or against the name of (a person) for an (alleged) offence; slang apprehend, catch. Mi9. Fc verb trans. & intrans. Register the arrival or departure of (a guest at a hotel, an employee, etc.), or of oneself. Usu. foil, by in, out, or off. E20. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Engage (one or more seats, tickets, etc.) for oneself or others, usu. in advance; reserve. Ei9. Fb verb trans. Engage seats, rooms, transport, etc., for; issue a travel ticket to. E19. 4 verb trans. Engage (a person) as a guest, performer, etc. L19. ■ bookable adjective (a) able to be booked or reserved; (b) football (of an offence) serious enough for the offending player to be cautioned by the referee: E20.

booker/’boko/ noun. oe. [from book noun + -er1: later re-formed on book verb.]

11 A writer of books, oe-me. 2 A person who makes entries in a book etc., a book¬ keeper. M19. bookie /’buki/ noun, colloq. Li9. [Abbreviation: see -ie.J

= bookmaker (a) s.v.

book noun.

booking /'bukig/ noun. Li6. [from book verb + -ing1.]

1 The action of book verb’, an instance of this. Lie. 2 spec, a A reservation of a seat, room, ticket, etc. L19. Fb The issue of a ticket for travel. L19. Fc The recording of a person's name for an (alleged) offence. M20. 2b booking-clerk, booking-hall, booking-office, etc

bookish /'bukiJVadjective. Mi6. [from book noun + -ish'.]

1 Of or pertaining to a book or books; (of language) lit¬ erary rather than colloquial, mi6. 2 Studious, addicted to reading books; getting know¬ ledge only from books. Li6. ■ bookishly adverb M17 bookishness noun L16

no, s: hair, ta near, ot boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour

266

bookmark | boot one that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower.

bookmark /'bokmu:k/ noun & verb. M19.

LI 8.

[from book noun + mark noun'.[

► A noun. 1 A strip of leather, paper, etc,, for marking one’s place in a book. M19. 2 computing. A tag or marker placed in an electronic file at a particular location so that it can be rapidly accessed; esp. a record of an Internet address, stored in browser software. L20. ► B verb trans. computing. Identify (a particular location, file, etc.) with a bookmark. L20. ■ bookmarker noun - sense A.1 above M19.

2 fig, A scheme etc. that recoils on its originator. Mi9.

► B verb intrans. Act as a boomerang; fig. recoil on the ori¬ ginator. LI 9.

boomslang/'bumislap/noun. lis. [Afrikaans, from Dutch boom tree + slang snake.]

A highly venomous southern African tree-snake, Dispholidus typus. boon /burn/ noun', me. [Old Norse bon (Swedish, Danish bon) from Germanic base also of bene.] 11 A prayer, a petition; the asking of a favour, me-eiz.

booksy /'boksi/ adjective, colloq. M20. [from book noun + -SY.]

Having literary or bookish pretensions. bool noun var. of boul. Boolean /'budian/ adjective. Also -ian. Mi9. [from George Boole (1815-64), English mathematician + -AN.]

Of, pertaining to, or described by an abstract system of postulates and symbols applicable to logical problems. boom /burm/ noun\ lis. [from boom verb'.]

A loud deep resonant sound as of a distant explosion, breaking surf, a bass drum, etc.; a hum or buzz; the cry of the bittern. sonic boom: see sonic 2. Comb,: boom box slang a portable radio and cassette recorder. ■ boomy adjective' having a loud, deep, resonant sound E19.

boom /bu:m/ noun2. Mi6. [Dutch = beam noun, tree, pole.] fl gen. Abeam, a pole. Only in mi 6. f2 A pole set up to mark a channel etc. in water. L16-M18.

3 A bar or barrier stretched across a river etc. to obstruct navigation. E17. Fb A line of floating timber stretched across a river etc. to retain or guide floating logs. N.Amer. Li7. 4 A long spar or pole hinged at one end, securing the bottom of a ship's sail. E17. Fb In pi. Part of a sailing ship’s deck where the spare spars are stowed. M18. 5 A movable arm supporting a camera, microphone, etc. M20. Phrases: lower the boom see lower verb’.

boom bu:m/ noun3. Orig. US. 119. [Prob. from boom verb'.]

A sudden increase or development esp. in business or economic activity; a rapid rise in the price of a commod¬ ity, in profits, etc. Q attrib.: R. Lowell The risk—a small one in those boom years—of resigning from the Navy, boom and bust (a cycle of) great prosperity followed by economic slump.

12 A request made with authority; a command couched as a request. ME-L16. 3 The matter prayed for or asked; a thing asked as a favour, arch. me. 4 Something, now esp. an immaterial thing, freely given whether in response to asking or not; a gift, a gra¬ tuity. arch. lme. 5 Hist. An unpaid service due by a tenant to the land¬ lord. L16. 6 A gift considered with reference to its value to the recipient; a blessing, an advantage, mi8. QJ 3 J. Masefield You in my life for always is the boon I ask from life. 4 R. C. Trench The gods had no better boon for him than an early death. F. Hoyle Our expected lifetime (granted the boon of indefinite good health) would be a few thousand years. 6 H. Keller It is an unspeakable boon to me to be able to speak in winged words that need no interpret¬ ation. B. Russell Enjoying more ofwhat makes life a boon and not a curse. Comb. : boon service, boon work Hist, unpaid service due by a tenant to the landlord.

boom /bu:m/ verb', lme.

or buzz like a bee etc.; speak loudly and with deep reson¬ ance. Of the (male) bittern: utter its characteristic reson¬ ant call. LME. 2 verb intrans. Rush violently along. Mi6. 3 verb trans. Give forth or utter with a booming sound. Usu. foil, by out. mi9. ■ booming noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a deep resonant sound: M16. boomingly adverb with a booming sound M19.

The stalk of flax or hemp after the fibre has been removed. boon /burn/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French bon from Latin bonus good.]

|1 Good, goodly. LME-L17. f 2 Advantageous, fortunate, favourable. LME-M17. 3 Convivial, jolly, genial. Orig. & chiefly in boon companion. M16. 4 Gracious, bounteous, benign, poet. E17. boon /burn/ verb. me. [from boon noun1.]

11 verb trans. Pray for, ask as a boon. Only in me. 2 verb intrans. Hist. Do boon service, rare. Li7. 3 verb trans. Repair (public roads), obsolete exc. dial. Li 8. [Tagalog bundok mountain.]

sing. & (usu.) in pi. Rough or isolated country; remote parts. boondoggle /'bu:ndog(3)l/ noun & verb. N. Amer. slang. M20. ► A noun. A trivial, useless, or unnecessary undertaking. Also, a dishonest undertaking, a fraud. M20. ► B verb intrans. Engage in such an undertaking. M20. boong /bu:g/ noun. Austral, slang, offensive. E20. [Aboriginal.]

An Aborigine; a member of an indigenous New Guinean people; any non-white person. boongary /bu:n'gs:ri/ noun. Austral. L19. [Aboriginal.]

A tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, of northern Queensland.

boom /bu:m/ verb2 trans. E17. [from boom noun2,]

Provide with a boom or booms; extend (a sail) with a boom (usu. foil, by out).

boonies ; 'bu:niz/ noun pi. N. Amer. colloq. L20. [Abbreviation.]

The boondocks; remote or wild areas.

boom /bu:m/ verb3. Orig. US. L19. [from boom noun3.] 1 verb intrans. Burst into sudden economic activity; prosper. L19.

2 verb trans. Force upon the attention of the public, promote. L19.

£Q J. Ellroy Shorten took off for a vacation in the Montana boonies.

boor /boa/ noun, mi6. [Low German bur or Dutch boer: repr. earlier by Old English gebiir. Cf. Boer, neighbour noun.]

1 A husbandman, a peasant; esp. a Dutch, German, or other foreign peasant. Now rare or obsolete, mi6. ►tb spec. (B-.) = Boer noun. LI8-M19. 2 A rustic, a yokel; a clumsy or unrefined person; a rude, ill-mannered, inconsiderate person. Li6.

U3 1 K. M. E. Murray Trade for him never boomed and he earned only about twelve shillings a week. 2 S. Leacock We’re doing all we can.. to boom Toronto as a Whisky Centre. ■ booming adjective 119.

boomer/’bu:ma/ noun. Mi9. [Prob. from boom verb' + -er1. In branch II ellipt.] ► 11 A large male kangaroo. Austral. M19.

2 Something large or notable of its kind. Austral, slang Ml 9.

1 boor’s mustard [rendering German Bauemsenfe 'peasant’s mustard’] field penny cress, Thlaspi arvense. m boorish adjective of. pertaining to. or characteristic of boors; rude, ill-mannered; coarse, uncultured: M16. boorishly adverb E17. boorishness noun L18.

► II3 = baby boomer s.v. baby noun. M19. colloq. (chiefly N. Amer.) L20.

boosa noun var. of boza.

boomerang bucmoran noun & verb. lis.

► A noun. 1 A push from below, a lift; a help; a scheme of advertisement, a promotion; an increase (in value, repu¬ tation. etc.); a reinforcement of self-confidence or morale; encouragement, assistance, increase, colloq. E19.

boost bu:st/ noun & verb'. Orig. US. E19. [Origin unkn.)

[Aboriginal, perh. modified: cf. Kamilaroi bfimarin.] ► A noun. 1 A thin curved hardwood missile (of a kind)

used by Australian Aborigines as a hunting weapon, esp. b but, d dog,

f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg,

m

man, n no,

p pen,

r red,

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Push from below; assist; raise; increase the reputation, value, etc., of by praise, adver¬ tising, etc, colloq. Ei9. 2 verb trans. Amplify (an electrical signal); raise (voltage etc.); gen. equip or augment with a booster. E20. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Steal, shoplift; rob. US slang. E20. boost /bu:st/ verb2 (orig. 3 sing. pres, indie). Scot, (formerly also north.). Also buist /byst/, thus, & other vars. me. [Contr. of behoves: -t perh. by assoc, with must. Cf. bude.] 11 impers. in (it) boosts etc., (it) behoves, me-lis. 2 Must, ought. L18. booster/'bu:sta/ noun. Orig. US. 119. [from boost verb’ + -er’.]

1 A person who boosts, colloq. Li9. Fb A shoplifter, a thief. US slang. E20. 2 An apparatus for providing an increase or temporary assistance; esp. (o) a device for increasing electrical voltage, signal strength, etc., an amplifier; (b) an auxil¬ iary engine or rocket for giving an initial acceleration. Freq. attrib. Li 9. 3 medicine. A dose of a vaccine etc. increasing or renew¬ ing the effect of an earlier one. M20. 2 booster rocket, booster seat. etc. ■ boosterism noun (colloq.) the tendency to praise, advertise, or promote oneself or one’s own (town, country, product, etc.) E20.

boosy /'bu:zi/ noun. dial. A stall for an ox or cow; a manger.

[Origin unkn.: cf. bun noun1.]

[Origin unkn.]

[Ult. imit.: perh. from Dutch bommen hum, buzz.] 1 verb intrans. Make a loud, deep, resonant sound; hum

editors giving me recommendations. Listener The recording needs treble boost, but is otherwise excellent. A, Storr The patient’s dependency on him is providing him with a boost to his own self-esteem.

[Old English bosig.]

boon /bu:n/ noun2, lme.

boondock 'burndDk/ noun. N.Amer. slang. M20.

Comb.: boom town a town owing its origin, growth, or prosper¬ ity to a boom in some commodity or activity. ■ boomlet noun a small boom, esp. on a stock exchange L19. boomy adjective- of or pertaining to a boom in business etc. Li 9.

2 (The action of) a booster; a supercharger, superchar¬ ging. M20. ca 1 Seba Smith I got a pretty good boost in Boston, by the

s sit, t top,

boot /bu:t/ noun'. In Hist, use chiefly bot(e) /bout/. [Old English but = Old Frisian bote. Old Saxon bota. Middle & mod. Dutch boete, Old High German buoza (German Busse), Old Norse bot, Gothic bota, from Germanic, from base also of better, best adjectives etc.]

► I Good, advantage. 1 to boot, besides, as well, additionally, oe. j-2 Advantage, profit, use. ME-L17. 3 A premium, compensation, obsolete exc. Scot. dial. lis. ► II Making good or mending; amends. 4 (A contribution levied for) the repair of decaying structures. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. Fb The right of a tenant to take timber etc. for necessary purposes such as repair. Usu. with specifying word. Ei6. 15 A medicinal cure or remedy. OE-M16. 6 Help or deliverance from evil or peril; relief, rescue. arch. oe. ►tb A way of mending matters, a better alter¬ native. me-li6. 7 A payment or compensation for injury etc. Usu. with specifying word. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. 8 Expiation of sin, an offering by way of atonement. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. 4b fire-boot, housebote, etc. 7 manbote etc.

boot /bu:t/ noun2. See also boots, me. [Old Norse botiorits source Old French bote (mod. botte), prob. rel. to bot blunt, stumpy, & ult. to butt noun'.]

1 An outer foot-covering, usu. of leather, extending above the ankle, me. ►tb Agreave. lme-ei7. Fc A cover¬ ing for the lower part of a horse’s leg. E19. 2 Hist. A former instrument of torture in Scotland, which encased the foot while wedges were driven between it and the foot. Mi6. 3 A cover of leather, rubber, etc., which fits over an object in the manner of a boot on the foot. Li6. 14 a An uncovered space on or by the step on a coach where attendants sat; the step itself; a low outside com¬ partment before or behind the body of the vehicle. L16-E19. Fb A receptacle for luggage etc. in a coach under the seat of the guard or coachman (chiefly Hist.); the luggage compartment of a motor vehicle, usu. situ¬ ated at the rear. lis. 5 The feathered leg of a bird; ornithology an undivided tarsal envelope characteristic of the legs of some birds. M19. 6 US slang, a A navy or marines recruit under basic train¬ ing. E20. Fb A person: spec, (o) a black person; (b) a woman, esp. an unattractive one (see also old boot s.v. old adjective), derog. M20. 7 A (heavy) kick, slang. E20. 1 Chelsea boot. Cossack boot. cowboy boot, hiking-boot, riding-boot. etc. Phrases: boot and saddle [alt. of French boute-selle place saddle]: a cavalry signal to mount , boots and all Austral. & NZ colloq. with no holds barred, wholeheartedly, get the boot, get the order of the boot be dismissed from employment etc. give the boot, give the order of the boot dismiss (a person) from employ¬ ment etc hang up one’s boots see hang verb, hove one’s heart in one's boots: see heart noun, lick a person’s boots: see lick verb. like old boots slang vigorously, tremendously, old boot: see old adjective, put the boot in kick brutally, take decisive action.

v van. 1. w we, z zoo, J she.

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

if chip,

d3 jar

267

boot | borate

seven-league boots see seven noun, the boot is on the other foot, the boot is on the other leg the position is reversed, the advantage etc. is the other way round, too big for one’s boots see big adjective, tough as old boots: see tough adjective, you bet your boots: see bet verb 2. Comb.: bootblack N. Amer. a person who blacks boots and shoes: bootblacking (blacking for) polishing shoes etc.: bootboy (a) a boy employed to clean shoes etc.: (b) slang a hooligan (wearing heavy boots): boot camp N. Amer. slang a centre for the initial training of marine or naval recruits: boot-cut (of jeans or trou¬ sers) cut with a leg that is flared very slightly from the knee to the ankle, so as to be worn comfortably over boots; boot-faced adjective grim, expressionless: Boot Hill US (joc.) the cemetery in a frontier town; boot-hose = boot-stocking below; bootjack an appliance for pulling boots off; bootlace a cord or leather strip for lacing boots; a thin strip of anything resembling this; bootlick verb & noun (a) verb trans. & intrans. curry favour (with), toady (to); (b) noun = bootlicker below; bootlicker a toady, a syco¬ phant; bootmaker a maker or manufacturer of boots; boot¬ stocking a stocking which covers the leg like a jackboot; bootstrap; boot-top noun & verb (a) noun the upper part of a boot; nautical = boot-topping below: (b) verb trans. apply protective boot¬ topping to; boot-topping nautical part of the hull of a vessel between the light and load lines; any protective film or treat¬ ment applied to this; boot-tree a mould for keeping a boot in shape. ■ bootery noun (US) a shop selling boots and shoes E20.

bootikin /'buffikm/ noun. Also -tak- /-tsk-/. Ei8. [Dim. of boot noun3: cf. mannikin.]

1 Hist = boot noun2 2. E18. 2 ja A soft boot or mitten worn as a cure for gout. M-L18. ib = BOOTEE. Ml9.

bootleg /’buffleg/ adjective, noun, & verb. Orig. US. E20.

3

[from boot noun + leg noun.]

► A adjective. 1 (Of goods, esp. liquor) smuggled, sold illicitly; (of musical recordings) pirated. E20. 2 amir, football. Designating or pertaining to a play in which a player carrying the ball feigns a pass to another then continues with the ball concealed near his hip. M20.

► B noun. 1 Smuggled or illicit liquor. E20. 2 amer. football. A bootleg play. M20. ► C verb. Infl. -gg-. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Smuggle, sell (esp. liquor) illicitly; pirate (musical recordings). E20. 2 verb intrans. amer. football. Make a bootleg play. M20. ■ bootlegger noun a smuggler of liquor, a trafficker in illicit goods or pirated recordings li 9.

bootless /’bufflis/ adjective' & adverb, oe. [from boot noun' + -less.]

► A adjective. 1 Of an injury: unable to be compensated by payment etc. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. 12 Incurable, remediless. ME-M17. 3 Unavailing, to no purpose, lme. ► B adverb. Bootlessly. Chiefly poet lme.

boot/bu:t/ noun3, arch. L16. [App. from boot noun', inf), by booty.]

Booty, spoil, plunder. Esp. in make boot of.

boot 'buff/ noun4.120.

■ bootlessly adverb unavailingly, unsuccessfully E17.

[formed as boot verb3.] computing. The operation or procedure of booting a com¬

bootless /'bufflis/ adjective2, lme. Without boots. boots /buffs/ noun. Ei7.

boot /bu:t/ verb', me.

[PI. of boot noun3, used as sing.]

[from boot noun': repl. beet verb.] 11 verb trans. Make better; make good (a deficiency etc.).

1 As 2nd elem. of combs, with the sense ‘person, fellow’, in familiar or joc. appellations, as bossyboots. slyboots, etc. E17. 2 (A name for) a hotel servant who cleans boots and shoes, carries luggage, etc. Li8.

ME-M16. 2 verb trans. & intrans. impers., usu. with subj. it. Profit, avail; matter to or to. Usu. in neg. & interrog. contexts. arch. lme. t3 verb trans. Benefit, enrich, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.

bootstrap "buffstrap/ noun & verb. Li9.

2

[from boot noun + strap noun.]

CQ 2 A. Cowley With Fate what boots it to contend? Browning Little boots Our sympathy with fiction!

► A noun. 1 A strap attached to a boot for pulling it on, or for holding down a woman’s riding habit; a bootlace. LI 9. 2 Chiefly computing. The action of bootstrapping; a boot¬ strapping procedure or routine. Usu. attrib. M20.

boot /buff/ verb2, lme. [from boot noun3.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Put boots on (oneself or another);

put on one’s boots, lme. 2 verb trans. Hist. Torture with the boot. Li6. 3 verb trans. Kick (hard), colloq. Li9. 4 verb trans. Eject, dismiss (a person). Freq. foil, by out (of one’s house, job, etc.), colloq. L19. boot /buff/ verb3. L20. [Abbreviation of bootstrap.] computing. 1 verb trans. Prepare (a computer) for oper¬

[Middle Low German bute, butte exchange, distribution (whence German Beute) rel. to Old Norse byta deal out, exchange, of unkn. origin.]

1 Orig., plunder, spoil, etc., acquired in common and destined to be divided. Now, anything gained by plunder etc. whether common property or not; spoil, lme. 2 A thing taken by force, a prize. Usu. in pi. Now rare or obsolete, mi6.

booted 'buffid/ adjective. Mi6. [from boot noun1, verb3: see -ed3, -ed1.]

1 Having boots on, equipped with boots. Ml6. 2 Of a bird: having feathered legs; having an undivided tarsal envelope. Li 8.

Phrases: play booty arch, (in games) combine against another player; play or act falsely for gain, lose intentionally.

booty /'buffi/ noun2. N. Amer. slang.

bootee /bu:'ti:/noun. Li8.

The buttocks, the backside.

A woman’s short lined boot; an infant’s boot of wool etc.

£Q E. Currie I was gonna .. try to work my booty off I

Bootes /bso'autkz/ noun. Mi6.

booza noun var. of boza.

[Latin from Creek bodtes ploughman, Bootes, from bous ox + otfirin to push.]

booze /bu:z/ verb & noun, colloq. Also bouse, bowse /bauz/.

(The name of) a constellation of the northern hemi¬ sphere between Draco and Virgo; the Herdsman.

ME. [Middle Dutch

see bond noun',]

1 A temporary dwelling or shelter of branches, canvas, etc. me. 2 A covered place where business is transacted, as (o) a market stall; (b) a refreshment tent at a fair; (c) a boxlike office at which tickets etc. are sold. me. 3 A partly or completely enclosed area for voting, tele¬ phoning, sitting in a restaurant, etc. mi 9. 2 ticket booth, token booth, tollbooth. etc telephone booth, etc. her,

1

Q) ic. Shields Dorrie got worried about all the booze he was soaking up, hit the booze see hit verb. 2 on the booze on a heavy drinking session. booze-up a drinking-bout. 5 The spelling booze is not recorded until 18. ■ boozed adjective intoxicated, drunk, (also foil, by up) M19 boozer noun (a) a person who boozes; (b) slang a public house: Ei7. Comb.:

3 polling-booth

sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot,

busen (Dutch buizen) drink to excess.]

► A verb intrans. & (now rare) trans. Drink for company and enjoyment; drink (alcoholic liquor) habitually or exces¬ sively. ME. ► B noun. 1 Drink, esp. alcoholic drink, me. 2 A drinking-bout. L18.

booth /bu:6, bu:0/ noun. me. [Old Norse var. of bus (Swedish, Danish bod stall, shop), from boa:

0

[Imit.]

A popping sound. Also, a blow with a fist, club, etc. bop /bop/ noun2, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation.]

1 = bebop. Orig. US. M20. 2 A dance to pop music; a social occasion for such dancing. M20. ■ bopster noun = bebopper M20.

bop /bop/ verb'. Infl. -pp-. L19. [Imit.] 1 verb trans. a Throw down with a resounding noise, dial, rare. L19. kb Hit, strike, punch, colloq. (orig. US). M20. 2 verb intrans. Fight. US colloq. M20. bop /bop/ verb2 intrans. colloq. (orig. US). Infl. -pp-. M20. [from bop noun3.] Play or sing bebop; dance, jive. ■ bopper noun = bebopper (see also teeny-bopper) M20.

bo-peep /bou'pup/ noun. Ei6. [from bo interjection + peep verb2.] 1 = PEEKABOO noun. E16. 2 A peep, a look. Austral. & Nl colloq. M20.

bora /'bo:ra/noun2. Mi9. [Dial. var. of Italian borea from Latin boreas north wind.]

A strong northerly squally wind which blows in the northern Adriatic. bora /'bo:rs/ noun3. Also borah. Mi9. [Kamilaroi buuru.]

A rite among the Aborigines of eastern Australia signi¬ fying admission to manhood. tborachio noun. PI. -os. Li6. [Spanish borracha leather bag for wine, borracho drunkard.]

1 In Spain: a goatskin bag used for wine or other liquors. L16-L18. 2 A drunkard. E17-E18. boracic/bs'rasik/ adjective.

118.

[from medieval Latin borac-, borax noun1 + -ic.]

Of, containing, or derived from borax. boradc acid = boric acid. [formed as prec. + -ite1,] mineralogy. A chloroborate of magnesium usu. occurring

as greyish-white cubic crystals. borage /'boridy noun. me. [Old & mod. French bourrache from medieval Latin bor(r)ago, -agin-, perh. from Arab, ’abu huras father of roughness, with ref. to the leaves.] A plant of the genus Borago (family Boraginaceae); esp. the plant B. officinalis, which has hairy leaves and bright

blue flowers, and is sometimes used in salads, cordials, etc. ■ boragi'naceous adjective (botany) of or pertaining to the family Boraginaceae M19.

Borah, borah nouns vars. of Bora noun1, bora noun3. borak /'bo:rak/ noun. Austral. & NZ colloq. Also borax /-ks/. M19. [Aboriginal.]

Nonsense; banter. Freq. in poke borak, poke fun (at).

120.

[Prob. alt. of botty.]

[from boot noun3 + -ee2.]

bop /bop/ noun', colloq. M20.

boracite 'bo:rssMt/noun. Lis.

booty buffi/noun1, lme.

bootakin noun var. of bootikin.

3:

1 Make (one’s way) or get (oneself) mto a new state using existing resources; modify or improve by making use of what is already present. Usu. re/7. M20. 2 computing. = boot verb31. Freq. as bootstrapping verbal £0 1 R. M. Pirsig Some valuable Aristotelian technique of bootstrapping oneself into new areas of knowledge. 2 D. R. Hofstadter Once a certain minimal core of compiler had been written, then that.. could translate bigger com¬ pilers into machine language.which in mm could translate yet bigger compilers ... This process is affectionately known as ‘bootstrapping’.

■ boota bility noun the facility or property of being bootable L20. bootable adjective able to be booted; containing the software required for booting a computer: 120.

a cat, a: arm, e bed,

1 pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps, lift oneself up by one’s own bootstraps, etc.: by one's own unaided efforts. ► B verb trans. Infl. -pp-.

noun. M20.

ation by causing an operating system to be loaded into its memory; cause (an operating system) to be loaded in this way; load a routine on (a disk) into a computer’s memory. Freq. foil, by up. 120. 2 verb intrans. Undergo booting; (of an operating system) be loaded into a computer's memory; (of a computer) have an operating system loaded into it. L20.

BOP abbreviation. Hist. Boy’s Own Paper.

Bora /bo ra:, bora/ noun'. Also Bhora. Borah, Bohora /bo’hoTa/. L17. [Hindi bohrn.] A member of a Shiite Muslim sect found mainly in western India. Formerly also, a Muslim Indian trader.

3

[from boot noun + -less.]

puter or an operating system; a bootstrapping routine. warm boot: see warm adjective.

booze'roo noun (HZslang) a drinking-spree M20. boozily adverb in a boozy manner L19 booziness noun the quality of being boozy M19. boozy adjective showingthe effects of alcoholic drink; char acterized by or given up to boozing: Ei6.

: saw. a run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my. au how, ei day.

borane/'bD:rein/noun. E20. [from boron + -ANE.] chemistry. Any of the series of binary compounds of boron

and hydrogen, or a substituted derivative of such a com¬ pound. tboras noun var. of borax noun'. borasco /bs'rasksu/ noun. Now rare. PI. -os. Also -ca /-ks/, -asque /-ask/. E17. [French bourrasque, Italian burrasca, Spanish borrasca, from Latin see bora noun3.]

boreas:

A violent squall of wind. borassus/bs'rasss/noun. lis. [mod. Latin from Greek borassos palm tree fruit.]

A palm of the genus Borassus; esp. the palmyra, B. flabellifer. Also borassus palm borate /'bo:reit/ noun.

118.

[from borax noun1 + -ate1.] chemistry. A salt or ester of boric acid; any salt with an

oxyanion containing boron. no, e: hair, is near. 01 boy, ua poor, ms tire, aus sour

268

borax | born borax /'ba:raks/ noun*. Also fboras lme. [medieval Latin from colloq. Arab, burak from Pahlavi burak (Persian burn).]

.

1 A hydrated sodium borate, Na2B.,O7'l0HA which is a white efflorescent crystalline solid found as a native deposit or prepared from other minerals, lme. 2 Cheap, inferior, or ostentatious goods, esp. furniture; inferior and tasteless design (after a borax soap producer who gave away cheap furniture as a premium). Freq. attrib. Orig. US. M20, borax noun2 var. of borak. Borazon /'bo:razDn/ noun. M20. [from boron with insertion of azo-.]

(Proprietary name for) a form of boron nitride, used as an abrasive. borborygm /'bo:bangam/ noun. Also in mod. Latin form borborygmus /bixba'ngmas/, pi. -mi /-mAi/. E18. [Creek borborugmos.]

A rumbling in the bowels.

■ borbo'rygmic adjective characterized by borborygms or rumblings E20.

bord /bo:d/ noun. Mia. [Var. of board noun.)

Any of a series of parallel workings in a coal seam, bord and pillar a system of working with pillars of coal left at intervals.

bordage/'kxdidj/noun. me. [Old & mod. French (= medieval Latin bordagium), from horde small farm, cottage, from Proto-Gallo-Romance from Frankish (= board noun): see -ace.]

Hist. 1 More fully bordage tenure. The tenure of a bordar. me. 2 The services due from a bordar. me.

borderline noun S adjective (a) noun a strip of land forming a boundary; a line of demarcation; (b) adjective on the borderline, marginal; border print printed cotton fabric with a design running parallel to the edge: Border terrier (an animal of) a breed of small rough-haired terrier originating in the Cheviot Hills.

border/'bo:da/ verb. Also t-ure. lme. [from the noun.]

► I verb trans. 1 Put or form a border, edging, or boundary to. lme. Fjb Keep within bounds; confine, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. |2 Cut up (apasty). E16-M19. 3 Lie on the borders of; adjoin. M17. CQ 1 Swift His night-cap border'd round with lace. H. Williamson Trimmed quickthorn hedges bordering the road, bordered pit: see pit noun1. 3 C. Lyell Lands bordering the Mediterranean.

► II verb intrans. 4 Foil, by on, upon: lie on the border of, be contiguous to; fig. approach in character, verge on. mi6. LEI 4 M. Elphinstone Hill tribes, bordering on cultivated countries. B. Magee A sense of persecution which bordered on paranoia.

bordereau /Txxdo'roo, foreign bordoro/ noun. PL -eaux /-ouz, foreign -o/. L19. [French, dim. of bord board noun.]

A memorandum of contents, a schedule, a docket. borderer/'bo:doro/ noun. lme.

m boring adjective tediously dull, wearisome: M19. boringly adverb M19. boringness noun L19. borish adjective (now rare) boring mis.

bore verb3 pa. t. of bear verb'. boreal /'bo:rial/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old & mod. French boreal or late Latin borealis, formed as next: see -AL'.[ ► A adjective. 1 Northern; of the North or the Arctic; of the north wind. lme.

2 a Designating or characteristic of a biogeographical zone south of the Arctic, esp. the cold temperate region dominated by taiga and forests of birch, poplar, and con¬ ifers. mi9. Fb (B-.) Designating or pertaining to a rela¬ tively warm dry climatic period in post-glacial northern Europe between the Preboreal and Atlantic periods, marked by the spread of hardwood forests. Li 9. ► B noun. The Boreal period. M20. Boreas /'bo:rios/ noun, literary, lme. [Latin from Greek.)

The north wind, esp. personified; the god of the north wind. ■ borean adjective (rare) = boreal 1 Mi7.

borecole/'bo:k3ul/ noun. eis.

[from border verb or noun + -er'.]

1 A person who lives near a border, esp. that of England and Scotland. Also (B-), a member of a regiment from the Welsh or Scottish borders, lme. 2 A person who or (rare) thing which borders (on, upon); a nearest neighbour, mi6.

bordar /'bo:da/ noun. me.

[Dutch boerenkool lit. 'peasant's cabbage', from boer boor + kool cole noun'.] = kale 1.

boree /'bo:ri:/ noun'. Austral. M19. [Kamilaroi.]

The weeping myall, Acacia pendula.

[Anglo-Latin bordarius (= Old & mod. French bordier). from borda from Old & mod. French horde: see prec., -ER-.]

Hist. A villein of the lowest rank, who rendered menial service for a cottage held at the will of his lord.

bord-land /'bo:dland/ noun. me.

tboree noun2 var. of bourree.

[formed as bordage or bordar + land noun’.] Hist. Land held in bordage tenure.

boreen /bo:'ri:n/ noun. Anglo-Irish. Also bohereen. Mi9. [Irish boithnn dim. of bothar road: see -een2.]

bordure noun, verb see border noun. verb.

A narrow country road, a lane.

Bordeaux/bo:'dao/noun. PI. same/-z/. Mi6. bore /bo:/ noun’, me.

[A city in SW France.]

1 (A) red (claret) or white wine from the district of Bor¬ deaux. Ml 6. 2 Bordeaux mixture, copper sulphate and lime used as a fungicide. L19.

borel adjective var. of borrel.

[Partly from bore verb1, partly from Old Norse bora borehole = Old High German boro auger: cf. Old English bor gimlet, Old Norse borr borer, from Germanic base also of bore verb'.]

1 A hole made by boring, a perforation, an aperture. obsolete or arch. exc. as below, me.

bordel /bo: 'del/ noun. Now chiefly US. me. [Old & mod. French (= medieval Latin bordellum, -us) dim. of borcfc: see BORDAGE, -EL2.] = BORDELLO.

bordelaise/bo:do'leiz,/oreign boirdslEz/ adjective. M19. [French, fern, of bordelais of Bordeaux.]

Designating or served with a sauce of red wine and onions. bordello/bo:'ddau/noun. Now chiefly N. Amer. PI. -os. L16. [Italian, formed as bordel.]

A brothel. border /'bo:do/ noun. Also (arch, rare exc. in branch II, where now usual) -ure /-jus/, lme. [Old French bordeiire (mod. bordure) from Proto-Romance, ult. from one of the Germanic bases of board noun: see -er2.]

► I Mod. border. 1 A side, an edge, a brink, a margin; a limit, a boundary (lit. & fig.): the part lying along the boundary or outline.

2 The hollow of a gun barrel, tube, cylinder, etc. L16. Fb The internal diameter of this; calibre. L16. 3 A deep narrow hole made in the earth, esp. to find water, oil, etc. Also (Austral.), an artificial water-hole for animals. Li7. CQ 1 R. Burns Frighted rattons.. seek the benmost bore. 2 H. Williamson Owing to the cordite in the cartridges .. remaining in the bore, flashes occurred during re-loading. Comb.: borehole = sense 3 above; borescope an instrument used in engineering etc. to inspect the inside of a structure through a small hole.

2 a sing. & (now usu.) in pi. A frontier district of a country or territory, lme. Fb The frontier line which separates one country from another. M16. 3 A continuous bed which forms a fringe round a garden area. lme. 4 A distinct edging for strength, ornament, or defin¬ ition round anything, lme. f5 A plait or braid of hair worn round the forehead or temples. E17-M19. 6 sing. & (usu.) in pi. A strip of cloth masking the top of a theatre stage as seen from the auditorium. Ei9. at 1 Hor. Walpole He affected an impartiality that by turns led him to the borders of insincerity and contradiction. 2a the Border (a) sing. & (freq.) in pi., the boundary and adjoining districts between England and Scotland; (b) the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or between the US and Mexico. 3 mixed border. 4 OED The newspapers appeared with black borders in sign of mourning. L. M. Montgomery It was an old-fashioned oval . surrounded by a border of very fine amedrysts. J. Masters Har Singh stitched a border on to one of the plain white saris, trac border

► II Mod. bordure. 7 heraldry. A bearing of uniform width around the edge of a shield, lme. Comb.: Border ballad: celebrating a raid in the Borders; border collie a medium-sized sheepdog of a breed originating near the border between England and Scotland; borderland land or dis¬ trict on or near a border; fig. an intermediate condition, debat¬ able ground; Border Leicester (an animal of) a breed of sheep originating as a cross between the Cheviot and the Leicester; k cat. I leg. n

[Perh. from Old Norse bbra wave.] 11 A wave, a billow. Only in me.

2 More fully tidal bore. A steep-fronted wave caused by the meeting of two tides or by the constriction of a tide as it passes up a narrowing estuary. Ei7. [Origin unkn.: early sources suggest French derivation.]

11 Boredom, ennui; a dull time. MI8-M19. 2 A thing which bores; a tedious nuisance or annoy¬ ance. LI 8. 3 A tiresome or tediously dull person. Li 8. ■ boredom noun (a) the state of being bored; tedium, ennui; (b) (now rare) the behaviour of a bore, bores collectively: M19. boresome adjective tending to be a bore, boring L19. boresomeness noun M19.

bore /bo:/ verb2 trans. mi8. [from (the same root as) bore noun3.]

Weary by tedious talk, dullness, or monotony. p pen.

Characteristic or reminiscent of the work of Borges, esp. his use of techniques of magic realism in the cre¬ ation of labyrinthine fictional worlds. boric /'bo:rik/ adjective. M19. [from boron + -ic.]

chemistry. Of boron; boric acid, a weakly acidic crystalline solid, B(OH)3, which is derived from borax and is used as an antiseptic. boride /'bo:rAid/ noun. M19. [from BORON + -IDE.] chemistry A binary compound of boron with a metallic element. [from the name of Robert Bork (b. 1927). a judge whose nomin¬ ation to the US Supreme Court in 1987 was rejected following unfavourable publicity for his allegedly illiberal and extreme views.]

Defame or vilify (a person) systematically, esp. with the aim of making it difficult for him or her to hold public office. borlotti /bo: ‘lDti/ noun pi.

120.

[Italian = kidney beans.]

In full borlotti beans. Kidney beans of a variety with a pink speckled skin that turns brown when cooked. born /bo:n/ ppl adjective (orig. pple). [Old English boren pa. pple of bear verb': long distinct from borne.] ► I pred. 1 Brought forth by birth as offspring; fig. brought OE.

[Old English borian - Middle Low German, Middle Dutch boren. Old High German boron (German bohren), Old Norse bora from Ger¬ manic base also of bore noun1: sense 4 may be a different word.] 1 verb trans. Pierce, make a hole in or through, esp. (as) with an auger etc. oe. Fb Pierce with a cylindrical cavity; hollow out (a gun barrel, tube, etc.). M18. 2 verb intrans. Make a hole or perforation (in, into, through); sink a borehole, me. 3 verb trans. Make (a hole, tunnel, one’s way, etc.) by boring, excavation, pressure, etc. E16. Fb verb trans. & intrans. Of a horse: push (another horse etc.) out of the way; thrust the head straight forward. L17. 14 verb trans. Trick, cheat. Only in E17. ■ borer noun (a) a person who bores; a horse which bores; (b) any of various worms, molluscs, insects, or other creatures which bore holes: (c) an instrument for boring: Lis. boring noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a borehole: lme.

n no,

120.

[from the name of Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), Argentinian writer of short stories and poetry + -ian.]

into existence, started in life; destined; innately suited.

bore /bo:/ verb’.

man,

Borgesian /bofxesion/ adjective.

bork /bo:k/ verb trans. US. L20.

bore /bo:/ noun2, me.

bore /bo:/ noun3, mis.

LME.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes,

LQ| G. A. Birmingham The Major yawned without an attempt to hide the fact that he was bored. E. M. Forster Perhaps Italy bores him; you ought to try the Alps or the Lakes. D. Rusk We were prepared to consult with de Gaulle’s government until it bored them to tears, bore rigid: see rigid adjective, bore stiff, see stiff adjective, bore the pants off

r red,

s sit.

t top, v van,

w we. z zoo.

LQ 1 Shakes. Temp. If he be not bom to be hang’d, our case is miserable. Tennyson Some sudden turn of anger bom Of your misfaith. N. Mitford She was bom a Miss Perrotte. M. H. Abrams Poets who are bom and poets who are made. L. Hellman An old, very black lady who had been bom into slavery. J. G. Farrell The other infant, a girl bom to Mrs Wright... survived. D. Fraser His eldest child.. had just been bom. first-born, free-born, high-born, low-born. etc.

► II attrib. 2 That has been bom; of (specified) birth; fig. destined by birth or inherent qualities; naturally gifted; (in unfavourable sense) utter, hopeless, me. 3 Of a quality: innate, inherited, mis. GO 2 Dryden Authors nobly bom will bear their part. S. Richardson I, a poor helpless Girl.. shall put on Lady-airs to a Gentlewoman born.E. A. Freeman The Danish-born Bernard. G. B. Shaw An ignorant dupe and a bom fool into the bargain. K. M. E. Murray He was himself a bom teacher, never.. able to resist passing on information. Phrases & comb, born-again adjective (a) regenerate, revitalized, esp. claiming spiritual rebirth as a Christian: (b) full of enthusiJ she.

3 vision,

9 thin,

6 this, g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

269

born | bosom

astic zeal for a cause, born and bred', see bred ppl adjective, born in the purple see purple adjective & noun, born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth see spoon noun, not born yesterday, one's born days one’s life hitherto, to the manner born: see manner noun1.

born lby.nl verb. US. M20. [Irreg.from prec.]

1 verb trans. Cause to be bom; bring into the world, rare. M20. 2 verb intrans. Be bom; come to birth or into existence. Chiefly as horning ppl adjective & verbal noun (cf. aborning). M20.

Borna disease "boms di,zi:z/ noun phr. E20. [Boma, a town and district near Leipzig in Germany where an out¬ break occurred.]

An infectious neurological disease affecting horses and other mammals and birds, caused by an RNA virus. borne verb & ppl adjective see bear verb'. borne /borne/ adjective, lis. [French, pa. pple of bonier limit.]

Limited in scope, intellect, outlook, etc. Bornean /'bo:ni3n/ adjective & noun. E19. [from Borneo (see below) + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the E. Indian island of

Borneo. Ei9. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Borneo, mi 9. borneol /'bomrol/ noun. Mi9. [formed as prec. + -ou] chemistry. A crystalline

terpenoid alcohol, C10H„O, present in many essential oils; esp. that of the Borneo camphor tree Dryobalanops aromatica. Bornholm disease /'bomhaum di(zi:z/ noun phr. M20. [Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic.]

An epidemic viral disease causing severe pain in the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm. bornite /'bo;nArt/ noun. E19. [from Ignatius von Bom (1742-91), Austrian mineralogist + -ite1.] mineralogy. A brittle reddish-brown sulphide of copper

and iron, occurring usu. as cubic or dodecahedral ciystals. boro- /'bo:rau/ combining form of next: see -o-. ■ boro hydride noun a compound of the anion BH. M20. boro silicate noun a substance derived from or containing both silica and boric oxide (B203), esp. a kind of glass E19.

boron /'bo:mn/ noun. E19. [from borax noun1 after carbon, which it resembles in certain respects.]

A relatively inert non-metallic chemical element, atomic no. 5, occurring as a dark brown amorphous powder and as black crystals. (Symbol B.) boronia /ba'rsums/ noun.

118. [mod. Latin, from Francesco Borotie (1769-94), Italian botanist: see -IA1.] A fragrant Australian shrub of the genus Boronia, of the

rue family. borough /'bxrs/ noun. Sense BURGH, BURROW noun2

1

Hist, also burh. See also

[Old English burg, burh = Old Frisian burch, Old Saxon burg (Middle Dutch burch, Dutch burg), Old High German bumg (German Burg), Old Norse borg, Gothic baurgs, from Germanic; rel. to Old English beorgan: see borrow verb1.]

A fortress, a castle, a citadel; a court, a manor-house. Long obsolete exc. Hist, as burh. oe. 2 Orig., a fortified town. Later, a town, district, large village, etc., with some form of municipal organization. In Britain, long obsolete or Hist. exc. as below, oe. Fb spec. An administrative division of London or of New York City, li 9. >c spec. In Alaska, a territorial division corres¬ ponding to a county. M20. 3 A town (as distinct from a city) with a corporation and privileges granted by royal charter; Hist, a town sending representatives to Parliament, lme. 4 Hist. A property held by burgage tenure. E18. 1

3 close borough, pocket borough Hist, a borough where elec¬ tions were controlled by a wealthy private person or family, rotten borough Hist, a borough represented in Parliament although no longer having a real constituency, the Borough: esp. that of Southwark, London. Comb.: borough council a council which conducts the affairs of a borough; borough-English Hist, tenure whereby the young¬ est son inherited all lands and tenements; f borough-master = burgomaster; boroughmonger Hist, a person who traded in parliamentary seats for boroughs; boroughmongering ppl adjective S verbal noun (Hist.) (involved in) trading in parliamentaiy seats for boroughs; boroughmongery Hist, the practice of boroughmongering; borough-reeve f(o) the governor of a town or city; (b) Hist the chief municipal officer of certain English towns; borough-town arch, a town which is a borough.

borrel /'bDr(a)l/ adjective, arch. Also borel. lme. [Perh. orig. an attrib. use of burel with ref. to coarse clothing.]

1 Belonging to the laity, lme. 2 Unlearned, rude; rough, lis. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, r sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot, o

Borrovian /bD'rsuvran/ noun & adjective. L19. [from Borrow (see below) + -ian, after Harrovian etc.]

► A noun. An admirer or student of the English writer George Borrow (1803-81) or his work; the diction charac¬ teristic of Borrow’s writing. L19. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Borrow or his writing, E20. borrow bn ran noun. [Old English borg = Old Frisian borg, Middle High German bore pledge, from Germanic; rel. to Old English beorgan (see next). Sense 4 from next.]

1 A pledge; a guarantee, bail; a ransom. Long arch. exc. SCOTS LAW. OE. 2 A surety; a person who stands bail. Long arch, oe. 3 Hist. A frank-pledge, a tithing. Li 6. 4 A borrowing, rare in gen. sense. E17. Fb coif. A borrow¬ ing to allow for the slope of the green etc.; the amount borrowed. M19. 1 iaw-borrow(s): see law noun'. Comb.: borrow-head Hist. = borsholder; borrow-hole, borrow-pit: made by removing material for use in embanking etc.

borrow bnrao. verb1.

Borussian /b3u'rAj(3)n/ adjective & noun. arch. Ei7. [from medieval Latin Borussi pi., Borussia, alt. of Prussi, Prussia as if from Slavonic po by, alongside, + Russi, Russia: see Prussian,

Russian, -ian.) (A) Prussian. borzoi /'bo:zoi/noun. L19. [Russian borzoi adjective, borzaya noun, from borzyi swift.]

(An animal of) a Russian breed of large wolfhound, with a usu. white silky coat. bosa noun var. of boza. bosbok/'bDsbDk/ noun. S.Afr. Also fbosch-. Li8. [Afrikaans, from Dutch bosch bush noun1 + bok buck noun1.] = bushbuck s.v. bush noun1. boscage /'bDskidy noun. Also -sk-. lme. [Old French (mod. bocage) from Proto-Gallo-Romance, ult. from base of bush noun1: see -age.] 1 A mass of trees or shrubs, a thicket; wooded scenery. LME. 12 A representation of wooded landscape, foliage, etc. Only in 17. tboschbok noun var. of bosbok.

[Old English borgiem - Old Frisian borgia, Middle Low German. Middle Dutch b or gen, Old High German bargen (German borgeti), from Germanic, rel. to Old English beorgan = Old Saxon, Old High German bergan (Dutch, German bergen). Old Norse bjarga, Gothic bairgati, from Germanic base meaning 'protect, shelter’, whence also bury verb.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Orig., take (a thing) on security

bose /bans/ verb trans. E20. [Perh. alt. of boss verb1.] Test (ground) for the presence of buried structures by noting the sound of percussion from a weighted object. Chiefly as bosing verbal noun

given for its safe return. Now, get temporary use of (money or property to be returned later); take on loan. (Foil, by from, of a person etc.) oe. Fb math. In subtraction, transfer (a unit of the next higher denomination) in the number being subtracted from, compensating for this at the next step. Li6. 2 verb trans. fig. Adopt, use without being the true owner or inventor; derive from another; import from an alien source, me. 3 verb trans. Be surety for; ransom. Long arch. me. 4 verb trans. music. Derive (an organ-stop) from the pipe of another stop; equip (an organ) with such stops. Chiefly as borrowed ppl adjective, mi9. 5 verb trans. & intrans. golf. Allow (a certain distance) for sideways motion due to wind or slope, when putting. LI 9.

Bose-Einstein statistics/bsuzAinstAin sta.tistiks/noun phr. E20. [S. N. Bose (see boson) + A. Einstein (see Einsteinian).] physics. A type of quantum statistics used to describe systems of identical particles to which the exclusion principle does not apply.

£□ 1 Coverdale 2 Esd. 5:3 Let vs borowe money of the kinge vpon vsury. G. B. Shaw I will not borrow from my friends. W. Styron He had managed once again to borrow Larry's car for the weekend. 2 Shakes .John Inferior eyes. That borrow their behaviours from the great. B. Jowett No man can be happy who, to borrow Plato's illustration, is leading the life of an oyster. Phrases: beg, borrow, or steal see beg verb, borrowed days Scottish folklore the last three days of March (Old Style), said to have been borrowed from April and to be particularly stormy, borrowed light (a) reflected light; (b) a window in an internal wall designed to admit light borrowed plumage, borrowed plumes a pretentious display not of one’s own making, borrowed time an unexpected extension of time, esp. of life (chiefly in living on borrowed time) borrow trouble V Amer. colloq. go out of one's way to find trouble. ■ borrower noun lme. borrowing noun (a) the action of the verb (borrowing days = borrowed days above); (b) that which is borrowed: lme.

borrow /’bDrou/ verb2 intrans. L16. [Perh. var. of burrow verb.] nautical. Approach closely to land or wind.

Borsalino /botsa’lLnau/ noun. Also b-. PI. -os. E20. [Name of the manufacturer.]

(Proprietary name for) a man’s wide-brimmed felt hat. borscht /bo:Jt/ noun. Also borsch, borshch. /bo:J/, bortsch /bo:tJ/. E19. [Russian borshch.]

A Russian, Polish, or Ukrainian soup of various ingredi¬ ents including beetroot. Comb.: Borscht Belt US a humorous term for a resort area in the Catskill mountains, in the state of New York, frequented chiefly by Jewish people of Eastern European origin.

borsholder / bo:shauld3/noun. me. [Anglo-LatinborgesaIder(Anglo-Norman burghaldre), from Middle English borjes genit. sing, of borrow noun + alder, Old English aldor chief (see alderman).] Hist. The chief of a frank-pledge. Later; a petty con¬

stable. Borstal /’bo:st(3)l/ noun. Also b- E20. [A village in Kent, England, site of the first such institution.] In full Borstal institution. A custodial institution to

which young offenders may be sent for reformative training.

■ boser noun an instrument used for bosing ground M20.

bosey noun var. of bosie. bosh /bDj/noun1. L17. [Origin unkn.] 1 In pi., the inwardly sloping sides of a blast-furnace,

extending downwards from the belly to the hearth. Later also sing., this lower part of the furnace. L17. 2 A trough or sink, esp. for cooling metal in water, dial. Li 9. bosh /TidJ/ noun2, slang, mi9. [Turkish bo? empty, worthless.]

Nonsense, foolish talk. Also as interjection, m bosher noun a person who talks bosh E20. boshy adjective worthless; nonsensical: M19. bosie /'bsuzi/ noun. Austral. Also -sey. E20. [from B. J. T. Bos(anquet (1877-1936). English cricketer + -IE.]

= goocly noun. bosk /bosk/ noun. me. [Var. of bush noun1: in mod. literary use back-form, from bosky.] 1 A bush. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. 2 A thicket of bushes etc.; a small wood. E19. boskage noun var. of boscage. bosker /‘bosks/ adjective. Austral. & NZslang. E20. [Origin unkn.]

Good, excellent, first-rate. bosket /'bDskit/ noun. Also -squ-. mis. [French bosquet from Italian boschetto dim. of bosco wood. Cf. BOUQUET.]

A plantation of small trees in a garden, park, etc.; a thicket. bosky bDski/ adjective. Li6. [from bosk + -Y1: sense 2 may be a different word.] 1 Full of bushes or thickets; bushy. L16. 2 Fuddled by drink, tipsy, dial. Hsiang. Mi8.

Bosman /’bozmon/ noun. L20. [Jean-Marc Bosman (b. 1964), Belgian footballer, who brought a legal case in 1995 which resulted in the ruling.]

Used attrib. with ref. to a European Court ruling which obliges professional football or other sports clubs to allow players over the age of 25 to move freely between clubs once their contracts have expired, without the new club being required to pay a transfer fee. Fb (A player available on) a free transfer under this ruling. bo’s’n noun var. of bosun. Bosnian /'bDznran/ noun & adjective, lis. [from Bosnia (see below) + -ian.]

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Bosnia, a region in the Balkans now a part of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Li8. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Bosnia. M19. ■ Also Bosniac noun Mi9.

bosom /’buz(3)m/ noun & adjective.

Coarse diamonds of poor quality; diamond fragments esp. used as an abrasive.

[Old English bosm = Old Frisian born. Old Saxon bosom (Dutch boezern). Old High German buosam (German Busen), from West Ger manic, perh. ult. from base of bough.] ► A noun. 1 The breast of a human being, esp. of a woman; poet, the breast of a bird etc. Also (colloq.. chiefly US) in pi., a woman’s breasts, oe.

: saw, A run, o put, u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

no. e: hair, ra near, 31 boy, os poor, ais tire, atra sour

borstch noun var. of borscht. bort /bo:t/ noun. Also boart. Ei7. [Dutch boort.]

270

bosom | botch 2 fig. The surface of the sea, a river, the ground, etc. oe. 3 The part of the dress which covers the breast; the space between the dress and the breast, esp. considered as a receptacle for money, letters, etc. oe. >b A shirtfront. US. M19. 4 A concavity, a recess, a hollow interior, oe. 5 The enclosure formed by the breast and the arms. ME.

6 The breast considered as the seat of emotions, desires, secret thoughts, etc. me. 7 fig. The interior, the midst; the enfolding relationship of one's family, the Church, etc. lme. j 8 transf. A person. Cf. hand, head, etc. L16-M18. 9 = bosom friend below, colloq. E20. CQ 6 Shakes. Oth. 1 will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely, friend of one's bosom, wife of one's bosom (with rhet. emphasis). 7 Geo. Eliot Deep in the bosom of the hills. Phrases: Abraham’s bosom: see Abraham noun l. take to one’s bosom arch, marry, the bird in the bosom: see biro noun.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Intimate, confidential. Chiefly in bosom friend below. L16.

bosom friend [cf. German Busenfreund] a specially intimate or dear friend. ■ bosomy adjective (a) full of sheltered hollows; (b) (of a woman) with a prominent bosom: E17.

bosom /'boz(o)m/ verb. lme. [from the noun.)

1 verb intrans. Swell out. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 2 verb trons. Put into or carry in the bosom; embrace, take to the bosom; fig. receive into intimate companion¬ ship; keep in mind (a secret thought etc.), arch. Li 6. bosomed /'boz(3)md/ adjective. Ei7. [from bosom noun, verb: see -ED2, -ED1.]

1 Having a bosom (of a specified kind); shaped like a bosom, swelled out. E17. 2 Confined in the bosom: enclosed, hidden, (of the breath) bated. Mi7. boson /'bauzon/ noun. M20. [from S. N. Bose (1894-1974), Indian physicist, who with Einstein stated the statistical relations describing the behaviour of such par¬ ticles: see -on.] physics. A particle that has a symmetric wave function,

and hence integral spin, and can be described by BoseEinstein statistics. Cf. fermion. bosquet noun var. of bosket. BOSS abbreviation. s. afr. history. Bureau of (properly for) State Security, boss fbDs/ noun', me. [Old French boce (mod. bosse) from Proto-Romance, of unkn. origin.]

1 A protuberance on the body of an animal or plant; a convex or knoblike excrescent portion of an organ or structure, me. 2 A round knob in sculptured or carved work; an orna¬ mental projection at an intersection in vaulting; a metal stud on a book, bridle, shield, etc. lme. fb An enlarged or projecting mechanical part, e.g. of a shaft, stern-post, etc.; the central part of a propeller. M19. 3 A rocky outcrop or knoll; ccolocy a mass of rock pro¬ truding through other strata, esp. an igneous intrusion of rounded form. lis. 4 A soft pad used in ceramics and glass manufacture for smoothing colours and for cleaning, mi9. ca 1 S. Beckett Cascades of light,. fell on the hairless domes and bosses of his skull. P. V. White He stood in the entrance to the cave.. resting his forehead against a boss of cold rock. ■ bosset noun a small protuberance or knob M19. boss/bDs/ noun2. Mi6. [Perh. from Middle Dutch bosse, busse, Dutch bos, bus box.]

A plasterer’s tray; a hod. boss /bos/ noun3. Now dial. Li7. [Perh. alt. of bass noun1, but cf. Dutch bos bundle of straw.]

A seat of straw; a hassock. boss /bos/ noun3 & adjective, colloq. (orig. US). E19. [Dutch baas master.]

► A noun. 1 The master; a person in authority, an over¬ seer, a business manager. Freq. as a form of address. E19. 2 A manager of a political organization. (JS. M19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. (Of a person) master, chief; (of a thing) most excellent; US slang excellent, wonderful, mi9. Special collocations & comb. : boss cocky Austral, slang a farmer who shares the work with employees; a person in authority, bossman a man in charge, the master. ■ bossism noun (US) the system in which political parties are controlled by bosses L19. boss-ship noun the rule or position of a boss or bosses, esp. in politics L19.

boss /bos/ noun5, dial. & US. E19. [Origin unkn.]

A cow; a bovine animal. Chiefly as a form of address, b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg. m

boss /bos/ noun1’, dial. & slang.

119.

[Rel. to boss verb3.]

In full boss shot. A bad shot or aim; an unsuccessful attempt. boss /bos/ verb', lme. [from boss noun'.]

fl verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) project; swell or round OUt. LME-M17. 2 verb trans. Shape in relief; beat or press out into a raised ornament; emboss, lme. 3 verb trans. Provide or ornament with bosses, mi6. 4 verb trans. Smooth (a ceramic surface) by means of a boss. M19. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Bang. dial. Li9.

his writing: Mt9. Boswellism noun the manner or style of Boswell as a biographer Ei9. Boswellize verb trans. & intrans. write (of) in the manner of Boswell M19.

bot ibail noun’. Also -tt. E16. [Prob. of Low Dutch origin: cf, Dutch bot, West Frisian boften (pi.). Western Flemish botse, Northern Frisian galboten liver-worm, West Frisian botgalle disease caused by bots.] 1 A parasitic worm or maggot infesting livestock; spec.

the larva of a fly (called bot-fly) of the genus Oestrus, which affects esp. the digestive organs; the bots (as sing.), the disease caused by these parasites. Ei6. 2 A cadger; a useless person; a hanger-on. Austral. & NZ slang. E20. bot /bDt/ noun3, nursery & joc. Also -tt. E20. [Abbreviation of bottom noun: cf. botty.]

boss /bos/ verb2 trans. colloq. (orig. US). M19.

The buttocks.

[from boss noun1.]

Be the master or manager of; give orders to, direct,

bot noun3 see boot noun'.

boss about continually give peremptory orders to.

bot /bDt/ noun4. L20.

boss /bos/ verb3 trans. & intrans. dial. & slang. L19.

[Short for robot.]

[Rel. to BOSS-EYED.]

Miss or bungle (a shot); make a mess (of). bossage /'bosidg/noun. eis. [French, from bosse boss noun': see -ace.] architecture. Projecting stonework, bosses; esp. a type of

rustic work.

1 A robot. 2 computing. An autonomous program on the Internet or other network which can interact with computer systems or users, esp. one designed to respond or behave like a player in an adventure game. bot /bDt/ verb. Austral. & NZ slang. Infl. -tt-. E20.

bossa nova /boss 'nauvo/ noun phr. M20. [Portuguese bossa tendency, nova fern, sing, of novo new.]

A style of Brazilian music related to the samba; a dance to this music. bosselated /'bosileitid/adjective. Mi9. [French bossele pa. pple of bosseier, from bosse boss noun’: see -ate3, -ED1.]

Formed into small protuberances.

[from bot noun1.] 1 verb trans. Cadge. E20. 2 verb intrans. Foil, by on: impose on, cadge from. M20.

bot. abbreviation. 1 Botanic(al), botany. 2 Bottle. 3 Bought. botanic /ba'tamk/ adjective & noun. M17.

boss-eyed /'bosAid/ adjective, colloq. M19. [Origin unkn.: cf. boss noun6, verb3.]

Having only one good eye; squint-eyed, cross-eyed; fig. crooked. bossy /'bosi/ noun. dial. & US. M19. [from boss nouns + -Y6.]

A cow, a calf.

[French bot unique or its source late Latin botanicus from Greek botanikos, from botane plant: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to botany; arch. exc. in

names of institutions etc., as botanic gardens. Mi7. ► Bnoun. A botanist. M17-E18. 2 In pi. Botany. Now rare. Li 7. botanical /ba’tamkfajl/ adjective. M17.

bossy /'bosi/ adjective'. Mi6.

[formed as prec. + -al1.]

[from boss noun' + -Y1.]

Of, pertaining to, or concerned with botany.

Swelling in or projecting like a boss; having bosses. ■ bossiness noun1119.

■ botanically adverb mis.

botanise verb var. of botanize.

bossy / bosi/ adjective2, colloq. (orig. U5). L19.

botanist/'botanist/ noun. M17.

[from boss noun4 + -Y1.]

Given to acting like a boss; domineering.

[French botaniste, formed as botanic + -iste -ist.[

Comb. : bossyboots an unwarrantedly bossy person. ■ bossiness noun2 E20.

An expert in or student of botany. botanize /'bntanAiz/ verb. Also -ise. mis.

bostangi /bDs’tandji/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. L17.

[mod. Latin botanizare from Greek botanizein gather plants, from botane plant: see -ize.[

[Turkish hostana lit. 'gardener'.]

A soldier of the Turkish palace guard.

1 verb intrans. Seek plants for botanical purposes; study plants, esp. where they are growing, mis. 2 verb trans. Explore or examine botanically. M19.

bosthoon /bos'tu:n/ noun. Anglo-Irish. M19. [Irish bastun]

An ignorant lout; a tactless, insensitive person. Boston /'bDst(a)n/ noun & verb. Ei9. [A city in Massachusetts. USA: sense A.i is through French.]

► A noun. 1 A card-game resembling solo whist. E19. 2 Boston baked beans, a dish of baked beans with salt pork and molasses. Mi9. 3 A variation of the waltz or of the two-step. L19. 4 In full Boston bull terrier. Boston terrier. (A dog of) a breed of small smooth-coated terrier originating in Mas¬ sachusetts from a crossing of the bulldog and terrier. L19. 5 Boston ivy, a Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus tricuspidata. Li 9. 6 Boston crab, a wrestling hold in which a wrestler sits astride a prone opponent and pulls upwards on the opponent’s legs. M20. ► B verb intrans. Dance the Boston. E20. ■ Bostonese noun (a) collect. Bostonians; (b) the method of speech or the manners said to be affected by Bostonians: Li8. Bos tonian noun & adjective (a) noun a native or inhabitant of Boston; (b) adjective belonging or native to Boston: L17.

bostryx/'bDstnks/noun. L19.

[Repr. pronunc. of boatswain.] = BOATSWAIN.

[James Boswell (1740-95), companion and biographer of Samuel Johnson.]

A person who, as a constant companion or attendant, witnesses and records the life of another. ■ Bos wellian, -ean adjective & noun (a) adjective resembling Boswell as a biographer; (b) an admirer or student of Boswell or r red,

[from botanic + -y3.]

1 The science of the structure, physiology, classifica¬ tion. and distribution of plants. L17. 2 a Botany Bay (Hist.) [in New South Wales, Australia, named from its varied flora and formerly the site of a convict settlement], the destination of a transported convict, transportation. E19. Fb In full Botany wool. Merino wool, esp. from Aus¬ tralia. LI 9.

botargo /ba'tcngoo/ noun. PI. -o(e)s. Li6. [Italian from (medieval) Greek arghotarakho, perh. through Pontic dial, ovotarakho.]

A relish made of the roe of the mullet or tuna,

s sit,

11 A hump, a swelling, a tumour. LME-E16. 2 A boil, an ulcer, a pimple. Now dial. lme. 13 An eruptive disease or plague. Chiefly in botch of Egypt. LME-M19. ■ tbotchy adjective’ pertaining to. or of the nature of, a botch; covered with botches: lme-mis.

Boswell /'bDzwel/ noun. M19.

p pen.

botany /'bDtani/ noun. L17.

[Old Northern French boche var. of Old French boce boss noun1.]

bosun /'bous(3)n/ noun. Also bo’s’n, bo’sun. M17.

n no,

■ bota nographer noun (rare) a person who describes plants Li7. fbotanographist noun = botanographer M17-EI8. fbotanology noun botany M17-EI8. botanomancy noun (rare) divination by means of plants E17.

botch /bDtf/ noun', lme.

[Greek bostrux curl of hair.) botany. A helicoid cyme.

man.

■ botanizer noun E19.

botano- /'botanou/ combining form of Greek botane plant: see -o-.

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

botch /bDtJ/ noun2. E17. [from botch verb.]

1 A botched place or part; a blemish arising from unskilful workmanship, a clumsy patch. E17. 2 A bungled piece of work. Mi7. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

271

botch bottom

3

= botcher

noun', dial. & colloq. E19.

Q3 2 S. Lawrence He had made such a botch of washing his clothes. ■ botchy adjective1 full of bungling work Li9.

bDtJ/ verb. lme. [Origin uncertain: perh. transf. use of 8otch noun1. Cf. bodge verb.]

botch

1 verb trans. (freq. foil, by up) & intrans. Patch, mend, repair (now only clumsily or imperfectly), lme. 2 verb trans. Spoil by unskilful work; bungle. Mi6. 3 verb trans. Put or stitch together clumsily; construct or compose in a bungling manner. Freq. foil, by up, together. M16.

03 2 S. King The job had been botched somehow. 3 P. O'Brian Even now 1 cannot congratulate her on that botched-together bowsprit. botcher/'bDtJa/noun1, lme.

[from prec. + -er1.]

1 An unskilful worker; a bungler, lme. 2 A mender, a patcher; esp. a cobbler or tailor who does repairs, lis. ■ botchery noun a botcher’s work Ei7. botcher/'bDtJa/

A hut, a cottage; a one-roomed building in which labourers are lodged. botling /'botlig/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Ei7.

/bau'tsl/ noun. Orig. US. Also

boatel.

M20.

[Blend of boat noun and hotel.]

1 A hotel catering for boat-owners. M20. 2 A ship with the facilities of a hotel. M20. ''boutarol/ noun,

-ie. lis.

[Obscurely rel. to Irish, Gaelic both, both an, perh. cogr. with

noun see boot noun1.

boteroll

■ bothe ration noun the act of bothering; freq. as interjection, bother!: lis. bothersome adjective causing bother, mildly troublesome or annoying M20.

800TH.]

[Origin unkn.]

botel

ea 2 j . Dos Passos All the boys bothered their parents to buy them Rough Rider suits. E. Albee Why don’t you go back to your necking and stop bothering me? I want to read. M. Drabble Oh, I’m not bothered, it's all the same to me. M. Moorcock I had begun to develop one of the headaches which have since bothered me all my life, can’t be bothered will not make the required effort, hot and bothered see hot adjective, b Dickens To this amorous address Miss Brass briefly responded ’Bother!’ L. O'Flaherty Bother the mugs. We can drink outa the neck. 3 Carlyle Make money; and don’t bother about the Universe. L. M. Montgomery I’d always be too tired at night to bother saying prayers. E. M. Forster You despise my mother .. because she’s conventional and bothers over puddings. J. Cheever It was quite dark, but no one had bothered to turn on a light.

bothy /'bD0i/ noun. Scot. Also

noun2. Ei7.

A young salmon; a grilse. bote

2 verb trans. Give trouble to; pester, annoy, worry, mis. ►b verb trans. & intrans. In imper. (expr. impatience). Curse, confound, damn. M19. 3 verb intrans. Worry or trouble oneself, make a fuss; make the required effort; be concerned (with, about), ns.

mi9.

[French bouterolle tip of a scabbard etc.]

heraldry. A charge resembling the tip of a scabbard. /bao0/ adjective & pronoun (in mod. usage also classed as a determiner), pronoun, & adverb, me.

both

[Old Norse bdffir masc., baSar fern., badi, bsSi neut. = Old Frisian be{i)the, be(i)de, Old Saxon bepia. Old High German bede (German beide): extended form of the base found in Old English begen masc., ba, bu fern, and neut.. Gothic bai masc., ba neut., and in Latin ambo.] ► A adjective. The one and the other; the two (and not just

one). (Within the noun phr.: preceding a pi. noun and any determiners (demonstratives, possessives, etc.); fbetween a determiner and a pi. noun; following a pi. pronoun or (with emphasis, esp. with the subject of a sentence) noun. Outside the noun phr.: following be or (rare) become, seem, etc., or an auxiliary verb.) me. &3 G. Chapman To plate the both horns round about with gold. Tennyson Both thy brethren are in Arthur’s hall. Dickens We are both men of the world. OED The brothers might both have come. E. Hemingway I held on to the timber with both hands. R. Macaulay We both keep a kind of daily journal. J. Johnston One heart seemed to beat in both their bodies, both ways kac/ivg = each way. cut both ways: see cut verb, have it both ways: see HAVE verb, play both sides of the street: see street noun, swing both ways: see swing verb, the best of both worlds see world noun.

► B pronoun. 1 The one and the other (and not just one). ME.

2 Each, the two, of (two persons, things, etc.). Also (colloq.) the both of. Usu. followed by a pronoun L16. S3 1 S. Johnson The old gentlewoman considered herself wiser than both. Ld Macaulay Both were Tories: both were men of hot temper and strong prejudices. 2 AV Gen. 22:8 They went both of them together. B. Jowett Both of us often talk to the lads. J. P. Donleavy I’ll make a nice pot of tea for the both of us.

► C adverb. With equal truth in either of two (or arch. more) cases. (Preceding (or, for reasons of style or emphasis, following) two words or phrs. of the same kind coupled by and, both adds emphasis by means of an implied contrast.) me. S3 Shakes. 1 Hen. VII will rule both her, the King, and realm. Goldsmith A masterpiece both for argument and style. R. Hodgson See an old unhappy bull, Sick in soul and body both. J. Irving There were a million images from the film on his mind, both real and imagined. A. McCowen The actor is both pimp and prostitute. /‘bo6a/ noun & verb. Li7. [Of Anglo-Irish origin: prob. rel. to Irish bodhaire deafness, noise, bodhraim deafen, annoy.] ► A noun. 1 Noise; prating, chatter, dial. Li7. bother

2 (A cause of) worry, fuss, minor trouble; a worried state, li 8. S3 2 J. Galsworthy One had better save oneself the bother of thinking too. G. Greene. It's no bother. It’s the 'short times’ that are the bother. B. Pym It was a bother to cook any¬ thing.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Bewilder with noise; confuse, fluster. dial. El 8. a cat, a: arm, e bed, x. her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0:

[Perh. rel. to Dutch bot stumpy.]

The chub.

alcohol, over a bottle while drinking, ship in a bottle■ see ship noun 1. Comb bottle-age time spent by a wine etc. maturing in the bottle; bottle-arsed adjective (of type) wider at one end than the other; bottle bank a receptacle for used bottles to be left for recycling of glass; bottle blonde (of a woman’s hair) of a shade of blonde that looks as though it has been artificially lightened or bleached; bottle-brush (a) a cylindrical brush for cleaning the insides of bottles; (b) a plant suggestive of this, esp. an Aus¬ tralian shrub (e.g. banksia or callistemon) with brushlike flowers; bottle-fed adjective, bottle-feed verb trans. & intrans., bottle-feeding: with milk from a feeding-bottle rather than from a woman’s breast; bottle-glass coarse dark-green glass; bottle-gourd see gourd i; bottle-green adjective & noun dark green; bottle-head (now rare or obsolete) (a) a stupid person; (b) = bottlenose (c) below; bottle-holder a person who holds a bottle, esp. (arch.) a pugilist’s second; bottleneck (a) the neck of a bottle; spec, one used over a guitarist’s finger to produce sliding effects on the strings; any implement so used; guitar-playing with sliding effects; (b) a narrow place where road traffic etc. readily becomes congested; an obstruction to the even flow of production etc.; bottlenose (a) a swollen nose or snout; (b) dial, a puffin; (c) (more fully bottlenose whale) a whale of the genus Hyperoodon, or a dolphin of the genus Tursiops, with a long snout; bottle-nosed adjective having a swollen nose or snout; bottleopener a device for removing the caps from bottles of beer etc.; bottle party a drinking-party; a party to which each guest brings a bottle of wine etc.; bottle-tit dial, the long-tailed tit. Aegithalos cciudatus (so called from the form of its nest); bottle tree an Australian tree of the genus Brachychiton, of the sterculia family, with a swollen bottle-shaped trunk; bottle-washer colloq. a menial, a factotum, an underling. ■ bottle-o(h) noun (Austral. & NZ colloq.) a collector of empty bottles li 9.

bottle /'bDt(a)l/ noun2. Now dial, or obsolete exc. in phr. below. LME.

boto noun var. of boutu. botony "botoni/ adjective. Also bott-. Li6. [Old French botom- (mod. boutonne covered with buds): see button noun, -Y5.] heraldry. Of a cross: having the end of each limb orna¬

[Old French hotel dim. of botte bundle, from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bote bundle of flax, prob. from Germanic base of butt verb1.]

A bundle of hay or straw. look for a needle in a bottle of hay: see needle noun.

mented with three projections like buds. bottle 'bot(o)l/ noun3. M16.

Botox /'bautoks/ noun. L20.

[Alt. of buddle noun': infl. by bottle noun1.]

[Shortened from Botulinum toxin.)

(Proprietary name for) a drug prepared from botulin, used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralys¬ ing facial muscles. bo-tree /'baotri:/ noun. Mi9. [Repr. Sinhalese bogaha, from bo (from Pali, Sanskrit bodhi perfect knowledge) + gaha tree.] A fig tree. Ficus religiosa, of India and SE Asia, regarded as

sacred by Buddhists (because the Buddha received enlightenment under one). Also called peepul. pipal. botryoidal /’bDtriaid(a)l/ adjective,

lis.

[from Greek botruoeides, frombotrus: see next, -oid, -al'.] Chiefly miheralocy. Resembling a cluster of grapes in

shape.

■ Also botryoid adjective M18.

botrytis/ba'trAitis/noun. Lt9. [mod. Latin, from Greek botrus cluster of grapes.]

A fungus of the genus Botrytis; plant disease caused by such a fungus. Botswanan /bDt'swa:nan/ noun & adjective. M20. [from Botswana (see below) + -an.]

A native or inhabitant of, of or pertaining to, Botswana, an inland country of southern Africa (formerly Bechuanaland). bott noun var. of bot noun1, noun2. Botticellian /boti'tjelisn/ adjective. L19. [from Botticelli (see below) + -an.]

Characteristic of or resembling the work of the Floren¬ tine painter Sandro Botticelli (1444-1510). bottine /'bDti:n/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. E16. [French, dim. of botte boot noun2: see -INF1]

A buskin or half-boot. bottle/'bDt(a)l/ noun1, lme. [Old French boteilk (mod. bouteiUe) from medieval Latin butticula dim. of late Latin buttis butt noun3.]

1 A narrow-necked vessel, orig. of leather, now usu. of glass or plastic, for storing liquids, lme. Fb spec. An infant's feeding-bottle. M19. Fc A hot-water bottle. Mi9. ►d A metal cylinder for liquefied or compressed gas. E20. 2 The quantity (esp. of liquor) held by a bottle. 117. 3 The act or habit of drinking alcoholic liquor. E18. 4 A collection or share of money, slang. L19. 5 a In full bottle and glass. = arse noun, rhyming slang. M20. Fb Courage, nerve, guts, slang. M20. 1 beer bottle, feeding-bottle hot-water bottle, ink bottle, milk bottle, water bottle, wine bottle, etc Phrases: hit the bottle see hit verb, lose one's bottle slang lose one's nerve, magnetic bottle see macnetic adjective, new wine in old bottles: see wine noun, no bottle, not much bottle siang no good, useless, on the bottle drinking heavily, addicted to saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day,

A flower or insect, usu. of a distinctive colour. Now only as 2nd elem. of comb, forming distinct names, as bluebottle, greenbottle, etc. bottle /'bDt(3)l/ verb. Ei7. [from bottle noun'.] 1 verb trans. Put into a bottle or bottles for keeping; pre¬ serve (fruit etc.) in bottles; fig. (usu. foil, by up) conceal,

restrain (feelings etc.) for a time; entrap or keep entrapped. Ei7. 2 verb intrans. Foil, by out: fail to act, back out through cowardice etc., = chicken verb, slang. L20. bottled /'bnt(o)ld/ adjective. Li6. [from bottle noun1, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.]

1 Bottle-shaped; protuberant, swollen. Now rare. L16. 2 Stored or kept in a bottle or bottles; fig. (usu. foil, by up) pent up, kept under restraint. M17. 3 Drunk, slang. E20. 2 bottled gas liquefied butane.

bottler /'brnb/ noun. lme. [formed as prec. + -er'.]

A bottle-maker. LME-L15. 2 A person who bottles liquor. L19. 3 Someone or something excellent. Austral. & NZ slang. L19. bottom /’bDtom/ noun & adjective. [Old English botm (bo/m) = Old Saxon bodom (Dutch bodem), corresp. with variation of suffix (cf. Old English bytme, by/>me, by/me bottom, keel) to Old Norse botn, and parallel to Old English bodun, corresp. to Old High German Bodnm (GermanBoden ground, earth), from Germanic, rel. to Latin fundus: sense 2 is infl. by Dutch.] ► A noun. I The lowest part or surface.

1 The lowest part of a material thing; the surface of an object upon which the object rests; the undersurface, the base. oe. Fb The buttocks. Also, the seat of a chair, ns.

2 The keel or (horizontal part of) the hull of a ship; a ship or other vessel, esp. considered as a cargo-carrier. OE. 3 Tire ground under the water of the sea, a lake, a river, etc. OE. J4 A deep place, an abyss. 0E-M18. 5 The lowest part of a valley; a low-lying alluvial plain; a dell, a hollow, me. 6 The lowest part of anything considered as a position in space, as the foot ofa hill or slope, etc. me. Fb The last place in a list etc.; the lowest place in point of honour, rank, etc.; the person occupying such a place. M17. Fc sing. & (freq.) in pi. The lowest workings in a mine. Lis.

7 The furthest, most remote, or inmost part. E17. 8 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Matter remaining at the bottom of a liquid; dregs, sediment. Mi7. no, e: hair, 10 near, 01 boy, 03 poor, ais tire, aua sour

272

bottom | boulevard (U 1 Ld Macaulay Barrels with the bottoms knocked out served the purpose of chimneys. J. Steinbeck His stiff jeans, with the bottoms turned up eight inches to show his heeled boots, b D. du Maurier He sent my nurse packing .. because she smacked my bottom with a hair-brush. 2 Byron He transferr'd his lading.. to another bottom, 3 G. Bennett Two salvoes sent the Coin to the bottom, with Admiral Maass.. and all but one of her crew. 4 AV Wisd. 17:14 The same sleepe.. came vpon them out of the bottomes of ineuitable hell. 6 C. Kingsley At the bottom of a hill they came to a spring. S. Beckett In the other direc¬ tion, I mean from top to bottom, it was the same. J. le Carre It was his signature all right... Shed seen it at the bottom of roneoed notices masses of times, b M. McCarthy That was like starting from the bottom in a factory. E. Blishen You came bottom in geography, didn’t you, Hutchings? 7 Day Lewis At the bottom of the garden lay the lily ponds. P. O'Brian At the bottom of the bay |lay| the village of Tregonnec. ► II Something which underlies or supports. 9 A thing upon which something is built or rests. Now only fig., foundation, basis, footing, lme. >b A core on which to wind thread; a skein or ball of thread. Long dial. LME. 10 The fundamental character, essence, reality. Li 6. 11 Physical resources, staying power; substance, sta¬ bility. LI 8.

12

PARTICLE PHYSICS. =

BEAUTY noun 5. L20.

£□ 9 Henry More All the stately works and monuments Built on this bottome. W. Penn If we could not all meet upon a Religious Bottom, at least we might upon a Civil One. 10 G. Anson If this matter was examined to the bottom. 11 A Boyle I personally prefer Trevor-Roper’s thesis to Angleton’s; it has more ’bottom’ and better perspective. S. Craig Whatever his faults, C. P. Snow possesses.. that oldfashioned English upper-class quality bottom. Phrases: at bottom in reality, essentially, basically, be at the bottom of cause, underlie, black bottom: see black adjective, bottom of the heap: see heap noun, bottoms up!: a call to drain one’s glass, bottom up upside down, from the bottom of one's heart: see heart noun, from top to bottom see top noun1, get to the bottom of fully investigate and explain, find out the truth about, knock the bottom out of. see knock verb, second bottom see second adjective, stand on one’s own bottom arch, be inde¬ pendent, act for oneself, the bottom drops out of, the bottom falls out of there is a collapse of. touch bottom (o) reach the bottom of the water (esp. with the feet); reach the lowest or worst point; (b) be in possession of the full facts. ► B adjective. 1 Lowest, last; at or forming the bottom. M16. 2 particle physics. Designating a b quark. L20. 03 1 I. Fleming The captain was sitting at the wheel, a light aluminium affair consisting only of the bottom half of a circle. S. Hill He put his foot on the bottom rung of the loft ladder. 0. Schell Golden carp and common carp.. are bottom fish. Special collocations & comb.: bottom dog = underdog, bottom dollar (one's) last dollar (bet one's bottom dollar, stake all, be very confident), bottom drawer fig. a woman’s store of clothes etc. kept in preparation for marriage, bottom-dwelling adjective (of an aquatic organism) dwelling on or near the bed of the sea, a lake, etc. bottom edge: see edge noun 4. bottom feeder (a) any marine organism that lives on or near the bed of the sea and feeds by scavenging; (b) N. Amer. collog. a member of a group of very low social status who survives by any means pos¬ sible. bottom fermentation bsewinc a process in which the yeast falls to the bottom during fermentation, as in the making of lager beers, bottom-fermented adjective (brewing) (of beer) made by bottom fermentation, bottom gear a vehicle’s lowest gear, bottom-land US low-lying land, esp. by a river, bottom line the final total of an account, balance sheet, etc.; fig. the underlying reality, the final position, bottom yeast a yeast that falls to the bottom during fermentation. ■ bottomless adjective without bottom; baseless: inexhaust¬ ible: immeasurably deep (the bottomless pit. hell): lme. bottommost adjective at the very bottom, lowest M19. bottom botany verb. E16. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Put a bottom to, provide with a bottom; fig. base, ground, (up)on. Ei6. 12 verb trans. Wind (as a skein). L16-E17. 13 verb intrans. Be based or grounded. M17-LI8. 4 verb trans. Reach or touch the bottom of; find the extent or real nature of; drain, empty (a glass etc.), ns. 5 verb intrans. Reach or touch bottom; reach its lowest level (freq. foil, by out). L19. tb spec. Strike gold etc. Also foil, by on (gold etc.). Austral. & NZ. Li 9. ffl 1 OED Send this saucepan to be new bottomed. 4 Coleridge Openly declaiming on subjects.. which they had never bottomed. 5 Glasgow Herald Others with shallower purses are content to wait until prices have bottomed. ■ bottomer noun a person who provides or fits bottoms (esp for chairs) E18. bottomed bntamd adjective. Mi6. [from bottom noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.] Having a bottom, provided with a bottom or foundation (of specified form or nature). b but. d dog, f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, m

bottomry bntoinn noun & verb. Li6. [from bottom noun + -ry, after Dutch bodemerij.] ► A noun. The system of lending money to the owner or master of a ship on the security of the ship for the purpose of completing a voyage, the lender losing the money if the ship is lost. Li6. ► B verb trans. Pledge (a ship) thus. M18. bottony adjective var. of botony.

found esp. in improperly sterilized tinned meats and other preserved foods. ■ botulin noun the bacterial toxin involved in botulism E20. botulinum toxin /bDtjo'lAinom 'tDksin/, botulinus toxin /-as/ noun phrs. = botulin E20. boucan /'bu:k(3)n/ noun. Also buccan /'bAk(3)n/. E17. [French from Tupi mukem, mocaem.]

1 In S. America: a wooden frame for cooking, smoking, or drying meat over an open fire. Cf. barbecue noun 4. E17. 2 Meat cooked or cured on such a frame, Cf. barbecue noun 2. M19. 3 = BARBECUE noun 5. M19. boucan /'bu:k(3)n/ verb trans. Also buccan /'bAk(3)n/. E17. [French boucaner, formed as prec.]

Cook, smoke, or dry (meat etc.) on a boucan. Cf. barbecue verb. bouchee /buje/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M19. [French = mouthful, from douche mouth.] A small baked confection. Usu. in pi.

boughten /'bo:t(o)n/ ppl adjective. N. Amer., dial., & poet. L18. [from next: see prec., -en6.]

Bought; purchased at a shop as opp. to home-made, boughten verb pa. pple: see buy verb, bougie /'bu:3i/ noun. M18. [French from Bougie (repr. colloq. pronunc. of Arab. Bijdya) a town in Algeria which carried on a trade in wax.]

1 A wax candle, mis. 2 medicine. A rod or tube for exploring or dilating the pas¬ sages of the body. mis. ■ bougienage /bu:d3i'na:3/ noun (medicine) dilatation by means of a bougie E20.

bouillabaisse /bmjs'beis./orrign bujabes/ noun. M19. [French from mod. Provengal bouiabaisso.]

A Provencal dish of fish stewed in water or white wine. bouilli /'bu:ji, foreign buji/ noun. E17. [French, use as noun of pa. pple of bouillir boil verb: cf. bully noun2.]

Boiled or stewed meat, esp. beef. [French, from bouiUir boil verb.]

Broth, thin soup. See also court bouillon. Comb. : bouillon cube a stock cube.

[French = buckled, curled.)

(Fabric) woven with a knotted and curled appearance; (yarn) of looped or curled ply. boudin lin sense 2 only 'bu:din.foreign bude {pi. same)/ noun. M19. [French.]

1 (Not naturalized.) A black pudding; forcemeat shaped like a sausage. Mi9. 2 geology Any of a number of roughly parallel elongated sections resulting from the fracturing of a rock stratum during folding. E20. ■ boudinage /buhinmy noun (geology) (the formation of) a structure containing a number of boudins E20.

boudoir/'bu:dwa;/ noun. L18. [French, lit. ‘place to sulk in', from bonder pout, sulk.]

bouffant /'bu:ffi/ noun & adjective. E19. [French, pres, pple of boujjer swell: see -ant'.] ► A noun. A puffed-out part of a dress etc.; a puffed-out hairstyle. E19. ► B adjective. Of a dress, hairstyle, etc.: puffed out. L19. bougainvillea /bu:g(3)n'vili3/ noun. Also -llaea, -Ilia. M19. [mod. Latin, from L. A. de Bougainville (1729-1811), French naviga¬ tor: see -a1, -1 a 1.]

A tropical S. American plant of the genus Bougainvillea, with large brightly coloured bracts almost concealing the flowers. bouge /bu:d3/ noun & verb, obsolete exc. dial. See also budge noun2, lme. [Old & mod. French: see budget noun, bulge noun & verb.] ► Anoun. fl = bulge noun 1. lme-ei7. |2 A swelling, a hump, lme-lis. 3 The bilge of a cask, mi 8. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Swell out, bulge, lme. 12 verb trans. Stave in (a ship’s bottom, etc.), bilge. L15-E17. bouget /'bu:d3it/ noun. L16. [Var. of budget noun.] heraldry. An ancient water vessel consisting of a yoke with two leather pouches or skins attached, bough /bau/ noun & verb. [Old English bog, boh = Middle Low German boch, buch (Low German boog), Middle Dutch boech (Dutch boeg shoulders, chest of a horse, bows of a ship). Old High German buog shoulder, forearm (German Bug horse’s hock or point of shoulder) bow of a ship), Old Norse bbgr shoulder, from Germanic, rel. to Greek pekhus forearm cubit,]

► A noun, fl The shoulder of an animal, oe-lme. 2 Any of the larger limbs or offshoots of a tree; a (main) branch, oe. 3 A limb, a leg. Scot, mi6. 4 The gallows, arch. L16. Comb.: bough-house (a) US a temporary structure made of boughs; (b) dial, (now Hist.) a house opened only at fair-time for the sale ofliquor; bough-pot (arch. & dial.) = beau-pot. v van,

bouk /bu:k/ noun. Now Scot. & dial. [Old English 1me = Old Frisian, Middle Low German buk, Old High German buh (German Bauch), Old Norse bukr, from Germanic.]

fl The belly, oe-lis. 2 The trunk; the body of a person or animal. ME. 3 Bulk, volume, size. 117. boul /bid/ noun, obsolete exc. Scot. & north. Also bool. Lis. [Perh. from Middle Dutch boghel (Dutch beugel, German Bugel) rel. to Germanic base of bow verb1: see -el1.]

Something bent into a curve; esp. the curved handle of a pail, kettle, etc. boulangerite buiand33r\n' noun. M19. [from C. L. Boulanger (1810-49), French mining engineer + -ite2.] mineralogy. A monoclinic sulphide of antimony and lead,

usu. occurring as elongated or fibrous grey metallic crystals.

A (woman’s) small private room.

t top,

bought verb pa. t. & pple of buy verb.

bouillon /'bu:j6, foreign bujo/ noun. Mi7.

boucle /’bu:klei/ adjective & noun. Li9.

s sit,

[Prob. Low German bucht (see bight): cf. bout noun.]

► A noun. 1 A bend, a curve, lme. 2 A loop or turn of a rope etc.; a coil. lme. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Bend, wind, fold. lme. [Origin unkn.]

[German Botulismus orig. ‘sausage-poisoning’, from Latin botulus sausage: see -ism.] Food poisoning due to the bacillus Clostridium botulinum,

r red,

bought /baut/ noun' &verb\ Long arch. & dial. lme.

► A noun. A sheepfold. lme. ► B verb trans. Pen or fold (sheep); fence in. Ei8.

botulism /'bDtjoliz(3)m/ noun. L19.

p pen,

■ houghed /baud/ adjective having boughs; stripped of boughs:

LME.

bought /baoxt, bAxt/ noun2 & verb2. Scot. Also bught. lme.

botty /'bDti/ noun, nursery&joc. Li9. [from bottom noun + -Y6: cf. bot noun2.] The buttocks.

man, n no,

► B verb trans. Strip of boughs, rare. Ei6.

w we,

z zoo.

Boulangist /bu:iand3ist/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from Boulanger (see below) + -ist.]

Hist. (A member) of a French political party formed by General Georges E. J. M. Boulanger (1837-91), advocating a policy of anti-German militarism. ■ Boulangism noun L19.

boulder "booldn/ noun & verb. Also ’"bowlder, lme. [Shortened from next.]

► A noun. A large water- or weather-wom stone, lme. Comb.: boulder-day geology clay containing many large stones and boulders, formed by deposition from melting glaciers and ice sheets.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Make into boulders, rare. M19. 2 verb intrans. Climb large boulders. Chiefly bouldering verbal noun. E20.

as

■ bouldery adjective characterized by the presence of boulders

M19. boulderstone /'bsuldsstsun/ noun. me. [Of Scandinavian origin: cf. Swedish dial, bullersten, buldurstajn, perh. rel. to Swedish bullra rumble.]

A boulder. boule /'bu:li/ noun1. M19. [Greek boule senate.]

A legislative body of ancient or modem Greece. boule /bu:l,/orrign bul/ noun2. PI. boules /in sense 2 bu:l, in sense 3 bu:lz, foreign bul/. E20. [French = bowl noun2.]

1 A form of roulette. E20. 2 sing. & in pi. A French form of bowls played on rough ground, usu, with metal bowls. E20. 3 A small pear-shaped mass of synthetic sapphire, ruby, etc., made by fusing suitably tinted alumina. M20. boule noun3 var. of buhl. boulevard /'bmtaveed, foreign bulva:r (pi. same)/ noun. mis. [French formed as bulwark: in French orig. = rampart, (later) a promenade on the site of this.]

A broad street (esp. in France) with rows of trees planted along it; US a broad main urban road. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

273

boulevardier | bourbon

■ boulevarded adjective provided with boulevards Li9. boulevardier /bulvardje/' noun. PI. pronounced same. LI 9. [French, formed as prec. + -ier-ER1.]

A person who frequents (French) boulevards. bouleverse /bu:l'va:s/ verb traps.

117.

[French bouleverser turn as a ball, formed as boule noun2 + verser turn.]

Overturn, upset. bouleversement /bulvtrsama/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Lis. [French, formed as prec.: see -ment.] An inversion, esp. a violent one; an upset, an upheaval.

boulle noun var. of buhl. boult noun, verb vars. of bolt noun2, verb1. boulter /’boulta/noun. Also bolter. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

A long fishing-line with many hooks. tboun adjective var. of bound adjective'. boun /baun/ verb. Long arch. & dial. me. [from tboim var. of bound ppladjective'.] 1 verb traps, (usu. reft.) & introns. Prepare (oneself); make

ready; dress, me. 2 verb intrans. Set out, go to. me. bounce /bauns/ noun'. Ei6. [from the verb.]

1 A resounding knock; a heavy blow, a thump; an explosion, the report of a gun. Now rare or obsolete. Ei6. 2 A leap, a bound; esp, the rebound of a ball etc. from a hard surface. E16. 3 Orig., a swaggering boast, a boastful falsehood. Now, swagger, exaggeration; rebounding power, vitality, exuberance. E18. kb A buoyant musical rhythm, colloq. (orig. US). M20. 4 An act of ejection or dismissal, slang (orig. US). L19. £3 2 on the bounce (a) in continual spasmodic motion; (b) in the act of rebounding. 3 De Quincey The whole story is a bounce of his own. L. P. Hartley All the glow and bounce

and boyishness had gone out of him. bounce-flash (a device for giving) reflected photo¬ graphic flashlight. ■ bouncy adjective that bounces, boisterous, buoyant; resilient, Comb.:

springy (bouncy castle: see castle noun1 lb): E20.

bounce /bauns/ noun2, eis. [Origin unkn.]

The nurse hound, Scyliorhinus stellaris. bounce /bauns/ verb. me. [Origin uncertain; perh. from Low Dutch (cf. Low German bunsen beat, thump, Dutch bons a thump), or of independent imit. origin.] ► 111 verb trans. Beat, thump; slam (a door etc.). ME-E19. |2 verb intrans. Make an explosive or banging noise; knock loudly at a door etc. (Cf. earlier bounce interjection 1.)

M16-E18.

3 verb traps. & intrans. Talk big, bluster (at); hector; swagger; hustle by bluff etc. into or out of something. E17. kb Blurt out; come out with, mi7. ► II Of movement. 4 a verb intrans. & ttraps, with it. Move boundingly; rebound (as a ball). E16. kb verb intrans. Come or go in, into, out, etc., energetically or noisily; move about vigorously or unceremoniously; jump up. Li 7. kc verb intrans. Of a cheque: be returned by a bank when there are no funds to meet it. E20. 5 verb trans. Cause to rebound (as a ball); present (a cheque) which has to be returned by the bank (see sense 4c above). Li9. kb cricket. Bowl a bouncer or bouncers at (a batsman). M20. 6 verb trans. Eject summarily; dismiss, sack, colloq. (orig. US). Li 9. ■ bouncing adjective that bounces; boisterous; big of its kind, (of a baby) big and healthy; bouncing Bet. the soapwort Saponaria officinalis: bouncing castle: see castle noun1 lb: E16. bouncingly adverb

Et6.

bounce /bauns/ interjection & adverb. E16. [Imit. or from the verb.]

► A interjection, fl Repr. the sound of a gun or a heavy blow: bang! E16-E17. 2 Repr. a bouncing movement, mi9. ► B adverb. With a bounce. E17. bouncer /'baunsa/ noun. Li6. [from bounce verb + -er’.]

1 A large specimen of its kind; spec, a gross or flagrant lie. arch. L16. 2 A person who blusters or talks big; a boaster, a liar. arch. mis. 3 A person employed to eject troublesome persons from a dancehall, nightclub, etc. colloq. Mi9. 4 cricket. A fast short-pitched ball that rises sharply. E20. a cat, a; arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i; see, n hot, 0

bound /baund/ noun', me. [Anglo-Norman bomde. Old French bodnr, later bo(u)sne, bo(u)ne, bonde, etc. (mod. borne), from medieval Latin bodina, earlier butina, of unkn. origin: cf. bourn noun2.] 11 a A landmark. Only in me. kb A territorial limit, a boundary line. Usu. in pi. lme. 2 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Territory situated near a boundary; borderland; land within set limits, me. kb A tract of ground taken in by a tin-miner. Li7. 3 fig. A limitation or restriction upon feeling, action, duration, etc. Usu. in pi. lme. kb A limiting value. Chiefly in upper bound, lower bound E20. 1 beat the bounds: see beat verb' 15. out of bounds beyond set limits, esp. those set by the rules of a school, military regula¬ tions, etc.; forbidden, inaccessible.

bound baund/noun2. E16. [Old & mod. French bond, formed as bound verb2.]

A springy movement upward or forward, a leap; a bounce or recoil (of a ball etc.). by leaps and bounds: see leap noun'.

bounder/'baunda/noun1. Ei6. [from bound verb1 + -er1.] 1 A limit, a boundary; a landmark. Long arch. & dial. Ei6. 2 A person who occupies a boundary area; spec, the holder of a bound of tin-ore ground. Now rare. Mi6. 3 A person who sets or marks bounds or limits. Li6. bounder /'baunda/ noun2, slang. Mi9. [from bound verb2 + -er1.] 11 A four-wheeled cab or trap. Only in M19. 2 An ill-bred person, a cad. Li 9. boundless /'baondlis/adjective. Li6. [from bound noun' + -less.] Without bounds or limits; unrestricted, infinite. ■ boundlessly adverb E17. boundlessness noun E17. bounteous/'bauntias/ adjective. Now chiefly rhet. lme. [from Old French bontif, -ive benevolent (from bonte bounty) after PLENTEOUS.] 1 Full of goodness (to others); generous, munificent. LME.

bound /baund/ adjective'. Orig. tboun. ME. [Old Norse biiimi pa. pple of bua prepare, -d partly euphonic, partly infl. by next: cf. boun verb.] 11 Ready, prepared; attired. ME-M19. 2 Ready to start or having set out (for, on, fto); moving in a specified direction, lme. 3 About to do, going to do. north. Mi9. £9 1 Sir W. Scott A band of war Has for two days been ready boune. 2 J. F. W. Herschel Bound on we know not what errand. C. A. Lindbergh My grandfather.. embarked on a ship bound for America, homeward-bound, northbound, outward-bound, southbound, etc.

2 Of things: generously bestowed; ample, abundant. M16. ■ bounteously adverb M16. bounteousness noun liberality, munificence lme.

bountiful /'bauntrful, -f(a)l/ adjective. Ei6. [from bounty + -FUL.] = prec. Lady Bountiful see lady adjective & noun. m

bountifully adverb L16. bountifulness noun L15.

bountihead / baontihsd/ noun. arch. rare. Li6. [from BOUNTY + -HEAD.) Bounteousness. «] First recorded in Spenser.

bound /baund/ adjetiive2. lme. [pa. pple of bind verb, abbreviation of bounden adjective.] 1 That has been bound: see bind verb I. lme. 2 linguistics. Of a grammatical element: occurring only in combination with another form. E20. 5 Earlier in unbound adjective'.

bountith /'bauntiB, 'bAn-/ noun. Scot. & north, arch. lme. [App. from Old French bontet, buntet earlier form of bonte: see next]

A gratuity; a reward, bounty /'baonti/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French bonte from Latin bonitas. from bonus good: see

bound /baund/ verb', lme. [from bound noun'.] 1 verb trans. Set bounds to, limit, restrict. Now only fig. LME. 2 verb intrans. Abut on a territory etc.; share a boundary (with), arch. Mi6. 3 verb trans. Form the boundary of; enclose. L16. £0 1 Milton He shall.. bound his Reign With earth's wide bounds. A. B. Jameson His views were not bounded by any narrow ideas of expediency. 3 H. Belloc Some wood which bounded our horizon. ■ bounding noun' (a) the action of the verb; f(b) a boundary: M16.

bound /baund/ verb2. L16. [Old & mod. French bondir resound, (later) rebound, from ProtoRomance var. of late Latin bombitare var. of bonibilare: see bombilate.] 1 verb intrans. Spring, leap; advance lightly and buoy¬ antly. Li 6. 2 verb intrans. Recoil, rebound; bounce. L16. |3 verb trans. Cause (a horse) to leap. Only in Li 6. ■ bounding verbal noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a leap, a bound: E17.

2

bound /baund/ verb3 intrans. & refl. rare. Li6. [Var. of boun verb.]

Direct ohe’s course, go. bound verb4 pa. t. & pple of bind verb.

-TY1.] 11 Goodness in general, worth, excellence; high estate; in p/., virtues. ME-E17. kjb Valour, prowess. ME-M16. J2 (An act of) kindness. ME-M17. 3 Goodness shown in giving, munificence, liberality. ME. 4 An act of generosity; a gift, a gratuity, me. kb spec. A monetary reward or premium paid by the State, Crown, etc., e.g. (a) to recruits on enlistment, (b) for promoting trade in particular ways, (c) for the killing of dangerous animals etc. E18. 4 King's bounty. Queen’s bounty Hist, a grant paid to the mother of three or more children bom at once. Queen Anne's bounty Hist, a fund for augmenting poor benefices. Comb.: bounty-hunter a person who tracks and captures outlaws or kills dangerous animals etc. for the reward offered; bounty-jumper us history a recruit who enlisted for the bounty and promptly deserted (to enlist again).

bouquet /bu'kei, bau'kei, 'bukei/ noun. See also bokay. E18. [French (earlier = clump of trees), from dial. var. of Old French bos, bois wood. Cf. bush noun', -et1.]

1 A bunch of flowers, esp. a large attractive one for use at a ceremony. E18. kb fig. A compliment. E20. 2 The perfume of wine etc. mi 9. 3 bouquet garni /'garni/ [French, lit. 'garnished bouquet’], a bunch of herbs for flavouring. Mi9. 4 A number of rockets etc. fired together. L19.

■ bouquetier /boko'tro, foreign buktje (pi same)/ noun a small holder for a bunch of flowers L18.

boundary /’baund(a)ri/ noun. Ei7. [Alt. of bounder noun1, perh. after limitary.]

1 A thing which serves to mark the limits of some¬ thing; the limit itself, a dividing line. E17. 2 spec. The limit of a cricket field; a hit to this, scoring four or six runs, mi9.

bouquetin /'bu:katin/ noun. Li8.

Comb.: boundary condition math, a condition that is required to be satisfied at all or part of the boundary ofaregionin which a set of differential conditions is to be solved; boundary layer the layer of a fluid adjacent to a body in it when the two are in rela¬ tive motion; boundary-rider Austral. &NZa stockman employed to ride round a sheep or cattle station mending fences etc: boundary value math, a value specified by a boundary condi¬ tion.

Bourbon /'boaban/ noun' & adjective. M18.

bounded /'baondid/ adjective'. Li6. [from bound verb' + -ED'.j

Subject to bounds or limits; fig. restricted.

circumscribed,

■ boundedness noun bounded quality; limited range: L17.

/bounded adjective2. H6-E19.

2

[from bound adjective + -ed1.] = bound adjective21.

bounden /'baund(s)n/ adjective, me. [pa. pple of bind verb.] 1 = bound adjective21. arch. me. 2 Of duty etc.: obligatory. Mi6.

bounden verb pa. pple: see bind verb. : saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

[French from Old French hoc estaign, from Middle High German

STEINBOCK.] The Alpine ibex. [French (see below), from Bourbon (VArchambault). a town in central France.]

► A noun. 1 Hist. A member of the House of Bourbon, a former royal dynasty holding sovereignty in France, Naples, and Spain. Mi8. 2 [from the former name (Isle de Bourbon) of the island of Reunion.] A hybrid rose, Rosa X bofboniana, of a group des¬ cended from Rosa chinensis and R. damascena. Also Bourbon rose. Ei9. 3 A political reactionary. US. M19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the House of Bourbon; US reactionary in politics, mis. Bourbon biscuit a chocolate-flavoured biscuit with a chocolate-cream filling. ■ Bourbonism noun adherence to the Bourbon dynasty or (US) to reactionary policies L19 Bourbonist noun a supporter of the Bourbon dynasty Ei9.

bourbon /'b3:ban, 'bus-/ noun2. Also B-. M19. [.Bourbon County, Kentucky.]

(A drink of) an American whiskey distilled from maize and rye. no, e: hair, is near. 31 boy. ua poor, a» tire, aoa sour

274

bourd | bow 3 A group: a crowd. E19.

bourd /bead/ noun & verb, obsolete exc. Scot. me. [Old & mod. French bourde lie, cheating = Provencal border, of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. An amusing tale, a jest: joking, banter, fun. me. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. & trans. Say things in jest; make fun

(of), mock. me. ■f 2 verb intrans. Play games. lme-mi6. ■ bourder noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) a jester; a mocker: me. bourdon /'boadfajn/ noun. Also burdoun. me. [Old & mod. French - drone, from Proto-Romance, of imit. origin,] 1 = burden noun 6 (with which early merged). Now rare or obsolete, me.

2 A low-pitched stop in an organ or harmonium; the drone pipe of a bagpipe. M19. 3 The lowest-pitched in a peal of bells. E20. bourdonne /bus'doner, foreign burdone/ adjective. Ei7. [French, from bourdon (pilgrim's knobbed) staff.] heraldry. Terminating in knobs or balls, [Old & mod. French from medieval Latin burgus borough.] A town or village under the shadow of a castle (Hist.); a

Continental town. bourgade /burgad/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Ei7.

[French, formed as prec. + -ade.] A (Continental) large village or straggling unwalled town.

[French.]

A lively dance of French origin, resembling the gavotte; a piece of music for this dance or in its rhythm, esp. one which forms a movement of a suite. Comb.: bourree step a sideways step in dancing in which one foot crosses behind or in front of the other.

bourse /buas/ noun. L16. [French: see burse.]

A money market; an exchange; esp. (B-) the Paris stock exchange. Cf. burse 2. «J Rare before M19 (burse being usual) when readopted from mod. French

Boursin /'boasa.foreign buKse/ noun.

M20.

[French.]

bourtree /'buatri:/ noun. Scot. & north,

[Conjectured to be from the name of a printer; but perh. referring to its intermediate size.]

A former size of type between long primer and brevier. bourgeois /'buaswa:, foreign burjwa/ adjective & noun-. M16. [French: see burgess.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to. characteristic of, or resembling, the bourgeois (see sense B. below); middleclass; conventionally respectable and unimaginative, humdrum; selfishly materialistic; capitalistic, reaction¬ ary. M16. 2 Of French wine: next in quality to wines classified as the best. E20. ► B noun. PI. same. 1 Orig., a (French) citizen or freeman of a city or burgh, as distinct from a peasant or a gentleman. Now, any member of the middle class. L17. 2 In Communist or socialist writing: a capitalist, an exploiter of the proletariat, deroq. Li 9. 3 A socially or aesthetically conventional person, a philistine, deroq. M20. ■*] See also petit bourgeois, petty bourgeois s.v. petty adjective.

bouse noun & verb' var. of booze. bouse /bauz/ verb2 trans. Also bowse. L16. [Origin unkn.]

Chiefly nautical. Haul with tackle,

epater les bourgeois. ■ bourgeoisdom noun (the political ascendancy of) the bour¬ geoisie L19. bourgeoisification /bo3,3\va:zifi'keiJ(a)n/ noun the action of bourgeoisifying a community etc. M20. bourgeoisify /boa’jwaizifAi/ verb trans. convert to a bourgeois outlook or way of life M20.

bourgeoise /'buo3wa:z, burjwaz/ noun & adjective fem. PI. of noun pronounced same. Li 8. [French, fern, of prec.] ► A noun. A female bourgeois. L18. ► B adjective. Of a female: bourgeois. M20.

E17. [Creek = as the ox turns in ploughing, from bous ox + -strophes strophe + -don adverbial suffix.]

(Written) from right to left and from left to right in alternate lines. ■ boustrophe donic adjective E19.

bout /baut/ noun & verb, mi6. [var. of bought noun1: assoc, with next.]

► A noun. 1 A bending, a curve; = bought noun1 1; esp. a curve of the side of a violin etc. Mi 6. 2 fa A circuit, a roundabout way. M16-M17. Fb The going of a plough along two adjacent furrows. E17. 3 A spell ofor a turn at work or exercise. Li6. Fb Aspell of drinking. L17. 4 A boxing- or wrestling-match; a fight, a contest of strength. Li 6. 5 An attack of illness etc. Li 9. 3

this bout, that bout (now dial.) this, that, occasion or time.

► B verb trans. Plough in bouts. Mi8. [Aphet.] = ABOUT.

boutade /bu:'ta:d/noun. Ei7.

tboutefeu noun. LI6-M19. [French, from bouter put +feu fire.]

A person who kindles strife, a firebrand, boutique/bu:'ti:k/noun. M18. [French from Old Provencal liotira (Italian bottega) from Latin apotheca from Greek apotheke storehouse: cf. bodega.]

bouto noun var. of boutu.

bouton /'bu:tDn/ noun.

M19.

[French = button.]

1 In full bouton pearl. A round pearl with a flat back. 2 anatomy. An enlarged part of a nerve fibre or cell, esp. an axon, where it forms a synapse. M20.

bourn bo:n, buon/ noun2. Also bourne. E16. [French borne: see bound noun'.] f 1 A boundary between fields etc.; a frontier. E16 li s. 2 A bound, a limit, arch. E17. 3 Destination; a goal. arch, ei 9. 4 Realm, domain, poet. rare, ei 9. Ill 2 J. Thomson From the far bourne Of utmost Saturn. 3 Wordsworth The selected bourne Was now an Island. 4 Keats In water, fiery realm, and airy bourne.

9 Senses 3 & 4 both arise from interpretations of Shakes. Haml. (Something after death—The undiscover'd country, from whose bourn No traveller returns'), which prob. belongs with sense 1. bourne noun var. of bourn noun', noun2.

boutonniere /buitDn'je:; foreign butonjem (pi. same)/ noun.

L19. [French.] = BUTTONHOLE noun 3.

[from Count J. L. de Boumoti (1751-1825), French mineralogist + mineralogy. An orthorhombic sulphide of lead, copper, and antimony, usu. occurring as steel-grey prisms, bourock 'bu:rak/ noun. Scot. mis. [Perh. rel. to bower noun' or to borough: see -ock.] 1 A mound; a heap; a mass. mis. 2 A little cot or hut. Li 8. k cat,

1 leg. m

bovid /'bauvid/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from Latin bov-, bos ox + -id3.] zoology. b-A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating the family Bovidae of ruminants, including cattle, ante¬ lope, sheep, and goats. Li 9. ► B noun. An animal of this family. Li9. bovine /'bauvAin/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [Late Latin bovinus, formed as prec.: see -ine1.] ► A adjective. 1 Pertaining to or characteristic of an ox or similar animal; belonging to the ox tribe. Ei9. 2 fig. Sluggish; stupid. M19. 1 bovine somatotrophin agrowth hormone occurring natur¬ ally in cows that has been added to cattle feed to increase milk production; abbreviation BST bovine spongiform encephalopathy a usually fatal virus disease of cattle involving the central nervous system and causing extreme agitation; abbreviation BSE ► B noun. A bovine animal, mi9. ■ bovinely adverb E20. Bovril 'bDvril/ noun. Also b-. Li9. [from Latin bov-, bos ox; perh. based on vril.] (Proprietary name for) a concentrated essence of beef; a drink of this. ■ bovrilize verb trans. (arch, colloq.) condense, epitomize E20.

bouts rimes/bu:

rifmei/ noun phr.pl. eis. [French = rhymed endings.]

Rhyming words upon which verses are (to be) com¬ posed.

boutu /'bautu:/ noun. Also bouto. boto. /'bautao/, pi.

-os

M19. (Local name.]

A grey and pink river dolphin, Inia geoffrensis, found in the Amazon and Orinoco River systems in S. America, [mod. Latin, from Charles Bouvard (1572-1658), superintendent of the Jardin du Roi, Paris: see -ia1.]

A Central American plant of the genus Bouvardia, of the madder family, bearing handsome red, yellow, or white flowers. Bouvier ’bu:viei/noun. M20. (French = cowherd.]

A large, powerful dog of a rough-coated breed originat¬ ing in Belgium. man,

n no.

p pen, r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

bow hao/ noun1. [Old English boga = Old Frisian boga, Old Saxon bogo (Dutch boog). Old High German bogo (German Bogen), Old Norse bogi, from Ger manic: cf. bow verb'/] 1 A thing bent or curved; a bend, a bent line; esp. (chiefly poet.) a rainbow, oe. Ffb An arc of a circle. M16-L17. 2 An arch (of masonry), obsolete exc. dial. oe. 3 A weapon for shooting arrows, consisting of a cord joining the ends of a curved piece of elastic wood etc. oe. ►b Inp/. Archers, li 5. 4 A yoke for oxen. Cf. oxbow, lme. 5 A knot with a single or double loop; a necktie, ribbon, etc., so tied. M16.

6 music. A rod with horsehair etc. stretched along it for playing a stringed instrument; a single passage of this across the strings. L16. 7 A ring or hoop forming a handle; = bail nounA Ei7. ►b A side-piece or lens-frame of a pair of spectacles. Chiefly US. Eis. 8 architecture. A curved part of a building projecting from a straight wall; esp. = bow-window (a) below, eis. 9 calligraphy. A curved stroke forming part of a letter. E20.

bouvardia /bo'vcudia/ noun. lis.

bournonite 'boananut/noun. Ei9.

bove /bAv/ adverb & preposition. Now poet. Now also ’b-. [Old English bufan, from bi by preposition + ufan above (ult. formed as up adverb' etc.); later aphet. from above.] = ABOVE.

[French, from bother thrust: see -ade.]

A sudden outburst or outbreak.

M19.

bourn /bo:n, boon/ noun1. Also bourne, me. [S. English var. of burn noun'.] A small stream, a brook.

bovate /'bauveit/ noun. L17. (medieval Latin bovata, from Latin bov-, bos ox: see -ate’.] Hist. An oxgang of land.

bovver I'bovo/ noun, slang. M20. [Repr. a cockney pronunc. of bother noun.] Deliberate troublemaking. Comb.: bower boot a heavy boot; bower boy a violent hooli¬ gan.

bout /baut/ preposition & (rare) adverb, colloq. & dial. me.

A small shop. Now usu. a shop, or department in a store, selling (esp. fashionable) clothes or accessories,

bourgeoisie /buajwafzi..foreign bmywazi/ noun. Ei8. [French, from bourgeois adjective & noun2: see -y3.) The bourgeois collectively; the middle class. haute bourgeoisie, petite bourgeoisie, petty bourgeoisie see petty adjective.

bovarism /'baovanz(a)m/noun. E20. [French bovarysme, from the principal character in Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary: see -ism.] (Domination by) a romantic or unreal conception of oneself. ■ bovarize verb intrans. & reft, view oneself in a romantic or unreal light E20.

Bovey coal /'bAvi kaol/ noun phr. mis. [from Bovey, a parish in Devonshire.] A form of lignite found in SW England.

lme.

[Origin unkn.] The elder, Sambucus nigra.

boustrophedon /baustra'fi:d(a)n, bu:-/ adverb & adjective.

bourgeois /bafdpis/ noun1. Ei9.

h he, j yes,

foreign bure (pi. same)/ noun. Also

(Proprietary name for) a kind of soft cheese from France, often flavoured with herbs, garlic, or pepper.

bourg /buag/ noun. lme.

b but, d dog, f few, g get.

bourree /'buarei; fboree. L17.

bouzouki /bu'zu:ki/ noun. M20. [Creek mpouzouki: cf, Turkish bozuk spoilt, with ref. to roughly made instruments.] A Greek form of long-necked lute.

w we,

z zoo.

£□ 1 Milton A dewie Cloud, and in the Cloud a bow. P. Gallico The grim line of her mouth unfroze and altered, down-drawn into a bow of pain, bow of promise: see promise noun, saddle-bow: see saddle noun, secondary bow: see secondary adjective. 3 Cupid’s bow: see Cupid, have two strings to one’s bow. have many strings to one's bow. second string to one's bow: see string noun. See also crossbow, longbow s.v. long adjective' 6 musical bow. see musical adjective. Tourte bow: see Tourte noun2. Comb, bow-arm. bow-hand: holding the bow (in archery or music); bow-backed adjective (arch.) [perh. partly from bow verb1] hunchbacked, having an arched back; bow-bearer a person who carries a bow; esp. (Hist.) a forester who dealt with trespasses affecting vert and venison; bow-compass(es) a pair of com¬ passes with jointed legs; tbow-draught = bowshot below; bowfin a large voracious holostean fish, Amia calva, of still fresh waters in eastern N. America; bow-hand: see bow-arm above; bowhead (whale) the Greenland right whale, Balaena mysticetus: bowhunt verb trans. & intrans. hunt (animals) with a bow rather than a firearm: bowhunter a person who J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

8

this,

13

ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

275

bow | bowline

bowhunts; bowknot a double-looped ornamental knot in a ribbon, tie, etc.; bow-legged adjective having outwardly bent legs, bandy-legged; bow-legs bandy legs; bowman noun' an archer; bow-net a cylinder of wickerwork closed at one end and having a narrow funnel-shaped entrance at rite other, used to trap lobsters etc.; bow-saw: having a narrow blade stretched like a bowstring on a light frame, bowshot the distance an arrow can be shot from a bow; fbowstaff, pi. -staves, a stick to be made into a bow; bow-tie a necktie (to be) tied in the manner of a bow; bow-window (o) a curved bay window; (b) slang a big belly. ■ bowless adjective M19.

bow /bu:, bau/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. Scot. dial. & Hist. me. [Old Norse bu farming, farm, farm stock, corresp. to Old English. Old Saxon bu dwelling, habitation, Old High German bu dwelling] building, tillage (Middle High German bu, bou, German Bau, Dutch bouw tillage, building), from Germanic word rel. to Latin colere cul¬ tivate.)

The stock of cattle on a farm; a herd, bow /bau/ noun3, lme. [Low German boog, Dutch boeg (whence Swedish bog, Danish boug): see bough. Pronunc. infl. by popular assoc, with bow verb1.] 1 sing. & (freq.) in pi. The fore-end of a boat or ship from

where it begins to curve inwards to the stem. lme. 2 = bowman below. Ml9. Ion the bow within 450 of the point right ahead, shot across the bows a warning salvo (freq. fig.). Comb. , bow-chaser a forward-firing gun in the bow of a ship; bow-fast a mooring rope etc. at the bow: bow line the line of a ship's forebody in vertical section (see also bowline): bowman noun2 the oarsman who sits nearest to the bow of a boat; bow oar (the rower of) the oar nearest the bow; bow-on. bows-on adverbs with the bow turned towards the object considered; bow wave a wave set up at the bow of a vessel under way or in front of any object moving through a fluid.

bow /bau/ noun4, mi7. [from bow verb1.]

A forward bending of the head or upper body in salu¬ tation, assent, etc. make one’s bow make a formal entrance or exit, take a bow acknowledge applause.

Bow /bau/ noun5, mi8. [Stratford-le-Bow, a village in Essex (now a district in London).]

In full Bow china. Bow porcelain. Fine porcelain of a kind orig. manufactured at Stratford-le-Bow. bow /bau/ verb'. [Old English bugan corresp. to Middle Low German bugen, Middle Dutch bughen, Old High German biogati (German biegen), Gothic biugan, from Germanic: cf. bow noun1.] ► I verb intrans. & frefl. 1 Assume a bent or crooked shape

or attitude; bend; stoop, arch. & dial. oe. f2 Turn aside, off, or away; swerve; make one’s way, go. OE-L16. |3 Have a curved direction, be bent; tend. 0E-M18. 4 Bend the neck (as if) beneath a yoke. Now chiefly fig.. be subject (to), submit, yield, oe. 5 Bend or kneel (down) in token of reverence, respect, or submission. (Foil, by to, before.) oe. 6 Incline the head or body (to) in recognition or assent; make a bow. E17. LJ 1 Shakes. Meas.forM. Like an ass whose back with ingots bows. AV Eccles. 12:3 When.. the strong men shall bowe themselves. Tennyson She bow’d down And wept in secret. 4 Dryden Under Iron Yokes make Indians Bow. A. P. Stanley He at last bows to the inevitable course of events. 5 Gibbon An hundred princes bowed before his throne, bow in the house ofRimmon see house noun1. 6 bow and scrape behave obsequiously, bowing acquaintance a slight degree of acquaintance.

► II verb trons. 7 Cause to bend, curve; cause to stoop, crush (as) with a load. me. f8 Turn, direct. ME-E18. 9 Bend downwards, lower, incline, me. 110 Obey. Only in me. 11 Express with a bow; usher in or out by bowing. Ei7. [ I 7 Shakes. Hen. VIIIA threepence bow’d would hire me. Milton With sickness and disease thou bow’st them down. F. Ormsby This late guest bowed with winter offerings. 9 E. A. Freeman Lanfranc refused to bow his shoulders to such a burden. Day Lewis The worshippers bowed their heads to the gale, bow the knee see knee noun. With adverbs in specialized senses: bow out take one’s leave, esp. with formality; retreat, withdraw. ■ bowing noun1 (a) the action of the verb; (b) (obsolete exc. dial.) a curved or bent part: lme.

bow /bau/ verb2 intrans. & trans.

■ bowdlerism noun textual expurgation bowdleri zation noun the act ofbowdlerizing L19.

M19.

bowel /'baual/ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman buel, Old French boel, bouel (mod. boyau), from Latin botellus pudding, sausage (Martial), small intestine, dim. of botulus sausage: see -el2 1.] ► A noun. 1 The part of the alimentary canal below the stomach; the intestine; the gut. Exc. in medical use now usu. in p/„ the intestines, the entrails, me. ►fb Any internal organ of the body, lme-lis. 2 In pi. The interior of the body. Chiefly fig., (the inner¬ most source of) pity or sympathetic feeling, arch. lme. 3 In pi. The innermost parts 0/anything. E16. 14 In pi. Offspring. El 6-Li 7. EQ 2 Carlyle Had idle readers any bowels for him. bowels of compassion, bowels of mercy, etc. 3 S. Rushdie He lived somewhere in the insanitary bowels of the old woodenhouse quarter, bowels of the earth the depths of the earth. 4 Shakes. Meas.forM. Thine own bowels which do call thee sire. ► B verb trans. Infl. -II-, *-l-. Disembowel, arch. me. ■ bowelled adjective (a) having bowels or recesses; (b) disem¬ bowelled: Li 6. bowel less /-l-l-/ adjective (arch.) without mercy, piti¬ less M17.

f bowell noun var. of bole noun3. bowenite /'bauanAit/ noun. M19. [from George T. Bowen (1803-28), US mineralogist + -ite1.] mineralogy. A hard, compact, translucent form of serpen¬ tine, resembling nephrite.

bower /'faaua/ noun'. [Old English bur corresp. to Old Saxon bur (Low German buur). Old High German bur (German Bauer birdcage). Old Norse bur, from Germanic, from base meaning ‘dwell’ (also of build verb): for mod. spelling cf. flower noun, tower noun1.] 1 A dwelling, a habitation; esp. an ideal abode. Now chiefly poet. oe. 2 An inner apartment; a bedroom, arch. & dial. oe. kb A lady’s private apartment; a boudoir. Now poet oe. 3 A place closed in with foliage; an arbour; a summer¬ house. 115. 4 A structure raised by a bowerbird. M19. Comb. & phrases: bowerbird (a) any of various passerine birds of the family Ptilonorhynchidae, native to Australia and New Guinea, which construct elaborate runs adorned with feathers, shells, etc., during courtship; (b) Austral, slang a collector of trivia or odds and ends; bower-maiden, bower-woman arch, a ladyin-waiting, a chambermaid; virgin's bower see virgin noun.

bower /'boos/ noun2, me. [from bow noun1 + -er1.]

fl = BOWYER 1. ME-M18. 2 A person who plays with a bow on a violin etc. rare. L17.

bower /'baua/ noun3, lis. [from bow

3

noun +

-er1.]

Either of two anchors carried at a ship’s bow (more fully bower anchor). Also (usu. more fully bower cable), the cable of such an anchor. best bower, small bower the starboard, port, bower anchor (or cable).

bower /'baual noun4. Li6. [from bow

verb1

+ -er1.]

A person who bows or bends; a thing which causes bending.

bower /'baua/ noun5. Li9. [German Bauer lit. 'husbandman, peasant, rustic’: see boor.] Either of the two highest cards in euchre, the jack of trumps (right bower) and the jack of the same colour (left bower).

bower /'baud/ verb. L16. [from bower noun1.]

1 verb trans. Embower, shade, enclose (lit. & fig.). L16.

f2 verb intrans. Lodge, shelter, rare (Spenser). Only in Li 6. bowery "baoari/ noun & adjective. US. Mi7. [Dutch bouwerij husbandry, farm, from bouwen cultivate: cf. boor & see -ERY.] ► A noun. A (former) farm or plantation in Dutch colonial America; spec, (the Bowery) a street in New York City (on the site of a former governor's bowery) notorious as a resort of prostitutes, drunks, derelicts, etc, M17. ► B attrib. or as adjective. (B-.) Of, pertaining to, or charac¬ teristic of the Bowery in New York City; disreputable, rough, rowdy. Mi9.

mi9.

bowery /bauari/ adjective. Ei8.

[from bow noun1.]

Use the bow on (a violin etc.); play with the bow. ■ bowing noun2 (the manner of) playing a violin etc. with a bow M19.

[from bower noun1 + -Y'.] Embowering; leafy, shady.

bowet "baoit, 'bu:it/ noun. Scot, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [App. from medieval Latin boeta box or pyx as housing for a candle:

tbowall noun var. of bole noun3.

cf. boist.]

bowdlerize /'baudlarAiz/ verb trans. Also B-.

-ise. Mi9.

[from Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), English editor, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare: see -ize.]

Expurgate (a book etc.) by removing or altering mater¬ ial considered improper or offensive; emasculate.

A small lantern.

bowie /'baoi, boot/ noun'. Scot. Mi6. [Perh. dim. of Scot, form of boll noun1: see -Y6.] A shallow tub; a wooden milk-bowl.

Bowie /'baui/ noun2. Also b-. Mi9. [James Bowie (1799-1836). Amer. soldier.]

More fully Bowie-knife. A long knife with a blade double-edged at the point, used as a weapon by Ameri¬ can pioneers. bowl /baul/ noun'. Also (earlier) j*boll. (Old English holla, bode corresp. to Old Saxon hollo cup (Dutch bol round object, boll noun1). Old High German holla bud. round pod, globular vessel, from Germanic base meaning ’swell’.]

1 A vessel, usu. hemispherical or nearly so, to hold liquids or food; a basin, oe. kb esp. Such a vessel for holding drink, arch. oe. >c The contents of a bowl; a bowlful. Ml6. 2 A more or less bowl-shaped part, as of a cup, tobaccopipe, spoon, balance, etc. oe. 13 nautical. A round space at the masthead for men to stand in. E17-E19. 4 A bowl-shaped natural basin; a (bowl-shaped) stadium (freq. in the names of American football sta¬ diums), an amphitheatre. Mi9. fb A sporting occasion held in a football stadium, featuring a football game; spec = bowl game below. US. M20. £Q 1 finger-bowl, goldfish bowl, punch-bowl, salad bowl, soup bowl, sugar-bowl, wash-bowl, etc. b hanging bowl see hanging adjective, the bowl drinking; conviviality. 4 P. Theroux San Salvador.. lies in a bowl, surrounded by mountains, dust bowl: see dust noun. Comb, bowl-barrow a prehistoric grave-mound in the shape of an inverted bowl; bowl game US an established American football fixture after the main season, usu. at a stadium with ‘bowl’ in its name. ■ bowlful noun the contents of a bowl, the quantity held by a bowl E17.

bowl /baul/ noun2, lme. [Old & mod. French boule from Latin bulla.]

1 A sphere, a globe, a ball. Long obsolete exc. dial, in gen. sense, lme. 2 spec, A ball of wood, hard rubber, etc., rolled in various games; in the game of bowls itself (see sense 3 below) now made slightly out of spherical shape to make it run in a curved course; in skittles, ninepins, etc., made either flattened or spherical, lme. 3 In pi. (usu. treated as sing.). A game played with bowls, on a green or in an alley; spec a game in which players aim bowls at a target bail (the jack), lis. 4 a A delivery of the ball in cricket (now usu. ball); a spell of bowling, mi 9. kb A turn in bowls, skittles, etc.; a delivery of the ball in bowls etc. Li 9. 5 A roller or antifriction wheel, esp. for moving or pressing fabrics, li9. bowl /baul/ verb. lme. [from bowl noun2.]

1 verb intrans. Play at bowls or skittles etc.; roll a bowl, hoop, etc., along the ground, lme. 2 verb trans. Cause to roll; send rolling. Li6. fb Convey on wheels (in a carriage etc.). E19. 3 verb intrans. Move by revolution; move on wheels. E17. 4 verb intrans. & trans. cricket. Propel towards the batsman (the ball, an over, etc.), orig. underarm; dismiss (a batsman) by the ball thus propelled breaking the wicket; get (a side, a batsman) out. Mi8. kb verb trans. Use (a player) to bowl. M19. lii 2 Mollie Harris Some of the boys had large iron hoops ..; for miles and miles they bowled them. 3 S. Johnson A fashionable lady.. bowling about in her own coach. 4 E. Blishen He took the ball and prepared to bowl the first over. N. Cardus I have.. not been able to find out ifTrumble bowled over or round the wicket, b Alan Ross Hutton bowled Tyson and Statham for an hour. With adverbs in specialized senses bowl along go fast and smoothly, bowl over knock down; fig. disconcert, render help¬ less, impress greatly.

bowlder noun & verb var. of boulder. bowler/'boob/ noun1. Ei6. [from bowl verb * -er1.]

1 A person who plays at bowls. E16. 2 A player who bowls at cricket. E18. 2 fast bowler, medium-pace bowler, slow bowler, bowler's wicket a cricket pitch favouring bowlers.

etc.

bowler/'hauls/noun2. Mi9. [William Bowl er, English hatter who designed it in 1850.]

In full bowler hat. A hard felt hat with a rounded crown and a narrow curled brim. be given one’s bowler (hat), get one's bowler (hat) slang be retired to civilian life, be demobilized. Comb, bowler-hatted adjective (a) wearing a bowler: (b) slang civilian, retired from the forces.

bowline /'baolrn/ noun. me. [Middle Low German boline, Middle Dutch boechlijne from boeg bow noun3 + lijne line noun2.]

1 A rope passing from the weather edge of a square sail to the port or starboard bow, for the purpose of holding the sail closer to the wind. me. 2 In full bowline knot. A simple knot for forming a non-slipping loop at the end of a rope. Ei7.

so no, e: hair, ra near, ai boy, ua poor, Aia tire, aua sour a cat. a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot, 0:: saw, a ran. o put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day,

276

bowling j boy 1 on a bowline close-hauled. See also bow line s.v. bow noun3. running bowline: see running adjective. Spanish bowline, see Spanish adjective. 2

bowling /'baolig/ noun. Ei6. [from bowl verb + -ing1.]

1 Playing at bowls; the action of rolling a ball etc. Ei6. 2 cricket. The action of delivering the ball, mi 8. ►b The strength or resources of the bowlers in a cricket team. Mi9. .. 1 tenpin bowling: see tenpin s.v. ten noun. 2 fast bowling, medium-pace bowling, slow bowling, etc. Comb.: bowling-alley (a building containing) an alley for playing at bowls or skittles; bowling analysis see analysis 2; bowling-crease in cricket, the line from behind which the bowler delivers the ball; bowling-green a smooth green upon which to play bowls.

Bowman’s capsule /baumans ‘kapsju:l, -jul/ noun phr. LI 9. [Sir William Bowman (1816-92), English surgeon.] anatomy & zoology. A cup-shaped dilatation of the end of a

uriniferous tubule, surrounding each glomerulus in the vertebrate kidney, bowse verb' & noun var. of booze. bowse verb2 var. of bouse verb ’. bowser /'baoza/ noun. Also B-. E20. [Origin unkn.)

A tanker used for fuelling aircraft, tanks, etc., or for sup¬ plying water; (chiefly Austral. & NZ, proprietary name for) a petrol pump. bowsie /'baozi:/ noun. Anglo-Irish. Ei9.

loe. kb A numbered receptacle at a post office in which letters for a subscriber are kept until called for, or at a newspaper office for replies to an advertisement. Mi9. ►c A coffin, slang. E20. kd the box. television, slang. M20. ke The female genitals. N. Amer. slang. M20. 2 A box and its contents; the quantity contained in a box, a boxful, me. kb spec. A money box and its contents; a fond. lme. kc A Christmas-box. Li6. 3 A protective case or covering for a piece of mechan¬ ism, such as a compass; a cylinder in which the journal ofan axle etc. revolves. Li5. kb cmcket. A light protective shield worn over the genitals. M20. 4 (A box under) the coachman's seat on a carriage. Ei7. 5 A separate compartment, esp. in court for a witness or jury or one with seats at a theatre, restaurant, stadium, etc. ei7. kb transf. In pi. The occupants of the boxes at a theatre etc. (orig. for ladies). Li7. kc A separate stall for a horse in a stable or vehicle; a closed vehicle for transporting one or more horses, mi9. kd The confes¬ sional. E20. 6 A simple shelter or building; esp. one for a sentry, railway signals, op a telephone. Ei8. 7 A small country house, esp. one for temporary use while hunting etc. eis. 8 An excavation in the trunk of a tree for sap to collect. eis. 9 A confined area; a space enclosed by (esp. printed) lines; the area occupied by the batter or pitcher in base¬ ball; (colloq.) the penalty area of a soccer pitch. L19. 10 A mixing up of different flocks of sheep. Austral. & NZ.

[Origin unkn.]

LI 9. 11 A close formation of aircraft, pattern of bombs, etc.

A low-class or unruly person.

M20.

bowsprit /'bausprrt/ noun. me. [Middle 8. mod. Low German bogspret, Middle Dutch boechspriet, formed as bow noun3, sprit noun1.]

A large spar or boom running out from the stem of a vessel, to which the forestays are fastened. Bow Street /'bats stri:t/ noun phr. E19. [Site of the principal metropolitan magistrates' court in London.] Hist. Bow Street officer, Bow Street runner, a (London)

detective, spec, of the early 19th cent. bowstring /'baustrig/ noun & verb. oe. [from bow noun1 + string noun.]

► A noun. The cord of a bow; spec. (Hist.) this used in Turkey for strangling offenders, oe. Comb.: bowstring-bridge a girder bridge consisting of an arch and a horizontal tie; bowstring hemp = sansevieria. ► B verb trans. Pa. t. & pple -stringed, -strung /-strag/. Chiefly Hist. Strangle with a bowstring. E19.

bowtell noun var. of boltel. bow-wow /interjection

6 verb bau'wao; noun 'bauwau/ interjection, noun, & verb. 116. [Imit.] ► A interjection. Repr. the sound of a dog barking, or a

similar sound. Lis. ► B noun. 1 The bark of a dog. L18. 2 A dog. joc.S nursery, ns. ► C verb introns. Bark. M19. bowyang /'baujag/ noun. Austral. & NZ & (sense 1) dial. Sense 1 bow-yanky/'baujagki/ & other vars. M19. [Origin unkn.]

1 In pi. Leather leggings. M19. 2 A band or strap worn over the trousers below the knee, esp. by labourers. L19. bowyer /'bauja/ noun. me. [from bow noun* + -yer: cf. bower noun2.]

1 A person who makes or trades in bows. me. 2 An archer, lme. box /bpks/ noun1, oe. [Latin buxus from Greek puxos.]

1 More fully box tree. A small evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Buxus (family Buxaceae); esp. Buxus sempervirens, with dark leathery leaves, often planted in garden borders, oe. kb Any of various Australasian eucalypts and other trees with wood like that ofBuxus. E19. 2 The hard, heavy, close-grained wood of the box, or of certain other trees, much used by turners and engravers. LME. 1 b grey box. white box, etc. Comb.: box elder a pinnate-leaved N. American elder, Acer negimdo; box-gum = sense lb above; box-thorn a shrub of the genus Lytium, of the nightshade family, bearing red berries, some species of which are used for hedging; esp. 1. barbarum, naturalized in Britain; box tree see sense 1 above; boxwood = sense 2 above; also, the tree itself. ■ boxen adjective (arch.) of or pertaining to box; made of or like boxwood: M16.

box /bDks/ noun2, loe. [Prob. from late Latin buxis, -id- var. of Latin pyxis box of boxwood.]

1 A case or receptacle, usu, rectangular or cylindrical and with a lid, of wood, metal, card, etc. (Freq. with func¬ tion, type, etc., specified or understood contextually.) b but, d dog,

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, m

HI IS, Johnson My landlady.. took the opportunity of my absence to search my boxes. E. Bowen Who, seeing the house shuttered, would have dropped a letter in at the box? ballot-box, Christmas-box. dispatch-box. juke-box, letter¬ box, mailbox, matchbox, money box. musical box. pillar¬ box. pillbox, postbox, snuffbox, soapbox soundbox, strongbox, tuck box. window-box, etc. chatterbox: see chatter noun, b P. G. Wodehouse My address will be Box 341, London Morning News. 2 B. Jowett He who is to be a workman should have his box of tools when he is a child. R. Maugham Munching her way through a large box of choc¬ olates. b Shakes. Timon Nothing but an empty box.. which .. I come to entreat your honour to supply. 3 gearbox etc. 5 jury-box, witness-box. etc. 6 T. Hood The Watchman in his box was dosing, call-box, prompt-box. sentry-box. signalbox. telephone box, etc. 9 A. S. Byatt He filled the little boxes, date of birth, places of education, parentage, nation¬ ality. Phrases: a box of birds Austral.&NZ colloq. excellent, very well, fine. black box: see black adjective. Chinese box: see Chinese adjective. in the same box in a similar predicament, in the wrong box unsuitably or awkwardly placed; in a difficulty, at a disadvan¬ tage. loose box see loose adjective.one out of the box Austral. & NZ colloq. an excellent person or tiling, red box see red adjective. Skinner box: see Skinner noun2, solander box Comb. : box barrage: directed to all sides of an area, to prevent escape; boxboard a type of stiff cardboard used to make boxes; box camera a simple box-shaped hand camera; box canyon a narrow canyon with a flat bottom and vertical walls; boxcar N. Amer. an enclosed railway goods wagon; box-cloth thick coarse cloth used esp. for riding garments; box coat a heavy caped overcoat for a coachman etc.; box-fish = trunkfish s.v. trunk noun; box girder: made of plates fastened in the shape of a box; box junction a road junction with a central yellow-striped area which a vehicle must not enter unless it can leave immediately, except when turning right with only oncoming traffic prevent¬ ing exit; box kite a tailless kite with a light rectangular frame at each end; box number: identifying a box in a post office or newspaper office (sense lb above); box office an office for booking seats at a theatre etc.; jig. entertainment etc. likely to attract audiences; box pew: enclosed like a box; box pleat: with two parallel contrary pleats forming a raised band, box plot statistics a statistical plot in which a rectangle is drawn to represent the second and third quartiles, usually with a vertical line inside to indicate the median value, the lower and upper quartiles being shown as horizontal lines either side of the rect¬ angle; boxroom a room in which boxes, trunks, etc., are stored; box score the tabulated results of a baseball game etc.; boxseat the driver's seat on a carriage; box spanner a cylindrical spanner with a socket head fitting over the nut; box spring each of a set ofvertical springs in a mattress; box-tortoise, boxturtle a N. American land turtle of the genus Terrapene, able by means of a hinged lower carapace to close itself up completely; box-wallah (in the Indian subcontinent) a dealer, a pedlar. ■ boxful noun as much or as many as a box will hold eis, boxlike adjective resembling (that of) a box M19. boxy adjective resembling, comparable to. or suggesting a box; (of recorded sound) restricted in tone: M19. box /bDks/ noun3, lme. [Origin unkn.] 1 A blow, obsolete in gen. sense, lme. 2 spec. A slap on the ear or the side of the head. lme. box /bDks/ verb1 trans. lme. [from box noun2.] 1 Provide or fit with a box; put into a box, enclose in a box or casing; fit compactly as in a box; fig. confine and restrict the movement of, confine uncomfortably. Freq. foil, by in, up. lme. kb Print within a border of rules. E20. man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top.

v van, w we, z zoo,

f2 Bleed by cupping. LME-E17. 3 Make an excavation in the trunk of (a tree) for sap to collect. El 8. 4 Mix up, muddle, (esp. different flocks of sheep). Chiefly Austral & NZ. Ml9. box /bDks/ verb2. E16. [from box noun3.] 1 verb trans. Beat, strike. Now spec, slap (the ear or the side of the head), cuff. E16. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Fight (a person) with the fists, now usu. in padded gloves as a sport, with set rules. Mi6. BIN. Mitford She was so furious she .. rushed at Polly and boxed her ears. 2 C. McCullough A lightweight under orders to keep Frank at a distance and find out if he could box as well as he could punch, box clever slang use one's wits.

box /bDks/ verb3, mis. [Perh. from Spanish bojar (boxar) sail round, from Middle Low German bdgen bend, bow. from base of bow noun1, verb1,] nautical. 1 verb trans. box the compass, (be able to) recite the compass points in correct order; fig. make a complete

turn, go round and end where one began, mis. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Turn (a ship), spec, by hauling the head-sheets to windward and laying the head-yards aback. Also = box-haul. Usu. foil, by off. Mrs. Box and Cox /bDks (a)nd 'koks/ noun phr. & verb. H9. [Title of a play by J. M. Morton (1811-91). in which two people unknowingly become tenants of the same room.] ► A noun. Two people who are never together or never at

home at the same time; two people sharing office facil¬ ities etc. and using them at different times; two people who take turns in a part etc. Chiefly in play Box and Cox. ► B verb. Share accommodation, office facilities, etc., by a strictly timed arrangement. L20. boxcalf /'bDkska:f/ noun. E20. [from Joseph Box, late-igth-cent. London bootmaker + calf noun1.]

Chrome-tanned calfskin with a hatched grain. boxer /'boksa/ noun1, rare. Mi6. [from box verb1 + -er1.] A person who puts things in boxes. boxer/'bDksa/noun2. L17. [from box verb2 + -er1.] 1 A person who boxes; a pugilist. 117. 2 Hist. (B-.) [Repr. Chinese yi he quan lit. 'righteous harmonious fists’.] A member of a Chinese nationalist secret society responsible for a rising in 1900. E20. 3 A dog of a smooth-coated square-built breed of the bulldog type, originating in Germany. E20. Comb.:

boxer shorts men's loose shorts or underpants.

Boxercise ’boksasAiz noun. L20. [Blend of boxer noun2 and exercise.] (Proprietary name for) a form of exercise based on boxing training and using boxing equipment. box-haul /'bokshofl/ verb trans. M18. [from box verb3 + haul verb.] nautical. Veer (a ship) round on its stem. boxiana /boksi'a:na/ noun pi. E19. [from boxing noun2 + -iana.] Publications or other items concerning or associated with boxing and boxers. boxing /'bDksig/ noun'. Ei6. [from box verb1 + -ing1.] The action of box verb'. Also, boxes, casing. Boxing Day the first day (strictly, the first weekday) after Christmas Day (on which Christmas-boxes were traditionally given).

boxing /'bDksig/ noun2, eis. [from box verb2 + -ing1.] The action of fighting with fists, spec, as a sport, using padded gloves. Comb.: boxing glove a thick padded glove used in boxing; boxing ring an enclosure, now usu. a raised square with sur¬ rounding ropes, for boxing; boxing weight any of a series of weight ranges at which boxers are officially matched (as bantamweight, flyweight, heavyweight, etc.),

boxty /'boksti/noun. L19. [Irish bacstaf.]

A type of bread made using grated raw potatoes and flour, originally made in Ireland. Also boxty bread. boy /boi/ noun. me. [Perh. rel. to Old English Boia, Boja, Old High German Buobo male personal names, Middle High German buobe boy; cf. also Frisian boi boy.]

1 A male servant, an underling, esp. a young one; a helper, a messenger, obsolete exc. as in sense lb or when a boy in sense 4. me. kb A servant or labourer from an indigenous people in Africa, Asia, etc. Now freq. con¬ sidered offensive. E17. J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

9 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

277

boy | bracer

12 A male person of lowly status, a common fellow; a worthless fellow, a knave, me ei7. 3 (Affectionately, playfully, or slightingly.) A young man, a fellow; a man belonging to some specified or understood group (as one’s habitual companions, a team, a gang, the army, etc.). Freq. as a familiar form of address, lme. ib A familiar form of address to a male dog, horse, or other animal, lme. he A man of any age. dial. (esp. Anglo-Irish), mis. 4 A male child; a youth. Also, a grown-up son. lme. 5 As interjection. An exclamation of surprise, excite¬ ment, relief, etc. Freq. oh boy! Orig. US. E20.

brace /breis/ noun',

boza /'bouzo/ noun. Also bosa, boo- /'bu:-/. M17.

► I A pair of arms. 11 A portion of a suit of armour covering the arms. LME-E17. ►|b A suit of armour; armed state, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. 12 A measure of length, orig. the distance between fin¬ gertips with arms extended, lme-mis. 3 A tool in carpentry having a crank handle and a socket etc. to hold a bit for boring. M16. ► II A thing which clasps. 4 A clasp, buckle, or other fastener, lme. hb dentistry. A wire device for straightening the teeth. M20. 5 A leather thong which slides up and down the cord of a drum, regulating the tension of the skins, and hence the pitch of any note produced. Li6. 6 The sign } (or {) used in printing etc. for the purpose of uniting two or more lines, words, staves of music, etc. or in pairs as a form ofbrackets; loosely in pi., square brack¬ ets [ ]. M17. 7 Either of a pair of straps of elastic, leather, etc., used to support trousers etc. Usu. in pi. Li 8. 8 nautical A metal strap secured to the stern-post and bottom planks for supporting the rudder. M19. 4 French brace: see French adjective. 7 belt and braces: see belt

[Turkish from Persian.]

A fermented drink made in Turkey and the Middie East; spec, an infusion of millet-seed.

bozo /’bauzao/ noun, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). PI. -os. E20. [Origin unkn.]

A stupid, despised, or insignificant person. Cl T. Robbins This bozo might be capable of understanding art, after all.

U3 1 Coverdale i Sam. 2:13 The prestes boye came, whyle the flesh was seething. P. Lovesey Newspaper-boys.. bawled their wares, button-boy. page-boy. shop-boy. etc. 2 Shakes. Coriol. Name not the god. thou boy of tears.. no more. 3 Shakes. Much Ado If thou kill'st me, boy. thou shalt kill a man. Spectator The public relations boys could really go to town. J. le Carre It was just like old times.. in Berlin: the boys together and the night their oyster. 1. F. Elis 'That’s all right, my boy', said the officer, forgetting.. that Wil was several years his senior. G. Charles 'You boys can take me in the van', Polly said to the two sound men and his own assist¬ ant. 4 Byron Ah! happy years! once more who would not be a boy? Arnold Bennett Edwin had left school; and. if he was not a man, he was certainly not a boy. E. Waugh That.. was Lord Sebastian Flyte... The Marquis of Marchmain’s second boy. P. G. Wodehouse I tried to tell him that boys will be boys and you’re only young once. 6 M. Hodge Boy! They don't wear a damned thing! N. Shute I slithered in over the fence and put her down and boy! was I glad to be on the ground!

BP abbreviation’. 1 Before the present (counting backwards from 1800). 2 Blood pressure. 3 Boiling point. 4 British Petroleum. 5 British Pharmacopoeia. bp abbreviation2. biochemistry. Base pair(s). Bp. abbreviation. Bishop. b.p. abbreviation. Boiling point.

organization resembling the Scouts, connected with Presbyter¬ ian and Nonconformist churches, boys in blue see blue noun 2. broth of a boy home boy: see home adjective, jobs for the boys preferment for one's supporters or favourites, man and boy: see man noun, mother's boy: see mother noun', naked boys: see naked adjective, old boy: see old adjective, one of the boys a man who conforms to the behaviour of his companions, a good fellow, principal boy see principal adjective, skolly boy. sort out the men from the boys see man noun, the boy arch, slang cham¬ pagne. the boy next door see next adjective, white-headed boy see white adjective, wide boy see wide adjective. Comb.: boyfriend a girl's or (esp. unmarried) woman's, or a homosexual man’s, usual or preferred male companion or sexual partner; boy-meets-girl a conventional or ideal romance (freq. attrib.); boy racer a young man who is fond of driving fast and aggressively in high-powered cars; Boy Scout see scout noun3 2c; boy’s-love southernwood, Artemisia abrotanum: boys’ play arch, amusement for boys, child’s play; boy toy colloq.. derog. (a) a young woman considered sexually attractive to young men: (b) a young man considered sexually attractive to women; boy wonder an exceptionally talented young man or boy. fl It is not clear which is the earliest English meaning. However, sense 4, ‘male child’, is predominant and colours all other senses. ■ boyhood noun (a) the state of being a boy; the time when one is a boy; (b) boys collectively: Mts. boyish adjective of or pertain¬ ing to boys or boyhood; boylike, high-spirited: Mi6. boyishly adverb lib. boyishness noun M16. boyism noun (now rare) a boyish characteristic; boyish character: E18. boykin(s) noun (arch.) a small boy (esp. as an affectionate form of address) Mi6. boylike adverb & adjective characteristic(ally) of a boy or boys M19. boy /boi/ verb. rare. Ml6.

BPH abbreviation. medicine. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (or hypertrophy). B.Phil. abbreviation. Bachelor of Philosophy. bpi abbreviation. computing. Bits per inch. bps abbreviation. computing. Bits per second.

BR abbreviation. Hist. British Rail (earlier, Railways).

brace /breis/ verb1,

Bromine.

Br. abbreviation. 1 British. 2 Brother. bra/bra:/noun1. M20. [Abbreviation.]

1 A brassiere. M20. 2 More fully auto bra, car bra. A carbon-based cover that fits over the front bumper of a car, absorbing the microwaves used in police radar equipment to minimize the risk of detection for the speeding motorist. N. Amer. L20. ■ braless adjective M20. bralessness noun 120 [from bra(cket noun: cf. KETnoun2.]

A vector in Hilbert space that is the complex conjugate of a ket and is symbolized by (]. Freq. quantum mechanics.

L16.

bra vector.

boyar /bao'ja:/ noun. Also t-ard L16. [Russian boyarin grandee.] Hist. A member of an order of Russian aristocracy (abol¬ ished by Peter the Great), next in rank to a prince.

braai ”bra:i/ noun & verb. S. Afr. M20. [Abbreviation of next.]

► A noun. = next. M20. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Grill (meat) over an open fire. M20.

boycott 'boikDt/ verb & noun. Also tB-. Li9. [Capt. C. C. Boycott (1832-97), land-agent in Ireland who was so treated in 1880.] ► A verb trans. Combine to coerce or punish (a person, group, nation, etc.) by a systematic refusal of normal commercial or social relations; refuse to handle or buy (goods), refuse to attend (a meeting, lecture, etc.), with this aim. Li 9. ► B noun. Such a course of action. Li 9. ■ boycotter noun L19.

braaivleis /'braufleis/ noun. S. Afr. M20. [Afrikaans “grilled meat, from braai to grill + vleis meat.]

Meat grilled over an open fire; a picnic, barbecue, etc., at which meat is cooked in this way. brab /brab/ noun. L17. [Portuguese (palmeira) braba wild (palm tree).]

The palmyra, Borassusflabellifer. brabble/'brabfajl/ verb& noun. Now arch. & dial. Ei6. [Prob. ult. imit., but perh. from Middle & mod. Dutch bmbbelen jabber, or a blend of brawl verb and 8abble verb.] ► A verb intrans. fl Dispute obstinately. EI6-E17.

boyer "bora/ noun. Also boier. Mi6. [Dutch boeier smack.] A single-masted Dutch vessel, orig. a seagoing sloop but now a bluff-ended craft used on inland waterways.

2 Quarrel about trifles; quarrel noisily, squabble. Mi6. ► B noun. 1 A paltry altercation, a noisy quarrel, mi6. ►|b A brawl, a skirmish. L16-E17. 12 A quibble; spec, a frivolous legal action. L16-L17. 3 Discordant babble, mi9.

Boyle’s law/bodz hJnounphr. Mi9. [Robert Boyle (1627-91), English scientist.] chemistry. A law stating that the pressure and volume of a gas are in inverse proportion to each other at constant temperature.

■ brabblement noun (an) altercation, (a) contentious uproar

M16. brabbler noun f(o) a quibbler; (b) a brawler: M16. braccio /'bratjou/ noun. PI. -ccia i-tjo/. mis. [Italian = arm.)

boyo/'boiau/ noun. Welsh & Anglo-Irish colloq. PI. -os. L19.

A former Italian measure of length, about metres.

[from boy noun + -o.]

Boy, lad, fellow. Chiefly as a familiar form of address, 1

sit. i cosy, i: see, d hot,

0:

me.

[Old French bracier embrace, formed as brace noun1: later senses directly from brace noun'.] ► I verb trans. 1 Clasp, fasten up tight, me.

Br symbol.

bra /bra:/ noun2. M20.

[from the noun.] 1 verb intrans. Act like a boy. Ml6. 2 verb trans. Represent on stage by a boy actor; call 'boy’.

► Ill PI. usu, same (preceded by a numeral or quanti¬ fier). 9 A pair, a couple, esp. of dogs, game, pistols, derog. persons, CRicKETducks. lme. 9 in a brace of shakes: see shake noun. ► IV A thing which imparts rigidity. 10 A length of wood or metal fixed (usu. diagonally) to a wall, theatrical flat, or other structure to keep it from distorting out of shape, lme. 11 A metal band used as a support, e.g. in mounting church bells, mis. brace /breis/ noun2, lme. [French bras (de vergue) lit. '(yard-)arm', assim. to prec.] nautical. A rope attached to the yard of a square-rigged vessel for the purpose of trimming the sail. main brace: see main adjective.

Bq abbreviation. physics. Becquerel(s).

chemistry

lme.

[Old French = two arms, the distance between the fingertips with arms extended (mod. brasse fathom) from Latin bracchia pi. of bracchium arm (whence French bras) from Greek brakhion. Some senses from brace verb1.]

noun.

BPC abbreviation. British Pharmaceutical Codex.

Phrases: backroom boy see back-, be a big boy (now): see big adjective 3b. best boy: see BEST adjective etc Boys' Brigade a boys'

a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her,

boysenberry /'boiz(3)nberi, -s-l noun. M20. [from Robert Boysen, 2oth-cent. US horticulturist + berry noun1.] A cultivar of the loganberry, with larger fruit; the fruit of this plant.

60

centi¬

saw. a run, u put. u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

|2 Embrace. lme-li6. 3 Encompass, surround, encircle, lme. 4 Make tight or tense, lme. 5 Tense or give firmness or tone to (nerves, sinews, oneself, etc.); invigorate; fig. prepare mentally for a task, unwelcome intelligence, etc. (Foil, by up.) L15. 6 Fix, render firm, steady, set rigidly or firmly down (esp. by tightly binding); support, lis. LJ 1 Pope The adverse winds in leathern bags he brac’d. 3 T. Aird A flowing wood the middle mountain braced. 4 Shakes. John Even at hand a drum is ready brac'd That shall reverberate all as loud as thine. 5 C. Th irlwall Nothing now remained but to brace every nerve for the battle. W. Golding He braced his hands, stiffening the muscles of his arms. D. Lodge Mentally, you brace yourself for the ending of a novel. K. M. E. Murray A few days change .. would brace him up. 6 G. J. Whyte-Melville He braced his foot in the stirrup to afford a purchase for her ascent.

► II verb intrans. 7 Foil, by up: brace oneself; pull oneself together for an effort; take a drink for this purpose. Orig. US. E19. ■ bracing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) an appliance or arrangement that braces: lme. bracing ppl adjective that braces; esp. (of air, climate, etc.) invigorating: Mis.

brace /breis/ verb2 trans. & intrans. Mi7. [from brace noun2: cf. French brasser.] nautical. Swing (a yard) round by means of braces. Freq. with adverbs, as aback, about, in, to, etc. bracelet /'breislit/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, from bras arm: see -el2, -et1.] 1 An ornamental ring or band worn on the ami or wrist. LME. 2 Hist. A piece of armour covering the arm. Li 6. 3 A fetter for the wrists; slang a handcuff. Usu. in pi. E17. ■ braceleted adjective

bracer/'breiso/ noun',

M17

lme.

[Old French braciere, from bras arm.] A portion of a suit of armour covering the arm (now Hist.); a sort of wristguard used in archery etc.

bracer/'bretsa/ noun2. Mi6. [from brace verb1 + -er'.] 1 A thing which clamps or binds, a brace. Mi6. 2 A tonic or medicine for bracing the nerves. Now chiefly (colloq.) a drink taken to brace one up, a pickme-up. Ml 8. no, e: hair, ia near, oi boy, on poor, ais tire, aoa sour

278

bracero | brag bracero /brs'sisrsu, foreign bra'Oero, -‘sero/ noun. PI. -os. E20. , ... [Spanish, lit. ‘labourer’, from brazo arm from Latin bracmmm.j A Mexican labourer allowed into the United States for a limited time as a seasonal agricultural worker. brach /bratf/ noun. arch. lme. [Orig. in pi. from Old French brachez pi. of bracket dim. ofProven¬ cal brae from Proto-Romance from Frankish (whence also Old High German brakko. German Bracke).]

A kind of hound which hunts by scent. In later use gen. and always fem.: a bitch hound. ■ Also brachet noun LME.

brachia noun pi. of brachium. brachial / breikiol noun & adjective, lme. [Latin brachialis adjective, from brachium arm: see -AL*.]

► Ano un. ffl A vestment or a piece ofarmour for the arm. LME-M16. 2 ellipt. A brachial vein, bone, etc. mi9. ► B adjective. Chiefly AiMro/wr & zoolocy. 1 Of the arm. Li 6. 2 Of the nature of or resembling an arm. Mi9. ■ brachialis /-'eilis/ noun (mmtomv) a muscle in the upper arm, serving to flex the forearm Li 9.

brachiate 'brakiot, 'breik-/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. M18. [Latin brachiatus with boughs or branches, formed as prec.: see -ATE2.] sotany. Having long decussate branches.

brachiate ,lbrakieit/ verbintrans. M20. [Back-form, from next: see -ate3.]

Move as a brachiator does. ■ brachi ation noun L19.

brachiator/'brakieita/ noun. Mi9. [from Latin brachium arm + -ator.] zoology. An ape which moves by using the arms to swing

from branch to branch. brachiocephalic /.brakiasi'falik, -ke'falik/ adjective. Mi9. [mod. Latin brachiocephalicus, from Greek brakhion arm: see -CEPHALIC.] anatomy. Pertaining to both arm and head; esp. designat¬

ing the innominate veins and artery. brachiopod brakuipnd noun. M19. [mod. Latin brachiopoda pi., from Greek brakhion arm + -poo.] zoology. A marine invertebrate of the phylum Brachiopoda (esp. a fossil one), with a two-valved chalky shell and a ciliated feeding arm (lophophore); a lampshell. brachiosaurus /brakio'soras noun. PI. -ruses, -ri /-tai/. E20. [mod. Latin, from Greek brakhion arm + sauros -saur,]

A huge sauropod dinosaur of the genus Brachiosaurus, with the forelegs longer than the hind legs, found fossil¬ ized in Jurassic strata. brachistochrone /bra'kistakraun/ noun. Lis. [from Greek brakhistos superl. of brakhus short (see -0-) + khronos time.]

A curve joining two points such that a body travelling along it (e.g. under gravity) takes a shorter time than is possible along any other curve between the points. brachium .’breikiam, 'brak-/noun. PI. -chia /-kra/. M18. [Latin.] anatomy & zoology. The arm; spec, the upper arm from

shoulder to elbow. brachy- /'braki/ combining form of Greek brakhus short. (Cf. DOLICHO-, PLATY-.) ■ brachycata lectic adjective & noun (prosody) (a verse) lacking one foot or two syllables Ei7. brachy dactylous adjective having abnormally short fingers and toes Li 9. brachy dactyly noun brachydactylous condition Li9. brachyodont adjective character¬ ized by or designating teeth with low crowns and welldeveloped roots Li9. brachy pellic adjective [Greek pella bowl] having or designating a pelvis whose anteroposterior diameter is much greater than its transverse diameter M20. bra chypterous adjective short-winged Mi9.

brachycephalic /.brakisi'falik, -ke'falik/ adjective. Also t-keph-. Mi9. [from prec. + -cephalic.] Short-headed; spec, having a cranial index between 80

and 85. ■ brachycephal /braki'sef(3)l. ‘brakisefb)!; -kef-/ noun [backform. from mod. Latin brachycephales pi.] a brachycephalic person E20. brachycephales -li:z/. -cephali /-Iai, -li:/ nouns pi. (now rare or obsolete) [mod. Latin] brachycephals M19. brachy cephalism noun brachycephalic condition mi9. brachy cephalous adjective brachycephalic L19. brachy cephaly noun brachycephalism M19.

brachygraphy /bro'kigrofi/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist U6. [French brachygraphie: see brachy-, -graphy.]

= STENOGRAPHY. brachylogy 'bra'kiladji/ noun. Also (earlier) in Latin form t-logia M16. [Late Latin brachylogia from Greek brakhulogia: see brachy-LOCY.)

Concise speech; a concise expression, b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, r

brachytherapy /braki'Oeropi/ noun.

120.

[from BRACHY- + THERAPY.)

The treatment of cancer (esp. prostate cancer) by the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. brachyurous /braki'jsares/ adjective. E19. [from brachy- + Greek oura tail + -ous.] zoology. Of a decapod crustacean: having a relatively

short abdomen.

■ brachyuran noun & adjective (a) noun a crustacean (e.g. many crabs) belonging to the section Brachyura which includes most brachyurous kinds; (b) adjective of or pertaining to the Brachyura: LI 9.

brack /brak/ noun1, me. [In branch I from Old Norse brak = Old English gebrrec, Old Saxon gibrak creaking noise, from Germanic base of break verb. In branch n parallel to break noun'.]

►J11 Noise, outcry. ME-E16. ► II |2 A breach, rupture; a quarrel; a broken piece, a fragment. M16-E19. 3 A flaw (in cloth). Now chiefly dial. Mi6. brack /brak/ noun2 & verb trons. Now rare or obsolete. M18. [German Bracke noun, bracken verb.)

(Sort or examine by) a system of inspection at Baltic ports. ■ bracker noun an official carrying out this system mis.

brack /brak/ noun3. Anglo-Irish. Mi9. [from (the same root as) barnbrack.] = BARNBRACK.

brack /brak/ adjective & noun", obsolete exc. dial. Ei6.

brackish /'brakij/ adjective. Mi6. [from brack adjective + -ish1.]

1 Of water: slightly salt. Mi6. 2 Spoilt by mixture. E17. ■ brackishness noun tie.

brackmard /'brakma:d/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Ei6. [French braquemart.]

A short broad-bladed sword, a cutlass. braconid /'brakamd/ noun & adjective. L19. [mod. Latin Braconidae (see below), from Bracon genus name (irreg. from Greek brakhus short) + -id3.] ► A noun. Any insect of the family Braconidae of hymen-

opterous insects similar to ichneumon flies. Li9. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating this family. LI 9. bract /brakt/ noun. Orig. also in Latin form f bractea, pi. -eae. Lis. [Latin bractea var. of bratlea thin plate of metal, gold leaf.] botany. A leaf or scale, usu. small, growing below the

calyx of a plant.

■ bractletnoun = BRACTEOLEMi9.

bracteate /'braktiot/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [Latin bracteatus, formed as prec.: see -ate2.]

► A adjective. 1 botany. Having or bearing bracts. Ei9. 2 Made of metal beaten thin. Mi9. ► B noun. A coin or ornament of thinly beaten metal. M19. ■ bracteated adjective = bracteate adjective 1 E19.

bracteole /'braktiool/ noun. E19. [Latin bracteola dim. of bractea bract: see -ole1.] botany. A small bract. ■ bracteolate adjective having bracteoles E19.

[Middle Low German, Middle Dutch brae (Low German, Dutch brak), of unkn. origin.] ► A adjective. Salt, brackish. E16. ► B noun. Salt water, the sea. L16. ■ bracky adjective brackish Lie

brad/brad/ noun. lme.

bracken/'brak(a)n/noun1, me.

bradawl /'bradofl/ no un. ei9.

[Old Norse (Swedish broken, Danish bregne).]

1 A large fern, Pteridium aquilinum, common on hill¬ sides, heaths, etc.; any of various other ferns of the genus Pteridium; collect, a mass of such ferns. ME. 2 A shade of brown. E20. Comb.: bracken-dock a common chafer (beetle), Phyllopertha horticola. m brackened adjective overgrown with bracken 119. brackeny adjective = brackened Mi9.

tbracken noun2. Also brochan. M16-L19. [Gaelic breacan, Irish breacan from breac chequered.]

A tartan plaid. bracket/‘brakit/noun. Orig. t-g(g)- Li6. [French braguettc codpiece, or Spanish hr ague la codpiece, bracket, corbel, dim. of French brague mortise, (in pi.) breeches, lashing, from Provencal braga (pi.) breeches, ult. from Latin braca, pi. bracae breeches.]

1 A flat-topped, usu. decorated, projection from a wall, serving as a support to a statue, arch, etc, L16. ► b A small (ornamental) shelf with a slanting underprop for fixing to a wall. M17. 2 A wooden or metal angular support; a support for a lamp, projecting from a wall, E17. 3 Either of the two side-pieces of a gun-carriage, mi 8. 4 A mark used, usu. in pairs (),[],{},(), for enclosing a word or words, figures, etc., so as to separate them from the context; spec, (typography) a square bracket, mis. 5 military. (The distance between) shots fired short of and over the target in rangefinding. Li 9. 6 A group (of people) classed together as similar or as falling between certain limits (of income etc.). L19. 7 skating. A series of turns resembling a bracket {Li 9. L.i 4 angle bracket, round bracket, square bracket, etc. 6 M. Innes They were both from the same social bracket. J. K. Galbraith Tax reductions affecting the upper surtax brackets. Comb.: bracket clock: designed to stand on a wall-bracket: bracket fungus: forming shelflike projections on tree-trunks etc.

bracket/'brakit/ verb. Mi9. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Link or couple (lines, names, etc.) by means of a brace; fig. imply connection or equality of. (Foil, by together, with another.) M19.

2 verb trons. Provide with brackets; enclose in brackets as parenthetic, spurious, etc., or (math.) to indicate some special relation to what precedes or follows. M19. 3 verb intrans. & trans. miutary. Find the range for artillery by means of a bracket; fire or land short of and over (the target). E20. ■ bracketing noun (a) framework etc. used as a support for moulding etc. on a wall; (b) the action of the verb: E19.

Brackett series /'brakit siarbz/ noun phr. M20. [Frederick Sumner Brackett (1896-1972), US physicist.]

A series of lines in the infrared spectrum of atomic hydrogen, between 4.04 and 1.46 micrometres.

[Var. of brod noun.]

A thin, flat, small-headed nail. [from prec. + awl.]

A small boring-tool with a non-spiral blade. Bradbury /'bradb(a)ri/ noun, colloq. (now Hist.). E20. [John S. Bradbury, Brit. Secretary to the Treasury 1913-19.]

A one-pound note. bradoon noun var. of bridoon. brady- /'bradi/ combining form of Greek bradus slow. ■ brady cardia noun abnormal slowness of heart action Li9. bradymeta bolic adjective (zoology) pertaining to or character¬ ized by bradymetabolism L20. bradyme tabolism noun (zoology) the low level of metabolism characteristic of cold-blooded ver¬ tebrates; poikilothermy: L20. bradypepsy noun (now rare or obsolete) [Greek bradupepsia] slowness of digestion Li6.

bradykinin /bradi'kAinm/ noun. M20. [from prec. + Greek kinesis motion + -in1.] biochemistry. Any of a class of naturally-occurring peptides

which cause contraction of smooth muscle. Cf.

kinin.

bradyseism /'bradisAiz(a)m/ noun. L19. [from brady- + Greek seismos earthquake.]

A slow rise or fall of the earth's crust. ■ brady seismic adjective 119

brae /brei/ noun. Scot. & north, me. [Old Norse bra eyelash = Old English brrew eyelid, Old Frisian bre, Old Saxon, Old High German brawn (German Braun) eyebrow: the sense-development is parallel to that of brow noun1.]

A steep bank beside a river valley; a hillside, a slope. Braeburn /'breiba:n/ noun. M20. [Braebum Orchards, NZ, where it was first grown commercially.] A dessert apple of a variety with crisp flesh.

brag /brag/ noun. lme. [Origin unkn.: cf. next, brag verb.]

1 Arrogant or boastful language; boasting; a boast. LME. "J2 Show; pompous demeanour. LME-M17. |3 The bray of a trumpet. L15-EI6. 4 A braggart. Li 7. 5 A card-game resembling poker, mis. IB 1 Shakes. AY.L Caesar's thrasonical brag of ‘I came, saw, and overcame'. Milton Beauty is nature’s brag.

brag /brag/ adjective & adverb, me. [Origin unkn.: cf. prec., next.]

► A adjective. Mettlesome, spirited, lively. me-ei7. |2 Boastful (of). ME-M17. 3 First-rate, surpassingly good. US. Mi9. ►fB adverb. Boastfully, lme-li6. ■ tbragly adverb M16-E18.

brag /brag/ verb. Infl. -gg-. lme. [Origin unkn.: cf. prec., brag noun,]

11 verb intrans. & trons. Sound (a trumpet) loudly. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. & trans. Boast (of), lme. >fb verb intrans. Swagger, show off. M-L16. 3 verb trans. Challenge; bully, overawe by boasting. Chiefly dial, mi6.

man. n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision, 0 thin, d this,

1)

ring, tj chip, d3 jar

279 ■ bragger noun a boaster, a braggart lme. braggery noun (a) bragging; t(b) the rabble: Mi6.

tbraget noun var. of bracket noun. Bragg /brag/ noun. E20. [Sir William Henry (1862-1942) and his son Sir William Lawrence (1890-1971) Bragg, English physicists.] physics. Bragg law. Bragg’s law, a relation giving the con¬

ditions for maximum reflection of electromagnetic waves (esp. X-rays) or particles by planes of atoms in a crystal. Hence Bragg angle, an angle of incidence at which maximum reflection occurs for a given wave¬ length. braggadocio /brago'doutjiou/ noun. PL -os. Li6. [Pseudo-Italian personal name (Spenser), from brag or braggart + -octio Italian augm. suffix.]

1 An empty idle boaster. Li 6. 2 Empty boasting, bluster, mi 8. ■ tbraggadocian adjective L16-E18.

braggart /'bragot, -a:t/ noun & adjective. Li6. [French fbragard, from fbraguer vaunt: see -art.] ► A noun. A person given to bragging, a boaster. Li6. ► B adjective. Given to bragging, boastful. E17. ■ braggartism noun L16.

bragget/'bragot/noun1. lme. (Early Welsh brac(h)aut (mod. bragod) - Irish brogdid, from Celtic, from base repr. by Latin brace, Gaulish brads kind of grain.]

A drink made of honey, or (latterly) sugar and spices, and ale fermented together. tbragget noun2 var. of bracket noun. tbrahm noun var. of brahman noun'. Brahma /'brcrms/ noun'. Also Brahman. L17. [Sanskrit brahma (nom. of brahman) priest.]

In Hinduism: the creator, one of the three supreme per¬ sonal deities. In Hindu and Buddhist thought: the highest god. Brahma /'bra:mo/ noun2, L19. [Abbreviation.]

= Brahmaputra. brahma noun3 var. of brahman noun'. brahmacharya /bra:m3'tJa:no/ noun. E20. [Sanskrit brahmacarya, from brahman prayer, worship + carya conduct.]

Purity of life, esp. regarding sexual matters (freq. used with reference to the life and teachings of M. K. Gandhi). ■ brahmachari noun a person who practises brahmacharya L18.

brahman /'bra:mon/ noun'. Also brahma /‘bra:mo/, tbrahm B-. L18. [Sanskrit brahman sacred utterance.]

In Hindu philosophy: the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena. Brahman noun2 var. of Brahma noun'. brahman noun3 var. of brahmin. Brahmaputra /bramo'puftro/ noun. Also b-, j-pootra. M19. [Brahmaputra, a river in Bangladesh and West Bengal.]

A variety of domestic fowl originating in the Indian subcontinent. Brahmi /'bra:mi/ noun. L19. [Sanskrit brdhmi.]

One of the two oldest alphabets of the Indian subcon¬ tinent, of Semitic origin. Cf. Kharoshti. brahmic /'bra:mik/ adjective. Mi9. [from Sanskrit brahma (see Brahmo) + -ic.]

Pertaining to the Hindu movement Brahmo Sabha or Samaj (cf. Brahmo). brahmin /'bra:mm/ noun. Also -man /-man/. B-. me. [Sanskrit brahmana one of the brahmin caste, from brahman (nom. brahmi) priest.]

1 A member of the highest or priestly Hindu caste, me. 2 transf. (Usu. B-.) A highly cultured or intellectually aloof person; spec, a member of the upper classes of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Mi9. 3 (Usu B-.) In full Brahmin bull. Brahmin ox, etc. A zebu ox, or an animal of a breed of beef cattle developed from this. M19. ■ brah'minic. brah,manic/-'man-/adjective of or pertaining to the brahmins M19. brah minical. brah manical /-'man-/ adjective = brahminic L16. brahminism, brahmanism noun the principles and practice of brahmins E19

brahminy /'bra:mmi/ adjective. Also arch, -nee, B- Ei9. [from prec. on the analogy of native Indian words like Bengali ] Pertaining to the brahmin caste; appropriated to the

brahmins. Now chiefly as below. Brahminy bull = brahmin 3 Brahminy duck the ruddy shelduck, Tadoma ferruginea. Brahminy kite a white-headed kite of southern Asia and Australia, Ffaliastur indus.

braget | brake Brahmo /"bra: mao/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun -os. L19. [Bengali from Sanskrit brahma a person who knows brahman.] (An adherent) of the Hindu reform movement Brahmo Sabha (or Brahmo Samaj) ‘society of worshippers of Brahma’. ■ Brahmoism. LBrahmism noun the doctrines of the Brahmo movement M19. Brahms and Liszt /,bra:mz (o)nd 'list/ adjectival phr. rhyming slang. L20. [from Brahms, Liszt: see next, Lisztian.] Drunk, intoxicated. Brahmsian "bramzran/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from Brahms (see below) + -ian.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-97) or his music. Li 9. ► B noun. An interpreter, student, or admirer of Brahms or his music. E20. Brahui /bro'hun/ noun & adjective. Ei9. [Brahui.]

► A noun. PI. -s, same. A member of a pastoral people of Baluchistan; their Dravidian language. E19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Brahuis or their language. Ml9. braid /breid/ noun. See also brede noun2, oe. [from braid verb1.]

11 An adroit turn; a trick, a subtlety. oe-li6. f2 A sudden or brisk movement. ME-E19. 3 A blow, an attack, an outburst. Long obsolete exc. dial. ME. 4 A thing plaited or interwoven, esp. a plait of hair. M16. kb A string or band confining or entwined in the hair. Li6. 5 A woven band made of thread of silk, gold, silver, etc., used for trimming or binding garments. L16. 5 Hercules braid, military braid, soutache braid, etc. tbraid adjective', rare (Shakes.). Only in Ei7. [Of uncertain meaning and origin: cf. braid nouni.]

Deceitful. braid adjective2, adverb see broad adjective, adverb. braid /breid/ verb'. Pa. pple & ppl adjective braided, browden. See also brede verb2. [Old English bregdan = Old Frisian breida, brida, Old Saxon bregdan (Dutch breien). Old High German brettan. Old Norse bregSa, from Germanic, of unkn. origin. In senses 5, 6 from braid noun.] ► I fl verb trans. Make a sudden movement with (the

hand, foot, etc.); brandish (a spear), draw (a sword etc.); jerk, fling, etc., with a sudden effort 0E-E17. f 2 verb intrans. Change suddenly or abruptly, oe-lme. 3 verb intrans. Start, usu. out of sleep; burst into motion, speech, etc. arch. me. ► II4 verb trans. Twist in and out, interweave; embroider; make (a cord, garment, etc.) by plaiting; arrange (the hair) in braids. OE. 5 verb trans. Bind (the hair) with a braid, ribbon, etc. LI 8. 6 verb trans. Ornament or trim with braid; outline (a design for point-lace work) by means of braid. M19. With prepositions in specialized senses: braid of dial, take after, resemble. ■ braider noun a person who or thing which makes or applies braids M19. braiding noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) braids collectively; braided work: lme.

tbraid verb2 trans. lme-ei7. [Aphet. from upbraid verb.]

Upbraid; reproach, brail /breil/ noun & verb. lme. [Old French braid, brael from medieval Latin bracale waist-belt, from braca: see bracket noun.] ► A noun. 1 In pi. Small ropes fastened to the leech of fore-

and-aft sails to truss them up before furling, lme. 2 In pi. The rump of an animal; spec, the feathers about a hawk’s rump. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 3 A girdle used to confine a hawk’s wings. E19. ► B verb trans. 1 Haul up (sails) by means of brails. E17. 2 Confine (a hawk’s wings) with a girdle. M17. Braille /breil/ noun & verb. M19.

imagination; sing. & (freq.) in pi. intellectual power, intel¬ lect; thought, sense, imagination, me. ►b sing. & (freq.) in pi. A clever person; the cleverest person in a group etc., the mastermind, colloq. mi9. 3 An electronic device comparable in function to a brain; a computer. Usu. more fully electronic brain M20. CQ 2 W. Stubbs Was that plan the conception of any one brain? V. Brittain Men of all ages who .. hadn't the brains of an earwig, b C. Kingsley The accomplished Mysseri.. was in fact the brain of our corps. Times Admiral.. Wynter, ‘the brains’ of the victory.

Phrases: beat one’s brains, cudgel one’s brains, rack one’s brains search for ideas, think very hard, blow a person’s brains out: see blow verb1, cells of the brain: see cell noun' 7b. cudgel one’s brains: see beat one’s brains above, get on the brain, have on the brain be constantly thinking of, be obsessed by. pick a person's brains: see pick verb\ rack one's brains see beat one's brains above, softening of the brain turn a person’s brain: see turn verb, visceral brain, wash one's brain: see wash verb, water on the brain: see water noun. Comb. : brain-box (a) the cranium; (b) colloq. the mind, the intel¬ lect; a clever person; brain-case colloq. the cranium; brain-cell any of the cells forming the brain tissue; brainchild colloq. the product of thought; an invention; brain-coral coral forming a compact mass with a surface resembling the convolutions of the brain; brain-damage injury to the brain (permanently) impair¬ ing its functions; brain-damaged adjective having suffered brain-damage; brain-dead adjective (a) having suffered brain death; (b) colloq. extremely stupid; (c) colloq. thoroughly ex¬ hausted; brain death permanent cessation of the functions of the brainstem that control respiration etc.; brain drain colloq. the loss of highly trained or qualified people by emigration; brain-fag colloq. mental exhaustion; brain fever inflammation or other malaise affecting the brain; brain-fever bird. an Indian hawk-cuckoo, Cuculus varius, having a maddeningly persistent call; brain fungus a soft yellow gelatinous fungus, Tremella mesenterica, with a lobed and folded surface, living on dead wood; brain-pan colloq. the cranium; brainpower mental ability or intelligence; brain-sand minute calcareous particles deposited in the pineal gland; brain scan a diagnostic radiographic scan of the brain; brain scanner an apparatus for performing a brain scan; brainsick adjective diseased in the mind, mad; proceeding from a diseased mind; brainsickly adverb (rare) in a brainsick manner; brainstem the medulla oblongata, pons, and mid¬ brain; brain-stone = brain-coral above; brainstorm (a) a suc¬ cession of sudden and severe phenomena, due to some cerebral disturbance; (b) = brainwave (c) below; (c) (orig. US) a brainstorm¬ ing session; brainstorming (orig. US) attack on a problem by spontaneous discussion in search of new ideas; brains trust, brain trust (a) (usu. brains trust) a group of people assembled to give impromptu views on topics of interest; (b) a group of experts appointed to give advice or guidance to a government etc.; brain-teaser a difficult problem or puzzle; brain trust: see brains trust above; brain-twister = brain-teaser above; brainwash verb trans. systematically and often forcibly replace established ideas in the mind of (a person) by new (usu. political) ideas; brainwave (a) a hypothetical telepathic vibration; (b) sing. & (usu.) in pi., a measurable electrical impulse in the brain; (c) colloq. a sudden inspiration or bright idea; brainwork mental activity. ■ brained adjective having a brain or brains (of a specified kind) lme. brainish adjective (arch.) passionate, headstrong Mi6. brainless adjective (a) devoid of brain; (b) foolish; wanting intelli gence: lme. brainlessly adverb Ei7. brainlessness noun Li9.

brain /brein/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

1 Dash out the brains of; kill with a heavy blow to the head. lme. |2 Conceive in the brain, rare (Shakes.). Only in Ei7. brainiac /'bremiak/ noun. N. Amer. colloq. L20. [from the name of a superintendent alien character of the Super¬ man comic strip; a blend of brain and maniac.]

An exceptionally intelligent person; an expert. £0 P. Bronson It might be a.. mistake to turn our culture over to a gang of brainiacs.

brainy/'breini/ adjective. Mi9. [from brain noun + -Y1.] Having plenty of brains; acute, clever. ■ brainily adverb E20. braininess noun E20. braird /bre:d/ noun & verb. Orig. & chiefly Scot. lis. [Alt. of BRERD.]

► A noun. The first shoots of grass, corn, or other crop. LI 5.

[from Louis Braille (1809-52), French teacher of the blind, who invented the system.] ► A noun. A system of printing or writing for the blind, in

► B verb intrans. Sprout; appear above the ground. Li5.

which the characters are represented by arrangements of raised points, mi 9. ► B verb trans. Print or transcribe in Braille characters. M20.

► A verb trans. Cook slowly with a little liquid in a tightly closed vessel, mis. ► B noun. Braised meat; the materials for braising meat etc. with, mi8.

brain /brein/ noun. [Old English brxgcn - Middle Low German bragen, bregen, Middle & mod. Dutch bran from West Germanic.]

1 The mass of substance contained in the skull of humans and other vertebrates; sing. & (usu.) in pi. cere¬ bral substance. Orig. spec, the cerebrum, now the entire organ; transf. an analogous organ of an invertebrate, oe. 2 This organ as the seat of sensation, motion, or human speech, the organ of thought, memoiy, or

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day,

braise /breiz/ verb & noun. mi8. [French braiser, from braise live coals: cf. brazier noun-.J

brak /brak/ adjective & noun. S. Afr. lis. [Afrikaans from Dutch: see brack adjective & noun1.]

► A adjective. Brackish; alkaline. Li8. ► B noun. Brackishness; alkalinity of soil or water. Li9. brake /breik/ noun1. [Old English bracu (recorded in genit. pl.fearnbraca beds of fern), corresp. to Middle Low German brake branch, twig, tree stump; perh. reinforced in Middle English from Low German.] no. e: hair, 19 near, 91 boy. U9 poor, am tire, aoa sour

280

brake | brand 1 fernbrake, a bed or thicket of ferns, oe. 2 gen. A clump of bushes, brushwood, or briers; a thicket, lme. brake /breik' noun2, me. [Perh. shortening of as pi.)

bracken

noun', the latter being interpreted

A fern; bracken, brake /breik/ noun1, lme. [Corresp. to Middle Low German brake or ODu. braeke, Dutch braakflax-brake, from Dutch breken break verb.]

1 A toothed instrument for braking flax or hemp. lme. 2 A baker’s kneading-machine. lme. 3 In full brake-harrow. A heavy harrow for crushing clods. M17. 4 An instrument for peeling the bark from willows for basket-making. Ei9.

fl The winch of a crossbow; a crossbow, ballista, or similar engine, lme-mi9. 2 The handle of a pump. E17.

Comb. : bramble-berry the fruit of the bramble; a blackberry; bramble-rose a white trailing dogrose. ■ brambly adjective covered or overgrown with brambles Li6.

brake

noun ') in sense 'a nose-ring for

A bridle, a curb. brake /breik/ noun6. In branch II also break. Ei6. [Origin unkn.: the two branches may represent different words.]

► I fl A cage, a trap; a snare, a difficulty. E16-M17. f 2 An instrument of torture; a rack. M16-M19. 3 A framework intended to hold something steady; a frame in which a horse’s foot is placed when being shod. El 7. ► II 4 A carriage-frame without a body, for breaking-in young horses. M19. 5 A large wagonette; an estate car. mi9. 5 shooting brake an estate car.

brake /breik/ noun7. Also break, lis. noun4 or noun5.]

An apparatus for checking (usu. rotary) motion; fig. a retarding agency. apply the brakes, put on the brakes fig. moderate one's enthusiasm. Comb. : brake block (a) the block which holds a brake shoe; (b) a block (usu. made of hardened rubber) which is applied to a bicycle wheel as a brake; brake-cylinder the cylinder in which the piston of an air or hydraulic brake works; brake drum a cylinder attached to a wheel or hub, upon which the brake shoe presses; brake fluid specially formulated liquid for use in hydraulic brakes; brake horsepower the power available at the shaft of an engine, measurable by means of a brake; brake light a red light at the back of a vehicle that is automatically illu¬ minated when the brakes are applied; brake lining a layer of material attached to the face of a brake shoe to increase friction and provide a renewable surface; brakeman a man in charge of a brake or brakes, esp. on a train; brake parachute a parachute attached to the tail of an aeroplane and opened to serve as a brake; brake-pipe the pipe of an air-, vacuum-, or hydraulic brake, conveying the working medium to the brakes of a train, motor vehicle, etc.; brake shoe that part of a brake which comes in contact with the object whose motion is to be checked; brakesman - brakeman above: brake van a compartment, car¬ riage, or wagon in a train which contains braking apparatus operated by the guard.

brake /breik/ verb' trons. lme.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Cover or make overgrown with brambles. Chiefly as brambled ppl adjective. Ei7. 2 verb intrans. Gather blackberries. Chiefly as brambling verbal noun. Chiefly Scot. & north. Mi9.

A brightly coloured finch, Fringilla montifringiUa, which is a winter visitor to Britain. jbrame noun, rare (Spenser). Only in Li6.

Spew, vomit. brake /breik/ verb3. M19. [from brake

noun7.]

1 verb trans. Apply a brake to; retard or stop by means of a brake or brakes. Mi9. 2 verb intrans. Apply or be checked by the brake(s). L19. braking distance the distance covered by a vehicle etc. before coming to rest following application of the brakes (usu. in specified conditions). Comb,

brake verb4 see break verb. braky 'breiki/ adjective. Mi7. [from brake noun1

or noun2 + -v1.]

Overgrown with brushwood or fern.

Bramley /'bramli/ noun. E20. [from Matthew Bramley, a Nottinghamshire butcher, in whose garden it is said to have been first grown c 1850.]

In full Bramley seedling, Bromley’s seedling. A large green variety of cooking apple, [Old & mod. French bran, fbren (formerly) bran, (now) excrement, muck, filth, = Provencal, Old Spanish, Italian dial, bren, of unkn. origin (adopted in Celtic langs. from French and English).]

1 Husks of grain separated from flour after grinding. ME.

f2 Dandruff. LME-L16. Comb.: bran-pie, bran-tub a tub filled with bran or other material in which prizes are hidden, to be drawn out at random by children. ■ branlike adjective resembling that or those of bran: resem¬ bling bran, esp. in consistency: L19. branny adjective consisting of, containing, or resembling bran lme.

branch /bra:n(t)jV noun. me. [Old & mod. French tranche = Provencal, Spanish branca claw, Italian branra claw, paw, Romanian brined hand, paw, from late Latin branca (in branca ursina bear's foot, acanthus), of unkn. origin.]

1 A limb of a tree or shrub springing from the trunk or stem, or from a bough, me. 2 A lateral extension or subdivision of a main body, e.g. of a mountain range, river, railway, road, artery, deer’s horn, candelabrum, etc. me. ►tb A candelabrum or chandelier, esp. in a church, lme-lis. ►jx A human arm (or hand), rare (Shakes.). Only in L16. Ed A small stream. US. M17. 3 (Conn, with family tree.) A division of a family or race according to the differing lines of descent from the common ancestor, me. Eb A descendant, a child. Now onlyjoc. me. 4 A (sub)division of a subject, pursuit, philosophy, detailed proposition, etc. Ei6. 5 A component part of an organization or system such as a government, police force, church, etc. L17. 6 A subordinate establishment of a library, bank, or other business, serving a particular area. E19. 7 The nozzle of a fire-hose. Li 9.

which two universal affirmative premisses yield a par¬ ticular affirmative conclusion. b but, d dog, f few,

g get, h he, j yes,

The Metropolitan Line (by which the purist naturally meant the Watford, Chesham and Amersham branches), private branch exchange: see private adjective. 3 Red Branch see red adjective. 4 W. Cruise The express declaration of the testator in almost every branch of his will. R. Macaulay May one ask what branch of art you have been practising this evening? Drawing in charcoal? A. j. P. Taylor Coal entered into every branch of industrial life. 5 j. Reed Others were dispatched to provincial cities, to form branches of the Committee for Salvation. E. Crispin Graveney was the Inspector in charge of Glazebridge’s uniform branch. I. Hamilton The army medical corps or some similar noncombatant branch of the forces. Special Branch: see special adjective. Comb. : branch library a library other than the main one in an area: branch-line a secondary railway fine running from a main line to a terminus: branch officer the equivalent, in the Royal Navy, of a warrant officer; branch water US ordinary water, especially when added to alcoholic drinks; branch-work orna¬ mental figured patterns. ■ branchery noun (a) branches in the mass; f(b) the ramifica¬ tions of the endocarp in a fruit: L17. branchless adjective E17. branchlet noun a little branch mis. [from the noun.]

[A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition, I a particular affirmative proposition.] locic. The first mood of the fourth syllogistic figure, in

k cat, 1 leg, n

1 verb intrans. Bear branches; put branches forth, out LME. 2 verb intrans. Spring or spread out in the manner of branches from a tree; deviate, diverge, divide. Chiefly with adverbs lme. man, n no,

2 Embroidered, chased, etc., with figured work. Ei6. [Anglo-Norman var. of Old & mod. French branchier (orig. adjec¬ tive), formed as branch noun + -er2.]

A young hawk etc. when it first leaves the nest and takes to the branches.

p pen,

r red,

A respiratory organ of fishes etc.; a gill. Also, a vestigial gill cleft present in mammalian embryos. Usu. in pi. m branchiate adjective having gills L19. branchiated adjective = BRANCHIATE M19.

branchial /'brarjkial/ adjective, lis. [formed as prec. + -al1.]

bran /bran/ noun. me.

branch /fera:n(t)f/ verb. lme.

Bramantip /'bram(a)ntip/ noun. Mi9.

1 Having branches (of a specified kind or number). lme.

[Latin, pi. -iae, from Greek bragkhia pi.: see -A3, -ae.]

£3 1 olive branch, root and branch: see root noun1.

[Perh. rel. to Old English brae phlegm, mucus, saliva, = Middle Low German breke: cf. Old Dutch bracken, Middle Low German, Dutch broken vomit, rel. to break verb.]

[from branch noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed'.]

branchia /'brarjkia/ noun. PI. -iae l-d:l, same. Li7.

[Prob. from Italian brama strong desire.]

2 W. Whiston A Branch or Bay of the Great Ocean. J. Barnes

tbrake verb- trans. & intrans. lme-mis.

branched /bra:n(t)Jt/ adjective, lme.

brancher/'bra:n(t)j3/noun. lme.

[from brake noun-'.]

1 Beat and crush (flax, hemp, etc.), lme. 2 Break (clods) with a harrow. Ei9. 3 Knead (dough). M19.

3 verb trans. Adorn or embroider with work representing flowers and foliage, Ei6. 4 verb trans. Divide into or spread out as branches; arrange in branches, arch. Ei7. E3 2 Max-Muller Speech from which these dialects branched off. E. A. Freeman The Foss Way.. branched off from the Eastern gate. L. MacNeice In one chapter of this book.. he branches out into a very much wider field. T. Collins The track branches there. 4 J. Bentham The whole system of offences,. is branched out into five classes. Tennyson Gold that branch’d itself Fine as ice-fems. ■ branching adjective (a) that branches; (b) poet, antlered: lme.

bramble / bramb(a)l/ verb. Ei7.

Longing.

I brake noun5, lme-mis.

brake

1 A rough prickly shrub of the genus Rubus, with long trailing shoots; esp. any member of the aggregate species R.fruticosus, with purplish-black fruit; a blackberiy-bush. OE. 2 A blackberry. Chiefly Scot. & north. E19.

[Origin uncertain: cf. brandling 2, German j-Bramlmg.]

[Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to French braquer point (a cannon), turn (the rudder).]

[Prob. from

[Old English brarmbel. earlier brxmel, bremel, from Germanic base also of broom: see-LE1.]

brambling /'brambhi)/ noun. M16.

brake /breik/ noun4, lme.

[Perh. from ODu. braeke (see a draught-ox'.]

bramble /'brambfa)!/ noun.

s sit,

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo.

Of or pertaining to branchiae; of the nature of or resem¬ bling gills. branchial arch = gill arch s.v. gill noun', branchial cleft = gill slit s.v. gill noun1, branchial tuft see tuft noun 1a.

branchio- /'braqkiau/ combining form of Greek bragkhia gills: see -o-. ■ branchiobdellid /,brar|kia(u)'delid/ noun & adjective [Greek bdelin leech] (a) noun an oligochaete worm of the family Branchiobdellidae, members of which resemble leeches and commonly live among the gills of crayfish; (b) adjective of or per¬ taining to the Branchiobdellidae: M20. branchio meric adjective (esp. of the visceral muscles of fishes) displaying branchiomerism E20. branchi omerism noun arrangement into a number of segments each containing a gill arch or deft L19. branchi ostegal adjective [Greek stegein to cover] pertaining to the protection of the gills; covering or protecting the gills: mis. branchi ostegite noun a membrane covering the gills (of crust¬ aceans) L19. branchi ostegous adjective (a) having gill-covers; (b)= branchiostegal: mis.

branchiopod /'braqkia(u)pDd/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [from mod. Latin Branchiopoda (see below), formed as prec. + -pod + -A3.] zoolocv. Of or pertaining to, a crustacean of, the subclass

Branchiopoda, having gills upon the feet. branchy /'bra:n(t)Ji/ adjective, lme, [from branch noun + -v1.]

Bearing or consisting of branches; putting forth off¬ shoots, ramifying; antlered. ■ branchiness noun E17

brand /brand/ noun. [Old English brand = Old Frisian, Middle 8, mod. Dutch brand, Old High German brant (German Brand), Old Norse brandr, from Ger¬ manic, from base also of burn ver6.] fl Burning, oe-me. 2 A burning or charred log or stick; poet, a torch, oe. 3 A sword, a blade, poet, or arch. oe.

4 A permanent mark made by burning with a hot iron, usu. deliberately. Mi6. Eb fig. A mark, usu. of infamy; a stigma. Li6. Ec spec. A mark of ownership impressed on cattle, horses, etc., by branding. M17. 5 A kind of blight in which leaves etc. look burnt. Mi7. 6 An iron stamp for burning-in a mark. Ei9. 7 (A make or land of goods bearing) a trade mark; fig. a kind, a sort. E19. £13 2 brand from the burning fig. a rescued person, a convert. 4 Defoe My comrade, having the brand of an old offender, was executed, b R, Hooker To mark that age with the brand of error and superstition, brand of Cain bloodguilt. 7 D. Lessing A brand of Marxist Socialism peculiar to himself. Comb. : brand-image the assumed impression of a product in the minds of potential consumers; fig. the general or popular conception of some person or thing; brandiron; brand-leader the best-selling or best-known product of its type; brand-mark (a) the mark left by a hot iron stamp; (b) a trade mark: brandname a trade or proprietary name; brand-new.

brand /brand/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

1 Bum and mark permanently with a hot iron, usu. a sign of ownership (of cattle etc.) or to distinguish crim¬ inals, slaves, etc.; gen. mark indelibly for such purpose. LME. 2 Stigmatize. E17. 3 Apply as a brand, denote by means of a brand; fig. impress indelibly on the memory etc. Li7. 4 Label with a trade mark. Li9. J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

rj ring,

t[ chip.

d3 jar

281

brandade j brastle £3 1 branding iron a metal implement which is heated and used to brand livestock or (esp. formerly) criminals or slaves. 3 C. Kingsley To brand upon your thoughts How she was once a woman. E. F. Benson It was an evening branded into her memory.

brandade brfidad/noun. Ei9. [French from mod. Provencal brandado lit. ‘thing which has been moved or shaken'.]

A Provencal dish made from salt cod. branded /'brandid/ adjective, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [North, var. of brinded.]

Brindled. brandenburgs/'brand(3)nba:gz/ noun pi. mis. [from Brandenburg, town and former principality in NE Germany, prob. because worn in the Elector's army.]

Ornamental facings to the breast of an officer’s coat. Also, floggings on a woman's coat etc. brander 'brands/ noun & verb. Scot. & north, lme. [Alt. of next.]

► A noun. A gridiron, lme. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Cook on a gridiron; grill. Li8. ■ brandering noun the covering of joists with battens for plas¬ tering Ml 9.

brandiron /'brandAran/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [from brand noun + iron noun. See also brander.]

brank noun2 see

branks.

brank /'bragk/ verb1 intrans. Scot. & dial. lme. [Origin unkn.] Of a horse: prance. Of a person: strut, prance.

brank/bragk/ verb2 trans. Scot. Mi6. [App. from sing, of next.] Bridle, restrain,

branks /bragks/ noun pi. Chiefly Scot. Also (rare) in sing. brank. Mi6. [Origin uncertain: cf. barnacle noun2, German Pranger the pillory, a barnacle for a horse, Dutch prang a fetter.] 1 Hist. An instrument of punishment for a scolding woman, consisting of an iron framework for the head and a sharp metal gag for restraining the tongue, mi6. 3 The mumps. li 8.

brank-ursine /bragk’arsin/ noun.

lme.

[French branche (dial, branque) ursine or medieval Latin branca ursina, lit. 'bear’s claw': see branch noun, ursine adjective.] Bear’s breech, acanthus.

branie /'bran(a)l/ noun. Also jbransle L16. [French, from branler shake.] fl Wavering, agitation. Only in li 6. 2 Chiefly Hist. A rustic ring dance of French origin. Cf. BRAWL noun2 2. L16.

bran-new adjective var. of brand-new.

brandise /'brandis/ noun. dial.

tbransle noun var. of branle.

A gridiron; a trivet; (=

brandiron 1).

5 Not recorded between oe and 19: intervening history uncer¬ tain.

brandish /'brandiJV verb & noun. me. [Old & mod. French brandiss- lengthened stem (see -ish2) of brandir from Proto-Romance, from Germanic base of brand noun: see -ish2.]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. Flourish (a weapon) by way of threat or display; wave or flaunt as if a weapon, me. 12 verb intrans. & trans. Scatter (rays of light), glitter, flash. M16-M17. 3 verb intrans. Of a sword etc.: be flourished, rare. M17. Gl 1 Milton Lawes which they so impotently brandish against others. A. Haley Flailing their arms, brandishing their fists. P. Ackroyd His wife brandished a copy of a women’s magazine.

► B noun. An act of brandishing. L16. ■ brandisher noun E17.

brandling /'branding/ noun. dial. Mi7. [from brand noun + -ling1.]

1 A red worm with rings of brighter colour, used as bait by anglers. Also brandling worm. M17. 2 = BRAMBLING. rare. L17. 3 A salmon parr. Ei8. brand-new /bran(d)’nju:/ adjective. Also bran-new /bran'nju:/. L16. [from brand noun + new adjective (as if glowing from the furnace).]

Conspicuously or completely new. brandreth /'brandnO/ noun. dial. lme. [Old Norse brandreis grate, from brandr brand noun + rein car¬ riage, vehicle.]

1 A gridiron; a trivet, ime. 2 A wooden framework as a container, support, etc. LME. brandy /'brandi/ noun & verb. Ei7. [Dutch brandewijn (German Branntwem), from branden burn, distil + wijnwiNEnoun.] ► A noun. Earlier f brandy-wine

1 A strong spirit distilled from wine, or from fer¬ mented fruit-juice (as apple brandy, cherry brandy, peach brandy, etc.). E17. 2 A drink of this, li 9. Comb, brandy-ball a kind of sweet flavoured with brandy; brandy-bottle (o) a bottle (for) containing brandy; (b| dial, the yellow water lily. Nupharluteum; brandy butter: see butter noun' 1; brandy-cherry (a) a cherry preserved in brandy; tlb) cherry brandy; brandy-pawnee /-po:ni/ [Hindi pdni water] Anglo-Indian brandy and water; brandy-snap a rolled gingerbread wafer; brandy-wine see above. ► B verb trans. fl brandy it. drink brandy in excess, rare.

Only in E19. 2 Mix or treat with brandy; refresh with brandy. Mi9. brangle /'brarjg(a)l/ verb & noun, obsolete exc. dial. ei6. [French branler shake: infl. by wrangle verb.]

► A verb. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Shake, (cause to) totter, (lit. & fig.). E16. 2 verb intrans. Wrangle, squabble. E16. ► B noun. A brawl, a wrangle. M16. ■ branglement noun (a) disorderly dispute E17. brangler noun a brawler, a wrangler E17.

brank /brapk/ noun', obsolete exc. dial. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

Buckwheat.

£3 1 Corinthian brass: see Corinthian adjective 1. naval brass, white brass: see white adjective, b Shakes. Hen. VIII Men’s evil manners live in brass: their virtues We write in water. T. T. Lynch An empry, vaunting person, who has brass enough to face the world, as bold as brass very bold(ly), impudent(ly); brazen-faced(ly). 2 D. L. Sayers Her manner is unpolished, but I have observed that her brass is not.

2 A type ofwooden muzzle used as a bridle. M16.

1 A gridiron; a trivet, lme. |2 A sword. L16-E17. [Old English brandisen, from brand noun + isen iron noun: cf. prec]

tra or band comprising these, lme. hb A monumental or sepulchral tablet of brass, bearing figures, inscriptions, etc., laid in the floor or set into the wall of a church. Mi6. he A bearing or block for a shaft, M16. hd In full horsebrass. A brass ornament worn by a draught horse. E20. he A brass block or die used to impress a design etc. on a book-cover. M20. 3 Orig., copper or bronze coin. Now (colloq.), money gen¬ erally, cash. LME. 4 High-ranking officers in the armed forces (cf. brass hat below); gen. leaders, bosses. Also top brass, slang (orig. US), li 9. 5 ellipt. = brass nail below, slang. M20.

brant noun var. of brent noun. brant /brant/ adjective & adverb. Scot. & north. Also brent /brent/. [Old English brant corresp. to Old Norse brattr (Swedish brant, Danish brat).] ► A adjective. Lofty, steep, sheer, oe. ► B adverb. Straight (up); steeply, lme.

fbrantle noun. M17-M19. [formed as branle: cf. Old French brandeiershake.] = BRANLE 2. brasero /bra'sero/ noun. PI. -os /-os/. M17. [Spanish.] = brazier noun2.

brash /braJV noun'. Chiefly Scot. & dial.

lme.

[Perh. imit.] 1 Orig., a crash, a blow. Later, an assault, an attack, a bout. LME. 2 A slight attack of illness. Ei7. 3 An eruption of fluid; a shower. E19. 3 water-brash a painful regurgitation of acid gastric juice. ■ brashy adjective1 (Scot.) showery E19.

brash

brass /bra:s/ verb. M19. (from prec.] 1 verb trans. Coat with brass; fig. cover with effrontery.

M19. 2 verb intrans. Pay up. L19. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Foil, by ojf. grumble; tell off. slang. E20. brassage/'brasidj/noun, lis. [French, from brasser to mix, brew, from popular Latin, from Latin see BRAGGETnoun1, -age.]

brace:

A mint-charge to cover the cost of coining money, brassard /'brasa:d/ noun. Li6. [French, from bras arm; see -ard.] 1 Hist. A piece of armour for the upper arm. 116.

2 A badge worn on the arm; an armlet. L19. brassed /bra:st/ adjective, me. [from brass noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed1.]

/braj/noun2. Li8.

[Origin unkn.] Loose broken rock or ice, rubble; hedge refuse, clip¬ pings, twigs. ■ brashy adjective of the nature of brash; broken, crumbly:

2

E18.

brash /braf/ adjective'. Now chiefly US. Mi6. [Perh. imit.] Fragile, brittle.

brash /braf/ adjective2. Orig. dial.

Comb.: brass-rubbing the process of reproducing the design on a monumental brass by rubbing paper laid upon it with heelball etc.; an impression so produced. ► B attrib. or as adjective. (Made) of brass, brazen, lme. brass band a group of musicians with brass (and percussion) instruments, brass farthing the least possible amount (usu. in neg. contexts), brass hat slang an officer of high rank (having gold braid on the cap), brass-monkey(s) [cf. monkey noun] s/ong (ofweather etc.) bitterly cold, brass nail [rhyming slang for tail] slang a prostitute, brass plate an engraved plate with the name, trade, etc., of its owner displayed outside the owner's home or place ofbusiness. brass rags sailors’ cleaning cloths; port brass rags cease friendship (with), brass rule: see rule noun, brass tacks slang actual details, real business (chiefly in get down to brass tacks) brassware utensils etc. made of brass.

1 Made of or overlaid with brass, me. 2 brassed off, fed up, disgruntled, slang. M20. brasserie 'brasari/ noun. M19. [French (orig, = brewery), from brasserto brew.]

A (French) saloon selling beer and usu. food; gen. an informal restaurant. brassey noun var. of brassie.

Ei9.

[Perh. expressive form of rash.] 1 Rash, impetuous; cheeky; vulgarly self-assertive. E19. 2 Rough, harsh; active, lively. US. M19. £3 IAS. Byatt Orange had never been a colour he liked, seeming brash and violent. D. Halberstam He was cocky and brash and self-mocking. ■ brashly adverb M19. brashness noun M19.

brash /braf/ verb1 trans. Scot. L16. [from brash noun'.]

Assault, batter, breach.

brash /braf/ verb2 trans. M20. [from brash noun2.]

Remove the lower branches from (a tree, plantation, etc.).

tBrasil noun var. of Brazil noun'. •[Brasilian adjective & noun var. of Brazilian. brasque /bra:sk/ noun & verb. Now rare or obsolete. M19. [French from Italian dial, brasca coal-ash.] ► A noun. An inert lining material for furnaces and cru¬ cibles, consisting of clay and charcoal. M19. ► B verb trans. Line with brasque. Li9.

brass /bra:s/ noun & adjective. [Old English bras = Old Frisian bres, Middle Low German bras metal, of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. 1 Orig., any alloy of copper with tin or zinc or occas. other metals. Now, a yellow alloy of copper and zinc only (cf. bronze noun), oe. hb Brass taken as a type of hardness or insensitivity; impudence, effrontery, nerve, lme. 2 A brass object; such objects collectively, brassware; spec, wind instruments of brass, the section of an orches-

brassica /'brasika/ noun. PI. -cas. -cae /-ki:/. E19. [Latin = cabbage.]

A cruciferous plant of the genus Brassica (family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae), which includes cabbage, turnip, rape, etc. ■ brassi caceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), cruciferous Ml9.

brassie /'brasi, 'brersi/ noun. Now rare. Also brass(e)y. L19. [from brass

noun +

-ie.]

A wooden golf dub shod with brass; a shot played with such a club. brassiere /'brasra, -z-/ noun. Also -iere. E20. [French = child's reins, camisole, etc.]

A woman’s undergarment worn to support the breasts. brassil noun var. of brazil noun2. brassy noun var. of brassie. brassy /'bro:si/ adjective. Li6. [from brass noun + -Y1.]

1 Consisting of or covered in brass. 116. 2 fig. a Pitiless, unfeeling. Li6. hb Impudently confi¬ dent. Li6. he Pretentious. Li6. 3 a Tasting like brass. L18. hb Looking like brass. E19. he Sounding like brass instruments, harsh-toned. Mi9. £3 1 L. Ellman She added a thick brassy bracelet to the general effect. 2b B. Elton This tawdry, brassy, blousey woman waggling her tongue at him across the table. ■

brassily adverb L19. brassiness noun MI8,

brast verb see burst verb. brastle verb var. of brustle verb'.

30 no, e: hair, is near, di boy, os poor, a 1,7 tire, aus sour a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, 1: see, d hot, a:: saw, A run, u put, u: too, n ago, ai my. au how. ei day.

282

brat| brazen brat /brat/ noun'. Now dial. [Old English (late Northumbrian) bratt from Old Irish bratt (Irish. Gaelic brat) mantle.] 1 Orig., a cloak. In later dial, use, a pinafore, an apron; contempt, a rag, a scrap (of clothing), oe. 2 The tough skin which forms on porridge etc. Scot.

3 Of excellent quality, admirable; fine, highly pleasing. Freq. as an exclam, of approval. Now arch. & dial. Li6. Cfl 1 Milton High hopes of living to be brave men, and worthy Patriots. S. Hill It is a brave act of valour to condemn death. 2 Sir W. Scott Now might you see the tartans brave. 3 W. Penn Many brave Families have been ruin'd by a Game¬ ster. brave new world [title of a satirical novel by Aldous Huxley (1932), after Shakes. Temp.] a utopia produced by technological and social advance (usu. iron.).

LI 7. brat /brat/ noun2. Usu. derog. Mi6. [Perh. abbreviation of bratchet, or same word as prec.]

► B adverb. Bravely, poet. Li 6. ► C noun. 1 A boast, a threat; a bravado. Now rare or obsolete.

A child. Now esp. an ill-behaved child. B3 O. Cromwell I should be glad to hear how the little brat doth. I. Murdoch Your loathsome idle spineless illmannered brat of an offspring.

L17. 4 A fighting man; esp. a N. American Indian warrior.

Mis.

brat /brat/ noun3, mis. The turbot.

■ bravely adverb E16. braveness noun (now rare) M16.

bratchet /'bratjit/ noun. Scot. Usu. derog. L16.

brave /brerv/ verb. Mi6.

[App. same word as brachet.]

[French braver, formed as prec., after Italian bravare.] 1 verb trans. Treat with bravado; challenge; dare. arch.

A little brat, an infant. brattice bratis/ noun & verb. Also (dial.) -ish /-ij/. me. [Anglo-Norman, Old French bretesche (mod. French breteche) from medieval Latin brittisca from Old English brittisc British.] ► A noun. 1 A temporary breastwork, parapet, or gallery of wood, for use during a siege, obsolete exc. Hist. me.

2 A wooden partition or shaft-lining in a mine, mi9. ► B verb trans. j-1 Fortify with a brattice. Only in lme. 2 Foil, by up: line (a shaft etc.) with a brattice. Mi9. bratticing /'bratisig/ noun. Also (dial, in branch I, the usual spelling in branch II) -ishing /-ijig/. See also bartizan. LME. [from prec. + -inc1.]

► I fl (The erection of) a temporary breastwork, parapet, etc.: see brattice noun i. lme-mi7. 2 Partitioning or shaft-lining in a mine. M19. ► II 3 architecture. A cresting of open carved work on a screen or shrine. Mi6. brattish noun & verb see brattice. brattishing noun see bratticing. brattle /'bratfyjl/ noun & verb. Chiefly Scot. E16. [Prob. imit., by assoc, with break:, rattle.]

M16. |2 verb intrans. Boast, vaunt. M16-E19. f3 verb trans. Deck out. adorn. U6-E17. 14 verb intrans. Dress splendidly. Only in Li 6. |5 verb trans. with it. Swagger; make a splendid show. L16-E18. 6 verb trans. Meet (danger) with courage; defy; encoun¬ ter with braveiy. 118. 6 brave it out defy suspicion or blame. ■ braver noun L16.

bravery/'breiv(3)ri/noun. Mi6. [French braverie or Italian braveria, formed as brave adjective etc. + -ERY.] fl (An act of) bravado; ostentatious defiance, swagger¬ ing. M16-E19. 2 Display; show, ostentation; splendour. Now literary. Mi6. fb Finery; an embellishment; an ornament, arch. M16. ttc A thing to exhibit; a thing to be proud of. L16-M17. 3 Brave conduct or nature; daring; fortitude, valour. Li6. |4 A gallant, a beau; gallants etc. collectively. E-M17.

► A noun. A sharp rattling sound, esp. of something breaking, of blows, of scampering feet, etc. E16. ► B verb intrans. Produce a rattling noise; rush with a rat¬ tling noise; scamper. Ei6.

bravo /' brcrvau/ noun'. PI. -o(e)s. Li6.

bratwurst /'bratv3:st, foreign -wursts, -wiirste /-vyrsts/. E20.

bravo/brafvau, 'bra:\ou/ interjection & noun2. M18.

'bratvurst/

noun.

PI.

(A) mild-flavoured German pork sausage.

bravura /bra'vfjfyara/ noun & adjective, mis.

braunite /'braon/ut/ noun. Ei9. [from A.E. Braun, igth-cent. German treasury official and mineral¬ ogist + -ITE'.] mineraiogy. A tetragonal oxide and silicate of manganese,

usu. with some iron, which occurs as dark brownishblack pyramidal ciystals or granular masses. [Italian, fern, of bravo: see bravo interjection & noun2.]

(A ciy addressed to a woman or girl meaning) excellent, well done! tbravade noun & verb. Li6. [French from Italian bravata, from bravo: see brave adjective etc. -ADE.] ► A noun. = bravado noun l. L16-M19. ► B verb intrans. & trans. Assume a bold or brazen manner

(towards); swagger; defy. L16-E19. bravado /bra'vcudao/ noun & verb. Lt6. [Spanish bravado, from bravo bravo noun' with alt. of suffix: see -ADO.] ► A noun. PI. -o(e)s.

1 Boastful or threatening behaviour (freq. to conceal timidity etc.); ostentatious boldness or defiance; (now rare) an instance of this, a show of daring. L16. 12 A swaggering fellow; a bravo. M17-M19. ► B verb intrans. Show bravado. Now rare or obsolete. L16. [Auguste Bravais (1811-63), French physicist.]

CRYSTAttocRAPHY. A lattice in which every point has exactly the same environment (as regards the distances and dir¬ ections of other points of the lattice); spec, any of the four¬ teen different lattices of this kind in three dimensions. brave /brerv/ adjective, adverb, & noun. See also braw. lis. [French from Italian bravo bold or Spanish bravo courageous, savage, from Proto-Romance from Latin barbarus barbarous.] ► A adjective. 1 Courageous, daring; intrepid; able to face

and withstand danger or pain. L15. 2 Splendid, spectacular; showy; handsome. Now literary M16. h

he, j yes,

k cat, I leg.

[Var. of brave adjective etc.] ► A adjective. 1 Worthy; capital; fine, good. L16. 2 Handsome; splendid, showy, eis. ► B noun. In pi. Fine clothes, adornments, eis. ■ brawly adverb well, excellently M17.

brawl /bro:l/ noun', lme. [from brawl verb.) 1 A noisy quarrel; a rowdy fight, lme. 12 A noisy exclamation; a clamour. M16-E17. tbrawl noun2. Ei6. [French branle.] 1 A certain pace or movement in dancing. E-M16. 2 A French dance resembling a cotillion; a piece of music for this dance. MI6-M19.

brawl /bro:I/ verb. lme. [Perh. ult. imit. Cf. Dutch & Low German brallen brag; Old Provengal braul(h)ar, bralhar, etc. (Old 8r mod. French braiiler) rel. to bray verb'.] 1 verb intrans. Quarrel or fight noisily; wrangle, lme.

Bravais lattice /'bravei latis/ noun phr. M20.

f few, g get,

[Italian, from bravo brave adjective: see -ure.] 1 (A passage or style of music, esp. singing) requiring exceptional powers of execution, mis. 2 (A performance that is) brilliant or ambitious; (a display that is) daring, dash(ing). E19.

braw /bro:/ adjective & noun. Scot. Li6.

brava rbra:vo/ noun & interjection. Ei9.

b but. d dog.

[Italian: see brave adjective etc.] 1 A hired ruffian; a desperado. Li6. |2 = bravado noun 1. rare. E17-E18. [French formed as prec.: cf. brava.] ► A interjection. Excellent, well done! mis. ► B noun. PI. -os. A cry of‘bravo!’, a cheer. M19.

[German, from Brat a spit (braten roast etc.) + Wurst sausage.]

2 verb intrans. a Make a clamour or disturbance. Now rare or obsolete, lme. fb Of a stream: run noisily, li 6. 3 verb trans. Revile, scold, obsolete exc. dial. Li 5. 4 verb trans. Drive or force down, out, etc., by clamour¬ ing, quarrelling, etc. L16. ■ brawler noun a quarrelsome or blustering person lme.

brawn /bran/ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman braun. Old French braon fleshy part esp. of the hind leg, from Germanic (Old High German brdto, German Braten roast flesh; cf. synon. Old English bride, and bridan to roast).] ► A noun. 1 Muscle, lean flesh, esp. of the arm. leg, or thumb; loosely muscularity, physical strength, me. ►tb The arm, calf, or buttock. lme-mi9.

m man,

see shield noun' 4a.

■ brawner noun (obsolete exc. dial.) a boar fattened for the table M17.

n no.

[from brawn noun + -y1.]

1 Characterized by brawn; strong, muscular, lme. 2 Calloused, hardened. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. ■ brawniness noun M17

Braxton Hicks /’brakstan ,hiks/ noun. E20.

ffl 3 W. Cowper Toll for the brave! The brave that are no more.

[Var. of bret.)

2 shield of brawn

► B verb. tl verb trans. Harden, make callous. L16-M17. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Fatten (a boar), (of a boar) grow fat, for the table. Now rare or obsolete. Li 6.

brawny /’bro:ni/ adjective, lme.

116.

|2 A bravo, a hired bully. L16-M19. 3 absol. Now only as pi. The brave men; the brave people.

■ brat ling noun a little brat M17. brattery noun a nursery, a col¬ lection of brats Lis. bratty adjective of, pertaining to, or charac¬ teristic of a brat M20.

2 Boar’s flesh as food. Now usu. spec., pig’s head etc. boiled, chopped, and moulded, lme. f3 The flesh of other animals as food. lme-mi7. 4 A boar fattened for the table, obsolete exc. dial. lme. -f5 Calloused skin. M16-M17.

p pen,

r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

[John Braxton Hicks (1823-97), English gynaecologist.] medicine. Braxton Hicks’ contractions, Braxton Hicks’ sign, intermittent weak contractions of the uterus

occurring during pregnancy. braxy /’braksi/ noun & adjective. Orig. Scot. lis. [Origin uncertain: perh. from brack noun1.]

► A noun. 1 A fatal clostridial infection of sheep, esp. in upland areas; spec, infection by Qostridium septicum. lis. 2 Meat from a diseased or otherwise naturally dead sheep, lis. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of meat: from a diseased or otherwise naturally dead sheep. Ei9. bray/brei/ noun. me. [from next or Old French brai(t) a cry, formed as next.]

11 Outcry; a yell, a shriek, me-116. 2 (A sound like) the sound of a harshly-played trumpet. LI 6. 3 (A sound like) the cry of an ass; a harsh whine. Mi7. bray /brei/ verb', me. [Old 8, mod. French braire to cry, from Proto-Romance, perh. of Celtic origin.] 11 verb intrans. Cry out, shriek. ME-E17. 2 verb intrans. Of wind, a wind instrument (esp. a

trumpet), etc.: produce a harsh jarring sound, me. 3 verb intrans. Of an animal (now chiefly of an ass): utter a harsh cry. lme. >b Of a person or voice: speak loudly without thought or meaninglessly. Mi7. 4 verb trans. Utter (a harsh ciy etc.); utter with a bray. (Foil, by out.) lme. ■ brayer noun' a person who or thing which brays, esp. an ass L16.

bray /brei/ verb2 trans. lme. [Anglo-Norman braier. Old French breier (mod. broyer), from Ger¬ manic base of break verb.]

1 Pound or crush into small pieces, esp. with a pestle and mortar, lme. 2 Beat, thrash, dial. E19. ■ brayer noun2 (printing, now Hist.) a wooden pestle employed to rub out ink L17.

bray /brei/ verb3 trans. S. Afr. Also brei, brey. M19. [Afrikaans brei, from Dutch breien braid verb1.]

Prepare for use, dress, (the skin of an animal). braze /breiz/ verb' trans. Now rare. (Old English brasian, from brass noun: reinforced by analogy of glass noun, glaze verb'.] Make of or like brass; ornament with brass; fig. harden,

inure. braze /breiz/ verb2 & noun. Mi6. [Partly from Old French braser burn, partly from French braser solder, ult. from Germanic.] ► A verb trans. |1 Expose to the action of fire. m-li6.

2 Solder with an alloy of copper and zinc. Li 7. ► B noun. The process of brazing; a brazed joint. M20. ■ brazeless adjective made without or not involving brazing

Li 9. brazen /’breiz(3)n/ adjective. [Old English bra sen, from brass noun & adjective: see -en4.]

1 Made of brass; strong as brass, oe. 2 Hardened in effronteiy; shameless; impudent. Li 6. 3 Of a brassy colour or sound; burnished; strident; harsh. L16. £Q 1 brazen age a mythological age of humankind, said to come between the silver and the iron age. 2 J. Baldwin She offended him because she was so brazen in her sins. 3 P. S. Buck This brazen, glittering sunshine. Comb.: brazen-face arch, an impudent or shameless person; brazen-faced adjective impudent, shameless; brazen-facedly adverb in a brazen-faced manner. ■ brazenly adverb eis. brazenness i-n-n-l noun mis.

brazen /'breiz(3)n/ verb trans. M16. [from the adjective.]

1 Foil, by out: face or undergo without shame or impu¬ dently. M16. 2 Harden; render brazen in appearance; make uncar¬ ing or careless. E19. J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

283

brazier | break CQ 1 R. B. Sheridan 1 am resolved to brazen the brunt of the business out. brazen it out act as if unashamed of one's (mis)behaviour, show no remorse. 2 Hugh Walpole Do not believe novelists are pleased with their efforts. They only brazen their faces before the world.

brazier /'breizjs, -33/ noun', arch. me. [Prob. from brass noun + -ier, on the analogy of glass noun GLAZIER.]

A worker in brass. ■ braziery noun a brazier's work 118. brazier /'breizja, -33/ noun2. Li7. [French brasier, from braise live coals: cf. braise.]

A pan or stand for holding lighted coals as a portable heater. Brazil /brs'zil/ noun1. Also b-, |-s-. me. [from medieval Latin brasilium, of uncertain origin; in sense 3, name of the S. Amer. country (Portuguese Brasil), which derived its name from the wood.]

1 The hard red wood of various tropical trees, esp. of the genus Caesalpinia. Nowusu. Brazil-wood. me. 12 A red dye obtained ffom this wood. lme-ei9. 3 In full Brazil nut. The large three-sided nut of the S. American tree Bertholletia excelsa. mi9. In sense 1 formerly taken as a type of hardness, and as such often confused with brazil noun2, with corresp. pronunc.

brazil /'braz(o)l/ noun2, dial. Also brassil. eis. [Prob. from brass noun.]

Iron pyrites; coal containing this. ? See note s.v. Brazil noun'.

braziletto /brazi'lstsu/ noun. Mi7. [Spanish, Portuguese brasilete, Portuguese brasileto, dim. of brasil Brazil-wood.]

Any of various mainly W. Indian dyewoods, related (but inferior) to Brazil-wood. Brazilian /bra'zilian/ adjective & noun. Also f-s-. E17. [from Brazil the country (see Brazil noun1) + -ian.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the S. American country of Brazil. Ei7. Brazilian nutmeg: see nutmeg noun. Brazilian rosewood = palisander. Brazilian tapir a dark brown tapir, Tapirus terrestris, found widely in tropical S. America east of the Andes. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Brazil. Also, Brazilian

coffee. ei7. brazilin /'brazilin/ noun. M19. [from Brazil noun1 + -in1.] chemistry. A yellow crystalline

polycyclic alcohol, C16H1405, which is isolated ffom Brazil-wood and is a reduced form of the red colouring-matter of the wood. BRCS abbreviation. British Red Cross Society. breach /bri:tf/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French breche = Provencal breca from Proto-GalloRomance from Frankish from Germanic base of break verb. Super¬ seded Old English bryce (ult. related), with which there is no continuity.] ► A noun. I The action of breaking.

fl The physical act of breaking; fracture; breakage. ME-L17. 2 The breaking or neglect of (or of) a legal or moral bond or obligation; the infraction of (or of) someone’s privileged rights, lme. f 3 An inroad into, an infringement upon. Li 6-mi 8. 4 A breaking of relations of (or of union, continuity, etc.; esp. a separation, an estrangement, a quarrel. Li6. 5 The breaking of waves over a vessel or on a coast. E17. 6 The leaping of a whale clear out of the water, mi 9. G3 2 Shakes. L.L.L. Receive such welcome.. As honour, without breach of honour, may Make tender of to thy true worthiness. C. S. Forester To call out in that fashion was a grave breach of discipline. F. Raphael His manager’s breach of the rationing laws, breach of confidence, breach of contract, breach of trust, etc. breach of faith: see faith noun. breach of promise the breaking of one’s word. esp. of a promise to marry, breach of the peace public disturbance, or conduct likely to provoke one. in breach of so as to infringe or contravene. 4 Shakes. Oth. There's fall’n between him and my lord An unkind breach. W. Blackstone By the breach and dissolution of.. the relation itself.

► II The product of breaking. 7 A portion of land broken up by the plough, obsolete exc. dial. me. 8 A break or fissure; esp. a gap in a fortification made by artilleiy. lme. |9 Surf; a breaker. Usu. in pi. E16-E18. f 10 An interval; a division marked by breaks or intervals. Only in Li6. 111 A bay, a harbour, rare. Only in Ei7. 12 A state of severed relations or disagreement. L17. 03 8 S. Johnson The crew implore the liberty of repairing their breaches. M. Renault A great breach blasted in the walls of heaven, stand in the breach bear the brunt of an attack, step into the breach fill someone’s place or give help, esp. in a crisis. 12 R. Graves The breach with the Pope had been healed.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Break through, make a gap in; fig. contravene, violate. Mi6. f2 verb intrans. Cause or make a breach; separate. L16-M17.

3 verb intrans. Of a whale: leap clear out of the water. M19. 03 1 W. S. Churchill He breached the ramparts with his cannon. I. Wallace I should not have breached security by leaving my briefcase unlocked. ■ breachy adjective (chiefly US) (of cattle) apt to break fences and get out of enclosures Li 8.

bread /bred/ noun1. [Old English bread = Old Frisian brad, Old Saxon, Middle & mod. Low German brod. Old High German brot (German Brot), Old Norse braud, from Germanic, of unkn. origin.] 11 A piece or morsel of food. Only in oe. 2 Flour moistened, kneaded, and baked, usu. with leaven, oe. ►b A loaf, a roll; a piece of bread. Now rare. lme. Hist. Ship’s biscuit, mi7. 3 Essential food. me. 4 The means of subsistence; one’s livelihood, eis. 5 Money, slang. M20. Q3 3 K. Smith The field is clear, its straw / lined and ordered: it will be bread and bedding for safe cattle. 4 C. Isherwood I wish to leave school and begin to learn something useful, that I can win my bread. Phrases etc.: baker’s bread see baker, bee-bread: see bee noun', black bread: see black adjective, bread and butter (a) slices of bread spread with butter; necessary food; (b) fig. one’s livelihood, routine work to provide an income (quarrel with one’s bread and butter: see quarrel verb), bread-and-butter adjective (a) arch., of an age when bread and butter is staple fare, boyish or girlish; (b) commonplace, humdrum; (c) bread-and-butter letter, a guest’s written thanks for hospitality; (d) bread-andbutter pudding, a dessert consisting of slices of bread and butter layered with dried fruit and sugar and baked with a mixture of milk and egg. bread and circuses: see circus 7. bread and milk pieces of bread in hot boiled milk, bread and scrape bread scantily buttered, bread and water: the plainest possible diet, bread and wine Christian church the Eucharist, bread of idleness food not worked for. bread oftrete: see treat noun' 1. break bread arch, take food, share a meal with someone, breaking of bread Christian church the Eucharist, brown bread see brown adjective, cast one’s bread upon the waters: see water noun, daily bread a livelihood, eat the bread of be subjected to (affliction etc.). French bread see French adjective, have one’s bread buttered on both sides, want one’s bread buttered on both sides have etc. a state of easy prosperity, know which side one’s bread is buttered know where one’s advantage lies, light bread: see light adjective', loaf of bread, loaf o’ bread: see loaf noun', quick bread: see quick adjective & adverb, sour bread: see sour adjective, sourdough bread: see sourdough lb. sweet bread: see sweet adjective & adverb, take the bread out of a person’s mouth deprive a person of his or her living, esp. by competition, the best thing since sliced bread, the greatest thing since sliced bread: see sliced lb. want one’s bread buttered on both sides: see have one’s bread buttered on both sides above, wastel-bread: see wastel 1. white bread see white adjective. Comb.: bread basket (a) a basket for bread; (b) slang the stomach; (c) (a region etc. which is) a producer of cereals for bread, a source of staple food; bread bin a container for loaves; breadboard a strong flat board for cutting bread on; colloq. a board on which an electric circuit etc. can be set out; breadcorn grain for making bread; breadcrumb noun & verb (a) noun a crumb of bread, esp. (in pi.) such crumbs used in cooking, e.g. as a coating for fried or grilled food; the soft inner part of bread; (b) verb trans. coat with breadcrumbs; breadfruit any of various tropical fruits with edible breadlike pulp; spec, that of the tree Artocarpus altilis of the Pacific islands; bread-kind W. Indies food like bread, e.g. yams, sweet potatoes; bread-knife a long knife, usu. with a serrated edge, for slicing bread; breadline (orig. US) a queue of poor people waiting to receive food; (fig.) the subsist¬ ence level; bread roll: see roll noun': bread-root (the edible root of) a N. American leguminous plant, Psoralea esculenta; also called prairie turnip: bread sauce a milk sauce thickened with breadcrumbs; bread-stick a long thin roll of crisp bread; breadstuffs (a) grain flour; (b) articles of bread; bread-tree a tree yielding breadfruit or other breadlike food; bread wheat: see wheat noun 1; breadwinner the person whose work sup¬ ports a family. ■ breaden adjective (arch.) made of bread Li6. breadless adjective without bread; without food: lme. breadlike adjective resem¬ bling (that of) bread L17.

thread noun2 var. of brede noun2. bread /bred/ verb' trans. Ei7. [from bread noun1.] Dress with breadcrumbs; treat or provide with bread. Chiefly as breaded ppl adjective.

thread verb2 var. of brede verb2. breadth /bredG, -t-/. noun. Ei6. [from brede noun' + -th\ after length.] 1 Measure or distance ffom side to side; broadness, width. Ei6. 2 A piece (of cloth etc.) of full breadth, a width. Li 6. 3 Extent, distance, room. Li6. 4 art. A broad effect; unity achieved by disregarding unnecessary detail, lis. 5 fig. Largeness, freedom from limitations (esp. o/rnind or view); liberality, catholicity; toleration. Mi9.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, o: saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago,

ai

my, ao how. ei day.

1 hair's breadth: see hair noun, thumb's breadth: see thumb noun 2. m breadthen verb intrans. (me) increase in breadth E19. breadthless adjective M17. breadthways adverb in the direction of the breadth Li7. breadthwise adverb - breadthways mis.

break /breik/ noun1,

me.

(from the verb.]

1 An act of breaking or separation; fracture, breakage, severance, me. Eb The act of breaking electrical contact; the position or condition in which contact is broken. L19. 2 A broken place, a gap, an opening, me. 3 An interruption of continuity or uniformity; a change of direction etc. Lis. Eb A mark indicating an abrupt pause in print or writing. E18. Ec A short spell of recreation or refreshment in a period of work etc. M19. Ed A sudden or sharp fall in share prices etc. L19. Ee A short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music. E20. 4 The first appearance of light, onset. Chiefly in break of day. dawn. Li 6. 5 A tract of ground of distinct appearance, esp. an area broken up for cultivation, or (US) an area of rough broken country. 117. 6 A surplus piece of metal remaining on the shank of a newly cast type. Li7. 7 A quantity or amount; a large number. Chiefly dial. L18. 8 An act of breaking out or away; a sudden dash; an escape from prison etc. Ml9. Eb A bud or shoot sprout¬ ing from a stem. M20. 9 cricket etc. The deviation of a ball on pitching, mi 9. 10 billiards & snooker etc. (The points scored in) a consecu¬ tive series of successful shots. M19. 11 a A mistake, a blunder, colloq. L19. Eb An opportun¬ ity, a (fair) chance; a piece of (good) luck, colloq. E20. CP 1 tie-break: see tie-. 2 E. Hemingway The last of the sun came through in the breaks between the strips of matting. D. Attenborough We cannot hear a break between sounds of less than one tenth of a second. J. CHEEVERHe noticed.. a break in the wall of buildings. 3 R. H. Dana Foster went as far as the break of the deck. S. Hill We were strafed for about three hours without a break, clean break see clean adjective, c S. Unwin A short break for a sandwich lunch. F. Raphael The children spilled out for their break like mice. S. Raven Perhaps Georgy and Bessie would like a little trip

abroad. We all need a bit of a break, coffee-break, tea break. etc. 8 T. Roosevelt The slightest attempt at a break would result in their being shot down. 9 leg break: see LEG noun. off break see OFF-. 11 a P. G. Wodehouse Fear he was going to make a break of some kind, b G. Greene We had a lucky break. B. Schulberg Learn to give the other fellow a break and we'U all live longer, bad break (a) an unfortunate remark or ill-judged action; (b) a piece of bad luck, even break a fair chance. break noun2 see

brake noun6,

break noun3 var. of brake noun7. break /breik/ verb. Pa. t. broke /brsuk/, (arch.) brake /breik/. Pa. pple broken /'braukan/, (chiefly arch.) broke /braok/ (see also broke, broken adjectives). [Old English brecati = Old Frisian breka. Old Saxon bretan (Dutch breken). Old High German brehhan (German birchen). Gothic brikan from Germanic, from Indo-European base also of Latin frangere break.] ► I Sever, fracture, part; shatter, crush, destroy. 1 verb trans. Divide into distinct parts by force (by acci¬ dent or design), other than by cutting or tearing; part by violence, fracture; shatter, smash, oe. Eb Rend, tear, (cloth etc.), obsolete exc. dial. oe. Ec Cut up, tear in pieces, (an animal’s body), me. Ejd Wreck (a ship). ME-E17. Ee Make (a whole) incomplete; divide, take away a part from; spend partially, change (a banknote etc.) for cur¬ rency of smaller denominations, mi8. Ef phonology. Subject (a vowel) to breaking. M19. Eg Open (a gun) at the hinge between the stock and the barrel. Li 9. 2 verb trans. Fracture, undergo fracture of, the bones of (a limb etc., a person's body); dislocate the bones of (the back, the neck), oe. 3 verb trans. Lay open the surface of; rupture, burst, crack; graze, me. 4 verb trans. Destroy, make useless, ruin; defeat, foil. me. ►tb Disband; dissolve. L16-118. »c Nullify (a will) by legal process, arch. L19. Ed Better (a record, score, etc.). Li9. Ee Defeat the object of (a strike), esp. by engaging other workers. E20. Ef tennis. Win a game against (an opponent’s service, the server). M20. Eg Disprove (an alibi). M20. 5 a verb trans. Cause (a formation of troops etc.) to part or disperse in confusion, me. Eb verb intrans. Of a forma¬ tion of troops etc.: be parted, disperse in confusion. L16. Ec verb intrans. Of clouds etc.: show a gap, disperse. E19. Ed verb trans. & intrans. billiards & snooker etc. Of a player: aim to strike (the ball(s)) with the cue-ball, spec, as the first stroke of a game. Of the balls: separate on being struck. M19. no, e: hair, ra near, di boy. m poor, Aia tire, aua sour

284

break | breaking someone concerning news etc. lme-ei7. *c verb trans. Utter, display; crack (a joke etc.). Lie. td verb trans. Free and shake out (a flag, sail, etc.). Freq. foil, by out. Li9. 20 verb trans. Impinge upon, penetrate; relieve (a state, mood, etc.). Li6. 1115 Shakes. Co rial. They.. sigh'd forth proverbs—That hunger broke stone walls. Gibbon The doors were instantly broke open. 17 Burke Am I to congratulate an highwayman who has broke prison, upon the recovery of his natural rights? OED Scholars gated for a week for breaking bounds. Day Lewis My struggle to break free. B. Malamud He wanted to break and run but didn't dare. 13 J. Agate A terrific thun¬ derstorm broke. Great crashes and a lot of lightning. E. Waugh A big story is going to break. 0. Manning At that moment a voice broke shrilly fr om the loud-speaker. F. Tuohy Tears of laughter broke from his eyes. 1. Wallace Oilman’s immediate reaction of concern broke across his features. 19 M. M. Atwater Are you breaking the story in the morning papers? A. Brink Will you please tell Dad? But break it gently b Shakes. Two Gent. I am to break with thee of some aff airs That touch me near, c Southey He brake a sullen smile. H. MacDiarmid The hawthorn tree Which in early Spring breaks Fresh emerald. 20 C. Thirlwall Only one ray of hope broke the gloom of her prospects. W. Sansom Only the trotting jingle of our sleigh-bell broke the air.

6 verb trons. Separate or remove by parting or snapping. 7 verb trons. Disrupt, loosen, (a tie or band, a confining or restricting force); disconnect (electrical contact etc.), opp. make me. 8 verb intrans. Undergo fracture, severance by torce, shattering, rupture, etc.; part, dissolve, fail. me. fb Ot waves etc.: curl over and disintegrate in foam, beat as surf. lme. fc Of the voice: change tone with emotion or at (male) puberty. M17. fd Of a lake etc.: display waterbloom. L19. >e Of boxers etc.: separate after a clinch, esp. on the order ofthe referee. E20. ff bridge. Of a suit: be distributed between two hands (in a specified way or absol. evenly). M20. 9 verb trans. Crush in strength, spirit, or resistance: weary, exhaust; discourage, intimidate, lis. fb Reduce to obedience or discipline, tame; subject or habituate to. 1.15. 10 a verb intrans. Become bankrupt, fail financially. Now rare. Li 6. fb verb trans. Ruin financially, make bank¬ rupt. Ei7. fc verb trans. Wreck the career of; cashier, strip of rank. L17. B3 1 Steele A natural Inclination to break Windows. Sir W. Scott I've broke my trusty battle-axe. N, Coward Once I broke four gramophone records over his head. Daily Telegraph Break the three eggs into a mixing bowl, c Sir W. Scott Raven.. watching while the deer is broke. 2 R, L. Stevenson Anderson's ball.. had broken his shoulder-blade and touched the lung. B. James Caldow broke a leg. 3 Shakes. Com. Err. Back, slave, or 1 will break thy pate across. A. Price He couldn't break the skin on a rice pudding. 4 Henry More Each laboureth to breake that the other maketh. E. A. Freeman Their moral force was utterly broken. 5 Tennyson The foeman's line is broke. 6 AV Gen. 27:40 Thou shalt breake his yoke from off thy necke. OED Great boughs broken from the trees. 7 Ld Macaulay The spell which bound his followers to him was not altogether broken. E. F. Benson Real friendships.. must not be lightly broken. 8 Shakes. Ven. bAd. The berry breaks before it staineth. G. 0. Trevelyan His health was breaking fast. J. Tyndall The glacier was evidently breaking beneath our feet. 1. Murdoch The clasp had broken and Tallis had said he'd mend it. 9 Milton An Iron Rod to bruise and breake Thy disobedience. D. Hume A person.. easily broken by affliction. N. Monsarrat No desperate assault ever broke their spirit.

► iv 21 verb intrans. Perform break-dancing.

► II Violate, transgress; disrupt or be disrupted in con¬ tinuance or uniformity. 11 verb trans. Fail to keep (a law, promise, treaty, etc.), act contrary to. oe. 12 verb trans. Cut short, stop; suspend, interrupt; add variation to; become no longer subject to (a habit), me. 13 verb intrans. Interrupt or pause in one's activities; be interrupted or stopped; esp. (of weather) change sud¬ denly after a long settled period, lme. >b Of prices etc.: fall suddenly or sharply. Li 9. 14 verb intrans. & trans. (Cause to) change direction or course; change into a different way of proceeding, lme. ►b verb trans. & intrans. horticulture (Cause to) become striped or variegated under cultivation. E18. tc verb intrans. & trans. cricket etc. Of a ball: change direction on pitching. Of a bowler: cause (a ball) to do this. M19. ►d verb intrans. Of a horse: change gait. M19. 03 11 Coverdale Luke 16:18 Who so ever putteth awaye his wife and marieth another breaketh matrimony. G. K. Chesterton There is something wrong with a man if he does not want to break the Ten Commandments. 12 G. K. Chesterton His meditations were broken by a sudden and jarring stoppage. H. Henderson Breaking a jeep journey at Capuzzo. J. Barth I was breaking a thirteen-yearold habit of not seeing doctors. H. Kissinger Once the dead¬ lock was broken, the tension all but vanished. I. McEwan High, dark walls, broken at irregular intervals by deeply recessed doorways. 13 G. Vidal Ice clattered and the silence broke. C. Priest The drought had at last broken, and it had been raining.. for the past week. E. Figes It would soon be time to break for a bite to eat.

collapse, fail, cease to function, be decomposed, lose selfcontrol; (b) verb phr. trans. demolish, decompose, analyse (into components), overcome (resistance etc.), break forth burst out. suddenly emerge, break in (a) verb phr. intrans. intrude forcibly, esp. as a thief; interrupt (foil, by (up)on a person or action inter¬ rupted); (b) verb phr. trans. tame, subject (an animal) to discipline, accustom to habit or use etc., wear until comfortable; Austral. & NZ bring (land) under cultivation, break into enter forcibly, begin to utter (laughter etc.), colloq. manage to become involved in (an activity or occupation); (see also sense 14 above), break off (a) verb pbr. intrans. become detached, detach oneself, cease; (b) verb phr. trans. detach by breaking, discontinue, bring to an end; (c) verb phr. intrans. play the first stroke in billiards, snooker, etc. break out (a) verb phr. intrans. begin suddenly or violently,

► III Penetrate, enter or leave forcibly; issue, escape, begin, release. 15 verb trans. Burst (a barrier) so as to force a way through. Usu. with adverbs oe. >b Make (a hole, a passage, a trail, a way, etc.) by force, by separating obs¬ tacles, etc. me. >c Solve (a code etc.). E20. 16 verb trans. Enter (a house etc.) by force or illegally. Now chiefly in break and enter, housebreaking, and related phrs. oe. 17 verb trans. & intrans. Escape (from) or leave by force or without permission; escape from restraint; emerge from hiding etc. suddenly, flee. oe. lb verb intrans. Of an athlete: get off the mark prematurely. L19. 18 verb intrans. Issue forth, emerge; come suddenly to notice; (of a storm etc.) begin violently; (of news etc.) be made known, me. ►b Of plants, buds, etc.: sprout into bloom, me. >c Begin to give light, emerge out of dark¬ ness. Mi6. >d Happen, occur, turn out (favourably), slang. E20. 19 verb trans. Deliver, reveal, publish, disclose, (news, thoughts, etc.), lme. ►tb verb intrans. Speak with (or to) b but, d dog. f few. g get. h he, j yes, k cat,

1

leg

120.

Phrases: break a blow, break a fall: weaken its effect, break a butterfly on o wheel, break a close: see close noun1 1 break a fall see break a blow above break a horse (to the rein) accus¬ tom a horse to being controlled by reins, break a lance enter into competition (with), break a leg imper. (Theatrical slang) do well, good luck, (as it is considered unlucky to wish good luck dir¬ ectly). break and enter force one's way into (a house etc.) illegally, commit burglary, break a set sell the parts of a set sep¬ arately. break bread see bread noun1, break bulk: see BULK noun1, break cover (of game etc.) emerge into the open, break even have balancing gains and losses, make no net profit or loss. break for tall timber, break for the tall timber: see tall adjective. break ground = break the ground below, break in shivers, break into shivers: see shiver noun1 1 break new ground do pioneering work, break of: make (someone) no longer have (a habit etc.), break one’s duck cricket score one’s first run. break one's fast see fast noun', break one’s head: graze or bruise it. break one’s heart: see heart noun, break one's silence: see silence noun, fbreak one’s wind exhaust oneself, break one's word: see word noun, break on the wheel (chiefly Hist.) fracture the bones of or dislocate on a wheel as a form of punishment or torture (cf. break a butterfly on a wheel) break rank(s): see rank noun, break shins: see shin noun1, break ship fail to rejoin a ship after absence on leave, break short (off): see short adverb, break silence: see silence noun, break someone’s heart see heart noun, break step: see step noun1, break the back of. see back noun', break the bank (in gaining) exhaust the bank’s resources or limit of payment, win spectacularly, break the ground begin digging, plough for the first time; do pioneering or preparatory work (for), break the habit: see habit noun, break the ice: see ice noun, break the mould see MOULD noun3, break the pack siloom disturb the triangle of red balls, break the record see record noun, break the sound barrier see sound noun-, break the wicket cricket dislodge the bails in stumping or running out a batsman, fbreak time music fail to keep time, break water (a) appear at the surface; (b) hui/iiivc (of a stag etc.) wade a river etc. break wind void wind from the stomach or bowels, make or break see MAKE verb, one’s heart breaks: see heart noun, the last straw that breaks the camel’s back: see straw noun. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: break away make or become separate or free, secede, break down (a) verb pbr. intrans.

burst from restraint or concealment, exclaim, become covered in (a rash etc.); Austral. & NZ (of a gold-field) come into operation; (b) verb pbr trans. open up (a container) and begin to remove its contents, get from out of storage: (see also sense i9d above), breakthrough verb phr. trans. & intrans. penetrate, force one’s way through, make sudden rapid progress, break up (o) verb phr. trans. & intrans. break into small pieces, disintegrate; (esp. of school at end of term) disband, disperse; stop; disconcert; terminate a per¬ sonal. esp. sexual, relationship (with); (b) verb phr. intrans. become feeble or convulsed (with laughter etc.), (of weather) = sense 13 above, break with quarrel or cease relations with; (see also sense 19b above). ■ breakable adjective & noun (a) adjective able to be broken; (b) noun in pi., breakable things: Lie. breakage noun the action or fact or an instance of breaking; loss or damage caused by break¬ ing: Lis. break- /breik/ combining form. me. [Repr. break verb or (occas.) noun1.] Prefixed esp. to nouns and adverbs to form nouns and adjectives usu. with the sense ‘(a thing) which breaks, an act or state of breaking’. break-back adjective & noun (a) adjective that breaks the back, crushing, very heavy; (b) noun (cricket) a ball which turns sharply

rn man

from the off side on pitching, break-bone (fever) dengue, break-crop: grown to avoid the repeated growing of cereals, break-dance verb intrans. perform break-dancing, breakdancer a person who performs break-dancing, break-dancing (orig. US) an energetic kind of (usu. solo) dancing, freq. involving spinning on the floor on the back or head break-even adjective & noun (designating or pertaining to) the point or state at which one breaks even, break-fall (in martial arts) a controlled fall in which most of the impact is absorbed by the arms or legs, break-front adjective & noun (a piece of furniture) having the line of its front broken by a curve or angle, break-line typocraphy the last line of a paragraph (usu. not of full length), breakneck adjective & noun (a) adjective endangering the neck, headlong, dan¬ gerously fast; t(b) noun a headlong fall, destruction, break¬ point (a) a point at which an interruption or change is made: a turning-point; (b) = BREAKiNC-point: (c) tennis a situation in which the receiving player(s) can break the opponent’s service at the next point: a point at which the service is or can be broken, breakstone (now rare or obsolete) a saxifrage; also, parsley-piert. breakwater a structure which provides protection against the force of sea-waves, esp. a mole or groyne, breakwind (chiefly Austral.) a wind-break.

breakaway /’breikawei/ noun & adjective. Li9. [from break- + away adverb.]

► A noun. 1 The action of breaking away; severance, secession. Li9. 2 sport. A sudden attack or forward movement; a false start to a race. Li9. 3 A stampede. Austral. Li9. 4 A person who or thing which breaks away. L19. tb rugby football. An outside back-row forward. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. That breaks away or has broken away. E20. breakdown /’breikdaun/ noun. Ei9. [from break- + down adverb.]

1 A boisterous country dance. US. Ei9. 2 Collapse, failure; (a stoppage due to) mechanical mal¬ function; failure of health or (esp.) mental powers. Mi9. tb Failure of electrical insulation; the sudden passage of current through an insulator. E20. >c Chemical or phys¬ ical decomposition. E20. 3 An analysis or classification (of statistics etc.). M20. 2 nervous breakdown. breaker "breiko/ noun', me. [from break verb + -er‘.[

1 A person who or thing which breaks (in any sense), crushes, or destroys, me. 2 spec. A person who violates or transgresses a law, oath, promise, etc. lme. 3 A person who subdues, tames, or trains (horses etc.). Also breaker-in. Mi6. 4 A heavy ocean wave breaking on the coast or on a reef etc. Li7. 5 A person who interrupts the conversation of others on citizens’ band radio; any user of citizens’ band radio. slang. M20. 6 A break-dancer. L20. 1 circuit-breaker, housebreaker, record-breaker, ship-breaker. etc.

breaker /’breika/ noun2. Mi9. [from Spanish barecti, barrica: see barrico.) nautical. A small keg, esp. for drinking-water. breakfast /’brskfast/ noun & verb. lme. [from break- + fast noun1.]

► A noun. The first meal of the day. Occas., any meal. LME. Q3 Shakes. Two Gent. I would have been a breakfast to the beast Rather than have false Proteus rescue me. bed and breakfast: see bed noun. Continental breakfast: see continental adjective, dog's breakfast: see dog noun. English breakfast: see English adjective, have for breakfast fig. (slang) easily defeat (a person), second breakfast see second adjective, we doing breakfast Comb.: breakfast-service a matching set of cups, saucers, plates, etc., for serving breakfast. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Have breakfast. M17. 2 verb trans. Provide with breakfast, mi7. ■ breakfasting verbal noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) arch, a taking of breakfast: mis. breakfastless adjective us.

break-in /’breikin/ noun. M19. [from break- + in adverb.]

1 An interruption, rare, mi9. 2 A collapse inwards, rare. E20. 3 A forcible entry; an incursion; spec, an illegal entry into a house etc., a burglary. M20. breaking /'breikig/ noun. oe. [from break verb + -ing1.]

1 The action of break verb, oe >b phonology. The devel¬ opment of a diphthong from a simple vowel owing to the influence of an adjacent sound, esp. a following con¬ sonant; a diphthong so formed. Li 9. >c Break-dancing. L20. 2 A piece of land newly ploughed for the first time. US. M19. 1 breaking of bread: see bread noun1. Comb.: breaking ball basemu a pitch that changes direction, esp. a curve ball or slider; breaking-point the point at which a thing

n no- P Pen. r red, s sit. t top. v van, w we, z zoo, J she.

3

vision, 0 thin. 6 this, q ring, tj chip, d3 jar

285

break-off | breather or person gives way under stress; breaking-strength the maximum stress that a thing can withstand without breaking.

break-off/'breikof/noun. Ei9. [from break- + off adverb.]

1 A part of the stock of a musket or rifle into which the barrel fits. E19. 2 Discontinuance; a severing of relations. M19.

breakout /'breikaut/ noun & adjective. Ei9. (from break- + out adverb.]

► A noun. 1 A bursting from confinement etc.; an escape, esp. of several people. ei 9. 2 An outbreak. Li 9. ► B adjective, colloq. 1 Suddenly and extremely popular or successful. L20. 2 Denoting or relating to groups which break away from a conference or other large gathering for discus¬ sion. US. L20.

breakthrough /'breikOru:/ noun. E20. [from break- + through

adverb.]

An act of breaking through an obstacle, barrier, etc.; a major advance in knowledge etc. Comb.: breakthrough bleeding bleeding from the uterus occurring between menstrual periods (a side-effect of some oral contraceptives).

breakup /'breikvp/ noun. L18. [from break

verb +

up

adverb'.]

The action of breaking up; an act or instance of break¬ ing up; esp. (a) a dissolution or disruption of a meeting, government, etc.; (b) the end of term at a school etc.; (c) a termination of a personal, esp. sexual, relationship; (d) a winding up and dispersal of the assets of a company etc.; (e) Canad. the breaking up of thawing ice, or the melting of snow and unfreezing of the ground, in spring.

bream /bri:m/ noun. PI. same. Also (N. Amer. & Austral.) brim /brim/, lme. [Old French bre(s)me (mod. breme) from Frankish (= Old Saxon bressemo. Old High German brahsema (German Brachsen, Brassen)).]

1 A deep-bodied freshwater fish of the carp family. Abramis brama, of northern Europe and parts of Asia. Also, any of certain related fishes, esp. (more fully silver bream, white bream), a European freshwater fish, Blicca bjoerkna, similar to Abramis brama. lme. 2 Any of various similar percoid marine fishes, esp. (a) = sea bream; (b) = pomfret 2. lme. 3 A freshwater sunfish of the genus Lepomis (family Centrarchidae). N.Amer. M17. 2

Ray's bream,

red bream see

red

adjective.

bream /bri:m/ verb trans. Lis. [Prob. of Low German origin and rel. to broom noun (cf. Dutch brem broom, furze),] Hist. Clear (a ship’s bottom, or the vessel itself) of accu¬

mulated weed, shells, etc., by burning and scraping.

breast /brest/ noun. [Old English breost = Old Frisian briast, Old Saxon briost, Old Norse brjost, from Germanic.]

1 Either of two soft protuberant organs situated on the front of a woman’s thorax, secreting milk for a period after parturition; the analogous rudimentary organ in men; the organs as a source of milk; fig. a source of nour¬ ishment. OE. 2 The front of the human thorax, the chest, oe. Fb Part of a garment, piece of armour, etc., covering this. LME. 3 The seat of the affections, emotions, etc.; the heart; one’s private thoughts or feelings, oe. 4 The thorax of an animal, me. Fb A joint of meat or portion of poultry cut from the breast, lme. f 5 The whole of the upper torso, lm e-m i 8. 16 Breath, voice in singing, lme-eis. f7 A broad even front of a moving company. Cf.

ABREAST. LME-E19. 8 Any surface, part of a thing, etc., analogous in shape or position to the human breast; a broad or bulging forward part. Mi6. L/l 1 Shakes. Macb. Come to my woman's breasts. And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers. Steele One Country Milch-Wench, to whom I was.. put to the Breast. 2 F. Norris A gray flannel shirt, open at the throat, showed his breast, beat one’s breast: see beat verb' i. 3 C. Causley She destroys hope In the breasts of the sick, make a clean breast of confess fully. 4 O. Wilde The Nightingale flew to the Rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. 6 J. Fletcher Let's hear him sing, he has a fine breast. 8 G. E. Evans The kids had been up on the breast of Gilfachy-Rhyd, playing Indians among the rocks, chimney-breast the projecting wall enclosing the flues of a chimney within a room. Comb,: breast-board the mould-board of a plough; breastbone = sternum; breast collar a part of harness across a draught animal's breast through which the power of drawing is directly exerted; breast-drill a drill on which pressure is brought to bear by the operator's breast; breast-fed adjective. breast-feed verb trans. & intrans.. breast-feeding: with milk from a woman's breasts rather than from a feeding-bottle;

breast-high adjective & adverb high as the breast; (submerged) to the breast; breast-pin a jewelled or other ornamental pin wont in the tie; breastplate a vestment or piece of armour worn over the chest; the lower shell of a tortoise, turtle, etc.; an inscription plate on a coffin; breast-plough a type of plough pushed by the breast; breast-pocket a pocket over the breast of a garment; breast-pump an instrument for drawing milk from the breasts by suction; breast shell a shallow receptacle that fits over the nipple of a lactating woman to catch any milk that flows; breast-stroke a stroke made while swimming on tire breast by extending the arms in front and sweeping them back; breastsummer, breast-wall a retaining wall, esp. one support¬ ing a bank of earth; breast-wheel a water-wheel in which the water is admitted near the axle; breastwork a breast-high field¬ work thrown up for defence; a parapet. ■ breasted adjective having a breast (of specified form) me. breastwise adverb side by side, abreast E17. breasty adjective [colloq.) (of a woman) with prominent breasts ft/120.

breast /brest/ verb. Mi6. [from the noun.]

1 verb trans. Protect with a breastwork. Now rare or obsolete. Mi6. 2 verb trans. Apply or oppose the breast to, push with the breast; meet in full opposition, contend with, face. L16. 3 verb intrans. Press forward, climb; leap forward. Scot. L18. 03 2 Keats As swift As bird on wing to breast its eggs again. J. Buchan A baker's van breasted the hill. B. Bainbridge Like a swimmer breasting a wave, breast the tape see tape noun 1C. ■ breasting noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a breastplate; a breastwork: Li 6.

breastsummer "brestsAma/ noun. Also bressumer /'bresAma/. E17. [from breast noun + summer noun2.]

A beam spanning a wide opening and supporting a superstructure. breath /brs0/ noun. [Old English brsp from Germanic from Indo-European, from base meaning ‘burn, heat’. In sense 3 etc. replaced Old English repm, anda.]

1 An odour, a smell, a scent. Long obsolete exc. dial. oe. 2 fa A vapour given off by heated objects etc.; reek; steam, m e-m 17. Fb Air exhaled from anything, or impregnated with its exhalations (cf. sense 7 below). E17.

3 Air exhaled from the lungs (as made manifest by smell or sight); gen. air inspired or expired in respiration. me. Fb The air blown into or out of a musical instru¬ ment. poet. E17. Fc phonetics. Voiceless expiration of air. M19. 4 The faculty or action of breathing; existence, spirit, life. me. 5 An act of breathing, a single inspiration, me. 6 A whisper; an utterance, a speech; spoken judge¬ ment or will. me. 7 A gentle blowing (o/wind etc.), a puff; fig. the enliven¬ ing or favourable influence (of); (passing into sense 2b), a whiff, a trace, lme. 8 The power of breathing; free or easy breathing. Li 6. 9 An opportunity or time for breathing. Cf. breather 4. L16. S3 2b R. Kipling A land-breeze .. Milk-warm wi' breath of spice an' bloom. G. Orwell The heat rolled from the earth like the breath of an oven. 3 G. B. Shaw Mrs Dudgeon, greatly relieved, exhales the pent up breath and sits at her ease again. W. Trevor He could see her breath on the icy air. b Dryden Before the Breath Of brazen Trumpets rung the Peals of Death. 4 T. Hood 1 often wish the night Had borne my breath away. Tennyson And so the Word had breath. 5 Sir W. Scott To cry for assistance and almost in the same breath to whimper for mercy. W. S. Maugham Almost in a breath they touched upon the latest play, the latest dress¬ maker, the latest portrait painter. M. M. Kaye His first breath had been a lungful of the cold air that blew down from the far rampart of the mountains. 6 1. McEwan The faintest sound, barely more than a breath, left her lips, fig. : J. Galsworthy Eveiy breath of the old scandal had been carefully kept from her. 7 H. R. Reynolds Forced into new attitudes by the changing breath of human appreciation. J. Rhys There was no breeze, not a breath of air. J. Clavell A few days here, half a year there, like a butterfly on the summer’s breath. 8 Sir W. Scott Two dogs .. Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed. 9 Shakes. Rich. Iff Give me some little breath, some pause, dear lord. Before I positively speak in this. Phrases bate one’s breath see bate verb-’ 2. below one’s breath, under one's breath in a whisper breath of fresh air fig. someone or something refreshing, a pleasant change, catch one's breath stop breathing for a moment in fear, anticipation, etc. draw breath breathe, live, hold one's breath stop breath¬ ing for a short time keep one's breath to cool one’s porridge abstain from useless talk out of breath unable to breathe quickly enough after exertion save one's breath (to cool one's porridge) = keep one’s breath to cool one's porridge above shortness of breath stop the breath of. see stop verb, take breath pause to recover free or easy breathing, take a person’s breath away make a person breathless with delight, surprise, etc. the breath of life fig. a necessity, under one’s

breath see below one's breath above, waste breath talk in vain, yield one’s breath, yield up one's breath: see yield verb. Comb.: breath consonant phonetics a voiceless (esp. continuant) consonant; breathtaking adjective that takes one's breath away, surprising, astonishing; breathtakingly adverb in a breathtak¬ ing manner, to a breathtaking extent; breath test a test admin¬ istered to determine the level of alcohol in the breath; breath-test verb trans. administer a breath test to. ■ breathed adjective having breath (of a specified kind); longbreathed. long-winded, long-lived: Mi6. breathful adjective (now rare or obsolete) full of breath; having breath, alive; redolent: L16.

breathalyser /'bre0aUiza/ noun. Also *-zer. (proprietary) Breathalyzer M20. [from 8reath noun + analyser.]

An instrument for determining the level of alcohol in the breath. Cf. drunkometer. ■ breathalyse verb trans. carry out a test on (a person) using a breathalyser M20.

breatharian brcO'un.-m noun. L20. [from breath + -arian after vegetarian, fruitarian, etc.]

A person who believes that it is possible, through medi¬ tation, to reach a level of consciousness where one requires no nutrients but those absorbed from the air or sunlight. breathe /bri:5/ verb. me. [from breath.]

► I verb intrans. fl Exhale, steam, evaporate, me-lh, 2 Emit odour, smell. Now only jig., be redolent of. lme. 3 a Exhale air from the lungs, lme. Fb Exhale and inhale, respire, lme. 4 Live, exist, lme. 5 Take breath; fig. pause, take rest. Li 6. 6 Give forth audible breath; speak, sing, be sounded. L16. 7 Of wind etc.: blow softly. E17. 8 Of wine, the skin, etc.: have or be affected by contact with air. Of material: admit air or moisture. M20. L-B 1 Shakes. Per. A warmth Breathes out of her. 2 Tennyson Francis just alighted from the boat. And breath¬ ing ofthe sea. 3a Yeats Breathe on the burnished mirror of the world, b Tennyson And answer made King Arthur, breathing hard. Scientific American An ostrich breathes about six times a minute. 4 Shakes. Rich. El Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns. Disraeli Within five minutes you will breathe a beggar and an outcast, 5 j. Ozell Orders to give Antony no Time to Breathe, but to pursue him forth¬ with. Tennyson Twice they fought, and twice they breathed. 6 Milton As I wake, sweet music breathes. 7 Pope Where cooling vapours breathe along the mead. 8 A. E. Lindop I opened a bottle ofwine and left it to 'breathe'. N. Gould Rubber soles.. do not 'breathe'. Daily Telegraph We go jogging in trainers which don't allow the feet to breathe.

► II verb trans. 9 Exhale; send out as breath; (of a thing) emit; fig. infuse into, communicate, lme. 10 Exercise briskly. Now spec, put out of breath, tire. LME. 11a Utter passionately or vehemently. Also, utter quietly; whisper. Mi6. Fb Display, evince. Mi7. 12 Allow to breathe, rest, Li 6. 13 Respire; esp. inhale. Li6. 14 Let blood from (a vein), obsolete exc. Hist. Mi7. 15 Give breath to, blow (a wind instrument). E18. ta 9 W. Cowper Place me where Winter breathes his keenest air. J. Morley He breathed new life into them. I. McEwan He inhaled .. and breathed smoke across the pots of geraniums. 10 J. F. Cooper The warriors who had breathed themselves so freely in the preceding struggle. 11a Spenser Two knights .. breathing vengeaunce. J. Conrad Those red lips that almost without moving could breathe enchanting sounds into the world. R. Davies ‘Looking so alive it is.’ Ivor breathed in admiration. b A. P. Stanley The whole period breathes a primitive sim¬ plicity. 12 W. S. Churchill Having breathed my horse, for I did not wish to arrive in a flurry. 13 L. Deighton Breathing long grassy lungfuls of the wet night air. Phrases, & with adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: breathe again fig. recover from fear etc., be at ease after a crisis, breathe down a person’s neck be close behind a person, esp. in mis trust or pursuit, breathe freely fig. be at ease, breathe in inhale breathe one’s last die. breathe out exhale, breathe short: see short adverb. 1 breathe to aspire to breathe upon fig. infect, contaminate, tarnish, not breathe a word of keep quite secret. ■ breathable adjective (a) fit or agreeable to breathe; (b) through which the skin or body can breathe: mis.

breather /'bri:Sa/ noun. lme. [from breathe + -er .]

1 A person who breathes, a living being; a person who speaks or utters, lme. |2 A person who or thing which supplies breath; an inspirer. E17-E18. 3 A spell of exercise. Now rare. M19. 4 A short rest, a break from exercise etc. E20. 5 More fully breather-pipe etc. A vent allowing release of pressure e.g. from the crankcase of an internalcombustion engine. E20. LU 4 C. Dexter Strange took a breather, gulped down the last of his coffee.

a cat a: arm, s bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw. a run. u put, u: too. a ago. ai my. ao how, ei day, ao no. chair. 1a near. a. boy. oa poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

286

breathing | breeze 2 The eyebrow, me. f3 An eyelash. LME-M17.

breathing /'bri:6it)/ noun. lme. [from BREATHE +-INC'.]

1 The action of breathe; an instance of this; respir¬ ation; a breath, lme. f2 Ventilation; a vent. LME-L17. |3 Time to rest; respite. L16-L17. 4 = BREATHER 3. Now rare. M18. 5 An aspiration, an aspirate; spec, (creek grammar) rough breathing, smooth breathing, the signs and respect¬ ively indicating the presence or absence of aspiration on an initial vowel, diphthong, or rho. mis. 1 deep breathing: see deep adjective. breathing-room, breathing-space time or space to breathe, a rest, a period of inactivity. Comb.:

breathless /'breQlis/ adjective, lme. [from BREATH + -LESS.]

1 Not breathing; lifeless, dead. lme. 2 Out of breath, panting, breathing with difficulty. (The usual sense.) lme. 3 Holding the breath through excitement etc. E19. 4 Unstirred by wind. El 9. ■ breathlessly adverb Mi9 breathlessness noun Ei7.

breathy /'breGi/ adjective. Ei6. [from BREATH + -Y'.]

1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of breath. E16. 2 Of the (singing) voice: having an admixture of the sound of breathing. L19. ■

breathiness noun

L19.

breccia /'bretja, -tjia/ noun. Li8. [Italian = gravel, rubble, cogn. with Old & mod. French breche, from Germanic base of break verb.] GEOiocy. Rock consisting of angular fragments cemented

together e.g. by lime; an example of this. brecciate /'bretjieit/ verb trims. Li8. [from prec. + -ate2.]

Form into breccia. Chiefly as brecciated ppl adjective. ■

breed ation

noun L19.

brecham /'brexam/ noun. Scot. Ei6. [Metath. formed as

barfam.]

A collar for a draught horse. Brechtian/'brextian, -kt-/ adjective & noun. M20. [from Brecht (see below) + -1 an.]

► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, the German playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) or his plays or dramatic technique. M20. ► B noun. An admirer or student of Brecht or his writing. M20.

breck /brek/ noun. me. [Parallel to

break noun1 or

directly from

break verb.]

1 A breach, a tear, a fracture; a blemish. Long dial. me. 2 = break noun15; spec, (in pi. or as Breckland) the region of heathland around Thetford in Norfolk, England. Li 8. bred /bred/ noun. Long dial. [Old English bred = Old High German bret (German Brett) from Ger¬ manic var. of board noun.]

A board; a tablet.

bree /bri:/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. Scot. [Old English briw, brig = Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bn (Dutch brij), Old High German bno (German Bre 1) from Germanic.]

|1 A thick pottage made of meal etc. oe-me. 2 Liquor in which anything has been steeped or boiled, or which flows from it; broth, juice, lme. breech /bri:tj/ noun. In sense 2c also britch / britj/. In sense lb pi. also pronounced /'bntjrz/. See also breek. [Old English broc, pi. bree, corresp. to Old Frisian brok, pi. brek. Old Saxon brok (Dutch broek), Old High German bruoh (German fBruch), Old Norse brok, pi. breeder, from Germanic.]

1 fa A garment covering the loins and thighs. 0E-M17, ►b In pi. & f sing. Short trousers, esp. those fastened below the knee, now used esp. for riding or in court costume etc.; knickerbockers; dial. & colloq. trousers. Also pair of breeches me. 2 The buttocks, arch, in gen. sense. M16. Fb spec. The but¬ tocks of a baby at or before birth. Also, a breech presen¬ tation or birth. Li7. Fc The hindquarters of an animal or its skin or fleece. E18. 3 The hinder part of anything; spec, the back part of a rifle or gun barrel, the part of a cannon behind the bore. LI 6. 4 The roe of the cod. Long dial. Li7. 5 nautical. The external angle of a ship's knee-timber etc. M19. 1 b leather breeches see leather noun & adjective, too big for one's breeches see big adjective 3 wear the breeches: see wear verb1. Comb. : breech action the mechanism at the breech of a gun; breech baby a baby bom in a breech presentation; breech birth, breech delivery, breech presentation, etc.: in which the baby is so positioned in the uterus that its buttocks (or feet) are delivered first; breech-block the block in a breech-loading firearm which closes the rear of the bore against the force of the charge; breech delivery see breech birth above; Breeches Bible the Geneva bible of 1560 (so named on account of the rendering of Genesis 3:7 with breeches for aprons, although this occurred already in Wyclif); breeches buoy a lifebuoy on a rope with a canvas support resembling breeches; breeches part a theatri¬ cal role in which a woman dresses as a man; breech-loader, breech-loading adjective (a firearm) that is loaded at the breech and not through the muzzle; breech presentation see breech birth above. ■ breechless adjective without breeches, having bare buttocks lme.

breech /briitf, britj/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

1 Cover or clothe with, or as with, breeches; arch, put (a boy) into breeches instead of petticoats, lme. f2 Flog. L16-E19. 3 nautical. Secure (a cannon etc.) by a breeching. L16. £13 1 R. L. Stevenson Before he was breeched, he might have clambered on the boxes, fig.: Shakes. Macb. Their daggers Unmannerly breech'd with gore.

breeching/'briitjir), 'bntJ-/noun. Ei6. [from breech noun, verb + -ing1.]

bred /bred/ adjective, me. [pa. pple of breed verb.]

1 That has been bred; reared, brought up, trained, esp. in a specified way. me. 2 Esp. of an animal: of good breed, of (specified) purity of breed. E18. 03 1 W. Gurnall Paul was a bred scholar, born and bred, (less commonly) bred and born, by birth and upbringing. bred in the bone hereditary, country-bred, ill-bred, wellbred, etc. 2 half-bred, thoroughbred, etc.

1 A strong leather strap passing round the hindquar¬ ters of a shaft-horse, enabling the horse to push back¬ wards. E16. |2 A flogging. E16-E17. 3 nautical. A thick rope used to secure the carriages of cannon etc. and to absorb the force of the recoil. Ei7. 4 = breech action s.v. breech noun. Ei9. Comb.: fbreeching-boy. tbreeching scholar a young scholar still subject to the birch.

brede /bri:d/ noun1. Now north. [Old English brxdu = Old Frisian brede, Old High German breitr (German Breite), Old Norse breidd. Gothic braider from Germanic base of broad adjective.]

1 Breadth, width, oe. 2 A standard width of fabric; a piece of stuff of the foil breadth, lme. brede /bri:d/ noun2, arch. Also thread. Mi7. [Var.

of braid

noun.]

= braid noun 4. brede /bri:d/ verb1 trans. & intrans. Long dial. [Old English bridan = Old Saxon bredian, Old High German, German breiten. Old Norse breida, Gothic braidjan, from Germanic (as brede noun1).]

Broaden; spread out, extend. tbrede verb2 trans. Also bread. LME-L17. [Var.

of braid

bree /bri:/ noun1. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north. [Old English brxw eyelid. Old Frisian bre. Old Saxon, Old High German brnwa (German Brtjur) eyebrow, Old Norse bra eyelash: cf. brae. Not allied to brow noun'.] 11 The eyelid, oe-me. b but. d dog, f few,

g get, h he, j yes,

£Q 2 G. Herbert Nothing useth fire. But man alone, to show his heavenly breed. Conan Doyle He has breed in him. a real aristocrat of crime. 3 Sir W. Scott Two dogs of black Saint Hubert’s breed. John Brooke The Hanoverians were a tough breed, lesser breed see lesser adjective. b D. Halberstam He was of the old breed of reporters, he liked action stories. 4 Shakes. Sonn. Nothing 'gainst Time’s scythe can make defence Save breed.

[Old English bredan = Old High German bruotan (German briiten), from West Germanic, from Germanic base of brood noun.] 1 verb trans. Bring (offspring) forward from conception

to birth; hatch (young) from the egg; bear, generate, (off¬ spring). OE. 2 verb intrans. a Of an animal species: produce young, reproduce, me. Fb Of a woman: be pregnant. Ei7.

k cat, 1 leg. m man. n no, p pen,

Breeding short-stemmed cereals for ease of combine harvest¬ ing. 6 T. Fuller Sir John Mason was.. bred in All Souls in Oxford. Defoe Thou talkest as if thou hadst been bred a heathen. Southey He did not determine upon breeding him either to the Church or the Law. H. T. Buckle The old tradi¬ tions in which they had been bred. D. H. Lawrence She was demeaning herself shamefully... After all, she had been bred up differently from that. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: breed in (usually) mate with or marry near relatives, breed in and in: within a limited stock, breed out eliminate (a characteristic) by (con¬ trolled) breeding. Comb.: Jbreed-bate a mischief-maker. ■ breedy adjective breeding readily, prolific mis.

breeder/'bri:da/ noun. Mi6. [from prec. + -er'.]

1 A thing which or person who breeds or produces; a person who rears animals etc. M16. 2 A nuclear reactor which can create more fissile material than it uses in the chain reaction. Also breeder reactor. M20. 2 fast-breeder (reactor): see fast adjective. breeding/'bri:dtq/noun. me. [formed as prec. + -ing'.]

1 Bringing to birth; hatching; the production of young, reproduction, me. FJb Extraction; parentage. L16-E17. 2 Origination; production; development. Mi6. Fb spec. The production of fissile material. M20. 3 The rearing and training of the young (formerly spec., education). Li6. 4 The results of training as shown in (good) manners and behaviour. 116. £13 1 attrib : breeding plumage, breeding season, etc. 3 S. Lewis He knew himself to be of a breeding altogether more esthetic and sensitive than Thompson’s. 4 Disraeli Her ignorance of all breeding is amusing. C. Blackwood A couple of rough young men with no breeding at all. good breeding: see good adjective, ill breeding: see ill adjective & adverb. Comb. : breeding ground (a) an area of land where an animal, esp. a bird, habitually breeds; (b) a thing that favours the devel¬ opment or occurrence of something, esp. something unpleasant (foil, by for).

breek /bri:k/ noun. dial. me. [Var. of breech noun.]

Usu. in pi. (sing, long rare). Trousers, breeches. [Old English briosa. of unkn. origin.]

11 Growth. Only in lme. 2 Breeding, birth; lineage; extraction, lis. 3 A stock, a strain, a race; a line of descendants per¬ petuating particular hereditary qualities, esp. a stock of animals of a particular species, developed by deliberate selection, mi6. Fb gen. A kind, a species, a set. Li6. 4 Offspring; a litter, a brood. Now dial. Li6. 5 A person of mixed descent, a half-breed. Chiefly N. Amer. Li9.

breed /bri:d/ verb. Pa. t. & pple bred /bred/.

verb'.]

Intertwine, plait, wreathe, twist.

ca 3 J. Baret Rotten timber breedeth wormes. J. Buchan I couldn’t leave any dues to breed suspicions. T. S. Eliot April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land. M. L. King Poverty and ignorance breed crime. 4 Bacon Fleas breed principally of Straw or Mats, where there hath been a little moisture. Jas. Mill [He] allowed .. discontents & jealousies to breed in the army. 5 J. Ray The manner of breeding Canary-birds. Anthony Huxley

breeze /bri:z/ noun1.

breed /bri:d/ noun. LME. [from the verb.]

bred verb pa. t. & pple of breed verb.

3 verb trans. Give rise to; be the source of; engender, develop; produce, me. Fb Produce (fissile material) within a nuclear reactor. Cf. breeder 2. M20. 4 verb intrans. Come into being or existence; be pro¬ duced; arise, originate, me. 5 verb trans. Promote or control the propagation of, raise, (animals, plants, etc.); develop (a particular breed or kind of animal or plant), lme. Fb Put (an animal) to another for mating. ti9. 6 verb trans. Bring up from childhood, raise (as); bring up in a faith etc., train up to a profession, status, etc.; (now arch, rare) train, educate (as). Also foil, by up. lme. j 7 verb trans. Begin to exhibit naturally (teeth, wings, etc.). M16-M18.

r red, s sit,

t top,

v van,

A gadfly or similar insect. Also breeze-fly. breeze /bri:z/ noun2. Mi6. [Prob. from Old Spanish, Portuguese briza (Spanish brisa) north¬ east wind (cf. Italian brezza, dial, brisa cold wind).]

■fl A north or north-east wind. M16-E18. 2 The cool onshore wind that blows by day on warm coasts. Also, the offshore wind that blows by night. Now chiefly as sea breeze, land breeze respectively. E17. 3 Any gentle or light wind; on the Beaufort scale, a wind of 6-50 k.p.h.; nautical any wind. Ei7. 4 fig. slang, a A disturbance; a row. lis. Fb A breath of news; a whisper, a rumour. L19. Fc Something that is easy to achieve, handle, etc. Orig. US. E20. Phrases: get the breeze up colloq. = get the wind up s.v. wind noun', have the breeze up colloq. = have the wind up s.v. wind noun', hit the breeze slang depart, put the breeze up colloq. = put the wind up s.v. wind noun1, shoot the breeze: see shoot verb. split the breeze, take the breeze slang = hit the breeze above. Comb.: breezeway (chiefly N. Amer.) a roofed outdoor passage. ■ breezeless adjective mis.

breeze /bri:z/ noun3. Li6. [French braise, earlier brese, burning charcoal, hot embers, etc.]

Small cinders, coke dust, etc., often used with sand and cement to make lightweight building blocks (breezeblocks|,

w we, z zoo , J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

287

breeze | brewsterite breeze /bri:z/ verb intrans. U7. [from breeze noun2.]

1 Blow gently, as a breeze, rare. U7. 2 Move along, come in, etc., in a lively or offhand manner, colloq. (orig. US). E20. With adverbs in specialized senses: breeze up (a) nautical (of a wind) freshen; (b) (of a noise) rise on the breeze.

breezy /'brirzi/ adjective, eis.

2

[from breeze noun + -y1.]

1 Exposed to breezes, windswept, eis. 2 Attended by breezes; (pleasantly) windy. Also fig., fresh, airy, spirited, jovial; careless, mis. ■ breezily adverb Mi9. breeziness noun Mi9.

bregma /'bregma/ noun. PI. -mas, -mata /-mats/. Li6. [Creek = front of the head.] ANATOMY. The region of the skull where the frontal and

the two parietal bones join. ■ bregmatic brsg'matik/ adjective M19.

Breguet /'br/igei/ noun & adjective. Ei9. [A. L. Breguet (1747-1823), French watchmaker.]

(Designating, a timepiece with) a hairspring ending in an overcoil. Brehon /'bri:han/ noun, mi 6. [Irish breitheamhan genit. pi. of breitheamh (in Old Irish brithem), from breith judgement.] Hist. A judge in ancient Ireland. Comb. : Brehon law the code of law which prevailed in Ireland before its occupation by the English.

brei fbrral noun. M20. [German = pulp, mush, jelly.] biology. A homogenized pulp of organic tissue prepared for experimental work.

brei verb var. of bray verb3.

brerd /bra:d/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. See also braird. [Old English brerd: cf. Old High German brort.brord prow, margin lip.]

The topmost surface or edge; the brim. bressumer noun var. of breastsummer. bret /bret/ noun. See also brat noun3, lme. [Origin unkn.]

11 A brill, a turbot, lme-mi9. 2 = 8rit noun2, eis. bretelle /bra'tel/ noun. Mi9. [French = strap, sling, (in pi.) trouser-braces.]

Each of a pair of ornamental straps extending over the shoulders from the belt on the front of a dress to the belt on the back. Usu. in pi. bretessy /'bretasi/ adjective. Li6. [French bretesse bratticed: see -y5.] heraldry. Embattled on both sides with the battlements at the same points on each edge. Cf. counterembattled.

■ Also bretessed adjective Ei9.

brethren noun pi. see brother noun. Breton /'bret(a)n/ noun & adjective, lme. [Old French: see Briton.]

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Brittany in NW France; the Celtic language of Brittany, lme. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Belonging to, or characteristic of Brittany, its inhabitants, or their language. L15. Breton hat a type of hat with a round crown and an upwardcurved brim. Breton lai: see lai noun'. /Breton tackie = burton noun' 1.

Brett noun var. of Brit noun1 & adjective1. Bretwalda /bret'wadda/ noun.

-ITE1.]

[Old English Bretwalda, varying with Brytenwalda, from Brettas (see Brit noun' & adjective'), Bryten (see Britain noun1) + Germanic base of wield verb.] Hist. Lord of the Britons, lord of Britain: a title given in

Nickel antimonide, a hexagonal copper-red mineral with a metallic appearance, usu. occurring in massive form in veins.

the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to King Egbert, and (retro¬ spectively) to some earlier Anglo-Saxon kings, and occas. assumed by later ones.

breithauptite /'brMthauptAjt/ noun. M19. [from Johann F. A. Breithaupt (1791-1873), German mineralogist + mineralogy.

breitschwanz/'brAitfva:nts/ noun. E20. [German = broad tail.]

The lustrous pelt of a young karakul lamb. brekekekex /brekaka'keks/ noun & interjection. Ei7. [Greek, imit., used by Aristophanes.]

(Repr.) the croaking of frogs (usu. with coax coax /kau'aks/). brekker /'breka/ noun, slang (orig. Univ.). Li9. [from break(fast noun + -er6.]

Breakfast. brekkie /'breki/ noun, slang. Also -y. E20. [from break(fast noun + -Y6.]

Breakfast. breloque /bro'laok/ noun. Mi9. [French.]

A small ornament fastened to a watch-chain; a trinket. breme /bri:m/ adjective. Now arch. & dial. Also brim /brim/. ME. [Origin unkn.]

1 Fierce, stem, raging, furious. Long obsolete in gen. sense, me. 2 spec. Of the sea, wind, etc.; rough, stormy, raging, severe, me. bremsstrahlung /'brEmzJtrculuri/ noun. M20. [German, from bremsen to brake + Strahlung radiation.]

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a charged particle upon retardation by an electric field (esp. by that of a nucleus). physics.

thermal bremsstrahlung see thermal adjective.

bren /bren/ noun. Also B-. M20. [from Brno in Moravia (where orig. made) + Enfield (see Enfield where later made).] In full bren-gun. A kind of light quick-firing machine-

gun. brennage 'brenidj/ noun. mis. [Old French brenage, from bren bran + -ace, or medieval Latin brennagium.] Hist. A payment in, or in lieu of, bran, made by tenants to

feed their lord's hounds. brent /brent/ noun. Also *brant /brant/, lme. [Origin unkn.] in full brent-goose. A small black, grey, and white

goose, Branta bemicla, which breeds in the Arctic and visits Britain in winter. «1 By early writers often confused with the barnacle goose.

brent adjective & adverb var. of brant adjective & adverb. brent verb pa. t. & pple: see burn verb. brer /bre:, bra:/ noun, colloq. (orig. US). Li9. [Repr. a Black or southern US pronunc. of brother noun.]

Brother.

bretzel noun see pretzel. breve /bri:v/ noun. me. [Var. of brief noun1.] 1 Hist. An authoritative letter, esp. from a pope or

monarch, me. 2 music. A note of the value of two semibreves (now rarely used), lme. |3 grammar A short syllable, rare. M16-M18. 4 The mark ~ written or printed over a short or unstressed vowel, or as a diacritic over various letters in certain languages. Li 9. brevet /‘brevit/ noun & verb. lme. [Old & mod. French, formed as brief noun' + -et1.]

► A noun. II An official letter; esp. a papal indulgence. LME-M18. 2 A document from a monarch or government confer¬ ring privileges; spec, one conferring nominal militaiy rank without corresponding pay. Freq. attrib. L17. Comb.: brevet captain, brevet colonel, etc., brevet rank a nominal rank (of captain, colonel, etc.) conferred by a brevet. ► B verb trans. Confer a brevet rank on. mi9.

breviary /'bri:viari/ noun. lme. [Latin breviarium summary, abridgement, from breviare: see ABBREVIATE Verb, -ARY1.]

1 Christian church. A book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders. In early use also, an abridged version of the psalms, lme. j- 2 gen. A brief statement, a summary. M16-E19. 1 matter of breviary an accepted truth.

f breviate noun & ppl adjective, lme. [Latin breviatus pa. pple of breviare: see abbreviate verb, -ate2.] ► A noun. 1 A letter, a short note, lme-mis.

2 A summary, an abridgement. E16-M19. 3 A lawyer’s brief. L16-M18. ► B ppl adjective. Shortened, abbreviated. E16-M17. tbreviator noun. MI6-MI8. [Latin breviator, from breviare: see abbreviate verb, -ator.]

= abbreviator. brevier /bri'via/ noun. L16. [Dutch or German, from medieval Latin use of Latin brevianum breviary (perh. from its use in the printing of breviaries).]

A former size of type between bourgeois and minion. breviloquence /bri'vibkw(a)ns/ noun. rare. Mi7. [Latin breviloquentia, from brevis brief adjective, short, + loquenlia speaking.)

Brevity of speech. jbrevi manu adverbialphr. E19-E20. [Latin, lit. ‘with short hand'.] law.

Summarily; without due process,

brevit /'brevit/ verb intrans. Long obsolete exc. dial. E17. [Origin unkn.]

Forage; beat about for game; hunt; search.

brevity "breviti/ noun. lts. [Old French br[i)evete (earlier bijijete) from Latin brevitat-, from brevis (forms with -i- after Old French brief): see brief adjective & adverb, -ity. ]

1 Compact written or spoken expression: conciseness; an instance of this. Li 5. 2 Short span, esp. of time, life, etc. Mi6. brew bru:/ noun\ Ei6. [from the verb.]

The process or result of brewing; the amount brewed at one time; (the quality of) what is brewed; an infusion, a concoction. brew noun2 var. of buroo. brew bru:/ verb. [Old English breowan = Old Saxon breuwan (Dutch brouwen), Old High German briuwan, brfiwati (German brauen), Old Norse brugga, from Germanic.] 1 verb trans. a Make (beer etc., a quantity of beer etc.) by

infusion, boiling, and fermentation, oe. Fb Make (tea etc., a quantity of tea etc.) by infusion or mixture. Also foil, by up. E17. 2 verb intrans. a Make beer etc. me. >b Foil, by up: make tea. colloq. E20. 3 verb trans. Concoct, contrive, bring about, set in train, (usu. evil or mischief), me. 4 verb intrans. Undergo infusion, fermentation, etc.; be in the course of preparation; (esp. of evil or mischief) mature, fester, gather force, me. 5 verb trans. Convert (malt etc., a quantity of malt etc.) into fermented liquor. Now arch. & dial. lme. f6 verb trans. Mix (liquors); dilute. E16-M17. £0 3 Tolkien We saw a cloud of smoke and steam... We feared that Saruman was brewing some new devilry for us. 4 A. Uttley He knew when a storm was brewing. J. Masters So this strike is brewing, and I'm trying to find out what is known about it here. Comb.: brewhouse a brewery; brewmaster a person who supervises the brewing process in a brewery; brewpub a public house, typically including a restaurant, selling beer brewed on the premises; brew-up colloq, (a pause for) the making of tea. ■ brewing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) the amount of liquor brewed at one time: ME.

brewage/'brmidj/ noun. Mi6. [from prec. + -ace, prob. after French breuvage beverage.]

The process of brewing; a brew, a decoction; a con¬ cocted drink. brewer /'bru:a/ noun. me. [from brew verb + -ER1.]

1 A person who brews; spec, a person whose trade is the brewing of beer etc. me. 2 fig. A concocter or contriver of. mi6. 1 brewer’s yeast a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is used in the brewing of top-fermenting beer and is also eaten as a source of vitamin B.

brewery /‘bruori/noun. Mi7. [formed as prec. + -ery, prob. after Dutch brouwerij.]

1 A place or establishment for brewing. M17. 12 The process or trade of brewing. Only in 18. brewis /'bru:is/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. Also browis /'brains/. See also brose. me. [Old French bro(u)ez, -ets pi., bro{u)et sing. (mod. brouet), from breu = Provencal bro, from Proto-Romance from Germanic (= broth).]

1 Bread soaked in fat or dripping. M E. 2 A kind of broth, freq. thickened with bread or meal. E16. 3 = brose. rare. Mi9. brewski /'bru:ski/ noun. PI. -is, -ies. N. Amer. colloq. L20. [Fanciful formation from brew noun' + -ski final elem. in many Sla¬ vonic names.]

A beer. I: I s. Turow He has .. a wife to set him straight whenever he's had a brewski too many.

brewster /'bru:sta/ noun'. Chiefly Scot. & north. Also fbrowster me. [from brew verb + -ster: cf. Baxter]

A brewer, orig. spec, a female brewer. Comb.: Brewster Sessions magistrates’ sessions for the issue of licences to permit trade in alcoholic liquors.

Brewster /'bru:sta/ noun2. Li9. [Sir David Brewster (1781-1868). Scot, physicist.]

Used attrib. and in possess, with ref. to Brewster’s discov¬ eries in optics. Brewster angle. Brewster's angle the angle of incidence at the surface of a dielectric for which a wave polarized in the plane of incidence is not reflected at all. and an unpolarized wave is reflected as a plane-polarized wave. Brewster's law that the tangent of the Brewster angle for a given medium is equal to the refractive index of that medium, or (at any inter face) equals the ratio of the refractive indices of the media on either side.

brewsterite /bru:starAit/ noun. M19. [formed as prec. + -ITE1.] mineralogy, A naturally-occurring zeolite which is a

hydrated silicate of aluminium, barium, and strontium.

a cat, a; arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day, au no, e: hair, ra near, ai boy ua poor, Aia lire, aoa sour

288

brey | bridie laid threads are secured by cross-stitches arranged like the ver¬ tical joints of brickwork; brickwork (a) builder s work in brick (b) in pt„ a factory making bricks; brickyard a place where

brey verb var. of bray verb3. briar noun1, noun2 vars. of brier noun', noun .

bricks are made.

Briareus /brAi'mrios/ noun, literary, en. [Creek Briareos, one of three mythological giants who aided Zeus against the Titans.] A hundred-armed giant. . ,. ~ a ■ Briarean adjective & noun (belonging to or characteristic ot) Briareus: Li6. bribable /'brAibab(3)l/ adjective. Also bribeable. eir. [from bribe verb + -able.] Able to be bribed, corrupt. «I Earlier in unbribable. ■ briba bility noun Mi9.

,

. .

,

bang one’s head against a brick wall, knock one s head aaainst a brick wall, run one’s head against a back wall, see through a brick wall, talk to a brick wall: see wall noun , ■ brickish adjective resembling a brick in appearance or colour, bricky; colloq. stalwart, loyal, generous: Mi9. /brik/ verb. Li6. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Cover or seal (a window, opening, etc.) up or

brick

over with bricks; close in with bricks. Li6. 2 verb trans. Make, line, or face with brick; give the

appearance ofbrickwork to. L17. 3 verb intrans. Work with or make bricks. Lis. /’briki/ noun, colloq. Also

brickie

bribe /brAib/ noun. lme.

A bricklayer.

2 A sum of money or another reward offered or demanded in order to procure an (often illegal or dishon¬ est) action or decision in favour of the giver, lme. bribe /brAib/ verb. lme.

brickie bricky

[Old French briber, brimber beg, of unkn. origin.]

► I verb trans. fl Take dishonestly; purloin; rob; extort. ,

.,

2 Offer or give a bribe to; persuade by means of a bribe (to do something); win over by some inducement, eib. 3 Purchase or obtain by bribeiy. arch. E18. £□ 2 B. Malamud He had money, bribed the guards for favours. C. Isherwood I am bribed with fruit not to be tire¬ some about the English language. 3 Swift To bribe the judge’s vote.

► II verb intrans. f4 Steal; extort. LME-M16. 5 Practise bribery. M17. QJ 5 Ld Macaulay He fawned, bullied, and bribed indefatigably. ■ bri bee noun the recipient of a bribe M19.

bribeable adjective var. of bribable. briber /‘brAiba/ noun. lme. [Partly from Anglo-Norman bribour, Old French bribeur, brimbeur beggar, vagabond, formed as bribe verb; partly from bribe verb: see -ER'.]

f 1 A thief; an extortioner; a person who takes or exacts bribes. LME-E17. 12 A beggar, a vagabond; a wretch, a rascal. lme-li6. 3 A person who offers or gives a bribe. L16. 14 A bribe, a price paid, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. bribery /'brAib(a)ri/ noun. lme. [Old French briberie, brimberie mendicancy, formed as bribe verb: see -ery.] 11 Theft, robbery; taking by force, extortion. LME-L16. 2 The exaction or acceptance of a bribe, arch. Mi 6. 3 The giving or offering of a bribe. 116.

bric-a-brac /"bnkabrak/ noun. Also bric-a-brac, bricabrac Mi9. [French, from fa brie et a brae at random.] Miscellaneous old ornaments, trinkets, small pieces of furniture, etc; antiquarian knick-knacks. brick /brik/ noun & adjective, lme. [Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bri eke, bribe, Dutch dial, brik, Western Flemish brijke; prob. reinforced by Old & mod. French brirjue, from same source: ult. origin unkn.] ► A noun. 1 Clay kneaded, moulded, and baked or sundried, used as a building material, lme.

2 A small usu. rectangular block of this substance. Also, a similarly-shaped block of concrete or other build¬ ing material. Ei6. kb A child’s toy building block. Mi9. 3 A loaf, block of tea, or other food item formed like a brick. Now esp. an ice-cream block, mis. 4 A stalwart, loyal, or generous person, colloq. mi9. 5 A dull orange-red colour characteristic of brick. L19. 03 1 Gibbon He had found his capital of brick, and.. left it of marble. 2 P. S. Buck The kitchen was made of earthen bricks.., great squares of earth dug from their own fields. 4 W. H. Auden When he is well She gives him hell. But she’s a brick When he is sick. Phrases etc.: bricks and mortar fig. buildings, a house as prop¬ erty. drop a brick slong say something indiscreet, gold brick: see goid noun1 & adjective, hit the bricks: see hit verb, like a cat on hot bricks: see hot adjective, like a load of bricks, like a ton of bricks slang with crushing weight or force, make bricks without straw: see straw noun, red-brick see red noun, shit a brick, shit bricks: see shit verb. Comb.: brickbat a piece of brick, esp. one used as a missile; fig. an uncomplimentary remark; brick-dust (the colour of) powdered brick; brick-earth clay used for making bricks; brick-field a piece of ground in which bricks are made; brickfielder Austral, a hot dry northerly wind (orig. as raising dust); brick-kiln: for baking bricks; bricklayer a worker building with bricks; bricklaying the craft or occupation of building with bricks; brickmaker a person whose trade is the making of bricks; brick-nogging see noccing l; brick-red adjective & noun (of) a dull orange-red colour; brick-stitch embroidery couching in which the

adjective see bruckle.

noun var. of brickie.

/'briki/ adjective. Li6. brick noun + -Y'.[

bricky [from

Made of or having many bricks. Also, brick-red. 'bnkoTcrq; foreign brikola:5 (pi. same)/ noun.

bricolage

M20. [French, from bricoler do odd jobs, repair, formed as next, see -ace.)

Construction or creation from whatever is immediately available for use; something constructed or created in this way, an assemblage of haphazard or incongruous bricole /'bnk(a)l, bri'kool/ noun. E16. [Old & mod. French from Provencal bricolu or Italian briccola, of unkn. origin.]

1 An engine or catapult for discharging stones or bolts. obsolete exc. Hist, ei6.

2 A rebound of the ball from a side-wall or cushion in real tennis, billiards, etc. Li6. bricoleur /bnka'b:; foreign brika!ce:r (pi. same)/ noun. M20. [French = handyman, from bricoler (see

bricolage) +

-eur -or)

A person who engages in bricolage; a constructor or creator of bricolages. bridal /'brAid(o)l/ noun & adjective. [Old English bryd-ealu, formed as bride noun' + ale; use and pronunc. strongly infl. by assoc, with adjectives in -al1.] ► A noun sing. & in pi. A wedding; a nuptial feast, arch. oe. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to a

wedding or a bride, lme. bridal suite in a hotel, a suite of rooms esp. for the use of a newly married couple, bridal wreath any of certain whiteflowered ornamental plants; esp. a Chilean pink- or whiteflowered plant, Francoa sonchifolia, of the saxifrage family (also called maiden's wreath). m bridally adverb M19. bridalty noun (rare) a wedding Mi7.

bride /braid/ noun1. [Old English bryd = Old Frisian bred, breid. Old Saxon brud (Dutch braid). Old High German brut (German Brant), Old Norse brubr, Gothic brups, from Germanic, of unkn. origin.]

1 A woman about to be married or very recently married, oe. 2 A bridegroom. Long obsolete exc. Jamaican, lme. 1 mourning bride: see mourning adjective. Comb, (orig. with the sense ’wedding'): bride-ale [the analytical form of bridal noun] Hist, a wedding celebration with drinking of ale. a wedding-feast; bride-bed arch, the marriage bed; bride¬ cake (a) wedding cake: bride-chamber arch, the room in which a wedding is celebrated; bride-cup (a) a bowl or cup handed round at a wedding; (b) a spiced drink prepared at night for a newly wedded pair; bride-lace (obsolete exc. Hist.) a coloured ribbon worn as a wedding-favour: bridemaid (now rare or obsolete) = bridesmaid; brideman t(a) - bridegroom; (b) (obsolete exc. dial.) = bridesman; bride-price anthropology a payment of money or goods made to a bride or her parents by the bride¬ groom or his parents,

bride /brAid/ noun2, me. [Old & mod. French = bridle, bonnet-string, ult. from Germanic base also of bridle noun.) |1 A bridle, a rein. Only in me.

2 A link in the network which connects the patterns in lace. Also, a bonnet-string. Usu. in pi. Mi9. bride /brAid/ verb. M16. [from bride noun'.]

|1 verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Act the bride. M16-M17. 2 verb trans. Wed, marry, obsolete exc. dial. L16.

bridegroom ,'brAidgrom/ noun. [Old English brydguma = Old Saxon brudigomo (Dutch braidegom), Old High German brutigomo (German Brdutigam), Old Norse brudgumi: the 2nd elem. Old English guma man, assim. to groom noun1.]

A man about to be married or very recently married, bridesmaid /'brAidzmeid/ noun. Lis. [Alt. of earlier bridemaid s.v.

bride

[Alt. of earlier brideman s.v. bride noun'.]

The best man (the usual term) at a wedding, a grooms¬ man, bridewell /'brAidw(a)l/ noun. arch. Also B-. Mi6. [from (St) Bride’s Well in the City of London, near which such a building stood.]

A prison, a reformatory. bridge /bridy noun1. Also (Scot. & north.) brig /brig/. [Old English brycg = Old Frisian brigge, bregge. Old Saxon bruggia. Middle Dutch brugghe (Dutch brag), Old High German brucca (German Briicke), Old Norse bryggja (whence north, dial, brig), from Germanic.]

1 A structure carrying a road, path, railway, etc., across a stream, river, ravine, road, railway, etc. oe. 2 A gangway for a boat; a landing-stage, a jetty, a pier. obsolete exc. dial. me.

bricky. Li9,

[from brick noun + -ie, -y6.]

[from the verb.] + 1 A stolen article; theft; plunder, lme-eib.

LME-M17.

. ,

► B attrib. or as adjective. Built of bnck. Also, bnck-i ed.

Briard /bri'md,foreign bria:r [pi same)/ noun. M20. [French (adjective), from Brie: see -ard.) A sheepdog of a French breed.

bridesman /'brAidzmon/ noun. PI. -men. Ei9.

noun’.]

A girl or unmarried woman (usu. one of several) attend¬ ing the bride at a wedding.

3 The upper bony part of the nose; the central part of a pair of spectacles, fitting over this. lme. 4 The upright piece over which the strings of a violin etc. are stretched, lme. 5 A ridge of rock, sand, or shingle, projecting into or crossing a body of water. (See also land-bridge s.v. land noun1.) Chiefly dial, or in names, as Filey Brig. Ei9. 6 The raised platform or compartment, usu. amid¬ ships, from which a ship is directed. Mi9. 7 billiards & snooker etc. The support for the cue formed by the hand or at the end of a rest; occas., a rest. Li9. 8 An electric circuit for measuring resistance or another property by equalizing the potential at two points. Li9. 9 dentistry. A partial denture supported by natural teeth on either side. Li9. 1 Bailey bridge, bascule bridge, cantilever bridge, drawbridge, floating bridge, foot-bridge, humpback bridge, overbridge, packhorse bridge, skew bridge, suspension bridge, swingbridge. swinging-bridge, toll-bridge, transporter bridge, underbridge, etc. asses’ bridge see ASS noun' 2. bridge of boats formed by boats moored abreast over a body of water, burn one’s bridges: see burn verb 8. cross a bridge when one comes to it deal with a problem when and if it arises, gold bridge, silver bridge an easy and attractive escape route for an enemy, water under the bridge see water noun, weighbridge see weigh verb. 8 post-office bridge. Wheatstone bridge, etc. Comb.: bridge-bote Hist a tax for the repair of bridges; bridge¬ building fig. the promotion of friendly relations, esp. between countries; bridge circuit = sense 8 above; bridge-deck = sense 6 above; bridgehead a position held on the opposite side of a river etc. in advance of one’s main forces; fig. an initial position established beyond some dividing feature, as a basis for further advance, bridge-house Hist, a house connected with a bridge; spec, the establishment formerly concerned with the care and repair of London Bridge; bridge-man. bridgemaster an officer having control of a bridge (formerly, in some boroughs, a member of the corporation); bridge passage a transitional passage in a musical or literary composition; bridgeward Hist, the keeper or warden of a bridge; bridgework (the insertion of) a dental bridge. ■ bridgeless adjective EI9.

bridge /brid3/ noun2. Li9. [Prob. of eastern Mediterranean origin.]

A card-game derived from whist, in which one player’s cards are exposed at a certain point and are thereafter played by his or her partner; now usu. = contract bridge below. auction bridge: in which the players bid for the right to name trumps, and all tricks won count towards game whether con¬ tracted for or not. contract bridge: in which the players bid for the right to name trumps, and tricks won count towards game only if contracted for. duplicate bridge: see duplicate adjective. Comb.: bridge-roll a small soft bread roll.

bridge /bridg/ verb trans. [Old English bryegian, from bridge noun1.]

1 Be or make a bridge over. oe. kb Span as with a bridge, mi9. 2 Form (a way) by means of a bridge, rare. M17. (3 IP. Matthiessen A canal bridged here and there by tenfoot granite slabs, b M. Twain A speculator bridged a couple of barrels with a board, fig.: B. C. Brodie To bridge over the space which separates the known from the unknown, bridge a gap: see cap noun. ■ bridgeable adjective M19. bridging verbal noun (o) the action of the verb: (b) mountaineering a method of climbing chimneys etc. with legs astride: lme. bridging ppl adjective that bridges some¬ thing; bridging loan, a loan made to cover the short interval between buying a house etc. and selling another: E19.

Bridgettine 'bridgotin/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [medieval Latin Brigittinus adjective, from Brigitta of Sweden (St Bridget), 1303-73: see -ine1.]

(A member, usu. a nun) of a religious order founded by St Bridget. bridie /'brAidi/ noun. Scot. Li9. [Perh. from obsolete bride's pie, a large pie traditionally baked by a bride’s family or friends for wedding guests.]

A pasty filled with mince and onions in gravy.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m man. n no. p pen, r red. s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo, j' she,

3

vision,

6

thin, 6 this,

11

ring, tj chip, d3 jar

289

bridle /'brAid(3)l/ noun. [Old English bridel = Old Frisian bride!, Middle & mod. Dutch breidel, Old High German brittil, from West Germanic, from Ger manic base of braid verb1: see -le1.]

1 The gear by which a horse etc. is controlled and guided, comprising headstall, bit, and rein. oe. 2 fig. A restraint, a curb. me. 3 A securing rope or cord etc. Chiefly nautical: (a) a loop of rope etc. attached to a spar etc., by which a line can be attached; (b) the end part of a fixed mooring, which can be secured to a vessel.me. 4 = branks i. Also scold’s bridle. E17. 5 A ligament or membrane restricting the motion of a bodily part. LT7. 6 The action or gesture ofbridling (bridle verb 2). mis. £3 1 double bridle, draw bridle, snaffle-bridle, etc. turn bridle: see turn verb. 2 Bacon The reverence of a mans self is, next religion, the chiefest Bridle of all Vices. J. A. Froude He kept his tongue under a bridle. Comb.: bridle-hand the hand which holds the bridle in riding; bridle-path, bridle-road, bridle-way: a thoroughfare fit for riders but not vehicles; bridle-rein a rein attached to the bit of a bridle; bridle-road, bridle way see bridle-path above; bridlewise adjective (US) (of a horse) readily guided by a touch of the bridle. ■ bridleless -1-1-/ adjective lme.

bridle /'brAid(3)l/ verb. [Old English bridlian, from prec.] 1 verb trans. Put a bridle on, equip with a bridle; fig. curb,

check, restrain, hold in. oe. 2 a verb intrans. Express offence, wounded pride, etc., by throwing up the head and drawing in the chin; assume a dignified or offended manner. Also foil, by up. lme. ►tb verb trans. Move (the head etc., oneself) thus. L15-M19. QJ 1 D. Hume Forts were erected in order to bridle Rochelle. F. M. Ford A sudden explosion of the passion that had been bridled all his life. 2a Dickens Everybody bridled up at this remark. B. Chatwin If she saw him bridling with annoyance, she would change the subject. ■ bridler noun Li6.

bridoon /bn'du:n/ noun. Also bradoon /bra'du:n/. Mis. [French bridon, formed as bride noun2: see -oon.]

The spaffle in a double bridle. Brie /bri;/ noun. Also b-. M19. [An agricultural district in northern France.]

A soft creamy cheese with a white mould skin, orig. and esp. made in Brie. brief/bri:f/noun1. See also breve, brieve, me. [Anglo-Norman bref Old French brief, from late Latin breve dis¬ patch, note, use as noun of neut. of Latin brevis: see brief adjective & adverb.] 1 Hist. An official or legal letter of authority; a royal

mandate; a writ, a summons. ME. Fb Letters patent issued by the British monarch as Governor of the Church of England, licensing a collection in churches for a spe¬ cific object of charity. Li6. 2 A disciplinary letter from the Pope to an individual or community (less formal than a bull), lme. |3 gen. A letter, a dispatch, a note; writing, something written. LME-L18. f4 music. A short note; a breve. LME-M17. 5 A short account or summary, a synopsis. Now US (exc. as below). Ml6. 6 A list, a catalogue, etc. arch. 116. 7 law. A summary of the facts and legal points in a case, drawn up for counsel; a piece of work for a barrister; us law a written statement of the arguments for a case. M17. ►b gen. A set or summary of instructions etc.; an appointed task; esp. a set of instructions for carrying out a military operation. M19. tn 7 dock brief see dock noun4, hold a brief for be retained as counsel for; fig. wish or be obliged to argue in favour of (usu. in neg. contexts), take a brief accept the conduct of a case, watching brief, see watch verb. b D. Jacobson My special brief was to take care of the polit¬ ical prisoners. Times [He] rounds on the.. Authority for exceeding its brief. Jo Grimond A minister opening a debate must speak from a prepared brief. Comb, brief-bag a bag in which a barrister carries briefs; briefcase a rectangular case for carrying papers, documents,

etc.

■ briefless adjective without a brief, (of a barrister etc.) unemployed E19.

brief/bri:f/ noun2, lme. [from the adjective.]

bridle j bright 2 Short in (spatial) extent; curtailed, limited, me. 3 Consisting of or employing few words; concise in expression, lme. 4 Rife, prevalent, epidemic, dial. Ei8. HI 1 Tolkien In his living face they caught a brief vision of the power and majesty of the kings'of stone. W. S. Churchill Their freedom was brief. The British refused to recognise the republic. 2 Sir W. Scott Wearing the briefest petticoat of any nymph of St. Ronan’s. 3 S. Kauffmann A brief note simply to say that they had arrived safely. J. D. Salinger As brief as a gatekeeper at a Trappist monastery, be brief speak in few words.

► B adverb. Briefly; in brief. Now rare. Mi6. ■ briefly adverb shortly, in a few words lme. briefness noun (a) brevity, conciseness; fib) quickness: lme.

brief /bri:f/ verb trans. Mi9. [from brief noun1.]

1 Reduce to the form of a legal brief; put into a brief. M19. 2 Give a brief to (a barrister), instruct by brief; retain as counsel in a suit. Ml9. 3 Instruct or inform thoroughly; give precise instruc¬ tions to, esp. with regard to a military operation etc. M19. ■ briefing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a meeting for this: M19.

brier /‘brAis/ noun1. Also briar. [Old English (Anglian) brer, (West Saxon) brier, of unkn. origin.] 1 A prickly bush, esp. of a wild rose. oe.

2 A branch or twig of a wild rose etc. me. 3 Prickly bushes collectively, lme. 4 fig. In pi. Troubles, vexations, arch. E16. 1 Austrian brier an orange-yellow rose, Rosafoetida, with an unpleasant scent, green brier a vine of the genus Smilax of the lily family, esp. S. rotundifolia. sensitive brier an ornamental leg¬ uminous plant of the genus Schrankia, with pink or purple flowers and sensitive leaves, sweet-brier any of several roses with fragrant-smelling leaves; esp. Rosa rubiginosa, a rose with deep pink flowers that is often cultivated; also called eglantine. Comb.: brier-rose a dogrose. ■ briered adjective covered or overgrown with briers; entan¬ gled in briers: M16. briery adjective full of or consisting of thorns or briers; thorny; vexatious: me.

brier I'brrasl noun2. Also briar. M19. [French bruyere heath, ult. from Gaulish: assim. to prec.]

1 A southern European shrub or small tree. Erica arborea, whose root is used for making tobacco-pipes. Also called tree heath. M19. 2 A pipe made of the wood of the brier, li 9. brieve /bri:v/ noun. E17. [Var. of brief noun1.] scots law (now Hist.). A Chancery writ directing trial by

jury of a specified question. brig /brig/ noun', eis. [Shortened from brigantine noun1.] 1 Orig., = brigantine noun1 1. Now, a two-masted

square-rigged vessel with an additional lower fore-andaft sail on a gaff and boom to the mainmast. E18. 2 A place of detention, orig. on board a ship; a naval or military prison, slang (orig. US). M19. 1 hermaphrodite brig = brigantine noun’ 3. brig noun2 see bridge noun'. Brig, abbreviation. Brigadier. brigade /brigeid/ noun & verb. Mi7. [French from Italian brigata troop, company, from brigare contend, be busy with, from briga strife, contention: see -ade.] ► A noun. Jl A company or set of people. Only in M17. 2 A large body of troops; spec, a subdivision of an army.

In the British army: an infantry unit consisting of usu. three battalions and forming part of a division; a corres¬ ponding armoured unit. mi 7. 3 A uniformed or organized band of workers etc. E19. Phrases: Boys’ Brigade see boy noun, fire brigade: see fire noun. International Brigade see international adjective, naval brigade Red Brigade(s) see red adjective. Comb.: brigade-major .1 staff officer attached to a brigade to assist the brigadier in command. ► B verb trans. Form into a brigade. E19.

brigadier /briga'dis/ noun. Also (esp. in titles) B-. L17. [French, formed as prec. + -ier.]

1 in brief, in short, briefly, lme. 12 The little that need be said etc. L16-E17. 3 In pi. Short underpants or knickers. M20.

An officer commanding a brigade; (a titular rank granted to) a staff officer of similar standing, above colonel and below major-general. Formerly also

brief /bri.f/ adjective & adverb, me.

brigadier general. Comb.: brigadier general (a) Hist, see above; (b) an officer ranking above a colonel and below a major-general in the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps; brigadier wig Hist, a full wig tied back in two curls.

[Anglo-Norman bref. Old French brie/(mod. bref), from Latin brevis short, brief. The origin of sense A.4 is obscure.] ► A adjective. 1 Of short duration, quickly passing, me.

►|b Hasty, expeditious. LME-E17.

/bnga'dum/noun. 120. [Title of a musical by A. J. Lerner and F. Loewe (1947), set in the fictional Highland village of Brigadoon.]

Brigadoon

(Name of a place representing) an idealized or romanti¬ cized representation of Scotland. ESI attrib. : P. Theroux A fleeting Brigadoon embodiment of a dreamland.

/'brigalau/ noun. Austral, mi 9. [Perh. from Kamilaroi buriga!.]

brigalow

Any of various acacias forming thick scrub. /'bngfrjnd/ noun & verb. lme. [French from Italian brigante, orig. = foot-soldier, use as noun of pres, pple of brigare: see brigade.] ► A noun, f 1 A lightly armed irregular foot-soldier. LME-L18. 2 A bandit or robber, esp. one of a band living by pillage brigand

and ransom, lme. ► B verb trans. In pass. Be attacked by brigands, rare. Li 9. ■ brigandage noun the practice of brigands, banditry, pillage; brigands collectively: E17. brigandish adjective L19. brigandism noun the life of brigands, brigandage M19. brigandry noun = BRIGANDISM E20. /'bng(a)ndi:n/ noun. Also -tine -ti:n/. lme. [French, or its source Italian brigantina, formed as prec.: see -INE4.]

brigandine

A coat of mail, esp. one made of iron rings or plates attached to canvas etc. /'brig(a)nti:n/ noun'. Ei6. [Old French brigandine (mod. brigantin) or its source Italian brigantino, from brigante: see brigand, -ine4.]

brigantine

1 A small vessel equipped for both sailing and rowing, employed for espionage, piracy, etc. obsolete exc. Hist. Ei6. 2 loosely. A foreign vessel, as a galleon etc. M16. 3 A two-masted vessel with a square-rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged mainmast. L16. brigantine

noun2 var. of brigandine.

/brvit/ adjective & noun. [Old English beorht, (Anglian) berht, (Northumbrian) breht = Old Saxon ber(a)ht, Old High German beraht, -eht, Old Norse bjartr, Gothic bairhts, from Germanic.] ► A adjective. 1 Emitting or reflecting much light, bright

shining; pervaded by light, sunlit; (of wine etc.) clear, translucent, oe. Fb fig. Lit up with happiness, gladness, hope, etc.; hopeful, encouraging, cheering. Mis. |2 Clear or luminous to mental perception, oe-mis. 3 Of sound: clear; shrill, giving (undue) prominence to high frequencies, oe. 4 Illustrious, glorious, splendid, oe. 5 Of a person: beautiful, handsome, arch. me. 6 Vividly or brilliantly coloured. Of a colour: intense, vivid, me. Fb Of tobacco: having a light shade or colour. Orig. US. mis. 7 Of a person, a face etc.: cheerful, animated, viv¬ acious. El 7. 8 Of thought, conversation, writing, etc.: witty, clever, imaginative, sparkling, eis. 9 Displaying great intelligence; quick-witted; talented. M18. CD 1 Tindale Rev. 22:16 The bright momynge starre. J. Betjeman The church is bright with candlelight. E. Birney Dusty September orchards .. bright with apples. B. Plain Even on the brightest afternoon, the bulb.. had to be lit. bright lights urban places of entertainment, brightwork polished metalwork on ships etc. b I, Murdoch A sad eclipse of all their bright hopes, bright-eyed (a) having shining eyes; (b) alert and lively; bright-eyed and bushytailed see bushy adjective, honour bright: see honour noun. look on the bright side colloq. be optimistic or cheerful. 4 Shakes. Lucr. Troy had been bright with fame, and not with fire. 5 Coleridge A bright lady, surpassingly fair. 6 Hugh Walpole Light grey flannel trousers.. showing bright purple socks. J. Rhys She had a bright patchwork counterpane, bright-line brown-eye = tomato moth s.v. tomato noun, paint in bright colours see colour noun. 7 Shakes. Mach. Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night. S. Leacock The bright smiling faces of working people, bright young thing a fashionable member of the younger generation (esp. in the 1920s and 1930s) noted for exuberant and outrageous behaviour. 8 A. G. Gardiner I thought of a bright thing to say now and then. 9 Jilly Cooper They're also quite bright: you can’t get in unless you have five O's and three A-Ievels. G. F. Newman It wasn’t very bright threatening to break Evans's arms, iron.: J. M. Keynes The bright idea of reducing Economics to a mathematical application of the hedonistic calculus of Bentham! ► B

noun. Brightness, light, arch. me. ■ brightish adjective 116 brightly adverb in a bright manner, with brightness oe. brightness noun oe. brightsome adjective (arch.) showing brightness, brightish M16. brightsomeness noun (arch.) Mi6.

/brait/ verb. arch. [Old English beorhtian, from bright adjective.] 11 verb intrans. Be bright, shine, oe-me. 2 verb trans. Make bright, oe.

bright

no, e: hair, 10 near, 01 boy, oa poor, ais tire, aoa sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how. ei day, au

290

bright | brink brim adjective var. of breme.

bright /br.\it/ adverb. [Old English beorhte, from the adjective.]

brim /brim/ verb. Infl. -mm-. Ei7.

Brightly.

[from brim noun1.]

bright and early very early in the morning.

1 verb trans. Fill to the brim. Ei7. 2 verb intrans. Be or become full to the brim (with). E19.

brighten /'brAit(3)n/ verb trons. & intrans.

2 brim over overflow.

[Old English (ge)beorhtmn verb intrans., dan verb trans., formed as bright adjective. Later from bright adjective: see -en .] Make or become bright(er). Often fig., make or become more cheerful, lively, hopeful, etc. Freq. foil, by up. • brightener noun us.

■ brimming ppl adjective (a) that rises to the brim of its vessel, basin, bed, etc.; (b) (of a container) full to overflowing: M17. brimborion bnm'bo:nan noun. Also -rium!-naval. Mi7. [French, earlier breborion. alt. of medieval Latin breviarium breviary]

Bright’s disease /’brxits dt,zi:z/ noun phr. M19. [Richard Bright (1789-1858). English physician.) medicine. Kidney disease associated with albuminuria; esp. glomerulonephritis.

A thing without use or value; trash, nonsense. brimmer/'brims/noun. Now arch. & dial. Mi7. [from brim noun', verb + -er'.]

1 A brimming cup or goblet, m 17. 2 A hat (spec, a straw hat) with a brim, mi7.

brigue /bri:g/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [Old 8, mod. French from Italian briga: see brigade.]

j-1 Strife, contention, lme-li7. 2 Intrigue, faction; a faction. Mi7.

brimstone /'bnmst(3)n, -stoon/ noun. [Late Old English brynstan, prob. from bryne (= Old Norse brutii) burning (formed as burn verb) + stone noun, j 1 Sulphur; esp. (otherwise arch.) burning sulphur, (the fuel of) hell-fire. loe. kb fig. Fire, passion. E17.

tbrigue verb. lme. [from prec. or French briguer: sense 1 may repr. a different word.] 1 verb trans. Ensnare. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. Intrigue; solicit. Chiefly Scot. L16-M19.

12 A virago, a spitfire; a promiscuous woman. L17-E19. 3 In full brimstone butterfly. A pierid butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni, with sulphur-yellow wings. Li7.

brill /bnl/ noun. PlAsame. lis. [Origin unkn.]

1 fire and brimstone: see fire noun. Comb.: brimstone butterfly: see sense 3 above; brimstone moth a geometrid moth, Opisthograptis luteolata, with yellow wings; brimstone-wort a yellow-flowered umbellifer of the genus Peucedanum, sulphur-wort. ■ brimstony adjective of, pertaining to, or resembling brim¬ stone; sulphureous, fiery: lme.

A flatfish, Scophthalmus rhombus, resembling the turbot. brill /bnl/ adjective, slang. L20. [Abbreviation of brilliant adjective.]

Excellent, outstanding. jbrillant noun, adjective var. of brilliant noun, adjective. brillante /bn'la:ntei/ adverb & adjective, mis.

brinded /'bnndid/ adjective, arch. See also branded, me.

[Italian.] MUSIC. (A direction:) in a showy or sparkling style.

[Prob. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Old Norse brondottr brindled, from brandr burning, and brandkrossottr brindled, having a white cross on the forehead.]

brilliance /'bnlj(o)ns/ noun. mis.

= BRINDLED.

[from brilliant adjective: see -ance.]

Brilliant quality; intense or sparkling brightness, radi¬ ance, or splendour; an instance of this. Freq. fig. ■ Also brilliancy noun mis.

brindle /'bnnd(3)l/ adjective & noun. Li7. [Back-form, from next.]

► A adjective. = brindled, li7. ► B noun. (A dog etc. of) brindled colour. L17.

brilliant /'bnlj(o)nt/ noun. Also tbrillant. Li7. [French brillant, formed as next.]

brindled /’brmd(9)ld/ adjective. Li7.

11 Brilliance. Only in L17. 2 A diamond of the finest cut and brilliance; spec, one cut with horizontal upper and lower faces joined by facets. L17. 3 A former very small size of type equal to about 3V2 points. L19.

[Alt. of brinded, prob. by assoc, with grizzled, speckled, etc.]

Of a tawny or brownish colour with (esp. indistinct) streaks or spots of a different hue; gen. streaked, spotted, (with). brindled beauty a European geometrid moth, Lycia hirtaria,

with grey-brown banded wings.

brilliant /'bnij(o)nt/ adjective. Also tbrillant. L17.

brine /brAin/ noun & verb.

[French brillant pres, pple of briller shine, from Italian brillare, prob. ult. from Latin beryllus beryl.]

[Old English brine = Middle Dutch brine (Dutch brijn), of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. 1 Water saturated or strongly impregnated

1 Brightly shining; glittering, sparkling, lustrous. L17. 2 fig. Splendid, celebrated; spec, distinguished by clever¬ ness, talent, etc. mi 8. kb Excellent, colloq. L20.

with salt; salt water, oe. 2 (The water of) the sea. Usu. poet. Li6. 3 (Salty) tears, poet. Li6. Comb.: brine-pan (a) a shallow iron vessel in which salt is evap¬ orated: (b) a salt-pan; brine-shrimp any of various branchiopods of the genus Artemia, inhabiting salt lakes, brinepans, etc. ► B verb trans. Steep in or saturate with brine, mi6.

Si 2 Arnold Bennett Edwin’s own suggestions never seemed very brilliant,.. but they were never silly. C. Potok This boy.. was brilliant, literally a genius, b S. Townsend

I allowed Pandora to visit me in my darkened bedroom. We had a brilliant kissing session. ■ brilliantly adverb E19.

■ brinish adjective of or like brine, briny Li 6.

brilliant /'brilj(3)nt/ verb trans. rare. mis. [from the noun.]

Brinell/bri'nel/noun. E20.

Cut (a diamond) as a brilliant.

[]. A. Brinell (1849-1925), Swedish engineer.] Used attrib. with ref. to a test for hardness in which a

brilliantine /'bnlj(3)nti:n/ noun. L19.

steel ball is pressed into the material and the diameter of the indentation measured.

(French brillantme, from brillant brilliant adjective.]

1 A cosmetic for imparting a gloss to the hair. Li9. 2 A shiny fabric for dresses etc. N. Amer. Li 9.

bring /brig/ verb trans. Pa. t. & pple brought /bro:t/, (dial.) brung /brAg/.

■ brilliantined adjective made glossy with brilliantine E20.

brim /brim/ noun1, me. [Origin uncertain: corresp. in sense to Middle High German brem (German Brame, Brdhme), Old Norse barmr edge.]

1 The border, margin, edge, brink, etc., of the sea or any piece of water, or gen. of other things. Now obsolete or dial. exc. as transf. use of sense 2. me. 2 The edge, margin, or lip of a cup, bowl, basin, or any¬ thing of similar shape, artificial or natural, lme. 3 The upper surface of water, arch, mi 6. 4 The projecting edge of a hat. Li6. 1 Spenser Upon the brim of his brode-plated shield. Jer. Taylor He.. is at the margin and brim of that state of finall reprobation. 2 AV 2 Chron. 4:2 He made a molten Sea often cubites, from brim to brim, fig.: Shakes. Ant. & Cl. He will fill thy wishes to the brim With principalities, pelvic brim the rim between the upper and lower parts of the pelvis. 3 Sir W. Scott Not lighter does the swallow skim Along the smooth lake’s level brim.

Comb. : brim-full, (arch.) brimful adjective full to the brim, on the point of overflowing. ■ brimless adjective E17. brimmed adjective (of a hat etc.) having a brim (of a specified kind) E17. brimmy adjective (of a hat) having a wide brim; broad-brimmed: L19.

brim noun2 see bream noun. b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg.

[Old English bringan (pa. t. brohte, pple broht) = Old Frisian bringa, Old Saxon, Old High German bringan (Dutch brengen, German bringen). Gothic briggan, from Germanic.]

1 Cause to come, come with, or convey, by carrying, leading, impelling, attracting, etc. oe. ►b Escort, accom¬ pany on his or her way. obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 Prefer (a charge); initiate (legal action); advance (an argument etc.), oe. 3 Produce as a consequence, cause to have, result in; be sold for (a price), oe. 4 Bear (young, fruit, etc.), yield, produce; = bring forth below, me. 5 Cause to come from, into, out of, to, etc., a state or con¬ dition, to an action; cause to become; cause, induce, per¬ suade (usu. a reluctant person) to be or to do. me. |6 Deduce, infer, derive. L16-E18. 7 nautical. Cause to come or go into a certain position or direction. Li7. ill! 1 Dryden I.. shall in Triumph come From conquer’d Greece, and bring her Trophies home. Thackeray Those lines.. brought tears into the Duchess’s eyes. Tennyson She brought strange news. J. T. Story Finally I brought both fists down together and he fell like an axed pig. I. McEwan Tire

m man,

narrow passage-way had brought them on to a large . square, bring-and-buy sale, bring-and-buy stall, etc.: at which customers bring things for sale and buy what others have brought, bring home the bacon: see bacon noun I. bring into line: see line noun-, bring to bay: see bay noun' 2. bring to light: see light noun, bring to mind (cause oneself to) remember, brought to bed: see bed noun. 2 M. Edgeworth Arguments.. brought by his companions in their.. master's justification. 3 Tennyson The loss that brought us pain. J. Updike Gifts bring men, men bring bullets, bullets bring oppression. 4 Coverdale Hab. 3:17 The londe shall bringe no come. 5 Coverdale Judg. 3:30 Thus were the Moabites broughte vnder the hande of the children of Israel. J. Butler Persons.. by a course of vice, bring them¬ selves into new difficulties. C. THiRLWALLThe prosecutors brought Demosthenes to trial first. D. W. Jerrold A woman may be brought to forgive bigamy, but not a joke. D. Lodge Some kind of physical malformation which the man could not even bring himself to describe, bring a person to his or her senses: see sense noun, bring home to: see home adverb. bring into being cause to exist, bring into play: see play noun, bring into the world give birth to, (of a midwife etc.) deliver, bring to a head: see head noun 28. bring to bear, see bear verb\ bring to book: see book noun, bring to grief, bring to life: see life noun, bring to pass: see pass noun2, bring to utterance: see utterance noun2. 6 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI He From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree. 7 Defoe Her main¬ mast and fore-mast were brought by the board, bring the port tacks aboard, bring the starboard tacks aboard, bring the tacks aboard: see tack noun'. With adverbs in specialized senses: bring about (a) cause to happen, accomplish; f(b) complete by a revolving; (c) turn round; reverse (a ship); convert, bring back cause to return, recall, bring to mind, bring down (a) cause to fall or collapse (bring down the house, bring the house down (theatre), get loud applause); (b) cause (a flying bird, an aircraft, etc.) to fall to the ground; cause (a penalty etc.) to fall on; kill, wound; overthrow; abase; (c) lower (a price etc.); (d) continue (a record etc.) to a point in time, bring forth (a) produce, yield, give birth to, cause; t(b) utter; advance as an argument etc.; |(c) bring to light, expose to public view, bring forward (a) draw attention to; (b) move to an earlier date or time, transfer from a previous page or account, bring in (a) introduce (a custom, fashion, topic, legis¬ lation, etc., fa person), adduce; produce as profit or increase; (b) pronounce (a verdict; a person guilty etc.), bring off (a) rescue (arch, in gen. sense), spec, conduct away from a ship, wreck, etc.; (b) conduct successfully, succeed in, achieve, bring on (a) intro¬ duce (a topic for discussion etc.), cause, bring into action; (b) advance the progress of. bring out t(b A strong outdoor shoe with orna¬ mental perforated bands. E20. j2 In pi. Hose, trousers; waterproof leggings with feet, used in angling. E17-L19.

brogue /braug/ noun3 & verb. eis. [Perh. same word as prec.) ► A noun. A strongly-marked dialectal (esp. Irish) accent. E18. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Speak or utter with a brogue, rare. E19.

= BROCKET 1.

noun.

tbroid verb trans. ME-E17. [Alt. of braid verb' after pa. pple broideti: see browden.] Plait, interweave.

of brocket.

Brocken /'broken/ noun. Ei9. [The highest of the Harz Mountains in Germany, where particu¬ larly observed.] Brocken spectre, spectre of the Brocken, a magnified shadow on a bank of cloud in high mountains, often with a coloured halo.

tbroiden ppl adjective var. of browden. broider /'braida/ verb trans. & intrans. arch. lme. [Old French brosder, brou(s)der (mod. broder) with inf. ending retained; alt. by assoc, with 8roid.] Embroider; adorn (as) with embroidery.

brocket/’brokit/noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman broquet dim. (see-ET1) of brogue dial. var. of broche broach noun’: cf. French brocard young roe, brocket.] 1 A red deer stag in its second year, with straight horns.

■ broiderer noun (arch.) an embroiderer lme. broidery noun (poet.) embroidery lme.

broil /broil/ noun'. Ei6. [from broil verb1.]

LME.

A tumult; a quarrel.

2 A small Central or S. American deer of the genus Mazama. Ml9.

broil /broil/ noun2. Li6. [from broil verb1.] 1 A broiling; great heat. L16.

brockit /'brokit/ adjective. Scot. Also brocked. Li6. [Perh. from brock noun' + -ed2, but cf. Norwegian broket, Danish broget.] Of mixed colour, esp. black and white; with black and white spots or stripes.

2 (A piece of) broiled meat. Ei 9. 2 London broil

broil /broil/ verb', lme. [Old French bruler, bruller, earlier brusler (mod. bruler) burn, from Proto-Romance, perh. from Germanic base of burn verb + Latin ustulare burn up.] jl verb trans. Burn; char. LME-M16.

Brock’s benefit /broks 'bemfit/ noun phr. E20. [Name of the public fireworks display held annually at the Crystal Palace, London, from 1865 to 1936, from C. T. Brock, firework manufacturer.] sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

broderie anglaise /,braud(a)ri Drj'gleiz/ noun phr. M19. [French = English embroidery.] Open embroidery on linen, cambric, etc.; fabric so embroidered.

■ brogued adjective (o) made with a strong vamp like a brogue; (b) rare wearing brogues: E19.

brock /brok/ noun2. Now rare or obsolete. E16. [Abbreviation.]

1

broderer /’braudara/ noun. arch. lme. [Var. of broiderer.] An embroiderer. (Now only used as a guild-name.)

brogue /braug/ noun'. Long obsolete exc. Scot. Mi6. [Origin unkn.] An escheat; a fraud, a trick,

brochure /'brauja, bro'Jua/ noun. M18. [French, lit. 'stitching, stitched work’, formed as broche verb' +

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her,

brodkin

broggle /'brog(a)l/ verb intrans. north. Mi7. [Frequentative of brog verb: see-le3.] Fish for eels with a baited stick, sniggle.

brochette /brD'Jet/ noun. lis. [French, dim. of broche broach noun': see -ette.] 1 A small broach, skewer, or spit; spec, a skewer on which chunks of meat are cooked, lis. 2 A pin or bar used to fasten medals, orders, etc., to clothing; a set of decorations worn in this way. mi 9.

broke

-quin,

tbroggernoun. lme-eis. [Var. of broker: thus Anglo-Norman brogbur beside brocour.] A broker; esp. a corrupt jobber of offices.

broche /'braujei, foreign broje/ adjective & noun. L19. [French, pa. pple of brocher: see prec.] (A material, esp. silk) woven with a pattern on the surface.

brocked adjective var.

Also

brogan/'braug(a)n/noun. Mi9. [Irish brogan, Gaelic brogan dim. of brog brogue noun2.] A coarse stout leather shoe reaching to the ankle.

brooch,

jbroche verb2 trans. L15-M19. [from French brother to stitch, brocade: see broach verb'.] Stitch or work with raised figures.

brock noun3 see

■ brodder noun (Scot. & north.) a person who uses a brod L19.

brodekin /'brodikm/ noun. /'brodkrn/. L15. [French brodequin: see buskin.] Hist. A buskin.

brog /brog/ noun & verb. Scot. & north, lis. [Origin unkn.: cf. brod.] ► A noun. 1 A pricking or boring instrument, a bradawl. Also, a prick with this. lis. 2 A short stick, esp. to stand in the ground, lis. ► B verb. Infl. -gg-. 1 verb intrans. = broggle. L17. 2 verb trans. Prick, prod; pierce with a brog. Li 8.

-ITE\]

noun, verb'

brod /bind/ noun & verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. See also brad, me. [App. from Old Norse broddr = Old English brord spike: cf. brog noun, prod noun1.] ^ A noun. J1 A shoot. Only in me. 2 = BRAD. ME. 3 (A prick from) a goad. lme. ► B verb. Infl. -dd-. jl verb intrans. Sprout. Only in me. 2 verb trans. Goad, prod. Scot. & north, lme.

Broeder /'bru:da, foreign 'brudar/ noun. S. Afr. M20. [Afrikaans from Dutch: see brother noun.] A member of the Broederbond, a largely secret society open only to male Protestant Afrikaners.

brochantite /'brDj(3)ntAit/ noun. E19. [from A. J. M. Brochant de Villiers (1772-1840). French geologist +

tbroche

tbrocoli noun var. of broccoli.

brodkin noun var. of brodekin.

Ei8.

of bracken

A spectacular display of pyrotechnics. Freq. fig.

0

2 verb trans. Cook (meat) by placing it over a fire on a gridiron etc.; grill, lme. 3 verb intrans. Be subjected to heat; become very hot, esp. fig. with excitement, anger, etc. mi6. 4 verb trans. Scorch, make very hot. M17. broil /broil/ verb2,

lme.

[Anglo-Norman broiller, Old French broomier (mod. brouiller), from Proto-Romance, from base of Old French breu: see brewis.] jl verb trans. Mix confusedly lme-mi?. 2 verb intrans. Engage in a broil, wrangle, lme. 3 verb trans. Involve in confusion, discompose; embroil. Now rare or obsolete. E16.

broiler/’broils/noun1,

me.

[from broil verb’ + -er1.]

1 A person who or thing which broils meat etc. me. ►b spec. A gridiron or other apparatus used in broiling. lme. Fc A very hot day. colloq. Ei9. 2 A chicken reared for broiling. M19. Comb.: broiler chicken, broiler fowl = sense 2 above: broiler house a building for rearing broiler chickens in close confine¬ ment.

broiler/'broils/ noun2, rare.

M17.

[from broil verb2 + -er1.]

A person who stirs up or engages in broils. jbrokage noun. Also brocage,

lme-mis.

[Anglo-Norman brocage, Anglo-Latin brocagium: see broker, -AGE.]

Brokerage; usu. in an unfavourable sense; corrupt dealing, bribery, pimping, etc. broke /brsuk/ noun. Also (now dial.) brock /brok/. [Old English broc (sense 1), gebroc (sense 2), formed as break verb.] j1

Affliction, misery. Only in oe. 2 A fragment. Long obsolete exc. dial. oe. j3 A wound, a rupture. LME-M16. 4 In pi. Short pieces of wool esp. from the edge of a fleece. Li 9. broke /brsuk/ adjective,

me.

[pa. pple (now arch.) of break verb.] 1 = broken. Long arch, in gen. sense. ME. 2 pred. Without money, penniless; ruined, bankrupt. colloq. Ei 8.

3 Of a horse: broken to harness. Chiefly US.

E19.

2 With intensive: dead broke, flat broke, stony broke, broke to the wide, etc. go broke go bankrupt, go for broke (orig. US) give one’s all, make strenuous efforts.

broke /brsuk/ verb' intrans.

&

(rare) trans. lme.

[Back-form, from broker.]

Bargain, negotiate; traffic (in). Now spec, in commercial matters: act as a broker or agent (in, for). broke verb2 pa. t. of break verb. broken /'brsok(s)n/ adjective,

me.

[pa. pple of break verb.] ► I gen. 1 In the senses of break verb: separated forcibly

into parts, in fragments, fractured, shattered, burst, split, not intact or in working order, damaged; produced by breaking, fragmentary, me. B3 1 AV Ps. 31:121 am like a broken vessell. J. Tyndall Broken fragments of rock. T. Pynchon The table littered with broken-spined books.

► II spec. 2 Of a limb etc.: having the bone fractured. Of the back or neck: suffering fracture or dislocation of bones. Of the head: grazed, laid open. lme. 3 Not continuous or uniform; uneven, interrupted, dis¬ jointed, disconnected, lme. Fb Of language: imperfectly spoken, with incomplete syntax. L16. 4 Crushed in health, strength, feelings, etc.; exhausted, enfeebled; subdued, humbled. Li 5. Fb Chiefly of animals: trained to obedience or discip¬ line; tamed. Freq. foil, by in. E19. 5 Financially ruined, bankrupt. Li 6. 6 Violated, transgressed, not kept. E17. 7 Of water: foaming, turbulent; choppy, rough. Li 8. 8 Dispersed in confusion, routed. E19. 9 music. Of an octave or other chord: of which the notes are played in succession rather than together. Li9. £□ 3 Ld Macaulay His rest that night was broken. Bosw. Smith The Carthaginian cavalry and elephants extricated themselves.. from the broken ground. J. McPhee The skies are broken, and around the gray clouds are wide bays of blue, b A Powell A Viennese.. who talked Comic Opera broken English. 6 A. Lewis A mirror cracked by broken vows. 8 Sir W. Scott Now leader of a broken host. Special collocations & comb. : broken-backed adjective f(o) hunch¬ backed; (b) having a broken back; nautical (of a ship) drooping at both ends through damage to the frame, broken colour: mixed or juxtaposed closely with another, broken-down worn out. dilapidated, decayed, ruined, having ceased to function broken field aimer, football the area beyond die line of scrimmage where the defenders are relatively scattered (giving opportunities for the opposing players to run with the ball), broken-field adverb (N. Amec colloq.) in the manner of a footballer running in the broken field, broken heartaspirit crushed by grief etc. broken home: that of a family lacking one parent, usu. through divorce

: saw. A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day, au no. e: hair, ra near, di boy. ua poor, /ua tire, aua sour

294

broken-hearted | bronze or separation, broken line: made up of dashes, broken man (a) a man reduced to despair; (b) Scottish history an outlaw, broken reed: see REED noun', broken tea tea-siftings, broken time (working) time reduced by interruptions, broken wind a chronic disabling condition of horses due to rupture of air-cells in the lungs, broken-winded adjective suffering from broken wind (often fig.). a

brokenly adverb L>6. brokenness l-n-n-l noun E17.

broken-hearted /breok(3)n'ha:tid/ adjective. Ei6. [from prec. + hearted.]

Having a broken heart; crushed by grief etc.

■ broken-heartedly adverb L17. broken-heartedness noun LI 8.

broker /'bracks/ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman brocour, brogour = Anglo-latin brocator. Provencal abrocador, of unkn. origin ]

► A noun, fl a A retailer; derog. a pedlar, a petty dealer. ME-M18. Fb A dealer in second-hand furniture, clothing, etc.; a pawnbroker. Li6. 2 A middleman in business, esp. a stockbroker; an agent, a commissioner; gen. an intermediary, me. t3 A go-between in love affairs, a matchmaker; a pimp, a bawd. LME-L17. 4 A person licensed to sell or appraise distrained goods. E19. 2 honest broker see honest adjective. Comb.: broker-dealer a person combining the former func¬ tions of a broker and jobber on the Stock Exchange. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Act as a broker. Chiefly as brokering verbal noun & ppl adjective, rare. M17. 2 verb trans. Act as a broker with respect to, arrange as a broker. M20. ■ brokerage noun (a) = broking i; (b) a broker’s fee or commis¬ sion: lme. brokeress noun (now rare or obsolete) a female broker Lt6. fbrokery noun (a) = broking i; (b) a broker's wares: L16-M18. broking /'braukig/noun. Mi6. [from broke verb' +-ING1.]

1 The trade of a broker, acting as a broker, mi 6. |2 Dishonest or disreputable dealing. L16-E17. brolga /'brolga/ noun. Li9. [Kamilaroiburalga.]

An Australian crane, Grus rubicunda. Also called native companion. brolly /'broli/ noun. Li9. [Alt. of UMBRELLA.]

1 An umbrella, colloq. L19. 2 A parachute, slang. M20. brom- combining form see bromo-. bromate/’braumeit/noun. M19. [from bromic +-ate1.] chemistry.

A salt or ester of bromic acid.

bromatology 'braomo'tDhd3i/ noun. rare. E19. [from Greek bromat-, broma food + -ology.]

The science of food; a treatise on this, brome/braom/ noun. mis. [mod. Latin Bromus (see below) from Latin bromos, from Greek bromos, bromos oats.]

Any of several grasses of the genus Bromus and related genera, usu. having spikelets in loose panicles and with long-awned lemmas. Also brome-grass. false brome any of several grasses resembling bromes, of the genus Brachypodium. esp. B. sylvaticum, common in woods and hedges, soft brome: see soft adjective. bromelia/bra'milia/noun. E19. [mod. Latin, from Olaf Bromel (1639-1705), Swedish botanist: see -'A']

A plant of the New World family Bromeliaceae (and esp. of the genus Bromelia), having short stems and lance¬ shaped spiny leaves, e.g. pineapple. ■ bromeli aceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Bromeliaceae L19. bromeliad noun a plant of the family Bromeliaceae M19. bromelin /'braumilin/ noun. Li9. [from prec. +-in1.]

A proteolytic enzyme present in the juice of the pine¬ apple. bromic/'braunuk/ adjective. E19. [from BROMINE + -IC.)

Of or containing bromine; bromic acid, a strongly oxidizing add, HBr03, known only as an aqueous solution. chemistry.

bromide/'braumAid/noun. M19. [from BROMINE + -IDE.]

1 chemistry. A compound of bromine with a less electro¬ negative element or radical; a salt or ester of hydrobromicacid. M19. 2 a (A dose of) potassium or sodium bromide taken as a sedative. L19. >b fig. Something or someone boring, com¬ monplace, or conventional; esp. a soothing platitude or trite remark. Orig. US. E20. 3 A leproduction on bromide paper L20 ^h snveXnudeP^ur,st°t0SraPhlC ■ bromidic /bre(u)imdik/ adjective of the nature of a bromidecommonplace, trite: E20.

b but, d dog. f few. g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

bromidrosis /braumi’drausis/ noun. Mi9. [from Greek bromos stink + hldros sweat + -osis.] medicine. Offensively odorous perspiration due to bacter¬ ial breakdown of sweat. brominate /'braomineit/ verb trans. Mi9. [from next + -ate3.]

Treat with bromine; chemistry introduce one or more bromine atoms into (a compound or molecule) usu. in place of hydrogen. Freq, as brominated ppl adjective. m

bromi nation noun M19.

bromine /'braomi:n/noun. Ei9. [from French brome bromine, from Greek

bromos

stink: see

-INE5.]

A rank-smelling, highly toxic, dark red volatile liquid which is a chemical element of the halogen group, atomic no. 35. (Symbol Br.)

■ bromize verb trans. (now rare or obsolete) treat, compound, or impregnate with bromine or its compounds mi9.

bromism /'braumiz(a)m/noun. Mi9. [from prec. + -ism.]

medicine. A condition of torpor and weakness caused by excessive intake of bromides. bromo /'braomau/ noun, colloq. PI. -os. E20. [from bromide +

-0

]

A bromide (bromide paper.

2a,

b), bromides. Also, toilet

bromo- /'braomao/ combining form of bromine: see -0-. Before a vowel also brom- /braum/. ■ bromargyrite /bra'mQidjirxit/ noun (mineralogy) native silver bromide, a mineral crystallizing in the cubic system and usu. occurring as colourless, grey, pale yellow, or green crystals M19. bromoform noun (chemistry) a colourless liquid, CHBr,, analogous to chloroform and formerly having some germicidal use M19. Bromo-'Seltzer noun (proprietary name for) an analgesic prep¬ aration containing sodium bromide L19. tbromuret noun = BROMIDE 1 M-L19. bromyrite /'braumirMt/ noun = bromargyrite M19.

bromocriptine /braomao1 knpti: 11/ noun. L20. [from bromo- + ergo)cryptine.]

pharmacology. A synthetic derivative of the alkaloid ergocryptine that stimulates the dopaminergic recep¬ tors of the brain, inhibiting the release of prolactin, and is used in the treatment of Parkinsonism, galactorrhoea, and other conditions. Brompton /'brom(p)t(a)n/ noun, ei 8. [A district of London in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.] 1 horticulture. In full Brompton stock. A biennial variety of stock developed at Brompton Park Nursery, eis. 2 Brompton cocktail, a powerful painkiller and seda¬ tive consisting of vodka or other liquor laced with mor¬ phine and sometimes also cocaine, supposedly invented at Brompton Hospital for the use of cancer patients. L20. bronc /brogk/ noun, colloq. li9. [Abbreviation] A bronco. bronchi noun pi. of bronchus. bronchia /'brogkia/ noun pi. Now rare or obsolete. Formerly also treated as sing, with pi. -chiae /-kii:/. L17. [Late Latin from Greek brogkhia, from brogkhos windpipe.] The ramifications of the two main bronchi in the lungs. Cf. bronchus. bronchial /'brmjkia!/ adjective. Li7. [from prec. + -al1.]

Of or pertaining to the bronchi or their branches.

■ bronchially adverb L19

bronchiectasis/brogkiektasis/ noun. L19. [from bronchia + Greek ektasis dilatation.] medicine. Widening of the bronchi or their branches. bronchio- combining form see broncho-. bronchiole /'brogkiaul/ noun. Mi9. [mod. Latin bronchiolus, -um dims, of bronchia: see -ole1.] anatomy. Any of the smallest branches of a bronchus, without mucous glands or cartilage. ■ bronchiolar /broijki'aob/ adjective E20. bronchiolitis /.brDLjkia'lAitis/ noun inflammation of the bronchioles L19.

bronchitic brng'kitik adjective & noun. M19. [from next + -ic.]

► A adjective. Of, or pertaining to bronchitis; suffering from bronchitis, mi9. ► B noun. A sufferer from bronchitis. L19. bronchitis /brog'kAitis/ noun. E19. [from bronchus + -itis.]

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi. verminous bronchitis: see verminous 3a. broncho noun & adjective var. of bronco. broncho- /'brogkao/ combining form. Also (occas.) bronchio- /'brmjkisu/. [Greek brogkho-, from brogkhos bronchus; forms with -io- from bronchia: see -o-.]

man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

Forming nouns and adjectives with the sense ‘of the bronchi, windpipe, or lungs’.

■ bronchocele noun [Greek brogkhokzle: see -cele] (a) (a) local¬ ized widening of a bronchus; (b) (now rare or obsolete) goitre: M17. bronchocon'striction noun narrowing of the bronchi E20. bronchocon strictor noun a substance which causes bronchoconstriction E20. bronchodi lator noun a substance which causes widening of the bronchi E20. bronchogenic /-'djemk/ adjective of bronchial origin E20 bronchogram noun an X-ray image of the bronchi produced by partially filling them with a radio-opaque material M20. bronchography /brDifkDgrafi/ noun X-ray examination of the bronchi M20. bronchophonic -'fomk/ adjective of or pertaining to bronchophony mis. bronchophony ZbrDg'kDfani/ noun abnor¬ mally loud vocal resonance audible stethoscopically in consoli¬ dating lung disease m 19 bronchopneu' monia noun infection of the pulmonary alveoli spreading by the bronchi and bronchioles Mi9. broncho pulmonary adjective pertaining to or affecting the bronchi and lungs M19. broncho rrhoea noun persistently excessive bronchial secretion of mucus M19 bronchoscope noun an instrument for internal inspection of the bronchi L19. bronchoscopic - skopik/ adjective of or pertaining to the bron¬ choscope or bronchoscopy E20. bronchoscopy /brDq'koskapi/ noun the use of a bronchoscope E20. bronchospasm noun spasm of bronchial smooth muscle producing narrowing of the bronchi E20. bronchotomy 'biDg'kDtami/ noun (now rare or obsolete) tracheotomy eis.

bronchus /'brogkas/ noun. Usu. in pi. bronchi /’brogkAi/. LI 7. [Late Latin from Greek brogkhos windpipe.] anatomy. Orig., either of the two branches into which the

windpipe divides. Now also, any of the ramifying system of cartilage-lined passages between the windpipe and the bronchioles. Cf. bronchia, bronchiole. bronco 'brogkao/ noun & adjective. Also -cho. M19. [Spanish = rough, rude.)

► A noun. Pi. -os. A wild or half-tamed horse, esp. of the western US. mi9. Comb. : bronco-buster slang a breaker-in of broncos.

► B adjective. Wild, uncontrollable, rough. US colloq. M19. bronto- /'brontao/ combining form of Greek bronte thunder: see -o-. ■ brontology bron'iDkxlpi/ noun (rare) the branch of know¬ ledge that deals with thunder mis. bronto'phobia noun irrational fear of thunderstorms E20. brontothere noun a titanothere, esp. of the genus Brontotherium L19.

brontosaurus /bronta'sa:ras/ noun. Pi. -ruses, -ri /-tm/. L19. [mod. Latin, formed as prec. + Greek sauros -saur.]

A large herbivorous sauropod dinosaur of the genus Brontosaurus (or Apatosaurus), known as fossils of the Jur¬ assic and Cretaceous periods. ■ brontosaur noun a large dinosaur of the group which includes the brontosaurus; spec. = brontosaurus: L19. brontosaurian adjective of or like a brontosaurus; chiefly fig., ponderous, clumsy: E20.

Bronx /brooks/ noun. US. E20. [A borough of New York City.)

1 In full Bronx cocktail. A cocktail of gin, vermouth, and orange juice. E20. 2 Bronx cheer, a sound of derision or contempt made by blowing through closed lips with the tongue between; = raspberry 3a. E20. bronze /bronz/ noun & adjective, eis. [French from Italian bronzo, prob. from Persian biritij brass.]

► A noun. 1 A brown alloy of copper with up to one-third tin, often with small amounts of other metals; (with spe¬ cifying word) such an alloy with a particular compos¬ ition or constituent. Cf. brass noun, ei 8. ►b Bronze taken as a type of hardness or insensitivity; impudence, effrontery, nerve. Now rare. eis. Fc = bronze medal below. M20. 2 A statue or other work of art made of bronze, eis. 3 A brown metallic powder used in painting etc. mis. 4 The colour of bronze. Ei9. 1 aluminium bronze. Corinthian bronze: see Corinthian adjective 1 manganese bronze phosphor bronze plastic bronze: see plastic adjective & noun3, white bronze: see white adjective.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of bronze; of the colour of bronze, mi9. Special collocations & comb.: Bronze Age the period when weapons and tools were predominantly made of copper and its alloys, bronze diabetes = haemochromatosis. bronze medal: awarded for a third place in the modem Olympic Games etc bronze powder = sense A.3 above, bronzewing any of a number of Australasian pigeons, esp. Phaps chalcoptera. ■ bronzy adjective tinged with bronze colour; like bronzeM19.

bronze /bronz/ verb. M17. [from the noun or French bronzer.]

1 verb trans. Give a surface of bronze or resembling bronze to. M17. >b fig. Make unfeeling or shameless, harden. Now rare or obsolete, eis. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Make or become like bronze in colour; brown, suntan. Li8. 2 bronzed diabetes = haemochromatosis. ■ bronzer noun (a) one who gives objects a surface or appear¬ ance of bronze; (b) a cosmetic liquid or powder applied to the J she,

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

295

bronzite | brotherhood skin to give it colour or shine (usu. to give the appearance of a suntan): mi9.

bronzite /'bronzAit/ noun. E19. [from bronzenoun + -iTE'.]

mineralogy. A bronze-coloured iron-containing variety of enstatite. broo /bru:/ noun'. Scot. lme. [Old French breu: see brewis.]

= BREEnoun2 2. broo noun2 var. of buroo. brooch /braotj/ noun & verb. Also tbroche. me. [Var. of broach noun'.]

► A noun. 1 An ornament with a hinged pin and catch, usu. worn fastened to a woman’s clothing or as a badge etc. ME. 12 Any jewelled ornament; a trinket, me-liz. 1 spray brooch: see spray noun' 2c. stomacher brooch: see STOMACHER nOUO1 2.

► B verb trans. Adorn as with a brooch, rare. E17. brood bru:d/noun. [Old English brod, corresp. to Middle Dutch broet (Dutch broed). Old High German bruot (German Brut), from Germanic, from base meaning 'warm, heat'.]

1 Progeny or offspring of animals that lay eggs; a family of young from one hatching; spec, (a) bee or wasp larvae; (b) the spat of oysters in its second year. oe. >b Of human beings: a family, children. Now derag. or joc. me. ►c fig. The products or results of circumstances, actions, etc. Li6. 2 The fostering of the foetus in egg or womb; hatching, breeding, arch. exc. in comb, below, me. >tb Parentage, descent. ME-L16. 3 A race, a kind; a group of men, things, etc., having common qualities. Usu. derog. lme. 4 A state or period of contemplative brooding. L19. CO 1 AV Luke 13:34 As a henne doeth gather her brood vnder her wings, b Shakes. Temp. She will become thy bed.. And bring thee forth brave brood, c Milton The brood of Folly without father bred. Geo. Eliot A brood of guilty wishes. 2 sit on brood sit as a hen on her eggs, sit brooding (cf. abrood). b Spenser The virgin borne of heauenly brood. 3 Addison Its tainted air and all its broods of poisons. E. A. Freeman A brood of petty despots. 4 W. Golding I drifted off into a dreary brood. Comb.: brood cell, brood comb a cell in, the part of, a comb used for the rearing of bee larvae: brood-hen. brood mare, etc.: kept for breeding; brood patch a denuded area of a bird's ventral surface, facilitating the transfer of heat from the parent to the egg(s); brood pouch a saclike structure for the protection of developing eggs or young, found in various vertebrate and invertebrate animals; brood queen = queen noun 6.

brood /bru:d/ verb. lme. [from the noun.]

► I verb trans. 1 Sit on (eggs) so as to hatch them, incubate. lme. fb fig. Breed, hatch, (products, projects). E17. 2 Cherish (young) under the wings, as a hen. L16. >b fig. Cherish in the mind etc.; contemplate, nurse (wrath etc.). Now rare (cf. sense 5 below). Li6. CQ 1b Southey There brood the pestilence and let The earthquake loose. 2b Dryden You’ll sit and brood your Sorrows on a throne.

► II verb intrans. 3 Incubate eggs; sit as a hen on eggs. Li6. 4 fig. Of night, silence, etc.: hang or hover close over, (up)on, etc. Mi7. 5 Meditate (on, upon, over, about), esp. moodily or resent¬ fully. Li 7. 6

Lie as a cherished nestling, thought, etc. L17.

63 4 Dryden Perpetual Night.. In silence brooding on th' unhappy ground. Ld Macaulay Mists and storms brood over it [Glencoe] through the greater part of the finest Summer. 5 R. Macaulay She brooded darkly for a while. A. Brink Ben was in no mood to talk, brooding over his own thoughts. 6 N. Hawthorne The themes that were brooding deepest in their hearts. ■ brooder noun (a) a hen etc. that broods or hatches eggs; (b) a person who broods over things; (c) a heated house or a device providing heat for chicks, piglets, etc.: L16. broodingly adverb in a brooding manner M19.

broody /'bru:di/ adjective & noun. Ei6. [from brood noun + -y'.]

► A adjective. 1 Apt or inclined to breed; prolific, obsolete exc. dial. Ei6. 2 Of a hen: wishing or inclined to incubate eggs. Of a woman (joc.): wishing to be pregnant. E16.

3 Inclined to meditate resentfully; feeling depressed. M19. ► B noun. A broody hen. E20. ■ broodiness noun Li9.

brook /bruk/ noun. [Old English broc, corresp. to Low German & High German words meaning 'marsh, bog’, Middle Low German brok, Middle & mod. Dutch brock, Old High German bruoh (German Bruch): of unkn. origin.]

A small stream; orig., a torrent. babbling brook: see babble verb 2. Comb, brook char = brook trout (b) below; brooklime [Old English hleomoce, name of the plant] a speedwell common in wet places, esp. Veronica beccabunga; brook trout fM the brown trout, Salmo trutta; (b) a migratory char, Salvelinusfontinalis, native to north-eastern N. America; also called brown char; brookweed a small white-flowered plant, Samolus valerandi, of the primrose family, found in wet places; also called water pimpernel ■ brooklet noun a little brook E19.

brook /brok/ verb trans. [Old English brucan = Old Frisian briika, Old Saxon brukan (Dutch bruiken), Old High German bruhhan (German brauchen), Gothic brukjan, from Germanic base meaning ‘to use’, from IndoEuropean (whence Latin frui enjoy).] 1 Enjoy the use of, profit by; possess, hold. arch. exc. Scot OE. |2 Make use of (food); digest. oe-li 6.

3 Put up with, tolerate; admit of. Usu. with neg. Now literary, mi6. B3 3 M. Muggeridge A son-in-law who was an elementary school supply teacher was not to be brooked. E. Reveley Her mother’s frenzy brooked no delay. ■ brookable adjective (chiefly Scot.) endurable, tolerable (earlier in UNBROOKABLE) E19.

brookite/'brokAit/noun. E19. [from Henry J. Brooke (1771-1857), English mineralogist + -ite1.]

mineralogy. Tlie orthorhombic form of titanium dioxide, usu. occurring as dark brown or black prisms. Brooklynese /brokli'ni:z/ noun. E20. [from Brooklyn (see below) + -ese.]

An uncultivated form of New York speech associated esp. with the borough of Brooklyn. brool /bru:l/ noun. M19. [German Btiill (poet, for Gebriill), from briillen to roar.]

A low humming sound; a murmur. broom /bru;m/ noun & verb. [Old English brom, corresp. to Middle Low German bram, Middle Dutch brame (Dutch braam), Old High German bramo, brama, from Germanic base also of bramble noun.] ► A noun. 1 Any of various chiefly yellow-flowered leg¬ uminous shrubs of the genera Cytisus and Genista, esp. the common species C. scoparius of western Eurasia. Also

(with specifying word), any of certain other plants similar to these in use or appearance, oe. 2 A sweeping-implement, usu. on a long handle, orig. one made of twigs of broom, heather, etc. me. 1 butcher’s broom. Spanish broom, sweet broom, etc. 2 new broom fig. a newly appointed person eager to make changes. shovel and broom: see shovel noun 1. Comb.: broomball (orig. Conod.) a team game similar to ice hockey in which participants score by pushing a ball into the opponents’ goal using brooms; broom-corn N. Arner. a variety of sorghum whose dried inflorescences are used for brooms; broom-grass N. Amer. = broom-sedge below; broom hickory a kind of hickory, Carya glabra, once used for making brooms; also called pignut: broomrape [Latin rapum tuber] a brown leafless plant belonging to the genus Orobanche or a related genus, and growing on the roots of other plants; broom-sedge N. Amer. any of various coarse grasses, esp. of the genus Andropogon, occas. used for brooms or thatch; broomstaff. pi. -staffs, -staves, a broomstick, broomstick the handle of a broom (allegedly ridden through the air by witches); marry over the broomstick. go through a sham marriage ceremony in which the parties jump over a broom. ► B verb trans. 1 = bream verb. Only in Diets. Ei7. 2 Sweep with a broom. Ei9. ■ broomie noun (Austral. & NZ colloq.) a person who sweeps the floor in a shearing-shed Li9. broomy adjective covered with or having much broom Mi7.

broose /bru:z/ noun. Scot. Mi7. [Origin unkn.]

A traditional race by young men present at country weddings in Scotland, the course being from the bride’s former home to the bridegroom’s house. Bros, noun pi. see bro. brose /brsoz/ noun. Chiefly Scot, mi7. [Var. of brewis.]

A dish of oatmeal with boiling water or milk poured on it. Athole brose. PEASE-brose

broth /brD0/ noun. [Old English brop = Old High German brod, Old Norse brofi, from Germanic, from base of brew verb.]

1 Unclarified meat or fish stock; a thin soup made from this and vegetables, oe. 2 Stock etc. used as a culture medium for bacteria. Li 9. 1 broth of a boy (chiefly Anglo-Irish) a good fellow. Scotch broth see Scotch adjective. m brothy adjective (rare) of. or of the nature of, broth Mi7.

brothel /'bro0(3)l/ noun. lme. [Ult. from Old English breopan deteriorate, degenerate, of unkn. origin. In sense 3 abbreviation of brothel-house, infl. by and super¬ seding BORDEL.]

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, a: saw. a run, o put, u: too, a ago, aj my, ao how, ei day.

11 A worthless wretch, a good-for-nothing. lme-li6. |2 A prostitute. LME-E17. 3 A house where prostitutes work. Li6. Comb.: brothel-creepers slang soft-soled (usu. suede) shoes; brothel-house arch. = sense 3 above. ■ tbrotheller noun a whoremonger E17-E19. brothelly adjective (rare) whorish Ei7. brothelry noun (a) arch, lewdness; +(b) a brothel: mi6.

brother /'brAds/ noun & adjective. PI. brothers, (chiefly in senses 2b & 3) brethren /'bredr(3)n/. [Old English bropor = Old Frisian brother, broder, Old Saxon bropar, Middle & mod. Dutch broeder, Middle & mod. Low German broder. Old High German bruodar (German Bruder), Old Norse brodir, Gothic bropar, from Germanic from Indo-European, whence Latin frater, Greek phrater, Sanskrit bhratr.]

► A noun. 1 A male related to one or more other persons (male or female) by having the same parents or by having one parent in common, oe. ►b Chiefly in biblical translations (a Hebraism); a kinsman, as uncle, nephew, or cousin, me. 2 (With possible inclusion of a minority of females in pi., if not considered significant. Also used before a name and as a form of address or reference.) ►a A man who is a close friend; a (male) fellow citizen or fellow country¬ man; an associate, an equal; a person of the same race, colour, or class; a fellow creature, oe. ►b A (male) fellow Christian, a co-religionist, a (male) fellow member of a religious society or sect. In pi. (Brethren) spec, members of the Plymouth Brethren (see below), oe. roman catholic church. A member of a men’s religious congrega¬ tion or order, me. ►d A (male) fellow member of a guild, trade union, society, regiment, profession, etc.; an offi¬ cial of certain companies etc. lme. Used as a familiar form of address to a man. Also as interjection expr. sur¬ prise, annoyance, etc. Chiefly N. Amer. E20. 3 fig. An identical or similar thing, a counterpart, lme. £□ 1 AV Prov. 18:24 A friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Tennyson Here two brothers .. had met And fought, adoptive brother, foster-brother, full brother, halfbrother. stepbrother, etc. 2a Tennyson My friend, the brother of my love, My Arthur! C. G. Seligman The extinct Guanches of the Canary Islands showed as least as much racial mixture as their brethren of the mainland. Black Scholar This Black Studies Class will help open the eyes of our so many sleeping brothers. A. Storr Faced with a common enemy.. we become brothers in a way which never obtains in ordinary life, b J. Morley The Protestants .. found warm hospitality among their northern brethren. W. G. Simms Call me not Mr., I pray thee... If thou wilt call me Brother Cross, my heart shall acknowledge the bonds between us. c B. Moore Behind Brother Martin, gazing at the shiny tonsure, d A. H. Quinn He was a member of Kappa Phi, and .. he had a right to anything his brothers could give him. 4 Pope Grove nods at grove, each Alley has a brother. Phrases: a man and a brother see man noun. Big Brother: see big adjective, brother consanguineous, consanguineous brother (esp. roman law): having the same father only, brother german: having the same parents, brother uterine, uterine brother: having the same mother only. Christian Brethren the Plymouth Brethren; members of the Plymouth Brethren, consanguineous brother: see brother consanguineous above. Elder Brother see elder adjective. Exclusive Brethren the more exclusive section of the Plymouth Brethren; members of the Exclusive Brethren, lay brother: see lay adjective. Open Brethren the less exclusive

section of the Plymouth Brethren; members of the Open Breth¬ ren. Plymouth Brethren the Calvinistic religious body formed at Plymouth c 1830 with no formal creed and no official order of ministers; members of the Plymouth Brethren, the Brethren (a) in the New Testament, the members of the early Christian Churches; (b) the Plymouth Brethren. United Brethren see united adjective, uterine brother: see brother uterine above. ► B attrib. or as adjective. (Freq. with hyphen.) That is a brother; belonging to the same group; close as a brother; fellow-, lme. £□ Pope Two brother-heroes shall from thee be bom. R. Burns Land o’ Cakes and brither Scots. J. Raban One of his brother officers wandered into the mess. Special collocations & comb.: brother-in-arms a fighter in the

same cause, brother-in-law. pi. brothers-in-law. the brother of one’s husband or wife, or the husband of one's sister(-in-law). Brother Jonathan. ■ brothership noun (a) brotherhood oe.

brother /'brAds/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

Make a brother of; admit to brotherhood; treat or address as brother. brotherhood /’brAdshud/ noun. Also t-head. me. [Prob. from

brotherred

with assim. to

-head, -hood.]

1 The (freq. spiritual) relation of a brother or of broth¬ ers mutually, me. 2 Brotherliness, companionship, friendly alliance, me. 3 Orig., Christian fellowship. Now gen., community of feeling, fellowship, unity, lme. 4 The members of a fellowship etc. collectively; an association of equals for mutual help; a fraternity, a guild, etc. lme. ►b spec, (a) A trade union, esp. of railwaymen; (b) a profession. N. Amer. Li9. 15 The rank of brother in a corporation etc. M16-E17. 6 fig. A group of related or similar things. Ei8. no. e: hair, ia near,

3i

boy. 00 poor, ais tire, aua sour

296

brotherly | bruchid LU 2 N. Hawthorne We live in great harmony and brother¬ hood 3 R. W. Dale There is a brotherhood between Christ and all believers. Joyce Three cheers for universal brother¬ hood! C. Murray A scholar.. draws the strength that comes from communion or brotherhood. 4 Southey The grey brotherhood Chaunted the solemn mass. Shelley And make the earth One brotherhood. P. H. Gibbs A new brotherhood of peoples turning their backs on blood and ruin.

brotherly 'br-idoli/ adjective & adverb. [Old English broporlic adjective, formed as brother noun + -ly'.] (In a manner) of or befitting a brother; kind(Iy), affectionate(ly). 5 The adverb is less usual than the adjective. ■ brotherliness noun the quality of being brotherly, brotherly feeling, mi6.

tbrotherred noun, oe Mi6. [from brother noun + -red.]

A brotherhood. [from mod. Latin Brotula genus name, prob. from Amer. Spanish brotula, + -ID3.]

(A fish) of a numerous group of predominantly deep-sea or cave-dwelling fishes belonging to the cusk-eel family Ophidiidae. brough noun var. of broch. brougham /'bru:(a)m/ noun. Mi9. [Henry Peter, Lord Brougham (1778-1868).]

Chiefly Hist. A one-horse closed carriage. Also, a similar electric vehicle, or a motor car with the driver’s seat outside. brought verb pa. t. & pple of bring verb. brouhaha /'bru:ha:ha:/ noun. Lt9. [French.]

A commotion, a sensation; uproar, hubbub. brouillon /brujo/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li7. [French.]

A rough draft. brow /brao/ noun1. [Old English bni from Germanic from Indo-European, whence Greek ophrus, Sanskrit thru.] 11 In pi. The eyelashes. Only in oe. 2 An arch of hair growing in a ridge over the eye; an eyebrow. Usu. in pi. oe. kb In pi. The prominences of the forehead above the eyes. Now poet. = sense 3. L16.

3 The whole part of the face above the eyes, the fore¬ head, poet. esp. as expressing emotion; hence (arch.) expression of countenance, confronting aspect, me. ►fb Composure, confidence, effrontery. M17-E18. ►c [from highbrow etc.] Level of intellectual attainment or interest, colloq. E20. 4 The top or projecting edge of a cliff, hill, etc., stand¬ ing over a precipice or slope; the top of a hill in a road. LME. G3 2 knit one's brows frown, b Shakes.Jut Cars. Did not they Put on my brows this wreath of victory? 3 Sir W. Scott The old man, who had.. resisted the brow of military and civil tyranny. Ld Macaulay That brow of hate, that mouth of scorn. Sian Evans His hair.. hung in tags over a flat red brow, by the sweat of one’s brow, see sweat noun, have no brow of Scot, not be impressed by. Comb.: brow antler = brow tine below, brow-band a band worn across the brow; spec, the band of a bridle etc. which passes in front of a horse’s forehead; brow ridge a superciliary ridge; brow tine the lowest tine of a stag's horn. ■ browed adjective having a brow or brows (of a specified kind) LME. browless adjective f(a) without shame, unabashed; (b) without eyebrows: E17.

brow /brati/ noun2, mi9. [Prob. from Norwegian bru, Old Norse bru bridge.]

nautical A gangway from ship to shore. Also, the hinged part of the bow or stern of a landing-craft or ferry, which is lowered to form a landing platform or ramp. brow /brao/ verb trans. rare. M17. [from brow noun1.] Form a brow to; be on the brow of. browallia/brau'wodia/ noun. Lig. [mod. Latin, from Johann Browal! (1707-55), Swedish botanist- see -IA*.]

A tropical American plant of the genus Browallia, of the nightshade family, with violet, blue, or white flowers. browbeat /'braobit/ verb trans. & intrans. Infl. as beat verb1; pa. t. -beat, pa. pple usu. -beaten /-bi:t(o)n/. L16. [from brow noun1 + beat verb1.) Intimidate or discourage with stem, arrogant, or inso¬ lent looks or words; bully.

brown /braon/ noun. me. [The adjective used ellipt. or absol.]

1 Brown colour; a shade of this; a pigment of a brown colour. ME. 2 A thing distinguished by brown colour, as the brown ball in snooker, a brown butterfly (spec, one of the family Satyridae), brown ale, brown clothing, etc. me. kb A copper coin, slang. Ei9. kc A person of mixed race. Mi9. 1 chocolate-brown, clove-brown, saddle brown. Spanish brown, toffee-brown. Vandyke brown, etc. fire into the brown (of them) fire into the brown mass of a flock of game-birds instead of singling out one; transf. let fly at random into a mass. 2 wall brown: see wall noun' 9. Comb. : brown spot the spot on which the brown ball is placed in snooker.

browden /'braud(a)n/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. Scot. Also fbroiden [Old English (ge)brogden pa. pple ofbregdan braid verb1.] 11 Plaited, interwoven, oe-lme. 12 Embroidered; adorned, lme- M19. 3 Enamoured, fond. H6. k cat,

1 Dusky, dark. Now only poet. oe. 2 Of a person; having the skin of a dark or dusky colour as a racial characteristic; also, dark-complexioned, tanned, oe. 3 Of or denoting a composite colour produced by a mixture of red, yellow, and black, or as the result of toasting bread etc. me. f4 Of steel etc.: burnished. ME-L18. Phrases: bright-line brown-eye: see bright adjective 6. do brown slang deceive, cheat. Special collocations & comb, brown alga an alga of the division Phaeophyta, members of which contain xanthophyll in addition to chlorophyll and include many seaweeds, brown argus see Arcus 2. brown bag (chiefly N. Amer.) a plain paper bag, esp. for carrying food and drink, often used to conceal the nature of its contents, brown-bag verb trans. (chiefly N. Amer.) carry (esp. food and drink) in a plain paper bag, esp. to conceal the contents, brown-bagger (chiefly N. Amer.) a person who carries a brown bag, esp. containing food or drink, brown bear see bear noun' 1. brown belt (the holder of) a belt marking the attainment of a certain degree of proficiency in judo or karate. Brown Bess colloq. (Hist.) the old British army flintlock musket, with brown walnut stock. Brown Betty (chiefly N. Amer.) a baked pudding containing apples and breadcrumbs, brown-bill Hist, a kind of halberd used by foot-soldiers and watchmen, brown bread any bread of a darker colour than white bread; spec, bread made of unbolted flour or whole meal, brown coal lignite, brown creeper (chiefly N. Amer.) the common treecreeper, Certhia familiaris. brown dwarf astronomy a celestial object intermediate in size between a giant planet and a small star, believed to emit mainly infrared radiation, brown earth a type of soil having a brown humus-rich surface layer, brown eye: with a brown iris, brown-eyed adjective having brown eyes, brownfield adjective (of an urban site for potential building development) having had previous development on it. brown George, brown goods household furniture such as television sets and audio equip¬ ment (opp. white goods), brown hare a common Eurasian hare. Lepus europaeus (esp. as distinct from the blue or Arctic hare). brown haematite, brown holland an unbleached linen fabric. brown hyena, brown job slang a soldier; collect, the Army, brown loaf, see loaf noun', brown malt: roasted to a dark brown colour, brown mustard see mustard noun 2. brown-nose, brown-noser slang (chiefly N. Amer.) a sycophant, brown owl (a) the tawny owl: (b) (with cap. initials) the adult leader of a Brownie pack, brown paper a coarse stout kind of paper made of unbleached materials, used chiefly for wrapping, brown rat see rat noun1 ta. brown rice unpolished rice with only the husk of the grain removed, brown rot (disease) a fungal disease of various plants, esp. of the rose family, causing mummification of the fruit, brown sauce a savoury sauce made with browned fat or gravy; any brown-coloured savoury sauce. Brown-shirt Hist, a Nazi; spec, a member of the Sturmabteilung (SA) in Nazi Germany, brown snake a poisonous Australian snake of the genus Pseudonaja. brown spar any hexagonal carbonate mineral coloured brown by the presence of iron, e.g. siderite, ankerite. brownstone noun & adjective (US) (a) noun a kind of reddish-brown sandstone used for building (esp. in front eleva¬ tion); a house faced with this; (b) adjective affluent, well-to-do. brown study a state of mental abstraction or musing; esp. an idle reverie, brown sugar unrefined or partially refined sugar, brown-tail a white European moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea (family Lymantriidae), which has a brown tip to the abdomen and the larvae of which have irritating hairs, brown thrasher: see thrasher noun3. brown top any ofvarious pasture grasses of Australia or New Zealand, brown trout the trout, Saimo trutta: spec, a small dark non-migratory form occurring in smaller rivers and pools, brownwort water figwort, Scrophulana aunculata. ■ brownish adjective lme. brownly adverb with a brown colour E19. brownness /-n-n-/ noun lme. browny adjective inclining to brown Li6.

brown /braon/ verb. me. 1 verb intrans. Become brown, me. 2 verb trans. Make brown; roast brown; give a dull brown lustre to (gun barrels etc.). L16. 3 verb trans. Fire indiscriminately at (a covey of birds, a mass of men, etc.) L19. 2 browned off slang bored, fed up, discontented. Comb.: brown-out (chiefly N. Amer. & Austral.) a partial blackout.

1 leg. >’ m man-

n no,

p pen, r red,

brownie /'braoni/ noun. In sense 4 also B-. E16. [from brown adjective + -ie.]

1 A benevolent goblin, supposed to haunt old houses (esp. farmhouses in Scotland) and occas. to do household work secretly. E16. 2 a A sweet currant-bread. Austral. & NZ. ti9. ► b A small square of rich (usu. chocolate) cake containing nuts. N. Amer. Li9. 3 (An angler’s name for) a trout. E20. 4 A member of the junior branch of the Guides. E20. Comb.: brownie point a credit for an achievement. browning /'braomg/ noun', mis. [from brown verb + -ing1.]

[Old English brun = Old Frisian, Old Saxon bran (Dutch brain), Old High German brim (German brauti). Old Norse brann, from Ger¬ manic (whence French, Provencal bran, Italian bruno). Reinforced in Middle English by Old & mod. French bran.]

[from the adjective or (sense 3) noun.]

■ browbeater noun L17.

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

[from Robert Brown (1773-1858), English botanist + -ian.]

Brownian motion. Brownian movement, the irregular oscillations of microscopic particles suspended in a fluid.

browis noun var. of brewis.

brown /braon/ adjective.

brotulid /'brotjulid/ noun & adjective. L19.

b but. d dog.

Brownian /'braonian/ adjective. Li9.

4 Impudent, bold, mi9.

s sit, t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo,

1 A preparation for giving a brown colour to gravy etc. mis. 2 The action of brown verb. Li 8. Browning /'braumrj/ noun2. E20. [John M. Browning (1855-1926), US designer.]

A type of esp. automatic firearm. Browningesque /braumrfEsk/adjective. L19. [from Browning (see below) + -esque.]

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the English poet Robert Browning (1812-89) or his style. Brownism /'braomz(3)m/ noun. E17. [from Brown (see below) + -ism.]

Hist. The system of church government advocated by the Puritan Robert Brown (c 1550-c 1633), and adopted by the Independents.

■ Brownist noun an adherent or student of the ecclesiastical principles of Robert Brown Li6. Brow nistical adjective M17.

browse /brauz/ noun'. Also f-ze. Ei6. (Old French brost, later broust (mod. brout) bud, young shoot, prob. of Germanic origin.)

1 Young shoots and twigs of shrubs, trees, etc., used as food by animals; something that is or can be browsed. E16. 2 The action of browsing. Ei9. browse /braoz/ noun2, mi9. [Origin unkn.]

A mixture of partly-reduced ore and fuel, produced during smelting of lead. browse /brauz/ verb. Also f-ze. lme. [Old French broster (mod. brouter) to crop, formed as browse noun1.]

1 verb intrans. Of an animal: feed on or on the leaves and shoots of trees and bushes, lme. 2 verb trans. Crop and eat (leaves, twigs, etc.), lme. 3 verb trans. Feed (an animal) on twigs etc. Ml6. 4 verb intrans. & trans. fig. Look through (books etc.) casu¬ ally; read desultorily. Li9. 5 verb trans. computing. Read or survey (data files, Internet sites, etc.), typically via a network. L20. ■ browser noun f(a) a person who feeds deer (in wintertime); (b) an animal which browses; a person who browses among books etc.; (c) computing a program used to locate and display par¬ ticular items in a given data collection; spec, a program used to navigate the Internet by connecting to a Web server, allowing the user to locate, access, and display hypertext documents: Mi6. browsing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) shoots and leaves; browsing ground: lme. browsy adjective f(a) (of vegetation) scanty, twiggy; (b) characterized by or suitable for browsing or casual reading: mis.

browst /braost/ noun. Scot. Ei6. [from base of brew verb,]

A brewing; a brew. throwster noun var. of brewster noun1. fbrowze noun, verb var. of browse noun1, verb. brrr/br-r-r/ interjection. Li9. [Imit.]

Expr. shivering, BRS abbreviation. British Road Services. brucellosis /bru:ssiausis/ noun. PI. -loses /-'bosi:z/. M20. [from mod. Latin Brucella (see below), from Sir David Brace (18551931), Scot, physician + -ella: see -osts.]

Infection with bacteria of the genus Brucella, which pro¬ duces contagious abortion in cattle and other livestock, and undulant fever in man. bruchid /'bru:kid/ noun & adjective. L19. [mod. Latin Bruchidae (see below), from Brachus genus name from Latin brachus from Greek broukhos wingless locust: see -id3.]

► A noun. Any beetle of the family Bruchidae, which includes many species resembling weevils and destruc¬ tive to leguminous crops. L19. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating this family. L19. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

5 this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

297

brucine | brush

brucine /'bru:si:n/ noun. Ei9. [from mod. Latin Brucea genus name of a tree formerly thought to be the source of false angostura bark, from lames Bruce (1790-04) Scot, traveller: see -ine5.] chemistry. A highly toxic alkaloid present in false angos¬ tura bark and nux vomica. ■ brucia noun (now rare or obsolete) = brucine E19.

brumal /'bru:m(o)l/ adjective, literary. E16. [Latin brumalis, from bruma winter: see -al1.]

Like winter, wintry. brumby /'brAmbi/ noun & adjective. Austral. L19. [Origin unkn.]

(Designating) a wild or unbroken horse.

brucite/'bruiSAit/ noun. E19.

brume /bru:m/ noun, literary, eis.

[from Archibald Bruce (1777-1818). US mineralogist + -ite'.] mineralogy. Native magnesium hydroxide, which usu.

occurs as white, grey, or light green hexagonal tabular crystals or in massive form. bruckle /'brAk(a)l/ adjective. Long dial. Also brickie /'bnk(3)l/, britchel /'britj(a)l/. [Old English -bnicoi, -brycel ult. from Germanic base of break verb. For vars. cf. mickle, muckle, much.]

11 As 2nd elem. of comb. Liable to cause breakage of, that breaks. Only in oe. 2 Liable to break; fragile, brittle; frail, delicate, uncer¬ tain. ME.

[French - fog, from Latin bruma winter.J

Fog, mist, vapour. Brummagem /'brAmad3(a)m/ adjective & noun. arch. Mi7. [Dial, form of Birmingham,] ► A adjective. 1 Of the quality of coins and some other goods made in Birmingham, England; counterfeit, sham, tawdry. M17. |2 See Birmingham. ► B noun. tl See Birmingham. 2 (An article of) counterfeit or cheap and showy ware. M19.

Brummie /'brAini/ noun & adjective, colloq. Also -y. M20. [formed as prec.: see -ie.] (A native or inhabitant) of Birmingham, England.

brugh noun var. of broch. bruilzie noun var. of brulzie. Bruin /'bruun/ noun. Also b-. lis.

brumous/'bru:mas/ adjective, literary. M19.

[Dutch = brown, a name for the bear in Reynard the Fox ]

[French brumeux from late Latin brumosus, from bruma winter: see -ous.]

(A personal name for) a bear. bruise /bru:z/ noun. lme.

Foggy; wintry.

[from the verb.]

brunch /brAn(t)J/ noun & verb, colloq. L19. [Blend of breakfast noun and lunch noun.] ► A noun. A single meal intended to combine breakfast and lunch. Li 9. Comb. : brunch coat Austral. & NZ a woman's short housecoat. ► B verb intrans. Eat brunch. M20. ■ bruncher noun L20.

11 A breaking, a breach. lme-mi6. 2 A hurt or injury to the body manifested as a discol¬ oration of the skin, caused by an impact or blow, mi6. ►b A discoloration of the surface of a plant, fruit, etc. L17. 5 Perh. earlier in bruisewort.

bruise bru:z/ verb. [Old English btysan reinforced in Middle English by Anglo-Norman bruser. Old French bruisier (mod. briser) break, smash, of unkn. origin.] 1 verb trans. Injure or damage with a heavy blow or weight. Now usu. spec., injure by a blow which discolours

the skin but does not lacerate it or break any bones, oe. ►b Produce a similar lesion in (a plant, fruit, etc.), lme. t2 verb trans. [After French.] Break, smash. ME-E17. 3 verb trans. fig. Crush, wound, disable; hurt (pride etc.). ME. ^ verb trans. Beat small, crush, grind down. lme. 5 verb trans. Crush by pressure, jam, squeeze, obsolete exc. Scot. E17. 6 verb intrans. Esp. of fruit: become bruised. E20.

brunet /brudnst, ,bru-/ noun & adjective. Also (fern.) brunette M16. [French brunet masc., -ette fern., dim. of brun brown: see -et\ -ette.] (A white person, in form -ette esp. a woman or girl) with a dark complexion or (now usu.) brown hair. Of the com¬ plexion: dark. brung verb see bring. Briinnich’s guillemot /'bru:mtjiz 'gilmiDt/ noun phr. LI 9. [M. T. Brunnich (1737-1827), Danish naturalist.] A guillemot, Uria lomvia, with a shorter beak than the

common guillemot and restricted to latitudes north of the British Isles.

£3 3 Milton An Iron Rod to bruise and breake Thy dis¬ obedience. J. Heller She was bruising his most vulnerable feelings. 4 Dryden Some scatt'ring Pot-herbs.. bruis'd with Vervain.

Brunswick/'brnnzwik/noun. Lis.

■ bruiser noun (a) a person who bruises; (b) a prizefighter, a brawny muscular man; (c) a machine or implement for crushing or grinding: Li6. bruising noun (o) the action of the verb; (b) injury so caused; (c) prizefighting: lme.

bruisewort /bru:zwo:t/ noun. OE. [from bruise noun or verb + wort noun'.]

Any of various plants supposed to heal bruises, esp. the daisy.

[In branch 1 from Brunswick, a city and province of northern Germany, Low German Brunswfk, German Braunschweig; in branch H, from a county named after this in Virginia, US.] ► I 1 A fabric or garment from Brunswick; esp. (in full Brunswick gown) a long-sleeved gown with a train from the shoulders, obsolete exc. Hist. L15. 2 Brunswick green, a dark green pigment orig. made of a basic chloride of copper; this shade of green. Ei9. ► II 3 Brunswick stew, a stew of squirrel, now also of

game or chicken, with onions and sometimes other vegetables. US. M19.

bruit /bru:t; in sense 4 foreign brqi (pi. same)/ noun. arch. lme. [Old & mod. French, use as noun of pa. pple of braire roar from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin ragire roar by assoc, with source of bray verb'.]

brunt /brAnt/ noun. lme.

1 Noise, clamour, lme. 2 Rumour, report, lme. |3 Fame, reputation. L15-E17. 4 medicine. Any sound (esp. an abnormal one) heard in auscultation. Mi9.

|2 A sudden movement or effort. LME-L17. 13 An assault, an attack, (lit. of an army etc. or fig. of sick¬ ness, temptation, etc.). LME-E19. 4 Shock, violence, force, (of an attack etc.). Now rare in gen. sense, lme. 5 The chief stress, violence, or burden (of). Chiefly in

bruit /bru:t/ verb. arch. exc. US. lis.

bear the brunt of. mi8.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Spread (a report etc.) abroad or about,

brunt /brAnt/ verb. rare. lme.

rumour. L15. 2 verb trans. Speak of make famous. Ei6. 3 verb intrans. Make noise, rare. E19.

[from the noun.]

11 verb intrans. Make an assault or attack, lme-117. 2 verb trans. Bear the brunt of. lme.

CO 1 Shajces. 1 Hen. VII find thou art no less than fame hath bruited. Lytton They do bruit it that he sees visions. J. I. M. Stewart For a fortnight.. nothing about it could be bruited abroad. 2 Milton A man so much bruited for learn¬ ing. 3 Keats Bronze clarions.. faintly bruit. Where long ago a giant battle was.

bruschetta /bru’sketa/ noun. M20. [Italian, fem. of bruschetto, from brusco past part, of bruscare to burn, heat in afire + -etto-ET'.]

Toasted Italian bread drenched in olive oil, seasoned, and rubbed with garlic, served typically with chopped tomatoes as a starter or side dish.

brulzie /'bru:li, -Iji/ noun. Scot. Also bruil-. M16.

brush /brAj/ noun1, me. [Anglo-Norman brace, Old French brace (mod. brousse), perh. ult. from Latin bruscum excrescence on the maple.] 1 Loppings of trees or hedges; US cut brushwood; a faggot of this. me. 2 Undergrowth, thicket, small trees and shrubs; land covered in such growth; Austral, forest. Now chiefly N.

[formed as broil noun'.]

A disturbance, a squabble. Brum/brAm/noun, slang. Mi9. [Shortened from Brummagem.]

(A nickname for) the town (now a city) of Birmingham, England. Brumaire /bru:'me:, foreign brymr:r (pi. same)/ noun. Ei9.

Amer., Austral.. & NZ. me. 3 Stubble, obsolete exc. dial. Li7. Comb.: brushfire noun & adjective (a) noun a fire in brush or scrub; (b) adjective (of a war etc.) small-scale, localized; brush kangaroo - brush wallaby below; brush-turkey any of several Australa-

[French, formed as brume + -aire -ary1.] Hist. The second month of the French Republican calen¬

dar (introduced November.

1793),

extending from

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her,

1

22

[Origin unkn.] ■fl A blow. LME-E17.

October to

20

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot.

0:

sian megapodes which build mounds for incubating their eggs, esp. Alectura lathami of E. Australia; brush wallaby any of various wallabies found esp. in coastal brush; brushwood undergrowth, thicket; cut or broken twigs etc. ■ brushed adjective covered or overgrown with brush Mi7.

brush /brAj/ noun2, me. [Old French broisse, (also mod.) brosse, perh. ult. = prec. Branch III & perh. branch I from brush verb\ Branch IV perh. a different word.]

► I 1 A hostile collision or encounter. Now usu. a short, sharp encounter, a skirmish (with), me. 2 A rapid race; a contest of speed. Chiefly US. Mi9. £3 1 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. Tempt not yet the brushes of the war. J. A. Michener Three ugly brushes with the law over charges

he could not understand, at first brush, after first brush at, after, the first meeting.

► II 3 An implement consisting of bristles of hair, wire, plastic, or similar material, set in wood etc. and used for scrubbing, sweeping, etc. lme. 4 An instrument consisting of a bunch of hairs etc. attached to a straight handle, quill, etc., for applying paint, ink, glue, etc. ns. ►b The painter’s art or skill. L17. 5 Any brushlike tuft or bunch; esp. the bushy tail of a fox. Li6. ►b A brushlike organ on the leg of a bee, used to carry pollen. Ei9. 6 a More fully brush discharge A brushlike electrical discharge of sparks, lis. ►b A brushlike figure seen when crystals etc. are examined with polarized light. E19. 7 A piece of carbon or metal, ending in wires or strips, securing electrical contact between a fixed and a moving part; a movable strip of conducting material for making and breaking connection. Li9. 8 Either of a pair of thin sticks with long wire bristles for striking a drum, cymbal, etc. E20. £3 3 bottle-brush, clothes-brush, hairbrush, nail-brush, scrubbing-brush, toothbrush, wire brush, etc. daft as a brush, soft as a brush colloq. (of a person or animal) very daft or soft-hearted, live over the brush colloq. (of a man and a woman) live together unmarried. 4 paintbrush, pastebrush. shaving-brush, etc. airbrush: see air noun', painter’s brush: see painter noun', b Byron A young American brother of the brush. 5 G. Durrell A Brush-tailed Porcupine .. about the size of a cat. K. A. Porter White-blond hair clipped in a brush over his.. forehead.

► III 9 An application of a brush; a brushing. Also, a graze, eis. £3 9 C. Causley Tenderly kisses his wife’s cheek—The brush of a child’s lips. J. Osborne His hair is .. thick and silky from its vigorous daily brush, wash and brush-up: see wash noun l.

► IV 10 A girl, a young woman; collect, girls, young women. Austral. & NZ slang. M20. Comb.: brush discharge see sense 6a above; brushtail (possum) any of several Australian possums of the genus Trichosurus, having a bushy tail, pointed snout, and prominent ears; esp. the common T. vulpecula, which has a commercially valuable pelt; brushware brushes of various kinds; brushwork a painter's (style of) manipulation of the brush. ■ brushless adjective (a) without a brush; (b) (of shaving-cream etc.) made for use without a brush: Mi9. brushlike adjective resembling (that of) a brush mi9.

brush /brA]/ verb', lme. [Perh. Old & mod. French brosser sweep from brosse brush noun1. In mod. use infl. by next.] 11 verb intrans. Rush with force or speed, usu. into a col¬

lision. LME-M17. 2 verb trans. Force on, drive with a rush; drive hard. obsolete exc. US. lis. 3 verb intrans. Burst away with a rush, move off abruptly, make off. arch. Li7. 4 verb intrans. Move by, through, against, etc., so as to make brief contact in passing. Cf. brush verb2 5. L17. C3 4 J. Clare Often brushing through the dripping grass. V. Woolf The friction of people brushing past her was evi¬ dently painfill. F. Herbert Do not brush against a bush lest you leave a thread to show our passage.

brush /brAj/ verb2. See also brish. lme. [from brush noun1.] 1 verb trons. Pass a brush across (a surface); sweep or

scrub clean, put in order, with a brush; treat (a surface) with a brush to change its nature or appearance, lme. ►b verb intrans. Use a brush. E19. 2 verb trans. Remove with a brush; sweep away (as) with a brush. Li 5. 3 verb trans. Trim (a hedge). Cf. brish. E16. 4 verb trans. Rub or touch lightly in passing. Mi7. 5 verb intrans. Come lightly against, pass lightly over, as with a brush. Cf. brush verb1 4. Mi7. 6 verb trans. Injure (a horse etc.) by a grazing blow. L17. 7 verb trans. Paint or put in. apply with the brush. Freq. foil, by in. Li 9.

saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day. su no, e: hair, ra near, di boy, us poor, ais tire, aoa sour

298

brushite j BUAV ILL) 2 J. B. Priestley The other (hand| trying to brush the cigar ash offhis lapels. 4 J. Heath-Stubbs Hope, the butter¬ fly, but seldom brushes my page With her mazarine wing. G. Boycott The ball brushed his thigh-pad just hard enough to take the pace off it. 5 J. Selden His Feathers brushed against the Kings Crown. M. Shadbolt Pale green tree ferns . ^brushed lightly over his face. With adverbs in specialized senses: brush aside push out of the way in passing: fig. dismiss or dispose of curtly or lightly, brush off remove by brushing; fig. dismiss, rebuff, brush over paint lightly with a brush; (see also sense 5 above), brush up (o) refur¬ bish by brushing; (b) fig. refresh one's acquaintance with (a subject etc.); also foil, by on the subject etc. Comb.: brushback adjective & noun (baseball) (designating) a pitch thrown close to the batter's body in an attempt to force him to step back from the plate; brush-off a dismissal, a rebuff; brushup the action of brushing up; an instance of this. ■ brushed ppl adjective (a) swept or smoothed with a brush; (b) (of fabric) having a raised nap; (c) brushed aluminium: treated so as to be lustreless: Lis. brusher noun a person who uses a brush 116.

brushite/'brajAit/noun.

Mi9.

design: E19. brutalist noun & adjective (a) noun an exponent of bru¬ talism, esp. in art, architecture, or literature; (b) adjective pertain¬ ing to or marked by brutalism: M20. brutally adverb mis.

brutalise verb var. of brutalize.

occurring on phosphate deposits as efflorescences and crusts of minute colourless crystals. brushy / braji/ adjective. [from brush

[from prec. + -ity: cf. French brutalite.)

f 1 A state of brutish ignorance. Only in Mi6. 2 Brutal quality or condition, inhumanity, savage cruelty; sensuality. M17. 3 A brutal action. L19.

■ brutali tarian noun & adjective [after humanitarian] (a) noun a person who practises or advocates brutality; (b) adjective pertain¬ ing to or characteristic of brutalitarians: E20.

brutalize /'bru:t(o)lAiz/ verb. Also -ise. eis. [formed as prec. + -ize: cf. French brutaliser.] 1 verb trans. Render brutal or inhuman. E18. 2 verb intrans. Live in the fashion of a brute; become brutal. Ei 8. 3 verb trans. Treat (a person) as a brute; treat brutally. 119. O 3P. Cornwell Their wives.. had been brutalized and murdered. ■ brutali zation noun Li 8.

brute /bru:t/ adjective & noun. lme.

Li6.

2

[French brut, brute “Spanish, Italian brato, from Latin hiatus heavy, stupid, dull.] ► A adjective. 1 Of animals: not possessing the capacity of reason or understanding, lme.

noun1 or noun + -Y1.]

1 Bushy, shaggy. L16. 2 Covered with brushwood. M17. brusk /brusk/ noun & adjective', arch.

Lis.

[Origin unkn.] heraldry. (Of) the colour tenne.

tbrusk adjective2 var. of next. brusque /brusk, bru:sk/ adjective & verb. Also tbrusk.

E17.

[French = lively, fierce, harsh, from Italian bnisco sour, tart, use as adjective of noun = Spanish, Portuguese brusco butcher’s broom (a spiny bush) from Proto-Romance.]

2 Of people or their actions etc.: unthinking, unrea¬ soning; senseless, stupid; bestial, cruel; sensual, passion¬ ate, mi 6. Fb Crude, unrefined; = brutal 4. Now rare. M16. 3 Of things: unconscious, impersonal, merely mater¬ ial. M16. 4 Of surfaces etc.: rugged, unpolished, rare. E17. ffl 1G. Berkeley To degrade human-kind to a level with brute beasts. 2 J. Sylvester Man (alas!) is bruter than a Brute. Y. Menuhin Imposing the only order the Soviets know, which is brute order. 3 M. Frayn The brute glare of the noonday sun. 4 Southey The value of the brute diamond.

► A adjective. 11 Tart. Only in Ei7. 2 Rough or rude in manner or speech; blunt, off-hand, abrupt. M17. ► B verb trans. Treat in an offhand manner. Now rare. Li 8. ■ brusquely adverb L17. brusqueness noun M19. brusquerie /'broskfalri:, bru:-; foreign brysksri/ noun [French: see -ery] blunt¬ ness or abruptness of manner M18.

Brussels /'brAs(a)lz/ noun. Also (in sense 3) Brussel,

mis.

[A city in the Low Countries, now the capital of Belgium.]

1 Brussels lace, a rich type of pillow-lace or needle-lace. mis.

In full Brussels carpet A kind of carpet with a woollen pile and a stout linen back. L18. 3 In full Brussels sprout. A variety of cabbage produ¬ cing many small cabbage-like buds; one of these buds eaten as a vegetable. Usu. in pi. Li 8. 4 The Commission of the European Community, with headquarters in Brussels. M20. 2

Special collocations: brute creation the animals (as opp. to humans), brute fact a simple inescapable or unexplained fact; loosely (often in pi.) the plain truth, brute force irrational force; the simple or unthinking exertion of strength. ► B noun. 1 Any of the lower animals, as distinguished from humans; a large or powerful animal. Ei7.

2 A person of brutish or animal tendencies; a person lacking in sensibility; (colloq.) a disliked or despised person. Li7. Fb transf. A large, awkward, or unpleasant thing, colloq. Li 9. STS 1 Pope Man.. the middle Link between Angels and Brutes. W. Holtby The big black brute that Came rode, the brute animal nature in man. 2 G. Stein What could you expect when Melanctha had such a brute of a.. father. E. Langley She’s often asked him to bring us down to see her; but the brute wouldn’t, b Geo. Eliot The brute of a cigar required relighting.

brustle /'brAs(o)l/ verb' introns. Also brastle /'bras(a)l/. [Old English brastlian, of imit. origin.] 11 2

Crackle, rustle, oe-mis. Bustle, go hastily, obsolete exc. Scot, mi7.

tbrustle verb2 intrans.

■ brutedom noun bmtish nature L19. brutehood noun M19. brutely adverb (now rare) in a brutal or brutish manner Li6. bruteness noun Mi6.

E17-EI8.

[Var. of bristle verb'.] = bristle verb' 4.

brutify /'bru:tifAi/ verb trans. & intrans. Li6.

Brut /bru:t/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist.

[Welsh = chronicle, transf. use of Brut = Brutus (see below).]

A chronicle of British histoiy from the time of Brutus, the legendary founder of the British race. brut /bru:t, foreign

bryt/

adjective.

L19.

Of wine: unsweetened, very dry. brut /brAt/ verb intrans. & trans. obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -tt-. L16.

[Perh. from French brouter (see browse verb) or from Old English breotan (see brittle).]

Browse upon trees etc.; break off (by browsing). bruta fulmina noun phr. pi. of brutum brutal / bru:t(a;l adjective, lis.

[from brute noun + -ish ‘.]

Q3 1 G. S. Faber The angel.. daily infuses them into human and brutal bodies. 2 Smollett The slaves of brutal appetite. Disraeli The students affected a sort of brutal surprise. 3 G. K. Chesterton Our ordinary treatment of the poor criminal was a pretty brutal business. A. N. Wilson Able to admit the brutal truth to herself. 4 Ld Macaulay His brutal manners made him unfit to represent the.. crown. J. Cheever The forthright and sometimes brutal language that came from the loudspeaker. ■ brutalism noun brutal state, brutality; spec, a style of art architecture, etc., characterized by a deliberate crudity of h he, j yes,

2 Of or pertaining to the lower animals, as opp. to humans. Mi6. 3 Resembling or characteristic of an animal, esp. in unreasoning or sensual nature; irrational; stupid. M16. t4 spec. Of a thunderbolt: striking blindly (cf. brutum fulmen). Also transf.. random. LI6-L19.

k cat,

1 leg, m

The behaviour or condition of a brute. brutum fulmen /,bru:tsm 'fAlman/ noun phr. PI. bruta fulmina /.brurta ‘fAlmino/. E17. [Latin, lit. 'unfeeling thunderbolt’ (Pliny).]

A mere noise; an ineffective act, an empty threat. Brutus 'bruitas/ adjective & noun. L18. [Marcus Junius Brutus (85-42 bc).] Hist. (Designating) a head or wig of short roughly cropped hair, fashionable in the 18th cent. bruvver /'brAvo/ noun. dial. & slang. Li9. [Repr. a cockney pronunc.] = brother noun.

p pen,

r

red.

[Latin bryonia from Greek brudnia.]

1 A climbing plant of the genus Bryonia, of the gourd family; esp. (more fully white bryony) Bryonia dioica, which bears greenish-white flowers and red berries, oe. 2 More fully black bryony (from the colour of its tubers). A similar but unrelated plant, Tamus communis, of the yam family. Li6. bryophyte/’brAiafAit/noun. Li9. [mod. Latin Bryophyta pi., from Greek bruon moss: see -phyte.]

Any plant of the group Bryophyta of small primitive cryptogams, comprising the liverworts and mosses. ■ bryophytic /- fitik/ adjective E20.

bryozoan /brAia'zauan/ noun & adjective. L19. [from mod. Latin Bryozoa (see below), from Greek bruon moss + zofa pi. of zoton animal: see -an.] zoology. ►A noun. A member of the group Bryozoa (now

regarded as comprising the phyla Ectoprocta and Entoprocta) of lophophorates, which form colonies often suggesting mossy growths. Also spec. = ECTOPROCTAN nOUH. L19.

► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the group Biyozoa. Li 9. ■ bryozo ologist noun an expert in or student of bryozoology M20 bryozo ology noun the branch of zoology that deals with biyozoans M20. bryozoon noun, pi. -zoa, = bryozoan noun (usu. in pi.) M19.

Brythonic /bn'Bomk/ adjective & noun. L19. [from Welsh Brython (see Briton) + -ic.] = Brittonic.

BS abbreviation. 1 Bachelor of Science. US. 2 Bachelor of Surgery. 3 Blessed Sacrament. 4 British Standard. 5 Bullshit. B.Sc. abbreviation. Bachelor of Science. BSE abbreviation. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy. BSI abbreviation. British Standards Institution. BSL abbreviation. British Sign Language. BST abbreviation. 1 Bovine somatotrophin. 2 British Standard Time (1968-71). 3 British Summer Time. BT abbreviation. British Telecom.

B2B abbreviation. Business-to-business, denoting trade conducted via the Internet between businesses. B2C abbreviation. Business-to-consumer, denoting trade conducted via the Internet between businesses and consumers. B-tree /’bi:tri:/noun. M20.

the same distance from the root and all the non-terminal nodes have between n and 2n subtrees or pointers, where n is a positive integer. B.T.U. abbreviation. Hist. 1 Board of Trade Unit. 2 Also B.t.u. British thermal unit. btw abbreviation. By the way. bu. abbreviation. Bushel(s). [Portuguese boal.]

[from Greek brukhein gnash the teeth + -ism.]

no,

bryony /'brAiani/ noun. Also bri- & (in medicinal contexts) in Latin form bryonia /brAi'aunio/. oe.

A variety of wine-making grape grown esp. in Madeira; (a drink of) medium sweet Madeira made from this.

medicine. Involuntary or habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth. n

L19

Bual /'bu:al/ noun. Also Boal. b-. L19.

bruxism /'brAksizfojm/ noun. M20.

man,

adverb

[from B repr. balanced or binary + tree noun.] computing. A tree in which all the terminal nodes are at

[from brute noun +-ism.]

= brute adjective 1. Also, belonging to the (lower) animals. L15-M19. 2 = brutish 3. Now rare. E16. 3 Inhuman, savagely cruel; merciless. M17. 4 Crude, coarse; unrefined. Ei8.

bryo logically

B.th.u. abbreviation. Hist. British thermal unit.

brutism /'bru:tiz(3)m/noun. Li7.

11

f few, g get,

■ brutifi cation noun L17

brutish /'bruitij/ adjective, lis.

■ brutishly adverb L16. brutishness noun M16.

fulmen.

[Old & mod. French, or medieval Latin brut alls, formed as brute + -AL'.]

b but, d dog,

Make or become brutish; brutalize.

fl Rough; savage, brutal. Li 5-li 8.

[French.]

L19.

Bt. abbreviation. Baronet.

[from brute + -fy.] me.

[from Greek bruon moss + -ology.]

The branch of botany that deals with mosses and liver¬ worts. ■ bryo logical adjective bryologist noun M19.

brutality /bru:'taliti/noun. Mi6.

[from George). Brush (1831-1912), US mineralogist + -ite'.] mineralogy. A monoclinic acid phosphate of calcium, usu.

bryology/brAi'Dbd3i/ noun. Mi9.

s

sit,

1

top,

v

van,

w

we, z zoo.

BUAV abbreviation. British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

299

bub | buck bub /bAb/noun1. L17.

bubbly /'bAbli/ adjective & noun. Mi6.

[Perh. imit.]

1 Alcoholic liquor; esp. strong beer. arch, slang. U7. 2 A mixture of meal and yeast with warm wort and water, used to promote fermentation, mi9. bub /bAb/ noun2. N. Amer. colloq. Mi9.

[Partly Old English hue male deer = Middle Dutch boc (Dutch bok). Old High German boc (German Bock), Old Norse bukkr, bokkr, partly Old English bucca he-goat = Old Norse bokki my good fellow, old buck, both from Germanic.] ► A noun. I The male of various animals. (The correspond¬

A turkey-cock.

ing female animal is usu. called doe.)

bubby /'bAbi/ noun'. Now dial. L17. [Cf. German dial. Bubbt teat.]

[Abbreviation of bubby noun'.]

fl A male goat (cf. goat 1). OE-M16.

2 A male deer, spec, the fallow deer and roe-deer. oe. 3 The male of certain other kinds of deer, as the rein¬

A woman's breast. Usu. in pi.

A woman’s breast. Usu. in pi.

bubby /'bAbi/ noun2. US colloq. Mi9.

bubal /'bju:b(a)l/ noun. Also -ale. lis.

extinct. Also bubal hartebeest.

= bub noun2. bubinga /bjiu'birjga/ noun. L20. [African name.]

(The reddish-brown timber of) any of several tropical African trees of the genus Guibourtia (family Leguminosae), having wood used chiefly for inlay work and as a veneer.

bubaline /'bju:balAin/ adjective. Ei9. [from mod. Latin Bubalus genus name from Latin bubalus buffalo: see -ine1.]

Of or pertaining to buffaloes. bubba I'bAboi noun. IV. Amer. colloq.

deer; the male of certain other horned mammals, as the antelope; US a ram. L17. 4 A male hare, rabbit, ferret, or rat. Mi8. 5 An adult male kangaroo. Austral. Ml9. ► II transf. 6 A man. rare exc. as below, me. 7 A dashing fellow; a dandy, arch. E18. 8 A male American Indian; a black male; a male Aus¬ tralian Aborigine. Now regarded as offensive. Chiefly US &

[Childish form of brother noun or from German Bube boy.]

[French bubale from Latin bubalus: see buffalo.] A hartebeest; spec, one of the N. African race, now

Austral. E19. Comb:, buck-brush N. Amer. brush on which deer browse; any of various shrubs of this sort; buck-bush buck-brush; also, any of various Australian shrubs; buck fever US nervousness when called on to take action; buckhorn (a) (the material of) a male deer's horn; (b) dial, dried whiting or other fish: buck-hound a small variety ofstaghound; buck-jump noun, verb intrans. = buck noun" 1, buck verb2 2a; buck-jumper (a) a horse that bucks; (b) one who rides bucking horses in rodeos etc; buck naked N. Amer. colloq. [perh. alt. of butt naked] completely naked; buck rarebit Welsh rarebit with poached egg; buck's horn any of various plants resembling a male deer's horn, esp. a plantain, Pkmtago coronopus (usu. more fully buck’s horn plantain); buckshot coarse lead shot used in shotgun shells; buckskin (a) (leather of) the skin of a male deer or similar skin; in pi., breeches made of this; (b) a strong smooth cotton, woollen, or twilled cloth; buckstali Hist, a large net for catching deer; bucktooth a tooth that projects. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Of an animal or derog. a black

bubo /'bjiubou/ noun. PI. -oes. lme.

119.

[Latin from Greek boubon groin, swelling in the groin.]

[Alt. of brother; cf. bub noun3.]

A swollen inflamed lymph node esp. in the groin or armpit.

1 Brother: used chiefly as a familiar form of address. 2 An uneducated conservative white male of the southern US. derog. L20.

bubonic/bjufbDmk/adjective. Li9. [from Latin bubon-, bubo + -ic.]

£Q 1 L. R. Banks Don't lie to me. bubba. 2 J. Hynes Tightjeaned. potbellied bubbas in their pickups.

Characterized by the presence of buboes, bubonic plague a highly contagious bacterial disease in which buboes appear.

bubble /'bAb(a)l/ noun & adjective, me. [Partly imit. (as Dutch bobbel, German dial. Bobbel, Bubbel), partly alt. of burble noun.]

► A noun. 1 A gas-filled cavity in liquid or in solidified liquid (as glass, amber, paint etc.); a spherical envelope of liquid enclosing air etc. me. 2 fig. An unsubstantial or visionary (esp. commercial or financial) project, enterprise, etc. L16. 13 A person who is cheated or duped. M17-E19. 4 The process, sound, or appearance of bubbling; an agitated or bubbling motion. M19. 5 A motor car. Also ellipt.. a bubble car. colloq. E20. 6 A transparent domed canopy covering the cockpit of an aeroplane, slang. M20. 7 A small mobile domain of reverse magnetization in a crystalline material, esp. one forming a unit of stored information in a computer memory. Also magnetic bubble M2o. 2 South Sea bubble see south adverb, adjective, etc.. 4 bubble and squeak (a) cold meat or (now. usu.) potatoes fried with cabbage or other vegetables; (b) rhyming slang (a) Greek. Comb:, bubble bath la bath in water to which has been added) a usu. perfumed toilet preparation which causes water to foam; bubble car a small usu. three-wheeled motor car with a trans¬ parent dome; bubble chamber physics a container of super¬ heated liquid used to detect charged particles by the trails of bubbles which they produce; bubble economy: an economy undergoing an unsustainable boom; spec, that of Japan in the late 1980s, brought about by artificially adjusted interest rates; bubble gum (a) chewing-gum that can be blown into bubbles; (b) (in full bubble-gum music) pop music with simple trivial words: bubblehead slang a foolish, unintelligent, or emptyheaded person; bubblejet computing a system of ink-jet printing in which the ink is heated, producing bubbles which force drop¬ lets of ink on to the paper (usu. attrib.. esp. in bubblejet printer): bubble memory computing a type of memory which stores data as a pattern of magnetic bubbles in a thin layer of magnetic material: bubble pack a small package enclosing goods in a transparent case on a flat backing; bubble-shell any of various opisthobranchs with thin, more or less cylindrical, external shells: bubble wrap. (US proprietary) Bubble Wrap, a protect¬ ive packaging material formed from plastic sheeting incorpor¬ ating small pockets of air. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of a project, enterprise, etc.: unsubstantial, delusive, fraudulent. Now arch, or Hist.

M17.

[Partly imit. (as Dutch bobbeleti, German dial, bobbeln, bubbeln, Swedish bubla, Danish boble), partly alt. of burble verb.] 1 verb intrans. Form or rise in or like bubbles; well up,

120. [Italian, from bucato perforated, hollow.]

Long, narrow tubes of pasta.

man etc.: male. E17. 2 Of the lowest grade of a specific military rank. US slang.

buccal /'bAk(a)l/ adjective. Ei9. [from Latin bucca cheek + -al1.]

Of the cheek; of or in the mouth.

E20. ■ buckish adjective lme. tbuckism noun foppish behaviour M18-E19.

■ buccally adverb towards the cheek M20.

buccan noun, verb var. of boucan noun, verb.

buck /bAk/ noun2, obsolete exc. Hist, mi6.

buccaneer /bAko'mo/ noun & verb. Mi7.

[from buck verb'.]

[French boucanier, formed as boucan ver6: see -eer.] ► A adjective, f 1 A person, esp. a hunter, who cooks or cures meat on a boucan. M17-MI8. 2 A pirate, orig. of the Spanish-American coasts; an unscrupulous adventurer. L17. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Be or act as a pirate or adventurer. Ei8. 2 verb trans. = boucan verb. Now rare. L18. ■ buccaneerish adjective E19.

1 Alkaline lye in which linen, yarn, etc., was steeped or boiled in buck-washing (see below) or bleaching. Mi6. 2 A quantity of clothes etc. (to be) steeped or boiled in buck. Mi6. drive a buck (of clothes): see drive verb. Comb:, buck-washing washing very dirty linen by boiling it in an alkaline lye and afterwards beating and rinsing it in clear water.

tbuck noun3. L16-E19.

buccaro noun var. of boccaro.

[Abbreviation.]

buccinator/'bAksineita/noun. L17.

= BUCKWHEAT.

[Latin, from buccinare blow the trumpet, from buccina kind of trumpet: see -ator.] anatomy. A flat thin muscle in the wall of the cheek. ■ buccinatory adjective of or pertaining to a trumpet or trum¬ peter (buccinatory muscle - buccinator) mis

buck /bAk/ noun1. fl

2 A vertical jump by a horse etc. with the back arched and feet drawn together. L19. 3 A try, an attempt. Austral. & NZslang. E20.

buccinum /'bAksmom/ noun. Ei7. [Latin, from buccina: see prec.] A whelk; spec, one of the genus Buccinum. ■ buccinoid adjective resembling a buccinum M19.

Comb. : buck-and-wing noun & adjective (US) (designating) a lively solo dance usu. performed in wooden-soled shoes; buck dance US a buck-and-wing dance.

bucco- /'bAkau/ combining form of Latin bucca cheek: see -o-.

buck/bAk/noun5.

■ bucco lingual adjective of or pertaining to the cheeks and tongue; (of direction) passing through both tongue and cheek: E20. bucco' lingually adverb in the buccolingual direction E20.

The body of a cart. Comb.: buckboard US (a vehicle with) a body formed by a plank on wheels.

buccra noun var. of buckra. bucellas/bjufsslos/noun. Ei9. [A village near Lisbon.]

buck /bvk/ noun6.

(Esp. on the River Thames) a wooden framework at a weir supporting baskets for trapping eels; a basket for trapping eels. buck /bak/ noun7. Ei9. [Dutch (zaag-)bok (German (Sage)bock), formed as saw noun' + buck noun1: cf. French chevre.] 1 A frame supporting wood for sawing. N. Amer. El 9. 2 A short vaulting-horse. M20. Comb.: buck-saw N. Amer. a heavy frame-saw used with a buck.

buck /bAk/ noun*. N. Amer. & Austral, slang.

hot,

(1878-1961)

A dollar.

Amer. evangelist + -ism.]

a fast buck, a quick buck easy money.

The theories or practice of the Oxford Group Move¬ ment.

buck /bAk/ noun9.

■ Buchmanite noun & adjective (a) noun an adherent of Buch¬ manism; (b) adjective of or pertaining to Buchmanites or Buch¬ manism: E20.

An article placed as a reminder before a player whose turn it is to deal at poker. LU fig.: H. S. Truman On my desk 1 have a motto which says 'The buck stops here.' pass the buck fig. (slang) shift responsibility (to another).

[Afrikaans from Nama.]

saw,

a

run,

u put. u: too, 9 ago. ai my, au how. er day,

Mi9.

[Origin unkn.]

Any of various South African shrubs of the rue family (esp. Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata) whose leaves 0:

M19.

[Origin unkn.]

buchu/'bAko, 'buxu/noun. mis.

d

L17.

[Origin unkn.]

A horse for riding, a mount. Buchmanism /'bAkinamz(3)m, 'bu:k-/ noun. Usu. derog. E20. [from Frank Buchman

L17.

[Perh. var. of bouk.]

[Latin from Greek Boukefalos, Alexander the Great’s charger, from bous ox + kephale head.]

■ bubblement noun (now rare) effervescence L19. bubbler noun a person who or thing which bubbles; esp. (arch.) a swindler, a cheat: E18.

An act of copulation by a male rabbit, hare, etc.

L16-E17.

Bucephalus /bju/sefabs/ noun. Chiefly joc. M17.

P. G. Wodehouse The silver bubbling of a thrush. J. Masefield A spring comes bubbling up there.

Li6.

[from buck verb2.]

Ascension Day festival of marrying the Adriatic.

out, etc., in or like bubbles; boil or brim over (lit.) in bubbles or (fig.) with merriment, anger, excitement, etc.; make the sound of bubbles, lme. 2 verb trans. Send out in or like bubbles. E17. 3 verb trans. Delude, dupe, cheat, esp. in a commercial or financial enterprise. Now rare. L17. 4 verb intrans. Weep, lament. Scot. & north. E18. 5 verb trans. Cause (a baby) to bring up wind. US colloq. M20. £Q 1 Tennyson Yon swoll'n brook that bubbles fast. C. Kingsley Wild thoughts bubbled within her.

sit, i cosy, i; see,

bucatini /buka'timi/ noun pi.

Bucentaur/bju:'sEnto:/noun. Also JBucentoro. M16. [French bucentaure from (after rentaure centaur) Italian bucentoro, perh. from Venetian Italian, lit. 'barge in gold'.] Hist. The state barge used by the Doge of Venice for the

bubble /'bAbfojl/ verb. lme.

1

bubonocele/bju:'bonasi:l/noun. Now rare or obsolete Ei7. [mod. Latin from Greek boubonokele, formed as bubo: see -cele.] medicine. Hernia of the groin.

A Portuguese white wine; a drink of this.

D3 E. Linklater In 1837 he lost some money by speculating in one of the many bubble companies of that year.

her.

buck IbM noun1 & adjective, oe.

[from bubbly imit. of the bird's call + male forename Jock.]

bub /bAb/ noun3, colloq. mi9.

9:

► A adjective. Full of bubbles, frothy. Of a person: viv¬ acious; full of high spirits. Mi6. ► B noun. Champagne, slang. E20. bubbly-jock/'bAblidjDk/noun. Scot. Ei9.

[Abbreviation of bubby noun2.]

Boy, man, brother: used chiefly as a familiar form of address.

a cat, o: arm, r, bed,

yield a diuretic drug; the powdered dried leaves of such a shrub.

[from bubble noun + -v1.]

00

no, e: hair, is near.

01

boy,

00

poor,

ai?

tire, aua sour

300

buck |bud bucket /'bakit/ verb. Li6.

Comb.: buck-passing slang shifting of responsibility to another.

[from bucket noun1.] 1 verb intrans. Use a bucket (of water). Chiefly as

buck /b/vk/ noun10, slang. Li9.

bucketing verbal noun. L16. 2 verb trans. Pour buckets of water over. E17. 3 verb trans. Lift or carry in buckets. Mi7. 4 a verb trans. Ride (a horse) hard; drive or move (a vehicle etc.) jerkily or bumpily. Mi9. fb verb intrans. Of a

[Hindi bak.]

Conversation; boastful talk. buck /bAk/ verb' trans. obsolete exc. Hist lme. [Corresp. to Middle High German buchen (German beuchen). Low German taken, Swedish byka, Danish byge, from Germanic prob. in Old English.]

vehicle etc.: jerk or bounce up and down, move roughly.

1 Steep or boil in an alkaline lye in buck-washing or bleaching, lme. j-2 Drench, soak. Li 5-E17.

5 verb intrans. & trans. rowing. Hurry the forward swing of (the body); hurry (recovery of position). Li 9. 6 verb intrans. & trans. with it. Of rain etc.: pour down (or down) heavily, colloq. E20.

buck /bxk/ verb2. Mi6.

■ bucketing ppi adjective (rowing) hurried, jerky mi 9.

[from buck noun1.]

buckeye /'bAkAi/ noun & adjective. Exc. sense A.i US. mis.

11 verb intrans. & trans. Of a male rabbit, hare, etc.: copu¬ late (with). M16-M18. 2 a verb intrans. Of a horse etc.: jump vertically with the back arched and feet drawn together, mi9. >b verb trans. Throw (a rider or burden) by so jumping. Also foil, by off.

[from buck noun' + -o.)

(A person who is) swaggering or domineering. Comb.; bucko mate an officer who drives the crew by bullying methods.

buckra /'bAkra/ noun. W. Indies & Southern US. Freq. derog. Also buccra & other vars. mis. [Ibibio & Efik (m)bakara European, master.]

(A black person’s name for) a white man, a master.

E20.

■ bucking noun (a) tire action of the verb; (b) = buck noun2: us.

bucko /'bAkoo/ adjective & noun. Nautical slang. PI. of noun -o(e)s. LI9.

[from buck noun1 + eve noun.] ► A noun. 1 (The nut or fruit of) a tree or shrub of the genus Aesculus: an American horse chestnut, mis. 2 A backwoodsman; a native of Ohio. E19.

buckram /'bAkrom/ noun, adjective, & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman bukeran. Old French boquerant (mod. bougran), corresp. to Provencal bocaran, Spanish bucaran, Italian bucherame, perh. obscurely from Bukhara, a town in central Asia, west of Sam¬ arkand: for the change of final n to m cf. grogram, megrim, vellum.] ► A noun. 1 A kind of fine linen or cotton fabric. Long obsolete exc. Hist me.

2 A coarse linen or other cloth stiffened with gum or paste, lme. 3 fig. Stiffness of manner. Li7.

3 An inferior person or thing; a shop selling inferior goods, mi9.

2 men in buckram non-existent persons, figments (in allusion to Shakes. 1 Hen. IV). ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or like buckram; fig. stiff in

Comb.: Buckeye State Ohio, where buckeye trees are abun¬ dant. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Of Ohio. Mt9. 2 Inferior; showy but not impressive. E20.

manner, mi6. ► C verb trans. Pad or stiffen with buckram; fig. give a starched pomposity or illusory strength to. Lis.

buck /b/vk/ verb3 trans. L17. [Cf. Dutch token, boocken beat or strike.] min live. Break (ore) into small pieces with a special hammer.

buckie /'bAki/ noun. Scot. Ei6.

Bucks, abbreviation. Buckinghamshire.

buck/bxk/ verb4. M18. [Perh. alt. of butt verb1 by assoc, with buck noun'.] 1 verb trans. Push with the head; butt into or against; fig.

buckle /'bAk(a)l/ noun. me.

L19.

3 verb intrans. & trans. Foil, by up: ha Dress up. arch. & dial. M19. hb Cheer up; become or make more vigorous or lively; hurry up, make an effort, colloq. Mi9.

■ bucked adjective (colloq.) encouraged, elated E20. bucker noun1 a horse etc. that bucks M19.

[Sense 1 of unkn. origin (cf. buccinum); sense 2 app. from buck noun' + -IE.] 1 A whorled mollusc’s shell. E16. 2 A perverse or refractory person. Ei8.

■ bucker noun2 (mining) a hammer for bucking ore Mi7.

[Anglo-Norman buck, Old French bocle (mod. boude) from Latin buccula cheek-strap of a helmet, dim. of bucca cheek.]

OIF. Chichester I.. kept swimming, not tiying to buck the flood. K. Kesey Some mornings.. I hide and try to buck the schedule, buck the tiger: see tiger noun. 2 G. Bonner There's no good bucking against bad luck.

buckthorn/'bAk0o:n/noun. Li6.

[Branch I from the noun; branch II from French boucler bulge.)

Cut (wood) with a buck-saw. ■ bucker noun3 a person who saws trees into logs E20.

buck /bokJ verb6 intrans. slang. L19. [Cf. buck noun1".]

Swagger, brag. buckaroo /b.Aka'ru:/ noun. US. arch. Ei9. [Alt. of VAQUERO.]

A cowboy. buckbean /'bAkbi:n/ noun. Li6. [Flemish bocks boonen goat’s beans.]

A common marsh plant, Menyanthes trifoliata, bearing racemes of white or pinkish flowers. Also called marsh trefoil

buckeen /bA'ki:n/ noun. Anglo-Irish, lib.

£0 2 Sir W. Scott Would.. interrupt you just when you were buckling with your labours. 3 Burke I have shook off idleness, and begun to buckle to. T. F. Dibdin Now buckles himself to the uninterrupted perusal of the .. text. B. Harte Chiquita Budded right down to her work. E. Reveley You'll really have to buckle down and cram for those exams.

► II 6 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) give way or crumple up, esp. under longitudinal pressure. Ei6. 7 verb intrans. fig. Submit, cringe, obsolete exc. dial. M17. £0 6 A. Powell One of the legs buckled, but the chair did not break. D. Attenborough The.. rocks.. are twisted and buckled. T. Berger Her knees threatened to buckle.

[from buck noun1 + -een2.] Hist. A young (impecunious) man from inferior Irish

gentry.

Comb.: fbuckle-beggar Scot, a clergyman who performed irregular marriages.

bucket /'bAkit/ noun', me. [Anglo-Norman buket, buquet tub, pail (Anglo-Latin bokettum, bu-). perh. from Old English but belly, pitcher: see -et'.]

buckler /'bAkla/ noun & verb. me.

1 A (usu. round) open vessel with a handle, for use when drawing water etc. or for holding or carrying liquids or other substances or objects (orig. of leather or wood, now also of metal, plastic, and other materials). Also, a bucketful, me. 2 The piston of a lift-pump. Mi7. 3 Each of the compartments on the circumference of a water-wheel; each of the scoops of a dredger, grainelevator, etc. Ml8, 4 A (usu. leather) socket or rest for a whip, carbine, or lance. Mi9. 5 rowing. A hurried or jerky forward movement of the body. L19. 1 a drop in the bucket see drop noun 3. Comb.: bucket seat a seat with a rounded back to fit one person; bucket-shop an unauthorized office for gambling in stocks, speculating on markets, dealing in discounted airline tickets, etc : bucket-wheel a contrivance for raising water, comprising buckets fixed round the rim of a wheel, which fill at the bottom and empty themselves at the top. ■ bucketful noun the amount contained in a bucket; in pi., large quantities of rain, tears, etc.: MI6.

[Perh. from Old French buquet balance.] kick the bucket [perh.. & now usu. interpreted as. bucket noun1] slong die. he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg.

3 A shieldlike part of the protective covering of an animal. E19. Comb.: buckler-fern any of certain ferns of the genus Dryopteris, with kidney-shaped indusia. ► B verb trans. 1 Act as a buckler to, shield. Li 6. 12 Ward or catch (blows), rare (Shakes.). Only in L16. ■ bucklered adjective armed with a buckler, furnished with bucklers M19.

Buckley’s /'bAkliz/ noun. Austral. & NZcolloq. 119.

buckling /'bAklig/ noun. E20. [German Budding bloater.]

A smoked herring.

n no,

p pen,

r red,

A shrub or small tree of the genus Rhamnus (family Rhamnaceae); esp. (more fully purging buckthorn) the shrub R. cathartica, whose berries yield sap-green and are strongly cathartic. alder buckthorn sea buckthorn

buckwheat/’bAkwi:t/noun. Mi6. [Middle Dutch boecweite or Middle Low German bokwete lit. 'beech wheat’, its grains resembling beechmast.]

1 A cereal plant of the genus Fagopyrum (family Polygonaceae), esp. F. esculentum, the seed of which is used for horse and poultry food, and in N. America is milled for making breakfast pancakes, mi6. 2 A buckwheat cake. N. Amer. mi9. buckyball /'bAkibo:l/ noun, informal, no. [from buck(minsterfullerene + -y6+ ball noun'.] chemistry. A fullerene molecule.

bucolic /bjufkDlik/ noun. E16. [Latin bucolica, Greek boukolika (both pi.), formed as next.]

1 A pastoral poem, e.g. Virgil's eclogues. Usu. in pi. Ei6. 2 A pastoral poet; joc. a rustic, rare. lis. bucolic /bjufkDlik/ adjective. Ei7. [Latin bucolicus from Greek boukolikos, from boukolos herdsman, from bous ox: see -ic]

Of shepherds, pastoral; rustic, rural. ■ bucolical adjective (now rare) bucolic E16. bucolically adverb LI 9.

bud /bAd/ noun', lme. [Origin unkn.]

1 a A rudiment of a shoot, flower, or foliage; a leaf or flower not yet fully open. lme. >b zoology. A growth which later separates to form a new individual asexually. mi9. 2 Anything resembling a bud, esp. in respect of shape or of immature state of development; spec, (a) a child, a youngster; (b) dial, a yearling calf; (c) colloq. (chiefly US] a debutante; (d) the rudiment of a horn or of an insect’s leg or other appendage when it begins to sprout; (e) a small wad of cotton wool etc. on a stick. Li 6.

bud /bAd/ noun2. N. Amer. colloq. Mi9.

joined together as a hollow polyhedron of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.

m man,

[from buck noun1 + thorn noun, translating mod. Latin cervi spina stag's thorn.]

1 a in bud putting forth buds, nip in the bud fig. destroy at an early stage of development, red bud see red adjective. Comb.: budworm a grub or caterpillar destructive to buds. ■ budless adjective M19. budlet noun a small or secondary bud M19.

[Origin unkn.)

In full Buckley’s chance. Little or no chance.

[from R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983), US engineer and architect who invented the geodesic dome + -ene.) chemistry. A form of carbon in which 60 carbon atoms are

A beam or yoke on which anything may be hung,

h

[Anglo-Norman buckr, Old French bocler (mod. boudier), orig. adjective in esra boder shield having a boss, from bode boss, buckle noun: see -er2.] ► A noun. 1 Hist A small round shield usu. held by a handle, me. 2 fig. A means of defence, lme.

buckminsterfullerene /.bAkminsto’fubriui/ noun. L20.

bucket /'bAkit/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. as below. Li6.

b but. d dog, f few. g get.

buckshee noun2 var. of bukshi.

► II verb trans. Fasten with a buckle. (Foil, by up, on, etc.) lme. fb verb intrans. Foil, by up: fasten a seat belt, wear a seat belt. N. Amer 120. 2 verb intrans. Grapple, engage, with. Now dial. M16. 3 verb intrans. & frefl. Equip oneself, prepare, for battle, an expedition, etc. Now only fig. foil, by to (preposition & adverb), down (to): prepare for or set about (work etc.), apply oneself vigorously (to), mi 6. 4 verb intrans. & trans. Marry, dial. & joc. L17. 15 verb trans. Fix (hair) in curl. E18-M19.

[from buck noun7.]

buckshee /bAk'Ji:, esp. attrib. adjective 'bAkfi:/ noun1,

curl in hair. E18-E19.

buckle /'bAk(a)l/ verb. lme.

buck /bAk/ verb5 trans. N. Amer. L19.

Champagne or sparkling white wine mixed with orange juice; a drink of this.

12 The state of hair when crisped and curled; a kink or

me.

Amer. M19.

[from Buck's Club, London + fizz noun.]

adjective, & adverb, slang. E20. [Alt. of baksheesh.] ► A noun. Something in addition to the usual allowance; something extra or free. E20. ► B adjective & adverb. Free of charge, gratuitous(ly). E20.

1 A flat frame with a hinged pin, for securing a strap, belt, etc.; a similarly shaped ornament on a shoe etc.

come up against, oppose, resist, get the better of, (cf. buck verb2 2b). Chiefly dial, (in lit. sense) & N. Amer. mi 8. 2 verb intrans. Foil, by against, at: oppose, resist. Chiefly N.

Buck’s Fizz /bxks 'fiz/ noun phr. M20.

s sit,

t top,

v van,1,

[Abbreviation.]

= buddy noun. bud /bAd/ verb. Infl. -dd-. lme. [from bud noun1.]

1 verb intrans. Send out buds, sprout; come or push out as a bud. lme.

w we. z zoo. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

301

budda | buffer 2 verb intrans. fig. Begin to grow or develop. M16. 3 verb traps. & intrans. zoolocv, Form (as) a bud. Li6. 4 verb trans. Bring into bud, cause to bud. Ei7. 5 verb trans. horticulture. Graft a bud of (a plant) on to another plant. Mi7. 2 E. Waugh Two daughters just budding into woman¬ hood. 3 D. Morris It must divide and bud off a lower, second cell. D. Attenborough The polyps bud in a different way and produce miniature medusae which detach themselves and wriggle away. U3

budda /'bAda/ noun. Austral. Also -ah. Li9. [Aboriginal budua.] An E. Australian tree, Eremophila mitchelli, with aromatic timber resembling sandalwood.

budge /bAd3/ verb. Li6. BULLA.]

1 verb intrans. Stir, move from one’s or its place; change opinion. (Almost always in neg. contexts.) Li 6. ►tb Wince, flinch, shirk. L16-M17. 2 verb trans. Stir or move (a heavy thing). Li6.

■ budger noun (rare)

The title of the successive teachers, past and future, of Buddhism (see next), esp. of its founder, the Indian reli¬ gious teacher Gautama (fl. 5th cent, bc); any of the numerous and often massive carved figures of the Buddha. ■ Buddhahood noun the condition ofa Buddha M19 Buddhism /'budiz(a)m/ noun. E19.

budgeree 'bAd3ari/ adjective. Austral, colloq. lis.

adjective

M19.

budding /'bAdiig/ adjective. Li6. [from bud verb + -ing2.] 1 That forms buds. L16. 2 fig. Beginning to develop to maturity. Li 6. E3 2 G. Macdonald This gave a great help to his budding confidence. L. T. C. Rolt Budding engineers who bombarded the Company with impracticable schemes. buddle /'bAd(o)l/ noun1, dial, livie.

budgerigar /'bAd3(3)nga:/ noun. Mi9. [Aboriginal, formed as prec. + gar cockatoo.]

buddleia /'bAdlio/noun. Also -lea. lis. [mod. Latin, from Adam Buddle (d. 1715), English botanist: see

A shrub or tree of the genus Buddleja, native to America, Asia, and southern Africa: esp. B. davidii, a large orna¬ mental shrub bearing panicles of fragrant lilac flowers which attract butterflies. Also called butterfly bush

buff /bAf/ verb2 trans.

[Alt. of brother noun orvar. of butty noun’.]

1 Polish, spec, with a buff, mi9. Impart a velvety surface to (leather).

2

buffalo /'bAfatau/ noun' & verb.

Full of buds; like a bud.

► A noun. PI. -oes, same. 1 a Any of several wild Asiatic oxen of the genus Bubalus, with long curved horns, esp. B. amee (more fully water-buffalo), which has been domesticated, mi6. ►b A similar wild African ox, Syncerus coffer (more fully Cape buffalo). Li7. 2 = American bison s.v. bison 1. Chiefly N. Amer. mi7. 3 A large river-fish of the genus lctiobus, of the sucker family. N.Amer. Li8. 4 In full buffalo robe. A rug or cloak made of lined trimmed buffalo hide. N. Amer. Ei9.

5 (B-.) A member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, a social club and benevolent society, mi9. 6 An amphibious tank. M20. Comb. : buffalo berry (the edible fruit of) a tree or shrub of the N. American genus Shepherdia, of the oleaster family, esp. S. canadensis and S. argentea: buffalo bird (a) an oxpecicer; (b) a cowbird; buffalo chips dried buffalo dung used as fuel: buffalo clover a native N. American clover, Trifoliuin stoloniferum, found on the prairies: buffalo fish N. Amer. = sense 3 above: buffalo fly, buffalo gnat = blackfly (b) s.v. black adjective: buffalo grass any of various grasses, esp. (N. Amer.) Buchloe dactyloides, (Austral. & NZ) Stenotaphrum secundatum; buffalo-nut (the oily nut of) a para¬ sitic N. American shrub, Pyrularia pubera, of the sandalwood family; buffalo robe: see sense 4 above: buffalo runner n. amer. history a swift horse for hunting buffalo. ► B verb trans. Overawe, bemuse, baffle, outwit. N. Amer. slang. E20.

m budgetary adjective of or pertaining to a budget Li9. budge teer noun a person who makes up or supports a budget M19.

budget bAdjri/ verb. ei7. [from the noun.]

11 verb trans. Put in a budget or wallet; store up. Only in E17. 2 verb intrans. Draw up or prepare a budget, esp. for a certain supply, establishment, or a particular financial result. Li9. Fb verb trans. Arrange (for) in a budget. L19.

£□ M. Puzo He could still command a hefty advance for a book, he still had critics buffaloed.

budgie /'bAdji/ noun, colloq. E20. Buffalo /’bAfbtao/ noun2. M20. [A city in New York state. USA, where the recipe was developed.]

[Origin unkn.]

[Italian

buff /bAf/ noun1, lme.

verb2.]

[Origin unkn. (orig. disyllabic, = Anglo-Latin buggetum).]

► A noun. A fur of lamb’s skin with the wool dressed out¬ wards. LME. ►t B ottrib. or as adjective. Made of budge; wearing budge. Hence, solemn in demeanour, pompous, formal. LME-L18. budge /bAd3/ noun2, rare exc. as below. Ei7.

(Origin unkn.]

A sneak-thief. see,

d

hot,

► A noun. I f 1 A stammerer. Only in lme. 2 A fellow; esp. an old-fashioned or incompetent fellow. Freq. in old buffer slang. M18. Fb nautical. A boatswain’s mate; a petty officer, mi9. ► II3 An apparatus for deadening impact; spec, either of a pair of projecting shock absorbers fitted to a cross-beam at the end of a railway vehicle or on a fixed mounting across the end of a railway line (usu. in pi.). Also fig., a pro¬ tective intermediary, mi9. 4 chemistry. A substance or mixture of substances (usu. a weak acid or base with one of its salts) which tends to

viation of buffalo ]

tbudge noun3, slang. L17-M18.

a:

saw,

a

run, o put, u: too,

a

ago,

ai

my, ao how,

ei

day.

lme.

[Prob. from buff verb’ + -er’.]

► A noun. 1 A buffalo. Now colloq. mi6. 2 Stout dressed ox-leather of a dull-yellow colour and velvety surface. Li6. tb Military attire (for which buff was formerly much used), arch. L16. 3 The bare skin, the nude, colloq. E17. 4 medicine. = buffy coat s.v. buffy adjective'. M18. 5 Hist, the Buffs, the Old Buffs, the 3rd regiment of the line, later the East Kent Regiment (so called from their buff facings), mi 8. 6 The colour of buff; pale dull yellow. Li 8.

Comb.: budge-barrel Hist, a small powder barrel having a leather cover with a long neck.

i:

buffer /'bAfa/ noun' & verb.

[Prob. formed as buffle. In recent use in sense A.i repr. an abbre¬

[Var. of BoucEnoun.]

cosy,

buffel noun var. of buffle.

buff /bAf/ noun2 & adjective, mi6.

= bouge noun 1.

L16.

buffer.]

11 A breathing-hole ofa helmet. Only in Li6. 2 Hist. A piece of armour for the chin, pierced with breathing-holes. E17.

[Old French bufe buffet noun'.] A blow, a stroke, a buffet. Now chiefly in blind man’s buff s.v. blind adjective stand buff arch, stand firm, not flinch.

budge Po\dyJ noun' & adjective, obsolete exc. Hist. lme.

i

buffe /bof/ noun.

A sexually attractive or available woman.

Behoved, behoves, behove (see above); must, ought,

sit,

Buffalo (chicken) wing, a chicken wing coated in a spicy sauce and deep fried, typically served with blue cheese dressing.

buer /'bjoa/ noun, north. & slang. Usu, derog. (or considered to be so). E19.

bude /bu:d, byd/ verb (orig. 3rd person sing. pa. indie., later other persons, pres., pa. pple, & inf.). Scot, (formerly also north.). Also bit /bit/, bode /baud/, buit /byt/, & other vars. me.

Mi6.

[Prob. immed. from Portuguese bufalo (now bufaro) = Italian bufalo, Spanish bubalo, bufalo, from late Latin bufalus from Latin bubalus from Greek boubalos wild ox, antelope. Cf. buff noun2, BUFFLE.]

A budgerigar.

[from bud noun1 + -Y1.]

Li 9.

G3 1 K. Kesey Get them to work buffing the floor. F. King Fingernails buffed to an opalescent pink.

[Abbreviation: see -IE.]

buddy /’bAdi/ adjective, rare. Li6.

mi9.

[from buff noun-.]

£□ Woman’s Own Budget meals for the family, budget account: see account noun.

► A noun. 1 Occas. also redupl. buddy-buddy. Brother, companion, friend (ffeq. as a familiar form of address). M19. 2 spec, a A working companion (assigned or chosen) with whom close cooperation is required. E20. Fb A person who befriends and gives special help to another with an incapacitating disease, esp. Aids. L20. Comb., buddy film, buddy movie a film featuring friendship between two individuals, esp. men: buddy system (a) organ¬ ized cooperation of individuals for mutual help or safety: (b) the practice of appointing friends or allies to positions of influence. ► 8 verb intrans. Become friendly. Usu. foil, by up. M20.

i

bouge leather bag from Latin bulga:

of limited means; cheap. M20.

buddy /’bAdi/ noun & verb, colloq. (orig. US). Mi9.

bed, a: her,

2 verb intrans. & trans. Make a sound as a soft inflated object does when struck; strike so as to cause such a sound. Mi6.

Comb.: budget buster (chiefly US) a person, policy, or measure proposing or effecting expenditure in excess of an agreed budget. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Designed or suitable for someone

-ia'.]

e

etc. ME.

C I 1 open one’s budget speak one’s mind. 2 Swift I read .. the whole budget of papers you sent, fig.: Hazlitt His budget of general knowledge, b Day Lewis I had a budget from her last week. 3 J. K. Galbraith The balanced budget .. has been the sine qua non of sound and sensible manage¬ ment of the public purse. B. Castle The Chancellor must be free to have a later budget next year. P. Davies Most ‘pure’ scientists work in large laboratory teams.. and annual budgets run into hundreds of millions of dollars, on a budget with a restricted amount of money.

mining. ►A noun. A shallow inclined vat in which ore is washed, mi6. ► B verb trans. Wash (ore) in a buddle. L17.

cat, o: arm,

bajra.J

► A noun. 1 A pouch or wallet, obsolete exc. dial. lme. ►tb spec. A leather container, esp. a leather or skin bottle. L16-M19. 2 The contents of a bag or wallet; a bundle, a collec' tion, a stock, arch. Li6. ►b spec. A long letter full of news. E19. 3 A periodic (esp. annual) estimate of the revenue and expenditure of a country or organization; an account or statement of this, esp. one made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons; a similar estimate for a private individual or family. Also, the amount of money needed or available for spending, mi8.

[Origin unkn.]

me.

[Prob. imit.; cf.puff, buff noun1.] 1 verb intrans. Stutter, splutter; burst out into laughter

budget /'b.\d3it/ noun & adjective. See also bouget. lme.

The corn marigold.

a

buff /bAf/ verb’, obsolete exc. dial.

A type of barge formerly much used on the Ganges. [Old French bougette dim. of see bulge, -et1.]

e-mis.

[Cf. buffer noun1.] = buffer noun1 2.

budgerow /'bAd3or3u/ noun. Anglo-Indian, obsolete exc. Hist. Ei8.

buddle /'bAd(a)l/ noun2 & verb. Mi6.

boost

tbuff noun*. colloq.

A small Australian parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, a popular cage-bird, green in the wild state, although captive birds are bred in a variety of colours.

[Origin unkn.]

[Contr. of behoved: cf.

buff arches: see arch noun’ 6. buff coat a coat of buff; tronsf. {arch.) a soldier, buff leather sense A1 above, buff-stick, buffwheel - sense A.y above. ■ buffed adjective clad in or covered with buff M17. huffish adjective El 9.

bujari.]

[Hindi, Bengali

[from prec. + -ism.]

The religious and philosophical system founded by the Buddha Gautama (see prec,), teaching that all human sorrows arise from desire and can be eradicated by fol¬ lowing the disciplines of his eightfold path. ■ Buddhist adjective & noun (a) adjective relating to or connected with Buddhism: (b) noun an adherent of Buddhism: E19. Buddhist

► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of buff; like buff; of the colour of buff, pale dull yellow. L16.

Ei7.

Good, excellent.

[Sanskrit = enlightened, pa. pple of budh- awake, know, per¬ ceive.]

Bu ddhistic. Bu'ddhistical adjectives =

Cl 2b Sir W. Scott In buff and bandoleer for King Charles. 3 G. McInnes Undressing down to the buff. 5 steady the Buffs: see steady adjective, adverb. & interjection. 8 E. Reveley Though no wine buff, even he could tell that this must have been one ofFelix’s finest hocks.

£0 1 R. L. Stevenson We’l] have to budge, mates. A. Carter The old car stuck fast in a rut, wouldn’t budge an inch. S. Brett I’ve argued with him about this, but he won’t budge.

[Aboriginal

Buddha 'bods/noun. Li7.

7 A stick or wheel covered with buff or a similar mater¬ ial, used for polishing. M19. 8 Orig., an enthusiast for watching fires (so called from the buff uniforms of volunteer firemen in New York City). Now, an enthusiast or expert in any (specified) subject or activity, colloq. (orig. US). E20.

[French bouger = Provencal bolegar disturb oneself, Italian bulkare bubble up, from Proto-Romance frequentative of Latin bullire, from

au

no. r.: hail-,

la

near,

a.

boy,

oa

poor.

Aia

are. aua sour

302

buffer | bugle stabilize the pH of a solution; a solution containing this. 5 computing. An intermediate memory for die tempoiary storage of information during data transfers, esp. one that accepts data at one rate and delivers them at another. M20. 03 3 B. Trapido She has a tendency to answer questions for him as if he needed her as a buffer between himself and a hostile world. buffer area (lit. 8, fig.): separating potential belligerents; buffer solution chemistry a solution containing a buffer, butter State a small country lying between two possible belligerents, diminishing the chance of hostilities; buffer stock a stock of a commodity held in reserve so as to offset price fluctuations, buffer stop a pair of buffers fixed at the end of a railway line; buffer zone: separating potential belligerents. ► B verb trons. 1 Act as a buffer to (chiefly fig.)', lessen the Comb, :

impact of. Li 9. 2 chemistry. Treat with a buffer, stabilize by means ot a buffer. E20. buffer/

bafo/

A dog.

lis.

[from BUFF noun- or adjective + -Y'.[

Resembling buff in colour or appearance, buffy coat medicine a thin pale layer of white cells which forms on dotted blood, or between the red cells and plasma when blood is centrifuged.

buffy /'bAfi/ adjective2, slang. Mi9. [Origin unkn.]

Tipsy, moderately drunk. tbufonite noun. M17-M19. [from Latin bufon-, bufo toad + -ite1.]

A person who polishes with a buff; a device for buffing.

jbug noun'. lme-li9. [Rel. to BOGGARD. BOGLE, etc. Connection with Welsh bwg, bwgtm (ghost, hobgoblin), bygwl (fear, threat) uncertain. Cf. bugbear.)

buffet /'bAfit/ noun', me. bufljjet dim. of bufe buff noun': see -et'.]

1 A blow, esp. with the hand; a knock, an impact, me. 2 AERONAUTICS. = BUFFETING (c). M20. d 1 A. P. Herbert Mr. Walker gave him a buffet in the ribs with his fist. S. T. Warner Calamities go on having a buffet at US.

buffet /'bAfit/ noun2. Now dial. lme. [Old French buffflet, of unkn. origin.]

1 A low stool; a footstool. Also buffet-stool, lme. 2 A hassock. Li9. buffet / bofei; in sense 1 also 'bAfit/ noun3. E18. [French, formed as prec.]

1 A sideboard or recessed cupboard for china, plate, etc. E18. 2 (A place offering) a service of food from a sideboard or counter where guests or customers can help themselves; esp. (a) a refreshment room in a station or other public building; (b) (in full buffet car) a railway carriage serving light refreshments, ns. Comb. : buffet car: see sense 2 above; buffet meal, buffet party. etc.: at which food is served ffom a sideboard etc.

buffet /'bAfit/ verb. me. [Old & mod. French buffeter, formed as buffet noun1.] 1 verb trans. Beat, strike, thump, knock about, (lit. & fig.). me. ►b Beat back, contend with (waves, wind, etc.). Li6. 2 verb intrans. Deal blows, fight, struggle. Li6. 3 verb trans. Drive, force, or produce by buffeting. Li7. £3 1 0. Manning As the crowd pressed past him, he was buffeted mercilessly ffom side to side. B. Bainbridge The train, buffeted by wind, was swaying over the steel lattice of a bridge, b Shakes .Jut Caes. The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews. 2 fig.: Tennyson I heard.. the great echo flap And buffet round the hills. 3 F. Parkman He buffeted his way to riches and fame. ■ buffeting noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a beating, a thumping; (c) aeronautics irregular oscillation of a part of an air¬ craft owing to turbulence, esp. near sonic speed: me.

tbuffin noun. L16-E18. [Origin unkn.]

An (imaginary) object of terror; a bugbear, a bogey; a scarecrow. Comb.: bug-word a word meant to frighten,

bug /bAg/ noun2. E17. (Origin uncertain. Perh. from Old English -budda, as in sceambudda dung-beetle, or rel. to prec.) 1 a A hemipteran insect; orig. spec, the bedbug (see bed noun). Ei7. ► b gen. Any insect, esp. a small beetle or grub. Freq. with specifying word, as harvest bug. June bug. ladybug. red bug. etc. (absol. chiefly N.Amer.). colloq. M17.

2 A person obsessed by an idea; an enthusiast. Also, an obsession, a craze, slang, mi9. 3 A defect or fault in a machine, plan, etc.; spec, a mistake or malfunction in a computer program or system, colloq. Li 9. 4 A (school)boy, usu. of specified status etc. slang. E20. 5 A micro-organism, esp. a virus; a disease caused by this, colloq. E20. 6 A burglar-alarm system. US slang. E20. 7 A concealed microphone. M20. i. 1 1 big bug: see big adjective. 2 Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) Cusick is a bug on weight-lifting, fire-bug, jitterbug, etc. 4 new bug: see new adjective. Comb.: bugbane any of various tall plants of the genus Cimicifuga of the buttercup family, bearing small white flowers (C. foetida was formerly used to drive away bedbugs); bughunter slang an entomologist; a naturalist; bugwort = bugbane above.

bug /bAg/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. [Origin unkn.)

Pompous; conceited; fine. bug /bAg/ verb' trans. Infl. -gg-. Mi9. [from bug noun2.]

1 Clear (plants etc.) of insects. Mi9. 2 Equip with an alarm system or a concealed micro¬ phone; listen to by means of a concealed microphone. E20. 3 Annoy, bother, colloq. M20. bug /bAg/ verb2 intrans. N. Amer. colloq. Infl. -gg-. L19.

(A gown of) a kind of a coarse cloth,

[Origin unkn.)

buffle /'bAf(a)l/ noun. Long obsolete exc. in comb. Also -el. E16. [Old & mod. French from Italian bufalo: see buffalo.) 1 A buffalo. E16. 2 A fool, a fat-head. M17. Comb.: bufflehead (a) - sense 2 above; (b) a black and white N. American diving duck, Bucephala albedo, with a relatively large head; buffle-headed adjective f(o) having a head like a buffalo's; (b) large-headed; fat-headed, foolish, stupid.

Comb.: bug-eyed adjective having bulging eyes (bug-eyed monster, an extraterrestrial monster (with bulging eyes)).

bug /bAg/ verb3 intrans. slang (chiefly US). Infl. -gg-. M20. [Origin of sense 1 uncertain. In sense 2 abbreviation of bugger verb.] 1 Get out, leave quickly. M20. 2 Foil, by off. go away. L20. mis.

[Cf. Welsh bwri bo bogey. Cornish bucca.)

[Italian = puff of wind, buffoon, from buffare: see next.] ► A noun. PI. -os. A comic actor, a singer in comic opera. M18. primo buffo: see primo adjective. ► B adjective. Comic, burlesque. Li 8. basso buffo

buffoon /bo’finn/ noun, adjective, &verb. Mi6. [French boujfon from Italian buffone, from medieval Latin buffo clown, from Proto-Romance verb meaning 'puff’, of imit. origin: see-ooN.) ► A noun. 11 A pantomine dance. Scot. rare. Only in m 16. 2 A (professional) jester, a clown, arch. Li6.

3 A (vulgar or ludicrous) joker, a wag, a mocker. Usu. derog. Li 6.

I few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

Of the eyes: bulge out.

bugaboo /'bAgobu:/ noun.

buffo /’bofao/ noun & adjective, mis.

1

► B attrib. or as adjective. Needlessly alarming or annoy¬ ing. E17. bugger/'bAga/noun1, me. [(Middle Dutch from) Old & mod. French bougre fheretic, sodom¬ ite (arch.), person (colloq.), from medieval Latin Bulgarus Bulgarian (esp. as adhering to the Orthodox Church), heretic, Albigensian: see Bulcar.] ► X fl (B-.) A heretic; spec, an Albigensian. me-mis. 2 A person who commits buggery, coarse slang exc. law. mi6.

► II Extended uses: all coarse slang. 3 An unpleasant or undesirable person or thing; (in weakened sense) a person, a chap. Cf. beggar noun 3. E18.

4 A negligible amount. E20. ca 3 F. Manning There are two poor buggers dead. G. Orwell This business of class-breaking is a bugger, play silly buggers fool about, mess around. 4 not care a bugger. not give a bugger, bugger all: see all pronoun & noun 3.

= toadstone noun1.

secretions, mushrooms, and tropical plants, and has hal¬ lucinogenic, hypertensive, and vasoconstrictive actions.

Mi9.

[from buff verb2 + -er1.]

b but, d dog,

buffy /'bAfi/ adjective',

[French bufotenine, from Latin bu/o toad + (prob.) tenere hold (because of an ability to cause paralysis): see -ine5.] chemistry. An alkaloid which occurs in various amphibian

[Prob. imit.]

[Old French

■ buffoonery noun the actions or an act of a buffoon; sillmess, farce: Ei7. buffoonish adjective like or characteristic of a buffoon; silly, ridiculous: Li7.

bufotenine /bjufo'tEniai/ noun. E20.

noun2, arch, Ei9.

buffer /'bsfo/ noun3.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Belonging to or characteristic of a buffoon; vulgarly jocular, arch. Ei7. ► C verb. 1 verb trans. Ridicule, burlesque, arch. M17. 2 verb intrans. Play the buffoon. Li7.

1 A bogey; a bugbear, mis. 2 Loud or empty talk; nonsense, rubbish. L19. bugaku /'bogaku:/ noun. Li9. [Japanese, from bu dancing + gaku music.)

A Japanese classical dance in which pure dance form and symmetiy are emphasized, and masks are used. bugbear /'bAgbe:/ noun & adjective. Li6.

bugger/'bAga/noun2. M20. [from bug

verb' +-er'.[

A person who instals a concealed microphone. bugger /bAgo/ verb. ti6. [from bugger noun’.]

► II verb trans. & intrans. Commit buggeiy (with). Li 6. ► II Extended uses: all coarse slang. 2 verb trans. Curse, damn. Freq. in imprecations in imper. or in optative form (for Cod bugger — etc.), lis. ►b verb intrans. Curse. As interjection: damn! Mi9. 3 a verb trans. Ruin, spoil; mess up; mess about or around (with); tire, exhaust, (chiefly as buggered ppl adjective). E20. >b verb intrans. Mess or potter about, around. M20. 4 verb intrans. Foil, by off. go away. E20. £Q 2 S. Beckett Bugger these buttons! C. P. Snow I’m bug¬ gered if I vote for Crawford. ■ bugge ration interjection (coarse slang) expr. annoyance, frus¬ tration, etc. L20.

buggery/'bAgari/noun. me. [Middle Dutch buggerie, Old French bougrerie, bouguerie, formed as bugger noun’:

see-Y3.]

fl Abominable heresy. Only in me. 2 Sodomy. Also = BESTIALITY 2. E16. 3 to buggery, to hell, to the devil, to damnation, coarse slang. E20. G3 3 E. Lindall 'Go to buggery,' Minogue snarled.

tBuggess noun. L17-E19. [formed as Bugis.)

A SE Asian soldier in European service. Buggins’ turn /'bAginz ta:n/ noun phr. E20. [from Buggins, a 'typical' surname used generically + turn noun.)

Appointment in rotation rather than by merit. buggy /'bAgi/ noun. mis. [Origin unkn.]

1 A light horse-drawn vehicle for one or two people, with two or (in N. America) four wheels, mi 8. 2 transf. a A pram. More fully baby buggy. N. Amer. L19. lb A motor vehicle; esp. a small sturdy vehicle (freq. with specified use). E20. 1 horse-and-buggy see horse noun. 2b beach buggy, dune buggy, etc. Comb.: buggy-ride (chiefly N. Amec.) a ride in a buggy (thanks for the buggy-ride (colloq.): an expression of thanks for help given).

buggy / bAgi/ adjective. Ei8. [from bug noun2 + -Y1.)

1 Infested with bugs; like a bug. Ets. 2 computing. Of computer software: containing mistakes and so malfunctioning; having many bugs. L20. bughouse /'bxghaus/ adjective & noun, slang. Li9. [from bug

noun2 + house noun1.]

► A adjective. Crazy; very eccentric. Chiefly US. Li 9. ► B noun. 1 A mental hospital. Orig. US. E20. 2 A theatre or cinema, derog. M20. bught noun & verb var. of bought noun2 & verb2. Bugis /'bu:gis/ noun & adjective. Also Bugi /'bu:gi/. E18. [Malay.]

► A noun. PI. -i(s). A member of a people of southern Sula¬ wesi, Indonesia; the language of this people. Ei8. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Bugis or their language. E19. ■ Also Bugi 'nese noun & adjective (pi. of noun same) E20.

bugle /'bju:g(o)l/ noun', me.

[Prob. from bug noun' + bear noun’.] ► A noun. 1 A sort of hobgoblin (perhaps in the shape of a bear) supposed to devour naughty children; gen. any

[Old French from Latin buculus dim. of bos ox.) fl a A buffalo or wild ox. me-li7. Fb A young bull. dial. L19. 2 In full bugle-horn. Orig., a horn of a wild ox etc. used

imaginary being invoked to frighten children. Li6. 2 transf. An object of (needless) dread; an imaginary terror; an annoyance. Li6.

to give signals in hunting. Now, a brass instrument like a small trumpet similarly used or for giving military signals, or (US) in marching bands, me.

leg. m man. n no. p pen, r red, s sit. t top. v van. w we. z zoo, f she.

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this, g ring, tj chip. d3 jar

303

bugle | bulk

2 key-bugle see key noun'. ■ bugler noun a person who plays a bugle; spec, a soldier who signals orders on a bugle; m 19 buglet noun a small bugle E19.

bugle /'bju:g(a)l/ noun2, me. [Late Latin bugula.]

A creeping plant of the genus Ajuga, of the mint family; esp. A reptans, which bears blue flowers. Comb.: bugleweed N. Amec, (a) = sense above; (b) a related plant, Lycopus virginiats, found in wet soil.

bugle /‘bju:g(3)l/ noun3. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

A tube-shaped bead, usu. black, sewn on a dress etc. as ornament. G3 attrib.: Shakes. A.Y.L. Your inky brows, your black silk hair, your bugle eyeballs.

building /'bildnj/ noun. me.

bulbul /'bulbul/ noun. M17.

[formed as prec. + -ing1.]

[Persian, of imit. origin.]

1 A thing which is built; a structure, an edifice; a per¬ manent fixed thing built for occupation, as a house, school, factory, stable, church, etc. me. 2 The action of build verb. lme. 3 A company (of rooks); a rookery, rare. lme. Comb.: building-block (a) = block noun 4b; (b) one of the tem¬ porary supports for a ship’s keel while the ship is being built; building-brick = brick noun 2, 2b; building-lease a lease of land upon which to build; building line a prescribed limit beyond which a building must not extend; building society; accepting investments at interest, and lending to persons build¬ ing or buying houses etc.; building-term the duration of a building-lease.

tbuilt noun. E17-L18. [from build verb.]

bugle /bju:g(a)l/ verb. M19. [from bugle noun1.] 1 verb trans. Give forth (a sound) like a bugle; sound (a call) on a bugle. M19. 2 verb intrans. Sound a bugle; make a sound like a bugle. LI 9.

bugology /bA’gDbdji/noun. joc. Chiefly US. Mi9. [from bug noun2 + -olocy.] Entomology. ■ bugologist

Constructed or constituted, esp. in a specified way; having a specified build; spec, composed of separately prepared parts (= built-up (b) below). B3 M. Prior With well-built Verse to keep his Fame alive. J. Ruskin The built and tower-like shaft. L. Uris An Ben Canaan was.. built like his father, built-in (esp. of the fittings of a house) constructed to form an integral part of a larger unit; fig. inherent, integral, innate, built on sand: see sand noun, built-up (a) increased in height etc. by addition of parts; (b) composed of separately prepared parts; (c) (of a locality) fully occupied by houses etc. clinker-built: see clinker noun1.

buirdly /'byrdli/ adjective. Scot. Also boardly /'bo:dli/. lis.

noun L19.

[Var. of burly

adjective with -d- perh. after forms of board noun.]

Large and well made, stately; sturdy.

buhl /bu:l/ noun & adjective. Also boul(l)e, B-. E19.

buist verb var. of boost verb2.

[German buhl, French boule, from Andre Charles Boulle (16421732), French cabinet-maker.]

buit verb var. of bude.

(Of) brass, tortoise-shell, etc., worked into ornamental patterns for inlaying; (work) inlaid thus.

bukshi /'bAkJi:/ noun. Anglo-Indian, obsolete exc. Hist Also bu(c)kshee. Ei7. [Persian

buhr noun see burr noun4.

baksi giver, from baksidan give: cf. baksheesh.]

A paymaster-general; an army paymaster.

build /bild/noun. lme. [from the verb: cf. built noun.]

11 A building. Only in lme. 2 Style of construction, make; proportions of the human body, physique. M17. 03 2 S. Pefys The difference in the build of ships now and heretofore. M. Muggeridge A tall man. rather the build of Bernard Shaw.

bulb Ibidbl noun & verb. lme. [Latin bultms from Greek bolbos onion, bulbous root.] ► A noun. 1 The globular underground organ of an onion, lily, or similar plant, which contains the following year’s bud and scale leaves that serve as food reserves. Also, a plant growing from a bulb. lme. kfb spec. An onion. M16-E18.

build /bild/ verb. Pa. t. & pple built /bilt/, (arch. & poet.) builded. See also built ppl adjective. [Old English byldan (cf. bylda builder), from bold, bot! dwelling, house = Old Frisian bodel. Old Saxon bodl. Old Norse bo!, from Ger¬ manic, from base meaning 'dwell' (also of bower noun1).] 1 verb trans. Construct (a house, nest, etc.) as a dwelling;

construct (a school, factory, stable, church, etc.) for occu¬ pation; construct (a ship, vehicle, fire, road, or other structure large relative to the user or requiring much time or effort in the construction) by putting parts or material together, oe. kb verb intrans. Be built. Only in be building. L17. 2 verb trans. Give form to, create; establish or accumu¬ late gradually; improve; benefit spiritually, edify. ME. 3 verb intrans. Erect a building or buildings; engage in building; construct a nest etc. me. 4 verb trans. Put together (parts, material) into a struc¬ ture; join together to form a structure; lay, insert, or incorporate in (adverb) or into as an integral part of a larger unit. lme. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Found (an argument, hope, confi¬ dence, progress, etc.) on a basis; rely on. E16. Phrases: build a sconce: see sconce noun2 2. build castles in the air, build in the air see air noun' 3. With adverbs in specialized senses: build down reduce or destroy gradually or in a planned way. build in surround with houses etc., block up. enclose by building; (see also sense 4 above), build round surround with houses etc. build up (a) verb phr trans. & intrans. increase in size, mass, or strength; accumulate; establish (itself) gradually: (b) verb phr. trans. surround with houses etc., block up; (c) verb phr. trans. boost, praise. Comb.: build-down a systematic reduction or destruction, build-up a favourable description in advance; preparation for or a gradual approach to a climax or maximum; an accumula¬ tion. ■ buildable adjective able to be built (on) E20.

2 anatomy. A spheroidal dilatation of the end of an organ or other structure, e.g. of the spinal cord (the medulla oblongata) or of a hair-root. E18. 3 a A dilated part of a glass tube, e.g. forming the reser¬ voir of a thermometer. El 9. >b (The glass envelope of) an electric lamp. M19. kc A compressible rubber device for the pneumatic operation of a syringe etc. L19. ► B verb intrans. Form a root shaped like a bulb; swell into a form like a bulb or rounded. L17. ■ bulbed adjective shaped like a bulb; having a bulb or bulbs: LI6. bulbiferous /bAl'bif(a)ras/ adjective bearing a bulb, producing bulbs L17. bulbiform adjective shaped like a bulb M19. bulblet noun a bulbil M19. bulblike adjective resembling (that of) a bulb M19.

bulbar /'bAlba/ adjective. Li9. [from bulb

tbulbel noun var. of bulbil.

bulbil /‘bAlbil/noun. Also f-el. M19.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her.

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

bulbillus dim. of bulbus bulb.]

A small aerial bulb borne in a leaf axil or an inflores¬ cence, which can develop into an independent plant when detached. Also, a small bulb formed at the side of an ordinary bulb

■ bulbo-u'rethral adjective of or pertaining to the urethra and the bulb (proximal region) of the penis; bulbo urethral gland, either of a pair of small glands which open into the urethra at the base of the penis and secrete a constituent of seminal fluid (also called Cowper’s gland) M19.

bulbous /'balbos/ adjective. L16. buWosus or directly from bulb noun + -ous.)

1 Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a bulb. L16. 2 Growing from a bulb; having roots like bulbs. L16. 3 Shaped like a bulb; rounded, swollen. Li8. ta 3 W. Golding The bulbous legs of a grand piano. R. Graves The bulbous nose, the sunken chin. ■ bulbose adjective {rare) bulbous L16. bulbosity /bAl'bositi/ noun bulbous condition or quality E20.

speculative builder, see speculative 4. 0:

saw,

a

run, u put, u: too, a ago.

[Old French bou(l)ge from Latin bulga leather sack, bag, of Gaulish origin.] ► A noun, j-1 A wallet or bag, esp. of hide. ME-E17. 2 = bilge noun 1. Now rare or obsolete. Ei7.

3 A convex part or irregular swelling on an otherwise flat(ter) surface or line. mis. kb spec. A protuberance added to a ship’s hull for protection or increased stabil¬ ity. E20. kc military. A salient. E20. 4 fig. a An advantage, a lead. Chiefly in have the bulge on, get the bulge on, get an advantage over (a person). slang (chiefly N. Amer.). Mi9. kb A temporary increase or rise in volume, numbers, etc. colloq. 119. Efl 3 L. Deighton He didn't want to.. stuff it into his pocket for it would make bulges in his newly pressed uniform jacket. W. Boyd His palm cautiously inched up the slack bulge other breast. 4b Lancet The number of births will increase.. when the people born in the 'bulge' of the 1950's start to reproduce. ► B verb. |1 verb trans. = bilge verb 1. LME-E19. f2 verb intrans. = bilge verb 2. Also, strike (on, against) so as to damage the bilge, E17-E19. 3 verb intrans. Protrude, swell out; be swollen, esp. by

being full. Li 7. 4 verb trans. Make protuberant, cause to swell, esp. by filling. M19. 5 verb intrans. Rush in; make a dash/or. US colloq. Mi9. 03 3 E. Nesbit Boxes.. with more Indian things bulging out of them. I. Fleming The muscles bulged under the exquis¬ itely cut shark-skin jacket. A. C. Boult His pockets bulging with £20 notes. 4 S. Plath A snug corset affair that curved her in at the middle and bulged her out again spectacularly above and below. J. Herriot Her plump figure bulged her uniform tightly. ■ bulgy adjective swollen, that bulges M19.

bulgur /'bAlga/ noun. Also -gh-. M20. [Turkish = Persian bulgur bruised grain.] = BURGHUL.

medicine. Bulimia nervosa (see next). ■ bulimarexic adjective & noun 120.

bulimia /bju'lmua, ,bu-/ noun. Also (earlier) Anglicized as fbulimy. lme.

bulberry noun see bull noun'.

[from Latin

bulge IbMyJ noun & verb, me,

[from next + anorexia.]

bulbo- /'bAlboo/ combining form of Latin bulbus bulb noun, used chiefly in anatomy: see -o-.

builder /’bilda/ noun. me. [from prec. + -er’ .] 1 A person who builds; esp. a contractor for building houses. ME. 2 A substance added to soap or to a detergent to increase its efficiency. M20. 1 builders' merchant a supplier of materials to builders.

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Bulgaria, a country in the Eastern Balkans. Also, the Slavonic language of Bul¬ garia. M16. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Bulgaria, its people, or their language. L18.

bulimarexia /bju.lima'reksia, ,bu-/ noun. L20.

noun + -ar1.]

Chiefly anatomy Of or pertaining to a bulb, esp. to the medulla oblongata (see bulb noun 2).

[mod. Latin

A member of an ancient Turkic people who settled in the region of Bulgaria in the 7th cent. Also, a native or inhabitant of Bulgaria (see next). c| Rare before mis.

[from (medieval Latin) Bulgaria {see below), formed as prec., + -AN.]

[pa. pple of build verb]

built verb pa. L & pple of build verb.

bugong noun var. of bogong.

Bulgar/'bAlga:/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin Bulgarus from Old Church Slavonic Blugary pi. Bul¬ garian Bdlgcm pi.).]

Bulgarian bAl'qcTian/ noun & adjective. Mi6.

built /bilt/ ppl adjective. Li6.

[Old & mod. French buglosse or Latin buglossus from Greek bouglossus ‘ox-tongued', from born ox + glossa tongue.] Any of various plants of the borage family, esp. (a) a Eur¬ asian weed of arable land, Anchusa arvensis, bearing blue flowers; (b) US a kind of alkanet, Anchusa officinalis, viper’s bugloss: see viper noun.

tbulchin noun var. of bulkin. bulfinch noun see bullfinch.

■ Bulgarize verb trans. make Bulgarian in character M19.

Style of construction; build.

bugloss/'bju:glos/noun. lme.

Any of various Asian or African songbirds of the large family Pycnonotidae; spec, an Iranian bird admired for its song. Also fig., a singer, a poet.

ai

[medieval Latin bolismus or mod. Latin bulimia from Greek boulimia ravenous hunger, from bou- huge (from bous ox) + limos hunger: see -IA1.] Medicine. Abnormal craving for food; esp. (in full bulimia nervosa /na/vausa/) gross overeating alternating with

self-induced vomiting or evacuation of the food eaten. ■ bulimic adjective & noun (a) adjective of, pertaining to, or exhib¬ iting bulimia; (b) noun a person with bulimia (nervosa): M19.

bulk /bAlk/ noun1 & adjective, me. [Senses 1, 2 from Old Norse build cargo; other senses perh. alt. of bouk.]

► A noun. 1 A ship’s cargo, esp. as a whole; the whole amount (of a commodity), me. 2 A heap, a pile (now rare in lit. use); a large quantity. LME. 3 The hull or hold of a ship. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 4 The body, the trunk; now spec, a bodily frame of large proportions, lme. 5 Bodily magnitude; volume, size, weight, lme. kb spec. Considerable volume etc. E17. kc Roughage in food. M20. 6 A (large) mass or shape, lto. 7 The greater part or number of. E18.

my, au how, ei day, au no.

e:

hair, ia near, ai boy, ua poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

304

bulk | bullet : U 1 OED The bulk is not equal to sample, break bulk begin unloading. 2 in bulk loose, not packaged; in large quantities. 4 F. Norris His arms moved, and his head, but the great bulk of the man remained immobile in its place. E. Figes He-shifted his bulk in the creaking chair. 5 T. H. Huxley Sea water is denser... bulk for bulk, than fresh water. J. A. Michener Those |bones| that were higher in her body were of successively lighter bulk, b Ld Macau iay The facility and assiduity with which he wrote are proved by the bulk.. of his works. 6 Tennyson ATudor-chimnied bulk Of mellow brickwork. 7 R. L. Stevenson The bulk of the time I spent in repeating as much French poetry as I could remember.

► B attrib. or as adjective. In bulk.

Li7.

Comb.: bulk-buying (a) buying in large amounts at a discount; (b) the purchase by one buyer of all or most of a producer’s output; bulk carrier a ship that carries cargo in bulk; bulk modulus the relative change in volume of a body produced by unit compressive or tensile stress acting uniformly over its surface. ■ bulked adjective having bulk, bulky lme. bulker noun a bulk carrier L20.

bulk /bAik/ noun2. [Prob. from

baulk

M16.

noun or (its source) Old Norse balkr.]

A framework projecting from the front of a shop; a stall. bulk /bAlk/ verb,

mi6.

[from bulk noun’.]

1 verb intrans. Be of bulk; appear large or weighty; seem large etc. in respect of size or importance. Mi6. 2 verb trans. Pile in heaps. E17. 3 verb trans. Combine (consignments of a commodity) together. Li9. 4 verb trans. Make (paper, yarn, etc.) appear thicker by suitable treatment. M20. 3J 1 G. Gorer Some qualities which bulk very high for one sex, drop to practical insignificance for the other, bulk up swell, rise in bulk or mass.

bulkhead/'b.\lkhed/noun.

bull/bol/ noun2,

lis.

[formed as bulk noun2 + head noun.]

1 A (substantial) upright partition separating compart¬ ments in a ship, aircraft, etc. L15. 2 (The roof of) a projecting stall. E18. ■ bulkheaded adjective E19.

bulkin /'bulkin/ noun, obsolete exc. Jamaican. Also tbulchin. ME.

[Middle Dutch hul(k)tjen, tal(le)ldn bull-call & boeletjen, buddajn darling: see bull noun’, bully noun1, -kin.]

A bull-calf. Also used as a term of endearment, or of contempt. bulky /'bAlki/ adjective,

lme.

[from bulk noun1 + -v'.]

Of large bulk, voluminous, massive; of too great size, unwieldy. CQT.C. Boyle A new purchase that was too bulky to bring up the back stairway. B. Bryson You ought to be wearing a bulky Arran sweater and a captain’s cap. ■ bulkily adverb Li9. bulkiness noun

Li7.

[Late Old English buki (only in place-names) from Old Norse boli, corresp. to Middle Low German bulle, Middle Dutch bulk, bolle (Dutch bul).] ► A noun. 1 The uncastrated male of the ox or other

bovine animal, loe. 2 The male of various other large animals, e.g. the ele¬ phant, rhinoceros, whale, and seal. lme. 3 (Usu. B-.) The constellation and zodiacal sign Taurus.

bulla

(in medieval Latin) seal,

|1 A seal attached to an official document, esp. the leaden seal of a papal edict, me-mis. 2 An edict or mandate; spec, a papal edict, me. bull /bol/ noun2. E16. [Origin unkn.]

Each of the main bars of a harrow, bull /bol/ noun4. Ei7. [Origin unkn. In senses 3, 4 usu. assoc, with synonymous bullshit noun': cf. bull 1/erb3.]

s.v. bull

1 An expression containing a contradiction in terms or implying a ludicrous inconsistency. Often more fully Irish bull. E17. 2 A bad blunder. US slang, mi9. 3 Trivial, insincere, or worthless talk or writing; non¬ sense. slang. E20. 4 Unnecessary routine tasks or ceremonial; pointlessly excessive discipline; red tape, slang (orig. military). M20. R. L. Stevenson The only weak brother 1 am willing to consider is (to make a bull for once), my wife. 3 P. G. Wodehouse You threw a lot of bull about being the brains of the concern. 4 A. Baron Them turning out the guard for us, us marching past eyes right, all that sort of bull. Comb.: bull session N. Amer. an informal group discussion,

bull /bul/ noun5. E19. [Abbreviation.] bulldog noun 1.

=

bull /bol/ noun6. E19.

LME.

4 stock exchange etc. Orig., stock bought in the hope of selling for a higher price later. Now, a person who buys such stock, a speculator for a rise. Cf. bear noun1 4, Ei8. 5 A police officer. US slang. 119. a story of a cock and a bull: see cock noun1, bull in a china shop a reckless or clumsy destroyer, cock-and-bull story see cock noun', full as a bull: see full adjective, like a bull at a gate with direct or impetuous attack, red rag to a bull: see red rac 3. take the bull by the horns meet a difficulty boldly, talk of a cock and a bull: see cock noun'. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Like a bull; like that of a bull; 1

large, coarse; (esp. of an animal) male.

me.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg,

bull /bol/ noun7, mi9. [Origin unkn.]

A deck-game in which small flat sandbags are thrown on an inclined board marked with numbered squares, bull /bol/ noun*. E20. [Abbreviation.]

ethmoid bone, L19.

bullace/'bolis/noun. me. [Old French buloce, beloce sloe, from Proto-Romance, perh. of Gaulish origin.]

A wild or semi-cultivated plum from the tree Prunus domestica subsp. insititia; the tree itself (also bullacetree). bullamacow/'bulamakao/noun. Li9. [Fijian English, comb, of bull noun' and cow noun'.]

In Polynesia etc.: cattle; corned beef. bullary /'bubri/ noun. Also in Latin form bullarium /bu'l£:rram/. L17. [medieval Latin bullarium, from bulla bull noun2: see -ary1.]

A collection of papal bulls. bullate /'boleit/ adjective, mis. [medieval Latin bullatus, formed as bulla + -ate2.]

Chiefly botany. Having blisters or swellings resembling blisters. ■ builated adjective blistered, bullate

L17.

bull-dike /'buldAik/ noun, slang, derog. M20. [from bull noun'

+ dike var. of dyke noun2.]

A masculine lesbian. ■ Also bull-diker noun E20.

bulldog/'buldDg/ noun & verb. E16.

Ml 9.

bull /bul/ verb2 trans. Now rare or obsolete, me. [from bull noun2.]

Publish as a (papal) bull; deal with in a papal bull, bull /bul/ verb3, mi6. (Old French boler, bouler deceive: later assoc, with bull noun2.] 1 verb trans. Make a fool of; cheat, deceive. Now slang M16, n no. p pen, r red, s sit,

► A noun. 1 (An animal ofj a thickset, large-headed, and smooth-haired breed of dog, renowned for power and boldness. E16. kb fig. A tenacious and courageous person. M19.

2 Orig., a sheriff’s officer. Now, a proctor’s attendant at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, colloq. U7. 3 A gun; a cannon; a revolver, colloq. (now rare or obsolete). El 8. 4 a A large biting fly of the genus Tabanus. N. Amer. lis. ►b A large ant with a vicious sting. Austral. M19. 5 A short brier pipe. Li 9. Comb.: bulldog ant = sense 4b above; bulldog bond a sterling bond issued by an overseas borrower; bulldog breed English¬ men regarded as archetypes of dogged courage; Bulldog clip (proprietary name for) a clip with a powerful closure. ► B verb trans. Infl. -gg-. Attack like a bulldog, wrestle with; treat roughly. Chiefly US. M19.

bulldoze /'boldauz/ verb trans. colloq. (orig. US).

119.

[Perh. from bull noun' + alt. of dose noun.)

1 Coerce by violence or threats; intimidate, force. (Increasingly infl. by sense 2.) Li9. 2 Clear, level, move, etc., with a bulldozer; force (one's way) thus. M20. ei i c.p. Snow She was not going to be bulldozed into a conviction she did not feel. 2 Anthony Huxiey This vigor¬ ous growth has been bulldozed.. to make room for the replanting of coconuts, fig. : B. Castle He and Harold have got the whole government machine with which to bulldoze their views through.

prec. + -er1.]

1 A person who bulldozes (bulldoze verb 1). Chiefly US. Li 9.

2 A powerful tractor with a broad upright blade at the front, used for clearing or levelling ground. M20. bullen-bullen noun var. of buln-buln. buller /'bub/ noun'. Scot. lis. [Prob. imit.: cf. Swedish buller noise, roar, Danish bulder tumbling noise. Middle High German, German bollem make a noise.]

buller /'bub/ noun2, slang. E20.

1 Serve (a cow) with the bull. Of a cow: take or seek the bull. ME. 2 stock exchange etc. Speculate for a rise; produce a rise in the price of (stocks etc.). M19. 3 Behave or move like a bull; act or treat violently

man,

fluid. Also, a thin-walled air cavity in the lung due to emphysema or of congenital origin. Ei9. 2 zoology. An opisthobranch of the genus Bulla. M19. 3 anatomy. A rounded bony prominence, esp. that of the

A roaring noise of waves etc.; a boiling up or tumult of water.

[from bull noun'.]

m

[Latin = bubble.] 1 medicine. A large blister on the skin containing watery

[from

A drink made of water flavoured by being put in an empty spirits cask; austral history a sweet or alcoholic drink consumed esp. by Aborigines,

bull /bol/ verb' trans. & intrans. me.

Comb. & special collocations: bull*and-cow rhyming slang = row noun': bull ant Austral. = bulldog noun 4b; bull-at-a-gate adjective directly or impetuously attacking; bull-baiting Hist, baitinu a captive bull with dogs, for sport: bullbar (orig. & chiefly Austral) a metal bar or framework fitted to the front of a vehicle, orig. or ostensibly to provide protection in the event of a collision with an animal; bull-bat US the common night-hawk, Chordeiles minor: tbull-beggar (perh. from a different word] a scarecrow a bogey, a bugbear; bullberry. bulberry = buffalo berry s.v. buffalo noun: bull-dust Austral, (a) coarse dust; (b) slang rubbish nonsense; bull-fiddle US colloij. a double-bass; bullfight! bullfighter, bullfighting (an event, a participant, in) a chiefly Spanish sport in which a bull is first baited by armed fighters on horseback and on foot, and finally killed by a matador;

bulla /'bob/ noun. PI. bullae /'boli:/. E19.

bulldozer/'buldauzo/ noun. L19.

(Origin unkn.]

= bull's-eye 6.

!=□ J. T. Farrell ‘Pipe down!' a bull voice called out. W. P. Keller A mature bull elk bugling his mating call. R. West A bull neck almost the same size round as his head.

2 ver6 intrans. Talk emptily or boastfully, slang, mi9. 3 verb trans. Polish (equipment etc.) in order to meet excessive standards of neatness. Military slang. M20.

[from bull noun' + dog noun.] me.

[Old & mod. French bulle from Latin sealed document.]

£0 1

bull /bol/ noun1 & adjective.

b but, d dog. f few, g get,

bullfinch; bullfrog any of several large frogs with bellowing calls; esp. the largest N. American frog, Rana catesbiana: bullhead (a) any of certain small freshwater fishes with large heads; spec, the miller's thumb, Cottusgobio, or (N. Amer.) a catfish of the genus Ictalurus (esp. the horned pout, I. nebulosus); (b) dial, a tadpole; (c) a blockhead: bull-headed adjective obstinate, impetuous, blun¬ dering; bull-headedly adverb in a bull-headed manner, obstin¬ ately; bull-headedness the quality or condition of being bull-headed, obstinacy; bull-horn a megaphone; bull buss see huss noun: bull-kelp a large kelp found in Pacific and Antarctic waters; bull market (stock exchange etc.): with rising prices; bullmastiff (a dog of) a crossbreed of bulldog and mastiff; bull-neck a short thick neck; bull-necked adjective having a bull-neck; bull-nose noun & adjective (having) a nose or other projection with a rounded end; bull-nosed adjective having a bull-nose; bull-of-the-bog the bittern; bullpen (chiefly N. Amer.) (a) a pen or enclosure for bulls; transf. any enclosure, a lock-up; (b) an exer¬ cise area for baseball pitchers, esp. reliefpitchers; transf. the relief pitchers; bull-pine N. Amer. the ponderosa pine: bull point colloq. a point of superiority; bull-puncher Austral, a bullock-driver; bull-pup a bulldog pup; bullring (a) an arena for bullfighting; (b) Hist, a place where bulls were baited; bullroarer a flat strip of wood tied to a string, making a roaring sound when whirled round, esp. as used in religious rites by Australian Aborigines; bullrout Austral, an E. Australian estuarine and freshwater fish. Notesthes robusta, with poisonous spines; bullshit noun & verb (coarse slang) [a) noun = bull noun4 3, 4; (b) verb trans. 8, intrans. talk nonsense (to), mislead, bluff; bullshitter coarse slang a person who talks nonsense, a boaster, a pretentious person; bull-snake a large N. American constricting snake of the genus Pituophis: bull’s wool Austral. &NZ(a) the inner bark of the stringy-bark tree; (b) slang rubbish, nonsense; bull-terrier a (breed of) stocky shorthaired dog that is a cross between bulldog and terrier (pit bullterrier. Staffordshire bull-terrier, etc.); bull thatch: see thatch noun 2b; bull trout any of various large migratory trout, esp. the sea trout and lake trout; US the trout Salvelinus confluentus of the west coast of the US; bull-weed [perh. from boll noun'] knap¬ weed: bull-whacker US a cattle-driver; bull-whip noun & verb (chiefly N. Amer.) (a) noun a whip with a long heavy lash; (b) verb trans. thrash with such a whip; bullwort a large European umbelliferous plant, Ammi majus. •J Cf. cow noun1 & adjective.

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo,

[from bulldog + -er6.]

A proctor's attendant at Oxford and Cambridge Uni¬ versities. bullet /'bolit/ noun. E16. [French boulet, -ettedim. of boule ball noun': see-ET'.]

1 A ball for a cannon or other piece of ordnance, obsolete exc. Hist. El 6. 2 A projectile of lead etc. for a rifle, revolver, machine gun, etc. (orig. round but now usu. cylindrical and pointed). Mi6. kb fig. Notice to quit, the sack, slang. M19. t3 A missile from a sling, li6-mi9. 4 A small ball of any material. Li6. kb In pi. Peas or beans, slang. E20. 5 An ace in poker etc. US slang. E19. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

305

bulletin | bumbershoot 6 printing. A small circle used to identify items in a list, draw attention to a line, etc. Freq. as bullet point. M20. bite on the bullet, bite the bullet: see bite verb, magic bullet see magic adjective, plastic bullet see plastic adjective & noun ’. Comb, bullet-head a round head: bullet-headed adjective round-headed: fig. (US) obstinate: bulletproof adjective & verb (al adjective impenetrable by bullets: (b) verb trans. make bullet¬ proof: bullet train a high-speed passenger train, esp. a Shinkansen (in Japan). 2

3 verb trans. Force (one’s way) heavily. E20.

medicine.

[French from Italian buljettino, boll-, from bulletta passport, dim. of bulla bull noun-: sense i directly from Italian.] ► A noun. 1 In Italy, France, etc.: an official warrant or cer¬ tificate. Now rare. Mi7.

2 A short official account, statement, or broadcast report of a public event, news, weather conditions, a prominent invalid’s health, etc. mi8. Comb.: bulletin-board a) N. Arner. a notice-board: (bI a system for storing information in a computer so that any authorized user can access and add to it from a remote terminal or personal computer.

► B verb trans. Make known by or describe in a bulletin. Ei 9. bullet-tree noun var. of bully-tree. bullfinch bulfm(t)J/ noun. In sense i also bulfinch. Li6. [from bull noun1 + finch noun. In sense 2 perh. alt. olbutlfence.] 1 Any of a number of Eurasian finches of the genus Pyrrhula; spec. P. pyrrhula, a sturdy grey, black, and white finch the male of which has a rose-pink throat and breast. Li6. 2 A quickset hedge with a ditch. Mi9. bullgine 'buld3Ain/ noun, colloq. (chiefly N. Arner.). mi9. [from bull noun1 after engine noun.]

A locomotive or steam engine. Bulli /'buli/ noun. Austral. E20. [A town in New South Wales, Australia.]

In full Bulli earth. Bulli soil. A kind of soil used esp. for cricket pitches. bullimong bulmng noun. me. [Perh. from bull noun1 + -imongfrom Old English gemang, gemong mixture.]

A mixture of grains sown together for feeding cattle, bullion /'bulj(3)n' noun1, me. tl A melting-house, a mint; a place of exchange. M E-El 8. 2 Metal, esp. gold or silver, in lump form before coining or manufacture, or valued simply as raw metal. lme. >b Solid gold or silver as opp. to superficial imita¬ tions. Li 6. 13 Impure gold or silver; base metal. L16-E19. ■ buliionist noun (Hist.) an advocate of a currency based on gold or silver E19.

1 nautical A block ofwood with a central hole for a rope to pass through, and a groove around the rim for a second rope. mis. 2 A large round peppermint sweet, ei 9. 3 A hemispherical piece or thick disc of glass used as a light esp. in a ship’s deck or side. Also, any small circular window or opening. E19. 4 (A lantern with) a hemispherical lens. M19. 5 A boss of glass formed at the centre of a blown glass sheet. M19. 6 (A shot, dart, etc., that hits) the centre of a target; fig. an accurate remark or guess. M19. 7 Any of various large-eyed Australian fishes; esp. the edible red Priacanthus macracanthus. Li 9.

bullion /'bulj(3)n/ noun3. Mi6. [French bouillon: see bullion noun1 (with which the word is now often associated).]

11 Trunk-hose, puffed out at the upper part in several folds. M16-M17. 2 An ornamental fringe made of twists of gold or silver thread; material for this. Mi7. bullish /'bulif/ adjective. M16. 1 Like a bull. esp. in nature; impetuous, aggressive. M16. 2 stock exchange etc. Pertaining to, showing, or tending to produce a rise in prices; gen. optimistic. Li9.

[Portuguese bolsa from medieval Latin bursa

Bubbling, boiling,

bult /b.\lt,/oreign bcelt noun. S.Afr. M19. [Afrikaans from Dutch = hump, unch.]

[Abbreviation.]

A ridge, a rise.

= bullshit noun s.v. bull noun1 & adjective.

bulwark "bolwok noun & verb. lme.

bully "buli/ noun1. M16. [Prob. from Middle Dutch boele lover (Middle High German German Buhle): cf. bulchin.]

[Middle Low German, Middle Dutch boiwerk (= Middle High German bol(e)werk, German BoIIwerk), ult. formed as bole noun’ + work noun.] ► A noun. 1 A substantial defensive work; a rampart, a fortification, lme. ►b A mole, a breakwater. Ei6. 2 fig. A person or principle etc. that acts as a defence or

buole,

1 Orig. sweetheart, darling. Later only of a man: good friend, mate. (Usu. as a term of endearment or familiar¬ ity.) Now arch. & dial, mi 6. 2 A person who uses strength or power to coerce or intimidate weaker persons. L17. >b A hired ruffian. Now usu. more fully bully-boy mis. 3 A pimp. arch. E18.

shelter, lme. 3 The part of a ship’s side above the level of the deck. Usu. in pi. ei 9. £2 2 Pope He stood, the bulwark of the Grecian band. H. Hal lam Preserving human learning as a bulwark to the¬ ology. I. Murdoch Rupert’s strong, full reassuring presence, a completely effective bulwark against anxiety of any kind.

Comb. , bully-boy (a) a young bully, spec, a hired ruffian; ib) arch, a fine fellow, a gallant; bully pulpit US colloq. a prominent position in public life allowing the promulgation of personal (esp. moral¬ istic) views; tbully-rock. -rook [origin unkn.] = senses 1, 2 above.

► B verb trans. Provide with bulwarks; serve as a bulwark to, defend, protect, shelter, lme. bum lbAiru noun\ lme.

of BOUILLI.]

[Origin unkn.]

In full bully beef Boiled or (usu.) corned beef, esp. as part of army rations etc.

1 (The region of) the buttocks, lme. 2 A lazy or worthless person. Now identified with bum noun2, mi6. 3 Hist In full bum-bailiff. [So called as approaching from behind.] A bailiff employed in arrests. Ei7. 1 tits and bums: see tit noun'.

bully ''buli/ noun3. M19. [Perh. from bully noun'.]

1 A scrimmage in the Eton College wall game. M19. 2 hockey. A procedure for putting the ball in play, begin¬ ning with the threefold striking of two opposing players' sticks. Also bully-off. Li 9.

Comb, bum bag a small bag or pouch worn on a belt around the waist; bum-bailiff, see sense 3 above; bumbaste verb trans. (obsolete exc. dial.) beat on the buttocks, flog; bum-boat t(a) a scav¬ enger's boat removing refuse and filth from ships moored in the River Thames (and also bearing provisions); |b) a boat bearing fresh provisions etc. to ships; bum boy slang a young male homo¬ sexual. esp. a prostitute; a catamite; bum-fluff slang the sparse, downy hair of an adolescent boys beard and moustache; bumfodder slang = bumf; bum-freezer, bum-perisher. bumshaver slang a short jacket, coat, etc.; bum-suck verb intrans. (slang) toady, suck up: bum-sucker (slang) a sycophant.

arch. Li 6.

CB 1 Shakes. Mtds. N. D. What sayest thou, bully Bottom? 2 Swift Those bully Greeks, who Instead of paying chair¬ men. run them through. 3H.L Wilson It sounded just the thing to call him. It sounded bully.

u

hot.

bum

noun' 2.]

colloq.) force or barge one’s way into.

bum rap imprisonment on a false charge, bum steer see steer noun3.

bum /bAm/ verb' intrans. obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -mm-, lme. [Var. of boom verb1.]

Hum loudly; boom. Comb, bum-bee Scot a bumble-bee; bum-clock Scot. & north, a cockchafer or similar beetle.

bum bAm/ verb2 trans. Long rare. Infl. -mm-, Li6. [Perh. from

bum

noun1.]

Strike, beat, thump. bum bAm/ verb3, slang (orig. US). Infl. -mm-. Mi9. [Perh. from German bummeln: see bummer and cf. bum noun-.] 1 verb intrans. Wander aimlessly around, travel around as

a tramp; loaf, be lazy and dissolute, mi9. 2 verb trans. Cadge, scrounge, mi9. [App. from prefix.]

[from bully noun3.] hockey. 1 verb trans. Put (the ball) into play with a bully.

bumbershoot bAmbaju:! noun. US colloq. li 9. [from alt. of umbrella +

a

ran.

u

put,

u:

too.

a

ago,

para)chute.]

An umbrella.

bullyrag verb var. of ballyrag. saw.

with bum- as a meaningless intensive or redupl.

tbumbelo noun see bummalo.

E20.

a:

baze

Confound, bamboozle.

rare. Li9. 2 verb intrans. Start play with a bully. Usu. foil, by off.

Austral. & NZ colloq. Li 9. see,

cf.

bumbaze /b.\m’beiz verb trans. Chiefly Scot. Mi7.

[from the noun, or alt. of bully verb'.] 1 verb trons. & intrans. = bully verb1, obsolete exc. dial, ei 8. 2 verb intrans. Work strenuously without intermission.

i:

bummer:

► B adjective. Of poor quality, worthless, useless, mi 9.

bully buli/ verb2.119.

bullock /'bubk/ verb. Ei8.

cosy,

[Prob. from

► A noun. 1 A habitual loafer or tramp; a lazy dissolute person, mi9. 2 on the bum, vagrant, begging; also, in a disordered state, li 9. 1 the bum’s rush forcible ejection, bum-rush verb trans. (US

CQ 1 Dickens Mr. Bumble.. had a decided propensity for bullying.. and, consequently, was (it is needless to say) a coward. W. Plomer He bullies her dreadfully, keeps her in her place, orders her about. 2 Defoe What ails you, to bully away our customers so? John Bright I have no belief that Russia.. would have been bullied into any change of policy. R. Hayman Kafka needed a friend who would bully him to write, and to publish.

Comb.: bullock-cart a cart drawn by one or more bullocks; bullock-puncher Austral. & NZ a cattle-driver: bullock’s heart (the fruit of) a W. Indian custard-apple. Annona reticulata; tbullock’s lungwort great mullein, Vrrbuscum thapsus. m bullocky noun (a) Austral, slang beef: (b) Austral. & NZ a cattledriver: M19. bullocky adjective like a bullock; having to do with bullocks: L19

i

bum /b.\m noun2 & adjective, slang (orig. & chiefly N. Arner.). M19.

2 Resembling or characteristic of a bully or ruffian. Now rare. E18. 3 Veiy good, capital, first-rate, slang (chiefly N. Arner.]. M19.

[Late Old English bulluc dim. of bull noun': see -ock.]

sit.

use of bully noun1.]

► A adjective. 1 Of a person: worthy, gallant, fine, jolly.

Orig., a young bull. Now, a bull after castration. Also loosely, any bovine animal, an ox.

i

bullhead s.v. bull noun'.]

bully ''bob adjective & interjection. L16.

bullock bubk/noun.

burse.]

A package of diamonds, gold-dust, etc.

intimidate, oppress (physically or morally) by threats or superior force, eis. 2 verb trans. Drive or force by threats or superior force into, out of, etc. eis.

[Late Latin biillitio(n-), from bullit- pa. ppl stem of buUire to boil: see -ION.]

her.

tbulse noun. E18-M19.

[from bully noun1.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Act the bully (towards); persecute,

ebullition noun. E17-L18.

a:

Comb, bulrush millet a millet, Pennisetum americanum, with a long spike of flowers.

bully ‘buli/ verb'. E18.

■ bullishly adverb Et9 bullishness noun L19

bed.

ta AV Exod. 2:3 She tooke for him an arke of bul-rushes. M. Webb Tall bulrushes with their stout heads of brown plush, seek a knot in a bulrush: see knot noun'.

► B interjection. Bravo! Chiefly in bully for you!, bully for them!, etc. Freq. iron. Mi9.

[from bull noun1 + -ish'.]

bullen-bullen

[Prob. from bull noun' & adjective, with the sense large, coarse' (cf. bullfrog, bullfinch), + rush noun'.] Any of various tall water-plants resembling rushes, esp. (a) the club-rash Schoenoplectus lacustris; (b) a reed-mace of the genus Typha; (c) (in the Bible) a papyrus plant.

bullsh bulJVnoun. coarse slang. E20.

[Attrib.

Also

bulrush 'bolr.\J/ noun. Also bull-, lme.

A small fish; esp. (NZ) = cockabully.

11 A knob or boss, usu. of metal; a convex ornament on a book, harness, etc. lme-mi9. 2 = bull's-eye 5. M19. 3 A small round pane of glass. li 9.

noun.

The lyre-bird.

[from bull noun' + -’s' + eye noun.]

[Perh. from

[App. from French boulon (spelt bouillon in Cotgrave), formed as boule noun2: see -oon.]

bulittri: .

[Aboriginal, of imit. origin.]

bully /'bull' noun4, mi9.

bullion /'bolj(a)n/ noun2, lme.

c

buln-buln 'bulnbuln ."bubnbobn/. Austral. M19.

bullrush noun var. of bulrush.

[Alt.

noun. Also bullet-tree

= BALATA.

Characterized by bullae of the skin; resembling

a bulla.

bully ''buli/ noun2. M18.

[Anglo-Norman, app. = mint, var. of Old & mod. French bouillon from Proto-Romance, from Latin hulhre to boil: see -ion.]

bulitr:

[Alt. of balata.]

bull’s-eye ’bulzAt/noun, transf.&fig. mis.

bulletin 'bulitnv noun& verb. M17.

a cat. a: arm.

bully-tree M17.

bullous bobs adjective. Mi9. [from bulla + -ous.]

ai

my,

an

how.

ei

day,

au

no.

c:

hair,

.a

near,

ai

boy.

ua

poor.

Aia

tire,

aoa

sour

306

bumble | buncombe bumble/'bAmb(3)l/noun.

Mi7.

[Imit.: in sense 3 from the name of the beadle in Dickens's Oliver Twist.] 1 A confusion, a jumble. M17. 2 A blunderer; an idler. L18. 3 A self-important official, mi9. Comb.: bumblefoot (a) a club foot; (b) a condition in which birds’ feet become inflamed and ulcerated. ■ bumbledom noun stupid officiousness and pomposity, esp. by petty officials mi9.

bumble /'bAmb(a)l/ verb. lme.

move or act ineptly or flounderingly. lme. |2 verb trans. Grumble at, blame, take to task. L17-L18. ■ bumbler noun (a) a blunderer; (b) a bumble-bee: Li6.

bumble-bee /'bAmb(o)lbi:/ noun. Mi6. [from prec. + bee noun'.]

A large loud-humming bee of the genus Bombus; a humble-bee. bumble-puppy/'bAmb(a)lpApi/ noun. Ei9. [Origin unkn.]

(a) s.v.

nine

adjective & noun, obsolete exc.

Hist. E19.

2 Whist, bridge, etc., played disregarding or reversing rules. M19. 3 A game in which a tennis-ball attached by string to a post is struck with a racket by each player with the object of winding the string entirely around the post. E20.

bumbo /'bAmbou/ noun. Now arch, or Hist, mi 8. [Perh. from Italian bombo child’s word for a drink.]

A drink composed of rum, sugar, water, and nutmeg; any similar drink. bumf /b.\mf/ noun, slang. Also bumph. Li9. [Abbreviation of bum-fodder s.v. bum noun’.]

Toilet paper; worthless literature; (usu. derog.) docu¬ ments, official papers. bumiputra /bu:rai'pu:tra/ noun & adjective. M20. [Malay from Sanskrit, lit. 'son of the soil’.]

► A noun. PI. -s, same. A Malaysian of indigenous Malay origin. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the bumiputras; indigenous Malay. L20. ■ bumiputrai zation noun the policy or practice of giving pre¬ cedence to indigenous Malays (rather than Chinese) in business, education, etc. 120.

bumkin /’bAmkin/ noun. Also bump- /'bAmp-/. M17. [Dutch boomken {also boompje), from boom tree, boom + -ken -KIN.]

nautical. A short boom, esp. on the stern to sheet the mizzen-sail. bummalo /’bAmstau/ noun. Also (earlier) fbumbelo. PL same. Li 7. [Perh. from Marathi bombii.]

A small edible fish, Harpodon nehereus, of southern Asian coasts. Also called Bombay duck. bummaree/bAma'ri:/noun. lis. [Origin unkn.] 1 Hist. A middleman London. Li 8.

at Billingsgate fish-market,

2 A self-employed licensed porter at Smithfield meatmarket, London. M20. bummel /'bAm(3)l, 'bum-/ noun & verb. E20. [German Bummel a stroll, bummein to stroll, loaf about. Cf. next.] ► A noun. A leisurely stroll or journey. E20. ► B verb intrans. Infl. -1(1)-. Stroll or wander in a leisurely fashion. E20.

bummer /'bArns/ noun. Orig. & chiefly N. Amer. slang. M19. [Perh, from German bummler, from bummein: see prec.] 1 An idler, a loafer. M19.

2 An unpleasant occurrence or experience; a mistake; a failure. M20. tbummery noun. M17-M19. [Dutch bommerye, bodmerij: see bottomry.] = bottomry noun.

bump /bAmp/ noun'.

Phrases: bump of locality (a phrenological bump indicating) a supposed faculty of recognizing places and finding one’s way. musical bumps: see musical adjective, with a bump fig. abruptly, with a shock. Comb.: bump-ball cricket a ball hit hard on to the ground close to the bat and coming to a fielder like a possible catch; bump supper (chiefly in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge) a dinner held to celebrate a college's achievements in the bumping-races.

bump /bAmp/ noun2. Ei6.

[Partly from boom verb', bum verb' + -le3; partly from prec.] 1 verb intrans. Hum, buzz, drone; ramble on in speaking;

1 = nine-holes

causing) an irregularity in an aircraft s motion, (b) slang a dancer’s forward thrust of the abdomen. L19.

[from bump verb-.]

The ciy of the bittern. bump /bAmp/ verb' & adverb. Mi6. [formed as bump noun1.] ► A verb, fl a verb intrans. Bulge out; be big. M16-E18. ►b verb trans. Cause to swell up. M17-E18. 2 verb trans. Push, thump, knock heavily, (usu. against, on); hurt (one's head etc.) by striking it (against, on). Ei7. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Overtake and touch (the next boat) in a bumping-race (see bumping verbal noun below). E19. 4 verb intrans. Strike solidly (against, into); come with a bump or jolt against; go (along) with repeated bumps. Mi9. ►b cricket. Of a ball: rise abruptly to an unusual height. mi9. Ec Boil explosively. li9. 5 verb trans. Displace; move from position by a bump; oust, dismiss; spec, transfer to another airline flight because of overbooking etc.; slang murder. Chiefly N. Amer. E20.

Of the bittern: make its characteristic cry. bumper /'bAmps/ noun1. Li7. ppl adjective (a)) +

-er'.]

► 11 A cup or glass of wine etc. filled to the brim, esp. for a toast. L17. 2 Anything unusually large, abundant, or excellent. Usu. attrib. M18. 3 spec. A crowded house at the theatre, slang. Lis. £0 2 Lyndon B. Johnson A bumper crop, the largest in India’s history.

► II4 A railway buffer. US. mi9. 5 A shock-absorbing attachment on a ship, vehicle, etc.; spec, a metal, rubber, or plastic bar attached to (usu. the front or back) of a motor vehicle etc. to reduce damage in collisions or as a trim. M19. 6 cricket. A short-pitched ball that rises high after pitch¬ ing. mi 9. 7 gen. A person who or thing which bumps. Li 9. Comb.: bumper car = Dodgem; bumper sticker a sticker with a slogan, advertisement, etc., to be displayed on a vehicle's bumper: bumper-to-bumper (travelling) very close together.

bumper /’bAmps/ noun2. Austral. &NZslang. Li9. [Blend of butt noun2 and

stump

noun'

+ -er1.]

A cigarette-end. bumper/’bAmps/verb. arch. Li7.

[Imit., perh. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Middle Danish bumpe strike with the fist.]

1 a A swelling caused by a blow or collision; an irregu¬ lar prominence on a road, cricket pitch, etc. Li6. ►b phrenology. One of the prominences of the cranium associated with various mental capacities; a faculty indi¬ cated by such a prominence. E19. >c The protruding abdomen of a pregnant woman, colloq. L20. 2 A dull-sounding blow, knock, or collision. E17. Eb In a race where boats start at fixed intervals (chiefly at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge): an overtaking (and touching) of a boat by the next in line, entitling the latter to start before the former in the next race. M19. 3 A sudden (esp. upwards) movement (whether or not accompanied by noise); spec, (a) (a rising air current b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, r

bun /bnn/ noun2, lme. [Origin unkn,]

1 A small soft round sweet bread or cake with currants etc.; Scot, a rich fruit cake or currant bread, lme. 2 (A hairstyle with) hair in a coil at the back of the head. Li 9. 1 black bun see black adjective, bun in the oven see oven noun, cross bun. hot cross bun see cross-. Kitchener bun: see Kitchener noun2 & adjective, saffron bun: see saffron adjective, take the bun: see take verb. Comb. : bun fight slang a tea party.

bun /bAn/ noun3. E16. [Origin unkn.] 1 sing. & (N. Amer.) in pi. The buttocks. Scot. & N. Amer. slang.

E16. 2 A hare’s or rabbit’s tail. Scot. & north, ei 8. bun /bAn/ noun4. Chiefly dial. Li6. [Origin unkn. Cf. bunny noun3.]

A squirrel; a rabbit. Also used as a term of endearment to a person. Buna /'bju:na/ noun. Also b-. M20.

[An imaginary person (so used in 0. Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest).] A fictitious excuse for making a visit or avoiding an

obligation. bunce /bAns/ noun, slang, eis. [Origin unkn.]

Money; profit, bunch /bAn(t)J/ noun. lme. [Origin unkn.]

1 A protuberance, a hump; a goitre. Now rare. lme. 2 A cluster of things growing or fastened together; (less commonly) a quantity of a substance brought together; a collection, the lot; slang a gang, a group, lme. Q 2 Tennyson Grapes with bunches red as blood. A G. Gardiner A bunch of wood to boil our kettle. V. Brittain A large bunch of the year’s first Parma violets. E. F. Benson The younger son of an impecunious baronet .. was the best of the bunch. G. Orwell A bunch of nerves at the back of the neck. R. Lardner I’m not going to have a bunch of cheap reporters make a fool of me, bunch of fives see five noun, mixed bunch. Comb.: bunch-berry N. Amer. (the fruit of) a dwarf cornel, Comus canadensis: bunch-flower N. Amer. a plant of the lily family, Melanthium virginicum, with greenish-yellow flowers; bunchgrass N. Amer. any of various kinds of grass growing in clumps.

bunch /bAn(t)J/ verb' trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. [Origin unkn.: perh. imit.]

Strike, thump; bruise; kick. bunch /bAn(t)J/ verb2, lme. [from bunch noun.]

11 verb intrans. Bulge, protrude, stick out. lme-eis. 2 verb intrans. Form a bunch or bunches; crowd together in a body. E17. 3 verb trans. Make into a bunch or bunches; gather (material) into close folds. Li 9. 4 verb trans. Present (a person) with a bunch of flowers. E20. buncher/'bAn(t)j3/noun. L19.

[from bumper noun'.] 1 verb trans. with it & intrans. Drink bumpers. Li 7. 2 verb trans. Fill to the brim. Lis. 3 verb trans. Toast in a bumper. E19.

[from bunch noun or verb3 + -er'.]

1 A person who or thing which bunches; spec, a machine for forming bunches or collecting things in bunches. L19. 2 physics. A device that modulates a beam of charged particles and causes them to collect in groups. M20.

bumph noun var. of bumf. 116.

1 A hollow stem, esp. of an umbelliferous plant, oe. 2 The stalk or stalky part of flax or hemp. lme.

Buna N Hist = Perbunan.

[Imit,]

bumping

[Old English bune, of unkn. origin.]

Bunbury/'bAnb(3)n/noun. 119.

bump /bAmp/ verb2. M17.

verb' (branch 1 as

■ bumpiness noun Ei 9.

bun /bAn/ noun'. Long obsolete exc. dial.

Synthetic rubber made by polymerization of butadi¬ ene.

Phrases: bump and run amer. football (of a comerback) deliber¬ ately bump into the receiver and run with him to block a pass. With adverbs in specialized senses: bump off slang (orig. US) kill, murder, bump up colloq. increase or raise suddenly. ► B adverb. With a bump; suddenly, violently. E19. ■ bumpety, -ity adverb with a bump (usu. redupl. bumpetybump) M19. bumping noun the action of the verb; a bump; bumping-race, a boat race in which places are determined by bumps (see bump noun' 2b): M19. bumping ppl adjective (a) arch, colloq. huge, great; (b) that bumps: Mi6.

bump

[from bump noun1 or verb' + -Y’.]

Full of bumps; causing bumps, uneven.

[German, formed as butadiene + Natrium sodium.]

(D 2 J. Hilton Bumping his head against the roof. J. L. Waten Arms folded, each endeavoured to bump the other to the ground. 4 j. D. Salinger Careful not to bump into anything and make a racket. C. Isherwood Jostling, bumping against each other’s bodies, bump into fig. (colloq.) meet by chance.

[from

bumpy /'bAmpi/adjective. Mi9.

bumpkin/'bAm(p)kin/noun1. Li6. [Perh. from Dutch boomken little tree, or Middle Dutch bommekijn little barrel, used fig. for ‘squat figure’.]

A rustic or awkward person. ■ bumpkinet noun (rare) a little bumpkin Lis. bumpkinish adjective L18. bumpkinly adjective (rare) L17.

bumpkin noun2 var. of bumkin.

bunchy /'bAn(t)Ji/ adjective, lme. [from bunch noun + -y'.]

1 Bulging, protuberant; full of protuberances or swell¬ ings. LME. 2 Like a bunch; having bunches; gathered into close folds. E19. 2 bunchy top a viral disease of plants (esp. bananas), causing crowded growth of leaves at the tip of the stem.

bumpology bAm'pDlodji/ noun.joc. Ei9. [from bump noun* + -ology.]

bunco /’bAgkau/ noun & verb. US slang. Also bunko. Li9.

Phrenology.

[Perh. from Spanish banco a card-game.]

■ bumpologist noun a phrenologist E19.

► A noun. PI. -os. A swindle, esp. by card-sharping or a confidence trick. L19.

bumptious /'bAm(p)j3s/ adjective. E19.

Comb. : bunco-steerer a swindler.

[Joe. from bump verb' after fractious.]

Self-assertive, offensively conceited.

► B verb trans. Swindle, L19.

■ bumptiously adverb 119. bumptiousness noun M19

buncombe noun var. of bunkum.

man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top,

v van,

w we,

z zoo.

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

d this,

g ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

307

bund|bunt

bund /bAnd/ noun' & verb. Chiefly Indian subcontinent & techn. E19.

[Urdu band from Persian.] ► A noun. An embankment, a causeway, a quay. Ei9. ► B verb trans. Embank. Li9.

bund /bund.foreign bunt/ noun2. Also B-. PI. bunds, bunde /'bunda/. M19. [German: rel. to band noun2, bind verb.] A German league, confederacy, or association.

bunder/'bAnda/noun.

E17.

[Urdu bandar from Persian.]

Comb.: bunder-boat: used for coastal and harbour work.

Bundesrat /'bundazrcrt/ noun. Also

t-rath L19.

[German, from genit. of bund noun1 + Rat(h) council.]

A federal council in Germany and German-speaking countries; spec, the Upper House of Parliament in Germany and in Austria. Bundestag /'bundaztcug/ noun.

A representative assembly in Germany and German¬ speaking countries; spec, the Lower House of Parliament in Germany. me.

[Orig. perh. repr. Old English byndelle binding, taken in concr. sense, = Old Saxon bundiltn (Dutch bundel bundle). Old High German gibuntili (German Bundel), but reinforced later by (if not wholly due to) Low German, Dutch bundel]

1 A collection of things fastened together, esp. loosely (now esp. clothes, papers, or odds and ends in a large handkerchief or paper); (freq. contempt.) a collection, a lot. ME.

2 A collection of fibres (esp. nerves), vessels, or the like, running parallel in an animal body or plant, mi8. 3 A woman, esp. a fat woman, dial. & slang, derag. M19. 4 A large amount of money, slang (orig. US). E20. 5 A fight, a scrap, slang. M20. Phrases: bundle of nerves: see nerve noun, concentric bundle drop one’s bundle Austral.&NZsIang give up hope, surrender, go a bundle on slang (orig. US) (a) bet much money on: (b) fig. be very fond of. vascular bundle Comb.: bundle-sheath the layer of cells surrounding the vascu¬ lar bundle of a leaf. ■ bundly adjective (rare) like a bundle 119. L16.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Tie in a bundle; make up into a bundle; wrap (up) warmly or cumbersomely (usu. in pass.). Li6. ►b fig. Collect or group together without distinction. E17. 2 verb intrans. Pack for a journey; leave with one’s

luggage etc.; move or go hurriedly or unceremoniously. (Foil, by in, off, out.) L18. 3 verb intrans. Sleep in one’s clothes with another person (esp. as a former local custom during courtship). Also foil, by up. L18. 4 verb trans. Put or send (esp. a person) hurriedly or unceremoniously out, off, away, etc.; throw confusedly into a receptacle. Ei9. O 1 C. M. Yonge She.. bundled up her hair as best she might. W. Styron Men and women bundled against the cold, b A. Storr Are dreams, day-dreams and works of art all to be bundled together in the same category? 2 R. Burns Bundle and go! D. Abse Leo bundled out of the train. C. Chaplin We bundled into Mr Sennett’s.. racing car. 4 D. Welch I tried ., to bundle my guest through the dining-room. W. S. Maugham I.. bundled my things into my rucksack. W. Trevor They came briefly, as moments rapidly hurrying, one bundled away by the next.

bundobust /'bAndabASt/ noun. Also

bandobast. Li8.

[Urdu from Persian band-o-bast tying and binding.]

In the Indian subcontinent: arrangements, organiza¬ tion. bundook /'bAndu:k/ noun.

L19.

[Urdu bandukfrom Persian bundukfirearm; rel. to bonduc.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a musket or similar firearm. bundu /'bundu:/ noun. S.Afr. M20. [Prob. from Shona btmdo grasslands.]

Uncivilized rural country; the wilds. bung /bArj/noun1.

lme.

[Middle Dutch bonghe. of unkn. origin.] 1 A stopper, esp. a large cork for stopping the hole in a

cask. LME. 2 transf. = bung-hole below, obsolete exc. dial. L16. 3 A brewer; a publican, mi9. Comb.: bung-ho interjection an exclamation at parting or as a toast; bung-hole a hole in a cask for filling and emptying it.

fbung noun2, slang.

bu ng /bAg/ adjective. Austral. & NZ slang, m 19. [Aboriginal.] Ruined, useless, broken; bankrupt. Formerly also, dead.

bung /bAg/ verb' trans. Mi6. [from bung noun'.] Stop (with a bung); shut up, block, close. [Imit.] ► A verb trans. Throw, toss; put forcibly or unceremoni¬ ously. E19. £3 C. Mackenzie Let’s bung these sticks into the sea. B. Trapido We're giving you the guest room .. and bunging Katherine in with the children. ► B adverb. Abruptly, unceremoniously; exactly. Cf. bang adverb. Li 9.

bunk /bAgk/ verb2, slang. Mi9. [Origin unkn.: cf. bunk noun3.] "I verb intrans. Be off, vanish. Also foil, 2 verb trans. Expel from school. L19.

by off. M19.

O 1 N. Hornby The other kids in the class might have worked out that he was bunking off.

bunker /'bAgka/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Origin unkn.) ► A noun. 1 A seat or bench. Scot. M16. 2 An earthen seat or bank in the fields, dial. E19. 3 coif. A pit containing sand etc. and constituting a hazard. Ei9. 4 A (large) container for fuel. M19. 5 A reinforced underground shelter. M20. ► B verb. 1 a verb trans. Fill the bunkers of (a ship etc.). Li 9. ►b verb intrans. Of a ship: take in a supply of coal or oil. LI 9. 2 verb trans. coif. Trap (a ball, transf. a player, a shot) in a bunker. Usu. in pass, li 9. fb fig. Bring into difficulties. Li 9.

bung /bxg/ verb3 trans. slang. M20.

L19.

[German, formed as prec. + tagen confer.]

bundle /’bAnd(o)l/ verb.

[Origin unkn.: cf. bung verb3.] A bribe; a tip.

bung /bAg/ verb2 & adverb, dial. & slang. E19.

In the Indian subcontinent: a landing-place, a quay, a harbour.

bundle/'bAnd(o)l/noun.

bung /bAg/ noun3, slang. M20.

[Origin unkn.: cf. bung noun3.] Bribe; tip. CB G. F. Newman Having been picked up by the CID .. he had bunged the D1 and pulled himself clear.

bungalow/bAggabu/noun. Li7. [Hindi bahgla belonging to Bengal.] A one-storeyed house. ■ bungaloid adjective (usu. derog.) resembling a bungalow, con¬ sisting of bungalows E20.

bungarotoxin /bAggorafuj'toksin/ noun. M20. [from mod. Latin Bungarus, genus name (perh. from Sanskrit bhahgura bent) + -o- + toxin.] biochemistry. Each of three neurotoxins from the venom of a krait, Bungarus multicinctus, which bind to acetylchol¬ ine receptors with a high degree of specificity.

bungarra /'bAggara/ noun. L19. [Aboriginal.]

= sand goanna s.v. sand noun. bungee /'bAndgi. noun. Also bungie. bungy. E20. [Origin unkn.] 1 A rubber, an eraser, slang. E20. 2 Strong elasticated cord or cable; a piece of this, usu. with a hook at each end and used esp. for securing baggage in transit. Also bungee cord, bungee rope. M20. Comb.: bungee cord: see sense 2 above; bungee jumping jumping from a height, as from a bridge, while attached to an elasticated rope, as a sport or recreation; bungee rope: see sense 2 above.

bungle /’bAgg(a)l/ noun. Mi7. [from the verb.] A botch, a blunder; muddle, failure. Lit B. Longford Through some bungle the courier.. had missed them on the road. N. Gordimer Care to avoid bungle by haste and lack of strategy.

bungle /’bAgg(a)l/ verb. M16. [Imit.: cf. bumble verb.] 1 verb trans. Do or make clumsily or unskilfully; spoil by clumsiness or lack of skill; fail to accomplish (a task).

M16. 2 verb intrans. Be or act clumsily or unskilfully, blunder.

M16.

■ bunglesome adjective (US) bungling and troublesome Lis. bungler noun M16. bungling ppl adjective (a) that bungles; (b) showing clumsiness or lack of skill: L16. bunglingly adverb El 7.

bungy noun var. of bungee. bunion/'bAnj(a)n/noun. E18. [Perh. extension of bunny noun', or ult. from Old French buignon, from buigne (mod. bigne) bump on the head, perh. of Germanic origin (cf. Middle High German bunge lump): see -oon.] An inflamed swelling on the foot, esp. of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe.

bunjara noun var. of brinjarry. bunk /bAgk/ noun’, mis. (Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to bunker.] A sleeping-berth, esp. one of two or more arranged one on top of the other. Comb, bunk-bed (a bunk in) a piece of furniture comprising two bunks; bunk-house a house where workmen etc. are lodged. ■ bunkie noun (US colloq.) a person who shares a bunk with another mi9.

bunk /bAgk/ noun2, slang. L19. [Origin unkn.: cf. sunk verb3.] do a bunk, make off, vanish,

bunk /bAgk/ noun3, slang. E20. [Abbreviation of bunkum.]

Nonsense, humbug, Mi6.

bunk /bAgk/ verb1 intrans. Mi9.

[Origin unkn.]

1 Apurse. M16-E18. 2 A pickpocket, rare (Shakes.). Only in

[from bunk noun'.] L16.

Sleep in or lie down on a bunk or improvised bed.

bunko noun & verb var. of bunco. bunkum /'bAgkam/ noun. Also buncombe. M19. [from Buncombe County, N. Carolina, USA, whose member made an irrelevant speech in Congress c 1820 simply to impress his con¬ stituents.] Nonsense; ostentatious talking. bunk-up /'bAgkAp/ noun. dial. & slang. [Origin unkn.] A push or pull up.

E20.

tbunny noun'. lme-li9. [Old French buigne: see bunion.] A swelling, esp. on an animal’s joint. bunny /'bAni/ noun2.

E17.

[from bun noun3 + -Y6.]

1 Used as a term of endearment to a person. El 7. 2 (A pet name for) a rabbit. L17. >b More fully bunny girl. A club hostess wearing a brief costume suggestive of a rabbit. M20. Comb.: bunny-boiler [with ref. to the film Fatal Attraction, in which a jilted mistress boils her lover’s pet rabbit] colloq. a woman who is vindictive after having been spumed by her lover; bunny girl: see sense 2b above; bunny-hug a dance in ragtime,rhythm with close contact between partners; bunny-hugger (a) a person who dances the bunny-hug; (b) colloq., derog. an animal lover; a conservationist.

bunny-hop /'bAni hop/ noun & verb. M20. [from bunny noun2 + hop noun2 & verb'.] ► A noun. 1 An informal dance in which participants form a line and perform jumping and lacking move¬ ments. Orig. US. M20. 2 Any leaping movement reminiscent of that made by a rabbit, spec. >a a jump made in a crouched position; ►b a movement in figure-skating consisting of a leap made from one foot to the toe of the other whilst gliding forwards, followed immediately by a return to the ori¬ ginal foot. M20. 3 cycling. A manoeuvre in which the bicycle is lifted from the ground with a jumping motion, esp. in order to clear an obstruction. L20. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Perform a bunny-hop; dance the bunny-hop. 120. 2 verb trans. Avoid (an obstacle) by jumping over it. L20. bunodont /’bju:nadont/ adjective. L19. [from Greek bourns mound + -odont.] Characterized by molar teeth whose crowns have a number of rounded cusps. Of molar teeth: having this form. Bunraku /'bonraku, foreign 'bunraku/ noun & adjective. E20 [Japanese.] (Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of) Japanese puppet drama, spec, as practised by the Bunraku-za company. Bunsen /'bAns(a)n/ noun. Li9. [Robert W. Bunsen (1811-99), German chemist.] In full Bunsen burner. A small gas and air burner used esp. in chemical laboratories to heat substances. bunt/bAnt/noun1. Li6. [Origin unkn.) 1 nautical. The middle part of a sail. Li6. 2 The cavity or baggy part of a fishing net etc.

E17.

Comb, buntline a rope confining the bunt of a sail and prevent¬ ing it from bellying when being furled.

bunt /bAnt/ noun2. Ei7. [Origin unkn.) 1 A puffball fungus. Now rare or obsolete. E17. 2 A smut fungus of the genus Tilletia, attacking wheat; disease caused by this. L18. ■ bunty adjective infested with bunt Mi9. bunt /bAnt/ noun3, mis. [Cf. butt verb', noun9, bunt verb2.) 1 A push with the head or horns, a butt. Chiefly N. Amer. & dial. mis.

au no, e: hair, in near, ai boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a ran, u put. u: too. a ago. at my, au how, ei day,

308

bunt | bureau 2 baseball. An act of letting the ball rebound from the bat without swinging. L19. bunt /bAnt/ verb',

nautical.

E17.

[from bunt noun'.]

1 verb tro ns. Haul up the middle part of (a sail) in furling. E17.

2 verb intrans. Of a sail: belly. Li7.

[from next: see -ancy.]

[from (the same root as) bunt noun3.]

1 Push with the head or horns, butt. E19. 2 baseball. Let (the ball) rebound from the bat without swinging. L19. buntal /’bAnt(3)l/ noun. E20. [Tagalog.] balibuntal.

[Origin unkn.)

A woman who gathers rags and bones in the streets; a disreputable woman. Bunter /'b\nto/ noun- & adjective. Also b-. Mi9. bunter (Sandstein sandstone), from bunt variegated.]

(Designating or pertaining to, the sandstones and conglomerates of) the Lower Triassic in Europe, esp. Germany. ceolocy,

bunting /'bAntitj/ noun',

me.

[Origin unkn.]

1 Any of numerous mainly seed-eating birds of the sub¬ family Emberizinae, related to the finches, me. 2 Used as a term of endearment (infl. by bunting adjective). Mi6. kb Also bunting bag A snug, hooded sleeping bag for infants. N. Amer. E20. 3 A kind of shrimp or prawn, dial. Now rare or obsolete. M18.

ta 1 cirl bunting, corn bunting, reed bunting, snow bunting, yellow bunting, etc. 2 Nursery rhyme: Bye baby bunting. Daddy’s gone a hunting. bunting /'bAntig/ noun2,

eis.

(A loosely woven fabric used for) flags and festive dec¬ orations. bunting /'bAntig/ adjective, dial. Li6.

buoyant /'borant/ adjective.

[Old French bouyant or Spanish boyante light-sailing, pres, pple of boyar float, from boya buoy noun: see -ant'.]

1 Able to float; tending to float or rise; floating; lightly elastic; resilient, able to recover, light-hearted. Li6. 2 Able to keep things up or afloat. Li7. C3 1 A. Briggs Trade remained buoyant and agriculture improved. X. J. Kennedy The springer spaniel and the buoyant hare Seem half at home reclining in mid-air. U. Bentley He was buoyant, childishly happy. ■ buoyantly adverb Mi9. buoyantness noun (rare) M17.

BUPA /'bu:po/ abbreviation. British United Provident Association. buphthalmos/bof OalmDs/noun. Et9. [Greek bouphtlwlmon ox-eye, from bous ox + ophthalmos eye.] ophthalmology Gross enlargement of the eyeball owing to increased intra-ocular pressure; now spec, (as a sign of) ■ buphthalmic adjective characterized by or displaying buphthalmos L19.

buppie /'bApi/ noun, colloq. (chiefly US). L20. A young black professional working in a city, a black yuppie.

Swelling; plump. bunton /'bAnton/ noun. M17.

bupropion /bju/praopran/ noun. L20.

[Origin unkn.]

1 A piece of squared timber. Long obsolete in gen. sense. M17.

2 Any of a series of strong balks of timber placed cross¬ wise in a mine shaft. Usu. in pi. mi9. bunya-bunya /‘bAnjabAnja/ noun. Austral. Also bunya.

[from bu(tane + propio(nic + -n (perh. from -one).] pharmacology. An antidepressant drug, C13H18C1N0, which

is also given to relieve the symptoms of nicotine with¬ drawal. 5 A proprietary name for this drug is Zyban.

bur /bo:/ noun1. Also burr (for other senses see ME.

M19. [Aboriginal.]

A tall Australian tree, Araucaria bidwillii, bearing large cones with an edible pulp. Bunyanesque /bAnja'nesk/ adjective. Li9. Bunyan (see below) + -esque.]

1 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the English author John Bunyan (1628-88). L19. 2 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the legendary American hero Paul Bunyan. M20. [Aboriginal.]

A fabulous monster of swamps and lagoons. Buonapartist noun & adjective var. of Bonapartist. me.

[Prob. from Middle Dutch bo(e)ye, boeie (Dutch boei) from Ger¬ manic base meaning 'signal', whence also French bouee, Spanish

boya.]

1 A floating object fastened in a particular place to point out the position of shoals, rocks, anchors, etc. under the water, or the course for ships etc., or to float a cable in a rocky anchorage, me. kb In full lifebuoy. A device, usu. a ring, used to keep a person afloat. E19. 2 fig. Something which marks out a course, indicates danger, or keeps one afloat. E17. 1 stream the buoy see stream verb. m buoyage noun providing of or with buoys; buoys collect¬ ively, a series of buoys which mark out a channel: E19.

buoy/boi/ verb. ti6.

noun4).

[Branch 1 perh. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Danish burn bur, burdock, Swedish kard-borre burdock. Branch II perh. from French: cf. burl noun', bourre vine-bud.[

► 11 A rough or prickly seed-vessel or flower-head of a plant, esp. the flower-head of the burdock; also, the husk of the chestnut, me. 2 A plant which produces burs. Lis. 3 fig. Something which clings like a bur; a person who is hard to shake off. Li6. ► II 4 The rounded knob forming the base of a deer’s horn. Li6. 5 a A knob or knot in a tree. eis. kb An ornamental (esp. walnut) veneer, containing knots. L19. 6 The female catkin of the hop before fertilization. El 9. Comb.: bur-marigold any of several plants constituting the genus Bidens, of the composite family, with flat yellow flowerheads; bur-oak (the wood of) a N. American oak. Quercus macrocarpa, with large fringed acorn-cups; bur-parsley either of two umbelliferous plants, Caucalis platycarpos and Turgenia latifolia, with bristly fruits; bur-reed any of several aquatic plants constituting the genus Sparganium, with globose flowerheads; bur walnut walnut wood containing knots, used as a veneer; bur- weed = cocklebur s.v. cockle noun1.

boyar

(see buoyant); branch II from

► I fl verb intrans. Rise to or float on the surface of a liquid; rise, swell (as the sea). L16-L17. 2 a Foil, by up: raise to the surface of a liquid; bring afloat (a sunken ship etc.). E17. kb Keep from sinking, keep afloat. Usu. foil, by up. M17. 3 verb trans. fig. Sustain (a person, courage, etc.); raise (the spirits etc.), uplift, encourage. Usu. foil, by up. Mi7. g get,

h he. j yes,

k cat,

1 leg, r

bur noun2 var. of burr noun'.

[Russian from Turkic boran.]

In the steppes, a snowstorm, esp. one accompanied by high winds; a blizzard. burb /bo:b/ noun. Also ’burb. collog. (orig. US). L20. [Abbreviation,]

A suburb or suburban area. Freq. in the burbs. LQ D. Gaines Being different was a problem in the 'burbs to begin with.

n no, p pen, r red, s sit,

1 A bubble; bubbling. Long obsolete exc. Scot. me. 2 A pimple, a boil. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 A murmurous flow of words. Li9. burble /'bo:b(3)l/ verb.

me.

[Imit.: cf. Spanish borbollar bubble, gush, barbullar talk loud and fast, Italian borbugliare.] 1 verb intrans. Bubble. Long obsolete exc. Scot me. 2 verb intrans. & trans. Speak or say murmurously or in a

rambling manner; make a murmuring noise. Li9. 3 verb intrans. aeronautics. Of an airflow: break up into tur¬ bulence. Chiefly as burbling verbal noun. E20. Comb.: burble point: at which the smooth flow of air over an aerofoil is broken up.

burbot /'bo:bot/ noun.

me.

[Old French borbete (mod. bourbotte), prob. from Old French borbe mud, slime.)

A freshwater fish. Lota lota, of the cod family, with a broad head and barbels. Burchell’s zebra /b3:tf(o)lz 'zi:br3, 'zebra/ noun phr.

M20.

The common zebra, Equus burchellii, which has broad stripes and a striped belly, and is abundant on the E. African savannah. burd /ba:d/ noun. Long obsolete exc. poet.

me.

[Origin unkn.]

A woman, a lady, a maiden. burden /'ba:d(a)n/ noun. Also (arch.) burthen /'ba:5(a)n/. [Old English byrpen = Old Saxon burpinnia, from West Germanic, from base of birth noun': see -en2. In senses 6-8 conf. with bourdon.] 1 That which is borne; a load (lit., or fig. of labour, duty,

sorrow, etc.), oe. kb An obligatory expense. Mt7. 2 The bearing of loads. Chiefly in phrs. below, me. 3 A load, as a measure of quantity. Now only the carrying capacity of a ship, as a measure of weight; tonnage, lme. 4 In biblical translations translating Hebrew massa’ (Zech. 12:1 etc.): an oracle, an oracular judgement. (Under¬ stood as) a burdensome or heavy lot or fate. arch. lme. f5 a That which is borne in the womb; a child. L15-M17. kb That which is borne by the soil; produce, crop. E16-M19.

6 The bass or undersong of a melody; the drone of a bagpipe. Now rare or obsolete. Li 6. 7 The refrain or chorus of a song. Li 6. 8 fig. The chief theme or gist of a poem, book, speech, etc. mi7. CO 1 E. M. Forster Carrying a burden of acorns. E. Glasgow I'd rather die .. than be a burden. E. Roosevelt The burden of training a family, burden of proof the obligation to prove a controversial assertion, falling upon the person who makes it; law onus probandi. the White man's burden see white adjective. 2 beast of burden see beast noun, ship of burden a merchant ship. ■ t burdened adjective (rare. Shakes.) imposed as a burden: only in Li6. tburdenous adjective (a) burdensome; (b) oppressed: EI6-E19 burdensome adjective (a) of the nature of a burden, oppressive, wearisome; |(b) US capable of carrying a good burden: Mi6. burdensomely adverb (rare) E17. burdensomeness noun Li 6.

burden /'bo:d(3)n/ verb trans. /'bo:5(3)n/. M16.

Also (arch.)

burthen

[from the noun.]

1 Lay a burden on, load, (lit. & fig.); encumber, oppress. Mi6.

12 Charge (a person) with (an accusation); lay as a charge upon M16-L18. burdock /'bo:dDk/ noun.

Li6.

[from bur noun1 + dock noun'.]

Any of several coarse plants constituting the genus Arctium, of the composite family, with purplish-red flower-heads, prickly fruits, and large leaves like those of the dock. burdoun noun var. of bourdon. bure /bjuo/ noun.

116.

[French: see next.]

A coarse woollen stuff. [French (Old French burel), orig. = woollen stuff, baize (used for covering writing-desks), prob. from bure var. of buire dark brown from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin burrus fiery red from Greek purros red.)

bur noun3 var. of burr noun4.

man,

me.

[from the verb.]

bureau /'bjosrso/ noun. PI. -x I-7J, -s. Li7.

buran/'bu:ra:n/noun. M19.

[Branch I from Spanish prec.]

b but, d dog. f few,

burr

1 bur in the throat a thing that appears to stick in the throat.

bunyip /'bAitjip/ noun. Austral. M19.

burble /'bsibfajl/ noun.

[from William )ohn Burchell (1782-1863), English naturalist.]

116.

[Blend of black adjective and yuppie noun, or acronym from black urban professional + -ie.]

[from bunt verb' + -ing2.]

buoy /boi/ noun.

Com6.: buoyancy aid a jerkin of a buoyant material, worn for sailing and other water sports.

congenital glaucoma.

[Origin unkn.]

[from

1 Power of floating on liquid or in air; tendency to float; power of supporting a floating body. E18. kb The vertical upward force of a fluid on a floating or immersed body, which is equal to the weight of fluid displaced by the body. Lis. 2 fig. Elasticity of spirit, resilience, recuperative power; cheerfulness. Also, tendency to rise (in stock market prices, revenue, etc.). Ei9. P3 2 Day Lewis Children.. can ride such disasters with extraordinary buoyancy. Observer On the strength of this buoyancy, the group launched a.. £55 million rights issue.

bunter /'bAnto/ noun', obsolete exc. dial. E18.

[German

► II 4 verb trans. Provide or mark (as) with a buoy or buoys. Li6. buoyancy /'boionsi/ noun. eis.

bunt /bAnt/ verb2 trans. & intrans. US & dial. Ei9.

Straw made from the talipot palm. Cf.

tO 1 Shakes. Lear The sea.. would have buoy’d up and quench’d the stelled fires. 3 D. Cecil Belonging to a famous and venerated institution, and buoyed up by its confident corporate spirit.

t top,

v van. w we, z zoo.

1 A writing-desk with drawers for papers etc. L17. kb A chest of drawers. IV. Amer. E19. 2 An office, esp. for the transaction of public business; a department of public administration. L17. kb An office or business with a specified function; an agency for the coordination of related activities, the distribution of information, etc. E20. 2b information bureau, marriage bureau, etc bureau de change /byiro da [03, .bjoarao da 'J63/ [French, lit. ‘office of I she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

309

bureaucracy j burl exchange'] an establishment at which customers can exchange foreign money.

bureaucracy /bjo(3)'rnkr3si

noun. Also

f-cratie. E19.

[French bureaucratic: see prec., -cracy.] (Government by) a central administrative group, esp. one not accountable to the public etc.; officials of such a group collectively; excessive official routine.

bureaucrat /’bjusrakrat/ noun. M19. [French bureaucrate: see bureau, -crat.] An official, esp. an unimaginative or doctrinaire one, in a bureaucracy; a person who endeavours to centralize administrative power. ■ bureaucrat ese noun the language or jargon of bureaucrats or bureaucracy t20. bureau cratic adjective of or pertaining to bureaucracy; excessively concerned with official routine: M19. bureau cratically adverb M19. bu reaucrati zation noun trans¬ formation into a bureaucracy; making bureaucratic: E20. bureaucratize verb trans. transform into a bureaucracy: make bureaucratic L19.

tbureaucratie noun var. of bureaucracy. fburel noun, me-eis. [Old French: see bureau.]

A coarse woollen cloth, frieze; a garment of this; plain clothing.

burette bju'ret/ noun. Also *-et Mi9. [French.]

A graduated glass tube with tap, used for measuring small quantities of liquid in chemical analysis. burfi /'bo:fi:/ noun. Also barfi /'bArfi:/. Mi9. [Urdu, from Persian barfi icy, snowy, also denoting a kind of sweet¬ meat decorated with silver leaf.]

An Indian sweet made from boiled down milk solids and sugar and typically flavoured with cardamom or nuts.

burgher 'bo:ga/ noun. [from burgh + burg borough.]

-er1,

Li 6.

burgundy /'ba:gondi/ noun & adjective. In sense A.i also B-. L17.

me.

partly from German or Dutch burger, from

1 An inhabitant of a borough or chartered town (now arch, or joc.); a freeman or citizen of a foreign town. me. 2 Hist. (B-.) A member of the section of the Secession

Church in Scotland which upheld the legality of the burgess oath. Cf. Antiburgher, mis. 3 s. afr. history. A citizen of the Cape not employed by the Dutch East India Company; a citizen of a Boer republic.

[Sense 1 from late Latin burgus (see burgess); sense 2 from German Burg (see borough).] 1 Hist. An ancient or medieval fortress or walled town.

M18. 2 A town, a city. N. Amer. colloq. mi9.

burgage /'boigidy/ noun,

obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [medieval Latin burgagium, from burgus: see burgess, -age.] 1 law. More fully burgage tenure. A tenure by which

lands, tenements, etc., in towns or cities were held from the lord for an annual rent or service, lme. 2 A freehold property in a borough; a house etc. held by burgage tenure, lme.

burgee /b3:'d3i:/noun. mis. [Origin uncertain: perh. from French bourgeois (see burgess) = master, owner.]

A triangular or swallow-tailed flag flown by yachts etc., usu. bearing distinguishing colours or the emblem of a yacht club or sailing club.

burgeon Abstain/ noun. Now literary. ME. [Old French borjon, bur- (mod. bourgeon), from Proto-Romance from late Latin burra wool.]

A young shoot or bud; a new growth.

burgeon /'bo:d3(3)n/ verb. Now literary, me. [Old & mod. French bourgeonner, from bourgeon: see prec.] 1 verb intrans. Put out shoots or buds; spring forth as a young shoot or shoots; fig, begin to develop rapidly, me. 2 verb trans. Put out as a young shoot or shoots; develop rapidly. Long rare. lme. £□ 1 G. Peele The watery flowers burgen all in ranks. Sir W. Scott A hydra whose heads burgeoned.. as fast as they were cut off. P. Ustinov A burgeoning country, in the grip of an industrial revolution.

burger /'bo:go/ noun, colloq. (orig. US). M20. [Abbreviation.]

A hamburger. Also as 2nd elem. of combs, with specifi¬ cation of ingredients, as beefburger, cheeseburger, nutburger, etc.

burgess /'bo^is/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman burgeis. Old French borjois (mod. bourgeois) from Proto-Romance, from late Latin burgus castle, fort (in medieval Latin fortified town, borough) + -ensis (see -ese).]

1 An inhabitant of a borough having full municipal rights; a citizen, me. Fb Hist. A Member of Parliament for a borough, corporate town, or university, lis. 2 A magistrate or member of the governing body of a town. Hist. exc. US. me. Comb.: burgess oath Hist.: taken by a burgess, swearing accept¬ ance of the authorized religion of the realm. ■ burgessdom noun (rare) the body ofburgesses M17. burgessship noun the status and privileges of a burgess lme.

burggrave noun var. of burgrave. burgh l'b\rol noun. Scot, or Hist. See also broch. lme. [Var. of borough.] A borough, a chartered town. royal burgh: see royal adjective. Comb.: burgh-bote Hist, a tax for the repair of fortifications; burghmote Hist, the judicial assembly of a borough. 1

(Burgundy (French Bourgogne) a region of eastern France (formerly a duchy, earlier a kingdom) from medieval Latin Burgundia, from late Latin Burgundii: see Burgund.]

► A noun. 1 (A) wine made in Burgundy (without specifi¬ cation usu. (a) red wine). Also, (a) similar wine from other countries, L17. 2 The red colour of this wine. Li 9. Comb.: Burgundy pitch resin from the Norway spruce.

► B adjective. Of the red colour of burgundy. L19.

mis.

burh noun see

4 In Sri Lanka: a descendant of a Dutch or Portuguese colonist. E19.

burhel noun var. of bharal.

Co mb.: burghermaster (rare) = burgomaster. ■ burgherly adjective of or characteristic of a burgher Mis. burghership noun the rights and privileges of a burgher M16.

burghul /bo: 'gu:l/ noun. Also -gul E20. [Arab, burgul from Persian burgul var. of bulgur: see

bulgur.]

Wholewheat partially boiled and then dried; a dish made from this. burglar /'bo:gla/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Law French fburgler (cf. Anglo-Norman burgur), Anglo-Latin burg(u)!ator, app. from base meaning 'pillage'.]

buriable /'bi:ri3b(3)l/ adjective.

cat-burglar: see cat noun1. Comb.: burglar alarm (a device with) an alarm that sounds if a house etc. is broken into. ■

burglarize verb trans.

&

burgle

intrans.

Li6.

[from bury +-able.]

Able to be buried. [Old English byrgels = Old Saxon burgisli from Germanic, formed as see -le1. Early (Middle English) taken erron. as pl.j 1 A burying-place, a grave, a tomb, obsolete exc.

bury:

archaeology, oe.

2 The action of burying something, esp. a dead body; an interment; a funeral, me. £□ 2 Burke Every Minister shall keep a register of births, burials and marriages.

► A noun. A person who is guilty of burglary. M16.

► B verb trans. & intrans. =

borough.

burial /'bsrial/ noun. Also (earlier) fburiels.

verb. Now rare. verb U9.

Li9.

= burgle

Phrases: crouched burial: see crouch verb 1. secondary burial: see secondary adjective, Comb.: burial ground a cemetery; burial service a religious service held at a funeral.

Buriat /'bu:rrat/ noun & adjective. Also Buryat.

burglarious/ba/gkrios/adjective, mis. [from next + -ous: cf. felonious.] Of or pertaining to burglary; like a burglar.

[Mongolian

■ burglariously adverb E19.

burg /ba:g/ noun. mis.

a cat. a: arm, e bed, a: her,

■ burghal /,ba:g(a)l/ adjective of or pertaining to a burgh

burglary /'ba:gbri/ noun. Ei6. [Law French tburglarie (cf. Anglo-Norman b(o)urgerie, Anglo-Latin Bulgaria), formed as burglar: see -Y3.]

1 The crime of entering a building (in English law for¬ merly by night only) with intent to commit an arrestable offence. Ei6. 2 An act of so entering a building. E17. 5 The legal definition has varied in different jurisdictions and periods.

► A noun. 1 A member of a Mongolian people inhabiting the borders of Lake Baikal, Siberia. M19. 2 The Mongolic language of this people. L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Buriats or their language; designating or pertaining to the territory of the Buriats, E20. fburiels noun see

burial.

burier /'bens/ noun.

oe.

[from bury + -er1.]

A person who or thing which buries something or someone. Formerly also, a gravedigger. burin/'bjusrin/noun.

burgle/'ba:g(a)l/ verb&noun. Orig. joc. & colloq. Li9. [Back-form, from burglar.] ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Commit burglaiy. L19. 2 verb trans. Rob (a place or person) by burglary; steal

(goods) by burglary. L19. ► B noun. A burglary, rare. L19.

M19.

Buriyad.]

M17.

[French, rel. to Italian burino (bulino), perh. connected with Old High German bora boring-tool: see bore verb'.]

A tool for engraving on copper or wood. burk noun var. of berk. burka /'busks/ noun1.

M19.

[Urdu (Persian) burka'from Arab, burku'.]

burgomaster /'b3:gama:sta/ noun. Li6. [Dutch burgemeester (both senses), from burg (see meester, assim. to master noun1,]

borouch)

+

1 The mayor of a Dutch or Flemish town. Li6. 2 The glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus. L17. burgonet /‘b.TganM/ noun. L16. [French bourguignotte, perh. fem. of bourgignot Burgundian, with

burka

/'buaka/ noun2. L19.

[Russian.]

A long Caucasian cloak of felt or goat's hair, burke noun var. of berk. burke /ba:k/ verb trans.

assim. to-ET1.]

Hist. A visored helmet that can be fitted or attached to

the gorget or neck-piece. Also, a pikeman’s light steel cap. tBurgonian noun & adjective. M16-E17. [from French Bourgogne (see burgundy) + noun & adjective.

A Muslim woman’s long enveloping garment worn in public. Also, a yashmak.

-ian.)

Ei9.

[William Burke, executed at Edinburgh in 1829 for murdering by suffocation or strangulation to sell bodies for dissection.]

1 Kill (a person) to sell the body for dissection; suffo¬ cate or strangle secretly, arch, E19. 2 fig. Stifle, smother (publicity or inquiiy); hush up, suppress (rumour); avoid (a problem). M19.

= Burgundian

Burkinan /ba: 'ki:nan/ adjective & noun. burgoo /ba:'gu:/ noun. L17. [formed

as

[from

burghul.]

1 A thick porridge. Nautical slang. L17. 2 Soup or stew for an outdoor meal. N. Amer. mi8. burgrave /'baigrerv/noun. Also -gg-.

mi6.

[German Burggraf, from Burg borough + Graf grave noun-.] Hist. The governor or (esp.) hereditary ruler of a German

town or castle. burgul noun var. of burghul. Burgund /'bo:gAnd/ noun. [Old English Burgendan, -as pi. from late Latin Burgundii, -iones pi.: ult. origin unkn.] Hist A member of the Germanic Burgundians. Usu. in pi.

Burgundian /ba/gAndion/ noun & adjective. E17. [from Burgundy (see next) + -an; partly from late Latin Burgundii (see prec.). Cf. earlier Burgonian.] ► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Burgundy, France. Also Hist., a member of a Germanic people who inhabited

a region from the Main to the Vistula and who entered Gaul and established the kingdom of Burgundy in the 5th cent. ad. E17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Burgundy or the Burgundians. M17.

sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot, a: saw. a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how. ei day.

120.

Burkina (see below) + -an.]

(A native or inhabitant) of Burkina Faso, an inland country of W. Africa. Cf. Upper Voltan. Burkitt /'b3:kit/ noun.

M20.

[D. P. Burkitt (1911-93), Brit, surgeon.] medicine. Burkitt’s lymphoma. Burkitt tumour, a malig¬

nant tumour of the lymphatic system occurring esp. in the jaw and viscera, and mostly affecting young children in tropical Africa. burkundaz/ba:k(3)n'da:z/ noun.

lis.

[Urdu barkandaz musketeer, from Persian, from Arab, bark light¬ ning + Persian andaz thrower.] Hist. In the Indian subcontinent: an armed guard, a con¬

stable. burl /bs:l/ noun'

& verb. lme. [Old French bourle tuft of wool, dim. of Old 8. mod. French bourre, Spanish, Portuguese borra coarse wool, from late Latin burra wool: cf. bur noun'.] ► A noun. 1 A knot in wool or cloth, lme. f2

A pimple. E-M17. 3 A lenot or excrescence in wood. N. Amer. Li 9. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Dress (cloth), esp. by removing knots or lumps. Now rare. lis. ■ burier noun

me.

burl noun2 see

birl

no. e: hair,

near, oi boy. os poor, aid tire, aos sour

id

noun.

310

burlap | burnous burlap /‘bs:lap/ noun & adjective. Orig. J-ps117[Origin unkn.]

.

(Made of) a coarse canvas esp. of jute for sacking etc.; (made of), a similar (finer) material for dress or furnish¬ ing. burlesque /bsi'lesk/ adjective, noun, & verb. Mi7. [French from Italian burlesco, from buria ridicule, joke, fun. of unkn. origin: see -esque.] ► A adjective. |1 Jocular, odd, grotesque. M17-M19.

2 Derisively or amusingly imitative; mock-heroic or mock-pathetic; bombastic. (Now chiefly of literaiy com¬ position or dramatic representation.) Mi7. ► B noun. 1 Derisively or amusingly imitative literaiy or dramatic composition, bombast; mock-seriousness; an instance or example of this; (a) parody; (a) caricature. M17. 2 a Hist. The concluding portion of a blackface minstrel entertainment, containing dialogue and sketches. US. Mi9. kb A variety show, freq. featuring striptease. Orig. & chiefly US. L19. ► C verb traps. Imitate to deride or amuse; parody, carica¬ ture. L17. ■ burlesquely adverb E19. burlesquer noun (a) a person who burlesques; (b) an actor in burlesque drama: Mi7.

burletta bo:11r.to/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. M18. [Italian, dim. of buria: see prec., cf. -ette.]

A musical farce. Burley /'bo:li/ noun1. Also b-. L19. [Origin unkn.]

A variety of tobacco, pale or dark, grown mainly in Ken¬ tucky, USA. burley noun2, burlie noun see burly /'bo:li/ adjective,

byrlaw.

me.

[Prob. formed as bower noun' + -ly'; perh. already in Old English: cf. Old High German burfih exalted, stately.]

jl Stately, dignified, imposing. ME-M17. kb Of a thing: goodly, excellent. LME-L19. 2 Sturdy: big and strong; massively built, lme. 3 Domineering; forceful; bluff, forthright. Li6. 03 2 E. B. Browning Burly oaks projecting from the line. R. Hayman The big, burly, bull-necked,.. successful business man. 3 J. H. Newman As generous as they are hasty and burly. Geoffrey Hill Against the burly airl strode. ■ burlily adverb Mi9. burliness noun Ei7.

Burman /’bomon/ noun & adjective. Ei9. [formed as next + -AN.]

= next. Burmese /bo:'mi:z/ adjective & noun. Ei9. [from Burma (see below) + -ese.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Burma (Myanmar), a country in SE Asia, its inhabitants, or their language. E19. Burmese cat a breed of short-coated domestic cat. Burmese ROSEWOOD.

► B noun. PI. same. 1 A native or inhabitant of Burma; spec, a member of the majority ethnic group of Burma. E19. 2 The Sino-Tibetan language of the Burmese people. M19. 3 = Burmese cat above. M20. burn /bo:n/ noun'. Now Scot. & north. [Old English buma, bume, bum, corresp. to Old Frisian buma. Middle Low German borne, bom. Middle Dutch borne (Low German, Dutch bom), repr. metath. var. of Germanic base of Old Saxon, Old High German bnmno (Dutch bran, German Brunnen), Old Norse brunnr. Gothic brunna: cf. bourn noun1.]

A stream, a brook, a spring. burn /ba:n/ noun2. Ei6. [from the verb.]

1 The act or effect of burning; a mark or injury made by burning. E16. 2 The clearing of vegetation by burning; an area so cleared. N. Amer., Austral., & HZ. ns. 3 A smoke, a cigarette, slang. M20. 4 A spell of operation by a spacecraft's engine. M20. 5 A car race, a fast drive, slang. M20. 1 slow burn colloq. (a state of) slowly mounting annoyance or anger. Comb.: burn-bag. burn-basket US: for classified (esp. incrimin¬ ating) material which is to be destroyed by burning.

burn /ba:n/ verb. Pa. t. burned, burnt /bo:nt/, tbrent: pa. pple burned, burnt, (dial.) brent /brEnt/. See also burnt ppl adjective, ybrent. [Old English biman var. of brirnmn (branch I) = Old Saxon, Old High German, Gothic brmnan; Old English batman (branch II) = Old Saxon, Old High German brennan (German brennen), Old Norse brenna. Gothic brannjan: both from same Germanic base.] ► I verb intrans. 1 Of fire, a furnace, etc,: be in the state of

activity characteristic of fire, be in combustion, oe. ►b Of a spacecraft’s engine: provide thrust. M2o. 2 Be on fire, be consumed by flames; undergo combus¬ tion; undergo oxidation with evolution of heat. oe. ►b Undergo nuclear reactions producing energy. M20. b but, d dog,

f few. g get,

h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg, m

3 fig. Be passionate, rage; be consumed with emotion, longing, etc. oe, 4 Be or become very hot; feel a sensation ot heat, be inflamed, oe. kb fig. Be very close to the object sought (in games etc.). Cf. hot adjective 8b. E19. 5 Give light by combustion or heat; glow, shine, appear as if on fire. oe. 6 Suffer the effects of combustion, heat, the sun’s rays, acid, extreme cold, etc.; be scorched, blackened, parched, or tanned; be charred by overcooking, me. ►b Cause injury or pain by the action of lire, heat, extreme cold, etc.; (of acid etc.) eat its way into by burning. Mi7. 7 Suffer death by fire. arch. me. C3 1 A. Sillitoe A bright fire burned in the modernised grate. J. Rhys The flames burned straight. 2 Shakes. Rich. II That hand shall bum in never-quenching fire That staggers thus my person. A. J. P. Taylor They were medieval towns, full of wooden houses, and burnt well. F. Hoyle All the oxygen would have been quickly consumed, since biomater¬ ial bums very easily. 3 AV Gen. 44:18 Let not thine anger bume against thy seruant. R. L. Stevenson I bum to see you on the gallows. G. Ewart 1 burned with desire to distress you. 4 one's ears burn one feels (rightly or wrongly) that one is being talked about. 5 Shakes. Jul. Caes. How ill this taper bums! E. O’Neill One bulb burning doesn’t cost much. B. Spencer Snow on pine gorges can bum blue like Persian cats. 6 V. Woolf Bones bleach and bum far away in Indian sands. T. Frisby Would you like to make sure that nothing bums in the kitchen? b J. H. Newman Ice which blisters may be said to bum. 7 T. Forrest Here.. women often .. bum with their deceased husbands.

► II verb trans. 8 Of fire: consume, destroy. Of a person etc.: cause to be alight, or to be destroyed or consumed by fire. oe. kb Make a burnt offering of; sacrifice or execute by burning, me. kc Consume as fuel for heat or light; oxidize with evolution of heat; use the nuclear energy of. Li 6. kd fg. Spend or use freely, s/ong. Li9. ►e Smoke (tobacco), slang. E20. 9 Produce the effects of fire or heat upon, expose to fire or heat; scorch, blacken; char or cause to adhere by over¬ cooking; calcine, bake. oe. kb Make by burning, me. 10 Injure or cause pain to by the action of fire or heat. me. kb Cauterize; brand, me. k|c Infect with (esp. ven¬ ereal) sores. Ei6-mi8. Ed fig. Swindle, cheat, slang. M17. 11 fig. Inflame or consume with emotion etc.; slang annoy, rile. me. 12 Produce an effect on like that of fire or heat, e.g. by corrosive substances, extreme cold, sunlight, etc.; injure or hurt thus; corrode, wither, parch, tan. me. 13 Copy or record sound, data, etc., on to (a compact disc), L20. 03 8 Spenser The fire which them to ashes brent. P. Shaffer It’s fantastically dangerous to bum a naked flame in this room! A. S. Byatt The pierced dustbin in which he burned garden rubbish, burn alive kill by burning, burn one's boats, burn one's bridges, burn one’s ships commit oneself irrevocably to a course of action, have to burn have (money etc.) in great abundance, pare and burn see pare verb, b Shakes. 1 Hen. VIO, bum her, bum her! Hanging is too good. Milton One [altar] of Syrian mode whereon to bum His odious offerings, burn daylight arch. use artificial light in daytime; waste day(light). c O. Lodge Burning 1,000 tons of coal. Lancet The thesis.. that muscles could bum sugar only, burn the candle at both ends: see candle noun, burn midnight oil. burn the midnight oil: see on noun. 9 T. D’Urfey 'Till Pudding and Dumpling are burnt to Pot. M. Drabble It was burned black on the outside and raw in the middle. J. G. Farrell No clay or shale that you can bum into bricks, burn to a chip, burn to a cinder, burn to a crisp, burn to a frazzle, etc. b Defoe These [earthen vessels] 1 burnt in the fire, burn a hole in one's pocket (esp. of money) make one wish to spend or dispose of it. 10 S. Hill You cannot manage it without burning your mouth. B. England MacConnachie’s wrist, where the rope had burned it, was suppurating a little, burn one’s fingers fig. suffer, esp. financially, for meddling or rashness. 11 Dryden With two fair Eyes his Mistress bums his Breast. 12 Dryden Goats.. graze the Field, and bum it bare. W. S, Maugham His face and neck bumf brown by the hot sun. With adverbs in specialized senses: burn away diminish to nothing by burning, burn down (a) bum less vigorously as fuel fails; (b) destroy (a building etc.) by burning, burn in (a) imprint by burning (lit. & fig.); (b) photography darken selected areas of a photo¬ graphic print by allowing additional exposure during the print¬ ing process: (c) test a device for defects by operating it continuously (sometimes at an elevated temperature) for a fixed period of time; (d) mark a video tape with captions or timing information, burn low nearly go out. burn off (a) (cause to) evaporate, disappear, etc., under the action of heat; (b) N. Amer., Austral., & NZ clear (land) for cultivation by burning vegetation: bum (vegetation) to clear land, burn out (a) bum away, (make) fail by burning; consume the contents of by burning, fig. exhaust the powers of: (b) make homeless by burning a dwelling, drive out of by burning a place, burn up (a) get rid of, consume com¬ pletely, by fire; (b) flash into a blaze; (c) N. Amer. slang be or make furious: (d) colloq. traverse at high speed. Comb.: burning-glass: see glass noun; burn-in (a) a continuous period of operation undergone by an electronic device (some¬ times at an elevated temperature), to check for defects; (b) the formation of a permanent mark on a television or computer screen which occurs when a very bright image has been dis¬

played for too long; (c) a video recording feature which enables captions or timing information to be incorporated on to a tape; burn-off N. Amer., Austral.. & NZ the clearing of land for cultivation by burning vegetation; burn-out destruction by fire: failure of an electrical component etc. through overheating: exhaustion, disillusion, or depression associated with occupational stress; burn-up (a) consumption of fuel; (b) slang a very fast drive or motorcycle ride etc. ■ burnable adjective able to be burnt or consumed by fire Ei7.

burned ppl adjective var. of burnt. burner /'bo:no/ noun. lme. [from prec. + -er'.]

1 A person who bums or consumes with fire. lme. ►b With specifying adjective: a substance, esp. a fuel, that bums in the specified manner. L20. 2 A person who produces charcoal etc. by burning. LME. 3 An appliance which provides a flame for heating, lighting, etc., usu. using gas or liquid fuel; the part of a lamp, cooker, etc., which is the site of and shapes the flame. Li8. 3 Argand burner. Bunsen burner, fishtail burner, oil burner. etc. on the back burner slang receiving little attention, having a low priority- on the front burner slang receiving much atten¬ tion. having a high priority.

burnet /'bo:nit/ adjective & noun. me. [Old French brunet adjective (see brunet), brunete, burnete nouns - brown cloth, brown-flowered plant, dims, of bran brown adjective: see -et'.] ►t A adjective. Of a dark brown colour. ME-E17. ► B noun. |1 A superior wool cloth, orig, of dark brown

colour. Only in me. 2 A plant of the genus Sanguisorba, of the rose family, with pinnate leaves and globular heads of apetalous flowers; esp. either of two Eurasian plants, S. officinalis (more fully great burnet) of damp meadows, with ovate leaflets, and S. minor (more fully salad burnet) of calcar¬ eous grassland, with roundish leaflets tasting of cucum¬ ber. lme. 3 A day-flying moth of the genus Zygaena, typically dark green with crimson-spotted wings. Also burnetmoth. Li 8. Comb.: burnet-moth see sense B.3 above; burnet rose a small wild rose, Rosa pimpinellifolia, with white flowers and leaves like those of salad burnet: burnet saxifrage an umbellifer of the genus Pimpinella; esp. the Eurasian species P. saxifrage of dry grass¬ land, with rosette leaves freq. like those of salad bumet.

Burnham /bomom/ noun. E20. [Viscount Burnham (1862-1933), first chairman of the commit¬ tee.]

Burnham scale, a national salary scale for teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales, recom¬ mended by a standing committee (Burnham committee) ofLocal Education Authorities’ and teachers’ representa¬ tives (established 1919). burning /'bamiq/ adjective, oe. [from burn verb + -ing2.] 1 lit. That bums; that is on fire or very hot. oe. 2 fig. Ardent, passionate; flagrant; exciting, hotly dis¬

cussed, controversial, me. £□ 1 burning bush [with alius, to Exodus 3] (u) any of various shrubs with red fruits or red autumn foliage; (b) = fraxinella (because of its production of flammable volatile essences), burning mountain arch, a volcano. 2 Steele It is really a burning shame this Man should be tolerated. Southey With copious tears Of burning anger. A. J. P. Taylor There was no burning question to excite the passions of the electors. M. Gee Moira Penny had one burning ambition. ■ burningly adverb me.

burnish /'boauj/ verb1 & noun. me. [Old French bumtss- lengthened stem of burnirvar. of bratiir make brown, from bran brown adjective: see -ish2.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Polish (esp. metal) by rubbing, me.

kb Of a stag: mb the dead velvet from (the antlers or head), lme. 2 verb trans. Make bright or glossy in any way; spread with lustre, lme. 3 verb intrans. Become bright or glossy; shine, gleam. E17.

G3 1 Wordsworth The whole wide lake.. like a burnished mirror glows. 2 Milton Fruit bumisht with Golden Rind, Hung amiable. D. Lessing The autumn green of the trees was gilded and burnished with the low sunlight. 3 Swift I’ve seen a snake.. Burnish, and make a gaudy show.

► B noun. A polish by rubbing; burnished appearance, lustre, rare. M17. ■ burnisher noun a person who or thing which burnishes something; a tool for burnishing: me.

burnish /'bo:niJ/ verb2 intrans. obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Origin unkn ]

Grow plump or stout; increase in girth. burnous /bo:'nu:s/ noun. Also -oose & other vars. Li6. [French from Arab, bumus, -us.]

An Arab or Moorish hooded cloak; a fashion garment resembling this.

man. n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top. v van, w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision, 0 thin, d this, q ring, t[ chip, d3 jar

311

Burnsian /‘bsinzian/ adjective & noun. E20. [from Bums (see below) + -ian.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the Scottish poet Robert Bums (1759-96); characteristic of Bums or his style. E20. ► B noun. An admirer or student of Bums or his works. E20. ■ Burns! ana noun pi. [-ana] publications or other items con¬ cerning or associated with Bums ns.

burnside /'bamsAid/ noun. US. arch. L19. [General Ambrose Burnside (1824-81), US army officer.] sing. & (ffeq.) in pi. Moustache and whiskers with no beard on the chin.

burnt /bo:nt/ ppi adjective. Also burned /bsmt, ba:nd/. me. [pa. pple of burn verb.] Consumed by fire; affected, damaged, or injured by fire or extreme heat; charred, scorched, burnt almond an almond enclosed in caramelized sugar, burnt cork charred cork used esp. to blacken the face, hands, etc. burnt cream = creme brulee s.v. creme 1 burnt ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber, etc.: having a deeper colour obtained by calcination, burnt offering a religious sacrifice offered by burning, burnt-out adjective (a) gutted or driven out by fire; exhausted, spent; (b) cured of leprosy (esp. in burnt-out easel; also fig. passing into sense (a), burnt sienna see burnt ochre above, burnt taste: like that of food that has been charred, burnt umber see burnt ochre above.

buroo/ba'ru:/noun. colloq. (orig. & chiefly Scot.). Also brew, broo, /bra:/. M20. [Alt. Of BUREAU.] A social security office, a labour exchange, on the buroo receiving unemployment benefit.

burp /bo:p/ noun & verb, colloq. (orig. US). M20. [Imit.] ► A noun. A belch. M20. Comb. ; burp gun US an automatic pistol.

► B verb intrans. & trans. (Cause to) belch. M20. burpee /'ba:pi:/ noun. Also -ie l-i/. M20. [R. H. Burpee (b. 1897). Amer. psychologist.]

A physical exercise with a squat thrust between stand¬ ing positions. burr/ba:/noun1. Also bur. lme. [Abbreviation of burrow: cf. broch.] 1 A circle, rare in gen. sense, lme.

f2 A broad iron ring on a tilting spear. L15-E17. 3 A washer placed on the small end of a rivet before the end is swaged down. E17. 4 A luminous ring round the moon etc., a halo. M17. Co mb.; burr-pump nautical a bilge-pump with the piston so made as not to require a valve.

burr /ba:/ noun2. L16. [Origin unkn.]

A sweetbread. burr /ba:/ noun3. L16. [Origin unkn.]

The external meatus of the ear; the opening leading to the tympanum. burr /ba:/ noun4. Also bur (for other senses see bur noun1). In branch II also buhr. Ei7. [Var. of bur noun1.]

► 11 A rough edge left on cut or punched metal, paper, etc. E17. 2 In full burr-drill. A dentist’s or surgeon's tool for pro¬ ducing a smooth cavity. Mi9. ► II More fully (esp. in sense 3) burr-stone 3 A hard siliceous rock used for millstones, whet¬ stones, etc.; a piece of this; a millstone or whetstone of this. M17. 4 A kind of limestone used for building, containing hard siliceous inclusions, dial. Ei9. 5 Amass of vitrified brick; a clinker. ei 9. burr /ba:/ noun5 & verb. mis. [Prob. imit.. but perh. transf. use of prec.]

► A noun. 1 A rough sounding of the phoneme /r/ (repr. by the letter r); spec, the uvular trill characteristic of North¬ umberland, mi 8. kb loosely. A rough or dialectal pronun¬ ciation. mi 9. 2 A whirr; a vibratory, buzzing, or rushing noise. E19. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Make a buzzing or whirring noise. LI 8. 2 verb intrans. Use a uvular trill; use a rough or dialectal pronunciation; speak Indistinctly. E19. 3 verb trans. Pronounce with a burr, mi 9. burr noun6 var. of bur noun'. burra /'bara/ adjective. Ei9. [Hindi bam. bard great, greatest.]

In the Indian subcontinent: prominent, high-ranking, great. Only in burra sahib. burra memsahib. and similar phrases used as modes of reference to important people. burras noun var. of barras.

Burnsian | burst burrawang /'b,\rawag/

noun. Also

-wong

/-wdi)/. Austral.

El 9. A cycad of the genus Macrozamia; a seed of such a tree.

burrel-fly /'bAralfUi/ noun. Mi7. [Origin unkn.]

The gadfly.

burrito /bA'ri:tau/ noun. PI. -os. M20. [Amer. Spanish, dim. of next.]

A tortilla rolled round a filling of spiced beef and other ingredients.

burro/'bArau/ noun. Chiefly N. Amer. PI. -os. E19. [Spanish.]

bourse or medieval Latin bursa; in sense 2 cf.

1 A purse, esp. as the designation of one of the official insignia of the Lord Chancellor, lme. kb EccusiAsncAL A receptacle for the corporal or linen cloth used to cover the elements in the Eucharist. M19. 2 A money market, an exchange, (= bourse), obsolete exc. Hist, as below, mi6. 3 = bursary 3. M16. k|b A fund to provide bursaries. L17-M18. 4 A German college or academic hall. L16. 2 the Burse Hist, the Royal Exchange in Comhill, London. bursectomy ba/sektami/ noun. E20.

A small donkey used as a pack-animal.

burrow /'bArau/ noun'. Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English beorg, beorh, from beorgan; see borrow verb1.]

(A) shelter.

[from bursa: see -ectomy.]

Surgical removal or (hormonal) destruction of a bird's bursa of Fabricius, esp. in immunological research; an instance of this. ■ bur sectomize verb trans. perform bursectomy on E20.

burrow /'bArau/ noun2, me.

bursiform 'ba:sifD:m/ adjective. M19.

[Var. of borough.]

► I See also berry noun3. 1 A hole or excavation in earth made by a rabbit, a fox, etc., as a place of shelter, me. 2 transf. & fig. Any secluded or small dwelling-place or retreat. M17. 1 village burrow; see vi llage 3.

► II3 In pi. exc. attrib. Boroughs, towns; burgesses collect¬ ively. Scot arch. lme. ►tin 4 = BROCH 2. L15-M17. Comb.: burrow-duck dial, the shelduck; burrows-town Scot arch. = borough-town

burrow /'bArau/ noun3, dial.&techn.

burse. ba:s/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French BOURSE.]

(Aboriginal.]

Lis.

[Var. of barrow noun1.]

A heap or mound, esp. of mining refuse.

burrow /'bArau/ verb. E17. [from burrow noun2.] 1 verb intrans. Make a burrow; live in a burrow; hide

oneself in or as in a burrow. Ei7. 2 verb trans. Hide in or as in a burrow (usu. in pass, of oneself); push in or into as in(to) a burrow. E17. 3 verbintrans. Boreormakeone’s wayunderthesurface. E19. 4 verb trans. Make (a hole etc., one’s way) by excavating. M19. £Q 1 burrowing owl a small American owl, Speotyto cunicularia, nesting in burrows. 2 G. Crabbe An infant.. Left by neglect, and burrowed in that bed. ]. Buchan He.. bur¬ rowed a drowsy head into the cushions. 3 N. Hawthorne We were burrowing through its bewildering passages. B. England He.. burrowed deep into the thick scrub, burrow into fig investigate the mysteries etc. of. ■ burrower noun M19

burru /'bAra:/ noun. Also buru. E20. [Perh. from Twi buru filthiness, sluttishness or Yoruba buru wicked.]

A Jamaican dance with provocative posturing; music or drumming to accompany this.

burry/'ba:ri/odjective. lme. [from bur noun' + -y'.]

Full of burs; rough, prickly.

bursa /'ba:s3/ noun. PI. -sae /-si:/. E19. [medieval Latin = bag, purse noun] anatomy. A fluid-filled sac of fibrous tissue, esp. one

serving to lessen friction between moving parts, e.g. at a joint, or formed in response to unusual friction. Also, a pouch of the peritoneum. bursa of Fabricius /fs'brifas/ [Latinized form of the name of Girolamo Fabric; (1533-1619), Italian anatomist] ornithology a glan¬ dular sac which opens into a bird’s cloaca and is involved in the development of the bird's immune system. ■ bursal adjective of. pertaining to, or of the nature of a bursa mis.

bursar/'ba:s3/noun. lme. [Sense 1 from Old & mod. French boursier or medieval Latin bursarius: see bursary, -ar3, -er3. Sense 2 from French boursier.]

1 A treasurer; a person in charge of the funds or other property of a college etc. lme. 2 A student who holds a bursary. Orig. Scot, mi6. 1 domestic bursar see domestic adjective 1. estates bursar see estate noun. a bursarship noun (a) the position of a bursar; (b) a bursary for a student; Ei7.

bursarial /b3:'se:rrel/ adjective. Mi9. [from prec. + -iALor next + -At1.]

Of or pertaining to a bursar or bursary.

bursary /'ba:s3ri/ noun. lme. [Sense 1 from medieval Latin bursarius. senses 2 8,3 from medieval Latin bursaria bursar's office (cf. Old French bourserie money coffer): see bursa, -ary'.]

■fl = BURSAR 1. LME-M16. 2 A treasury; the bursar's room at a college etc. L17. 3 An endowment given to a student. Orig. Scot. Mi8.

[from bursa + -1- + -FORM.]

Purse-shaped. bursitis /ba/sAito/noun. Mi9. [from bursa + -ms.]

Inflammation of a bursa. burst /ba:st/ noun. See also bust noun2. [Old English byrst - Old High German brust from Germanic base of burst verb; branch II directly from the verb.]

►|I1 Damage, injury, harm, oe-lme. ► II 2 An act or the result of bursting open or splitting. ME. 3 A sudden and violent issuing out (of flame, light, gunfire, etc.); a vehement outbreak (of emotion, laugh¬ ter, etc.); an explosion, an eruption; a pulse (of radiation etc.), lme. kb A sudden opening on the view. L18. 4 A spell of increased activity; a display of energy, a spurt; a hard gallop. Li 8. 5 A spree, a drinking-bout; a large meal, colloq. M19. tbi 2 G. Meredith When beech-buds were near the burst. 3 Southey Burst after burst the innocuous thunders brake. P. G. Wodehouse She flung her arms round his neck in a burst of remorseful affection. W. Boyd A loud and prolonged burst of applause, b J. Austen Here is a fine burst of country. 4 Thackeray A burst over the Downs after a hare. M. Arnold The burst of creative activity in our literature. I. Hay They.. proceeded to row courses, half courses.. and short bursts.

burst /b3:st/ verb. Pa. t. & pple burst; (dial.) -ed. -en /-(a)n/. Also (arch. & dial.) brast /brast/. See also bust verb. [Old English berstan = Old Frisian bersta, Old Saxon. Old High German brestan (Dutch bersten, barsten). Old Norse bresta, from Germanic.]

► I verb intrans. fl Break suddenly, snap, crack. OE-E19. 2 Fly apart or into pieces or break open with expansion of contents or release of pressure; split; explode; (of a cloud etc.) release rain with sudden force; (of a door) fly open suddenly, oe. 3 Issue suddenly (as if) by breaking restraint or over¬ coming resistance; break out suddenly or forcibly, oe. kb Of thoughts, emotions, etc.; find (sudden) utterance or manifestation. Mi6. 4 Force one’s way through, out, into, etc., come or appear suddenly, intrude, me. 5 Be fall to overflowing (with); be unable to contain oneself; have an overwhelming desire or urgent need to do something; (of the heart) break, me. 6 Break out into sudden activity or expression of feel¬ ings; exclaim, begin suddenly. Usu. with into, out. lme. til 2 Spenser Poyson.. Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust. S. Sassoon A bomb burst in the water. Day Lewis A gigantic wave had just burst on the fo'c’sle. J. Bowen Bubbles on a tarred roof, which grew, and burst, and grew again. P. F. Boller There was a loud ripping sound; the seam of his trousers had burst, bursting at the seams see seam noun1, bursting point the internal pressure at which a container will burst (usu. transf.). burst in shivers, burst into shivers see shiver noun' 1. 3 Bunyan What sighs and groans brast from Christians heart Tennyson A river . Ready to burst and fill the world with foam. 4 S. O'Faoiain The weeds bursting through the gravel. V. Brittain Winifred Holtby burst suddenly in upon this morose atmosphere of ruminant lethargy. 5 AV Prov. 3:10 Thy presses shall burst out with new wine. G. B. Shaw It was something that was just bursting to be said. Day Lewis Plums bursting with ripe¬ ness. S. Hill She was bursting.. to talk now. 6 Spenser The wisard.. brusting forth in laughter, to her sayd. B. Jowett The crew of his own trireme also burst out laughing. T. H. Huxley The taper will burst again into full flame. J. Cary She burst into tears and called for her mama. K. Amis Bowen burst into song.

► II verb trans. 7 Cause to fly apart or into pieces, disrupt with internal pressure, rupture, cause to split; suffer rupture of. me. kb spec. Separate (esp. computer printout paper) along perforated edges, esp. automatically. M20. 8 Open (a door etc.) forcibly, force one’s way through, break free from (bonds etc.), lme.

so no, s: hair, 1.1 near, 31 boy, 03 poor, xra tire, auo sour a cat, a: arm. £ bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, A run, u put. ur too. a ago. ai my, au how. ei day.

312

burster | busily 9 gen. Break suddenly, snap, shatter; interrupt. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 10 Cause (the body) to swell to bursting point (usu. hyperbol., as an imagined result of overeating or exertion); fill to overflowing; break (the heart), lme. 1X3 7 C. Kingsley He.. played leap-frog.. till he burst his buttons. C. B. Shaw Morell bursts open the cover of a copy of The Church Reformer. Daily Express The force of the explo¬ sion burst the water tanks. C. Fry One day I shall burst my bud Of calm, and blossom into hysteria, burst one’s sides see side noun. 8 Shakes, i Hen. VI Open the gates unto the Lord Protector, Or we’ll burst them open. A. F. DouglasHome A .. crowd.. burst the barriers and swarmed across the route, burst its banks (of a river etc.) break through or overflow its banks and cause flooding. 9 C. Marlowe Whose chariot-wheels have burst the Assyrians’ bones. Tennyson Many a.. heel against the pavement echoing burst their drowse. 10 Milton Cramm’d and gorged, right burst With suck’d and glutted offal. Dryden That Crop.. bursts the crowded Bams. Defoe Water, with which.. he would have burst himself.

burster /'baists/ noun. E17. [from prec. + -ER'.]

1 A person who or thing which bursts. Ei7. kb spec. A machine for separating continuous stationery into its constituent sheets. M20. 2 = buster 3. Austral. & NZ. M19. 3 astronomy. A cosmic source of powerful short-lived bursts of X-rays or other radiation. L20.

bus/bAs/ verb'. Infl. -s-, *-ss-. Mi9. [from the noun.) 1 verb intrans. & trans. with it. Go by bus. M19. 2 verb trans. Transport by bus, spec. (US) to a school in a

different area in order to counteract racial segregation. Chiefly N. Amer. M20. kb Carry or remove (dishes etc.) in a cafeteria etc., clear from tables; clear (a table in a cafe¬ teria etc.) of dishes etc. US, M20. tbus verb2 var. of boost verb2. busby /'bAzbi/ noun.

mis.

[Origin unkn.]

f 1 A large bushy wig. M18-L19. 2 A tall fur hat forming part of the dress uniform of hussars, artillerymen, and guardsmen. E19. ■ busbied adjective wearing a busby E20.

burton/'ba:t(a)n/noun1, eis. [Alt. of Breton (tackle).] nautical. 1 More fully burton-tackle. A light handy two-

block tackle, eis. 2 Athwart-ship stowage of casks etc. Also a-burton adverb [a-=J. M19. 1 Spanish burton see Spanish adjective.

burton /'ba:t(a)n/ noun2, colloq. (orig. RAF slang). Also B-. M20. [Origin uncertain: perh. from Burton ale from Burtoti-on-Trent, a town in Staffordshire, England.] go for a burton, be killed, destroyed, ruined, or lost,

buru noun var. of burru. bury /'beri/ verb trans. [Old English byrgan from West Germanic, from base also of Old English beorgan: see borrow verb'.]

1 Deposit (a corpse, human remains) in the earth, in a tomb, in the ocean, etc., with funeral rites; lose (a rela¬ tive etc.) by death, oe. kb Put under the ground in sign of final abandonment or abrogation; dispose of thus. M16. 2 fig. Consign to oblivion, abandon and forget; renounce; consign to obscurity or inaccessibility, me. 3 gen. Cover up with earth; conceal in the ground, me. 4 Plunge deeply infto) so as to remove from sight; immerse, hide; fig. profoundly absorb or engross (oneself) in (freq. in pass.), lme. 5 Of inanimate agents: cover up or over with material, submerge, mis. 03 1 Steele My elder Sister buried her Husband about Six Months ago. B. Chatwin There were snowdrops in the grave¬ yard when they buried her. dead and buried: see dead adjective, b Shakes. Temp. I’ll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, bury the hatchet: see hatchet noun. bury the tomahawk see tomahawk noun. 2 Sir W. Scott To retire from the world and bury herself in the recesses of the cloister. A. B. Ellis The natives.. had buried their own differ¬ ences and united to repel the invaders. 3 E. W. Lane I . buried 3000 pieces of gold. T. A. Coward One habit [of the jay].. is that of burying nuts, acorns, or even inedible objects, burying beetle = sexton beetle, bury one’s head in the sand: see sand noun. 4 Byron Bury your steel in the bosoms of Gath. S. Leacock So buried in his own thoughts that he was oblivious of our approach. J. Cheever He buried his nose in the paper. 5 0. Sitwell Vesuvius has doubtless in its time buried town after town. R. P. Jhabvala Some of the older houses would collapse and bury the people inside. ■ burying verbal noun (a) the action of the verb (buryingground, burying-piace. a cemetery); (b) (now dial.) a burial, a funeral: me.

Buryat noun var. of Buriat. bus /bAs/ noun. Also (now rare) ’bus; (sense buses, ^busses. E19.

4)

buss. PL

[Abbreviation of omnibus.)

1 A large passenger road vehicle running on a fixed route. ei9. 2 Any conveyance, as a motor car, aeroplane, etc colloa L19.

1

3 A hand-pushed trolley used esp. for carrying dishes etc. in a cafeteria. N. Amer. M20. 4 COMPUTING. = HIGHWAY 1C. M20. miss the bus: see miss verb'. Comb.: busbar an electrical conductor serving as a common connection between several circuits, esp. in a generating station. busboy N. Amer. a waiter’s assistant who clears tables etc.; a person who pushes a trolley carrying dishes etc. in a cafeteria' bus-conductor (a) the conductor of a bus; (b) = busbar above; 1

k cat,

1

leg, m

man; (b) us history a deserter, a guerrilla; (c) Austral. & NZ a person who clears land of bush, a timber-worker. ■ busher noun (N. Amer. colloq.) = bush-leaguer above E20. bushless adjective M19.

bush /buj/ noun2, lis. [Middle Dutch busse (Dutch bus). Cf. German Btidise.] A metal lining for an axle-hole or other circular orifice; a perforated plug; a box or bearing in which a shaft revolves; eiectocity an insulating sleeve. ■ bushing noun a bush, esp. of an electrically insulating mater¬ ial 119.

bush /bujI verb', me. [from bush noun'.]

11 verb trans. Conceal in a bush. Usu. in pass, (of oneself). ME-E17. 2 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) grow thick like a bush; (cause to) grow or stick out like a bush. lis. 3 verb trans. Protect or support with bushes. Ei7. 4 verb trans. with it 81 intrans. Camp in the bush. Austral. & NZ. ei 9.

bush /buj/ verb2 intrans. obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Perh. from Old French buschier knock, beat or from Middle Dutch teischeti (= Middle High German biuschen) in same sense.]

Butt, push.

buscarl /'bAska:l/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. Also butsecarl /'bAtsika:l/. oe. [Old Norse blizukarl.]

bush /buj/ verb3 trans. Mi6. [from bush noun2.]

Provide with a bush.

A seaman, a sailor. bush /buj/ noun'. Also (dial.) busk /bAsk/. See also bosk. ME.

burthen noun, verb see burden noun, verb.

b but, d dog, f few, g get. h he, j yes,

bus-conductress a female bus-conductor; bus lane a trafficlane mainly for the use of buses; busman a driver of a bus (busman’s holiday, a period of leisure time spent in the same kind of occupation as one’s regular work); bus shelter a road¬ side shelter affording protection from the weather to passengers awaiting buses; bus station see station noun; bus-stop a place at which a bus regularly stops; busway a bus lane, spec, one with means to guide the movement of buses.

[Partly from Old French bos, bosc vars. of bois wood, partly from Old Norse 1niski, from Germanic base repr. also by Old Saxon buse (Dutch bos, bosch). Old High German busc (German Busch) (corresp. form prob. in Old English but not recorded). Sense 7 prob. directly from Dutch bosch.]

1 A shrub or dump of shrubs with stems of moderate length, me. kb A subshrub; a clump of dwarf shrubs or herbaceous plants. Scot. & north. Ei6. 2 Thicket; bushy ground, obsolete exc. as coinciding with sense 7. me. 3 A bunch of ivy anciently used as a vintner’s sign. LME. 4 A luxuriant growth of hair. E16. kb Pubic hair, esp. of a woman, slang. E20. 15 A bushy mass of foliage, feathers, etc. E16-M17. |6 A bushy tail; a fox's brush. L16-E17. 7 (An area of) woodland, forest, uncultivated land, the remote rural areas, esp. in Australia, New Zealand, or Africa. M17. (B 1 beat about the bush see beat verb' 15. burning bush see burning 1. caustic bush: see caustic adjective 1. stag bush see stag noun, take the rag off the bush: see rag noun'. 3 Proverb: Good wine needs no bush. 7 go bush Austral, leave one’s usual surroundings (for the country), run wild, native bush: see native adjective. Sydney or the bush: see Sydney 2.

bushed /bujt/ adjective, colloq. M19. [from bush noun' + -ed2.]

1 Lost in the bush; bewildered. Austral. & NZ. M19. 2 Tired, exhausted. Chiefly N. Amer. L19. bushel /'boj(o)l/ noun & verb', me. [Old French bolsell (mod. boisseau) = Provencal boissel, perh. of Gaulish origin.) ► A noun. 1 A British unit of dry and liquid measure equal

to 8 gallons or 32 quarts (approx. 36.4 litres); a US unit of dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 32 quarts (approx. 35.2 litres), me. 2 loosely. A very large number or quantity, lme. 3 A vessel used as a measure of a bushel, arch. exc. as below. LME. 1 Winchester bushel: see Winchester 1. 3 hide one’s light under a bushel conceal one’s merits. ► B verb trans. Infl. -1(1)- Hide (a light etc.) under a bushel (fig.): see sense A.3 above, rare. M17. ■ bushelful noun as much as a bushel will hold; a large quan¬ tity: LME.

bushel /’buj(a)l/ verb2 trans. & intrans. US. M19. [Perh. from German bosseln do odd jobs.]

Mend or alter (clothes). Comb.: bushelman. bushelwoman: employed to mend or alter clothes.

bushido /'bitjidau, bu'JLdou/ noun. L19. [Japanese, from bushi warrior + do way.]

Comb.: bushbaby a small tree-dwelling African primate of the subfamily Galaginae (family Lorisidae); bush basil see basil noun' 1: bush-bean N. Amer. the kidney bean; bushbuck a small African antelope, Tragelaphus saiptus, red-brown with white chest-band and spots; bush burn NZ the burning of bush on cul¬ tivable land, land so cleared; bush canary Austral. & NZ any of various songbirds; bush carpenter Austral. &NZ an untrained or unskilled carpenter; bush-cat the serval; bush clover = lespedeza; bush cow (a) a wild cow of the bush; (b) a tapir; bushcraft skill in living in the bush; bush cranberry: see cranberry 2; bush-cricket see cricket noun'; bush-eel dial, a snake, esp. as food; bush-fighting fighting in the bush, guer¬ rilla warfare; bushfire a fire in the bush (sense 7); bush-fly a pestiferous Australian fly, esp. Musca vestusissima; bush-harrow noun & verb trans. (Hist.) (harrow etc. with) an agricultural imple¬ ment underneath which bushes are interwoven, for harrowing grassland or covering in seed; bush hen NZ the weka: bush jacket a belted cotton jacket; bush lawyer Austral. & NZ (a) the New Zealand bramble. Rubus australis: (b) a layman pretending to legal knowledge; an argumentative person; bush league N. Amer. a minor league of a professional sport, orig. spec, baseball: bushleague adjective (N. Amer. colloq.) inferior, minor, unsophisticated; bush-leaguer N. Amer. a player in a bush league; bushline the altitude above which bush does not grow; bushmaster a large venomous viper, Lacliesis muta. of tropical America; also called surucucu: bush-pig (a) a long-haired southern African wild hog, Potamochoerus porcus: (b) NZ a wild pig; bush poppy N. Amer. a yellow-flowered shrub of the poppy family, Dendromecon rigida, native to California and NW Mexico; bush-ranger Hist, an Aus¬ tralian brigand living in the bush; bush-ranging Hist, living as a bush-ranger; bush-rat any ofvarious small rodents: bush-rope a tropical vine or creeper; bush shrike any African shrike of the subfamily Malaconotinae; bush shirt = bush jacket above; bush-sick adjective (chiefly NZ) suffering from bush-sickness; bush-sickness (chiefly NZ) disease of animals due to cobalt defi¬ ciency in soil; bush tea: made from the dried leaves of certain shrubs and used medicinally in southern Africa; bush telegraph a rapid informal spreading of information, rumour, etc.; bush-tit a N. American tit of the genus Psaltriparus; bushveld veld composed largely of bush: a wooded region in lransvaal; bush vetch a climbing purple-flowered vetch, Vida sepmm: bush walk Austral, i NZ a tramp or camping expedition in the bush; bush-walk verb intrans. (Austral, g, NZ) go tramping or camping in the bush; bushwhack verb trans. & intrans. deal with or act in the manner of a bushwhacker: bushwhacked adjective (colloq.) worn out, exhausted; bushwhacker (a) a backwoods¬ man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit.

1 top,

v van, w we, z zoo,

The code of honour and morals evolved by the samurai. bushie noun var. of bushy noun. Bushman /’bujman/ noun & adjective. Also (esp. in sense A.2) b-. L18. [from bush noun' + man noun; sense A.i after Dutch boschjesman.]

► A noun. PL -men. 1 a A member of any of various aboriginal southern African peoples. L18. fb (Any of) the group of languages of these peoples, = San noun2 2. M19. 2 A dweller, farmer, or (esp. skilled) traveller in the bush of Australia or New Zealand. In New Zealand also, a person who fells timber. E19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Bushmen or their language. M19. Bushman grass S. Afr. = twaa-crass. ■ Bushmanoid adjective (anthropology) resembling Bushmen in physical type M20. bushmanship noun bushcraft M19. bushment/'bojm(3)nt/noun. arch. lme. [Sense l aphet. from ambushment; sense 2 app. from bush noun1 * -MENT.]

1 = AMBUSHMENT. LME. 2 A mass of bushes. Li6. bushwa / 'bojwa:/ noun. N. Amer. slang. Also -wah. E20. [App. euphem. for bullshit noun s.v. bull noun' & adjective.]

Rubbish, nonsense. bushy /'boji/ noun. Austral. & NZ. Also bushie. L19. [from bush noun' + -y6.]

A dweller in the bush. bushy /'boji/ adjective, lme. [from bush noun' + -Y1.]

1 Having many bushes; covered with bush. lme. 2 Growing thickly; like a bush. M16. Comb.: bushy-tailed adjective with a bushy tail; fig. alert, lively (freq. in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed)

busily /'bizili/ adverb, me. [from busy adjective + -ly2.]

In a busy manner. J she, 3 vision,

9 thin,

b this,

rj ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

313

business | busy business /'biznis/ noun. [Old English bisignis, formed as busy adjective + -ness.] ►t I The state of being busy (cf. busyness). 1 Anxiety; distress, uneasiness. OE-L16. 2 The state of being busily engaged; activity; applica¬ tion, industry; diligent labour, me-eis. 3 Eagerness; importunity; officiousness. lme-li6. 4 Attention, care; observance. lme-mi6. 5 Trouble, difficulty; ado; commotion. lme-li7. ► II The object of concern or activity. |6 The object of serious effort; an aim. lme-mi6. 7 An appointed task; a duty, a province; spec, a particu¬ lar errand, a cause of coming, lme. 8 Action demanding time and labour; serious work. LME. 9 A habitual occupation, a profession, a trade, ns. 10 A thing that concerns one; a matter in which one may take part. Ei6. 11 A particular matter requiring attention; a piece of work; a job; an agenda, mi6. ►fb A topic, a subject. Only in 17. A difficult matter, colloq. mi9. 12 gen. An affair; a concern, a process; a matter; a struc¬ ture; slang all that is available. Usu. derog. Ei7. 13 Dealings, intercourse, (with). Ei7. 14 theatrical. Action on stage (as opp. to dialogue). Li7. 15 Trade; commercial transactions or engagements; total bookings, receipts, etc. Ei8. 16 A commercial house, a firm. Li9. £3 7 Bunyan What is your business here so late to Night? W. S. Churchill The Prime Minister.. believed that the primary business of government was to administer the exist¬ ing order. 8 Proverb: Business comes before pleasure. 9 Carlyle I wished to be a fisherman, and tried that business for a time. 10 M. Leitch What went on in between was their business, none of hers. 11 Pope What I act, survey. And learn from thence the business of the day. c Carlyle If he had known what a business it was to govern the Abbey. 12 C. Stead The difficult.. and dangerous business of climb¬ ing on the roof. D. Cusack That nasty business in Second Year... They lampooned the Staff in their class paper. Phrases etc.: any other business matters not specifically listed on the agenda for a meeting, bad business: see bad adjective, big business: see big adjective, business as usual normal trading, proceedings, etc., despite disturbances, do one’s business colloq. urinate or (esp.) defecate, do the business colloq. do what is required or expected, achieve the desired result, funny business see funny adjective, get down to business begin serious work, begin in earnest, go about one’s business stop interfering in another’s affairs, go away, (freq. in imper.). in business habitually occupied in trade or commerce; fig. able to begin operations, operational, in the business of engaged or involved in, con¬ cerned with, (usu. in neg. contexts), line of business see line noun2, make it one’s business to make a particular effort to, undertake to. mean business be in earnest, mind one’s own business refrain from interfering in another’s affairs (freq. in imper.). mind-your-own-business see mind verb, monkey business: see monkey noun, nobody’s business colloq. something extraordinary (like nobody’s business. to an extraordinary degree), on business with a definite purpose, esp. one relating to one’s trade or profession, send about his or her business send (a person) packing, dismiss (a person), way of business: see way noun. Comb.: business card: with one’s name and information about one’s firm etc.; business cycle the trade cycle; business end colloq. the working end of a tool etc.: business hours: in which business is regularly transacted, during which shops or offices are open; business lunch: at which commercial transactions are discussed; businessman: engaged in trade or commerce (the tired businessman): business studies the analysis of com¬ mercial activities as an academic subject; business suit a lounge suit; businesswoman: engaged in trade or commerce. «J Orig. trisyllabic (cf. busyness). The disyllabic pronunc. has been promoted through loss of direct assoc, with busy adjective, m businesslike adjective efficient, practical, systematic lis.

busk /bAsk/ noun1. L16. [French busc from Italian busco splinter, rel. to Old French busche (mod. buche) log, from Germanic.] Hist. A strip of wood, whalebone, steel, etc. used for stiff¬ ening the front of a corset; a corset, busk noun2 see bush noun\ busk /bAsk/ verb\ Now Scot. & north, me. [Old Norse buask refl. of bua prepare: cf. bound adjective'.] 1 verb intrans. & refl. Get oneself ready; get dressed, me. 2 verb trans. Prepare, fit out; adorn, attire. Also foil, by up. ME. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Hurry, hasten; betake oneself, me. ■ busker noun1 Mi6.

busk /bask/ verb2 intrans. obsolete exc. dial, mi6. [Origin unkn.] Of a bird: move or shift about; nestle, busk /bAsk/ verb3. Mi7. [French fbusquer seek, hunt for, from Italian buscare or Spanish buscar, from Germanic.] 1 verb intrans. nautical. Cruise about, tack. Now rare or obsolete. Mi7. 2 verb intrans. Look for. seek after, rare, mi 8. 3 verb intrans. Play music, or otherwise entertain, for money in public places. Formerly also, peddle goods. Chiefly as busking verbal noun. Mi9.

4 verb trans. & intrans. Improvise, slang. M20. E3 4 D. Adams He had no idea what he was going to find. He would just have to busk it. ■ busker noun2 an itinerant musician or actor, esp. one per¬ forming in the street Mi9.

buskin /'bAskin/ noun & adjective. Now Hist, or arch. E16. [Prob. from Old French bousequin var. of brousequin (mod. brodequin) prob. from Middle Dutch broseken, corresp. to Catalan, Spanish borcegin, Provencal borzeguim, Italian borzacchino, of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. 1 A half-boot. E16.

2 A kind of thick-soled boot worn by tragic actors in the ancient Athenian theatre; fig. tragic drama, tragedy. L16. £3 2 Byron He was a critic upon operas, too. And knew all niceties of the sock and buskin, put on the buskin(s) assume a tragic style, write tragedy, sock and buskin see sock noun'.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to tragic drama. E17. ■ buskined adjective shod with buskins; fig. concerned with U'agedy, elevated, lofty; Li 6.

tbuskle verb intrans. & trans. M16-M17. [from BUSK verb' + -LE3.]

= busk verb1. busky /'bAski/ adjective. Now arch. & dial. Li6. [from busk noun- + -y1.] Full of bushes or thickets, bushy, (= bosky 1).

buss/bAs/noun1, me. [Old French buce, (later) busse, infl. by Middle Dutch buisse (mod. bins): ult. origin unkn.] Hist. 1 A ship for carrying loads, me. 2 A two- or three-masted vessel of various sizes, used

esp. in the North Sea herring-fishery. Lis. buss /bAs/ noun2 & verb trans. & intrans. Now arch., dial., & N. Amer. collog. LI 6. [Prob. alt. of bass noun3, verb'.]

(A) kiss. buss noun3 see bus noun. bussu /ba'su:/ noun. M19. [Portuguese from Tupi ubu-ussu, from ubu leaf + ussu big.]

A palm of tidal swamps in Central and S. America, Manicaria saccifera, with immense leaves that are used for thatching. bust /bASt/ noun'. M17. [(French buste from) Italian busto from Latin bustum funeral pyre, tomb, sepulchral monument.]

|1 The upper part or torso of a larger sculpture, rare. Only in M17. 2 A piece of sculpture representing a person's head, shoulders, and chest. Li7. Fb (Such a piece as) a sepul¬ chral monument, poet. M18. 3 The upper front of the body; the bosom, esp. of a woman. E18. Fb The circumference of a woman’s body at the level of her bust, Li 9. ■ busty adjective (colloq.) (of a woman) having a prominent bust M20.

bust /bASt/ noun2, colloq. (orig. US). M18.

bustard /'bAstsd/noun. li5. [Perh. from Anglo-Norman blending of Old French bistarde, oustarde, both from Latin avis tarda 'slow bird', the inappropriate adjective being unexpl.J

1 Any of various large swift-running birds of the family Otididae, allied to the cranes and rails, lis. 2 = buzzard noun2, dial. M19. 1

ruffed

bustard Stanlcy bustard

bustee /'bAsti:/noun. U9. [Hindi bust/ dwelling, settlement.]

A group of huts in a shanty town or slum in the Indian subcontinent. busteous adjective see boistous. buster /'bAsta/ noun. Chiefly colloq. Mi9. [Var. of burster or from bust verb + -er1.] 1 = burster 1. Chiefly as 2nd elem. of comb.: a person

who or thing which breaks, beats, masters, prevents, or eliminates (the ist elem.). M19. 2 a An impressive or startling person or event; a person who or thing which provokes admiration, mi 9. Fb A mate, a fellow, a chap. Usu. as a familiar or disres¬ pectful form of address. E20. 3 A violent gale. M19. 4 A horse-breaker. N.Amer. Li 9. 5 A heavy fall. Austral. & NZ. L19. 1 ball-buster, chart-buster, crime-buster, dam buster, etc. 3 Barcoo buster 4 bronco-buster tbustian noun, lme-eis. [Perh. alt. of Oid French bustan(n)e kind of fabric made at Valenci¬ ennes, after fustian.]

A cotton fabric of foreign manufacture. bustier /'bAstiei, 'bust-i/oreign bystje (pi. same)/ noun. L20. [French, from buste: see bust noun1.]

A close-fitting usu. strapless bodice or top worn by women. bustious adjective see boistous. bustle /'bAs(o)l/ noun'. Ei7. [from the verb.] 1 Conflict; a struggle; a scuffle, arch. E17.

2 Excited activity; fuss; a state of busy haste. M17. Fb Movement during fermentation, arch. L17. 3 Money. Criminals’slang. Now.rare or obsolete. M18. bustle /1 bas(o)1/noun2, lis. [Origin unkn.] Hist. A pad or frame worn to puff out the top of a

woman’s skirt at the back. bustle /'bAs(p)l/ verb. lme. [Perh. var. of buskle.] 1 verb introns. Be fitssily or noisily active; bestir oneself energetically; make a show of activity; hurry about, lme. Fb Of a place: be teeming with. Li 9. 2 verb trans. Bestir, rouse, (oneself or another); huriy in a fussy manner. Also foil, by up. Now rare. M16. f 3 verb intrans. Struggle, scuffle; contend. E17-E18. ■ bustler noun L17. bustlingly adverb in a bustling manner El 9.

tbusto noun. PI. -o(e)s. E17 M19 [Italian: see bust noun1.] = bust noun1 2.

[Var. of burst noun.) 1 = burst noun 2. rare. M18. 2 A spree, a drinking-bout, (= burst noun 5). M19. 3 A sudden failure or collapse of trade etc. M19.

bustuous adjective see boistous.

4 A burglary, mi9. 5 A worthless thing or person; spec, a bad hand at cards.

busy/'bizi/ adjective.

E20. 6 A blow with the fist. E20. 7 A police raid, an arrest. M20. ffl 2A, Powell He .. would celebrate with some sort of bust in the way of fopd and drink. 3 H. A. Wallace We cannot afford either a speculative boom or its inevitable bust. 5 P. G. Wodehouse At the age of ten I was a social bust. 6 j. F. Powers How'd you like a bust in the nose?

bust /bASt/ verb, colloq. (orig. US). Pa. t. & pple bust, busted. E19. [Var. of burst verb.] ► I verb trans. 1 Burst; break; beat or smash up. E19. 2 Reduce to insolvency. E19. 3 Break into (a house etc.). M19. 4 Break in (a horse). L19.

5 Dismiss; demote; arrest; catch in possession of illegal drugs; jail. Usu. in pass. E20. 6 Strike with the fist etc’. E20. Q3 1 L. Shorten We go to this house and take this hockey stick and bust the window. C. Bateman He busted a hand the week before in a .. scrap, bust a gut see cut noun 2 2 go bust become bankrupt. 5 K. Lette One got busted for heroin and got both her children taken off her.

► II verb intrans. 7 Burst, explode. M19. 8 Go bankrupt, mi9. Comb.: bust-up an explosion (lit. S, fig.): a violent severance; a quarrel.

busy /'bizi/ noun, slang. E20. [from the adjective.]

A detective; a police officer, [Old English bistg = Middle Low German. Middle Dutch besich (Dutch bezig), of unkn. origin.]

1 Occupied, actively engaged or employed, with atten¬ tion concentrated. (Foil, by in, with, at, doing, (arch.) about.) ot. Fb Ofa telephone line: engaged. L19. 2 Constantly active or in motion; unresting; habitually employed, me. f3 Solicitous, careful. Only in me. 4 Fussy, meddlesome; prying; officious, importunate. LME.

f5 Of a thing: involving much work; elaborate; intri¬ cate. LME-E17. 6 Of an action, employment, etc.: requiring or carried on with energy; keenly pursued, mi6. 7 Indicating activity or business. M17. 8 Of a time or place: full of business and stir; bustling. L17.

9 Full of detail. E20. m 1 OED Don't interrupt me, I'm busy. D. H. Lawrence She was busy washing a garment in the bowl. J. B. Priestley Their fingers would be busy with the sewing machines or irons, but their minds could be far away. C. Priest The other people seemed unaware of me, busy in their own lives. 2 S. Hill Miss Cress is a busy woman, I am astonished she would waste a whole afternoon in such a way. 4 Coleridge A busy and inquisitorial tyranny. 6 Pope On every side the busy combat grows. 7 Nf W. Montagu People, with busy faces. 8 E. Hemingway The hospital was quite busy. and that kept her occupied.

ao no, e: hair, 10 near, 01 boy, us poor, a 13 tire, aus sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, a: saw. a run, o put, u: too. a ago. ai my, au how, ei day,

314

busy | butt surprised. OED Not but that I should have gone if 1 had had the chance. J. Freeman There's not a bird singing upon this bough But sings the sweeter in our English ears. Proverb: It never rains but it pours. 3a J. Healey Monkeyes. and Babiounes, were not men but beasts. M. Hamburger He must not sleep, but leans against the boards. D. Attenborough You might be excused for thinking.. that the lamprey is a true fish. But it is not. b G. Puttenham It is not only allowable, but also necessaiy. J. Wilson Fare ye well. But list! sweet youths.. beware. B. Jowett They not only tell lies but bad lies. N. Coward Had she my talent for organisation?.. No, but she hadn't your mother either. H.'Nembrov He cries a little but is brave. A. Price ‘Did you have a brilliant idea?’.. ‘Not exactly brilliant, but an idea.' c OED Excuse me! but your coat is dusty. M. Corelli ‘I believe you would do it if I asked you!'.. 'But. of course!’ D. H. Lawrence And about everything I talked to her: but everything. I. Fleming I'm goin' fix that man, but good.

Phrases & comb.: as busy as a bee: see bee noun', busy Lizzie: see Lizzie 4. busywork work that keeps a person busy but has little value in itself. ■ busyness noun the state of being busy (cf. business I) Ei9. busy/'bizi/verb. [Old English bisgian. bysgiau, from prec.] 1 verb trans. Occupy (esp. oneself, one’s hands etc.); keep busy. (Foil, by with, in, at, about, doing.) oe. 12 verb trans. Trouble; afflict; disturb. OE-L16. 3 verb intrans. Be busy; occupy oneself; take trouble. (Foil, by with, about, etc.) Now rare. lme. 4 verb trans. Occupy (time) fully, rare. E17. busybody /'bizibDdi/ noun & verb. E16. [from busy adjective + body noun.J ► A noun. 1 A meddlesome, prying person; a mischief-

maker. El 6. 2 A mirror set at the side of a building to reflect a view of the street etc. US. Li 9. ► B verb intrans. Meddle; piy; interfere; behave as a busy¬ body. M19. ■ busybodied adjective (now rare) meddlesome, prying Lis. busybodyness noun [rare] meddlesomeness, desire to interfere M17.

but /bAt/ noun. L16. [formed as next.]

1 The conjunction ‘but’; a statement beginning with ‘but’, an objection. Li 6. 2 The outer room of a two-roomed house. Cf. ben noun3. Scot. & north, eis. 1 but me no buts see but verb 2. ifs and buts uncertainties, doubtful factors, qualifications. 2 but and ben a two-roomed cottage, a small or humble home. but /bAt/ verb. Infl. -tt-. M16. [from next.] 1 verb intrans. Make a statement beginning with ‘but’: raise an objection, rare. Mi6. 2 verb trans. but me no buts. do not raise objections. El 8. but /bAt/ preposition, adverb, conjunction, & rel. pronoun. [Old English butan (heutan, buton, buta) - Old Saxon biutan, butan. Old High German biuzan (Middle High German buzen), from West Germanic, formed as by preposition S adverb + out adverb. ] ► A preposition. 1 Outside of; without, lacking. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north, oe.

2 Leaving out, barring, with the exception of. (No longer clearly distinguishable from the conjunction: see below.) oe. Lb 1 OED Gang but the house and see who is there.

► B adverb. (Not always distinguishable from the con¬ junction.) 1 Without, outside; spec, in or into the outer part of a house (orig. the kitchen of a two-roomed house, into which the only outer door opened). Cf. ben adverb. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north, oe. 2 Only, no more than. me. £3 2 F. Norris They agreed to charge but two-fifty, and they’ve got to stick to it. L. Lerner Those airs But fascinate the sight; No true delight is hers. P. Redgrove Is there but one spider in all this spacious room?

► C conjunction & neg. rel. pronoun. 1 In a simple sentence, introducing a word, phr., or (rarely) clause: without, with the exception of, except, save; if not, unless; ellipt. anything else than, other(wise) than. oe. 2 In a complex sentence, introducing a subord. clause (also (arch.) but that): >a Except that, if it were not that, short of the condition that. oe. kb If not, unless, except; rather than .. shall prove untrue; even though the pre¬ ceding were necessary, oe. >c (With neg. & interrog.) That.. not; eilipt. not to say that.. not; without; arch, that, before, than. Also (colloq.) but what lme. 3 In a compound sentence, connecting the two parts (the second of which may be greatly contracted), or introducing a separate but related sentence: ka On the contrary, oe. kb Nevertheless, yet, however; on the other hand, despite this; moreover, me. kc As an inten¬ sive, ffeq. after an exclamation, or introducing an emphatic repetition, mi9. L3 1 Shakes. Temp. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother. Steele There needed no more but to advance one step. M. Edgeworth He wants nothing but a little common sense. T. Jefferson I cannot but be gratified by the assurance. F. D. Hemans The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but he had fled. W. C. Smith You have no choice’ but many Doris now. OED Why have they come but to annoy us? Will Rogers I got all my feet through but one. R. Lowell Who but my girl-friend set the town on fire? 2a Southey I too should be content to dwell in peace . But that my country calls. H. Matthews Nothing would please him but I must tiy on his mitres, b Defoe I'd bum the house down but I'd find it. C. M. Yonge Ten to one but the police have got them, c Robert Burton How is it possible but that we should be discontent? Henry Fielding No sooner

acquainted my brother, but he immediately wanted to propose it. A. Trollope Nor am I yet so old but what I can rough it still. J. Ruskin I do not doubt but that you are

b but. d dog,

f few, g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat.

I leg, m

Phrases: anything but see anything pronoun, but and (obsolete exc. Scot.) and also, but for except for, were it not for but one. but two, etc., if one, two, etc., were excluded from the count (with ordinals etc.), but that, but what: see sense C.2 above, but then: see then adverb etc., but too — only too —.

butadiene /bju.fr'dAiim/noun. E20. [from next + di-2 + -ene.J chemistry A gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon, C4H6, of which there are two isomers; esp. the isomer CH2=CH-CH=CH, (buta-t,3-diene), used in making syn¬

thetic rubber. [from BUTYL + -ANE.] chemistry A gaseous alkane, C4H10 (of which there are two

isomers), used esp. in liquefied form as a fuel. ■ butanoic adjective = butyric M20. butanol noun each of four isomeric liquid alcohols, C4H,OH; butyl alcohol: ti9. butanone noun a liquid ketone, C2H5COCHj; methyl ethyl ketone: E20.

Butazolidin /bjufta'zblidin/ noun. Also b-. -ine. M20. [from BUTYL + PYRAZOLE + -IDINE.] pharmacology. (Proprietary name for) the drug phenylbutazone. butch /butj/ noun', colloq. (chiefly N. Amer.). E20. [Abbreviation.] A butcher; esp. = butcher noun 4. news butch: see NEWS noun.

butch /butj/ noun2 & adjective, slang. M20. [Origin uncertain: perh. from butcher noun.] ► A noun. A tough youth or man; a mannish woman; a homosexual (esp. female) of masculine behaviour or appearance. M20. ► B adjective. Toughly masculine, mannish (freq. of homo¬ sexuals). M20. butch haircut N. Amer. a crew cut. butch /butj/ verb trans. & intrans. dial. lis. [Back-form, from next,] Follow the trade of a butcher; cut up, hack, butcher/'botfa/noun. me. [Anglo-Norman var. of Old French bo(u)chier (mod. boucher), from Old French boc he-goat (mod. bouc), prob. from Celtic formed as buck noun': see-er2.]

1 A person whose trade is to slaughter animals for food, or simply (now the predominant sense) to sell the flesh of animals for food; a trader in meat. me. 2 fig. A person responsible directly or indirectly for the slaughter of people: a person who kills needlessly or wantonly; a brutal murderer, me. 3 A kind of artificial angling-fly. M19. 4 A seller of refreshments, newspapers, etc. in a train, theatre, etc. N.Amer. colloq. Li 9. 5 butcher's, butchers, = butcher's hook below, slang. M20. Phrases & comb.: butcher-bird a shrike of the family Laniidae or (Austral.) Cracticidae. butcher block N. Amer. a material used to make kitchen worktops and tables, consisting of strips of wood glued together, butcher blue a dark blue like that often used for butchers aprons, butcher-boots high boots without tops, butcher’s bill colloq. the list of casualties in a battle, butcher's broom a low evergreen shrub of the chiefly Mediterranean genus Rusais, of the lily family; esp. R aculeatus, which has stiff flat spine-tipped leaflike shoots, butcher’s hook noun & adjective (rhyming slang) (a) noun a look; (b) adjective (Austral. S NZ) [from crook adjective 3] angry, butcher's knife a meat-knife; any large strong-bladed knife, butcher-meat, butcher’s meat: exclud¬ ing poultry, fish, game, and cured meats, family butcher news butcher see news noun, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker people of all trades. ■ butcherly adjective like a butcher; brutal: Ei6. butcher/'buffo/ verb. Mi6. [from the noun.) 1 verb trans. Slaughter in the manner of a butcher; kill needlessly, wantonly, or brutally, mis. kb fig. Ruin by clumsiness or ineptitude. M17. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Cut up and divide (meat) as a butcher does; carry on the trade of a butcher. Li8. ■ butcherer noun M17. butchery /’botjori/ noun. me. [Old 8, mod. French boucherie formed as butcher noun + -Y3 ] 1 A butcher's establishment (usu. public), a slaughter¬ house, a meat-market, me. n no, p pen,

bute /bju:t/ noun, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation; cf. Butazolidin.]

The drug phenylbutazone. butea /‘bjudio/noun. L18. [mod. Latin, from John Stuart. Earl of Bute (1713-92): see -a'.]

A leguminous tree or climbing plant of the genus Butea, native to tropical Asia; esp. the dhak tree, B. monosperma. butene / bju:ti:n/noun. L19. [from butyl + -ene,]

chemistry A gaseous alkene, C4H8, of which there are

three isomers. Also called butylene. ■ butenyl noun a radical, C4H7-, derived from any of these isomers L19.

buteo /'bju:tiou/noun. PI. -os. L19. [Latin, = buzzard, hawk.)

Any of the broad-winged birds of prey belonging to the genus Buteo. typified by the Eurasian common buzzard and the American red-tailed hawk, buteonine /bju'tiianAin/adjective. Mi9. [from Latin buteo(n-) hawk, buzzard + -ine': see buzzard noun'.]

Of the nature of or resembling a buzzard. Buteyko/bufteikou/noun. L20.

butane /’bju:tein/ noun. L19.

man,

2 The trade of a butcher. Now usu. attrib. lme. 3 Cruel or wanton slaughter, carnage. Mi6.

r red,

s sit,

t top. v van, w we, z zoo,

[Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko (1923-), Russian physiologist, who devised the method.]

Used attrib. to designate a method of breathing which aims to control hyperventilation, increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the lungs, and appears in some cases to alleviate the symptoms of asthma, as Buteyko method. tbutine noun var. of butyne. butler /'bAtb/ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman buteler. Old & mod. French from bouteille bottle noun': see -er2.]

bouteiilier cup-bearer,

► A noun. 1 A servant who has charge of a household’s or other establishment’s wine cellar and plate etc.; a princi¬ pal manservant, me. 2 Hist. An officer of high rank (nominally) in charge of wine for the royal table, me. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Act as a butler (to); deal with as a butler, mi8. ■ butlerage noun (o) Hist, a duty on imported wine payable to the king’s butler; (b) the office of butler, a butler’s department: ti5. butleress noun (rare) a female butler E17. butlership noun the office of butler Mi6. buttery noun a butler's room or pantry; a buttery: me.

butment/ bAtm(3)nt/noun. E17. [from butt verb2 + -ment.]

An abutment: an abutting piece of ground etc. butobarbitone /bju:t3u'ba:bit3un/ noun. M20. [from but(yl + -o- + barbit(uric + -one.]

pharmacology. A sedative and hypnotic drug, 5-butyl-5-

ethylbarbituric acid, C^H^N.I^,. 9 A proprietary name for this drug is Soneryl.

butoxide/bju:'tDksAid/noun. M20. [from butyl + OXIDE.] chemistry

A compound of the radical C4H90 ■.

butsecarl noun var. of buscarl. Butskellism /'bAtskahzjojm/ noun. M20. [Blend of R. A. Butler (Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer ■W-S) and H. T. N. Gaitskell (Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer 1950-1 and subsequently Shadow Chancellor) + -ism.]

politics. The adoption of economic policies broadly acceptable to both main British political parties. ■ Butskellite adjective & noun (an adherent) of Butskellism M20.

butt /bAt/ noun'. Long dial. me. [Middle Low German but. Middle Dutch but(te), bot(te), prob. rel. to Low German but. Middle Dutch bot stumpy: cf. butt noun4.]

A flatfish, esp. a sole, plaice, or turbot. Cf, halibut. butt /bAt/ noun2. me. [Old & mod. French but, of unkn. origin: perh. infl. by French butte rising ground, knoll, (also) target (cf. butt noun'").]

1 A mound upon which a target is set up for archery or shooting practice; a target; in pi., a range for target prac¬ tice. me. kb The length of a shooting-range. Now rare or obsolete, mi6. icA concealed stand for grouse-shooting, screened by a low wall of turf or stone. L19. 2 A terminal point, a boundary mark. Now dial. & N. Amer. LME. 3 A thing towards which one’s efforts are directed; an end, an aim, a goal. Li6. 4 An object of (or of) teasing, ridicule, abuse, etc. Ei7. B, 3 Shakes. Hen. VTo which is fixed as an aim or butt Obedience. 4 P. Mortimer Poor man, the butt of everyone's anger. K. M. E. Murray He was the butt of the bigger boys because of his inability to pronounce ‘ch’. P. F. Boller As Truman s popularity,. dropped.. he became the butt of bad jokes and nasty quips.

J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this.

9

ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

315

butt | button noun3, lme. [Anglo-Norman but, Old French hot, bout (mod. botte), from late Latin buttis. In Anglo-Latin butta, bota.]

butt /bAt/

A cask or barrel, esp. for wine or ale; this as a former measure of capacity, usu. equal to two hogsheads. EQ Sir T. More Hastely drouned in a Butte of Malmesey. j. Masefield Only the water.. gurgled through the rain-pipe to the butt. SCUTTLEBUTT. SCUTTLED butt noun4, lme. [App. rel. to Middle & mod. Dutch bot stumpy (cf. butt noun1) and to base of buttock (cf. butt noun5).]

butt /bAt/

1 The thicker end of anything, esp. of a tool or weapon, or of the handle of a gun, fishing-rod, etc. lm e. 2 The end of a plank (in a ship’s side) which meets a similar plank end-on. lme. 3 The buttocks, dial. & N. Amer. lme. 4 (Leather made from) the thicker or hinder end of a hide. Mi6.

5 The trunk of a tree. esp. the part just above the ground. ei 7. ib The foot of a branch or leaf-stalk. Li7. 6 The stub of a cigarette or cigar. Mi 9. Comb.: butt-end a butt (chiefly senses 2 and 6 above); butthead = sense 2 above butt joint, butt weld: in which pieces are joined end-to-end: butt naked adjective {colloq.) completely naked. butt /bAt/ noun5, lme.

[Prob. from base of buttock; rel. to Low German butt. Middle Dutch botte. Middle High German butze. Old Norse butr. Old English bytt small piece of land. Perh. already in Old English (cf. Anglo-Latin butta, buttes).]

A ridge of ploughed land, esp. a short one at the edge of a field; sing. & (usu.) in pi, a small piece of land. noun6, lme. [French botte from Middle Low German bote: cf. bottle noun2.] A bundle (of cloth etc.); dial, a hassock.

butt /bAt/

noun7, dial. Mi6. [Origin unkn.]

butt /bAt/

A basket used for catching fish. butt /bAt/ noun8. Li6.

[Perh. from butt verb1.]

A promontory, a headland, obsolete exc. in proper names, as Butt of Lewis. noun9, mi7. [from BUTTver6’.]

butt /bAt/

A push or thrust with the head or horns. full butt with violent collision, head-on, full tilt. noun30, obsolete exc. dial. L17. [Old & mod. French butte.]

butt /bAt/

A hillock, a mound. verb3, me. [Anglo-Norman buter. Old French bo[u)ter from Germanic (repr. by Middle Dutch batten strike, sprout).] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Strike, thrust, shove, usu. with the

butt /bAt/

head or horns; thrust (the head) forward thus; drive or push thus. ME. 2 verb intrans. Project, jut (out), lme. Cl 1 J. Doran A couple of rams butting at each other. J. B. Morton The ridiculous speed with which big boats butt through the waves. A. Higgins A heifer was butting its skull against the bars of a gate. P. Roth With a sharp upward snap of the skull, she butted me on the underside of the jaw. P. Theroux Most people merely put their heads down and butted their way into the next car. butt in intrude: intervene, meddle, butt out slang stop intruding, intervening, or meddling. 2 T. Coryat A little square gallery butting out from the Tower. /bat/ verb2, me. [Partly from butt noun2; partly aphet. from abut.] 1 verb intrans. & trans. (Cause to) touch with an end, abut, or adjoin; spec, lie or place with one end flat against, on,

butt

etc., meet or join end to end. me. 2 verb trans. Fix or mark (out) the limits of lengthwise; terminate, limit, bound. Usu. in pass. Now rare or obsolete. E16. butte /bju.ty

noun, mi9. [French: see butt noun-.] physical geography &N. Amer. An isolated hill with steep sides

and a flat top, similar to but narrower than a mesa. noun'. [Old English butere, corresp. to Old Frisian, Old High German butera (Dutch boter, German Butter), from West Germanic from Latin butyrum from Greek bouturon.]

butter/'bAta/

1 The fatty substance obtained from cream by churn¬ ing, used to spread on bread etc., and in cookery, oe. ►b fig. Unctuous flattery, colloq. Ei9. 2 transf. Any substance resembling butter in appear¬ ance or consistency, lme. ►b chemistry. The anhydrous chloride of antimony, arsenic, etc. arch, mi 7. 1 black butter: see black adjective, brandy butter, rum butter, etc., a hard sauce containing brandy, rum, etc., and butter, bread and butter, see bread noun', look as if butter would not melt in one’s mouth seem demure, melted butter (a) butter that has been melted; (b) a sauce of butter, flour, etc. 2 butter of almonds a preparation of cream, whites of eggs, and blanched

almonds, cocoa butter: see cocoa noun', peanut butter, shea butter vegetable butter any edible fatty substance similar to butter, obtained from plants. Comb, butter-and-egg man US slang a wealthy but unsophisti¬ cated man who spends money freely: butter-and-eggs a plant whose flower has two shades ofyellow, esp. toadflax; butterball (a) a piece of butter moulded into a ball; (b) N. Amer. [because very fat in autumn] = bufflehead (b) s.v. buffle; butter-bean (o) a variety of French bean with yellow pods; (b) a dried white Lima bean; butter-box (a) a box for holding butter; a vessel or vehicle resembling this; (b) derog. a Dutchman; a Dutch ship; (c) US = butterball (b) above, butterbur a streamside plant of the com¬ posite family, Petasites hybridus, bearing spikes of pale purple flowers and with large soft leaves formerly used for wrapping butter; also (with specifying word), any of several related plants; butter-bush Austral, a small tree, Pittospomm phylliraeoides, of which the wood is used for turnery and the leaves for fodder; butter cloth a thin loosely woven cloth with a fine mesh, orig. used primarily as a wrapping for butter; butter-cooler a vessel for keeping butter cool when on the table; butter-cream a mixture of butter, sugar, etc., as a filling or a topping for a cake; butterfat the essential fats of pure butter; butter-fingered adjective apt to let things fall or slip; butter-fingers a butterfingered person; esp. one who fails to hold a catch; butterfish any of various slippery mucus-coated fishes, esp. the gunnel, or (A/. Amer) an edible marine fish of the family Stromateidae; butterknife a blunt knife for cutting butter at table; buttermilk the acidulous milk which remains after the butter has been churned out; butter muslin = butter cloth above; butter-nut (a) any of certain trees or bushes yielding oily nuts; esp. the N. American white walnut Juglans cinerea; also, its timber or fruit; (b) N. Amer a brownish-grey colour; butter-nut squash, a popular winter squash of a pear-shaped variety with light yellowish-brown rind and orange flesh; butter-pat (a) a pat of butter; (b) a wooden implement for working butter into shape; butter-print a stamp for marking butter-pats; an impression from this; butterscotch a kind of toffee made chiefly with butter and sugar; butter-tree an African or Indian tree yielding vegetable butter, esp. the shea; tbutter-weight 18 or more ounces to the pound; good measure; butterwort any of various insectivorous plants of peat bogs, of the genus Pinguicula of the bladderwort family, with purple flowers and yellowish-green greasy leaves. ■ butterless adjective mi9.

tbutter noun2. lis-ei7. [Old & mod. French boutoir, from bo(u)ter butt verb1.] = BUTTERIS.

verb1

[from butter noun1.]

1 Spread with butter; cook or dish up with butter, lme. 2 fig. Flatter lavishly. Now usu. foil, by up. Ei8. £0 1 Proverb: Fine words butter no parsnips, have one’s bread buttered on both sides, want one’s bread buttered on both sides, know which side one’s bread is buttered: see bread noun1. 2 M. Mitchell Buttering them up with smiles and kind words was the surest way to get their business for her mill.

butter-bump /'bAtabAmp/ noun. dial. Li7. + bump

verb2.]

The bittern. buttercup /'bAtakAp/ noun. In sense 2 orig. |-cups. Ei6. [from butter noun' + cup noun.] 11 A cup for holding butter, e-m16.

2 Any of various plants of the genus Ranunculus (family Ranunculaceae), bearing bright yellow cup-shaped flowers; a flowering stem of such a plant. Li 8. 2 creeping buttercup, meadow buttercup, turban buttercup. etc. Phrases: Bermuda buttercup: see Bermuda 3. ■ buttercupped. buttercuppy adjectives having many butter¬ cups, covered with buttercups L19.

butterfly /'bAtafUi/ noun. oe. [from butter

noun1

+ fly

buttery /’bAtfajri/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman boterie, perh. from but butt noun3 or rel. to Old French botelerie butlery: see -ery.]

A place where provisions (orig. liquor) are kept and sup¬ plied. esp. one in a college or other establishment. Comb.: buttery-bar a board or ledge on a buttery-hatch, on which to rest tankards etc.: buttery-book: in which are kept college members’ accounts with the buttery; buttery-hatch a half-door over which provisions from a buttery are served.

buttery bAt(a)ri/ adjective, lme. [from butter noun’ + -Y’.]

1 Of the nature of or containing butter; smeared with butter, lme. 2 Like butter in consistency, lme. ■ butteriness noun E16.

[from butt in (see butt verb') + -sky final elem. in many Slavonic names.]

butter /'bAta/ verb trans. lme.

noun1

[Unexpl. alt. of butter noun2.]

A farrier’s tool for paring a horse’s hoof.

buttinsky /bA’tmski/ noun, slang (orig. US). E20.

+ -er1.]

An animal that butts.

[from var. of bittern

butteris /’bAt(a)ns/noun. Lie.

buttie noun var. of butty noun3.

butter /'bAto/ noun3. Ei7. [from butt

expanded wings of a butterfly; butterfly bush a buddleia, esp. the species Buddleja davidii: butterfly cake a small sponge cake with the top cut off and divided into two pieces, which are then fixed to the cake with buttercream at an angle to resemble a butterfly's wings, butterfly effect [expressed as ‘Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?' (title of a paper by Edward N. Lorenz, 1979)] (with ref. to chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can eventually lead to a large effect elsewhere; butterfly-fish any of various fishes suggesting a butterfly in shape or coloration, esp. (a) = butterfly blenny above; (b) = chaetodon; butterfly flower (a) a papilionaceous flower; (b) = schizanthus: butterfly kissaflutteringofthe eyelashes against the cheek; butterfly knife a long, broad knife used in pairs in some forms of kung fu; butterfly net: for catching butterflies; butterfly nose a dog's nose when spotted or mottled; butterfly nut a wing-nut: butterfly orchid any of various orchids with flowers resembling a butterfly in shape; esp. either of two widely distributed European orchids, Platanthera chlorantha and P. bifolia. with whitish or greenish-white flowers; butterfly pea a S. American leguminous plant (esp. of the genus Clitoria), with papilionaceous flowers; butterfly stroke see sense 4 above; butterfly valve a valve with hinged semicircular plates; butterfly weed N. Amer. a milkweed, esp. the orange-flowered Asclepias tuberosa.

noun’,

perh. with ref. to the yellow or

creamy-white colour of familiar species such as the brimstone.]

1 Any of a large group of insects which together with moths constitute the order Lepidoptera and are distin¬ guished from moths (in most instances) by diurnal activ¬ ity, clubbed or dilated antennae, thin bodies, the usu. erect position of the wings when at rest, and brighter colouring, oe. 2 fig. a A showy or frivolous person. L16. ib A person whose period of work or occupation of a place is transi¬ tory or seasonal. L19. 3 Usu. in pi. Fluttering sensations felt before any for¬ midable venture. Esp. in butterflies in the stomach etc. E20.

4 In full butterfly stroke. A swimming stroke in which both arms are lifted out of the water at the same time. M20. CO 1 break a butterfly on a wheel use unnecessary force in destroying something fragile, brimstone butterfly, comma butterfly, monarch butterfly, peacock butterfly, tortoiseshell butterfly, etc 2a social butterfly: see social adjective. 3 Sunday Times I always have butterflies when I open Parliament Comb.: butterfly blenny a blenny, Bleroiius oceilaris. having a broad, ocellated dorsal fin; butterfly bow a bow made up or tied with the loop and end on each side spread apart like the

A person who (habitually) butts in; an intruder, a meddler. buttle /'bAt(a)l/ ver6 trans. & intrans. joc. M19. [Back-form, from butler.)

Serve out (drink); do a butler’s work. buttock /‘bAtak/ noun & verb. [Old English buttuc: see butt noun5, -ock.]

► Anoun. fl = butt noun5 Only in oe. 2 Either of the two fleshy protuberances on the lower rear part of the human body; a corresponding part of an animal. Usu. in pi. me. 3 nautical The breadth of a ship where the hull rounds down to the stern. Ei7. 4 wrestling. A throw using the buttocks or hip. L17. 5 mining. A break in the line of a coalface, from which coal is being broken out. Li 9. ffl 2 T. Hardy Sheep .. stood with their buttocks to the winds. M. Bradbury Plastic chairs, their seats moulded to the shape of some average universal buttock.

► B verb trans. fl Overtake (a horse) in a race. Only in E17. 2 wrestling. Throw by a manoeuvre using the buttocks or hip. Li 9. ■ buttocked adjective having buttocks (of a specified kind) LME.

button /'bAt(a)n/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French bouton from Proto-Romance from Germanic (rel. to butt verb').] 1 A small knob, stud, or disc attached to any object; esp.

one sewn to a garment to fasten it by passing through an opening (a buttonhole), or for ornament, or attached as a badge, me. ib A button as a type of anything of little value, me. ic In pi. (treated as sing.). (A name for) a boy servant in livery, a page, colloq. mi9. 2 A bud, or other similarly shaped part of a plant; esp. = button mushroom below, me. >b In names of plants: having button-like flowers, seed-vessels, etc. Usu. in pi. Mi6. 3 A small rounded lesion, esp. of leishmaniasis. L16.

4 Any small rounded body, as a knob fixed on the point of a fencing foil (to make it harmless), a globule of metal remaining in a crucible after fusion, etc. E17. ib The point of the chin. US slang. E20. 5 A knob etc. which is pressed or turned to fasten a door, operate a mechanism, complete an electric circuit, etc. E17. DIF. Raphael His privilege was to wear the top two buttons of his jacket undone b | Clavell Cheap they hardly cost a button a week. 5 A. MacLean Schaffer pressed the 'start' button and a generator whined into life.

au no. s; hair, la near. 01 boy, oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o: saw. a run. u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how. ei day,

316

button | buzz Phrases- a button short colloq. of low intelligence, not very bachelor's button(s) see bachelor, be dollars to buttons see dollar, belly button see belly noun, olive button see olive noun1 & adjective, on the button (chiefly N. Amer.) on the

bright

point of the chin; exactly on the target; precise(ly), on the dot. pink button see pink adjective2, press the button fig. initiate an action or train of events, esp. nuclear war. take by the button = BUTTONHOLE

Verb 2.

Comb, buttonball = button wood (a) below; button-boy a page; button-bush N. Amer. a shrub of the madder family, Cephalanthus occidentalis. with globular flower-heads; button chrysanthemum US a variety of chrysanthemum with many small round flower-heads; button day Austral, a day on which money is raised for a cause by the sale of badges which are worn as evidence of support; button ear a dog's ear which laps over and hides the inside; button-grass Austral, any of various sedges and grasses with rounded or compact inflorescences; f buttonhold verb trans. [back-form, from button-holder] = buttonhole verb 2; button-holder f(o) a person who buttonholes another; (b) a case for holding buttons; buttonhook (a) a hook for drawing small buttons into place; (b) amer. wotbau a type of pass for the receiver running straight downfield and then doubling back a few steps to receive it; button-mould a disc of wood etc. to be covered with cloth to form a button; button mushroom a young unopened mushroom; button-nosed adjective having a small roundish nose; button-quail a bird of the family Tumicidae, resembling a quail but related to the crakes and rails; button spider a highly venomous African spider of the genus Latrodectus, a close relative of the American black widow; button-stick an appliance used to protect tire cloth around a button during polishing; button-tree a tropical tree or shrub of the genus Conocarpus, found in mangrove swamps; buttonwood (a) the N. American plane, Platanus occidentalis', (b) its timber; (c) = button-tree above. ■ buttonless adjective Mi7. button-like adjective resembling a button, small and round Mi9. buttony adjective Li6. button /'bAt(a)n/ verb. lime. [from the noun.]

► I Corresp. to button noun 1. 1 verb trans. Provide or adorn with a button or buttons. LIME.

2 verb trans. Fasten or secure with buttons; fasten the clothing of (a person, esp, oneself) with buttons. Freq. foil, by up. lime. >b verb trans. fig. Close (up) tightly, fasten, confine. Li6. >c verb intrans. Fasten one’s buttons up. mi9. 3 verb intrans. Of a garment: be (able to be) fastened (up) with buttons. Li8.

► II Corresp. to button noun 2. 4 verb intrans. Of (a part of) a plant: bud; assume a globu¬ lar shape, lime. Comb, button-down adjective (orig. US) (of a collar) having the points buttoned to the shirt; button-through adjective (of a dress etc.) fastening by buttons over its whole length; buttonup adjective that buttons up. *1 Earlier in unbutton. ■ buttoning noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) (now rare) a button fastening, a button: L16.

buttoned /'bAt(a)nd/adjective. imi6. [from button noun, verb: see -ed:!, -ed'.] 1 Having buttons (of specified kind or number); adorned with buttons. Mi6. 2 Fastened with buttons; with one’s clothes fastened with buttons. Ei9. 2 buttoned up fig. (a) (of a person) reserved, uncommunica¬ tive; (b) slang (of a plan etc.) successfully arranged. buttonhole /'bAt(3)nhaul/ noun & verb. imi6. [from button noun + hole noun1. In sense B.2 app. alt. of buttonhold s.v. button noun.] ► A noun. 1 An opening made in a garment in order to receive a button for fastening; a similar opening made for ornamentation in the lapel of a coat etc. Mi6. 2 transf. A slit or other opening resembling a button¬ hole. LI 6. 3 A flower or bouquet worn in a lapel buttonhole. Li9. 1 take a buttonhole lower take down a buttonhole humiliate. Comb, buttonhole stitch a looped stitch used for edging but¬ tonholes.

► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Sew buttonholes. El 9. tb verb trans. Make buttonhole openings in; sew with buttonhole stitch. E20. 2 verb trans. Take hold of (as) by a coat or waistcoat button; detain (a listener) willy-nilly. M19. IfO 2 ]. Galsworthy It was his salutary custom to button¬ hole a director afterwards, and ask him whether he thought the coming year would be good or bad. ■ buttonholer noun (a) a person who makes buttonholes; (b) an appliance for making buttonholes; (c) a person who buttonholes another: Li 9.

buttress /'bAtns/ noun & verb. me. [Old French (urs) bo(u)terez thrusting arch, from bo(u)ter butt verb1.]

► A noun. 1 A structure of wood, stone, or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it. me. 2 loosely. A prop, a pier, an abutment, lme. f few, g get, h he. j yes,

k cat,

I leg,

£Q 1 H. Adams At this corner the architect had to provide a heavy buttress against a double strain, fig.: T. Fuller His title ., had strong buttresses, flying buttress see flyinc ppl adjective. 2 W. H. Prescott An aqueduct.. carried .. on huge buttresses of masonry. 3 P. Matthiessen A series of ridges that terminate in buttresses.. where the mountain falls away into Black River. Comb.: buttress-root a tree-root whose upper parts project from the trunk like a buttress.

► B verb trans. Provide, sustain, or strengthen with a but¬ tress (freq. fig.). Occas. foil, by up. lme. £□ E. Linklater Their tenuous blood-relationship was but¬ tressed firmly by friendship. L. van der Post Traps.. woven out of reeds and buttressed with young karee wood.

butty/'bAti/noun1. dial. Lis. [Prob. from play booty.] 1 A confederate; a mate. Li8. 2 mining. A middleman who contracts to raise coal or ore. obsolete exc. Hist, mi9. 3 In full butty-boat. A second barge or freight-boat in tow by a first. E20. Comb. : butty-gang a gang of men jointly undertaking a large job and sharing the profits equally.

butty /'bati/ noun2. Also buttie. north. Mi9. [from butter noun' + -Y6.] A slice of bread and butter; a sandwich. CO I. Rankin The canteen did a fine bacon buttie.

butut/'bu:tu:t/noun. PI. -s, same. L20. [W. African.] A monetary unit of (The) Gambia, equal to onehundredth of a dalasi. butyl /'bju:tAil, -til/ noun. M19. [from butyric + -yl.] chemistry. 1 A radical, C„H9-, derived from a butane. Usu. in comb. Also called tetryl. mi9. 2 In full butyl rubber. Synthetic rubber made by poly¬ merizing isobutylene (2-methylpropene). M20. a butylate verb trans. introduce a butyl substituent into (a com¬ pound) M20. butylene noun = butene nii9. butyne/'bju:tAin/noun. Orig. f-ine. Li9. [from prec. + -yne.) chemistry. A gaseous alkyne, C„H6, of which there are two isomers,

Q) 2 R. L. Stevenson I buttoned myself into my coat, b Carlyle Thoughts—which he must button dose up. button one’s lip. button one’s face slang be silent, stop talking.

b but. d dog,

3 A similarly projecting portion of a hill or mountain. LI 7.

m

butyraceous /bju:ti'reijas/ adjective. Mi7. [formed as next + -aceous.] 1 Of the nature of butter; buttery. M17. 2 Producing or containing butter, mi 9. butyrate /'bju:tireit/ noun. M19. [from next +-ate1.] chemistry. A salt or ester of butyric acid. butyric /bju:'tink/ adjective. E19. [from Latin butyrum butter noun1 + -ic.] Of or pertaining to butter (rare in gen. sense); butyric acid (chemistry), a syrupy fatty acid, C3H7COOH, present in rancid butter (also called butanoic acid) butyrometer/bjuiti'rDmita/ noun. Li9. [formed as prec, + -ometer.] A reffactometer used for measuring the amount of butter-fat in milk, butyrophenone/.bjuftiraufi'naun, -'fenaun/ noun. E20. [formed as butyric + -phenone.] chemistry & pharmacology. A liquid ketone, C6H5CO(CH2)2CH3, n-propyl phenyl ketone. Also, any of a class of piperidine derivatives of this used as antipsychotic drugs, butyrous /'bju:tiras/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. Mi7. [formed as butyric + -ous.] = BUTYRACEOUS.

CQ 2 Milton Wing silently the buxom air, 3R. Heber Freedom's buxom blast. 4 Conan Doyle An elderly, motherly woman of the buxom landlady type. Economist Her jolly, kindly personality and her buxom charm.

■ buxomness noun me. w we,

buy /bai/ verb. Pa. t. bought /ba:t/; pa. pple bought, (dial.) boughten /'bo:t(a)n/. [Old English bycgan = Old Saxon buggian, Old Norse byggja let out, lend, Gothic bugjan, from Germanic.]

► I verb trans. 1 Get possession of by giving an equivalent, usu. in money; obtain by paying a price; purchase. Also with indirect obj., obtain for (oneself, another) thus. oe. ►b Of things: be an equivalent price for; be the means of procuring, be the payment for, Li6. 2 fig. Obtain in exchange for something else, or by making some sacrifice; arch, redeem, ransom, me. f 3 = ABY verb 2. ME-E17. 4 Win over, hire, engage. Usu, in a bad sense: win the favour of by money, influence, etc., bribe. Mi7. 5 Suffer (some mishap); esp. (with it) be wounded, killed, or destroyed, slang. Ei9. 6 Believe; accept; approve, slang. E20. G3 1 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV He’s gone into Smithfield to buy your worship a horse. J. Steinbeck Water grew scarce, water was to be bought, five cents, ten cents, fifteen cents a gallon, be bought and sold fig. (arch.) be betrayed for a bribe, bought deal: in which a securities firm buys a complete issue of shares and then resells them at a prearranged price, buy a pig in a poke see pic noun1, buy a pup: see pup noun, buy gapeseed. buy money slang bet heavily on a favourite at short odds, buy the rabbit: see rabbit noun. 2 Milton Oh dearly bought revenge, yet glorious! Times The preservation of Jordan last month has bought time. I. Watts God the Son .. who bought us with his blood. C. V. Wedgwood He had been expected .. to buy his life by incriminating the King. 3 G. Chapman Not long.. Before thou buy this curious skill with tears. 4 Dryden Nor is [he] with Pray’rs, or Bribes, or Flatt'ry bought. 5 R. Lehmann The whole street.. had bought it in the blitz. 61. Wallace Part of a conspiracy to overthrow the government—I don't think anyone will buy that.

► II verb intrans. 7 Make a purchase or purchases, oe. £9 7 R. P. Jhabvala People are buying from the hawkers. bring-and-buy sale, bring-and-buy stall: see bring verb l. buy into purchase a commission in; obtain a share in by payment; subscribe to (an idea, proposal, etc.). With adverbs in specialized senses: buy in (a) verb phr. trans. & intrans. collect a stock of (commodities) by purchase; (b) verb phr. trans. buy back for the owner, e.g. at an auction when the bids are too low; (c) verb phr. trans. & intrans. obtain (entry, a share, etc.) by pur¬ chase; purchase (a commission etc.), buy off pay to get rid of; induce (a person) to forgo a claim, opposition, etc., by a payment of money, buy out (a) pay (a person) to give up property, a share, a post, etc.; (b) obtain release for (oneself) by payment; (c) get rid of (liability) by payment; f(d) ransom, redeem, buy over win over by a payment, bribe, buy up purchase (a stock or the whole of any commodity) with a view to controlling the supply; buy as much as possible of; absorb (a firm etc.) by purchase. Comb.: buy-back buying a thing after having sold it; buy-in (a) us stock exchange a procedure whereby a broker buys replace¬ ment stock for stock not received as contracted, losses being chargeable to the party failing to deliver; (b) a buying back of a company's own shares; buyout the purchase of the controlling share in a company. ■ buyable adjective Lis.

buyer/'bAia/ noun. me. [from prec. + -er1.]

1 A person who buys. me. 2 spec. An agent who selects and buys stock for a large shop etc. li 9. 1 buyer's market, buyers’ market conditions in which goods are plentiful and cheap. EiRsr-time buyer, special buyer: see special adjective.

[from buzz verb1.]

buxom /'bAksam/ adjective, me. [from stem of Old English (ge)bugan bend, bow verb1 + -some1.] |1 Compliant (to); meek; gracious, obliging, kindly; easily moved, prone (to do). me-mi9. t2 Physically pliable, flexible, unresisting. li6- li7. 3 Blithe, bright, lively, gay. arch. Li6. 4 Chiefly of a woman: full of health, vigour, and good temper; plump and comely. L16.

t top, v van,

best buy: that giving the best value for money, good buy a favourable bargain, a thing cheaply bought.

buzz /bAz/ noun'. Also tbuz. Ei7.

buxarry /'bAksari/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. mis. [Hindi baksan person from Baksar (Buxar), a town in Bihar, India.] In the Indian subcontinent: a soldier with a match¬ lock.

r red, s sit,

[from the verb.]

A purchase; a thing bought or considered for buying,

tbuz noun, verb vars. of buzz noun1, verb\

buvette /bju: 'vet, foreign byvet (pi. same)/ noun. M18. [French.] A tavern; a small inn; a refreshment bar or room.

man. n no, p pen,

buy /bAi/ noun. Orig. US. L19.

z zoo,

1 A sibilant hum, as that of bees, flies, and other insects, Ei7. >b The buzzing sound made by a tele¬ phone, electric bell, etc.; slang a telephone call. E20. 2 A confused sound made by many people talking or busily occupied; a stir, a ferment; general movement. E17. 13 A groundless fancy; a whim, e-miz. 4 A busy rumour, news. L18. 5 A feeling of excitement or euphoria, esp. one induced by narcotic drugs, slang. M20. £Q 2 Addison I found the whole.. Room in a Buz of Politicks. C. Mackenzie There was a buzz of agreement. Comb.: buzz-bomb colloq. a flying bomb esp. in the war of 1939-45; buzz cut a very short haircut in which the hair is clipped dose to the head with a razor; buzz-saw (orig. US) a cir¬ cular saw; buzz-word a catchword, a slogan, a pretentious word of little exact meaning. ■ buzzy adjective' (a) making a buzz; full of buzzing: (b) colloq. lively and exciting: L19. j she,

3 vision,

9 thin,

6 this,

r) ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

317

buzz | bye-byes buzz /bAz/ noun2. Ei7.

by noun2, adjective vars. of bye noun, adjective.

[Perh. imit.: cf. fuzz noun1.]

1 A bur. E17. 2 A chafer or similar beetle used as bait; an imitation of this. M18. Comb.: buzzwig [perh. rel. to busby] a large bushy wig; a person wearing such a wig, a bigwig. ■ buzzy adjective2 hairy, fuzzy mi9.

buzz fbAz/ verb1. Also jbuz (infl. -zz-). lme. [Imit.] 1 verb intrans. Make a humming sibilant sound like that of bees etc.; fly in, out, etc., with such a sound, lme. >b fig. Flutter or hover (about, over, etc.) like a buzzing insect; move about busily, m 17. >c Go (quickly). Chiefly in buzz off. slang. E20. 2 verb intrans. a Mutter; murmur busily. Usu. derog. arch. Mi6. >b Make the hum produced by many people talking; be filled with (orwith) activity. Mi9. 3 verb trans. Tell in a low murmur; whisper busily, arch. L16.

4 verb trans. Spread as a rumour with whispering or busy talk. Ei7. 5 verb trans. Assail by buzzing. Now spec, fly an aircraft fast and close to (another etc.). Li7. 6 verb trans. Utter with, or express by, buzzing, mi8. 7 verb trans. Cause to make a buzz. E19. 8 verb trans. Throw swiftly or forcibly, colloq. Li 9. 9 verb trans. Signal or telephone by a buzzer; telephone. E20. U 1b Swift Boys and wenches buzzing about the cakeshops like flies. 2b Q, Bell Cambridge was.. a place buzzing with ideas. 3 F. W. Farrar Buzzing their envenomed slanders into the ears of these country people. 4 Geo. Eliot Stories.. beginning to be buzzed about. 6 Thackeray The professional gentlemen hummed and buzzed a sincere applause.

buzz /baz/ verb2 trans.

colloq. Li 8.

[Origin unkn.] Finish to the last drop in the bottle.

tbuzz interjection.

Ei7.

[Origin unkn.] 1 Expr. impatience. Only in E17. 2 (Used by conjurors and jugglers.) Expr. command. M17-M19.

buzzard /'bAzsd/noun1.

lme.

[Old French busard, buson from Latin buteo(n-) falcon: see -ard.] 1 A bird of prey of the genus Buteo (family Accipitridae), with broad wings and rounded tail; esp. one of the common Eurasian species Buteo buteo. Also used (esp. formerly) in names of other raptors regarded as unsuitable for falconry, lme. >b A New World vulture, a condor; esp. (also turkey buzzard) the turkey vulture. N. Amer. E19.

2 An ignorant or stupid person. Now usu. with weak¬ ened sense, fellow, chap, (esp. in old buzzard), colloq. LME. 1 between hawk and buzzard arch, between good and bad of the same kind, honey buzzard see honey noun, rough-legged buzzard see rough adjective.

buzzard /’bAzad/ noun2, dial.

Mi7.

[from buzz verb' + -ard.]

A moth, cockchafer, or other insect flying at night.

buzzer/'bAza/noun.

Ei7.

[from buzz verb1 + -er’.]

1 An insect that buzzes. E17.

f2 A person who whispers tales,

rare (Shakes.). Only in

E17.

3 An apparatus for making a buzzing noise as a signal; a whistle, a hooter; an electric bell. L19.

BVI

abbreviation.

British Virgin Islands.

BVM abbreviation. Blessed Virgin Mary.

B|W abbreviation. Black and white (television etc.).

bwana /'bwa:na/ noun.

Li9.

[Kiswahili.] In Africa: master, sir. Freq. (formerly) as a term of respectful address.

BWI abbreviation. Hist British West Indies.

BWR abbreviation. Boiling-water (nuclear) reactor.

by !b\i/ noun2. PI. bys. oe. [Old Norse beer, byr (Swedish. Danish by), from bua dwell: a common elem. in place-names, as Grimsby.] Hist. A place of habitation, village, or town (of orig. Scan¬ dinavian settlement); gen. a place whose name ends in -by.

1 Near, close at hand, in another’s presence or vicinity. ME. 2 Aside, out of the way; out of use or consideration: in reserve, lme. 3 Past a certain point or time, beyond, lme. 14 In addition, besides, also. lme-ei9. 5 Over, finished, past; done for, dead. Scot. & north. Li 8.

by /Tdai, unstressed preposition bi/ preposition & adverb. [Old English bi, unstressed bi, be = Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Old High German bi, bi (Dutch bij, German bei), Gothic bi, from Germanic, prob. identical with the 2nd syll. of Greek amphi-, Latin ambi-. Old English ymb(e)- around.] ► A preposition. 1 Of position in space, ►a At the side or edge of; near, close to, beside; in the company of; about the person or in the possession of. oe. ►b In the region or general direction of, towards; slightly inclining to. oe. ►c In the domain of, (vaguely) on, in. Chiefly in by land. etc. (passing into sense 5). me. >d In addition to, beside. Scot. & north, me. Beyond; against, in spite of. obsolete exc. Scot. LME.

£□ 1 P. Massinger My brother being not by now to protect her. D. Ignatow To forgo love .. is to set bread upon the table and a knife discreetly by. 2 Goldsmith Vile things that nature designed should be thrown by into her lumber room. W. Windham Laying something by for a rainy day. 3 Jonson They marched by in pairs. Disraeli The days are gone by for senates to have their beards plucked in the forum. 5 R. L. Stevenson You're by with it. James More. You can never show your face again.

2 Of motion, ►a Alongside of, along; in passing along; through, via (passing into sense 5); so as to pass, past; outstripping; avoiding, oe. ►b Near to, into the pres¬ ence of. me. At, to, or within the distance of; gen. expr. the amount of excess or increase, inferiority or dimin¬ ution. ME. 3 Of time, ►a In the course of, at, in, on; during, for. Now only in by day, by night, oe. ►b On or before, not later than. me. 4 Of relationship, ►a In forms of swearing or adjur¬ ation: as surely as one believes in, in the name of; (app. orig. with some sense of touching or presence), oe. ►b With respect to, as regards, concerning. Now chiefly with ref. to actions or (colloq.) indicating agreement or acquiescence, oe. In accordance or conformity with. oe. According to (a quantity or rate), oe. ►e Indicating succession of groups, quantities, etc., of the same kind, multiplication (esp. as expressing area), or division, me. 5 Indicating agency, means, cause, attendant circum¬ stance, conditions, manner, effects, oe. ►b spec. Indicat¬ ing the partner in begetting offspring or the sire of a colt, filly, etc. oe. spec. (In accounts etc.) indicating means or amount of payment. Li 7.

Phrases: (For by adverb as an element in phrasal verbs see the verbs.) by and by by and large (a) nautical to the wind and off it; (b) on the whole, everything considered, full and by nautical close-hauled to the wind.

by - /bAi/ combining form. Also bye-, oe. [Repr. by

-by Ibil suffix, arch. [After place-names and surnames in

-by: see by noun1.]

Forming (joc. or derog.) descriptive nouns, as rudesby, sneaksby, wigsby. etc. by and by /bAi (s)nd 'bAi/ adverbial & noun phr. me. [See by

adverb, and conjunction\]

► A adverbial phr. ft One by one, successively. Only in me. |2 Continuously. ME-E17. 3 Before long; presently; soon; shortly. Ei6. |4 Therefore, as a consequence. M16-E17. f5 Directly; immediately. L16-L17. ► B noun phr. Procrastination; a delay; the (or the) future. L16.

Q la Coverdale Acts 9:43 He taried .. at Joppa by one Simon. Dickens Down by the Docks they ‘board seamen’ at the eating houses. R. Jarrell A cat sits on the pavement by the house, b J. Stallworthy Greatcoats, lined By the right, marched from their pegs, c C. Kingsley I never saw one yet, by flood or field, d Sir W. Scott Few folks ken o’ this place .. there’s just twa living by mysell. e OED That's by belief. 2a Ld Berners To goo by the stretes as vacabundes. R. Burns They gang as saucy by poor folk. As I wad by a stinking brock. E. Bowen The ducks went.. out by the window again. M. Innes The best connexion was by Leeds. H. MacDiarmld The ladder he has come up by. C. Sagan Pioneer 10 passed by Jupiter in early December, 1973. b OED Come close by me, and tell me what is the matter, c Caxton There is nother castell nor towne by xx myles nyghe aboute it. Jonson He is taller than either of you by the head. G. Green Blackpool were in the lead by two goals to one. 3a AV Acts 20:31 By the space of three yeeres, I ceased not to wame euery one. b Milton Had Judah that day joined .. They had by this pos¬ sessed the towers of Gath. D. Abse He’ll be back by now. I. Murdoch Pinn .. was usually home by five. 4a R. W. Emerson By God, it is in me, and must go forth of me. L. Uris He swore by the beard of Allah that the Jews would be thrown into the sea. b Henry Fielding I always love to speak by people as I find. Goldsmith He murdered Hiempsal.. and attempted the same by Adherbal. J. Austen He will consider it a right thing by Mrs. Grant, as well as by Fanny. N. Shute If it pleases you to think like that, it’s O.K. by me. G. Charles A musician by profession, c Ld Macaulay The right by which freeholders chose knights of the shire. C. Kingsley They had timed their journey by the tides. R. Hardy The families of settlers met by arrangement. d J. P. Donleavy We sell butter usually by the weight—half pound or a pound, e E. A. Freeman By twenties, by hun¬ dreds, by thousands, the force gathered. L C. Smith Stone by stone the castles crumble. W. Bronk The garden grew more tangled year by year. 5 H. Latimer Christe .. draweth soules unto hym by his bloudy sacrifice. Shakes. 3 Hen. VI Warwick's brother, and by that our foe. AV Matt. 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone. C. Thirlwall He began by ban¬ ishing 700 families. J. B. Yeats By ambition the rebel angels fell. M. Twain No gas to read by. W. Owen By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell. Day Lewis A brisk walk, which by a tremendous effort I prevent from degenerating into a trot. D. J. Enright How did he get there.. ? By lift? By helicopter? A White I like being admired, flattered,.. and listened to by men. J. Bronowski Spiritual and carnal love are inseparable. A poem by John Donne says that. A. McCowen We were joined by Lapkah and the bearers, b J. Austen By a former marriage, Dashwood had one son. W. Holtby A grand animal, by Albert the Good out of Sweet Sophia, c Which? You are protected if you pay by credit card.

by-blow/'bAibbo/ noun. Li6. [from BY- + blow noun1.]

1 A blow aimed at a person who is not a main oppon¬ ent; a side-stroke. Li6. 2 An illegitimate child. Li 6. bycoket /bi'kokrt/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist lme. [Old French origin.]

bicoquet ornate military head-dress etc., of unkn.

A kind of medieval cap or head-dress, peaked at front and back. by-corner/'bAikoina/noun. arch. Mi6. [from by- + corner noun.]

An out-of-the-way corner; a nook. bye /bAi/ noun. Also (in sense 1) by. Mi6. (Eliipt. use of by- or bye adjective.]

1 A secondary object or undertaking, a side issue, an incidental matter. Now chiefly in by the bye, parenthet¬ ically, incidentally. M16. 2 A (sporting) match not listed in the programme; a side event, eis. 3 cricket. A run made from a ball that passes the batsman without being struck, mis. 4 coir. A hole or holes remaining to be played when a match is decided. L19. 5 (The position of) a competitor against whom no opponent has been drawn, and who proceeds to the next round of a sporting competition without a contest. Li 9. 1 the Bye Hist = the Bye Plot s.v. bye adjective. 3 leg-bye a bye from a ball that touches the batsman.

bye /bAi/ adjective. Also by. Mi7. [Independent use of by-: see below.]

Situated to one side, out of the way, fig. subsidiary, inci¬ dental, secondary; clandestine. cn s. Richardson Nothing can be more bye and unfre¬ quented. the Bye Plot Hist, the less important of two plots against the government of James I (opp. the Main Plot).

Not always distinguishable ffom by- in adjectival relation. The date represents earliest use with separation from the noun.

bye /bAi/ interjection, colloq. eis. [Abbreviation.]

Phrases: (Of the many phrs. in which by governs a noun or forms an elem. in a phrasal verb, few are listed here: see the nouns and verbs.) by oneself etc., alone, unaided, without prompting, by seeming: see seeming noun, by the bye: see bye noun, by the head nautical deeper in the water at the head, by themselves, by then (that): see then adverb etc., by the stern nautical deeper in the water at the stem, by the way: see way noun, by the yard see yard noun2, by turns, by turn: see turn noun, by water: see water noun, by your leave see leave noun', north by east etc., one point east of north, i.e. between N and NNE, etc. two by two see two noun 1. ► B adverb. (Earlier as by-.)

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o: saw. a run, u put, u: too. a ago. ai my, au how, ei day.

adverb. See also bye adjective.)

Forming combs, (chiefly with nouns) in adverbial or adjectival relation, with the senses ‘beside, past' (bygone, bypass, bystander), ‘at or to one side, aside' (byblow. by-room), ‘subsidiary, subordinate’ (byname. byplay), 'unfrequented, devious' (byroad, byway), ‘inci¬ dental, casual, extra' (by-election, by-product), ‘under¬ hand, private’ (by-end).

Goodbye. bye- combining form var. of by-. bye-bye /‘bAibAi/noun. Also -byes /-baizJ. Mi9. [from a refrain or sound used in lullabies.]

(A child's word for) sleep, bed. bye-bye /bAi'bAi/interjection, colloq. eis. [Child's or nursery var. of coodbye.]

Goodbye. bye-byes noun var. of bye-bye noun. au

no.

e:

hair,

19

near.

01

boy.

ira

poor, ais tire, aua sour

318

by-effect j Byzantine by-effect/'bAnfekt/noun.

3 Conduct (gas, liquid, etc.) by means of a bypass. E20.

[from by- + effect noun.]

£Q 1 Times A By-passed village in Kent. 2 Lyndon B. Johnson A President must be willing to bypass the Con¬ gress to take the issue to the people. F. Weldon Pulling out the gas cooker to adjust the pipe so that the supply would bypass the meter.

A side-effect. bye-law noun var. of by-law. by-election /'bAuiskJ(3)n/ noun.

119.

[from BY- + ELECTION.]

The election of a Member of Parliament etc. held at a time other than that of a general election. bye-line noun see byline. Byelorussian adjective & noun var. by-end /'bAiend/ noun.

of Belorussian.

Li9.

[from by- + form noun.]

A secondaiy form of a word etc. bygoing /’bAigaon)/ verbal noun. Chiefly Scot. Also (Scot.) byganging /'bAigarjgiq/. Ei7. [from by- + going noun.]

bygone /'bAigon/ adjective & noun.

lme.

Incidental talk; small talk; gossip. byte IbMtl noun.

LME.

2 No longer living. E16. 3 Antiquated, mi9. ► B noun. 1 In pi. Past events; esp. past offences. Now chiefly as below, mi6. 2 In pi. Overdue payments, arrears. Chiefly Scot. L16. 3 A person or thing of the past; spec, an obsolete domes¬ tic object or other artefact (usu. in pi.), mi9. 1 let bygones be bygones forgive and forget.

Li6.

[from by- + lane noun1.]

bye-, me.

1 = byrlaw; spec, an ordinance made by common consent in a court leet or court baron. Long obsolete exc.

Hist. ME.

2 A regulation made by a local authority or corpor¬ ation; a regulation of a company etc. lme. 3 A secondaiy, subordinate, or accessory law. M16.

[from by- + place noun1.]

-ny /-ni/. -nas.

Ei9.

A Russian traditional heroic poem. byline /'bAiUin/ noun & verb. In sense A.2 also

bye-. E20.

[from by preposition, by- + line noun-.]

► A noun. 1 A line in a newspaper etc. naming the writer of an article. E20. 2 The goal-line in soccer etc. M20. ► B verb treins. Print with a byline. M20. ■ byliner noun a journalist etc. whose work is bylined M20

byname /'bAineim/ noun & verb.

many basic igneous rocks.

An incidental or secondary product of manufacture etc.; a side-effect, byre /’bAia/ noun.

Li6.

LI 6.

► B verb trans. Give a specified name to; nickname. Long rare. Li 6.

BYO abbreviation. Bring your own (on a party invitation etc.); also, a res¬ taurant etc. to which customers may bring their own alcoholic drinks.

byrlaw/'bado;/noun, obsolete exc. Hist. In comb, also birley, burley, -ie, /'ba:li/. See also by-law. me. [from Old Norse byjar genit. sing, noun1.]

of

byr (see

BY

noun') + lagu

LAW

ME.

byroad /’bAiraud/ noun. [from by- + road noun.]

A side or minor road; a little-frequented road. Ei9.

poet George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824) or his writ¬ ings. E19. ► B noun. In pi. Byronic utterances or behaviour, mi9. ■ Byronically adverb in a Byronic manner M19.

Byronism /'bAraranizlaJm/noun. E19. [formed as prec. + -ism.]

The characteristics of Byron or his poetry; imitation of Byron.

byssine/'bism/ noun & adjective,

► A noun. 1 A secondary channel permitting the free flow of gas, electricity, blood, etc., when a main passage is blocked. Mi9. 2 A road passing round (the centre of) a town, provid¬ ing an alternative route for through traffic. E20.

3 transf.&fig. An alternative route or means. ► B verb trans. 1 Provide with a bypass. L19.

lme.

[formed as medicine. Chronic lung disease due to inhalation of fine

lme.

ffew, y get, h he, j yes,

k cat,

12 (A) filamentous fungoid growth. M18-M19. 3 zootoev. A tuff of fine filaments by which some bivalve molluscs adhere to rocks, mi9. ■ byssal adjective (zooiocy) of, pertaining to. or of the nature of a byssus L19.

bystander /'baistanda/ noun.

Mi6.

A person who is standing by; a passive witness; a spec¬ tator.

1

leg, m man, n no,

p pen,

r red,

A byroad, a bypath. bywoner "bAiwsona, 'bervsuno/ noun. S.Afr.

Li9.

[Afrikaans, from by with + woon live + -er -er1.] A farmer holding land under a metayage system.

s sit,

t top.

1 A proverb; a proverbial saying, oe. 2 A person etc. taken as typical of a (usu. bad) quality; a quality in a person etc. that is widely recognized. Mt6. ►b A (usu. scornful or mocking) nickname. Now rare. Li6.

J3 A casual word; a hint; an aside. M16-M17. 14 A word or phrase frequently used, esp. by an individ¬ ual. M16-E18. C3 2 J. A. Froude The Church courts were a byword for ini¬ quity. L. Deighton Blessing’s efficiency was a byword. P. Ackroyd I would rather be a byword of infamy.. than an object of gross ridicule, b R. L. Stevenson They are.. known by a generic byword, as Poor Whites. Li6.

v van,

w we,

byzant noun var. of bezant. Byzantian /bi’zantian, bAi-, -j(3jn/ noun & adjective. Ei7. [from

Latin Byzantius, from Byzantium (see next), + -AN.] noun 2, adjective 1.

= Byzantine

PL -noses /-'nsusLz/. Li9.

[from by- + stander]

E20.

me.

[from by- + way noun.]

Incidental work; work performed in spare time or odd hours. Also, work with an unavowed or self-interested aim.

[Latin from Greek bussos, of Semitic origin.] 1 Hist. A fine textile fibre and fabric, orig. of flax. lme. M19.

byway /'bAiwei/ noun.

[from by- + work noun.]

[Latin byssinus (byssinum noun) from Greek busslnos, from bussos: see byssus, -ine1.] Hist. (Made of) byssus or fine linen. bisi'noosis/noun. prec. + -osis.]

L19.

[from by- + water noun.]

by-work /'b.Mwoik/ noun.

L16.

byssi noun pi. of byssus.

byssinosis

A private or secluded walk; a by-path (lit & fig.). bywater /'bAtwoda/ noun.

[Old English biwyrde = Old High German bfwurti, rendering Latin proverbium proverb: see by-, word noun.]

M16.

■ byssinotic - nDtik/adjective M20.

[from by- + pass noun1.]

Mi6.

byword / bArwo:d. noun.

[Old Norse brynja. Metathetic var. orig. Scot.]

A coat of mail.

byssus t'bisss/ noun. PI. (rare) byssi /'bisAi/, byssuses.

BYOG abbreviation. Austral. & NZ. Bring your own grog.

An unavowed or self-interested aim.

A diamond of inferior water, esp. one that is yellowish.

particles of textile fibres.

BYOB abbreviation. Bring your own bottle, booze, etc.

M18-E19.

[from by- + view noun.]

[from by- + walk noun.)

A cow-shed.

A side-room; a small or private room,

► A noun. A subsidiaiy name; a sobriquet; a nickname.

tby-view noun.

by-walk/'bAiwo:k/ noun.

[Old English byre, perh. cogn. with bower noun1.]

[from by- + room noun1.]

[from by- + name noun.]

bypass /'bAipa:s/ noun & verb.

-dAkt/noun. Mi9.

[from by- + product noun.]

by-room /'bAiru:m, -rum/ noun. Now rare.

of bylina.

Mi9.

[from Bytown, former name of Ottawa, Canada + -ite'.] mineralogy. A calcic plagioclase feldspar occurring in

Byron (see below) + -ic.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the

[Russian.]

Ei7.

[from by- + time noun.]

bytownite /'bAitaonAit/ noun.

[from

Li9.

A minor matter; a side issue. by-time /'bAitAim/ noun.

Time not occupied by one’s main work or pursuits; spare time; odd hours.

An out-of-the-way place; an odd comer.

Byronic /bAfromk/ adjective & noun.

Comb.: bylawman Hist. = byrlawman s.v. byrlaw PI.

A side-path; a secluded way; fig. a minor branch of a subject etc. by-place /'bAipleis/ noun. arch. Li6.

byrnie /'ba:ni/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also (earlier) tbrinie.

[Prob. from byrlaw, but assoc, with by-, law noun'.]

eis.

[from by- + thing noun1.]

Comb.: byrlaw-court: to settle local disputes etc.; byrlawman an officer appointed to administer the byrlaw.

A side lane; a side passage in a mine. by-law /'bAilo:/ noun. Also

by-thing /'bAiBig/ noun. arch.

lme.

[from by- + path noun1.]

The local custom or law of a manor, district, etc., whereby disputes over boundaries, trespass, etc., were settled without recourse to the public courts of law.

bylander noun var. of bilander. by-lane /'bAilein/ noun.

bypath /'bAipa:Q/ noun.

M20.

[Arbitrary, based on bit noun3 and bite noun.]

lme.

computing. A group of binary digits (usu. eight) operated on as a unit.

by-product/'bAiprodskt,

► A adjective. 1 That has gone by in time, past, former.

Mi6.

[from by- + talk noun'.]

Mi6.

Subsidiary action, esp. on stage; incidental play,

[from by- + gone adjective.]

bbut, d dog,

A side-street; a little-used street.

[from by- + play noun.]

in the bygoing by the way, incidentally.

L17.

by-talk /'bAito:k/ noun. arch.

[from by- + PASSER.]

byplay /'bAiplei/ noun.

The action of passing by.

Standing by or near. [from by- + street noun.)

Bygone.

by-form /'bAifoim/ noun.

E17.

[from by- + standing adjective.]

by-street/'bAistri:t/noun.

[from by- + past adjective.]

Ei7.

A secondaiy or subordinate aim or object, esp. one with a covert purpose of personal advantage.

by liny noun pi.

by-passer/'bAipa:so/noun. arch. A passer-by. bypast /'bAipcrst/ adjective, arch.

[from by- + end noun.)

bylina /bs'lLna/ noun.

bystanding /’bAistandir)/ adjective.

2 Take an indirect route around; avoid. E20.

ei9.

z zoi

Byzantine /bi'zantAin, bAi-/ noun & adjective.

L16.

[French byzantin or Latin Byzantinus, from Byzantium from Greek Buzantion Byzantium, the city later called Constantinople, now Istanbul: see-ine1.] ► A noun. 1 (b-.) Hist. = bezant. Li6.

2 A native or inhabitant of Byzantium or the Eastern Roman Empire, mi7. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to Byzantium, the Eastern Roman Empire, or the Orthodox Church. Lis. 2 spec. Characteristic of the artistic (esp. architectural) style developed in the Eastern Roman Empire, mi9. 3 Like Byzantine politics; complicated; inflexible; underhand. M20. ■ Byzantinism -tm-/ noun the style and methods of architec¬ ture etc. developed in the Eastern Roman Empire M19. Byzantinist /-tm-/ noun an expert in or student of Byzantine matters L19.

i she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

5 this,

p ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

Cc C, C /si:/. The third letter of the modem English alphabet and of the ancient Roman one, orig. corresp. to Greek gamma, Semitic gimeI. In early Latin the letter represented both the voiced /g/ and voiceless /k/ velar plosive consonants; subsequently it stood only for the latter. When the Roman alphabet was introduced into Britain, C had only the fkJ sound, and this remains the case in the Celtic langs. As a result of developments both in Britain and in Continental Europe in the Old English and Middle English periods, C in mod. English has a number of values according to the following general rules, (i) C has the 'hard' sound /k/ before a, o, u, before a consonant exc. h, and when final. Final c is largely avoided exc. in mod. words adopted from or modelled on Latin or Greek (disc, sac. italic), the /k/ sound being usu. expressed by k or ck. When hard c is followed in inflection by e or i, it is usu. changed to ck (frolicking. picnicker), (ii) C has the 'soft’ sound /s/ before e, i, y. Where the /s/ sound is final, it is written ce, and this e is retained in composition before a, o, u. (iii) ri (rarely ce) preceding another vowel has ffeq. the sound /JV, esp. in the endings -rious, -dal, -don (cf. T, t). (iv) ch is in effect a separate consonant: see before the beginning of the ch- words, (v) In adoptions from other langs. C may retain the foreign pronunciation (ceilidh. cello). PI. cees, C’s, Cs. ► 11 The letter and its sound. 2 The shape of the letter. C-shaped adjective having a shape or cross-section like the letter C. C-spring a C-shaped spring, used to support the body of a carriage. 2

► II Symbolical uses. 3 Used to denote serial order; applied e.g. to the third group or section, sheet of a book, etc. 4 music. (Cap. C.) The first note of the natural major scale (C major), often defined as having a frequency of 256 Hz. Also, the scale of a composition with C as its keynote. 5 The third hypothetical person or example. 6 math. (Usu. italic c.) The third known quantity; a constant; spec. (physics) denoting the velocity of light in a vacuum. 7 (Usu. cap. C.) Designating the third-highest class (of academic marks, population as regards affluence, etc.). 8 The roman numeral for 100. 9 (Cap. C.) Designating a range of international stand¬ ard paper sizes with a fixed shape and twice the area of the next size, as Co, Ci, C2. C3, C4. etc. 10 (Cap. C.) A computer programming language ori¬ ginally developed for implementing the UNIX operating system. 3 C-DNA biochemistry a form of double-stranded DNA adopted in the presence of certain solvents, more tightly coiled than B-DNA. 4 C clef the soprano, alto, or tenor clef, middle C: see middle adjective. 7 C Special Hist, a member of an unpaid occa¬ sional police force in Northern Ireland. C3 /si: '0ri:/ the lowest grade of medical fitness in the war of 1914-18; colloq. unfit, worthless.

► III11 Abbrevs.: C. = Cape; Catholic; Command Paper (second series, 1870-99); Conservative. C = cancer (in the big C s.v. big adjective); (electricity) capacitance; (chemistry) carbon; Celsius, centigrade; Channel (as in C4, a televi¬ sion channel); (particle physics) charge conjugation; cocaine; (music) common time; (physics) coulomb(s); (biochemistry) Cytosine, c. = (cricket) caught by; cent(s); cen¬ turies; centuiy; chapter; (meteorology) cloudy; cold; colt; cubic, c. = [Latin] area about (also ca.). c = (as prefix) centi-; (particle physics) = charm noun1 4. c/- (Austral. & NZ) = care of. © = copyright. CA abbreviation. 1 California. 2 Chartered accountant. Scot. & Canad. Ca symbol. chemistry.

caatinga /'kariigga/ noun. Mi9. [Portuguese from Tupi, from cad natural vegetation, forest + tinea white.]

In Brazil, a forest consisting of thorny shrubs and stunted trees. CAB abbreviation. 1 Citizens’ Advice Bureau. 2 Civil Aeronautics Board. US. cab /kab/ noun'.

Ei9.

[Abbreviation of cabriolet.] 1 a Hist. A hackney carriage. E19. cab. LI 9.

>b A taxi. Also taxi¬

2 A driver of a cab. mi 9. 3 A shelter or compartment for the driver of a train, lorry, crane, etc. Mi9. 3 spy in the cab. see SPY noun. Comb. : cabman a man who drives a cab; cab-rank, cab-stand a place where cabs are authorized to wait.

tcab noun2 see kab. cab /kab/ verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Infl. -bb-.

Mi9.

[from cab noun'.]

Travel in or drive a cab. caba /ka'ba:/ noun. Chiefly US. Also cabas /ko'bcus/. [French cabas basket, pannier.] A small satchel or handbag.

M19.

tcabaia noun see kebaya. cabal /ka'bal/ noun & verb. Li6. [French cabale from medieval Latin cab(b)ala (Italian, Spanish see cabbala.]

cabala):

► A noun. = cabbala. L16-M18. 2 A secret intrigue, a conspiracy; petty plotting, arch. E17.

3 A secret meeting (of intriguers), arch. Mi7. 4 A political clique, a faction; spec. (C-) a committee of five ministers under Charles II whose surnames hap¬ pened to begin with C, A, B, A, and L (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale). Ml7. EQ 2 Burke Centres of cabal. W. Irving Cabals breaking out in the company. 3 Marvell Is he in caball in his cabinett sett. 4 G. B. Shaw The radical cabal in the cabinet which pursues my family with rancorous class hatred.

► B verb intrans. Infl. -II-. Combine (together) for some private end (usu. derog.); intrigue (against). Li7. ■ caballer noun a person who cabals, an intriguer L17.

cabala noun var. of cabbala. cabaletta

noun. M19. [Italian, var. of coboletta dim. of cob(b)ola stanza, couplet from Old Provencal cobla from Latin copula.] music. A simple aria with a repetitive rhythm; the uni¬ /kaba’leto/

formly quick final section of an aria. caballada /kaba'lja:da/ noun. US.

Mi9.

A drove of horses or mules. [Spanish = French chevalier, Italian cavaliere: see cavalier noun.]

[Latin caballmus, from caballus horse: see -ine'.]

Equine. caballine fountain [Latin fons caballmus] the fountain Hippocrene (see Hippocrene). L17.

[(Persian from) Arab, kaba’.] A type of coat or tunic worn esp. by Arab men. L19.

[Spanish cabana from late Latin capanna, cav- cabin.] A cabin; spec, a shelter at a beach or swimming pool.

cabane /ko'barn/ noun.

Mi9.

[French: see cabin.]

Calcium.

ca’ noun, verb see call noun, verb. ca. abbreviation. Latin area about. (Freq. italicized.) CAA abbreviation. Civil Aviation Authority. Caaba noun var. of Kaaba. caa’ing whale noun phr. var. of ca’ing whale.

1 The compact round head or heart formed by the leaves of a cultivated variety of the cruciferous plant Brassica oleracea, used as a green culinary vegetable; a plant of this species. Also (with specifying word), any of various related or otherwise similar plants, lme. 2 Tire edible terminal bud of a cabbage palm or other palm. M17. 3 A brainless person; someone utterly lacking inter¬ ests or ambition, or reduced by illness to inactivity, a ‘vegetable’, colloq. L19. 4 Money, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). E20. £3 1 Chinese cabbage. Kerguelen cabbage, red cabbage. Savoy cabbage, etc. my cabbage [translating French mon chou] my dear, my darling. 3 Guardian I stayed at home for nearly a year. It was awfirl. I became a cabbage. Comb.: cabbage-bark (the bark or timber of) the angelin, Andira inermis: cabbage butterfly = cabbage white below; cabbage-head fig. a stupid person; cabbage-looking: see be not so green as one is cabbage-looking s.v. green adjective: cabbage lettuce a variety of lettuce with broad rounded leaves forming a more or less globular head close to the ground; cabbage moth a noctuid moth, Mamestra brassicae, whose larvae are pests of cab¬ bages; cabbage palm any of various palms having edible ter¬ minal buds or other similarities to the cabbage, esp. (o) either of two tall W. Indian palms, Roystonea oleracea and Sabal palmetto, with edible buds; (b) an Australian palm, Livistona australis, with large leaves used to make hats, etc.; cabbage rose an old double garden rose, Rosa centifolia, with a large round compact flower; cabbage tree any ofvarious tropical trees suggesting cabbages, esp. = cabbage palm above, or (NZ) a tree of the agave family. Cordyline australis, with narrow leaves crowded at the top of the stem; cabbage white a white pierid butterfly whose larvae feed on cabbage-leaves, esp. the large white, Ptens brassicae. ■ cabbage-like adjective resembling (that of) a cabbage M19. cabbagy adjective M19

cabbage /'kabidj/ noun2. Mi7. [Origin unkn.]

1 Shreds (or larger pieces) of cloth appropriated by tailors in cutting out clothes. M17. |2 A tailor, slang. L17-E18.

cabbage /'kabidy verb1. Sense 1 also tcaboche. lme. [French cabocher, from caboche (see cabbage noun1) or directly from cabbage noun1.] 1 verb trans. Cut off (a deer’s head) close behind the

horns; cut off the head of (a deer) so. lme. f 2 verb intrans. Of the horns of a deer: grow to a head. Only in E16. 3 verb trans. In pass. Be formed into a head like a cabbage. L16. 4 verb intrans. Of a cabbage, lettuce, etc.: form a head. E17.

Pilfer (orig. pieces of cloth), appropriate surrepti¬ tiously. IB H. L. Mencken The quacks.. in all probability cabbaged most of their victims' property.

caballine /'kaboUin/ adjective, lme.

cabana /ka'bama/ noun. Chiefly US. Also -na /-njo/.

lme.

[Old French (Picard) caboche head, var. of Old French caboce, of unkn. origin.]

[from cabbage noun2: cf. Old French cabas deceit, theft, Dutch kabassen pilfer.]

-os. Mi9.

A Spanish gentleman.

caban /ka'ba:n/ noun.

cabbage /’kahtd^ noun1,

cabbage /'kabid^ verb2 trans. & intrans. eis.

[Spanish, from caballo horse. See also cavayard.]

Caballero /kaba’lje:rau/ noun. PL

cabas noun var. of caba.

1 A hut, a cabin. Conod. dial, mi9. 2 A pyramidal structure supporting the wings of an air¬ craft. E20. cabaret /'kabarei; in sense

1 also foreign kabare (pi. same)/ noun. Mi7. [Old & mod. French, orig. Walloon & Picard, from Middle Dutch var. of camaret, cambret from Old Picard camberet little room.)

1 A public house in France etc. M17. 2 An entertainment provided in a restaurant etc. while customers are at table; a restaurant, nightclub, etc., pro¬ viding such entertainment. E20.

a cat, a: arm. e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a run, a put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day,

cabbala /ka'bada, 'kabota/ noun. Also cabala, kabbala. qabalah. & (in sense 1) with cap. initial. E16. [medieval Latin cab(b)ala from rabbinical Hebrew qabbdldh trad¬ ition. from qibbel receive, accept.]

1 The esoteric and mystical Jewish tradition, first transmitted orally, of which the Zohar (13th cent.) is the basic text. E16. 2 gen. fa (An) oral tradition. M-117. tb (An) esoteric doctrine; (a) mystic interpretation; occult lore. M17.

■ cabbalism noun the system of the Jewish cabbala; (an) eso¬ teric doctrine, occult lore: L16. cabbalist noun a person versed in the Jewish cabbala or in mystic arts M16. cabbalistic adjective pertaining to or of the nature of the cabbala or cabbalists; having a private or mystic sense: EI7. cabba listical adjective L16. cabba listically adverb M17.

cabby 'kabi/ noun, collog. Mi9. [from cab noun' + -Y6.]

A driver of a cab.

caber/’keiba/ noun. Scot. Ei6. [Gaelic. Irish cabar.]

A roughly trimmed tree-trunk, esp. one with a slightly tapered end used in Highland Games, tossing the caber the sport of throwing such a tree-trunk. no, e: hair, ra near, 3) boy. ua poor.

\:a tire, aua sour

320

Cabernet|cachexia 5 In full cable pattern, cable stitch. A pattern or stitch¬ ing in knitting or embroidery that looks like twisted

Cabernet /'kabanei,foreign kabsrne/ noun. Mi9. [French.]

(Any of several vines yielding) a black grape used in wine-making; red wine made from these grapes. Cabernet Franc /fr6, frS/, Cabernet Sauvignon /'satrvmjon, sovijiS/: two of the chief varieties.

cabezon /'kabizDn/ noun. M20. [Spanish cabezbn big-headed.]

A sculpin (fish), Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, with a broad tentacle above each eye and a green-brown body with white patches, found on the west coast of North America. cabildo /ka'bildo, ka'bildau/ noun. PI. -os/-os, -auz/. Ei9. [Spanish from late Latin capittdum chapter-house: see chapter noun.]

A town hall or town council in Spain and Spanish¬ speaking countries. cabin /'kabin/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French cabane from Provencal cabana = Italian capanna from late Latin capanna, cavatina.] ► A noun. 1 A room or compartment in a ship, aircraft,

spacecraft, etc., for housing passengers, crew (in an air¬ craft), or cargo, me. Fjb A berth in a ship. L16-M18. |2 A temporary shelter; a booth. lme-mi9. 3 A permanent habitation of rough or rudimentary construction; a poor dwelling, lme. j 4 A small room; a cell. lme-ei7. 15 A natural cave or grotto; an animal's den. lme-lis. f6 A litter for carrying a person. L16-M17. A political cabinet. Usu. attrib. M-L17. 8 A driver's cab; the enclosed compartment of a crane, lorry, etc. M20. 1 ladies' cabin: see lady noun & adjective, outside outside adjective, pressure cabin see pressure noun.

cabin: see

Comb.: cabin-boy: attending to officers or passengers on a ship; cabin class an intermediate class of accommodation on a pas¬ senger ship; cabin crew: attending to passengers and cargo on an aircraft; cabin cruiser a power-driven vessel equipped with a cabin and living accommodation: cabin fever N. Amer. colloq. lassi¬ tude, irritability, etc., resulting from long confinement or isol¬ ation in one’s home etc. during the winter. ► B verb. 1 verb introns. & trans. Dwell or lodge (as) in a cabin; take or give shelter (as) in a cabin. Li6. 2 verb trans. Confine in a small space; cramp. Chiefly as cabined ppl adjective. E17.

cabinet /'kabinit/ noun & verb. Mi6. [from prec. + -et’, infl. by French cabinet from Italian gubinetto closet, press, chest of drawers.] ► A noun. I gen. ft A secret receptacle, a repositoiy. Chiefly fig. M16-L17. 2 A case or cupboard with drawers, shelves, etc., for storing or displaying objects, mi6. Fb A piece of furni¬ ture containing a radio or television receiver etc. M20. 3 A small chamber; a private room. arch. Ml6. t4 A small cabin; a tent; a rustic lodging; an animal’s den. L16-M17. f5 A summer-house; a bower. L16-M18. t6 A room devoted to the display of works of art; a galleiy. L17-L18. ► II politics (from sense 3). (Usu. C-.) 7 The council-chamber in which the inner circle of a Government meet; the world of politics, arch. El 7. 8 A committee of senior ministers responsible for determining Government policy. M17.

|9 A meeting of a Cabinet. E18-E19. inner cabinet see inner adjective. Comb.: Cabinet Council arch. = senses 8, 9 above; cabinet¬ maker a person who makes cabinets, a skilled joiner; cabinet¬ making the activity or occupation of a cabinet-maker; Cabinet Minister a member of the Cabinet: cabinet organ (a) a reedorgan in a case resembling that of an upright piano; (b) a chamber or portative organ; cabinet photograph: measuring approximately six by four inches: cabinet piano a small upright piano; cabinet pudding a steamed pudding made with dried fruit; cabinet scraper: see scraper 3; cabinet-work fine furniture, skilled joinery. 8

► B verb trans. Infl. -t-, *-tt- Enclose (as) in a cabinet. M17. Cabistan noun & adjective var. of Kabistan. cable /’keib(a)l/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French var. of Old French chable (mod. cable from Provencal ruble) from late Latin cap(u)lum halter, assoc, with Latin capere seize, hold; reinforced by Middle & mod! Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch kabel from Proto-Romance.] 1 A strong thick rope of hemp or wire. me. 2 nautical. A strong rope or studded link chain attached to an anchor, lme. Fb More fully cable length. A unit of length of 200 yards. Mi6.

3 (A length of) material in the form of an insulated wire or wires sheathed in a protective casing (orig. of wire strands, now also of plastic etc.), and used for carrying electric signals and electric power. M19. Fb A cablegram. L19. Fc In full cable television, cable TV. The system of transmitting television signals by cable, usu to the receiving sets of individual subscribers. M20. 4 architecture. More fully cable moulding. An ornamen¬ tal moulding that looks like rope. M19. b but, d dog. f few,

g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, m

rope. Li 9. 2 slip one's cable see sup ver6L 3 cable’s end see end noun 7b. coaxial cable, concentric cable jumper cable: see jumper noun'. paper cable: see paper noun & adjective, pilot cable: see pilot noun 5. standard cable: see standard adjective. Comb.: cable-car: moved by an endless cable; cable-laid adjective (of rope) having three triple strands; cable length: see sense 2b above; cable moulding see sense 4 above; cable pattern: see sense 5 above; cable railway: with cars or carriages drawn along an endless cable moved by a fixed engine; cablestayed bridge: in which the weight of the deck is supported by a number of cables running directly to one or more towers; cable stitch: see sense 5 above; cable television, cable TV: see sense 3c above; cablevision cable television (see sense 3c above); cableway a transporting-system with a (usu. elevated) cable. ■ cablegram noun a message by telegraphic cable Mi9. cable-'ese, cab lese noun the contracted or cryptic style of expression used in cablegrams M20. cablet /'keiblit/ noun a small cable or cable-laid rope, spec, one of less than ten inches in cir¬ cumference LIS.

cabriole /kabri'aol; foreign kabri(j)ol (pi. same)/ noun. Li8. [French, from cabrioler, earlier caprioler, from Italian capriolare: see capriole.]

1 A springing dance step in which one leg is extended and the other brought up to it. lis. 2 Hist. More fully cabriole chair. A kind of small arm¬ chair. lis. 3 Chiefly Hist. = cabriolet 1. lis. 4 A kind of curved leg characteristic of Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture. Li9. cabriolet/’kabrialei/noun. M18. [French, formed as prec. + -et'.] 1 Chiefly Hist. A light two-wheeled hooded one-horse

chaise. Ml8. 2 A bonnet or hat shaped like a cabriolet, lis. 3 A motor car with a folding top. E20. fCabuli adjective & noun v ar. ofKABULi. cac- combining form see caco-. ca-ca /'kaka/ noun, slang (chiefly N. Amer.). Li9. [Spanish, French caca, from Latin cacare defecate.]

cable /'keib(3)l/ verb. Ei6.

Excrement. /Also, rubbish, nonsense.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Provide or equip with a cable or cables; fasten (as) with a cable, tie up. Ei6. 2 verb trans. architecture. Ornament with cable moulding. M17. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Transmit (a message) or transmit a message to (a person) by telegraphic cable. Li9. 4 verb trans. Provide with or equip for cable television. L20. ■ cablernoun L19.

cabob noun see kebab. caboceer/kaba'sia/noun. eis.

ca’canny/kcu'kani, Scot, -'koni/ noun. Li9. [from ca' var. of call verb (sense 9) + canny adverb.]

Moderation, caution; the policy of going slow or limit¬ ing output at work. cacao /ka'ka:au, -'keiao/ noun. PI. -os. See also cocoa noun1. M16. [Spanish from Nahuatl cacauatl, from uat! tree.] 1 The seed of the tree Theobroma cacao, native to trop¬

ical America, from which cocoa and chocolate are made. Mi6. |2 = cocoa noun1 2. Only in M17. 3 The tree itself, mis. Comb.: cacao bean = sense 1 above; cacao butter fat extracted from the seeds of cacao or related trees, used esp. in confection¬ ery manufacture; cacao tree = sense 2 above.

[Portuguese cabociero, from cabo head: cf. -eer.] A headman of a W. African village or tribe. tcaboche verb see cabbage verb'.

tcacaroch noun var. of cockroach

caboched adjective var. of caboshed.

cacciatore /katfa'touei, -ri/ adjective. Also -ora t-ra/. M20.

cabochon /'kabajDn/ adjective & noun. Mi6. [Old & mod. French, dim. of caboche: see cabbage noun', -oon.J (A gem) polished but not faceted. See also en cabochon.

[Italian, = hunter (so named because of the use of ingredients that a hunter might have to hand),] cookery. (Of chicken) prepared in a spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms and herbs. Usu. postpositive.

cachaca 'ka’Jcuka/ noun. Mi9.

Cabodo /ka'bauklau/ noun. PI. -os. E19. [Brazilian Portuguese, perh. from Tupi Kaa-boc one who has the colour of copper.] An American Indian descended from the aboriginals of Brazil. Also, a Brazilian of mixed white and Indian or Indian and black ancestry.

caboodle /ka'bu:d(a)l/ noun, slang (orig. US). Also k-. Mi9. [Perh. from kit and boodle: see kit noun', boodle noun 1.] the whole caboodle, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole set or lot, everything, eveiyone.

caboose /ks'bius/ noun. Also (now rare) camb- /kam'bms/. mis. [Dutch cabuse, combuse, now kabuis, kombuis, = Middle & mod. Low German kabuse, of unkn. origin.) 1 A small kitchen on the deck of a ship. mis. Fb An oven or fireplace erected on land. Ei9. 2 A hut, a cabin; a poor dwelling. Chiefly IV. Amer. Ei9. 3 A guard’s van on a train; a car for workmen etc. on a goods train. N.Amer. mi9. 4 = calaboose, slang (orig. US). M19. 5 A mobile hut or bunk-house. Canad. E20.

caboshed ka’bnjt/ adjective. Also caboched, cabossed /ka'bDst/. 116. [from French caboche pa. pple of cabocher: see cabbage verb1, -ED'.]

heraldry. Of the head of a stag, bull, etc.: shown full-faced and cut off close behind the ears.

[Brazilian Portuguese, from Portuguese cacapa rum, white rum.]

A Brazilian white rum made from sugar cane. cachalot/’kaJalDt/noun. mis. [French, from Spanish, Portuguese cachalote, from cachola big head.]

= SPERM WHALE 1. cache /kaj/ noun & verb. lis. [French, from cacher to hide.]

► A noun. 1 A hiding place for goods, provisions, ammu¬ nition, treasure, etc. lis. 2 A hidden store of provisions etc. m 19. 3 An auxiliary computer memory from which high¬ speed retrieval is possible. Also cache memory. M20. ► B verb trans. Place or store in a cache. Ei9. cachectic/ka'kektik/ adjective. Ei7. [French cachectique or Latin cachecticus, from Greek kakhektikos: see CACHEXIA, -1C.]

Of or pertaining to cachexia; characterized by or affected with cachexia. ■ Also cachectical adjective (now rare or obsolete) Ei7.

cache-peigne /kajpsji/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li9. [French, from cacherto hide + peigne comb.)

A bow or other trimming for a hat, usu. worn at the back. cache-pot /kajpo (pi. same), 'kaJpDt/ noun. L19. [French, formed as prec. +pot pot noun'.]

An ornamental holder for a flowerpot.

cabotage /'kabatcuj, -KI3/ noun. M19. [French, from caboter coast along (a place), perh. ult. from Spanish cabo cape noun': see -age.) 1 Coastal trade. M19.

cache-sexe /kajssks (pi. same), 'kajseks/ noun. E20.

2 The reservation to a country of (esp. air) traffic oper¬ ation within its territoiy. M20.

cachet/'kajei/ noun. Ei7.

cabotin /kabats/ noun. Fern. -tine /-tin/. PI. pronounced same. E20. [French = strolling player, perh. formed as prec. from resemblance to vessels travelling from port to port.] A third-rate or low-class actor. ■ cabotinage /kabotino:j/ noun the life and behaviour sup¬ posedly characteristic of third-rate actors. 119.

cabri /'kabri, ka'bri:/noun. Canad. lis. [Prob. French = kid from Latin capra goat, but perh. repr. an Indian word.] = pronghorn s.v. prong noun. [Abbreviation.] = cabriolet noun 3. r red,

[French, from cacher (in sense ‘press’, repr. now in ecacher crush) from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin coactare constrain.] 1 A seal for letters, documents, etc. Now rare or obsolete.

E17. 2 A characteristic or distinguishing mark; a character¬ istic feature or quality conferring prestige or distinction; high status, mi9. 3 A small digestible case enclosing a dose of medicine. LI 9. 1 lettre de cachet.

cachexia /ka'keksia/ noun. Also Anglicized as cachexy /-'ksksi/. M16. [French cachexie or late Latin cachexia from Greek kakhexia, from kakos bad + hexis habit: see -ia'.]

cabrio /'kabriao/ noun. PI. -os. 120.

man, n no, p pen,

[French, formed as prec. + sexe sex noun.] A covering for the genitals.

1 medicine. A condition of weakness and wasting due to severe chronic illness. Mi6. s sit, t top, v van,

w we.

z zoo, J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

13

ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

321

cachinnate j cadence 2 A bad mental condition; a state of depravity, mi 7. cachinnate /'kakineit/ verb intrans. E19. [Latin cachinnat- pa. ppl stem of cachinnare, of imit oriairr see -ate3.]

3

Laugh loudly or immoderately.

cacography /ko'kngral)/ noun. L16.

[from the noun.]

1 Incorrect spelling; a bad system of spelling. L16. 2 Bad handwriting; bad writing, mi7. ■

■ cachin natory adjective of or connected with loud laughter Eld.

caddie /'kadi/ verb intrans. Also caddy. E20.

[from caco- + -graphy, after orthography.]

Act as caddie (for a golfer). caddis /'kadis/ noun\ obsolete exc. Scot, me.

cacographer noun L19. caco graphical adjective M19

[Sense 1 from Old French codas, -z, sense 2 from Old & mod. French cadis from Provencal, both of unkn. origin.]

cacology k.VkDbdji/ noun. E17. [Greek kakologia vituperation, formed as caco- + -logy.]

cachinnation /kaki'neij(3)n/ noun. E17. (Latin cachinnatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] (A burst of) loud or immoderate laughter.

1 Cotton wool; floss silk; fluff; surgical lint. me. 12 (A tape or binding of) worsted yam, crewel; worsted material; coarse serge. M16-L19.

11 Evil report. Only in Diets. Only in 17.

2 Bad choice of words; bad pronunciation, lis.

cacholong/'kaJalDtj/noun. Li 8. [French from Mongolian Las chilagun precious stone.] An opaque variety of opal.

cacomistle/'kakomis(o)l/noun. Mi9. [Amer. Spanish cacomixtle from Nahuatl tlacomiztli.] A small racoon of Central America, Mexico, and the south-western US, belonging to the genus Bassariscus.

cachou /'kaju:, ka'Ju:/ noun. Li6. [French from Portuguese cachu from Malay kucu.]

cacophonous /ko'koflojnas/ adjective, lis. [from Greek kakophonos ill-sounding, formed as caco- + sound: see-ous.]

1 = CATECHU. L16.

2 A lozenge taken to sweeten the breath. Ei8.

■

cachucha ka'tjuitjs/noun. M19. [Spanish.] A lively Spanish solo dance with castanets.

[French -phony.]

■ caciquism noun government by caciques E20.

cack /kak/ noun. Now dial, or slang. [Old English me- in cachiis (hus house), rel. to next.] 1 Excrement, dung; filth, oe. 2 fig. Rubbish; nonsense. M20. ■ cacky adjective L19.

cactus /'kaktos/ noun. PI. cacti /'kaktAi/, -uses. E17. [Latin from Greek kaktos cardoon.]

tl = CARDOON. E17-E19.

Comb.: cactus dahlia a variety of dahlia with rolled-back flower-rays resembling a cactus flower. ■ cactaceous /kak'teijas/ adjective of or pertaining to the family Cactaceae M19.

caddow /'kadau/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. dial. H6.

CAD abbreviation. Computer-aided (or-assisted) design,

cacodemon /kaka'diiman/ noun. Also -daemon. Li6. [Greek kakodaimon evil genius, formed as caco- + damwn: see demon noun1.] 1 An evil spirit. Li 6. 2 A malignant or deprecated person. E18. cacodyl /kakadAil, -dil/noun. Mi9. [from Greek kakodes stinking + -yl.] chemistry. A malodorous, toxic, spontaneously flam¬ mable liquid, tetramethyldiarsine, ((CH3)2As)2. Also, the radical (CH3)2As-, dimethylarsenic (freq. comb.). ■ caco dylic adjective of cacodyl; cacodylic acid. dimethylarsinic acid, (CH3)2AsO(OH): M19. caco'dylate noun a salt or ester of cacodylic acid mi 9.

[Alt. of catty noun.] 1 More fully tea caddy. A small box for holding tea.

Pronounced with the tongue-tip curled up towards the hard palate.

LI 8. 2 A container, sometimes with divisions, for other sub¬ stances or small objects ready for use. Li9.

phonetics.

[Abbreviation of caddie noun or cadet noun1.]

11 An unbooked passenger taken up by a coach-driver for his own profit. Oflly in lis. 2 One who takes the fare of or attends to the passen¬ gers of a coach; a conductor of a coach or omnibus. obsolete exc. Hist. Ei9. 3 = caddie noun 2. arch. M19.

4 A vulgar ill-bred person; a person guilty or capable of ungentlemanly behaviour, a blackguard, mi9. cadastral /ko'dastr(o)l/ adjective. M19. [French, formed as next + -al1.]

Of or according to a cadastre; having reference to the extent, value, and ownership of land, spec, for taxation; loosely, showing the extent and measurement of eveiy plot of land. cadastre /ka'dasta/ noun. lis. [French from mod. Provencal cadastro from Italian catastjr)o earlier catastico from late Greek katastikhon list, register, from kata stikhon line by line.]

A register of property showing the extent, value, and ownership, of land for taxation. cadaver/ka'da:V3, -'del-/noun. LME. [Latin

cadaver, from cadere to fall.]

Chiefly medicine. A corpse. cadaveric /ka'dav(a)nk/ adjective. Mi9. [French cadaverique or from prec. + -ic.]

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a corpse. cadaverine/ka'dav(a)ri:n/noun. Li9. [formed as cadaver + -ine5.]

A toxic liquid base, 1,5-diaminopentane, H2N(CH2)sNH2, formed by the putrefaction of proteins. chemistry.

cadaverous /k3'dav(a)ras/ adjective, lme. [Latin

cadaverosus, formed as cadaver: see -ous.]

Of, pertaining to, or resembling a corpse; esp. deathly pale. ■ cadaverously adverb M19 cadaverousness noun M17

cad-bait 'kadbeit/noun. Now dial. Also (earlier) cod-. E17. [formed as cad-worm: see bait noun'.]

= caddis noun21.

caddie /'kadi/ noun. Orig. Scot. Also caddy, cadee, jeadie.

cacoethes kakau'i:0i;z/noun. Mi6. [Latin from Greek kakoethes use as noun of adjective kakoethes illdisposed, formed as caco- + ethos.] An evil habit; a passion or ‘itch’ for doing something inadvisable. cacoethes scribendi /skri'bendi:/ an irresistible desire to write.

0

[Cf. caddis noun' 2 ] A rough woollen covering,

-men top,

[from Latin cacuminare make pointed (from caormin-, summit) + -al1.]

caddice noun var. of caddis noun-.

cacoepy /ka'kauipi, 'kakoo-/ noun. li9. [Greek kak(o)epia, formed as caco- + epos word: see -Y3.] Bad pronunciation (opp. orthoepy)

[Prob. formed as caw + daw noun: cf. kae noun.]

Ajackdaw.

caddy /'kadi/ noun1. L18.

cad /kad/noun. lis.

■ fcacochymic adjective pertaining to or suffering from an unhealthy state of the bodily humours lme-m 19. f cacochymical adjective = cacochymic E17-M19. fcacochymy noun [Greek kakokhumia] an unhealthy state of the bodily humours LME-M19. ca codorous adjective ill-smelling, malodorous M19. caco doxical adjective (rare) of or pertaining to wrong opinion, heterodox L17. cacodoxy noun (rare) [Greek kakodoxia] a wrong doctrine, heterodoxy M19. caco-magician noun an evil sorcerer M17. caconym noun an example of bad (scientific) nomenclature or terminology L19.

[Origin unkn.]

► A verb trans. Trouble, disturb. L18. ► B noun. Disorder, confusion; trouble. Ei9. caddow /'kadau/ noun', obsolete exc. dial. lme.

cack-handed /kak'handid/ adjective, colloq. M19. [from CACK noun + hand noun + -ED2.] Left-handed; clumsy.

caco- /'kakau/ combining form. Before a vowel also cac-. [Repr. Greek kako-, from kakos bad: see -o-.] In words from Greek and in English words modelled on these, with the sense ‘bad, evil’.

caddie /'kad(a)l/ verb & noun. dial. lis.

2 A succulent plant of the family Cactaceae, with thick fleshy stems, usu. spiny and without leaves, and often brilliantly coloured flowers, mis.

cacuminal /ka'kju:min(a)l/ adjective. M19.

2 cut the cackle colloq. (stop talking and) come to the point. ■ cackler noun lme.

noun + -ish\]

Of the nature of or characteristic of a cad; ungentlemanly; blackguardly. ■ caddishly adverb L19. caddishness noun M19.

caco phonic, caco'phonical adjectives = cacophonous M19.

cack /kak/ verb. Now dial. lme. [Middle Low German, Middle Outch cacken (Dutch kakken) from Latin cacare.] 1 verb intrans. Defecate, lme. 2 verb trans. Void as excrement. Lis.

cackle /'kak(o)l/ verb & noun. me. [Prob. from Middle & mod. Low German, Middle Dutch kakelen, partly of imit. origin, partly from kake jaw, cheek.] ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Of a hen: make the clucking noise characteristically made after laying an egg. Of a goose: make its similar characteristic noise, gaggle, me. ►tb Of a jackdaw, magpie, starling, etc.: chatter. ME-L17. 2 verb intrans. Of a person: be full of noisy chatter; laugh spasmodically or in a loud and silly manner, me. 3 verb trans. Utter with or express by cackling, me. ► B noun. 1 The cackling of a hen or goose, me. 2 Idle chattering; noisy inconsequential talk. Li 7. 3 A spasmodic or loud and silly laugh, mi9.

larva of a caddis-fly (see sense 2 below), which often makes cylindrical protective cases of debris and is com¬ monly used as fishing bait. E17. 2 caddis-fly, a feeble-flying usu, nocturnal insect of the order Trichoptera, living near water. Mi7. [from cad

cacophonie from Greek kakophonia, formed as prec.: see

Discordant sound; an instance of this. ■

[Origin unkn.: cf. cad-bait, cadew, cad-worm.] 1 More fully caddis-bait, caddis-worm. The aquatic

caddish /'kadij/ adjective. M19.

cacophonously adverb M19.

cacophony /ko'kDf(o)ni/ noun. Mi7.

cacique /ka’siik/ noun. Mi6. [Spanish or French, from Taino.] 1 A W. Indian or S. American Indian native chief. Ml6. ►b A political boss in Spain or Latin America. L19. 2 A gregarious tropical American blackbird of the genus Cacius, marked with patches of red or yellow. E19.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see,

phone

Discordant in sound; ill-sounding.

caddis /'kadis/ noun2. Also -ice. E17.

M17. [French cadet noun1.] fl = CADET noun1 2. M17-E19.

2 A boy or man on the lookout for odd jobs. mis. 3 A young fellow, a lad. Scot.joc. L18.

4 A golfer's assistant for carrying clubs etc. L18. Comb, caddie-car, caddie-cart a light two-wheeled trolley for transporting golf clubs during a game.

caddy noun2, verb var. of caddie noun, verb. f cade noun\ ME-L19. [Latin cadus wine-jar, measure for liquids from Greek kados cask, jar, of Semitic origin (cf. Hebrew kad pitcher).] A cask, a barrel, esp. of herrings.

cade /keid/ noun2 & adjective, lme. [Origin unkn.]

(A lamb, foal, etc.) brought up by hand as a pet. cade /keid/ noun3. Li6. [French from Provencal from medieval Latin catanus, perh, from Gaulish.] cade oil, oil of cade, a bitter dark oil, having some medi¬ cinal use, distilled from the wood of a juniper, Juniperus oxycedrus.

cadeau /kado/noun. Pl. -eaux /-o/. Li8. [French.]

A gift. fcadee noun. M17-LI8. [French cadet noun1: cf. caddie noun.]

= cadet noun' 2. cadelle/ks'dsl/noun. Mi9. (French from Latin catella, cateUus young (of an animal), little dog.] A small dark beetle, TenebroideS mauritanicus, fre¬ quently found in food stores where it scavenges and preys on other insects, cadence /'keid(a)ns/ noun & verb. lme. [Old French from Italian cadenza from popular Latin, from Latin cadent- pres, ppl stem of cadere fall: see -ence.] ► A noun. 1 (A) rhythm; (a) metrical or musical beat; (a)

measured movement, esp. of sounds, lme. 2 a (A pattern of) falling intonation or pitch of voice, esp. at the end of a sentence etc. L16. kb gen, Intonation; an intonation pattern; (a) modulation of the voice; (a) national or local accent. E18. 3 The close of a musical phrase; a sequence of notes resolving discord or establishing arrival in a key. Also, a flourish at the close of a movement, a cadenza. L16. |4 Sinking or falling down. E-M17. 5 The sound of the rising and (esp.) falling of a storm, the sea, etc. arch. M17. £0 1 Shakes. 111. The elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of poesy. F. Norris Listening to the one-two-three, one-two-three cadence of the musicians. Scientific American A bicyclist confronting a head wind .. tries to maintain his customary.. pedaling cadence by shifting gears. 2a L. Sterne A low voice, with a.. sweet cadence at the end of it. b G. Murray The accent, the cadences, the expression, with which the words were originally spoken. J. Berger The cadence of their voices is like that of a couple talking in bed. 3 imperfect cadence: see imperfect adjective, medial cadence: see medial adjective, perfect cadence: see perfect adjective. placai cadence 4 Milton Now was the Sun in Western cadence low. Comb.: cadence braking repeated rhythmic application of the brakes of a motor vehicle.

hot, 0: saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day, au no, v. hair, la near, ai boy ua poor Aia tire, aua sour

322

cadency | cafard

■ cadenced

cadilesker /kmdi'lesks/ noun. Li6. [Turkish cadilaskar from Arab, kadi (a)l-'askar judge of the army.] Hist. A chief judge in the Ottoman Empire, whose juris¬

adjective characterized by cadence, rhythmical,

Caelum /'si:Ism/ noun. Mi9.

diction originally included the army,

measured ns.

[formed as prec.: see -ency.]

Cadmean /kad'mksn/ adjective. Also -aean. E17.

1 = cadence noun l. Now rare. Ei7. 2 The status of a younger branch of a family. E18.

[from Latin Cadmeus from Greek Kadmeios, from Kadmos Cadmus (see below) + -an.]

Pertaining to Cadmus, the legendary founder of Thebes; Theban; spec, designating a victory gained at too great a cost. cadmium /'kadmiam/ noun. E19.

cadent /'keid(a)nt/ adjective & noun. Li6. cadent-: see cadence.] ► A adjective. 1 astrology. Designating or pertaining to each [Latin

of the four mundane houses (the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th of the twelve divisions of the heavens) next clockwise from the angles (ancle noun3 3). Cf. succedent adjective 2. Li6. 2 Falling in intonation or pitch; rhythmical; modu¬ lated. arch. Ei7. 3 gen. Falling. Long arch. Ei7. ► B noun, astrology. A cadent house (see A.i above), obsolete exc. Hist. Li 6.

[from Latin cadmia (see calamine) + -ium.]

A bluish-white metallic chemical element, atomic no. 48, which occurs in small amounts in zinc ores and resembles zinc chemically. (Symbol Cd.) Comb.: cadmium cell a voltaic cell with cadmium amalgam and mercury electrodes and saturated cadmium sulphate electro¬ lyte, used as a standard of electromotive force; cadmium yellow an intense yellow pigment containing cadmium sulphide. ■ cad miferous adjective yielding cadmium E19.

cadential /k3'denJ(o)l/ adjective. Mi9. [from cadence, after essence, essential, etc.: see -ial ]

tcadouk adjective & noun. Chiefly Scot. As noun also caduac. lme.

Of or pertaining to a cadence or cadenza. cadenza /ks'denza/noun. mis.

[French caduc: see caducity.]

► A adjective. Liable to fall; perishable; transitory; frail. LME-L17. ► B noun. An incidental payment; a windfall. M17-E19.

[Italian: see cadence.]

music. A (sometimes improvised) flourish or passage for a

solo instrument or voice, usu. near the close or between the divisions of a movement; spec, such a passage in a con¬ certo in which the main themes of the movement (usu. the first or last) are developed.

cadre/'ka:da, 'ka:dr(3), 'kadri/noun. Mi9. [French from Italian quadro from Latin quadrus square.] 1 A frame, a framework; a plan. rare, mi9.

cadet /ka'det/ noun'. E17.

2 military, a A permanent establishment of trained per¬ sonnel forming a nucleus for expansion at need, mi9. kb (A list of) the complement of the officers of a regi¬ ment etc. mi 9. 3 (A member of) a group of workers acting to promote the aims and interests of the Communist Party. M20. kb In the People's Republic of China, an office-holder in a Party, governmental, or military organization. M20.

[French, earlier capdet from Gascon dial. (= Provencal capdei) from Proto-Romance dim. of Latin caput, -it- head: see -et1.]

1 A younger son or brother; also occas. (a member of) a younger branch of a family. E17. kb The youngest son or brother. Mi7. 2 Hist. A gentleman who entered the army without a commission, to learn the profession. Ml7. 3 A student in a naval, military, or air force college.

tcaduac noun var. of cadouk noun.

L18.

4 A young man learning sheep-farming. NZ. Ml9. 5 A member of a corps receiving elementary military or police training. L19.

caduceus /ka'djuisias/ noun. PI. -cei /-siai/. Li6. (Latin caduceus. -um from Doric Greek karuk(e)ion = Attic kerukeion neut. adjective used as noun, from kerux, -uk- herald.]

■ cadetship noun a place as a cadet; the status of a cadet: E19.

In classical history, a Greek or Roman herald’s wand; spec. (also C-) the wand carried by the messenger-god Hermes or Mercury, usu. represented with two serpents twined round it.

Cadet /ka'det/ noun2. Also K-. E20. [Russian Kadet, from Ka tie, pronunc. of the initials of Konstitutsionnyi demokrat Constitutional Democrat, with ending

■ caducean adjective P.117

assimilated to that of cadet noun1.)

Russian history. A member of the Constitutional Demo¬ cratic Party.

caduciary/ka'djmsjsri/ adjective. Now rare. mis.

[Rel. to CAD-BAIT, CADDIS

law. (Of a bequest, esp. of an estate) subject to reversion; pertaining to reversion of a bequest.

nOUP2, CAD-WORM.]

= caddis noun21.

caducity/ka'djmsiti/noun. mis.

cadge /kadj/ noun'. Ei7. [App. alt. of cage noun. perh. conf. with cadge verb 2.] falconry. A (usu. wooden) framework on which hawks are carried.

[French cadurite, from caduc from Latin caducus liable to fall, per¬ ishable, from cadere to fall: see -ity.]

1 The infirmity of old age. senility. M18. 2 gen. Tendency to fall; transitoriness; frailty. L18. 3 law. The lapse of a testamentary gift. L19.

cadge /kad;j/ verb & noun2, lme. [Origin unkn. Exc. in sense A.i (which may be a different word) perh. back-form, from next.]

caducous /ks'dju-.kss/ adjective. L17.

► A verb. 1 verb traps. Fasten, tie, bind, knot, obsolete exc. dial.

[from Latin caducus (see prec.) + -ous.)

LME. 2 verb traps. Carry about, obsolete exc. dial. E17. 3 verb trans. Load, stuff, (the stomach), dial. Li7. 4 verb trans. Hawk, peddle (Scot.); get by begging or scrounging. E18. 5 verb intrans. Go about begging or scrounging. E19.

1 A carrier; an itinerant dealer, esp. travelling between town and country; a hawker, arch. Chiefly Scot. & north. Li 5. 2 A person who scrounges or begs habitually; a sponger. Ml9. cadger /'kad3o/noun2. M19. + -er‘: cf. Old French cagier.]

falconry. A man who carries hawks.

1 Amorous; wanton. E18. 2 Cheerful, merry. E18. ■ cadgily adverb E18. cadginess noun L19. [Arab, (al-)kadi. See also kazi.]

h he, j yes.

k cat, 1 leg.

Caerphilly /ksffili, ka:-, ko-t noun. E20. [A town in S. Wales.]

More fully Caerphilly cheese. A kind of mild white cheese, orig. marketed in Caerphilly, caerulean adjective & noun var. of cerulean. Caesar/'si:z3/noun. [Old English casere, Old Frisian kaiser, keiser, Old Saxon kesar. Old High German keisar, Old Norse keisari, Gothic kaisar, from Germanic from Latin family name of Gaius Julius Caesar, Roman statesman d. 44 bc: cf. Kaiser, tsar.] 1 A Roman emperor, esp. one of those from Augustus to

Hadrian, oe. kfb (The heir of) the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. M16-E18. 2 transf. & fig. a An absolute monarch; an autocrat, me. kb A temporal ruler; the civil power. Ei7. 3 medicine. (A case of or baby delivered by) Caesarean section. Now slang. Mi6. 1 appeal to Caesar: to the highest possible authority. Caesar’s wife a person required to be above suspicion. Comb.: Caesar baby Medical slang: delivered by Caesarean section. Caesar salad [named after Caesar Cardini, the Mexican restaura¬ teur who invented it in 1924]: consisting of cos lettuce and crou¬ tons served with a dressing of olive oil. lemon juice, raw egg, Worcester sauce, and seasoning. ■ Caesarism noun the principle of absolute government: imperialism: Mi9. Caesarist noun f(a) rare a monarch, an emperor; (b) an adherent of Caesarism: L16. Caesaro- papism noun the supremacy of the civil power in ecclesiastical affairs L19.

Caesarean /si'zsinan/ noun & adjective. Also *Ces-, -ian. Ei6. -ian.]

► A noun. 1 A follower or adherent of Caesar; a person in favour of autocracy or imperialism. Ei6. 2 eliipt. (A) Caesarean section; a Caesarean birth. E20. ► B adjective. 1 [From the story that Julius Caesar was so delivered.] Caesarean section, Caesarean operation, the

surgical operation of cutting the walls of the abdomen to deliver a child. Hence Caesarean birth. Caesarean delivery, etc. E17. 2 Of or pertaining to Caesar or the Caesars; imperial. Ml 7. caesious /'skzras/ adjective. Ei9. [from Latin caesius + -ous.]

Greyish-blue or -green. caesium /'si:zram/ noun. Also *ces-. M19. [formed as prec. + -ium: named from having characteristic lines in the blue part of the spectrum.]

A soft highly reactive chemical element of the alkali metal group, atomic no. 55. (Symbol Cs.) Comb.: caesium clock an atomic clock that uses the vibrations of caesium atoms as a time standard.

caespitose "sespitaus/ adjective. Also *ces- mis. [from

Chiefly botany. Growing in tufts or clumps.

caecilian sisilion/ noun. Also coe-. L19. A legless, superficially snakelike, burrowing amphib¬ ian of the order Gymnophiona, with poorly-developed eyes; = apodan.

m man,

n no.

p pen,

r red.

s sit,

t top,

Latin caespit-, -es sod, turf + -ose1.]

caesura /si'zjusra/ noun. Mi6.

[from mod. Latin Caecilia genus name from Latin caecilia slowworm: see -an.]

■ caecal adjective of, pertaining to, or resembling the caecum E19. caecitis /a'sAitis/ noun inflammation of the caecum M19.

A civil judge in a Muslim country.

[from Caen, a town in Normandy.]

A lightish-yellow building stone found near Caen.

[Latin from Greek kaikios.]

anatomy. 1 The blind prolongation of the large intestine beyond the junction with the small intestine, bearing the vermiform appendix: the blind gut. lme. 2 Any blind-ended tube or vessel, mis.

cadi /'ka:di. 'keidi/ noun. Also k-, q-. L16.

Caen stone /’kern stson/ noun phr. lme.

The north-east wind, esp. personified.

[Latin (intestinum) caecum blind gut. translating Greek tuphlon enteron.]

[Origin unkn.]

■ caenoge rietic adjective 119.

Caenozoic adjective & noun var. of Cenozoic.

[Latin caespiticius, formed as next: see -itious2.]

caecum /'skksm/ noun. Also "cecum. PI. -ca /-ka/. lme.

cadgy /'kad3i/ adjective. Scot. & north. Eis.

biology. Orig., the development of features in ontogen¬ esis which are the result of environmental adaptation (opp. palingenesis or recapitulation). Now spec., the development in embryonic or larval forms of functional adaptations not present in the adult.

Made of turf.

Caecias /'si:si3s/ noun, literary. Ei7.

[Origin unkn.: cf. prec.]

[from Greek kainos new, recent + -genesis.]

caespititious /sespi'tijas/ adjective. Also *ces-. L18.

[Origin unkn.]

A hat, a cap.

cadger /‘kad3o/ noun', lis.

f few, g get,

cad-worm /'kadwsim/ noun. Now dial. Also (earlier) Tcod-. LME.

cady /'keidi/noun. dial. & slang. Mi9.

► B noun, fl A circuit for begging. Scot. Only in L17. 2 The action of cadging, colloq. E19.

[Prob. from cadge noun'

11 Epileptic. Only in Li7. 2 botany & zoology. Of an organ or part: that falls off natur¬ ally after serving its purpose. Opp. persistent 1. mis. 3 law. Of a bequest: subject to reversion. L19.

[Origin of 1st elem. unkn.: cf, cad-bait, caddis noun2, cadew. See worm noun.] = caddis noun21.

CO 1 T. Roethke So caged and cadged. 4 R. Hoggart Those who can cadge a few coppers from their mothers. E. Reveley I'm cadging a lift home with you people. 5 J. Buchan I cadged.. for invitations to tea.

caenogenesis /si:n3'd3Enisis/ noun. Also keno- /'kirns/, •ceno-; caino-, kaino- /'keina-/. L19.

[from Latin Caesarianus or Caesar cue, from Caesar: see prec., -ean,

[Late Latin raducarius, from caducus (in bona caduca lapsed posses¬ sions): see next, -ary1.]

cadew /'kadju:/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. M17.

[Latin caelum chisel.]

A minor constellation of the southern hemisphere, next to Eridanus; the Chisel.

j cadjan noun & adjective see kajang.

cadency /'ketd(a)nsi/ noun. E17.

b but. d dog,

caecostomy /sr'kDstami/ noun (an instance of) the surgical for¬ mation of an opening in the caecum through which intestinal contents may be removed Li 9.

jcadie noun var. of caddie noun.

► B verb. 1 verb tram. Compose metrically, rare, mi8. 2 verb intrans. Flow in rhythm; resolve discord or estab¬ lish a key with a cadence. E20.

van,

w we, z zoo.

[Latin caesura, from caes- pa. ppl stem ofcaedere cut: see -ure.] 1 prosody. A break or pause between words within a

metrical foot in classical prosody or near the middle of a line in English etc. prosody, mi6. 2 gen. A break, a stop, an interruption. Li6. ■ caesural adjective M18.

CAF abbreviation. US. Cost and freight, caf noun var. of caff. cafard /ka'fa:,/oreign kafa:r/ noun. M16. [French = cockroach, hypocrite, prob. from late Latin caphardum: see CAFFA.]

tl A hypocrite. M16-M17. J she,

3

vision,

0 thin.

6

this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

323

2

cafe |cake Melancholia. E20.

cafe

/'kafei,

cagmag /'kagmag/ noun & verb. dial. Mi8.

-fi;joc. or slang kaf, keif/ noun1. Also cafe

caff

[Origin unkn.]

► A noun. A tough old goose; unwholesome meat; offal

E19.

[French = coffee(-house).]

mis.

1 A coffee-house; a teashop; an informal restaurant' US a bar. 2 A shop selling confectionery, tobacco, newspapers, etc., and staying open after normal hours. S. Afr. M20 Comb.: cafe curtain a curtain covering only the lower half of a window; cafe society regular patrons of fashionable cafes and nightspots.

cafe /kafe/ noun2. PI. pronounced same.

► B verb intrans. & trans. Infl. -gg-. Quarrel; nag. L19.

cagnotte /kajiot/ noun.

Li9.

[French.]

Money reserved from the stakes for the bank at certain gambling games.

cagot /kago/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Mi6. [French.]

mis.

The French for coffee or ‘coffee-house’, occurring in various phrases used in English

11 An affectedly pious person. Scot. Only in m 16. 2 A member of an outcast group in southern France (Hist.); an outcast, a pariah. E19.

■ cafe au lait o le/ coffee with milk; (of) the light brown colour of this: M18. cafe chantant /fata/ [lit. 'singing cafe'], pi. -s -s (pro¬ nounced same), a cafe with live musical entertainment Mi9 cafe no/r/nwa:r/ black coffee Mi9.

cagoulard /kagula:r/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M20. [French, formed as next: see -ard.] Hist. A member of a secret French right-wing organiza¬

[See prec.]

cafeteria /kafi'trarra/ noun. Orig. US. nm. [Amer. Spanish cafeteria, from cafe coffee.] A coffee-house; a restaurant; now esp. a self-service res¬

taurant.

cafetiere /kaftje:r/ noun. PI. pronounced same. mi9.

cagoule /ks'gml/ noun. Also k-. M20. [French, lit. 'cowl'.]

A hooded thin waterproof garment pulled on over the head.

caff /kaf/ noun, slang. Also caf. M20. [Abbreviation.] noun', CAFETERIA,

cahier /kaje/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li 8. [French: see quire noun1.] 1 Hist. In pi. The instructions prepared by each of the

three representative bodies as a guide for their policy at the French National Assembly of 1789. ns. 2 An exercise-book; a pamphlet, a fascicle, mi9.

= CAFE

Li 5.

[Old French from late Latin caphardum university gown, of unkn. origin.]

1 A rich silk cloth. L15-M17. 2 A kind of painted cotton cloth made in India.

cahoot /ka'hu:t/ noun, slang (orig. US). E19. [Origin unkn.] sing. & (now usu.) in pi. Company, partnership; collusion.

Chiefly in in cahoots with

M18-E19.

cahoun noun var. of cohune.

caffe/ kaffe,

'kafei/ noun. M19. [Italian = coffee, cafe.)

cahow /ka'hao/ noun. E17. [Imit.J

1 An Italian coffee shop or cafe. 2 (A drink of) coffee. 2 caffe latte / kaffe 'latte, ,kafei 'latei/ [Italian = milk coffee: cf. latte], a drink made by adding a shot of espresso coffee to a glass or cup of frothy steamed milk.

caffeine/'kafrn/noun.

Mi9.

[French cafeine, formed as cafe noun' + -ine5.] chemistry. A crystalline alkaloid, C8H10N,O2, which is

found esp. in tea and coffee plants and is a central nervous system stimulant; 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. ■ caffeinated adjective (a) (of coffee or tea) containing natural caffeine, or with caffeine added; (b) stimulated (as if) with caf¬ feine: L20. caffeinism noun headache, sleeplessness, and palpi¬ tations caused by excessive intake of caffeine Li9.

caffle /'kaf(s)l/ verb intrans. dial.

Caffre noun see

A company of travellers in the Middle East, a caravan, caftan /'kaftan, kaftarn/ noun. Also k-.

Li6.

[Turkish kaftan from Persian kaftan, partly through French cafetan.]

1 An Eastern man’s long tunic with a waist girdle. L16. 2 A long loose dress; a loose-fitting shirt. M20. cafuffle noun var,

of kerfuffle.

[Gaelic = old woman.]

An old (Highland) woman, a crone. tcaimacam noun var. of kaimakam. caiman noun var. of cayman.

[Old Norse kaggi.]

cage Ikeii-f noun & verb. me.

animals, etc., made wholly or partly of wire, or bars of metal, wood, etc., so as to admit air and light, me. 2 A prison, a lock-up. me. Fb An enclosure for prison¬ ers of war. E20. 3 fig. That which confines or imprisons, me. 4 A structure resembling a cage for birds etc.; an open framework of various kinds; spec, (a) a frame for hoisting men, wagons, etc., in a mine; (b) a compartment for pas¬ sengers etc. in a lift. lme. Q 1 gilded cage. 3 W. Beveridge The Cage of Flesh. Wherein the Soul is penned. 4 ribcage thoracic cage Comb.: cage-bird: (of a kind customarily) kept in a cage; cagework (a) openwork like the bars of a cage; t(b) the upper works of a ship. ► B verb trans. Confine in or as in a cage. L16. ■ cageling noun a bird kept in a cage M19

Shrewd; wary; secretive; uncommunicative. ■ cageyness, caginess noun M20. cagily adverb E20

[from cocaine.]

pharmacology. Forming nouns denoting drugs, esp. ones

ca’ing whale /'karri weil/ noun phr. Also caa'ing whale.

The pilot whale, Globicephala melaena.

[Old & mod. French from Latin cavea stall, cage, coop, etc.] ► A noun. 1 A box or place of confinement for birds,

[Origin unkn.]

-caine /kein/ suffix. Also -cain.

M20. [Scot, ca’ing calling (see call verb 9).]

A small cask, a keg.

cagey /'keid3i/ adjective, colloq. (orig. US). Also cagy.

M19. ■ Cainite noun (ECCLESiAsriCAt history) a member of a gnostic sect which exalted everyone and everything reviled by God in the Old Testament M17.

with anaesthetic properties, as lignocaine. Novocain.

cag /kag/ noun, obsolete exc. Scot. & US dial. See also keg. lme.

E20.

cam.]

1 horned cairn: see horned adjective, stalled cairn: see stall verb'.

► B verb trans. Provide or mark with a cairn or cairns; pile as a cairn. Chiefly as cairned ppl adjective. M16. cairngorm/'ke:ngo:m/noun. lis. [A mountain in northern Scotland, = Gaelic

camgorm blue cairn.]

(A piece of) smoky quartz, esp. as found in parts of Scot¬ land. Also cairngorm stone. caisson keislojn. ks'smn/ noun.

117.

[French = large chest, from Italian cassone with assim. to caisse case

1 A large watertight chamber open at the bottom, from which the water is kept out by air pressure, used in laying foundations under water. Li 7. Fb A floating vessel used as a dock gate, mi9. 2 An ammunition chest; an ammunition wagon. Ei8. Comb. : caisson disease illness of workers in compressed air, resulting from too rapid decompression; the ‘bends’.

caitiff /'keitif/ noun & adjective, arch. me. [Old French caitif captive, var. of chaitif (mod. chetif wretched) from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin captives captive adjective.]

► A noun, f^ a A captive, a prisoner. ME-E17. Fb A wretched or miserable person, a poor wretch. LME-L17. 2 A base, despicable wretch; a villain; a coward, me. ► B adjective. Wretched, miserable. ME-L16. 2 Vile, base, wicked; worthless; cowardly, me. cajan/'keid3(a)n, 'ka:-/noun. L17. [Malay kacang.]

A tropical leguminous shrub of the genus Cajanus, esp. C. cajan, cultivated for its edible pulses. cajang noun & adjective see kajang.

1 A murderer, a fratricide, me. 2 raise Cain, make a disturbance, create trouble, colloq.

Li6.

[Gaelic cant corresp. to Old Irish. Welsh

► A noun. 1 A pyramid of rough stones raised as a memor¬ ial or to mark a path etc. lme. 2 In full cairn terrier. A small terrier with short legs, a longish body, and a shaggy coat. E20.

cajeput noun var. of cajuput.

[The eldest son of Adam, who murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4)-l

[Arab, kafila: cf. coffle.]

cairn /ke:n/ noun & verb. lme.

cailleach /'keljAx/ noun. Scot. Also -iach. Ei9.

Cain /kern/noun2. me.

Kaffrarian.

Cairo (see below) + -etie, after Nazarene etc.]

caid noun see kaid.

[Irish & Gaelic cdin.]

Kaffir.

cafila /'ka:fib/ noun.

CAI abbreviation. Computer-aided (or -assisted) instruction,

A rent paid in kind.

Argue; prevaricate. Caffrarian adjective see

A large rare petrel, Pterodroma cahow, which breeds in Bermuda.

cain /kern/ noun'. Scot. & Anglo-Irish. Also k-. me.

Mi9.

[Var. of CAVIL verb.]

[from

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of the Egyptian city of Cairo, mi9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Cairo or its inhabitants M19.

noun2: see -oon.]

cagy adjective var. of cagey.

[French, formed as cafe noun1.]

A coffee-pot, spec, one with a plunger; a coffee-making machine; a coffee-percolator.

tcaffa noun.

tion in the 1930s.

Cairene /'kAirim, kAi'ri:n/ noun & adjective. M19.

cainogenesis noun var. of caenogenesis. Cainozoic adjective & noun var. of Cenozoic. caipirinha /kMpi'rinja/noun. L20. [Brazilian Portuguese, from caipira yokel.]

A Brazilian cocktail made with cachaca, lime or lemon juice, sugar, and crushed ice. caique /kAi'iik, ko-/noun1. Ei7. [French caique from Italian micro from Turkish kayik.]

1 A light rowing boat or skiff used on the Bosporus. E17.

2 An eastern Mediterranean sailing vessel. M17. caique /kwi'iiks, -kei/ noun2. M20. [Spanish or Portuguese.]

Either of two small tropical S. American parrots of the genus Pionites, mainly green, yellow, and black in colour. Cf. SACKIE. caird /ke:d/ noun. Scot, lme [Gaelic ceard artificer in metal = Irish ceard, Old Irish cerd crafts¬ man.]

A travelling tinker; a Gypsy.

cajole /kp'djoul/ verb. M17. [French

cajoler.]

1 verb trans. Persuade or prevail upon (a person) by delu¬ sive flattery, specious promises, etc. (Foil, by into, out of, to do.) M17. Fb Coax (something) out o/a person. M18. 2 verb intrans. Use cajolery. M17. £2 1 W. Irving The populace.. are not to be cajoled out of a ghost story by any of these plausible explanations. V. Woolf We tried to cajole him to write with £10 p. 1,000 for bait. T. Dreiser She cajoled him into getting things for her and then would not even let him kiss her. 2 S. King Herb talked to her, then cajoled, finally demanded. ■ cajolement noun El 9. cajoler noun L17.

cajolery /ks^subri/ noun. M17. [French

cajolerie, formed as prec.: see -ery.]

The action oran instance of cajoling; persuasion byflattery, deceit, etc. Cajun /'ketd3(p)n/ noun & adjective. N. Amer. colloq. M19. [Alt. of Acadian.]

► A noun. A French-speaking descendant of early settlers in Acadia, living esp. in Louisiana and Maine; gen. an Acadian, mi9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Cajuns; gen. Acadian. L19. cajuput /'kad3ppAt/ noun. Also caje-. L18. [Malay white.]

kayuputih, name of the tree, from kayu tree + patch

More fully cajuput oil, oil of cajuput. An aromatic medi¬ cinal oil obtained from certain E. Indian trees of the genus Melaleuca, of the myrtle family. cake keik/ noun. me. [Of Scandinavian origin: cf. Icelandic. Swedish rel. to German Kuchen.]

kaka. Danish kage,

1 (A quantity of) bread baked in smallish flattened rounds or other regular shapes, usu. turned in baking and so hard on both sides. Now chiefly Hist. me. 2 (A quantity of) thin oaten bread. (Cf. oatcake s.v. oat noun) Scot. & north, lme.

3 (A quantity of) sweet usu. unleavened bread with other ingredients besides flour, e.g. currants, spice, butter, eggs, sugar, usu. baked in a round or other orna¬ mental shape. LME. 4 A flattish compact mass of other food or of any com¬ pressed substance, lme. 3 birthday cake, chocolate cake, cup cake, seed-cake, shortcake, sponge-cake, teacake, upside-down cake, etc. cheesecake: see cheese noun', waste! cake: see wastel 1. 4 cake

a cat, a: arm, s bed, 3: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 3: saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day. 30 no, e: hair, is near, .it boy, os poor aio tire, aos sour

324

cake | calcic of soap, etc, cattle-cake, cotton-cake, fish cake, linseed cake, mint-cake, oilcake, potato cake, etc. beefcake see beef noun. Phrases: cakes and ale merrymaking, good things, hot cake, see hot adjective, have one’s cake and eat it, eat one s cake and have it enjoy both alternatives, land of cakes (sense 2) Scot¬ land. one's cake is dough: see dough noun, piece of cake colloq. something easy or pleasant, the cake fig. assets etc. to be shared out (slice of the cake, a share in benefits etc.), take the cake: see take verb. Comb.: cake-bread (now rare) (n) bread of the fine texture ot cake; (b) bread made in flattened cakes; jcake-house: where cakes are sold; cake-hole slang a person s mouth, cake-mix the prepared ingredients of a cake sold ready for cooking. ■ cakelet noun a small cake M19. caky adjective like (a) cake Mi6.

cake /keik/ verb. Ei7. [from the noun.] 1 verb traps. & intrans. Form into a compact mass. E17. 2 verb trans. Cover with a hardened mass. M20. B3 1 Shakes. Timon Their blood is cak'd, 'tis cold, it seldom flows. H. G. Wells Black mud.. had caked in hard ridges. 2 P. L. Fermor Hair caked with snow

cakewalk /'keikwo:k/ noun & verb. Orig. US. Mi9. [from cake

noun + walk noun.]

► A noun. 1 (A dance developed from) a black Americans' contest in graceful walking with a cake as the prize. M19.

2 A moving platform on which people walk, as a fair¬ ground entertainment. E20. 3 An easy task. E20. ► B verb intrans. Walk as in a cakewalk; dance the cake¬ walk. LI 9.

CAL abbreviation1. Computer-aided (or -assisted) learning. (Large) calorie,

Cal. abbreviation.

/'kalomari/ noun. PI. -ies. In cookery pi. also calaman/kab'mari/, calamaries/kab'moriz/. Mi6. [medieval Latin calamarium pen-case, use as noun of neut. of Latin calamarius adjective, from calamus from Greek kalamos pen: see -ary1. Mod. culinary use from Italian.]

A squid with a long, tapering, horny, internal shell, esp. one of the corhmon genus Loligo; in pi. (in form calamari(esj), squid in Italian cookery.

calambac /'kal(a)mbak/ noun.

Li6. [French, Spanish, or Portuguese, from Malay kelembak.] = aloes wood s.v. aloe.

lme. [Old & mod. French from medieval Latin calamina alt. of Latin cadmia from Greek kadm(e)ia (ge) Cadmean (earth), from Kadmos: see Cadmean.] An ore of zinc, spec, the carbonate (smithsonite), or less

commonly the basic silicate (hemimorphite). Also, a pink preparation of powdered zinc carbonate or oxide used in lotions, ointments, etc.

calamint

'‘kabmint/noun. me. [Old French calament from medieval Latin calamentum from late Latin caiaminthe from Greek kalaminthl.]

An aromatic herb or shrub of the genus Clinopodium (for¬ merly Calamintha), of the mint family.

calamistrum

kab'mistram/ noun. PI. [Latin* curling-iron.]

-stra /-stre/.

calabar noun var. of calaber. Calabar bean /'kabba: bi:n/ nounphr.

M19.

A reedlike plant of an extinct .group related to the horsetails, found as fossils chiefly of Carbonifer¬ ous age. ■ cala mitean adjective L19.

L19.

Calabar a town and province in Nigeria + bean noun.]

The poisonous seed of a leguminous climbing plant, Physostigma venenosum, which contains physostigmine and is used in W. Africa in trials of witchcraft; = ordeal bean. Mi7.

[French calebasse formed as next.]

1 a A gourd or similar large fruit that can be used as a container for liquid; esp. the fruit of the bottle-gourd or (N. Amer.) that of the tree Bignonia cujete. M17. Fb A tree yielding such a fruit, esp. (a) a bignonia; (b) the baobab. Also calabash tree M17. 2 A vessel or other utensil (as a pipe) made from or having a resemblance to such a fruit; such a vessel full of a substance. Mi7. t3 The head. US slang. E18-M19. Comb.: calabash nutmeg: see nutmeg noun 1; calabash tree: see sense lb above.

calabaza /kab’bcczs/ noun. L16. [Spanish, perh. ult. from Persian karbuz melon.] = CALABASH 1.

calaber /'kabba/ noun. Also -bar. lme. Latin calabris, -ebrum,

app. from Calabria: see

Mi6. [French calamiteux or Latin calamitosus, formed as next: see

-ous.] 1 Disastrous, deeply distressing. Mi6. t2 In deep distress; grievously afflicted. M17-MI8. ■ calamitously adverb L18. calamitousness noun (rare) M17

calamity /ka'lamiti/ noun.

lme. [Old & mod. French calamite from Latin ralamitos: see -itv.] 1 Adversity; deep distress, lme. 2 A grievous disaster. M16.

£Q 1 S. Johnson So full is the world of calamity, that every source of pleasure is polluted. 2 E. Wilson And all the kinds of calamities befell them: fires and typhoid epidemics. Comb.: calamity-howler. Calamity Jane N. Amer. a prophet of

disaster.

Squirrel fur; now spec, the fur of grey varieties of the common Eurasian squirrel Sciurus vulgaris. calaboose /kala'bu:s/ noun. US. Lis. [Southern US Blacks' French calabouse from Spanish calabozo dungeon.]

A prison, a lock-up. Calabrese kabbri:s, kab'bri:s, kab'breisi/ noun.

M20.

[Italian = Calabrian.]

A variety of sprouting broccoli.

Calabrian/ka'labnan/ adjective & noun.

Li6.

(A native or inhabitant) of Calabria, a region of S. Italy. M19.

More fully calamondin orange. A small hybrid citrus plant, x Citrofortunella microcarpa, which bears fragrant white flowers followed by small orange-yellow fruit, native to the Philippines and widely grown as a houseplant. lme. [Latin from Creek kalamos.] fl Areed; a cane. lme-ei8.

[mod. Latin, from Malay keiadi: see-iuM.]

A plant of the tropical American genus Caladium. of the arum family, with starchy tubers.

calalu /kab'lu:/ noun. Also callaloo. mis. [Amer. Spanish calalu.]

Any of various tropical American plants, esp. of the aroid genus Xanthosoma, cultivated for their edible leaves; soup or stew made with these. calamanco /kab'magkau/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun -oes Li6. [Origin unkn.: cf. Dutch kal(a)mink, German kalmank, French calmande.] Hist (Of) a glossy worsted material,

calander noun see calandra. calando /ko'landau,/oreign ka'lando/adverb.

b but, d dog, f few. g get. h he. j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

[mod. Latin (see below), from Greek kalathos basket.]

Any plant of the tropical American genus Calathea (family Marantaceae), typically with variegated leaves and including several species grown as greenhouse or indoor plants. [Latin from Greek kalathos.] classical antiquities.

A basket, as depicted in sculpture etc.

calavance 'kabvans/ noun, obsolete exc. Canad. dial. Earlier jcara- Ei7. [Ult, from Spanishgarbanzo chick-pea.]

Any of certain kinds of pulse; a small bean. calaverite /kab'vEUAit/ noun. M19. [from Calaveras County, California + -ite1.]

A monoclinic gold telluride, usu. occurring as elongated bronze-yellow or silvery-white metallic crys¬ tals, or as granular or massive deposits. mineralogy.

calc- dcalk/ combining form. [German kalk lime, alt. after Latin calc- calx: cf. caick]

Forming words chiefly geology & mineralogy with the sense ‘lime’.

■ cal calkaline adjective (petrography) relatively rich in both calcium and alkali metals E20 calc-sinter noun a crystalline cal¬ careous deposit from mineral springs; travertine: Ei9 calc-spar noun calrite E19. calc-tuff noun a porous calcareous deposit from mineral springs E19.

calcanea noun pi. of calcaneum. calcaneo- /kal'keimau/ combining form of next: see -o-. ■ calcaneo cuboid adjective of or pertaining to both calca¬ neum and cuboid bone mi9.

calcaneum /kal'keinram/ noun. PI. -ea /-is/. Also -eus /-ias/, pi. -ei /-iAi/. mis. [Latin.] anatomy.

The large bone of the heel.

■ calcaneal adjective M19. calcanean adjective L19. fcalcany noun (rare) = calcaneum: only in Li6.

calcar /'kalka/ noun1. Now rare or obsolete. M17. [Italian cakara: cf. late Latin calcaria limekiln.]

A small calcining furnace used in glass-making. calcar /'kalks/ noun2. M18. [Latin = spur.] & zoology. A spurlike projection on a petal, bone,

botany

etc. ■ calcarate adjective having a calcar or spur E19.

size to sand grains. calcareous /kal'ksrrras/ adjective. Also -ious. L17. [from Latin calcarius of lime (see calx, -ary1) + -ous.]

Of or containing calcium carbonate or other, usu. insol¬ uble, calcium salt; of the nature of calcium carbonate. [from Latin calcar noun2 + -ine1.]

Spurlike: esp. designating a small fissure of the occipital lobes of the cerebrum, anatomy.

E19.

[Italian = slackening.]

Gradually decreasing in speed and volume.

calandra

ka'landro/ noun. Orig. f-der. Li6. [Old & mod. French calandre from medieval Latin calandrus from Greek kalandros.]

More fully calandra lark A lark, Melanocorypha calandra, native to southern Europe, N. Africa, and the Middle East.

calandria /ka'landria/ noun.

E20. [Spanish, from Greek kylindros cylinder.]

A closed cylindrical vessel with a number of tubes passing through it, serving as a heat-exchanger etc,

calanoid

'kabnoid/ noun & adjective. M20. [from mod. Latin Calanus genus name + -oid.]

(Designating or pertaining to) a planktonic copepod of the order Calanoida. zoology.

calathea /kab'Ore/ noun. M19.

calcarine /'kalkarAin/ adjective. Li9.

2 More fully sweet calamus >a An Eastern aromatic plant mentioned in the Bible (e.g. Exodus 30:23). lme. ►b The sweet flag, Acorns calamus. M17. 3 A rattan palm of the genus Calamus. Mi 9. 4 The hollow lower part of the shaft of a feather, which lacks barbs. Li9.

music.

removable folding hood. Mi7. 2 In Canada, a two-wheeled one-horse vehicle with a seat for the driver on the splashboard, mi8. 3 A woman’s large and folding hooped hood. L18. 4 A folding hood on a vehicle. Mi9.

[from calc- + Latin (h)arena sand + -ite1.] geology. A limestone built up from particles similar in

E20.

[Tagalog kalamunding.]

t

Calabria (see below) + -an.]

[French caleche, fg- from German Kalesche from Polish kotasa (or Czech kolesa), from koto (kolo) wheel.] Chiefly Hist. 1 A light low-wheeled carriage with a

calcarenite /kalka'rim.vxt/ noun. E20.

calamus /'kabmas/ noun.

Calabrian.]

caladium /ka'leidiam/ noun.

calamitous /ka'lamitss/ adjective.

calamondin /kab'mondm/ noun.

calash /ka'laj/ noun. Also caleche. -eche, /ka'lej/, ■fgaleche. Mi7.

calathus /'kabflos/ noun. PI. -thi -Oai/. mis.

calamine /'kabmAin/ noun.

palaeontology.

California.

[from

calamary

'kabmAit/ noun. M19. [mod. Latin Calamites genus name, formed as calamus: see -ITE1.]

(Small) calorie.

[medieval

A fine-grained red-brown ebony, streaked with black, from the southern Asian tree Diospyros quaesita. Also, the tree itself.

calamite

cal abbreviation3.

calabash /'kabbaj/ noun.

[Sinhalese kalumadiriya, perh. from English Coromandel ebony. assim. to Sinhalese kaiu black.]

zoology. A combhke structure on the fourth pair of legs of certain spiders, serving to 'card' the silk as it is secreted.

Cal abbreviation2.

[from

calamander kabmanda noun. Ei9.

calcarious adjective var. of calcareous. calcedony noun var. of chalcedony. calceolaria /kalsis'lerns/ noun. lis. [mod. Latin, from Latin calceolus dim. of cakeus shoe + -aria: see -ary1.]

A S. American plant of the genus Calceolaria, of the figwort family, bearing slipper-shaped flowers. calceolate kalsroleit adjective. M19. [from Latin calceolus (see prec.) + -ate2.] botany.

Shaped like a slipper.

calces noun pi. see calx. calci- "kalsi/ combining form of Latin calc-, calx lime, usu. with the sense ‘calcium carbonate’: see -1-. Cf. calc-. ■ calcicole adjective & noun [Latin colere inhabit] botany (a plant) growing best in calcareous soil L19. cat cicolous adjective = calcicole adjective Li 9. cal cigerous adjective containing lime M19. calcifuge adjective & noun (botany) (a plant) not suited by calcareous soil M19. calci tonin noun a polypeptide hormone secreted by the thyroid, having the effect of lowering blood calcium; also called thyrocalcitonin M20.

calcic/'kalsik/odject/Ve. M19. [from calcium + -ic.]

Of or containing calcium; relatively rich in calcium.

man. n no. p pen. r red, s sit, t top, v van. w we, z zoo. J she, 3 vision, 0 thin. 6 this, q ring, tj chip, d3 jar

325

calciferol | calender

calciferol /kal'sifarDl/ noun,

M20. [from next + -ol: so called because of its activity in promotinq bone calcification.] biochemistry. A sterol which is formed when its isomer

ergosterol is exposed to ultraviolet light, and is essential for the deposition of calcium in bones and the preven¬ tion of rickets and osteomalacia. Also called vitamin D , ergocalciferol.

calciferous

kal'sif(o)ros/ adjective. Li8. [from CALCI- + -FEROUS.]

Yielding calcium carbonate, calcify /'kalsrfXi/ verb. Mi9. [from CALCI-+ -fy.]

1 verb trans. Convert into calcium carbonate or other insoluble calcium compounds; harden by deposition of such compounds; petrify. Freq. as calcified ppl adjective. M19.

2 verb intrans. Undergo or become hardened by such deposition, mi9. E9 1 fig.: P. Gallico The humanity in her had been calcified by the pursuit of money. ■ calcific adjective of or pertaining to calcification Mi9. calcifi cation noun the process of becoming calcified; a calcified structure: mi9.

calcimine

'kalstmAin/ noun & verb. Mi9. [Alt., after Latin calc-, calx lime.)

= kalsomine.

calcination

kalsi'neijiojn' noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, or medieval Latin calcinatio(n-), from calcinatpa. ppl stem of colcinare: see next, -ation.]

1 The action or process of reducing to a friable sub¬ stance by heat; calcining, lme. kfb Oxidation. E17-E19. 2 gen. Burning to ashes, roasting; complete combus¬ tion. E17.

calcine /'kalsAin, -sin/ verb.

lme. [Old French calriner or medieval Latin colcinare, from late Latin calcina lime, from Latin calc-, calx.] 1 verb trans. a Reduce by roasting or burning to quick¬ lime or a similar friable substance or powder, lme. ►b gen. Burn to ashes, consume by fire; roast. Ei7. kfc fig. Consume or purify as if by fire. M17-E18. 2 verb intrans. Undergo any of these processes. E18. £3 2 V. S. Naipaul In the dry season the earth baked, cracked, and calcined. ■ cal cinable adjective urn. cal ciner noun (a) rare a person who calcines; (b) a kiln or other apparatus for calcining: M17.

calcio- /'kalsiau/ combining form. [from calcium + -o-.]

Used with the sense ‘calcium’, esp. to form mineral names. calcite/'kalsAit/noun. Mi9. [from Latin calc-, calx + -ite'.] mineralogy. Trigonal calcium carbonate, which occurs

widely in a variety of forms, e.g. as prismatic crystals of Iceland spar etc., or in limestone, marble, and other rocks, and is colourless or white when pure. ■ calcitic kal’sitik/ adjective of. pertaining to, or of the nature of calcite Lt9.

calcitrate /

kalsitreit/ verb trans. & intrans. Ei7. [Latin calcitrat- pa. ppl stem of calcitrare kick out with the heels, from calx heel: see -ate3.]

4 verb trans. Plan deliberately; think out, frame. M17. 5 verb trans. Arrange, design, adjust, adapt; be intended. Foil, by for a purpose, to do. Now always pass, in meaning andusu. in form (see calculated 1). M17. 6 verb intrans. Rely, reckon, count, on, upon. Ei9. 7 verb trans. Suppose, believe, (that); intend (that, to do). UScolloq. Ei 9. £0 1 S. Bellow He could calculate percentages mentally at high speed. I. Murdoch She was now calculating how soon she could decently rise to go. 2 Shakes. 2 Hen. VIA cunning man did calculate my birth And told me that by water I should die. 4 R. W. Emerson The English did not calculate the conquest of the Indies. 5 T. S. Eliot His manners and appearance did not calculate to please. 6 H. B. Tristram We had calculated on a quiet Sunday, ■ ca k ulative adjective of or pertaining to calculation; given to calculating: mis. calculatory adjective (now rare) of or pertaining to calculation E17. calculated /'kalkjuleitid/ ppl adjective, eis. [from prec. + -ed*.] 1 Intended to do; fitted, suited, apt, to do. ei 8. 2 Reckoned, estimated; considered; with quences etc. known. Mi9.

conse¬

£B 1 S. J. Perelman A scene of activity calculated to inspire even the most torpid. 2 Geo. Eliot When he did speak it was with a calculated caution. Listener Obviously, the Soviet Union is taking a calculated risk. ■ calculatedly adverb L19. calculating /'kalkjuleitig/pp/adjective. E19. [formed as prec. + -ing2.] That calculates; esp. shrewdly or selfishly reckoning the chances of gain or advantage, acting self-interestedly. ■ calculatingly adverb M19. calculation /kalkju'leij(a)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from late Latin calculation-), formed as calculate: see -ation.] 1 Arithmetical or mathematical reckoning; computa¬ tion; estimation of outcome or probability; shrewd or selfish reckoning of the chances of gain or advantage. lme. kb An act or instance of so reckoning or estimating. LME.

2 A form in which reckoning is made; a product or result of calculating; a forecast, lme. 03 1 M. Kline Calculation was done on various forms of the abacus, j. Gross The impression which remains longest is one of artfulness and calculation, b E. J. Howard She did some.. calculations then, and said thirty-eight. 2 J. Austen If the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better. ■ calculations! adjective L19. calculator /'kalkjoleita/ noun. lme. [Latin calculator, formed as calculate: see -or. In mod. use from CALCULATE + -OR.] 1 A person who calculates; a reckoner, lme. 2 A set of tables to facilitate calculations; a machine to carry out calculations. L18. kb A programmed electronic device for carrying out calculations, esp. (also pocket calculator) a small flat one with a keyboard and visual display. M20. tcalcule noun. LI6-MI8. [French calcul from Latin calculus.] = CALCULATION.

Kick.

■ calci tration noun MI7

calcium /’kalsiam/noun.

Ei9. [from Latin calc-, calx + -ium.]

A greyish-white chemical element, atomic no. 20, which is one of the alkaline earth metals and occurs abundantly in nature, esp. as its carbonate (limestone etc.). (Symbol Ca.) Comb.: calcium antagonist medicine any substance that reduces the influx of calcium into the cells of cardiac and smooth muscle, weakening contractions and tending to lower blood pressure: calcium carbonate a white insoluble solid, CaCO„ occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and calcite, and forming mollusc shells and stony corals; calcium hydroxide a soluble white crystalline solid, Ca(OH)2, commonly produced in the form of slaked lime; calcium oxide a white caustic alkaline solid, CaO, commonly produced in the form of quicklime.

calcrete/'kalkri:t/ noun. E20. [from CALC- + CONCRETE nOUn.]

A breccia or conglomerate cemented together by cal¬ careous material; a calcareous duricrust.

calculable /'kalkjotab(a)l/ adjective,

3 verb intrans. Perform a calculation or calculations; make an estimate; form a judgement about the future E17.

mis.

[from next + -able.]

Able to be calculated. Of a person: predictable. ■ calcula'bility noun Li9.

calculate /‘kalkjoleit/ verb.

calculiform /'kalkjolrfhm/ adjective. E20. [from Latin calculus + -1- + -form.] Pebble-shaped. calculous /'kalkjubs/ adjective. E17. [from Latin calculosus, formed as next: see -ulous.] medicine. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a calculus; affected with calculi. calculus /'kalkjobs/ noun. PL -li /-Iai, -li:/, -luses. M17. [Latin = small stone (used in reckoning with an abacus).] 1 a A particular method or system of calculation or rea¬ soning; esp. (math.) infinitesimal calculus (see below). M17. kfb gen. Computation; calculation. L17-E19. 2 medicine. A stone. M18. 1 calculus of variations: see variation, differential calculus the part of infinitesimal calculus that deals with derivatives and differentiation, infinitesimal calculus the branch of math¬ ematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives and integrals of functions, by methods orig. based on the sum¬ mation of infinitesimal differences, integral calculus the part of infinitesimal calculus that deals with integrals and integra¬ tion. predicate calculus: see predicate noun, propositional calculus.

lme. [Late Latin calculat- pa. ppl stem of calculare, formed as calculus: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. Estimate or determine by arithmetical or

caldarium kal'dsinum/ noun. PI. -ria /-ns/, mis. [Latin.] Hist. A (Roman) hot bath or bathroom.

mathematical reckoning; estimate or determine by practical judgement or on the basis of experience, lme. 2 verb trans. Ascertain esp. beforehand the time or cir¬ cumstances of (an event etc.) by exact reckoning, lme.

caldera /kDl'de:r3, -'diara/ noun. Li7. [Spanish from late Latin caldaria pot for boiling ] A volcanic crater of great size; spec, one whose breadth greatly exceeds that of the vent(s) within it.

caldron noun var. of cauldron. calean /'kaha:n/ noun. M18. [Persian gilyan, kalyan from Arab, gilyan for galayan bubblinq up boiling: cf. kalian.]

A hookah. caleche. caleche nouns vars. of calash. Caledonian /kali'dauman/ adjective & noun. E17. [from Latin Caledonia Caledonia. Roman name of part of northern Britain, later applied to Scotland or the Scottish Highlands. + -an.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to ancient Caledonia; Scottish, of the Scottish Highlands, (now joc. or literary exc. in names of existing institutions etc.). E17. 2 geology. Designating or pertaining to an episode of mountain-building in NW Europe in the Palaeozoic era. E20.

► B noun. A native or inhabitant of ancient Caledonia; a Scotsman, a Scottish Highlander, (now joc. or literary). Mis. *1 See also Alew Caledonian s.v. new adjective.

caledonite /'kalidanAit/ noun. M19. [formed as prec. + -ite1.] mineralogy. An orthorhombic basic sulphate and carbon¬ ate of copper and lead, usu. occurring as blue or bluegreen prisms. calefacient/kali'feij(a)nt/ noun & adjective. M17. [Latin, pres, ppl stem of calefacere, from calere be warm: see -FACIENT.] medicine. (A substance) producing a sense of warmth.

calefaction /kaii'fakj’(a)n/ noun. Now rare. lme. [Old & mod. French calefaction or late Latin calefactio(n-), from calefact- pa. ppl stem of calefacere: see prec., -faction.] 1 (A) heated condition of the body. lme. 2 The action of making something warm (lit. & fig.); heating. Ei6. calefactive /kali'faktiv/ adjective. Now rare. [from Latin calefact- (see prec.) + -ive.] Having the tendency to warm; warming.

lme.

calefactory /kali’fakt(a)ri/ noun & adjective, lme. [Late Latin calefactorius adjective, medieval Latin -torium noun, formed as prec.: see -ory1.] ►A

noun. |1 medicine = calefacient noun. lme-mi7.

2 Hist. A vessel providing heat; spec, a metal ball contain¬ ing hot water on which a priest could warm his hands before administering the Eucharist. Mi6. 3 A warm room in a monastery. L17. ► B adjective. Adapted to warming; producing warmth. El 8. calembour /kalabu:r/ noun. Also -bourg /-bu:r/. PI. pro¬ nounced same. El 9.

[French.] A pun. calendar/'kalinda/noun. Also (now rare) k-. me. [Anglo-Norman calender. Old French calendier (mod. culeridner) from Latin kalendarium, c- account-book, from kalendae (the day on which accounts were due): see calends, -ar2.] 1 The system by which the beginning, duration, and subdivisions of a year are fixed, me. 2 A table or set of tables displaying the months, weeks, festivals, etc., of a given year, or with dates important to a particular pursuit or occupation, lme. kb A contriv¬ ance for reckoning days, months, etc.; an adjustable device showing the day’s date etc. E18. j3 fig. A guide; an example; a model. LME-E17. 4 A list, a register, spec, (a) of canonized saints, (b) of cases for trial, (c) of documents arranged chronologically with summaries, (d) US of matters for debate, lme. 1 Gregorian calendar: see Gregorian adjective. Julian calendar: see Julian adjective. Liberian calendar, see Liberian adjective'. 2 gardener’s calendar. racing calendar, etc. perpetual calendar see perpetual adjective. 4 Newgate Calendar see Newgate noun. Comb. : calendar month any of the (usu. twelve) portions into which a year is divided; the period between the same dates in successive months; calendar year, see year noun' 1. ■ calendarial adjective of. pertaining to, or according to a cal¬ endar E19. calendary noun & adjective t(a) noun = calendar noun: (b) adjective = calendarial: lme. ca lendric adjective of the nature of a calendar L19. ca lendrical adjective = calendric adjective M19.

calendar /‘kalinda/ verb trans. Lis. [from the noun.] 1 Register or enter in a calendar, esp. of saints or saints’ days, li 5. 2 Arrange, analyse, and index (documents). Mi9. ■ calendarer noun

M19

calender /'kalinda/noun'. Ei6. [Old 8, mod. French calandre, formed as calender verb.] f 1 = CALENDERER. E16-L18.

2 A machine in which doth, paper, etc. is pressed by rollers to glaze or smooth it. E17. calender ''kalinda/ noun2. Li6. [Persian kalandar.]

A mendicant dervish.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, 0: saw. a run. o put, u: too, a ago. ai my, au how, ei day, do no, e: hair, la near, ar boy. ua poor, aid tire, aua sour

326

calender | call calender /'kaluxb/ verb traps. L15. [Old & mod. French calandrer, of unkn. origin.] Press (cloth, paper, etc) in a calender. ■ calenderer noun a person who calenders cloth etc. L15.

calends /'kalindz/ noun pt. Also k- & fin sing, oe [(Old & mod. French calendes from) Latin kalendae, c- (pi.) first day of the month, when the order of days was proclaimed, from base of Latin calare, Creek kalein call, proclaim.] f 1 In sing. A month; an appointed time. Only in oe. f 2 The Jewish festival of the new moon. lme-ei7. 3 The first day of the month in the ancient-Roman cal¬ endar. LIME. f 4 A prelude, a beginning. LME-E17. 5 A calendar, a record, rare. lime. 3 on the Creek Calends, at the Creek Calends never, till the Creek Calends for ever. [mod. Latin, dim. of calendae (see prec.), perh. because it flowers for most of the year.] A marigold of the genus Calendula, with large yellow or orange flowers.

■ calibred adjective having a calibre (of a specified kind) L19.

calice noun var. of calix. caliche /koTLtfi/ noun. Mi9. [Amer. Spanish.]

A mineral deposit found in arid areas of N. or S. America, esp. Chile nitre.

calescence /kaiesfajns/ noun. rare. Mi9. [from Latin ralescent- pres, ppl stem of calescere grow warm, from calere be warm: see -escence.] Increasing warmth or heat. ■ calescent adjective E19.

calf /ka:f/ noun'. PI. calves /ka:vz/. [Old English aelf, cealf = Old Saxon calf (Dutch kalf). Old High German kalb neut. (German Mb), kalba fern., Old Norse kalfr. Gothic kalbo, from Germanic. In sense 4 from Old Norse.] 1 A young bovine animal, esp. the domestic cow, spec in its first year. oe. Fb A stupid or inoffensive person. IM16. 2 The young of some other large mammals, as the ele¬ phant, deer, whale, etc. lime. 3 sea-calf, the common seal. lime. 4 A small island lying close to a larger one. rare exc. in the Calf of Man (off the Isle of Man). L17. 5 Leather made from the hide or skin of a calf, used esp. in shoemaking and bookbinding. Eis. 6 A floating piece of ice detached from an iceberg, ei 9. 5 mottled calf rough calf see rough adjective. Phrases: golden calf, in calf (of a cow etc.) pregnant, kill the fatted calf see fat verb, with calf (of a cow etc.) pregnant. Comb.: calf-love romantic affection felt by a young person; calf’s foot (a) the foot of a calf, esp. as food; f(b) wild arum, cuckoo-pint: calfskin = sense 5 above; calf’s snout the plant weasel’s snout, Misopates orontium. ■ calfhood noun L19. calfless adjective1 lime.

calf /ka:f/ noun2. PI. calves /ka:vz/. me.

catfish "ka:fij/ adjective. Also calvish /'ka:vif/. L16. [from calf noun' + -ish1.]

Like a calf; stupid; untrained, immature.

■ calicular /ka'likjob/ adjective of or pertaining to a calicle, cuplike M19.

calico /'kalikao/ noun & adjective. Orig. also J-cut. Mi6. [Alt. of Calicut, a town in India.] ► A noun. PI. -oes, *-os. 1 a Orig. calico cloth. Cotton cloth, orig. as imported from the East; fabric resembling this. Now esp. (a) plain

white unprinted bleached or unbleached cotton cloth; (b) N. Amer. printed cotton cloth. M16. Fb A piece or example of such doth. Li 6. 2 A piebald horse. US. mi9. Comb. : calico-bush N. Amer. the mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia; calico-printer, calico-printing (a person engaged in) the pro¬ duction of printed patterns on calico. ► B adjective. 1 Of calico. Li6.

2 Suggestive of printed calico; multicoloured; piebald. N.Amer. E19. 2 calico cat a cat with black, ginger, and white patches.

calid /'kalid/ adjective, arch.

[Origin unkn.] A mixture of rum and spruce beer,

[formed as prec., after aqueduct.]

A pipe for conveying heat. calif, califate nouns vars. of caliph,

[from prec.: see -ation.] The action or process of calibrating an instrument, gauge, etc. Also, (one of) a set of graduations on an instrument, etc.

calibre /'kaliba, ka'lLbo/ noun. Also *-ber Mi6. [Old & mod, French from Italian calibro or Spanish calibre, perh. from Arab, kalib mould from kalab ult. from Greek kalapous shoe¬ maker's last.] 1 (Orig. social) standing, rank, importance; ability, per¬ sonal capacity, weight of character; worth. imi6. k cat, 1 leg. r

[App. ult. from Latin calc-, calcaneum heel, or calcar spur: see CALKIN.]

1 = CALKIN. L16. 2 A piece of iron projecting from the heel of a boot etc. to prevent slipping. US. E19.

calk /ko:k/ verb' trans. Also *cork. Ei7. [from the noun.]

Provide (a horseshoe, a boot, etc.) with a calk or calkin. ■ calker noun (chiefly Scot) = calkin lis.

lme. [Middle Dutch kalkoen or its source Old French calcain, from Latin calcaneum heel, from calx, calc- heel.]

Californian/kali'fo:nian/ adjective & noun. E18. [from California (see below) + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or belonging to, native or peculiar to, California, a state on the Pacific coast of N. America. Californian condor. Californian holly the toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia. Californian jack: see Jack noun'. Californian poppy (a) an eschscholtzia, Eschscholtzia califomica; (b) = romneya. Californian sea lion see sea lion 3. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of California. Li8.

californite /kali'fo:nAjt/ noun. E20. [formed as prec. + -ite1.] mineralogy. A green variety of vesuvianite resembling

calinda /koTinda/ noun.

mis.

[Amer. Spanish.]

A black American dance found in Latin America and the southern US. calipash /'kahpajV noun. Li7. [Perh. W. Indian or alt. of Spanish carapacho carapace.]

Orig. the upper shell or carapace of the turtle. Now, that part next to this, containing a dull green gelatinous sub¬ stance; also, this substance, which is regarded as a deli¬ cacy. Cf. next. calipee /'kalipi:/ noun. Mi7. [Perh. W. Indian: cf. prec.]

Orig., the lower shell or plastron of the turtle. Now, that part next to this, containing a light yellowish gelatinous substance; also, this substance, which is regarded as a delicacy. Cf. prec. caliper noun & verb var. of calliper. n no. p pen,

calk /ko:k/ noun. Also ’"cork. Li6.

calkin /'ko:km, 'kalkin/ noun.

Calif, abbreviation. California.

man,

ecclesiastical HISTORY. A member of a section of the Hussites who maintained that both the cup and the bread should be administered to the laity during the Eucharist.

calk verb3 see caulk verb1.

■ caligi riosity noun (arch.) dimness of sight M17.

calibration /kali'breij(3)n/ noun. Li9.

eis. [medieval Latin Calixtini pt, formed as prec. Cf. French calixtin.]

caliphate.

[Latin caliginosus, from caligo, -in- mistiness: see -ous.]

Measure the calibre of; measure the irregularities of (a tube, gauge, etc.) before graduating it; graduate (a tube, etc.) with allowance for irregularities; determine the correct value, position, capacity, etc. of; correlate the readings of (an instrument) with a standard. ■ calibrator noun an instrument or device used in calibrating E20.

the divisions of the renal pelvis.

Calixtine/'kalikstin/ noun.

Copy (a design etc.) by colouring the back and following its lines so as to trace them on to a surface placed beneath.

caliduct /’kalidAkt/ noun. M17.

Misty, dim; obscure, dark.

[from CALIBRE + -ATE3.]

[Latin calix, -ic- cup: cf. calyx.] Chiefly an atomy. A cuplike cavity or structure; esp. one of

[French calquer to copy, trace from Italian calcare from Latin calcare to tread.]

Warm, tepid; hot.

caliginous ka jidymas adjective, arch. M16.

calibrate /'kahbreit/ verb trons. M19.

calisthenic adjective & noun var. of callisthenic.

calk /ko:k/ verb2 trons. M17.

lme.

[Latin calidus.)

A radioactive metallic chemical element of the actinide series, atomic no. 98, which is produced artificially. (Symbol Cf.)

calibogus /kali'baugas/ noun. US. imis.

Calippic adjective var. of Callippic.

calix /'keiliks/ noun. Also -ice /-is/. PI. -ices /-isi:z/. E18.

calicle/'kalik(a)l/noun. M19.

[from California University, where first made + -ium.)

caliber noun see calibre.

[from prec. + -ate1: cf. French caliphat.]

Chiefly Hist. 1 A country governed by a caliph. E17. 2 The reign or term of office of a caliph. Mis. 3 The rank or dignity of a caliph, mis.

[Var. of calibre, prob. first in French arquebuse, piece de calibre.]

californium /kali'fo:nram/ noun. M20.

[A character in Shakes. Temp.] A man of a degraded bestial nature.

■ caliphal adjective L19.

caliphate /’kalrfeit/ noun. Also -f-, khalif-. Ei7.

A light kind of harquebus fired without a rest.

jade.

Caliban /'kaliban, -ban/ noun. L17.

Chiefly Hist. The chief civil and religious ruler of the Muslim community.

Cup-shaped; resembling a calyx.

eis.

[Old Norse kalfi, of unkn. origin.] The fleshy hinder part of the leg below the knee; transf. the corresponding part of a stocking, trouser-leg, etc. Comb, calf-length adjective (of a garment, boots, etc.) reaching to the calf. ■ calfless adjective2 E16.

lme. [Old & mod. French caliphe (medieval Latin calipha, -es) from Arab. Mifa deputy (of God), from title kali/at Allah, or successor (of Muhammad), from title Mifatrasul Allah of the Messenger of God, from kalafa succeed. See also khalifa.]

caliver /'kalrva/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6.

zoology. A small cup-shaped structure.

[French from Spanish calentura, from calentar be hot from ProtoRomance from Latin calere be warm.] 1 A form of delirium formerly supposed to afflict sailors in the tropics, in which the sea is mistaken for green fields; a fever, sunstroke. Li6. 2 fig. A burning passion, ardour, zeal. L16.

caliph /'keilif, 'ka-/ noun. Also calif, khalif.

[from Latin calix, -ic- + -1- + -form.)

(Latin caliculus dim. of calix, -ic-: see -cle.]

calenture /'kal(3)ntjoa/ noun. Li6.

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

QJ 1 B. Magee Works of this calibre, complexity and depth take a lot of getting to know. D. Piper Two of the three most impressive sculptors who flourished in England in his life¬ time were of considerable calibre. 2b H. Allen The gross calibre of the white linen socks ending in small, black, var¬ nished shoes.

caliciform ’kalisifom/ adjective. Mi9.

calendula /ks'lendjula/ noun. Li6.

b but, d dog,

2 The diameter of a projectile; the bore or internal diameter of a gun. Li6. Fb tronsf. The diameter of any body of circular section, esp. a tube, as an arteiy etc. eis.

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo.

1 The turned-down ends of a horseshoe; a turned edge under the front of a horseshoe, lme. 2 The irons nailed on the heels and soles of shoes or clogs to make them last, mi9.

call /ko;l/ noun. Also (Scot.) ca’ /ka:/ (the usual form in sense 10). ME. [from the verb.]

► 11 A loud vocal utterance; a cry, a shout, me. Fb The reading aloud of a list of names; a roll-call. E17. 2 The cry of an animal, esp. a bird. Also, an imitation of this, or an instrument imitating this, esp. as used to attract birds, mi 6. Ffb A decoy bird. L16-E18. 3 A signal, summons, or short theme sounded on an instrument; a whistle etc. used for this. Li6. ffl 1 Bunyan They gave but a call, and in came their Master. roll-call: see roll noun'. 2 j. Steinbeck The twittering call of a raccoon. 3 J. Masters Two buglers.. blew a short loud call. ► II With less emphasis on the actual sound. 4 A summons, an invitation; exhortation, bidding, me. Fb spec. An invitation or summons to undertake the office of pastor, from God, one’s conscience, or a congre¬ gation. M17. Fc A summons for an actor etc. to appear on stage to receive applause, begin a performance, etc. Lis. Fd cards. A bid, pass, double, or redouble; a player’s right or turn to bid. mi9. Fe cricket. A shouted direction by a batsman to his or her partner to run or to remain in the crease; the responsibility to do this in a particular case. M19. Ff A direction in a square dance given by the caller. M19. Fg A shout or call by an umpire or referee indicat¬ ing that the ball has gone out of play or that a fault or foul has been committed; the decision or ruling indi¬ cated. LI 9. 5 A demand, a requisition, a claim, me. Fb Chiefly stock exchange. A demand for the payment of lent or unpaid capital. Also, an option of buying stock at a fixed price at a given date. eis. 6 Divine, spiritual, or inner prompting; a vocation, calling, mi6. 7 Requirement, need; occasion. L17. 8 A short visit; a stop en route, lis. 9 A communication by telephone, radio, etc.; a tele¬ phone conversation. L19. J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tf chip, d3 jar

327

call | caliisthenic ffl 4 P. Brook Alienation is a call to halt: alienation is .. holding something up to the light, making us look again. E. Longford The call had come. He was to be Prime Minister. Times An official TUC call not to take part in the protest, c curtain-call: see curtain noun 5a. g bad call, late call, etc. 5 S. Johnson The call for novelty is never satisfied. Conan Doyle The busy medical man, with calls on him every hour. 7 K. Amis A girl like you's got no call to be depressed about anything. L. Garfield He was inclined to show courage when there was no call for it. 8 A. Trollope She had.. made a morning call on Martha Biggs. 9 L. Deighton I heard the operator asking Charlie if he’d accept a reversed charge call.

7 verb trans. Give as name or title to; name; style, desig¬ nate, or address as; reckon, consider, me. 8 verb trans. Apply rude or abusive names to, vilify, dial. E19.

► III 10 Driving; a place where cattle etc. are driven; exertion, hard breathing. Scot. mis. Phrases: at call, on call ready or available when wanted; (of money lent) repayable on demand; at the beck and call of: see beck noun3 2 coll of nature see nature noun, call to the bar: see bar noon116. close call: see close adjective & adverb, get one's call, get the call dial, die, be about to die. house of call see house noun1, hurry call: see hurry noun, local call: see local adjective, moderate a call, moderate in a call see moderate verb, on call see at call above pay a call make a visit (pay a call on a person, pay a person a call): col/og. go to the lavatory, port of call a place at which a ship etc. calls, sick call see sick adjective, within call near enough to be summoned by calling. Comb. : call-box a public telephone kiosk; call-boy (a) a messen¬ ger boy; spec, a prompter's attendant employed to summon the actors; (b) a male prostitute accepting appointments by tele¬ phone; call centre an office in which large numbers of tele¬ phone calls are handled, esp. one providing the customer services functions of a large organization; call changes campanology changes rung in response to oral instructions; callday, call-night: on which law students are called to the bar; call-girl a prostitute accepting appointments by telephone; call money money loaned by a bank or other institution which is repayable on demand: call note a bird's characteristic call; callsign, call-signal a conventional signal indicating the identity of a radio transmitter; call waiting a service whereby someone making a telephone call is notified of an incoming call on the line that he or she is already using, esp. one that allows the first call to be placed on hold while the second is answered.

call /ko:l/ verb. Also (Scot.) ca’ /ka:/ (the usual form in sense 9), pa. t. ca’(e)d loe. [Old Norse kalla cry, summon loudly = Middle low German, Middle & mod. Dutch kallen, Old High German kallon talk, chatter, from Germanic.]

► I Shout, utter loudly; summon. 1 verb intrans. Cry, shout, (out); speak loudly or distinctly, in order to engage attention. (Foil, by after, to a person.) loe. Eb Of an animal: make its characteristic note. U5. ►c Rhythmically shout or chant (the steps or figures) to people performing a barn dance. Ml9. 2 verb trans. Utter loudly or distinctly, shout (out), pro¬ claim; read out (a list of names, etc.), me. Eb verb trans. & intrans. cards. Make a demand for (a card, show of hands, etc.); name (a suit, contract) in bidding. L17. Ec verb trans. & intrans. Name (heads or tails) in the tossing of a coin, ei 9. Ed verb trans. aicktt. Of an umpire: declare (a bowler) to have bowled a no-ball; declare (a delivery) illegal. Ml9. 3 verb trans. Summon by calling; demand the presence or attention of. me. Eb verb trans. spec. Summon to another world; take by death. Ei6. Ec verb trans. Rouse from sleep, summon to get up. E17. Ed verb trans. & intrans. Make a telephone call (to); communicate (with) by radio. L19. Ee computing. Cause the execution of (a subroutine, procedure, etc.); invoke (a program). M20. 4 verb trans. Convene, fix a time for, (a meeting etc.); announce as ensuing, me. 5 verb trans. Nominate by a personal summons, inspire with a vocation; of duty, God, etc.: bid, enjoin, urge, to do something. ME. Eb Invite formally to a pastorate. M16. 6 verb intrans. Make or pay a visit (orig. with the notion of a summons at the door); of a vessel, train, etc.: make a brief visit. (Foil, by on, upon someone, at a place). L16. ca 1 Shakes. Tam. Shr. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. T. Ell wood He calling earnestly after me. S. T. Warner He called softly, fig.: Tennyson To the billow the fountain calls, b J. Grenfell The little owls that call by night. 2 Thackeray The word we used at school when names were called. Ld Macaulay His duties were to call the odds when the Court played at hazard. R. Graves Gratus called out, ‘Hey, Sergeant! Look whom we have here!’ J. L. Waten I continued to call my wares as though at the market. 3 Coverdale Mark 15:16 The soudyers .. called the whole multitude together. P. Mortimer My mother called the doctor in. C. Isherwood George calls the bartender— very loudly, so he can’t pretend not to have heard. T. Stoppard What witnesses do you want to call? B. Mason A long blast on a whistle called her home. 4 Ld Macaulay It might be necessary to call a Parliament. Daily Telegraph The strike was called because we want to ensure that any future owners.. will take notice of what we say. 5 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI Is my Lord of Winchester.. call’d unto a cardinal's degree? AV Acts 13:7 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. J. Wesley I am called to preach the Gospel both by God and man. 6 W. Cowper A young gentleman called here yesterday who came six miles out of his way to see me. G. F. Fiennes The Fishguard boat train called at Challow to pick up commuters. I. Colegate Her friend .. simply detested being called on before 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

► II Name, describe as. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot

Q3 7 Coverdale Matt. 1:25 He.. called his name Iesus. Donne You can cal it pleasure to be beguil’d in troubles. G. Berkeley To call things by their right names. Southey Her parents mock at her and call her crazed. Tolkien Nobody else calls us hobbits; we call ourselves that. H. Williamson A shame. I calls it, Mr. Maddyzun. C. Hill His mother, his wife and his favourite daughter were all called Elizabeth. Anne Stevenson The aunts.. called everybody ‘sugar’.

► III 9 verb trans. & intrans. Drive, urge forward; be driven. Scot. LME. £□ 9 R. Burns Ca’ the yowes to the knowes.

Phrases. & with adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: be called to the bar, be called within the bar: see bar noun116. ca' canny: see canny adverb, call a halt (to) demand or order a stop (to), call all to naught: see naught pronoun & noun 1. call a person names abuse someone in speech, call a spade a bloody shovel, call a spade a shovel, call a spade a spade: see spade noun\ call a truce: see truce noun, call attention to direct notice to, point out. call away divert, distract, call back (a) verb phr. trans. summon to return, recall, retract; (b) verb phr. intrans. & trans. return to pay a short visit; repeat or return a telephone call or radio communi¬ cation (to), call cousin(s) arch, address each other as cousin, claim kinship with, call down (a) invoke from above; (b) colloq. reprimand, reprove, call for (a) ask for, order, demand; need, require; (b) go to or stop briefly at a place in order to get. call forth elicit, summon up. call home: see home adverb, call in (a) verb phr. trans. withdraw from circulation, recall to oneself, require repayment of; seek advice or help from; (b) verb phr. intrans. pay a short visit, esp. in passing, call in evidence: see evidence noun, calling hare a pika, call in question, call into question cast doubt on, dispute, call into being, call into existence create, call into play: see play noun, call into question see call in question above, call it a day: see day noun, call it quits: see quits adjective, call off (a) cancel (an engagement etc.); (b) order (a pursuer etc.) to desist, divert, call on, call upon (a) invoke, appeal to; request or require to do etc.; |(b) impeach, challenge; (c) pay a short visit to (someone), call one’s own claim ownership of, possess, call one s shot: see shot noun1, call one’s soul one’s own: see soul noun, call out summon out esp. to active service (as troops to aid civil authorities); elicit; challenge to a duel; summon (workers) to strike; (see also senses 1,2 above), call out of one’s name arch, address by a name other than the true one. call over (a) read aloud (a list etc.); (b) call over the coals: see coal noun, call quits see quits adjective, call someone’s bluff, see bluff noun2 2. call the roll: see roll noun1, call the shots: see shot noun1, call the tune: see tune noun, call the turn: see turn noun, call to account summon to answer for his or her conduct, bring to justice, call to mind recollect, call to order request to be orderly, declare (a meeting) open, call truce: see truce noun, call up (a) summon from below, summon up; recollect; (b) call to action; conscript for military service; (c) call on the telephone, call upon: see call on above, pay the piper and call the tune: see pay verb\ Comb.: call-down N. Amer. a rebuke, an abusive tirade; call-over a roll-call; the reading aloud of a list of betting prices; call-up a summons to action or service; spec, conscription. ■ callable adjective Ei9. callee noun a person who is called or called on Li9.

calla

/'kala/ noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin: cf. Italian calla arum lily.]

An aquatic plant of the arum family, Calla palustris. Also, an arum lily (Zantedeschia) or similar plant. Also calla lily.

callaloo noun var. of calalu. Callanetics /kala'netiks/ noun. [from Callan Pinckney (b. after athletics.]

1939),

Also

c-. L20.

US deviser of the system, perh.

(Proprietary name for) a system of physical exercises based on small repeated movements. callant /'ka:l(9)nt/ noun. Scot. & north.

Ei6.

[Flemish kalant from northern French dial, caland. earlier calland, var. of chaland customer, chap, from chaloir be warm from Latin calere.]

11 A customer, e 16- m 17. 2 A boy, a youth; a (young) fellow. Li6. callback /'kodbak/ noun. M20. [from call back s.v. call verb.]

1 An instance of returning to a customer to repair a previously sold product, esp. when this is covered by a guarantee. M20. 2 A telephone call made to return one that someone has received. M20. 3 An invitation to return for a second audition or inter¬ view. Chiefly N. Amer. M20. 4 A security feature used by some computer systems accessed by telephone, in which a user must log on from a previously registered phone number, to which the system then places a return call. L20. caller/'ko:te/ noun. lme. [from call verb + -er\]

1 One who or that which calls aloud, lme. ►b spec. One who announces the directions in a square dance, or calls out the numbers in bingo etc. Li9. ^c One who makes a telephone call. Li 9. ►d One employed to knock up workers for duty. Li9.

2 A driver. Scot. lme. 3 One who pays a (short) visit. lis.

caller /'kada/ adjective. Scot. & north, lme. [Alt. of calver adjective: cf. siller, silver.] 1 Esp. offish: fresh, not decaying, lme. 2 Ofair etc.: fresh and cool, ei6.

callet /'kalit/ noun & verb, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Old & mod. French caillette dim. of caille quail noun: see -et1.] ► A noun. A lewd woman, a prostitute; a hag, a scold. lme. ► B verb intrans. Scold, rail. L17.

calliard /'kalia:d/noun. dial. lis. [Origin unkn.] A hard smooth flinty gritstone,

callidity /ka'liditi/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [French callidite or Latin calliditas, from callidus skilful, cunning: see -ITY.] Craftiness, cunning,

calligraph /'kaligra:f/ noun & verb. Mi9. [French calligraphe from medieval Latin calligraphic from Greek kalligraphos: see calligraphy. Sense A.2 and verb after autograph etc.] ► A noun. 1 A person who writes beautifully, a callig¬ rapher. Ml 9. 2 An example of calligraphy. L19. ► B verb trans. Write beautifully or ornamentally. Li9.

calligrapher /ks'ligrsfs/ noun. mis. [formed as next + -er1.] A person who writes beautifully; spec, a professional transcriber of manuscripts.

calligraphy /ko'ligrofl/ noun. Ei7. [Greek kalligraphia, from kalligraphos fair writer, from kalli-, kallos beauty: see -graphy.] 1 Beautiful handwriting; elegant penmanship. Ei7. 2 Style of handwriting, penmanship generally, mi 7. 3 In painting etc.: beauty of line; (elegant) brushwork. E20. ■ calligraphic adjective of or pertaining to calligraphers or cal¬ ligraphy; having beauty of style or line: L18. tcalligraphical adjective = calligraphic: only in Mi7 calli graphically adverb Li9. calligraphist noun = calligrapher Ei9.

calling /’kodig/ noun. me. [from call verb + -ing1.] ► 11 The action of call verb. me. ► II2 (An inward conviction of) divine prompting to sal¬ vation or to serve God (with ref. to the Christian ministry with mixture of sense 4); a strong impulse towards a course of action as the right tiling to do; (a) vocation. ME. f3 Station in life; rank. M16-L17. 4 An occupation, a profession, a trade. Ml6. £0 2 F. Nightingale What is it to feel a calling for any thing? M. L. King I am a preacher by calling. 4 J. Buchan Business is now accepted as a calling for those who have received a liberal education. Mollie Harris Men who were known by their calling—Carter Temple, Shepherd Spindlow. .. Cowman Godfrey. Comb. : calling-card (chiefly N. Amer.) a visiting-card; esp. (fg.)a dis¬ tinctive mark left behind by someone.

calliope/ka'Luapi/ noun. N.Amer. M19. [Greek Kalliope (lit. ‘beautiful-voiced’) the Muse of epic poetry.] A set of steam-whistles producing musical notes, played by a keyboard like that of an organ. Also steam calliope.

calliper /'kalipa/ noun & verb. Also cali-. Lt6. [App. alt. of CALIBRE.] 1 calliper compasses, callipers, pair of callipers, compasses with bowed legs for measuring the diameter of convex bodies, or with out-turned points for measuring cavities. L16. 2 A metal support for the leg. Also calliper splint. L19. ► B verb trans. Measure with callipers. L19.

► A noun.

Callippic /ka’lipik/ adjective. Also Calippic. ti7. [from Callippus Creek astronomer of the 4th cent, bc + -ic.] astronomy (now Hist.). Designating a period of 76 years, equal to four Metonic cycles, at the end of which, by omission of one day, the phases of the moon recur at the same day and hour,

callipygian /kah'pKtyan/ adjective. Lis. [from Greek kallipugos (epithet of a statue of Venus), from kalli-, kallos beauty + puge buttocks: see -ian.] Pertaining to or having well-shaped buttocks. ■ Also callipygous -'pidps, -’pAigas/ adjective £20.

callistemon /kali'stiiman/ noun. M19. [mod. Latin, from Greek kalli-, kallos beauty + stemon thread, STAMEN.] An evergreen myrtaceous shrub or small tree of the Australian genus Callistemon, bearing flowers (resem¬ bling a bottle-brush) with many long red or yellow stamens.

caliisthenic/kalis'Oemk/ adjective & noun. Also cali-. E19. [from Greek kalli-, kallos beauty + sthenos strength + -ic.] ► A adjective. Suitable for producing strength and grace; of or pertaining to callisthenics. EI9.

>: saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago, ai my, ao how, ei day, ao no, e: hair,

ia

near, ai boy, oa poor,

Aia

tire, aoa sour

328

callithrix | calvados ► B noun. In pi. Gymnastic exercises designed to promote bodily health and grace of movement. Ei9. callithrix /'kali0riks/ noun. Also -trix /-triks/. Ei7. [mod. Latin from Latin = a kind of Ethiopian monkey, from Greek Mlitrtkhos beautiful-haired.]

A marmoset. Now only as mod. Latin genus name, callithumpian /kalr'G/vmpion/ noun & adjective. US colloq. M19. [Fanciful: cf. Gallithumpian.]

► A noun. A member of a band of discordant instruments. M19.

...

► B adjective. Designating, pertainmg to, or resembling such a band. M19. callitriche /ko'litnki/ noun. lis. [mod. Latin genus name from Greek kallitrikhos: see callithrix.]

A water starwort (see

starwort

i).

callitrix noun var. of callithrix. calloo /ko'lu:/ noun. Scot. Li8. [Imit. of the duck’s call.]

The long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis. callop /'kalop/ noun. Austral. E20. [Aboriginal.]

= golden perch s.v.

golden

adjective.

callosal ka'bos(a)l/ adjective. Mi9. [formed as next + -al1.] anatomy. Of or pertaining to the corpus callosum of the

brain. callose 'ko'taos/ adjective. Mi9. [Latin caUosus: see callous, -ose1.] botany. Having callosities. callosity /ka'tositi/ noun. lme. [French callosite or Latin callositas, formed as prec.: see -ity.]

1 Abnormal hardness and thickness of the skin or other tissue, lme. 2 A callus; a hardened insensitive part of the skin etc. LME. 3 fig. A hardened state of mind; callousness, mi 7. callous /'kabs/ adjective, noun, & verb. lme. [(French calleux from) Latin railosus, from callum, -us hardened skin: see -ous.] ► A adjective. 1 Chiefly of the skin or other tissue: hard¬

ened, indurated, esp. by continual friction; naturally hard. lme. 2 fig. Hardened in feeling etc.; insensitive, unfeeling. L17. LD 1W. Congreve With labouring callous hands. 2 Arnold Bennett He had shown a singular, callous disre¬ gard for the progress of the rest of the house. H. T. Lane Hardened in wrongdoing and callous to all good influence.

► B noun. = callus t. Mi7. ► C verb trans. Make callous, harden. Chiefly calloused ppl adjective. Cf. callus verb. Mi9. ■ callously adverb 119. callousness noun (a) callous quality or condition; esp. callous behaviour, insensitivity; (b) a callosity: M17.

callow /'kabu/ adjective & noun. [Old English calu = Middle Low German kale, Middle Dutch kale (Dutch kaal), Old High German kalo (German kahl) from West Ger¬ manic, prob. from Latin calvus bald.] ► A adjective. Bald, oe-lme. 2 Unfledged; downy, downlike; chiefly fig.: inexperi¬

enced, raw, youthful. Li 6. 3 Of land: bare; Anglo-Irish low-lying and liable to flood¬ ing. L17. L1 2 Dryden The callow Down began to cloath my Chin. C. Lamb The first callow flights in authorship. N. Mitford The callow young world of my acquaintance.

► Bnoun. fl A bald person. Only in me. |2 A callow nestling; a raw youth. M-L17. 3 Topsoil, overburden, dial. M19. 4 A low-lying meadow liable to flooding. Anglo-Irish. M19. ■ callowly adverb L20. callowness noun M19. calluna /ka'lumo/ noun. Ei9. (mod. Latin, from Greek kallunein beautify, sweep clean, from kallos beauty.]

Common heather or ling, Calluna vulgaris. callus /'kabs/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Latin (more commonly callum).] ► A noun. 1 A thickened and hardened part of the skin or

soft tissue, a callosity. Mi6. 2 medicine. The bony healing tissue which forms around the ends of broken bone. Li7. 3 botany. A hard formation of tissue; new tissue formed over a wound. L19. £9 1 E. Linklater Their noses were unremarkable, being small and without sufficient callus to give them a definite shape, fig.: 0. W. Holmes Editors have.. to develop enormous calluses at every point of contact with authorship.

► B verb intrans. Form a callus, become hardened (over). Cf. callous verb. Ml9. ■ Also tcallum noun LME-L18. b but. d dog, f few, g get. h he. j yes, k cat. 1 leg, r

calm /ka:m/ noun1,

■ calorimetric /kabn'metnk/ adjective of. pertainmg to. or by means of calorimeters or calorimetry Mi9. calori metrical adjective = calorimetric li9. calori metrically adverb Li9. calorimetry noun the measurement of quantities of heat Mi9.

lme.

[Perh from popular Latin alt. (cf. medieval Latin calmus adjective. calmacioln-)) of late Latin cauma from Greek kauma heat (of the day or sun), by assoc, with Latin calere be warm.] 1 Stillness, tranquillity, quiet, serenity, (of the weather, air, or sea, of (esp. social or political) conditions or circumstances, of the mind or behaviour), lme. 2 An absence of wind; a period of stillness or tranquil¬

calory noun var. of calorie. calotte /ko'lDt/ noun. Mi7. [French, perh. rel. to cale caul noun1.]

1 A skullcap, esp. as worn by Roman Catholic priests. M17. 2 A snowcap, an ice-cap. Li9.

lity. El 6.

calm /ka:m, ko:m, in sense came /keim/. E16.

2

also keim/ noun2. Sense 2 also

calotype /'kabtAip/ noun & verb. mi9.

[Origin unkn.] 1 A mould in which metal objects are cast. Scot. E16. 2 An enclosing frame for a pane of glass etc.; spec, a grooved slip of lead used for framing the glass in lattice windows (usu. in pi.). Li6.

calm /ka:m/ adjective,

[from Greek kalos beautiful + -type.] Hist ►A noun. A photographic process in which nega¬

tives were made using paper coated with silver iodide. M19. ► B verb trans. Photograph by this process, mi9.

caloyer /'kabia./oreign kabje (pi. same)/ noun. Li6.

lme.

[medieval Latin calmus, formed as calm noun1.] 1 Of the weather, air, or sea, of the mind or behaviour, of conditions or circumstances: still, tranquil, quiet, serene, lme. 2 Self-confident; impudent, colloq. M20. Phrases keep a calm sough: see sough noun'. a calmly adverb Li6. calmness noun Eie. calmy adjective (literary. now rare) tranquil, peaceful 116.

calm /ka:m/ verb.

[French from Italian caloiero from ecclesiastical Greek kalogeros, from kalos beautiful + geros, -as old age.]

A Greek monk, esp. of the order of St Basil.

calpac ''kalpak/ noun. Also -pack. kalpa(c)k. L16. [Turkish kalpak.]

An oriental cap; spec, a tall felt or sheepskin cap worn in east central Asia.

caique /kalk/ noun & verb. M20.

lme.

[from the adjective.] 1 verb intrans. Become calm. Now only foil, by down. lme.

2 verb trans. Make calm. Also foil, by down. Mi6. |3 verb trans. Becalm (a ship). Li6-Mi8. C3 1 L. Uris Let's stop yelling at each other... Let's calm down. 2 G. Greene It calms the nerves and soothes the emo¬ tions. ■ calmant /'ka:m(a)nt, ’kal-/ noun [French] a calmative, a seda¬ tive Ei9. calmer noun a person who or thing which calms Mi7. calmingly adverb in a calming manner E20.

[French = copy, tracing, formed as calk verb2.]

► A noun. A loan-translation (of, on). M20. ► B verb trans. Form as a caique. Usu. in pass. (foil, by on). M20.

caltha /'kal0o/ noun. Li6. [mod. Latin Caltha genus name from Latin.]

A marsh marigold.

caltrop /'kaltrap/ noun. Also -trap.

calmative /'kccmativ, 'kal-/ adjective & noun. Li9.

(Old English calcatrippe from medieval Latin calcatrippa, -trappa: senses 2 & 3 from (ult. identical) Old French kauketrape dial. var. of cauchetrape, chauche- (mod. chaussetrape), from chauchier tread + trappe trap.)

tcalmstone noun see camstone.

I Orig., a plant which tended to catch or entangle the feet. Later, a plant with a flower-head suggestive of the military instrument (sense 3 below); spec, (a) a water chestnut, Trapa natans (also water caltropfs)); (b) a member of the genus Tribulus. oe. •f 2 A trap or snare for the feet. ME-M19. 3 Hist. An iron ball with four spikes placed so that one is always projecting upwards, thrown on the ground to impede cavalry horses. Also, a heraldic representation of this. LME.

calomel/'kabmEl/noun. L17.

calumba /ko'lAmbo/ noun. Ei9.

(from prec. + -ative.) medicine. (An agent) that has a calming effect, (a) seda¬ tive.

calmodulin/kal'mDdjolm/ noun. L20. [from cal(cium + modul(ate + -in1.] biochemistry. A calcium-binding protein in eukaryotic cells which is involved in regulating a variety of cellular activities.

[mod. Latin, perh. from Greek kalos beautiful + melas black.] Mercury(I) chloride, Hg2Cl2, a white powder formerly much used as a purgative.

Calor/'kab/noun. M20. [Latin caior heat.] In full Color gas. (Proprietary name for) liquefied gas (chiefly butane) supplied under pressure in containers for use as domestic fuel.

caloric/ka'lDrik, 'kabrik/ noun & adjective. L18. [French calorique, from Latin calor heat: see -ic.]

► A noun. 1 Hist. A hypothetical fluid formerly thought to be responsible for the phenomena of heat. lis. 2 Heat. arch. Li 8. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to heat; expressed in calor¬ ies. Ml 9. ■ calorically 'ko tonkfajli adverb as or in the manner of heat; as regards heat: mi9.

calorie /'kabri/ noun. Also calory. Mi9. [French, from Latin color heat + French -ie -y3.] A unit of heat or energy; spec, (a) the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree centigrade (also called kilocalorie, large calorie, great calorie), freq. used as a measure of the energy value of foods (abbreviation Cal): (b) the quan¬ tity of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree centigrade, equal to approximately 4.19 joule (also called small calorie. abbreviation cal), empty calories: see empty adjective.

calorific/kab'ritik/ adjective. L17. [Latin calorificus, from colon-, calor heat: see -fic.] 1 Producing heat; loosely of or pertaining to heat. Li7. 2 Relating to the number of calories contained in food;

(of food) containing many calories and so likely to be fat¬ tening. L20. Iffll 1 calorific value the energy contained in a fuel or food, determined by measuring the heat produced by the complete combustion of a specified quantity of it. 2 H. H. Tan I got the most calorific dishes possible—roast pork rice,.. fried carrot cake.

calorimeter kab'rimita/ noun. Li8.

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top.

calumet /'kaljomEt/ noun. L17. [French, dial. var. of chalumeau from late Latin calamellus dim. of calamus reed.]

An American Indian tobacco-pipe with a clay bowl and reed stem, smoked esp. as a sign of peace; transf. & fig. a symbol of peace.

calumniate /kaTAmniert/ verb. Mi6. [Latin cahimniat- pa. ppl stem of calumniari, formed as calumny noun: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. Slander, defame, make false charges

against. Mi6. 12 verb intrans. Utter calumnies. E17-E18. ■ calumni ation noun (a) the action of calumniating; (b) a calumny: Mi6. calumniator noun a slanderer, a false accuser Mi6. calumniatory adjective slanderous Ei7.

calumnious /ko'kmnres/ adjective, lis. [Old & mod. French calomnieux or Latin calumniosus, formed as next: see -ous.]

Of the nature of a calumny; slanderous; defamatory. ■ calumniously adverb M16.

calumny /'kabmni/ noun. lme. [Latin calumnia.]

Malicious misrepresentation, slander, libel; a false charge, a slanderous or libellous statement or report.

calumny /'kabmni/ verb. Mi6. [(French calomnler from) late Latin calumniare for calumniari (see calumniate), in mod. use from the noun.] II verb trans. Utter calumnies. Only in Mi6. f2 verb trans. Declare calumniously. Only in mi6. 3 verb trans. Calumniate, slander. Ei9. ■ fcalumnize verb trans. calumniate E17-EI8.

calutron /koTudron/ noun. M20. [from California University cyclotron.]

A device that uses large electromagnets to separate uranium isotopes from uranium ore, in order to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium.

calvados 'kalvados/ noun. E20.

(from Latin calori-, color heat + -meter.] An apparatus for measuring the amount of heat involved in a chemical reaction or other process. man.

[Perh. from Colombo, Sri Lanka, erron. regarded as the source.]

The dried root of the tree jateorhiza palmata, native to E. Africa and Madagascar, used as a bitter tonic. Also calumba root.

v van, w we. z zoo,

[Calvados, a department in Normandy, France.]

Apple brandy, traditionally made in the Calvados region; a drink of this. | she. 3 vision.

0 thin,

d this,

q ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

329

calvaria | camcorder calvaria /kal've:rra/noun. PI. -iae/-ri:/. Also -ium /-ram/ pi -ia /-ra/. lme. [Latin calvaria: see next.] anatomy. The vault of the skull.

calypso /koiipsou/noun. PI. -os.

117. [The site of the Crucifixion of Jesus, from Latin calvaria skull (from oilva scalp, calvus bald), translating Creek colcotha.J 1 heraldry. Calvary cross, cross Calvary: with the upper

and side limbs of equal length and the lower limb con¬ siderably longer, mounted on a pyramid of three grises or steps. L17. 2 roman catholic church. A sculptured or pictorial representation of the Crucifixion, eis. 3 A place of crucifixion (lit. & fig.). Li9.

calve ka:v/ verb'. [Old English calfian, cealfian, from calf noun'.] 1 verb intrans. Give birth to a calf. oe. 2 verb trans. Give birth to (a calf). Usu. in pass. lme. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Of an iceberg etc.: split to produce (a detached part). ei 9. ■ calver noun a cow that calves Lis.

calve verb2 see cave verb3. calved /ka:vd/ adjective. Li6.

A type of W. Indian (orig. Trinidadian) ballad or song, usu. with a topical theme; the kind of music to which this is sung, ■ calyp sonian noun a composer and singer of calypsos M20.

calyptra /ko'hptra/ noun.

mis.

[mod. Latin from Greek kaluptra covering, veil.] botany. A hood, a protective cover; spec, (a) a layer of par¬

enchymatous cells protecting the tip of a growing root (also called root-cap); (b) a structure over the capsule of a moss. [Latin calyx, -yc- from Greek kalux shell, husk, pod, from base of kaluptein to hide.]

1 botany. A whorl of leaves (sepals), forming the outer case of a bud or the envelope of a flower. Li7. 2 = CALIX. M19. Comb. : calyx-tube: see tube noun 10. calzone /kal'zaunei/ noun. PI. -ni /-ni/, -nes /-neiz/. A type of filled pizza that is folded in half,

[Perh. rel. to Middle Low German keller & from Germanic base meaning 'be cold'.]

► A adjective. Of fish, esp. salmon: fresh; prepared in a now unknown way while alive or newly dead. Cf. caller adjective, me. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Prepare (fish) when fresh in a now unknown way. Chiefly as calvered ppl adjective. E17. 12 verb intrans. Behave as a ‘calver’ fish when cooked.

calves noun pi. of calf noun'. Calvinian 'kal'vinran/ adjective & noun. [from Calvin (see next) + -ian.]

Comb.: camshaft a shaft carrying a cam or cams, esp, (in an internal-combustion engine) for operating the cylinder valves (overhead cam: see overhead adjective 1).

[French calvinisme or mod. Latin calvinismus, from Calvin (see below): see -ism.]

The doctrines of the French Protestant reformer Jean Calvin (1509-64) and his followers, esp. those relating to grace and election to salvation; adherence to these doc¬ trines.

Calvinist /'kalvinist/ noun & adjective.

M16. [formed as prec. + -ist.] ► A noun. An adherent of Calvinism. M16. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Calvinists or Calvinism. M16. ■ Calvi nistic adjective of, pertaining to, or following the doc¬ trines of Calvinism mis. Calvi nistical adjective = Calvinistic Li6. Calvi nistically adverb L17.

Calvinize /'kalvinAiz/ verb. Also -ise.

M17. [from Calvin (see Calvinism) + -ize.] 1 verb intrans. Follow Calvin; teach Calvinism. M17. 2 verb trans. Imbue with Calvinism, ei 9.

M16.

[Welsh (also Irish, Gaelic, Manx) from Celtic.]

Crooked(ly), perverse(ly); awry, askew.

Camaldolese /ka'maldalhz/ adjective & noun.

lme. [Latin calx, calc- lime, prob. from Greek khalix pebble, limestone.]

Li8. [mod. Latin, formed as calyx + Greek anthos flower.]

calyces noun pi. see calyx. calycine /'kahsAin/ adjective.

Mi8. [from Latin cafyci-, calyx + -INE1.]

Of or pertaining to the calyx; resembling a calyx.

calyde /'kalikfajl, 'kei-/

noun. Also in Latin form calyculus/ko'likjubs/, pi. -li /-Iai, -li:/. mis. [Latin calyculus dim. of calyx, -yc■: see -cle.] botany. A small calyx or calycine structure, esp. of

bracts.

■ calycled adjective = calyculated L18 calycular toiikjols/ adjective of or pertaining to a calycle, calycine M17. calyculate /ko'hkjobt/ adjective = calyculated M19. calyculated /ka'likjoleitid/ adjective enclosed in or furnished with a calycle L17. cosy,

i:

see, o hot,

cambrel /'kambr(3)l/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. In sense 2 also tch-. LME. [Sense 1 perh. from Anglo-Norman var, of Old French chambril lath; sense 3 prob, rel. to Welsh cambren crooked tree, bent stick, swingletree, butcher's cambrel, etc., from ram crooked (see cam adjective 8, adverb) + pren wood, stick. Cf. gambrel.] 11 A spatula. Only in lm e.

E19.

order founded by St Romuald at Camaldoli, Italy, in the 11th cent, ei 9. ► B noun. PI. same. A member of this order. Ei9.

2 The hock of a horse’s hind leg. E17. 3 A bent piece of wood or iron used by butchers to hang carcasses on. M17.

■ Camaldolite noun = Camaldolese noun eis.

camalote /kanra'tauti/ noun. Also camel-.

L19.

Cambrian /'kambrran/ adjective & noun. M17.

[Amer. Spanish.]

[from medieval Latin Cambria Wales, var. (with differentiation of sense) of Cumbria (see Cumbrian), + -an.]

A floating island of vegetation in N. or S. America; a blue-flowered aquatic plant of the genus Pontederia, which forms such islands,

► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to Wales, Welsh; a Welsh person, mi7. 2 CE0L0CY. Designating or pertaining to the earliest period of the Palaeozoic era, preceding the Ordovician.

L19.

M19.

[French, from camarade comrade: see -ery.]

► B noun, ceolocy. The Cambrian period; the system of rocks dating from this time. M19.

The mutual trust and sociability of comrades,

cambric/'kambrik, 'keim-/ noun & adjective, lme.

M19.

[Flemish Kamerijk Cambrai, a town in northern France, where orig. made.]

M19.

(Of) a fine white linen; (of) a similar cotton fabric.

camaron /kamo'mon,

'kamar(o)n/

Comb. : cambric tea US a drink mainly of hot milk and water given esp. to children.

noun. L19.

[Spanish camaron shrimp.]

Cambridge/’keimbridy noun. M19.

A freshwater shrimp or prawn resembling a crayfish.

(A university city and the county town of Cambridgeshire, a county in eastern England.] 1 Cambridge sausage, a variety of pork sausage. M19.

camas. camass noun vars. of quamash. Camb. abbreviation. Cambridge.

2 Cambridge blue, a light blue (adopted by Cambridge University). 119.

Cambazola noun var. of Cambozola.

A shrub of the N. American genus Calycanthus; esp. Caro¬ lina allspice (allspice 2).

i

Curved, arched; bailet (of the body) bent from the waist sideways or backwards.

A cabal, a clique.

calycanthus /kali'kanSas/ noun.

sit,

cambre /kabre/ adjective. E20. [French, pa. pple of cambrer camber verb.]

[Spanish, dim. of camara chamber.]

1 A powder or friable substance produced by roasting or burning a mineral or metal, formerly taken as the essence of the mineral, arch. lme. 2 Orig. more fully fcalx vive. Quicklime, arch. lme. 3 The area behind goal-line in the Eton College wall game. M19.

1

[Blend of Camembert and Gorgonzola.]

[from Camaldoli (see below) + -ese.] ► A adjective. Designating or belonging to a religious

camarilla /kama'rila, -Ijs/noun.

calx /kalks/ noun. PI. calces /'kalsi:z/, tcalxes.

Cambridgeshire nightingale /'keimbndjja nxitig

camber /'kambs/ noun. lme.

geil/ noun phr. M19. [from Cambridgeshire (see prec.) + nichtincale noun': they were introduced into East Anglia in the 17th cent.] = edible frog s.v, edible adjective.

[Old French cambre, from dial. var. of chambre arched from Latin camurus curved inwards.]

1 A harbour, a dock; a dockyard where cambering is performed, rare. lme. 2 A slight upward convexity, an arched form, esp. of a road surface or aerofoil in cross-section, a beam, deck, etc. Ei 7. kc Sideways inclination of a motor vehicle's wheel. M20.

Cambro- /'kambrso/ combining form. E17. [mod. Latin, from Cambria (see Cambrian), or from Cambrian: see -o-.]

Welsh (as Cambro-Briton); Cambrian (as CambroOrdovician).

camber /‘kamba/ verb. lme.

Cambs. abbreviation. Cambridgeshire.

[French cambrer, formed as prec.] 1 verb intrans. Be or become slightly convex so that the

camcorder/'kamko:d3/ noun. L20.

centre is higher than the ends. lme. 2 verb trans. Cause (a beam etc.) to arch upwards slightly in the middle; give camber to (a road surface, wing, etc.).

[from camera + recorder noun'.]

A portable video camera incorporating a built-in video recorder.

E17.

d:

118.

Cambodia (see below) + -an.]

(Proprietary name for) a type of German blue soft cheese with a rind like Camembert, produced using Gor¬ gonzola blue mould.

The stick used in shinty.

Baldness.

1 One of the alimentary humours formerly supposed to nourish the body, obsolete exc. Hist. Li6. 2 botany. (A layer of) cellular tissue from which phloem, xylem, or cork grows by division. L17. 3 (A place of) exchange or barter, rare. Ei8.

camboose noun var. of caboose.

a blue or purple ornament worn by a bishop over his rochet. Li 7. 2 A piece of chain-mail attached to the headpiece and protecting the neck and shoulders, Ei9.

camaraderie /kam3'ra:d(3)ri, -ri:/ noun.

[Latin calvitium, from calms bald.]

[medieval Latin = (ex)change.]

Cambozola .kamba’zauta/ noun. Also Cambazola. L20.

[Irish camdn, Old Irish camman, from cam bent, crooked.]

calvish adjective var. of calfish. calvity/'kalviti/noun. rare. Ei7.

cambium /'kambram/ noun. Pl. -ia /-ra/. Li6.

► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Cambodia, a country in SE Asia. L18. 2 The language of Cambodia, Khmer. M19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Cambodia, its people, or its language. M19.

cam /kam/ adjective & adverb. Long obsolete exc, dial. Also f k-.

caman /'kaman/ noun.

An expert in or a manual of financial exchange; a dealer in bills of exchange, a speculator.

[from

[Old & mod. French from Provencal capmalh, from cap head + malh, malhar mail noun'.] Hist. 1 A hood worn by the Roman Catholic clergy. Also,

Calvinise verb var. of Calvinize. Calvinism /'kalvmiz(a)m/noun, Li6.

cambist /'kambist/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. E19.

fcambock noun var. of cam mock noun2.

|1 Acameo. L16-L18. 2 A method of monochrome painting, ei 8. camail /'kameil/ noun. L17.

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Calvin; Calvinistic. Ml 6. ►tB noun. A Calvinist. M16-M18.

[Italian from medieval Latin cambium.]

(A place, a bill, of) exchange.

Cambodian /kam'bsudran/ noun & adjective.

camaieu /kamajo/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li6. [French: see cameo.] Mi6.

tcambio noun. Pl. -os. MI6-LI8.

tcamblet noun & verb var. of camlet.

A projecting part of a wheel etc. in machinery, used to impart reciprocal or variable motion to another part with which it makes sliding contact as it rotates.

M17-M18.

cambia noun pl. of cambium.

■ cambial adjective (a) botany of, pertaining to, or of the nature of cambium; |(b) relating to financial exchange: M19.

L18.

[Dutch kam comb, as in kamrad toothed wheel, cog-wheel.]

calver /'ka:va/ adjective & verb. Long obsolete exc. Hist me.

her,

M20.

[Italian dial., prob. use of calzone trouser leg, with ref. to the shape of the pizza.]

Having calves (of a given description etc.).

[Camberwell, a village, now a district of SE London.]

A holarctic nymphalid butterfly, Nymphalis antiopa, with dark brown cream-bordered wings, which is a rare migrant to Britain from Continental Europe. Cf. mourning cloak (b) s.v. mourning noun'.

[French cambiste from Italian cambista, formed as prec.: see -ist.]

calyx /'kaliks, 'kei-/ noun. Pl. -yces /-isi:z/, -yxes. L17.

cam /kam/noun.

[from calf noun2: see -ED2.]

a:

Camberwell beauty /'kambswel 'bju:ti/ nounphr. mis.

[Origin unkn.]

Calvary /'kalv(3)ri/ noun. Also c-.

a cat, a: arm, e bed,

E20.

saw,

a

ran. u put, u: too, 3 ago,

ai

my, au how.

ei

day.

00

no, e: hair,

ra

near,

31

boy, us poor.

Aia

tire, aus sour

330

came | camouflet in a form suitable for photographing or electronic scanning; camera shake (blurring due to) unintentional movement of the camera during photography or filming; camera-shy adjective not liking to be photographed or filmed; camerawoman: oper¬ ating a camera professionally esp. in cinema or television; camera-work the manner or technique of positioning and using cameras in films, television, etc. ■ camerist noun (chiefly US, arch.) a person who uses a camera

came noun see calm noun-. came verb pa. t. of come verb. camel 'kam(a)l/ noun. oe. [Latin camelus from Creek kamelos from Semitic (cf. Hebrew gfimal): in Middle English reinforced by Old French c(h)ameI, •cu.j ’l Either of two large hornless long-necked domesticated ruminants of the genus Camelus, (more fully Arabian camel) the dromedary, C. dromedarius, with one hump, and (more fully Bactrian camel) C. ferns, with two

■fcamerade noun see comrade. cameral /'kam(3)r(a)I/ adjective,

mis.

[German kameral from medieval Latin camerafo, from Latin camera (in medieval Latin sense ’treasury’): see -al1.] Hist. Of or pertaining to the management of State

finance in Germany. cameralism /'kam(3)r(3)liz(3)m/ noun.

E18.

3 A shade of fawn colour. Li 9. 1 swallow a camel (with allusion to Matthew 23,24) make no difficulty about something incredible or unreasonable, the last straw that breaks the camel’s back: see straw noun. Comb, camel-back (a) a kind of rubber used esp. to retread tyres- (b) (a sofa having) a back with a hump-shaped curve; camel-hair camel’s-hair the hair of the camel, or (in paint¬ brushes) of a squirrel's tail; camel-spider = soufugid: camelthorn (a) a Middle Eastern leguminous shrub, Alhagi camelorum; (b) a southern African shrub. Acacia giraffae. m cameleer noun a camel-driver Ei9. camelid adjective & noun (zoology) (an animal) of the family Camelidae, which includes the camels and llamas: uo. camel-like adjective resembling (that of) a camel mis. cameloid adjective & noun (a) camelid; camel-like: L19. camelry noun troops mounted on camels M19.

Hist. The theory that economic management should be directed primarily at benefiting the treasury (prevalent in i8th-cent. Germany); advocacy of this theory. ■ cameralist noun an advocate of cameralism E20.

cameralistic /,kam(9)r(a)'hstik/ adjective.

L19.

[from cameral or cameralist: see -istic.)

Characteristic of cameralism or cameralists; gen. per¬ taining to or characterized by emphasis on political factors in economic management, camera lucida /,kam(3)ra 'holds/ noun phr. PI. camera lucidas. mis.

fcameleon noun var. of chameleon.

[Latin = bright chamber.]

An instrument by which the rays of light from an object are reflected by a prism and produce an image on paper placed beneath the instrument, traceable with a pencil,

[Old French camelin from medieval Latin camelinum use as noun of neut. of adjective camelinus of a carnet: see camel, -ine'.] A kind of fabric made from or supposedly made from camel’s hair; a garment made of this. Cf. camlet.

camera obscura /,kam(3)rs Dbs'kjusrs/ noun phr. PI. camera obscuras. eis.

cameline /'kamiUin/noun2. Li6.

[Latin = dark chamber.]

[French, earlier camamine. from late Latin chamaemelinus resem¬ bling camomile.] A cruciferous plant of the genus Camelim; esp. gold of

A darkened box or enclosure with an aperture for pro¬ jecting an image of external objects on a screen placed at the focus of the lens; a building containing such a box or enclosure.

pleasure, C. sativa.

camellia /ka'midra, -'melra/ noun, mi 8.

camerate /’kam(3)r3t/ adjective.

[mod. Latin, from Joseph Kamel or Camellus (1661-1706), Moravian Jesuit and botanist: see -ia\] An evergreen shrub of the Far Eastern genus Camellia, of the tea family; esp. C.japonica, bearing showy red, pink, or white flowers.

Divided into chambers. camerate /'kam(3)reit/ verb trans. Now rare or obsolete. Ei7. [Latin camerat- pa. ppl stem of camerare vault or arch over, formed as camera: see -ate3.]

Chiefly as camerated ppl adjective. 1 architecture. Vault, arch over. E17. 2 Divide into chambers. Mi9.

(now only in sense 2) in Latin forms -pardalis /k3meb'pa:d(o)lis/, -pardus/kamEb'pcudos/. lme. [Latin camelopardus, -pardalis from Greek kamelopardalis, from kamelos (see camel) + pardalis (see pard noun').] 1 A giraffe, arch. lme. 2 (C-.) A constellation of the northern hemisphere between the polestar and Perseus; the Giraffe. M18.

lain and financial secretary; (b) the treasurer of the Sacred College of cardinals.

'kamsmbe:/ noun. L19. [A village in Normandy, France.] A rich soft cheese orig. made near Camembert.

Camenes;

Cameraman /kams'rsunisn/ noun & adjective.

a Scottish Covenanter; a member of the Reformed Pres¬ byterian Church. Also, a member of the Cameronian regiment (see below). Li7. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Richard Cameron, his tenets, or his followers. L17.

kam(o)ni:z/noun. Mi9.

Cameronian regiment a former infantry regiment of the British army orig. raised from Cameron's followers and other Presbyterians.

cameo /'kamiau/ noun. PI. -os. lme.

Cameroonian /kams'rumisn/ noun & adjective. Also -oun-.

[Old French came(h)u, camahieu (mod. camaieu): cf. medieval Latin camahutus etc. Later infl. by Italian cam(m)eo, corresp. to medi¬ eval Latin cammaeus.] 1 A small piece of relief-carving in onyx, agate, etc., usu. with colour-layers, the lower of which serves as ground; a relief design of similar form. lme. 2 A short literary sketch or acted scene; (more fully cameo part) a small character part in a play, film, etc.

M20. [from

Camestres /ks'mEstrhz/ noun.

Comb. : cameo glass a decorative glass consisting of layers of different colours, the outermost being cut away to leave a design in relief; cameo part: see sense 2 above. Li7.

[Latin = vault, arched chamber, from Greek kamara object with arched cover: cf. chamber noun.] 1 In Italy, Spain, etc. a (council or legislative) chamber; the treasury department of the papal curia. Li 7. 2 An arched or vaulted roof or chamber. Chiefly in the names of (parts of) buildings. See also IN camera. E18. 3 ellipt. = CAMERA OBSCURA. M18. 4 Any apparatus used for taking photographs or tele¬ vision pictures. mi 9. 4 cine camera, movie camera, monorail camera, television camera, video camera. X-ray camera, etc. candid camera: see candid adjective 6. off camera while not being filmed, on camera while being filmed. Comb.: camera-eye an eye that records detailed impressions; a person capable of unusually detailed or detached observation or memory; cameraman: operating a camera professionally, esp. in cinema ortelevision; camera-ready adjective (printing) (of copy) b but, d dog.

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg.

Cameroon (see below) + -ian.]

A native or inhabitant of, of or pertaining to, Camer¬ oon, a country on the west coast of Africa between Nigeria and Gabon.

M19.

camera /'kam(3)r3/ noun.

Li7.

Cameron (see below) + -ian.] Hist. ►A noun. A follower of Richard Cameron (1648-80), [from

[A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition, E a universal negative proposition.] logic. The second mood of the fourth syllogistic figure, in which a universal affirmative major premiss and a universal negative minor premiss yield a universal nega¬ tive conclusion.

Mi6.

[A mnemonic of scholastic philosophers first used in medieval Latin, A indicating a universal affirmative proposition, E a universal negative proposition.] lock. The second mood of the second syllogistic figure,

in which the major premiss is a universal affirmative, the minor premiss and the conclusion universal nega¬ tives. Camford /'kamfad/ noun.

Mi9.

[from Cambridge + Oxford.] = Oxbridge.

camiknickers /'kammiksz/ noun pi.

E20.

[from CAMISOLE + KNICKERS.]

A woman’s one-piece undergarment which combines camisole and knickers. camion ’kamran/ noun.

A large dray; a lorry; a bus.

camlet /'kamlit/ noun & verb. arch. Also fcham- (earlier), j-blet LME. [Old French chamelot, c-, ult. from Arab, kamta(t) nap, pile of velvet: popularly assoc, with camel.] ► A noun. Orig., a costly eastern fabric. Later, a light cloth

used for cloaks etc., made of various materials. Also, a garment of such a fabric, lme. twatered camlet: having a wavy appearance.

►fB verb trans. Mark or variegate as (watered) camlet. E17-E18. ■ camleteen noun an imitation or inferior camlet Mi8.

cammock /'kamak/ noun',

obsolete exc. dial. [Old English cammoc, of unkn. origin.]

Rest-harrow. Also, any of various other weeds of pasture,

[App. from medieval Latin cambuca, -buta curved stick, crosier, app. of Gaulish origin and rel. to cam adjective & adverb, caman.] 1 A crooked staff; esp. a hockey-stick etc,; a game in

which this is used. lme. 2 A crooked piece of wood; a cambrel, lme.

= CAMOUFLAGE. camois adjective & noun var. of camus adjective & noun2. camomile /'kamamAil/ noun. Also ch-. me. [Old & mod. French camomUle from late Latin c(h)amomilla alt. of chamaemelon from Greek khamaimelon lit. ‘earth apple': so called from the smell of the flowers.]

A creeping aromatic plant of the composite family, Chamaemelum nobile, with yellow-centred white-rayed flowers, formerly much grown for its fragrance. Also (with specifying word), any of various plants (mostly weeds) of the related genera Anthemts, Chamomilla, and Matricaria. stinking camomile see stinking adjective. Comb.: camomile tea: an infusion of the Chamaemelum nobile, taken as a tonic.

flowers

of

camoodi noun var. of camoudie. Camorra /ka’moTa, -'mora/ noun. Also c-. M19. [Italian, perh. from Spanish camorra dispute, quarrel.]

A secret society akin to the Mafia operating in the Nea¬ politan district; gen. any organized body engaged in extortion or other dishonest activities. camoudie /ka'mu:di/ noun. Also -oodi & other vars, E19. [Arawak kamudu.] A boa constrictor.

camouflage /'kamafla:3, -mof-/ noun & verb. E20. [French, from camoufler verb (thieves’ slang) from Italian camujjare disguise, deceive, perh. assoc, with French camoujietwhiff of smoke in the face: see -ace.] ► A noun. The disguising or concealment of guns, ships,

aircraft, etc., by obscuring with splashes of various colours, foliage, netting, smokescreens, etc.; the dis¬ guise so used; gen. any means of disguise or evasion. E20. Cl J. K. Galbraith An extraordinarily elaborate exercise in social camouflage has kept us from seeing what has been happening, ottrib. : N. Tinbergen Developed dark cross-bars (the stickleback's disruptive camouflage pattern).

► B verb trans. Conceal by camouflage. E20.

camouflet/’kamuflei/noun. M19.

tcamis noun, rare (Spenser). Also camus. Only in L16. [Prob. Spanish, Portuguese camisa from late Latin camisia: see CHEMISE.]

A light loose dress of silk or linen. r red, s sit,

dressed in neglige, mi9. 3 A woman’s underbodice, usu. straight with shoulderstraps and embroidered or otherwise ornamentally trimmed, mi9.

QJ F. Tuohy A scarlet wool dress designed to celebrate rather than camouflage her pregnancy. Anthony Huxley Unripe fruits are green to camouflage them.

L19.

[French.]

m man, n no. p pen,

[French from Italian camiciola or Spanish camisola, dim. of (respectively) camicia. camisa from late Latin camisia: see chemise, -ole'.] 1 Hist. A type of sleeved short jacket worn by men. Ei9. 2 Hist. A short loose jacket worn by women when

[Abbreviation.]

[Italian from Frankish: see chamberlain.] A chamberlain or treasurer; spec, (a) the Pope’s chamber-

Camembert/'kamabe:,

camise noun see kameez.

camo /'kamau/ noun, colloq. uo.

camerlingo /kams'lnjgso/ noun. Also -lengo /-’lerjgoo/. PI, -OS. E17.

camelote noun var. of camalote.

Cevennes who rebelled against the persecution follow¬ ing the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685).

cammock /'kamak/ noun2, obsolete exc. Scot. Also f-bock. LME.

Mi6.

[Latin cameratus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate1.]

camelopard /'kamib(o)pa:d, ka'm£bpa:d/ noun. Also

Camisard /’kamisa:, kami’sa:/ noun. E18.

camisole/'kamissul/ noun. Ei9. E20.

[from prec. + -ism.]

cameline /'kam(o)lin/ noun1. Now rare or obsolete, me.

[Spanish camisada, from camisa: see prec., -ado.)

A night attack; orig. one in which the attackers wore shirts over their armour as a means of mutual recogni¬ tion. [French from Provencal camisa from late Latin camisia (see chemise): see -ard.] Hist. Any of the French Protestant insurgents of the

Ml 9.

humps, oe, 2 An apparatus consisting of one or more watertight chests, used to provide buoyancy for a sunken ship etc.

camisado /kami'saidso/ noun. Now arch, or Hist. PI. -oes. Mi6.

t top, v van. w we,

[French: see prec.] military. A countermine containing an explosive charge

intended to cause the collapse of an enemy’s excavation. z zoo, j she.

3

vision,

6 thin,

b this,

g ring,

tf chip. d3 jar

331

camp | camstone

Also, a concealed subterranean cavity caused by an explosion. camp /kamp/ noun1. Long obsolete exc. Hist [Old English camp, comp - Old Frisian camp, comp, Middle Dutch camp (Dutch lamp), Old High German champf(German lamp/). Old Norse kapp, from Germanic from Latin campus camp noun2 (in medi¬ eval Latin sense 'combat, battle'.]

11 Combat, battle, war. oe-lme. 2 In full camp-ball. An ancient form of football in which large numbers engaged on each side. E17. camp /kamp/ noun2.

Ei6.

[Old & mod. French (alongside champ) from Italian campo from Latin campus level field, place for games or military exercises.]

1 A place where troops are lodged or trained; (the remains of) an ancient fortified site. Ei6. Fb (The scene of) military service; military life in general, eis. 2 An encampment; the temporary quarters, often in tents or cabins, of nomads, Gypsies, detainees, travel¬ lers, holiday-makers, Scouts, Guides, etc. Mi6. Fb An assembly place for sheep or cattle. Austral. & NZ. Mi9. 3 A body of troops etc. encamping and moving together; an army on campaign; fig. a host. arch. Ml6. 4 A body of travellers, Scouts, etc., encamped together; a camping-out, a period spent encamped, m 18. 5 fig. A body of adherents of a particular doctrine, theory, or party. Li9. 6 [Afrikaans lamp.] A portion of veld fenced off for pasture. S. Aft Li9. Cl 1 Dryden The Youth of Rome.. pitch their sudden Camp before the Foe. armed camp see armed adjective' i. causewayed camp see causeway, b J. Keble Through court and camp. 2 AVExod. 16:13 At even the Quailes came vp, and couered the campe. J. Steinbeck There was no order in the camp; little gray tents, shacks, cars were scattered about at random, concentration camp, holiday camp, motor camp, summer camp, etc. Siwash camp: see Siwash adjective. 3 S. Johnson Multitudes follow the camp only for want of employment. 5 John Brooke Europe was divided into two great camps: Catholic and Protestant. M. J. Lasky One of Milton’s traditionalist contemporaries in the moderate camp, a foot in both camps connection or sympathy with two opposite groups, factions, etc. Comb.: camp-bed. camp-chair, etc.: folding and portable; campcraft skill at living in camp; camp-fever typhus; camp¬ fire an open-air fire in a camp etc.: camp fire girl (US), a member of a training and recreational organization: camp-follower (now usu. derog.) (a) a non-military worker or hanger-on in a camp etc.; (b) a disciple of a group or theory; camp-meeting US a reli¬ gious open-air or tent meeting often lasting several days; camp oven Austral. & NZ a three-legged iron cooking-pot with a flat top: camp-site a place for camping; camp-stool a light stool with collapsible legs.

camp /kamp/ adjective & noun3. [Origin unkn.]

high camp: see high adjective.

camp /kamp/ verb' intrans. obsolete exc. dial,

or

Hist.

[Old English campion, from camp noun1.]

Contend, esp. at camp-ball.

Mi6. trans. Establish or place in a camp. Now usu. in

pass. Ml6. 3 verb intrans. Of sheep or cattle: flock together, usu. for rest or at night. Austral. & NZ. Mi9. 4 verb trans. & intrans. telephony. Reserve (a call) for connec¬ tion on to or on to an engaged telephone as soon as it

becomes free.

L20.

campana /kam'pamo/ noun. Ei7. [Late Latin = bell.]

1 A bell; a bell-shaped flower. Now rare or obsolete. E17. 2 A bell-shaped vase. E19. campanero/kampo'neuau/ noun. PI. -os. Ei9. [Spanish, from campana bell ]

The S. American bellbird. t campania noun var. of campagna. campaniform /kam'pamfoim/ adjective, mis. [formed as campana + -1- + -form.]

campanile/kampo'nhli/noun. M17. [Italian, from campana bell + -He -il, -ile.]

A (usu. lofty and detached) bell-tower, esp. in Italy. campanist/'kamponist/noun, Li9. [medieval

Latin campanista, formed as campana: see -ist.]

A person versed in the subject of bells; a campanolo¬ gist. campanology/kampo'nDbd3i/ noun. M19. [mod.

Comb.: camp-on (busy) telephony a facility allowing a call to be camped on to an engaged telephone. M20.

[from camp adjective & noun3.]

Do or behave in a camp manner. camp it up behave affectedly or with exaggeration, overact,

campagna /kam'pomja, foreign kam'pappa/ noun. Also t-a(g)nia L16. [Italian from late Latin campania: see champaign. Cf. next.]

1 Open country; champaign. Now rare exc. with ref. to the Campagna di Roma. Li6. |2 A military campaign. M-L17. campaign /kam'pein/ noun & verb.

Ei7.

Latin campanologia, formed as campana + -ology.]

The subject of bells, their founding, ringing, etc. ■ campanologer noun = campanologist E19. campano logical adjective M19. campano logically adverb 119 campanologist noun an expert in campanology, a student of bells mi9.

campanula /kam'panjob/ noun. E17. [mod. Latin, formed as campana: see -ule.] A plant of the genus Campanula, with usu. blue, pink, or

white bell-shaped flowers; a bellflower. [from mod. Latin Campamlaria genus name, formed as prec. + -aria: see -ary1, -an.J zoology. ►A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic

of the order Calyptoblastea of hydrozoans possessing bell-shaped hydrothecae, mi9. ► B noun. A member of this order. Li9. campanulate/kam'panjubt/ adjective. M17. Chiefly botany & zoology. Bell-shaped. ■ Also campanulated adjective Mis.

Campari /kam'pa:ri/ noun. E20. [The Italian manufacturer.)

(Proprietary name for) an aperitif flavoured with bitters; a drink of this. Campeachy /kam'phtfi/ noun. Also Campeche. E17. [Campeche, port and State of Mexico.] In full Campeachy wood. = logwood.

camper /'kampo/ noun. Mi7.

[French campagne (alongside Old & mod. French champagne) from late Latin campania: see champaign. Cf. prec.]

► A noun. 1 (A tract of) open country, as opp. to hills, woods, etc.; champaign. Now rare or obsolete. E17. 2 A series of military operations in a definite area or with one objective or forming the whole or a distinct part of a war. M17.

2

noun2, verb + -er1.)

11 A military man, a soldier; a camp-follower. M-L17. 2 A person who takes part in a camp-meeting. US. E19. 3 A person who lives or lodges in a camp or tent; a resi¬ dent in a holiday camp, summer camp, etc. mi9. 4 A trailer or (more fully camper van) motor vehicle furnished with beds and other equipment for camping. Orig. US. M20. campesino /kampe'sino, kampo'simao/ noun. PI. -os /-os, -30z/. M20. [Spanish.]

In Spain and Spanish-speaking countries: a peasant farmer. campestral /kam'pestr(3)l/ adjective, eis. [from

camphor /'kamfa/noun.

me.

[Old French camphore or medieval Latin camphora from Arab, kajur from Malay kapur ult. from Sanskrit karpura.]

1 A colourless crystalline terpenoid ketone, C,„H170, with an aromatic smell and bitter taste, which occurs in certain essential oils and is used esp. in pharmacy and as an insect repellent, me. Fb Borneo camphor, f camphor of Borneo, an essential oil consisting chiefly of bomeol, obtained from the tree Dryobalanops aromatica. L17. 12 A tree yielding camphor (cf, camphor tree below). L16-L17. Comb.: camphor laurel Austral, any of various trees of the genus Cinnamomum; camphor tree a tree of the laurel family, Cinnamomum camphora, which is native to the Far East and is the major natural source of camphor; camphor-wood (the timber of) any of various trees with fragrant wood. ■ camphorate noun a salt or ester of camphoric acid U8. fcamphorate adjective camphorated LME-E18. camphorate verb trans. impregnate or treat with camphor Mi7. camphoric /kam 'forik/ adjective of or pertaining to camphor (camphoric acid, a crystalline dibasic acid, Cl0H16O,„ obtained by the oxidation of camphor) L18. camphor /'kamfb/ verb trans. Mi6. [from the noun.]

Camphorate. campimeter/kam'pimits/ noun. Li9. [from Latin campus field (see camp noun2) + -imeter.]

An apparatus for measuring or mapping the field of vision of the eye. a campimetry noun E20.

Bell-shaped.

[from camp

(Q 1 camp out lodge in the open in a camp. 2 OED The troops would be camped along the river side.

camp /kamp/ verb3 trans. & intrans.

Comb.: campaign trail a route taken in the course of a political campaign, with stops for canvassing etc. (chiefly in on the campaign trail): campaign wig Hist, a close-fitting wig with a curled forehead, worn for travelling ► B verb intrans. Serve on or conduct a campaign, eis. ■ campaigner noun a person who serves in a campaign; esp. one who has served in many campaigns (old campaigner, a veteran, a person skilled in adapting to circumstances): L17.

[formed as campanula + -ale2.]

camp /kamp/ verb2. Mi6. [French camper, formed as CAMP noun2.] 1 verb intrans. Live or stay in a camp or tent; form or pitch one’s camp; encamp; gen. take up residence, lodge. vert

S3 2 on campaign on military service in the field. 4 Dickens I am now preparing for a final reading campaign. E. Roosevelt President Wilson.. started out on a campaign to take the cause of the League of Nations to the American people, plan of campaign: see plan noun.

campanularian /.kampanjoTemian/ adjective & noun, mi 9.

E20.

► A adjective. Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatri¬ cal; effeminate, homosexual. E20. ► B noun. Camp behaviour, mannerisms, etc. E20.

2

13 An expedition, an excursion; a tour. Only in 18. 4 Any organized course of action analogous to a mili¬ tary campaign; esp. one designed to arouse public support for a party in an election, a cause, etc. lis.

Latin campester, -tr-, from campus: see camp noun2. -At1.]

Pertaining to fields or open country; growing or living in fields. ■ Also fcampestrial adjective: only in 17.

camph- /kamf/ combining form of camphor noun. m camphene noun (chemistry) a crystalline bityclic terpene. C,0H,c. present in many essential oils. M19 camphine noun (Hist.) an oil for lamps, distilled from turpentine M19.

campion /'kampian/ noun. Mi6. [Perh. rel. to champion noun1. Orig. used for Latin lychnis coronaria, Greek lukhnis stephanomatike rose campion 'used for garlands’.] Any of various plants of the genera Stole and Lychnis of

the pink family, bearing red or white flowers with notched petals. Cf. lychnis, silene. bladder campion, campion, etc.

moss

campion,

red campion,

cample /'kamp(3)l/ verb intrans. obsolete exc. dial. [App. from camp verb' + -le J Quarrel, dispute, wrangle.

white

lis.

campo /'kampio, noun. PI. -os. M19. [(Amer.) Spanish, Portuguese, Italian = field, open country, from Latin campus: see camp noun2.]

1 In S. America (esp. Brazil), a grass plain with occa¬ sional stunted trees; a savannah. Freq. in pi. mi9. 2 A square in an Italian or Spanish town. L19. campong noun see

kampong.

campoo /kam'pu J noun. E19. [Hindi kampu from Portuguese campo camp.] Hist. A brigade of Maratha troops, led by a European mercenary. campshed /'kampjed/ noun. Also -shot /-Jot/ & other vars. lis. [Prob. from cant noun' + shide.]

A facing of piles and boarding along the bank of a river etc. or at the side of an embankment. ■ campshedding (also -sheeting & other vars.) noun a campshed; campsheds collectively: El 9. campus/’kampss/ noun. Orig. US. ns. [Latin: see camp noun2.]

The grounds and buildings of a college, university, etc., esp. where forming a distinct area; a separate part of a university; university or college life. campy /'kampi/ adjective, colloq. mzo. [from camp adjective & noun3 + -Y1.] adjective. m campily adverb 120. campiness noun L20. = camp

campylite/'kampilxit/noun. Mi9. [formed as next + -ite1.] mineralogy. A variety of mimetite, occurring as small

rounded orange-yellow crystals. Campylobacter noun. L20.

/'kampibu.bakts,

.kampibu'bakta/

[mod. Latin (see below), formed as next + bacter(ium.[

A bacterium of the genus Campylobacter, which includes curved and spiral forms causing food poisoning in humans and abortion in some farm animals. campylotropous/kampiTotrspas/ adjective.

mi9.

[from Creek kampulos bent + -tropos turning + -ous.] botany Of an ovule: bent transversely across its funicle.

CAMRA /‘kamr3/ abbreviation. Campaign for Real Ale. camstone /'kamstaun/ noun. Scot. Also (earlier) fcalm-. Ei6. [from unidentified 1st elem. + stone noun.]

A white limestone; pipeclay used to whiten doorsteps etc.

su no. e: hair, ra near, oi boy, uo poor, ais lire, aus sour a cat, a: arm, £ bed, 9: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day.

332

camus | cancel tcamus noun1 var. of camis.

canaliculus /kano'likjolas/ noun. PI. -li !-\m, -li:/.

can kan/ verb2 trans. Infl. -nn-. mi9. [from can noun.]

camus /'kamas/ adjective & noun2. Now rare or obsolete. Also -mois. LME. [Old & mod. French, of unkn. origin.] ► A adjective. Of the nose: low and concave. Of a person: snub-nosed, lme. ►t B noun. A person or animal with a low concave nose. L15-IM18.

camwood /'kamwud/ noun. Li7. [Prob. from Temne k'am + wood noun1.] = BARWOOD.

can /kan/ noun. [Old English ramie, corresp. to Middle Dutch kanne (Dutch kan), Old High German channel (German kanne). Old Norse karma, ult. Germanic or from late Latin canna.] 1 A vessel for holding liquids, now spec, one of metal,

and usu. cylindrical with a handle over the top. Also (chiefly N. Amec), any large cylindrical metal container, a bin. OE. Fb A measure of capacity; about a gallon. Scot. El 9. 2 A (usu. cylindrical) container of tin plate or alumin¬

ium in which food, drink, etc., can be hermetically sealed; (such a container and) its contents. Cf. tin noun i. M19. 3 a A chimney pot Chiefly Scot, mi9. Fb A lavatory. N. Amer. slang. E20. Fc the can. jail, slang (chiefly US). E20. Fd The buttocks. N. Amer. slang. M20. Fe A protective jacket for a nuclear fuel rod. M20. Ff In pi. Headphones. slang. L20. GJ 1 Wordsworth 1 have brought thee in this can fresh water from the brook, ashcan.jerrycan. oil can. wateringcan. etc. 2 ]. B. Priestley We sat in the office, with a can of beer each. Phrases: can of worms: see worm noun, carry the can (back) slang bear the responsibility or blame, in the can safely recorded on film, tape, etc., completed, take the can (back) slang - carry the can (back) above, tie a can on. tie a can to: see TIE verb'. Comb.: can bank a collection poinfto which empty cans may be taken for recycling; can-buoy a large cone-shaped marker buoy; can-dock a water lily, esp. of the yellow-flowered species; can-opener a tool for opening cans of food etc. a canful noun as much or as many as a can will hold, the con¬ tents of a can El 8. can /kan, unstressed k(a)n/ verb1. Pres.; can: 2 sing, (arch.) canst kanst, k(a)nst/. Pa.: could /kod, unstressed kad/; 2 sing, (arch.) couldst/kudst, kadst/. couldest/'kudist/. Neg. can not. cannot 'kanat/, (informal) can’t /ka:nt/; could not. (informal) couldn’t "kud(a)nt/. No other parts used.

See also con verb1

► I As full verb. 11 verb trans. Know; be acquainted with: have learned. OE-M19. 2 verb intrans. Have knowledge, know of. arch. me. CO 1 J. Foxe Unlearned men that can no letters. Jonson She could the Bible in the holy tongue. 2 S. Rowlands I never was there (that I can of). Sir W. Scott Thou canst well of wood-craft.

► II As auxiliary verb (often ellipt. with verb understood or supplied from the context). 3 Know how to, have learned to. Now absorbed in sense 4. me. 4 Have the power or capacity to: be able to. me. 5 May possibly: be enabled by circumstances etc. to. me. Fb Be allowed or given permission to; may. colloq L19.

In pa. form (could etc.). Feel inclined to, would like to

M17. £3 3 Spenser Well couth hee tune his pipe. 4AVExod.7:2i The Egyptians could not drinke of the water. Defoe 1 will do all I can with them. OED Such language can do no good to the cause. Day Lewis 1 can remember no pain, no perturb¬ ation. no sense of parting. 5 Steele The best Sort of Com¬ panion that can be. Ld Macaulay Even if it could be believed that the court was sincere. Anthony Smith Other kinds of brain-dead patients could, or should, be regarded as poten¬ tial donors, b T, B. Reed Father says you can come. 6 Addison I could wish our Royal Society would compile a Body of Natural History. J. P. Donleavy 'Take that ten shilling note. Mr Dangerfield, and get some eggs.' 'No 1 couldn't' 'Do. Please. 1 insist/ Phrases, os far os I can see: see see verb, as far os one can tell- see tell verb, can do colloq. it is possible, I am able or willing to do it cannot for the life of me: see life noun, cannot resist, could not resist see resist verb 2. can skill: see skill noun, can you tie that see tie verb', no can do colloq. it is not possible, I am not able or willing to do it. walk before one can run see walk verb', who cannot want the thought?: see want verb, you can say that again see say verb ‘ you can talk see talk verb, you can't lose see lose verb, you can’t take it with you see take verb, you can't talk see talk verb. b but. d dog. f few,

g get, h he, j yes. k cat, 1 leg, m

Mi9.

1 Make a canal through, provide with canals; provide with locks etc. like a canal, make into a canal, mi9. 2 Provide with or convey through ducts or channels. LI 9.

1 Canada. 2 Canadian.

3 fig. Give a specific direction etc. to.

Canaan

keinsn/noun. Ei7. [ecclesiastical Latin Chanaan from ecclesiastical Greek Khanaan from Hebrew ketia'an ancient name of western Palestine, promised in the Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures to the children of Israel (Exodus 3:17 etc.).]

A land of promise; heaven. [from prec. + -ite1. In sense Hebrew qanna' zealous.]

2

■ canali zation noun M19 noun. L19.

[French.]

translating Greek Kananites, from

1 A native or inhabitant of Canaan; fig. a heathen. M16. 2 A zealot. Now rare or obsolete. El 7.

■ Canaanitic -’nmk. adjective of Canaan; of or like a Canaanite: L19. Canaanitish adjective = Canaanitic mi6.

Canada

'kanoda/ noun. L17. [A Federal State (formerly a Brit, territory) in N. America.] ► I attrib. 1 Used attrib. to designate things found in or associated with Canada. L17. 1 Canada balsam a resin exuded from the N. American balsam fir, Abies balsamea, and used esp. for mounting micro¬ scope specimens. Canada bird Canod. = Peabody. Canada Day 1 July, observed as a public holiday in Canada to observe the day in 1867 when four of the former colonial provinces were united under one government as the Dominion of Canada (formerly called Dominion Day). Canada goose a large grey-brown, black, and white goose, Branta canadensis, native to N. America and widely introduced elsewhere. Canada jay the N. American grey jay, Perisoreus canadensis. Canada thistle N. Amer. a naturalized European thistle, Cirsium arvense, with spreading roots. ► II ellipt. 2 A Canada goose. L19.

Canadian /ka'neidian/ noun & adjective. M16. [from prec, + -ian.]

► A noun. A native or inhabitant of Canada. Mi 6. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Canada or its people. L17. Phrases & special collocations: Canadian pondweed = Canadian waterweed (b) s.v. water noun. Canadian waterweed: see waterweed s.v. water noun. French Canadian: see French

■ Canadi ana noun pi. [-ana] publications or other items con¬ cerning or associated with Canada M19. Canadianism noun (a) Canadian character or spirit; (b) a Canadian idiom or word: L19. Canadianize verb trans. render Canadian in character E19.

Canadien /kanadje/ noun & adjective. Fern,

-ienne -|gn/. PI.

pronounced same. Ml9. [French = prec.]

(A) French Canadian. E17-E19.

[Italian: see next.]

= next.

canaille /kana:j/ noun.

Li6. [French from Italian canaglia lit. 'pack of dogs’, from cane dog.] The rabble, the populace.

1 A piece of bread, toast, etc., with a small savoury on top. L19. 2 A sofa, li9. canard ka'ncrd, 'kanaidi noun. M19.

[French, lit. ‘duck’.]

1 A false report, a hoax, mi9. 2 An extra surface attached to an aircraft, hydrofoil, etc., for stability or control. Also, an aircraft fitted with this. E20. Canarese adjective & noun var. of Kanarese. Canarian /ka'neinon/ noun & adjective.

Mi7.

[formed as next + -ian.] ► A noun. A native or inhabitant of the Canary Islands. M17.

► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Lis. /ka'nairi/ noun. Also (esp. in senses 1 & 2) C-. Li6. [from Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa, from French Canane from Spanish Canaria from Latin Canaria (insula island), from ranis dog: one of the Islands was noted in Roman times for large dogs. In sense 3 from French ranari, j-ic from Spanish ranario.] 1 Hist. sing. & tin pi. A lively dance similar to the jig

canary

(perh. orig. from the Canary Islands). L16. 2 Hist. sing. & tin pi. Sweet wine from the Canary Islands. LI 6.

3 A songbird of the finch family, Serinus canaria. native to the Canaiy Islands, Madeira, and the Azores, of which wild individuals are green and the numerous cage var¬ ieties usu. yellow. Also, any of certain other birds of this genus. Also more fully canary-bird. Li6. Fb A jailbird, a convict, slang. Li7. Fc A gold coin (from its colour). L18. 4 A bright yellow. Freq. attrib. mi9. Comb.: canary-bird: see sense 3 above: canary-coloured adjective canary yellow; canary creeper a yellow-flowered climbing nasturtium, Tropaeolum peregrinum: canary-grass a grass, Phalaris canariensis, grown as a source of birdseed; also, with specifying word, any other plant of this genus Ireed canary-grass: see reed noun1): canary-seed seed used to feed canaries, esp. that of canary-grass: canary yellow noun & adjective (of) a bright yellow.

tcanary verb intrans.

L16-E19.

[from the noun.]

Perform the canary or other lively dance.

canakin noun var. of cannikin. canal /ka'nal/ noun. lme.

canasta

[Old & mod. French, refash, of chanel channel noun’ after Latin canalis or Italian canale. Cf. cannel noun1, kennel noun-.] 1 gen. A pipe or tube for conveying fluid; a faucet; a tubular cavity. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

2 A tubular duct or passage in a plant or animal body. lme. Fb A groove in a mollusc’s shell for protrusion of a breathing tube. M19. 3 A watercourse, a channel; a strait, obsolete exc. as in sense 4 or (N. Amer.) in proper names. Mi6. Ffb An orna¬ mental strip of water in a garden etc. M17-E19. 4 An artificial watercourse constructed forthe purpose of inland navigation or to convey water for irrigation etc. (Now the predominant sense.) L17. 5 astronomy, [translating Italian canali channels.] Any of a network of dubious Unear markings on Mars reported by telescopic observers. Li9. 2 alimentary canal, semicircular canal, spinal canal: adjective. Stensen's canal, vallecular canal 4 junction junction noun 2.

see spinal canal see

Comb.: canal boat a long narrow boat designed for use on canals; canal rays [translating German Kanalstrahlen 'channel rays J physics streams of positive ions which move towards the cathode m a high-vacuum discharge tube.

canal /ka'nal/ verb. rare. Infl. -II-, *-l-.

E19.

[from the noun.]

1 verb trans. = canalize verb 1. E19. 2 verb intrans. Construct a canal or canals; travel by canal. Chiefly as canalling verbal noun. Mi9. man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit,

E20.

d 3 J. M. Keynes Dangerous human proclivities can be can¬ alised into comparatively harmless channels. A. Wilson She must not allow middle-aged rancour to canalize her happi¬ ness.

canape 'kanapei, -pi/

Canaanite /'kemanAit/ noun. Mi6.

tcanaglia noun.

canalize /'kanfajlxiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. [French canaliser. see canal noun, -ize.]

fcan verb3 see gin verb', can verb4 var. of con verb2. Can. abbreviation.

adjective.

[Old English rannan = Old Frisian kunna. Old Saxon cunnan (Dutch kurnen). Old High German hmnan (German konnen), Old Norse kunna. Gothic kunnan, ult. from Indo-European base found also in Latin gnoscere, Greekgignoskein know: a Germanic preterite-present verb with primary meaning 'have learned, come to know'.]

6

1 Put into a can: preserve (meat, fruit, etc.) by sealing in cans. Cf. tin verb 2. M19. Fb transf.&fig. Confine; preserve, esp. by recording on film, tape, etc. Mi9. fc Cover (a nuclear fuel rod) with a protective jacket. M20. 2 a Expel, suspend, dismiss. N, Amer slang. E20. >b Desist from, leave off, cut out. slang (orig. US). E20.

Mi6.

[Latin canaliculus dim. of canalis: see canal noun, -cule.] Chiefly anatomy. A small channel or duct. ■ canalicular adjective of or pertaining to a canaliculus; minutely tubular; L19. canaliculate adjective minutely chan¬ nelled or grooved mis. canaliculated adjective = canaliculate mis. ca nalicule noun = canaliculus Mi9.

t top,

v van. w we, z zoo.

ka'nasta/ noun. M20. [Spanish = basket, ult. from Latin canistmm canister.]

A two-pack card-game of the rummy family and of Uru¬ guayan origin, usu. played by four in two partnerships; a meld of seven or more cards in this game. noun. E19. [Spanish ranastro basket (used to pack tobacco) from medieval Latin: see canister.]

canaster /ks'nasta/

A kind of tobacco made of coarsely-broken dried leaves. canaut /ka'noit/ noun. Now rare.

E17.

[Urdu from Persian from Turkish kandt.]

In the Indian subcontinent: the side-wall of a tent; a canvas enclosure. cancan /'kankan/ noun.

M19.

[French, redupl. of canard duck.]

A lively dance of French origin, orig. a form of quadrille, now performed by a woman and involving high kicks, usu. while holding up the front of the skirts. cancel

'kans(o)l/noun. E19.

[from the verb.]

1 printing. The suppression of text by excision (of a leaf, fold, or sheet) or by pasting over it. Also (a) (also cancel leaf) a leaf so cancelled; (b) the new leaf substituted. Cf. CANCELLANDUM, CANCELLANS

noun. E19.

2 gen. An act of cancelling; a countermand. Li9. 3 music. A natural-sign cancelling a preceding sharp or flat. US. E20. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin.

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

333

cancel | candle cancel /'kans(a)l/ verb. Infl. -II-, *-|-. lme. [Old & mod. French canceller from Latin cancellare make latticewise. cross out (a writing), from cancellus, pi. -li crossbars- see CANCELLI, CHANCEL.]

► I verb trans. 1 Deface or obliterate (writing), by drawing or stamping lines across it, or by puncturing or tearing what it is written on; annul (a deed, a stamp, etc.) by so marking, lme. kb printing. Suppress (text, a page, leaf, etc.) after it has been set up or printed off. mi8. 2 fig. Render void (an obligation, promise, etc.). Also foil, by out. LME. 3 gen. Obliterate, abolish; countermand, revoke an order or arrangements for; put an end to. Also (rare) with off. Ml6. 4 MATH. Strike out (the same factor) from the numerator and denominator, from both sides of an equation, etc. L16. 5 Neutralize, counterbalance, make up for. Freq. with out. M17. 6 music. Mark a return to natural pitch after (a sharp or flat). US. mi9. ffl 1 T. Arnold In my Catholic Pamphlet.. there is one paragraph which I should now cancel. R. Graves A postagestamp .. issued and cancelled by the postmaster of .. Antigua. 2 C. Thirlwail All debts were to be cancelled. 3 Milton Canceld from Heav’n and sacred memorie. Name¬ less in dark oblivion let them dwell. J, Galsworthy He had just cancelled their trusteeships of his will. E. Hemingway It would be too wet and.. the bull-baiting.. would be can¬ celled. 5 Dryden With publick Zeal to cancel private Crimes. J. Stallworthy Credit And debit columns cancelled themselves out. ► II verb intrans. |7 Become void or null. rare. Only in Mi7. 8 Neutralize or counterbalance each other; be equal and opposite. Freq. with out. E20. CD 8 Listener'Idle personal preferences ofyour contributors are.. likely to cancel out. ■ cancellable adjective (earlier in uncancellable) U7. canceller noun E17. cancelment noun (rare) cancellation E17.

cancelbot /'kansalbm/ noun. L20. [from cancel + -hot (from robot).] computing. A program that searches for and deletes speci¬ fied mailings from Internet newsgroups. canceleer /kansa'lra/ noun & verb. Li6. [Old Northern French cone dec to swerve (mod. chanceler), used as noun: cf. -er4.] ► A noun. The action of a hawk in canceleering. Li6. ► B verb intrans. Of a hawk: turn once or twice on the wing, in order to recover before striking. M17. cancellandum /kansa'landam/ noun. PL -da /-da/. E20. [Latin, neut. gerundive of cancellare cancel verb.] printing. In full cancellandum leaf. A leaf for which another is substituted. Cf. next, cancel noun t.

2 A malignant tumour or growth of body tissue that tends to spread and may recur if removed; disease in which such a growth occurs. Cf. canker noun i (the usual form until 17). oe. kb fig. An evil spreading in the manner of a cancer. M17. J3 A crab. E17-L18. 1 attrib. : E. Kirk The Cancer men are far more constant than the Cancer women, tropic of Cancer: see tropic noun & adjective. 2 soft cancer see soft adjective, b M. L. King A dangerous cancer of hatred and racism in our society. Comb.: cancer bush S. Afr. a leguminous shrub, Sutlh’rlandia Jhitescens. cultivated for its red flowers; cancer-root broomrape; cancer stick slang a cigarette; f cancer- wort fluellen. ■ Cancerian /kan'siarian/ noun & adjective (a) noun a person bom under the sign Cancer: (b) adjective of or pertaining to the sign Cancer; (characteristic of one) bora under Cancer: E20. cancerj'cidal, cancero cidal adjectives tending to destroy cancer cells M20.

cancer /'kansa/ verb trans. lis. [from the noun.]

Affect with or as with cancer; eat into in the manner of a cancer. fid Goldsmith The application of toads to a cancered breast. M. Bragg This strident fanaticism which had .. cancered him with revolt.

cancerate /'kansa reit/ verb trans. & intrans. Li7. [Late Latin cancerat- pa. ppl stem of cancerare, formed as cancer noun: see -ate3.] Make or become cancerous. Chiefly as cancerated ppl adjective.

cancerous /'kans(a)ras/ adjective. Mi6.

CARCINOMA.]

1 (C-.) (The name of) an inconspicuous constellation of the northern hemisphere, on the ecliptic between Gemini and Leo; astrology (the name of) the fourth zodi¬ acal sign, usu. associated with the period 22 June to 22 July (see note s.v. zodiac); the Crab. oe. kb A person born under the sign Cancer. M20.

► B noun. An informal or unposed photograph, colloq. M20. ■ candidly adverb M17, candidness noun E17.

Candida /'kandida/ noun. M20. [mod. Latin (see below), fem. of Latin candidus: see prec.] 1 A yeastlilce fungus of the genus Candida, esp. C. albicans. M20. 2 = CANDIDIASIS. L20.

candidacy /'kandidasi/ noun. Mi9. [from next: see -acy.] The position or status of a candidate; candidature. [Old & mod. French candidat or Latin candidatus clothed in white, a candidate for office (who appeared in a white toga), from candidus: see candid, -ate1.] ► A noun. I 1 A person who seeks or is nominated for (election to) an office, honour, position, etc.; spec, an examinee; more gen., an aspirant, one who seeks some¬ thing. (Foil, by for, fof.) E17. 2 A person or thing thought likely or worthy to gain a particular position. M18.

C3 fig.: K. Tynan This fantasy, once mild, has grown cancer¬ ous and now infects his whole world. ■ cancerously adverb Mis. cancerousness noun mis.

cancrine /'kagkrAm/ adjective, rare. mis. [from Latin cattcr- cancer noun + -ine1.] 1 Like or suggestive of a crab, m 18.

2 spec. Of Latin verse: palindromic. M19. cancrinite/'kapknnAit/ noun. Mi9. [from Georg Cancrin (1774-1845), Russian statesman + -ite' .] mineralogy. A hexagonal aluminosilicate and carbonate of

sodium and calcium which belongs to the feldspathoid group and usu. occurs as masses of yellow-brown crys¬ tals. cancrizans /'kaqkrizanz/ adjective, adverb, & noun. lis. [medieval Latin pres, pple of cancrizare walk backwards, formed as next: see -ize.] music. (Designating, pertaining to, in the manner of) a canon in which the theme or subject is repeated back¬ wards in the second part.

cancroid /'kapkroid/ adjective & noun. E19.

candareen /kanda'ri:n/ noun. E17.

cancer /'kansa/ noun. oe. [Latin = crab, creeping ulcer, after Greek karkinos: cf. canker noun.

03 1 Dryden The stones came candid forth, the hue of innocence. 3 Browning Where does the figment touch her candid fame? 4 Earl of Chatham Keep your mind in a candid state of suspense. 5 Pope Laugh where we must, be candid where we can. 6J. A. FroudeA. .very candid account of Henry's feelings. J. Barnes Previously I had . been honest just for eff ect, comparatively candid 6 candid camera a small camera for taking informal pictures of people, freq. without their knowledge.

candidate /'kandidett, -dot/ noun & verb. Ei7.

cancellarian /kansa'texian/ adjective, rare. Mi9. [from medieval Latin cancellariuschancellor + -an.] Of, or of the nature of, a chancellor.

cancelli /kan'sslAi/ noun pi. Mi7. [Latin, dim. of cancer, pl.cancri crossing bars, grating.] 11 Bars of lattice-work; spec, the latticed screen between the choir and body of a church, rare. M17-E18. 2 anatomy. The lattice-work of spongy bone tissue; the mesh of spaces within this. Ei9. ■ cancellous adjective (of bone) containing cancelli. having a spongy appearance, porous Mi9.

6 Frank, open; ingenuous; outspoken. L17. kb Of a photograph or photography: unposed, informal. E20.

[from cancer noun + -ous.]

[from Latin cancr-, cancer noun + -oid.] ► A adjective. 1 Like a crab, esp. in structure. Ei9. 2 Resembling cancer, mi9. ► B noun. 1 A crab or related crustacean, rare. M19.

cancellation /kansa'leij(a)n/ noun. Mi6. [from Latin cancellat- pa. ppl stem of cancellare cancel verb + -ion: cf. medieval Latin cancellatio(n-).] 1 The action of or an instance of cancelling; a cancel¬ ling mark etc. Mi6. 2 spec. The action or an instance of cancelling the reser¬ vation of a seat, room, etc.; a seat, room, etc., reservation of which has been cancelled. M20.

[French candide or Latin candidus, from candere be white, glisten, see -id'.] ► A adjective, f 1 White. M17-E19. t2 Illustrious, fortunate. M17-EI8. 3 Pure, clear, innocent, arch. M17. 4 Unbiased, impartial; just, fair. arch. M17. |5 Free from malice; kindly; favourably disposed. M17-E19.

Of the nature of or affected with cancer.

cancellans /'kans(a)lanz/ noun & adjective. E20. [Latin, pres, pple of cancellare cancel verb.] printing. ►A noun. A leaf which replaces another. Cf. prec., cancel noun t. E20. ► B adjective. Designating a leaf, sheet, fold, etc., which replaces another, or a slip which cancels text. M20.

cancellate ''kans(a)lat/od/ect/ve. Mi7. [formed as next + -ate2.] Chiefly bioiogv. Marked or divided (as) with cross lines; (of bone) cancellous. ■ Also cancellated adjective L17.

candid /'kandid/ adjective & noun. Mi7.

2 A disease resembling cancer: a mild form of cancer. M19. [Malay tender!.]

A former Chinese monetary unit equal to ten cash; a former Chinese unit of weight equal to about 0.4 gram (six grains), c 8r b abbreviation. cricket. Caught and bowled by. candela /kan'dda, -'di:b, 'kandib/noun. M20. [Latin candela: see candle noun.] physics. A unit of luminous intensity, equal to Veo of the

luminous intensity per square centimetre of the surface of a black body at the temperature of solidification of platinum. candelabrum /kandi'lcubram, -'lei-/ noun. PL -bra /-bra/, *-brums. Also -bra, pi. same, -as. E19. [Latin, from candela candle noun.)

A large usu. branched ornamental candlestick or lamp¬ holder carrying several lights. Comb, candelabrum tree a tropical African tree of the genus Euphorbia, with foliage shaped like a candelabrum.

candelilla /kanda'lidja/ noun. E20. [Spanish = little candle.]

A southern N. American shrub of the genus Euphorbia, yielding a hard wax (candelilla wax). candent /'kand(a)nt/ adjective. Now rare. lis. [Latin candent- pres, ppl stem of candere be white, glow: see

-ENT.] At a white heat; glowing with heat. candescent kan'deslolnt/od/'ect/ve. rare. Ei9. [from

Latin candere: see prec., -escent.)

Glowing (as) with heat. ■ candescence noun L19.

CD IS. Johnson A candidate for literary fame. J. Buchan 1 became the Conservative candidate for the counties of Peebles and Selkirk. Day Lewis The infant' candidate for baptism turned out to be a strapping boy of nine or ten. 2 Goldsmith If ever there was a candidate for Tyburn, this is one. J. Narlikar The X-ray source Cygnus X-i is perhaps the most promising candidate for the location of a black hole so far known. ► II 3 roman history. A member of one of four companies into which the imperial guard was divided. M17. ► B verb intrans. Stand as a candidate. Chiefly US. mi9. ■ candidateship noun = candidacy L18.

candidature /'kandidatja, -tjoa/ noun. M19. [from prec. + -ure, prob. after French.] The action of standing for election; the fact or status of being a candidate.

candidiasis /kandi'dAiasis/ noun. PL -ases /-asi:z/. M20. [from CANDIDA + — IASIS.] & veterinary medicine. Infection with Candida, esp. causing oral or vaginal thrush. medicine

candied /'kandid/ ppl adjective. Ei7. [from candy verb + -ed1.] 1 Preserved or encrusted (as) with sugar; crystallized. E17. 2 fig. Specious, flattering. Ei7. 1 candied peel: of citrous fruits, preserved with sugar and used in cookery.

candiru /kandi'ru:/noun. M19. [Portuguese from Tupi candiru.] A tiny bloodsucking catfish, Vandellia cirrhosa, of the Amazon river system,

candle /'kand(a)l/ noun. oe. [Latin candella. earlier candela, from candere be white, glisten. In Middle Enqlish from Anqlo-Norman & Old French, also from Latin.] 1 A (usu. cylindrical) body of wax. tallow, etc., enclos¬ ing a wick, for giving light by burning, oe. kb fig. A source of light, or of mental or spiritual illumination: the ‘light’ of life. Now rare or obsolete, oe. 2 A preparation containing aromatic etc. substances for diffusion during burning; a pastille, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. 3 physics. A unit of luminous intensity, superseded by the candela. Also international candle. Cf. candlepower below. Li 9. 4 The flower of a horse chestnut tree. E20. 1 bell, book, and candle: see bell noun1, burn the candle at both ends exhaust one's strength or resources through under¬ taking too much, bold a candle to the Devil: see hold verb, mould-candle see mould noun314 mutton candle see mutton 4 not able to hold a candle to. not fit to hold a candle to not to be compared with, inferior to. not worth the candle not worth the cost or effort (esp. in the game is not worth the candle) paschal candle see paschal adjective. Roman candle see

e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, a: saw. a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day. au no. e: hair, ra near, 01 boy. 00 poor, Aia tire, aoa sour

334

candle | cannabinol Roman adjective, sell by the candle, sell by inch of candle arch.. by auction at which the time allowed for bids is set by the burning of a candle, the last bid received during this time secur¬ ing the article, smell of the candle see smell verb 8a. tallow candle: see tallow noun 3. 3 standard candle: see standard adjective. 4 in candle (of a horse-chestnut tree) in flower. Comb.: candle-beam a rood-beam; candleberry (the fruit of) any of various trees or shrubs whose ffuit yields a wax or oil used for candles; esp. (a) (also candleberry myrtle) a bayberry or related shrub; (b) (also candleberry tree) the kukui tree; candle-end the burnt-down end of a candle; fig, (arch.) a trifle, a scrap; candlefish N. Amer. = eulachon; candlelight (a) the light given by a candle or candles; (b) dusk, twilight; candlelit adjective lit by a candle or candles; candle-nut = kukui; also, its fruit, candlepower illuminating power expressed in candles (sense 3); candle-snuffer see snuffer noun' : candlestick a holder for a candle or (less commonly) candles (the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker see butcher noun): candle-tree (a) = candleberry (a) above; (b) the Central American tree Parmentiera cerifera, with very long cylindrical ffuit; candle-waster arch, a person who studies or revels late into the night; candlewick (a) the wick of a candle; (b) (material with a raised usu. tufted pattern in) a thick soft cotton yam: candle-wood resinous wood burning with a bright flame; a tree yielding this, esp. (N. Amer.) of the genus Fouquiena.

candle /'kand(a)l/ verb trans. Li7. [from the noun.] 11 Cover over or rub with candle-grease, rare. L17-E19. 2 Examine the contents of (an egg etc.) by holding it between the eye and a source of light. L19. ■ candler noun E20.

Candlemas /'kand(a)lmas, -mas/ noun. [Old English candelmxsse, from candle noun + mass noun1.] (The date, 2 February, of the celebration of) the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation ofjesus in the Temple, when candles are blessed. ? One of the Scottish quarter days,

candomble/kandDm'blei/noun.

M20.

tcane noun2 var. of khan noun2. tcanel noun1. Also -nn-. me-mis. [Old French canele (mod. canneile) from Provencal canela dim. of cana cane noun'. Cf. medieval Latin canella.] Cinnamon.

[Brazilian Portuguese.) A Brazilian sect of the macumba cult.

candour ''kanda/ noun. Also *-or. lme. [Latin candor, from base of Candidas, candere: see candid, -our. Cf. French candeur.] 1 Whiteness; brilliancy. Long rare. lme. |2 Stainless character; purity, innocence, lis-eis. 3 Freedom from bias, impartiality, fairness. Now rare or obsolete. M17. f4 A favourable disposition; good nature; kindness. M17-E19. 5 Frankness, openness; ingenuousness; outspoken¬ ness. mis.

tcanel noun2 var. of cannel noun'. canella /ka'neb/ noun. Also -nn-. 117. [medieval Latin = CANELnoun'.] |1 gen. Cinnamon. L17-H9. 2 = wild cinnamon s.v. cinnamon, mis. canephora /ka'neflaffa, -'ni:-/ noun. Pi. -rae l-n:l. E17. [Latin canephora fern., from Greek kanephoros adjective, from kaneon basket + -pharos carrying.] In ancient Greece, each of the maidens who carried on their heads baskets bearing sacred things used at certain feasts; architecture a caryatid representing or resembling such a maiden.

C & W abbreviation. Country and western.

candy /'kandi/ noun'. E17. [Marathi khandL] A weight formerly used in the Indian subcontinent, generally equal to 230 or 250 kg.

candy /'kandi/ noun2. Mi7. [from SUGAR-CANDY.] 1 Crystallized sugar, made by repeated boiling and slow evaporation. M17. 2 A sweet confection; sweets collectively. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. 3 Drugs, narcotics. (V. Amer. slang. M20. 2 cotton candy, cough candy, etc. Comb.: candy ass N. Amer. slang a timid or cowardly person, a despicable person; candy-assed adjective (N. Amer. slang) timid, cowardly, despicable; candy bar N. Amer. a bar of toffee or other sweet substance, a bar of chocolate; candy cane N. Amer. a stick of striped rock with a curved end, resembling a walking-stick; candyfloss see floss noun2 4; candy-man (a) (chiefly Hist.) an itin¬ erant seller of sweets etc.; (b) N. Amer. slang a pedlar or pusher of drugs: candy-store N. Amer. a sweetshop; candystripe a pattern, in alternate stripes of white and colour (esp. pink); candystriped adjective having candystripes; candystriper N. Amer. a (usu. teenage) volunteer assistant nurse in a hospital (from the striped uniform worn); candy-sugar = sugar-candy.

candy 'kandi/ verb. Mi6. [from prec., after French candir, from candi taken as pa. pple: see SUGAR-CANDY.] 1 verb trans. Preserve by coating and impregnating with crystallized sugar; fig. sweeten, render more acceptable in form or appearance. M16. 2 verb trans. Crystallize (sugar) by boiling; gen. make into crystals. Li6. 3 verb trans. Cover or coat with a crystalline substance. E17. 4 verb intrans. Crystallize; become encrusted (as) with sugar. Ml7.

candytuft /'kanditAft/ noun. E17. [from Candy obsolete form of Candia the island of Crete + tuft noun.) Any of various cruciferous plants of the genus iberis, with white, pink, or purple flowers in flat tufts; = iberis.

cane /kein/ noun1 & verb. lme. [Old French can(n)e from Latin canna reed, cane, tube, pipe, from Creek karma, kannl from Semitic (cf. Assyrian qanu, Hebrew qdtieh reed).] b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg.

► A noun. 1 The hollow jointed woody stem of certain reeds and grasses, as bamboo and sugar cane; the solid stem of slender palms, as the rattan, Malacca, etc. Also, the stem of the raspberry and its congeners, lme. f2 a A pipe, a tube, lme-eis. Fb A solid stick or rod of various substances, esp. glass. E17. 3 A length of cane used as an instrument of punish¬ ment, as a walking-stick, as a support for a plant, etc., any slender walking-stick. Lie. Ffb A dart or lance made of a cane. LI6-L17. 4 Canes collectively, esp. as material for wickerwork. 118. 1 sugar cane: see sugar noun. 3 Malacca cane whancee cane Comb, cane-brake N. Amer. (a) a tract of land overgrown with canes; (b) a tali woody grass, Arundinaria gigantea, forming brakes; cane chair a chair with a seat of woven strips of cane; cane-coloured adjective (esp. of pottery) of the colour of cane, buff, yellowish; cane-grass (a) = cane-brake (b) above; (b) a tall Australian grass, Giyceria ramigera; cane-juice the juice of the sugar cane; cane-rat an African rodent of the genus Thryonomys: cane sugar sugar obtained from the sugar cane; sucrose; canesyrup syrup obtained from the sugar cane: cane toad a very large brown toad, Bufo marinus, which is native to tropical and subtropical America and has been introduced elsewhere for pur¬ poses of pest control; also called giant toad, marine toad: canetrash bagasse from sugar cane; cane-work strips of cane interwoven and used to form the backs and seats of chairs and other articles of furniture; cane-worker a person who makes articles of cane. ► B verb trans. 1 Beat with a cane. M17. Fb Beat (a lesson) into a person with a cane. Mi9. 2 Weave cane into (a chair etc.). Li7. 3 Punish severely; defeat or criticize heavily. E18. ■ caned adjective (a) (of furniture) made or repaired with cane; (b) (s/ong) intoxicated by drink or drugs; 117. caning verbal noun (a) the action of the verb: (b) a beating with a cane. Ei8.

Canes Venatici /,keini:z vi:'natisM/noun phr. Ei8. [Latin canes venatici, from cants dog + venatiais used for hunting.] (The name of) an inconspicuous constellation of the northern hemisphere near Ursa Major; the Hunting Dogs. canezou /'ka:nzu:/ noun. E19. [French, of unkn. origin.] Hist. A woman's garment like a blouse of muslin or cambric. Canfield /'kanfirld/ noun. E20. [R. A. Canfield (1855-1914). Amer. gambler.] A card-game of patience for one player, in N. America the same as British demon, in Britain the same as N. American Klondike. cang verb & noun var. of cangue verb & noun. cangia /'kand3o/ noun. Ei8. [Italian from Turkish kanca hook (in kancabas boat with recurved bows) from Venetian Italian ganzo from Spanish gancho ult. from Celtic: cf. French range.] A light boat used on the Nile. cangue /kat)/ verb trans. & noun. Also cang. (earliest) tcongo. pi. -oes. L17. [French from Portuguese canga yoke from Annamesegong.] Chiefly Hist. (Cause to wear) a heavy wooden board hung round the neck as punishment in China. can-hooks/'kanhoks/noun pi. lis. [from unkn. 1st elem. + hook noun + -s1.] Chiefly nautical. (Tackle consisting of) two hooks joined by a short length of chain or rope, used for hoisting casks etc. canicular /ka'nikjob/ adjective, me. [Late Latin caniniiaris, from canicula dog-star, dim. of eanis dog.] 1 Of or pertaining to the dog-star (Sirius); of or pertain¬ ing to the dog-days. me. 2 Pertaining to a dog. joc. li 6. H3 1 E. Pound The diy earth pants against the canicular heat canicular days the dog-days, canicular year the ancient Egyptian year computed from one heliacal rising of Sirius to the next. ■ canicule noun (rare) [French] the dog-days eis.

m man, n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top.

van, w we, z zoo,

canid /'kamd/ noun. Li9. [mod. Latin Canidae (see below), from Latin cams dog: see -id2.] zoology. An animal of the family Canidae, which

includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. canine /'keinAin, 'ka-/ noun & adjective, lme. [French canin(e or Latin caninus, -ina, from eanis dog: see -ine1.]

► A noun. 1 A canine tooth (see below), (rare before M19.) lme. 2 A dog (chiefly joc.); gen. any canid. Mi9. ► B adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a dog or dogs; having the nature or qualities of a dog; (of appe¬ tite etc.) voracious, bulimic. Ei7. 2 canine tooth, a strong pointed tooth situated between the incisors and premolars (one of four in a complete human dentition). E17. 1 canine madness arch, rabies, canine parvovirus. ca niniform adjective (of teeth) having a shape like that of a canine tooth Li9. caninity /ka'nimti/ noun doglike nature, canine quality lis. m

canions /'kanianz/ noun pi. H6. [formed as canyon. Cf. cannon noun 2c] Hist. Ornamental rolls on the ends of the legs of

breeches. Canis/‘kemis, 'kams/noun. lme. [Latin eanis dog. dog-star. Canis Major.]

1 Canis Major: (the name of) a constellation of the southern hemisphere on the edge of the Milky Way, near Puppis; the Great Dog; (formerly) Sirius, its brightest star. lme. 2 Canis Minor: (the name of) a constellation of the northern hemisphere on the edge of the Milky Way, near Gemini; the Little Dog; (formerly) Procyon, its brightest star. lme. canister /'kanista/ noun & verb. lis. (Latin canistrum from Creek kanastron wicker basket, from kanna reed: see cane noun'.]

► A noun. 1 A basket (for bread, flowers, etc.), literary, lis. 2 A small container, usu. of metal, used for tea, shot, etc. El 8. 3 Hist. In full canister-shot. Small bullets packed in cases that fit the bore of a gun. E19. ► B verb trans. 1 Fasten a canister to. Now rare or obsolete. E19. 2 Put in a canister, mi9. canities /ko'nifibz/noun. Ei9. [Latin, from canus white.]

medicine Whitening or greying of the hair. canker /'kagka/ noun. me. [Old Northern French cancre (Old French chancre) from Latin cancr-, cancer noun.] 1 Orig. = cancer noun 2. Later, a sore, an ulcer, ulcerous

disease, (esp. of animals), me. 2 a A caterpillar or grub that destroys buds or leaves. Cf. canker-worm below, lme. Fb Necrotic disease of plants, esp. fruit trees. M16. 3 Rust, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 4 fig. A corrupting or corrosive influence. M16. 5 In full canker-rose. A dogrose. dial. Li 6. Comb.: tcanker-bloom the flower of the dogrose; f cankerblossom = sense 2a above; canker-rose: see sense 5 above; canker-worm = sense 2a above; spec. (N. Amer.) a geometrid moth larva which destroys the foliage of trees, a cankerous adjective of the nature of a canker; corroding, infectious: lme. cankery adjective (a) cankerous; cankered; (b) Scot, cantankerous, ill-natured; lme.

canker /'kagka/ verb. lme. [from the noun.]

1 verb trans. Consume (as) with canker; infect, corrupt. lme. Fb Rust, corrode, tarnish, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 verb intrans. Become consumed or infected (as) with canker; rot, fester, decay. E16. ■ cankered adjective affected with canker; fig. corrupt, soured, malignant, crabbed: lme.

tcann verb var. of con verb2. canna ''kana/ noun', mis. [mod. Latin Canna (see below) from Latin canna cane noun1.]

A plant of the genus Canna, native to tropical and sub¬ tropical America, with bright yellow, red, or orange flowers and ornamental leaves. Also canna lily. canna noun2 var. of cannach. cannabinoid /'kanabinoid/ noun. M20. [formed as next + -oid.] chemistry. Any of a group of closely related compounds which includes cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis.

cannabinol/'kanabinDl, ko'nab-/noun. L19. [from next + -ol.] chemistry. A crystalline tricyclic phenol, C21H2602, deriva¬ tives of which (notably a tetrahydro-derivative) are the physiologically active constituents of cannabis.

J she,

3

vision.

0 thin.

6

this,

r) ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

335

cannabis | canonist cannabis/'kanabis/ noun. eis. [Latin from Creek katinabis.]

1 = Indian hemp (a) s.v. Indian adjective, eis. 2 A preparation of any part of this plant used as an intoxicating or hallucinogenic drag, or medicinally M19. Comb: cannabis resin a sticky substance containing the active principles of cannabis, prepared esp. from the flowering tops of the female plant. ? Cf. BHANG. CHARAS, GANJA, HASHISH, MARIJUANA, etc. As an intoxicating or hallucinogenic drug the substance has many slang names as grass, pot. etc.

cannach /’ka:nax/ noun. Scot. Also canna /'kano/. E19. [Gaelic, Irish carwch.]

Cotton-grass. canned kand/ adjective. Mi9. [from can verb2 + -ed1.]

1 Preserved or contained in a can; tinned, mi9. 2 fig. Of music etc.: artificially produced; esp. recorded, not live. E20. 3 Intoxicated, drunk, slang. E20. tcannel

noun1.

Also canel.

me-mi8.

[Old Northern French canel = Old French chanel: see channel noun'. Cf. canal noun, kennel noun2.]

A channel, a watercourse; a gutter; a pipe, a tube, a faucet. Comb.: cannel-bone (a) the collar-bone; (b) the cervical verte¬ brae.

curl in the hair, worn horizontally. Ei9. Ee mechanics. A hollow cylinder moving independently on a shaft. L19. 3 A stroke in billiards in which the player’s cue-ball is made to hit both other balls; transf. a rebounding colli¬ sion. E19. 4 A pickpocket. US slang. E20. 3 nursery cannon see nursery 6. Phrases: loose cannon: see loose adjective. Comb.: cannon-ball Hist, a solid spherical projectile fired by a cannon; cannon-ball tree a S. American tree, Couroupita guianensis, bearing globular woody fruit; cannon-bit: see sense 2b above; cannon-bone a tube-shaped bone between a horse’s hock and fetlock; cannon-fodder [translating German Kanonenfutter] men regarded merely as material to be consumed in war; cannon-shot (a) the shooting of a cannon; (b) ammuni¬ tion fired from a cannon, cannon-balls; (c) the range of a cannon. ■ cannonry noun the use or discharge of cannon; artillery’ Li6.

cannon 'kanan/ verb. L16. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. = cannonade verb. Li6. 2 verb intrans. Strike a cannon in billiards. M19. 3 a verb trans. Come into collision with. rare. M19. Eb verb intrans. Come into collision, strike obliquely,

against, into. Li 9. cannonade /kana'neid/ noun & verb. Mi6. [French from Italian carmonata, from cannone: see cannon noun, -ADE.)

cannel /’kan(a)l/ noun2. Orig. north. Mi6. [Origin unkn.] In full cannel coal. A bituminous coal which burns with a bright flame.

► A noun. A continued discharge of cannon, continuous gunfire; an attack with cannon. Mi6. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Attack with cannon; discharge cannon (against), mi7.

tcannel noun3 var. of canel noun'.

cannoneer /kano'nra/ noun. Mi6.

cannella noun var. of canella.

[French canonnier from Italian cannonim, from cannone: see CANNON noun, -EER.] Hist. An artilleryman who lays and fires cannon,

cannellini .'kana'lrni/ noun pi. M20. [Italian-small tubes.]

In full cannellini beans. Kidney beans of a medium¬ sized creamy-white variety.

cannot verb see can verb'. cannula /'kanjulo/ noun. Li7. [Latin, dim. of canna cane noun1.]

cannelloni /kana'tauni/ noun pi. M20.

A small tube which can be inserted into a body cavity or vessel to allow the entry or escape of fluid. surgery.

[Italian, augm. pi. of cannello stalk: see -oon.]

Rolls of pasta filled with meat or cheese and seasonings; an Italian dish consisting largely of this and usu. a sauce.

■ cannulate verb trans. cannu lation noun M20

introduce

[from CAN verb' + -Y1.]

[Prob. formed as prec.]

A roll of pastry with a filling, cannelure "kanfajljoo/ noun. mis. [French, from canneler to groove, flute, from canne reed: see cane noun', -ure.]

A groove or fluting, esp. around a bullet etc. canner/'kana/noun. L19. [from can verb2 + -er1.]

1 A person who cans food; a machine for canning food. LI 9. 2 An animal whose flesh is suitable only for canned foods. Also, a fruit or vegetable suitable for canning. Chiefly N. Amer. Li9. cannery /'kanari/ noun. L19.

► A adjective. 1 Prudent, knowing; worldly-wise, shrewd; wary, circumspect, cautious. Li 6. 2 Safe to meddle with; lucky, propitious, fortunate. L16. 3 Clever, skilful; cunning, wily; endowed with occult power. Now arch. rare. M17. 4 Careful with money, thrifty, frugal. E18. 5 Agreeable, comely, nice, tidy, good, north. E18. 6 Careful in action, gentle, quiet; snug, comfortable; (of humour etc.) sly, pawky. M18. ► B adverb. Cautiously, warily, quietly. Esp. in ca’ canny. go or act thus (see also ca’canny). Scot. E18. ■ cannily adverb L16. canniness noun M17.

canoe /ko’nu:/ noun. Also (earlier) tcanow & other vars. M16.

[from can verb2 + -ery.]

A factory where foodstuffs are canned. cannibal /'kanib(a)l/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [Spanish Canibales (pi.), a form (recorded by Columbus) of the name Caribes a people of the W. Indies: see Carib.] ► A noun. 1 A person who eats human flesh; fig. a blood¬

thirsty savage. M16. 2 An animal that eats members of its own species. 118. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Cannibalistic, bloodthirsty. L16.

■ canniba lean adjective (rare) = cannibalistic E17. canni balic adjective = cannibalistic E19. cannibalism noun the practice of eating (the flesh of) members of one’s own species us. canniba listic adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic of can¬ nibals; practising cannibalism: M19. canniba listicaliy adverb in the manner of a cannibal M19 cannibally adverb (rare) cannibalistically Ei7.

[Spanish canoa from Arawak from Carib ranuoua. Present spelling due to French canoe.] A narrow keelless boat propelled by paddling; spec.

(a) one simply constructed from a hollowed-out treetrunk or of a wooden frame covered with skins, bark, etc.; (b) a lightweight recreational craft resembling an Eskimo kayak, made from fibreglass or wood etc. dugout canoe, log canoe, woodskin canoe, etc. north canoe see north adverb, adjective, noun, & verb, paddle one’s own canoe fig. depend on oneself alone. Comb.: canoe birch N. Amer. the white or paper birch, Betula papyrifera: canoe wood N. Amer. (the timber of) the tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera. m canoeist noun a person who paddles a canoe M19. canoe-like adjective resembling (that of) a canoe mi9.

cannibalize /'kambfrjlAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. M17.

canoe /ko'nu:/ verb intrans. Mi8.

[from prec. + -ize.] f 1 In pass. Be eaten by cannibals, rare. Only in Mi7.

Travel by or paddle a canoe.

cannikin /'kamkin/ noun. Also cana- /'kano-/ L16. [Dutch kanneken: see can noun, -kin.] lme.

sit, i cosy, i: see,

[from Can(ada + -ola (with ref. to Latin oleum oil).]

1 An ecclesiastical law or decree; esp. a rule laid down by an ecclesiastical council; sing. & (usu.) in pi., canon law. OE. 2 The part of the Mass containing the words of conse¬ cration. ME. 3 A general law, rule, or edict; a fundamental prin¬ ciple. lme. Efb math. A general rule, formula, or table. LME-L18. Ec A standard of judgement; a criterion. E17.

size requiring it to be mounted for firing, lme. Eb An automatic shell-firing gun in an aircraft. E20. f2 a A tube; a cylindrical bore. L16-E18. Eb In full cannon-bit. A smooth round bit for a horse. L16. Ec Hist. In pi. = canions. Li6. td In full cannon curl. A cylindrical 1

canola /ka'noub/ noun. L20.

[Latin from Creek kanon rule: reinforced in Middle English by Anglo-Norman catrun, Old & mod. French canon.]

[Old & mod. French canon from Italian cannone augm. of rarnia tube from Latin: see cane noun', -oon. In sense 3 alt. of carom.] 1 a Hist. (PI. usu. same.) A piece of ordnance; a gun of a

d

hot,

0:

saw,

a

run, u put, u: too, a ago,

£3 1 Shakes. All’s Well Self-love.. the most inhibited sin in the canon. 3 D. Carnegie I violated all the canons of cour¬ tesy, ignored everyone else. J. K. Galbraith The balanced budget, so long a canon of the conventional wisdom, c G. Murray We are establishing a new conventional canon of what is poetical and what not. 4c D. Lodge A series of commentaries on Jane Austen which would work through the whole canon, one novel at a time. Phrases: Muratorian canon. Comb.: canon law ecclesiastical law, esp. as laid down by papal and council pronouncements.

canon /'kanon/noun2,

me.

[Old French canonic from ecclesiastical Latin canonicus use as noun of adjective (see canonic), assim. to prec.] ecclesiastical. 1 A member of an order of clergy living in a clergy-house or within the precincts of a cathedral etc. in accordance with the canons of the church, me. 2 Each of the resident ecclesiastics responsible, under the dean, for a cathedral. Mi6. 1 canon regular, regular canon: living according to a rule and so renouncing private property, secular canon: not living accordingto a rule. 2 honorary canon a titular non-residential non-stipendiaiy member of a cathedral chapter, minor canon, f petty canon a member of the clergy who assists in the daily service of a cathedral but is not a member of the chapter. ■ canoness noun (a) a member of a community of women living according to an ecclesiastical rule as opp. to having taken perpetual vows; (b) a woman holding a prebend or canonry: L17. canonship noun = canonry i mi6.

canon noun & verb var. of canyon. canonic /k s'mimic/ noun & adjective,

oe.

[Old & mod. French canonique or Latin canonicus from Creek kanonikos, formed as canon noun': see -ic.] ► A noun. 1 = canon noun2, rare. oe. 2 A system of logical rules or dialectic. M17. ► B adjective. = canonical adjective. Lis.

canonical

ka'nonikla)!/ adjective & noun. lme. [medieval Latin canonicalis from Latin canonicus: see prec., -al1.] ► A adjective. 1 Prescribed by, in conformity with, or relat¬ ing to canon law. lme. 2 Of the nature of a canon or rule; authoritative; stand¬ ard; accepted. Mi6. Eb math. Of the nature of a general rule or standard formula; relating to or according to such an expression. Mis. 3 Included in the scriptural canon; relating to any (sets of) sacred books regarded as authentic. M16. 4 Of or belonging to (any member of) an ecclesiastical chapter. Li6. 5 music According to the rules of canon; in canon form. rare. E17. 1 canonical hour ecclesiastical (usu. in pi.) (a) each of the times of daily prayer appointed in the breviary; each of seven offices (matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, nones, vespers, and com¬ pline) appointed for these times; (b) in the Church of England, the time (now usu. between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.) during which a marriage may lawfully be celebrated, canonical obedience: owed by a member of the clergy to a bishop or other clerical superior according to canon law. 2 canonical epistles (rare) = Catholic Epistles s.v. Catholic adjective. ► B noun. 1 A canonical epistle, rare. Mi6. 2 In pi. The prescribed canonical dress of the clergy.

■ canonically adverb E16. canonicalness noun M17.

canon 'kanon/ noun', oe

A small can or drinking-vessel,

9 (A period or era serving as) a basis for chronology. M19.

canonicate/ko'nomkot/noun.

Any of several varieties of oil-seed rape developed in Canada; (more fully canola oil) the vegetable oil obtained from these,

M20. ■ cannibali zation noun M20.

6 law. A customary payment made to the Church; a quit-rent. Now rare or obsolete, mi7. 7 A former size of type equal to four-line pica. L17. 8 [Prob. a different word: cf. cannon noun 2.] A metal loop at the top of a bell, by which it is hung. Usu. in pi., of crossed loops. L17.

mis.

[from the noun.]

2 Use (a machine etc.) as a source of spare parts for another, take (a part of a machine etc.) for use in another.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her,

E20.

canny /'kani/ adjective & adverb. Orig. Scot. Li6.

cannelon ''kan(3)lDn/ noun. M19.

cannon/'kanan/ noun.

a cannula into

4 (The set of) those biblical books officially accepted by any of the Christian Churches as genuinely inspired: any collection or list of sacred works accepted as genuine. lme. Eb A list or catalogue of recognized saints, eis. Ec (A list of) the recognized genuine works of a particu¬ lar author, composer, etc. Li9. 5 music. (The style of) a composition in which different parts take up the same subject successively in strict mu¬ tation. Li6.

ai

Mi7.

[French canonicat or medieval Latin canonicatus, from Latin canonicus: see canonic, -ate'.J The office or dignity of a canon: a canonry.

canonicity/kana'nisiti/noun. ns. [from canonic + -ity.] Canonical status; esp. inclusion within the scriptural canon.

canonisation

noun, canonise CANONIZATION, CANONIZE.

canonist/'kanomst/noun.

verb

vars.

of

Mi6.

[Old & mod. French ccmoniste or medieval Latin canonista, formed as canon noun1: see -1ST.] An expert in canon law. ■ cano nistic adjective pertaining to a canonist; relatingto the exposition of canon law: MI7.

my. ao how, ei day, so no, e: hair, is near,

.11

boy, us poor, ais tire, aua sour

336

canonization | Canterbury canonization /.kananAi'zeiJjoln/ noun. Also LME.

-isation.

1 Admit formally to the canon of saints; regard as a saint; fig. idolize, glorify, lme. >tb Deify apotheosize. M16-L18. 2 Admit to a canon of sacred writings, esp. that of any of the Christian Churches, lme. 3 Sanction by church authority, lme. ■ canonizer noun L16. lme.

[from canon noun- + -rv.[

1 The benefice, office, or status of a canon, lme. 2 An establishment of canons or canonesses. Li 9. canoodle /ka'nu:d(3)l/ verb intrans. & trans. slang (orig. US). M19. [Origin unkn.]

Singing: musical sound. E16-E18. 2 Accent; intonation. M17-M18. ► II3 A whining manner of speaking; a whine. Now rare or obsolete. Mi7. 4 The special phraseology of a class, sect, profession, etc.; jargon, slang. Usu. deroq. Li7. 5 A set form of words repeated mechanically; esp. a stock phrase or word temporarily in fashion, arch. Li7. 6 Ephemeral catchwords; affected or insincere phrase¬ ology; esp. language (or occas. action) implying piety which does not exist; hypocrisy. E18. ■f7 A person who uses such language. E18-L19. CQ 6 G. Santayana The talk about a nasty world and living pure in a nunnery was just the cant of those days. A. S. Neill To condemn an interest in sex is sheer hypocrisy and cant.

cant /kant/ noun4. Chiefly Anglo-Irish. Now rare or obsolete.

A lover of dogs.

cant /kant/ adjective'. Scot, (formerly) & north,

■ cano phi lia noun affection for dogs M20.

[Latin Canopicus, from Canopus a town in ancient Egypt: see next, -ic]

Designating (in Canopic vase. Canopic jar) a covered urn used in ancient Egyptian burials to hold the entrails and other visceral organs from an embalmed body. Canopus /ka'naopas/ noun. Sense 2 usu. c-. M16. [Latin Canopus from Greek Kandpos, (i) a star (see below), (ii) a town in ancient Egypt.]

1 The brightest star in the constellation Carina. M16. 2 A Canopic vase. eis.

Bold, brisk, lively, hearty. cant /kant/ adjective2. Usu. derog.

Of words, phrases, speech, etc.: of the nature of cant: jargonistic; ephemerally fashionable; uttered mechan¬ ically. ■ cantly adverb in canting phraseology; in slang: ei 9.

(often applied fig. to the sky). E17. >b The upper branches of the trees in a forest, as forming a more or less continu¬ ous layer. E20. 3 architecture. A rooflike ornamental projection over a niche, door, tomb, etc. L17. 4 An overhead covering forming part of the upper structure of a vehicle etc.; esp. the cover of the cockpit of an aircraft. Li9. 5 The expanding part of a parachute. M20. £3 1 Hobbes The Popes are carried by Switzers under a Canopie. 2 M. F. Maury A canopy of perpetual clouds. J. Masters The part of the platform sheltered by the canopy was crowded with would-be passengers. C. Sagan Thousands of stars.. peppered across the canopy of night.

► B verb trans. Cover (as) with a canopy. Freq. as canopied ppl adjective. Li 6.

Divide, apportion, share out.

[from Latin canorus, from canere sing: see -ous.]

canst verb see can verb1. canstick 'kanstik/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial.

(Off). M16. 2 verb trans. Throw off or empty out by tilting. M17. 3 verb trans. Pitch as by the sudden lurching of a ship; toss; push or pitch sideways. L17. 4 verb intrans. & trans. Slope, slant, tilt; turn upside down or over. E18. 5 verb intrans. nautical Of a ship etc.: change course, swing round. Li8. £Q 2 cant off decant. 3 J. Smeaton The boat took a sudden yaw.. which canted me overboard. 4 S. Smiles A loose plank, which canted over. T. Collins The black collie was sitting.. with his head slightly canted to one side. L. Durrell The telescope barrel had been canted downwards so that it no longer pointed at the sky. 5 R. D. Blackmore The boat canted round towards the entrance of the creek. Comb.: cant-dog (a) a handspike with a hook; (b) = cant-hook below; cant-hook (an implement consisting ofj an iron hook at the end of a long handle, used for rolling logs.

pietistic phraseology. Ml6. 4 verb trans. Utter with cant phraseology. Now rare. t5 verb trans. & intrans. Chant; sing. M17-E19.

lme.

[Contr.]

A candlestick, cant/kant/ noun1, me.

[In branch I from Middle Low German kant point, creek, border, kante side, edge, Middle & mod. Dutch cant border, side, corner, from Proto-Romance var. (repr. by Old French cant, French chant, champ. Spanish, Italian canto edge, corner, side) of Latin cant(h)us iron tyre. In branch II from cant verb2.] ► Itl

An edge, brink, side. Only in me. 2 A comer, an angle; a comer piece; a triangular piece. obsolete exc. dial. E17. 3 Each of the side-pieces in the head of a cask. E17. 4 nautical. Each of the timbers of a ship etc. towards the bow and the stern which are sharply angled from the keel. Also, a supporting timber. Li 8. 5 The oblique line or surface which cuts off the corner of a square, cube, etc.; an oblique, inclined, or slanting face, mi9. ► II6 A sudden movement, esp. a toss, pitch, etc., which overturns, eis. 7 A slope, a tilt; a deflection from the perpendicular or horizontal, mi9. Comb, cant-line the space between two strands on the outside of a rope, or between the bilges of two barrels side by side' cantrail a timber or stay supporting the roof of a railway wagon

h he, j yes, k cat,

I leg, m

cantaloup /'kantolu:p/ noun. Also -loupe, lis. [French from Italian Cantahippi, near Rome, where, on its intro¬ duction from Armenia, it was first grown.]

A small round ribbed variety of melon, with orange flesh. Also called rock melon cantankerous/kan'tagkfyras/adjective, mis. ■ cantankerously adverb M19 cantankerousness noun L19.

cantar noun var. of kantar.

cantata kan'tcuto/noun. E18. [Italian (sc. aria air), fern. pa. pple of cantare sing.] music. An extended composition for one or more voices

[Latin = sing ye, the first word of the psalm (see below).]

[from cant noun1.] 1 verb trans. Give an oblique or slanting edge to; bevel

verb3. Mi6. [Prob. from Latin cantare: see chant verb.] tl verb intrans. Whine; beg. M16-M19. 12 verb intrans. & trans. Speak; talk; say slang & dial. M16-L18. 3 verb intrans. Use cant or jargon; affect fashionable or

Melodious, resonant.

[A department of the Auvergne, France.]

In full Cantal cheese. A hard strong cheese made chiefly in the Auvergne.

Cantate /kan'ta:tei, -ti/ noun. M16.

M16.

cant/kant/

canorous /ka'nouas/ adjective. Mi7.

Cantal /'kanta:l/ noun. Li9.

with instrumental accompaniment; orig., a narrative recitative or sequence of recitatives and ariettas, for solo voice; later, a choral work resembling a short oratorio.

LME-M16.

[Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to cantle.]

cant /kant/ verb2.

1 (A native or inhabitant) of Cambridge, England; (a member) of Cambridge University, mi 6. 2 (A native or inhabitant) of Cambridge, Massachu¬ setts; (a member) of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. L19.

[medieval Latin eantarista, from cantaria chantry: see -1ST.] Hist. A chantry priest.

lme.

[medieval Latin canopeum baldachin, alt. of Latin conopeum, -ium net over a bed, pavilion from Greek kbnbpeion Egyptian bed with mosquito curtains, from kbnops mosquito.] ► A noun. 1 A covering suspended or held over a throne, bed, person, etc.; an awning, lme. 2 gen. A covering, an overhanging shade or shelter,

[from Latin Cantabrigia Cambridge (England) + -an.]

cantarist /'kantonst/ noun. Ei9. eis.

[from cant noun3.]

leant verb' trans.

Cantabrigian /kanta'bridjian/ adjective & noun. Mi6.

Quarrelsome; perverse; bad-tempered.

me.

[App. same word as mod.Dutch kant neat, clever, perh. from kant cant noun’. Cf. canty.]

L19.

inhabiting Cantabria, a region of northern Spain. M16. ► B adjective. 1 Hist. Of or pertaining to the Cantabrians. M17. 2 Of or pertaining to Cantabria, mi 8.

[Prob. blend of rancorous and uncertain elem.]

Sale by auction.

[irreg. from Latin canis dog + -phil + -ist.J

b but, d dog, f few, g get,

Ei6.

[In branch I sporadic uses from Latin cantus. In branch II from cant verb ’.]

[from cant verb’1 or aphet. from French meant (mod. mean). Cf. Irish ceant.]

canophilist/ka'nDfilist/noun. Chieflyjoc. Li9.

canopy /'kanopi/ noun & verb.

cant /kant/ noun ’.

LI 6.

Cuddle amorously; fondle, pet.

Canopic /ka'noopik/ adjective. Also c-.

[from Latin Cantabri pi. (the people) or Cantabria (see below) + -AN.] ► A noun. Hist. A member of an ancient warlike people

A portion, a share, a division.

►til

-ise. lme.

[Late Latin canonizare admit as authoritative, (in medieval Latin) admit to the canon of saints, formed as canon noun' + -ize.]

canonry /'kanonri/ noun.

Cantabrian /kan'teibrian/ noun & adjective. Mt6.

lme.

[Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to cant verb', cantle.]

[medieval Latin canonizatio(n-), from canorazut- pa. ppl stem of canonizare: see next, -ation. Cf. Old & mod. French canonisation.] The action or an act of canonizing; esp. formal admis¬ sion to the canon of saints.

canonize /'kanaiiAtz/ verb trons. Also

cant /kant/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. dial.

M17.

Psalm 98

(97

in the Vulgate) used as a canticle.

cantation /kan'teij(a)n/ noun. rare. E17. [Latin cantatio(n-) song, (in late Latin) spell, incantation, from cantut- pa. ppl stem of cantare: see chant ver6, -ion.]

|1 Singing. E-M17. 2 Incantation. Ml9. cantator /kan'teita, -'terta/ noun. rare. Mi9. [Latin cantator, from cantat-: see prec., -or.]

A (male) singer. cantatrice /'kantatrus/ noun. E19. [French & Italian, from Latin cantatrix: see -trice and cf. prec.]

A female professional singer. canteen kan'ti:n/noun. mis. [French can tine from Italian cantina cellar, perh. from canto: see cant noun1.]

1 A provision or liquor shop in a military camp or bar¬ racks; a bar, refreshment-counter, etc., at a place of public resort or at a (large) factory, school, or other insti¬ tution. mis. 2 A set of cooking, eating, or drinking utensils, or a water-flask, for soldiers, travellers, etc. mis. >b Acaseor chest of plate or cutlery for domestic use. Li9. 1 dry canteen: without liquor, wet canteen: chiefly for Liquor. 2b Esp. in canteen of cutlery Comb.: canteen culture colloq. a set of conservative and discrim¬ inatory attitudes said to exist within a police force or other body.

■ canting adjective (a) that cants, using cant; (b) arch, of the nature of cant; (c) heraldry containing an allusion to the name of the bearer: Li6. cantingly adverb 117.

cante hondo /'kante 'xondo, ,ka:ntei hondoo/ noun phr. Also cante jondo M20.

cant /kant/ verb4 trans. Chiefly Anglo-Irish & north. Now rare or

Flamenco singing, songs, of a predominantly mournful or tragic character.

obsolete. Li 6. [Origin uncertain: cf. cant noun4. Latin incantcire, accantare pro¬ claim. put up to auction.]

Dispose of by auction.

can’t verb see can verb'. noun & adjective, mis. of Cantabrigian or (adjective)

[Short for Canterbury gallop s.v. Canterbury noun’ 1.] mod

Latin

Cantabrigicnsis.] ► A noun. A Cantabrigian, colloq. M18. ► B adjective. (Also Cantab, (point).) Of Cambridge Uni¬ versity. LI 9. cantabile /kan'ta:bili/ adverb, adjective, & noun.

eis.

[Italian = that can be sung.] music. ►A adverb & adjective. In a smooth flowing style as if singing, eis. ’ ► B noun. Cantabile style; a piece or movement in this style, mi8. man. n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

[from cant verb2 + -ER'.]

canter /'kanta/ noun2, mis.

/'kantab/

[Abbreviation

canter /'kanta/ noun1. Ei7. 1 A person who uses the cant of thieves; a rogue. Now rare or obsolete. E17. 2 A person who uses professional or religious cant. M17.

Cant, abbreviation. Canticles (in the Bible).

Cantab

[Spanish = deep song.]

t top, v van, w we,

z zoo.

A gait between trot and gallop; an easy gallop. win in a canter: easily. canter "kanta/ verb. Eis. [formed as prec.]

1 verb intrans. Of a horse etc. or rider: move at a canter. Also transf., move briskly or easily eis. 2 verb trans. Make (a horse etc.) go at a canter, mi9. Canterbury /'kantab(a)ri/noun'. Mi6. [A city in Kent, famous as the seat of the Primate of all England and the site of the shrine of Thomas a Becket (St Thomas of Can¬ terbury).] J she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

v, ring,

tj chip,

dj jar

337

Canterbury j canyon ► 11 Used attrib. to designate things associated with Can¬ terbury, Kent, esp. as a former object of pilgrimage M16. 1 Canterbury bell(s) [with ref. to the bells on pilgrims' horses], a southern European bellflower. Campanula medium, grown for ornament; any of several native British bellflowers. Canterbury gallop. Canterbury pace, Canterbury trot, etc., the pace of mounted pilgrims; a slow easy gallop (cf. canter noun2), trot. Canterbury hoe; with three prongs attached to the handle at right angles. Canterbury tale a story told on pilgrimage (orig. one of those in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales); a long tedious story, ►t II2 An easy gallop; a canter. M17-EI8. 3 A stand with partitions to hold music etc. E19.

canto /'kantao/ noun. Pl. -os. Li6. [Italian, lit. 'song', from Latin cantus.]

1 Each ofthe divisions of a long poem. Li6. 12 A song, a ballad. E17-E18. 3 music. The upper part or melody in a composition. E18. canto fermo /kantau Tamiou/ noun phr. Pl. canti fermi /-ti -mi/, Li 6. [Italian, translating medieval Latin cantus firmus.]

Orig., an unadorned melody, plainsong; later spec. a melody used as a basis for counterpoint. Now also, an existing melody taken as a basis for a new polyphonic composition. music.

Canterbury /'kantatyajri/ noun2. Now rare. Li9. [A province in South Island, NZ.)

In full Canterbury lamb. In Great Britain, formerly: lamb or mutton imported from New Zealand. In New Zealand: certain grades of lamb or mutton.

canton /'kantan; in sense l also kan'ttm/ noun1. E16. [Old & mod. French from Provencal from oblique case of ProtoRomance var. of Latin cant(h)us: see cant noun1.]

cantharides noun pi. see next. cantharis /kan'9aris/ noun. PI. -rides /-ridi:z/. lme. [Latin from Creek katitharls.]

1 The Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria. Now rare or obsolete. LME.

2 In pi. A preparation of the dried beetles, having toxic and vesicant properties, and sometimes taken as an aph¬ rodisiac. LME. ■ cantha ridean adjective of the nature of or containing can¬ tharides 118. cantharidin noun a lactone, C10H120„ obtained from the elytra ofthe insect, which is the active principle of can¬ tharides: Ei9. cantharidize verb trans. (now rare) affect or treat with cantharides Lis.

cantharus /'kanGfajras/ noun. kantharos. c-, pl. -roi /-roi/. Mi9.

PI.

-ri

I-tatI.

Also

[Latin from Creek kantharos.] 1 classical antiquities. A large two-handled drinking-cup. Ml 9.

2 A fountain or laver placed in the courtyard of an ancient church for the use of worshippers. M19. canthus /'kanftes/ noun. PI. -thi /-8ai/. Mi7. [Latin from Creek kanthos.] anatomy. The outer or inner comer of the eye, where the

lids meet. canticle /'kantik(a)]/ noun. me. [Latin canticulum dim. of canticum song.] 1 A (little) song; a hymn, spec, one of those used in the liturgy of the Christian Church, me. 2 the Canticles, the Song of Solomon, lme. f3 A canto of a poem. L16-M17.

canti fermi noun phr. pl. of canto fermo. cantikoy noun var. of kantikoy. cantilena /kanti'leino, -'li:na/ noun. mis. [Italian, or Latin cantilena.] music. A simple or sustained vocal melody, or an instru¬

mental passage performed in a smooth lyrical style. Also, the (highest) melodic part in a composition. cantilever /kantiTkvo/ noun. M17. [Origin unkn.]

1 A long projecting bracket supporting a balcony, comice, etc. Mi7. 2 A long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, esp. in bridge-construction. Mi9. Comb.: cantilever bridge: with piers each of which has two cantilevers, and long girders connecting the cantilevers of adja¬ cent piers. ■ cantilevered adjective projecting like or supported by a can¬ tilever E20.

cantillate /'kantileit/ verb trans. & intrans. M19. [Latin cantillat- pa. ppl stem of cantillare sing low, hum. from cantare: see chant verb, -ate3.]

Chant, recite musically; spec, intone as in a Jewish synagogue. ■ canti llation noun ei 9.

1 A subdivision of a country; a small district; spec, one of the several States which form the Swiss confederation. El 6. kb A division of a French arrondissement, containing several communes. Ei7. 2 A corner, an angle; a nook. Now rare or obsolete. M16. 3 heraldry. A square division, less than a quarter, orig. occupying one-ninth part and the upper (usu. dexter) comer of a shield. Li 6. t4 A quarter; a division of anything, a part. Only in 17. ■ cantonal adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a canton M19. cantoni'zation noun division into cantons; making cantonal: M2o. cantonize verb trans. & intrans. (now rare) divide into parts; form (into) cantons; separate: Ei7.

tcanton noun2. L16-E17. [Alt. of canto, perh. by assoc, with canzon, canzone.]

= CANTO 1, 2. canton /'kantan in senses also kan'tu:n/ verb. L16. [Partly from canton noun1, partly from French cantonner to quarter, Italian cantonnare to canton, quarter.] 1 verb trans. Quarter, divide; share out; subdivide (into

cantons). Li 6. 2 verb trans. Divide from or cut out of a whole. Now rare or obsolete, mi7. 3 verb trans. heraldry. Provide with a canton or cantons; place in a canton. Li7. 4 verb intrans. Take up quarters. L17. 5 verb trans. Quarter (soldiers); provide with quarters. E1.8P3 1 Defoe He Canton’d out the Country to his Men. C. Thirlwall They cantoned their great dioceses into Arch¬ deaconries. 2 J. Locke They canton out to themselves a little Goshen in the intellectual world. ■ cantoned ppl adjective (a) formed or divided into cantons; (b) quartered in cantonments; (c) architecture having decorated angles: £17.

Cantonese /kanta'niiz/ adjective & noun. ns. [from Canton English name of the city Guangzhou + -ese.]

► A noun. Pl. same. A native or inhabitant of Canton in SE China; the dialect of Chinese commonly used in Canton. L18. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Canton, its inhabitants, their dialect, cuisine, etc. mi9. cantonment/kan'tDnm(a)nt, -'turn-/noun. M18. [French cantonnfjnetit, from cantonner: see canton verb, -ment.]

1 The quartering of troops. Mis. 2 A militaiy encampment; quarters. In India, (the former site of) a permanent military station, mis. cantor /’kanto:, -a/ noun. Mi6. [Latin = singer, from canere: see chant verb, -or.)

1 a A precentor in a church. Mi6. kb An official who sings liturgical music and leads prayer in a synagogue, = HAZZAN. LI9. 12 gen. A singer. E-M17. cantorial /kan'ta:rial/ adjective. L18. [from prec. + -ial.]

cantina /kan'ti:na/ noun. Li9. [Spanish & Italian.]

(In Spain, Spanish-speaking countries, and the south¬ western US) a bar-room, a saloon; (in Italy) a wine-shop.

Of the precentor; spec, designating or pertaining to the north side of the choir of a church, on which the pre¬ centor usually sits (cf. decanal 2). cantoris /kan'taxis/ adjective. M17. [Latin, genit. of cantor.)

cantle /'kant(a)l/ noun & verb. me. [Anglo-Norman cantel = Old French chantel (mod. chanteau) from medieval Latin cantellus dim. of Latin cant(h)us: see cant noun1, -elm

• cantlet noun (arch.) a small part or portion U7. Icantling noun = CANTLET L17-E19.

.

.

► A noun. 1 A nook, a comer; a projecting comer or angle of land. Long rare. me. kjb A comer or other portion that has been cut off; a sliver. lme-ei7. 2 A section or segment cut out of anything; a thick slice or cut of bread, cheese, etc. arch. me. kb A segment of a circle or sphere. Mi6. 3 A (separate or distinct) part or portion, arch. me. 4 The protuberant part at the back of a saddle. Li6. 5 The crown of the head, Scot. E19. ►t B verb trans. 1 Piece together (cloth). Only in M16. 2 Cut into segments, divide; portion out. L16-L17.

Of or belonging to the cantor or precentor; cantorial; to be sung by the cantorial side in antiphonal singing (cf. DECANI). cantred /'kantrad/ noun. Also in Welsh form -ef /-av/. me. [App. from Welsh cantref, (from cant hundred + tre/town, settle¬ ment, farmstead) with assim. to hundred.] Hist. A district of (approximately) one hundred town¬

ships, a hundred; an area consisting of two or more commots. cantrip /'kantrip/ noun. Scot. Li6. [Origin unkn.)

A spell, a charm; a witch's trick; a playful or extrava¬ gant act.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, o: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, x saw, a run, o put, u: too, a ago, ai my. au how, ei day, .

cantus /'kantas/ noun. Pl. cantus /'kantu:s, -tas/. L16. [Latin = song. Cf. cant noun3, canto, chant noun.) early music A song, a melody, esp. in church music. Also, the highest voice in a polyphonic song.

cantus firmus / kantas 'fa:mas/noun phr. Pl. cantus firmi /'fa:mAi/. M19. [medieval Latin = firm song.] MUSIC. = CANTO FERMO.

canty /'kanti/ adjective. Scot. & north, eis. [from cant adjective1 + -y1.]

Cheerful, lively, brisk. Canuck /ka'nAk/ noun & adjective. N. Amer. colloq. M19. [App. from Canada.]

► A noun. 1 A Canadian, orig. esp. a French Canadian; a Canadian horse or pony. M19. 2 Canadian French. E20. ► B adjective. Canadian, orig. esp. French Canadian. Mt9. canvas /'kanvas/ noun' & adjective. Also canvass, lme. [Old Northern French canevas var. of Old French chanevaz from Proto-Romance, ult. from Latin cannabis.]

► A noun. I As a non-count noun. 1 A strong unbleached cloth of hemp, flax, or other coarse yarn, used for sails, tents, painting on, etc,; hence, sails collectively, lme. 2 A type of this doth woven in regular meshes and used as a basis for tapestry and embroidery. E17. 1 under canvas (a) in a tent or tents; (b) with sails spread, vitry canvas. 2 Java canvas. Penelope canvas: see Penelope 3.

► II Asa count noun. 3 A piece of canvas, obsolete exc. as below, lme. 4 A piece of canvas primed for painting; a painting, esp. in oils. Ei8. 5 A covering over the ends of a racing-boat (orig. made of canvas); transf. the length between the bow and the first oarsman. Li 9. 6 The floor of a boxing, wrestling, etc., ring, with a canvas covering. E20. 5 win by a canvas, lose by a canvas, etc., (in boat-racing): by a narrow margin. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of canvas, lme. Comb.: canvas-back (a) a back of a garment made of canvas; (b) a N. American diving duck, Aythya valisineria, so called from the white back of the male.

canvas noun2 var. of canvass noun1. canvas /'kanvas/ verb trans. Infl. -s-. -ss-. Also canvass. Mi6. [from canvas noun1,]

► 1fl falconry. Entangle or catch in a net. M16-M17. 2 Cover, line, or provide with canvas. M16. 2 sand and canvas: see sand verb.

► n See canvass verb canvass /'kanvas/ noun’. Also canvas. Ei7. [from canvass verb.] 11 A shaking up; a shock, an attack; a repulse. E-M17.

12 An examination of pros and cons. Only in 17. 3 The action or process of personally soliciting votes before an election, or of ascertaining the amount of support a candidate may count on. ti7. kb A scrutiny of votes in an election. US. L18. 4 A solicitation of support, custom, etc. Li 8. canvass noun2 & adjective var. of canvas noun’ & adjective. canvass /'kanvas/ verb. Also canvas. Ei6. [from canvas noun1: the sense-development is unexpl.]

► I f 1 verb trans. Toss in a canvas sheet as a sport or pun¬ ishment; knock about, batter. EI6-M17. 2 verb trans. Discuss, criticize, examine fully; seek to ascertain; discuss with a view to adoption, propose (a plan etc.). M16. kb verb intrans. Engage in debate or discus¬ sion. M17. kc verb trans. Scrutinize (votes), obsolete exc. US. E18.

3 verb intrans. Solicit votes, support, goods, etc. Mi6. 4 verb trans. Solicit votes, support, custom, etc., from; seek to ascertain the sentiments or intentions of. L17. tU 2 Disraeli It was canvassed and criticised sentence by sentence. J. K. Galbraith We canvass our public wants to see where happiness can be improved. P. G. Wodehouse His first act.. had been to canvass Ed. Robinson's views, b F. Marryat We sat there canvassing over the affair. 3 T. Dreiser His father canvassed for a washing machine and wringer company. 4 J. L. Motley His most trustworthy agent .. was now actively canvassing the governments and peoples of Germany. Joyce Mr O'Connor had been engaged by Tierney's agents to canvass one part of the ward.

► II See canvas verb.

■ canvasser noun L16.

cany /'kerni/ adjective, mit. [from cane noun1 + -Y1.]

Of cane; like cane. canyon /'kanjan/.noun & verb. Also canon. M19. [Spanish canon tube, pipe, gun barrel, etc., augm. of cana from Latin canna: see cane noun1, -oon.J ► A noun. A deep gorge (esp. in the US or Mexico), fre¬ quently with a stream at its bottom, mi 9. no, e: hair, io near, 01 boy, ua poor, mo tire, aoo sour

338

canzona | capacity ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Flow in or into a canyon. Mi9. 2 verb trans. Cut into canyons. L19. ■ canyoning noun a sport or leisure activity involving jumping into a mountain waterfall or fast-flowing stream and being swept downhill at high speed L20.

canzona /kan'tsaona, -z-/noun. Li9. [Italian from next.]

(A musical setting of the words of) a canzone; an instru¬ mental piece resembling a madrigal in character. canzone /kan'tsauni, -z-lnoun. PI. -ni l-n\l. Li6. [Italian = song (corresp. to Old & mod. French chanson) from Latin cantio(n-) singing, from cant- pa. pple of camre sing.]

An Italian or Provencal song or ballad; a style of lyric resembling a madrigal. ■ Also canzon /'kants(o)n, -z-l noun (long arch, rare) L16

[App. var. of cop noun1.]

1 A wooden bowl used as a drinking-vessel. Li 6. 2 A measure of quantity: a quarter of a Scots peck. E17.

[Italian canzonetta, dim. of prec.]

Capable of anything; without scruple or restraint

[Abbreviation.]

Caodaism /kao'dAiiz(3)m/ noun. M20.

[from Latin capac-, capax, from capere take: see -acious.]

cap noun5 var. of cap. noun. cap /kap/ verb1. Infl. -pp-. lme.

A syncretistic religion of SE Asia. ■ Caodaist noun an adherent of Caodaism M20.

[from cap noun1.] 1 verb trans. Provide (a person, head) with a cap, put a

caoine Tk\:m!noun. eib. [Irish, formed as keen verfA] = KEEN noun.

caoutchouc /'kautjuk/ noun & adjective, lis. [French from Spanish fcauchuc from Quechua kauchuk.]

(Of) unvulcanized natural rubber. CAP abbreviation. Common Agricultural Policy (of the European Com¬ munity). cap /kap/ noun', oe. [Late Latin cappa, perh. from caput head.]

► I A covering for the head. 11 A hood. Only in oe. 2 A head-dress for women; latterly usu. a light one of muslin etc. for indoor use, worn by a nurse, woman servant, etc. me. 3 Any of various kinds of brimless head-dress, usu. soft and often with a peak, to be worn outdoors or for a special purpose (e.g. as part of academic or Highland dress), orig. only by men or boys. lme. Fb spec. A helmet, a headpiece of mail. lme. >c A cardinal’s biretta. L16. ►d A special cap awarded as a sign of membership of a sporting team, esp. a national team in international competition; tronsf. a person awarded such a cap. Li 9. 4 In full cap-paper: Fa A kind of wrapping paper. Li 6. Fb A size or kind of writing-paper. Cf. foolscap. Mi9. 5 A sum of money collected in a cap, esp. at a fox-hunt etc. from those who are not subscribing members, mi9. 2 mob-cap see mob noun2 3. 3 Basque cap. cloth-cap. dunce’s cap. jockey cap. nightcap, skullcap, swimming cap. trencher cap. etc.

► II Something resembling this in shape, position, or use. 6 A caplike natural covering or topmost part. lme. Fb spec. The top of a bird's head, when distinctively col¬ oured. Also in names, as blackcap L17. >c The pileus of a mushroom or toadstool. Also in names, as death cap. mis. 7 A caplike part fitting over or forming the top or end of an object; a caplike cover or case; a device sealing the opening of a bottle etc., or protecting the lens of a camera etc. or the nib of a fountain penn.ME. 8 nautical. A wooden collar used to hold two masts together. E17. 9 A part laid horizontally along the top of various structures. L17. 10 In full percussion cap. A metal or paper device (orig. cap-shaped) used with (real or toy) firearms and contain¬ ing explosive powder which is exploded by the fall of a hammer. El 9. 11 A contraceptive diaphragm. Cf. Dutch cap s.v. Dutch adjective. E20.

► Ill Partly from the verb. 12 An imposed upper limit; an act of imposing an upper limit. 120. Phrases: cap and bells the insignia of the professional jester, cap in hand fig. humbly, cap of liberty a conical cap given to Roman slaves on emancipation, often used as a Republican symbol, cap of maintenance a cap or hat worn as a symbol of official dignity, or carried before a monarch etc. on ceremonial occasions Dutch cap see Dutch adjective. Hungarian cap see Hungarian adjective. Kilmarnock cap see Kilmarnock 1. legal cap: see legal adjective. Polar cap: see polar adjective, pull caps k cat, 1 leg,

cap on; award a cap to for membership of a team etc., select as a member of a national team; Scot & NZ confer a university degree on. lme. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Take off one’s cap in token of respect (to). Mi6. 3 verb trans. Cover or protect as with a cap; cover at the top or end; seal with a cap. Li6. Fb Seal (a well) to prevent or control the loss of gas or oil. L20. Fc fig. Impose an upper limit on; limit the expenditure of. L20. 4 verb trans. fig. Fa Serve as a climax or culmination to; overtop, outdo, beat; follow (an anecdote, witticism, etc.) with a better or more apposite one. Li6. Fb Pass the comprehension of. puzzle, dial. mis. 5 verb trans. Form a cap or upper part to; overlie. Ei7. 6 verb trans. & intrans. Give cap-money to; take capmoney. Ml 9. £Q 1 J. Skelton With her clothes on her hed.. like an Egyp¬ tian capped about. Times Baker, capped five times for England in 1959-60. 2 Thackeray He and the Proctor capped each other as they met. G. A. Sala Soon I was well known and Capped to. 3 P. Nicholson The extremities of beams, etc., have sometimes been capped with pitch. J. Cary Sphinx-like tors with their crowns of granite capped with ermine. B. Plain Jessie put the remainder of the lunch into a bag and capped the Thermos. 4a Shakes. Hen. VI will cap that proverb with 'There is flattery in friendship'. M. Beerbohm Katie.. uttered a loud sob. Mrs Batch capped this with a much louder one. S. Unwin There was a Munici¬ pal Reception, a Foreign Office Reception.. a luncheon .. and finally to cap it all the members.. were invited to lunch.. with the President. Times The announcement .. capped a day of speculation, cap verses reply with a verse beginning with the last letter of the previous one, 5 C. Lyell The basalts., capping the hills. B. Taylor One block Shall cap the pediment. ■ capped. Jcapt ppl adjective (a) wearing or having a (specified) cap or covering; (b) dial, puzzled, astonished: lme. capping noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) that with which anything is capped, covered, or overlaid: lme.

cap /kap/ verb2 trans. Infl. -pp-. L16. [Old French caper seize.) 1 Arrest, obsolete exc. Scot. Li6. 2 Appropriate by violence, seize. Scot. Ei9.

cap. /kap/ noun. Also cap (no point). M19. [Abbreviation.]

A capital letter. small cap: see small adjective, capa kapa/noun. lis. [Spanish from late Latin cappa: see cap noun1.]

In Spain and Spanish-speaking countries: a cape, a cloak. capability /keipa'biliti/ noun. Li6. [from next + -iTY.]

. 1 The quality of being capable; power o/(action, doing); capacity for. L16. 2 An undeveloped or unused faculty. Freq. in pi. L18.

L3 6 W. Whitman The tossing waves,.. the snowy, curling caps. F. O’Connor Her face, reddish under a cap of foxcolored hair, ice-cap. kneecap, snowcap, etc. whitecap. 7 j. Ray The refining Furnace is covered with a thick cap of stone. J. Stein beck Tom .. loosened the oil cap with a pair of pliers, toecap see toe noun. 9 R. Holme A Wall with a Cap or Head over the Door.

h he. j yes,

capacious /ka'peifas/ adjective. E17.

A capsule, esp. of a drug,

[from Vietnamese Cao Dai, name of the sect, lit. 'great palace' + -ISM.]

11

£0 1 B. C. Brodie The capability of fixing the attention. H. Kissinger Had Hanoi possessed the capability it could have inflicted.. higher casualties, negative capability see negative adjective. 2 A. W. Ward He recognised the capabil¬ ities of the character.

capable keipoblajl/ adjective. M16. [French from late Latin capabilis, from capere take: see -able.]

11 a Able to take in (lit & fig.); having sufficient room or capacity. Foil, by of, to do. (= capacious 1.) M16-L18. Fb = CAPACIOUS 2. L16-M17.

2 Foil, by of. open to, admitting of. susceptible to. Li6. 3 Having the ability, power, or fitness for some speci¬ fied purpose or activity; wicked or impudent enough (Foil, by of, fto do.) L16. man,

n no, p pen,

ca 1 a Milton Not capable her eare Of what was high, b T. Fuller That capable vessell of brass. 2 Shakes. 2 Hen. N You were advis'd his flesh was capable Of wounds and scars. R. Bolt Some men think the Earth is round, others think it flat; it is a matter capable of question. 3 O. Manning As soon as he is capable, he will be ordered to leave. S. Themerson He wouldn't be capable of committing such a crime! 4 D. M. Walker A person may be capable of marriage at a different age from that at which he acquires capacity to vote. 5 J. S. Blackie A more capable.. witness could not be desired. B. Tarkington Lucy is so capable; she keeps house exquisitely.

capable de tout /kapabl da tu/ adjectival phr. Li9. [French.]

cap /kap/ noun4, colloq. (chiefly N. Amer). M20.

■ Also canzonetta noun El 8.

4 uw. Qualified or entitled to inherit, possess, etc. (Foil, by of.) L16. 5 Having general capacity, intelligence, or ability; com¬ petent; gifted. E17.

■ capableness noun Li6. capably adverb L19.

[Abbreviation.] = captain noun.

A short light song; a short canzone.

f few, g get.

cap /kap/ noun2. Scot. Li6.

cap /kap/ noun3, colloq. Also cap’. M18.

canzonet/kantsa'net, -z-l noun. L16.

b but, d dog,

see pull verb, put on one’s thinking cap: see thinking noun ta, saffron milk-cap see saffron adjective, set one’s cap at seek to attract as a suitor, shaggy cap the cap fits jig. a general remark is true of the person in question, throw one’s cap over the windmill: see windmill noun 1. Comb.: cap-money = sense 5 above; cap-paper see sense 4 above; cap rock an overlying stratum of (esp. resistant) rock; cap sleeve; extending only a short distance from the shoulder; capstone a stone which caps or crowns, a coping stone. ■ capful noun the amount that a cap will contain Mi7. capless adjective Mi9. caplike adjective resembling a cap in appearance, position, or use Mi9.

r red, s sit,

t top, v van, w we,

z zoo,

fl = CAPABLE la. E17-L18. 2 Able to hold much; roomy, spacious, wide; compre¬ hensive. E17. 3 Disposed or adapted for the reception of. arch. L17. Ill 1 W. Brereton A spacious harbour capacious of many thousand sail. 2 FLazlitt The capacious soul of Shakspeare. A N. Wilson It was a large, comfortable, reassuring brick house, with capacious bow windows on three floors. 3 M. Beerbohm Women of her own age and kind, capacious of tragedy. ■ capaciously adverb E19. capaciousness noun M17

capacitance /ka'pasrt(a)ns/ noun.

L19.

[from CAPACITY + -ANCE.]

Ability to store electrical charge; the ratio of the change in the electrostatic charge of a body to the correspond¬ ing change in its potential, capacitate /ka'pasiteit/ verb trans. M17. [from CAPACITY + -ATE3.]

Endow with capacity (for, to do), make capable; make legally competent: biology cause (a spermatozoon) to undergo changes in the female reproductive tract that enable it to penetrate and fertilize an ovum (usu. in pass.). m capaci tation noun M19.

capacitive /ka'pasitrv/ adjective. E20. [from capacity + -IVE.]

Of or pertaining to electrical capacitance. ■ capacitative adjective = capacitive M20. capacitatively. capacitively adverbs through the medium of capacitance, as

regards capacitance M20. capacitor /ka'pasita/ noun. E20. [from next + -or.]

An electric circuit component which provides capaci¬ tance, usu. consisting of conducting plates separated by an insulating material; a condenser. padder capacitor see padder noun13.

capacity /ka'pasiti/ noun & adjective, lme. [French capadte from Latin capacitas, formed as capacious: see -acity.] ► A noun. 1 Ability to receive, contain, hold, produce, or

carry: cubic content, volume (formerly also surface area, width), lme. Fb = capacitance, lis. Fc The maximum amount or number that can be contained, produced, etc. E20. Fd The total cylinder volume that is swept by the pistons in an internal-combustion engine. M20. 2 Mental or intellectual power, as an inherent faculty or as developed; (a) talent; a mental faculty, lme. 3 Legal competency or qualification, lme. 14 A containing space or area; a void; a cavity. M16-M18. 5 An ability, power, or propensity for some specified purpose, activity, or experience; a susceptibility, a possi¬ bility. (Foil, by of for, to do.) Mi7. 6 A position, a condition, a relative character, mi7. £9 1 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. Had our great palace the capacity To camp this host, we would all sup together. A. MacLean His capacity for brandy was phenomenal. F. Hoyle The cranial capacity eventually grew to about 1600 cubic centimetres, measure of capacity a measure of volume used forvessels and liquids, grain, etc. specific heat capacity: see specific adjective, specific inductive capacity: see specific adjective, thermal capacity: see thermal adjective, vital capacity: see vital adjective, c J. K. Galbraith Production is at or near cap¬ acity. to capacity fully, completely. 2 G. Berkeley He wants capacity to relish what true piety is. Isaiah Berlin The more mysterious capacities called 'insight' and 'intuition'. 3 legal capacity: see legal adjective. 5 Defoe To deprive them of the capacity of ever returning. S. Butler We are endued with Capacities of action, of happiness and misery. H. L. Mencken There was grave uneasiness about his physical capacity for the job. N. Shute It was within the capacity of his ship to execute. E. Reveley It was not that Erv had ever laid a hand on her but the capacity was there, 6 G. K. Chesterton The King.. reviewed it in his capacity as literary critic. G. Greene I was working for him.. in a secretarial capacity.

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

tj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

339

► B attrib. or as adjective. That reaches or fills maximum capacity; fully occupying. M2o. Times Lit. Suppl. Both the play and film are now drawing capacity houses in London. F. Astaire Business was capacity wherever we went.

cap-a-pie | capitalist 2 A woman s hat, esp. one with a wide brim trimmed with feathers. Also, a light hood with an attached cape. Lis.

capellane /'kap(a)lem/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. oe. [medieval Latin cappellanus: see chaplain.]

[Old French cap a pie (mod. depied en cap).]

caper /'keipa/ noun', lme. [French capres or Latin capparis from Greek kapparis: treated as

1 An ornamented covering spread over a horse’s saddle or harness; (usu. in pi.) a horse’s trappings. Ei6. 2 transf. A set of clothes or ornaments, an outfit. Li6.

Pi] 1 A trailing shrub, Capparis spinosa, of southern Europe.

[French caparassoner, formed as prec.] capataz kapa'taB/ noun. PI. -faces -'taOes/. Ei9. [Spanish. Irreg. from Latin caput head.]

In Spain or Spanish-speaking America: an overseer, a superintendent, a boss. cape /keip/ noun1, lme. [Old & mod. French cap from Provencal (= Spanish cabo) from Proto-Romance from Latin caput head.] ► I gen. 1 A headland, a promontory, lme.

► II spec. 2 the Cape, some familiar headland, esp. (the province containing) the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. Mt7. 3 More fully capeskin. A soft leather made from South African sheepskin. E20.

Comb.: Cape Barren goose [Cape Barren, an island in Bass Strait, Australia] a large Australian goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae, which has a short black bill that is almost covered by a swollen waxy yellow cere; also called cereopsis (goose): Cape brandy S. Afr. brandy made from vines in the Cape Province: crude brandy; Cape buffalo see buffalo noun lb; Cape cart S. Afr. a two-wheeled horse-drawn cart; Cape chestnut a southern African evergreen tree, Cdlodendrum capense, of the rue family; Cape Cod N. Amer. (designating) a type of rectangular house with a steeply gabled roof, characteristic of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Cape Coloured (a member) of the Coloured population of the Cape Province; Cape cowslip = lachenalia: Cape daisy a yellow-flowered plant of the composite family, Arctotis fastuosa. native to south¬ ern Africa and widely introduced as an ornamental; Cape doctor S. Afr. a strong south-east wind; Cape Dutch noun & adjective (a) noun the early Dutch settlers at the Cape of Good Hope; arch. Afrikaans (regarded as a dialect of Dutch); (b) adjective of or pertaining to the Cape Dutch; spec, designating a style of architecture characterized by gables and whitewashed walls; Cape fox a fox, Vulpes chama, with a silvery-grey back, occurring in the drier areas of southern Africa; Cape gannet: see gannet i; Cape gooseberry a S. American physalis or ground cherry, Physalis peruviana: the edible round yellow berry of this plant; Cape hartebeest: Cape hunting dog = hunting dog (b) s.v. hunting noun: Cape hyacinth: Cape jasmine. Cape jessamine gardenia; esp. Gardenia jasminioides. native to China; Cape leaping hare see leaping ppl adjective: Cape Malay see Malay lb; Cape marigold = dimorphotheca: Cape pigeon see pigeon noun1 i; Cape pondweed a southern African aquatic plant, Aponogeton distachyos, with two spikes of fragrant white flowers; Cape primrose = streptocarpus; Cape salmon S. Afr. any of various fishes; esp. = geelbek; capeskin see sense 3 above; Cape smoke: see smoke noun 7a; Cape sparrow a dark-coloured sparrow of southern Africa, Passer melanurus: Cape-weed any of various plants; esp. (Austral. &NZ) = Cape daisy above.

cape /keip/ noun2. Mi6. [French from Provencal capa (= Old & mod. French chape) from late Latin cappa: see cap noun1.]

1 A short (formerly also a long) sleeveless cloak; a fixed or detachable part of a longer cloak, coat, etc., falling loosely over the shoulders from the neckband; spec, the red cloak used by a bullfighter, mi6. 2 transf. A growth of feathers or hair suggesting a cape. L19. 1 Inverness cape: see Inverness 1. ■ raped adjective having a cape, wearing a cape Mi6. capelet noun a small cape E20.

capital /'kapit(3)L/ noun\ me. [Old French capitel (mod. chapiteau) from late Latin capitellum dim. of caput, capit- head: mod. spelling -al through assoc, with next.] 1 The head or cornice of a pillar or column, me. 2 The cap of a chimney, crucible, etc. E18.

LME.

capital /'kapit(a)l/ adjective & noun2, me. [Old & mod. French from Latin capitalis, from caput, capit- head: see -al1.] ► A adjective. I Relating to the head. 11 Of or pertaining to the head or top. ME-L17. 2 Involving loss of the head or life; vitally injurious, fatal, lme. ►tb Of an enemy, enmity: deadly, mortal. LME-M18. Of a crime etc.: punishable by death. Ei6.

Comb.: caper spurge an ornamental poisonous spurge, Euphorbia lathyris. caper/'keipa/noun2. Li6. [Abbreviation of capriole noun.]

1 A frisky movement, a leap, a spring; fig. a fantastic proceeding. Li 6. 2 An activity or occupation, esp. a risky or question¬ able venture; a ‘dodge’, slang. Mi9.

tD 2 Caxton To have capytal sentence & be beheded. fig.: W. H. Prescott In the outset, he seems to have fallen into a capital error.

1 cut a caper, cut capers, cut up capers: see cut verb. caper /'keipa/ noun3, obsolete exc. Hist. M17. [Dutch kaper. from kapen take away, rob, plunder.]

► II Standing at the head (lit. & fig.). 3 Chief, principal; important, leading, lme. 4 Orig. (of a letter or word), standing at the head of a page, passage, etc. Now (of a letter), having the form and size used to begin a sentence, proper name, etc. lme. 5 Of funds, stock, etc.: original, serving as a basis for commercial or financial operations. Ei8. 6 Excellent, first-rate. Freq. as an exclam, of approval.

(The captain of) a privateer; a corsair. caper/'kapo/noun4, colloq. E20. [Abbreviation.]

= CAPERCAILLIE. caper/'keipa/ verb intrans. L16. [formed as caper noun2.] Move friskily, skip, dance, (about).

colloq. Ml8.

■ caperernoun L17.

£3 3 W. Blackstone The eldest son had the capital fee.. of his father’s possessions. T. Warton The cloister.. of some capital monastery. R. W. Dale The old traditions.. made Obedience the capital virtue of childhood. 4 W. van T. Clark When Joyce spoke about Davies he said ‘he’ as if it had a capital H. a — with a capital A (or similar phr.) emphatically a —, the real or quintessential a —.5 Adam Smith The capital stock of Great Britain was not diminished even by the enormous expense of the late war. 6 B. Jowett Capital, Socrates; by the gods, that is truly good. A. Moorehead He is a capital officer, zealous and untiring in the performance of his duties.

capercaillie/kapa'keili/noun. Also -Izie Mji, -lzi/. Mi6. [Gaelic capull coille lit. ‘horse of the wood': the spelling -Iz- derives from Middle English -I3-.]

A large grouse, Tetrao urogallus, formerly native to and now re-established in the Scottish Highlands. Capernaite ka'pa:niAit/ noun. arch, derog. Mi6. [from Capernaum in Galilee (john 6:26-59)+ -ite1]

A believer in transubstantiation. 5 Used esp. in theological controversy in 16 & 17. ■ Caperna itic adjective L19. Caperna itical adjective Lie.

► B noun. 1 A capital letter, lme. 2 The stock with which a company or person enters into business; the total sum of shareholders’ contribu¬ tions in a joint-stock company; accumulated wealth, esp. as used in further production, mi6. ►b The holders of wealth as a class; capitalists, employers of labour, mi 9. 3 A capital town or city, mi7.

capernoited /kapa'noitid/ adjective. Scot arch. eis. [Origin unkn.]

Irritable; peevish; muddle-headed; affected by drink. Capetian /ka'pi:J(a)n/ adjective & noun. M19. [French Capetien.]

(A member) of the dynasty of French kings founded by Hugh Capet in 987.

£□ 1 small capitals: see small adjective. 2 Burke You began ill.. You set up your trade without a capital. F. Raphael Lack of capital prevented Nat's buying a practice. H. Macmillan A widespread desire that.. economic development should be.. supported by British capital, fixed capital: invested in permanent assets such as land, buildings, machinery, etc. make capital out of fig. turn to account, turn to one's own advantage, organic composition of capital: see organic adjective, refugee capital: see refugee adjective, working capital: available for the actual carrying-on of business, b W. Holtby Here gallant Labour, with nothing to lose but its chains, would fight entrenched and armoured Capital.

Caphtor "kafta/ noun. PI. -rim /-rim/, loe. [Flebrew Kaptor, from place-name = Caphtor. see below. Cf. Keftiu.]

Ancient Hist. A native or inhabitant of Caphtor, a region of the eastern Mediterranean mentioned in the Bible but not firmly located. Usu. in pi. capias /'keipios, 'kap-/ noun. lme. [Latin = you are to seize, 2nd person sing. pres, subjunct. of capere take.] law. A writ or process commanding the arrest of the

person named.

Special collocations & comb.: capital adequacy the statutory minimum reserves of capital which a bank or other financial institution must have available, capital gain profit from the sale of investments or property, capital goods goods (to be) used in producing commodities, as opp. to consumer goods, capital-intensive adjective requiring much use of capital, capital levy the appropriation by the State of a proportion of a nation’s private wealth, capital punishment infliction of death by an authorized public authority as punishment for a crime, capital ship a battleship or other large warship, capital sum a lump sum of money, esp. one payable to an insured person, capital territory containing the capital city of a country, capital transfer tax: levied on the transfer of capital by gift, bequest, etc. (in Britain 1975-86). ■ capitalling noun the furnishing of a word with a capital letter Li7 capitally adverb in a capital manner Ei7.

capias ad satisfaciendum /ad .satisfasi'endam/: after judge¬ ment, directing the imprisonment of the defendant until the plaintiff’s claim is satisfied (abbreviation ca. sa.). capias in WITHERNAM. PLURIES Capias

capillaceous/kapfleijas/ adjective, eis. [from Latin capiUaceus. from capillus hair: see -aceous.]

Hairlike, threadlike.

tcape verb intrans. EI6-M19. [Origin uncertain: perh. ult. rel. to French cap head of the ship.) nautical Of a vessel or its crew: head, bear.

capillaire/kapiTe:/noun. mis. [French from Latin capillaris, late Latin capillaris herb a maidenhair fern: see capillary.]

capeador 'kapia'do:/noun. E20.

A syrup of maidenhair fern; a syrup flavoured with orange-flower water.

[Spanish, from capear trick a bull with a cape, from capa.]

A person who aids a bullfighter by distracting the bull with his cloak.

tcapillamentnoun. L17-M19. [Latin capillamentum the hair collectively, from capillus hair.)

capeesh ka'ptf/ interjection, slang (chiefly US). M20

capitalise verb var. of capitalize.

A hairlike fibre, a filament.

[Italian capisce3 sing. pres, indie, of capire understand.]

Do you understand? Get it?

capitalism

capillarity /kapi'lariti/ noun. Mi9. [French capillarite, formed as next + -ity.]

B3 P. Auster Upstairs is offlimits. Capeesh?

[French from Provencal capelan chaplain.]

capeline/'kap(a)lm/noun. lme. [Old & mod. French from Provencal capelina, from cape I hat (= mod. French chapeau).] 1 Hist. An iron skullcap worn by medieval archers, lme. d

hot.

saw. a run. u put, u: too.

a

ago, ai my, au how.

ei

day.

+ -ism.]

popular capitalism:

see

popular

adjective.

capitalist /’kapit(a)list/ noun & adjective. Freq. derog. L18. [formed as prec. + -isr.] ► A noun. A person who has capital, esp. one who uses it in (large-scale) business enterprises. Lis.

tenuity. Mi7. 2 Of a tube etc.: having a hairlike bore. M17. a:

2

noun

The possession of capital or wealth; a system in which private capital or wealth is used in the production or dis¬ tribution of goods; the dominance of private owners of capital and of production for profit.

capillary /ka'pilari/ adjective & noun. M17. [Latin capillaris. from capillus hair, after Old & mod. French capillaire: see -ary3.] ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to hair; hairlike, esp. in

A smelt, Mallotus villosus, of northern oceans.

''kapit(a)liz(a)m/noun. Mi9.

[from capital

Capillary attraction or repulsion; the property of exert¬ ing this.

capelin /'keiplin, 'kap-/ noun. Also caplin. Ei7.

a cat. a: arm, e bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see.

capillitium /kapi'lijrim/ noun. M19. [Latin = hair collectively, from capillus hair.] mycology. Spore-containing fibrous tissue in the sporan¬ gia of certain fungi.

2 Usu. in pi. Fa The flower-buds of this shrub, used for pickling and served esp. in a sauce. Lis. Fb The seedpods of other plants, e.g. nasturtium, used similarly; any such plant. Cf. bean caper s.v. bean noun. Li6. 3 A kind of scented tea. Li 8.

Put trappings or hangings on; deck.

esp. any of the extremely

the arterioles and venules. M17.

[French fcaparasson (mod. capara(on) from Spanish caparazon saddle-cloth, perh. from capa.]

caparison k3'paris(a)n/ verb trans. ii6.

1 A capillary vessel;

12 Afern, esp. the maidenhair. M17-M18. ■ Also tea pi liar adjective lme-117.

A variety of pasta consisting of very thin strands,

caparison k3'pans(a)n/noun. Now arch, or Hist. Ei6.

B noun.

narrow blood-vessels which form a network between

capellini /kape'li:ni/ noun pi. M20. [Italian = little hairs.]

From head to foot, fully (armed, ready, etc.).

pertaining to, or occurring in capillaries. E19.

3 capillary attraction, capillary repulsion the tendency of liquid in a capillary tube to rise, recede, as a result of surface forces. ►

A chaplain; a keeper of sacred relics.

cap-a-pie kapa'pi:- adverb, arch. Ei6.

3 Of,

au

no, e: hair,

ia

near,

ai

boy. oa poor, Aia tire, aua sour

340

capitalize caprice ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to capitalists or capitalism. M19. capitalist road see road noun, capitalist roader see roader noun1 2. . ■ capita listic adjective of or pertaining to capitalists; charac¬ terized by capitalism: li9. capita listically adverb Li9.

capitalize /'kapit(a)lAiz/ verb. Also -ise. mis. [from capital noun- + -ize. Cf. French capitaliser.] 1 verb trans. Write or print (a letter) as a capital; begin (a

word) with a capital letter; write or print in capitals. M18. 2 verb trans. Convert into a capital sum; compute or

realize the current value of; reckon the value of by setting future benefits against the cost of maintenance. M19. 3 verb trans. & intrans. (foil, by on). Make capital out of, use to one’s advantage, turn to account, mi9. 4 verb trans. Provide with capital. Orig. US. Li 9. ta 3 Publishers Weekly The publishers.. do not intend to cap¬ italize the publicity. N. Chomsky The Cambodian left is now in a position to mobilize the peasantry, capitalizing on Sihanouk's personal prestige. 4 Observer At the current price of 2i3p. Burmah is capitalised at a little over £300 million.

ish kings. Mi7. 2 A member of a chapter. Now rare or obsolete. Li7. 3 A heading, a title, rare. Ei9. ► B adjective. = capitular adjective 1. lis. capitulate /ka'prtjoleit/ verb. Mi6. [medieval Latin capitulat-, pa. ppl stem of capitulare draw up under distinct heads, from late Latin capitulum head of a discourse: see CHAPTER noun. -ATE2. In sense 3 through French capituler.] |1 verb intrans. Draw up articles of agreement; treat, parley; make conditions. M16-E19. Fb verb trans. Make

terms about, negotiate. L16-M17. J2 verb trans. Draw up in chapters or under heads; enu¬ merate. L16-L17. 3 verb intrans. & (less usually) trans. Surrender, esp. on stated conditions. Li7. O 3W. Robertson Want of provisions quickly obliged Trevulci to capitulate. W. Styron I knew that I was on the verge of capitulating to him, backing down. ■ capitulator noun tn. capitulatory adjective E19. [Late Latin capitulatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation. In sense 3 through French capitulation.]

capitan /'kapit(a)n, kapi'ta:n/ noun. M18. [Spanish capitan captain noun.]

Chiefly Hist. A captain, a naval commander. Capitan Pasha Hist, the chief admiral of the Turkish fleet.

capitana /kapi'to:no/noun. Li7. [Italian, Spanish, & Portuguese.)

The ship of the admiral of an Italian, Spanish, etc., fleet. capitano /kapi'tamao/ noun. PI. -os. Li6. [Italian - captain noun.)

In Italy or among Italian-speakers: a captain, a headman, a chief. capitao /kapi’tao/ noun. Li9. [Portuguese capitao = captain noun.)

A headman, leader of a gang, etc., in E. Africa. succedanea

(Late Latin capitularius, formed as prec.: see -ary'.] ► A noun. 1 Hist. A collection of ordinances, esp. of Frank¬

capitulation/kapitjoTeiJlaJn/ noun. Mi6.

■ capitali zation noun M19.

capita

capitulary /ks’pitjobri/ noun & adjective. Mi7.

noun

phr.

pi.

of

caput

SUCCEDANEUM.

capitate /’kaprteit/ adjective. Mi7. [Latin capitatus, from caput, cap it- head; see -ate2.] 1 Chiefly anatomy. Having a distinct head, knob-headed; spec, denoting the largest bone of the wrist. M17. 2 botany. Having the inflorescence in a close terminal

cluster. L17. ■ Also capitated adjective (now rare or obsolete) L17.

capitation /kapi'teij(3)n/ noun. E17. [French, or late Latin capitatiojn-), formed as prec.: see -ation.) 1 The counting of heads or persons. E17. 2 (The levying of) a tax or fee of so much a head; a payment of so much a head. M17. Comb. : capitation fee. capitation grant, etc.: of so much per head subject to certain conditions.

capite 'kapiti/ noun. Ei7. [Latin, abl. of caput head.) Hist. In full tenure in capite. Tenure by which land was

held immediately of the Crown. capitellum /kapi'tdam, noun. PI. -Ila /-la/. E17,

J1 a The making of terms; a covenant, treaty. M16-M19. Fb In pi. Articles of agreement, terms, conditions; spec, articles giving special immunities and privileges within a State to subjects of another State. Now Hist. L16. 2 A statement of the main divisions of a subject. Cf. RECAPITULATION. L16. 3 The action of surrendering, esp. on stated condi¬ tions; an instrument containing terms of surrender. M17. capitulum /ka'pitjolam/ noun. PI. -la /-la/. E18. [Latin, dim. of caput, capit- head: see -ule.]

A small rounded head or knob; esp. (o) anatomy a bony pro¬ tuberance articulating with another bone, esp. the prom¬ inence at the end of the humerus which articulates with the radius; (b) botany a dense flat terminal cluster of sessile flowers or florets on a common receptacle, as in the composite family. caple /'keip(3)l/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also capul. ME. [Old Norse kapall from Latin cabalius.]

A horse. Caplet /'kaplit/ noun. Also c-. M20. [from cap(sule noun & adjective * tab)let noun.] pharmacology.

(Proprietary name for) a coated capsule or

tablet. caplin noun var. of capelin.

capnomancy /'kapnsmansi/ noun. rare. E17. [from Creek kapnos smoke + -mancy, perh. through French capnomancie.]

Divination by smoke. capo /'kapsu/ noun'. PI. -os. M20. [Abbreviation.]

= CAPOTASTO.

Capitol /'kapit(a)l/ noun. lme.

Capo di Monte /.kapsu di 'mDntei, 'mDnti/ noun phr. Also Capodimonte. M19.

■ Capitolian /kapiTauhan/ adjective = Capitoline E17. Capitoline /ka pitakin/ adjective designating or pertaining to the hill at Rome on which the Capitol stood; of or pertaining to the Capitol: E17. capitonne /kapitone/ adjective. Li9. [French, pa. pple of capitonner upholster, quilt.]

Designating or characterized by a style of upholsteiy or embroideiy in which the material is drawn in at inter¬ vals to present a quilted appearance. capitular /ka'pitjuta/ adjective & noun. Ei6. [Late Latin capitularis, from Latin capitulum: see chapter noun -AR'.]

► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or governed by a cath¬ edral chapter. E16. 2 Chiefly anatomy. Pertaining to or of the nature of a capitulum. mi9. ► B noun. = capitulary noun. M17. ■ tcapitularly adverb as a chapter F MIS b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes. k cat, 1 leg, n

[Italian from Latin caput head.]

The head of a crime syndicate or one of its branches.

[See below.]

A type of porcelain first produced at the Capo di Monte palace near Naples in the mid 18th century, usu. in the form of tableware or figures and generally white with richly coloured rococo decoration. capoeira kapu'eira/ noun. Also capoiera. M20. [Portuguese.]

A martial art emphasizing leg and foot movements and performed inside a circle formed by onlookers, developed by Angolan slaves in Brazil and now widely practised both as a dance form and a competitive martial art. capon /'keip(3)n/ noun & verb. loe. [Anglo-Norman capun var. of Old & mod. French capon, from Proto-Romance from Latin capo(n-).] ► A noun. 1 A castrated domestic cock (usu. one fattened

for eating). Cf. poulard, loe. 12 A eunuch. ME-L17. 3 A dull-witted person, obsolete exc. dial. M16. 14 A billet-doux. Cf. poulet. rare (Shakes.). Only in Li6. 5 A kind offish, esp. a red herring, dial. M17. Norfolk capon: see Norfolk 1. ► B verb trans. Make a capon of; castrate. L16. ■ 1 caponet noun a small capon L16-E18. caponize verb trans = capon verb M17. 5

man.

n no, p pen. r red, s sit,

capot /ka'pDl/ noun' & verb. M17. [French, perh. from capoter dial. var. of chapoter castrate.] piQun. >-A noun. The winning of all the tricks by one player; a score awarded for this. Mi7. ► B verb trans. Infl. -tt-. Win all the tricks from. Mi7. *| Formerly stressed on 1st syll.

capot/'kapau, ka'pov, foreign kapo (pi. same)/ noun2. L17. [French, masc. form of capote.] = CAPOTE ia. capotasto /kapso'tastsu/ noun. PI. -os. Also capo tasto. LI 9. [Italian, lit. 'head stop': cf. tasto.] music. A movable bar attached to the finger-board of a stringed instrument to make possible the simultaneous adjustment of the pitch of all the strings. capote /ks'psut/noun. E19. [French, dim. of cape cape noun2.] 1 a A long hooded cloak worn by soldiers, travellers, etc. ei9. Fb Alongmantle wombywomen. Mi9. 2 A bonnet with a soft crown and stiff projecting brim. El 9. capouch noun var. of capuche. cappa /'kaps/ noun. M19. [Italian = cape noun2.] A cloak forming part of a religious habit; a cope. Cappadocian /kapa'daojlsjn/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [from Cappadocia (see below) + -an.] (A native or inhabitant) of Cappadocia, an ancient kingdom of Asia Minor, now part of Turkey. cappelletti /kaps'leti/ noun pi. Mi9. [Italian = little hats.] Pieces of stuffed pasta resembling small pointed hats, filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables and served either in broth or with a sauce; this variety of pasta. capper /'kapa/ noun. me. [from cap noun' or verb1 + -er1.] 1 A cap-maker, obsolete exc. Hist. me. 2 A person who or thing which provides or forms a cap. 3 An accomplice, esp. a confederate in a gambling game, slang (chiefly US), mi8. 4 A person or thing that outdoes all rivals; something surprising or puzzling, dial. lis.

[Abbreviation.] = captain noun.

capo /'kapsu/ noun2. Chiefly US. PI. -os. M20.

Optimus Maximus, on the Saturnian or Tarpeian (later called Capitoline) Hill at Rome. lme. 2 The building occupied by the US Congress in Wash¬ ington DC; in some other cities, the State legislature building. L17.

caponier/kaps'ms/noun. Li7. [Spanish caponera (whence French caponniere) lit. 'capon-pen'.] fortification. A covered passage across a ditch.

Lie.

cap’n /'kapm/ noun, colloq. Chiefly N. Amer. E19.

[Late Latin, dim. of Latin capit-, caput head: see -ellum.) frl = capital noun11. Only in Ei7. 2 anatomy The capitulum of the humerus. Li 9. [Old French capitolie, -oile, later assim. to the source, Latin Capitolium, from caput, capit- head.] 1 A citadel on top of a hill; esp. the temple of Jupiter

caponata /kapaful'ncuta/ noun. M20. [Italian capponata (orig. referring to a sailor’s dish containing ship's biscuit), from cappone capon.] A Sicilian dish similar to ratatouille, consisting usu. of aubergines, olives, onions, and other chopped veget¬ ables, anchovies, and herbs in a tomato sauce, served cold as an accompaniment or starter,

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

cappuccino /kapu'tjimso/ noun. PI. -os. M20. [Italian: see capuchin.) (A cup of) coffee with milk, esp. made with espresso coffee and topped with white foam. Capri /'kapri:, ka'pri:/ noun. L19. [An island in the Bay of Naples.] 1 A wine from Capri. Li 9. 2 In pi., or as Capri pants. Women’s close-fitting tapered trousers. M20. capric /'kapnk/ adjective. Mi9. [from Latin caper, capr- goat + -ic.] 1 chemistry, capric acid, a crystalline fatty acid present in butter, coconut oil, etc.; n-decanoic acid, CH,(CH,). COOH. M19. 2 Of a goat; goatlike. Li9. ■ caprate noun a salt or ester of capric arid M19.

capriccio /ko'pritjisu/ noun. PI. -os. E17. [Italian: see caprice.] jl = CAPRICE 1. E17-E19. 12 A sudden movement; a trick, a prank, a caper. M17-M19. 3 A thing or work of lively fancy in art etc.; esp. a lively usu. short musical composition, more or less free in form. L17. capriccioso /kspritJYsuzsu/adverb, mis. [Italian: see capricious.] music. A direction: in a free and impulsive style, caprice /ka'prks/ noun. M17. [French from Italian capriccio (lit.) head with the hair standing on end, (hence) horror, (later, by assoc, with capra goat) sudden start, from capo head (see capo noun2) + riccio hedgehog (ult. from Latin (h)eririus urchin).]

1 An unaccountable change of mind or conduct; a whim; a freakish fancy. M17. Fb Inclination or dispos¬ ition to such changes etc.; capriciousness. Mi7. 2 = CAPRICCIO 3. E18. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

r) ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

341

capricious | captivate capricious /ka'pnfas/ adjective. E17. [French capriaeux from Italian caprictioso. from capricdo (see prec.) + -oso -ous.]

fl Humorous; fantastic; characterized by far-fetched comparisons etc. E17-EI8. 2 Guided by caprice; readily swayed by whim or fancy; inconstant. Of a thing: subject to sudden change, irregu¬ lar, unpredictable. E17. B3 2 J. Cheever They cultivated tropical plants in a capri¬ cious climate.

Capricorn /'kaprikDin/ noun. In sense 1 also in Latin form Capricornus /kapri'kamas/. OE. [Latin capricornus, from caper, capr- goat + comu horn, after Creek aigokeros goat-horned, (as noun) Capricorn.]

1 (The name of) a constellation of the southern hemi¬ sphere, on the ecliptic between Sagittarius and Aquar¬ ius; astrology (the name of) the tenth zodiacal sign, usu. associated with the period 22 December to 19 January (see note s.v. zodiac); the Goat. oe. Fb A person bom under the sign Capricorn. M20. |2 An ibex; a chamois. M17-M19.

the sign Capricorn; (b) adjective of or pertaining to Capricorn; (characteristic of one) born under Capricorn: E20.

caprid /'kapnd/ adjective & noun. M19. [from Latin caper, capr- goat + -id3.]

► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the tribe of ruminants including the goats and sheep. Mi9. ► B noun. A caprid animal. L20.

caprification /kapnfi'keij(3)n/ noun. Ei7. [Latin caprificatio(n-), from caprificat- pa. ppl stem of caprificare, from caprificus wild fig tree: see -ation.]

1 A process of ripening figs by means of punctures pro¬ duced on the fruit by the action of insects or artificially. El 7. 2 Artificial fertilization, mi9.

caprifoil /'kaprifoil/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [medieval Latin caprifoHum 'goat-leaf, with spelling assim. to trefoil etc.]

Honeysuckle. [Latin caprinus, from caper, capr- goat: see -ine'. Cf. Old & mod. French caprin.]

Of or pertaining to a goat or goats; goatlike.

capriole /'kapnoul/ noun & verb. Li6. [French (now cabriole), from Italian capriola, from capriolare to leap, from capriolo roebuck from Latin capreolus dim. of caper, caprgoat: see -ole'.] ► A noun. 1 A leap or caper, esp. as made in dancing (cf.

CABRIOLE l). L16. 2 A trained horse’s horizontal leap with the hind legs kicking vigorously. Li 6. ► B verb intrans. Perform a capriole; skip, leap, caper. Li6.

-pede

/-pi:d/. M18. (A person) having feet like those of a goat.

caproic /ka'prauik/ adjective. Mi9. [from Latin capr-, caper goat + -01c.] chemistry, caproic acid. = hexanoic acid. n caproate noun a salt or ester of this arid M19. caprolactam

noun a crystalline lactam, C6H,,NO, which is an intermediate in nylon manufacture M20 caproyl kapraoAii, -aoil/ noun the radical CSH,,CO- M19.

[from Latin capsa case noun2 + -id2.]

microbiology. The protein coat or shell of certain viruses. capsize /kap'saiz/ verb & noun. Lis. [Perh. ult. from Spanish capuzar sink (a ship) by the head, from cabo head + chapuzar to dive, duck.] ► A verb. 1 verb trans. Overturn, upset, (esp. a boat, people

in boat). Li 8. 2 verb intrans. Of a boat etc.: be overturned or upset. ■ capsizal noun = capsize noun L19.

capsomere /'kapssumis/ noun. M20. [French capsomere: see capsid noun2, -mer.] microbiology. Each of a number of protein subunits from which the capsid of a virus is built up. capstan /'kapst(a)n/ noun. Also Jcapstern & other vars. lme. [Provencal cabestan (earlier cabestran), from cabestre halter from Latin capistrum, from capere seize.]

1 A revolving barrel on a vertical axis for winding cable etc., esp. on board ship: worked by persons walking round pushing bars fitting into the barrel, or by electri¬ city, steam, etc. lme. 2 A revolving spindle on a tape recorder etc. M20. Comb.: capstan lathe: with a revolving tool-holder. capsulate /'kapsjutat/ adjective. Mi7, [from next +-ate2.]

Chiefly botany. Enclosed in, formed into, or furnished with a capsule. ■ Also capsulated adjective mu.

sheath, lme. 2 anatomy. A membranous or fibrous envelope around an organ, joint, etc.; a sac. Li7. 3 BOtA/vt. A dry seed-case which opens when ripe by the parting of valves. Li 7. f 4 chemistry. A shallow vessel for roasting or evaporating. E18-L19. 5 A top or cover for a bottle, mi9. 6 A small case of gelatin etc. enclosing a dose of medi¬ cine. L19. 7 A detachable nose-cone of a rocket, compartment of a spacecraft, etc., containing instruments or crew. M20.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Brief, condensed; small and compact. Chiefly US. M20. ■ capsular adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a capsule Mis. capsulitis /-'Uitis/ noun (medicine) inflammation of a capsule, esp. of a joint M19.

capsule /'kapsjud, -sjul/ verb trans. M19. Enclose in or provide with a capsule.

[from capric + -vl. j chemistry. The radical C9H19CO-; n-decanoyl. Usu. in comb.

capsulize /'kapsjulAiz/ verb trans. Orig. US. Also -ise. M20. [from capsule noun + -ize.] Compress (information etc.) into a brief and compact form.

Occas. confused with caprylyl.

caprylic /ka'prilik/ adjective. M19. [from Latin capr-, caper, goat + -yl + -ic.] chemistry, caprylic acid, a liquid fatty acid present in

capsulo- /'kapsjobu/ combining form of Latin capsula capsule noun: see -o-

butter and other fats; n-octanoic acid, CH3(CH2)6COH.

■ 'caprylatenounasaltoresterofthisacidMi9. caprylyl noun the radical CH3(CH2)6-; tt-octanoyl; (cf. capryl): E20.

m capsulotomy lot.-rmi noun (an instance of) surgical inci¬ sion into the capsule of the lens of the eye L19.

capsa /'kaps0/ noun. PI. capsae /'kapsi:/. capsas. M20.

Capt. abbreviation. Captain.

[Latin: see case noun2.] roman antiquities. A cylindrical box for holding upright

captain /'kaptin/ noun & verb. lme.

rolls of documents.

(Late Old French capitain (mod. capitaine), superseding earlier chevetaigne chieftain and diataigne, catanic, from late Latin capitaneus chief, from caput, capit- head.] ► A noun. 1 A chief or leader, esp. a military leader or

capsaicin /kap'sensin/ noun. L19. [Alt. of capsicine: see -in'.] chemistry. A cyclic amide, C„H27N03, responsible for the

pungency of capsicums.

Capsian /‘kapsran/ adjective & noun. E20. [French capsien, from Latin Capsa for Gafsa, central Tunisia: see -IAN.] archaeology. (Designating or pertaining to) a late palaeo¬

lithic culture of N. Africa. sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

[French from Latin capsula dim. of capsa case noun2; see -ule.J ► A noun. 1 gen. A small case or container; an envelope, a

[from the noun.)

capryl /'kaprAil, -pril/ noun. Mi9.

1

capsid /'kapsid/ noun2. M20.

CB 1 fig.: N. Mailer This is all very sketchy, but I'm trying to put seven years into a capsule, time-capsule see time noun. 2 Tenon’s capsule: see Tenon noun2.

[Latin capripes, -ped-, from caper, capr- goat + pes, ped- foot.]

her,

[mod. Latin Capsidae (see mirid), from Capsus genus name: see -ID3.] ENTOMOLOGY. = MIRID.

capsule /'kapsjud, -sjuL noun & adjective. Formerly also in Latin form J-ula. pi. -lae. lme.

caprine /'kaprAin/ adjective, lme.

3:

■ capsicine /-si:n/ noun (now rare or obsolete) (chemistry) a sub¬ stance formerly regarded as an alkaloid responsible for the pun¬ gency of capsicums M19.

► B noun. An act or instance of capsizing. E19.

Comb.: Capricorn beetle a longhorn beetle of the genus Cerambvx. ■ Capri cornian noun & adjective (a) noun a person bom under

a cat, a: arm, e bed,

bear chilli peppers and sweet peppers; the fruit of such a plant, esp. one of the more pungent varieties.

El 9.

GB 1 attrib. E. Kirk Capricorn people resent all interference. tropic of Capricorn: see tropic noun & adjective.

adjective & noun. rare. Also

[mod. Latin, perh. from Latin capsa case noun2.] Any plant of the tropical genus Capsicum, of the night¬ shade family, esp. C. annuum, different forms of which

capsid 'kapsid noun1 & adjective. L19.

■ capriciously adverb E17. capriciousness noun Li6

capriped /'kapnped/

capsicum/'kapsikam/noun. L16.

3:

3 A naval officer commanding a warship; an officer in the navy or marines, ranking below a rear admiral and above a commander or lieutenant. Also (as a courtesy title), a commander. M16. Fb The master or commander of a merchant ship, passenger vessel, etc. M17. Fc The chief sailor of a group having specific duties. E19. 4 A great soldier; an experienced commander; a strat¬ egist. L16. 5 The head boy or girl of a school or class. Li 6. 6 The superintendent of a mine; a foreman; (chiefly N. Amer.) a supervisor of a group of waiters, bellboys, etc. E17. 7 As voc.: sir. arch, slang. E17. 8 The leader of a sports team, sports club, etc. E19. 9 The pilot of a civil aircraft. E20. 10 In the US and elsewhere: a police officer ranking next below a chief officer. E20. CB 1 H. A. L. Fisher The illustrious Emperor.. the captain of Roman Christianity in the western world, captain of industry an industrial magnate. 2b group captain: see croup noun. 3 Captain of the Fleet the officer on an admiral’s staff in charge of maintenance captain's biscuit a hard fancy biscuit, post captain see post noun', c captain of the foretop. captain of the hold. etc. 4 E. A. Freeman How great a captain England had in her future king. 7 Shakes. Timon Why, how now, Captain? What do you in this wise company?

Comb.: captain-general (a) Hist, a commander-in-chief, a mili¬ tary governor; (b) an honorary rank esp. in the British artillery or Royal Marines; captain-generalcy Hist, the office or province of a captain-general; captain-lieutenant Hist, a military officer commanding a company or troop, with a captain's rank and lieu¬ tenant’s pay. ► B verb trans. Be captain of, lead. Li6. ■ captainess noun (now rare) a female captain lme. captainless adjective L16. fcaptainry noun captaincy; a district under a captain: lme-lis.

Captain Cooker /,kaptin koko/ noun phr. NZ. Also (earlier) Captain Cook. L19. [from Capt. James Cook (1728-79), navigator and explorer + -er1.] A wild boar.

captaincy /'kaptmsi/ noun, ei 9. [from captain noun + -cy.]

1 The position, rank, office, or authority of a captain. E19. 2 A captain's skill, the ability to lead. Ml9.

captainship /'kaptinjip/ noun. lme. [formed as prec. + -ship. Sense 4 translating Spanish capitania.]

1 = CAPTAINCY 1. LME. 2 = CAPTAINCY 2. E17. 3 With possess, adjective (as your captainship etc.): a mock title of respect given to a captain. Now rare. E17. 4 Hist. A district in S. America etc. under the rule of a captain. L17.

captation /kap'teij(3)n/ noun. E16. [French, or Latin captatio(n-), captat- pa. ppl stem of capture fre¬ quentative of capere seize: see -ation.)

An attempt to acquire something, esp. dexterously; the making of an ad captandum appeal.

caption /'kapf(3)n/ noun & verb. lme. [Latin captto(n-), from capt- pa. ppl stem of capere seize: see -ion.] ► A noun. 1 a Seizure, capture, talcing. Now rare or obsolete in gen. sense, lme. Fb miy (orig. Scot, now Hist.). Arrest or seizure under civil process; a warrant for the civil arrest of a debtor 115. 2 A captious argument; a cavil. Now rare. Li 6. 3 law. A certificate attached to or written on a legal instrument detailing before whom it was made. L17. 4 A heading of a chapter, article, etc.; wording appended to an illustration, cartoon, etc,; a (cinema or television) subtitle. Orig. US. Li 8. ► B verb trans. Provide with (as) a caption; entitle. E20.

captious /'kapjas/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French captieux or Latin capliosus, from captto(n-): see prec.. -ous.]

1 Fond of taking exception or raising objections; carping, lme. 2 Apt or intended to deceive; fallacious, misleading. arch. lme. J 3 Capacious, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. ■ captiously adverb M16. captiousness noun M16.

jcaptivance noun, rare (Spenser). Only in Li6. [from captive verb + -ance.]

Captivity.

captivate /'kaptiveit/ verb trans. Ei6. [Late Latin captivat- pa. ppl stem of captivare: see captive verb, -ATE3.]

commander, lme. 2 A military officer holding subordinate command. lme. Fb spec. An officer in the army or (US etc.) air force, ranking below a major and above a lieutenant. M16. ►c An officer in the Salvation Army, ranking below a major and above a lieutenant. L19.

j- 1 Subjugate (the mind, reason, etc.) to. E16-M19. 2 Enthrall, fascinate, charm, mi6. 3 Make or hold captive, capture. Now rare or obsolete. Mi6. Fb spec. = capture verb 2. lis. ■ i captivate ppl adjective captivated M16-L17. captivater noun (now rare) Mi7. captivatingly adverb in a captivating manner M19 captivator noun M19.

saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago. ai my, ao how. ei day.

no, e: hair, is near, di boy, us poor, ais tire, aos sour

342

captivation | carat captivation /kapti'verftajn/ noun. E17. [Late Latin captivatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.]

The action of taking or holding captive; the state of being held captive. Now only fig.: fascination, enthral¬ ment. [Latin captivus, from capt- pa. ppl stem of capere seize: see -ive. Cf. CAITIFF.]

► A adjective. 1 Taken prisoner; kept in confinement or under restraint; unable to escape, lme. 2 Of or like a prisoner. L16. £□ 1 R. Graves He would bring back the whole Spartan force captive within twenty days, fig.: Shakes. AH's Well A wife .. whose words all ears took captive, captive audience: unable to avoid being addressed etc. captive balloon: held by a rope from the ground, lead captive: see lead verb'. 2 Milton I son-owed at his captive state.

► B noun. A person or animal captured, held in confine¬ ment, or under restraint, lme. lead captive see lead verb'.

captive /'kaptrv, poet, also kap'tArv/ verb trans. arch. lis. [Old & mod. French captiver from late Latin cnptivare, from captivus: see prec.]

Take captive; captivate. captivity /kap'trviti/ noun. lme. [Latin captivitas, formed as captive adjective & noun: see-ity.J

1 The condition of a captive; the state of being held captive, lme. kb fig. The subjugation of the mind, reason, etc.; captivation, arch. Mi6. 2 Captives collectively. Chiefly in or after biblical translations. Long arch. lme. the Captivity: of the Jews in Babylon, 6th cent. bc.

captor /'kapto/ noun. Mi6. [Latin, from capt-: see captive adjective & noun, -or.]

A person who takes by force a captive or a prize. capture /'kaptja/ noun. Mi6. [French, from Latin captura, from capt-: see captive adjective & noun, -ure.]

► I 1 The act of seizing or taking as a prisoner or prize; gaining possession of by force, surprise, stratagem, etc. M16.

2 The capturing of a piece in chess etc. mi 9. 3 physical geography. The diversion of the waters of a stream into the channel of another, due to erosional encroachment by the second stream. Li9. 4 astronomy. The process whereby a less massive body becomes permanently linked gravitationally to a star, planet, etc. E20. 5 physics. The absorption of an atomic or subatomic par¬ ticle. E20. 6 In full data capture The action or process of enter¬ ing data into a computer, esp. as an accompaniment to a related operation. M20. 5 M-capture see M, M 6. radiative capture ► II7 A thing or person captured. E18. Comb. : capture myopathy veterinary medicine a condition involv¬ ing muscular wasting and partial paralysis which affects some wild animals when captured; also called overstraining disease.

capture /'kaptja/ verb trans. lis. [from the noun.]

1 Effect the capture of; take prisoner; seize or gain as a prize. Li 8. 2 In chess etc., remove (an opponent’s piece) from the board as the rules of the game allow when particular relative positions are taken up or particular moves are made. Cf. earlier captivate 3b. E19. 3 physical ceocraphy. Of a stream etc.: divert the upper course of (another) by encroaching on its basin. E20. 4 astronomy. Of a star, planet, etc.: bring (a less massive body) permanently within its gravitational influence E20.

5 physics. Absorb (an atomic or subatomic particle). E20. Put in a relatively permanently accessible form, e.g. by portraiture or photography. M20. kb Cause (data) to be entered into a computer. L20. 6

CD 1 fig.: J. Buchan A book of Norse mythology which strongly captured my fancy. ■ capturable adjective M19. capturer noun a person who or thing which captures Ei9.

capuche /ka'pu:J/ noun. Also capouch. Li6. [French (now capuce). from Italian cappuccio: see next.]

The hood of a cloak, esp. that of a Capuchin. capuchin /'kap(j)otfin/ noun. In sense iC-. Li6. [French (now capucin) from Italian cappuccino, from rappucrio hood, cowl, augm. of cappa cape noun2.]

1 More fully Capuchin Friar etc. A Franciscan friar of the new rule of 1528 (so called from the sharp-pointed capuche adopted by the order). Li6. 2 Hist. A woman’s cloak and hood resembling the dress of a Capuchin. Mi8. 3 In full capuchin pigeon. A variety of jacobin. M18. b but. d dog.

f few, g get. h he, j yes,

capul noun var. of caple. caput /'kapat/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. eis. [Latin = head.]

captive "kaptrv/ adjective & noun. lme.

1

4 In full capuchin monkey. Any of various monkeys of the genus Cebus, of Central and S. America, with head hair suggestive of a cowl. lis.

k cat, 1 leg, m

The former ruling body of Cambridge University; occas. a member of this. caput mortuum /,kapat 'mo:tu:am/ nounphr. Mi7. [Latin = dead head.]

A death's head, a skull. OnlyinMi7. 2 alchemy. The residue remaining after distillation or sublimation, mi7. 3 Worthless residue. E18. caput succedaneum /,kapat sAksi'demiam/ noun phr. PI. capita succedanea /.kapito SAksi'denuo/. M19. [mod. Latin, lit. 'substitute head’.] medicine. A temporaiy swelling of the head of an infant

during childbirth resulting from compression by the birth canal. capybara /kapi’bcnro/ noun. ei7. [Spanish capibara or Portuguese capivara, from Tupi capiudra, from capi grass + udra eater.]

A large tailless river-dwelling rodent, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, of Central and S. America, resembling a guinea-pig. car /ka:/ noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French carre from Proto-Romance var. of Latin carrum neut., carms masc., from Celtic base repr. by Old & mod. Irish carr, Welsh car.] 1 gen. A wheeled conveyance, a carriage. Without speci¬ fication of type now rare. lme. 2 A sledge, a sleigh. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & Canad. dial.

LME. 3 A chariot, esp. of war, triumph, or pageantry, literary. LI 6. 4 The passenger compartment of a balloon, airship, cableway, etc. Li 8. kb The cage of a lift. Chiefly US. Li 9. 5 A railway carriage or van; a tramway vehicle. Chiefly N. Amer. exc. as 2nd elem. of comb. E19. kb As many or as much as a railway car will hold; a carload. N. Amer. mi9. 6 A usu. four-wheeled motorized vehicle for use on roads, able to carry a small number of people; an auto¬ mobile. LI 9. £0 1 jaunting car: see jaunt verb, side-car: see side noun. 3 Tennyson A reverent people behold The towering car, the sable steeds. 5 boxcar, buffet car. dining-car. freight car. observation car. railcar, sleeping-car. streetcar, etc. 6 bubble car, estate car. racing car. rally car. sports car, etc. Comb.: car bomb a bomb concealed by terrorists under or in a (usu. parked) car; car-boot sale an outdoor sale at which people sell unwanted possessions from the boots of their cars; car bra see bra noun' 2: car coat a short coat designed esp. for motorists; carfare N. Amer. a passenger’s fare to travel by streetcar, bus, etc.; carhop US colloq. a waiter at a drive-in restaurant etc.; carload (a) as many or as much as can be carried in a car; (b) US a minimum quantity of goods for which a lower rate is charged for transport; carman a driver of a van etc., a carrier; car park a space or building for parking cars; car-phone a radio telephone for use in a car; car pool (orig. N. Amer.) an arrangement for sharing a car for regular travelling, a group of people with such an arrangement; car-pool verb intrans. (N. Amer.) form or join a car pool, share a car for regular travelling; car pooler N. Amer. a member of a car pool; carport a roofed open-sided shelter for a car; carsick adjective affected with carsickness; carsickness nausea caused by the motion of a motor car; car wash (an estab¬ lishment with) a piece of equipment for washing cars automat¬ ically.

carabao /kara'berau/ noun. PL same, -os. L19. [Spanish.] = WATER-buffalo.

carabid /'karabid/ noun & adjective. L19. [mod. Latin Carabidae (see below), from Latin cardbus a kind of crab: see -id3.]

(A large carnivorous beetle) of the family Carabidae. ■ ca'rabidan noun (now rare or obsolete) = carabid noun M19. cara hideous adjective = carabid adjective M19.

tcarabine noun var. of carbine. carabineer /karabi'nia/ noun. Also -ier. M17. (French carabinier, formed as carbine: see -EER.]

A cavaliy soldier armed with a carbine, the Carabiniers a former regiment of Dragoon Guards, now incorporated in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

carabiner noun var. of karabiner. carabinero /karabi'nero, karabi'neirau/ noun. Pl. -os /-os, -ouz/. M19. [Spanish, lit. = carabineer]

A (Spanish) customs or revenue officer; a (Spanish) frontier guard. carabinier noun var. of carabineer. carabiniere /karabi'njere, karabi'njeiri/ noun. PI. -ri /-ri/ M19. [Italian, lit. = carabineer]

An Italian soldier in a corps serving as a police force, man, n no. p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo,

caracal

"karokal/noun. mis. [French or Spanish, from Turkish karakulak, from kara black + kulak ear.]

A lynxlike feline, Felis caracal, of Africa and SW Asia.

caracara /kara’kcuro/ noun.

Mi9. [Spanish or Portuguese caracara, from Tupi-Guarani, of imit. origin]

Any of several mainly neotropical raptors of the family Falconidae that are related to the falcons but somewhat resemble vultures. common caracara a caracara, Polyborus p I emeus, of S. America and southern N. America.

caracole /’karakaol/ noun. Also -ol /-d1/.

Ei7. [Sense 1 from French caracol(e) snail's shell, spiral; sense 2 formed as next.] fl a A spiral shell. OnlyinEi7. kb architecture. A helical staircase, rare. eis.

2 A half-turn or wheel to the right or left by a horse or rider. Formerly also, a series of such turns alternately to right and left. E17.

caracole /'karakaul/ verb. Also -ol /-d1/. M17. [French caracoler, from caracol(e): see prec.] 1 verb intrans. Of a horse or rider: execute a caracole;

loosely prance about. Mi7. 2 verb trans. Make (a horse) caracole. M19.

tcaract noun' var. of carat. Jcaract noun2 var. of charact. caracul noun & adjective var. of karakul. carafe /ka'raf, -’ra:f/ noun. lis. [French from Italian carajfa, of unkn. origin.]

A glass bottle for water or wine at a table, in a bedroom, etc.

caragana /kara'gama/ noun.

M19. [mod. Latin (see below), of Turkic origin.]

Any of various leguminous shrubs and trees of the genus Caragana, native to central Asia and Siberia and widely planted in N. America; esp. the Siberian pea-tree, C. arborescens.

fCaraite noun & adjective see Karaite. carama noun var. of seriema. caramba/ko'rambp./oreign ka'ramba/interjection. M19. [Spanish.]

Expr. surprise or dismay.

carambola /karfalm'baula/ noun.

Li6. [Portuguese, prob. from Marathi karambal]

A SE Asian tree, Avenhoa carambola, of the oxalis family; its astringent yellow fruit (also called star fruit).

carambole /'karfajmbaul/ noun & verb intrans. lis. [Spanish carambola (whence French carambole red ball in billiards), app. from bola ball.]

(Make) a cannon in billiards.

caramel /'karamel, -m(a)l/ noun & verb. eis. [French from Spanish caramelo.]

► A noun. 1 Burnt sugar or syrup used for colouring spirits etc.; (a) toffee made with sugar that has been melted and heated further, eis. 2 A light-brown colour. Freq. attrib. E20. See also creme caramel s.v. creme 1.

► B verb trans. & intrans. = next. E18.

caramelize /'kar(3)malAJz/

verb trans. & intrans. Also

-ise.

Ml 9. [French carameliser, formed as prec.: see -ize.]

1 Turn into caramel, mi9. 2 Cook (food) with sugar so that it becomes coated with caramel. Freq. as caramelized ppl adjective. L20. ■ carameli zation noun L19.

Carancahua noun & adjective var. of Karankawa. carangid /ka'randjid/ noun & adjective. Li9. [mod. Latin Carangidae (see below), from Caranx genus name* see -ID3.]

(A percoid fish) of the large family Carangidae, which includes the scads and pompanos. ■ Also carangoid noun & adjective Mi9.

carap(a) noun see crab noun3. carapace /'karapeis/ noun. Also -f-pax. M19. [French from Spanish carapacho, of unkn. origin.]

The upper shell of a tortoise, crustacean, etc. L--1 fig.: N. Bawden I wanted to hurt you. Get through that carapace of self-regard somehow. ■ carapaced adjective having a carapace Li9. cara sposa /'ka:ra 'spo:za/ noun phr. Pl. core spose /'ka:re

'spo:ze/. L18. [Italian.]

(One’s) dear wife; a devoted wife. Cf. caro sposo.

carat /'karat/ noun. Also f-act, *k- lme. [French from Italian carato from Arab, kirat weight equal to one twenty-fourth of a miskal, from Greek keration fruit of the carob dim. of keros horn.] J she. 3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this,

13 ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

343

caratch | carboxyl 1 A proportional measure of one twenty-fourth used in stating the purity of gold (pure gold being 24 carats). LME. 2 A unit of weight used for precious stones, equal to 200 milligrams, mi6. 13 fig. Worth, value. LI6-L17. £□ 1 twenty-four carat: see twenty noun. 3 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold. Other, less fine in carat, is more precious.

caratch /ka'ratj, -a:tj/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also ha-. L17. [Turkish from Arab, karaj land tax. tax.]

A tribute levied by the Ottoman Turks on their Chris¬ tian subjects. caravan /'karsvan, kara'van/ noun & verb. ns. [French caravane from Persian kdrvan. Cf. van noun '.] ► A noun. 1 A company of merchants, pilgrims, etc., trav¬

elling together, esp. across the desert in Asia or N. Africa. L15. |2 A fleet of Turkish or Russian (merchant) ships. L16-M18. 3 gen. A travelling company of people, mi 7. 4 A covered carriage or cart (cf. van noun3). Now usu. a dwelling on wheels, able to be towed by a horse or a motor vehicle. Li7. 4 motor caravan see motor noun & adjective. Comb.: caravan park, caravan site a place where caravans may be parked as holiday accommodation or as more perman¬ ent dwellings. ► B verb intrans. Infl. -nn-. Travel or live in a caravan;

spend a holiday in a caravan. Li 9. ■ carava neer noun = caravanner mis. carava nette noun a motor vehicle furnished with beds and other domestic equip¬ ment M20. caravanner noun (a) a person who lives, travels, or spends holidays in a caravan; (b) a leader of a (travelling) caravan: E20. cara'vette noun = caravanette M20.

carbinol /'ka:binDl/ noun.

Mi9.

[from carbon noun + -ine5 + -ol.] chemistry. A monohydric alcohol; spec, methanol. Usu. in comb. 9 Chiefly in names of more complex alcohols with preceding radical name.

carbo- /'kccbao/ combining form. Before a vowel carb-. [from carbon noun: see -o-.] chemistry. Of or containing carbon. ■ carbanion /kcc'banAian/ noun an organic anion in which a carbon atom bears the negative charge M20. carbazole noun a crystalline tricyclic heteroaromatic compound, Ci2H9N, present in coal tar U9. carbene noun a compound of divalent carbon, examples of which occur as intermediates in some organic reac¬ tions M20. carbo cyclic adjective containing a ring or rings of carbon atoms only Li 9.

carbocation /ka:b3(u)'katAi9n/ noun.

M20.

[from carbo- + CATION.] CHEMISTRY. = CARBONIUM ION.

tcaravance noun see calavance.

[Persian karwansaray, from karvan (see caravan) + as serai noun1.]

An Eastern inn with a large inner court where caravans rest.

carbohydrate /kaiba'hAidreit/ noun.

[Portuguese.]

A dark opaque land of diamond used as an abrasive etc. carbonara /kccbs'nmrs/ adjective. M20. [Italian alia carbonara, lit. 'in a charcoal kiln'; perh. infl. by carbonata a dish of charcoal-grilled salt pork.]

Denoting a pasta sauce made with bacon or ham, egg, and cream. Freq. postpositive, as spaghetti carbonara etc. Carbonari /ka:ba'na:ri/ noun pi. Also (rare) in sing, -naro /-'na:reu/. E19. [Italian pi. of carbonaro collier, charcoal-burner, from carbone coal ult. from Latin carbon- carbon noun.] Hist. The members of a secret republican association in ■ Carbonarism noun the political principles of the Carbonari or similar revolutionaries Ml9.

M19.

[from prec. + hydrate noun.] chemistry. Any of a class of organic compounds that

contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2;i), and can be broken down to release energy in the animal body, e.g. sugars, starch, and other polysacchar¬ ides. carbolic /kafbolik/ adjective & noun, mi9. [from carbo- + -ol + -ic.] adjective, carbolic acid, = phenol 1; carbolic soap.

►A

soap containing phenol as a disinfectant, ► B noun. Carbolic acid or soap. L19.

mi9.

■ carbo late verb trans. treat or impregnate with phenol (chiefly as carbolated ppl adjective) Li9. carbolize verb trans. = CARBOLATE LI9.

carbon /'ka;b(o)n/ noun. lis. 1 A non-metallic chemical element, atomic no. 6, which occurs in crystalline form as diamond and graph¬ ite, in amorphous form as coal and charcoal, and is the basis of all organic compounds. (Symbol C.) lis. 2 An electrode made of carbon, esp. in an arc lamp. M19. 3

carbonado /kmbs'neidso/ noun2. PI, -os. M19.

the kingdom of Naples in the early 19th cent.

[French carbone from Latin carbon-, carbo coal.]

caravanserai /kara'vanssrAi, -ri/ noun. Also -sary, -sery, & other vars. Li6.

► B verb trans. Score across and broil (meat or fish); transf. cut, slash, hack. Li6.

A piece of carbon paper; a carbon copy.

carbonate/'ka;baneit/ noun. lis. [from carbon noun + -ate1.] chemistry. A salt or ester of carbonic acid. carbonate of lime: see lime noun'.

carbonate /'kmbsneit/ verb trans. lis. [In sense 1, from carbon noun + -ate3; in sense 2 from the noun.]

11 Carbonize; combine with carbon. Freq. as carbonated ppl adjective. L18-M19. 2 Convert into carbonate; impregnate with carbon dioxide, aerate. Freq. as carbonated ppl adjective. E19. ■ carbo nation noun L19. carbonator noun a person who or thing which carbonates Li 9.

carbonatite /kafbonatAit/ noun. E20. [from carbonate noun + -ite1.]

geology. Any igneous rock composed chiefly of carbon¬ ates rather than silicates. carbonic/kai'bDmk/ adjective, lis. [from carbon noun + -ic.) chemistry. Of or pertaining to carbon; carbonic acid, a

weak dibasic acid, F12C03, formed in aqueous solutions of carbon dioxide. carbonic acid gas arch, carbon dioxide, tcarbonic paper carbon paper.

Li9.

activated carbon: see activate verb l. active carbon: see active adjective 5. pyrolytic carbon radiocarbon. Comb.: carbon-black an amorphous form of carbon suitable for use as a pigment, e.g. lampblack; carbon copy a copy made with carbon paper; fig. an exact copy; carbon cycle (a) biology the continuous transfer of carbon in various forms from the atmos¬ phere to living organisms by plant photosynthesis, and back to the atmosphere by respiration and decay; (b) astronomy a thermo¬ nuclear chain reaction postulated to occur within stars, in which carbon nuclei act as catalysts in the fusion of hydrogen to form helium; carbon dating = radiocarbon dating s.v. radiocarbon; carbon dioxide a colourless odourless unreact¬ ive gas, C02, formed by combustion of carbon and in breathing; carbon disulphide a colourless toxic liquid, CS2, used as a solvent for rubber: carbon fibre a thin strong polycrystalline filament of carbon, ffeq. incorporated in plastic etc. as a strengthening material; carbon-14 a radioactive carbon isotope of mass number 14, used in isotopic dating (cf. radiocarbon); carbon microphone a microphone depending for its action on the varying electrical resistance of carbon gran¬ ules; carbon monoxide a poisonous, colourless, odourless gas, CO, formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon; carbon paper thin paper coated with carbon or another pigmented material, used to make copies of anything written or typed upon it; carbon sink a forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; carbon steel any steel whose properties are mainly determined by its carbon content; carbon tax a tax on fossil fuels, esp. those used by motor vehicles, intended to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide; carbon tetrachloride a colourless toxic liquid, CC14, used as a solvent in dry cleaning etc. ■ carbonless adjective Mi9. 1

caravel /'karavel/ noun. Ei6. [French caravelle: see carvel.] Hist. A small light fast ship, chiefly Spanish or Portu¬

guese, of the 15th to the 17th cents. caraway/’karawei/ noun. me. [medieval Latin carui or allied Romance form from Arab, karawiya, prob. ult. from Greek karon cumin.]

An umbelliferous European plant, Carum carvi4, (in full caraway seed) the small aromatic fruit of this, used in cakes etc. and as a source of oil. carb /ka:b/ noun, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation.]

= CARBURETTOR. carb- combining form see carbo-. carbamazepine /ka:b3'meizipi:n/ noun. M20. [from carbam(ide noun + az(o- + -epine, suffix denoting a sevenmembered ring containing nitrogen.] Pharmacol. A tricyclic compound, C15H12N20, which has

anticonvulsant and analgesic properties and is used to treat epilepsy, neuralgias, and manic depression. carbamic/ka:'bamik/ adjective. M19. [formed as next + -ic.]

chemistry, carbamic acid, the hypothetical compound NH2COOH, of which many salts and esters are known. ■ carbamate noun a salt or ester of carbamic acid (cf. URETHANE 1) M19.

carbamide /'kaibamAid/ noun. M19. [from CARBO- + AMIDE.]

CHEMISTRY. = UREA 1.

■ carbamyl noun the radical NHXO E20.

carbaryl /'kaibaril/ noun. M20. [from CARBAMATE + -YL.]

A synthetic compound, C^H^NCh, used as an insecti¬ cide to protect crops and to kill fleas and lice. carbide /'ka:bAid/ noun. Mi9. [from carbon noun + -ide.]

1 chemistry. A binary compound of carbon with an element of lower or comparable electronegativity, mi 9. 2 spec. Calcium carbide, CaC2, used to generate acetyl¬ ene by reaction with water. Li9. 1 silicon carbide, sintered carbide: see sinter verb, tungsten carbide.

carbine /'ka:bAin/ noun. Also fcarabine. Ei7. [French carabine, from carabin mounted musketeer, of uncertain origin.]

A short rifle or smooth-bored gun orig. for use by cavalry. Spencer carbine: see spencer noun' 4.

carbon "ka:b(3)n/ verb.

E20.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. (usu. in pass.) & intrans. Coat or become

coated with carbon. E20. 2 verb trans. Make a carbon copy of.

M20.

[from carbon noun + -aceous.]

Of the nature of or like coal or charcoal; consisting of or containing carbon. carbonade /ka:b3'na:d, -'neid/ noun. In sense 2 also -nn-. M17. [French, formed as carbon noun: see -ade.]

1 = carbonado noun', rare. Mi7. A rich beef stew made with onions and beer.

verb trans. LI6-MI8. [formed as prec.] = carbonado verb.

3

carbonium /kafbsunrem/ noun. E20. [from carbo- after ammonium.] chemistry. In full carbonium ion. An organic cation in

which the positive charge is borne by a carbon atom. carbonize /'kmbsnAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. E19. [from carbon noun + -ize,[

1 Convert into carbon; reduce to charcoal or coke; char, ei 9. |2 Carburize. Only in 19. 3 Coat (paper) with carbon for use in copying. Li 9.

■ carboni zation noun E19. carbonizer noun a person who or thing which carbonizes E20.

carbonnade noun see carbonade noun. carbonyl /'kmbsnAil, -ml/ noun. Mi9. [from carbon noun + -yl.] chemistry. The divalent group :CO. present in ketones, aldehydes, etc.; usu. in comb. Also, (a complex contain¬

ing) carbon monoxide bonded to a metal atom as a neutral ligand. ■ carbonylation noun the introduction of a carbonyl group into a compound M20.

[formed as prec. + corundum.] =

silicon carbide.

carboxy- /ka: boksl^ combining form. [from carbo- + OXY-.] chemistry. Usu. denofing the presence of the carboxyl ■ carboxyhaemo globin noun a compound of haemoglobin and carbon monoxide, formed in the blood when carbon mon¬ oxide is inhaled L19.

carboxyl /kafboksAil, -sil/ noun. M19. L16.

[Spanish carbonado, from carbon coal ult. from Latin carbon-: see carbon noun, -ADO.] ► A noun. PI. -os. A piece of meat or fish which is scored across and broiled on coals. Long arch. L16.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, 1 cosy, i: see, d hot, o: saw, A run, o put, u: too.

carbonise verb var. of carbonize.

group. Li 9.

1~ carbonade

carbonado/kcubs'neidso/ noun' &verb.

[formed as prec. + -1- + -ferous.]

► A adjective. 1 Producing or yielding coal. rare. Li 8. 2 geology. Designating or pertaining to the fifth period of the Palaeozoic era, following the Devonian and pre¬ ceding the Permian, in which many coal deposits were formed. E19. ► B noun, geology. The Carboniferous period; the system of rocks dating from this time. L19.

carborundum /kmba'rAndam/ noun. Also (US propri¬ etary name) C-. LI 9.

carbonaceous /kcubs'neifas/ adjective, lis.

2

carboniferous /kccba'niflajras/ adjective & noun. In geology usu. C-. lis.

ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

[formed as prec. + -yl.) chemistry. The acidic radical COOH, present in most organic acids. Usu. in comb. ■ ca rboxylate noun & verb (o) a salt or ester of a carboxylic acid; (b) verb trans. introduce a carboxyl group into (a compound etc.): Li9, carboxy'lation noun the introduction of a carboxyl group no. s: hair. 13 near, ai boy, 0,1 poor, a 10 tire, acra sour

344

carboxylase | cardi into a compound E20. carboxylic /ka:bok'silik/ adjective contain¬ ing the carboxyl group U9. carboxylase /ka:'boksileiz/ noun. E20. [from prec. +-ase.] biochemistry. An enzyme which promotes the addition ot a carboxyl group to a specified substrate.

carboy /'ka:boi/ noun. mis. [Ult. from Persian kardba large glass flagon.]

A large globular bottle, usu. of coloured glass and pro¬ tected by a frame, used chiefly for holding acids and other corrosive liquids. carbuncle/'ka:bAgk(a)l/noun. me. [Old French clmrbu(n)cle etc. from Latin carbunculus small coal: see CARBON noun, -UNCLE.]

1 A red precious stone; spec, a garnet cut in a boss shape.

Comb.: carcass meat raw meat as distinct from corned or tinned meat.

carcass /'kaikas/ verb trans. Ei7. [from the noun.]

1 Make a carcass of (an animal, occas. a person). Ei7. 2 Put up the carcass of (a building). Li9. 5 Rare before li 9. carcel lamp /'ka:s(o)l lamp/ noun phr. Mi9. [from Cartel, its French inventor.] Hist. A lamp in which oil is pumped up to the wick by

clockwork. carceral /'ka:s(3)r(a)l/ adjective. Li6. [Late Latin carceralis, from career prison: see -al1.]

Of or belonging to a prison.

ME.

2 HERALDRY. = ESCARBUNCLE. LME. 3 A severe abscess, esp. on the neck; a multiple boil; a red facial spot or pimple. Mi6.

■ carbuncled adjective f(o) adorned with carbuncles (sense l); (b) affected with carbuncles (sense 3); f(c) (of earth) parched by the sun: 116. carbundy adjective of or like a carbuncle; bearing carbuncles: Li9. car’buncular adjective of the nature of or resem¬ bling a carbuncle (sense 3); affected with carbuncles: mis. car bunculous adjective = carbuncular E17.

carburation /-'rej(3)n/. L19.

/ka:bju'reif(a)n/

noun.

Also

*-retion

The action of a carburettor.

CARBIDE 1.

carburet /ka:bju'ret/ verb trans. Infl. -tt-, -t-. Ei9. [from the noun.]

Charge with hydrocarbons; provide with a carburettor; arch, combine or charge with carbon. Chiefly as carburetted ppl adjective. carburetion

noun

A substance which is able to cause cancer (strictly, car¬ cinoma). *| Rare before M20. carcinogenic/,ka:s(i)n3'd3emk/ adjective. E20. [formed as prec. + -genic.]

Able to cause cancer (strictly, carcinoma); cancerproducing.

[from carcinoma + -OID.) medicine. ►A adjective, fl = cancroid adjective 2. Only in

lis.

arch.

[from carbo- + -URET.] =

[from CARCINOMA + -GEN.]

carcinoid /'kcusinoid/ adjective & noun. Li9.

Icarburator noun var. of carburettor carburet /'ka.’bjuret/ noun.

carcinogen /ka:'smad3(3)n/ noun. M19.

■ carcinogenesis noun the production or origin of cancer E20. carcinogenicity /-'nisrti/ noun M20.

[from carburet verb + -ation.]

CHEMISTRY.

► II 6 Hist. A spherical projectile filled with combustible material to ignite buildings etc. Li7.

LI 9. 2 Of, pertaining to or of the nature of a carcinoid; asso¬ ciated with carcinoids. E20. ► B noun. = argentaffinoma. E20. carcinology/ka:si'nobd3i/noun. M19. [from Greek karkinos crab + -ology.]

The zoological study of crabs and other crustaceans. ■ carcinological adjective M19 carcinologist noun L19.

see carburation. Also -etter, *-etor,

carcinoma /kcusi'naumo/ noun. PI. -mas. -mata /-mata/. Ei8.

An apparatus for charging air with a fine spray of liquid fuel for combustion, esp. in a petrol engine,

A cancer; now spec, a malignant tumour of epi¬ thelial origin.

carburettor/ka:bju'reto, -bo-/ f-ator. mi9.

noun.

[Latin from Greek karkindma, -mat-, formed as prec. + -oma.J

[from prec. + -or.]

twin carburettor see twin adjective & noun.

carburize /'ka:bjurAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. M19. [formed as prec. + -ize.]

Chiefly metallurcy. Combine with carbon; add carbon to (iron). ■ carburi zation noun M19. [from CARBO- + -YL + AMINE.]

An isocyanide; obsolete exc. with ref. to a test for amines (the carbylamine test) depending on the gener¬ ation of an isocyanide. chemistry.

carcajou /'ka:kod3u:,

-3311:/noun. N.Amer.

E18.

[Canad. French, from Montagnais kwa:hkwa:ce:w.]

= WOLVERINE 1. carcake/'ka:keik/ noun. Scot. E19. [from care noun 1 + cake noun.]

A small cake baked with eggs, eaten on Shrove Tuesday in parts of Scotland. tcarcan

noun.

Mi6.

[French = Provencal carcan, medieval Latin carcannum, Italian careome, ult. from Germanic.]

1 An iron collar used for punishment. M16-L18. 2 =next. M16-L17. carcanet /'kcckanet/noun.

arch.

Mi6.

[from prec.+ -ET1.]

A collar or necklace, usu. of gold or jewelled. carcass /'kcukas/ noun. In branch I also -ase. me. [Anglo-Norman carcois (= Old French charcois) & French carcasse; in Anglo-Latin carcasium, -osium, -oisum: ult. origin unkn.]

► I 1 A human corpse (now derog.)', the dead body of an animal; spec, the trunk of a slaughtered animal, without the hide, head, or offal, me. 2 Orig., the living body of a person or animal con¬ sidered in its material nature. Now only joc. or derog., the human body. lme. 3 fig. A shell or husk; the decaying skeleton of a build¬ ing, ship, etc. L16. 4 The skeleton or framework upon which a building, ship, piece of furniture, etc., is built up; the foundation of a motor-vehicle tyre. M17. 5 The bones of a cooked bird. L19. £0 2 W. Raleigh His Trances proceeded through the weaknesse of his earthly Carcase. R. L. Stevenson For what would they risk their carcasses but money? 3 S. O’Faolain The carcase of the abandoned car lay damming the.. stream. A. Thwaite The carcasses of marriages of friends. 4 R. V. Jones The extremely light carcase of the rocket was .. based on Zeppelin-type construction.

b but. d dog,

f few. g get,

h he, j yes, k cat, I leg, n

■ carcinoma tosis noun widespread dissemination of carcin¬ oma in the body E20. carcinomatous adjective of the nature of or characterized by carcinoma Ei8.

carcoon /ka: 'ku:n/ noun. Also karkun. El 9. [Urdu karkun from Persian = manager.]

[Old & mod. French carde from Provencal carda, from cardar tease, comb, from popular Latin from Latin carere to card.]

A toothed instrument, wire brush, etc., for raising the nap on cloth or for disentangling the fibres of wool, hemp, etc., before spinning. card /ka:d/ noun2, lme. [Old & mod. French carte from Latin charter papyrus-leaf, paper from Greek khartes papyrus-leaf. Cf. chart noun.]

1 A flat object, typically oblong and made from layers of pasteboard pressed together, used with similar objects in a pack for playing various games, such objects being uniquely identifiable and distinguishable from one another by markings on the face (according to rank, suit, etc., in a conventional pack (see PLAYirvc-card)) but not from the back. lme. >b In pi. A game or games played with cards; card-playing, lme. Fc fig. A plan or expedient of specified likelihood of success. Mi6. 2 a A map, a plan; a chart, obsolete exc. dial. Ei6. Fb A cir¬ cular piece of stiff paper etc. bearing the thirty-two points of the compass. Also compass card. L16. 3 A flat (usu. rectangular) piece of thick paper, thin pasteboard, etc., or now (esp. where durability is required) of plastic, blank or bearing writing, print, a picture, etc., and of various kinds for particular purposes (identified contextually or specified), as conveying an invitation, greeting, or message, displaying rules, infor¬ mation, etc., identifying the bearer or owner, recording membership, registration, or admission, etc. L16. ►b spec. A programme of events at a race meeting etc. Also, a score-card. M19. Fc In full punched card, punch card. A piece of stiff paper etc. punched with holes in a certain pattern to represent specific information, esp. as used formerly in computing. Mi9. Fd In pi. An employ¬ ee’s documents held by an employer, colloq. E20. 4 A published advertisement, notice, etc. US. M18. 5 A backing of pasteboard etc. to which several small objects, or samples of a commercial product, are fas¬ tened. Mis. 6 A person with a specified quality or specified qual¬ ities; an eccentric person, a character, colloq. E19. 7 Pasteboard, cardboard. M20. 8 electronics. A printed circuit board. L20. n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top,

card. Christmas card, cigarette card, credit card, identity card, index card, invitation card, membership card, party card, phone card, postcard, score-card, show-card, time¬ card. valentine card, visiting-card, wedding-card. etc. green card: see green adjective, leave a card on a person: see leave verb', red card: see red adjective, yellow card: see yellow adjective, b mark a person’s card tip possible winners at a race meeting: fig. give prior information or advice, race card see race noun', d ask for one’s cards, get one's cards resign, be dismissed from employment. 5 R. Rendell

Handkerchiefs, a box of tissues, a card of hairclips. 6 Dickens Potter whose great aim it was to be considered as a ’knowing card'. Arnold Bennett It would be.. a topic for years, the crown of his reputation as a card. Comb.: card-carrying adjective having a valid (and usu. publiclyknown) membership of a political party or other organization; card case a case for visiting-cards; card-game: using playingcards; card index: in which each item is entered on a separate card: card-index verb trans. make a card index of; cardmember a holder of a particular credit or charge card; cardphone a public telephone operated by means of a prepaid card; card player, card-playing a person who plays, the playing of, cardgames; card-room a room for playing cards; card-sharp, cardsharper a swindler at card-games; card-swipe an electronic reader through which a credit or charge card etc. is passed to record its number etc.; card-table a table, usu. one which folds, designed for card-playing; card trick a conjuring trick using playing-cards; card vote = block vote s.v. block noun.

[from card noun'.]

1 Prepare, cleanse, or comb (wool etc.) with a card; raise the nap on (cloth) with a card. lme. 2 Lacerate (as) with a card. M16. |3 Stir and mix (as if) with a card. L16-M17. 1 carding-wool short-stapled wool. ■ carder noun' a person who or thing which cards wool etc.; carder bee, any of various bumble-bees which make a nest of moss or grass shreds above ground: lme.

In the Indian subcontinent: a clerk.

man,

on the table disclose all one's plans or resources, lay one's cards on the table, put one’s cards on the table disclose one’s plans or resources, on the cards. [N. Amer.) In the cards likely, possible, pair of cards: see pair noun11. play one’s cards close to one’s chest: see chest noun, play one's cards right, play one’s cards well, etc., carry out a scheme successfully, act cleverly, play the — card introduce a specified (advantageous) usu. political factor, show one’s cards see show verb, stock the cards (against): see stack verb 3. wild card: see wild adjective, noun, & adverb, b short cards: see short adjective, c doubtful card, safe card, sure card. etc. 2b fig.: R. Hooker That Law.. is the Card to guide the World by. speak by the card arch, express oneself carefully, be precise. 3 bank card, birthday card, business card, cheque

card /ka:d/ verb' trans. lme.

medicine.

card /kaid/noun1. lme.

carbylamine/ka:'bAilomi:n/ noun. Mi9.

CQ 1 court-card, high card, picture card, tarot card, trump card. etc. a card up one’s sleeve a plan in reserve, a hidden advantage, force a card: see force verb', hold one’s cards close to one’s chest: see chest noun, house of cards: see house noun', keep one’s cards close to one’s chest: see chest noun, lay all one's cards on the table, put all one's cards

v van, w we,

z zoo.

card /ka:d/ verb2. Li 5. [from card noun2.] 1 verb intrans. Play cards. Now rare. Lis. 2 verb trans. Write or print on a card; enter in a card

index. Mi9. 3 verb trans. Communicate (with) by card. L19. 4 verb trans. Affix to a card. Li9. ■ carder noun2 (obsolete exc. dial.) a card-player lme.

Card, abbreviation. Cardinal. cardamom /'kaMamsm/ noun. Also -mum. lme. [Old & mod. French cardamome or Latin cardamomum from Greek kardambmon, from kardamon cress + amdmoti amomum.]

A spice consisting of or made from the seed capsules of various Indo-Malayan plants, esp. Elettaria cardamomum; a plant yielding this. cardan /'ka:d(3)n/ noun. Also C-. mis. [from Cardan (Gerolamo Cardano (1501-76), Italian mathemat¬ ician).]

Used attrib. and in possess, to designate things associated with Cardan. cardan joint a universal joint. Cardan's formula math, a formula for finding the roots of a cubic equation after it has been reduced to a form without a quadratic term. Cardan's rule = Cardan’s formula above cardan shaft a shaft with a universal joint at one or both ends.

cardboard /'ka:dbo:d/ noun & adjective. M19. [from card noun2 + board noun.]

► A noun. 1 A pasteboard used esp. for cutting cards from or for making boxes etc. M19. 2 fig. Something insubstantial. Li 9. ► B adjective. 1 Made of cardboard. M19. 2 fig. Insubstantial, artificial. Li 9. Comb.: cardboard city an area where homeless people make shelters from cardboard packing cases. ■ cardboardy adjective = cardboard adjective E20.

cardecu /'ka:dikju:/ noun. Ei7. [French quart d’ecu quarter of an ECU.] Hist. An old French silver coin worth a quarter of the

gold ecu. cardi noun var. of cardie. J she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

ij ring,

tf chip, d3 jar

345

cardia [career

cardia/'ka:dra/noun. L18.

reference to assist in the description and classification of vowel sounds in any language, cardinal wind: blowing from a cardinal point.

5 An object or matter of concern; a thing to be done or seen to. U6.

► II Corresp. to cardinal noun 1 (merging with attrib. uses), 3 Belonging to the sacred college; appointed to the Roman diocese. With a title: that is also a cardinal. M17. 4 Of deep scarlet (as a cardinal’s robe). Li9.

Q3 1 Pope His words infix’d unutterable care Deep in great Hector’s soul. 2 Tennyson Cast all your cares on God. E. Muir Public trouble and private care Faith and hope and love can sever. 3 Geo. Eliot Public spirit., its essence is care for a common good. E. Waugh She arranged her paints and bottles with habitual care. 4 J. Marquand It was given into my care by a friend who wishes it to be in safe hands. S. Bellow Elena was burdened with the care of the children. 5 B. Jowett He could not himself spare the time from cares of state. S. Leacock My first care was to make a fire.

[Creek kardia (also = heart).] anatomy. The upper opening of the stomach, where the

oesophagus enters. cardiac /'ka:diak/ noun & adjective, lme. [French cardiaque or Latin cardiacus adjectives, from Creek kardiakos, from kardia: see prec., -ac.] ► A noun, fl A pain or ailment referred to the heart.

LME-L15. 2 A medicine etc. affecting the heart; a cordial. Now rare or obsolete, mi8. 3 A person with heart disease, colloq. M20. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the heart. Ei7. 2 Of medicines etc.: stimulating the heart; formerly, invigorating, cordial. Mi7. 3 Pertaining to or affected with heart disease, mi8. 4 anatomy. Of or pertaining to the cardia of the stomach. M19.

3 cardinal vicar the Pope's delegate acting as bishop for the diocese of Rome, a cardinally adverb E17.

cardinality /ka:di'naliti/ noun. Ei6. [from cardinal noun, adjective + -ity.]

fl = CARDINALATE. E16-E17. 2 math. The number of elements in a set or other group¬ ing, as a property of the set etc. M20. cardines noun pi. of cardo.

1 cardiac arrest: see arrest noun 2b tcardiac passion palpi¬ tation of the heart, heartburn, cardiac tamponade see tamponade 2. 2 cardiac glycoside any of a class of steroid glycosides which occur in plants and are heart stimulants, e.g. those present in digitalis. ■ cardiacal /ko:'d.\tok(o)l/ adjective (now rare) = cardiac adjective LME.

cardial /'ka:dral/ adjective. Mi9. [Sense i formed as cardia + -al'; sense 2 from mod. Latin Cardium genus name of the common cockle.] 1 = cardiac adjective 1. rare. M19.

2 archaeology. Of neolithic pottery: decorated with impressions made using cockle-shells. M20.

[from prec. + -graph.]

An instrument which records the action of the heart.

[mod. Latin cardialgia from Creek kardialgia, from kardia: see cardia, -aigia, -y3.]

ballistocardiograph, electrocardiograph, magneto¬ cardiograph. etc. ■ cardi ographer noun a person who uses a cardiograph M20. cardio graphic adjective L19. cardio graphically adverb E20 cardi ography noun L19.

medicine. Heartburn. cardie /'ka:di/ noun, colloq. Also -di, -dy. M20. [Abbreviation.]

= next.

cardioid /'ka:dioid/ noun & adjective, mis. [from Creek kardioeides heart-shaped, formed as cardia: see -OID.] ► A noun. 1 math. A heart-shaped curve traced by a point

cardigan /'ka:dig(a)n/ noun. Mi9. [James Thomas Brudenell, seventh Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868), leader of the charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.]

on the circumference of a circle as it rolls round another, identical, circle, and represented by the equation r = n(i + cos 0). Cf. limaijon 2. mis. 2 A cardioid microphone. M20. ► B adjective. Of the form of a heart-shaped curve; esp. (of a microphone) having a pattern of sensitivity of this form. M20.

A knitted woollen etc. jacket with or without sleeves. cardinal /'ka:d(i)n(3)l/ noun. OE. [Old & mod. French from medieval Latin cardinalis: see next. Branch II from next.]

► 11 Any of the leading dignitaries of the Roman Cath¬ olic Church who together form the sacred college which elects the Pope. oe. Fb Either of two minor canons of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, mi8. 2 Any of a number of songbirds of the American sub¬ family Cardinalinae (family Emberizidae), related to the buntings; esp. the common N. American Cardinalis cardinalis, the male of which has scarlet plumage. El 8. 3 Hist. A woman’s cloak, orig. of scarlet cloth with a hood. mis. ► II 4 In pi. The cardinal numerals, points, virtues, etc. LME.

cardiology /kahTobdji/ noun. M19. [from CARDIO- + -LOGY.]

The branch of knowledge that deals with the structure, action, and diseases of the heart. ■ cardio logical adjective E20 cardiologist noun L19.

cardiomegaly kudrao'mcgali, noun. M20. [from cardio- + Creek megas, megal- great: see -Y3.] medicine. Abnormal enlargement of the heart.

Comb.: cardinal beetle any of various a mainly bright red beetles of the family Pyrochroidae, with feathery or comb-like antennae; cardinal-flower a scarlet-flowered lobelia. Lobelia cardinalis, native to N. America; cardinal-grosbeak = sense 2 above; cardinal’s hat the red hat worn by a cardinal; fig. the dignity or office of a cardinal; cardinal spider a very large spider, spec. Tegenaria parietina. n cardinalate noun the office, dignity, or rank of a cardinal M17 cardina latial adjective = cardinalitial L19. cardinalism noun (rare) the institution or system of cardinals L17. cardinalist noun (rare) a supporter of a cardinal or cardinalism M17. cardinalitial /ka:d(i)nsTiJ(s)l/ adjective pertaining to cardinals as a group Li7. cardinalize verb trans. raise to the rank of cardinal E17. cardinalship noun the state or (tenure of) office of a cardinal LME.

[formed as cardia + -ms.]

Inflammation of the heart. [Latin: see cardinal adjective.] f 1 astrology. In pi. The cardinal points. L16-M17. |2 fig. A turning point. Only in M17.

3 The hinge of a bivalve. M18. [French cordon, from carde edible part of the artichoke, from mod. Provencal cardo from Proto-Romance from Latin cardu(u)s thistle, artichoke: see -oon.] A plant of the composite family, Cynara cardunculus,

lit 1 A Burgess It was a cardinal rule in the East not to show one’s true feelings, cardinal humour: see humour noun, cardinal number, cardinal numeral any of the positive whole numbers, one, two, three, etc., showing how many elements there are in a certain set (cf. ordinal number, ordinal numeral s.v. ordinal adjective 2); any of a series of analogous transfinite numbers, cardinal point any of the four main points of the compass, north, south, east, and west, cardinal vein any of a number of veins which drain the head and trunk in an embryo, cardinal virtue each of the four chief moral virtues (orig. of scholastic philosophy), justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude (also called natural virtue); more widely, each of seven chief virtues comprising these with the three theological virtues; gen. an outstanding quality, a particular excellence, cardinal vowel each of a series of vowel sounds established by the British phonetician Daniel Jones (1881-1967), used as a standard of 1

sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot,

resembling a thistle and related to the globe artichoke; the fleshy inner leaf-stalks of this plant, eaten as a vege¬ table. carduus /'ka:djoss/ noun, lme, [Latin: see prec.]

A thistle; esp. the blessed thistle, Cnicus (formerly Carduus) benedictus, from which a tonic was prepared. Now only as mod. Latin genus name. cardy noun var. of cardie. [Old English earn = Old Saxon kara. Old High German cliara grief, lament, Old Norse ktjr (genit. karar) bed of sickness, Gothic kara, from Germanic.] 1 Mental suffering: sorrow, grief, obsolete exc. in carcake. Care Sunday below, oe.

2 A troubled state of mind arising from fear, doubt, etc; trouble, anxiety, solicitude; an occasion for this. oe. 3 Serious attention, heed; caution, pains; regard, inclination, (to, for), oe. 4 Charge, protective oversight, guardianship, lme. saw,

a

run, o put. u: too, a ago,

£0 2 J. Galsworthy I don’t.. care a fig for his opinion. Dylan Thomas I don’t care a bugger whether you won’t or will. J. Braine I don’t mean that one has to love people, but simply that one ought to care. Stevie Smith What care I if good God be If he be not good to me? B. Tarkington Don’t you care enough about me to marry me? for all I care colloq. as a matter of complete indifference to me. know little and care less, know nothing and care less: see know verb, not care a cent. not care a chip, not care a hang, not care a snap, not care a tinker’s curse, etc. 3 R. Macaulay A caredfor looking white skin. 5 A. Fraser His sister.. did not care to study the art of how to please. J. Fenton Would you care for a boiled sweet?

[Origin unkn.]

A cloth held over or placed upon the heads of bride and bridegroom while they knelt during the marriage service. [French carene, fcarine, from Italian dial, cavern from Latin Carina keel.] ► A noun. The position of a ship laid or heeled over on one side; an instance of careening. Li 6. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Turn (a ship) over on one side for cleaning. E17. 2 verb intrans. Of a ship: incline to one side or lie over when sailing on a wind. mis. Fb transf. Lean over, tilt. L19. 3 verb trans. Cause (a ship) to heel over. Mi9. 4 verb intrans. (Infl. by career verb) Rush headlong, hurtle unsteadily. N. Amer. E20. ■ careenage noun (the place for) the careening of a ship; the cost of this: lis.

career /ks'ris/ noun & adjective. Mi6.

care /ke:/ noun.

0:

degree or expletives, oe. 3 verb intrans. Foil, by for: provide for, look after, take care of. me. 4 verb trans. Take care of, look after, regard. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 5 verb intrans. Have an inclination/or; be inclined or dis¬ posed to, to do; be agreeable or willing to do. mi6.

careen /ks'ri:n/ noun & verb. Li6.

cardoon /ka:'du:n/noun. Ei7.

► 11 On which something hinges; fundamental, crucial; important; pre-eminent, lme. 2 zoo logy. Of or pertaining to the hinge of a bivalve. M19.

[Old English carian = Old Saxon karon, Old High German charon, -en. Gothic karon, from Germanic; in later senses from the noun.] f 1 verb intrans. Sorrow, grieve. OE-M16. 2 verb intrans. Feel concern or interest (about, for; if though, whether; whom, what, etc.); feel deference, fond¬ ness, affection, etc. (about, for). Freq. with adverbs of

care-cloth /'ke:klD0/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6.

cardo /'kmdoo/ noun. PI. -dines /-dini:z/. Li6.

[Old & mod. French, or Latin cardinalis, from cardo, cardin- hinge: see -al'. Branch II from prec.]

care /ke:/ verb.

■ carer noun a person who cares or (now esp.) takes care of another or others Li7.

carditis/kaddAitis/noun. lis.

cardinal /'ka:d(i)n(a)l/ adjective, lme.

cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her,

a Cardiofunk noun (proprietary name for) a system of physical exercises combining aerobic methods with dance movements L2o. cardiogram noun a record of heart action produced by a car¬ diograph L19. cardiomy opathy noun (a) chronic disease ofheart muscle, esp. one of uncertain cause M20. cardio pulmonary adjective pertaining to or involving the heart and the lungs E20. cardiorespiratory adjective relating to the action of both heart and lungs L19. cardiospasm noun = achalasia E20. cardio vascular adjective pertaining to or involving the heart and blood-vessels Li 9.

cardiograph /'ka:diagra:f/ noun. Li9.

cardialgy /’ka:diald3i/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Also in Latin form -algia /-'aldjs/. M17.

1

cardio- /'kmdiau/ combining form of Greek kardia heart: see -o-.

Phrases: care and maintenance the keeping of a building, ship, etc., in good condition although not in present use (freq. attrib.j. care in the community = community care care of X at X’s address, have a care be cautious, not neglect or fail, have the care of be responsible for. in care under official guardianship, in care of US = care of above, in need of care (and protection) (of a destitute or dangerously circumstanced child etc.) qualify¬ ing for official guardianship, intensive care: see intensive adjective 2. take care = have a care above, take care of look after, deal with, provide for, dispose of tender loving care: see tender adjective. Comb.: caregiver a person, typically either a professional or close relative, who looks after a child, elderly person, invalid, etc.; a carer; care label: giving advice on the cleaning of a garment or fabric; care-laden adjective laden with anxieties; Care Sunday the fifth Sunday in Lent; caretake verb trans. & intrans. [back-form.] act as caretaker (of); caretaker noun & adjective (a) noun a person hired to take charge, esp. of a house in its owner’s absence; a person looking after a public building; (b) adjective exercising temporary control; care worker a person employed to provide support and supervision for vulnerable, infirm, or disadvantaged people, or those under the care of the state; care-worn adjective wearied by anxieties.

a,

my, au how, e, day

[French canine from Italian camera from Provencal carreira from Proto-Romance, from Latin carrus car.] ► A noun, fl A racecourse; the enclosure at a tournament etc.; course, road. M16-M18.

-J2 A short gallop of a horse at full speed; a charge, an encounter on horseback. M16-M18. 3 A (swift) running course; an act of careering; full speed, impetus. Mi 6. 4 A course or progress through life or history; an occu¬ pation or profession engaged in as a life-work, a way of making a livelihood and advancing oneself. Ei9. no, s: hair, is near, si boy, os poor, a is tire, aus sour

346

career|cark yj 3 Milton The Sun.. was hasting now with prone carreer To th’ Ocean Ties. C. S. Forester Mr. Graham put out a huge hand that stopped a taxi in frill career. Y. Menuhin A dizzy career by jeep through the empty streets. 4 W. A. Percy To tire grown-ups turtle soup was simply the predestined last act of a soft-shell turtle's career. T. Capote He had attempted several careers, as soldier, ranch hand, mechanic, thief. Jo Grimond The law.. seemed a suitable career for an aspiring politician. Comb.: careers master, careers mistress, careers teacher: responsible for advising pupils on a choice of career; career structure the structure of an organization or profession as pro¬ viding opportunities for advancement and a developing career. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Permanently employed in a par¬ ticular profession; (esp. of a woman) devoted to the pursuit of a profession. E20. til F. J. Stimson The career professors look somewhat askance at one who comes in from the outside world. B. Friedan They are not career women..; they are women whose greatest ambition has been marriage and children.

■ careerism noun the practice or policy of a careerist M20. careerist noun & adjective (a person) mainly intent on furthering his or her own career, esp. unscrupulously E20. career /ka'ria/ verb intrans. Li6. [from the noun.]

11 Take a short gallop; charge; (of a horse) weave from side to side while running. L16-L17. 2 Go swiftly or wildly, rush headlong, hurtle. M17. EQ 2 L. A. G. Strong A young man on a bicycle.. careered out into the main street. carefree /'ks:fri:/ adjective, lis. [from care noun + -free.]

Free from anxiety or responsibility. ■ carefreeness noun E20.

careful /'ke:fiil, -f(a)l/ adjective, oe. [from care noun + -FUL.]

11 Full of grief, sorrowful, oe-eis. 2 Full of trouble; anxious, concerned, arch. oe. 3 Full of care or concern/or; attentive to the interests of, taking good care of. oe. 4 Applying care or attention; painstaking, circum¬ spect. (Foil, by to do, that, what, etc.) oe. 5 Fraught with trouble or anxiety, me. f6 On one's guard, wary. L16-E18. 7 Done with or showing care. Mi7. ■ carefully adverb oe. carefulness noun OE.

careless /'ke:lis/ adjective, oe. [from care noun + -less.]

1 Free from care, apprehension, or anxiety. Now arch. or poet. oe. 2 Unconcerned, taking no heed of, light-hearted, oe. 3 Inattentive, negligent (of), thoughtless; inaccurate. L16. 4 Done, caused, or said heedlessly, thoughtlessly, effortlessly, or negligently; artless, unstudied. Formerly also, uncared-for, untended. Li6. ID 4 Shakes. Macb. To throw away the dearest thing he ow'd As 'twere a careless trifle. J. Osborne She still looks quite smart, but in an unpremeditated, careless way. J. le Carre Careless lines of mortar hastily put on. ■ carelessly adverb M16. carelessness noun oe.

Carelian noun & adjective var. of Karelian. core spose noun phr. pi. of cara sposa. caress /ka'res/ noun. Mi7. [French caresse from Italian carezza from Proto-Romance, from Latin cams dear: see -ess2.]

An action of endearment, a fondling touch, a kiss; a blandishment. caress /ka'res/ verb trans. Mi7. [from prec. or French caresser.]

Bestow a caress on; stroke or pat tenderly; fondle; treat kindly or affectionately. iLO fig.:]. L. Waten The warm sun caressed our faces. H. L. Mencken It caresses my ego today to think of men reading me half a century after I am gone. ■ caressable adjective Mi7. caressingly adverb M19. caressive adjective that caresses; of the nature of a caress: E19. caressivelv adverb E20.

caret /'karat/ noun. Li7. [Latin, 3rd person sing. pres, indie, of carere be without, lack.]

carfax /'kaifaks/ noun. Also (now rare) -fox /-foks/. me. [Anglo-Norman carfuks = Old French carrefiircs (mod. carrefour) from popular Latin, from Latin quadri- + Jiirra fork noun.] A place where (usu. four) roads or streets meet. Now chiefly in proper names, carfox noun see

cargador/kmgs'do:/ noun. PI. -dores/-'do:riz/. Ei9. [Spanish, formed as prec.] In Spanish-speaking parts of America: a porter.

cargo /'ka:gao/ verb trans. Li9. [from the noun.] Load (with cargo); cany as cargo.

b but, d dog,

f few, g get. h he, j yes, k cat, I leg, m

LI 8. carina /ka'rAina, -'ri:-/ noun. PI. -nas, -nae /-ni:/. E18. [Latin = keel.]

1 biology. A keel-like structure, a ridge; esp. (a) the keel of a bird’s breastbone; (b) the cartilage at the bifurcation of the trachea to form the bronchi; (c) = keel noun1 3c. eis. 2 (C-.) (The name of) a constellation of the southern hemisphere between Volans and the Milky Way, orig. part of Argo; the Keel, mi 9. ■ carinal adjective pertaining to or of the nature of a carina

carinate /'kanneit, -at/ adjective, lis. [Latin carinatus, formed as next: see -ate2.]

Chiefly biology Having a ridge, keel, or carina; (of birds) having a keeled breastbone (opp. ratite). carinate /'karineit/ verb trans. Li7.

cariama noun var. of seriema. Carian /'ks:rian/ noun' & adjective. E17. [from Latin Caria (see below) from Greek Karia: see -an.] ► A noun. A native or inhabitant, or the language, of Caria (SW Anatolia), an ancient province of Asia Minor. E17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Caria or its language. E17.

[Latin carinat- pa. ppl stem of carinare supply with a keel or shell, formed as carina: see -ate3.]

Chiefly biology Provide with a ridge, keel, or carina. Chiefly as carinated ppl adjective. m cari nation noun L19.

caring /'ke:ng/ adjective. M20. [from care verb + -ing2.]

Compassionate, concerned; involved in caring for others.

Karen. Karen.

5

Carib /’karib/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [Spanish airiiv from Haitian creole: cf. cannibal.] ► A noun. PI. -s, same. 1 Any of the aboriginal inhabitants of the southern W. Indian islands and adjacent coasts. M16. 2 The American Indian language of these people. L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to these people or their language, mi9. ■ Also Cari'bee noun (now rare or obsolete) a Carib eis. Caribbean/kari'buan, ka'ribian/ noun & adjective. E18. [from prec. + -ean.] ► A noun. 1 A Carib. rare. E18. 2 The region of the Atlantic between the southern W. Indian islands and Central America. Li 9. ► B adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to the Caribs. Li 8. 2 Designating or pertaining to the Caribbean; West Indian. L19.

[from caries + -o- + -genic.]

Causing or promoting tooth decay. ■ cariogenicity/-'msiti/noun M20.

cariole noun var. of carriole. cariosity /ks:ri'Dsiti/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. M17. [formed as next + -ity.]

Carious condition; a carious formation. carious/'kicrias/ adjective. Mi6. [from Latin cariosus, from caries: see -ous.]

[Italian, superl. of cara dear.]

caritas /'karitcns/ noun. M19. [Latin: see charity.] = CHARITY 1.

noun.

caritive /’kantrv/ adjective & noun. M19.

caricature /'karikatjoa/ noun & verb. Mi8. [French from Italian caricatura, from caricare to load, exaggerate, from late Latin car(ri)care: see charge verb, -ure.) ► A noun. 1 Grotesque or ludicrous representation by exaggeration of characteristic traits, in drawing, writing, mime, etc.; a portrait or other representation displaying this. Mi8. 2 An exaggerated or debased imitation or version (of), naturally or unintentionally ludicrous. Mis. f F- A. Freeman Stories.. which .. illustrate, if only by caricature, some real feature in his character. E. Waugh One man drew an offensive caricature of me. 2 G. Saintsbury Tlie Wanderer is a caricature of all the very worst faults of eighteenth-century poetic diction. S. Naipaul He glanced at me out of the comer of his eyes, a caricature of petty crook¬ edness. ► B verb trans. Portray or imitate by a grotesque or ludi¬ crous exaggeration of characteristic traits; burlesque M18. n ■ carica tural adjective of the nature of a caricature L19. caricaturist noun a person who practises caricature Lis. p pen, r red, s sit,

cariogenic/ke:n3'd3enik, kar-/adjective. M20.

A term of endearment to a woman: dearest, darling.

tcaricatura noun. li7 E19. [Italian: see next.]

n no.

1 A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. M19. 2 A Brazilian dance resembling a samba; a piece of music for this dance. M20.

carissima /ka'rissima/ adjective. Mi9.

caribou /’kanbu:/ noun. Also -00. PI. same. M17. [Canad. French from Micmac yalipu lit. 'snow-shoveller'.] A N. American reindeer. Comb. : caribou moss reindeer moss.

man,

[Portuguese.]

cari sposi noun phr. pi. of caro sposo.

= PIRANHA.

= caricature

Earlier (L18) in uncaring.

carioca /kari'auka/ noun. M19.

Decayed, rotten; spec, affected with caries.

caribe /ks'rbbei, 'karibei/ noun. M19. [Spanish: see Carib.]

A sedge; a plant of the genus Carex.

[Var. of kerf, infl. by carve. See also curf.]

1 A set of bells sounded either from a keyboard or mechanically. Li8. 2 A tune played on such bells. Li 8. 3 A musical instrument or part of an organ designed to imitate a peal of bells. Ei9.

LI 9.

cargoose /'ka:qu:s/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. PI. -qeese /-gi:s/. L17. [App. from carr noun2 + goose noun.] The great crested grebe.

tCarianer noun see

[French, alt. of Old French car(e)ignon, quarregnon, from ProtoRomance = peal of four bells.]

■ caritlo nneur noun [French] a person who plays a carillon

cargo/'kengao/ noun. PI. -oes, *-os. Mi7. [Spanish (also carga), corresp. to Old & mod. French charge load: see charge noun.] The goods carried by a ship, aircraft, lorry, etc.; a load. Comb.: cargo boat, cargo ship, etc.: carrying only or chiefly freight; cargo cult (orig. in Pacific islands) a belief in the forth¬ coming arrival of supernatural benefactors; cargo pants (orig. US) trousers with large, external pockets halfway up the side of each leg, typically loose-fitting and made of cotton.

tCarian noun2 see

carillon /'kariljan, -Ion, ka'nljon/ noun. L18.

£3 2 fig.: H. Acton Nancy's laughter rose above theirs in a carillon that was almost operatic.

tcargason noun. Also -z-. LI6-119. (Spanish cargazon double augm. of cargo.] A (ship’s) cargo.

[Latin carex.]

A cut, esp. in timber; a notch, a slit, an incision.

[Latin.]

Decay of a tooth or bone.

carfax.

carga /'ka:ga/ noun. Ei7. [Spanish: see cargo noun.] In Spain and Spanish-speaking countries: a load as a measure of weight.

carex /'keireks/ noun. PI. -rices /-nsi:z/. lme.

carf /ku:f/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. lme.

caries /'ke:ri:z/ noun, PI. same. li6.

fcarfour noun var. of carrefour.

A mark (strictly A) placed below a line of writing or printing, in a margin, etc., to show the place of an omis¬ sion.

carezza noun var. of karezza.

carices noun pi. of carex. CARICOM /'karikDm/ abbreviation. Caribbean Community and Common Market.

t top, v van,

w we,

z zoo,

[from Latin carit- ppl stem of carere lack: see -ive.]

grammar ►A adjective. Designating, being in, or pertain¬ ing to a case in Caucasian and other languages express¬ ing the lack of something. M19. ► B noun. The caritive case; a word, form, etc., in the caritive case. M20. carjacking /'kcudjakig/ noun. L20. [Blend of car and hijacking (see hijack).]

The stealing or commandeering of an occupied car by threatening the driver with violence. ■ carjack verb & noun L20. carjacker noun

L20.

cark /ka:k/ noun. Long arch, or Scot, me. [Anglo-Norman karke repr. north, var. of Old French c(h)arche, from c(h)archier from late Latin car(ri)care: see charge verb.]

11 T2 3 14

A load, a weight. ME-M16. A charge, a burden. ME-L16. Trouble, anxiety; labour; toil. me. Care, pains: heed. LME-E17.

B3 3 Longfellow The swart mechanic comes to drown his cark and care.

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

347

cark | carnivorous cark /ka:k/ verb. Long arch, or Scot. me. [Old Northern French corkier from Old French c(h)archier see prec.]

11 verb traps. Load, burden; impose as a charge on. Only in me. 2 verb traps. Worry, harass, vex, trouble, me. 3 verb iptraps. Be anxious, be concerned; fret oneself; toil. me. t4 verb intrans. Care for, take thought. lme-ei7. ■ carking noun grieving, solicitude, (an) anxiety me. carking adjective burdensome, wearying; toiling, anxious, niggardly M16.

carl /ka:V noun. Long arch. & dial. Also carle, oe. [Old Norse karl man. male, freeman = Old High German kar(a)l, charlo, from Germanic: rel. to churl.]

1 A man of low rank; a countryman; a peasant; a bondman; a villein, oe. 2 A low-bom fellow; a churl; a boor; a mean, niggardly, or grudging person, me. 3 In full carl hemp. The more robust kind of hemp plant (orig. considered male but later found to be the female plant). Ei6. 4 A (usu. strong or sturdy) man; a fellow, mi6. ■ carlish adjective of or pertaining to a carl; churlish, coarse, vulgar, mean: ME. fcarlot noun (rare. Shakes.) a peasant, a churl: only in Li6. [Perh. from carl noun.]

Speak gruffly, snarl; behave churlishly. carl /ka:l/ verb2 traps, obsolete exc. dial. Ei7. [Perh. back-form, from carling noun' taken as a ppl form.]

Prepare as carlings; parch (peas etc.).

■ Also fCarme noun adjective L16-M18.

&

adjective LME-L18. fCarmelitan noun

&

carminative /‘kcrminouv, ka/nunstiv/ adjective & noun. LME. [Old & mod. French carminatif, -ive or medieval Latin carminat- pa. ppl stem of carminare heal by incantation, from Latin carmen, -min-: see charm noun1, -ative.] medicine. (A medicine) having the property of relieving

flatulence. carmine /'ka:mAin, -nun/ noun & adjective. E18. [Old & mod. French carmln ult. from Arab. Idrmiz: see crimson.] ► A noun. 1 A crimson pigment obtained from cochineal; = carminic acid below, ei 8.

2 The colour of this. Li 8. ► B adjective. Of the colour of carmine; deep crimson. mis.

Carms. abbreviation. Carmarthenshire (former Welsh county). [A street in central London.] Used (freq. attrib.) as the type of the fashionable in dress for young people, spec, in London in the 1960s.

Carley /'ka:li/ noun. E20. [Horace S. Carley (fl. 1900), US inventor.]

More fully Carley float. Carley raft. A large emergency raft carried on board ship. -ling

/-lig/. me.

1 An (old) woman; esp. a witch. Chiefly Scot. me. 2 nautical Any of the squared timbers fitted fore and aft between the deck beams of a wooden ship to support the deck planking, lme. carline /'ka:lin/ noun2. Li6. [French from medieval Latin carlina perh. from cardina (from cardo thistle) by assoc, with Carolus Magnus (Charlemagne), to whom its medicinal qualities were reputedly revealed.] In full carline thistle A spiny plant of the genus Carlina

of the composite family, tcarline noun2. EI8-M19. [Old & mod. French cariin from Italian carlino, from Carlo, name of several kings of Naples: cf. Caroline noun.]

A small silver coin formerly current in Naples and Sicily. carling /'kadig/ noun', obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. [Perh. from care noun in Care Sunday.] Usu. in pi. Parched peas, traditionally eaten on Carling

Sunday. Care Sunday (see care noun),

[French comae, Portuguese comaca, perh. from Sanskrit karinayaka person in charge of elephants.]

[French from Italian camaggio from medieval Latin camaticum, from Latin caro, cam- flesh: see -age.]

1 The slaughter of a great number, esp. of men in battle; butchery, massacre. E17. 2 Carcasses collectively. Now rare or obsolete. M17. carnal /'ka:n(3)l/ adjective, lme.

A Spanish counter-revolutionary movement originat¬ ing in support for Don Carlos and his heirs as the legitim¬ ate successors of Fernando VII, as opp. to the line of Fernando's daughter Isabella II. ■ Carlist noun & adjective (a) noun a supporter of Carlism; (b) adjective of or pertaining to Carlism or Carlists: M19

Carlovingian/ka:b'vmd3i3n/ adjective & noun. mis. Charles

after

merovingien

= Carolingian. Carlsbad plum/'kadzbad 'pUm/nounphr. L19. [Carlsbad, a spa town formerly in Germany, now (renamed Karlovy Vary) in Bohemia.]

A blue-black usu. crystallized dessert plum. Carlylism/kafUilizfaJm/noun. Mi9. [from Carlyle (see below) + -ism.]

The teachings or literary style of the Scottish-bom essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881); a lit¬ erary mannerism of Carlyle.

■ Carlylean adjective of. pertaining to, or characteristic of Carlyle or his works £19. Carly iese noun the language or style of Carlyle M19. carmagnole /karmajiol/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li8. [French, orig. a style of jacket popular during the French Revolu¬ tion, prob. ult. from Carmagnola, a town in Piedmont.]

1 A popular song and round dance of the French Revo¬ lutionary period. LI 8. 2 A French revolutionary soldier; transf. an author of mischief. L18. noun & adjective var. of Karmathian.

1 Bodily, corporeal; of flesh, lme. Fib Related by blood. LME-L16. 2 Pertaining to the body as the seat of passions or appe¬ tites; fleshly, sensual; sexual, lme. 3 Not spiritual; material, temporal, secular; worldly. lme. |4 Bloody, murderous, rare (Shakes.). Only in Li 6. 2 carnal knowledge (of) (chiefly urn/) full or partial sexual intercourse (with), carnal members see member noun. ■ carnality /ka/nalrti/ noun the state of being carnal; fleshli¬ ness; sensuality; worldliness; sexual intercourse: lme. carnalize verb trans. make carnal L17. carnally adverb lme.

mineralocy. An orthorhombic hydrated chloride of potassium and magnesium, usu. occurring as white or reddish massive deposits.

carnaptious /ka'napjbs/ adjective. Scot. & Anglo-Irish. Mi9. [Origin unkn.]

Bad-tempered, quarrelsome. carnassial /ka/nasral/ adjective & noun. M19. [from French camassier carnivorous + -al'.] zoology. (A carnivore's premolar tooth) adapted for

tearing. Carnata adjective & noun see Karnata. Carnatic /ka/natik/ noun & adjective, lis. [Anglicization of Karnataka in SW India: see -ic.]

► A noun, the Carnatic, the region of Karnataka in SW India when under British rule, obsolete exc. Hist. L18. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Carnatic (obsolete exc. Hist.) or the State of Karnataka; spec, designating or per¬ taining to the traditional music of southern India. E19. j carnation noun’, me-eis. [Old French camacion, -firm, app. aphet. formed as incarnation.] Incarnation. carnation /ka:'neif(o)n/ noun2 & adjective. Mi6. [French from Italian camagione from late Latin camatio(n-) fleshi¬ ness, from Latin caro, cam- flesh: see -ation.] ► A noun. 1 Flesh-colour; a light rosy pink; sometimes a darker crimson as in the carnation flower, mi6. 2 In pi. Flesh tints; those parts of a painting

■ carnationed adjective (a) reddened; f(b) flesh-coloured: M17 A

run,

o

carnauba /ka/noiba, -'naubs/ noun.

see

Mi9.

[Portuguese from Tupi.] A Brazilian palm, Copemicia prunifera, whose leaves exude a yellowish wax (carnauba wax) used as a polish

etc. tcarnel noun & verb var. of kernel noun2 & verb2. carnelian noun var. of cornelian noun'. carneous/'ka:nras/ adjective.

Li6.

[from late Latin cameus, from Latin caro, cam- flesh: see -ous.]

1 Consisting of flesh, fleshy. li 6. 2 Flesh-coloured. Now rare or obsolete.

L17.

carnet /‘ka:nei,/orrign karne (pi. same)/ noun.

E19.

[French.]

1 A notebook, rare. E19. 2 A permit; spec, (a) one allowing a motorist to drive across a frontier; (b) one allowing use of some camp¬ sites. E20. carney /'ka:ni/ noun1,

rare. L17.

[Origin unkn.]

A disease of horses in which the mouth becomes furred so that they cannot eat. carney /'ka:ni/ noun2, verb, & adjective, dial. & slang. Also -ny. E19.

[Origin unkn.]

► A noun. Hypocritical or wheedling language; a smooth talker, a flatterer. E19. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Wheedle, cajole; use flattery or persuasion. El 9. ► C adjective. Artful, sly. L19.

put,

u:

too.

o

ago,

E19.

[formed as prec. + -ian.] 1 = Carnic 1. rare. E19. 2 ceoiocy. Designating or pertaining to the lowest div¬

ision of the Upper Triassic in Europe. Carnic /'ka:nik/ adjective.

M20.

Ei7.

-ic.] 1 Carnic Alps, a range of mountains alongthe border of Austria and Italy. E17. 2 geology. = Carnian 2. Now rare. L19. carnie noun var. of carny noun1. carnifex /’kenufeks/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6. [Latin = executioner, (in medieval Latin also) butcher.]

An executioner. carnification /ka:mffkeiJ(o)n/noun. mis. [from carnify: see -fication.] medicine. Alteration of tissue into a fleshy fibrous form,

esp. in the lungs in some forms of pneumonia. carnificial /ka:nifij(3)l/ adjective.

Mi7.

[from Latin carnifex, -jic- + -ial.]

Of an executioner or butcher; butcherly. carnify/'kamifAi/verb.

Mi7.

[from Latin caro, cam- flesh + -fy.[ 1 verb trans. Make or convert into flesh. Usu. in pass. M17.

f2 verb intrans. Generate flesh. M17-E19. 3 medicine, a verb trans. Bring about carnification of. M18. ►b verb intrans. Undergo carnification. M19.

carnival /'ka:nrv(3)l/ noun & adjective.

Mi6.

[Italian came-, camovale (whence French carnaval) from medieval Latin camelevamen, -varium Shrovetide, from Latin caro, earn- flesh + levare put away.]

► A noun. 1 In Roman Catholic countries, the week (orig. the day) before Lent, devoted to festivities; Shrovetide; the festivity of this season, mi 6. 2 Any period or occasion of riotous revelry or feasting; a festival (esp. at a regular date) usu. involving a proces¬ sion. L16. 3 A travelling funfair; a circus. N. Amer. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to a carnival; resembling or characteristic of a carnival. E17. ■ carniva lesque adjective characteristic or of the style of a car¬ nival M18. carnivalite noun a reveller at a carnival L19.

carnivore /'kainrvo:/ noun.

Mi9.

[French, from Latin camivorus: see next.]

A carnivorous animal; a member of the order Carnivora of mainly carnivorous mammals (including dogs, cats, bears, seals, etc.). Also, a carnivorous plant. carnivorous /ka:'mv(3)res/ adjective.

Li6.

(Latin camtvorus from caro, earn- flesh: see -vorous.]

representing naked skin. Eis. ► B adjective. Flesh-coloured. M16.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. 3: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, 0 hot, 0: saw.

Malmaison carnation, perpetual-flowering carnation perpetual adjective.

[Latin Camicus, from Cami a Celtic people of northern Italy; see

[Christian Latin camalis, from Latin caro, cam- flesh: see -al1 .]

-ITE1.]

[French carlisme from Spanish carlismo, from Don Carlos (17881855), brother of King Fernando VII of Spain: see below, -ism.]

ing stem of this plant.

Carnian /'karnren/ adjective.

[from Rudolf von Camdll (1804-74), German mining engineer +

Carlism /'kadizjajm/ noun. Mi9.

Li6.

[Perh. ult. from misreading of Arab, karanful clove, clove pink, from Greek kaiyophyllon.] A clove pink of a cultivated variety; a flower or flower¬

carney noun3 var. of carny noun’.

carnage/'kamidy noun. Ei7.

carnallite /'ka:n(o)Uit/ noun. M19.

carling noun2 var. of carline noun'.

Karl

carnac /'ka:nak/ noun. rare. eis. A mahout,

[Old Norse karlingfem. of karl carl noun.]

Carmathian

(also known as the White Friars), founded at Mount Carmel in the 12th cent. Also, a nun of an order modelled on the White Friars, lme. 2 (Also c-.) A fine usu. grey woollen material. E19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Carmelites. E16.

Carnaby Street /'kainabi stri:t/ noun phr. M20.

carle noun var. of carl noun.

[French carlovingien, from Merovingian adjective.]

carnation /ka:'neij(a)n/noun".

[French carmelite or medieval Latin Carmelita (cf. late Latin Carmelites inhabitant of Mount Carmel. Palestine); see -ite 1.] ► A noun. 1 A member of an order of mendicant friars

■ carmined adjective reddened with carmine L19. car minic adjective (chemistry): carminic acid, a phenolic anthraquinone derivative which is the colouring matter of cochineal M19.

carl /ka:l/ verb' intraps, obsolete exc. dial, E17.

carline /'ka:lm/ noun'. Also

Carmelite /‘kctmilAit/ noun & adjective, lme.

ai

my. au how. ei day.

1 Feeding on flesh; preying on other animals; zoology belonging to the order Carnivora (see prec.). Li 6. no. e: hair, ra near. 01 boy, os poor, ais tire, aos sour

348

carnosaur|carpel 2 Of plants: able to absorb and digest animal substances, mi9. ■ carnivorously adverb Mi9. car'nivory noun carnivorous behaviour E20.

carnosaur/'kainaso:/ noun. M20. [from mod. Latin Camosawia (see below), from Latin cciro, camflesh + Creek sauros lizard.]

A large bipedal carnivorous dinosaur, typically with relatively small forelimbs, of a group (Carnosauria) which included tyrannosaurus, aliosaurus, megalosaurus, etc. palaeontology.

Carolina allspice see allspice 2. Carolina iasmine Carolina pink pinkroot, Spigeliamarilandico. Carolina rice a variety of rice with a yellowish husk.

Caroline /'karalAin/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -lin /-lin/. Mi6. [medieval or mod. Latin Carolinus (see next), used as noun.]

Any of various coins of different countries and values, depicting the head of a King Charles (or Karl, Carlo, etc.); spec, (a) = carline noun3; (b) a gold coin of Bavaria and Wurttemburg. Cf. Carolus. Caroline /'karaUm/ adjective. E17. [medieval or mod. Latin Carolinus, from medieval Latin Carolus:

carnose/'kamaos/ adjective, lme.

see-iNE'.] Of, pertaining to, or of the period of, a (King) Charles;

[Latin carnosus, from caro, cam- flesh: see -ose'.]

Consisting of flesh; fleshy.

spec, (a) = Carolingian adjective; (b) = Carolean adjective.

carnosity/ka:'nDsiti/noun. lme. [Old & mod. French carnosite or medieval Latin camositas, formed as prec.: see -ity.]

fl Fleshiness; pulpiness. LME-M17. 2 A morbid fleshy growth, lme. Carnot/'ka:nao/noun. Mi9. [Sadi Carnot (1796-1832). French scientist.) physics. Used attrib. and in possess, with ref. to a particular

thermodynamic cycle describing the operation of an ideal heat engine. Carnot cycle. Carnot’s cycle, Carnot theorem, Carnot's theorem, etc.

Carolingian/kara'hndyan/ adjective & noun. Li9. [Refash, of Carlovingian after medieval Latin Carolus.]

► A adjective. 1 Of, relating, or belonging to the dynasty of Frankish ldngs fotmded by Charlemagne (d. 814). Li9. 2 Designating or displaying a style of minuscule hand¬ writing developed in France at the time of Charlemagne. LI 9.

► B noun. A member or supporter of the Carolingian dynasty. Also, Carolingian script. Li9. Carolinian /kara'lAiman/ adjective & noun. E18. [from Carolina + -ian.)

(A native or Inhabitant) of (N. or S.) Carolina.

camotite /'ka:natAit/noun. L19. [from M. A. Carnot (1839-1920), French inspector of mines + -ITE1.] mineralogy. A monoclinic hydrated vanadate of uranium and potassium, usu. occurring as lemon-yellow microcrystalline aggregates.

carolitic /kara'litik/ adjective. Also -lytic. Ei9. [Alt. of French corollitique, from Latin corolla: see -ic.]

Pulpy, fleshy. carny /'ka:ni/ noun'. N. Amer. slang. Also carney, carnie. M20. [from CARNIVAL+ -Y6.]

A carnival; a person who works at a carnival, adjective.

carob /'karab/ noun. Also (after Arab.) carouba /ka'rauba/. LME. [French jcar(r)obe (mod. caroube) from medieval Latin carrubia, -ium, etc., from Arab, karrub(a). Cf. alcarroba.)

1 The edible horn-shaped fleshy seed-pod of an ever¬ green leguminous tree, Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean region. Also carob-bean, carob-pod. LME. 2 In full carob tree. The tree itself. M16. caroche /ko'roj/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Li6. [French fcarrodic from Italian cnrracrio, -ia, augm. ofcarro chariot, car: cf. CAROSSE.)

A stately or luxurious carriage, [Old French (now dial.) car ole = Provencal carola, corola (whence Italian carola), of unkn. origin.) ► 11 A ring-dance accompanied by song, obsolete exc. Hist.

ME. f2 A revel, me-lis. 3 A (joyful) song; transf. the song of a bird. me. 4 A joyful hymn; esp. (in full Christmas carol) one sung at Christmas, lme. ►t II5 A ring, esp. of standing stones. Cf. carrel. Only in ME. Comb, carol service a religious service largely devoted to the singing of Christmas carols: carol-singer a person who takes part in carol-singing; carol-singing the singing of carols, spec, by groups who go from door to door at Christmas with the object of raising money.

carol /'kar(a)l/ verb. Infl. -II-, *-l-. me. [Old French caroler, formed as prec.]

■fl verb intrans. Sing and dance in a ring. Also, make merry, revel. ME-M16. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Sing (as) a carol; sing joyously; cele¬ brate in song. lme. Carolean /kara'han/ adjective & noun. E20. [from medieval Latin Carolus + -ean.) Hist. ►A adjective. Of or pertaining to Charles I (reigned 1625-49)

°r Charles II (reigned 1660-85), Kings of Great Britain; (characteristic) of their period, E20. ► B noun. A supporter or contemporary of either King Charles. E20. caroler noun var. of caroller. Carotin noun var. of Caroline noun. 117.

[A former Brit, colony named after Charles II (see Caroline adjective), now (as North & South Carolina) forming two States of the USA.)

Used attrib. to designate things from or associated with Carolina. b but, d dog,

r few, g get, h he, j yes,

[medieval Latin = Charles, Karl.) Hist. (Designating) a coin bearing ‘Carolus’ as the name of the monarch, spec, a gold piece of the reign of Charles I

carolytic adjective var. of carolitic. carom /'karam/ noun & verb. Also -rr-. L18. [Abbreviation of carambole.)

► A noun. 1 A cannon in billiards. Now chiefly N. Amer. L18. 2 More fully carom billiards. A game resembling bil¬ liards but played on a table without pockets and depend¬ ing on cannons for scoring. L19. ► B verb intrans. Make a carom; strike and rebound (off). Now chiefly N. Amer. Mi9. CO K. Lette We caromed off the bumper of a parked car. caroon /ka'rurn/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also -rr-, -m /-ml. M17. [Origin unkn.]

k cat,

1 leg,

m

caro sposo /'ka:ro 'spo:zo/ noun phr. Pl. can sposi /'ka;ri 'spo:zi/. L18. [Italian.] (One’s) dear husband; a devoted husband. Cf. cara SPOSA.

carosse/ka'ros/noun. Li6. [Obsolete French (now -rr-) from Italian carrozza augm. of carro chariot, car: cf. caroche.) Chiefly Hist. A (horse-drawn) carriage, a coach.

carotene /'karatbn/ noun. Also -tin /-tin/. M19. [from Latin carota carrot + -ene.] chemistry. An orange or red hydrocarbon, C40H5G, of which

there are several isomers, which occurs in carrots and many other plants and is a precursor of vitamin A. ■ carotenoid noun & adjective (a) noun any of a class of mainly yellow or red pigments of wide natural occurrence having the conjugated molecular structure typified by carotene; (b) adjective of, pertaining to, or characteristic of such a compound: E20.

carotic /ka'rotik/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. M17. [Creek karotikos stupefying: see next, -ic.) 1 = carotid adjective, mi7.

2 Of the nature of stupor; in a state of stupor. L17. carotid /ka'rDtid/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [French carotide or mod. Latin carotides from Greek kardtides pl. of karotis drowsiness from karoun stupefy: so named because com¬ pression of the arteries was thought to cause stupor.] anatomy. ►A adjective. 1 carotid artery, either of the two main arteries (or their major branches) which supply blood to the head and neck. E17.

2 Of. pertaining to, or adjoining a carotid artery. M19. 2 carotid body a small mass of receptors in the carotid artery sensitive to chemical change in the blood. ► B noun. A carotid artery. E18. carotin noun var. of carotene. carouba noun var. of carob. man,

n no. p pen,

M16-E19.

2 A drinking-bout; carousing. Li7. ► C verb. 1 verb intrans. Have or engage in a drinking-bout; drink heavily. Mi6. >b Drink health, success, etc., to. Now rare or obsolete. Li 6. f 2 verb trans. Drink up, drain; drink (a health). L16-E19. O 1 N. Hornby I came back to my flat after carousing deep into the night.

■ carouser noun Li6. carousel /kara'sel, -'zeI/ noun. Also *-rr-. Mi7. [French carrousel from Italian caroseUo, ga-.] 1 Hist. A kind of tournament in which variously dressed companies of knights engaged in plays, chariot races, exercises, etc. Mi7. 2 A merry-go-round; a roundabout. Chiefly N. Amer. Li7. 3 A rotating delivery or conveyor system, esp. one in an airport for the delivery of passengers’ luggage. M20. karrozzin.

carp /ka:p/ noun2. PL usu. same. lme. [Old & mod. French carpe from Provencal carpa, or the common source, late Latin carpa.] A freshwater fish of the genus Cyprinus, esp. C. carpio, ffeq. kept in ponds. Also, any of various related fishes belonging to the family Cyprinidae. crucian carp, leather carp, mirror carp. etc. koi carp, lookingglass carp see lookinc-glass. mirror carp: see mirror noun. Prussian carp: see Prussian adjective. ■ carplike adjective resembling a carp Li9.

carp/ka:p/verb. me. [Senses 1-3 from Old Norse karpa brag; later senses infl. by or from Latin carpere pluck, slander, calumniate.) 11 verb intrans. & trans. Speak, talk; say, tell. ME-EL7. 2 verb intrans. Sing, recite, obsolete exc. dial. lme. f3 verb intrans. Prate, chatter. LME-M16. 4 verb intrans. Talk querulously; find fault, cavil. (Foil, by at.) LME. 15 verb trans. Find fault with, take exception to. MI6-117. ■ carper noun lme. carping ppl adjective that carps; captious: 116.

A licence from the Lord Mayor of London for keeping a cart.

carol /'kar(a)l/ noun. me.

Carolina /kara'luna/ noun.

Carolus /'karalas/ noun & adjective. Ei6.

of Great Britain.

carny noun2, verb, & adjective var. of carney noun2, verb, &

etc. M16-M17.

► B noun. fl The act or fashion of drinking all up; a cupful drunk all up; a whole cupful, a full draught.

carp lka:pl noun'. me. [from carp verb.] 11 Discourse. Only in me. 2 A carping speech, remark, etc. Ei7.

caroller /'karala/ noun. Also caroler. Li6. f 1 A reveller. Only in Li 6. 2 A person who carols; a carol-singer. Ei9.

[formed as carnose + -ous.)

carouse /ka'rauz/ adverb, noun, & verb. Mi6. [German gar aus (trinken) (drink) right out, completely; as noun from the adverb taken as obj. of a verb.] ►t A adverb. (Drink, quaff, etc.) to the bottom of the glass

carozzi noun see

architecture. Of a column: having a foliated shaft. [from carol verb + -er1.]

carnous /'ka:nas/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete, lme.

carousal /ka'rauz(a)l/ noun. E18. [from carouse verb + -al'.[ A bout of carousing; a drunken revel. Formerly also identified with carousel 1.

r red,

s sit,

t top, v van,

w we,

z zoo,

carpaccio /kafpatjiau/ noun. Pl. -os. L20. [Italian, from Vittore Carpaccio (fl. 1490-1523), Venetian painter, who used a distinctive red colour similar to that of raw beef.) An Italian hors d’oeuvre consisting of thin slices of raw beef or fish served with a sauce. carpal /'ka:p(a)l/ adjective & noun. M18. [from carpus + -al‘.) anatomy & zoology. ►A adjective. Of or pertaining to the wrist or carpus. Ml8. carpal tunnel a passage between the carpal bones and adja¬ cent ligaments, through which pass the median nerve and the flexor tendons of the hand; carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition of numbness, pain, or tingling in the hand caused by compres¬ sion of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel at the wrist, esp. as the result of repetitive movements. ► B noun. Any of the bones of the wrist. M19.

Carpathian /kafpeiflian/ adjective'. Ei7. [from Carpathos (see below) + -ian.) Of or pertaining to Carpathos (Karpathos), an island in the Aegean Sea. Carpathian ka'peiOian, adjective2 & noun. L17. [Prob. from German Karpathm from Latin Carpatus from Greek Karpatos, + -ian.) ► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to a range of mountains in central and eastern Europe. L17. ► B noun. In pl. & fs/ng. The Carpathian mountains. L17. carpe diem/,ka:pei 'dixm, dAiem/ interjection. Ei9. [Latin, lit. ‘seize the day!’, a quotation from Horace (Odes i.xi).]

Used to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future. carpel /'ka:p(a)l/ noun. M19. [French carpelle or mod. Latin carpellum, from Greek karpos fruit: see -el2.] botany. The basic unit of the female reproductive part of a flower (gynoecium), consisting of ovaiy, stigma, and (usually) style, which occurs either singly or as one of a group. j she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

349

carpent | carrion ■ carpeltary adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a carpel M19.

carpent/'ka:p(3)nt/ verb trans. rare. E17. [medieval Latin carpentare.]

Make by carpentry; construct, put together. carpenter /’ka:p(o)nta/ noun & verb, me, [Anglo-Norman, & Old French carpentier, (also mod.) charpentter, from late Latin Carpentaria® (artifex) carriage(-maker), from carpentum two-wheeled carriage, of Gaulish origin, rel. to car- see -ER-.]

► A noun. A craftsman in woodwork esp. of rough solid kinds as in house or shipbuilding (cf. joiner), me. Comb. : carpenter ant, carpenter bee: of a kind which bores into trees (violet carpenter bee see violet adjective); carpenter trousers loose-fitting trousers with many pockets of various sizes and loops for tools at the tops or sides of the legs; carpenter-work = carpentry ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Do carpenter’s work. lme. 2 verb trans. Make by carpentry; put together mechanic¬ ally, construct (lit. & fig.) lme.

carpentry /'ka:p(o)ntri/noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman carpentrie = Old & mod. French charpenterie, from charpentter. see prec., -ry.J

1 The work, trade, or skill of a carpenter; woodwork¬ ing. LME. 2 Woodwork made by a carpenter, lme. carpet /'ka:pit/ noun. me. [Old French carpite or medieval Latin carpitn from Italian fcarpita woollen counterpane, corresp. to French charpie lint, use as noun of pa. pple of charpir from Proto-Romance var. of Latin carpere pluck, pull to pieces.]

1 A thick usu. woollen fabric used as a cover for beds, tables, etc.; a piece of this; a tablecloth, obsolete exc. in on the carpet (a) below, me. 2 A piece of thick fabric, made in one piece or of lengths joined together, often woven in a pattern of colours, used for covering a floor, stairway, etc.; material for this, carpeting. Also, with specifying word, a rug, esp. a large oriental rug. lme. 3 fig. A smooth, soft, or bright covering or expanse, as of grass or flowers, resembling a carpet. L16. kb The ground, slang. Li9. 4 In full carpet-moth Any of various geometrid moths with variegated colouring, mi9. 2 Axminster carpet. Brussels carpet. Exeter carpet, Kilim carpet, oriental carpet, Persian carpet. Turkey carpet, Turkish carpet. Turkoman carpet, velvet carpet. Venetian carpet, etc. Phrases: magic carpet: see magic adjective, on the carpet fig. (a) under discussion; (b)colloq. being reprimanded, red carpet: see red adjective, sweep a thing under the carpet: see sweep verb. Comb. : carpet-bag noun & verb (o) noun a travel bag, orig. made of carpet; (b) verb intrans. (derog., chiefly US) travel lightly, be a carpet¬ bagger: carpet-bagger (derog., chiefly US) a person seeking to achieve political success or private gain in a place with which he is unconnected (orig. spec, a northerner in the southern US after the Civil War); carpet-bed a garden bed with dwarf plants arranged densely in a pattern; carpet beetle any of various dermestid beetles of the genus Anthrenus, whose larvae are destructive to carpets etc.; carpet bombing the dropping of a large number of bombs uniformly over an area; carpet dance an informal dance for which the carpet is not taken up; carpet knight arch, an idler, a philanderer, a ladies' man; carpet-moth: see sense 4 above; carpet-rod a stair-rod; carpet-shark any of several sharks with irregular markings on the back, esp. of the genus Orectolobus: carpet shell (the shell of) any of various bivalve molluscs of the genus Venerupis (family Veneridae), with irregular coloured markings resembling tapestry; carpet slipper a slipper, orig. with upper made of thick material like carpet; carpet-snake (a) a large variegated specimen ofthe Aus¬ tralian python Python spilotes: (b) (in the Indian subcontinent) a harmless snake which enters houses, esp. a wolf snake, Lycodon aulicus: carpet square a more or less small square of caipet intended to fit together with others as a floor-covering; carpet sweeper a household implement with a revolving brush or brushes for sweeping carpets.

carpet /'ka:pit/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.]

1 Cover (as) with a carpet, lme. 2 Reprimand, reprove, colloq. M19. ■ carpeting noun (a) the action of the verb; esp. a telling-off; (b) material for carpets, carpets collectively: Li6.

carphology/ka:'fDbd3i/noun. M19. [Greek karphologia, from karphos straw + legem collect; see -y1.]

medicine. Plucking at the bedclothes by a delirious patient. carpincho/kafpintfao/noun. PI. -os. Mi9. [Amer. Spanish, prob. from Tupi.] = CAPYBARA.

carpo- /’ka:pao/ combining form' of carpus: see -o-. ■ carpo pedal adjective relating to or involving the hands and the feet L19.

carpo- /'kcnpoo/ combining form- of Greek karpos fruit: see -o-.

■ carpophore noun (botany) a prolongation of the axis of a flower, raising the pistil above the stamens 119. carpospore noun (botany) a diploid spore produced by a carpogonium Lt9.

Carpocratian /kcnpcKi1 kretj'fo)n/ noun. L16. [from Carpocrates (see below) + -ian.] Hist. A follower of Carpocrates of Alexandria, 2nd-cent.

Gnostic philosopher, who asserted the mortality of Christ’s body and the creation of the world by angels. carpogoniunri /kaipsfyVgsunrem/ noun. PI. -nia l-na/. L19. [from carpo-2 + Greekgonos race + -ium.] botany. The non-motile female reproductive organ of a

red alga. ■ carpogonial adjective L19

carpology /ka:'pDbd3i/ noun. Ei9. [from carpo-2 + -LOGY.]

The biology of fruits and seeds. ■ carpo logical adjective E19

carpus /’kaipss/ noun. PI. -pi /-pAi/. lme. [mod. Latin from Greek karpos wrist.]

The part of the human skeleton between the forearm and the metacarpus, consisting of eight small bones and forming the wrist; zoology the corresponding part in other tetrapods (e.g. the knee of a horse). carr /ka:/ noun'. Scot. & north, oe. [Origin unkn.]

A rock; esp. a rocky islet off the (Scottish or Northum¬ brian) coast. carr/ka:/ noun2, me. [Old Norse kjarr brushwood in kjarr-myrr marsh grown with brushwood (cf. Danish ksr, kjter, Swedish ker, Norwegian kjsr, kjerr).]

1 A marsh, a fen; wet boggy ground; meadowland reclaimed from bog or marsh, me. 2 A marshy copse, esp. of alders; boggy ground over¬ grown with shrubs, lme. carrack /'karok/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [Old & mod. French caraque, perh. (corresp. to Italian caracca) from Spanish carraca from Arab., perh. from karakir pi. of kurkiira a type of (sometimes very large) merchant vessel.] A large merchant-ship equipped for warfare, esp. a Por¬

tuguese Indiaman; a galleon. carrageen /'karsgiin/ noun. Also -gheen. E19. [Irish carraigin.] In full carrageen moss. An edible purple seaweed, Chondrus crispus. found on the coasts of northern Europe and N. America. Also called Irish moss, m carra geenan noun a mixture of polysaccharides (galactans) extracted from various red and purple seaweeds and used as a gelling, thickening, and emulsifying agent in food products M20. carrefour /karfu:r/ noun. PL pronounced same. Also

t car four L15. [French: see carfax.]

A crossroads, a carfax (now only in France). ? Formerly naturalized.

carrel /'kar(o)l/ noun. Also -II. Li6. [App. rel. to carol noun in sense ‘ring’.] 1 Hist. A small enclosure or study in a cloister. Li 6.

2 A cubicle for a reader in a library. E20. carretera /kare'tera, ka:rs'tere/ noun. M19. [Spanish.]

In Spain and Spanish-speaking countries: a main road. carriage/ kand3/noun. lme. [Old Northern French cartage, from carter carry verb: see -age.]

► I The action of cariying. I Conveying, transport, esp. of merchandise, lme. -[2 A toll or duty payable on the transport of goods. LME-L18. 3 (Payment in lieu of) carrying performed by a tenant as feudal service, obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 4 The cost of conveying goods etc.; charge so incurred. LME. f5 Ability to carry, rare. L16-M18. 6 The action of carrying out, execution; conduct, man¬ agement; administration. Ei7. 7 The carrying of a motion. Li 9. 4 carriage forward with carriage to be paid by the receiver of a parcel etc. carriage paid with carriage paid by the sender of a parcel etc.

► II A thing carried; a manner of carrying. 18 Baggage; movable property, lme-mis. 9 A load, a quantity carried, a burden; fig. import, meaning, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 10 Manner of carrying, esp. of the head, body, etc.; deportment; bearing. Li 6. II Demeanour; behaviour; habitual conduct, arch. Li6. Ffb A piece of conduct, an action. Only in 17. CQ 10 J. Cary The girl was walking with her usual selfcontained air..; the proper carriage of a school prefect and debutante. R. Gittings He seemed taller, partly because of the erect carriage of his limbs and head. 11 Defoe The affec¬ tionate carnage of this poor woman to her infant.

► III Means of carrying.

a cat. a: arm, 1: bed. a: her. 1 sit. i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0; saw. a run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how, ei day,

12 A means of conveyance; esp. a wheeled vehicle for conveying people, lme. Fb spec. A four-wheeled private vehicle drawn by two or more horses. M18. Fc A railway passenger vehicle. M19. 13 A wheeled framework or suppoit, esp. (in full guncarriage) for a gun. See also undercarriage. M16. 14 A sliding or other moving part of a mechanism, whose function is to carry and move other parts, esp. in a typewriter. Li 7. 12 baby carriage, hackney carriage, invalid carriage, railway carriage, etc. b carriage and pair, carriage and four carriage and six. etc.: with the number of horses specified. landau carriage, c ladies' carriage, saloon carriage, smoking carriage, etc. train of carriages: see train noun’ 13. Comb.: carriage clock a portable clock in a rectangular case with a handle; carriage-dog a dalmatian; carriage release the operation of allowing a typewriter to move freely, independ¬ ently of tire keys; a lever which makes this possible; carriage return: see return noun 9b; carriage trade (now arch, or joc.) (trade with) those of sufficient wealth or social standing to main¬ tain a private carriage; carriageway the part of a road intended for vehicular traffic (dual carriageway see dual adjective: single carriageway: see single adjective). ■ carriageable adjective (a) rare portable; (b) (of a road) passable by wheeled vehicles: Li 6. carriaged adjective having a carriage or carriages (of a specified kind or number) M17.

carrick bend /'karik bend/ noun phr. Ei9. [Perh. from alt. of carrack + bend noun'.]

nautical. A round knot to join ropes required to go round a capstan. carrier/'karia/noun. lme. (from carry verb + -er1.]

► 11 gen. A person who or thing which carries; a bearer, a conveyor, a porter, lme. 2 A person or company undertaking for hire the con¬ veyance of goods or passengers, lme. 3 In full carrier pigeon. A homing pigeon (employed to carry messages tied to its leg). M17. 4 A conduit or drainage channel for water. Li 8. 5 A part of a machine designed to bear or carry; esp. a basket, rack, etc., fixed to a bicycle for carrying luggage etc. M19. 6 A vessel intended or used to carry a particular kind of cargo or load; freq. ellipt. = aircraft carrier. Li 9. 7 An insoluble or inert substance used to support a pigment, catalyst, etc., or to convey a radioisotope, chro¬ matographic sample, etc. 119. 8 A substance which effects a transference of an atom or other species, esp. in a biochemical process. L19. 9 A particle carrying an electric charge; a mobile elec¬ tron or hole in a semiconductor. E20. 10 More fully carrier wave etc. A wave or current on which a signal can be superimposed by modulation, esp. in telecommunications. E20. 11 A person or animal that can transmit a disease, or an organism that can pass on a genetic characteristic to its offspring, without showing its effects. E20. 12 In full carrier bag. A strong paper or plastic bag with handles, used for shopping. E20. Ill 2 common carrier: see common adjective, fig.: Adam Smith The Dutch were the great carriers of Europe. 6 bulk carrier, ore-carrier, troop-carrier, etc. ► I113 (C-.) [So called from their custom of a widow's carrying (for a period) the cremated remains of her husband in a leather bag.] A member of an Athapaskan people inhabiting British Columbia; the language of this people. Also Carrier Indian L18.

carriole /'kansul/ noun. Also cariole. mis. [French from Italian carriuola dim. of carro car: see -ole1.] 1 Chiefly Hist. A small open carriage for one; a covered light cart. mis. 2 A kind of sledge used in Canada. E19.

carrion /'karion/ noun & adjective, me. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French caroi(g)ne, Old French charoigne (mod. charogne) from Proto-Romance, from Latin caro flesh.] ► A noun, fl A dead body; a carcass, me-mis. 2 Dead putrefying flesh, me.

3 a Human or animal flesh regarded as no better than the dead, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 4. me. Fb A worthless or noxious person or beast, obsolete exc. dial. 115.

4 fig. Corruption, garbage, filth; something vile. lme. 03 2 D. Attenborough The nautilus feeds not only on carrion but on living creatures such as crabs. 4 J. A. Froude Roman fashionable society hated Caesar, and any carrion was welcome to them which would taint his reputation.

► B 0ttrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to rotting flesh or putrefaction; rotten, loathsome, lme. I ? c. M. Hopkins Not. I’ll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee. Comb, carrion-beetle a beetle ofthe family Silphidae. feeding on carrion; carrion crow see crow noun’ 1; carrion-flower (a) a plant of the African genus Stapelia of tire milkweed family no. n: hair, n near. 01 boy, us poor, via lire, aua sour

350

Carrion’s disease | carte Asclepiadaceae; (b) a N. American plant of the lily family, Smilax herbacea, having fetid flowers.

7 Bear (the body, head, etc., oneself) in a specified way. LI 6. 8

Carrion’s disease /kart'Dnz di,zi:z/ noun phr. E20. [from Daniel Carrion (c 1850-86), Peruvian medical student, who died from the disease after voluntarily contracting it.] medicine Bartonellosis; esp. the acute form of this (= Oroya fever).

carritch /'karitj/ noun. Scot. mis. [Alt. of catechise noun.] sing. & in pi. = catechism.

carriwitchet /kan'witjit/ noun, obsolete exc. Scot. Also carwitchet

£□ 1 Shakes. Temp. I'll bear your logs.. I’ll carry it to the pile. G. Berkeley If we cany our thoughts from the corporeal to the moral world. Ld Macaulay The news.. had been carried to the Earl of Pembroke. E. Hemingway He wore his overcoat and carried his wet hat. R. Macaulay Carried out to sea by the tide. P. V. White The master of the Osprey will cany you to Newcastle. R. Davies I went back.. as fast as my artificial leg would cany me. J. D. MacDonald Offshore islands.. composed of the materials the rivers had carried down to the sea and deposited, b S. Johnson The lady carried her horse a thousand miles. J. Galsworthy After three days at Robin Hill she carried her father back with her to Town, c G. M. Trevelyan The improved roads carried vis¬ itors .. far afield. 2 Ld Macaulay A scanty stock of silver, which .. was to cany the nation through the summer. E. A. Freeman The great march which carried Harold.. to Stamford Bridge. J. R. Green A mission carried him in early life to Italy. A. Schlee More and more people entered behind her and she was carried inevitably forward.. by their pres¬ sure. 3b B. Locke It is important.. to be able to hit very high iron shots to cany formidable obstacles, such as big bunkers. 4 J. Conrad A prisoner being partly carried, partly dragged along the hall. W. Cather He can’t cany a drink or two as he used. B. Spock This is a special memoiy problem (just the way some children can't cany a tune). M. Puzo He had a license to cany a gun. J. G. Farrell Young men carrying Sinn Fein flags, b Shakes. Hen. VII1 Words cannot carry Authority so weighty. Milton His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. E. R. Conder A positive judgment carrying immense consequences. B. Trapido He has about him the same confident ease but carries it with greater subtlety, f E. Reveley Some sort of special medicine—I'm not even sure the chemists here cany it. g V. S. Naipaul Next morning the Trinidad Sentinel carried this story on page five. 5 E. A. Freeman He did not tarry long in carrying his purpose into effect. C. P. Snow The bedrooms.. carried comfort to such a point that it was difficult to sleep at all. C. Hill Laud's religious policy carried the re-catholicizing tendencies.. to their logical conclusion. 6 J. Ruskin Main arches.. carried by.. pillars. H. G. Wells A red wooden curtain pole.. carried green and dust-coloured curtains. Conservation News The Zambesi region.. carries a very rich vegetation, b Shakes. Lear Man’s nature cannot carry Th' affliction nor the fear. 9 C. Merivale He strove to cany with his own hand the victory. D. L. Sayers Better use shock tactics and carry the place by assault, b P. H. Stanhope They carried their candidates in the centres of popular election. A. Briggs The bill.. was finally carried by 263 votes to 46. B. Castle We carried the vote in committee by nine votes to six. 10W. Cobbett You are to put down the 4 and carry 2.

ka:'witjit/. E17.

[Origin unkn.]

A pun; a conundrum. carrom noun & verb var. of carom. carronade /kara'neid/ noun. Lis. [from Carron, near Falkirk in Scotland, where orig. made + -ade.] Hist. A (chiefly naval) short large-calibred gun.

carroon noun var. of caroon. carrot/‘karat/noun. lis. [Old & mod. French carotte from Latin carota from Creek karoton.]

1 An umbelliferous plant, Daucus carota, having a large tapering root which in cultivated forms is orangecoloured and edible; a root of this, eaten as a vegetable. 115. kb fig. (with alius, to the traditional use of a carrot to induce a donkey to move, freq. opp. stick). An entice¬ ment; a promised reward. Li 9. 2 Something carrot-shaped, esp. (IV. Amer.) a plug of tobacco. M17. 3 In pi. Red hair; (a name for) a red-haired person, slang. L17. oa ib J. K. Galbraith Along with the carrot of pecuniary reward must go the stick of personal economic disaster. ■ carroty adjective like carrots; orange-red; red-haired: L17.

carrousel noun see carousel. fcarrow noun. Anglo-Irish. L16-E19. [Old Irish cerrbad1 (mod. cearrbhach).]

An itinerant gambler. carrozzi noun see karrozzin. carry /‘kari/ noun. Ei7. [from the verb.]

1 A vehicle, a cart, a barrow. Scot. & north. E17. 2 The drift of the clouds in the wind; the clouds collect¬ ively, the sky. Scot. Li 8. 3 The range of a gun; the distance traversed by a golf ball etc. before pitching; a trajectory, mi9. 4 a The action or an act of carrying a boat, supplies, etc., between rivers etc. or around an obstacle to naviga¬ tion. (V. Amer. mi 9. kb gen. The action or an act of carrying; a manner of carrying. Li 9. kc amer. football. The action or an act of running or rushing with the ball. M20. 5 A place or route between navigable points, over which boats, supplies, etc., have to be carried. N. Amer. M19. carry /‘kari/ verb. lme. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French carier var. of charier (mod. charrier cart, drag) corresp. to Provencal carrejar, from car car.] ► I verb trans. 1 Bear from one place to another, convey,

transport, (by vehicle, ship, aircraft, etc.; on horseback; on a river, the wind, etc., by its own motion; on the person, in the hand, or fig. in the mind), lme. kb Escort, lead, conduct, (a person, animal, etc.); take with one, esp. by force. Now arch. & dial, ei6. kc Ofa road, pipe, wire, etc.: conduct, convey, be traversed by (traffic, liquid, electric current, etc.). E17. kd fig. Continue to have with or beside one as one moves, lis. 2 Cause to move or go, impel, drive; cause or enable to proceed; (of a journey etc.) lead, bring, to etc. lme. kb Urge, influence; deprive of self-control. (Now usu. carry away.) arch. Mi6. 3 Propel (a missile, ball, etc.) to a specified distance or on a specified course, lme. kb Propel a golf ball, cricket ball, etc., beyond (a point). Li9. 4 Hold up, while in motion; have on one’s person, possess; bear with or within one; keep in mind. lme. ►b Have as an attribute, property, meaning, conse¬ quence, etc.; display, exhibit; involve, imply. L16. kfc Wield (power, influence). L16-M17. kd Be pregnant with. LI8. ke military. Hold (a weapon) in the position for saluting, lis. kf Keep on hand; stock. M19. kg Of a news¬ paper etc.: print (an article) in its pages, publish. Of a broadcasting station: put out (a programme). E20. 5 Extend, prolong, or continue (a line, process, etc.) in a specified direction or way, or to a specified point Chiefly jig. lme. 6 Bear the weight of; sustain, support, (lit. & fig.) lme >tb Tolerate, endure. L16-L17. kc Support with financial or other assistance; help or compensate for (a teammember etc. who does not pull his or her weight); be the major cause of the effectiveness of. Li9. b but. d dog. f few. g get,

h he, j yes.

k cat, 1 leg,

m

Conduct, manage (a matter, affair, etc.). (Now usu.

carry on.) arch. Li6. 9 Obtain as the result of effort, win; take by assault, capture. L16. ►b Gain victory or acceptance for; esp. get (a measure) passed or adopted in a vote. Ei7. >c Gain (a dis¬ trict etc.) in an election. Chiefly US. mi9. 10 Transfer (a figure etc.) to a new page or account (now usu. carry forward); transfer (a figure) to the next column in an arithmetical operation, mi8.

► II verb intrans. tn Ride, move with speed or energy. LME-M16. 12 Bear loads; act as a carrier. Li6. 13 falconry. Fly away with the quarry. E17. 14 Propel a missile. M17. 15 Of a missile, sound, etc.: travel or be propelled for a specified distance or in a specified manner (absol. far. Well). M17. f16 Behave. M17-E18. Q 14John Phillips About as high as a crossbow can carry. 15 W. Maxwell A man cursing.. can be heard a long way. All sounds carry. G. M. Fraser Their rank stench carried a good half-mile. Phrases: carry all before one overcome all opposition, succeed. carry an M under one’s girdle: see M, M 7. carry a torch for: see torch noun, carry coals to Newcastle: see coal noun, carry conviction be convincing, carry it (o) have the advantage, win the day; f(b) act, behave, in a specified way. carry one's bat: see bat noun1 2. carry sail have sails set. carry the bat see bat noun' 2. carry the can (back) see can noun 1. carry the day win, succeed, carry the world before one: see world noun, carry weight (a) be influential or important; (b) horse-racing carry weight as a handicap, carry with one persuade, convince (one’s hearer etc.), cash and carry: see cash noun1, fetch and carry see fetch verb. With adverbs in specialized senses: carry away (a) verb phr. trans. transport, remove, inspire, fire with (excessive) enthusiasm, deprive of self-control: (b) verb phr. trans. & intrans. (nautical) break off and remove (a ship's mast etc.) forcibly; be lost thus; t(c) carry it away, have the advantage, win the day. carry back take (a person) back in thought to a past time, carry forward transfer (a figure etc.) to a new page or account, carry off (a) remove by force, abduct; be the cause of death of; (b) win. achieve: render (one’s action, condition, etc.) acceptable or pass¬ able by one's manner; carry it off (well), do well under difficul¬ ties. carry on (a) verb phr. trans. continue, keep up, conduct (a conversation, a business, etc.), advance (a process etc.); (b) verb phr. intrans. go on with what one is doing, continue one’s course, be continued; colloq. behave strangely or excitedly, speak angrily flirt or have an affair (with), carry out perform, conduct to com¬ pletion, put into practice, carry over transfer, esp. = carry forward above; postpone to a later time, carry through bring safely out of difficulties, perform to completion, carry up man,

n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van.

w we, z zoo,

(a) continue (building etc.) to a given point; (b) trace back in time; f(c) bear, hold up. Comb.: carry-all a carriole; N. Amer. a car with sideways seats; carry-cot a portable cot for a baby; carry-forward a balance of money carried forward; carry-on; carry-out noun & adjective (a quantity of prepared food, drink, etc.) bought for consumption off the premises; a take-away meal, restaurant, etc.; carry-over (a) stock exchange postponement of payment to next settling day; (b) a sum held over or transferred; a transference; fcarry-tale a tell-tale.

carrying /’kariir)/ verbal noun. lme. [from prec. + -inc'.]

1 The action of carry verb. lme. 2 carrying-on, carryings-on, excitement, commotion, questionable behaviour, flirtation, colloq. Ml7. Comb.: carrying-place N. Amer. = carry noun 5; carrying-trade the transportation of goods from one country to another by water or air as a business.

carry-on /'karmn; in sense A.t also kari'Dn/ noun & adjective. L19. [from carry verb + on adverb.]

► A noun. 1 A fuss, a to-do; excitement, carryings-on. colloq. Li 9. 2 A bag or suitcase suitable for carrying on to an air¬ craft as hand luggage. M20. ► B adjective. That may be carried on; suitable for carrying on to an aircraft. M20. carse /ka:s/ noun. Scot. me. [Perh. pi. of carr noun2.]

(A stretch of) alluvial lowland beside a river, carsey noun var. of karzy. Carshuni noun var. of Garshuni carstone "kcrstaon/ noun. Ei9. [Prob. dial. var. of quern-stone s.v. quern noun.]

Hard ferruginous sandstone of Lower Cret¬ aceous age. geology.

carsy noun var. of karzy. cart /ka:t/ noun & verb. me. [Old Norse lairtr (= Old English erst), prob. infl. by Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French carete (mod. charette) dim. of carre car.] ► A noun, fl A chariot, a carriage. ME-E17.

2 A strong two-wheeled or four-wheeled conveyance usu. with a low-sided rectangular body, used esp. in farming and for carrying heavy goods, and formerly for conveying convicts to the gallows and for the public exposure of offenders: without contrary specification usu. understood as horse-drawn, me. 3 A light two-wheeled one-horse vehicle for driving in. E19. Cl 1 Shakes. Hand. Full thirty times hath Phoebus’ cart gone round Neptune's salt wash and Tellus’ orbed ground. 2 Robert Burton As good horses draw in carts as coaches. A. E. Housman Here the hangman stops his cart; Now the best of friends must part. Day Lewis The rest of the flat cart was filled with hens for the market, bullock-cart, handcart, etc. dustcart, hay-cart, etc. 3 dogcart etc. Phrases: in the cart slang in an awkward or losing position; in trouble, put the cart before the horse reverse the proper order of things; take an effect for a cause. Comb. : cart-body the part of a cart in which the load is placed; cart-horse (orig.) a horse used to draw a cart; (now) a strong thickset horse fit for heavy work; cart-load a cartful; a large quantity of something (a cart-load of monkeys see monkey noun); cartman a man who drives a cart; cart-road a rough road suitable only for carts and other farm vehicles; cart-rut a deep rut cut in soft ground by the wheels of a cart; cart’s tall, cart tail the rear ofa cart, to which formerly offenders were tied to be dragged through the streets or flogged; cart-track (a) a rough track suitable only for carts and other farm vehicles; (b) a cartrut; cart tail: see cart’s tail above; cart-way a rough way suit¬ able only for carts and other farm vehicles; cartwheel; cart-whip a long heavy horse-whip; Cartwright a maker of carts.

► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Work with or use a cart. rare. lme. 2 verb trans. Convey or transport (as) in a cart; colloq. carry (esp. something cumbersome or heavy) over an unduly long distance, carry or take unceremoniously. lme. fb Convey publicly in a cart as a means of punish¬ ment. obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6. 3 verb trans. Get (someone) into trouble; betray the hopes of, let down. Chiefly as carted ppl adjective, slang. L19. 4 verb trans. cricket. Hit hard. E20. GB 2 De Quincey We were all carted to the little town. J. K. Jerome Hams and I.. carted out our luggage on to the doorstep. F. Astaire She took on the challenging job of carting her two brats to New York in search of a career, cart off remove, esp. by force, b G. Crabbe Suspected, tried, con¬ demned, and carted in a day. ■ cartage noun (the cost of) conveyance by cart lme. carter noun t(a) a charioteer: (b) a person who drives a cart (formerly as a type of low birth or boorish manners): me. cartful noun as much or as many as a cart will hold lme.

carte /ka:t/ noun’, lme. [French from Latin c(h)arta: see card noun2, chart noun.]

tl A charter, a document; an exposition; a chart, a diagram, lme-mis. 2 A playing-card; in pl„ a game of cards. Scot. lis. J she,

3

vision,

9 thin,

6

this,

g nng,

tj chip. d3 jar

351

3 A bill of fare. Cf. A la carte. ei9. 4 = CARTE-DE-VISITE. M19. carte noun2 see quart noun2. carte blanche /ka:t 'blamf, foreign kart(a) 'bla:J/ noun phr. PI. cartes blanches /ka:ts 'bla:nj, foreign kart(s) bla:J/. 117. [French = blank paper.]

1 A blank sheet of paper to be filled in as a person wishes; fig. full discretionary power granted (now the usual sense). Li7. 2 cards. In piquet and bezique, a hand containing no court-cards as dealt, and attracting a compensatory score. El9. carte-de-visite /,ka:td3vfzi:t/ noun. Now arch, or Hist. PI. cartes-de-visite (pronounced same). Mi9. [French = visiting-card.]

A small photographic portrait mounted on a card. carte d’identite /kart didatite/ noun phr. PI. cartes d'identite (pronounced same). E20. [French.]

An identity card. carte du pays /kart dy pe(j)i/ noun phr. PI. cartes du pays (pronounced same), mis. [French, lit. 'map of the country'.]

(A statement of) the state of affairs. cartel /branch I 'ka:t(a)l, branch E ka:'tel/ noun. Branch I also tch-. M16. [French from Italian cartello placard, challenge, dim. of carta from Latin c(h)arta (see card noun2, chart noun). Branch II from German Kartell from French.] ► 11 In full cartel of defiance. A written challenge. Now arch, or Hist. Mi6. 2 Hist. A written agreement relating to the exchange or

ransom of prisoners; an exchange or ransom of prison¬ ers; (in full cartel ship) a ship commissioned for the exchange of prisoners. L17. 3 gen. A paper or card bearing writing or printing. Li7. ► II 4 A combination between political parties to promote a mutual interest. Li 9. 5 A manufacturers’ agreement or association formed to control marketing arrangements, regulate prices, etc. E20. ■ carteli zation. -II- noun formation of or into cartels E20. cartelize. -II- verb trans. & intrans. form (into) a business etc. cartel E20.

cartes blanches noun phr. pi. of carte blanche. cartes d’identite, cartes du pays noun phrs. pis. of CARTE D’IDENTITE, CARTE DU PAYS. Cartesian /ka:'ti:zjan, -3(a)n/ adjective & noun. tvm. [mod. Latin Cartesianus, from Cartesius Latinized form of the name of Rene Descartes (1596-1650), French philosopher and scientist; see -ian.] ► A adjective. Pertaining to or characteristic of Descartes,

his philosophy, or his mathematical methods. M17. CO H. Hallam Cogito; Ergo sum, this famous enthymem of the Cartesian philosophy. Cartesian coordinate each of a set of coordinates describing the position of a point in relation to a set of intersecting straight axes (usu. in pi.). Cartesian devil. Cartesian diver a toy that rises and falls in a liquid when the vessel containing it is subjected to varying pressure.

► B noun. A follower of Descartes. M17. ■ Cartesianism noun the philosophy of Descartes M17. Carthaginian /ka:03'd3inian/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [from Latin Carthago, -ginis Carthage (see below) + -ian.]

carte j carve cartilaginous /ka:ti'lad3inas/ adjective, lme. [OFr (also -eus), or Latin cartilaginosus, formed as prec.: see -ous.] 1 Of, or of the nature of, cartilage, lme. 2 botany Of the texture of cartilage. L17. 1 cartilaginous fish a fish with a skeleton of cartilage, i.e. a member of the class Selachii (or Chondrichthyes), which includes the sharks and rays. cartle noun see katel. cartogram/'koitagram/ noun. 119. [French cartogramme, from carte map: see card noun2, -cram.] A map with diagrammatic statistical information. cartographer /kaftDgrofs/ noun. Also (now rare) ch-. M19. [from next or after French cartographe: see -grapher, -er‘. W. ch¬ atter Latin charta.] A person who draws maps; an expert in or practitioner of cartography. cartography /kaftogrsfi/ noun. Also (nowrare) ch-. Mi9. [French cartographic, from carte map: see card noun2, -ography. Spelling with ch- after Latin charta.] The drawing of maps or charts. ■ carto graphic adjective M19 carto graphically adverb M20. cartomancy /'kmtamansi/ noun. Li9. [French cartomaticie, from carte card noun2: see -mancy.] Fortune-telling by playing-cards. carton /'ka:t(a)n/ noun & verb. Ei9. [French formed as cartoon.) ► A noun. 1 a A light cardboard or pasteboard box; a light container of waxed cardboard, plastic, etc., in which drinks and other foodstuffs are packaged. Ei9. Fb Cardboard, pasteboard; papier mache. Li 9. 2 The disc within the bull’s-eye of a target; a shot that hits this. M19. Q3 1 a J. Thurber Fifteen large cartons filled with old Christmas cards. R. Lowell Milk cartons,.. Two plates sheathed with silver foil. ► B verb trans. Pack in a carton. Chiefly as cartoned ppl adjective. E19. cartonnage /'ka:t(3)md3/ noun. Also cartonage. M19. [French, formed as prec.: see -ace.] Egyptology. A mummy-case made of tightly fitting layers of linen or papyrus glued together. carton-pierre /kartopjer/ noun. Mi9. [French, lit. 'cardboard (of) stone'.] Papier mache made to resemble stone or bronze. cartoon /ka:'tu:n/ noun & verb. L16. (Italian cartone augm. of carta: see cartel, -oon.] ► A noun. 1 A full-size drawing made on stout paper as a design for a painting, tapestry, mosaic, etc. Li6. 2 An illustrative drawing (orig. full-page or large) in a newspaper or magazine, esp. as a vehicle for political satire or humour; an amusing drawing with or without a caption; a sequence of these in a strip. M19. Fb A film made by animating a series of drawings. E20. 2 strip cartoon see strip noun' 3b. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Draw a cartoon or cartoons. Chiefly as cartooning verbal noun. Mi9. 2 verb trans. Represent in a cartoon; caricature in a cartoon. Li 9. ■ cartoonery noun cartoons collectively; the making of car¬ toons: M19. cartoonish adjective resembling (the style of) a cartoon (sense 2); showing simplification or exaggeration of some features: L20. cartoonishly adverb L20. cartoonishness noun L20. cartoonist noun a person who draws cartoons H9. cartoony adjective = cartoonish 120.

(A native or inhabitant) of Carthage, a powerful ancient city of N. Africa near Tunis, defeated and destroyed by Rome in 146 bc, but later recolonized.

cartophily/ka:'tDfili/noun. M20. [from French carte noun' or Italian carta (see cartel) + -o- +

Carthaginian peace a peace settlement which imposes very severe terms on the defeated side.

The collection of picture cards, as cigarette cards etc., as a pursuit or hobby. ■ carto philic adjective & noun (rare) L19. cartophilist noun a col¬ lector of cigarette cards etc. M20.

carthamus/'ka:03mos/noun. Mi6. [mod. Latin from Arab, kirttm, kurtum safflower.]

Any plant of the genus Carthamus of the composite family, esp. safflower, C. tinctorius.

■ carthamin noun (chimisntv) a red quinonoid glycoside which is the colouring matter of safflower M19.

Carthusian /ka:’0ju:zi3n/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [medieval Latin Carthusianus, from Cart(h)usia La Grande Char¬ treuse, a monastery near Grenoble, France: see -ian. Cf. Charterhouse, chartreuse, Chartreux.]

1 (A member) of the austere order of monks founded by St Bruno in 1084. Ml6. 2 (A past or present member) of Charterhouse School (see Charterhouse 2). Mi9. cartilage /'ka:t(i)lid3/ noun. lme. [French from Latin cartilago, -agin-.]

A firm, elastic, semi-opaque connective tissue of the vertebrate body; gristle. Also, a structure made of this. hyaline cartilage. Meckel's cartilage, nasal cartilage, thyroid cartilage, etc. temporary cartilage that cartilage in the young

which later ossifies.

■ cartilaginifi'cation noun formation of or conversion into cartilage M19. carti'laginoid adjective of the form or nature of cartilage M19.

-phily.]

cartouche/ka:'tu:J/noun. Ei7. [French from Italian cartoccio, from carta: see cartel.] ► 11= cartridge 1. obsolete exc. Hist. E17. F-f b A case of wood, pasteboard, etc., for cannon-balls. E17-M18. ► II 2 a architecture. A scroll-shaped ornament; a scroll¬ shaped corbel, mutule, or modillion; a tablet representing a scroll with rolled-up ends or edges, with or without an inscription. El 7. Fb A painting or drawing of a scroll with rolled-up ends, with or without a text; an ornate frame in the shape of such a scroll. Lis. 3 Egyptology An elongated oval with a straight bar at the end containing the hieroglyphic names and titles of kings. M19. Comb. : cartouche-box (obsolete exc. Hist.) a cartridge-box. cartridge /'kartridV noun. li6. [Alt. of prec.] ► 11 A paper, metal, etc. case containing a charge of pro¬ pellent explosive for firearms or blasting, with a bullet or shot if intended for small arms. Li6. 2 A case and its contents prepared for more or less direct insertion into a particular mechanism, as a spool

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0; saw, A run, u put, u: too. a ago. ai my. ao how. ei day.

of photographic film or magnetic tape in a container, an ink-container for a pen, etc. E20. 3 A removable pick-up head of a record-player. M20. 1 blank cartridge: see blank adjective. 3 turnover cartridge: see turnover adjective.

►fII4 = CARTOUCHE 2. E17-M18. Comb, cartridge-belt a belt fitted with sockets for cartridges; cartridge-box a box for storing or carrying cartridges; cartridge-case (a) = cartridge-box above; (b) the paper, metal, etc. shell of a cartridge; cartridge paper a thick, rough paper used for cartridges, drawing, and for making strong envelopes.

cartulary /'ka:tjubri/noun. Also ch-. lme. [medieval Latin c(h)artularium, from c(h)artula dim. of c(h)arta: see CHARTA, CARD HOUn2, -ULE, -ARY'.]

11 A collection of medical recipes. Only in lme. 2 A place where charters or records are kept; a collec¬ tion of charters or records. Mi6. cartwheel /'ka:twi:l/ noun & verb. Also cart-wheel, lme. [from cart noun + wheel noun. j

► A noun. 1 A wheel of a cart. lme. 2 A lateral handspring with the arms and legs extended, mi9. 3 A large coin. Mi9. 4 In full cartwheel hat. A hat with a wide circular brim. 119. 2 turn a cartwheel, turn cartwheels execute one of, a suc¬ cession of, these movements.

► B verb intrans. Move like a rotating wheel; turn a cart¬ wheel or cartwheels; revolve. E20. carucage /'karjukid3/ noun. Li6. [medieval Latin car(r)ucagium, from car(r)uca: see next, -age.] Hist. A feudal tax levied on each carucate of land,

carucate /'karjukeit/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin car(r)ucata, from car(r)uca (orig.) coach, chariot, in Caul early applied to the wheel-plough, rel. to Latin carrus car noun: see-ate'.] Hist. A measure of land equivalent to the area that could

be ploughed in a year by one plough and eight oxen; a plough-land. caruncle /'kararik(3)l, ka'rAi)-/noun. Li6. [Obsolete French from Latin caruncula dim. of caro flesh: see -UNCLE.]

A fleshy excrescence or swelling, such as that at the inner comer of the eye (the lacrimal caruncle), or the wattles of a turkey, etc., or (botany) adjoining the micropyle of certain seeds, ■ ca'runcuiar adjective of the nature of or resembling a car¬ uncle M19. ca'runculate adjective having a caruncle or caruncles El9. ca'runculated adjective (now rare) = carunculate E19.

carvacrol /'kcuvskrol/ noun. Mi9. [from mod. Latin (Carum) carvi caraway + Latin arris acrid adjective + -0L.] chemistry A fungicidal liquid phenol, C)0H140, present in

many essential oils, carval /'ka:v(a)l/ noun. L19. [Manx.]

A Manx carol or ballad on a sacred subject, carve /ka:v/ verb. Pa. pple carved, (arch. & poet.) carven /'ka:v(3)n/. [Old English ceorfan = Old Frisian kerva, Middle & mod. Dutch kerven, Middle High German kerben, from West Germanic.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Cut. Long obsolete in gen. sense, oe. 2 verb trans. Produce or shape by cutting, chiselling, or

sculpturing, (a statue, portrait, representation in relief or intaglio, an inscription, a design, out of, in, or on a material), oe. Fb verb trans. Fashion (a material, into something) by cutting, chiselling, or sculpturing; cover or adorn with (or with) figures cut out, cut designs, etc. me. Fc verb intrans. Cut figures, designs, etc.; practise sculpture, engraving, etc. Mi6. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Cut up (meat etc.) into portions for serving; cut into (meat etc.) to produce servings, me. Ffb verb intrans. Of a woman: be hospitable, be affable, rare (Shakes.). Only in Li6. Fc verb trans. Slash or cut with a knife or razor. Also foil, by up. slang. E20. f 4 verb trans. Divide or part by cutting, cleave. LME-E17. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Cut (away, passage, etc.), lme. f 6 verb trans. & intrans. Apportion; reserve, take, (for): min¬ ister to. L16-M18. 7 verb trans. Divide into several pieces or portions; sub¬ divide. E18. IXI 2 Tennyson An angel.. carved in stone. R. Kipling 1 carved on the stone: 'After me cometh a Builder.' b J. Marquand Sandal-wood, carved into a design of herons and lotus flowers. R. Lehmann A crook-handled Alpenstock carved with edelweiss. K. Clark He carved marble faster than any mason. 3 J. Wyndham Over at a side-table three girls were .. carving chickens. J. Grigson As you carve into the chicken, sprinkle it lightly with salt. 5 W. Owen Swimmers carving thro’ the sparkling cold 6 carve for oneself take at one’s pleasure; indulge oneself. With adverbs in specialized senses: carve out (a) take from a larger whole (lAW esp. a smaller estate from a larger one); (b) cut out (a way, passage, etc.): create or bring about by much effort (a career, name, etc., for oneself or oneself and others), carve up (a) cut up into several pieces (see also sense 3c above): divide into several portions; (b) slang cheat, swindle. no. e: hair, ra near. 01 boy. ua poor, ais tire. an.i sour

352

carvel|casein Comb, carve-up slong (the result of) a sharing-out. esp. of dis¬ honest gains.

carvel /'ka:v(a)l/ noun. lme. [Old French corvette (mod. caravelie) from Portuguese curavela dim. of caravo from late Latin cardbus from Greek karabos horned beetle, crayfish, lightship.] = CARAVEL.

Comb.: carvel-built, carvel-planked adjectives (of a boat etc.) with planks that are set flush (opp. clinker-built).

carver/"ka:vs/noun1. lme. [from carve + -ER'.J

1 A person who carves, lme. 2 A carving-knife; (in pi.) a carving-knife and -fork. M19. 3 An armchair in a set of dining-room chairs. E20. Carver /'ka:vo/noun2. US.

E20.

In full Carver chair. A chair with a rush seat, arms, and a back having horizontal and vertical spindles. carvery/'kaivari/noun. M19. [from carve + -ERY.J

1 Meat for carving, rare. M19. 2 Carved work. rare. Mt9. 3 A buffet or restaurant where meat is carved from a joint as required. M20.

1 The action of carve, me. 2 Carved work; a carved figure, design, etc. lme. Comb.: carving-fork: long-tined, used to steady a joint etc. and serve portions; carving-knife: long-bladed, used for cutting portions of meat for serving. Li9.

[formed as carvacrol + -one.] chemistry. A liquid cyclic ketone, C10H,40. with a charac¬ teristic odour, present in caraway and dill oils.

carwitchet noun var. of. carriwitchet. caryatid /kan'atid/noun. PI. -ides /-idi:z/, -ids Mi6. [(French caryatide from Italian cancilide from) Latin caryatides from Creek karuatides (pi.) priestesses of Artemis at Karucii (Caryae) in Laconia.]

A female figure used as a pillar to support an entablature. Cf. telamon. architecture.

caryophyllaceous kanoofi'leijas/ adjective. M19. [from mod. Latin Caryophyllaceae (see below), from caryophyllus clove-pink from Greek kcmiophullon: see -aceous.] botany. Of or pertaining to the family Caiyophyllaceae, including the pinks, campions, and stitchworts.

caryopsis /kari'Dpsis/ noun. PI. -opses /-'Dpsi:z/. Ei9. [mod. Latin, from Creek karucm nut + opsis appearance.]

A one-seeded indehiscent fruit having the peri¬ carp fused to the seed-coat, as in wheat and maize. botany

carz(e)y nouns vars. of karzy. CAS abbreviation. Chief of the Air (Force) Staff. ca. sa. 'kei 'sei, ka: 'sa:/noun phr. lis. [Abbreviation.] =

capias ad satisfaciendum L19.

[from Kasaba (now Turgutlu) in Turkey, from where the melons were first exported.]

1 A winter melon of a variety with a wrinkled yellow rind and sweet flesh. 2 In pi. A woman’s breasts, colloq. L20. CES 2 A. Maupin The solitary blonde with the big casabas. casale ka'sa:le/ noun. Also -so//-'sa:!/. Ei6. [Italian, from casa house.]

In Italy, Malta, etc.: a hamlet. tcasamat noun see casemate. Casanova kasa'nauvs, -z-l noun.

E20.

[Giovanni Jacopo Casanova de Seingalt (1725-98), Italian adven¬ turer.]

A man who engages in promiscuous love affairs, casbah noun var. of kasbah. cascabel ''kaskab(3)l/ noun. Also -able. M17. [Spanish cascabel. from Catalan (Provencal) cascavel from medieval Latin cascabellus little bell.]

The knob at the rear end of a cannon; also, the whole section of a cannon behind the ring bolted to the emplacement. cascade /kas'keid/ noun & verb. M17. [French from Italian cascata, from cascare fail from ProtoRomance, from Latin casus fall: see case noun1, -ade.] ► A noun. 1 A waterfall, esp. a small one; a section of a

large broken (esp. artificial) waterfall; a falling body of water. M17. kb transf. & fig. A quantity of material etc. falling; a falling stream of. M19. 2 A pyrotechnic device imitating a waterfall, mis. b but. d dog.

P 1R. Chandler From his outer breast pocket cascaded a show handkerchief. D. Welch Short, sneering Chinese words cascaded out of Iris mouth. G. Huntington Down a little ravine a stream cascaded.

[Spanish cascara (sagrada) iit. '(sacred) bark'.]

In full cascara sagrada /sa'grcuda/. The bark of a Califor¬ nian buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana; an extract of this, used as a purgative. cascarilla /kaskhnlo/ noun. Li7. [Spanish, dim. of prec.]

The aromatic bark of the W. Indian plant Croton eluteria. Also cascarilla bark. [Old & mod. French cas from Latin casus, from base of cadere to fall. In branch II directly from Latin, translating Creek ptosis lit. ‘fall’.]

[from carve + -ing'.]

casaba /ka'saha/ noun. N. Amer.

► B verb. 1 verb introns. Fall in or like a cascade. Ei8. 2 verb intrans. Vomit, arch, colloq. L18. 3 verb trans. Connect (electrical devices) in a cascade. E20.

case /keis/ noun', me.

carving /'ka:vig/ noun. me.

mw.

CQ 1 F. Tuohy The rain .. fell in a solid cascade, b R. Kipling A cascade of Survey-instruments, books, diaries, |etc.|. C. S. Forester The battle had begun in a muddle amid a cascade of vague orders.

cascara /ka’ska:re/ noun. L19.

[John Carver (1576-1621). first governor of Plymouth Colony.]

carvone/'kcuvaon/noun.

3 A succession of electrical devices or stages in a process. M19. 4 A wavy arrangement of hanging lace etc. L19.

f few. g get. h he. j yes.

k cat,

I leg,

n

► I fl A thing that befalls or happens, an event, occur¬ rence; chance, hazard. me-li6. 2 An instance of a thing’s occurrence, a circumstance, a fact, etc. me. kb A person (of a specified sort); an eccen¬ tric or comical person, slang, mi9. kc An infatuation, an instance of falling in love, slang. M19. 3 Condition, state, plight; (good) physical condition. arch. exc. in certain phrs. (see below), me. 4 The state of matters relating to a given person or thing, one’s circumstances or position; the actual state of affairs, the fact. lme. 5 The condition of disease or injury of a person etc.; an instance of disease or injury; colloq. a patient, a person in need of (specified) treatment, lme. 6 A legal action or suit, esp. one brought to trial; a state¬ ment of the facts in an adjudicated case, drawn up for a higher court's consideration; an action or suit that has been decided and may be cited. E16. 7 The sum of arguments on one side of a legal cause or transf. of any matter of debate or controversy; a valid set of arguments. Li 6. 8 An incident or set of circumstances for investigation by police, a detective agency, a social worker, etc. M19. SB 1 Caxton By caase of fortune. Spenser I you recount a ruefull cace. 2 R. Davies You get used to vanity, but Andro was a vety special case. A. Hailey A dear case of the women versus the men. b K. Waterhouse They laughed... shaking their heads. 'He’s a case, i'n't he?' 3 AVExod. 5:19 They were in euill case. Swift Their Horses large, but extreamly out of Case. R. Bolt I have.. been several times in such a case that 1 thought to die within the hour. 4 Jer. Taylor He hath no need to use them, as the case now stands. Ld Macaulay The case with me is the reverse. J. F. Kennedy In Germany's case .. the old ideas and beliefs were completely destroyed. L. Edel As has often been the case, changes in philosophical thought heralded technical innovations in the arts. 5 W. H. Dixon At Deal they shipped a case of small-pox. N. Mitford Not.. able to leave the Treatment Room except to carry 'cases' upstairs to the Hospital. W. C. Williams My first case was one of dandruff which I treated with some simple remedy. H. Robbins She's a mental case. T. S. Eliot 1 will not discuss my case before another patient. 6 Shakes. HamL Why may that not be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now,.. his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? F. Raphael It was six months before the case came up. 7 M. Drayton My doubtfull Case to plead. R. A. Knox In arguing, never disguise from yourself the strength of the other man's case. T. Benn Let me try and make the case for fundamental changes to the way our economy is organised. 8 L. Lee The police left.. with the case unsolved.

► II9 grammar Any of the inflected forms of noun, adjec¬ tive, or pronoun which express the varied relation in which the word may stand to other words in the sen¬ tence; this relation itself whether indicated by inflection or not. lme. Phrases: as the case may be according to the situation, by the nature of the case, by the very nature of the case: see nature noun, case in point: see point noun1, case of conscience, from the nature of the case, from the very nature of the cose: see nature noun, hard case: see hard adjective, have a case on slang be infatu¬ ated or in love with, tif case - in case below, in any case: see ANY adjective ta. in case (a) if, in the event that, lest; (b) (as a precaution) against some possible occurrence, in case of in the event of. in good case, in bad case, etc., arch, in good, bad, etc., con¬ dition, well, badly, etc., off. in no case under no circumstances, in that case if that is true, should that happen, in the case of as regards, in the nature of the case, in the very nature of the case: see nature noun, just in case = in case (b) above, leading case law a case serving as a precedent for deciding others, make out a case (for) put forward valid arguments (for), meet the case see man, n no.

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we,

2

zoo.

meet verb, on the case Hist, (of a common-law action) based on a writ setting out fully details of a personal wrong not involving force, special case see special adjective, state a case see state verb, stated case subjective case: see subjective adjective 5. test case: see test noun', the state of the case: see state noun, trespass on the case see trespass noun 3. Comb, casebook a book containing records of legal, medical, or other cases: case conference a meeting of professionals (as doctors, teachers, social workers, etc.) to discuss a particular case: case grammar linguistics a form of transformational grammar in which the deep structure of sentences is analysed in terms of semantic case relationships; case history a record of a person’s origins, personal history, and other information, for use in determining (esp. medical) treatment or other course of action: case-law law as settled by decided cases; case-load the cases with which a doctor etc. is concerned at any one time; case-study (a record of) an attempt to understand a person, matter, etc., from collected information about his, her, or its development; casework social work concerned with individual persons or small groups (also more fully social casework); caseworker a social worker involved in casework (also more fully social caseworker)

case,keis/noun2, lme. [Old French casse dial. var. of chasse (mod. chasse reliquary, frame) from Latin capsa box, bookcase, from base of capere to hold: in sense 5 perh. infl. by Italian rasa house.]

1 A thing fitted to contain something else; a box, recep¬ tacle, bag, sheath, etc.; a glass box for displaying speci¬ mens, curiosities, etc. lme. 2 The outer protective or covering part of a natural or manufactured object, as a seed-vessel, chrysalis, sausage, watch, book, etc. lme. 3 The frame in which a door, stair, window, etc., is set. El 6.

4 A box with its appropriate contents; hence, a brace (of pistols etc.), gen. a set. Mi6. 5 The shell or carcass of a building; a house, esp. (slang) a brothel, mi6. 6 printing (now chiefly Hist.). A receptacle divided into compartments for type. L16. 7 In full case-shot. Bullets in an iron case fired from a cannon; shrapnel. E17. 8 In faro, the fourth card of a denomination, remain¬ ing in the box when the other three have been dealt. M19. L! 1 attache case, bookcase, briefcase, card case, cigarette-case, crankcase, dressing-case, notecase, packingcase. pillowcase, showcase, spectacle-case, suitcase, etc. Wardian case 2 Shakes. Wirit. T. They seem’d almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes. OED Cloth cases.. for binding the volume will be issued with the December number. 4 C. Marlowe This case of rapiers. Sir W. Scorr Cicely.. displayed a case of teeth which might have rivalled ivory. R. Brautigan A couple of cases of sweet wine. Phrases: come down to cases, get down to cases US colloq. come to the point, keep cases US colloq. note cards as they are dealt, keep a close watch, lower case (a) (chiefly Hist.) a recep¬ tacle for type for small letters; (b) the small letters used in print¬ ing or (loosely) in writing, typing, etc. upper case (a) (chiefly Hist.) a receptacle for type for capital letters; (b) the capital letters used in printing or (loosely) in writing, typing, etc. Comb, case-bottle la) a bottle that fits in a case with others; (b) a bottle with a protective case; case-harden verb trans. harden on the surface; spec, give a steel surface to (iron) by carburizing; fig. make callous; case-knife a knife carried in a sheath: case-oil oil etc. transported in containers packed in wooden cases; casesensitive adjective (computing) distinguishing between upper-case and lower-case letters for the purposes of searching files, sorting data, etc.; case-shot see sense 7 above: case-weed dial, shep¬ herd's purse: case-worm a caddis-worm.

case /keis/ verb trans. lme. [from case noun2.]

1 Provide with a case; enclose in or as in a case; encase, surround with. lme. 2 Strip ofits case; skin. Now dial. & N. Amer. Li6. 3 Examine beforehand, size up, spy out, esp. in prepar¬ ation for robbery, slang. E20. CQ 1 Pope They case their limbs in brass; to arms they run. E. K. Kane Bones of seals, walrus, and whales—all now cased in ice.J. Gwilt A brick wall.. cased with stone. 3 J. Steinbeck He was casing the field for a career. ■ casing noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) material or a struc¬ ture that encases (surface casing see surface noun & adjective): LI 6.

caseation /keist'eij(a)n/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin caseatio(n-), from Latin caseus cheese; see -ation.]

1 The coagulation of milk; conversion into cheese. Long rare or obsolete, lme. 2 medicine A form of necrosis characteristic of tubercu¬ losis, in which diseased tissue forms a firm and diy mass like cheese in appearance, mi9. ■ caseate verb intrans. [back-form.] undergo caseation (sense 2) LI 9.

casein "keisi:n, -sun/noun. M19. [from Latin caseus cheese + -in1.]

The chief protein of milk; esp. this in coagulated form, as in cheese. ■ caseinogen /-'si:n-, -si'm-/ noun the soluble form in which casein occurs in milk 119. J she.

3

vision,

0

thin.

8

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

353

casemate [ cassette casemate 'keismeit/ noun. Also (earlier) tcasamat. Mi6. [(French from) Italian casamatta, earlier camata, perh. from Creek khasma, pi. -mata, chasm.]

A chamber in the thickness of a wall of a fortress, pro¬ vided with embrasures for defence. Also, an armoured enclosure protecting guns in a warship. ■ casemated adjective provided with casemates mis.

casement/'keism(3)nt/noun. lme. [Anglo-Latin cassimentum, from cassa (Latin capsa case noun2): see -ment.]

1 architecture. A hollow moulding, esp. a cavetto. Also, a matrix made to receive a monumental brass, lme. 2 A vertically-hinged frame with glass forming (part of) a window (the usual sense); literary a window, mi6. Comb.: casement cloth plain fabric used chiefly for curtains; casement window: with a vertically-hinged frame.

caseous/'keisias/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin caseus cheese + -ous.]

1 Of or like cheese, cheesy. Mi7. 2 medicine. Like cheese in appearance; characterized by caseation, mi8. caser /'keiso/ noun, slang. Ei9. [Prob. from Yiddish keser from Hebrew keter crown.]

A crown, five shillings or (now) 25 pence; US a dollar. casern /ka'zoin/ noun. Also -z-, -ne. Li7. [French caserne from Provencal cazema from Proto-Romance from Latin quatema (hut) for four.] A barrack; esp. one erected temporarily in a garrison

town. casevac /'kasivak/ noun, slang. M20. [from CASUALTY + EVACUATION. Cf. TACEVAL.]

The evacuation of casualties of battle by air. cash /kaj/ noun1. Li6. [French casse or its source Italian cassa from Latin capsa case noun2.]

|1 a A box for money; a cash-box. Li6-mis. ►b A sum of money. Li7-mi8. 2 Ready money, actual coins, notes, etc., (opp. credit); (in banking and commerce) coins, or coins and bank¬ notes, as opp. to cheques and orders; gen. (colloq.) money, wealth. li 6. 2 cash and carry (designating) a system whereby the pur¬ chaser pays cash for (bulk orders of) goods and takes them away personally; (a store) trading thus, cash down: see down adverb. cash on delivery the forwarding of goods against cash to be paid to the postman or carrier; abbreviation COD. hard cash (a) coins as opp. to paper money; (b) money as opp. to cheques etc. petty cash: see petty adjective. Comb.: cash-account: to which nothing is carried but cash received and cash paid; cashback (a) an incentive offered to buyers of cars or other products whereby they receive a cash reftind after making their purchase; (b) a facility offered by retailers whereby customers may withdraw cash when making a debit card purchase, the amount withdrawn being added to their bill; cash-book: in which is entered a record of all cash paid and received: cash-box a box where cash is kept; cashcard a coded card inserted into a cash-dispenser to make a with¬ drawal; cash cow colloq. a business, project, etc., which provides a steady cash flow, esp. one considered as an attractive take-over target; cash crop (orig. US): cultivated primarily for its commer¬ cial value (as opp. to subsistence); cash desk a desk where cash is taken in a shop etc.; cash dispenser: see dispenser 3; cash flow the movement of money as affecting liquidity, or as a measure of profitability: cash nexus the relationship consti¬ tuted by monetary transactions; cash payment: in ready money; cashpoint (a location of) a cash-dispenser; cash price: for payment in ready money (the lowest); cash register a till which visibly records the amount of each purchase, totals receipts, etc.; cash-sale: for ready money; cash surrender value the value of an insurance policy etc. cashed before it matures; cash value (a) the value in cash. spec. = cash surrender value above; (b) philosophy the empirical content of a concept, word, or proposition. ■ cashless adjective Mi8.

cash /kaj/ noun2. PI. same. Li6. [Portuguese f cam, caixa from Tamil kacu, infl. by prec.) Hist. Any of various southern Indian, SE Asian, and

Chinese coins of low value. tcash verb' trans. MI6-E19. [Var. of cass verb.] = cashier verb 1,2.

cash /kaj/ verb2. Ei9. [from cash noun'.] 1 verb trans. Give or obtain cash for (a note, cheque, etc.) E19. Fb bridge. Lead (a winning card); win (a trick) by

leading a winning card. M20. 2 cash up Fa verb intrans. Pay the full amount of arrears, pay up. Now chiefly US. E19. >b verb trans. & intrans. Add up (takings etc.). M20. 3 cash in: >a verb trans. Exchange for cash. Li9. Fb verb intrans. Settle accounts (orig. at the end of a poker game); fig. die. L19. Fc Foil, by on: realize profit on; fig. get advan¬ tage from. E20. 3a cash in one’s chips, cash in one’s checks, etc., exchange counters for money on leaving the gaming-table; settle accounts; fig. die. ■ cashable adjective able to be cashed Lt9.

tcasha noun see kasha noun'.

cashel /'kaj(s)l/ noun, M19. [Irish caiseal from Latin castellum fortlet.] In Ireland, an ancient circular wall enclosing a group of ecclesiastical buildings.

cashew /'kafu:, ks'Ju:/noun. Li6. [Portuguese from Tupi (a)cajti.] (More fully cashew tree) a large tree, Anacardium occidentale, native to tropical America and cultivated for its edible kidney-shaped nuts; (more fully cashew-nut) a nut of this tree; the fleshy receptacle bearing several such nuts.

cashier /ka'Jra/ noun. Li6. [Dutch cassier or its source French caissier, from caisse cash noun’: see -ier.[ A person in charge of a bank’s or business’s cash; a person who handles customer payments in a shop etc.

cashier /ks'Jis, ka-/ verb trans. Li6. [Early Flemish kasseren disband (soldiers), revoke (a will), from French casser break, dismiss, rescind = Italian cassare cancel, from Latin quassare quash verb.] 11 Discharge or disband (troops). L16-M18. 2 Dismiss from a position of command or authority, esp. with disgrace; depose. Li6. 3 gen. Dismiss, obsolete exc. as fig. use of sense 2. Li 6. 4 Discard; get rid of. arch. Li 6. £Q 2 W. S. Maugham He'd been kicked out of the Officers’ Club at Warsaw and cashiered because he'd been caught cheating at cards. 3 Addison The Ladies.. have already cashiered several of their Followers. ■ cashierment noun M17.

cashmere /kaj'mra, esp. adjective 'kajmis/ noun & adjective. L17. [Early spelling of Kashmir in Asia (see Kashmiri): cf. cassimere.] ► A noun. 1 (Material made from) the fine soft wool of the Kashmir goat or the wild goat of Tibet; woollen fabric imitating this. L17. 2 A cashmere shawl etc. E19. ► B adjective. Made of cashmere. E19. 5 Rare before 19.

casino /ks'si:nsu/ noun. PI. -os. See also cassino. mis. [Italian, dim. of casa house from Latin rasa cottage.] 1 Orig., a public room used for social meetings; esp. a public music or dancing saloon. Now, a building for gam¬ bling, often with other amenities. M18. 2 A summer-house (spec, in Italy). Ml8.

casita /ka'snts/ noun. N.Amer. Ei9. [Spanish, dim. of casa house, formed as prec.] A small house or building, esp. a wooden cabin,

cask /ka:sk/ noun & verb. E16. [French casque or Spanish casco helmet, casque. In sense i only in English.] ► A noun. 1 A wooden vessel of cylindrical form, usu. bulging in the middle, made of curved staves bound together by hoops, with flat ends, used esp. for alcoholic drinks; a similar vessel of metal, plastic, etc.; a barrel. E16. Fb Such a vessel and its contents; the capacity of such a vessel as a measure for wine, spirits, etc. El 8. |2 a = casket noun 1. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16. Fb A case; a shell. M17-E18. t3 = CASQUE 1. L16-L18. t A 3 fig.: Shakes. Coriol. Not moving From th’ cask to th' cushion, but commanding peace .. As he controll’d the war. Comb.: cask-conditioned adjective (of beer) matured naturally in a cask, without chemical processing. ► B verb trans. Put into a cask, mi6.

casket ka:skit/ noun& verb. lme. [Perh. Anglo-Norman alt. of synon. Old & mod. French CASSETTE.] ► A noun. 1 A small box or chest for jewels, letters, cre¬ mated ashes, or other things of value, itself often of value and richly ornamented, lme. 2 A (rectangular) coffin. Orig. US. mi9.

2 zoology A helmet-like structure, as in the cassowaries and hombills. Li 8. casquet /'ka:skit;/orrign ka:ske (pi same)/ noun. E17. [French, dim, of casque: see -et'.[ Hist. A light and open helmet.

cass /kas/ verb trans. obsolete exc. Scot. lme. [French casser from Latin quassare quash verb, the sense later infl. by cassare annul.] 1 Make void, annul, quash, lme.

2 Discharge; cashier. M16. cassab /ka'saib/ noun. Li9. [Urdu from Arab, kassdb player of a flute or pipe.]

An Asian merchant seaman, cassada noun var. of. cassava. Cassandra /ks'sandrs/ noun. E17. [Latin from Greek Kas(s)andra, daughter of Priam king of Troy, con¬ demned by Apollo to prophesy correctly but never to be believed.]

A prophet of disaster, esp. one who is disbelieved. cassareep 'kasarrp/ noun. M19. [Carib.]

A thick brown syrup prepared by boiling down the juice of the cassava with sugar, spices, etc. cassata ks’scuts/ noun. E20. [Italian.]

A Neapolitan ice-cream containing fruit and nuts. tcassate verb trans. L15-MI8. [Latin cassat- pa. ppi = cass verb.

stem

of cassare:

see cass

verb, -ate3.]

cassation /ks'seij(s)n/ noun', lme. [formed as prec.: see -ation.]

Annulment, cancellation; an instance of this. Court of Cassation a court of appeal in France etc.

cassation /ka'seij(s)n/ noun2. Li9. [German Kassation serenade from Italian cassazione.] music. An eighteenth-century orchestral composition

resembling a serenade. cassava /ka'scuva/ noun. Also -da /-da/. Mi6. [Taino casavi, cazdbbi, infl. by French rassave, Spanish cassava.]

1 A plant of the spurge family, Manihot esculenta (also called manioc), much grown in the tropics for its edible tuberous roots and having two groups of cultivars, those containing high amounts of cyanide in their untreated roots (more fully bitter cassava) and those with low amounts of cyanide (more fully sweet cassava). M16. 2 Starch or flour obtained from the roots of this plant; bread made from this. Li 6. casse /ka:s/ noun'. L19. [French, from casser to break.]

Souring of certain wines, accompanied by the loss of colour and the throwing of a sediment. casse noun2 var. of cassie noun'. Cassegrain /kasfgrein/ noun. Li9. [from Giovanni Cassegrain (1625-1712), French astronomer.]

1 Used attrib. with ref. to a kind of reflecting telescope having a convex secondary mirror which pro¬ duces a focus at an aperture in the centre of the primary mirror, as Cassegrain focus. Cassegrain telescope, etc. LI 9. 2 A Cassegrain telescope. Li 9. astronomy.

■ Cassegrainian adjective pertaining to or designating a tele¬ scope of this kind E19.

Casseiver /ks'siivs/ noun. Also c-.

120.

[from CASSETTE + RECEIVER.]

(Proprietary name for) a combined cassette recorder and radio receiver. casserole /'kassrsul/ noun & verb. Ei8. [French, extension of rassole dim. of casse from Provencal casa from late Latin cattia ladle, pan from Greek kuathion, -eion dim. of kuathos cup: see -ole1.] ► A noun. 1 A covered heatproof vessel in which food is

tCasleu noun see Kislev.

cooked and served (now also casserole dish, casserole pan. etc.); (a dish of) food cooked in this. E18. 2 The edging or outer portion of certain dressed dishes. Now rare. E18. ► B verb trans. Cook in a casserole. M20.

Caslon /'kazbn/ noun. M19

cassette /ko’set/noun. Lis.

CD 1 fig.: Shakes John They found him dead,. .An empty casket, where the jewel of life.. was.. ta’en away.

► B verb trans. Enclose or store in a casket. E17.

[William Caslon, father (1692-1766) and son (1720-78), English typefounders.] More fully Caslon font. Caslon type. etc. A style of type cut by the Caslons or imitated from theirs.

[French, dim. of casse, caisse case noun2: see -ette.] 1 A casket. Now rare. Li 8.

[from Latin Caspius (Greek Karpins) + -an.] ► A adjective. Designating, of, or pertaining to an inland sea of central Asia. M16. ► B noun. The Caspian Sea. L16,

2 A container for transporting photographic plates; a frame or holder for an X-ray plate or film. L19. 3 A container for a spool of magnetic tape, photo¬ graphic film, etc., fashioned so as to be immediately usable on insertion into equipment designed for it; (now usu.) such a container together with its tape, film, etc.; a video or audio magnetic recording on such a tape etc.

casque /ka:sk/ noun. Li7.

M20.

Caspian /'kaspisn/ adjective & noun. Mi6.

[French from Spanish casco: cf. cask.] 1 A piece of armour to cover the head; a helmet. Now Hist, or poet. L17.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw. a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. ao how. ei day, 0

4 genetics. A block of genetic material which can be inserted or moved as a unit, esp. one which is expressed only at one location. L20. no. e: hair, is near, si boy, us poor, a is tire, aus sour

354

cassia [cast Comb, cassette deck, cassette player cassette recorder, cassette tape-recorder: designed to (record and) play back magnetic tapes.

the clergy.

cassia /’kasra/ noun. oe. [Latin cas(s)ia from Creek kasia from Hebrew qesfah.]

1 An inferior kind of cinnamon; esp. the bark of the Far Eastern tree Cinnamomum cassia, of the bay family. Also cassia bark. oe. kb The tree yielding this. Also cassia tree. lme. kc A fragrant tree or shrub (cf. Psalms 45t8)poet. Li 6. 2 Any leguminous plant of the genus Cassia, esp. one yielding senna. Also called shower tree. lme. >b Any medicinal product obtained from this. M16. tcassidony noun', me-mis. [Old French cassidoine popular var. of calcidoine formed as CHALCEDONY.]

= CHALCEDONY. [Origin unkn.]

French lavender, Lavandula stoechas. cassie /'kasi/ noun'. Also casse /kas/. Li7. [French (papier) casse broken (paper).]

In full cassie paper. The paper of the two outside quires of a ream. cassie /'kasi/ noun2. N. Amer. Li9. [French from Provencal cario acacia.]

The opopanax tree. Acacia famesiana. cassimere 'kasimio/ noun. mis. [Var. of cashmere.]

A medium-weight twilled woollen cloth of soft texture. Cf. KERSEYMERE. Cassinese /kasi'ni:z/ adjective & noun. PL of noun same. L19. [Italian, from Monte Cassino where the earliest Benedictine mon¬ astery was founded: see -ese.]

(A monk) of the Benedictine order of Monte Cassino. cassinette /kasi'net/ noun. Ei9. [Perh. alt. of cassimere: see -ette.]

A thin fine twilled cloth with a cotton warp and a weft of wool or wool and silk.

cassolette /kasa'let/ noun. Also -et. Mt7. [French from Provencal casoleta dim. of casola, from casa: see CASSEROLE, -ETTE.]

1 A vessel in which perfumes are burned, m 17. 2 A box with a perforated cover for diffusing the odour of perfume in it. E19. 3 A small casserole dish; (a dish of) food cooked in this. E19.

cassone /ka'saoni, foreign kas'so:ne/ noun. PL -nes /-mz/, -nil-ml. Li9. [Italian, augm. of cassa chest.] A large Italian coffer, esp. to hold a bride’s trousseau. cassoulet /'kasulei/ noun. M20. [French, dim. of dial, cassolo stew-pan, tureen.] A ragout of meat and beans. cassowary /'kasowori, -we:ri/ noun. E17. [Malay kesuari.] Any of the large flightless birds of the genus Casuarius, related to the emu and native to New Guinea, neigh¬ bouring islands, and Queensland. Cassubian noun & adjective see Kashubian. cassumunar /kasa'mju:na/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Also t-iar. L17. [App. of Eastern origin.] The aromatic root of a plant of the ginger family used medicinally in the Indian subcontinent and eastern Asia, and probably a form of zedoary. cast /ka:st/ noun', me.

[from Cassini (see below) + -an.] math. Of or pertaining to the French astronomer G. D.

Cassini (1625-1712) or other astronomers descended from him, or their work. Chiefly in Cassinian oval below. Cassinian oval an oval with two foci such that the product of the focal distances of any point on the curve is a constant (instead of their sum being constant, as in an ellipse); any closed curve defined in this way.

cassino /ka'si:nao/ noun. lis. [Var. of casino.]

A two-handed card-game in which players match or combine cards exposed on the table with cards from their hands. Also, either of two high-scoring cards in this game, (a) big cassino, (now rare) great cassino, the ten of diamonds, (b) little cassino, the two of spades. Cassiopeia /.kasiau'pba, kasi'aupia/ noun. Mi6. [Mother of Andromeda in Creek mythol.]

(The name of) a conspicuous constellation of the north¬ ern hemisphere, between the polestar and Andromeda. cassiri /ka’siari/noun. Lis. [Carib: cf. cassareep.]

An intoxicating liquor made in Guyana from sweet potatoes. cassis /ka'sits, 'kasis/ noun'. L19. [French = blackcurrant, app. from Latin cassia.]

A (freq. alcoholic) syrup made from blackcurrants and used to flavour drinks etc. cassis /ka'si/ noun2.120. [See below.]

A wine produced in the region of Cassis, a small town near Marseilles. cassiterite 'ka'sitor.ut/ noun, mi9. [from Creek kassiteros tin + -ite1.] mineralogy. Native tin dioxide, Sn02, which is the major

ore of tin and is a tetragonal mineral usu. occurring as yellow, brown, or reddish prisms. Cassius /'kasias/ noun. M19. [Andreas Cassius (c 1605-73). German physician and chemist.]

purple of Cassius, a purple pigment consisting of a col¬ loidal mixture of metallic gold and tin(rv) dioxide, cassock '‘kasak/ noun & verb. Mi6. [French casaque long coat from Italian casacca riding-coat, prob. from Turkic kazak: see Cossack.]

► A noun. 11 A long coat or cloak worn by soldiers. Lonc verb trans. & intrans. Of a bird of prey: regurgitate. Lis. 16 verb trans. Throw aside, reject, discard; dismiss, expel, me. 17 verb trans. Throw up with a spade etc., dig up or out. Now chiefly Scot. lme. ►fb Raise by digging, throw up (a mound etc.). LI6-M17. ta 14 J. Selden The Eagle had cast its feathers, and could towre no more. Thackeray The horse had cast a shoe, b AV Rev. 6:13 As a figge tree casteth her vntimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty winde. 15b Pope Not louder shouts to pitying Heav'n are cast. 16 Shakes. Oth. The state .. Cannot with safety cast him. 17 W. Raleigh A newe ditch lately cast by Perseus, b Milton Pioneers.. to trench a field Or cast a rampart.

► III Calculate, devise, design. 18 verb trans. & intrans. Reckon, calculate, sum up (accounts etc.); calculate and record the details of (a horoscope), me. >fb Forecast, speculate. LME-M17. 19 verb trans. & tintrans. (with inf.). Contrive, devise, scheme, me. |20 verb trans. & intrans. Revolve in the mind, deliberate, ponder, lme-eis. f 21 verb intrans. Intend, determine to do. lme-ei9. ea is d. Brewster Drawing an income from casting nativ¬ ities. Tennyson Who would cast and balance at a desk? 191. Walton Before you begin to angle, cast to have the wind on your back. E. B. Browning Do not cast Ambiguous paths.. for my feet. 20 Caxton They caste.. how they myght breng hym out of prison. Addison Casting in my thoughts the several unhappinesses of life. 21 Sir W. Scott The marshall and myself had cast To stop him.

► IV Arrange, shape; found. 22 verb trans. Put into shape, arrange, dispose, lay out; put into a particular form. Now only of immaterial things, and passing into fig. use of sense 23. ME. 23 verb trans. Form (a plastic or liquid substance, esp. molten metal) into a shape by pouring it into a mould; form (an object) of metal etc. in this way; found. Lis. f24 verb trans. Arrange or dispose (colours) in painting. M16-M17. 25 verb trans. Allocate (the roles in a play, film, etc.) to the actors; appoint (an actor) in or for a role, as a charac¬ ter. El 8. ta 22 AV They did not cast the streets, nor proportion the houses in such comely fashion. Addison Casting into an Opera the Story of Whittington and his Cat. P. G. Wodehouse The thing was cast in narrative form. 23 R. Eden They.. melte it & caste it fyrste into masses or wedges. W. Hogarth A figure cast in soft wax. fig.: R. Graves These lieutenants .. were all cast in the same mould. 24 ]. Lyly Cunning Painters who for the whitest worke, cast the blackest ground. 25 P. G. Wodehouse Cast for the part of Macbeth. L. Hellman 1.. cast the play with a kind of aban¬ doned belief that good actors can play anything.

► V Turn, twist; incline. 26 verb intrans. & trans. Turn, veer; bring (a ship) round. Now only nautical. lme. 27 verb trans. (in pass.) & intrans. Of timber: be warped, warp. Mi6. 28 verb trans. Turn (the scale or balance). Now only fig. Cf. casting vote s.v. casting ppl adjective. Li6. f29 verb intrans. Incline, slant. L16-L18. 30 verb intrans. Of hunters, hounds, etc.: go searching, spread out and search (in a given general direction). (Cf. cast about below.) L16. ID 26 F. Marryat Her foresail is loose, all ready to cast her. W. C. Russell The wind has so got hold of her that she won’t cast one way or the other. 29 T. Best Which way the ground casts. 30 G. J. Whyte-Melville Like a hound.. casting forward upon a vague speculation.

► VI 31 verb trans. & intrans. Tie (a knot), make (a loop); entangle, catch. L16. HI 31 R. Price Struggling.. to hold off the snake from casting again. Two coils—you’re lost Phrases, & with adverbs in specialized senses: cast about (o) go this way and that in search, seek to discover or devise means, (for, to do, how): (b) arch, change course or direction, cast accounts see account noun, cast a clout: see clout noun1 4. cast adrift leave to drift, cast anchor, see anchor noun', cast an eye glance, have a quick look, cast around = cast about above cast ashore (of waves etc.) deposit on the shore, cast aside discard, abandon. cost a slur on see slur nounJ 1 cast aspersions (on) utter asper¬ sions (regarding), slander, cast 0 stone (at): see stone noun, cast away (a) throw away, squander, reject; (b) cast ashore, strand (cf. castaway); (in pass., of a ship) be wrecked, feast by discard, cast down (a) throw down, destroy, demolish, overthrow; (b) bend or turn downward; dispirit, depress, (usu. in pass.: cf. downcast adjective), cast forth throw out. expel, eject, cast in a heroic a cat,

a: arm,

s bed,

a: her.

1

sit,

i cosy,

i: see,

d hot,

mould: see mould noun3, cast in a person’s dish: see dish noun 1. cast in a person’s teeth: see tooth noun, cast in one’s lot with: see lot noun, cost light on see light noun, cast loose unfasten, set adrift, detach (oneself), cast lots: see lot noun, cast off (a) throw off, abandon, discard; (b) knitting take (a stitch) off a needle by looping it over the next; take off all stitches in this way to finish an edge; (c) verb phr. trans. & intrans. loosen and throw off (a mooring rope etc.); (d) typography calculate the space required in print by (copy), cast on knitting make (a stitch) on a needle; make the first row of stitches on a needle, cast one's bread upon the waters: see water noun, cast one’s mind back see mind noun'. cast out (a) expel, eject; (b) dial, disagree, quarrel, cast pearls before swine: see pearl noun' 2. cast round = cast about above, cast stones (at): see stone noun, cast the first stone: see stone noun, cast the glove: see glove noun, cast the gorge (at): see gorge noun', cast the lead: see lead noun1, cast to the (four) winds: see wind noun', cast up (a) throw up; (of the sea etc.) deposit on shore; raise up by digging etc.: (dial, or obsolete) vomit; cost up the gorge see gorge noun' : (b) add (a column of figures etc.), count; (c) dial, utter as a reproach, feast water diagnose disease by the inspection of urine, the die is cast: see die noun1. [from Latin Castalia (see below) from Greek Kastalia.]

Of or pertaining to Castalia, the fountain sacred to the Muses on Mount Parnassus; of or pertaining to the Muses.

Castalie /'kastsli/ noun. arch, or poet. Also -ly. Ei7. [Alt. of Castalia; see prec.]

A spring of pure water; a source of inspiration.

castaneous /ka'stemiss/ adjective,

rare. L17. [from Latin castanea chestnut (see chesten) + -ous: see -eous.]

Chestnut-coloured.

castanet /kasts'net/ noun. E17. [Spanish castaneta (with later assim. to French castagnette) dim. of castana from Latin castanea chestnut: see chesten, -et1.]

A small concave piece of hardwood, ivory, etc., clicked or rattled in pairs as a rhythmic accompaniment to a Spanish dance etc. Usu. in pi.

castaway /'kcustswei/ noun & adjective. Ei6.

shipwrecked,

[Spanish & Portuguese casta use as noun (sc. raza, rapa race) of fern, of casto pure, unmixed from Latin castus: cf. chaste adjective.] 1 A race, a stock, a breed, obsolete in gen. sense. M16.

2 A Hindu hereditary class of socially equal persons, united in religion and usu. following similar occupa¬ tions, distinguished from other castes in the hierarchy by its relative degree of purity or pollution. E17. Fb Any more or less exclusive social class. E19. 3 The position conferred by membership of a caste. 118. 4 The system of division of society into castes. M19. 5 The form of a social insect having a particular func¬ tion. mi 9. ea 1 half-caste see half- 2 Scheduled Caste: see scheduled, b R. G. Collingwood The view that artists can or should form a special order or caste. B. R. 0. Anderson Elimination of the samurai as a legal caste. 3 lose caste be deprived of membership of one's caste: descend in the social scale. 4 Max-Muller In India caste.. has existed from the earliest times. Comb.: caste-mark: on the forehead, denoting membership of a particular Hindu caste: caste-system a system of division of society into castes. 5 The four original Hindu castes, later greatly augmented, were priests, warriors, merchants, and artisans (see brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudra). ■ casteless adjective L19.

casteism /ka:stiz(s)m/ noun. Also castism. L19. [from prec. + -ism.)

(Belief in or advocacy of) the system of division of society into castes. ■ casteist noun & adjective (a) noun a believer in or advocate of casteism: (b) adjective of or pertaining to casteism or casteists: M20.

■ Also castellate adjective (rare) M19.

castellation /kasts'leiJ(s)n/noun. Ei9. [from medieval Latin castellat- pa. ppl stem of castellate build castles, from castellum; see castle noun1, -ation.]

The building of castles or battlements; a castellated structure, a battlement.

castelry /'kast(a)lri/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist.

117.

[Old French castelerie from medieval Latin castellaria, from castellum: see castle noun1, -RY.]

(The territory subject to) the jurisdiction of a castle. caster /'ka:sta/ noun. In branch II also (& more usual in sense 4) -or. lme. [from cast verb + -er1.]

► 11 A person who casts something, lme. 2 A Monotype machine for casting type. E20. ► II3 A small bottle, jar, etc., with a perforated top, used for sprinkling pepper, sugar, etc., on food (in pi. some¬ times including cruets for vinegar, oil, etc.). Li7. 4 A small swivel wheel on the leg of a chair, table, etc. mis. Comb.: castor action the swivelling of vehicle wheels to ensure stability; caster sugar finely granulated white sugar.

[Old Northern French (mod. chatelet) dim. of castel: see castle noun'. -ET1. Cf. CASTLET, CHATELET.)

A small castle. castellan /'kastslsn/ noun. Also t-ane. See also Castilian noun2, lme. [Old Northern French rastelain (mod. chatelain) from medieval Latin castellanus use as noun of Latin adjective, from castellum forti¬ fied place: see castie noun', -an, and cf. chatelain. In sense 2 from medieval Latin.) 1 Hist. The governor of a castle, lme. f 2 = CASTILIAN noun2. Scot. E16-E17 ■ castellany noun the office or jurisdiction of a castellan; the territory subject to a castellan: lme.

castellar /ka'steb/ adjective. 118. [from Latin castellum (see castle noun') + -ar1.]

Pertaining to or of the nature of a castle. ai my,

1 Inflict suffering on to punish or subdue; chastise; rebuke severely. E17. |2 Reduce in intensity, moderate. M17-L18. 3 Correct, revise, and emend (a literary work etc.), arch. M17. £□ 1 A. Brink Castigating my body like some mediaeval nun. H. Kissinger An editorial castigating the Nixon Admin¬ istration for misleading the American people. 2 R. Burns When your castigated pulse Gies now and then a wallop. 3 Evelyn Seneca's tragedies .. have .. been castigated abroad by several learned hands. ■ castigator noun E17. castigatory adjective & noun (a) adjective corrective, punitive; f(b) noun an instrument of chastisement: E17.

castigation /kasti'geij(s)n/ noun. lme. [Latin castigatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.]

The action or an act of castigating; chastisement; a rebuke; arch, (a) revision, (an) emendation. Castile /ka'sti:l/ noun. Also f castle, lme. [Castile (see next) in Spain, where orig. made.] In full Castile soap. A fine hard white or mottled soap

made with olive oil and soda. Castilian /ka'stilisn/noun1 & adjective. Lis. [Spanish Castellano, from Costello Castile (see below); later from Castile: see -an, -ian.] ► A noun. 1 A particular Spanish gold coin. Long obsolete exc. Hist. Li 5.

2 The form of Spanish spoken in the province (earlier the kingdom) of Castile; standard literary Spanish. M16. 3 A native or inhabitant of Castile, li 6. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Castile, Castilian, or Cas¬ tilians. Mi6. Castilian /ka'stilisn/ noun2, obsolete exc. Hist. Li 6. [Alt. of castellan.]

A member of the garrison of a castle; a person living in a castle. casting /'kaistig/ noun. me.

castelet/'kastslu/ noun. Also -II-. me.

a ago,

1 Built like a castle; battlemented; resembling a castle. L17. 2 Furnished or dotted with castles. Ei9.

[Latin castigat- pa. ppl stem of castigare, from castus pure: see

caste /ka:st/ noun. Also feast. Mi6.

u: too,

[from medieval Latin castellatus, from castellum: see castle noun', -ATE2, -ED1.]

-ATE3.]

2 A shipwrecked person. L18. 3 An outcast; a drifter. Mi9. ► B adjective. Rejected, abandoned; stranded; (arch.) reprobate. M16.

put.

M19. castellated /'kastsleitid/ adjective. Li7.

castigate/'kastigert/ verb trans. E17.

[from cast ppl adjective + away adverb.] ► A noun. 1 A reprobate, arch. E16.

a run. u

[Back-form, from next.] 1 verb intrans. Take the form of a castle. M19. 2 verb trans. Build like a castle; build with battlements.

castellet noun var. of castelet.

Castalian /ka'steilisn/ adjective. L16.

a: saw,

castellate /'kastsleit/ verb. rare. Mi9.

[from cast verb + -INC1.]

1 The action of cast verb. me. 2 a That which is cast up; a worm-cast etc.; a pellet dis¬ gorged by a hawlc etc. lme. fb An object cast in metal. Lis. Comb.: casting-bottle Hist, a vinaigrette, casting-couch joe: on which actresses are said to be seduced in return for being awarded parts in films etc., casting-director one responsible for assigning roles inafilm. play, etc.; casting-net = cast-net s.v. cast noun'.

casting /'kaistig/ ppl adjective, me. [formed as prec. + -ing2.]

1 That casts, me. 2 Deciding, decisive. Ei7. 2 casting vote a vote that decides between two equal parties, esp. when (entitled to be) used by a chairman etc.

au how, ei day. so no.

:: hair,

is near,

si boy. us poor, ais tire, aus sour

356

castle | cat castrate /'kastreit/ noun & adjective, lme.

castle /'ka:s(a)l/ noun', loe. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French castel var. of chaste! (mod. chateau) from Latin castellum dim. of castmm fortified place: see -le2. In branch II rendering late Latin (Vulgate) castellum village, Latin castra camp.]

► 11 A (usu. large) fortified building or set of buildings; a stronghold (lit. & fig.); (esp. in proper names) a mansion that was once such. Also (in proper names), a site of ancient earthworks, loe. >b A model or representation of such a building or buildings, lme. 2 A tower mounted on an elephant’s back; a movable tower formerly used in warfare, me. 3 An elevated structure on the deck of a ship, obsolete exc. in forecastle, me. 4 A large ship, esp. of war. literary. Li6. 5 chess. = rook noun2. M17. tQ 1 Proverb: An Englishman's house is his castle, castle in the air, castle In Spain a visionary project, a daydream unlikely to be realized (see also build castles in the air s.v. air noun' 3). the Castle irish history the viceregal government and administradon. of which Dublin Castle was the seat, b bouncing castle, bouncy castle a large inflatable in the form of a castle for people to throw themselves around in. sandcastle: see sand noun.

►t II 6 In biblical translations and allusions: a village. LOE-M16. f7 sing. & (usu.) in pi. A camp, me-lis. Comb. : castle-builder fig. a person who builds cashes in the air. a daydreamer: castle-building fig. the building of castles in the air. daydreaming: castle-guard Hist, a form of feudal service by which a tenant was bound to defend his lord's castle; the tenure of such service; a tax orig. paid in commutation of this service; castle-nut mechanics a nut with a notched extension for a locking-pin: castle pudding: steamed or baked in a small mould; castleward Hist. = castle-guard above.

2 A chance occurrence; an accident, a mishap, a disas¬ ter. lme. ► b A person killed or injured in war or an acci¬ dent; a thing lost or destroyed, mi9. 3 An incidental charge or payment; spec, (scots law, now Hist.) a payment due from a vassal in certain contingen¬ cies. LME. f4 Subjection to chance, uncertainty. E16-E19. 5 In full casualty department, casualty ward. The part of a hospital where casualties are attended to. mi 9.

castrate /ka'streit, 'kastreit/ verb trans. mi6. [Latin castrat- pa. ppl stem of castrare: see -ate3.] 1 Remove the testicles of; geld; fig. deprive of potency,

vigour, or force. Mi6. 2 Expurgate (a text), obsolete exc. as passing into fig. use of sense l. E17. ■ ca strative adjective of or pertaining to castration, tending to deprive of potency M20. ca'strator noun E19. castration /ka'streij(a)n/ noun. lme.

B3 1 S. Johnson Combinations of skilful genius with happy casualty. 2 Shakes. Per. Time hath rooted out my parentage, And to the world and awkward casualties Bound me in servi¬ tude. Swift Several casualties have happened this week, and the bill of mortality is very much increased, b S. Sassoon About 40 casualties; only 4 killed.]. T. Story His own father's wool business was a casualty of the war years.

[French, or Latin castratio(ti-), formed as prec.: see -ation.]

The action or an act of castrating someone or some¬ thing; the fact of being castrated. Comb.: castration complex psychoanalysis (a) a man's neurotic and unconscious fear of castration resulting from childhood fears of his father; (b) a woman's neurotic anxiety caused by her unconsciously feeling that she has been castrated.

casuarina /kasjus'rtna/ noun. Li8. [mod. Latin, from casuarius cassowary (from resemblance of the branches to the bird’s feathers).] A tree of the genus Casuarina (family Casuarinaceae),

castrato /ka'strcrtau/ noun. PI. -ti /-ti/. mis. [Italian, use as noun of pa. pple of castrare castrate.] Hist. An adult male singer castrated in boyhood so as to

native to Australia and parts of SE Asia, with jointed branches resembling gigantic horsetail plants,

retain a soprano or alto voice. castrensian /ka'strcnsian/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin castretisis adjective, from castra camp, + -an.]

casuist/'kazjuist, -jj-/ noun. E17. [French casuiste from Spanish casuista from mod. Latin, from Latin casus case noun': see-ist.]

Of or pertaining to a military camp.

A person, esp. a theologian, who resolves cases of con¬ science, duty, etc.; a sophist, a quibbler. ■ casu istic, casu istical adjectives of or pertaining to casuists or casuistry Mi7. casu istically adverb L17. casuistry noun the rea¬

Castroism /'kastrsuizfajm/ noun. M20. [from Fidel Castro Ruz (1927- ), Cuban statesman + -ism.]

The political principles or actions of Fidel Castro or his adherents or imitators. Cf. Fidelism.

soning of the casuist; the resolution of cases of conscience by the application of general rules to particular instances, ffeq. disclos¬ ing a conflict of duties; sophistry: E18.

[Latin.]

castle /'ka:s(a)l/ verb. lme.

A Roman encampment or fortress.

[from castle noun'.]

1 verb trans. Provide or equip with castles or battle¬ ments. Chiefly as castled ppl adjective, lme. 2 verb trans. Enclose (as) in a castle. Li6. 3 verb intrans. chess. Move the king two squares towards a rook and the rook to the square which the king has crossed; (ofthe king) move thus in relation to a rook. Mi7. ►b verb trans. Move (the king) thus in relation to a rook. M18.

castlet /'kcrslit/ noun. Mi6. [Var. of castelet assim. to castle noun', or from castle noun' + -LET.]

A small castle. castling /'ka:stlir|/ noun. Long obsolete exc.

dial.

L16.

[from cast ppl adjective or noun' + -ling1.]

1 An aborted offspring. li 6. f2 = cast noun1 sd. E-M17. & north. Also cust- /'kxst-/. L15. [Phonet. devel. of kale-stock s.v. kale.] Scot.

A cabbage stalk or stem. cast-off /'kcrstDf/ ppl adjective & noun. eis. [from cast ppl adjective + off adverb.]

► A ppl adjective. Thrown away, abandoned, rejected, dis¬ carded. El 8. ► B noun. 1 A person who or thing which is cast off, esp. an unwanted garment, eis. 2 typography. A calculation of the space required for a given amount of copy in a particular typographic form. L19. castor /'ka.’sta/ noun1, lme. [Old & mod. French or Latin from Creek kastor.]

1 The beaver; its pelt. Now rare. lme. A pungent, bitter-tasting, reddish-brown substance obtained from two perineal sacs of the beaver, used in medicine and perfumery. Ei7. 3 A hat, orig. of (beaver’s) fur. arch, slang. M17. 2

castor/'kcusto/ noun2, mis. [Origin uncertain: perh. = castor noun' 2, as having succeeded it in medical use.]

castor oil, a pale yellow oil from the seeds of a tropical or subtropical shrub or tree, Ricinus communis, used as a purgative and lubricant. Comb, castor bean, castor oil bean (a seed of) the castor oil plant; castor oil plant the plant that yields castor oil, esp. as grown as a pot plant.

castor noun3 see caster. castoreum /ka'sto:nam/ noun. Also t-ry. me. [Latin, formed as castor noun'.]

= castor noun' 2. castral /'kastr(a)l/ adjective,

[Alt. of medieval Latin casualitas (see prec.) after penalty, royalty, etc.: see -tv'.] 1 Chance. Now rare, lme,

castrum /'kastrsm/noun. PL castra /'kastra/. M19.

tcastle noun2 var. of Castile.

castock /'kastok/ noun.

casualty/’kajjuslti, -zj-/noun. lme.

[Latin castratus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate', -ate2.] ► A noun. A castrated man or animal, lme. ► B adjective. Castrated. Now rare or obsolete. E18.

rare.

Mi6.

icasule noun. OE-E19. [(Old French from) late Latin casula hooded cloak: see chasuble.]

casual /'kajjoal, -zj-/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old 8, mod. French casuel and Latin casualis (in its late and medi¬ eval uses), from casus case noun': see -al'.] ► A adjective. 1 Due to, characterized by. or subject to

chance; accidental, fortuitous, lme. ►Tb Non-essential. LME-M17. 2 Occurringunpredictably; irregular; occasional, lme. |3 Frail, precarious, unreliable. E16-E18. 4 Occurring or brought about without design or pre¬ meditation; having no specific plan, method, motiv¬ ation, or interest; performed or entered into casually; spec, designating or pertaining to sex between individ¬ uals who are not regular or established sexual partners. M17. 5 Of a person, action, etc.: unmethodical, careless; unconcerned, uninterested; informal, unceremonious. li 9. ►b Of an item of clothing: suitable for informal wear. M20. £□ 1 W. Raleigh That which seemeth most casual and subject to fortune, is yet disposed by the ordinance of God. Milton Where casual fire had wasted woods. 2 Clarendon Both the known and casual Revenue. J. Cary The few shil¬ lings a week earned.. at casual and temporary jobs. 3 J. Worlidge In case.. the weather prove casual. 4 D. G. Mitchell I made some casual remark about the weather. J. Conrad A casual stroll or a casual spree on shore. Conan Doyle A problem without a solution may interest the student, but can hardly fail to annoy the casual reader. 5 G. Greene It needed only a casual inspection to realise how badly the office had been kept. A. Lurie We were both very strained, though we pretended to be casual. J. Irving He puts up a casual hand to catch it.

Special collocations: casual acquaintance: whom one met inci¬ dentally or whom one meets only occasionally, casual labourer: without permanent employment, working when the chance comes, casual pauper, casual poor Hist.: receiving occa¬ sional relief, admitted temporarily to a workhouse, casual ward, etc. casual ward Hist, a place for the temporary accommodation of vagrants, casual water golf a temporary accumulation of water not constituting one of the recognized hazards of the course. ► B noun, fl A chance. Usu. in pi. lme-mi7. 2 A casual item of income, rare. Ei9. 3 A casual labourer, mi9. 4 A casual pauper. Now arch, or Hist, mi9. 5 An introduced plant, animal, etc., which fails to establish itself. L19. 6 An item of casual clothing; spec, a low-heeled slip-on shoe. Usu. in pi. M20. 7 A hooligan who dresses conventionally in casual clothing, slang. L20. ■ casualism noun the doctrine that all things exist or happen by chance Li9. casually adverb lme. casualness noun L19.

= CHASUBLE. casus belli /,ka:sos 'beli:, ,keisas 'belAi/ noun phr. PI. same. M19. [from Latin casus case noun' + belli genit. of helium war.]

An act or situation justifying or precipitating war. casus foederis /,ka:sus 'foidaris, .keisos 'fhdsris/ noun phr. PI. same. L18. [from Latin casus case noun' + foederis genit. offoedus treaty.]

An event which, under the terms of a treaty of alliance, entitles one of the allies to help from the other(s). CAT /kat/ abbreviation. 1 Chiefly Hist. College of Advanced Technology. 2 medicine. Computed (or computerized) axial (or computer-assisted) tomography (cf. CT). cat/kat/ noun'. [Old English catt masc. (= Old Norse kpttr), carte fern. (= Old Frisian, Middle Dutch katte, Dutch kat. Old High German kazza, German katze), reinforced in Middle English by Anglo-Norman, Old North¬ ern French cat var. of Old & mod. French chat from late Latin cattus.]

1 An agile, partly nocturnal, quadrupedal carnivorous mammal, Fells catus, with smooth fur and retractile claws, long domesticated as a pet. oe. fb Any of numer¬ ous related animals constituting the family Felidae, including the lion, tiger, leopard, lynx, etc. Also, any of various catlike animals of other taxa. Mi6. kc In full catfish: (a.) any of various mainly freshwater fishes of the order Siluriformes, having several sensory barbels and scaleless bodies: (b) = wolf-fish s.v. wolf noun; (c) a cuttle¬ fish or other cephalopod. Li6. 2 fig. A spiteful person, esp. (derog.) a spiteful or malicious woman; a prostitute (obsolete exc. in cat-house (a) below). me. fb A person, a fellow (usu. of a specified kind); a jazz enthusiast, slang. E20. 3 A small piece of wood tapering at each end, used in the game of tipcat; the game itself, lme. 4 Hist. A movable penthouse used by besiegers for pro¬ tection. li 5. 5 nautical. (In full cathead, fcat’s-head) a horizontal beam extending from each side of a ship’s bow for raising and cariying an anchor; (in full cat-purchase, cat-tackle) a tackle used in hoisting an anchor to the cathead. L15. 6 Hist. In full cat-o'-nine-tails. A rope whip with nine knotted lashes for flogging sailors, soldiers, or criminals. L17. 7 A double tripod with six legs so placed that it always rests on three legs. E19. C3 1 Maltese cat. Manx cat. Persian cat. Siamese cat. tortoiseshell cat. tabby cat. etc. b bear-cat, big cat. bobcat, civet-cat. native cat. polecat, sea-cat. tiger-cat. wild cat. etc.

[from Latin castra camp + -al'.]

Of or pertaining to a camp. castrametation /,kastrami'te]J(3)n/ noun. Li7. [French castrametation, from Latin castra metari measure or mark out a camp.] The designing or laying out of military camps, b but, d dog,

f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

casuality /kajjo'aliti, -zj-/ noun. Now rare. Ei6.

2b C. MacInnes The coloured cats saw I had an ally, and melted, hep-cat: see hep adjective, hip-cat: see hip adjective.

[French casualite from medieval Latin casuaUtas, from casualis- see CASUAL, -ITY.]

ti A casual item of income. E16-L17. 12 (A) chance; esp. an unfortunate accident, MI6-LI8. 3 The quality or state of being casual, casualness. Li9. man. n no, p pen, r red. s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo,

Phrases: bell the cat see bell verb3, enough to make a cat laugh extremely amusing, fat cat: see fat adjective, grin like a Cheshire cat: see Cheshire 2. Kilkenny cat let the cat out ofthe bag reveal a secret, esp. involuntarily, like a cat on hot bricks 1

she,

3

vision,

6

thin, 3 this, g ring, tj chip, d3 jar

357

cat | catalyst

& vars., (moving) quickly and uneasily, like a scalded cat: see scalded adjective', like something the cat brought in bedrag¬ gled, unkempt, no room to swing a cat in: see room noun’, not a cat in hell’s chance no chance whatever not room to swing a cot in: see room noun', play cat and mouse toy with a weaker party; engage in prolonged wary manoeuvres, put a cat among the pigeons, put the cat among the pigeons create a violent intrusion, cause a severe upset, queen cat: see queen noun 6. rain cats and dogs rain very hard, see which way the cat jumps wait for an opinion or result to declare itself, shoot the cat see shoot verb, singed cat see since verb 1. skin the cat: see skin verb. suffering cats!: see suffering ppl adjective 3. tame cat: see tame adjective 1. tear a cat. tear the cat: see tear verb', turn cat in pan. turn the cat in the pan f(a) reverse the order or nature of things, make black seem white; (b) change sides, be a turncoat. whip the cat: see whip verb. Comb.: cat-and-dog adjective quarrelsome, inharmonious; catand-mouse adjective involving playing cat and mouse (see above); catbird (a) any of various birds with mewing cries; esp, a N. American mockingbird, Dumetalla carolinensis, with slaty-black plumage; (Austral.) any of a number of bowerbirds; (b) the catbird seat [the name of a short story (1942) by James Thurber], US a superior or advantageous position; cat-burglar: who climbs a wall to enter an upper storey; cat-door a small door which can be pushed open by a cat, enabling its entrances and exits; catfish: see sense ic above (walking catfish: see walking ppl adjective); cat-flap = cat-door above; cat foot a dog's compact round foot, with the toes well knuckled up; cat-foot verb trans. with it (chiefly N. Amer.) walk stealthily or noiselessly; cat-footed adjective stealthy in movement; cat-haul noun & verb (US) (a) noun a punishment in which a cat is caused to maul the victim; (b) verb trans. subject to this punishment; fig. examine stringently; cathead see sense 5 above, cat-hole (a) a hole large enough to let a cat through; (b) nautical a hole at the stem of a ship, through which a cable or hawser can be passed; cat-house (a) a brothel; (b) a house for felines in a zoo; cat-ice thin ice unsupported by water; cat-lap slang slops, weak tea, etc.; catlick colloq. a perfunc¬ tory wash; cat litter see litter noun 3. catmint [after medieval Latin herba catti or cattaria] an aromatic plant of the large genus Nepeta. of the mint family, esp. N. cat ana. whose smell is irresist¬ ible to cats; catnap noun & verb intrans. (have) a brief sleep in a chair etc.: catnip [nip, var. of nep noun1] catmint: cat-o -ninetails: see sense 6 above: cat-purchase see sense 5 above; cat’s cradle (a children’s game with) string forming patterns held between the fingers and passed between players: cat’s-ear any of several composite plants constituting the genus Hypochaeris, with heads of yellow ligulate flowers and leaves in rosettes; esp. H. radicata, a common plant of grassland; cat’s-foot fig flu) = cat's-paw 2; (b) ground ivy, Glechoma bederacea: (c) a hill plant. Antennaria dioica, of the composite family, with heads of incon¬ spicuous white flowers; cat’s-head fig. f(o) see sense 5 above; t(b) a variety of apple; (c) (now rare) = beak-head (c) s.v. beak noun’: feat-silver mica; cat’s-meat horseflesh or other meat prepared and sold as food for cats; cat’s meow, cat’s pyjamas s long (orig. & chiefly US) the acme of excellence, the cat's whiskers (see below); catstick a stick used in tipcat and trap-ball; catsuit an all-in-one, usu. close-fitting, garment with trouser legs; cat's whisker (a) (in pi.) slang (orig. US) the acme of excellence (cf. cat’s meow, cat’s pyjamas above); (b) a fine adjustable wire in a crystal wireless receiver; cat-tackle: see sense 5 above: cat-tail see cat’s-tail; catwalk a narrow footway or platform; catwitted adjective (arch.) petty-minded and spiteful. ■ catlike adjective resembling (that of) a cat; stealthy; agile: Li6.

cat /kat/ noun2, obsolete exc. (perh.) in catboat. Li7. [Perh. same word as prec.: cf. medieval Latin catta a kind of ship. Old French chat merchant ship.]

A strong merchant sailing vessel with a narrow stem, projecting quarters, and a deep waist, formerly used esp. in the coal and timber trade on the NE coast of England.

[from Greek katabole throwing down, ult. formed as cata- + ballein throw: see -ism.] biology. Destructive metabolism with the release of

energy; the breakdown of complex substances within the body. Opp. anabolism. ■ catabolite noun a product of catabolism M20. catabolize verb trons. break down by catabolism M20.

catabothron noun var. of katavothron. catacaustic /kat3'ko:stik/ adjective & noun. E18. [from cata- + caustic.] physics. ►A adjective. Of a curve or surface: formed by the

intersection of rays of light reflected from a curved surface. E18. ► B noun. A catacaustic curve or surface. Cf. diacaustic. Ei8.

noun 1.

cat /kat/ adjective & noun4, colloq. M20. [Abbreviation of catalytic adjective.]

► A adjective, cat cracker, cat cracking, (an installation for) the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons. M20. ► B noun, = catalytic converter. L20. cat /kat/ verb trans. Infl. -tt-. L16. [from CAT noun1.] 1 nautical. Raise (the anchor) from the surface of the

water to the cathead. Li6. 2 Flog with a cat-o’-nine-tails. M19. cata- /'kata/ prefix. Before a vowel or h usu. cat-. Also k-. [Greek kata.]

Used in words adopted from Greek and in English words modelled on these, in senses (a) down, in position or in quantity or degree, as catadromous, catalysis, catastrophe: (b) amiss, mis-, as catachresis. catatonia: (c) against, alongside, as catadioptric. catechize: (d) thor¬ oughly, entirely, as catalepsy, catalogue. catabaptist kato'baptist/ noun. Mi6. [medieval Greek katabaptistes administrator of irregular or schis¬ matic baptism, from katabaptizein, formed as cata-, baptize.] Hist. (A 16th- and i7th-cent. nickname for) an opponent

of the orthodox view of baptism, catabatic adjective see

katabatic.

catabolic /kata'bnlrk/ adjective. Also k-. Li9. [formed as next + -ic.] biology. Pertaining to, involved in, or characterized by

catabolism. Opp.

anabolic.

a cat, a: arm, r. bed, a: her,

1

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

■ Catalanist adjective & noun (a person) favouring the independ¬ ence of Catalonia E20.

catalase /'katalerz/ noun. E20. [from catalysis noun + -ase.] biochemistry. An enzyme which catalyses the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. catalectic /kata'lektik/ adjective & noun.

116.

[Late Latin catalecticus from Greek katalektikos, from katalegein leave off, formed as cata- + legem cease: see -ic.]

prosody. (A line or verse) lacking one syllable in the last foot. catalepsy /'kat(a)lspsi/ noun. lme. [French catalepsie or late Latin catalepsia, from Greek katalepsis, from katalambanein seize upon: see cata-, -y3.]

[Latin catachresis from Greek katakhresis, from katakhresthai to misuse, formed as cata- + khresthai use.]

1 medicine. A condition of trance or seizure with loss of sensation or consciousness and abnormal maintenance of posture, lme. f2 philosophy. Comprehension, apprehension. M17-M19. ■ cata leptic adjective & noun (a) adjective pertaining to, affected by, or of the nature of catalepsy; (b) noun a person suffering from

(An instance of) the incorrect use of words. ■ catachrestic/- krest-, - kri:-/ adjective (ofa word etc.) misused, misapplied; of the nature of catachresis: M17. catachrestical /-'krsst-, -'kri:-/ adjective E17. catachrestically /-’krest-, -'kri:-/ adverb E17.

catadasis /kata'kleisis/ noun. PI. -dases /-'kleisi:z/. M20. [from cata- + Greek klasis breaking.] geology. (A) crushing of rock,

catadasm /'kataklaz(a)m/ noun. E19. [Greek kataklasma, from kataklan break down, formed as cata- + klan break.]

A violent break or disruption. catadastic /kata'klastik/ adjective. L19. [from cata- + clastic.]

geology. Pertaining to, involving, or formed by crushing of rock. cataclysm /'kataklizfajm/ noun. Ei7. [French cataclysme from Latin catadysmos from Greek kataklusmos deluge, formed as cata- + kluzein to wash.] A violent geological or meteorological event; the Flood (in Genesis); fig. a political or social upheaval. ■ cata clysmal adjective M19. cata clysmic adjective M19. cata clysmically adverb L19.

catacomb/'kataku:m, -kaom/ noun. oe. [Old & mod. French catacombes from late Latin catacumbas = sense 1 below (so named in 5th cent, ad): ult. origin unkn.] 1 In pi. & ts/ng. The subterranean cemetery of St Sebas¬

tian near Rome, consisting of galleries or passages with recesses excavated in the sides for tombs, oe. 2 In pi. The many other Roman subterranean galleries; similar works elsewhere. M17. 3 sing. A single crypt or gallery in such works, rare. E18. 4 transf. A (wine) cellar. 118. catacoustics /kata'ku:stiks/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. L17. [from cata- + acoustics]

The science of reflected sound. Cf. di acoustics. catadioptric /.katadAi'Dptnk/ adjective, eis. [from CATA- + DIOPTRIC adjective.]

Pertaining to or involving both the reflection and the refraction of light. ■ catadioptrical adjective Li 7.

[from cata- after anadromous adjective.]

[Abbreviation.]

2 The Romance language of Catalonia, Li8. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to Catalonia, its people, or their language. M19.

catachresis /kata'kri:sis/ noun. PI. -chreses /-'kri:si:z/. Mi6.

catadromous /kata'draomas/ adjective. L19.

cat/kat/ noun3, colloq. L19. = catamaran

catabolism /ka'tabaliz(a)m/ noun. Also k-. Li9.

Of fish: that descend rivers to lower reaches or to the sea to spawn. fcatadupe noun. LI6-MI8. [French catad(o)upe from Latin catadupa (pi.) from Greek katadoupoi (pi.), formed as cata- + doupos thud.]

A cataract, a waterfall, orig. of the Nile, catafalque /'katafalk/ noun. Also (now rare) catafalco /kata'falkao/, pi. -o(e)s. Mi7. (French from Italian catafalco of unkn. origin: cf. scaffold noun.]

1 A decorated structure fashioned so as to cany the coffin or effigy of a distinguished person during a funeral service or for a lying in state. M17. 2 A structure on which a coffin is drawn in procession. Ml 9. catagmatic /katag'matik/ noun & adjective. Now rare or obsolete. M17. [French fcatagmatique from Greek katagmatikos, from katagma fracture: see -ic.] medicine. ►A noun. A medicine used in healing fractures.

M17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to fractures or their treat¬ ment. L17. tCataian noun. LI6-M17. [Var. of Cathayan noun.]

A sharper, a thief, a scoundrel, Catalan /'katalan/noun&adjective, lme. (French from Provencal & Spanish, from Spanish Cataiuna, Catalan Catalunya Catalonia (see below); see -AN.] ► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of Catalonia, a prov¬

ince of NE Spain, once an independent principality, lme.

catalepsy: Li 7.

catalexis/kata'leksis/noun. M19. [Greek katalexis termination, from katalegein: see catalectic.] prosody. Absence of a syllable in the last foot of a line or verse. catallactic /kataiaktik/ adjective & noun. M19. [Greek katallaktikos (not in this sense), from katallassein, formed as

cata- + allassein change, exchange: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Pertaining to exchange of money etc. Ml 9, ► B noun. In pi. (treated as sing.). Economics as the science of exchange. M19. catalo noun var. of cattalo. catalogue /'kat(a)log/ noun & verb. Also *-log. lme. [Old & mod. French from late Latin catalogus from Greek katdlogos, from katalegein pick out, enrol, formed as cata- + legem choose.] ► A noun, 1 A list, register, or complete enumeration:

now spec, one systematically or methodically arranged, often with brief particulars or descriptions aiding identi¬ fication etc. lme. 2 fig. An enumeration, series, etc. Li6. £3 1 Liberian catalogue see Liberian adjective’, thematic catalogue: see thematic adjective 2. 2 D. Lodge Mrs Zapp .. recited a catalogue of her husband’s sins to me.

► B verb trans. 1 Make a catalogue or list of. L16. 2 Inscribe or insert in a catalogue. M17. £B 1J. Steinbeck His mind was cataloguing weak points and suspicious things about the car. 2 Hor. Walpole If reli¬ gion is thrown into the quarrel. The most innocent acts are catalogued with sins. ■ cataloguer noun M19 cataloguist noun Lis cataloguize verb trans. = catalogue verb E17

catalogue raisonne katalag rezane/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced same). Li8. [French = reasoned catalogue.]

A descriptive catalogue with explanations or com¬ ments. Catalonian /kata'tauman/ adjective & noun. U6. [From Catalonia (see Catalan) + -an.] = Catalan. catalpa /ka'talpa/ noun. mis. [Creek.]

An American or Asian tree of the genus Catalpa, of the bignonia family, with heart-shaped leaves, trumpet¬ shaped flowers, and long pods. catalyse /'kat(a)Uiz/ verb trans. Also *-lyze. L19. [from next after analyse.]

chemistry. Accelerate or promote (a reaction or process) by catalysis. E3 fig.: Nature The technology bred of science has catalysed stupendous economic growth. ■ catalysed adjective (a) that has been catalysed; (b) (ofa motor vehicle) having a catalytic converter: M20. catalyser noun a cata¬ lyst E20.

catalysis /ka'talisis/ noun. PI. -lyses /-hsi:z/. Mi7. [mod. Latin from Greek katalusis. from kataluein dissolve, formed as cata- + luein set free.] fl Dissolution, destruction. M-L17.

2 chemistry. The action or effect of a substance in increas¬ ing the rate ofa reaction without itself being consumed; an instance of this. M19. 2 negative catalysis an analogous slowing of a reaction. catalyst/'kat(a)list/ noun. E20. [from prec. after analyst.]

chemistry. A substance which brings about catalysis. Also fig., an agent that facilitates a change.

saw. A run. o put. u: too. a ago. a, my. au how. e, day. au no. e: hair, ra near. 01 boy ua poor, a,a tire, aua sour

358

catalytic | catch catalytic /kata'lmk/ adjective. Mi9. [from catalysis after analysis, analytic etc.]

Of the nature of, involving, or pertaining to catalysis; acting as a catalyst. catalytic converter a device fitted in the exhaust system of some motor vehicles which converts pollutant gases into less harmful ones by catalytic action, catalytic cracker a device for cracking petroleum oils by catalysis. ■ catalytically adverb M19.

catamaran /katamo'ran/ noun. tn. [Tamil kattu-maram lit. 'tied wood'.]

1 A raft or float of logs tied side by side with the longest in the middle; a raft of two boats fastened side by side; a boat with two hulls side by side. E17. 2 Hist. A naval weapon consisting of a floating chest packed with gunpowder. Ei9. 3 A quarrelsome woman, colloq. Ml9. catamenia /kata'mimra/ noun pi. Now rare or obsolete, mis. [Creek, neut. pi. of katamenios monthly, formed as cata- + men month.]

The menstrual discharge. ■ catamenial adjective M19.

3 A mechanical contrivance for launching a glider or other aircraft, esp. from the deck of a ship. E20. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Launch with a catapult; hurl (as) from a catapult; fling forcibly (lit. & fig.). M19. 2 verb intrans. Move (as if) from a catapult. E20.

cataract /'katarakt/ noun & verb. lme. [Latin cataracta waterfall, floodgate, portcullis, from Creek kataractes, -rrh- down-rushing (water etc.), prob. from katarassein, formed as cata- + arassein strike, smash. In sense 2 app. fig. use of sense 'portcullis'.] ► A noun, fl In pi. Floodgates, spec, of heaven (Genesis 7:11, 8:2). lme-li7. kb transf. A waterspout. M16-M17. 2 medicine. (A condition of) partial or complete opacity of the lens of the eye. lme. 3 A waterfall, spec, a large and sheer one; a torrent. L16.

f4 A portcullis; the grating of a window, rare. M17-M19. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Pour in a torrent, rare. lis. 2 verb intrans. Fall in or like a cataract. Ml9. ■ cataractal adjective of the nature of a cataract L19. fcataractic adjective (rare) cataractal L17-E19. cataractous /'kataraktas, kata’raktas/ adjective of or affected by cataract of the eye E19.

catarrh /ka'ta:/ noun. Ei6.

catamite /'kataniArt/ noun. ii6. [Latin catamitus (through Etruscan catmite) from Creek Ganumedes Ganymede.]

[French catarrhe from late Latin catarrhus from Greek katarrhous, from katarrhein run down, formed as cata- + rhein flow.]

A boy kept for homosexual practices; the passive partner in anal intercourse.

1 (An) excessive discharge of mucus from inflamed membranes, esp. in the nose and throat; (an) inflamma¬ tion producing this. E16. |2 Cerebral effusion or haemorrhage; apoplexy.

catamount /'katsmaunt/ noun. Mi7. [Abbreviation of next.] 11 = CATAMOUNTAIN 1. M17-M18. 2 The puma. N.Amer. Lis.

catamountain /kata'mauntin/ noun. Also mountain. Orig. feat of the mountain, lme.

cat

o’

catarrhine /'katarAin/ noun & adjective. M19.

(Rendering Latinpardus, Creekpardos pard noun'.]

[from cata- + Creek rhinos, rhis nose.] zoology. ►A noun. A catarrhine primate. M19. ► B adjective. Pertaining to or designating a primate

1 A leopard, puma, or similar cat. lme. 2 fig. A wild aggressive person. E17. catananche /kata'narjki/ noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin from Latin catanance plant used in love-potions, from Creek katanagke, formed as cata- + anagke compulsion.] A plant of the genus Catananche, of the composite

family, with blue or yellow flowers, native to the Medi¬ terranean region. catapan /‘katapan/ noun. eis.

having nostrils close together and directed downwards (as in all the apes and Old World monkeys). M19. catasetum/kata'shtam/noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin, formed as cata- + Latin set a bristle (on account of the form of the rostellum).] An epiphytic orchid of the genus Catasetum, native to

tropical America.

[medieval Latin catapanus, cate- from Creek katepano ton axiomaton (he who is) placed over the dignities.] Hist. The governor of Calabria and Apulia under the

Byzantine emperors.

catasta /ka'tasta/ noun. PI. -stae /-sti:/. M17. [Latin = scaffold, stage.] Hist. A block on which slaves were exposed for sale.

catastasis/ka'tastasis/noun. PI. -ases/-asi:z/. Mi6.

cataphatic /kata'fatik/ adjective. M19. [Creek kataphatikos affirmative, from kataphasls affirmation, formed as cata- + phanai speak: see -ic.] theology. Of knowledge of God: obtained through affirm¬ ation. Opp. APOPHATIC.

[Creek katastasis settling, appointment, formed as cata- + STASIS.]

The third part of the ancient drama, in which the action is heightened for the catastrophe.

[In sense 1 from Creek kataphora, formed as cata- + pherein carry; in sense 2 from cata- after anaphora.] 1 medicine. (An attack of) pathological sleepiness. Now rare, mi6.

2 linguistics. The use of an expression which refers to or stands for a later word or group of words. L20.

[Latin catastropha from Creek katastrophe overturning, sudden turn, from katastrephein, formed as cata- + strephein turn.] *

1 The denouement of a play, esp. a tragedy; the final resolution of a novel etc. mi 6. 2 A disastrous conclusion; overthrow, ruin, calamitous fate. Li6. Efb The buttocks, joc. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16.

cataphoresis /katofa'rksis/ noun. L19. [from cata- + Creek phoresis being carried.] 1 medicine. The use of electricity to enable medicinal sub¬ stances to pass through the skin. Li 9. 2 = ELECTROPHORESIS 1. M20. ■ cataphoretic -'ret-/ adjective L19.

cataphoric /kata'fnnk/ adjective. L19. [Greek kataphorikos, formed as prec.: see -ic.] 1 Of or pertaining to cataphoresis. Li 9. 2 linguistics. Referring to or standing for a later word or group of words. L20.

cataphract /'katafrakt/ noun. Li6. Creek

2 A soldier in full armour. Li 7. cataplasm "kataplazfajm/ noun. lme. [Old a mod French cataplasme or late Latin cataplasma from Creek kataplasma, from kataplassein plaster over, formed as cata- + plassein to plaster.]

A plaster; a poultice, cataplexy /' katapleksi/ noun. L19. [from Creek kataplexis stupefaction, from kataplessein formed as cata- + plessein to strike.]

A sudden temporary paralysis due to fright or other strong emotion. ■ cata plectic adjective U9.

catapult /'katapalt/ noun & verb. Li6. [Old & mod. French catapulte or Latin catapulta = Creek katapeltes formed as cata- + var. of base of pallein hurl.] ► fit noun. 1 Hist. A military engine worked by levers and

twisted rope for discharging darts, stones, etc. L16 2 A contrivance of a forked stick and elastic for shoot¬ ing small stones etc. mi9.

3 A revolutionary event. L17. >b geology. (An event causing) a sudden upheaval or discontinuity in the strati¬ graphic record. mi 9. 4 A sudden or widespread or noteworthy disaster; an extreme misfortune, mis. Phrases-, ultraviolet catastrophe see ultraviolet adjective 2. Comb., catastrophe theory math, the topological description of systems which display abrupt discontinuous change. ■ catastrophic /-'strofik/ adjective of or pertaining to a catas¬ trophe; disastrous, dreadful: M19. cata strophical adjective catastrophic Ei9. cata strophically adverb Li9.

catastrophism /ka'tastrafiz(a)m/ noun. M19. [from CATASTROPHE noun + -ism.] Belief in the occurrence of catastrophes; esp. the theory that geological or biological changes have occurred in sudden violent and unusual events (cf. UNIFORMITARIANISM). ■ catastrophist noun & adjective (a) noun a person who holds such a belief or theory; (b) adjective of or pertaining to catastroph¬ ism or catastrophists: M19.

catatonia /kata'taoma/ noun. Also fk-. li 9. [from cata- + Creek tonos tone noun + -ia'.] medicine. Abnormal motor behaviour (esp. episodes of catalepsy or overactivity), associated esp. with a form of schizophrenia; catalepsy. ■ catatoniac noun a person affected with catatonia L19 catatonic /-'tDmk/ adjective & noun pertaining to or characterized by catatonia; (a person) affected with catatonia: E20.

catavothron noun etc.: see katavothron. catawampus /kata'wmnpas/ adjective & noun. dial. & slang (chiefly N. Amec). As adjective also -ous. M19 [Origin unkn.]

► A adjective. Fierce, destructive; askew, awry. M19.

►B

noun.

A fierce imaginary animal.

[from the Catawba, a river in the Carolinas, USA.]

(White wine from) a N. American variety of grape. catboat/'kalbaut/ noun. Li9. [Perh. from cat noun- + boat noun.]

A sailing boat with a single mast placed well forward and carrying only one sail. catcall /'katko:l/ noun & verb. M17. [from cat noun' + call noun.]

► A noun. 1 Hist. A squeaking instrument or kind of whistle used esp. at a theatre to express impatience or disapproval. Mi7. 2 A shrill whistle (now usu. with the lips, formerly on the instrument) expressing impatience or disapproval at a theatre, public meeting, etc. mis. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Subject to catcalls. L17. 2 verb intrans. Sound or make a catcall. M18. catch/katj/ noun', lme. [from the verb.]

1 The amount of fish etc. caught at one time. lme. 2 That by which anything is caught and held, esp. a con¬ trivance for checking the motion of a door. lme. |3 Real tennis. Scot. L15-LI6. 4 The act or fact of catching. Li6. 5 A thing or person caught or worth catching, esp. in matrimony by virtue of wealth, social position, etc. L16. 6 music. A round for three or more equal voices, occas. so devised as to produce punning or other humorous verbal combinations. L16. 17 A fragment or scrap of anything caught up; a snatch of song etc. Also, a short sight, a glimpse, a view. E17-M19. 8 A cunning question, esp. containing an element of deception or surprise; a concealed difficulty or drawback in a proposal or course of action; a snag. Li7. 9 In cricket, baseball, etc., a chance of or success in catching the ball, esp. (in cricket) so as to dismiss the batsman. Also with qualifying adjective: a player who is good etc. at catching the ball. Li 8. 10 A check or impediment in the voice, breath, throat, etc. li 9. £E 4 ton the catch in wait, on the lookout. 7J. Glanvill We retain a catch of these pretty stories. S. Johnson Such houses as had any catch of the river. 8 W. Freke Most of their arguments.. are nothing but a few empty Catches in mere words. A. Nin 1 thought.. there must be a catch in it. catch-22 [from a novel (1961) byj. Heller] a condition or consequence that precludes success, a dilemma where the victim cannot win. 10 A. FLailey A catch in his voice, with tears not far away. Scotch catch: see Scotch adjective.

catch /katj/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial. lme.

catastrophe /ka'tastrafi/ noun. Mi6.

cataphora ka'tafffiira/ noun. Mi6.

[Latin cataphractes (sense 1), -tus (sense 2) from kataphraktes, -tos, from kataphrassein clothe in mail.] 1 Hist. An ancient coat of mail. Li6.

M16-E18. ■ catarrhal adjective of the nature of, involving, pertaining to, or affected with catarrh M17. catarrhous adjective = catarrhal li 6.

catawba /ka'ta:ba/ noun. Ei9.

M19.

[Prob. from catch verb or noun’: cf. ketch noun.] A small boat; a ketch.

catch /katj/ verb. Pa. t. & pple caught /ko:t/, (now dial. & non¬ standard) catched. Also (dial.) ketch /ketj/. me. [Anglo-Norman. Old French cachier var. of Old French charier (mod. didsser): see chase verb'. Infl. in sense 'seize' and in forms by latch verb'.]

►til verb trans. & intrans. Chase. ME-M16. ► II Capture; reach. 2 verb trans. Capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape); ensnare, entrap; deceive, ‘take in’. me. 13 verb trans. Obtain by exertion; attain. ME-E17. 4 verb trans. Hit (a person, usu. on a part of the body); land (a blow etc.) on. me. 5 verb trans. Overtake, reach (an agent in motion; freq. foil, by up: see below); be in time to get to or reach (a thing, as a train etc., or person about to depart); in extended use, (be in time to) see or hear (a television or radio programme, etc.). Ei7. 6 verb trans. Come upon (a person) unexpectedly; sur¬ prise, detect, (a person, in or at some activity, doing). In pass, also (colloq.) become pregnant. E17. tQ 2 R. Campbell We used to catch snakes for the Zoo. E. Longford Lady Georgina Fane, unmarried daughter of Lord Westmorland,.. never gave up hope of catching him. 3 Shakes. 3 Hen. VII.. Torment myself to catch the English crown. Shakes. Mach. If th' assassination Could.. catch .. success. 4 OED She caught him a sounding box on the ear. W. Gass His arm.. caught me on the side of the neck. 5 Addison Caught in a shower. D. Hammett Not expecting to catch him in his office, but hoping to learn how to reach him at his home. R. Macaulay She.. probably caught the night train. N. Mailer He . kept racing back to his room to catch the news. 6 Steele I catched her once.. at ChuckFarthing among the Boys. E. O’Neill He was caught redhanded and thrown off the force. D. Hammett When you catch her in a iie, she admits it. Sloan Wilson Do you catch yourself wishing for her when you’re making love to me?

► III Seize, take, grasp, snatch. 7 verb trans. Take hold of suddenly or forcibly; seize- (of fire) set alight; (of other natural agency) affect, m e.

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg. m man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top ’. V van, w we, z zoo, J she.

3

vision,

6

thin,

5 this.

0 ring, tj chip, d3 jar

catch | category 8 verb trans. Take hold of suddenly or forcibly and remove. Now usu. foil, by up: see below, me. 9 verb trans. Entangle and hold; check suddenly; inter¬ rupt or intercept the motion of and hold; spec in cricket, baseball, etc., prevent (the ball) from touching the ground after striking the bat. me. ►b In cricket, baseball, etc., dismiss (a batsman) by catching the ball after it has struck the bat and before it touches the ground. Also foil, by out. ei 8. 10 verb trans. Take, get, (rest, sleep, etc., now only for a brief period), me. |11 verb trans. gen. Take. me-mi7. 12 verb trans. Take advantage of (opportunity etc.) as it occurs. LME. 13 verb trans. Arrest the attention of; arrest (the atten¬ tion etc., a faculty or organ of sense); captivate, lme. 14 verb intrans. Of fire or something combustible: start to burn, take hold. Of an engine etc.: ignite, start up. M16.

15 verb trans. Grasp with the senses or mind; see, hear, etc., esp. by an effort; perceive; reveal to perception; apprehend and reproduce a likeness of. Li6. 16 verb intrans. Snatch or grasp at (|after, fabsol.). H6. 17 verb intrans. Become entangled or fixed (in, on, etc.); be impeded or checked. Li8. Qd 7 Shakes. Oth. Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee. J. Conrad Catching me round the neck as any child almost will do. G. L. Mallory The wind and sun .. have fairly caught us all. M. M. Kaye He watched the grass flare up and catch the sticks of wood. 8 AV Acts 8:39 The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more. Tennyson He .. hastily caught His bundle .. and went his way. 9 G. Macdonald Find a basin or plate .. and put it to catch the drop here. R. Kipling A grain-cart’s axle caught them by the horns. I. Murdoch Felix.. caught the falling Miranda in his arms. C. Potok The ball was coming back to me, and I caught it neatly, b R. A. Fitzgerald Gilbert.. was also caught and bowled by Eastwood. 10 R. Wilbur He’ll catch a little nap. 11 Chaucer Pryvely she kaughte forth a knyf. W. Camden So they called parchment which wee have catcht from the Latine Pergamentum. 13 Dryden The sooth¬ ing arts that catch the fair. H. Martineau A rustle.. caught her excited ear. 14 V. Woolf The flames had fairly caught. L. Woolf Lizzy had put a large piece of newspaper ‘to draw up the fire’, the newspaper had ‘caught’. J. Gardner George .. ground on the starter a minute before the truck motor caught and roared. 15 Tolkien They caught faintly the fra¬ grance of woodland flowers. S. Beckett I could not catch the words. J. T. Story My headlights had caught what seemed to be spots of blood on the road. B. Trapi do Jonathan enacted the episode .., catching his grandmother’s speech and gesture. 16 T. Fuller Mercy is a Grace which they hold the fastest, that most catch after it. W. Cowper Catching at his rein. 17 S. Bellow His arm caught in the sleeve. T. Williams Her voice catches.

► IV Get or take passively. 18 verb trans. Receive, incur; be exposed to. Now esp. in phrases: see below, me. 19 verb trans. Become affected or inspired by (an emotion etc.), obsolete exc. as passing into fig. uses of sense 20. LME. 20 verb trans. Take (as) by infection; contract (disease

etc.); acquire by sympathy or imitation, lme. til 18 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI Fight closer or.. you’ll catch a blow. Goldsmith Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale. I. Colegate The study caught the early morning sunshine. 19 Pope Presumptuous Troy.. catch’d new fury at the voice divine. 20 G. Greene He has caught mumps from the ambassador’s son. E. O’Neill They catch his excitement. Phrases: a sprat to catch a herring, a sprat to catch a mackerel, a sprat to catch a whale: see sprat noun', be caught short: see short adverb, be caught with chaff, see chaff noun', catch a cold, catch cold contract a cold in the head; fig. encounter trouble or difficulties, catch a crab: see crab noun', catch a glimpse of see for a moment, catch a likeness reproduce a characteristic look in a picture etc. catch a packet: see packet noun 3. catch a Tartar: see Tartar noun2, catch at a straw, catch at straws: see straw noun, catch bending: see bend verb, catch cold: see catch a cold above, catch fire ignite, begin to bum, fig. be inflamed with passion, excitement, etc. catch hold of grasp, clutch at and seize, catch it colloq. incur a severe punishment, catch me at —!, catch him doing —!, etc., colloq. there is no possibility of my, his, etc. doing—. catch napping: see nap verb', catch one’s BREATH, catch one’s death (of cold), catch on the hop see hop noun21. catch sight of. see sight noun, catch the eye of meet the glance of (another person) with one’s own, either by chance or design; fig. bring oneself to a person’s notice, be noticed by. catch unawares: see unawares adverb. With adverbs in specialized senses: catch on (a) become popular or fashionable; (b) understand what is meant or what is happening (also foil, by to), catch out detect in a mistake etc., take unawares; (see also sense 9b above), catch up (a) verb phr. trans. raise suddenly aloft; pick up; raise and fasten up; (b) verb phr. trans. & intrans. with with overtake, reach (an agent in motion); (c) verb phr. intrans. make up arrears (on), caught up entangled or unwill¬ ingly involved in: completely absorbed in. m catchable adjective L17. catcher noun a person who or thing which catches; spec, the fielder in baseball who stands behind the batter; (torpedo-boat catcher: see torpedo noun): lme catching ppl adjective that catches; spec, infectious (lit. & fig.): lme. catchingness noun (rare) Mi7. catchy adjective that catches; esp. attractive; (of a tune etc.) readily learned and remembered: Ei9.

catch- /katj/ combining form. [from catch

verb or noun’.)

Mainly the verb in phraseological combs, as: (a) with nouns, in sense ‘a person who or thing which catches (the object)’, also in sense ‘to catch, the catching of (the object)’; (b) in attrib. relation to nouns in sense ‘that catches or for catching’. ■ catch-all noun & adjective (something) designed to catch or include various items, a general receptacle mi 9. catchas-catch-can noun & adjective (designating or pertaining to) a wrestling style in which all holds are permissible Li9. catchcrop noun a crop grown between two staple crops (in position or time) li 9. catchfly noun any of certain campions with sticky stems, chiefly of the genera Silene and Lychnis (Nottingham catchfly. sweet-william catchfly: see sweet adjective & adverb) Li6. catch-line noun a short eye-catching line of type, esp. one inserted by the compositor for identification ivi 19. catchpenny adjective & noun (a) adjective intended merely to sell readily, super¬ ficially attractive but of little intrinsic worth; f(b) noun a publi¬ cation etc. of this kind: mis. catch-phrase noun a phrase in frequent current use Mi9. catch-points noun pi. points to derail a train etc., e.g. when running away down a slope L19. catchquestion noun a question with a deliberate hidden difficulty, a trick question mi9. catch-stitch noun (a) bookbinding kettle-stitch; (b) a cross-stitch used for hems etc.: Mi9. catch-title noun an abbreviated title at the foot of a page sufficient to identify the work to which it belongs Li9. catch-up noun (colloq.) the action or process of catching up with someone; play catch-up, try to make up arrears or a deficit: M20. catch-water noun (a) a drain or ditch for collecting surface or surplus water; also catch-water course, catch-water drain: (b) a vessel designed to catch water: lis. catch weed noun (now rare or obsolete) cleavers lis. catch-weight noun & adjective (sport) (a) noun unrestricted weight; (b) adjective unrestricted as regards weight: Ei9. catchword noun (a) the first word of a page given at the foot of the previous one; (b) a word so placed as to draw attention, as the first or last headword repeated at the top of a dictionary etc. page, the rhyming word in a verse, the last word of an actor’s speech which forms the cue, etc.; (c) a word or phrase caught up and repeated, esp. in connection with party politics, a slogan: eis.

catched verb see catch verb. catchment /'katjm(3)nt/ noun. M19. [from catch

verb + -ment.]

In full catchment area. The area from which rainfall flows into a river, reservoir, etc., fig. from which a hos¬ pital’s patients, a school’s pupils, etc. are drawn. catchpole /'katjpsol/ noun. Also -poll. loe. [Anglo-Norman, Old French var. of Old French chacepol, or from Anglo-Latin cacepollus, from Proto-Romance var. of Latin capture (see chase verb') + Latinpullus fowl.]

f 1 A tax-gatherer; a Roman publican. loe-mi7. 2 Hist. A sheriff’s officer, esp. one who arrests for debt. LME.

cate /keit/ noun. arch. lme.

catechist /'katikist/ noun. Mi6. [ecclesiastical Latin catechista from ecclesiastical Greek katekhistes, from katekhizein: see catechize.]

A teacher giving oral instruction in Christianity by means of a catechism. Also, a teacher of native origin in a mission church. ■ cate chistic adjective = catechistical L17. cate chisticai adjective of or pertaining to the office, teaching, or mode of instruction of a catechist; catechetical: L16. catechistically adverb Mi7.

catechize /'katikaiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. lme. [ecclesiastical Latin catechizare from ecclesiastical Greek katekhizein, from katekhein sound through, instruct orally, formed as cata- + ekhein to sound, from ekhe: see echo noun, -ize.]

1 Instruct orally in the elements of the Christian reli¬ gion by repetition (formerly) or by question and answer, esp. using a catechism; transf. instruct by question and answer, lme. 2 Question systematically or at length; interrogate; examine (as) with a catechism. E17. ■ catechizer noun lme.

catechol /’katitjbl/ noun. Li9. [from next + -01.] chemistry. A crystalline dihydric phenol first obtained by

distilling catechu; benzene-i,2-diol, C6H4(OH)2. ■ cate cholamine /katfkaubmkn/noun any ofvarious catechol derivatives which have amine substituents and possess neuro¬ transmitter and hormonal activity, e.g. dopamine, adrenalin M20. catecholaminergic - krobmLnad.yk adjective {PHYSIOLOGY) releasing or involving a catecholamine as a neurotransmitter L20.

catechu/katrtju:/noun. Li7. [mod. Latin, unexpl. deriv. of Malay kacu: cf. cachou.]

Any of various astringent tannin-rich vegetable extracts used esp. in tanning, e.g. gambier. catechumen /kati'kjunnen/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French catechumene or ecclesiastical Latin catechumenus from Greek katekhoumenos being instructed, pres, pple pass, of katekhein: see catechize,]

A Christian convert under instruction before baptism. Also, a young Christian preparing for confirmation.

categorem /'kattgarem/ noun. Now rare. Li6.

[Aphet. from acate.]

11 An act of selling something, a bargain, rare. Only in

[Greek kategorima, -mat-, accusation, predicate, from kategorein accuse.]

fl A predicate. L16-M17. 2 A categorematic word. M19. logic,

LME.

t2 In pi. Provisions bought, victuals, (= acate

2).

L15-M19.

3 A choice article of food; a dainty, a delicacy. Usu. in pi. M16.

categorematic /,katig(a)rimatik/ adjective. E19. [formed as prec. + -IC.] linguistics. Of a word: able to be used by itself as a term. Opp. syncategorematic. m categorematical adjective (rare) M17 categorematically adverb (rare) urn. logic &

catechesis/kati'ki:sis/noun. PI. -eses /-i:si:z/. M18. [ecclesiastical Latin catechesis from Creek katekhesis instruction by word of mouth, from katekhein: see catechize.]

1 Oral instruction given to catechumens; catechizing. M18.

categorial /kati'go:™!/ adjective. E20. [from CATEGORY + -al\ after German kategoriol]

2 A book for the instruction of catechumens,

mi 8.

catechetic /kati'ketik/ adjective & noun. M17. [ecclesiastical Greek katekhetikos. from katekhetes catechist, from katekhein: see catechize, -ic.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to catechesis; according to a catechism, esp. that of a Christian Church. M17. ► B noun. In pi. (treated as sing.). Christian theology as it deals with catechesis. Mi9.

catechetical /kati'kstik(3)l/ adjective. Ei7. [formed as prec.: see -ical.]

1 = catechetic adjective. E17.

2 Consisting of questions and answers; proceeding by question and answer. L17. ■ catechetically adverb M18.

catechin /’katitjin/ noun. Mi9. [from catechu + -in'.] chemistry. The major constituent of catechu, a crystalline

phenolic compound, C1SH,,0S, of which there are several isomers. catechise /'katiki:z/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. catechise catechesis, conf. with catechize

catechiser).] = CATECHESIS, CATECHISM.

(French

catechise verb var. of catechize. catechism /'katikiz(a)m/ noun. E16. [ecclesiastical Latin catechismus from ecclesiastical Greek, from katekhizein: see catechize, -ism.] 11 Catechetical instruction; catechesis. E16-E17.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, 3: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw.

2 Church Catechism: of the Anglican . Church. Longer Catechism, Shorter Catechism: of Presbyterian Churches. ■ cate chismal adjective E19.

■ catechumenate noun the position or condition of a catechu¬ men li7. catechu menical adjective L18

catchup noun var. of ketchup.

[App. from French

2 A treatise for instruction in the principles of the Christian religion, in the form of question and answer, Ei6. 31ransf. & fig. a A course of question and answer; a series ofquestions put to anyone. Li6. kb A book of instruction by question and answer. M17.

Chiefly tocic & linguistics. Relating to or involving categor¬ ies. categoric /kati'gonk/ adjective & noun. Li7. [French categorique or late Latin categoricus, from Greek kategorikos accusatory, affirmative, (later) categorical, from kategoria: see CATEGORY, -IC.] ► A adjective. = categorical L17.

►|B noun. A categorical statement or proposition. L17-M19. categorical /kati'gpnk(a)V adjective & noun. Li6. [formed as prec. + -al'.[

► A adjective. Unconditional, absolute; explicit, direct, plain-speaking. L16. categorical imperative ethics an unconditional moral obliga¬ tion derived from pure reason, categorical question grammar a question answerable by a simple affirmation or negation, a yesno question. ► B noun. A categorical proposition or statement. L17. ■ categorically adverb E17.

category /'katig(a)ri/ noun. lme. [French categoric or its source late Latin cotegoria from Greek kategoria statement, accusation, from kategorein speak against, formed as cata- + agoreuein speak in the assembly, formed as agora noun1.] ► I philosophy. 1 Any of a possibly exhaustive set of basic

classes among which all things might be distributed (orig. each of ten classes postulated by Aristotle: cf. PREDICAMENT l). LME. 2 Any of the a priori conceptions applied by the mind to sense-impressions. (After Kant.) E19.

A run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day. 30 no, e: hair, 13 near, oi boy, us poor, ak> tire, aua sour

360

catena j Catholic 3 Any relatively fundamental philosophical concept. E20.

► II gen. 4 A class, a division, Mi7. 5 math. An entity consisting of a class of abstract objects sharing a particular property together with a class of mappings which preserve that property. M20. UMN. Chomsky The notion ‘Subject1.. designates a gram¬ matical function rather than a grammatical category. G. Boycott Play.. only safety shots—and the hook and the hit over the top certainly do not come into that category. ■ categori zation noun the action or an act of placing some¬ thing in a category, classification li 9. categorize verb trans. place in a category, classify eis.

catena /ka'tkno/ noun. PI. -nae /-ni:/, -nas. Mi7. (Latin = chain, as in ecclesiastical Latin catena patnim chain of the fathers (of the Church).)

A chain or connected series of things, esp. of the patris¬ tic comments on Scripture. catenane/'katanem/noun, M20. [from prec. + -ane2.] chemistry. A molecule which consists of two or more con¬

nected rings like links in a chain. catenary /ko'timari/ noun & adjective, mis. [mod. Latin catenaria use as noun of fern, of Latin catenarius adjec¬ tive, formed as catena: see -ary'.] ► A noun. A curve of the kind formed by a uniform chain

hanging freely from two points not in the same vertical line. mis. ► B adjective. 1 Relating to a catena or series. Mi9. 2 Having the form of a catenary; pertaining to or char¬ acterized by a catenary. Lt9. catenary bridge a suspension bridge hung by uniform chains from two points not in the same vertical line. ■ cate narian adjective (now rare or obsolete) = catenary adjective Mi 8. catenoid noun a surface generated by rotation of a catenary about an axis Li9.

catenate /'katmeit/ verb trans. Et7. [Latin catenat- pa. ppl stem of catenare, from catena: see catena, -ate3.]

Connect like the links of a chain.

■ cate nation noun M17.

catenulate /ka'tunjulat/ adjective. Ei9. [from Latin catena catena + -ULE + -ate3.] botany & zootocY. Resembling a chain; having a chainlike

series of projections.

caterpillar/'katapila/noun. lme. [Perh. from Anglo-Norman var. of Old French chatepelose lit. 'hairy cat', infl. by pillar.] 1 The larva of a butterfly or moth; loosely any of the

similar larvae of various insects, lme. 2 fig. A rapacious person; one who preys on society. Now rare or obsolete, mi6. 3 sing. & (usu.) in pi. Any of several Mediterranean plants of the leguminous genus Scorpiurus, with spirally curved pods. Also caterpillar plant. L16. 4 (Also C-.) (Proprietary name for) a vehicle with an endless articulated steel band (Caterpillar track. Caterpillar tread, etc.) passing round and worked by two wheels, for travelling on rough ground. E20. 1 lobster caterpillar see lobster noun' 3. nigger caterpillar see nicger noun 3 saddleback caterpillar see saddleback noun 2. vegetable caterpillar = awheto.

caterwaul /'katawad/ verb & noun. lme. [from cat noun' + -er- connective + imit. final elem.] ► A verb intrans. 1 Of a cat: make the screaming noise characteristic of a cat on heat. lme. kb transf. Make a dis¬

cordant screaming noise. Li 6. 2 Be in heat; behave lasciviously; pursue the opposite sex. derog. arch, mi6. ► B noun. A screaming noise (as) of a cat during the mating season, eis. ■ caterwauler noun (rare) E17. eatery /'keit(a)ri/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. lme. [Aphet. from acatery.)

The office concerned with the provisioning of the royal household. catgut /'katgAt/ noun. Li6. [App. from cat noun1 (use unexpl.) + cut noun.]

1 The dried and twisted intestines of the sheep, horse, or ass, used for the stringing of musical instruments, rackets, etc., and for surgical sutures. L16. 2 A violin; stringed instruments collectively. El 8. t3 A coarse cloth of thick cord, used as a stiffening. M18-E19. Cath. abbreviation. 1 Cathedral. 2 Catholic.

[Aphet. from acatervar. of acatour.]

A buyer of provisions; a caterer. cater /'keita/ noun2, lme. [Old & mod. French quatre four.] 1 The four on a die or (arch.) in a pack of cards; a throw of four at dice. lme. 2 campanology. In pi. Changes on nine bells in which four

couples of bells change places in the order of ringing. E19.

Cathar /'ka0a:/ noun. PI. Cathars. Cathari /'ka8a:rAi/. M17.

Catharine noun var. of Catherine.

[from (the same root as) prec.]

(Place, set) rhomboidally; (cut, move, etc.) diagonally. cater /'keita/ verb2. Li6. [from cater noun’.] 1 verb intrans. Act as a caterer (for). L16. 2 verb trans. Provide or purvey as food. M17. 3 verb intrans. gen. Provide amusements, requisites, etc,, for, to; make allowances/or. M17. kb Pander to (evil inclin¬

ations etc.). M19. ■ catering noun the action of the verb; the trade or work of a caterer: Ei9.

cateran /'kat(a)r(a)n/ noun. me. 1 Hist. An irregular fighting-man of the Scottish High¬ lands, (Orig. in pi. & as collect, sing.) me. 2 transf. A raider, a marauder. Li9. catercorner "keitakoma/ adverb & adjective. N. Amer. & dial. Also catty- /'kati-/, -cornered /-ko:nad/, & other vars M19. [from cater adverb * corner noun (+ -ED3).]

[Origin of ist elem. uncertain: perh. from cater noun1 with ref to boarding together.)

[from cater noun’ or verb2 + -er'.]

1 A person who caters or provides provisions for a household, club, etc,; esp. a person whose trade is to supply, cook, serve, etc., food at a social function, me. 2 gen. A person who provides amusements, requisites etc. E18.

cathartic /ka’Occtik/ adjective & noun. In sense E17.

f few, g get, h he. j yes,

also k-.

Cathay /ka'0ei/ noun. arch. & poet Mi6.

I leg,

m

[Late Latin catheter from Greek (catheter, from kathienai send or let down] medicine. A tube which can be passed into the bladder or

other body cavity or canal to allow the draining of fluid. ■ catheteri zation noun the use of a catheter mi 9. catheterize verb trans. employ a catheter on (a patient); introduce a catheter into: L19. catheterism noun (now rare or obsolete) = CATHETERIZATION E18.

cathetometer/kaBi'tDmits/ noun. Also k-. M19. [from next + -ometer.]

An instrument for measuring vertical distances, esp. small differences of level of liquid columns in tubes. cathetus /'ka03t3s/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. PI. -ti /-tmJ. L16.

A straight line falling perpendicularly on another straight line or surface. cathexis /k3'0£ksis/ noun. PI. -thexes /-'Bsksiiz/. E20. [Greek kathexis holding, retention, a rendering of German (Libido)besetzung (Freud).] psychoanalysis. The concentration or accumulation of libidinal energy on a particular object.

cathectic /ka'0ektik/ adjective. E20. [Greek kathektikos capable of holding.) psychology. Of or relating to cathexis. a cathect verb trans. [back-form.] charge (an idea, impulse, etc.) with mental energy or emotion M20.

cathedra /ks'OLdra/ noun. lme.

See also ex cathedra.

[Old & mod. French cathedral from late Latin cathedralis, from Latin cathedra: see -AL1. As noun short for cathedral church ] ► A adjective. I Of or pertaining to a bishop's throne or

see. (Not always distinguishable from the noun used attrib.) me. 2 Of or pertaining to a chair of office or authority ex cathedra. E17.

man,

n no, p pen,

r red, s sit,

t top,

cathode /’ka03ud/ noun. Also |k-. M19. [Greek kathodos way down, from kata cata- + hodos way.]

A negative electrode or terminal. Opp. anode. cold cathode: see cold adjective, hot cathode: see hot adjective. virtual cathode Comb.: cathode ray a beam of electrons emitted from the cathode of a vacuum tube (cathode-ray oscilloscope see oscilloscope 2: cathode-ray tube, a vacuum tube in which cathode rays produce a luminous image on a fluorescent screen). ■ cathodal adjective of or pertaining to a cathode L19.

cathodic /ks'Bodik/ adjective. Also fk-. M19. Of or pertaining to a cathode. cathodic protection prevention of corrosion of a metal struc¬ ture by making it act as the cathode of an electrolytic cell. ■ cathodically adverb M20

■ Cathayan adjective & noun L16.

► B noun. 1 The principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop’s throne. Li6. k cat,

catheter /' kaBito/ noun. Also k-. Ei7.

[from prec. + -ic.]

The country of China.

LU 2 T. B. Shaw The style is too uniformly didactic cath¬ edral. and declamatory.

[from cater noun' or verb~ + -ess1.]

b but. d dog,

2

[Late Latin caiharticus from Greek kathartikos, from kathairein: see prec., -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 medicine. Purgative. E17. 2 gen. Purifying; effecting catharsis, mi7. ► B noun. A purgative, mi7. ■ cathartical adjective (now rare) M17. cathartically adverb E19.

cateress/'keit(a)ns/noun. Mi7. A female caterer.

wheel with curved spikes projecting from its circumference.Li6. kb A firework which rotates in the manner of a wheel, mi8. >c architecture. In full Catherine wheel window. A circular window with radiating spokes. E19. kd A lateral handspring with the arms and legs extended. L19. 2 Catherine pear, a small and early variety of pear. Ei7.

(Proprietary name for) a beauty treatment in which an electric current is passed through a gel applied to a person's face, in order to cleanse the skin.

cathedral /ko'0i:dr(3)l/ adjective & noun. me.

An intimate friend. caterer /'keit(o)ra/ noun. me.

[Female forename, from mod. Latin Catharina, earlier Katerina repr. Greek Aikaterina, assim. to katharos pure. In sense 1 a legend¬ ary saint of Alexandria martyred on a spiked wheel.) 1 Catherine wheel ta Esp. heraldry. The figure of a

[mod. Latin from Greek katharsis, from kathairein cleanse, from katharos pure. In sense 2 from Aristotle's Poetics.] 1 medicine. Purgation. E19.

A seat; spec, the chair of a bishop in his church; the epis¬ copal see.

cater-cousin /'keitskAzfsJn/ noun. arch. Ei6.

consume. Catherine /'ka0(3)nn/ noun. Also (less commonly) -ar-, K-. L16.

[French, perh. from cathode + dermic (formed as Greek derma + -Y3, with inserted i).]

[Latin from Greek kathedra chair.]

(Placed or situated) diagonally.

[Greek kathairetikos destructive, from kathairein destroy.] medicine. (An agent) having power to destroy, reduce, or

cathiodermie 'kaGioo’domi: noun. M2o. 2

[medieval Latin Cat(h)aya from Turkic Khitay.]

[medieval Latin cateranus, kethemus or its source Gaelic ceathaime peasantry (=■ Irish ceitheam kern noun1).]

catheretic /kaBa'retik/ adjective & noun. Now rare or obsolete. M17.

also k-. PI. -tharses

catharsis /ko'0a:sis/ noun. In sense /-'0a:si:z/. E19.

2 (A) purification of the emotions by vicarious experi¬ ence, esp. through drama, or, in psychotherapy, by abre¬ action. mi 9.

cater /'keita/ verb1 trans. & adverb, dial. Li6.

Special collocations & comb.: cathedral church a cathedral, cathedral city: in which there is a cathedral, cathedral glass: coloured and leaded like that of churches, for domestic etc. use. ■ cathe dratic adjective (now rare) = cathedral adjective M17.

[Latin from Greek kathetos (gramme) perpendicular line, from kathienai: see catheter.]

[medieval Latin Cathari (pi.) from Greek katharoi the pure.] ecclesiastical history. A member of a sect seeking to achieve purity; spec, an Albigensian. ■ Catharist noun E17 Catharism noun 116.

tcater noun'. me-mi7.

2 A principal Presbyterian church; any important, large, or imposing church. Ei9.

v van. w we. z zoo,

cathodo- /'kaOsdsu/ combining form of cathode: see -o-. Also |k-. a cathodolumi nescence noun luminescence excited by the impact of an electron beam E20.

Catholic /'ka0(3)hk/ adjective & noun. In branch II of the adjective c-. lme. [Old & mod. French catholique or its source Christian Latin catholicus from Greek katholikos general, universal, from katholou (kath' holou) in general, from kata in respect of, holos whole.] ► A adjective. I Christian church. 1 Of. belonging to, or desig-

nating the ancient Church before the great schism between East and West, or any Church standing in his¬ torical continuity with it, as (a) the Western or Latin Church after the schism (distinguished from Eastern. Orthodox), (b) the Latin Church that remained under the Roman obedience after the Reformation (= Roman Catholic adjectival phr., opp. Protestant etc.), (c) the Angli¬ can Church regarded as a continuation of both the Ancient and Latin Churches (= Anglo-Catholic adjective) LME, 2 Of, belonging to, or designating the Christian Church as a whole. M16. j she,

3

vision,

0

thin,

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip, d3 jar

361

catholicate j caudal

3 Recognizing or having sympathies with all Chris¬ tians. M17.

catocalid/kata(u)'keilid/

adjective & noun. Li9. [from mod. Latin Catocala (see below), from Greek kato below + halos beautiful: see -ID3.) (A moth) belonging to the noctuid genus Catocala,

3 R. Baxter The Lord Protector is noted as a man of a Catholic spirit, desirous of the unity and peace of all the ser¬ vants of Christ.

which includes the red underwing.

► II gen. 4 Universal; of interest or use to everyone, mi6. ►tb Of a medicine, remedy, etc.: universally applicable. E17-M18. Common, prevalent. Only in 17. 5 Having sympathies with all; all-embracing; broad¬ minded, tolerant. Li6.

cat o’ mountain Catonian

branch of optics that deals with reflection, mi 6. ► B adjective. Of or relating to mirrors or reflection. ■

catty /'kati/ noun. Li6. [Malay, Javanese kati. Cf. caddy noun1, kati.)

Any of various weights of around used in China and SE Asia.

cattycorner(ed) adverbs & adjectives see catercorner.

Divination by means of a mirror or mirrors.

CatuIlian /ka'tAlran/ adjective. Mi9.

noun & adjective. Li9. [mod. Latin Catastomidae (see below), from Catostomus genus name, from Greek koto down + stoma mouth: see -id3.]

[from Catullus (see below) + -ian.)

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Latin lyric poet Catullus (c 84-c 54 bc) or his writing.

(A freshwater fish) of the chiefly N. American family Catostomidae, which includes the suckers and buffa¬ loes.

■ Also Catullan adjective M20

catydid noun var. of katydid.

noun. fig. Mi6. [from cat noun' + -'s’ + eye noun.]

cat’s-eye /'katsAi/

caubeen ko: bi:n/ noun. Anglo-Irish & Canad. dial. Ei9. [Irish = old hat, old cap, from caibm dim. ofcdba cape: see -een2.]

1 A gemstone, esp. a variety of chalcedony, which dis¬ plays a lustre resembling the contracted pupil of a cat's eye. Also called sunstone. mi6. 2 A speedwell, forget-me-not, or similar bright flower.

A hat, a cap. Caucasian /ko:'keizjan, -3(0)11/ adjective & noun. Ei7. [from Caucasus (see below), Caucasia: see -ian, -an.)

► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or inhabiting the Cau¬ casus, a mountainous region between the Black and Caspian Seas; of or pertaining to the non-Indo-European languages of this region, including Circassian and Geor¬ gian. El 7. 2 Of, relating to, or designating the white or light¬ skinned division of humankind, formerly supposed to have originated in the Caucasus. Ei9. ► B noun. A white or light-skinned person. Also, a native or inhabitant of the Caucasus; the Caucasian languages collectively. Mi9.

E19.

The operculum of a turban shell. Li 9. Also C-. (Proprietary name for) a light-reflecting stud set into the surface of a road to demarcate traffic lanes etc. at night. M20. 3

4

tcatso noun & interjection, slang. See also

gadso. et7.

[Italian cazzo lit. ‘penis’.]

3

► A noun. PI -os. A rogue. Only in 17. ► B interjection. = gadzooks. Only in Ei8.

C-. E19.

[from Catholic + -ity: cf. French catholicity]

noun. fig. mis. [from cat noun' + -'s' + paw noun1.]

cat’s-paw /'katspo:/

1 The quality of having sympathies with all or being all-embracing; broad-mindedness, tolerance. E19. 2 Universality; universal prevalence or recognition. E19. 3 The character of belonging to or being in accordance with a Catholic Church; spec. Roman Catholicism. E19.

Ibero-Caucasian, North Caucasian. South Caucasian, etc. (lan¬ guages). ■ Caucasic /kofkasik/ adjective = Caucasian adjective 2 L19. Caucasoid adjective & noun (a) adjective of, pertainingto, or resem¬ bling the Caucasian division of humankind; (b) noun a Caucasoid person: E20.

1 A light breeze that ripples the surface of water in places, mi8. 2 A person used as a tool by another. Cf. cat’s-foot (a) s.v. cat noun1. L18. 3 nautical. A twisting hitch made in the bight of a rope to form two bights, to hook a tackle on. L18.

B IE Reed It is important to cultivate a true catholicity of taste. 3 E. B. Pusey They wish to claim for the English Church the character of Catholicity.

cat’s-tail

/'katsteil/ noun. fig. Also

cat-tail.

Cauchy /'kaoji/ noun. L19. [A.-L. Cauchy (1789-1857), French mathematician.) math. 1 Used attrib. and in possess, to designate concepts introduced by Cauchy or arising out of his work. 119. 2 Cauchy-Riemann equation [Riemann], each of two partial differential equations which must be satisfied if a function of two variables is to be separable into a real part and an imaginary part. E20. 3 Cauchy Schwarz inequality, - Schwarz inequality M20. 1 Cauchy integral (formula). Cauchy’s integral (formula) a formula expressing the value of a function at a point in terms of an integral round a dosed curve enclosing the point. Cauchy sequence any sequence of numbers a„ which satisfies the con¬ dition that, for any positive number c, a value of n can be chosen so that any two members of the sequence after a„ differ by a quantity less than e. Cauchy's theorem spec, the theorem that the integral of an analytic function of a complex variable round a closed curve which encloses no singularities is zero.

me.

[from cat noun' + - V + tail noun'.]

1 Any of various plants with long thin parts suggestive of cats' tails, esp. (a) the reed-mace; (b) a horsetail; (c) (more fully cat’s-tail grass) a grass of the genus

catholicon /ka'OnlikDn/ noun. lme. [French catholicon, -cum from mod. Latin catholicum use as noun (sc. remedium remedy) of catholicus: see Catholic. In sense 1 cf. medieval Latin catholicon dictionary.]

Phleum. me.

1 A comprehensive treatise, lme. 2 A universal remedy; a panacea, lme. Catholicos /ka'0DlikDs/ noun. PI. -coses, -coi /-koi/. E17.

L16.

noun var. of ketchup.

cattalo

[medieval Creek katholikos: see Catholic.] Christian church. The Patriarch of the Armenian or the Nes-

/'kataloo/ noun. N. Amer. Also

catalo.

PI.

-o(e)s.

L19.

[from cattle + buffalo.]

torian Church.

A cross between a male buffalo and a domesticated cow.

Comb.: Catholicos-Patriarch the head of the Georgian Church.

Catiline /'katiUin/ noun. Li6. [Latin Catilina. cognomen of a Roman who conspired against the Roman republic in 63 bc: see -ine'.]

tcattan

noun see katana.

Cattern

noun&verb var. of Kattern.

caucus /'ko:kas/ noun & verb. Orig. US. mis.

noun. li8. [from cat noun’ + -ery.]

cattery/'katari/

A conspirator, esp. against government.

■ Catilinarian /.katih'neimn/ adjective & noun (a person) resem bling Catiline; conspiring, a conspirator, esp. against govern¬ ment: El 9.

[Perh. from Algonquian cau’-cau'-as’u adviser.)

► A noun. A committee of members of a political party, esp. elected representatives, meeting regularly to deter¬ mine policy, select candidates, etc.; a group or bloc of such members; the systematic exercise of political control through such committees. Also (freq. derog.), a usu. secret meeting of a group active within a larger organization or party; a group of this kind. mis.

A colony of cats; a place where cats are bred or looked after. adjective. Li6. [from cat noun1 +-ish'.[ 1 Of or like a cat. Li6. 2 spec. Sly and spiteful; catty. L19. ■ cattishly adverb E20 cattishness noun L19.

cattish /'katij/

cation/'katAion/noun. Mi9. [from cat(hode or cata- + ion.]

A positively-charged ion, i.e. one which would be attracted to a cathode. Opp. anion.

■ cationic adjective of or pertaining to cations; of the nature of a cation: E20.

► I Property. j-1 (Personal) property; wealth, goods, me-lis. |2 A chattel, lis-eis. ► II Treated as pi. Livestock. 3 Animals of the genus Bos, oxen; (now arch. & dial.) live¬ stock, (in stables) horses, me. 4 contempt. People (likened to cattle), arch. Li6. 15 Vermin; insects. Only in 17.

[Dutch fkatteken lit. ‘kitten1: see cat noun1, -kin.]

A cylindrical unisexual inflorescence, usu. pendent and downy or silky, borne by various trees. 2

also -in /-in/. Ei7.

[from cat noun1 + -ling1.]

1 Catgut. E17. 2 surgery. A long, narrow, double-edged, straight knife for amputations. E17. 3 A kitten; a little cat. M17.

► B verb intrans. Hold or form a caucus. Li 8.

cauda /'ko:da/ noun. PI. -dae /-di:/. Li7. [Latin = tail.] anatomy & zoology. A structure resembling a tail. Chiefly in

cauda equina fkAvvina/, the bundle of nerves descend¬ ing from the lower end of the spinal cord. caudal /'ko:d(a)l/ adjective & noun. Mi7.

3 black cattle oxen of Scottish and Welsh highland breeds, orig. black. Comb.: cattle-cake c oncentrated food for cattle, in cake form; cattle-dog Austral & NZ a dog bred or trained to work cattle; cattle-egret a small white heron, Bubulais ibis, often associated with grazing cattle; cattle-grid, (US) cattle-guard a ditch

catlinite /'katlmAit/ noun. M19. [from George Catlin (1796-1872), US artist + -ITE*.]

The sacred pipe-stone of the American Indians, a red clay of the Upper Missouri region. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot.

CQ J. R. Lowell In the Greek epic, the gods are partisans, they hold caucuses, they lobby and log-roll for their candi¬ dates. G. B. Shaw Mere politicians, the drudges of the caucus and the polling booth.

noun. me. [from Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French catel var. of Old French chatel chattel.]

cattle /'kat(a)l/

catkin /'katkin/ noun. L16.

catling / katlig/ noun. In sense

A catkin.

2

catsup

0:

saw,

a

run,

o

put, u: too.

grams or iy3 lb,

[from cat noun* + -y1.] 1 Sly and spiteful. L19. 2 Of or pertaining to cats. E20. ■ cattily adverb E20. cattiness noun E20.

catoptrical adjective (now rare or obsolete) L17.

catostomid /ka'tDstamrd/

cf.

600

catty /'kati/ adjective. Li9.

El 8.

noun. E17. [from Greek katoptron (see prec.) + -mancy.]

The jurisdiction of a Catholicos. catholicity /kaBaTisiti/ noun. In sense

An epiphytic neotropical orchid of the genus Cattleya, with handsome violet, pink, or yellow flowers.

catoptromancy /ka'tDptramansi/

catholicate /ka'Oolikeit/ noun. M19. Catholic:

[mod. Latin, from William Cattley (d. 1832), English patron of botany: see -A1.]

noun & adjective. Mi6. [Greek katoptrikos adjective, from katoptron mirror: see -ic.] ► A noun sing. & (now) usu. in pi. (treated as sing.). The

Phrases & comb.: Anglo-Catholic. Catholic and Apostolic Church, Catholic Apostolic Church a religious body founded about 1835 according to the teachings of Edward Irving. Catholic Emancipation: see emancipation. Catholic Epistles: those of James. Peter, and Jude, and the first of John, as not being addressed to particular Churches or persons. Catholic King Hist. the King of Spain. German Catholic (a) noun a member of either of two religious parties who separated from the Roman Catholic communion in lgth-cent. Germany (usu. in pi.); (b) adjective of or pertaining to the German Catholics, his Catholic Majesty = Catholic King above. Old Catholic (a) noun a member of any of various religious parties who separated from the Roman Cath¬ olic communion, esp. the Church of Utrecht in the 18th cent, and the German Catholics (usu. in pi.); a member of a Roman Catholic family in England since the Reformation; (b) adjective of or pertaining to Old Catholics. Roman Catholic. Romish Catholic. ■ Catholically adverb E16. Catholicism lo'0Dlisiz(3)m/ noun (adherence to) the system, faith, and practice of a Catholic (esp. the Roman Catholic) Church Li 6. Catholicization /k3,0DliSAi'zeiJ(3)n/ noun the action of making Catholic E20. Catholicize /ka'0DliSAiz/ verb trans. & intrans. make Catholic or catholic; become (a) Catholic: Ei7. Catholicly adverb in accord¬ ance with the faith or teaching of the Catholic Church mi 6. catholicus

cattleya katlis/ noun. E19.

Mi6.

catoptric /ka'tDptnk/

► B noun. 1 A member of a Catholic Church; esp. = Roman Catholic noun phr. lme. |2 = CATHOLICOS. E17-M18.

from

noun phr. var. of catamountain.

/kei'taoman/ noun & adjective.

[Latin Catonianus, from Cato, cognomen of Cato the Censor (234-149 bc and Cato of Utica (95-46 bc), both noted for the sever¬ ity of their manners: see -ian.] ►t A noun. A follower of either Cato. Only in mi 6. ► B adjective. Severe in manner, stem, austere. L17.

G3 4 J. A. Froude What was of Catholic rather than national interest. 5 A. Burgess I’ve got Catholic tastes. Catholic with a small ‘c’, of course.

[medieval Latin catholicatus, Cathoucos & see -ate’.]

covered by spaced bars to allow the passage of vehicles and ped¬ estrians but not cattle etc.; cattle-lifter a cattle-thief; cattleman N. Amer. a person who tends or rears cattle; cattleplague rinderpest: cattle-rustler a cattle-thief; cattle-stop NZ = cattle-grid above; cattle-truck a truck for the transport of cattle; fig. a crowded uncomfortable vehicle.

3

ago,

ai

my, au how. ei day.

[mod. Latin caudalis, formed as prec.: see -At1.] anatomy & ZOOLOGY. ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a tail; situated in or near the tail or posterior part of the body. M17.

► B noun. A caudal fin, vertebra, etc. Mi9. ou

no. e: hair, ra near. 01 boy, 0.1 poor ais tire, aua sour

362

caudate | causeuse m

cauliflower /'kDhflaoa/ noun & verb. Li6.

caudally adverb 119.

caudate /'kordeit/ adjective. Ei7. [medieval Latin caudatus, formed as cauda: see -ate2.]

Having a tail or an appendage resembling a tail; tailed, caudate nucleus mrom the upper of the two grey nuclei of

the corpus striatum.

■ Also cau dated adjective Fi9

caudex /'koideks/ noun. PI. -dices /-disi:z/. lis. [Latin, earlier form of codex.] botany. The axis of a plant (esp. a palm or fern) consisting

of stem and root. caudide/'ko:dtk(3)l/noun. Mi9. [from Latin caudex, -die- after caulicfe etc.: see -cule.] botany. A small stalklike appendage to the pollinium of

an orchid. caudillo/kao'dijjau/noun. PI. -os. Mi9.

[Alt. (by assim. to cole noun1, flower noun) of French jehoufleuri (florl), prob. from Italian cavolfiore, pi. cavoli fiori or mod. Latin cauliflora 'flowered cabbage’.] ► A noun. 1 A cultivated variety of cabbage with a large,

dense, white flower-head; the flower-heads eaten as a vegetable. Li6. 2 Something resembling a cauliflower in shape. M18. Comb.: cauliflower cheese a savoury dish made of cauliflower and cheese sauce; cauliflower ear an ear (esp. of a boxer) thick¬ ened and disfigured by repeated blows. ► B verb trans. 1 Powder (a wig), rare. Lis. 2 Thicken or disfigure (an ear) by repeated blows, esp. in boxing. Chiefly as caulifowered ppl adjective. M20. cauline /'ko:Uin/ adjective, mis. [from Latin caulis + -ine1.] botany. Of or belonging to the stem; esp. (of a leaf) borne on the stem (opp. radical).

[Spanish from late Latin capitellum dim. of caput head.]

In Spain and Spanish-speaking countries: a head of State, a militaiy or political leader, the Caudillo tire title assumed by General Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain 1938-75. caudle /’ka:d(3)l/ noun & verb. arch. me.

caulis /'ko:lis/ noun. PI. caules /'ko:li:z/. M16. [Latin = stem, stalk.] architecture. Each of the four principal stalks in a Corinth¬

ian capital.

[Old Northern French caudel, Old French chaudel (mod. chaudeau) from medieval Latin dim. of Latin caldum hot drink, from ral(i)dus warm.] ► A noun, A drink of warm gruel containing spice, sugar,

caulk /ko:k/ noun. Nautical slang. M19.

and wine, for invalids, me. ► B verb trans. 1 Administer a caudle to. Cf. coddle verb2. E17. 2 Mix as in a caudle. Li8.

caulk /ko:k/ verb'. Also *calk. In branch 1 fcauk, tcawk LME.

caught verb pa. t. & pple of catch verb. cauk /folk/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. Also (esp. in sense 2) cawk. LME. [Perh. north, var. of chalk noun, or from Middle Dutch calc chalk noun.]

1 Chalk. Also, lime, calcite, etc. lme. 2 Barytes. Mi7. cauk verb' var. of cock verb4. I cauk verb2 see caulk verb'. caul /ko:l/ noun'. See also kell. me. [Origin uncertain: perh. from Old & mod. French cale head¬ covering, but recorded earlier.]

1 A close-fitting netted head-dress, esp. of a type worn by women indoors. Also, the plain back part of a woman’s head-dress, obsolete exc. Hist. me. f jb The netted substructure of a wig. L17-L18. |2 A spider’s web. LME-M17. 3 a An enveloping membrane. Long obsolete in gen. sense, lme. Fb The omentum, lme. Fc The amnion or inner membrane enclosing the foetus before birth; a portion of this occas. found on a child’s head at birth, thought to be lucky, and supposed to be a preservative against drowning. M16. |4 gen. A net. L15-L17. caul /ko:l/ noun2. Scot. Also cauld /ko:ld/. M16.

►til Of birds: copulate. LME-E18. ► II 2 verb trans. Stop up the seams of (a ship etc,) with oakum etc. and waterproofing material or by driving the plate-junctions together; stop up (seams) thus. lis. 3 verb trans. Stop up or seal the crevices of (windows etc.); seal (crevices). E17. 4 verb intrans. Sleep, take a nap. Nautical slang. E19. 2 caulking iron a tool for driving oakum etc. into the seams of a ship. ■ caulker noun (a) a person who caulks ships; (b) an implement for caulking; (c) Nautical slang = caulk noun 1: lis. caulk verb2 var. of cock verb4. tcauponate verb trans. M17-EI8. [Latin cauponat- pa. ppl stem of cauponari, from caupo, -on- huck¬ ster, innkeeper: see -ate2.]

Deal like a huckster with; traffic in (dishonestly) for gain. ■ fcauponation noun petty or unfair dealing; adulteration M16-E18. tcauponize verb trans. Also -ise. M17-LI8. [from Latin caupo, -on-: see prec., -ize.]

= prec. Also, mix and adulterate for gain. Caurus /'ko:ras/ noun. arch. lme. [Latin.]

[Late Latin causalis adjective, from causa: see cause noun, -al1.]

► A noun. A causal conjunction or particle, lme. ► B adjective. 1 grammar & logic. Introducing or expressing a cause. M16. 2 Of or relating to a cause or causes; acting as a cause; of the nature of cause and effect. Li6.

cauld noun, adjective & adverb see cold noun etc. cauldrife/'kofidnf/ adjective. Scot. M17. [from prec. + rife. Cf. wastrife.]

Causing cold, chilling; susceptible to cold, cauldron /'ko:ldr(p)n, 'kDl-/ noun. Also cald-. me. [Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French caudron (mod. chaudron) augm. of Proto-Romance var. of late Latin cal(i)darium cooking-pot, from cal(i)dus hot. The spelling with / after Latin appeared in 15 and later infl. the pronunc., as in fault.]

A large cooking-pot, usu. of a deep basin shape with a hoop handle and removable lid. ea fo: W. Shenstone Vesuvio's horrid cauldrons roar. N. Monsarrat The harbour.. became a cauldron of smoke and flame and columns of erupting water.

£B 2 FIenry More As being a means to this end, and, there¬ fore, Causal thereto. R. Blackmore The links of all the causal chain. P. Davtes No signal could travel faster than light without producing causal chaos. ■ causally adverb in the manner of, or as being, the cause; by way of cause and effect: lme. causalgia /ko:'zald3a/noun. M19. [from Greek kausos heat, fever + -algia.] medicine. A severe burning pain in a limb caused by injury

to a peripheral nerve.

Comb.: cauldron subsidence: of a roughly cylindrical or conical mass of rock into a magma chamber.

causality/kai'zahti/noun. lis. [French causalite or medieval Latin causalitas, formed as causal see -ity.]

caules noun pi. of caulis. caulescent /koflesfojnt/adjective, mis.

1 Causal quality; the fact or state of acting as a cause L15. 2 The operation or relation of cause and effect, mi 7. 3 phrenology. A mental faculty of tracing effects to causes. L19.

[from Latin caulis + -escent.] botany. Having an obvious stem.

caulide/ ko:lik(3)l/noun. M17. [Latin cauliculus, formed as caulis: see -cule.] botany. A little stalk, esp. a radicle,

OL?n]Ch °r 'tS S0urce ltalian co,>co,° from Latin cauliculus-. see prec., architecture. Any of the fluted stalks arising from the larger stalks of a Corinthian capital and bearing leaves or

cauliflory 'ko:liflo:ri/ noun. E20.

k cat. 1 leg,

m

£0 1 S. Johnson The greatest events may be often traced to slender causes. G. B. Shaw Bruno is buried, and his death from natural causes duly certified. H. Innes The sound of it falling must have been the cause of my waking, b G. Berkeley God is the supreme and universal Cause of all things. Tennyson Am I the cause.. that men Reproach you? 2 AV To amend it where he saw cause. J. R. Green The causes which drew students and teachers within the wails of Oxford. B. England He was a hard man. But never without cause. 3 Goldsmith He that has most opinions is most likely to carry his cause. W. B. Carpenter Further proceed¬ ings .. in a cause which he had heard some years previously, b Shakes. Lucr. The cause craves haste. 4 Shakes. John Such temperate order in so fierce a cause. W. S. Churchill The greatest of the European movements in these years was the cause of Italian unity. L. Auchincloss She had many causes, but currently she was absorbed in the fight against the Viet¬ namese war. H. Carpenter A political rebel leaves his lover to fight for the cause. 5 Sflakes. Coriol Leave us to cure this cause. Phrases: cause and effect (the operation or relation of) a cause and the effect it produces; the doctrine of causation, efficient cause philosophy that which produces or occasions the thing caused, final cause philosophy the purpose or end of the thing caused. First Cause the Creator of the universe, formal cause philosophy that which defines the thing caused, ffor someone's cause on someone's account, for the sake of someone, good cause (a) adequate justification; (b) a movement deserving support, esp. a charity, in the cause of to defend or support, lost cause a hopeless undertaking, make common cause with join forces with, ally oneself with, material cause philosophy the matter that constitutes the thing caused. meritorious cause: see meritorious adjective, occasional cause see occasional adjective 4. primary cause: see primary adjective, probable cause: see probable adjective, secondary cause: see secondary adjective, second cause a cause which is itself caused. Comb.: cause list a list of cases awaiting trial. ■ causeful adjective (rare) (a) having (good) cause, well founded; (b) that is a cause of. lme. causeless adjective (a) having no ante¬ cedent cause; (b) arch, having no (legal) cause or reason; ground¬ less, unjustifiable: lme. causelessly adverb Mi6.

cause /ko:z/ verb. lme. [Old & mod. French causer or Latin causari give as a pretext etc., medieval Latin -ari, -are be the cause of, from causa: see cause noun.] 1 verb trans. Be the cause of, effect, bring about; occa¬ sion, produce; induce, make, (a person or thing to do, t do, a thing to be done, fbe done): (arch.) bring it about that. LME. 12 verb intrans. Give reasons or excuses, rare (Spenser). Only in L16. ffl 1 Spenser She caused them be led .. Into a bowre. AV John 11:37 Could not this man.. have caused that even this man should not have died? Dryden A Drench of Wine.. the Patient s Death did cause. C. Beaton The visitor pressed an electric button that caused a glass wall to roll back. L. Durrell A cruel satirical short story, which.. caused me great pain, cause havoc: see havoc noun 2. ■ causable adjective (rare) that can be caused M17. causer noun a person who or thing which causes something lme. ’cause /kDz, kaz/ adverb & conjunction, colloq. & dial. See also cos adverb & conjunction, lme. [Abbreviation.] = because.

[Old & mod. French, or Latin causatio(n-) pretext etc., (in medieval Latin) action of causing, from causat- pa. ppl stem of causari -aresee cause verb, -ation.]

The causing or producing of an effect; the relation of cause and effect. social causation: see social adjective. ■ causational adjective E20.

causerie 'kozri/ noun. Pi. pronounced same. E19. [French, from causer to talk.] Informal (esp. literary) talk; a chatty article.

causative /'k.rzotiv/ adjective & noun. lme.

[from Latin caulis -f jlos.flon:; flower + -y3.] botany. The production of flowers directly from the main stem or branches.

cause/ko:z/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin causa reason, motive, lawsuit.] 1 gen. That which produces an effect or consequence; an antecedent or antecedents followed by a certain phe¬ nomenon. me. Fb A person or other agent who occa¬ sions something, with or without intent, lme. 2 A fact, circumstance, or consideration which moves a person to action; ground for action, reason, motive; esp. adequate motive or justification, me. 3 A matter about which a person goes to law, a subject of litigation; a legal case, (the case of one party in) a lawsuit, me. Fb gen. A matter of concern; the case as it concerns anyone, the situation, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 4 That side of any question or controversy espoused by a person or party; a movement which inspires the efforts of its supporters, me. |5 Sickness, disease. lme-ei7.

cause celebre /ko:z selebr/ noun phr. Pi. -s -s (pronounced same), mis. [French.] A notorious legal case; a lawsuit that attracts much attention.

causation /kofzeijjajn/ noun. lis.

caulicole /'koiikaul/ noun. Ei9.

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

[Old Northern French cauquer, caukier var. of cauchier tread, press with force (mod. cocher) from Latin calcare tread, press, from calx, calc- heel.]

causal /'ko:z(a)l/ noun & adjective, lme.

A weir or dam for diverting river-water, fcaul noun3 var. of cole noun',

d dog,

1 A small drink of liquor, a dram, mi 9. 2 A short sleep, a nap. E20.

The stormy north-west wind, esp. personified.

[Origin unkn.]

b bur.

[Perh. from the verb.]

2 grammar. Expressing a cause or causation. E17. ► B noun. A causative agency; a causative word. lis. ■ causatively adverb Mi7. causa tivity noun = causality 1M19.

[Old 8, mod. French causatif, -ive or late Latin causativus from causat-1: see prec., cause verb, -ative.]

► A adjective. 1 Effective as a cause, productive of. lme. man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van. w we, z zoo,

causes celebres noun phr. pi. of cause celebre. causeuse /koze-.z/ noun. Pi. pronounced same. M19. [French, from causer: see prec.] A small sofa for two people. J she,

3

vision, 0 thin,

6

this, g ring, tf chip, d3 jar

363

causeway | cavel

causeway 'ko:zwei/ noun & verb. lme. [from next + way noun.]

► A noun. 1 A raised way, path, or road across a low or wet place or stretch of water; a raised footway beside a road. Formerly also, a mole or pier running into the sea or a river, lme. 2 A (paved) highway (obsolete exc. Hist. & in proper names); a paved (part of a) path or road (now dial.}. Li6. ►b spec. = causey noun 3b. Scot. E19. ► B verb trans. 1 Cross with a causeway; provide with a causeway. Freq. as causewayed ppl adjective, eis. 2 = causey verb. mis. 1 causewayed camp a type of neolithic settlement in south¬ ern Britain, characterized by a series of concentric ditches crossed by one or more causeways.

6

A surprising or amusing person or thing, colloq. (orig.

US), mi9. Milton What meant that caution joind, if ye be found Obedient? 3 Shakes. Macb. Whate’er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks. R. Graves The accused was at once dis¬ missed with a caution. 5 Fl. H. Milman Godfrey .. had learned caution by his eventful life; it had degenerated into craft. Sloan Wilson He had almost gone charging.. to berate her, but an innate caution had stopped him. A. MacLean With infinite caution, a fraction of an inch at a time sound a note of caution: see note noun2. 6 D. H. Lawrence Oh, he’s a caution, that lad—but not bad, you know. 03 2

Comb.: caution-money money deposited as security for good conduct. ► B verb trans. & (rare) intrans. Warn (against; to do, not to do),

causey /'ka:zi, -si/ noun & verb. me.

advise; warn and reprove, esp. officially.

[Anglo-Norman var. of Old Northern French cauciee (mod. chaussee) from Proto-Romance fern. pa. pple (sc. via way, road) from Latin calx, calc- lime.] ► A noun, fl A mound, embankment, or dam to retain

■ cautioner noun (scots iain) a person who stands surety for another El 6.

the water of a river or pond. me~lis. 2 = causeway noun 1. me. 3 = causeway noun 1. Now dial, or Hist. lme. Fb spec. A cobbled (part of a) street or pavement; a paved area. Chiefly Scot. Lis. ► B verb trans. Pave with small stones. Chiefly Scot. & dial. M16. causidical /ko: 'zidikf3)1/ adjective. L18. [from Latin caustdicus pleader + -al1.]

Of or pertaining to a pleader of legal causes. caustic/'ka:stik, 'kDst-/adjective & noun. lme. [Latin causticus from Creek kaustikos, from kaustos combustible, from kaieiti to burn: see -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 That burns or corrodes organic tissue, lme. ►b fig. Sarcastic, sharp, biting. Li8. 2 physics. Of a curve or surface; formed by the intersec¬

tion of rays of light reflected or refracted from a curved surface, eis. 1 caustic bush Austral, a trailing succulent. Sarcostemma australe. containing milky juice toxic to livestock; also called milk-bush caustic creeper Austral, a spurge. Euphorbia drummondii, contain¬ ing a milky juice poisonous to sheep, caustic plant = caustic bush above, caustic potash see potash 2. caustic soda sodium hydroxide, NaOH. caustic vine = caustic bush above, caustic weed = caustic creeper above. ► B noun. 1 A caustic substance, lme. 2 physics. A caustic curve or surface. El 8. 1 lunar caustic see lunar adjective. m caustically adverb M19. causticity -'stisiti/noun L18.

cautel /’ko:t(o)!/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French cautele or Latin cautela, from caut- pa. ppl stem of cavere take heed.]

11 Cunning, trickeiy; a trick, a stratagem. lme-ei7. |2 Caution, wariness. LME-M17. 3 A precautionary instruction or provision; spec. (■Christian church) a rubrical direction for the proper admin¬ istration of the sacraments, lme. ■ cautelous adjective (arch.) crafty, deceitful, wily; cautious, wary, circumspect; lme.

cauter /'ko:ts/ noun. Mi6. [Old & mod. French cautere from Latin cauterium: see cautery.]

= CAUTERY 1. cauterize /'krrtsrAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. lme. [Old & mod. French cauteriser from late Latin cauterizare from Greek kauteriazein, from kauterion: see next, -ize.]

1 Burn or sear with heat or a caustic substance, esp. in surgical operations, lme. 2 fig. Deaden, make insensible or callous. L16. t'A 2 Southey Custom soon cauterizes human sympathy. ■ cauteri zation noun lme.

cautery /'ko:t(s)ri/ noun. lme. [Latin cauterium from Greek kauterion branding-iron, from kaiein to burn.]

1 A metal instrument or caustic substance for searing tissue. LME. 2 The action of cauterizing, lme. ID 1 actual cautery orch. a hot iron for cauterizing, potential cautery arch, a caustic substance used for cauterizing. 2 fig.’. W. Owen Their senses in some scorching cautery of battle Now long since ironed.

caution /'ko;J(3)n/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin cautm(n-), from caut- pa. ppl stem of cavere take heed: see -ion.] ► A noun. 1 Security given, bail; a guarantee. Now chiefly Scot. & US. me. >b A person who stands surety, a guarantor.

Ei7.

cautionary /'k3:J(s)n(s)ri/ adjective & noun.

Li6.

[medieval Latin cautionarius, from Latin cautto(n-): see prec., -ARY1.] ► A adjective. 1 Of. pertaining to, or of the nature of a pledge or security; held as a pledge or security. Now Hist. eXC. SCOTS MW. LI 6.

12 Marked by caution; cautious. E17-M19. 3 Conveying a warning, admonitory. M17. |4 Of the nature of a provision against danger; precau¬ tionary. L17-E19. ► B noun. A security, guarantee, bail; a surety. Now only in scots law, an obligation undertaken to guarantee against or answer for the default of another. L16. cautious /'ko:Jss/ adjective.

M17.

[from caution noun on the model of ambition, ambitious, etc.: see -TIOUS.]

Characterized by caution; wary, careful, circumspect. CQ T. Forrest I was very cautious of touching upon what had happened that morning. D. L. Sayers Inclined to take a cautious view of rumours and suspicions. C. Milne Let us buy not just our usual cautious one or two copies; let us take a dozen, fcautious to do careful not to do. ■ cautiously adverb M17. cautiousness noun M17.

cava /'kervs/ noun1. PI.

cavae /'kervi:/. E19.

[Abbreviation.] MEDICINE. = VENA CO VO. ■ caval adjective of or pertaining to one or both of the venae cavae L19.

[French cavalkrie from Italian cavalleria, from cavallo horse from Latin caballus; see -ery, -ry.] 1 collect, (usu. treated as pi.). Soldiers on horseback; that

part of a militaiy force which consists of mounted troops. Now also, soldiers in motor vehicles. M16. Fb A force or troop of cavalry, E17. Fc transf. Horse-riders; horses for riding. H7. t2 Horsemanship. L16-L17. Comb.: cavalryman a soldier of a regiment of cavalry; cavalry sword a sword used by cavalry, esp, a sabre; cavalry twill a strong fabric woven in a double twill.

cavass noun see kavass. cavatina /kavs'ti:ns/noun. E19. [Italian.] music. A short simple song; a songlike piece of instru¬

mental music, usu. slow and emotional. cavayard /'kavija:d/ noun. US. Also /’kav(s|lja:d/, cavy-yard, & other vars. E19.

cavallard

[Alt. of Spanish caballada.]

A drove of horses or mules; = caballada. cave /keiv/ noun1, me. [Old & mod. French from Latin cava use as noun of fern. sing, or neut. pi. of cavus hollow.]

1 A large natural underground hollow, usu. with a horizontal opening, me. 2 politics. A dissident group (cf. Adullamite 2). Mi9. 1 idols of the cave: see idol noun. Comb.: cave art. cave-painting: primitive or prehistoric, on the interiors of caves, esp. depicting animals; cave-bear: of an extinct species known from remains found in caves; cavedweller. caveman, cavewoman: prehistoric, living in a cave or caves; fig. of primitive or violent passions, Instincts, and behaviour; cave-fish = blind fish s.v. bund adjective.

cave /'kervi/ noun2 & interjection, lme. [Latin, imper. sing, of cavere beware.]

► A noun, f 1 A warning; an injunction, lme-lis. 2 keep cave, act as a lookout. School slang. E20.

► B interjection. As a warning cry: look out! School slang. M19. cave /keiv/ verb', lme. [from cave noun1.] 1 verb trans. Hollow out, excavate, lme. 2 verb intrans. Lodge or lurk in a cave. E17. 3 verb intrans. Explore caves. Chiefly as caving verbal noun. M20.

cave /keiv/ verb2 intrans. & trans. dial, (chiefly Scot. & north.). Ei6.

cava /'ka:vs/ noun2. L20. [Spanish = cellar.]

A Spanish sparkling wine made in the same way as champagne. cavalcade /kav(s)l'keid, ‘kav(s)lkeid/ noun & verb. Li6. [French from Italian cavakata, from cavalcare to ride etc. from Proto-Romance, from Latin caballus horse.]

[Origin(s) unkn.]

1 Cause to fall clumsily or helplessly; tip over; topple. E16. 2 Toss (the head or other part of the body). L17. cave /keiv/ verb3. Also (dial.) calve /ka:v/. E18.

► A noun. |1 A ride or raid on horseback. L16-L17. 2 A company or procession of riders, carriages, motor vehicles, etc., esp. on a festive or solemn occasion. M17. ► B verb intrans. Ride in a cavalcade. Ei8.

[Perh. of Low German origin: cf. Western Flemish inkalven fall in, Dutch afkalven fall away, uitkalven fall out. Infl. by cave verb', verb1.] Usu. foil, by in (without in chiefly US). 1 verb intrans. Fall in over a hollow, subside; give way, yield to pressure, (lit. &fig.); submit, withdraw opposition.

cavalier /kavaiis/ noun & adjective.

E18. 2 verb trans. Cause to subside or yield to pressure; smash, bash, or beat in. E19.

Mi6.

[French, or its source Italian cavaliere deriv. of Latin caballus horse: see -IER. Cf. CHEVALIER.] ► A noun. 1 fortification. A raised defence work on the level

ground of a bastion, constructed to command the sur¬ rounding work and beyond, mi6. 2 A horseman; esp. a cavalryman, arch. Li6. 3 A lively military man; a courtly or fashionable gentle¬ man, a gallant, esp. as an escort to a lady. L16. 4 Hist. (Usu. C-.) A supporter of Charles I in the Civil War of 1642-9, a 17th-century Royalist. Mi7. ► B adjective, fl Gallant, rare. Only in M17. 2 Offhand; (esp. haughtily) careless in manner; curt; supercilious. Mi7. 3 Hist. (Usu. C-.) Supporting Charles I in the Civil War of 1642-9, Royalist; pertaining to or characteristic of the Cavaliers. E18. in 2 Carlyle This cavalier tone from an unknown person .. did not please me. H. Acton Nancy's amiability with the French differed from her cavalier treatment of the American soldiers. 3 cavalier cuff a cuff of gauntlet shape. ■ cavalierish adjective M17. cavalierism noun M17 cavalierly adjective characteristic of a cavalier, knightly M19. cavalierly adverb in a cavalier manner L17.

cavalier /kavs jis/ verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Li6. [from prec.]

Play the cavalier; pay court to women. cavaliere servente /kava'!je:re ser'vente/ noun phr. mis.

LI 6.

[Italian, lit. 'gentleman-in-waiting'.J

f2 A proviso. L16-L17. 3 A word of warning; a fact etc. that acts as a warning; an official reprimand and warning regarding a person s future conduct. Li6. t4 A precaution, a taking of heed. E17-E19. 5 Prudence, taking care; attention to safety, avoidance of rashness. M17.

A (married) woman's lover or solicitous admirer.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit. i cosy, ir see. d hot, 0

cavalry/'kav(s)lri/noun. Mi6.

cavallard noun var. of cavayard. cavally /ks’vali/noun. arch. Also -llo /-bu/, pi.

B1W, Irving The earth caved in. so as to leave a vacant space. L. Steffens Men caved all around, but tire women were firm. D. Bagley The front of the building caved in. . seeming to collapse in slow motion. 2 B. Harte Reckons she's caved in his head.

Comb. : cave-in a fall of earth, an inward collapse under pres¬ sure.

jcave verb4 var. of chave. cavea /'keivra/ noun. PI. -eae /-ii:/. Ei7. [Latin = a hollow.) roman antiquities. The (concave) auditorium of a theatre; a

theatre. caveat ’'kaviat, 'kei-/ noun & verb. Mi6. [Latin, 3rd person sing. pres, subjunct. of cavere beware.]

► A noun. 1 A warning, a proviso; spec, in law (a) a process in an ecclesiastical court to suspend proceedings; (b) a notice to a court (esp. scors MW) or an entiy in a register preventing a proceeding (as granting of a probate) until the objector’s arguments have been heard. M16. |2 A precaution. L16-L17. 1 Esp. in enter a caveat, put in a caveat.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. Enter a caveat against, rare. Mi7. 2 verb intrans. fencing. Disengage. Now rare or obsolete.

Mi7.

■ cavea tee noun (MW) a person against whose interests a caveat is entered E20. caveator noun (law) a person who enters a caveat Li9.

fcaveer noun var. of caviar. cavel /' kav(0) 1/ noun & verb. Scot. & north, me.

-o(e)s. Ei7.

[Spanish cabailo lit. 'horse', peril, infl. by Italian cavalli pi. of cavallo mackerel.]

A horse-mackerel or related marine fish. : saw. a run, o put, u: too. a ago, At my, ao how, ei day,

[Corresp. to Dutch kavel lot, parcel (Iraveletr cast lots), Middle Dutch cavele lot: cf. Middle Low German kavele little stick (with runes) for casting lots.] ► A noun. 1 A lot (that is cast), me. no, a hair, is near, si boy. os poor, /us tire, aus sour

364

cavendish | cease 2 A division made by lot. lme. ► B verb intrans. & tram. Infl. -1(1)-. Apportion (by lot), lme. cavendish/'kav(o)ndiJ/ noun. Mi9. [Prob. from surname Cavendish.]

Tobacco softened, sweetened, and pressed into cakes. caver /'keiva/ noun. Mi7. [from cave noun1 or verb' + -er1.]

11 A person who frequents mines to take ore that has been left etc. M17-M19. 2 An explorer of caves. M20. cavern /'kav(a)n/ noun & verb. lme. [Old & mod. French cave me or Latin cavema, from amis hollow: cf. cave noun'.] ► A noun. An underground hollow, a (vast) cave; a dark

cavity, lme. 03 Coleridge Where Alph. the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man. L. P. Hartley Her eye sockets were caverns which revealed the skull.

► B verb trans. 1 Enclose (as) in a cavern. Mi7. 2 Hollow out into a cavern or caverns. Ml9. ■ caverned adjective (a) having caverns; hollowed out into caverns; (b) enclosed in a cavern: El 8.

cavernicolous /kava’mkabs/adjective. Li9. [from Latin cavema cavern noun + -I- + -colous.] biology. Inhabiting caves. ■ cavernicole /ka’va:nikaol/ noun a cavernicolous animal M20

cavernous /'kav(a)nas/ adjective, lme. [Old & mod. French cavemeux or Latin cavemosus, from cavema cavern noun: see -ous.)

1 Having many caverns, lme. 2 Full of cavities or interstices, lme. 3 Of or resembling a cavern; suggestive of a cavern. M19. 4 MtDicmt. Of respiration: marked by a prolonged hollow resonance. M19. ■ cavernously adverb M19.

cavernulous /ka'va:njubs/ adjective, mis. [from Latin cavernuto dim. of cavema: see -ulous.]

Full of minute cavities; porous. cavesson /'kavis(a)n/ noun. Li6. [French cavefon. Italian cavezzone augm. of cavezza halter, from Proto-Romance, from medieval Latin capitium head-covering, from Latin caput, capit- head.]

A noseband fitted with rings to which a lunge or reins may be attached, used in training young horses. In early use also, a similar noseband designed to bring a horse under control by inflicting pain on it. cavetto /ka'vEtau/ noun. PI. -tti /-ti/. M17. [Italian, dim. of cavo hollow from Latin cavus hollow: cf. cave noun1.]

architecture. A hollow moulding with a quadrantal crosssection. caviar /'kavia:, kavi'a:/ noun. Also -iare, t-iary, t-eer. & other vars. M16. [Italian caviale (earlier & dial, caviaro, pi. -ri), French caviar, prob. from medieval Greek khaviari (whence also perh. Turkish havyar).]

The pickled roe of the sturgeon or other large fish, eaten as a delicacy. caviar to the general [Shakes. Hami. II. ii] a good thing unappreciated by the ignorant, red caviar: see red adjective.

cavie /'kervi/ noun. Scot. Ei6. [App. from Middle Dutch kevie, Dutch or Flemish kevie, ult. from Latin cavea: see cage noun,]

A hen-coop. cavil /'kav(a)l/ ver6 & noun. Mi6. [Old & mod. French caviller from Latin cavillari, from ravilla scoff¬ ing, mockery.] ► A verb. Infl. -II-, *-l-.

1 verb intrans. Raise a captious or frivolous objection (at about), mi6. 2 verb trans. Object to captiously. L16. ► B noun. A captious or frivolous objection. L16. ■ caviller noun Lie. tcavillous adjective full of cavils or cavil¬ ling; apt to cavil: L16-M19.

cavillation /kavi'leij(a)n/ noun. lme.

cavity /'kaviti/ noun. Mi6. [Old & mod. French cavite or late Latin cavitas, from cavus hollow; see -ITY.]

A hollow place; a hollow; an empty space in a solid body, spec, in a decayed tooth.

CBS abbreviation. Columbia Broadcasting System.

COTYLOID cavity, pit cavity: see pit noun', resonant cavity see resonant adjective, thoracic cavity tympanic cavity see tympanic adjective i. visceral cavity. Comb.: cavity resonator see resonator 3b; cavity wall a double wall with an internal cavity.

CBW abbreviation. Chemical and biological warfare, weapons.

cavort /ks'voit/ verb intrans. colloq. (orig. US), lis. [Perh. alt. of curvet verb.]

Prance, caper about. [Latin cavosus, from cavus hollow: see -ous.] Having i cavity; hollow; concave.

cavy/’keivi/noun. lis. A rodent of the family Caviidae, native to S. America; esp. a guinea-pig. Patagonian cavy: see Patagonian adjective.

cavy-yard noun var. of cavayard. caw /ko:/ verb, noun, & interjection. Li 6. [Imit.]

[from next +-ation.]

1 The formation of bubbles or cavities in a liquid caused by the rapid movement of a propeller etc through it. L19. 2 medicine The formation of cavities in diseased tissue E20. i

Verb intranS' [back'form-Jinduce or undergo cavita-

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

CD abbreviation'. 1 Civil Defence. 2 Compact disc, compact disc player. 3 French corps diplomatique diplomatic corps.

cd abbreviation2. Candela.

cawk noun' var. of cauk noun.

Cd symbol.

Comb.: CD-video a system of simultaneously reproducing sound and video pictures from a compact disc.

chemistry.

cawk /ko:k/ verb' intrans. & noun2, mis.

tcawk verb2 see caulk verb'.

CD-I abbreviation. Compact disc (interactive).

[Old English cawl, ceawl.] A basket; a Cornish creel.

cDIMA abbreviation. Complementary DNA.

M18-M19.

[Perh. from the surname Caxon.]

A kind of wig.

Cdr. abbreviation. military. Commander.

cay/kei, ki J noun. L17. [Spanish cayo from French quai, f cay quay noun. Cf. key noun2.]

An insular bank or reef of coral, sand, etc. cayenne /kei'en, attrib. 'keien/noun.

1900-18).

CDC abbreviation. US. Centers for Disease Control (and Prevention).

cawl /ko;l/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial.

tcaxon noun.

Cadmium.

Cd. abbreviation. Command Paper (third series,

[Imit.]

Caw; (utter) a harsh cry,

Ei8.

[Orig. from Tupi kyynha, quiynha, later assim. to Cayenne, chief town of French Guiana.] In full cayenne pepper. A pungent red powder prepared

from ground dried chillies, used as a seasoning. ■ cayenned adjective seasoned with cayenne El 9.

cayman /'keiman/ noun. Also cai-. Li6. [Spanish caiman, Portuguese caimao, from Carib acayuman.]

Any of a number of crocodilians closely related to the alligator and native to S. and Central America; loosely any New World crocodilian. spectacled cayman see spectacled 2. Cayuga /'keiju:go, 'Icai-/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun -s, same. M18. [Iroquoian place-name.]

A member of, of or pertaining to. an Iroquois people, one of the five of the original Iroquois confederation, formerly inhabiting part of New York State; (of) the lan¬ guage of this people. Cayuse /'kAiju:s/ noun & adjective. In sense A.a

c-. E19.

[Penutian.]

► A noun. 1 PI. same. -s. A member of a Penutian people of Washington State and Oregon; the language of this people. E19. 2 PI. -s. An Indian pony; colloq. any horse. N. Amer. mi9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Cayuse or their language, mi9.

cazern(e) noun vars. of casern.

cavitation /kavi'teij(a)n/ noun. Li9.

CCTV abbreviation. Closed-circuit television.

► A verb intrans. Of a rook, crow, raven, etc.: make its harsh natural cry. Of a person: make a sound contemptu¬ ously likened to this. Li6. ► B noun & interjection. (Repr.) the cry of a rook, crow, raven, etc. Mi7.

11 The use of legal quibbles; a legal quibble; chicanery, overreaching sophistry, lme m i7. 2 gen. The action of cavilling; a cavil, mis. [French cavitaire, from cavite: see cavity, -ary'.]

CCD abbreviation. Electronics. Charge-coupled device.

[mod. Latin cavia from Galibi cabiai.]

caza noun var. of kaza.

Of the nature of or pertaining to a cavity.

CC abbreviation'. 1 City Council. 2 Companion of (the Order of) Canada. 3 County Council(lor). 4 Cricket Club. cc abbreviation2. 1 Carboncopy. 2 Cubic centimetre(s).

tcavous adjective, lme-mis.

[Old & mod. French from Latin cavillatio(n-), from cavillat- pa ppl stem of cavillari: see prec.. -ation.]

cavitary ’'kavit(a)ri/ adjective. Mi9.

CBI abbreviation. Confederation of British Industry.

CB abbreviation. 1 Citizens’ band (radio). 2 Companion (of the Order) of the Bath. 3 Confined, confinement, to barracks. Cb symbol. chemistry (now Hist.). Columbium. CBC abbreviation. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBD abbreviation. US. Cash before delivery. CBE abbreviation. Commander of (the Order of) the British Empire, man. n no. p pen. r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

Cdre. abbreviation. Commodore. CD-ROM /si:di:'rDm/ abbreviation. Compact disc (with) read-only memory. CDT abbreviation. N. Amer. Central Daylight Time. CDTV abbreviation. Compact disc television. CDV abbreviation. CD-video. CE abbreviation. 1 Church of England. 2 Civil Engineer. 3 Common (op Christian) Era. Ce symbol. chemistry.

Cerium.

ceanothus /sra'naoOas. noun. L18. [mod. Latin from Greek keanbthos a kind of thistle.]

Any of various N. American shrubs, freq. grown for ornament, that constitute the genus Ceanothus, of the buckthorn family, and bear clusters of small starry blue or white flowers. cease /si:s/ noun. Now literary, me. [Old French ces, formed as next.]

Stopping, ending. Now only in without cease. cease /si:s/ verb. See also cess verb2, me. [Old & mod. French cesser from Latin cessare stop, from cess- pa. ppl stem of cedere cede.]

► I verb intrans. 1 Of people and other agents: stop, leave off, desist, discontinue. (Foil, by from, |of, to do.) me. ►tb (Take) rest, be or remain at rest. lme-mi7. 2 Of actions, feelings, phenomena, etc.: come to or be at an end. me. 3 No longer exist, become extinct; die. literary, lme. LI? 1 Shelley Oh, cease! must hate and death return? Cease! Must men kill and die? Tennyson Fold our wings. And cease from wanderings. G. Vidal At five-thirty the world ceased to be official and became private. 2 Quiller-Couch Presently the turf ceased. Dismounting. I ran to the edge. J. Steinbeck When hostilities ceased everyone had his wounds. 3 V. Woolf Did it matter that she must inevitably cease com¬ pletely; all this must go on without her?

► II verb trans. f4 Cause to leave off(o/an action); appease bring to rest. ME-L16. j she.

3

vision,

0

thin, d this, rj ring, tj chip, d3 jar

365

ceaseless ] celestial

15 Put a stop to (the action of others, a state or condition of things). LME-L17. 6 Leave off, discontinue (one’s own action, feeling, etc.; doing), lme. kb campanology. Bring (a peal) to an end; let (a bell) down. Li7.

Ceefax/'sifaks/noun, L20.

celebrant/'sElibr(o)nt/ noun. M19.

[Repr. initial syllables of seeing +facsimile.]

(Proprietary name for) a teletext system developed and operated by the BBC. Cefaut/si:fa:'ut/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Also Cfa ut. lme.

£U 4 Tindale Arts 19:35 When the toune clarcke had ceased the people. 5 Milton He, her fears to cease. Sent down the meek-eyed Peace 6 J. Galsworthy He did not believe her excuse, but ceased his opposition. J. Updike Ezana would not cease his flirting with.. Mrs. Gibbs, cease fire discontinue firing.

celebrate /’selibreit/ verb. lme.

hexachords, where it was sung to the syllables fa and ut respectively. Cf. Alamire, Bemi, Cesolfa, etc.

► I verb trans. 1 Perform (a religious ceremony) publicly and in due form; solemnize; officiate at (the Eucharist). LME. 2 Observe (a festival etc.) with due rites; honour or commemorate with ceremonies, festivities, etc. E16. 3 Make publicly known, proclaim; extol, praise widely. L16.

ceiba /'sAiba/ noun. Ei7.

ceaseless /'si:slis/ adjective. Li6.

[Spanish from Taino =■ giant tree.]

[from cease noun + -less.]

The kapok tree, Ceiba pentandra.

Not ceasing, incessant, uninterrupted. ■ ceaselessly adverb Li6. ceaselessness noun 11 9.

ceil /si:l/ verb & noun. Also del. lme. [Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to Latin celare, French celer, hide, conceal.] ► A verb trans. fl Cover with a lining of woodwork,

cebid /'si:bid/ noun & adjective. L19. [mod. Latin Cebidae (see below), from Cebus genus name: see -ID3.] zoology. KA noun. A monkey of the family Cebidae,

plaster, etc. lme-ei7. 2 Line or plaster the roof of; construct an inner roof for. arch. ei 6. ► B noun. A ceiling, poet. rare, mi9.

which includes most of the New World monkeys. 119. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating this family. E20. ■ ceboid adjective & noun = cebid E20.

ceilidh /'keili/ noun. Li9. [Irish ceilidhe (now ceili), Gaelic ceilidh, from Old Irish ceilide visit, act of visiting, from ceile companion.]

cecidium /si'sidiamy noun. PI. -dia /-dia/. E20. [from Greek kekis a gall + -idium.]

An informal gathering for (esp. Scottish or Irish) folk music, dancing, song, etc.

= call noun3 ■ ceci dology noun the scientific study of galls and their for¬ mation E20.

ceiling /'si:lig/ noun. Also del-, me. [fromcEiirerb + -iNG'.]

cecity /'si:siti/ noun, literary, lis.

cecum noun see caecum.

1 The action of ceil verb. arch. me. 2 The wooden lining of a room; panelling; wainscot¬ ing. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. kb nautical. The inside planking or lining of a ship's bottom and sides, lme. f3 A screen of tapestry; a curtain. LME-M17. 4 The undercovering of the roof of a room, concealing timbers etc.; the top of a room or other compartment. M16. 5 transf. & fig. a aeronautics. The maximum altitude which a given aircraft can attain under specified conditions. E20. kb meteorology. (The altitude of) the base of a cloud layer. M20. gen. An upper limit (to quantity, prices, etc.); a maximum. M20.

cedar/'si:do/noun. oe.

4 hit the ceiling colloq. become very angry, suspended ceiling: see suspended ppl adjective.

[Latin caeritas, from caecus blind: see -ity. Cf. Old & mod. French ceci te.]

Blindness (chiefly fig.). cecropia /si'kraupia/ noun. E19. [mod. Latin (see sensei), from Cecrop s a king of Attica: see -ia 1.] 1 A tree of the tropical American genus Cecropia, which

belongs to the mulberiy family and includes some species yielding rubber. E19. 2 In full cecropia moth. A N. American saturniid silk moth, Platysamia cecropia. Mi9.

[(Old French cedre from) Latin cedrus from Greek kedros.] 1 An evergreen conifer of the genus Cedrus; esp. Cedrus

ceinture /ssty:r/ noun. PI. pronounced same. lme. [French formed as cincture.]

libani (more fully cedar of Lebanon), native to Asia Minor. Also cedar tree. oe. kb The fragrant durable wood of such a tree. me. 2 Any of various trees more or less similar to this; the wood of these trees; esp. = red cedar (a) s.v. red adjective. LME.

cel noun var. of cell noun2. celadon /'seladDn/ noun & adjective, mis. [French celadon, from the name of a character in D'Urfe's L'Astree.] ► A noun. 1 A pale greyish shade of green, mi 8.

2 A glaze of this colour used on (esp. Chinese) pottery or porcelain; ceramic ware thus glazed, mi9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of this colour; covered with this glaze. L19. celandine /'sslandAin/ noun. Orig. tcelidony & other vars.; also (long obsolete exc. dial.) saladine. oe.

[French c'eder or Latin cedere give way, yield, retreat.] 1 verb trans. Give up, surrender, yield (to); esp. grant (ter¬

ritory, to) by treaty etc. Ei6. |2 verb intrans. Give way, give place to. E17-M18.

cedi /'si:di/noun. M20. [Ghanaian, perh. from alt. of shilling.]

The basic monetary unit of Ghana, equal to too pesewas.

Celarent/si'lETont/ noun. Mi6.

cedilla/si'dib/noun. Li6.

[Latin = they might hide, used as a mnemonic of scholastic philo¬ sophers. E indicating a universal negative proposition and A a uni¬ versal affirmative proposition.] logic. The second mood of the first syllogistic figure, in

]Spanish (now zedtUa), dim. of zeda letter Z. Cf. cerilla.] The diacritic mark , written under c to show that it is

sibilant Is/ or /ts/, as before a, 0, u in French and Portu¬ guese and (formerly) Spanish; a similar mark under c and s indicating a manner of articulation in various other contexts, as distinguishing the voiceless from the voiced consonants in modem Turkish.

which a universal negative major premiss and a univer¬ sal affirmative minor give a universal negative conclu¬ sion. celature /'shbtjoa/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [Latin caelatura. from carfare emboss, engrave.]

cedrat /'si:drat/ noun. Also -ate. eis.

Embossing; (an example of) embossed work.

[French cedrat from Italian cedrato, from cedro citron, from Latin CITRUS.]

-fcele noun. L16-M18.

A variety of citron or lemon.

-cele /si:l/ suffix. Also -coele.

[mod. Latin from Spanish, dim. of cedro, cedra cedar.]

[Greek kele tumour.]

(The soft timber of) a tropical tree of the genus Cedrela. of the mahogany family.

Forming nouns denoting swellings, hernias, etc., as gastrocele. mucocele, urocele, etc.

cedula /'0adub, s-/ noun. eis.

celeb /si'lsb/ noun, colloq. (orig. US). E20.

[Spanish cedula schedule.]

hot,

A celebrity. a:

saw,

a

run. u put. u: too,

■ celebrated adjective (a) famous, renowned; f(b) performed with due rites: L16. celebrative adjective pertaining to or charac¬ terized by celebration M19. celebrator. t-ter noun a person who celebrates E17. celebratory adjective serving to celebrate, used in celebration E20.

celebration /sell1 breiJ(a)n/ noun. Ei6. [Old & mod. French celebration or Latin ceiebratio(n-), from celebrat-:

see prec., -ation.]

1 The observing of a feast etc.; the commemoration of an event etc. with ceremonies or festivities. E16. 2 The performance of a solemn ceremony; spec, the action of celebrating the Eucharist, mi 6. 3 Making publicly known, proclamation; extolling. M17. ■[4 Renown, fame. Only in 18. ■ celebrational adjective E20.

celebret/'sehbret/ noun. Mi9. [Latin = let him celebrate,

3rd

person sing. pres, subjunct. of

celebrare celebrate.] roman catholic church. A document granting permission by

a bishop to a priest to celebrate mass in a particular parish. celebrious /si'lebrias/adjective. Mi6. [from Latin

celeber, -bris (see celebrate) + -ous.]

11 Frequented, crowded, festive. M16-L17. 2 Renowned, famous. Now arch. & dial. E17.

0

ago,

ai

my,

celebrite or Latin celebritas, from celeber, -bris:

f 1 A solemn ceremony; a celebration; due observance of ceremonies; pomp, solemnity, lme-lis. 2 The condition of being widely known or esteemed; fame, renown, lme. 3 A celebrated person; a (popular) public figure. Mi9. celeriac/si'lenak/noun. mis. [from celery, with arbitrary use of -ac.[

A variety of celery with a root like a turnip. celerity /si'lenti/ noun. lis. [Old & mod. French celerite from Latin celeritas. from celer swift: see

-ITY.]

1 Swiftness, speed. (Now chiefly of the actions of living beings.) lis. \2 A particular speed. M-L18. celery /'selari/ noun. M17. [French

celeri from Italian dial, selleri ult. from Greek selinon

parsley.]

An umbelliferous plant, Apium graveolens, grown for its crisp blanched leaf-stalks which are eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Also (more fully wild celery), the wild form of this, a Eurasian plant found chiefly in brackish ditches. Comb.: celery salt a mixture of salt and ground celery seed used for seasoning: celery top. celery-top pine, celery-topped pine an Australasian conifer of tire genus PhyUocladus, with branchlets producing foliage like that of celery.

celesta /si'lesta/noun. L19. [App. pseudo-Latinization of French

celeste: see next.]

A small keyboard instrument in which hammers strike on steel plates, producing an ethereal bell-like sound. celeste /si'lest/noun. Li9. [French

celeste from Latin caelestis: see next.]

celestial /si'lestral/ adjective & noun. lme. [Old French celestial, -el from medieval Latin caelcstialis, from Latin caelestis, from caelum heaven: see -ial.[ ► A adjective. 1 Of or pertaining to heaven, as the abode of

God, angels, spirits, etc. lme. 2 Of or pertaining to the sky or material heavens, lme.

[Abbreviation.]

In Spain and some Spanish-speaking countries: an offi¬ cial permit or order; a government security.

► II verb intrans. 4 Officiate at the Eucharist, mi6. 5 Engage in festivities; carouse. E20.

1 A stop on the organ and harmonium with a soft tremulous tone (French voix celeste). Also, a form of soft pedal on a piano. L19. 2 = CELESTA. M20.

[formed as next.] medicine. A swelling, esp. one in the groin.

cedrela /si'drkla/ noun. Mi9.

a cat, a: arm. r. bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d

[Old French celidoine, from medieval Latin celidonia adjective, ult. from Greek khelidon the swallow: for the inserted -n- (lme) cf. passenger.]

1 In full greater celandine. A yellow-flowered plant of the poppy family, Chelidonium majus; a flowering stem of this plant, oe. 2 In full lesser celandine. A common plant of the but¬ tercup family. Ranunculus ficaria, bearing bright yellow flowers in early spring; a flowering stem of this plant. LME.

■ cedent noun (scots uw) a person who assigns property to another Li 6.

celebrare, from celeber, -bids fre¬

K 2 J. Galsworthy We must organize a little dinner to celebrate the event. A. C. Boult Three concerts to celebrate Elgar’s seventy-fifth birthday. 3 Milton To celebrate his Throne With warbl’d Hymns. E. Wilson A succession of books .. that celebrate lyrically the marvels of nature.

[Old & mod. French see celebrate, -ity.]

tb ellipt. An armis¬

cetacean /si‘teij(a)n/ noun & adjective. M19.

tice, a truce. M17-M18. |2 Inactivity. E17-E19. cessavit /se'servrt/ noun.

[from mod. Latin Cetacea (see below), from Latin cetusfrom Greek kltos whale: see -acean.]

► A noun. A mammal of the order Cetacea, which includes the whales, dolphins, and porpoises, M19. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of cetacea, mi9.

E16.

[Latin, 3rd person sing, preterite of cessare: see cease verb.] Hist. A writ to recover lands, which lay when a tenant

ceased to pay rent or perform legal duties for the space of two years. cesser /'sess/ noun.

cetaceous /si'teijss/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin cetus (see prec.) + -aceous.]

Of the nature of a whale; cetacean.

Mi6.

[Use as noun of Anglo-Norman, Old & mod. French cesser cease verb: see -er\] law. 1 Hist. Ceasing of a tenant to pay rent or perform

cetane /'si:tem/ noun. Li9. [from cetyl + -ane.]

The liquid straight-chain isomer of hexadecane, used as a solvent and ignition standard. chemistry.

legal duties for the space of two years (cf. prec.). Mi6. 2 Cessation, termination (of a term, liability, etc.). Ei9. cessile /'sesaiI/ adjective, rare.

Comb.: cetane number a measure of the ignition properties of a diesel fuel.

Li6.

[from Latin cess- (see cession) + -ile.]

cete /si:t/ noun', arch. me.

Of the air: yielding.

[Old French from Latin cete neut. pi. from Greek kete (sing, keteos) whales.]

cession

/'ssj(a)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, or its source Latin cessio(n-), from cess- pa. ppl stem ofcedere cede: see -ion.]

A whale, a sea-monster. cete /si:t/ noun2, lme.

The relinquishing of title or office, lme-mis. ►b ecclesiastical law. The vacating of a benefice by taking another without dispensation. Li 6. 2 Ceding, giving up (of rights, property, etc., esp. of ter¬ ritory by a State), lme. Fb law. The voluntary surrender by a debtor of all his or her effects to creditors. Li6. |3 gen. Giving way, yielding. Only in 17.

tl

a

cessionary /'sej(3)n(3)ri/

[Perh. from Latin coetus assembly, company.]

A group o/badgers. ceterach /’sEtsrak/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin, of unkn. origin.]

A fern of the genus Ceterach. of the spleenwort family, with scaly undersides to its fronds; esp. the rustyback fern, C. ojficinarum.

noun. lis.

ceteris paribus /.keitoris 'panbos, .set-, ,si:t-/ adverbial phr.

[medieval Latin cessionarius noun, from cessto(n-): see prec., -ARY1.]

1 An assignee, lis. f 2 A bankrupt who makes cession. Only in

El 7. [mod. Latin.]

Other things being equal or unchanged. 17.

cetology /si:'tDlad3i/ noun. mi9.

tcessment noun var. of sessment.

[from Latin cetus whale (see cetacean) + -ology.]

The branch of zoology that deals with whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

tcessor noun var. of sessor. cesspipe /'sespAip/ noun.

■ ceto logical adjective M19 cetologist noun M20.

L19.

[from the imagined base of cesspool, with implied sense ‘sewage, liquid waste’, + pipe noun'.]

cetrimide /'setnmMd/ noun. M20. [from cet(yl + tri- + bro)mide.]

A pipe leading to or from a cesspool.

A detergent and antiseptic preparation based on the synthetic quaternary ammonium compound cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C19H.,2NBr).

cesspit / sespit/ noun, mi9. [formed as prec. + pit noun'.]

A pit for the disposal of sewage. cesspool

Cetti’s warbler/’tfEtiz 'wa:bla/ noun phr. Li9. [Francesco Cetti, i8th-cent. Italian ornithologist.] A chestnut-brown warbler, Cettia cetti, resident in

/'sespu:!/noun. Li7.

[Prob. alt. of suspiral, with assim. to pool noun1.]

Britain since the 1970s, and noted for its strikingly loud and abrupt song.

1 A trap made under a drain etc. to retain solid matter. Also, a rainwater head in guttering. Li7. 2 An underground chamber for the temporary storage or disposal of foul water or sewage. Li 8.

Cetus /'si:tas/ noun. Mi7. (Latin cetus whale: see cetacean.]

(The name of) a constellation on the celestial equator, between Taurus and Aquarius; the Whale,

CD 2 fig. lattrib.): Malcolm XI got my first schooling about the cesspool morals of the white man from the best source, from his own women, cesspool of iniquity etc., a place of rampant vice.

cest /sEst/ noun. poet.

cetyl /'si:tAil, -til/ noun. M19. [from Latin cetus whale + -yl: the first compounds were isolated from spermaceti.]

Li6.

chemistry,

[French ceste or Latin cestus noun'.] noun'.

Usu. in comb.

= cestus

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a

The straight-chain radical C16H33-, n-hexadecyl.

:

saw, A run. o put, u: too. a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day.

Comb.: cetyl alcohol a waxy alcohol, CH3(CH2),sOH. occurring in faeces and (esterified) in spermaceti and wool-wax, and used in cosmetics and as an emulsifier.

ceviche noun var. of seviche. ceylanite noun var. of ceylonite. Ceylon /si’Idil/ noun. M19. [Former name of Sri Lanka: see Sri Lankan.]

1 Ceylon moss, a red seaweed of the Indian subcontin¬ ent, Gracilaria lichenoides, which is the major source of agar-agar. Mi9. 2 In full Ceylon tea. A Pekoe tea produced in Sri Lanka. L19. Ceylonese /sila'niiz/ adjective & noun. PI, of noun same. lis. [from prec. + -ese.]

= Sri Lankan. Also spec., = Sinhalese. ceylonite /'si:bnAit/ noun. Also ceylanite. Ei9. [French ceylanite from Ceylan Ceylon: see -ite1.] mineralogy. A dark iron-rich variety of spinel.

CF abbreviation, 1 Chaplain to the Forces. 2 Cystic fibrosis. Cf symbol. chemistry. Californium,

cf. abbreviation. Latin confer compare, c.f. abbreviation. Carried forward. CFA abbreviation. [French Communaute Financiere Africaine.]

African Financial Community. Freq. as CFA franc, the basic monetary unit of Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and the Central African Republic. CFC abbreviation. Chlorofluorocarbon. CFE abbreviation. College of Further Education. CFS abbreviation. Chronic fatigue syndrome, eg abbreviation. Centigram(s). CGA abbreviation. computing. Colour graphics adapter. CGM abbreviation. Conspicuous Gallantly Medal. CGS abbreviation'. 1 Centimetre-gram-second (system). 2 Chief of the General Staff, cgs abbreviation2. Centimetre-gram-second (system). CGT abbreviation. Capital gains tax. ch. A consonantal digraph introduced in early Middle English, at first used in adoptions of Old French words in ch-, and for Old English words in c(e)-, c(i)-. ch has the fol¬ lowing principal values: /tj/ in all native Germanic words; /k/ in words taken from Greek (or Hebrew through Greek); /[/ in words from mod.French; /x/ (for which /k/ is often substituted) in Scottish, Welsh, Irish, German, and some other foreign words. CH abbreviation. Companion of Honour. Ch. abbreviation'. Church, ch. abbreviation2. 1 Chapter 2 Chestnut. cha /tja:/ noun. Now slang. Also chah, char. L16. [Chinese cha.]

Tea. 9

Rare (and not naturalized) before E20.

chabazite kabazxit/ noun. Also -site, i -sie t-zie Ei9. [French chabazie, from Greek khabazie erron. reading for khatazic, voc. of khalazios hailstone, from khalaza hail: see -ite1.] miaieralocv. A colourless, pink, or yellow zeolite which

usu. occurs as rhombohedral crystals. Chablis /'Jabli:/noun. M17. [French (see below).]

A white burgundy wine, made at Chablis (Yonne), in central France. chabootra noun var. of chabutra. fchabuk noun var. of chawbuck noun. chabutra /tjo'budre/ noun. Also -boot-. Ei9. [Hindi cabulrd, -tara.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a platform or terrace, often adjoining a house or in a garden. no, e: hair, ra near, 01 boy, us poor, am tire, aus sour

374

chace jchain 2 verb trans. a Rub with the hand, esp. to restore warmth or sensation, lme. kb Abrade or injure by rubbing. E16. 3 verb intrans. Rub (against, on, etc.). Ei7.

chace noun, verb see chase noun', verb'. cha-cha /'tja:tfa:/ noun & verb. Also cha-cha-cha /tja:tja:'tja:/. M20. [Amer. Spanish.] ► A noun. A type of ballroom dance to a Latin American

UK 2a T. Wilson Waxe chaufed with the handes is made softer. D. Lodge Chafing his chilled limbs.. to keep the cir¬ culation going, b B. Malamud The legholes were tight and chafed his flesh if he tried to turn. 3 A. Schlee A rash on his neck where the stiff uniform had chafed.

rhythm; a piece of music for this dance. M20. ► B verb intrans. Perform this dance. M20. chacham noun var. of haham. chack /tjak/ verb & noun. Also chak (verb infl. -kk-). Ei6. [Imit.] ► A verb intrans. 1 Snap or chatter with the teeth; sud¬

denly shut the jaws or a door, window, drawer, etc. Scot.

► II fig. |4 verb trans. Inflame (feelings); excite, lme-eis. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Make or become vexed or irritated; fret. lme. t6 verb trans. Scold. lme-li7.

El 6.

ID 5 Dickens Chafing like an angry sea, the crowd pressed after them. V. Woolf Visitors do tend to chafe one, though impeccable as friends. K. M. E. Murray Furnivall appreciated the standard of James’ work.. although he might chafe at his slowness. I. Colegate The.. horse and rider chafed to leave.

2 Of a bird: make a harsh call. E20. ► Bnoun. 1 A harsh note or call of a bird. Li 8. kb A wheatear. dial. ei 9. 2 A light meal, a snack. E19. chacma/'tjakma/noun. Mi9. [Nama.]

A dark-furred baboon, Papio ursinus, of southern Africa. Also chacma baboon Also called ursine baboon. chaco noun see shako. chaconne JVkon/ noun.

Comb.: chafe-wax Hist, an officer in Chancery who prepared the wax for sealing documents.

chafer "tjeifa/ noun'. Also t-ff-. [Old English ceafor, refer = Old Saxon, Middle & mod. Dutch kever. Old High German chevar, -iro, from Germanic: rel. to chaff noun', jowl noun’.] A large beetle destructive to plants; spec, any of a group

117.

(French from Spanish chacona.j

A moderately slow musical composition on a ground bass, usu. in triple time; a dance to this music.

of scarabaeid beetles including the cockchafer and the rose-chafer.

chacun a son gout /Jakde a s5 gu, Jaka:n a son 'gu:/

chafer "tjeifa/ noun2. See also chauffer, lme.

interjection. Li8.

(French.)

[from chafe verb + -er1.]

Each to his (or her) own taste. Chad /tjad/ noun'.

1 A vessel for heating water etc.; a portable grate or chafing-dish. lme. 2 Hist. = chafe-wax s.v. chafe verb. lis.

M20.

[Origin unkn.]

In full Mr Chad The figure of a human head looking over a wall, with a caption protesting against shortages etc. that usu. begins ‘Wot, no —?’. chad /tjad/ noun2.

punched cards or tape by punching. ■ chadless adjective not producing chads M20. noun3

[Old & mod. French chaufferie, formed as chafe verb: see -ery.] metallurgy. A small hearth or furnace for reheating and

reworking wrought iron.

M20.

(Origin unkn.] computing. (A piece of) the waste material removed from

chad

chafery /'tfeiffrjri/ noun. Now rare or obsolete. Ei7.

var. of shad.

chadar /'tja.'da/ noun. Also chaddar, chador, chuddar /'tjxds/, & other vars. E17. [(Urdu chadar, chaddar from) Persian cadar sheet, veil.]

A large piece of material worn as a long shawl or cloak by Muslim women, and sometimes by Hindu or other women, esp. in the Indian subcontinent and Iran. Also, any of various similar garments worn by men in the Indian subcontinent. Chadian 'tjadran/ adjective & noun.

M20.

[from Chad (see below) + -ian.]

(A native or inhabitant) of the Republic of Chad, a State in north central Africa, formerly part of French Equator¬ ial Africa. Chadic/'tjadik/ adjective & noun. L20. [formed as prec. + -ic.]

fchafeweed noun see chaffweed.

chaebol 'tjeibol/noun. PI. same, -s. L20. [Korean, lit. 'money clan'.]

In the Republic of Korea: a large business conglomer¬ ate, esp. a family-owned one. chaeta /'ki:to/ noun. PI. -tae /-ti:/. M19. [mod. Latin from Greek khaite long hair.]

A chitinous bristle; a seta. ■ chae tigerous adjective = seticerous L19.

chaetodon /'kbtadon/ noun. mis. [mod. Latin, formed as prec. + -odon.]

A brightly coloured marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae, with a deep, flattened body and bristle¬ like teeth. Also called butterfly-fish m chaetodont noun & adjective (a fish) of the family Chaetodontidae mi9.

chaetognath 'kutanaB/noun. L19. [from mod. Latin Chaetognatha (see below), formed as chaeta t Greek gnathos jaw.]

A small marine planktonic worm of the phylum Chaetognatha, with numerous spines on its head for seizing prey. Also called arrow worm, sea-arrow. chafe tfeif/ noun. Also tchaff. Mi6. [from the verb.]

1 A state of vexation or irritation; a rage, a temper M16. v 2 (An injury caused by) rubbing, mi9.

chaff /tja:f, tjaf/ noun' & verb'. [Old English cxfi ceaf= Middle Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch. Middle High German ka/(German dial, kaff), corresp. to Old High German kevti husk, prob. from Germanic base with the sense ‘gnaw, chew’: rel. to chafer noun'.] ► A noun. 1 The husks of com etc. separated from the

grain by threshing or winnowing, oe. 2 Cut hay (and straw) used for feeding cattle, oe. 3 transf. Refuse, worthless stuff or residue, lme. 4 botany. Thin diy bracts or scales, esp. the bracts at the base of the florets in plants of the composite family, lis. 5 Strips of metal foil released in the air to obstruct radar detection. M20. Phrases: be caught with chaff be easily deceived or trapped. separate the wheat from the chaff fig. distinguish good from bad. Comb. : chaff-cutter a machine for cutting hay and straw. ► B verb traps. Cut (hay etc.) for fodder. 119.

1

chafing /'tjerfir)/ verbal noun. lme. [from chafe verb + -INC'.]

The action of chafe verb. Comb. : chafing-dish a vessel with an outer pan of hot water for keeping warm anything placed on top of it; a dish with a spiritlamp etc. for cooking at table.

chaft /tjaft/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Scot. & north, me. [Old Norse (Swedish kaft, Danish kieft, etc.), rel. to jowl noun'.]

Jaw. Usu. in pi. Chaga noun & adjective var. of Chagga. chagal 'tja:g(3)l/ noun. E20. [Sanskrit chagaia coming from a goat.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a water-bottle, usu, of canvas or leather. chagan/ka'ga:n/noun. L18. [medieval Latin c(h)aganus, in Byzantine Greek khaganos from Old Turkish kagan king, monarch: cf. cham noun, khan noun1.]

Hist. = khan noun'; spec, the monarch of the Avars in the and 7th cents.

6th

Chagas’ disease /'tjcngas di,zi:z/ nounphr. Also Chagas's disease /'tjmgasiz/. E20. [from Carlos Chagas (1879-1934), Brazilian physician.] medicine. A progressive form of tiypanosomiasis endemic

in S. and Central America, transmitted by reduviid bugs. Chagatai /djags'tAi/ noun & adjective. Also (earlier) J-. M19. [Name of a dynasty founded by Chaghatai a son of Genghis Khan, which reigned in Transoxiana 1227-1358.]

(Designating or pertaining to) the literaiy Turkic lan¬ guage of central Asia between the 15th and 19th cents. ■ Chagataian adjective M19. Chagataic adjective & noun M19

■ chaffingly adverb Li9.

[formed as cheap noun + fare noun1, prob. after Old Norse kaupfor trading-journey. In mod. use from the verb.]

1 Orig., trade, trading. Now spec, haggling, bargaining barter, me. 12 Goods, wares. me-li7. f chaffer noun2 var. of chafer noun'. chaffer /'tjafa/ verb. me. [from chaffer noun1.]

1 verb intrans. Orig., traffic, deal, trade. Now spec. bargain, haggle about terms or price, me. kb fig. Bandy words, discuss terms, dispute, lme. 2 verb trans. Orig., traffic, deal, or trade in. Now spec. haggle over, barter, me. 2 fchaffer words bandy words. lme.

chaffinch/'tjafin(t)f/ noun. oe. [from chaff noun1 + finch.]

A common European finch, Fringilla coelebs. chaffron noun var. of chamfrain. -J-MVUII, U1 JV.1WC verb

+ weed noun1.]

11 Cudweed. M16-L19. 2 A pimpernel, Anagallis minima, with very small wl or pink flowers, lis.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m man,

n no,

p pen,

r red, s sit,

[French, lit. 'rough skin', of unkn. origin.]

► I ti Worry, anxiety; melancholy. M17-M19. 2 Mortification arising from disappointment failure; acute vexation or annoyance. E18. 3 In pi. Troubles, vexations. M18. ► |II4 = SHAGREEN. L17-M19.

or

chagrin adjective. M17 Ei8. [French, formed as prec.]

[French chagriner, formed as chagrin noun.]

Affect with chagrin. Usu. in pass. chah noun var. of cha. chain/tjein/noun. me. [Old French chaine, (earlier) chaeine (mod. chaine) from Latin catena.]

chaffer/'tjafa/noun1. me.

IProb. from chafe

chagigah noun pi. see hagigah. chagrin /'Jagnn/ noun. See also shagreen. M17.

chagrin / jagnn, Ja'grbn/ verb trans. M17.

► A verb trans. Banter or rail at, usu. in a light-hearted manner. E19. ► B noun. Banter, good-humoured raillery or repartee M19.

■ charterer noun

► A noun. PI. same, -s, Wachagga. 1 A member of a Bantu-speaking people of northern Tanzania, mi9. 2 The Bantu language of this people, Kichaga. L19. 3 Coffee grown by the Wachagga; loosely, Tanzanian coffee. M20. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Wachagga or their language. L19.

Worried; melancholy; chagrined.

chaff /tja:f, tjaf/ verb3 & noun3. E19.

chafe tfeif/ verb. Also tchaff. lme. [Old 8, mod French chauffer from Proto-Romance var. of Latin cal(ejfacere make warm, from alien be warm rfacere make.] ► I lit. 1 verb trans. & intrans. Make or become warm Long obsolete exc. in CHAFtNC-dish. lme.

1 Of, pertaining to, resembling, or of the nature of chaff; spec, (botany) paleaceous. Mi6. 2 fig. Light, empty, worthless. Li6.

[Bantu.]

[Perh.var. of chafe verb.]

chador noun var. of chadar.

[from chaff noun1 + -Y'.]

Chagga /tjaga/ noun & adjective. Also Chaga. Mi9.

tchaff noun2, verb2 vars. of chafe noun, verb.

(Designating, of, or pertaining to) an Afro-Asiatic lan¬ guage group of western and central Africa,

chaffy /'tja:fi, 'tfafi/ adjective. Mi6.

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo,

1 A series of links (usu. metal) passing through each other, or otherwise jointed together, so as to form a strong but flexible means of connection. (Of various kinds for particular purposes etc., identified context¬ ually or specified.) me. 2 (A chain as) a bond or fetter; in pi., fetters, bonds, con¬ finement, captivity, me. kb fig. A thing which prevents freedom of action, lme. 3 (A chain as) a barrier obstructing the entrance to a street, harbour, etc, me. 4 A personal ornament in the form of a chain worn around the neck; such a chain worn as a badge of office ME. 5 fig. A connected series, a sequence, a set, (of material or immaterial things), lme. kb spec. A sequence of geo¬ graphical features (as mountains, lakes, etc.) disposed in a linear series wtth actual or imagined connections. L17. kc A figure in a quadrille. M19. kd A group of associated shops, hotels, newspapers, etc. Orig. US. M19. ke computing. A set of files, data, program instructions, etc., related by chaining. M20. 6 A measuring-line in land-surveying, consisting of one hundred jointed metal rods. E17. kb A length equal to this (66 feet, approx. 20.12 m.). M17. 7 nautical = chain-plate below. In pi. also, a small plat¬ form on either side of a ship from which the leadsman heaves the lead when sounding. Ei7. I she,

3

vision,

6

thin,

6

this,

r, ring,

tj chip,

d3jar

375

8 The warp in weaving, eis. 9 Hist. In full chain-shot. Two half or whole cannon¬ balls joined by a chain, for cutting masts etc. E19. 10 A chain for fastening a door to its jamb as a security device, mi9. 11 chemistry. A number of similar atoms, usu. carbon, joined in series in a molecule. Li9. iin 1 albert chain, bicycle-chain, daisy-chain, guard-chain, night chain, paper chain, safety-chain, tyre-chain, etc. drag the chain: see drag verb i. 2 Milton To bottomless perdi¬ tion, there to dwell In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire. P. Henry Is life so dear.. as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? ball and chain: see ball noun1 3. b Hazlitt The chain of habit. 5 C. M. Yonge I tried to get them to form a chain and drench the warehouses. E. Mannin How far back could you go in the chain of causal¬ ity? food-chain etc. Markov chain. 11 long chain, open chain, etc. Comb. : chain-armour: made of interlaced rings; chain bridge a suspension bridge on chains; chain drive: with transmission by endless chains: chain-gang of convicts, chained together, or forced to work in chains; chain-gear: transmitting motion by an endless chain: chain-letter: of which the recipient is asked to make copies to be sent to a (named) number of others (those being asked to do the like); chain-link adjective made of wire in a diamond-shaped mesh; chain-mail = chain-armour above; chain-plate nautical a strong link or plate on a ship’s side, to which the shrouds are secured; chain printer a line printer in which the printing types are carried on a moving endless chain; chain-pump: to raise water, with a series of buckets etc. usu. passing through a tube on an endless chain; chain reaction a series of chemical or nuclear reactions each initiated by a product of the previous reaction; fig. a series of events each due to the previous one; chain-saw: with teeth on an endless chain; chain-shot see sense 9 above; chain-smoke verb trans. & intrans. smoke (cigarettes etc.) continuously, esp. by lighting the next cigarette etc. from the one last smoked; chain-smoker a person who chain-smokes; chain snake a king-snake with chainlike markings; chain-stitch an ornamental crochet or embroidery stitch like a chain (magic chain-stitch: see magic adjective 3); chain store any of a series of shops owned by one firm and selling the same type of goods: chain-wale = channel noun2; chain-wheel; transmitting power by a chain fitted to its edges; chain-work (a) chainlike ornamental work in sculpture etc.; (b) interlinked metal rings in a network; (c) a texture formed by knitting with a single thread. ■ chainless adjective Ei9. chainlet noun a little chain Ei9. chainlike adjective resembling a chain in appearance or struc¬ ture Li 8.

chain/t Jem/verb. lme. [from the noun.]

1 verb trans. Secure or confine with a chain (lit. & fig.). Also foil, by up. LME. 2 verb trans. Obstruct or close with a chain, lme. 3 verb trans. Measure with a (surveyor’s) chain. E17. 4 verb trans. & intrans. computing. Link (a file etc.), be linked, with another by the inclusion in each item of an address by which a successor may be located. Chiefly as chaining verbal noun. M20. chaine /Jsne/ noun. PL pronounced same. M20. [French = linked.]

8/iu£r. A quick step or turn from one foot to another, or a series of these, performed in a line. chained /tjeind/ adjective, mi6. [from chain noun, verb: see -ED2, -ED1.]

1 Provided or adorned with a chain or chains. M16. 2 That has been chained. Ei7. 3 Of lightning: having the form of a long zigzag line. M19. chair /tje:/ noun1, me. [Anglo-Norman chaere, Old French chaiere (mod. chaire bishop's throne etc.) from Latin cathedra.]

1 A separate seat for one person, of various forms, usu. with a rest for the back and more or less comfortable, me. ►b The electric chair. US. E20. 2 A seat of authority, state, or dignity; fig. a place or situ¬ ation of authority etc. me. Fb The seat from which a pro¬ fessor etc. delivers lectures. Now chiefly fig., a professorship, lme. fc The seat of a bishop in his church; fig. episcopal dignity or authority. Now arch, or Hist. li 5. Fd The seat of a person presiding at a meeting, public dinner, etc.; fig. the office of such a person; a chair¬ man or chairwoman. M17. Fe The seat of the chief elected official of a corporate town; fig. the office of such an official, a mayoralty. L17. Ff A seat occupied by a Welsh bard at an Eisteddfod, esp, one awarded as a trophy; fig. a convention, now each of four, connected with the Eisteddfod. Ei9. 3 = sedan i. obsolete exc. Hist. lme. f4 Apulpit. M17-L19. 5 Chiefly Hist. A kind of light chaise, mis. 6 An iron or steel socket fixed to a railway sleeper, securing a rail in place. E19. 1 armchair. Bath chair, deck chair, dining-chair, easy chair, elbow-chair, folding chair, garden chair. Glastonbury chair high chair, pushchair, rocking-chair, wheelchair, etc boatswain’s chair see boatswain chair of estate see estate noun 4. electric chair, see electric adjective, musical chairs see musical adjective, take a chair sit down, wainscot chair: see a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, o:

chain | chaldron t. 2d be in the chair, take the chair be chair¬ man. e past the chair, above the chair (of an alderman etc.) who has been mayor, below the chair (of an alderman etc.) who has not been mayor. Comb.: chair-bed a chair that unfolds into a bed; chair-borne adjective ico/loq.) administrative rather than active; chair-car a railway carriage with chairs instead of long seats, a parlour car; chairlady a chairwoman; chair-lift a series of chairs on an endless cable for carrying passengers up a mountain etc.; chairoplane a fairground roundabout with seats suspended on chains flung in a wide circle by the revolution of the machinery: chair organ = choir organ s.v. choir noun: chairperson a chair¬ man (of either sex) of a meeting etc.; chairwoman a female chairman of a meeting etc. wainscot

noun

chair /tje:/ noun2, obsolete exc. Hist. Also (earlier) -[char. me. [Old & mod. French char, Old Northern French chaire: see chariot. Assim. to prec.]

Chalcedonian /kalsi'dounion/ noun & adjective, mi8. [from Chalcedon, a city of ancient Bithynia, + -ian.] ► A noun. A person upholding the canons etc. of the ecu¬ menical council of Chalcedon (ad 451), which were even¬ tually accepted by all except the Monophysite Churches. mis.

► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the council of Chalcedon, its canons, etc. lis. Chalcedonian definition the declaration that there are two natures, divine and human, in the one person of Jesus Christ.

chalcedony /kal'sedoni/noun. Also fcal-. lme. [Latin c(h)alcedonius from Greek khalkedon. Cf. cassidony noun1.] mineralogy. A fine-grained fibrous variety of quartz having many precious or semiprecious forms such as agate, onyx, cornelian, and chrysoprase. ■ chalce donic adjective ei9.

A chariot; a cart.

chalcenterous /kal‘sent(3)r3s/ adjective.

chair /tje:/ verb trans. Mi6. [from chair noun1.]

1 Install in a chair, esp. one of authority, mi 6. 2 Place (as if) in a chair and carry aloft (the winner of a contest etc.), M18. 3 Provide with a chair or chairs. M19. 4 Act as the chairman of, preside over (a meeting). E20. chairman /'tjeiman/ noun. PI. -men. Mi7. [from chair

noun'

+ man noun.]

1 A person chosen to preside over a meeting; a per¬ manent president of a committee, board of directors, firm, country, etc.; the master of ceremonies at an enter¬ tainment. M17. 2 Hist, a Either of the two sedan-bearers. Li7. Fb A person who wheels a Bath chair, mi8. ■ chairmanship noun the office of chairman; the action of pre¬ siding as chairman: Mi9.

chaise /Jeiz/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Mi7. [French, var.

chaire chair noun1.] 1 Chiefly Hist. A pleasure or travelling carriage, esp. a of

light open one for one or two people. See also postchaise. M17. 2 = CHAISE LONGUE. M20. 5

Sense

i

sometimes taken as pi., whence sing, chay,

shay

noun'.

chaise longue /Jeiz 'ffigg, foreign Je:z 15:g/ noun phr. PI. chaise longues /Jeiz Inqgz/, chaises longues /Jeiz iDgg(z), foreign Jez 15:g/. Et9. [French = long chair.]

A kind of sofa with a backrest at only one end. chaise percee /Je:z perse/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced same). M20. [French = pierced chair.]

A chair incorporating a chamber-pot. chaises longues noun phr. pi. see chaise longue. chaises percees noun phr. pi. of chaise percee.

With bowels of bronze; tough. ■ Also chalcenteric adjective M20.

chalcid /'kalsid/ adjective & noun.

family Chalcidoidea of mostly parasitic hymenopterous insects, many of which have a metallic sheen. Li 9. chalcid fly. chalcid wasp = sense B below.

► B noun. An insect of this superfamily. Li9. ■ chalcidid adjective & noun = chalcid; spec, (an insect) of the included family Chalcididae: Li9.

Chalcidian /kal'sidion/ noun & adjective1.

Mi7.

[from Latin Chalcis, Chalcid- (see below) from Greek Khalkis, Khalkid-: see -ian.]

(A native or inhabitant) of Chalcis, chief city of the Greek island of Euboea. chalco- /'kalkoo/ combining form of Greek khalkos copper, brass: see -o-. ■ chalcocite noun (mineralogy) orthorhombic copper(i) sulphide, usu. occurring as black, fine-grained masses mi9. chalco lithic adjective & noun (archaeology) (designating or pertaining to) a brief period following the end of the Stone Age in some areas, during which copper implements were used as well as stone ones, before bronze technology was introduced E20. chal'cophanite noun [Greekphan-showing] mineralogy a hydrated oxide of zinc and manganese, sometimes with a bronze lustre Li9. chalcophil(e) adjective & noun (geology & chemistry) (designating) an element which commonly occurs as a sulphide and is supposed to have become concentrated in the mantle E20.

chalcogen

/'tjalksdjfsjn/ noun. M20.

[German Chalkogen, from Greek khalkos In supposed sense 'ore’, after halogen.] chemistry. Any of the elements of group VIa of the peri¬ odic table (oxygen, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium).

■ chal cogenide noun a binary compound ofa chalcogen M20.

[Sanskrit caitya (resembling) a funeral pile, mound, etc., from dtd funeral mound.]

A Buddhist place or object of reverence.

chalcography /kal'kDgrafi/ noun.

mu.

[from Greek khalkos copper, brass + -graphy: cf. French chakographie.]

The art of engraving on copper.

chak verb & noun var. of chack,

■ chalcographer noun M17 chalco graphic adjective of or per taining to chalcography lib.

chakra /'tjakro/ noun. lis. wheel

Li9.

[from mod. Latin Chalcis genus name from Greek khalkos copper, brass: see -id3.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating the super-

chaitya /'tjAitjs/ noun. Li9.

[Sanskrit cakra (cogn. with

M20.

[from Greek khalkenteros, from khalkos copper, brass + enteron intestine: see -ous.]

noun).]

1 A thin knife-edged disc of steel formerly used as a weapon by Sikhs, lis. 2 A discus or mystic circle depicted in the hands of Hindu deities. H9. 3 yoga. Each of the centres of spiritual power in the human body. Li 9. 4 The circular emblem on the flag of the Indian Union. M20. chal /tjal/noun. Mi9. [Romany = person, fellow.)

A male Gypsy. Also Romany chal. chalan/tjs'kun/noun. Mi9. [Urdu chalan, chalan from Persian colon.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a waybill, a voucher; a draft of prisoners. chalaza, ko'leiza/ noun. PI. -zae /-zi:/. eis. [mod. Latin from Creek khalaza small knot.]

1 zoology. Either of two twisted membranous strands which join the yolk to the ends of an egg. E18. 2 botany. The region of the ovule where the nucellus joins the integuments. Mi9. ■ chalazal adjective (chiefly botany) MI9.

chalazion /ka'leizran/ noun. PI. -zia /-zra/. eis. [Greek khalazion dim. of khalaza: see prec.]

medicine. A swollen, inflamed sebaceous gland in the eyelid. Also called meibomian cyst. chalcanthite /kal'kanOAit/ noun. Mi9. [from Latin chalcanthum from Creek khalkanthon, from khalkos copper + anthos flower: see -ite1.] mineralogy. Native hydrated copper(n) sulphate, a blue tri¬ clinic mineral usu. occurring as tabular crystals.

chalcopyrite /kalka'pAimt/ noun.

Mi9.

[mod. Latin chalcopyrites, formed as chalco- + pyrite.] mineralogy. A tetragonal sulphide of copper and iron which is the principal ore of copper and usu. occurs as metallic brass-yellow masses. Also called copper pyrites

Chaldean /kal'diron/ noun & adjective.

Mi6.

[from Latin Chaldaeus from Greek Khaldaios masc., Khaldaia fern, (also as noun (sc. ge earth) Chaldea), from Assyrian kaldu: see -AN.] ► A noun. 1 A native or inhabitant of ancient Chaldea or Babylonia; transf. a person skilled in occult matters, an

astrologer, mi6. 2 The language of the Chaldeans. L17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Chaldea, its inhabitants or their language; occult. E17. ■ Also Chaldaic /kal'deuk/ adjective M17.

Chaldee/kal'di:,

'kaldi:/ noun & adjective, lme. [Latin Chaldaei (pi.) Chaldeans, (sing.) Chaldea, formed as prec.]

►

A noun. 1 = Chaldean noun l. lme. 2 = Chaldean noun 2. Also, Aramaic as used in books of the Bible, lme. ► B adjective. = Chaldean adjective. L17. chalder / tjoddo/ noun. Chiefly Scot. & north. Now arch, or Hist, ME.

[Old & mod. French chaudiere: see next.]

A dry measure of capacity (of variable magnitude) for various materials, esp. coal, lime, grain, etc. Cf. chaldron noun12.

chaldron /‘tjoddran/ noun'.

Mi6.

[Old French chauderon (mod. chaudron) augm. of chaud(i)ere from late Latin cal(i)darium cooking-pot; see -oon. Cf. cauldron.] |1

= CAULDRON. M16-M18.

: saw, A run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day. au no, e: hair, ro near, 31 boy, os poor, ais tire, aos sour

376

chaldron | chamber 2 A dry measure of capacity (cf. prec.). Now only spec, a measure for coals of approximately 36 bushels. E17. fchaldron noun2 var. ofchawdron. chalet /'Jalei/ noun. Lis. [Swiss French, dim. of Old French chasel farmstead from ProtoRomance deriv. of Latin casa hut, cottage.]

A Swiss mountain cowherd's hut; a Swiss peasant’s wooden cottage; a house with a widely overhanging roof; a small villa; a small house in a holiday camp etc. chalice /'tjalis/ noun.

oe.

one issued to the reigning champion; a test of one’s abil¬ ities, a demanding or difficult task. me. 4 A call to respond; esp. a sentry’s demand for a pass¬ word etc. LME. 5 mw. An exception taken, to a person or thing; spec an objection made to a juror, lme. 6 A calling in question; the state of being called in question. Ei9. 7 immunology A dose of antigen given to a previously exposed person or animal in order to detect immunity or hypersensitivity. M20.

[Old French, or its source Latin calix, -ic-.[

QJ 3 R. Lynd My challenge to any of the great leaders of the Christian churches.. to come and debate the question of religion and free thought. D. Acheson The tremendous chal¬ lenge of his post, and the problems he faced. E. Longford The Martyrs' Memorial.. an occasional challenge to the climbing skills of students. 4 E. Blunden I heard the chal¬ lenge 'Who goes there?’ 5 peremptory challenge: see peremptory adjective 1. principal challenge: see principal adjective. 6 Sir W. Scott Schemes.. for bringing her title into challenge.

1 A drinking-cup, a goblet; the contents of this. Now poet. oe. 2 spec The cup used in the administration of the

Eucharist, oe. 3 The calyx of a flower. M17. 1 poisoned chalice: see poison verb 2. Comb.: chalice vine a solandra, Solandra maxima, grown for ornament in the tropics. ■ chaliced adjective having cuplike blossom; contained in a chalice: E17.

chalicothere

kalikoOio/noun. E20.

[from mod. Latin Chalicotherium genus name, from Creek khahk-, khalix gravel + therionwild animal.] palaeontology. A perissodactyl of the extinct family Chalicotheriidae, similar to a horse but with clawed feet.

chalifa noun see

khalifa.

chalk /tja:k/ noun. [Old English cealc = Old Saxon calc (Dutch kalk), Old High German kalk (German kalk), from West Germanic from Latin calx, calc-.] 11 Lime. (rare after Old English.) oe-li6. 2 A white soft earthy limestone consisting almost wholly of calcite. oe. 3 This or a substance of like texture or properties in prepared form, as for use in crayons for drawing, for writing on a blackboard, for rubbing on the tip of a billiards-cue, etc. li 5. >b A piece or crayon of chalk, ei 9. 4 A mark, line, or score made with chalk; spec, (a) such a mark formerly used to record credit in a public house etc.; arch, a running account, credit; (b) (such a mark recording) a point scored in a game. Ei6. 5 Any of various earths resembling chalk (sense 2). Usu. with specifying word. Ei7. 6 geology. A deposit or stratum composed mainly of chalk; spec. (C-) (the deposits of) the Upper Cretaceous system of western Europe. E19.

challenge/'tjalm(d)3/verb. me. [Old French c(h)alengier from Latin calumniari: see calumniate verb] ► I verb trans. fl Accuse, bring a charge against; bring as a

charge. ME-L17. 2 a Reprove; call to account, obsolete exc. Scot, me. Fb (Of a sentry etc.) ask (a person) for a password etc.; call to respond (lit. & fig.), lis. 3 a Lay claim to, demand as a right. (Foil, by fthat, ft0 do.) arch. me. Fb Have a natural right or claim to, call for, (now spec a responsive action or recognition, as atten¬ tion, admiration, etc.), lme. 4 Invite or summon to take part in a trial, contest, duel, discussion, etc.; dare, defy; present a challenge to; stimu¬ late. (Foil, by to, to do.) lme. Fb Invite (emulous, hostile, or critical action of any kind). Ei7. 5 Call into question; dispute, deny. lme. 6 law. Take exception or object to (a juror, evidence, etc.). LI 6. 7 immunology Give a dose that constitutes a challenge to (a person, an animal). M20. £Q 1 P. Sidney To be challenged of unkindness. 2a OED I have never been challenged for crossing these fields, b E. Hemingway Orders to challenge all travellers and ask to see their papers. 3a T. Herbert I challenge no thankes for what I publish, b T. Brown Horace and Juvenal.. challenge a superiority above all the rest. 4 Milton I.. challenge Dagon to the test. C. Kingsley He challenges all comers to wrestle with him. J. Dickey A bad road always challenged him. J. Archer Inside the two-furlong marker—Highclere and Rosalie move up to challenge Buoy, b J. H. Blunt Challenging controversy in every possible way. 5 T. H. Huxley I do not presume to challenge its wisdom.

Phrases: as different as chalk and cheese, as different as chalk from cheese unlike in the essentials, by a long chalk, by long chalks by far, by a long way. chalk and talk teaching

by traditional methods (employing blackboard, chalk, and dia¬ logue). French chalk see French adjective, red chalk: see red adjective. Venetian chalk see Venetian adjective, walk the chalk: see walk verb'. Attrib. & comb.: In the sense 'made up or consisting (largely) of chalk', as chalk cliff, chalk down. etc. In the sense 'drawn with chalk, executed in chalk', as chalk drawing, chalk head. etc. Special combs., as chalkboard N.Amer. a blackboard: chalkface colloq. the day-to-day work of teaching in a school; chalkhill blue a lycaenid butterfly of chalk grassland, Lysandra coridon: chalk¬ line a lme drawn in chalk; walk a chalk-line (fig.), behave with propriety, keep to a course of action or set of rules; chalk-pit a quarry in which chalk is dug; chalk-stone a concretion of urates like chalk found in tissues and joints, esp. those of the hands and feet; chalk-stripe a pattern of thin white stripes on a dark background; chalk-striped adjective having a chalk-stripe; chalk talk US a talk, lecture, etc. in which the speaker uses black¬ board and chalk. chalk /tJo:k/ verb trans.

► II verb intrans. 8 Issue a challenge to a duel etc. (arch.); present a challenge, offer interesting difficulties, lme. 19 Make or have a claim, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. 10 hunting. Of a hound: give tongue on finding a scent. L17. 11 law. Take exception, object. L19. ■ challengeable adjective lme challenger noun lme challenged /'tjalmdjd/ adjective, euphem. (orig. US). L20. [from prec. + -ed‘.[

(With prefixed adverb) handicapped, esp. physically. Hence (/oc.), disadvantaged or lacking in some specified regard. LQ P. Ormerod The

lis.

check this easily.

[from the noun.]

1 2 3 up,

Rub, mark, or inscribe (a surface) with chalk, lis. Mix or treat with chalk. L16. Write, draw, or record with chalk. (Foil, by down, out, etc.) L16. With adverbs in specialized senses: chalk out sketch, plan as a thing to be accomplished; (see also sense 3 above), chalk up charge, attribute, (to a person, account, experience, etc.); register (a success etc.); (see also sense 3 above). chalky /'tJo:ki/ adjective,

lme.

[from chalk noun + -y1 .]

Having much chalk; resembling chalk, esp. in white¬ ness; like or containing chalk-stones. ■ chalkiness noun

challah /'ho:ta,

Introduced in the 1980s (in physically challenged) as a more positive alternative to disabled or handicapped, but soon used with other adverbs, often making fun of euphemism and political correctness generally.

challenging /'tjahn(d)3ig/ ppl adjective. M19. [from challenge verb + -inc-.[

That challenges; spec that presents a test of one's abil¬ ities. ■ challengingly adverb E20. challis Jalis, 'Jali/ noun. Mi9. [Perh. from the surname Challis.]

A lightweight soft clothing fabric of silk and worsted.

ei 9.

xa:'la:/noun.

PI. -s, chalot, -oth,

chalon /'fabn/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. me.

/xa:'bt/

E20.

[Hebrew haUah.] A loaf of white leavened bread, typically plaited in form, traditionally baked to celebrate the Jewish sabbath. challenge

mathematically-challenged reader can

"tJalin(d)3/noun. me.

[Old French c(h)alenge from Latin calumnia calumny noun.] 11 An accusation, a reproach, an objection. ME-L17. 12 A (false) claim; the act of demanding as a right

[App. from Chdlom-sur-Marne in NE France: cf. shalloon.]

A blanket or coverlet for a bed. ■ chaloner noun a maker of chalons me. chalone/'kabun, 'kei-/noun. E20. [from Greek khalbn pres, pple of khalao slacken, after hormone.] physiology. A substance secreted like a hormone but having the effect of inhibiting a bodily process; spec, an

inhibitor of mitosis in particular tissues. ■ cha Ionic adjective 120

ME-M18.

3 An invitation or summons to take part in a trial or contest, spec (o) to a duel, (b) to a sporting contest, esp. b but. d dog.

f few,

g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1 leg.

chalot. chaloth nouns pis. of challah. chaloupe noun var. of shallop.

m man,

n no,

p pen.

r red,

s sit,

t top.

v van,

w we,

2

zoo,

chalumeau /Jalymo/ noun. PL -eaux /-0/.

Ei8.

[French from late Latin calamellus dim. of calamus reed.]

A musical pipe of reed or straw; an instrument having a reed mouthpiece, esp. the forerunner of the clarinet. Also (in full chalumeau register), the lowest register of the clarinet.

chalupa /tfa'luipa/ noun.

L19.

[Spanish, rel. to shallop.]

1 In Spain or Spanish America: a small light boat or canoe. L19. 2 A fried tortilla in the shape of a boat, with a spicy filling. L20.

Chalybean /kali'bban, in Milton ka'libisn/

adjective, rare.

L17.

[from Latin chalybeius of steel, of the Chalybes (see below), from chalybs: see next, -an.]

Pertaining to the Chalybes, an ancient people of Asia Minor famous for their skill in working iron. 5 First recorded in Milton.

chalybeate /ka'libiat/ adjective & noun.

mi7.

[mod. Latin chalybeatus, from Latin chalybs from Greek khalub-, khalups steel: see -ate2.]

(A mineral water, a spring, etc.) impregnated with iron salts.

tchalybeate verb trans.

LI6-EI8.

[formed as prec. + -ate3.]

Impregnate with iron salts.

chalybite /'kalibAit/noun.

Mi9.

[from Greek khalub-, khalups steel + -ite1.] mineralogy. Siderite (native ferrous carbonate). Cham /kam/ noun.

lme.

[French cham, chan from Turkic kdn khan noun'. Cf. chagan, khan noun1.] = khan noun1. Now only transf.&fig., an autocrat, a domin¬

ant critic etc. (applied esp. to Samuel Johnson). Lj Smollett That great Cham of literature, Samuel Johnson.

cham /tjam/ verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -mm-,

lme.

[Prob. imit.: cf. champ verb.] 1 verb intrans. & trans. = champ verb 1, 2. lme. 2 verb trans. = champ verb 3. Chiefly Scot. Ei6.

chama /'keima/ noun.

mis.

[Latin from Greek kheme cockle.]

A sessile bivalve mollusc of the genus Chama, with rough, irregular valves, found in warm or tropical seas.

chamade 'Ja'mcrd/noun.

L17.

[French from Portuguese chamada, from chamar from Latin clamare: see claim verb, -ade 1.] military history. A signal by beat of drum or sound of

trumpet inviting to a parley.

Chamaeleon noun see chameleon. chamaephyte /'karmfAit/ noun. E20. [from Greek khamai low, on the ground + -phyte.] botany. A plant which bears buds on or near the ground.

chamar /tja'mci:/ noun. Also chu-.

M19.

[Hindi camar.]

A member of a low Hindu caste whose traditional occu¬ pation is leather-working; a tanner, a shoemaker.

chamber /'tjeimba/ noun & verb.

me.

[Old & mod. French chambre from Latin camera.] ► A noun. 1 An apartment in a house or other place of

residence; a private room, esp. a bedroom. Now arch, or poet. exc. in comb. & as in sense b below, me. >b In pi. A set of rooms in a larger building, esp. in the Inns of Court, let separately. Also, a judge’s room for hearing cases, or for other official proceedings, out of court. M17. 2 (A hall used by) a deliberative or judicial body; esp. each of the houses of a parliament, lme. 3 The hangings or furniture of a chamber. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 4 The treasury of a government, corporation, etc. Now arch, or Hist. lme. 5 A cavity in the body of an animal or plant, lme. 16 a A detached charge piece put into the breech of a gun. LME-M19. Fb A piece of ordnance standing on its breech, used to fire salutes etc. mi6-mis. 17 A kingdom's chief city etc.; a royal residence; a royal port. M16-L17. 8 A relatively spacious underground hollow or section of such a hollow (dug out by an animal etc. or as a natural formation), li 6. Fb mining. A large well-defined deposit of ore. 119. 9 A part of a firearm in which a charge is placed, as a space in the bore of old ordnance, each of the bores of an early revolver, (each section of) the cartridge compart¬ ment of a modem revolver, etc. L16. 10 gen. A space, cavity, or room constructed for various purposes (specified or identified contextually); an enclosed space or compartment in a structure, mechan¬ ism, etc. Ml8. 11 A chamber-pot. li 9. J she. 3 vision,

9

thin.

6 this,

q ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

377

chamberer | champion

£3 1 audience-chamber, bedchamber, guest-chamber, presence chamber, etc. tchamber of dais, chamber of deas Scot, a parlour, a best bedroom, robe de chambre: see ROBE noun'. 2 council-chamber. Star Chamber, etc. Chamber of Commerce an association to promote and protect the interests of local commerce. Chamber of Trade a national organization representing local Chambers of Commerce. Lower Chamber, see lower adjective, privy chamber, see privy adjective. Red Chamber: see red adjective, second chamber see second adjective, syndical chamber 5 P. Parish The volume of blood in the heart chambers. 8 F. Hoyle Although the cave is nearly 300 metres long, most of the paintings are in a chamber 18 by 9 metres. 10 bubble chamber, cloud chamber, decompression chamber, fume-chamber, gas chamber, spark chamber, etc. Chamber of Horrors see horror noun, lethal chamber see lethal adjective, torture chamber see torture noun.

12 botany. Either of two plants of the composite family native to southern Europe, Atractylis gummifera (more fully white chameleon) and Cardopatium corymbosum (more fully black chameleon). E16 -Ei8. 3 fig. Someone or something inconstant or variable. LI 6. 4 (Usu. C-.) (The name of) an inconspicuous circumpo¬ lar constellation of the southern hemisphere. Also the Chameleon. L17. t5 chemistry. Potassium manganate, K2Mn04 (so called from the gradual change in colour of a solution from green to purple on exposure to air). Also mineral chameleon. Only in 19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. = chameleonic. Li6. ■ chamele onic adjective chameleon-like: given to change, inconstant: E19. chameleon-like adjective resembling (that of) a chameleon; fig. inconstant: Li 6.

Comb.: chamber concert a concert of chamber music; tchamber-council a private concern; chamber-deacon Hist, a poor clerk, esp. from Ireland, frequenting an English university in the 15th cent, and not belonging to any college or hall; chamber-fellow arch, one who shares a room or rooms with another; chamber-lye (obsolete exc. dial.) urine, esp. as formerly used for washing; chambermaid (a) a housemaid, esp, one in a hotel etc. who attends to the bedrooms; f(b) a lady's maid; chamber music music for a small group of instruments, par¬ ticularly fitted for performance in a private room or a small hall; chamber orchestra a small orchestra; chamber organ a posi¬ tive organ; an organ for domestic use. developed from the posi¬ tive organ; chamber-pot a receptacle for urine etc., for use in a bedroom or by a young child: chamber-tomb archaeology a chambered tomb. ► B verb. I verb trans. 1 Place or shut (up) in or as in a chamber; fig. (arch.) restrain (one’s words etc.), lme.

chametz noun var. of hametz.

2 Bevel (a right-angled edge or comer) symmetrically. L17. ► B noun, tl A small groove, channel, etc. E17-EI8. 2 A surface produced by bevelling a right-angled edge or comer symmetrically, mi9. chamfering tjamf(a)nq noun. Mi6. [from French chamfrain. from chant edge (see cant noun1) + fraint pa. pple offraindre from Latin frangere break; assim. to -INC1.]

11 Grooving, a groove, in wood, stone, etc. M16-E18. 2 The bevelling of a right-angled edge or comer sym¬ metrically; a surface so produced, mis. chamfrain 'tjamfrem/ noun. arch. /'tjafran/. chamfron /'tjamfran/. lme.

Also

chaffron

[Old & mod. French chamfrein, perh. from Old French chafresner (= Provencal capfrenar) put on a bridle, from chef head (see chief noun) rfrein from Latin jrerajm bridle, bit.]

The frontlet of a barded horse. Also, a piece of armour for a horse’s face.

chamberer/'tfeimb(3)r3/noun. arch. me. [Anglo-Norman chamb(e)rer(e = Old French chamb(e)rier, -lire (mod. chambrier, -iere chambermaid), formed as prec.; see -er2.]

fl A chambermaid; a personal attendant, a valet. ME-E18. 2 A person who frequents ladies' chambers; a gallant. E17.

chamiso /tjs'miisau; noun. PI. -os. Also -mise -'mi:zI. M19. [Mexican Spanish.]

An evergreen shrub of the rose family, Adenostoma fasciculatum, native to California, jchamlet noun & verb see camlet.

chamberlain/'tjeimbalin/noun. me. [Old French chamberlain, -lenc (mod. chambeUan) from Frankish (whence medieval Latin camerlingus), from Old Saxon kamera from Latin camera: see -lino1.]

chamois "|amwa:; in sense 2 of noun, adjective, usu. 'Jami/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun same /'Jamwatz, 'Jamiz/. Sense 2 of noun, adjective, also shammy /'Jami', (now rare) shamoy Jamoi, 'Jami. M16.

1 A personal attendant of a king or nobleman in his bedroom (now arch, or Hist). Also, an officer managing the private chambers or household of a monarch, noble, etc. ME. 2 A steward; an officer appointed to receive revenue etc.; esp. the treasurer of a corporation etc. lme. |3 An attendant at an inn, in charge of the bedrooms. M16-E19.

[Old & mod. French, prob. ult. from Swiss Proto-Romance. Cf. Gallo-Latin camox.) ► A noun. 1 A goatlike antelope, Rupicapra rupicapra,

found in the mountains of Europe and Asia Minor. M16. 2 More fully chamois leather Soft pliable leather from the chamois or (now more usu.) from sheep, goats, deer, etc.; a piece ofthis for polishing etc. Li6. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Made of chamois leather. E17. 2 Of the colour of chamois leather; yellowish brown. M17.

1 Lord Chamberlain (of the Household) the head of man¬ agement of the royal household, formerly the licenser of plays for performance. Lord Great Chamberlain (of England) the hereditary holder of a ceremonial office, whose responsibilities include attendance on the monarch at a coronation. ■ chamberlainship noun the position or office of chamberlain

chamois /'Jamwa:, 'Jami/ verb. Also (esp. sense 3) shammy /'Jami/, (esp. sense 2) shamoy Jamoi, 'Jami. E17.

LME.

Chambertin /'jobata,foreign Jobsite/ noun. lis.

[French chamoiser. formed as prec.]

[The vineyard of origin, in the Cote de Nuits. eastern France.]

11 verb trans. Make out of chamois leather, rare. Only in E17. 2 verb in trans. & trans. Prepare (leather, a skin) in imita¬ tion of true chamois leather, mis. 3 verb trans. Polish etc. with a chamois leather. M20.

A fine French red burgundy wine; a drink of this. Chambery /’jDbari:, foreign Jaberi/ noun. M20. [The town of origin, in SE France.]

A dry French vermouth: a drink of this.

(the bit) noisily in the teeth. 116. 3 verb trans. Mash, pound; crush under foot. Scot. lis. 1 champing at the bit/jg. restlessly impatient to begin. champer noun Lie.

a

champac /'tjumpak, 'tjam-/ noun. Also chempaka /'tjempaka/ & other vars. L18. [Sanskrit campaka, Malay cempaka.]

A southern Asian evergreen tree, Michelia champaca, of the magnolia family, which bears fragrant orangecoloured flowers and is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Also occas. applied to other trees with fragrant flowers. [Champagne (see below) formed as next.]

[Back-form, from next.] ► A verb trans. 1 Cut a channel or groove in; flute; furrow. arch. Mi6.

■ chambered adjective furnished with, formed into, or con¬ fined within a chamber or chambers; archaeology (of a tomb) con¬ taining one or more burial chambers: lme, chamberlet noun a small chamber mi 9.

[Prob. imit.: cf. cham verb, chomp.] 1 verb intrans. Make a noisy biting or chewing action (esp.. of a horse etc., at, on the bit), lme. 2 verb trans. a Munch (fodder etc.) noisily. Mi6. tb Bite noisily on (something hard); esp. (of a horse etc.) work

champagne /Jam’pein, attrib. 'Jampem, noun. M17.

chamfer /'tjamfa/ verb & noun. Mi6.

2 Provide with a chamber or chambers; form into a chamber or chambers. Ei7. 3 Hold in or as in a chamber. Mi9. ► II verb intrans. 4 Behave wantonly or lewdly. Long arch. E16.

champ /tjamp/ verb. lme.

1 (A) wine from Champagne, a region (formerly a prov¬ ince) of NE France; esp. (a) naturally sparkling white wine from Champagne or elsewhere; loosely (a) sparkling white wine; a drink of any of these. M17. 2 fig. Something exhilarating or excellent L19. 3 A pale straw colour. L19. LJ 1 oeil-de-perdrix champagne see oeil-de-perdrix 2. pink champagne: see pink adjective2. 2 C. Francis Its delicate flavour has earned it the description 'the champagne of teas'. Comb.: champagne breakfast, champagne supper, etc.: at which champagne is served; Champagne Charley. Champagne Charlie any noted (male) champagne-drinker; champagne socialist derog. a person who espouses socialist ideals while enjoying a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle. ■ cham pagney, -ny adjective resembling champagne or its exhilarating qualities M19.

champaign ’tjampem/ noun & adjective. Now chiefly literary. Also -ain, t-ian, t-ion. lme. [Old & mod. French champagne from late Latin campania use as noun of fern. sing. & neut. pi. of campanius adjective, from Latin campus: see camp noun2. Cf. campagna, campaign.] ► A noun. 1 (An expanse of) level open country, lme.

f2 The field of battle; a battlefield. LME-M19. J3 Unenclosed or common land. M16-M17. 4 fig. A field of enquiry, observation, etc.; a sphere of operation. Li 6. ► B attrib. or as adjective, tl Of, pertaining to, or designat¬ ing unenclosed or common land, lme-eis. 2 Of, pertaining to, or designating level open country. El 6.

fchampainnoun1. Mi6-Ei8. [Cf. French champagne lower third of the shield.] heraldry. An embattled line but with the top and bottom

of each division pointed instead of square, champain noun2 var. of champaign. champers Jampaz noun, slang. M20. [from champagne: see -er6.]

Champagne. champerty /'tjampa:ti/ noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman champartie, from Old & mod. French champart the feudal lord’s share of the produce, from Latin campus (see camp noun1) +pars part noun.]

Partnership in power, lme-mi6. 2 law. The action of assisting a party in a suit in which one is not naturally interested, with a view to receiving a share of the disputed property (an offence in the US and formerly in Britain), lme. >b An act or (now US) case of champerty, lme. 3 fig. A combination for an evil purpose. Now rare. E17. ■ champertor noun (now rare) a person engaged in champerty E16. champertous adjective (rare) of the nature of champerty M17.

tchamblet noun & verb var. of camlet.

tchamoisite noun see chamosite.

tchampian noun & adjective var. of champaign.

chambranle /Jabrdd noun. PI. pronounced same. Ei8, [French.] architecture An ornamental bordering around a door,

chamomile noun var. of camomile.

champignon /tjam'pmjon, ’Jampinje; foreign Japijio (pi same)/noun. Also j-inion. Li6.

chamosite "JamazAit/ noun. Orig. fchamois-. M19. [from Chamo(i)son, a locality in Switzerland + -rre1.]

A greenish-grey or black clay mineral that is a monoclinic aluminosilicate of iron and occurs in oolitic and other bedded iron ores.

window, or fireplace.

mineralogy.

chambray /’Jambrei/ noun & adjective. Orig. US. Ei9. [Irreg. from Cambrai (see cambric).]

■ chamo sitic adjective M20

(Made of) a type of gingham with white weft and col¬ oured warp.

tchamp noun1, me. [Old & mod. French from Latin campus: see camp noun2.]

chambre jombret, foreign \abrd adjective. M20.

1 A field, esp. of battle. ME-E19. 2 A ground in embroidery, painting, etc. ME-L16.

[French, pa. pple of chambrer, formed as chamber.]

Of wine: at room temperature. Usu. pred. tchambrel noun see

1 champ clos an enclosure for a judicial duel or tourney.

cambrel.

champ /tjamp/ noun2. Ei7.

chameleon /ka'milian/ noun & adjective. Also team-. (in sense 4) -mael-. me.

[from champ verb.]

A champing action or noise.

[Latin chamaeleon from Greek khamaileon, from khamai on the ground + Icon lion.] ► A noun. 1 Any of numerous small lizards of the Old

champ /tjamp/ noun3. Mi9. [Hindi c'ap champac.]

The timber of the champac.

World family Chamaeleontidae, with prehensile tails and the ability to change colour according to their sur¬ roundings. me. Rb An anole or other lizard able to change colour. N. Amer. Li 8. a cat. a: arm. £ bed. a: her r sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot.

champ /tjamp/ noun4, colloq. Mi9. [Abbreviation.]

= champion noun1 3. 0

: saw.

A

run. o put. u: too. a ago, ai my, no how. ei day.

[French

(earlier

champaignon),

dim.

of

champagne:

see

CHAMPAIGN.]

A mushroom; a toadstool. Now spec, (a) the edible field mushroom Agaricus campestris; (b) an agaric, Marismius oreades, which often forms fairy-rings. champion 'tjampian/noun1, adjective', & adverb, me. [Old & mod. French from medieval Latin campio(n-), from Latin Cf. camp noun1.] ► A noun. 1 A fighting man; a stout fighter, arch. me. campus camp noun2.

2 A person who fights, argues, etc., on behalf of another or for a cause, me. 3 An athlete, boxer, etc., who has defeated all competi¬ tors; an overall winner of a series of competitions; an animal, a plant, etc., adjudged to be superior to all others in a show. E18. QJ 2 J. R. Ackeriey A formidable champion of the rights of her own sex 3 G. Green West Germany became the world champions against all the odds. Phrases: King's Champion Queen's Champion champion of England a hereditary official who offers to defend a new

no. s: hair, 15 near. 01 boy,

03

poor, ms tire, aua sour

378

champion | change monarch's title to the crown at his or her coronation, seven champions, see seven adjective. ► B adjective. That is a champion (esp. sense 3); that has been adjudged to be superior in competition; colloq. first-

rate, splendid. E19. QJ J. M. Synge They're cheering a young lad, the champion playboy of the Western World. K. A. Porter An English bulldog of champion stock.

► C adverb. Splendidly, colloq. & dial. E20. 63 W. Deeping We get on champion.

■ chanceable adjective (long arch.) happening by or subject to chance mie. chancer noun (slang) a person who takes chances or does risky things Li9.

chancel /'tja:ns(a)l/ noun. me.

tchampion noun2 & adjective2 var. of champaign. champion /’tjampran/ verb trans. Ei7. [from champion noun1.]

11 Challenge to a contest, rare. E17-E19. 2 Support the cause of; argue in favour of; defend. E19. champleve /’Jampbvei, foreign J'alave/ adjective & noun. M19. [French, from champ field + leve raised.]

(Enamel-work) in which hollows made in the surface are filled with enamel colours. chance /t[a:ns/ noun, adverb, & adjective, me. [Anglo-Norman ch(e)aunce, Old French cheance, (mod. chance), from cheoir fall, befall, from Proto-Romance var. of Latin cadere fall.] ► A noun. 1 The way things happen of themselves; the

absence of design or discoverable cause; the course of events regarded as a power; fortune, fate. me. ►|b One’s fortune or lot. me-eis. 2 An event that is without apparent cause or unex¬ pected; a casual circumstance; an accident, me. 3 An opportunity, as of escape, of dismissing a batsman in cricket, of scoring a goal in football, etc. me. 4 A possibility, a probability. Freq. in pi. L18. UJ 1 W. C. Bryant The chance of war Is equal, and the slayer oft is slain. W. Plomer It was pure chance that was now to bring us together. 2 A. McCowen By a happy chance |I] got a job almost immediately. D. Adams He hadn’t done it deliberately, it was just a random chance. 3 Burke A change of climate is his only chance. L. Uris I didn't even get a chance to tell you that your brother forgives you. 4 E. Hemingway The train was full and 1 knew there was no chance of a place. S. Sassoon The chances are about five to one against my ever using it Phrases by any chance (in interrog. contexts) as is (just) pos¬ sible. by chance as it happens or happened: without design or discoverable cause, chances are (that): see the chances are (that) below, game of chance: decided by luck not skill, leave nothing to chance: see leave verb1, long chance: see long adjective', main chance see main adjective, not a cat in hell’s chance see cat noun', not a chance in hell: see hell noun, not a dog’s chance see dog noun, not a snowball’s chance (in hell): see snowball noun 1. off chance: see off preposition & adverb, on the chance in view of the possibility (of, that), sporting chance: see sportinc adjective. stand a chance: see stand verb, take a chance (a) behave riskily; (b) let things go as they may, consent to take what comes (foil, by on, with), take chances behave riskily, esp. habitually, take one’s chance let things go as they may, consent to take what comes (foil, by on, with), the chance of a lifetime see lifetime 1 the chances are (that), chances are (that) colloq the likelihood is that, the main chance: see main adjective, treble chance see treble adjective. ► B adverb. By chance, arch. M16.

► C adjective. That occurs or is by chance; casual, inciden¬ tal. L17. Ui G. Greene I had spoilt the occasion suddenly by a chance word. L. Durkell I was something more than a chance trav¬ eller, .. I planned to stay in the island. ■ chanceful adjective (arch.) (a) casual, accidental; (b) unpredict¬ able, eventful:Li6. chancefully adverb (arch, rare) f(a) unfortu¬ nately; (b) in a chanceful manner: me.

chance/tja:ns/ verb. lme. [from the noun.] 1 verb intrans. Happen without design or discoverable cause. (With the event as subj. (t& the person or thing affected as indirect obj.); impers. subj. (esp. it) & that the event: the person or thing affected as subj. (for indirect obj. with impers. subj.) & to do the event.) lme. >b Come on, upon, across, etc., by chance. Mi6. t2 verb intrans. Fare, have luck (of a specified kind) LME-M16. 3 verb trans. Risk, colloq. mi9. EB 1 Spenser Him chaunst to meete.. A faithlesse Sarazin M Twai n If it so chance that we be separated, let each make ‘or \9!ldon Br*dge- H. James An occasion chanced to present itself. Tolkien They fell silent, wondering what would chance. D. Murphy My mother chanced to be passing, fhow chance... ? how is (or was) it that.. ? b Saki The first crossing-sweeper.. she chanced across. J. G. Cozzens Mr. Hurst s librarian chanced on it in a completely forgotten portfolio. 3 R. Rendell Occupants.. could come and go without. chancing an encounter with porters chance one’s arm take one’s (possibly slight) chance of doing something successfully.

A part of a church near the altar, reserved for the clergy, choir, etc., and usu. enclosed. chancellery /'tja:ns(3)l(3)ri, -sbri/ noun. Also -ory; -elry /-(o)lri/. me. [Old & mod. French chancelleric, from chancelier: see next, -ery.]

b but. d dog,

f few, g get. h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

1 The position of a chancellor, me. 2 The department, staff, or office of a chancellor. Li7. 3 An office attached to an embassy or consulate, mi9. chancellor/Tja:ns(3)b/ noun. loe. [Anglo-Norman c(h)anceler. Old French c(h)ancelier, from late Latin cancellarius porter, secretary, from cancelli (see chancel) + -arius -er2.]

1 gen. A secretary (of a king, foreign ruler, etc.), obsolete exc. Hist. loe. 2 A high-ranking State or law official of various kinds (specified by title or contextually identified), loe. 3 A titular head of a university, now usu. an honorary office, the actual duties being performed by a vicechancellor. me. 4 A foreman of a Scottish jury. Now rare. Li 5. 5 One of the four chief dignitaries in cathedrals of old foundation; a bishop’s law officer. L16. 6 An officer of an order of knighthood who seals com¬ missions etc. L16. 7 A chief minister of a European State, now only of the Federal Republic of Germany and of Austria. E17. 8 The president of a chancery court. US. m 18. 2 Chancellor of England Hist. = Lord Chancellor below, before the Union with Scotland. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the representative of the Crown as Duke of Lancas¬ ter, now a member of the British (earlier English) government, often a Cabinet Minister employed on non-departmental work. Chancellor of the Exchequer the finance minister of the United Kingdom (earlier of England or Great Britain), orig. an official with custody of the seal of the exchequer. Lord Chancellor. Lord High Chancellor the highest judicial officer of the United Kingdom (earlier of England or Great Britain), keeper of the great seal, now presiding over the House of Lords, the Chancery Division, and the Court of Appeal. 6 Chancellor of the Order of the Carter etc. 7 Iron Chancellor see iron noun & adjective. m chancellorship noun the position of a chancellor ns.

chancelry noun var. of chancellery. chance-medley /tjams'msdli/ noun. lis. [Anglo-Norman chance medlee, formed as chance noun + medlee fern. pa. pple of medler mix: see meddle verb.] 1 mw (now Hist.). An action, esp. homicide, mainly but

not entirely unintentional; a casual affray in which a person kills in self-defence after being assaulted and refusing to fight further (formerly regarded as excus¬ able). Li 5. 2 transf. Inadvertency, haphazard or random action. LI 6.

chancery /'tfa:ns(3)ri/ noun. In sense 2 also C-. lme. [Contr. of chancellery.] 11 = CHANCELLERY 1. LME-M17.

2 The court of the Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom (earlier of England or Great Britain), now a div¬ ision of the High Court of Justice. Also Court of Chancery, High Court of Chancery, lme. >b More fully chancery court, court of chancery. A similar court elsewhere; US a court of equity. Mi6. 3 An office for public records. Et6. 4 = CHANCELLERY 2. M16. 5 = chancellery 3. (Now the official term in Brit, diplo¬ matic use.) E20. Phrases: in chancery (of the head of a boxer or wrestler) held under the opponent's arm and being pummelled. Inns of Chancery: see inn noun. Master in Chancery: see master noun14c. ward in Chancery a ward of court under the protection of the Court of Chancery. chancre/'tfaijko/ noun. Li6.

[French, from Latin cancer noun: cf. canker noun.] medicine. A painless ulcer, esp. one occurring on the geni¬

tals and resulting from syphilis. soft chancre = chancroid noun. chancroid noun & adjective (of) a venereal infection with the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi causing enlarged, ulcerated lymph nodes of the groin (also called soft sore) mis. chancrous adjective (now rare or obsolete) mis. m

chancy /'tjarnsi/ adjective.

Ei6.

[from chance noun + -y1.]

1 Lucky; safe to meddle with, ’canny’. Scot. eis. 2 Uncertain, risky. M19. ■ chancily adverb M20. chanciness noun L19.

chandelier /Jands'lis/ noun.

M17.

[French, from chanddle: see next, -1 er.J

1 military. A wooden frame filled with fascines to form a traverse in sapping. Mt7. man,

n no, p pen, r red, s sit,

chandelle /Jan'dd/notrn.

E20.

[French, lit. ‘candle’.]

[Old French (mod. cancel) from Latin cancelli (pi.) dim. of cancer lattice, perh. dissimilated form of career barrier, prison.]

■ championess noun (now rare) a female champion Lie. championship noun (a) the position or title of champion in a competition; a competition for this; (b) advocacy, defence: E19.

2 A branched hanging support for several lights, orig. candles, mis.

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo,

A steep climbing turn executed in an aircraft to gain height while changing the direction of flight.

chandler/'tjamdb/noun.

me.

[Anglo-Norman chaundeler. Old French chandelier candle-maker, -seller, from c(h)andeile, c(h)andelle (mod. chanddle) from Latin candela: see candle noun. -ella. -er2.]

► 11 A person who makes or sells candles, me. 2 An officer responsible for the supply of candles to a household. Long obsolete exc. Hist. lme. 3 A retailer of provisions and items of equipment for a particular purpose, without specification (now arch, or Hist.) usu. of candles, oil, soap, paint, groceries, etc., for households. L16. 1 tallow-chandler chandler, etc.

wax-chandler

3 corn

►t II4 A stand or support for a candle,

chandler, ship's

lme-lis.

■ chandlery noun (o) (now chiefly Hist.) a place where candles etc. are kept; (b) the goods produced or sold by a chandler: Ei7.

Chandler wobble /'tjamdb ’wob(3)l/ noun phr.

M20.

[Seth C. Chandler (1846-1913), US astronomer.)

A nutation of the earth’s principal axis of inertia about its axis of rotation (with a period of approx. 14 months), manifested as a small oscillation in the latitude of points on the earth’s surface.

chang /tjarj/noun.

Et9.

[Tibetan chan.]

A Tibetan beer or wine made chiefly from barley or rice.

change /tjeindj/ noun.

me.

(Anglo-Norman chaunge, Old & mod. French change, formed as next.]

1 (An instance of) making or becoming different; the substitution of one thing or set of conditions for another; the following of one thing or set of conditions on another; (an) alteration in state or quality; variety; variation, mutation, me. >b More fully change of the moon. The arrival of the moon at a fresh phase, esp. at a new moon. lme. >c A round or sequence of steps within adance.Li6. fd music. Modulation. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. ►e One’s death, arch. E17. >ff Changefulness; (a) caprice. Only in 17. >g cricket. The substitution of one bowler or type of bowling for another during the course of a match. E19. fh A gear-change in a vehicle. M20. 2 A person who or thing which is or may be substituted for another of the same kind. me. >b cricket. A changebowler. M19. 3 Money given in exchange for notes, coins, etc., of a higher denomination or of a different currency; the balance returned when anything is paid for by an amount of money greater than its price. Hence, coins, esp. of low denominations, me. |4 Exchange. ME-E17. 5 (Also C-.) A place where merchants meet for the transaction of business; an exchange. (From E19 also written ’change as if for exchange.) me. 6 campanolocy In pi. The different permutations in which a peal of bells maybe rung. M17. £3 1 R. B. Sheridan Do you really see any change in me? j. Rhys Her health was not good and she needed a change. A. Toffler He thrives on change, enjoys travel, new foods, [etc] change of address, change of key. change of pace etc. social change, sound-change, etc. change of air: see AIR noun' 2. change of front: see front noun 5b. change of gear, gear-change: see cear noun, change of heart: see heart noun, change of mind: see mind noun', change of scene, change of the monsoon: see monsoon 1. chop and change: see chop noun . for a change colloq. for variety, as an exception to usual practice, grammatical change: see grammatical adjective, fput the change upon deceive (a person), sea change the change (of life) the menopause, f Shakes. Lear You see how full of changes his age is. 2 R. Greene Mistresse Lamilia, like a cunning Angler made readie her chaunge of baytes. A. Hailey He would pause occasionally to pencil in a change change of clothes a second outfit in reserve. 3 B. Allwood The pub .. has change for a pound. E. Bowen Shovelling into his pocket the change from a pound note. J. Wain They jingle the hopeful change in their pockets, get no change out of slang get no return, result, or satisfaction from: fail to get the better of (a person), give change. N. Amer. make change give money in exchange for notes, coins, etc., of a higher denomination, or in adjustment of a payment. loose change: see loose adjective, small change coins of low denominations: fig. trivial remarks. 5 on change at the exchange. 6 ring the changes (a) go through all the changes in ringing a peal of bells; (b) go through all the possible variations of any process (foil, by on): (c) slang substitute bad money for good. Comb.: change-bowler cricket a bowler who relieves the regular bowlers in a match; change-house Scot, (now rare or obsolete) a small inn or alehouse: change-ringer, change-ringing campanology (a person who engages in) the ringing of a set of bells in a constantly varying order. ■ changeful adjective full of change; variable, inconstant’ Li6 changefulness noun lis. changeless adjective without change. J she.

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

r) ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

379

change | Chantilly unchanging, immutable changelessness noun Ei9.

Lie.

changelessly

adverb

E20.

[French = prec.]

change /tjeindy verb. me. [Old & mod. French changer from late Latin cambiare from Latin cambire exchange, barter, prob. of Celtic origin.]

1 verb trans. Put, take, or use another or others instead of; give up, get rid of, for. me. ►b spec. Give or obtain money of smaller denomination or different currency in exchange for (money of a defined kind or amount), lme. 2 verb trans. Substitute one for another of (things of the same kind); go from one to another of (things of the same kind), me. ►b verb intrans. Change trains, boats, etc. L19.

3 verb trans. Give and receive reciprocally (things of the same kind); exchange (with). Now rare exc. in change places (with), me. ►fb verb intrans. Make an exchange (for, with). M16-M17. ►fc verb trans. Exchange (a thing) with (a person). L16-M17. 4 verb trans. Make different, alter; turn or convert into, to, (from), me. 5 verb intrans. Become different; turn into, to, (from), me. ►b Of the moon; pass through phases; arrive at a fresh phase, esp. at a new moon. lme. >-\c Change counten¬ ance; turn pale, blush, etc. L16-E17. 6 verb intrans. & (rare) trans. Shift, transfer, (usu. from one place to another); remove to another place or into other circumstances, lme. 7 a verb intrans. & (now Scot.) refl. change one’s clothes; spec, change into evening dress, lis. ►b verb trans. Put fresh clothes on (another person); put fresh coverings on (a bed); spec, change the nappy of (a baby). E20. GJ 1 G. Greene You changed your newspaper once and you soon got used to it. I. Murdoch She had not changed her clothes. J. Herriot Stewie had changed his.. Austin Seven for a.. Ford V Eight, b E. Nesbit We would bring his share as soon as we could get the half-crown changed." 2 T. Stoppard The dancing farmhands changing partners, b OED Passengers for Cambridge change at Bletchley. 3 Sir W. Scott Her attendants changed expressive looks with each other. Tennyson If you.. change a word with her he calls his wife. 4 V. Woolf Experiences.. such as change a face.. from a pink innocent oval to a face lean, contracted, hostile. J. Steinbeck All night they walked and never changed their pace. 5 R. P. Warren He watched the expres¬ sion of her face change from pleasure to surprise. E. Waugh Alastair.. had changed little since he joined the army. G. Charles He waited at the crossing for the traffic lights to change. 6 D. H. Lawrence He changed his hat to his left hand. W. Trevor Mrs Rush changed from second to third gear. & with adverbs in specialized senses: change colour: see colour noun, change down engage a lower gear in a vehicle. change ends: see end noun, change eyes: see eye noun, change gear engage a different gear in a vehicle, change hands: see hand noun, change horses in midstream: see horse noun, change leg: see leg noun, change note: see note noun2, change one's condition: see condition noun 8. change one’s feet colloq. put on other shoes etc. change one’s mind: see mind noun1, change one's mood: see mood noun1, change one's note: see note noun2, change one’s skin: see skin noun, change one's tune: see tune noun, change over change from one system or situation to another (also foil, by from, to), change step: see step noun1, change the subject: see subject noun, change up engage a higher gear in a vehicle, changing room a room where one can change one’s clothes, esp. at a sports ground, chop and change: see chop verb2 2. Comb.: change-over a change from one system or situation to another; spec, the action of handing over the baton to the next runner in a relay race; change-up baseball an unexpectedly slow pitch designed to deceive the batter’s expectations. Phrases,

changeable /'tfeind33b(3)l/ adjective & noun. me. [Old & mod. French, formed as chance verb + -able.]

► A adjective. 1 That may change or be changed (by others); subject to change; mutable, variable, incon¬ stant. ME. 2 Showing different colours under different aspects; shot. LME. CB 2 H. McCloy A ball dress of changeable silk, pale blue and rose.

► B noun. A changeable thing or person. Now rare or obsolete, eis.

■ changes bility changeableness nouns the quality ofbeing changeable; mutability; inconstancy: lme.

changeling /’tjeind3lir)/ noun & adjective. Mi6. [from chance verb + -ling1.]

► A noun. 1 A person given to change; a waverer, a turn¬ coat. arch, mi6. 2 A person or thing (surreptitiously) put in exchange for another; spec, a child secretly substituted for another in infancy, mi6. 3 A halfwitted person, arch. E17. ►tB adjective. Changeable, variable, inconstant. M17-E18. changement /'tjeind3m(3)nt/ noun', rare. lme. [Old & mod. French, formed as chance verb + -ment.]

(A) change, (an) alteration, (a) variation. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy,

changement /Jd3ma/ noun2. PI. pronounced same. Mi9.

channelize /'tJan(a)lAiz/ verb trans. Chiefly US. Also -ise. E17.

ballet. In full changement de pieds /da pje/ [= of feet], A

[from channel noun1 + -ize.)

jump during which the dancer changes the position of the feet. changer /'tjeind33/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman changeour, Old French changeor (mod. changeur), in medieval Latin cambiator, formed as chance verb + -er2. Also immed. from chance verb + -er'.]

1 A person who or thing which changes something (identified contextually or specified); spec, (the earliest use, now rare) one who exchanges money, me. 2 A person who changes, rare. E17.

= CHANNEL verb 2. 9 In isolated use before M20. ■ channel! zation noun E20.

channer /'tjana/ verb intrans. Scot.

Mutter, grumble, murmur querulously. chanson /Jasii/ noun. PI. pronounced same, lis, [Old & mod. French from Latin

chanson de geste /da 3est/ [= of heroic deeds] any of a group of medieval French epic poems. ■ chansonette 'Jasanet (pi. same)/ noun a short song E19. chansonnier /Jasonje (pi same)/ noun (o) a writer or performer of esp. satirical songs (in France); (b) a collection of (French) songs: L19.

Hindus for libation vessels and ornaments.

chant -tfa:nt/ noun. Also (now Scot.) chaunt /tfo:nt/. L17.

6 the Channel, the English Channel: between England and France (Chops of the Channel see chop noun2 3). ► II transf.&fig. [8 The neck, the throat. ME-L16.

9 That through which information, news, trade, etc., passes; a medium of communication; an agency, mi 6. 10 Gravel. Scot. & north. Li 6. 11 The course in which anything moves; a direction, a line, mi7. 12 A groove, a furrow; spec, in architecture, a fluting of a

1 A song; singing. L17. 2 music. A short musical passage in two or more phrases each with a reciting note to which any number of syl¬ lables may be sung, for singing unmetrical words; a psalm, canticle, etc., so sung. lis. 3 A measured monotonous song, a musical recitation of words; a singsong intonation in talk. E19. B3 1 Milton Chant of tuneful birds. 2 Ambrosian chant. Gregorian chant, etc. 3 Geo. Eliot The clear-cut, emphatic chant which makes a truth doubly telling in Scottish utter¬ ance. R. Hoggart Rhyming chants survive, to accompany the games.

chant /tja:nt/ verb. Also (now Scot.) chaunt /tfo:nt/. [Old & mod. French canere sing.)

£□ 9 J. S. Mm No new.. channel for investment has been opened. T. Stoppard The newspapers.. are the channel of the government’s answerability to the governed, the usual channels the approved or traditional modes of approach etc. 11 Swift The world went on in the old channel. M. McCarthy She managed to steer the conversation into safer channels, green channel see green adjective, red channel see RED adjective. 13 second channel see second adjective. Comb.: [channel-bone the collar-bone; channel cat. channel catfish N. Amer. a freshwater catfish, esp. Ictalurus punctatus: Channel Fleet Hist, the portion of the British fleet detailed for service in the English Channel; channel-hop verb (colloq.) (a) change frequently from one television channel to another, using a remote control device; (b) travel across the English Channel and back to Britain frequently or for only a brief trip; Channel Islander a native or inhabitant of the Channel Islands: Channel Islands British Crown dependencies in the English Channel off the north-west coast of France, including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark: channel-stone a stone used in paving gutters; channel-surf verb (colloq., chiefly N. Amer.) = channel-hop (a) above; Channel Tunnel a tunnel under the English Channel linking England and France (cf. Chunnel). ■ channelly adjective (Scot, i north.) gravelly E17. channel /'tjan(3)l/ noun2, mis. [Alt. of chain-wale s.v. chain noun: see wale noun1. Cf. gunnel, gunwale.] nautical . A broad thick plank projecting horizontally

from a ship’s side abreast of the mast, to widen the basis of support for the shrouds. channel /'t[an(a)l/ verb trans. Infl. -II-, lme. [from channel noun1.] 1 Form channels in; groove, lme. 2 Convey (as if) in a channel; guide, direct. M17.

>b Serve as a medium for (a spirit or other paranormal influence). Freq. as channelling verbal noun. L20. 3 Excavate or cut out as a channel. E19. 4 Provide (a street) with gutters. Li9. i:a 1 Shakes. 1 Hen. IVNo more shall trenching war channel her fields. 2 R. Scruton In so far as religious feeling exists, it is.. better that it be channelled towards its proper object, b T. Robbins I have been having psychic problems lately. I keep channeling Janis Joplin. ■ channeller noun L19.

see, d hot, o: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, aj my, ao how. ei day,

lme.

chanter from Latin cantare frequentative of

1 verb intrans. & trans. gen. Sing. Chiefly arch. & poet. lme. Fb verb trans. Sing of, celebrate in song. poet. 116. 2 verb intrans. & trans. Recite musically or rhythmically; intone; sing (to) a chant, lme. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Talk or repeat (a statement) mon¬ otonously. LI 6. 4 verb trans. Praise (a horse) fraudulently to sell it. arch, slang. E19. £Q 1 R. Burns How can ye chant, ye little birds. Tennyson He .. chanted a melody, chanting goshawk. 2 Sir W. Scott With pious fools go chant and pray. B. Chatwin He would .. chant the lines his mother taught him. 3 Milton Let them chaunt while they will of prerogatives.

column. Li7.

13 Avn electric circuit, band of radio frequencies, etc., used as a means of conveying or transmitting a signal in telecommunications, broadcasting, sound reproduc¬ tion, etc.; a broadcasting service using a particular fre¬ quency band. mi 9.

chant from Latin cantus.)

[from the verb: cf. Old & mod. French

channel /'tjan(3)l/noun1, me. [Old French chattel partially Latinized var. of chenel from Latin canalis pipe, groove, channel, from canna cane noun1: see -el2. Cf. CANAL noun, CANNELOOUn1, kennel noun2.]

► I Of water etc. 1 The hollow bed of running water (formerly also, of the sea), me. 2 A gutter in a street etc. obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 A natural or artificial tubular passage, esp. for liquids or fluids, lme. f4 A stream, a rivulet. 115-EI8. 5 A navigable passage between shallows in an estuary or other waterway. Ei6. 6 A piece of water, wider than a strait, joining two larger pieces, usu. seas. Mi6. 17 = canal noun 4. Only in 17.

cantio(n-): see canzone.]

A French song.

chank /tjagk, tjAgk/ noun. L17. [Sanskrit sankha. partly through Portuguese chanco, chanquo.] The spiral shell of a gastropod, Xancus pyrum, used by chank /tjaqk/ verb trans. Now US & dial. M16. [Imit.: cf. champ verb.] = champ verb 2.

lme.

[Prob. imit.: cf. chunner, chunter.]

■ chantable adjective (rare) lme.

chantage /jalu.T,, 'tJa:ntid3/noun.

Li9.

[French.]

Extortion of money by blackmail, chantarelle noun var. of chanterelle noun2. chanter /'tjcrnta/ noun. Also (now Scot.) chaunter /'tjbinta/. lme. [Anglo-Norman chamtour. Old French chnnteor (mod. chanteur), from Latin cantator singer, from cantare: see chant verb, -er2.]

1 A person who chants or sings; spec, (a) a chorister; (b) a precentor, a cantor; (c) a priest who sings masses in a chantry, lme. 2 The melody-pipe, with finger-holes, of a bagpipe. M17.

3 A person who fraudulently praises horses to sell them. arch, slang, mi9. ■ chantership noun the office of a chanter or precentor E16.

chanterelle/’tjaaitarel, [French, formed as chant

tjamta'rel/noun1. E17. verb: see -el2.]

1 A decoy-bird. Only in E17. 2 The highest-pitched string of a plucked or bowed musical instrument, lis.

f

chanterelle /'tjamtarel/noun2. Also -tar-,

lis.

[French, from mod. Latin cantharellus dim. of cantharus from Greek kantharos drinking-vessel: see -el2.] A yellow funnel-shaped edible fungus, Cantharellus cibarius. false chanterelle a fungus, Hygrophoropsis aumntiaca, resem¬ bling the chanterelle but inedible.

chanteuse /fate:z/ noun. PI. pronounced same.

Mi9.

[French.]

A female singer of popular songs, esp. in France, chantey noun var. of shanty noun2. chanticleer /

tjcimtiklio/ noun. Also C-. me. [Old French chantecler (mod. clwnteclatr). the cock in Reynard Fox and Chaucer’s Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Cf. Partlet noun1.]

the

(A personal name for) a domestic cock. Chantilly /Jaa'tili; foreign Jatiji/ noun & adjective, lis. [A town near Paris. France.]

1 (Designating) a soft-paste porcelain made at Chan¬ tilly in the 18th cent. Li 8. 2 (Designating) a delicate land of bobbin-lace. orig. made near Chantilly. Mi9. 3 (Designating a dish made with) sweetened whipped cream. Mi9. no, s: hair,

is

near, 01 boy, 00 poor, aio tire, aoa sour

380

chantress | chapter 3 creme Chantilly: see creme i. meringue a la Chantilly, meringue Chantilly: see meringue noun1.

chantress' 'tja:ntris/ noun. arch. lme. [Old French dianteresse, formed as chanter: see -ess'.] A female chanter or singer.

In Indian cookery, a small flat thin cake of coarse unleavened bread,

[Anglo-Norman cliaunterie, Old French dianterfe, from chanter, see chant verb, -ery, -ry.] f 1 Singing or chanting of the Mass etc. lme-li6.

2 An endowment for a priest or priests to sing Masses for the soul of the founder etc.; the priests, altar, chapel, etc., so endowed, lme. chanty noun var. of shanty noun2. chaos /'kerns/ noun. Lis. [French or Latin from Greek khaos vast chasm, void.]

A gaping void, yawning gulf, chasm, abyss. lis-mi7. 2 Formless primordial matter. Now Hist, or literary. Ml6. 3 (A state of) utter confusion and disorder; arch, a con¬ fused mass or mixture. Mie. kb science. Behaviour of a system which is governed by deterministic laws but is so unpredictable as to appear random, owing to its extreme sensitivity to initial conditions. L20. f4 An amorphous lump. M-L16. 11

SI) 3 A. Miller The very impulse to write.. springs from an inner chaos crying for order. K. Crosslf.y-Holland The giants.. represent the forces of chaos. B. Castle Industrial action which can cause chaos in hospitals, b attrib.: Discover Mathematical techniques often associated with chaos theory.

[from prec. after erotic, hypnotic, etc.]

overlaid or trimmed. Only in me. 2 The metal plate of a scabbard, esp. that which covers the point, lme. 3 The tip of a fox’s tail. Li 7. 4 The part of a buckle by which it is fastened to a strap. L17. ► B verb trans. Equip (a scabbard etc.) with a chape, lme. ■ chapeless adjective (rare) Li 6.

chapeau /'Japou/ noun. PI. -eaux /-au/. Lis. [French, in Old French c{h)apel. from Latin cappellum dim. of cappa cap noun1,] Now chiefly heraldry. A cap, a hat; now esp. a cap of main¬

[French, from prec. + bras arm.]

A three-cornered flat silk hat able to be carried under the arm. chapeaux noun pi. of chapeau.

1 Of or pertaining to primordial chaos. Now Hist, or literary. E18. 2 Utterly confused and disordered; science exhibiting or characterized by chaos. Mi8. chaotic attractor = strange attractor s.v. strange adjective, m chaotical adjective [rare] L17. chaotically adverb E19. 2

chap /tjap/ noun', lme. [Origin unkn.: rel. to chap verb2. Cf. chop noun'.]

1 A crack, an open seam, esp. in the skin or in dry ground. Usu. in pi. lme. 2 Astroke, a knock, a rap. Scot.&north. Ei6. Comb.: Chap Stick US (proprietary name for) a stick of lipsalve.

chap /tjap/ noun2. Mi6. [Origin unkn.: cf. chop noun2.]

1 Hither of the jaws of an animal or (joc. or derog.) a human, as forming part of the mouth. Usu. in pi. M16. ►b Hither half of the bill of a bird. M17. kfc In pi. The jaws of a vice etc. L17-M19. 2 Either side of the external jaw, a cheek. Usu. in pi. E18. 3 The lower jaw. M19. 4 The lower half of the cheek of a pig etc., as food. L19. 4 Bath chap see bath noun'. Comb, chap-fallen with the jaw hanging down: dispirited, dejected. ■ chapless adjective without the lower jaw U6.

chapeaux-bras noun pi. of chapeau-bras. chapel /'tjap(a)l/ noun & adjective, me. [Old French chapele from medieval Latin cappella dim. of cappa cape, cloak: see cap noun1, -el3 1. Orig. the sanctuary in which the cloak of St Martin was kept.] ► A noun. 1 gen. A place of Christian worship other than a

parish or cathedral church, esp, one attached to a private house or institution, me. 2 A place for private worship in a larger building, with an altar; esp. such a part of a cathedral etc., separately dedicated, me. 3 A place of public worship of the national episcopal Church subordinate to a parish church, lme. 4 transf. A lesser temple, fane, or sanctuary, with an altar to a god. Now rare. lme. 5 A choir attached to a chapel (usu. of a monarch or noble); hence, any group of singers or musicians attached to a church or institution, lme. 6 A non-Anglican, esp. Protestant Nonconformist, place of Christian worship. Mi7. 7 A chapel service; attendance at chapel, mi7. 8 a A printing works. Now rare. Li7. kb A meeting or association of the journeymen in a printing works; the smallest organized union group in a printing works, publishing house, etc. mis. £3 7 J. Austen Without danger of reprobation because chapel was missed.

chap /tjap/ noun2. Li6. [Abbreviation of chapman.]

1 A buyer, a customer. Now dial. L16. 2 A man, a boy, a fellow; in pi. also, people, colloq. E18. £3 2 Thackeray What sad wild fellows some of the chaps were. E. C. Bentley Geography is about Maps But Biography is about Chaps.

chap /tjap/ ver6‘ trans. & intrans. obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -pp-. ME. [In early use, var. of cheap verb. Later, back-form, from chapman.]

Buy and sell, barter. chap /tjap/ verb2. Infl. -pp-. lme. [Origin unkn.: rel. to chap noun'. Cf. chop verb'.]

► 11 verb intrans. & trans. (Cause to) crack or open in chaps; crack in fissures, lme. 2 verb trons. Chop. Long obsolete exc. Scot. lme. ► II Strike. Scot. & north. 3 verb trans. Strike. Mi6. 4 verb intrans. Of a clock, the hour: strike. Lts. 5 verb intrans. Knock, rap, at a door etc. L18. ► III 6 verb intrans. & trans. Choose. Scot. eis. chaparejos /Japa'reihaus, tj-/ noun pi. US. Also -rreras /-Terras/. M19. [Mexican Spanish chaparreras. from chaparm, -0: see next. Later form -ejos prob. infl. by Spanish aparejo eguipment.j = CHAPS.

chaparral /Japs Tal, tj-/ noun. US. Mi9. dwarf evergreen oak.]

Thicket of dwarf evergreen oaks; dense tangled brush¬ wood. Comb, chaparral cock the roadrunner, Geococcyx califomianus. g get,

chape /tjeip/ noun & verb. me.

tenance, usu. of red velvet turned up ermine.

chaotic /kef otik/adjective, eis.

f few,

[from chap(man + book noun.)

Orig. (now Hist.), a small pamphlet of tales, ballads, tracts, etc., hawked by chapmen. Now (chiefly N. Amer.), a small paper-covered booklet of poems, fiction, etc.

chapeau-bras /Japobra/ noun. PI chapeaux-bras (pro¬ nounced same). Mi8.

■ cha ologist noun an expert in or student of chaology L20. cha'ology noun the branch of science that deals with chaos 120.

b but. d dog.

chapbook /'tjapbok/ noun. Ei9.

[Old & mod. French - cape, hood (whence Spanish, Portuguese chapa) in techn. uses: see cape noun'.] ► A noun, ft A plate of metal with which anything is

Chanuk(k)ah nouns vars. of Hanukkah.

-0

chapatti /tja'pafti, -'pati/ noun. Also chapati, chupatti, & other vars. ei 9. [Hindi capati, from capana flatten, roll out, ult. from Dravidian.]

chantry /'tfcrntri/ noun. lme.

[Spanish, from chaparra,

chaparreras noun pi. see chaparejos.

h he, j yes,

k cat,

1

leg,

m

Phrases: chapel of ease: for the convenience of remote parish¬ ioners. chapel of rest an undertaker's mortuary, chapel royal: attached to a royal palace, father of chapel, father of the chapel the spokesman or shop steward of a printers’ chapel. Lady chapel: see lady noun. Sistine Chapel: see Sistine adjective. Comb.: chapel-master the director of music at a royal etc. chapel: chapelwarden (now rare) a churchwarden at a chapel. ► B adjective. Belonging to or regularly attending a Non¬ conformist chapel, colloq. M20.

£3 J. Cary Mrs. Wilmot was chapel I’m sure she never went to a play. chapelle ardente /Japel ardat/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pro¬ nounced same). Ei9. [French = burning chapel ]

A chamber prepared for the lying-in-state of a distin¬ guished person, and lit up with candles, torches, etc. chapelry/'tJap(3)lri/noun. me. [Old French chapelerie (in medieval Latin cappellaria). formed as chapel: see-ery, -ry.]

1 A division of a parish, having its own chapel, me. 2 A chapel with its precinct and accessory buildings E19. chaperon /‘Japaraun/ noun & verb. Also -one. lme. [Old & mod. French, formed as chape.] ► A noun. 1 A hood, a cap. obsolete exc. Hist. lme.

t2 A small escutcheon placed esp. on the forehead of a horse drawing a hearse. L17-LI8. 3 A person who ensures propriety, esp. a married or older woman accompanying a young unmarried woman on social occasions, eis. ► B verb trans. Act as a chaperon to. ti8. man, n no, p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we, z zoo.

■ chaperonage noun attendance as a chaperon, chaperonless adjective without a chaperon Mi9.

E19.

chaperonin /Japo'raomn/ noun. L20. [from prec. + -in1.] biochemistry. A protein that aids the assembly and folding

of other protein molecules.

chapiter /'tjapita/ noun. See also chapter noun. me. [Old & mod. French chapitre: see chapter noun.]

j 1 Early form of chapter noun. me-mi7, 2 architecture. The capital of a column, lme.

tchapiter verb see chapter verb. chaplain /'tjaphn/ noun. me. [Anglo-Norman, Old French chapelain from medieval Latin cappellanus (whence earlier capellane) orig. custodian of the cloak of St Martin, from cappella: see chapel, -an.]

1 The member of clergy attached to a chapel; spec, a member of the clergy officiating in the private chapel of a household or institution, on board ship, or for a regi¬ ment, school, etc. me. 2 A nun who recites the inferior services in the chapel of a nunnery, lme. ■ chaplaincy noun the office or position of a chaplain mis. chaplainry noun (obsolete exc. Scottish history) = chaplaincy lme. chaplainship noun = chaplaincy Mi6.

chaplet /'tjaplit/ noun, lme [Old & mod. French chapelet dim. of chapel (mod. chapeau hat) from Proto-Romance dim. of cappa cape noun2: see -let.]

1 A wreath of flowers, leaves, gold, gems, etc., for the head; a coronal, lme. kb heraldry A charge representing a garland of leaves with four flowers at equal distances. L17. 2 architecture A bead-moulding. Ei7. 3 a A string of beads for counting prayers, of five decades. M17. kb A necklace. M19. 4 founding. A metal support of the core of a hollow moulding, as a cylindrical pipe. L19.

Chaplinesque /tjaphn'esk/ adjective. E20. [from Chaplin (see below) + -esque.]

Resembling or characteristic of the comedy and pathos of the English-born film actor Charles Spencer (‘Charlie’) Chaplin (1889-1977).

chapman /'tjapman/ noun. Now arch, or Hist. PL -men. [Old English ceapman, formed as cheap noun + man noun.]

1 2 f3 |4

A man who buys and sells; a merchant, a dealer, oe. spec. A pedlar, me. A customer. ME-E19. A broker. LME-M17.

■ chapmanship noun the occupation or activities of a chapman Mi6.

chappal /'tjap(s)l/ noun. Also chappli /'tjapli/. L19. [Hindi cappai, capli.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a sandal, esp. of leather.

chappie /'tjapi/ noun, colloq. (orig. Scot.). Also -y. eis. [from chap noun3 + -ie, -y6.]

A (little) chap or fellow.

chappli noun var. of chappal. chappow /tja'pau/ noun. Anglo-Indian. E19. [Pashto.]

A plundering expedition; a raid.

chappy noun var. of chappie. chappy /’tjapi/ adjective. E17. [from chap noun' + -Y1.]

Full of chaps or clefts.

chaprassi /tjo’prasi/ noun. PI. -i(e)s. Also chuprassy. E19. [Urdu chaprasi, from chapras official badge, from Persian caprast.]

In the Indian subcontinent: an attendant, a messenger, a household official.

chaps /Japs, tj-/ noun pi. N. Amer. L19. [Abbreviation of chaparejos.)

Stout protective trousers for cowboys etc.

chaptalization /tJaptalAi'zeiJ(3)n/ noun. Also -isation. LI 9. [from J. A. Chaptal (1756-1832), French chemist who invented the process + -ization.]

In wine-making, the correction or improvement of must by the addition of calcium carbonate to neutralize acid or of sugar to increase alcoholic strength. • chaptalize verb trans. correct or improve by chaptalization E20.

chapter /'tjapts/ noun. Also (earlier) tchapiter & other vars. me. [Old & mod. French chapitre, earlier chapitle. from Latin capitulum dim. of caput head.]

► I I A main division of a book. me. kb roman catholic church. A short scriptural passage or lesson read at certain services, lme. kc An Act of Parliament numbered as part of a session’s proceedings. Mi6. 2 fig. A category, a heading, a subject, arch. lme. 3 transf. & fig. A part, section, or period. E17. J she.

3 vision,

9 thin,

6 this,

rj ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

381

chapter|chare Q 2 Hor. Walpole There are some chapters on which I still fear we shall not agree. 3 R. W. Emerson 'Tis a curious chapter in modern history, the growth of the machine-shop.

► II 4 An assembly or the totality of the canons of a collegiate or cathedral church, or of the members of a monastic or knightly order, me. 5 A local branch of a society. N. Amer. Ei9. Phrases: chapter and verse fig. exact reference or authority the chapter of accidents: see accident lb to the end of the chapter fig. always, throughout. Comb.: Chapter 11 [with alius, to chapteni of the US bankruptcy code] US protection from creditors given to a company in finan¬ cial difficulties for a limited period to allow it to reorganize; chapter house a building where a chapter meets; chapterman a member of the chapter of a monastic order.

chapter /'tfapta/ verb traps. Earlier -[chapiter etc. lis. [Sense i from the noun; sense 2 from French chapitrer, formed as prec.]

1 Divide into chapters, lis. 2 Reprimand, take to task. rare, mi6.

tchapwoman noun. PI. -women. lme-ei9. [from chap(man + woman noun.]

A female pedlar or dealer.

char /tfa:/

noun'. Also (now rare) chare /tjs:/. See also chore noun2, jar noun3 [Old English cerr, (West Saxon) cierr, late cyrr rel. to char verb'.]

11 A return; a turn; an occasion, a time. Long only in a-char ajar adverb' & pred. adjectiveL oe-lis. f 2 A turn of work; a deed; a piece of business. oe-li7. 3 An odd job, esp. of domestic work; in pi., the house¬ work of a domestic servant. Now only in comb. me. 4 A charwoman, colloq. E20. Comb.: charlady, charwoman a woman hired by the hour or day or week to clean rooms in offices or houses.

char /tfa:/ noun2. Also charr. PI. same. Mi7. [Origin uncertain: perh. from Celtic.]

A small trout of the genus Salvelinus; esp. S. alpinus (also Arctic char), of Arctic waters and northern lakes. Also (ft/. Amer.), the brook trout, S.fontinalis.

char/tfa:/ noun3.

Li9.

[from char verb2.]

A charred substance; esp. the residue resulting from the removal of volatile materials from coal.

tchar noun4 see chair noun2. char noun5 var. of cha. char /tfa;/ verb1. Infl. -rr-. Also (now rare) chare /tje:/. See also chore verb. [Old English derran rel. to CHAR noun1.]

[1 verb trans. & intrans. Turn; esp. turn away or aside. OE-L17. 12 verb trans. Do (a turn of work). 116-E19. 3 verb intrans. Do odd jobs, esp. of domestic work; work as a charwoman. El 8.

char /tfa:/ verb2. Infl. -rr-.

L17. [App. back-form, from charcoal: cf. chark verb2.] 1 verb trans. Burn to charcoal; scorch, blacken with fire.

L17. 2 verb intrans. Become reduced to charcoal. E18.

chara /’ke:ra/ noun1. M18. [Latin, name of an unkn. plant.]

A charophyte of the genus Chara (family Characeae), the members of which characteristically are encrusted with lime and have a fetid smell. ■ cha Taceous adjective resembling a chara; of or pertaining to the family Characeae (the stoneworts): M19.

chara / Jars/ noun2,

colloq. E20. [Abbreviation of next.]

A motor coach.

charabanc/'Jarabag/ noun.

arch. Also char-a-banc. E19. [French char-a-bancs lit. ‘carriage with seats' ]

A long and light vehicle with transverse seats looking forward; a motor coach.

characin /'karasm.

noun. Li9. [mod. Latin Characinus genus name, from Creek kharax a kind of fish, lit. 'pointed stake’.]

A freshwater fish of the large family Characidae. most members of which (e.g. the piranhas, tetras) occur in S. and Central America.

charact /'karakt/ noun. arch. Also fear-, lme. [Old French c(h)aract masc., c(h)aractc fem., perh. ult. from Creek kharaktos given or impressed as a mark, taken as noun.]

11 A mark, a sign; an engraved or impressed character. LME-M17. 2 A magical or cabbalistic sign or emblem, lme.

character /karakta/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French caractere from Latin character from Creek kharakter instrument for marking, from kharasstin engrave; assim. to Latin in is.]

1 A distinctive mark impressed, engraved, or other¬ wise formed, arch, in gen. sense, me. 2 =charact2. arch. lme. >fb gen. A symbol, an emblem; a representation. E17-E18. a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy,

i:

3 A graphic symbol, esp. one denoting a sound or idea. Usu. in pi lis. Fb A writing-system, a set of letters etc.; writing, printing; a style of writing or printing, arch. 116. ►fc In pi. Shorthand. M17-EI8. Ffd A cipher for secret correspondence etc. M17-MI8. Fe computing. A letter, digit, or other symbol which can be read, stored, and output by a computer; a representation of such a symbol. M20. 4 fig. A token; a feature, trait, characteristic, arch, in gen. sense. ei 6. Fb biology, A distinguishing characteristic of a species etc. eis. 5 A description; spec, a description or detailed report of a person’s qualities, a testimonial. Mi6. 6 The estimate formed of a person’s qualities; reputa¬ tion; good repute. E17. 17 Personal appearance. E17-MI8. 8 Collective peculiarities; nature, sort, style; the dis¬ tinctive mental or moral qualities of an individual, a people, etc.; distinction, individuality. E17. 9 Recognized official rank; status, position; role. M17. 10 a A person regarded as the possessor of specified qualities; a personage, a personality. M17. Fb A person portrayed in a novel, a drama, etc; a part played by an actor or (arch.) a dissembler. M17. Fc An eccentric or noticeable person, lis. 11 Moral strength, esp. if highly developed or evident. mis.

► B noun. 1 A distinctive mark; a distinguishing trait, peculiarity, or quality. M17. 2 math. The integral part of a logarithm, mi 7. 3 A characteristic curve. E20. 3 mutual characteristic: see mutual adjective, static characteristic ■ characteristical adjective & noun (a) adjective (arch.) = characteristic adjective: [(b) noun - characteristic noun 1: E17. characteristically adverb M17. characteristlcalness noun (arch.) L18 characteristicness noun E19.

characterization -isation. Li6.

/karakt(a)rAi'zeif(a)n/

noun.

Also

[from next + -ation.]

The action or result of characterizing; esp, (o) portrayal in words etc., description; (b) the (effective) creation of a fictitious character or fictitious characters. characterize /'karaktarAiz/ verb. Also -ise. Li6. [French caracteriser or medieval Latin characterizare. from Greek kharakterizein, from kharakter: see character noun, -ize.] [1 verb trans. Engrave, inscribe; = character verb 1.

L16-E19. 2 verb trans. Describe the character or peculiar qualities of, describe as (also [to be). E17. 13 Represent, portray; = character verb 2. M17-E18. 4 verb trans. Mark or distinguish as a character does; be a characteristic of. mi8. 5 verb intrans. & trans. Impart character (to). E19. ■ characterize!-noun mis

GB 3 F. King Some in Western letters and some in Japanese characters. D. Walcott An old lady writes me in a spidery style. Each character trembling, b Spenser The Saxons Character is the same with the Irish. Shakes. Mens, for M. Here is the hand and seal of the Duke. You know the charac¬ ter, I doubt not. 4 Burke Tell me. what one character of liberty the Americans have. 5 A. Wilson If you land back in the approved school don’t come to me for a good character. 6 E. A. Freeman His character for sanctity. 8 A. Crump The amount and character of the deposits of English banks. M. Innes Inquiries on the character and habits of the missing girl. C. G. Seligman In character the Tuareg are independ¬ ent, brave, impulsive, and mendacious. 9 G. Burnet He had the appointments of an ambassador, but would not take the character. 10a L. P. Hartley Both were exceedingly strong characters. J. Cannan The character who owns Mab.. leaves his gear out in her. b G. Greene A story with a senior civil servant as the main character. 11 Day Lewis A delicate vivid face, giving an impression of character beyond her years.

characterology karokta’rnladgi. noun. E20. [from character Charakterologie.]

noun

+

-ology,

translating

German

The branch of psychology that deals with character, esp. its development and variation between individuals. ■ charactero logical adjective E20 characterologist noun E20

charade /Ja'ra:d/ noun. lis. [French from mod. Provencal charrado conversation, from charra chatter, perh. of imit. origin.]

1 A written or (now usu.) acted clue from which a syl¬ lable of a word or a complete word is to be guessed. Li 8. Fb (In pi. usu. treated as sing.) A game of guessing words from such clues. M19. 2 fig. An absurd pretence. L19. charango /tfa'raggau/ noun. PL -os. E20. [S. Amer. Spanish.]

in character in accord with a person's nature and repu¬ tation. optical character reader, optical character recognition see optical adjective, out of character at variance with a person’s nature and reputation, social character: see social adjective, specific character see specific adjective, titular character see titular adjective 3. unit character see unit noun' & Phrases:

A small South American guitar-like instrument with a sound-box traditionally made from the shell of an armadillo. charas /'tfa:ras/ noun. Also churrus /'tfAras/. M19. [Hindi caras.] A narcotic resin from the flower-heads of hemp; canna¬

adjective. Comb.: character

actor, character actress: specializing in character parts; character assassination deliberate destruc¬ tion of a person's reputation: character part an acting part requiring strong delineation of individual, esp. eccentric or unusual, character; character reference a testimonial to a person's qualities; character sketch a brief (written) descrip¬ tion of a person’s qualities; character string a linear sequence of characters, esp. stored in or processed by a computer; character witness a person who attests to another person’s good reputation. ■ characterful adjective full of character, individual E20. characterless adjective without character or individuality E17. characterlessness noun M19. charactery. -try noun (now poet.)

bis resin. charbroil /'tfa:brail/ verb trans. Orig. US. M20. [from charcoal noun + broil verb1.]

Grill (meat etc.) on a rack over charcoal. charchaf noun var. of charshaf. charcoal /'tJa:kaol/ noun & verb. lme. [Origin uncertain: connected with coal noun in sense 'charcoal'.]

► A noun. 1 sing. & fin pi. The black porous residue of partly burnt wood, bones, etc., a form of carbon, lme. 2 A charcoal pencil or crayon; a drawing in this medium. L17. 3 In full charcoal grey. A dark grey. E20.

expression of thought by symbols or characters; the symbols or characters collectively: Lie.

character /'karakta/ verb trans. arch. L16.

1 activated charcoal: see activate verb 1. active charcoal: see active adjective 5. mineral charcoal see mineral adjective. Comb.: charcoal biscuit: containing wood-charcoal as an aid to digestion; charcoal-burner a maker of charcoal; charcoal filter: using charcoal to absorb impurities; charcoal grey: see sense 3 above. ► B verb trans. 1 Mark, write, or blacken with charcoal.

[from the noun.]

1 2 3 4 5

Engrave; inscribe, li 6. Represent, portray. L16. Describe. (Foil, by fas, [to be.) Cf. characterize 2. E17. = CHARACTERIZE 4. M17. = CHARACTERIZE 5. M17.

M19. 2 Suffocate with the fumes of charcoal, mi 9.

tcharacterical adjective. Ei7. [from Greek kharakterikos, from kharakter: see character noun.

charcuterie /Jarkytri (pi. same); Ja:'ku:t(a)ri:/noun. Mi9. [French, from fciiar (mod. rfiair) cuite cooked flesh: see -ery.] Cold cooked meats; a shop selling these; a (French) pork-butcher’s shop.

-ICAL.]

1 Characteristic, distinctive. E17-M18. 2 Of or pertaining to symbolic characters, magical symbols, or charms. M-L17.

■ charcutier /Jarkytje (pi same); Ja:'ku:tiei/ noun a (French) porkbutcher; a person who prepares or sells charcuterie: Li9.

characterisation noun, characterise verb vars. of CHARACTERIZATION, CHARACTERIZE.

chard /tja:d/noun. Also sh- /J-/. Mi7. [French enrde, perh. alt. by assoc, with chardon thistle: see cardoon]

fcharacterism noun. Also (earlier) in Latin form -ismus. Mi6.

The blanched shoots of globe artichoke or salsify. Also (more fully Swiss chard), (the edible leaves and stalks of) seakale beet.

[Late Latin characterismus from Greek kharakterismos, from see character noun, -ism.]

kharakter:

1 Characterization, description of character. M16-E19. 2 Characteristic quality; a characteristic. M17-L19.

Chardonnay 'Jcudanei/ noun. E20. [French.]

characteristic /karakta'ristik/ adjective & noun. M17.

(The vine bearing) a white grape used in wine-making; (a drink of) dry white wine made from these grapes. Also Pinot Chardonnay.

[French caracteristique or medieval Latin characteristicus from late Greek kharakteristikos, from Greek kharakter. see character noun, -ISTIC-]

► A adjective. Indicative of character; typical; distinctive. (Foil, by of.) M17.

chare /tjs:/ noun', north, me. [Perh. same word as chare noun2, char noun'.]

characteristic curve: showing the relation between two interdependent quantities (esp. properties of a device), static characteristic curve

see, o hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too,

a

ago, Ai my, as how,

ei

day

A narrow lane; an alley, chare noun2, verb see char noun', verb1. au

no, e: hair,

ia

near, 01 boy

ua

poor. Aia tire,

aua

sour

382

charentais | charitative charentais /'Jarantei/ noun. M20. [French, lit. ‘from the Charentes region'.]

A melon of a small variety with a pale green rind and orange flesh. fcharet noun. Also -ette.

lme-ei9.

[Old & mod. French charrette, formed as chair noun2: see -et', -ette]

A cart; a chariot, charge /tfa:d5/ noun.

me.

[Old & mod. French from Proto-Romance, from late Latin car(ri)care: see charge i/er6.]

► I tl A (material) load, burden, or weight, me-eis. 2 fig. A load (of trouble, inconvenience, etc.); a source of trouble or inconvenience, me. 3 A task or duty laid upon one; commission, responsi¬ bility. ME. 4 The duty or responsibility of talcing care of (a person or thing); care, custody, control, superintendence, lme. ►b A thing or person entrusted to the care of someone; spec, the people or district committed to the care of a member of the clergy, mi 6. |5 Importance, moment. lme-li6. 6 a Pecuniary burden, cost. arch. lme. tb sing. & in pi. Expense, arch. Ei6. he commerce. In pi. Incidental expenses. M16. kd A price required or demanded for service ren¬ dered or goods supplied. Ei9. 7 A liability to pay money laid on a person or estate. lme.

8 A precept, an order, spec, an official instruction or admonition given by a judge to a juiy, by a bishop to his clergy, etc. lme. 9 An accusation; spec, that upon which a prisoner is brought up for trial, lis. 10 heraldry. A device or bearing placed on a shield, crest, or supporter. L16. 11 farriery. A thick adhesive plaster; a protective pad for the foot. E17. 12 The quantity of something which a receptacle, mechanism, etc., is designed to bear or receive at one time; esp. the appropriate quantity of explosive for a gun. M17. kb A quantity of explosive; an explosive device. LI 9. 13 a An accumulation of electricity on or in a body, or of chemical energy in a batteiy that is available for con¬ version to electricity; the amount of this, = electric charge s.v. electric adjective. Also, the process of charging a batteiy. mis. >b fig. A concentration of emotion etc. M19. kc A quantity of electricity borne by an atom, mol¬ ecule, or subatomic particle. L19. 14 slung, a A dose or injection of a drug. E20. kb A thrill; a sharp stimulant effect; a feeling of excitement or satis¬ faction. M20. kc Marijuana. M20. £3 2 A. Fraser The village was selfishly concerned that the baby should not be abandoned there, as a charge on the parish. 3 W. S. Churchill 1 have therefore laid down the charge which was placed upon me. 4b j. Fo wles That sus¬ tained .. attention to her charges that a governess's duties require. 5 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. The letter was not nice, but full of charge Of dear import. 6b Thackeray A.. cathedral built by the present bishop at his own charges. Ld Macaulay Well armed and mounted at their own charge, d A C. Boult The charge for admission.. was always one penny. 8 H. James The very words oftheladyofWoollett.. ;her parting charge to her child. 9 R. Travers His warrant for the arrest of one Frank Harwood.. on the charge of wilful murder, bring a charge (against), lay a charge (against), prefer a charge (against), etc. 12 Pope A charge of snuff the wily virgin threw. S. Sassoon The trigger.. had come loose and wouldn’t fire the charge, b F. Fitzgerald The Viet Cong had set off plastic charges in the midst of the crowd. 13b P. Brook A verse play is half way between prose and the opera,.. yet with a higher charge than prose. 14b J. Raban It gives one a charge as strong as a snift of cocaine, c Melody Maker Smoking charge on the premises.

► I115 A rushing attack by soldiers, police, members of a team, an animal, etc.; an attack made by throwing oneself against an opponent in football etc. Mi6. ►b military. A signal for attack sounded on a trumpet or other instrument. M17. 116 The position of a weapon ready for action. L16-M17. -, 5 15 P. G. Wodehouse The Old Guard made their last des¬ perate charge up the blood-soaked slopes of Waterloo, b C. S. Forester He yelled to his bugler to sound the charge. Phrases: free of charge without payment, give in charge hand over (a person) to the custody of the police, in charge in control, with overall responsibility, in charge of (a) under the supervi¬ sion or control of: (b) having supervision or control of. lay to someone’s charge impute to someone as a fault; charge someone with, on a charge accused of a particular offence under (esp. military) law. on charge (ofa batteiy) being charged. prior charge see prior adjective, put in charge cause (a person) to have supervision or control, put on a charge accuse ofa par¬ ticular offence under (esp. military) law, return to the charge fg. begin again, esp. in argument reverse the charges see reverse verb 7 shaped charge see shaped 1. specific charge see specific adjective, stratified charge, take charge assume control b but, d dog, f few,

g get, h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg, m

or direction (of); colloq. (of things) get out of control, esp. with dis¬ astrous results. Comb.: charge account a credit account at a shop etc., chargebook: in which are recorded cases and charges at a police court; charge cap an imposed upper limit on the amount that can be charged; charge-cap verb trans. subject to charge-capping; charge-capping imposition of an upper limit on the amount that can be charged, esp. by a local authority for public services; charge card a credit card, esp. for use at a particular store or chain of stores or for an account which must be cleared in full on receipt ofa statement: charge carrier=carrier noun 9; chargecoupled device electronics a sensitive semiconductor device used to record images (e.g. in large telescopes), in which the image is formed on a light-sensitive surface as small packets of electric charge, from which an array of pixels is created electronically; abbreviation CCD; charge-hand a worker who is in charge of others; charge-house t(a) a (boarding-)school; (b) a workshop in which explosive is loaded into shells etc,; charge-nurse: in charge of a ward etc.; charge-sheet: on which are recorded cases and charges made at a police station. ■ 1 chargeful adjective burdensome; costly; full of responsibil¬ ity: lme -E17 chargeless adjective (now rare) Li6. charge /tjaidy verb. me. [Old & mod. French charger from late Latin car(ri)care to load, from Latin carrus car.]

► 11 verb trans. Place a load on or in. obsolete exc. as passing into other senses, me. ►tb Overload, lme-lis. 2 verb trans. Load or fill (a thing) to the full or proper extent; spec, load (a gun) with explosive and shot. me. ►b Load, fill, saturate, with (lit. & fig.); imbue with. L16. kc Give an electric charge to (a body); store a charge in (a battery etc.). Also foil, by up. mis. f3 verb trans. Burden with sin, guilt, sickness, etc. ME-M17.

|4 verb trans. Burden with or put to expense etc. ME-M17. 5 verb trans. Entrust or commission with as a duty, task, or responsibility, me. 6 verb trans. Command, order, to do, that (with subjunct.), me. kb Deliver an official or formal instruc¬ tion or exhortation to. E17. 7 verb trans. Blame, censure; accuse, spec, of a particular offence under law. (Foil, by with an offence.) me. kb Lay as a charge against, on, upon; state or assert in an indict¬ ment; make the charge that. in. J8 verb trans. Attach weight or importance to; regard. ME-M16. 9 a verb trans. Subject or make liable (a person, estate,

etc.) to a pecuniary obligation or liability. (Foil, by with the liability.) me. kb verb trans. Require or demand (a price, for service rendered or goods supplied); impose as a liability or pecuniary charge (on a person, estate, etc.); put as a charge (up) to, against, on, an account; debit to an account, lis. kc verb trans. with double obj. Require or demand (a price) from (a person etc.). (Foil, by for.) M19. ►d verb intrans. Make a pecuniary charge. M19. 10 heraldry. Place a bearing on (an escutcheon or another bearing). Li6. ffl 2 j. Herriot A bottle of Glenlivet Malt to charge Granville's glass, b E. A. Parkes Water highly charged with calcium carbonate. H. James A table charged with purchases. T. Collins The air was still charged with dust. W. C. Williams Poetry is language charged with emotion. F. Herbert Starlight displaced just enough of the night to charge each shadow with menace. 5 J. C. Ransom The department of English is charged with.. the communication of literature. 6 Sir W. Scott He charged. That his array Should southward march. R. V. Jones Stafford Cripps was charged by Churchill to conduct an enquiry. 7 F. Raphael Cricklewood Police Station where his father had been charged. H. Kissinger He had charged his predecessors with weakness, b Dryden Charge the crime. On native sloth. L. A. Fiedler It has been charged against vulgar art that it is sadistic. S. Kingsley Mr. Reynolds charges you gave him money from the public treasuries. 9a W. Cruise: H. Lawson .. charged all his personal estate, with the payment of his debts, b A. Loos They would charge up all the bills to Lady Francis Beekman. W. Faulkner Have you been charging things at stores again? T. S. Eliot The villages dirty and charging high prices. E. Waugh This is the first time I've charged anything on expenses. G. M. Fraser Fifteen dollars a bottle they were charging for claret, c OED They were charged five shillings a head for dinner, d Mrs H. Wood 1 could not charge.. please say no more about payment. 10 charged with bearing.

► II 11 verb trans. & intrans. Make a rushing attack (on); rush or throw oneself (against or upon) with all one's force, lme. 12 verb trans. Place (a weapon) in position for action. E16. 11 M. Mitchell Charging up the hill at his usual break¬ neck speed. M. Roberts I thought 1 was going to be killed when those police horses charged us. ■ chargeable adjective J(a) of the nature of a charge or burden; responsible; burdensome; costly; (b) able or liable to be charged: LME. charged ppl adjective that has been charged, now spec, with electricity or (fig.) emotion etc. lme. charge /'ja:3ei;/orrign Jar^e (pi. same)/ noun. M19. [Abbreviation.] = CHARGE D’AFFAIRES. man,

n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit,

t top,

v van, w we, z zoo,

charge d’affaires / Ja:3ei da'fe:; foreign Jar3e dafer/ noun phr. PL charges d’affaires (pronounced same). Also Jcharge des affaires mis. [French = (a person) in charge of affairs.]

1 A minister who transacts diplomatic business during the temporary absence of an ambassador; a State's repre¬ sentative at a minor foreign court or government, m 18. 2 gen. A person temporarily in charge, lis. chargee /tj'a:'d3i:/ noun. Now rare. Li9. [from charge verb or noun + -EE1.] law. The person to whom a charge on an estate etc. is

due. charger/'tja:d3b/noun', me. [Anglo-Norman chargeour (cf. Old French chargeoir basket strapped on the back, chargeoire device for loading guns): see charge verb, -our, -er2.]

A large plate or flat dish, charger /'tja-.d^o/ noun2. lis. [from charge verb + -er1.]

1 An appliance for charging a gun, rifle, electric battery, etc. Li 5. 2 A person who makes a charge, an accuser, rare. Li 6. 3 A cavalry horse; poet, any horse, mi8. 4 law. A person who must pay a charge on an estate etc. Now rare, mi9. chargrill /'tja:gril/ verb trans. L20. [from char(coal noun + grill verb.]

Grill (food, esp. meat or fish) quickly at a very high heat. chariot /'tfarrat/ noun & verb. lme. [Old & mod. French, augm. of char ult. from Latin camrm, -us: see CAR. Cf. CHAIR noun2, CHARET.] ► A noun. A wheeled conveyance, usu. horse-drawn, spec. t(a) a cart, a wagon; (b) poet, a stately or triumphal car¬

riage; (c) a two-wheeled vehicle used in ancient warfare and racing; (d) (chiefly Hist.) a light four-wheeled carriage with back seats only. lme. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Drive or ride in a chariot, mi6. 2 verb trans. Carry or convey in or as a chariot, m 17. ■ chario tee noun (us history) a light four-wheeled pleasure car¬ riage with two seats El 9. chariotry noun f(a) rare the art of driving a chariot; (b) the body of soldiers who fought from chariots: Li 7.

charioteer /tjana'tia/ noun & verb. me. [Old French charieter, charioteur, formed as prec.; later directly from prec.: see -eer.] ► A noun. 1 The driver of a chariot, me. 2 (Usu. C-.) The constellation Auriga. E20. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. & trans. Drive (a chariot). E19. 2 verb trans. Drive (a person) in a chariot, mi9. ■ charioteership noun performance as a charioteer M19.

charism /'kanz(3)m/ noun. lis. [formed as next.] CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. = CHARISMA 1.

charisma /ka'rizma/ noun. PL -mata /-mats/. M17. [ecclesiastical Latin from Greek kharisma, -mat-, from kharis favour, grace.] 1 Christian theology. A divinely conferred power or talent.

Ml 7. 2 A capacity to inspire devotion and enthusiasm; aura. M20. charismatic /kariz'matik/ adjective & noun. L19. [from Greek kharismat- (see prec.) + -ic.]

► A adjective. 1 Christian theology. Of or pertaining to a cha¬ risma; divinely conferred. Li9. kb Designating, of, or pertaining to Christian worship marked by enthusiasm, spontaneity, ecstatic utterance, etc.; Pentecostal. M20. 2 Having charisma. M20. ► B noun. A person who claims divine inspiration; an adherent of charismatic worship. M20. ■ charismatically adverb M20.

charitable /'tfantab(3)l/ adjective, me. [Old & mod. French, formed as charity: see -able.]

11 Showing Christian charity or the love of God and man. ME-M17. 12 Tender-hearted; loving; benevolent. LME-M17. 3 Full of active charity to others; esp. generous in giving to the poor. lme. 4 Connected with or devoted to a recognized object of charity; of the nature ofa charity. Li 6. 5 Apt to judge favourably of persons, acts, motives, etc. E17. LD 4 1 Murdoch A charitable organization supported mainly by American contributions. 5 Bacon By a charitable construction it may be a sermon. A. F. Douglas-Home The most even-tempered and charitable of persons. ■ charitableness noun lme. charitably adverb lme.

charitarian /tjan'ts:rian/ noun. Mi9. [from charity + -arian.]

A supporter of charities; a do-gooder, charitative /’tjantativ/ adjective. Now rare. lme. [Old French charitatif from medieval Latin caritativus, from Latin caritat-: see next, -ive.J

1 Of the nature of or pertaining to charity, lme. J she, 3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

383

charity j chartaceous Of the nature of a charitable gift or donation L16-E18. charity 'tjariti/ noun. loe. [Old & mod. French charite from Latin caritas, from cams dear- see -ITY. Cf. CARITAS.]

1 Christian love; esp. Christian love of one's fellowmen. LOE. 2 gen. Love, kindness, natural affection; spontaneous goodness. ME. ►tb Fairness, equity. lme-mi7. Fc A dis¬ position to think favourably of others, their actions, etc., and to make allowance for their shortcomings, lis. ►d In pi. Feelings or acts of affection. Mi7. 3 Beneficence; liberality to or provision for those in need or distress; alms-giving, me. Fb Money, a gift, or other assistance to relieve need or distress, me. Fc A trust, foundation, organization, etc., for the benefit of others, esp. ofthose inneed or distress. Li6. Fd Inp/.Acts or works of liberality. Ei7. C3 3 R. H. Tawney Each town must organize charity for the support of the honest poor. Proverb: Charity begins at home. charity ball, charity concert, etc. cold as charity (with alius, to the unsympathetic administration of charity) Brother of Charity. Sister of Charity a male, female, member of a religious order devoted to charity, legal charity see legal adjective. Comb.: Charity Commission, Charity Commissioners (the members of) a board established to control charitable trusts; charity school: supported by charitable contributions; charity shop a shop where second-hand goods are sold to raise money for a charity; charity walk a sponsored walk to raise money for a charity; charity walker a participant in a charity walk.

charivari /Ja:ri'va:n/ noun & verb. See also shivaree. Mi7. [French, of unkn. origin.]

► A noun. A cacophonous mock serenade in derision of an unpopular person, marriage, etc.; a discordant medley of sounds, a hubbub. M17. ► B verb trans. Greet or serenade with a charivari, ei 9. chark /tja:k/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. eis. [App. from chark verb2.]

Charred wood or coal; charcoal. chark /tja:k/ verb1 intrans. obsolete exc. did. [Old English cearcian: cf. chirk verb.]

1 Grind one’s teeth; (of teeth) grind, oe. f2 Creak. Only in lme. 3 Complain querulously. Scot Ei9. chark /tja:k/ verb2 trans. Mi7. [from charcoal analysed as chark coal: cf. char verb2.]

Bum to charcoal or coke; char. charka /'tja:ka/ noun. Also -kha. Li9. [Urdu charka, -kd spinning-wheel from Persian cark(a) rel. to San¬ skrit cakra wheel.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a domestic spinning-wheel, used chiefly for cotton. charlatan /'Ja:bt(a)iV noun & adjective. Ei7. [French from Italian darlatano, from ciarlare to babble, patter, of imit. origin.]

► A noun. 1 A mountebank; esp. an itinerant vendor of medicines, obsolete exc. as passing into sense 2. E17. 2 A false pretender to knowledge or skill, orig. and esp. in medicine; a quack; a pretentious impostor. L17. ► B adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a char¬ latan. 117. ■ charlatanic /Jadatamk/ adjective M19. charlatanical /Li:h tanlkfs)!/ adjective M17. charlatanism noun the practice or method of a charlatan; the condition of being a charlatan; E19. charlatanry noun quackery, imposture M17.

Charles’ law /'tfadz la:/ noun phr. Also Charles’s law /'tjadziz la:/. L19. [J. A. C. Charles (1746-1823), French physicist.]

chemistry. A law stating that the volume of an ideal gas at constant pressure is directly proportional to the abso¬ lute temperature. Charles’s Wain/tja;lziz 'wein/ noun phr. [Old English Carles wxgn the wain of Carl or Charles (Charle¬ magne), perh. by assoc, of the star Arcturus with King Arthur, himself assoc, with Charlemagne.]

The Plough (plough noun 4). Charleston /'tja:lst(a)n, -lz-/ noun & verb. Also c-. E20. [A city and county in S. Carolina. USA.]

► A noun. A dance characterized by side-kicks from the knee. E20. ► B verb intrans. Dance the Charleston; kick sideways from the knee. E20. Charley noun var. of Charlie. charley horse /"tfo:li ho:s/ noun phr. N. Amer. slang. Li9. [Origin unkn.]

Stiffness or cramp in an arm or a leg. Charlie /'tja:li/ noun. Also -ley, c-. Ei9.

3 A name for tire fox. mi9. 4 In pi. A woman’s breasts, slang. Li9. 5 Cocaine, slang. M20. 6 A fool, an idiot, slang. M20. 7 A native or inhabitant, esp. a soldier, of (North) Vietnam. US & Austral, slang. M20. Phrases: tail-end Charlie

charlock ija:iuk/ noun. [Old English cerlic, cyrlic, of unkn. origin.]

Wild mustard, Sinapis arvensis, a yellow-flowered crucif¬ erous weed of cultivated land. Formerly also, any of several other similar plants. charlotte /'Ja:bt/ noun. lis. [French.] A pudding made of stewed fruit with a casing or covering of bread, biscuits, sponge cake, or breadcrumbs, charlotte russe /ru:s/ [French russe Russian.] a custard etc. enclosed in a sponge cake or sponge biscuits.

charm /tja:m/ noun1, me. [Old & mod. French charme from Latin carmen song, verse, oracu¬ lar response, incantation.]

1 The chanting of a verse supposedly having magic power; an incantation; any action, process, verse, etc., credited with such properties; a magic spell, a talisman. me. 2 A quality or feature exciting love or admiration; attractiveness; the indefinable power of delighting; in pi., sexual attractiveness. L16. 3 A thing worn to avert evil etc.; an amulet; a trinket on a bracelet etc. Li 6. 4 particle physics. A quark flavour associated with a charge of+2/3. (Symbol c.) M20. Phrases: work like a charm work perfectly. Comb. : charm-bracelet: hung with charms; charm school: at which the social graces are taught. ■ charmful adjective full of charms or spells; charming: M17. charmless adjective E18. charmlessiy adverb L19 charmlessness noun E20.

charm noun2 see chirm noun. charm /tJo:m/ verb1, me. [Old & mod. French charmer, formed as charm noun1. Sense 7 prob. infl. by prec.]

1 verb intrans. Work charms, use spells, practise magic. Now rare. me. 2 verb trans. Act upon (as) with a charm or magic; put a spell on; bewitch, lme. Fb Bring from or out (of), send away, etc., by a charm or charms. M16. 3 verb trans. Give (seemingly) magical powers or virtues to; give special good fortune or protection to. lme. 4 verb trans. Enthral, captivate, delight; give pleasure to. lme. Fb verb intrans. Be enthralling; give pleasure, poet. E18. 5 verb trans. Subdue as if by magic power; soothe, allay. Mi6.

16 verb trans. Invoke: entreat in the name of a power. L16-M18.

£0 1 Shakes. Haml. No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm. 2 E. K. Kane They wanted me to charm or cure him. 4 Addison He every where charms and pleases us by the Force of his own Genius. P. G. Wodehouse 'Like you .. to meet my friends. Lady Underhill. Mr. Devereux.’ ‘Charmed.’ said Ronnie affably. 5 Pope Music the fiercest grief can charm. ■ charmer noun a person who charms; spec, (a) an enchanter; (b) a particularly attractive or delightful person; (c) a person who subdues or controls as if by magic power (snake-charmer see snake noun) me. charming ppl adjective that charms: spec, (a) (now rare) using charms, exercising magic power; (b) particularly attractive, delightful (freq. iron.) (Prince Charming see prince noun): lme. charmingly adverb E17. charmingness noun mis.

charm verb2 see chirm verb. charmed /tfu:md, adjective, lme. [from charm verb', noun': see -ED', -ED2.]

1 That has been charmed; enchanted; protected by a charm, lme. 2 particle physics. Designating a c quark; having the prop¬ erty charm. M20. CB 1 E. P. Thompson Binns, who bore a charmed life, was acquitted of high treason.

charmeuse /jadmo-.z, foreign Jarmoiz/noun. E20. [French, fem. of charmeur charmer, formed as charm verb'.]

A soft smooth silky dress-fabric. charrnonium/tfcc'maomsm/noun. L20. [from charm noun' + -onium.) physics. A combination of a charmed quark and antiquark.

tcharneco noun.

[Old French from medieval Latin

camale use as noun of neut. of

camalis carnal.]

►A

noun. Orig., a cemetery. Now (more fully charnelhouse) a house or vault in which dead bodies or bones are piled, lme,

► B adjective. Sepulchral, deathlike, ghastly. E19.

charnel /’tja:n(3)l/ noun2,

lis. cardinate neut. of cardinalis, from

obsolete exc. Hist.

[Old French, prob. from Latin cardo, -in- hinge: see -al1.]

A hinge, esp. that of a helmet. charnockite /’tJcnnskAit/ noun. L19. [from Job Charnock (d. 1693), founder of Calcutta, whose tomb¬ stone is of this rock, + -ite*.]

geology. A granite containing hypersthene. ■ charnockitic tfa:no’ k [tik/ adjective M20.

Charolais /’Jaraulei./oreign Jarols/ noun. Also -II-. PI. same. Li 9 [from Monts du

Charollais in eastern France.]

(An animal of) a breed of large white beef-cattle. Charon /’kenan/ noun. lis. [Latin from Greek Kharnn.]

1 Greek mythology. The ferryman conveying souls across the Styx to Hades. Li 5. 2 A ferryman, joc. mi9. charophyte "karaf/sit/ noun. E20. [mod. Latin Charophyta former name of the Characeae, from chara noun': see -0-, -phyte.]

A member of the Characeae, a group of macroscopic mainly freshwater algae marked by whorls of short branches arising from a main axis, often partly encrusted with calcium carbonate; a stonewort. ■ charophytic - frtrk/ adjective E20.

charoset(h)

noun

var. of haroseth.

charpie/'Ja:pi/noun, lis. [French: see carpet noun.]

Old linen unravelled into short ends of thread for sur¬ gical dressings. charpoy /'tja:pai/ noun. M17. [Urdu charpaf from Persian.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a light bedstead. charqui /'tja:ki/ noun. See also jerky noun1. Ei7. [(Amer. Spanish

charqui, charque from) Quechua cc’arki: cf. jerk

verb2.]

Meat, esp. beef, cut into thin slices and dried in the wind and sun. charr noun var, of char noun2. charro /'tjcnrao/ noun. PI. -os. E20. [Mexican Spanish from Spanish - rustic.)

A Mexican cowboy, esp. one elaborately dressed. charry /'tja:ri/ adjective, lis.

|7 verb trans. Temper, tune, play, (an instrument or melody). L16-E17.

[Dim. of male forename Charles: see -ie, -y6.]

|1 A night-watchman. E-M19. 2 A small triangular beard, as worn by King Charles I. E19.

charnel /’tja:n(3)l/ noun1 & adjective, lme.

L16-M17.

[Said to be from the name of a village near Lisbon, Portugal] A Portuguese wine.

[from char

verb2 or charcoal: see -Y'.]

Of the nature of charcoal or a similar charred sub¬ stance. charshaf /'tfarjaf, 'tjaijaf/ noun. Also -chaff-tjaf/. E20. [Turkish

carsaf from Persian cador-sab bedspread.]

A headscarf worn by Turkish and Balkan women (a remnant of the veil formerly worn). chart /tja:t/ noun & verb. [Old & mod. French

Li6.

charte from Latin charter, see card noun2.]

► A noun. I 1 A map. Now spec, (a) a navigator’s sea map, showing coast outlines, rocks, shoals, depths of water, etc.; (b) an air navigator's map; (c) an outline map showing special features. L16. 2 A sheet of tabulated or diagrammatic information; a set of curves on a graph etc. showing fluctuations in tem¬ perature, price, etc. M19. Fb spec. A list of the currently most popular discs, tapes, etc. Usu. in pi. M20. ► II3 A charter; a deed, document, obsolete exc. Scot. E17. ]4A card; esp. (a) a playing-card; (b) a compass card. L17-L18. 1 plane chart: see plane adjective. 2 test chart: see test noun'.

►B

verb trans.

Make a chart of; record in a chart; map.

M19. Comb.: chart-buster colloq. a very popular disc, tape, etc.; chart¬ topping adjective occupying the first place in a chart of discs, tapes, etc.

charta /‘ka:to/noun. PI. -tae /-ti:/. rare exc. in var. of Magna Carta. Mi7. (medieval Latin = legal writing, charter, from Latin: see card noun2.]

A charter. chartaceous ku TeiJos/ adjective. Mi7. (from late Latin

chartaceus, from Latin charta: see card noun2.

-ACEOUS.]

Of the nature of paper; papery.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. 3: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw, a run, o put, u: too. 3 ago, ai my. ao how. ei day, 30 no. z: hair, is near, di boy. 03 poor, ais tire, aoo sour

384

chartae | chasselas

tchartel

noun

Chartreux I'ja Aro:, foreign Jartro/ noun & adjective. Now rare or obsolete. PI. of noun -eux l-s:z, -0/. lme.

see cartel.

charter/'tjcuta/noun.

me.

[Old & mod. French chartre from Latin chartula dim. of charta: see card noun2.)

1 A written document delivered by the monarch or legislature, esp. granting prmleges or recognizing rights, or creating a borough, company, university, etc., a written constitution, me. 2 A written contract between individuals; esp. (a) Hist, a deed conveying land; (b) = charter-party, me. 3 A publicly conceded right, a privilege; effective public permission; (a) licence. Mi6. 4 A chartered aircraft, boat, vehicle, etc. M20. CE1 3 Wordsworth And mighty forms seizing a youthful fancy Had given charter to irregular hopes. Listener 'It's the Scroungers' Charter,’ said the man in the Liverpool jewel¬ ler’s shop.

Old

&

mod.

French

Chartreuse:

see

(A) Carthusian. chartulary /'kaitjobri/ noun'. Li7. [medieval Latin c(h)artularms, from c(h)artula: see cartulary.]

An archivist. chartulary noun2 var. of cartulary. chary /'tje:ri/ adjective & adverb. [Old English cearig = Old Saxon carag, Old High German charag, from West Germanic, from base of care noun: see -Y1.] ► A adjective, fl Sorrowful, anxious; grievous, oe-me.

C3 3 Shakes. Ffaml. The chariest maid is prodigal enough If she unmask her beauty to the moon. Sir W. Scott They were more chaiy of their royal presence. V. Glendinning One would be more chary about characterizing the AngloIrish were it not for the fact that they themselves have not been in the least chary about it

■ chaseable adjective fit to be chased or hunted lme. chasing noun' (a) the action of the verb (contour-chasing: see contour noun): (b) steeplechasing: lme. verbal

chase /tjeis/ verb2 trans. lme. [App. from enchase verb2.]

Ornament (metal) with embossed work, engrave in relief. ■ chasing verbal noun2 (a) the action of the verb; (b) a chased design or figure: Mi9.

chase /tjeis/ verb3 trans. Ei9. [from chase noun2,]

► B adverb. Charily. Now rare. Li 6.

Groove, indent.

■ charily adverb Li6. chariness noun L16.

chaser/'tjeiss/noun', me.

Charybdis /ks'ribdis/ noun. lme. [Latin from Greek kharubdis a dangerous whirlpool in Greek mythol.) A danger which threatens to engulf one; esp. (opp.

Scylla) either of two dangers such that to avoid one increases the risk from the other.

lme.

[from the noun.)

1 Grant a charter to; establish by charter, lme. 2 Privilege, license. Mi6. 3 Hire (a ship, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) as a conveyance.

Chas. abbreviation. Charles. chase /tjeis/ noun1. Also (arch.) chace. me.

LI 8.

chartered

[French, from Charterhouse]

f2 Dear; cherished. LME-E19. 3 Cautious, wary; shy, fastidious; frugal, sparing, ungenerous. (Foil, by about, in, of, (doing).) M16.

Phrases: Atlantic Charter, see Atlantic adjective i. blank charter see blank adjective. Great Charter = Magna Carta. People s Charter the document embodying the principles and demands of the Chartists. Comb.: charter flight: by chartered aircraft; charter-land land held by charter, freehold land; Charter Mark (in the UK) an award granted to institutions for exceptional public service under the terms of the Citizen's Charter; charter-member an original member of a society, corporation, etc.; Charter School Hist, a school established by the Charter Society; Charter Society Hist.: founded to provide Protestant education for the Catholic poor in Ireland. ■ charterless adjective lime.

charter/’tja:ta/ verb trans.

CQ 1 Swift We were chased by two pirates, who soon over¬ took us. Tennyson Chasing each other merrily. Yeats I chased with hounds the flying deer. P. G. Wodehouse He drank like a fish and was always chasing girls. J. Snow The Australians chased the 242 runs they needed to win. chase one’s tail: see tail noun', chase the dragon: see dragon noun. chase up colloq. pursue with a specific purpose, go and chase oneself, chase oneself colloq. (usu. in imper.) leave, go away. 2b Sir W. Scott 'Horse! horse!' the Douglas cried, 'and chase!' E. O’Neill He doesn't give wild parties, doesn't chase after musical-comedy curies, c R. Macaulay Aunt Cynthia chased off after another exciting subject. D. H. Lawrence The wind chases by us and over the com. 3 J. Conrad The ship had been chased away. G. B. Shaw A flush of interest and delight suddenly chases the growing perplexity and boredom from her face.

3 An apple-green colour. L19.

chartae noun pi. of charta.

‘tjaitad

ppladjective,

[Old French chace (mod. chasse) from Proto-Romance, from verb whence chase verb'.]

lme.

[from prec. + -ed'.[

1 That has been chartered, lme. 2 Having membership of a professional body with a royal charter, mi9. 1 chartered libertine a person allowed to do as he pleases. 2 chartered accountant, chartered engineer, chartered librarian, chartered surveyor, etc.

charterer/’tja:t(a)ra/ noun.

me.

[from charter noun, verb + -er1.)

1 A freeholder; a fr eeman of a chartered borough. Now chiefly Hist me. 2 A person who or organization which charters a ship, vehicle, aircraft, etc. mi9. Charterhouse /'tjaitshaus/ noun & adjective,

lme.

[Anglo-Norman Chartrous, Old & mod. French Chartreuse alt. of earlier Anglo-Norman Chartous, Old French Charteuse, from medi¬ eval Latin Cart(h)usius, from Cart(h)usia: see Carthusian. Assim. to house noun1. Cf. Chartreux.]

► A noun. 1 A Carthusian monastery. Now arch, or Hist. LME.

2 In full Charterhouse School, t Charterhouse Hospital. A charitable institution, later a public school, founded on the site of the Carthusian monastery in London (later moved to Godalming, Surrey). M17. ► B adjective. Carthusian, lme. charter-party /'tjcutopafti/ noun.

lme.

[French charts partie from medieval Latin charta partita divided charter, indenture.)

A written contract made between a shipowner and a merchant for the hire of a ship and the delivery of the cargo. Chartism /'tja:tiz(3)m/ noun.

M19.

[from medieval Latin charta + -ism. after the People's Charter (see charter noun).]

Hist. The principles of a British democratic reform move-: ment of 1837-48. Chartist /'tfcttist/ noun & adjective. [formed as prec. + -1ST.)

Hist. ►A noun. An adherent of Chartism. Mi9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Chartism or Chartists. M19.

nouns

etc.,

see

chartreuse /Ja:'tr3:z;foreign Jartroiz {pi. same)/ noun. E19. [French, fern, of Chartreux: see next.) 1 cookery. A dish turned out from a mould, of meat, vegetables, or (now more usually) of fruit enclosed in jelly etc. E19. 2 A green or yellow liqueur of brandy and aromatic herbs etc., orig. made by the monks of La Grande Char¬ treuse, near Grenoble, France. M19. b but, d dog,

(of), lead a person a chase: see lead verb', the chase the sport of hunting, wild-goose chase: see wild goose. Comb.: chase chorus jazz: in which musicians improvise for a few bars in turn; chase-gun. chase-port Hist, a gun, port, in the bow or stem of a vessel for use while chasing or being chased.

chase /tjeis/ noun2. L16. [French chasse: see case noun2.]

f few, g get, h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, r

1 The cavity of a gun barrel; the part of a gun enclosing the bore. Ei7. 2 A groove or furrow cut in the face of a wall etc. to receive a pipe; a trench for drain tiles etc. M19. chase /tjeis/ noun4, dial. Mi7.

[from chase verb2 + -er'.]

A person who chases metal. chaser/'tjeiss/noun3. L19. [from chase verb2 + -er1.]

A tool for cutting grooves. Chasid noun var. of Hasid. chasm /'kaz(3)m/ noun. Earlier tchasma. pi. -mae, -mas. L16. [Latin chasma from Greek khasma gaping hollow.)

11 a An opening up of the sea, or of the earth in an earthquake. L16-M17. Fb A (supposed) rending of the firmament or vault of heaven. E17-M18. 2 A deep fissure, a wide crack. E17. 3 fig. A wide difference of feeling, interests, etc., a gulf; arch, a hiatus, a void. M17. ■ chasmal adjective belonging to or of the nature of a chasm M19. chasmed adjective having chasms, cleft into chasms L18. chasmic adjective = chasmal E20. chasmy adjective full of chasms; of the nature of a chasm: 118.

[from prec. + -o- + -gamy.) botany. The opening of the perianth at the time of flower¬

chase /tjeis/ verb'. Also (arch.) chace. me. [Old French charier (mod. chosser) from Proto-Romance var. of Latin captare frequentative of capere take: cf. catch verb.] 1 verb trans. Follow with intent to kill, capture, over¬

take, attract, etc.; pursue, run after; appear to follow thus; try to attain or achieve, me. F|b Persecute, harass. ME-E17. Fc Follow (a drink etc.) with (or with) a chaser, coHop. M20. 2 verb intrans. fa Go hunting. ME-E16. Fb Go in pursuit. Freq. foil, by after, lme. Fc Hurry; move with speed. Usu. with adverb or preposition phr. lme. 3 verb trans. Drive away, out, from, out of, etc. me. Fb Put to flight, rout; dispel, arch. me. Fc Drive (cattle etc.). Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. s sit,

chasse /Jas, Ja:s/ noun', lme. [French chasse: see case noun2.]

A case for the relics of a saint. chasse /Jas, Ja:s/ noun2. PI. chasses /Jas, 'Ja:siz/. mis. [French, abbreviation of chasse-cafe.]

A liqueur taken after coffee, tobacco, etc.; a chaser. chasse /Jase (pi. same), ' Jasei/ noun. El 9.

[Cf. French dial. (Norman) chasse.)

p pen, r red,

chaser /'tjeiss/ noun2, eis.

■ chasmo gamic chasmogamous adjectives E20

[French chas enclosed space from Provencal ca(u)s from medieval Latin capsum thorax, nave of a church.)

n no,

CD 1 submarine chaser, see submarine noun. 4 B. Elton He went straight to the bar and ordered beer with a bourbon chaser.

ing. Opp. CLEISTOGAMY.

rack chase: see rack noun2.

chase /tjeis/ noun3. E17.

man,

1 A person who or thing which pursues, hunts, or drives away. (Foil, by off) me. Fb spec. An amorous pursuer of women, colloq. (chiefly US). Li 9. |2 a A horse for hunting. ME-M17. Fb A horse for steeplechasing. Li 9. 3 Hist. A chase-gun. E19. 4 A drink following a drink of another kind, as water or beer after spirits, etc. colloq. L19.

chasmogamy /kaz'mogsmi/ noun. E20.

printing. A metal frame for holding composed type and blocks for printing a page or sheet,

A green lane, esp. one leading up to a farmhouse or field.

M19.

chartographer, chartography CARTOGRAPHER etc.

1 The action or an act of chasing; pursuit; hunting, me. Fb A steeplechase. Li 9. 2 The or one’s object of pursuit, as an animal, a ship, etc. me. 3 A tract of unenclosed land reserved for hunting, spec, one owned by the Crown. Now chiefly Hist. exc. in proper names. ME. 4 The right of hunting over or of keeping animals for hunting on a tract of land. lme. 5 real tennis. The second impact of an unretumed ball, for which the player scores unless the opponent betters it by a similar and subsequent unreturned impact which lands nearer the end wall where the chase was made. LME. 6 Hist. The chase-guns of a ship; the part of a ship where the chase-ports are. E17. 1 paper-chase, steeplechase, etc. give chase (to) go in pursuit

[Old French chace(o)ur (mod. chasseur, formed as chase verb': see -er2. Later senses from chase verb' + -er‘.)

t top,

v van,

w we.

z zoo,

[French, lit, 'chasing, chase'.]

A sliding step in which one foot displaces the other in dancing. chasse croise /krwaze/ [lit. ‘crossed’] a double chasse in which partners change position; fig. an elaborate reversal of position.

chasse /'Jasei/ verb. Pa. t. & pple -ed, -e’d. mis. [French chasser (imper. chassez!) lit. 'to chase, hunt'.] 1 verb trans. Dismiss, arch, slang, mis. 2 verb intrans. Execute a chasse. E19.

chasse-cafe /Jaskafe/ noun. Now rare. PI. pronounced same. E19. [French, lit. 'chase-coffee'.]

A liqueur taken after coffee. chasselas /Jasla/ noun, mi7. [A village near Macon in France.]

A variety of white grape. J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

385

chasse-maree | chaud-melle chasse-maree Jasmare/ noun. PI. pronounced same E19 [French, lit. 'chase-tide.'] Hist. A coasting lugger used by the French for smuggling

and privateering. chassepot/Jaspo/ noun. PI. pronounced same, mi9. [Antoine A. Chassepot (1833-1905), its French designer.]

A type of bolt-action breech-loading rifle, used by the French army between 1866 and 1874. chasseur /jo'ss:: foreign Jasce:r (pi. same)/ noun. mis. [French, from chasser (see chase verb') + -eur-or.] 1 Hist. A soldier (esp. French) equipped and trained for

rapid movement, mis. 2 a An attendant dressed in military style. Now rare or obsolete, mis. Eb A hotel messenger, esp. in France. Li9. 3 A huntsman. Lis. Comb. : chasseur sauce a rich sauce with wine and mushrooms for poultry or game; chicken chasseur etc., chicken etc. cooked in chasseur sauce.

Chassid noun var. ofHAsiD. chassis /'Jasi, -i:/ noun. PI. same /'Jasiz, -i:z/. Mi7. [French chassis from Proto-Romance, from Latin capsa case noun-.]

|1 2 3 4 5

A window frame, a sash. M17-E18. The sliding base-frame of a mounted gun. mi 9. The base-frame of a motor vehicle etc. E20. A frame carrying radio etc. equipment. M20. The human or animal frame, the body, slang. M20.

■ chassisless adjective M20.

1 Abstaining from unlawful or immoral or all sexual intercourse; pure, virginal, me. ►fb Unmarried, single. ME-L16. |2 Free from guilt, innocent. ME-M16. 3 fig. Undefiled, stainless. Ei7. 4 Decent, seemly, esp. in speech. Ei7. 5 Pure in taste or style, unadorned, simple; restrained, severe, mis. UJ 3 Shakes. Oth. Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars. 4 L. Sterne The Hero’s horse was a horse of chaste deportment. 5 J. Warton So chaste and correct a writer. C. Hampton A large, chaste desk, its only ornament a large granite crucifix. Comb.: chaste-tree [cf. Agnus castus] a violet-flowered aro¬ matic shrub of the verbena family, Vitex agnus-castus, native to southern Europe which is reputed to reduce sexual desire. ■ chastely adverb me. chasteness noun lme.

tchaste verb trans. Also chasty. me. (mod.

[Old French chesible, later Old & mod. French chasuble, from late Latin casubla obscure alt. of Latin casula little cottage, hooded cloak, dim. of casa house.)

A sleeveless vestment worn by the celebrant at the Mass or Eucharist. chat /tjat/ noun’, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [French chats lit. 'cats'.] 1

A catkin, lme.

12 The winged fruit of the sycamore etc. MI6-L17. 3 A small branch or twig, for kindling etc. Mi6. chat/tjat/noun2.

Mi6.

[from chat verb.]

1 Idle or frivolous talk, small talk, gossip; (now usu.) easy familiar talk, mi6. 2 A light or (usu.) easy familiar conversation. M17. £0 1 Shakes. Tam. Shi: 0, how I long to have some chat with her! Swift Scarce list’ning to their idle chat. I. Murdoch T am writing my memoirs.' 'Theatre chat?' 2 E. M. Forster Dear, one moment—we may not have this chance for a chat again. Comb.: chatline a telephone service for conversation among a number of people on separate lines: chat room an area on the Internet or other computer network where users can communi¬ cate, typically one dedicated to a particular topic; chat show an entertainment of interviews, on television etc. [Prob. imit.]

(Old & mod. French from Latin castus.]

chastier

chasuble /'tjazjub(3)l/ noun. me.

chat /tjat/ noun3. Li7.

chaste /tjeist/ adjective, me.

[Old French CASTIGATE.]

t chasty verb var. of chaste verb.

chdtier)

from

Latin

castigare

1 = CHASTEN. ME-E17. 2 Reprove, rebuke. Only in me. chastelain noun var. of chatelain. tchastelet noun see chatelet. chasten /'tjeis(?)n/ verb trans. Ei6. [from chaste verb + -en5.]

1 Esp. of God: discipline, punish by inflicting suffering, chastise. E16. 2 Render pure in character or style, ei 8. 3 fig. Moderate; restrain, subdue. M19.

1 Any of numerous small Old World thrushes with harsh calls and ffeq. boldly coloured plumage; esp. a stonechat, a whinchat. Li7. 2 Any ofvarious other small birds with harsh calls, esp. New World warblers of the genera Granatellus and Icteria (family Parulidae), and Australian birds of the family Ephthianuridae. Li 8. 1 robin-chat: see robin noun'. 2 woodchot: see wood noun', yellow-breasted chat: see yellow adjective.

chat /tjat/ verb. Infl. -tt-. lme. [Abbreviation of chatter verb.] 1 verb intrans. Talk idly or frivolously or (now usu.) easily

and familiarly, lme. verb trans. Talk idly or familiarly of; say idly or famil¬ iarly. L15-M18. 3 verb trans. Talk to (a person), esp. flirtatiously or with an ulterior motive. Freq. foil, by up. slang. L19.

12

£Q 1 T. F. Powys The remainder.. chatted with one another. M. Lasici They were chatted to in the streets. P. H. Johnson We sat.. chatting of nothing in particular. 3 V. S. Pritchett The girl in red, the one you were chatting

up.

chateau /’Jatao, foreign Ja:to/ noun. PI. -eaux /-ouz, foreign -0/. mis.

[French: see castle noun1.]

A large country house in France (formerly also else¬ where); esp. one giving its name to wine made in its neighbourhood. chateau in air. chateau in Spain, chateau en Espagne on Espaji/ = castle in the air, castle in Spain s.v. castle noun' 1. Comb.: chateau-bottled adjective (of wine) bottled at the vine¬ yard.

Chateaubriand /Jatobrija/ noun. PI. pronounced same.

■ chastener noun a person who or thing which chastens Mi6.

[Francois Rene, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), French writer and statesman.]

[App. irreg. from chaste verb.]

11 Correct the faults of; reform. me-li7. 2 Reprove, rebuke. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. 3 Punish with a view to amendment; inflict (esp. cor¬ poral) punishment on; thrash. ME. Eb Inflict punish¬ ment for (an offence), rare. Li6. 4 = chasten 3. Now rare or obsolete, lme. 5 = chasten 2. Now rare or obsolete. E17. ? Orig., & usu. in Shakes., stressed on 1st syll.: cf. next. ■ chastisable adjective that may be. or deserves to be, chastised E17. chastiser noun lme.

chastisement/'tjastizm(?)nt, tJa'stAiz-/ noun. me. [from prec. + -ment.]

11 Correction of faults; (a) discipline. me-ei7. 2 Punishment, esp. corrective or disciplinary; thrash¬ ing. ME. chastity /'tjastiti/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French chastete from Latin castitas, from castus chaste adjective: see -ity.]

1 The quality or state of being chaste; virginity, celi¬ bacy. ME. 2 Moderation, restraint; simplicity of style or taste. M18. 1 girdle of chastity see girdle noun1. Comb, chastity belt a garment designed to prevent the woman wearing it from having sexual intercourse.

chastize verb var. of chastise.

LI 9. A thick fillet beefsteak, grilled and garnished with herbs etc. Also Chateaubriand grill. Chateaubriand steak, etc. chatelain /'Jatalein/ noun. Also (earlier) chast- /'Jast-/. [Old French chastelain (mod. chatelain): see castellan.] Hist. = CASTELLAN 1. Mi9.

[French chatelaine fem. of chatelain: see prec.] 1 A female castellan (Hist.): the mistress of a castle or

country house, mi9. 2 Hist. A set of short chains attached to a woman’s belt for carrying keys, a watch, a pencil, etc. Mi9. chatelet 'Jataht/ noun. Also (earlier) tchast-. lme. (Old French chastelet (mod. chatelet) dim. of castel castle noun1: see -et'. Cf. castelet.] Hist. A small castle; spec, a particular ancient prison in

Paris. chatellany /'Jatalani/noun.

(Of) iridescent undulating lustre. chatta tjata, 'tja:t?/ noun. lis. [Hindi chata.]

In the Indian subcontinent: an umbrella, chattel /'tjat(?)l/ noun. me. [Old French chatel = Provencal captal from medieval Latin capitate use as noun of neut. of Latin capitalist see capital adjective & noun2. Cf. cattle.]

J1 a Property. Only in me. >b Livestock, rare. Only int7. 2 A movable possession (in law including immaterial but transferable possessions, as leases etc.); (chiefly rhet.) a slave, a bondman. Usu. in pi. me. 2 chattels personal law all movable goods, chattels real A:: such as concern tire realty, as leases etc. goods and chattels all kinds of personal property. Comb.: chattel interest (now rare) an interest in leasehold prop¬ erty; chattel mortgage /V. Amec the conveyance of chattels by mortgage as security for a debt; chattel slave a human being held as a chattel; chattel slavery - chattelism. ■ chattelism noun the system of holding human beings as chattels Ml9.

chatter /'tjat?/ verb & noun. me. [Imit.. of frequentative formation: see -er5. Cf. chitter.]

► A verb. I verb intrans. 1 Of a bird: utter quick series of short notes (now esp. notes approaching those of the human voice), me. 2 Of a person: talk quickly, incessantly, foolishly, or inopportunely, me. fb Make sounds suggestive of human chattering. Ei7. 3 Of the teeth: rattle together, lme. Eb Of a person: shiver, have chattering teeth, rare. E17. Ec Rattle with vibration. Li 9. £□ 1 Wordsworth The jay makes answer as the magpie chatters. 2 E. Ferber They chattered on and on about little inconsequential things, chattering classes coflog, (derog.) the articulate professional people given to free expression of (esp. liberal) opinions on society and culture, b Shakes. Temp. Like apes, that mow and chatter at me. Quiller-Couch A hollow in the road, across which a tiny beck.. was chatter¬ ing bravely. 3 J. Cary She dressed quickly, her teeth chatter ing, her fingers white and weak with cold b I Murdoch I was chattering with cold, c N. Gordimer A child bore over to me a cup of milky tea chattering against its saucer.

► II verb trans. 4 Utter or say chatteringly; chatter of. me. 5 Make (teeth) rattle, ei 7. £□ 4 Tennyson They chatter'd trifles at the door. 5 G. A. Sala Gibbering and chattering their teeth.

► B noun. 1 The chattering of birds etc.; a sound of chat¬ tering; rattling, noisy vibration, me. 2 Incessant, trivial talk, mi9. Comb.: chatterbox a talkative person, esp. a child; chattermag colloq. & dial, a chatterbox; chatter. ■ chatte ration noun prolonged chattering, noisy chatter Ml 9. chatterer noun (o) a person who chatters; (b) orig. = waxwing (waxen chatterer see waxen adjective): now more often, any of various other garrulous birds, esp. a babbler: lme. chatteringly adverb in a chattering manner Mi9. fchattery noun chat, chatter L18-L19. chattery adjective characterized by chattering, given to chattering Mi9.

chatterbot /'tjatsbot. noun.

120.

computing. A program designed to interact with people by simulating human conversation. Chattertonian /tjata't?uni?n/ adjective & noun. Mi9. [from Chatterton (see below) + -ian.]

(An admirer or student) of the English poet Thomas Chatterton (1752-70) or his pseudo-archaic literary style. chatty /'tjati/noun. lis. [Hindi catifrom Tamil catti.]

LME.

chatelaine /'Jatalein/ noun.

[French, pres, pple of chatoyer: see -ant1.]

[from chatter noun + bot noun1.]

D3 1 Tennyson The love Wherewith we love the Heaven that chastens us. 3 A. P. Herbert Ernest hobbled on board, chastened by his fall, but cursing terribly.

chastise ZtJa'stAiz/ verb trans. Also -ize. me.

chatoyant /Ja'toiant .foreign Jatwaja/ noun & adjective. Now rare. Li 8.

Mi7.

(French chatellenie, assim. to castellany.] Hist. = castellany. chaton 'Jat3/ noun. PI. pronounced same. U6. [French from German Kasten (Old High German, Middle High German Icosto).]

The part of a finger-ring in which a stone is set or on which a device is engraved.

In the Indian subcontinent: an earthenware pot for water. chatty "tjati/adjective. Mi8. [from chat noun1 + -Y1.]

Given to chat, fond of chatting; resembling chat. ■ chattily adverb E19. chattiness noun L19.

Chaucerian /tJo:'si?nan/ adjective & noun. Mi7. [from Chaucer (see below) + -ian.]

(An admirer, imitator, or student) of the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer (c 1343-1400) or his writing. Scottish Chaucerian see Scottish adjective, m Chaucerism /'tJo:s3riz(3)m/ noun an expression used by or imitated from Chaucer L16.

chaud-froid Joo'frwa:; foreign Jofrwa (pi same)/ noun. L19. [French, lit. 'hot-cold.']

A dish of cold cooked meat or fish in a jelly or sauce. chaud-melle 'J'o.d'niEli/noun. lme. [from Old French chaud(e) heated + mellee affray, mellay.] scots law (now Hist.). A sudden affray arising from heated

emotions; a homicide committed in hot blood and without premeditation.

cat. a: arm. e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, d: saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day, 30 no, e: hair, re near, m boy us poor. Are tire, aire sour

386

chauffer | check chauffer 'tjsifa/ noun. [Var. of chafer noun-; chauffer: see chafe verb.]

lme. later perh.

f 1 = CHAFER noun2 1. LME-E17. 2 A small portable furnace,

infl. by French chauffotr, from

a brazier, mi9.

chauffeur /'Jsufa, Jao'fa:/ noun & verb. Li9. [French = stoker, fireman, from

chauffer (see chafe verb) + -eur

-OR.]

► A noun, fl A motorist. L19-E20. 2 A person employed to drive a private or hired motor car. E20. ► B verb trons. Drive (a car) as a chauffeur; convey (a person) by car. E20. ■ chauffeuse /jSjfKz, Jau'faa/ noun a female chauffeur E20.

chauki noun see choky noun. chaukidar noun var. of chokidar chaulmoogra /tjod'mmgra/ noun. [Bengali caul-mugra.]

noun.

M20.

[Burmese.]

In Myanmar (Burma), a watercourse, chaunt noun, verb see

chant

Ei9.

In France, Belgium, etc.: a causeway; a high road.

5 Formerly naturalized.

Footwear. 9 Formerly naturalized.

Chautauqua /tjoftakws, J-/ noun. Orig. & chiefly N. Amer. (now Hist.). L19. [Chautauqua, a county and lake in New York State.]

chauvinism /’j3uv(i)niz(3)m/noun. Also C-. [French chauvinisme, formed as next: see -ism.)

The state or quality of being a chauvinist; chauvinistic feeling or behaviour; an instance of this. Q B. Cottle American hurricanes were always given women's names, a blatant piece of chauvinism, male chauvinism: see male adjective & noun, social chauvinism: see social adjective.

chauvinist /’Jauvfijmst/ noun & adjective. In sense A.i also C-. LI9. [from Nicolas Chauviu, a Napoleonic veteran popularized as a character in La cocarde tricolore by the brothers Cogniard + -ist.] ► A noun. 1 A bellicose patriot; a fervent supporter of a

cause. Li 9. 2 A person who is prejudiced against or inconsiderate of those of a different sex, class, nationality, culture, etc.; esp. = male chauvinist s.v. male adjective & noun. M20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to chauvinism or chauvin¬ ists; chauvinistic. L19. ■ chauvi nistic adjective bellicosely patriotic; prejudiced against or inconsiderate of those of a different sex, nationality, etc. (male-chauvinistic: see male adjective & noun); showing such patriotism or prejudice: L19. chauvi nistically adverb L20. lme-li9.

[from chaff noun'.]

Separate chaff (from). fchavel noun see jowl noun1. chavel /'tjav(a)l/ verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -1I-.

me.

[from Middle English form of jowl noun1.]

11 verb intrans. Talk idly, chatter. Only in 2 verb trons. Mumble (food); chew. E17.

me.

£3 2 fig.: D. Fl. Lawrence The bracken.., broken and chavelled by the restless wild winds of the long winter.

chavender /'tjavfajnda/ noun. Now dial.

lis.

[Obscurely from (the same root as) chevin.]

The chub. Long obsolete exc. Scot.

Mi6.

2

Ajaw. Usu. inpl. M16-L17. Loquacity; lecturing; cheek. Scot.

:tJo:l/noun. L19.

Li6.

The root of an Indian plant, Oldenlandia umbellate, of the madder family, which yields a red dye. chay noun2 var.

of shay

noun1.

E20.

b but, d dog. f few, g get, h he. j yes,

k cat,

1 leg.

cheapen /'tji:p(a)n/ verb. Li6. [from cheap adjective, verb + -en5.] 1 verb trans. Ask the price of, bid for. arch. L16. 2 verb trans. Lower the price of, make cheap; fig. depreci¬

■ cheapener noun a person who cheapens something M17.

cheat tji;t/ noun1, lme.

Li9.

A vine, Sechium edule, native to tropical America and cul¬ tivated elsewhere for its fruit; the succulent squash-like fruit of this vine. Also called chocho. chazan noun var. of hazzan. Chazar noun & adjective var. of Kh azar.

CHD abbreviation. Coronary heart disease. cheap

'tji:p/noun. Long arch. rare. [Old English reap = Old Frisian kap, Old Saxon kop (Dutch koop). Old High German fcou/(German Kauf), Old Norse kaup, from Germanic, from Latin caupo small tradesman, innkeeper. Cf. chapman.)

1 A (good) bargain; bargaining, trade; state of the market; abundance; price, value. After Middle English chiefly in good cheap, good value, cheapness, advanta¬ geous terms, ease, plenty (passing into adjectival use). OE.

2 A place of buying and selling; a market. Long obsolete exc. as a component of proper names, as Cheapside. Chepstow, etc. oe. 13 Merchandise, chattels; esp. live cattle. Only in oe. cheap

tji:p/ adjective & adverb, lis. [Ellipt. for good cheap see prec.) ► A adjective. 1 Low in price or charge made, absolutely or in relation to value; not costly, inexpensive, lis.

►b Having or charging low prices. Li6. kc Of a fare, rate, etc.: lower than the ordinary fare etc. Ei8. kd Of money: available on loan at a low rate of interest. M19. 2 Low in value, worthless, paltry. L16. 3 Lightly esteemed; esp. brought into contempt through overfamiliarity. Li 6. 4 fig. Easily got or made; involving little labour, effort, etc. E17. 5 In poor health, out of sorts, slang. L19. C3 1 Ld Macaulay The services of a Secretary of State ■ ■ well qualified for his post would have been cheap at five thousand, b OED He is not a cheap tailor. 2 S. Johnson The cheap reward of empty praise. T. Stoppard A cynical pursuit of cheap sensationalism. 3 S. Pepys Making the king cheap and ridiculous. 4 Shakes. Mens, for M. 'Twere the cheaper way: Better it were a brother died at once Than that a sister, by redeeming him. Should die for ever. J. Runciman My kisses ain’t cheap.

n no,

p pen, r red, s sit,

[Origin unkn.]

9 Perh. the 2nd elem. of manchet.

[Spanish from Nahuatl chayotli.]

m man,

tcheat noun2. lme-mi7. Wheaten bread of the second quality, inferior to manchet.

► B adverb. At a low price, cheaply; easily. Ml6. Phrases, special collocations. & comb.: cheap and cheerful inexpen¬ sive but not unattractive, cheap and nasty of low cost and poor quality, cheapjack noun & adjective (a) noun a hawker at a fair;

[Var. of jaw noun'.]

■ tcheaping noun (a) buying and selling, bargaining, trading; (b) a market, a market-place, (surviving in place-names as Chipping Campden, Chipping Sodbury, etc.): OE-L16.

fl An escheat, lm e-mi 7. |2 An item ofbooty or spoil. M16-E17. 3 A thing, an article, (usu. of a specified description); spec, the gallows, slang (long arch.). Mi6. f4a Cheating, ffaudulence. M-L17. kb A fraud, a decep¬ tion, a trick. M17. 5 A person who cheats (habitually); a swindler, a deceiver; an impostor; an unfair player, mi7. 6 Darnel, chess, or other grass growing as a weed among cereal crops. N. Amer. & dial. lis. 7 A card-game the point of which is to lie successfully and detect lying in others. Li9.

Ch. B. abbreviation. Latin Chirurgiae Baccalaureus Bachelor of Surgery.

L19.

Of. ME-M19. 3 verb trans. Offer for sale; offer to sell. ME-L16.

11 A kind of sauce made with chopped entrails, spices, etc. LME-E17. 2 sing. & in pi. Entrails, esp. as food. Li6.

chazzan noun var. of hazzan.

A summer school or similar educational course.

[Old English aepan, (from different base) ceapian = Old Saxon kopian, kopon, Old High German koufen. kouffm. Old Norse kaupa, Goth kaupon. from Germanic, from Latin caupo: see cheap noun.) 1 verb intrans. Barter; trade, oe-me. 2 verb trans. a Buy. oe-lme. kb Bargain for; ask the price

[Aphet. from escheat noun; sense 3 of unkn. origin; later senses from the verb.]

chayote /'tjeiauti/ noun.

lme.

[Anglo-Norman chaucer = Old French chancier (mod. chaussure), Provengal cansiershoe. Cf. medieval Latin cakcalura.]

tcheap verb.

(Old French chaudun offal, pig's trotters, from medieval Latin calduna, app. from Latin calidus hot: assim. to chaldron noun'.]

[Tamil raya.]

Hist. Pantaloons or tight coverings for the legs and feet, esp. of mail.

fchave verb trons. & introns. Also cave.

chawdron /'J.rdron/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also chald- /'Jo:ld-/. lme.

chay /tjei/ noun1. Also chaya /'tjeio/.

[French = clothing for the legs.]

(bj adjective inferior, shoddy: cheapskate see skate noun’, dirt cheap: see dirt noun, feel cheap slang feel ashamed or ill. hold cheap despise, on the cheap cheaply. ■ cheapie adjective & noun (dial. & slang) - cheapo L19. cheaply adverb Mi6. cheapness noun Mi6 cheapo adjective & noun (slang), pi. -os. (something) inexpensive (cf. el cheapo) M20.

ate, degrade. Mi7. 3 verb intrans. Become cheap (lit. & fig.). E19.

In the Indian subcontinent: a type of lodging-house.

chausses /Jo:s/ noun pi. lis.

chaussure /fosy:r/ noun.

[Urdu cbabukfrom Persian cabuk horsewhip.]

In India, Persia, etc.: (flog with) a whip,

tchawn noun. E17-L18. [Ref. to chine noun'.] = chine noun'.

[French: see causey.]

fl

Comb, chaw-bacon derag. a bumpkin, a yokel; chaw-stick a W. Indian climbing plant, Couania domingensis, of the buckthorn family; the bark or a twig of this, chewed as a stimulant or stomachic. ■ chawer noun (rare) E17.

[Marathi cal long narrow building.]

chaussee /Jose/ noun. PI. pronounced same.

noun'.

end to.

chawl

noun, verb,

chaunter noun see chanter

chaw tjo:

adjective. M17-M19. 2 verb trons. fig. Brood over, ruminate on. mi6. With adverbs in specialized senses: chaw up US slang destroy, put an

E17-E19.

■ chaulmoogric adjective (chemistry): chaulmoogric acid, a soft yellowish cydopentene derivative. C„H3,COOH, which is a major constituent of chaulmoogra oil E20. tjoug/

chaw /tjo:/ verb. Now colloq. & dial. lme. [Var. of chew verb: cf. chow verb.] 1 verb trons. & intrans. Chew, now esp. without intending to swallow and in a vulgar manner, lme. kf b kerb trans. Bite (a bullet) to make it jagged. Chiefly as chawed ppl

fchawbuck verb trons. & noun. As noun also chabuk.

Ei9.

Any of several tropical Asian trees of the family Flacourtiaceae, esp. Hydnocarpus kurzii, whose seeds yield an oil (chaulmoogra oil) formerly used to treat skin dis¬ eases.

chaung

chaw /tjo:/ noun2, colloq. & dial. E18. [Var. of chew noun: cf. chow noun’.] An act of chewing, esp. something not for swallowing; something so chewed, esp. a quid of tobacco.

t top.

van,

w we, z zoo,

cheat /tji:t/verb. lme. [Aphet. from escheat verb.] fl verb trons. Escheat. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. Act fraudulently, practise deception; play unfairly. Mi6. kb spec. Be sexually unfaithful. (Foil, by on the deceived person.) N.Amer. M20. 3 verb trons. Deprive of by deceit; defraud; deceive, trick (into, out of). Li6. 4 verb trans. Beguile (time, weariness, etc.), eis. 15 verb trans. Obtain by cheating, e-mis. 6 verb trans. & intrans. cinematography. Suppress or adapt (part of a film) during editing so as to create a desired illu¬ sion. E20. B3 2 E. F. Benson After dinner.. she permitted herself a game of patience, and since she never cheated, it was often ten o’clock before her game was over. 3 Shakes. Rich. HI Cheated of feature by dissembling nature. W. Cather I don't admire people who cheat Indians. Tolkien We are no phantoms,.. nor do your eyes cheat you. 4 Steele No Lay unsung to cheat the tedious Way. ■ cheatable adjective able to be cheated mi?, chea tee noun (colloq.) a person who is cheated E17. cheater noun t(a) an escheator; (b) a person who cheats; see also windcheater s.v. wind noun' ; (c) in pi. (USslang), spectacles: me. cheatery noun trick¬ ery, swindling mi 6.

tchebec noun var. of xebec. chebule /ka'bud/ noun. Now rare or obsolete, lme. [French chebule from Italian rhebuii, from Persian & Urdu Kabuli of Kabul.] The astringent fruit of the Indian tree Terminalia chebula. Also chebule myrobalan m chebulic objective ei 8.

Chechen /'tjetj(3)ny noun & adjective. PI. of noun -s, same. E19. [Russian fChechen (mod. chechenets).]

A member of. of or pertaining to, a N. Caucasian people forming the main part of the population of ChechenoIngushetia (Chechnya), in SW Asia; (of) the language of this people. chechia /'JeiJio/ noun. Mi9. [French chechia from Maghribi pronunc. of Arab, sdsiyya, from Arab. Sas Tashkent in Uzbekistan.]

A red felt cap worn in NW Africa. check /tjek/ noun'. Also (long arch.) cheque. See also cheque noun. ME. [from check interjection.]

► 11 In chess, the state or condition of a king (formerly also a queen or other powerful piece) exposed to direct attack; a move directly attacking a Icing etc. Formerly also fig., an attack, a harmful act. me. J she.

3 vision.

0

thin,

5 this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

387

check|cheep 2 falconry. A false stoop when a hawk abandons its proper quarry and pursues crows, doves, or other prey; lesser game. lime. t3 A taunt; a rebuke. EI6-MI8. 4 A sudden stopping or slowing of motion; a rebuff, a repulse. Ei6. >b A stoppage, a pause. imi6. >c hunting. The loss of a scent, us. >d A crack or flaw in timber. Li9. 15 A stoppage of wages or a fine imposed on servants in the royal household; the amount stopped. EI6-EI8. 6 Restraint on action; a restraining control. imi6. >b A person who or thing which acts as a stop or restraint. M17.

7 Control by which accuracy is secured; the means or act of testing quality. Ei7. 8 A token, counterfoil, ticket, or other receipt for the identification of left luggage, the reserver of a seat, etc. Chiefly AMmer. Ei9. >b A restaurant bill. Chiefly US. imi9. 9 A counter used as a stake in a game of chance. US. 119.

10 A mark made against an item in an account or list indicating that it has been verified or noted; a tick. li9, ► II See cheque noun. Phrases: cash in one’s checks see cash verb2 3a. checks and balances (chiefly US) constitutional means of limiting or coun¬ teracting the wrongful use of governmental power; gen. guaran¬ tees and counterbalancing influences, clerk of the cheque (a) an officer of the royal household keeping the roll of royal staff and having control of the yeomen of the guard; t(b) an officer in control of a royal port, dockyard, etc. hand in one’s checks, pass in one’s checks fig. (colloq.) die. hatcheck boy. hatcheck girl see hat noun, in check (a) chess under direct attack; (b) under control, overdraw check: see overdraw noun 2. parity check see parity noun', pass in one's checks: see hand in one's checks above, perpetual check: see perpetual adjective, rain check see rain noun'. ■ checkless adjective (rare) unchecked E17. check /tjek/ noun2 & adjective, lime.

[Prob. abbreviation of checker chequer noun1.]

► A noun. 1 A pattern of cross lines forming small squares, lime. 2 A fabric marked or woven with such a pattern. E17. 2 tattersal check see tattersall noun.

► B adjective. Marked or woven with such a pattern; made of such a fabric. Ei6. check noun3 check

var. of chick

noun2.

/tjek/ verb1. lime.

[Aphet. from Old French eschequier play chess, give check to, from escheccheck noun1.] 1 verb trans. Directly threaten (an opponent’s king, tronsf.

one’s opponent) at chess; put in check, lime. 2 verb trans. Suddenly stop or slow the motion of; phys¬ ically obstruct (an opposing player) in ice hockey etc. lime. 3 verb intrans. falconry. Of a falcon etc.: recoil at or shy from the fist; abandon the quarry and fly at other prey. El 6.

14 verb trans. Stop (a person) from receiving part of his or her wages. E16-E19. 5 verb trans. Rebuke, reprove, reprimand. Now colloq. E16.

t6

correct. A. Lurie My first reaction is to check my stockings for runs, b D. Hammett The District Attorney will have questioned him and checked up on him. J. Dickey As we cleared each turn .. I kept looking for white water, and when I d checked for that I looked along both banks, parity checking: see parity noun'. 10 checking account US a current account at a bank etc. 13 M. M. Atwater If there’s finger-prints on it, and yours don’t check, that’ll let you out. With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: check in arrive, and be recorded as arriving, at a hotel, factory, airport, etc.; record the arrival of (a person) at a hotel etc. check into arrive, and be recorded as arriving, at (a hotel etc.), check out depart, and be recorded as departing, from a hotel, factory, airport, etc.; fig. (colloq.) die; record the departure of (a person) at a hotel etc.; (see also senses 9.13 above), check out of depart, and be recorded as departing, from (a hotel etc.), check over, check through examine or verify successive items or parts of. ■ checkable adjective L19.

check tjek/ verb2 trans. lme. (from check noun2 or abbreviation of checker chequer verb.]

Mark with a pattern of crossing lines or squares. check tjek/ interjection, me, [Aphet. from Old French eschec (mod. echec) = Provencal escac, Italian scacro from Proto-Romance (medieval Latin) scaccus from Arab, from Persian sah king. shah. Cf. chess noun', exchequer.]

1 In chess, notifying the exposure of an opponent’s king to direct attack, me. 2 Expr. assent or agreement. (Cf. check noun1 10, its probable source.) N. Amer. colloq. E20. S3 2 N. Mailer ‘No audience.. is going to trust a man whose wife takes a leap.’ ’Check.’

check- /tjek/ combining form. lme. [from check noun' or verb1,]

In combs, in various relations with the senses ‘that serves to check or control’, ‘an act of checking or being checked’. check-action a mechanism restraining a piano hammer from striking a string twice, check-in the act of checking in. check¬ list a (complete) list for reference and verification, check-nut = lock-nut (a) s.v. lock noun2, checkout (a) the act of checking out; a final check; (b) the pay desk in a supermarket etc. (also checkout counter, checkout desk, etc.), checkpoint a point at which documents, vehicles, etc., are checked or inspected; a time or stage at which progress etc. is assessed, check-rail railways an extra rail laid to resist sideways pressure on a sharp curve, check-rein a rein attaching one horse’s rein to another’s bit, or preventing a horse from lowering its head, fcheck-roll a list of the names and other details of people in the service of the royal or other large household; a muster-roll, checkroom, check-stand N. Amer. a room, a stand, in which ‘checked’ articles are placed, check-string Hist, a string used by a passenger in a carriage to signal the driver to stop, checksum coumiNC a modular sum of the digits in a data item, transmitted with the item to provide a check of any errors that may arise in it. checktaker US a person who takes or collects the checks or tickets for admission to a theatre etc. check-up a careful examination, esp. of a person's general medical condition, check-valve a valve preventing backward flow of liquid in a pipe etc. checkweighman a person who checks the weight of mined coal on behalf of miners.

checked /tjekt/ adjective\ Also f chequed, lme. (from check noun2, verb2: see -ed2, -ed1.]

Marked with checks, having checks, chequered. verb intrans.

&

trans.

Clash or collide with or with.

IM16-M17.

7 verb trans. Stay the onward course of, repress, restrain, (actions, growth, feelings, etc.); hold (an agent) in check or under restraint, curb; curb oneself in an action etc. L16. 8 verb introns. Stop (short); restrain oneself. Formerly also fg„ take offence (at). E17. >b hunting. Ofa dog: stop on losing a scent, or to make sure of one. imis. 9 verb trans. Test (a statement, account, figures, work, a person working, etc.) by comparison or other investiga¬ tion; examine the accuracy or condition of; inspect or investigate to ensure the satisfactoriness or suitability of. Now freq. foil, by out, up. L17. >b verb intrans. Make a comparison or investigation, conduct a check. Freq. foil, by on, up (on). E20. 10 verb intrans. Draw a cheque (upon, for). US. E19. 11 verb trans. Deposit (luggage etc.) for storage or dis¬ patch (in return for a check (see check noun1 8)). Chiefly N. Amer. mi9.

12 verb trans. Note with or indicate by a tick or other mark of verification. Also foil, by off. Mi 9. 13 verb introns. Agree when compared. Also foil, by out. E20.

£Q 1 fig.: Shakes. John Thy bastard shall be king. That thou mayst be a queen and check the world. 2 S. Brett As his finger moved towards the button, he checked it, 7 J. Cary She began to laugh and then checked herself. C. Mackenzie You will exercise your influence.. to check such criticism. E. Bowen She checked or attempted to hide a shiver by wrapping her arms closely across her breast. Isaiah Berlin This does tend to check our arrogance, to induce humility. 8 R, Kipling The lama turned to this and that, and finally checked.. before a large alto-relief. F. Tuohy The small movements of his body checked and became total stillness. 9 Burke I have checked this account.. and find it to be

03 Time Young kids .. in checked shirts and baseball caps.

checked 'tjekt/ adjective2. Also fchequed mis. [from check noun', cheque noun, or check verb': see -ed2, -ed1.]

11 Of paper: having a counterfoil; for use as a cheque. Only in mi8. 2 gen. That has been checked. Also checked-in. checked-out, checked-up. etc. L18. 3 phonetics. Of a syllable: ending in a consonant, closed. Of a vowel: occurring in such a syllable, L19. checker/’tjeka/ noun1. Mi6. [from check verb' + -ER1.]

A person who or device which checks; spec, (a) a person who works at the checkout of a supermarket etc.; (b) a player who checks an opponent in ice hockey etc. spelling checker

checker noun2, noun3, verb vars. of chequer noun', noun2, verb.

checkerberry tjckobcn/ noun. lis. [from checker var. of chequer noun2 + berry noun1.]

A low creeping evergreen N. American shrub of the heath family, Gaultheria procumbens, with spicy-scented leaves and waxy white flowers (also called partidgeberry. wintergreen); the edible red fruit of this shrub. checkered adjective var. of chequered. tchecklaton noun, rare (Spenser). Only in Li6. [Alt.] = CICLATOUN.

checkmate /’tjEkmert/ interjection, noun, adjective, & verb. ME.

[Aphet. from Old French eschec mat = Provencal escac mat, from Arab, sah mat(a) repr. Persian sah mat the king is defeated, the king is perplexed: see check interjection, mate adjective.]

► A interjection. In chess, notifying the putting of an oppon¬ ent’s king into inextricable check, by which the game is won; transf. notifying an adversary’s defeat, me. ► B noun. (The notifying to an opponent of) the inextric¬ able check of a king in chess; transf. & fig. final defeat or deadlock, lme. ► C pred. adjective. In inextricable check; fig. defeated. LME. ► D verb trans. Give checkmate to; fig. defeat, frustrate. LME. check-stone /’tjekstaun/ noun. Now dial. rare. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

A smooth round pebble: sing. & in pi. a game played with such pebbles. cheeky /’tjeki/ adjective. In heraldry also che(c)quy. lme. [Aphet. from Old French eschequie, escheque, later assim. to adjec¬ tives in -y1.]

Chiefly heraldry. Checked, chequered; (of a field or charge) divided into three or more rows of small squares of alternate tinctures. chedarim noun pi. see heder. Cheddar/’tjeda/ noun. Mt7. [A village in Somerset, England.] 1 In full Cheddar cheese. A hard smooth-textured

cheese made (orig. at Cheddar) by piling the curds and forming a smooth mass. Mi7. 2 Cheddar pink, a pink, Dianthus gratianopolitanus, with dull greyish leaves, in Britain found only at Cheddar Gorge, mi9. ■ cheddaring noun a process or stage in the manufacture of cheese, involving the piling of the curds to form a smooth mass E20

cheder noun var. of heder. cheechako iji/tjeukau/ noun.

N. Amer.

colloq. PI. -os. Li9.

[Chinook Jargon = newcomer.]

A newly arrived immigrant to the mining districts of N. America; a greenhorn, a tenderfoot chee-chee adjective var. of chi-chi. cheek /tji:k/ noun. [Old English ceoce = Old Frisian zidke, varying with Old English ceace, act = Middle & mod. Low German kake, keke. Middle Dutch kake (Dutch kaak), from West Germanic.]

► I Of a person or animal. 11 The jaw, the jawbone; sing. & (usu.) in pi., the chops, the fauces. 0E-M16. 2 The side-wall of the mouth; the side of the face below the eye; fig. something suggestive of the cheek in shape, colour, etc. oe. 3 A buttock. Usu. in pi. L16. 4 Impertinent speech; cool confidence, effrontery; insolence, mi9. B3 2 Byron Ocean's cheek Reflects the tints of many a peak. 4 George Moore If he gives me any of his cheek I'll knock him down. J. Fowles Some even had the cheek to push their cameras through the front gate.

► II transf, & techn. (All usu. in pi.) 5 The side post of a door, gate, etc. lme. 6 gen. Aside, mi6. 7 Either of the side-pieces of a horse’s bit; the strap of a bridle passing down each side of a horse’s head, to connect the headpiece with the bit. E17. 8 nautical On a square-rigged ship, each of the projec¬ tions on either side of a mast on which the trestle-trees rest; the outside wooden part of a block etc. £17. 9 Each of a pair of laterally arranged side-pieces forming part of a machine; esp. each of the jaws of a vice. M17. Phrases etc. : cheek by jowl, t cheek by cheek side by side, close together, intimate(ly). cheek to cheek (in dancing) with the cheeks ofpartners (nearly) touching, of all the cheek etc.: see of preposition, tongue-in-cheek: see tongue noun, to one’s own cheek without sharing or not shared with others, turn the other cheek [alluding to Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29] permit or invite another blow, attack, etc.; refuse to retaliate, with one’s tongue in one's cheek, with tongue in cheek: see tongue noun. Comb. : cheek-bone (a) the bone above the cheek, forming the lower boundary of the orbits of the eyes; t(b) the jawbone; cheek-pouch a pouchlike enlargement of die cheek, esp. in certain monkeys; cheek-tooth a molar. ■ cheeked adjective having a cheek or cheeks (of a specified kind) M16.

cheek tfi:k/ verb trans. Mi6. [from the noun.]

1 Form a cheek or side to. M16. 2 Address cheekily or saucily, colloq. M19. cheeky/'tji:ki/ adjective. Ei9. [from cheek noun + -Y1.]

Characterized by or showing cheek; insolent, impu¬ dent. ■ cheekily adverb

E20

cheekiness noun M19.

cheep /tj’i;p/ verb & noun. Orig. Scot. Ei6. [Imit.: cf. peep verb' & noun2.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Utter shrill feeble sounds (like those) of a young bird. E16.

a cat, a: arm. a bed, a: her. 1 sit, 1 cosy, i: see, 0 hot, 0: saw, a ran. u put, u: too, a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day. ao no, e: hair. la near, .11 boy ua poor Aia tire, aoa sour

388

cheer | cheloid 2 verb traps. Utter with a cheeping voice. Ml9. ► B noun. A shrill feeble sound (as) of a young bird. lis. not a cheep colloq. not the slightest sound, not a word. ■ cheeper noun E17. cheepy adjective given to cheeping M19.

cheer /tjia/ noun'. See also cheers interjection, me. [Anglo-Norman chere, Old French chiere face, from late Latin cara from Creek kara head.]

f 1 The face; the expression of the face; countenance. ME-M19. 2 Disposition, frame of mind, mood. Now usu. with specifying word, esp. good. ME. 3 Kindly welcome or reception, hospitable entertain¬ ment (passing into sense 5). obsolete exc. dial. me. 4 Cheerfulness, gladness, mirth, joy, gaiety, lme. 5 Provisions, viands, food (for entertainment), lme. 6 A thing which gives joy or gladness; comfort; encour¬ agement. Ml 6. 7 A shout of encouragement, welcome, approbation, or congratulation. L17. S3 2 T H. White I rode away with heavy cheer, of good cheer stout-hearted, hopeful, what cheer? how do you feel? (cf. wotcher interjection.). 3 Shakes. liter. She securely gives good cheer And reverend welcome to her princely guest' 4 B. Rubens He engaged a smile.. in preparation for the cheer he would put into his voice. 5 make good cheer feast, revel. 6 Times The market took cheer.. and marked the shares up 3p. 7 j. Herriot The farm men didn't exactly break into a cheer but they were enormously pleased, three cheers successive united hurrahs (for a person or thing honoured), two cheers iron, mild enthusiasm. cheer-leader a person who leads collective yells, organ¬ ized cheers of applause, supportive chanting, etc., esp. at a sport¬ ing event. Comb. ,

cheer tjia/ noun2. Also chir. Ei9. [Nepali: imit.J

In full cheer pheasant. A pheasant, Catreus wallichii, native to the Himalayan region. cheer tjia verb. lme. [from cheer noun1.]

T1 verb refl. & intrans. With adverb: assume a particular disposition or state of mind, lme-eis. 2 verb traps. Make of good cheer; comfort, console; make joyous, gladden, enliven. Freq. foil, by up. lme. t3a verb traps. Entertain with feasting. lme-l17. kb verb traps. & intrans. Solace or comfort as food does. M16. 4 verb trans. Encourage, inspirit, animate, incite, by word or deed (now esp. with cheers, passing into sense 7). Freq. foil, by on. lme. 5 verb intrans. Be or grow cheerful, enjoy oneself. Now only foil, by up: become cheerful, take heart. L16. 6 verb trans. Brighten up (one's face etc.). E17. 7 verb trans. & intrans. Salute with cheers, applause, or other indications of approbation or support. L18. S3 1 Shakes. Merck. V. How cheer’st thou, Jessica? 2 V. S. Pritchett It cheers me that I live on the frontier of Camden Town and Regent's Park. G. M. Fraser Grattan didn't cheer me up by remarking that the Cumanche are cannibals. 3a Dryden I myself the Guests with friendly Bowls will chear. b W. H. Russell A cup.. which to my mind neither cheers nor inebriates. 4C. Thirlwall Cheering his troops by his presence and his words. K. Grahame His comrades cheered him on, Mole coaxed and encouraged him..; but nothing could overcome his stagefright. 5 W. Faulkner When I gave him another sup... he cheered up some. 7 B. Jowett Many of the audience cheered and applauded this. H. Carpenter The boys were even for¬ bidden to cheer at their own football matches. ■ cheerer noun a person who or thing which cheers Li6. cheeringly adverb in a cheering manner, so as to cheer one E19.

cheerful ''tfioful, -f(a)l/ adjective, lme.

chef /Jef/ noun. Ei9.

cheers /tjiaz/ interjection, colloq E20.

[French = head.]

[pi. of cheer noun1.]

1 Expr. good wishes, esp. before drinking; cheerio, good health. Also, goodbye. E20. 2 Expr. thanks. L20. cheery /'tjrari/ adjective, lme. [from cheer noun' + -Y1.]

1 Contented, in good spirits, hopeful; willing, not reluctant, lme. 2 Inspiring contentment etc.; bright, pleasant, lme. ■ cheerfully adverb M16 cheerfulness noun lme.

The initiator or leader of a school or style of music, painting, literature, etc.

■ cheerily adverb E17 cheeriness noun M19.

cheese, tji:z/noun1. [Old English cese, cyse = Old Saxon ledsi, k(i)esi (Dutch kaas). Old High German chasi, kasi (German Kcise), from West Germanic from Latin coseus.]

1 The curds of milk (coagulated by rennet) separated from the whey and pressed into a solid mass, eaten as food; a distinct kind of this. oe. kb A mass or cake of this within a rind. lme. 2 The ffuit of the common mallow, Malva silvestris, which has a round flattened shape like a cheese. E16. 3 A conserve of fruit etc. having the consistency or form of (cream) cheese. Mi6. kb A mass of crushed apples pressed together in the form of a cheese. Ei8. 4 Any object shaped like a cheese (usu. taken as being cylindrical or an oblate spheroid), mi9. 5 The action of turning round rapidly and sinking down so that skirts and petticoats take the form of a cheese; a deep curtsy. (Cf. French faire desfromages.) arch. M19. 6 The word ‘cheese’ notionally or actually pronounced to form the lips into a smile, when one is being photo¬ graphed. M20. 1 blue cheese. Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese. Dutch cheese. Lancashire cheese. Limburger cheese. Parmesan cheese, processed cheese. Swiss cheese, etc. as different as chalk and cheese, as different as chalk from cheese see chalk noun, green cheese: see green adjective, hard cheese: see hard adjective, mousetrap cheese see mousetrap 2. 3 damson cheese, lemon cheese, etc. Comb.: cheeseboard a board from which cheese is served; a selection of cheeses served with a meal: cheeseburger a ham¬ burger with cheese in or on it: cheesecake (a) a tartflet) with a filling of sweetened curds on a pastry or biscuit-crumb base: (b) slang (orig. US) the display of shapely female form in advertise¬ ments, photographs, etc.: cheesecloth = butter muslin s.v. butter noun1: cheese-cutter la) a knife with a curved blade used for cutting cheese; (b) a device for cutting cheese by pulling a wire through 11: cheese fly a small black fly, Piophila casei. whose larvae feed on cheese; cheese-head a squat cylindrical head ofa screw etc.: cheese-knife (a) = cheese-cutter (a) above; (b) a spatula used to break down curd in cheese-making; cheese mite a mite of the genus Tyroglyphus, feeding on old cheese; cheesemonger a dealer in cheese, butter, etc . cheese-pare verb intrans. be stingy, make miserly economies; cheese-paring adjective & noun (a) adjective stingy; (b) noun stinginess: tcheeserennet, tcheese-running lady’s bedstraw. Galium verum. for¬ merly used to curdle milk; cheese skipper the larva of the cheese fly; cheesesteak US a sandwich consisting of thinly sliced sauteed beef, melted cheese, and sauteed onions, served in a long bread roll; cheese straw a thin cheese-flavoured strip of pastry: cheesewood (the hard yellow wood of) an Australian tree of the genus Pittosporum.

cheese /tfi:z/ noun2, slang. E19. [Prob. from Urdu from Persian cfz thing.] 1 The right or correct thing; something first-rate. E19. 2 An important or self-important person; the boss. Freq. as big cheese. Orig. US. E20.

cheese /tji:z/ verb trans. slang. E19. 1 Stop it. leave off. Esp. in imper. E19. 2 Bore, exasperate. Chiefly as cheesed off. browned off, fed up. M20. [Old English ceselybjb), from cheese noun' + a word = Old Norse lyf herb. mod. German dial. Lapp rennet.]

Rennet for cheese-making; the dried (calf’s) stomach from which it is prepared.

[from next + goodbye.]

[from CHEERY + O interjection.]

Expr. good wishes on parting or before drinkinggoodbye; good health. cheerless ' tjialis/ adjective. Li6.

[from cheese noun1 + -y'.]

cheero interjection var. of cheerio. b but. d dog, f few. g get. h he. j yes.

A swift-running spotted feline, Adnonyx jubatus, native to the plains of Africa and SW Asia.

I leg, m

[mod. Latin (see below), from Greek kheir hand + anthos flower.]

A cruciferous plant of the genus Cheiranthus (now freq. included in the genus Erysimum), to which the wallflower belongs. cheiro- combining form var. of chiro-. cheirology noun var. of chirology. tcheiropteran noun & adjective var. of chiropteran. Cheka /'tjeka/ noun. Also Tch-. E20. [Russian Cheka, from Che, ka, pronunc. of initials of Chrezvychainaya 1(omissiya Extraordinary Commission (for combat¬ ing Counter-revolution, Sabotage, and Speculation).]

Hist. An organization set up in 1917 in the USSR to inves¬ tigate counter-revolutionary activities, superseded in 1922 by Ogpu. Chekhovian /tfs'kauvian/ adjective. Also Tch-. E20. [from Chekhov (see below) + -ian.)

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the work of the Russian author Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904), esp. in attaching dramatic and symbolic significance to detail. chela /'kida/ noun1. PI. -lae Mi:/. M17. [mod. Latin from Latin chele. Greek khele claw.] zoolocv. A pincer-like claw of a crab, lobster, scorpion,

etc. ■ che liferous adjective bearing chelae or daws mis. cheliform adjective having the form of a chela lis.

chela "tjeib/ noun2. M19. [Hindi cels.]

A disciple, a pupil, spec, in Hinduism. [from chela noun1 + -ate2.]

► A adjective. 1 zoology. Having two opposing claws or pincer-like structures. E19. 2 chemistry. That is or involves a ligand which forms bonds to the same central atom at two or more points. E20. ► B noun, chemistry. A chelate compound. M20. chelate kideit, ki'lert/ verb trans. E20.

■ che lation noun the state or process of being chelated M2o. che lator noun a chelate ligand M20.

man.

n no.

p pen.

r red,

s sit,

Chellean /'Jelian/ adjective. L19. [French Chelleen, from CheHes near Paris: see -an.]

cheetal noun var. of chital.

= Abbevillian adjective.

cheewink noun var. of chewink. k cat.

cheiranthus/kAi'ranBas/ noun. Mi9.

cheliped /'kidiped/ noun. M19. [formed as chela noun1 + -1- + Latin ped-,pes foot.] zoology. Either of a pair of limbs bearing claws or pincers, found in decapod crustaceans.

[Hindi cita, from Sanskrit citraka leopard.]

Cheerily; cheeringly; nautical heartily, with a will,

cheir- combining form see chiro-.

■ cheliceral adjective L19. chelicerate adjective & noun (an arthro¬ pod) having chelicerae E20.

cheetah /'tjuta/ noun. lis.

[from cheer noun' + -ly2.]

■ chei litis noun (medicine) inflammation of the lips M19. cheiloplastic adjective of or pertaining to cheiloplasty Mi9. cheiloplasty noun (an instance of) surgical repair of injury or deformity of the lip M19

£Q 3 I. Edwards-Jones He’s particularly fond of cheesy award ceremonies for cable companies. B. Graham Johnny flashes his best cheeky, cheesy grin. ■ cheesiness noun mi 9.

Cheerful, lively.

cheilo- /'kAilao/ combining form. Also chilo-, (before a vowel) ch(e)il-. Repr. Greek kheilos lip: see -o-.

chelicera ka'lis(3)ra/noun. PI. -rae Mi:/. Also Anglicized as chelicer /'kelisa/. M19. [mod. Latin, formed as chela noun' + Greek kerns horn.] zoology. Each of the anterior pair of appendages of arach¬ nids and some other arthropods, modified as pincer-like jaws.

» cheerlessly adverb L19 cheerlessness noun M19.

cheerly ‘ijisli/adverb, lis.

chefs d’ecole. chefs-d'oeuvre chefs d’orchestre nouns pis. of chef d’ecole etc.

1 Of, belonging to, consisting of, or of the nature of cheese; containing cheese, lme. 2 Resembling cheese in appearance etc. mis. 3 Second-rate; tawdry, cheap and nasty; tasteless, slana L19. 3'

[from CHEER noun' + -less.)

[from cheer noun1 + -ly'.]

[French = head of orchestra.]

The leader or conductor of an orchestra.

ligand.

cheesy /'tji:zi/ adjective. In sense 3 also cheesey. lme.

Devoid of comfort; dispiriting; gloomy. cheerly ’tj'iali/ adjective, arch. lis.

chef d'orchestre /Jef dorksstr/ noun phr. PI. chefs d'orchestre (pronounced same). M19.

[from the adjective.]

A woodlouse or similar crustacean.

cheerio 'tfren'ao/ interjection, colloq Also cheero /tfo'rau/' E20.

[French = chief (piece) of work.)

The greatest work of an artist etc.; a masterpiece.

chemistry. Combine with in the manner of a chelate

[Origin unkn.]

Goodbye.

chef-d’oeuvre /Jsdoe:vr/ noun, PI. chefs- (pronounced same). E17.

chelate 'kideit/ adjective&noun. Ei9.

[Origin unkn.J

cheeselip ’tji:zlip/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial. Mi6.

cheerie-bye 'tfian'bAi/ interjection, colloq. M20.

chef d’ecole ' cf dekol/ noun phr. PI. chefs d’ecole (pro¬ nounced same), mi9. [French = head of school.]

Cheerful, in good spirits; genial, cheering.

cheeselip /'tjirzhp/ noun', obsolete exc. dial.

[from CHEER noun' + -ful.]

A person (usu. a man) who is (usu. the chief) cook in a hotel, restaurant, etc.

t top. v van,

tcheloid noun & adjective var. of keloid. w we. z zoo.

J she, 3 vision,

B thin,

6 this,

g ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

389

chelonian j chequer chelonian /ki'feunian/ adjective & noun. E19. [from mod. Latin Chelonia, from Creek kheldne tortoise- see -ia2 -AN.]

zoology. ►A adjective. Of. pertaining to. or characteristic of the reptilian order Testudines (formerly Chelonia), which includes the tortoises, turtles, and terrapins. Et9 ► B noun. A reptile of this order. E19.

chelp /tjelp/ verb & noun. dial. [Origin uncertain: perh. imit.]

E19.

eis.

1 Chelsea bun. a kind of rolled currant-bun, originally made in Chelsea, eis. 2 More fully Chelsea ware. Chelsea porcelain, etc. A kind of porcelain made at Chelsea in the 18th cent. mis. 3 Chelsea pensioner, an inmate of the Chelsea Royal Hospital for old or disabled soldiers. E19. 4 Chelsea boot, an elastic-sided boot M20. Cheltonian /tjd'taunren/ noun & adjective. L19. Cheltenham (see below) after Aberdonian etc.]

(A native or inhabitant) of the town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire; (a member or former member) of Chel¬ tenham College or Cheltenham Ladies’ College. chemi- /'kemi/ combining form of chemical adjective: Cf. CHEMICO-, CHEMO-.

see -i-.

■ chemiluminescence noun the emission of (cold) light accompanying a chemical reaction Li9. chemilumi nescent adjective exhibiting chemiluminescence E2o. chemios motic adjective (biochemistry) pertaining to or involving the transfer of electrons, protons, or other species through membranes, as a mechanism of metabolic reactions M20. chemisorb verb trans. [back-form.] collect by chemisorption M20. chemi sorption noun adsorption involving the formation of chemical bonds M20.

chemiatric /kemi'atrik/ adjective & noun.

Mi9.

[from mod. Latin chemiatria iatrochemistry (Paracelsus), formed as prec. + Creek iatreia medical treatment: see -ic.] ► A adjective. = iatrochemical. mi9. ► B noun. = iatrochemist. mi9.

chemic /'kemik/ adjective, noun, & verb. Orig. tchymic

M17.

f2 = IATROCHEMIST. E-M17. f3

A chemist. M-L17. 4 Calcium or sodium hypochlorite used as bleach, arch.

M19.

► C verb trans. Infl. -ck-. 11 Transmute (as) by alchemy. El 7-Ei 8. 2 Bleach with a solution of calcium or sodium hypo¬ chlorite. arch, mi9. chemical /'kErmk(a)l/ adjective & noun. Orig. fchym-, ii6. [formed as prec. + -al1.]

S3 1 inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, surface chemistry, etc. R. W. Emerson The world has a sure chemistry, by which it extracts what is excellent in its children. C. Sagan Our chemistry is delicately attuned to the temperature of the planet on which we have evolved. R. Jaffe Annabel.. hadn't been to bed with her husband for two years, except to sleep. There just wasn't any chemistry between them anymore.

chemmy /'j£mi/ noun, colloq. [Abbreviation.]

Special collocations: chemical attraction: see attraction 3. chemical bond = bond noun311. chemical engineer an expert in chemical engineering, chemical engineering the science of the utilization of chemical processes in manufacturing, chemical potential a thermodynamic function pertaining to any one component present in a system, equal to the derivative of the free energy with respect to the quantity of that compon¬ ent chemical shift see shift noun, chemical warfare: employ¬ ing chemical weapons, chemical weapon a weapon that depends for its effect on the release of a toxic or noxious sub¬ stance. ► B noun. A distinct substance obtained by or used in a

E20.

chemo- /’ki:mau/ combining form of chemical adjective: see -0-. Cf. CHEMI-, CHEMICO-. ■ chemoa ttractant noun physiolocy a substance produced within the body which attracts motile cells of a particular type L20. chemoprophy' lactic adjective of, pertaining to, or involving chemoprophylaxis M20. chemoprophylaxis noun the prophy¬ lactic use of chemicals M20. chemoreception noun the response of an organism to a chemical change in its environment E20. chemoreceptor noun a sensory organ responsive to chemical stimuli E2o. chemostat noun a system or device in which the chemical composition is kept at a controlled level; esp. one for the culture of micro-organisms, in which the nutrient medium is continually replenished: M20. chemo synthesis noun the for¬ mation by living organisms of carbohydrates from inorganic compounds without the agency of light E20. chemosyn 'thetic adjective of, pertainingto, or involving chemosynthesis M20.

1

chemoautotrophic jkemauoita'traufik, -'trof-/ adjective.

mis.

fine chemicals: used in small amounts and in a purified state, heavy chemicals bulk chemicals used in industry and agricul¬ ture. ■ chemicalize verb trans. treat with chemicals; use chemicals in (an activity): E20. chemically adverb E17.

chemico- /'kemikao/ combining form of chemical adjective: see -o-. Cf. chemi-, chemo-.

■ chemico--physical adjective of or pertaining to chemistry and physics M19.

chemin de fer /J(a)m£ da fer, Ja'ma da fs:/

noun. L19.

[French = railway, lit. 'road of iron’.]

A form of baccarat. me.

[Old & mod. French from late Latin camisia shirt, nightgown.] 1 A garment for the upper body; esp. a woman's loose-

fitting undergarment or dress hanging straight from the shoulders, me.

[from prec. + autotrophic.] Of micro-organisms or their metabolism: deriving energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds. ■ chemo autotroph noun a chemoautotrophic organism M20. chemoautotrophically adverb M20. chemoautotrophism /-’traof-/ noun M20. chemoautotrophy -'traof-/ noun M20.

chemokinesis 'kemo(o)kilni:sis, -kwi-/ noun. PI. -neses /-'ni:sr.z/. E20. [from chemo- + kinesis.] biology. (A) kinesis in response to a particular substance. ■ chemokinetic - netik/ adjective of, pertaining to, or display¬ ing chemokinesis E20. chemosis/ki'mausis/noun. eis. [Greek khemosis, from kheme cockle-shell: see -osis.]

chemurgy /'ksmaidji/ noun. US. M20. [from chemo- after metallurgy.]

The chemical and industrial use of agricultural prod¬ ucts. ■ che murgic che murgical adjectives M20.

chena /'tjeina/ noun, mi9. [Sinhalese sena, hena.]

In Sri Lanka: a clearing made for temporary cultivation; shrubby vegetation associated with shifting cultivation. chenar /tji'na:/ noun. Also chinar. M17. [Persian cenar, cindr.]

The oriental plane tree, Platanus orientals (also chertartree); the wood of this tree. chenille /Ja'nitl/ noun. mis. [French, lit. ‘hairy caterpillar’, from Latin canicula dim. of canis dog.]

Velvety cord with pile all round, used in trimming and bordering dresses and furniture. chenopodium /kBna'paudiam/ noun. Li6. [mod. Latin, from Greek khen goose + pod-,pous foot, referring to the shape of the leaf.]

A plant of the large genus Chenopodium (family Chenopodiaceae); a goosefoot. ■ chenopodi aceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Chenopodiaceae mi9.

cheongsam /tJiDg'sam, tforj-/noun. M20.

L19.

[from chemo- + -TAXIS.] biology. Motion of a motile cell, organism, or part

towards or away from an increasing concentration of a particular substance, ■ chemotactic adjective of, pertaining to, or displaying chemo¬ taxis L19. chemotactically adverb E20.

chemotherapy/k8m3(o)'0£rapi, ki:m-/noun.

A Chinese woman’s garment with a high neck and slit skirt. cheque /tjEk/ noun. Also *check. See also check nounT eis. [Van of check noun1.]

► I fl The counterfoil of a bank bill, draft, etc. Only in 18. 12 A draft form having a counterfoil, ei 8-M19. 3 A written order to a bank etc. to pay a named sum from the drawer’s account to the bearer or to (the order of) a named person; a printed form on which such an order is to be written, lis. 3 blank cheque: see blank adjective, certified cheque, marked cheque, open cheque: see open adjective, rubber cheque: see rubber noun1, traveller's cheque: see traveller. ► II See check noun' I. Comb. : cheque-book a book of printed cheques, issued to the customers of banks etc.; attrib. (of journalism etc., derog.) spend¬ ing money lavishly to procure stories; cheque card a card issued by a bank to guarantee the honouring of cheques up to a stated value.

jchequed adjective1, adjective2 vars. of checked adjective1, adjective2.

chequeen noun see sequin. chequer /'tjska/ noun'. Also checker me. [Aphet. from exchequer noun.]

► 111 A chessboard; chess. ME-E19. 2 In pi. (usu. treated as sing.). The game of draughts, dial. &N. Amer. E18. Fb In full chec/terman A piece in the game of draughts. N. Amer. Mi9. ► II f3 The Court of Exchequer. ME-L17. f 4 The royal or national treasury. IME-L17. 5 A room, place, or table for accounts, obsolete exc. Hist. LME. ► III 6 A pattern made in squares, or with alternating colours. LME. 7 In pi. Squares or spots like or suggesting those which make up the design of a chessboard; rare the squares of an actual chessboard. E16. Comb.: checkerman: see sense 2b above: chequer-board (the pattern of) a board for draughts or chess; chequer-wise adverb in the pattern of a chessboard: chequer-work work of a che¬ quered pattern.

medicine. Oedema of the conjunctiva. chemotaxis kEma(u)'taksis/noun.

chempaka noun see champac.

[Chinese (Cantonese) = Mandarin chdngshmt.]

f2 = IATROCHEMISTRY. L17-E18.

M20.

► A adjective, fl Alchemical. 116-Mis. 2 Of, made by, or relating to, chemistry; employing chemicals. L16. Fb spec. Designating a lavatory or closet in which waste is decomposed by chemicals. M20. f 3 = IATROCHEMICAL. L16-L18. 4 Of a person: engaged in the practice of chemistry; versed in chemistry. Ei7.

chemise /Ja'miz/ noun.

chemistry /'ksmistri/ noun. Also (arch.) chym-. Li6. [from prec. + -ry.] 1 (The branch of science that deals with) the investiga¬ tion of the substances of which matter is composed, and of the phenomena of combination and change which they display (cf. alchemy); (a set of) chemical reactions or properties. Also fig., mysterious processes or change; (an) imponderable interaction. Li6.

= CHEMIN DE FER.

|2 = IATROCHEMICAL. E17-M18.

chemical process,

chemist /'ksmist/ noun. Also (arch.) chym-. lme. [French chimiste, fchym- from mod. Latin chimysta, -ista for alchimista alchemist.] fl An alchemist. lme-mi8. f2 = IATROCHEMIST. Only in E17. 3 A person skilled in chemistry; one who makes chem¬ ical investigations. Ei7. 4 A dealer in medicinal drugs, usu. also selling other medical goods and toiletries, mis.

Li6.

[French chimique, or mod. Latin chimicus, chym-, for medieval Latin alchimicus, from alchimia alchemy: see -ic.] ► A adjective. 1 Alchemical, arch. Li6.

3 Of or belonging to chemistry, poet. ► B noun, fl An alchemist. L16-L17.

2 A piece of muslin, lace, etc., used to fill in the open front of a woman’s dress, ei 9. chemism /'kemiz(a)m/ noun. rare. Ei9. [French chimisme, parallel to chimiste chemist: see -ism.] Chemical action, activity, or force.

[A district in London on the north bank of the Thames.]

[from

chemisette /fsmifzEt/ noun, E19. [French, dim. of prec.: see -ette.] 1 A bodice, resembling the upper part of a chemise. E19.

Ei9.

► A verb trans. & intrans. Chirp, squeak; chatter; cheep. ► B noun. Chatter; backchat. Li9. Chelsea 'tjelsi/ noun.

2 Hist. A wall with which a bastion etc. is lined as a forti¬ fication. El 8. 3 Hist. A loose covering for a book. L19.

E20.

[from CHEMO- + THERAPY.]

The treatment of disease, esp. infections or cancer, by means of chemicals. ■ chemothera peutic chemothera peutical adjectives of, pertaining to, or involving chemotherapy E20. chemothera peutically adverb M20 chemotherapist noun M20

chemotropism /k£ma(o)‘traupiz(a)m/ noun. L19. [from chemo- + Greek tropos turning + -ism.] biology. A tropism, esp. of a plant, in response to a par¬ ticular substance,

■ chemotropic /-'traopik, -Tropik/ adjective of, pertaining to, or displaying chemotropism L19. chemotropically advert 119.

chequer/'tf ska/ noun2, dial. Also checker. Mi7. [App. = prec., from their appearance.]

In pi. The berries of the wild service tree. Cf. checkerberry. chequer /'tjsko/ verb trans. Also checker. See also next, LME. [from chequer noun1.]

1 Diversify with a different colour or shade; variegate, mottle; break the uniformity of (lit. & fig.), lme. 2 Divide into or mark with squares, esp. of alternate colours. E17. f3 Deposit (money) in an exchequer. E17-M18. 4 Arrange or distribute chequer-wise. L17. CO 1 H. Allen Bright golden patches shimmered and che¬ quered the road ahead, fig.: Dickens His sleep was checkered with starts and moans. 2 C. Lucas The other.. is checquered brown and black, in half-lozenges. J. Masefield Chequered by tossing boughs the moon appeared.

cat, q: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my. au how, ei day, ao no, e: hair, la near, ai boy, ua poor. Aia tire, aoa sour

390

chequered | chesten chequered ''tjckad/ adjective. Also checkered, lme. [from

chequer noun', verb: see -ed2, -ed'.]

1 Marked like a chessboard; having a pattern of various crossing colours, lme. 2 Diversified in colour; marked with alternate light and shade; fig. undergoing varied fortunes, having dis¬ creditable episodes. Li6. ta 1 chequered flag motor raciuc a flag with a black and white chequered pattern, displayed to drivers or riders at the moment of finishing a race. 2 Southey Beneath the o’erarching forests’ chequer’d shade. J. Buchan Ancient families with chequered pasts. Listener My career with 20th Century Fox was somewhat chequered, chequered skipper: see skipper noun12.

► A noun. 1 The small edible stone-fruit, dark red or yellow and red-flushed when ripe, borne by several trees of the genus Pninus, esp, the cultivated forms of P. avium {sweet cherry), P. cerasus (sour cherry, morello cherry), or their hybrids. Also fig., as a type of something red. me. 2 Any of the trees bearing this fruit, related to the plum but with flowers in umbels or racemes. Also (chiefly with specifying word), any of various related trees, some of which are grown for ornament; any of several other unrelated trees resembling the cherry in some respect, lme. >b More fully cherry wood. The timber of any of these trees. L18. 3 Virginity; a virgin, slang. E20. tU 1 fig.: P. Sidney Opening the cherrie of her bps. black cherry (a) a very dark ripe cherry; (b) N. Amer. (the dark fruit of) the rum-cherry, Pninus serotlna. sour cherry see sour adjective, two bites at the cherry, a second bite at the cherry more than one attempt or opportunity to do something. 2 bird cherry, choke-cherry, flowering cherry. Hottentot cherry. Japanese cherry. Saint Lucie cherry. Suriname cherry, etc.

1 chequin noun see sequin. chequy adjective see checky. chere amie /Je:r ami/ noun phr. PI. cheres amies /Je:rz ami/. L18. [French, lit. ‘dear (woman) friend'.]

A female lover; a mistress. cherem /’xerem, h-/ noun. Also h-. Et9. [Hebrew herem, from hdram devote, put under a curse.]

Excommunication from the Synagogue and the Jewish community. Cheremiss /'tjErsmis/ noun. Also -is, Teh- PI. -isses. same. mi7. [Russian

jeheremis.]

A member of a Finnic people living in Russia in the region of the middle Volga; the Finno-Ugric language of this people. Also called Mari. Cherenkov radiation noun phr.

var.

of Cerenkov

colour of ripe cherries, lme. 2 Virgin, slang. M20.

RADIATION.

cheres amies noun phr. pi. of chere amie.

■ cherry-like adjective resembling (that of) a cherry: bright deep red: M19.

cherimoya /tjsrfmoio/ noun. Also chiri- /tjiri-/. mis. [Spanish from Quechua, from circle.]

chiri coid, refreshing + muya

(The pulpy edible fruit of) a small tree, Annona cherimola, native to the Andes of Peru and Ecuador. [Old & mod. French cheriss- lengthened stem of cherir, from dear from Latin earns: see -ish2.]

cher

1 Treat or regard (a person) affectionately; make much of; fondle, arch. me. 2 Protect or tend (a child, plant, etc.) lovingly; treat with fostering care. me. 13 Entertain (a guest) kindly; cheer, lme-mis. 14 Keep warm; give ease or comfort to. lme-mis. 5 Value, hold dear, cling to, (esp. hopes, feelings, ideas, etc.). LME. Q3 5 Henry Miller The loss of something I had loved and cherished. P. Scorr Both to cherish expectations and condi¬ tion himself to sustain disappointments. M. Leitch It was a good moment, one to be cherished, for he didn’t know when the next one might present itself. ■ cherishable adjective MV. cherisher noun lme. cherishingly adverb in a cherishing manner, tenderly E17. cherishment noun (a) the process or fact of cherishing; f(b) an indulgence; nourish¬ ment: E16. cher maitre /fe:r me:tr/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced

same). E20. [French, lit. ’dear master’.]

(A flattering form of address to) a famous writer. chernites kc: 'haiTi :/. noun. Ei7. [Creek khemites.] Hist. An ivory-like marble used by the ancients.

chernozem /tjamazem/ noun. Also -sem, ftch-. mi9. [Russian, from chemyi black + Slavonic base zem- (cf Russian zcmlya) earth.]

A dark, humus-rich, fertile soil characteristic of temper¬ ate or cool grassland. ■ cherno'zemic adjective M20.

► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to an Iroquoian people inhabiting Oklahoma and N. Carolina (and for¬ merly a large part of the southern US), or their language. Cherokee rose a fragrant white-flowered climbing rose, Rosa laevigata, native to China and naturalized in the US. ► B noun. PI. same, -s.

1 A Cherokee Indian. E18. 2 The language of the Cherokee, mis. Li7.

[French cheroute from Tamil curnttu roll of tobacco.]

A kind of cigar, orig. made in southern India, with hot ends open. Manila cheroot, see Manila adjective i. me.

[Old Northern French cherise (treated as pi.), mod. cerise froi medieval Latin ceresia. perh. from orig. neut. pi. of adiectiv ceraseus. from Latin cerasus from Creek kerasos 1

b but, d dog, f few, g get. h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg.

chersonese /k3:s3'ni:s, -zi noun. poet, or rhet. E17. [Latin chersonesus from Creek khersonesos, from khersos dry + nesos island.]

A peninsula, spec, that of Thrace west of the Hellespont. [Origin unkn.: orig. dial.]

geology. Hard dense rock formed of amorphous silica, occurring as several varieties. radiolarian chert: see radiolarian adjective, u cherty adjective of the nature of or containing chert Li8.

cherub /'tjsrsb/ noun. Also (now rare) -bin /-bin/, t-bim. PI. -rubs, (in sense 2, also) -rubim /-rabim/. oe. [Ult. from Hebrew kerub, pi. kerubim (through Latin & Creek).]

1 In the Bible, a winged creature attending on God (and whose wings helped form the throne of God). In Chris¬ tian theology, a member of the second order of the nine¬ fold celestial hierarchy, ranking directly below the seraphim and above the thrones, and gifted with know¬ ledge (usu. in pi.). Also, a conventional representation of such a being, esp. in the form of a winged (head of a) child, me. 2 transf. A person, esp. a child, distinguished for cher¬ ubic qualities of beauty, innocence, etc. Mi6. •I The representation of the cherub as a child is due to a rab¬ binic folk etymology explaining Hebrew kerub as repr. Aramaic ke-rabya like a child. ■ che rubic adjective of. pertaining to, or resembling (a representation of) a cherub or cherubs; angelic; sweet and inno¬ cent: M17. tcherubical adjective = cherubic: only in EI7. che rubically adverb M19. cheru bimical adjective^ cherubic L17. cheru binical adjective (rare) = cherubic E17.

An umbelliferous herb, Anthriscus cerefdlium, with aro¬ matic leaves; the leaves of this plant as used to flavour soups, salads, etc. Also (with specifying word), any of various related umbelliferous plants; esp. (in full rough chervil) Chaerophyllum temulum, a hedgerow plant with haiiy red-spotted stems. turnip-rooted chervil Chaerophyllum bulbosum. which has an edible root like a parsnip. Ches. abbreviation. Cheshire.

tchesnut noun var. of chestnut. chess /tfes/ noun', me. [Aphet. from Old French esches (mod. echecs), pi. of eschec check noun1.]

1 A game for two players using a chequered board of sixty-four squares with eight pieces, viz. a king, queen, two rooks, knights, and bishops, and eight pawns each, with the object of placing the opponent’s king in check¬ mate. ME. |2 The pieces and pawns or the board used in playing. ME-E17. 3 loosely. Any of the various classical board games, lme. 1 lightning chess: see lightning noun & adjective, living chess see living adjective. Comb.: chessboard noun & adjective (resembling) the board on which chess is played; chess-dock: displaying the accumulated time each chess-player has expended on his or her moves; chessman any of the pieces or pawns with which chess is played (usu. in p/.).

chess 'tjss/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Origin unkn.]

1 A tier, layer, storey; a row. lme. 2 Each of the sections into which an apple etc. may be divided. Scot. Li 8. 3 In pi. The parallel planks of a pontoon-bridge. Ei9. chess /tjes/ noun3. Chiefly N. Amer. mi8. [Origin unkn.]

[Origin uncertain: perh. from its spotty surface (cf. chequer noun2).]

The fruit of the whitebeam, Sorbus aria. chessel i'tfesfo)!/ noun. L17. [App. from cheese noun1 + well noun1.]

chess-tree/’tjEstri:/noun. me. [from unkn. 1st elem. + tree noun (in sense 'wood').] nautical. A piece of wood bolted perpendicularly on a ship’s side, used to confine the clew of the mainsail. chessylite/'tJesilArt/noun. M19. [from Chessy, near Lyons, France + -lite.] MINERALOGY = AZURITE.

chest /tjest/ noun. [Old English rest, cyst, corresp. to Old Frisian, Middle Dutch kiste (Dutch kist), Old High German kista (German Kiste), Old Norse kista, from Germanic from Latin rista from Greek kiste box.)

1 A box. a coffer; a large box of strong construction for the custody of articles of value, esp. one for a sailor’s belongings, for tools, for medicines, etc. oe. 2 A coffin. Now dial. oe. 3 That part of the human or of an animal’s body that is enclosed by the ribs; the thorax; the front surface of a body from neck to waist, lme. 4 The treasury or coffer of an institution; transf. the money in one. the funds, lme. 5 A large case into which commodities (esp. tea) are packed for transport, eis. Phrases: chest of drawers a piece of furniture with a set of drawers in a frame chest of viols a set of viols kept in a chest, get a thing off one’s chest colloq. relieve one’s feelings by dis¬ closing something, hold one's cards close to one’s chest, keep one’s cards close to one’s chest, play one’s cards dose to one’s chest, etc., be reluctant to reveal one’s inten¬ tions or resources, military chest: see military adjective. Comb.: chest-expander a piece of equipment for exercising and developing the muscles of the chest and arms: chest freezer a low freezer with an opening top; chest-protector a covering or wrap of flannel etc. worn to protect the chest from cold; chest-voice: of the lowest speaking or singing register. ■ chested adjective having a chest (of a specified kind) lme. chestful noun the quantity contained in a chest eis.

chest /tjest/ verb trans. oe. [from the noun.]

Cheshire /'tjeja/ noun & adjective. Li6. [A county in England.]

1 In full Cheshire cheese. A mild crumbly cheese of a type orig. made in Cheshire. Li6. j* 9nn like 0 Cheshire cat. grin fixedly and broadly. Ckesk're acre■ a unit of area formerly current in Cheshire, equal to 10,240 sq. yards (approx, o 8S7 hectare). E19. n no, p pen, r red, s sit.

coast, SW England, enclosing a lagoon, oe. 2 Bran; coarse flour, obsolete exc. dial. Lis.

A cheese-making mould.

chert/tja:t/noun. L17.

m man,

[Old English ciosol, dsel, cysel = Middle Dutch kezel, Low German kesel, Old High German kisil (German Kiesel), from West Germanic base, whence Middle High German kts, German Kies gravel.] 1 Gravel, shingle. Long obsolete exc. in the name (Chesil Bank. Chesil Beach) of a long shingle ridge on the Dorset

chess-appie /'tj£sap(3)l/ noun. M17.

[Latin chaerephylla, -phyllum from Greek khairephullon.]

[Cherokee ftsaraki (now tsalila).]

cherry /'tjeri/ noun & adjective,

[French cherir cherish.]

Cheer, delight.

chervil /'tjaivil/ noun. oe.

Cherokee /tfere'ki:/ adjective & noun. m.

2)

A grass of the genus Bromus, commonly found as a weed among wheat.

tcherry verb trans. rare (Spenser). Only in L16.

chers maitres noun phr. pi. of cher maTtre.

cherish /'tjerij/ verb trans. me.

cheroot /JVnut/ noun.

Comb.: cherry-bob two cherries with joined stems; cherrybounce arch, cherry-brandy; cherry-brandy a dark-red liqueur of brandy in which cherries have been steeped; cherry-laurel see laurel noun 3; cherry-pick verb selectively choose (the most beneficial or profitable items, opportunities, etc.) from what is available; cherry-picker (a) a person who picks cherries; (b) in pi. [Hist, slang), the 11th Hussars (so-called from their crimson trou¬ sers); (c) a crane for raising and lowering persons: cherry-pie (o) a pie made with cherries; (b) a garden heliotrope; cherry plum (the fruit of) the small tree Pninus cerasifera: cherry-red (of) a bright deep red: cherry tomato (a plant bearing) a small deep-red variety of tomato; cherry tree: see sense 2 above; cherry wood: see sense 2b above. ► B attrib. or as adjective. 1 Bright deep red, of the typical

chesil /'iJez(3)1/ noun. Also (the usual form in sense chisel /'tjiz(3)l/.

t

top,

v van,

w we,

1 Put into a coffin. Now dial. oe. 2 Enclose in a chest; store away. oe. 3 Strike with the chest; guide or propel (a ball) with the chest, mi9. tchesten noun. oe-li7. [Old French chastaine (mod. chataigne) from Latin castanea from Greek kastanea, -neion. short for kastaneion karuon nut of Castanaea (Pontus) or Castana (Thessaly): cf. chestnut.]

A chestnut; a chestnut tree. J she.

3

vision, 0 thin.

6

this, rj ring, tj chip. d3 jar

391

Chester|chez Chester /'tjests/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. [Old English ceaster ult. from Latin castra: a common elem. in place-names (also in forms -caster, -cester).] A walled town; spec, one that was formerly a Roman station.

chesterfield /'tjestafkld/ noun. Mi9. [from an Earl of Chesterfield.] 1 A plain overcoat usu. with a velvet collar. M19. 2 A sofa with a padded seat, back, and ends. E20.

Chesterfieldian /tfesto'fkMran/adjective, ns. [from Chesterfield (see below) + -ian.] Relating to or characteristic of Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), or his writings on manners and etiquette.

Chestertonian /tj’esto'toumon/ adjective. E20. [from Chesterton (see below) + -ian.] Of, pertaining to, resembling, or characteristic of the English author Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), or his writings.

chestnut /‘tjesnat/ noun & adjective. Also fchesnut. Ei6. [from chesten + nut noun.] ► A noun. 1 a The edible nut of a tree of the genus Castanea, of the beech family; esp. that of C. sativa (also Spanish chestnut, sweet chestnut). Also (with specifying word), any of various fruits etc. resembling this nut. E16. ►b (More fully chestnut tree) the tree itself: (with speci¬ fying word) any of various similar trees. Also, the wood of these trees. L16. Fc ellipt. A horse chestnut. L18. 2 A chestnut colour; a chestnut horse. (See sense B. below.) Li6. 3 The small hard callosity in the skin of the horse at the inner side of the forelegs. M19. 4 A stale joke or anecdote; anything too often repeated. Li9. Phrases: Cape chestnut: see cape noun'. Chinese water chestnut: see water noun, horse chestnut. Moretoh Bay chestnut pull the chestnuts out of the fire succeed in a hazardous undertaking on behalf of or through the agency of another (with ref. to the fable of a monkey using a cat's paw to get roasting chestnuts from a fire). Tahiti chestnut, water chestnut: see water noun, wild chestnut: see wild adjective. Comb.: chestnut oak any of various, chiefly N. American, oaks having leaves resembling those of the chestnut; chestnut tree see sense lb above. ► B adjective. 1 Of the colour of a chestnut; deep reddishbrown. M16. 2 Of a horse: having reddish- or yellowish-brown color¬ ation. L17. ■ chestnutting noun the gathering of chestnuts L18. chestnutty adjective (a) resembling the colour or flavour of a chestnut; (b) old and well known, frequently repeated: L19.

chesty /'tjesti/ adjective, colloq. E20. [from chest noun + -Y'.] 1 Conceited, arrogant. US. E20. 2 Inclined to, marked by, or symptomatic of ailments of the chest. M20. 3 Having a large chest or prominent breasts. M20. ■ chestily adverb E20. chestiness noun E20

Chesvan noun var. of Hesvan. chetif Jetif/ adjective. E20. [French.] Puny, sickly, thin; miserable, wretched.

chetnik /'tfetnik/ noun. E20. [Serbo-Croat cetnik, from ceta band, troop.] A guerrilla fighter in the Balkans; spec. (Hist.) one of a roy¬ alist force led by General Draza Mihajlovic in occupied Yugoslavia, 1941-5.

chetrum /'tfetrmm/ noun. PI. same, -s. L20. [Dzongkha.] A monetary unit of Bhutan, equal to one-hundredth of a ngultrum.

chetty /'tjeti/ noun. Li6. [Tamil cetti.] (A member of) any of a group of trading castes in south¬ ern India.

chevachee /tjeva'tji:/ noun. Long obsolete exc. Hist. lime. [Old French chevauchiee. pa. ppl formation on chevauchier (mod. chevaucher) from late Latin caballicare ride, from cahallus horse ] An expedition on horseback, a raid.

chevage /'tJLvidj/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lime. [Old French = capitation, from chef head: see chief noun, -ace.] Capitation or poll-money paid to a lord. cheval /foval, Jb'val/ noun. PI. -vaux ,-vo, -'vao/. Lis. [French.] The French for 'horse', also 'frame', occurring in various phrases used in English ■ cheval de bataille /da bata:j/ [lit. 'battle-horse’] an obsession, a pet subject E19. chevaux de frise /da fri:z/ [lit. 'horses of Fries¬ land': named iron, with ref. to their use by the Friesians, who had no cavalry] a number of metal spikes set in timber to repel cavalry, or set along the top of a fence, wall, etc., to repel intruders L17. See also A cheval. pas de cheval s.v. PAS 2, petits chevaux s.v. petit adjective-

chevaleresque adjective see chivalresque. chevalet /Jbvale/ noun. PI. pronounced same. E19. [French, dim. of cheval.] 11 A trestle for a bridge. Only in El 9. 2 The bridge of a bowed musical instrument. L19.

cheval-glass/fo'valglais/ noun. Mi9. [from French cheval + class noun.] A tall mirror swung on an upright frame. chevalier /fsvaTia,/oreign Javalje (pi. same)/ noun. lime. [Anglo-Norman chevaler, Old & mod. French chevalier, from medi¬ eval Latin cabatlarius, from Latin caballus horse: see -ier, -eer. Cf. cavalier noun.] 1 Hist. A horseman, esp. a mounted knight, lime. 2 A chivalrous man, a gallant. M17. 3 A member of certain orders of knighthood, or of the French Legion of Honour, etc. E18. Phrases: chevalier d'industrie /dtdystri/ [French, lit. 'knight of industry'] an adventurer, a swindler, preux chevalier the Chevalier (de St George) James Stuart, the Old Pretender, the Young Chevalier Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender. chevaline/'Jevalin/ adjective, rare. 1MI6. [French, fern, ofchevalin, from cheval: see -ine'.J Of or pertaining to horses. chevaux noun pi. see cheval. chevelure /Javlyir/ noun. PI. pronounced same. lime. [Old French cheveleure (mod. -elure), from Latin capillatura, from capillatus haired, from capdlus hair: see -ure.] 1 The hair of the head, a head of hair; (formerly) a wig. LIME. 2 A halo around a star etc.; a comet’s coma. L17. cheverel /'j£v(3)r(o)l/ noun & adjective, lime. [Old French chevrele dim. of chevre goat.] ►f A noun. Kid-leather, noted for its elasticity. LME-E17. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to kid-leather; fig. elastic, flexible, yielding. E16. chevesaile /'tfiivaseil/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lime. [Old French chevefaille, from chevece collar, from Latin capitia pi. of cupitium opening for the head in a tunic etc.] The collar of a coat, gown, etc., often richly orna¬ mented. chevet /JVvei; foreign Jove (pi. same)/ noun. E19. [French = pillow.] The apsidal termination of the east end of a church. cheville /Javi:j/ noun. PI. pronounced same. Li9. [French = peg, pin, plug.) 1 A meaningless or redundant word or phrase inserted to round off a sentence or complete a verse. Li 9. 2 A peg in a stringed musical instrument. Li 9. chevin /'tjevin/noun. lime. [Old French chevenne, chevesne (mod. chevame), from ProtoRomance from Latin capiton-, capito (orig.) big-head, from caput, -it-, head.] The chub. Cheviot/'tjeviat/ noun. In sense 2 also c-. lis. [from Cheviot Hills on the England-Scotland border.] 1 In full Cheviot sheep. (An animal of) a breed of sheep from the Cheviot Hills, lis. 2 (Cloth made from) the wool of Cheviot sheep. M19. chevisance /'Jevis(3)ns/ noun. Long arch. me. (Old French, from cheviss- lengthened stem of chevir achieve, from chef head, chief: see chief noun, -ance.] 11 A bringing to an end; furtherance; assistance. Only in me. |2 Resource, remedy; an expedient. ME-M17. t3 Provision, supply; provisions; booty. ME-M17. 4 Raising money; borrowing; a loan; lending, usury; profiteering, gain. Freq. derog. lme. 5 (Confused by Spenser and others with chivalry and related words.) Enterprise, chivalry, prowess; an exploit. L16. chevra noun var. of hebra. chevre/Jrivr/ noun. M20. [French = goat. esp. she-goat.] French goat's-milk cheese. «) See also poil de chevre chevrette /JVvret/ noun. mis. [French, dim. of prec.: see -ette.] f 1 A machine for raising guns or mortars. M-L18. 2 A thin goatskin leather used for gloves. 119. chevron /'Jevran/ noun\ lme. [Old & mod. French from Proto-Romance, from Latin caper goat: cf. Latin capreoli pair of rafters.) 1 heraldry. A charge consisting of a bent bar of an inverted V shape, lme. Fb This shape used in decorative art etc. Ei7. 2 A beam or rafter; esp. in pi., the rafters of a roof which meet at an angle at the ridge. L16. 3 A badge in a V shape (whether inverted or not) on the sleeve of a uniform, indicating rank or length of service; a V-shaped stripe. Ei9. ■ chevronel noun (heraldry) a bent bar on the escutcheon, half the breadth of the chevron H6.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. 0 hot, a: saw, a run. o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, ao how. ei day

tchevron noun2. MI6-E19. [App. erron. for cheverel.] A glove.

chevron /'Jsvran/ verb trans. Mi6. [from chevron noun' or French chevronner.] Provide with chevrons or things arranged in a chevron pattern; make with a chevron pattern.

chevronny /'Jevrsni/ adjective. In sense 2 also -ony. eis. [French chevronne pa. pple of chevronner, formed as chfvron noun'.] 1 heraldry. Charged with or formed by an even number of chevrons, eis. 2 gen. Zigzag. Li 9.

chevrotain /'Jevrotein/ noun. Also -tin /-tin/, lis. [French, dim. of Old French chevrot dim. of chevre goat.] A small deerlike ruminant of the mainly southern Asian family Tragulidae. Also called mouse deer

chevy noun & verb var. of chivvy noun & verb'. Chevy Chase /,tjsvi 'tjeis/ noun phr. rhyming slang. Now rare. M19. [See chivvy noun & ver6'.] The face.

chew /tju:/ noun. See also chaw noun2, chow noun', me. [from the verb.] 1 An act of chewing, me. 2 Something that is chewed; spec, a quid of tobacco. E18. 3 A chewy sweet. M20.

chew /tju:/ verb. See also chaw verb, chow verb. [Old English ceowan = Middle Low German keuwen (Dutch kauwen), Old High German kittwan (German kauen), from West Germanic.] 1 verb trans. Crush, bruise, and grind by the action of the molar teeth; grind to a pulp or indent by repeated biting; masticate (food), oe. Fb Injure, break, ordestroy with an action resembling that of the jaws. Freq. foil, by off, up. M19. 2 verb trans. fig. Fa Examine or plan deliberately; medi¬ tate on; turn over in the mind; talk over. me. Fb Mumble; mutter inarticulately. E17. Fc Foil, by out: reprimand. N. Amer. colloq. M20. 3 verb intrans. Work food etc. with the teeth; champ, masticate. (Foil, by (up)on something.) lme. 4 verb intrans. Meditate, ruminate, exercise the mind, (up)on, at. L16. C3 1 b C. Ryan The port wing.. was chewed off by the pro¬ peller of a Stirling bomber. 2a M. Prior He chews Revenge. Phrases: bite off more than one can chew: see bite verb. chewing-gum a preparation of sweetened and flavoured gums and resins, used for prolonged chewing, chew the cud: see cud noun, chew the fat, chew the rag slang discuss a matter, persist in grumbling. Comb.: chew-stick (o) = chaw-stick s.v. chaw verb: (b) the root or stem of various W. African plants, used to clean the teeth. ■ chewable adjective able to be chewed M19. chewer noun a person who or thing which chews E17. chewy adjective suitable for chewing; needing to be chewed: E20.

tchewet noun. m-li6. [French dimette.] A jackdaw, a chough; a chatterer.

Chewings fescue /'tfuagz 'feskju:/ noun phr. E20. [Charles Chewings (1859-1937), Austral, scientist who first mar¬ keted the grass (in NZ).[ A variety of red fescue (Festuca rubra) used as a pasture and lawn grass. chewink/tfi:'wmk/noun. N. Amer. Also chee-. Lie. [Imit.] The towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

Cheyenne /JAr'an/ noun & adjective, lis. [Canad. French from Dakota sahtyena.] ► A noun. PI. same, -s. A member of an Algonquian people living in Montana and Oldahoma (orig. living between the Missouri and Arkansas rivers); the language of this people. Li8. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Cheyenne or their language. £19.

Cheyne-Stokes /'tfeinstauks/ adjective. Li9. [John Cheyne (1777-1836), Scot, physician, and William Stokes (1804-78), Irish physician.] MEOicim. Designating respiration characterized by a cyc¬ lical variation of rate involving gradual decrease, cessa¬ tion, and gradual increase. 1 1 Arnold Bennett Symptoms of'Cheyne-Stokes breath¬ ing’, the final and worst symptom of his disease.

jxheyney noun. li6-mis. [Alt. of China.] A sort of worsted or woollen cloth. chez /fe, before a vowel Jez/ preposition. M18. [French from Old French chiese from Latin casa cottage.) At the house or home of. IXII. Banks Mum took me back chez Hamish and Tone.

no, e: hair, re near. 31 boy. us poor. Are tire, acre sour

392

chi | chick-pea [Creek kill] The twenty-second letter (X, x) of the Greek alphabet, chi-rho [rho] a monogi'am of chi and rho representing the first two letters of Greek Khristos Christ. See also ch i-square.

chiack noun & verb var. of chi-hike. Chian/'kAion, 'ki:an/ adjective & noun. U6. [from Latin Chius from Creek Khios adjective, from Kkios Chios (see below): see -an.] ► A adjective. Pertaining to or originating from the island of Chios in the Aegean. Li6. Chian turpentine see turpentine noun 1. Chian wine Hist, wine from Chios, highly regarded in classical times. ► B noun. = Chian wine above. M17. Chianina/kia'nhna/noun. L20. [Italian.] (An animal of) a veiy large white breed of cattle, kept for its lean meat. [from the Chianti Mountains, Tuscany.] A dry usu. red Italian wine, properly one made in the Chianti district of Tuscany. Comb. : Chiantishire a name for tire Chianti region of Italy, or for Tuscany in general, with alius, to its popularity as a holiday destination for British tourists and as a domicile for British expatriates.

chiaroscuro /ki.ara'skuarau/ noun & adjective. Mi7. [Italian, from chiaro dear, bright + oscuro dark, obscure adjective.] ► A noun. PI. -os. 1 A style of painting in which only light and shade are represented; black and white. Mi7. 2 The treatment or disposition of the light and shade, or brighter and darker masses, in a picture; an effect or contrast of light and shade in a picture or in nature. Li7. 3 fig. The use of contrast in literature etc. E19. £3 2 B. Moore The sky was a shifting chiaroscuro of grays and blacks. ► B attrib. or as adjective. In chiaroscuro, in black and white; fig. marked by stylistic etc. contrasts; halfrevealed. Ml 9. £0 J. Gross Strip away the rant, and what remains is a daring chiaroscuro prose. ■ chiaroscurist noun an artist distinguished for or painting in chiaroscuro Lis.

chiasma /kAi'azma/ noun. PI. -mas. -mata /-mots/. Mi9. [mod. Latin from Greek khiasma crosspiece, decussation, from khiazein: see next.] 1 anatomy. An intercrossing or decussation; esp. (in full optic chiasma) the commissure formed between the two optic nerves, mi9. 2 cytology. A structure formed by chromosomes during meiosis, at which crossing over occurs. E20.

chiasmus /kxi'azmas, ki-/ noun. PI. -mi /-mai/. M17. [mod. Latin from Greek khiasmos, from khiazein mark with a chi, from khi chi.] 1 gen. A diagonal or crosswise arrangement, rare. Mi7. 2 rhetoric. The inversion in a second phrase or clause of the order of words in the first. Li 9. chiastic/kAi'astik, ki-/ adjective. Mi9. [from Greek khiastos arranged crosswise, from khiazein: see prec -ic.] Characterized by chiasmus; of the form of chiasmus, with reversal of order. ta B. Cottle ‘Rhymney Beer—the Best Round Here’., with the added trick of chiastic alliteration on R, B, B, R. chiastolite/kAi'astalAit, ki-/ noun. E19. [formed as prec. + -ute.] mineralogy. A form of andalusite containing carbon¬ aceous inclusions which cause some sections of the mineral to show the figure of a cross.

chiaus /tfaos, -JV noun. Also tchaush /tjaoj/. L16. [Turkish favtg. See also chouse noun.] A Turkish messenger, herald, or sergeant.

Chibcha /'tjibtja/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun same -s E19. [Amer. Spanish from Chibcha zipa chief, hereditary leader.] ► A noun. A member of a S. American Indian people of Colombia, having an ancient civilization; the Chibchan language (now extinct) of this people. E19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Chibcha or their language. £19.

Chibchan tjibt j(a)n. noun & adjective. E20. [from prec. + -an.[ (Of) a language family of Colombia and Central America.

chibol /'tfib(o)l/ noun. lme. [North, var. of Old French crbolc (mod. ciboule) from late Latin caepulla onion-bed, from Latin caepa, cepa onion.] fl = CIBOULE. LME-E18. 2 A spring onion, dial. M19. f few, a get,

[(French chibouque from) Turkish fubuk, (earlier) (link tube, pipe,]

h he, j yes, k cat, 1 leg, m

[Urdu chik from Persian ngh.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a screen for a doorway etc., made from split bamboo and twine.

A long Turkish tobacco-pipe. chic /Ji:k/ noun & adjective, mi9. [French, prob. from German Schick skill,]

► A noun. Stylishness; elegance in dress; skill, effective¬ ness. M19. punk chic: see punk noun2 & adjective, radical chic: see radical adjective 2C. ► B adjective. Compar. chic-er; superl. chic-est. Stylish,

elegant, mi9.

chick /tjik/ noun3. Li8. [Imit.]

1 A tick (of a clock etc.). Scot. Lis. 2 The chirping call of a bird. Mi9. chick /tjik/ verb intrans. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Imit.: cf. chip verb'.]

Sprout; crack as a seed does in sprouting.

■ chicly adverb E20.

chickabiddy /'tjikabidi/ noun. lis.

chica /'tjhka/ noun. Mi9. [Amer. Spanish, prob. of Amer. Indian origin.]

A S. American climbing shrub, Anabidaea chica, of the bignonia family; a red pigment obtained from this, and used as skin paint by peoples in the R. Orinoco region.

[from chick noun1 + euphonic -a- + biddy noun1.] 1 A chicken, a chick, nursery, li 8.

2 A little one, a dear child. Ei9. chickadee /'tjikadi:/ noun. N. Amer. Mi9. [Imit.]

Chicagoan /JVka:gauan/ noun. Also t-ian. Mi9. [from Chicago (see below) + -an, -ian.]

Chianti /ki'anti/ noun. Mi9.

b but. d dog,

chick /tjik/ noun2. Also check /tjek/. L17.

chibouk /tJVbu:k/ noun. Also -bouque. Ei9.

chi /kai/ noun. lme.

A native or inhabitant of the city of Chicago in Illinois, USA.

1 Any of various titmice native to N. America. Mi9. 2 Used as a term of endearment to a woman. M20. chickaree /tJTka'ri:/ noun. E19. [Imit.]

chicana noun see chicano.

A N. American red squirrel of the genus Tamiasciurus.

chicane /Ji'kem/ noun. Li7. [French, formed as next.] 1 = CHICANERY 1. L17. |2 An instance of chicanery; a subterfuge, a quibble. L17-M18. 3 cards. A hand without trumps or without cards of one suit as dealt, Li9.

4 An artificial bander or obstacle, esp. a sharp double bend, on a motor-racing track. M20. chicane /jVkein/ verb. Li7. [French chicaner pursue at law, quibble, of unkn. origin.] 1 verb intrans. Employ chicanery; quibble, cavil. L17. 2 verb trans. Quibble over; argue away by chicanery, rare. LI 8. 3 verb trans. Deceive by chicanery, cheat, [into, out of, etc.). Ml9. ■ chicaner noun a person who practises chicanery; a quibbler, a shifty person: Li7.

chicanery /JYkeinari/ noun. Li6. [French chicanerie, formed as prec.: see -ery.]

1 Trickery in legal matters; the use of subterfuge and trickery in debate or action; deception; quibbling, soph¬ istry. LI 6. 2 A dishonest artifice of law; a trick, 117. chicano /tJVkamao, Ji-, -'kern-/ noun & adjective. Also C-. M20.

Chickasaw /’tfikaso:/ noun & adjective. Li7. [Chickasaw cikasa.]

► A noun. PI. -s, same. 1 A member of a Muskogean people formerly resident in Mississippi and Alabama, but subsequently in Okla¬ homa. L17. 2 The language of this people. Li9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Chickasaws or their language, eis. Chickasaw plum a wild plum, Prunus angustifolia, of the south¬ eastern US.

chicken /'tfikrn/ noun1 & adjective. [Old English ncen, cycen, prob. ult. rel. to cock noun'. Cf. Middle & mod. Dutch kieken. Middle & mod. Low German kiiken. Middle High German kuchelin (German Kuchlem), Old Norse kjuklingr.] ► A noun. I sing., with pi. -s.

1 A young bird, esp. of the domestic fowl; (the flesh of) the domestic fowl as food. oe. 2 a A child, arch. lme. >b A young and inexperienced person. ei8. >c A young woman, slang, mi9. 3 A timorous or cowardly person. E17. >b (The name of) a game testing courage in the face of danger. M20. ► XI pi. (collect.) 4 Poultry, fowl, obsolete exc. dial. E17.

fchichling noun see chickling.

Phrases: chicken a la King cooked breast of chicken in a cream sauce with mushrooms and peppers, chicken a la Marengo. chicken a la Maryland: see Maryland 2. chicken chasseur. chicken Kiev chicken breast filled with garlic butter, chicken Marengo, chicken Maryland: see Maryland 2. count one's chickens (before they are hatched) be overoptimistic, be pre¬ cipitate. Dig by chicken like a hen with one chicken see hen noun l Maryland chicken see Maryland 2 Mother Carey’s chicken the storm petrel, no chicken = no spring chicken below, spring chicken (a) a young chicken for eating (orig. available only in spring); (b) colloq a young person; chiefly in no spring chicken. neither young nor inexperienced. Surrey chicken: see Surrey noun' 2. Comb.: chicken-and-egg adjective designating a problem of which of two things, issues, etc., comes first, where each is viewed as the cause of the other: chicken-breast (a) a mal¬ formed projection of the breastbone; (b) the breast-meat of a chicken; chicken-breasted adjective having a malformed pro¬ jection of the breastbone; chicken brick an earthenware con¬ tainer in two halves, in which to cook a chicken etc.; chickenburger a cake of minced etc. chicken, usu. fried or grilled; chicken cholera see cholera 3; chicken-feed food for poultry; colloq. something trivial, esp. a small amount of money; chicken-hawk (chiefly N. Amer.) any of various bird-eating raptors; chicken-heart fig. a timorous or cowardly person: chicken-hearted adjective timorous, cowardly; Chicken Little [name of a character in a nursery story who repeatedly warns that the sky is falling down] an alarmist; a person who panics at the first sign of a problem; chicken-liver fig. a coward; chickenlivered adjective cowardly; chicken mite = red mite (a) s.v. red adjective: chickenpox [perh. from the mildness of the infection] a mild eruptive disease due to viral infection, chiefly affecting children; also called varicella: chicken-shit noun & adjective (slang. chiefly N. Amer.) (a) noun a coward; nonsense, lies; (b) adjective cow¬ ardly; dishonest; chicken-weed = chickweed; chicken-wire a light wire netting with a hexagonal mesh. ► B adjective. Cowardly; scared, slang. M20.

chick /tjrk/ noun\ PI. -s, (dial.) -en (see chicken noun1 II)

chicken noun2 var. of chikan.

[Alt. of Spanish mejicano Mexican, from Mejico Mexico.) ► A noun. PI. -os. Fern, -na /-no/. A N. American of Mexican origin. M20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to chicanos; Mexican American. M20.

chich /tfitj/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. Also |cich. lme. [French chiche from Old French rice from Latin cicer.]

= chick-pea. Also ichich-pease chicha /'tfrtja/ noun. Ei7. [Amer. Spanish from Cuna.]

A fermented liquor made from maize in S. and Central America. chicharron /tjrtja'raun, foreign tjitja'rron/ noun. PI. -ones /-aomz,/oreign -ones/. M19. [Amer. Spanish chicharron.]

A piece of crackling, served as a delicacy in Mexico, parts of the southern US, etc. chichi /'Ji:Ji:/ noun & adjective. E20. [French.]

► A noun. Showiness, fussiness; affectation; a frilly or showy thing. E20. ► B adjective. Showy, frilly, fussy; affected. M20. chi-chi /'tfiitji:/ adjective. Anglo-Indian (somewhat derog.). Also chee-chee L18. [Perh. from Hindi chi-clh fie!, supposed to be used by Eurasians.] (Esp. of a girl or woman) half-caste, Eurasian; (of speech) characteristic of the English formerly spoken by some Eurasians in India.

ME. [Abbreviation of chicken noun1.] 1 A child, arch. me.

chicken /tjikm/ verb intrans. slang. M20. [from chicken noun' & adjective.]

2 A chicken; a young bird, esp. before or just after hatching, lme.

3 A young woman, slang. E20.

chickling /'tfiklig/noun. Orig. tc(h)ichling. Mi6.

£B 1 W. Morris No chick or child to bless his house. 2 G. Maxwell A moorhen chick of a few days old. 3 M Amis This other girl of mine, this chick, this broad called Ursula. Comb.: chick flick, chick lit colloq (chiefly derog.) a film, litera¬ ture, which is perceived or marketed as appealing to voune women. ore 9 See also Dicby chick man,

n no.

p pen,

r red,

s sit,

Fail to act, back down, from motives of cowardice, Freq. foil, by out.

t top, v van,

w we,

z zoo,

[from chich + -ling1.]

= grass pea s.v. grass noun. Now usu. chickling pea. chickling vetch.

chick-pea /'tJTkpi:/ noun. Also j-pease. eis. [Alt. of CHiCH-pease: see pea noun', pease.]

(The seed of) a dwarf pea, Cicer arietinum, grown for food esp. in Asia. I She,

3

vision,

0

tliin,

6

this,

r) ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

393

chickweed | child chickweed /'tfikwi:d/ noun. [from chick

noun' + weed

lme.

noun1.]

Any of numerous small white-flowered plants of the family Caiyophyllaceae, and esp. of the genera Cerastium and Stellaria; spec. S. media, a common weed. Orig. more widely, any of various similar weedy plants. jagged chickweed see jagged adjective', mouse-ear chickweed see mouse noun, water chickweed see water noun. Comb, chickweed wintergreen a plant of the genus TrientaUs, of the primrose family, bearing a starry white (occas. pink) flower above a whorl ofobovate leaves, esp. T. europaea of Eur¬ asian upland woods and moors (cf. star-flower s.v. star noun'}

chicle

noun. Li9. [Amer. Spanish from Nahuatl tefcfli.] 'tjjk(a)l, -kli/

The coagulated latex of the sapodilla, Manilkara zapota, and several related trees, which forms the basis of chewing-gum. chicory /'tJik(o)ri/ noun.

lme.

[from French fcicoree (mod. riiicoree) endive, from medieval Latin ac(h)orea, ult. from Greek kikhorion: cf. succory.]

1 A Eurasian blue-flowered plant of the composite family, Cichorium intybus, found wild by roadsides and in pastures and cultivated for its roots and crowns of leaves which are eaten blanched in salads. Also (N. Amer.), (the leaves of) the endive, C. endivia. lme. 2 The root of C. intybus ground and roasted as a substi¬ tute for or an additive to coffee. E19. chid,

chidden

verb see chide verb.

chide /tjAid/ noun. Now rare.

me.

[from the verb.]

Wrangling; an angry rebuke. chide /tjud/ verb. Now arch, or literary. Pa. t. /tjid/; pa. pple chided, chidden ‘tjid(3)n/,

chided, chid

quarrel or dispute angrily with. 0E-M19. kb Give loud and angry expression to dissatisfaction; scold; rail (fat). ME.

2 verb trans. Rail at, scold; rebuke; find fault with. me. 3 verb trans. Drive, impel, or compel by chiding, away, into or out of a state, position, etc. L16. E3 1 b Swift You came chiding into the world, fig.: Keats The silver snarling trumpets 'gan to chide. 2 S. Johnson Having chidden her for undutifulness. Gibbon The emperor .. chided the tardiness of the senate. 3 R. W. Emerson Be neither chided nor flattered out of your position. ■ chider noun lme. chiding noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) a reproof, a rebuke: oe. chidingly adverb in a chiding manner L16.

chidlings noun pi. var. of chitlings. me.

[Old & mod. French chef tchief, from Proto-Romance var. of Latin caput head.]

1 A leader, a ruler, a commander; a head of a tribe, clan, organization, etc.; the head of a department, the highest official, me. kb nautical The Chief Engineer of a (war)ship. colloq. L19. 12 The chief position; first place; pre-eminence. ME-E17. t3 The head, the top, the upper end, (of). LME-L16. 4 heraldry. The top part of a shield, at most one third, often one fifth of the shield, lme. |5 The best part of, the height of, the prime of. Cf. chief adjective II. E16-E17. 6 In full chief-rent. Orig., a rent paid under a tenure in chief (see below). Later, a quitrent. Ei6. £H 1 Thackeray The chief of the kitchen. G. J. WhyteMf.i. villi: Our old chief.. has been appointed to a command in India. C. G. Seligman The king was paramount lord over a confederation of provincial chiefs. Phrases etc.: big chief, big white chief, great white chief joc. [after Amer. Indian speech] a person in authority, an important person. Chief of Staff the senior staff officer of a service or of a commander, in chief (a) (holding tenure) directly from t he lord paramount, the king (Hist.): (holding tenure) by perpetual ground rent or feu duty; (b) arch, most of all, especially, -in-chief (a) supreme, principal, head (freq. in titles, as Coionei-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief, Commodore-in-Chief. Editor-in-Chief): ex am 1 nation-in-chief: (b) Hist, holding directly from the king (as tenant-in-chief), paramount chief see paramount adjective 1. ■ chiefdom noun the estate, position, or dominion of a chief L16. chiefry, -ery noun IRISH history the office and territory of a chief; the dues belonging to the chief or to the lord superior: L16. chiefess noun a female chief Lis. chiefless adjective mis. chiefly adjective of or pertaining to a chief L19. chiefship noun the office and function of a chief U7.

chief /tji:f/ adjective & adverb,

me.

[from the noun.]

► II 6 7 8

absol. (with superl. & j-compar.) Cf. chief noun 5. pi. The chief people. Long arch. Mi6. The most or (obsolete) more important. E17. The main part, the bulk. L17.

7 J. Chamberlayne There are six penny-post offices: the chiefest is in Threadneedle Street. 8 W. Dampier About which they spend the chiefest of their time. F. Marryat At night, when the chief of the inhabitants were in bed. ► B adverb. Chiefly, principally, arch. lme. ■ chiefly adverb pre-eminently; especially; above all; princi¬ pally, mainly but not exclusively: lme.

chieftain /'tji:ft(a)n, -tin/ noun. me. [Old French chevetaine from late Latin capitaneus (see captain), assim. to chief noun.] 1 The head of a body of men, an organization, state, town, etc.; the ruler, the chief, obsolete in gen. sense, me. 2 A military leader; a captain. Now arch. & poet me. 3 The chief of a clan or tribe. Li 6. 4 The captain of a band of robbers. M17. ■ chieftaincy noun the rank or position of a chieftain E17. chieftainess noun a female chieftain lme. chieftainry noun the rank, rule, or territory, of a chieftain; chieftains collectively: Mis. chieftainship noun = chieftaincy lis.

chid.

[Old English cidan, of unkn. origin.] 1 verb intrans. fa Contend loudly, brawl, wrangle;

chief /tji:f/ noun.

. i - 1 R. Grafton Vienna, which is the chiefe Citie of the Countrie. M. Lowry The chief cook regarded the .. second cook as a creature of completely inferior station. Chief justice. Chief Rabbi, etc. Chief Constable: see constable 4. little chief hare see little adjective. Lord Chief justice: see justice noun. 2 N. Hawthorne A very dear friend.. who . had been his chief intimate. J. Buchan His chief regret is that he is a miserable public speaker. W. S. Churchill Madras.. was the chief trading centre, chief good see good noun. 3 W. Dampier The Chinese are the chiefest merchants. Ld Macaulay A chief object of the expedition.

► A adjective. I (Usu. attrib.) 1 Formally leading or most important. (Now only of people.) me. 2 Most important; principal, foremost, greatest, lme. 3 Prominent, leading; belonging to the highest group or the first rank. (With superb & tcompar.) lme. |4 Pre-eminent in excellence; best, finest, choice.

chield /tjidd/ noun. Scot. Also chiel /tji:l/.

chiffchaff ■ 'tjiftjaf/noun.

lis.

[Imit.] A common warbler, Phylloscopus collybita, with a highly characteristic repetitive song.

chiffon " fifDn/ noun & adjective,

mis.

[French, from chiffe rag.] ► A noun. 1 In pi. Trimmings or other adornments of women’s dress, arch. mis. 2 A light diaphanous plain-woven fabric of silk, nylon, etc. Li9. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of chiffon; light in weight.

E20. chiffon pie: with a light-textured filling flavoured with ftuit etc. ■ chiffony adjective E20.

chiffonier/Jifa'ma/ noun. Also t-n(n)iere.

M16.

mis.

[French chijfonnier, -iere, transf. use of chiffonnier.] A movable low cupboard with a sideboard top.

chiffonnade

/Jifa'nci.d;

foreign Jifonad (pi. same)/ noun.

119.

[French.] A selection of shredded or finely cut vegetables, used esp. as a garnish for soup. chiffonnier /Jifonje/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M19. [French.] A collector of scraps, a rag-picker.

tchiffonniere noun var. of chiffonier. chifforobe /'Jifaraob/ noun. US.

E20.

[from chiffo(nier + ward)robe.] A piece of furniture with drawers in the lower part and hanging space in the upper part.

chigger noun var. of jigger noun2. chignon/'Ji:njD/noun.

lis.

[French, orig. = nape of the neck, from Proto-Romance var. of Latin catena chain noun: see -oon.] A coil or mass of hair worn by women at the back of the head.

chigoe /'tfigao/ noun. Also (earlier) fchique. M17. [(French chique) from a W. African lang.J noun21.

= jigger

chi-hike 'tjAi(h)Aik/ noun& verb. Also chi-ike: (Austral. & NZ) chiack /'tjAiak/. Mi9. [Origin unkn.] ► A noun. A salutation; a noisy disturbance; jeering, banter, mi9. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Salute; jeer at, make fun of. M19. 2 verb intrans. Make a noisy demonstration; jeer, tease. L19.

chihuahua

/tji'wo:wa/noun. Also C-. Ei9. [Chihuaha, a city and state in Mexico.] (An animal of) a breed of very small smooth-haired dog which originated in Mexico. Also chihuahua dog

E16-M17.

5 Intimate (as friends). Scot.

lme.

[Var. of child noun.] A man, a lad, a fellow.

chi-ike noun & verb var. of chi-hike.

chikan /'tjik(a)n/ noun. Also chicken. L19. [Urdu chikan from Persian cikin.] A type of hand-embroidery in the Indian subcontinent, chikara noun var. of chinkara. chikhor noun var. of chukar. chikungunya /tJikfaJn'gAnjs/ noun. M20. [Bantu (prob. Makonde).] medicine. A mosquito-borne viral disease resembling dengue, endemic in E. Africa and parts of Asia, chil- combining form see cheilo-. chilblain /'tjilblein/ noun. Mi6. [from chill noun + blain.] An itching swelling, esp. on the feet or hands, due to exposure to cold and poor blood circulation. ■ chiiblained adjective E17. Chilcat noun & adjective var. of Chilkat. child /tj'.\ild/ noun. Also (arch., esp. in sense 3) childe chylde. PI. children /'tJildr(o)n/. See also chield. [Old English did rel. to Gothic kilpei womb, inkilpo pregnant, as it were ‘fruit of the womb’. The Middle English pi. childre, childer became childeren, children.] ► 11 A foetus; an infant; spec, (dial.) a female infant, oe. 2 A boy or girl. oe. ►b In biblical translations: a youth approaching or entering on manhood, lme. 3 sing. A youth of gentle birth. Chiefly as a title, arch. OE. 4 transf. A person who has (or is considered to have) the character, manners, or attainments of a child, esp. a person of immature experience or judgement; a childish person, me. 5 A pupil at school, me. ►b spec. A chorister, ei6. f6 A lad in service; a page, an attendant, etc. LME-E17. 7 A man, a lad, a fellow. Cf. chield. Long arch. rare, mi6. £3 1 Shakes. Wint. T. A very pretty bame. A boy or a child, I wonder? 3 Byron Childe Harold. 4 J. Conrad You are not fit for diplomatic work, you know, ma chere. You are a mere child at it. 7 L. G. Gibbon Chris waved to the old, kind childe as he bicycled down Blawearie brae. ► II As correlative to parent. 8 A son or daughter (at any age) of (or with my etc.); an offspring of human parents. (Used chiefly, & longer, of a daughter.) oe. ►b A young animal, rare. L16. 9 In pi. Descendants; members of the tribe or clan. me. 10 A disciple of a teacher; a follower or adherent of Usu. in pi. me. 11 fig. A product, derivative, extract, dependant, attachment, etc., of me. £□11 Shakes. Rom. & Jul Dreams Which are the children of an idle brain. J. R. Green Elizabeth.. was a child of the Italian Renascence. Phrases: children of Israel = Israel 1 from a child since child hood, poor child see poor adjective, quick with child see quick adjective 4a. red children see red adjective. Sunday child. Sunday’s child: see Sunday, the child unborn: a type of innocence, ignor¬ ance, etc. this child slang (orig. US Black English) I. me. with child arch, (a) pregnant; f(b) fig. full of; eager, longing, to do. Comb.: child abuse severe maltreatment of a child, esp. by beating or neglect or sexual assault; child allowance a sum of money paid out or allowed against tax for a dependent child; child-bearing givingbirth to children; child benefit in the UK. a State monetary allowance for each child in a family (replacing family allowance); childbirth giving birth to a child (natural childbirth: see natural adjective): child bride a bride who is still a child, a very young bride; childcare the care or oversight of a child or children, esp. by a creche or childminder in the tempor¬ ary absence of a parent or guardian, or by a local authority when a normal home life is considered to be lacking; child guidance the supervision of the (esp. psychological) welfare of children and adolescents, the therapeutic treatment of maladjusted chil¬ dren and adolescents; child labour the (esp. inhumane or illegal) use of children in industry or business; Childline (a char¬ itable organization running) a telephone helpline service offer¬ ing help and advice to children experiencing problems, esp. physical or sexual abuse; childminder a person who takes care of a child or children, esp. in the temporaiy absence of a parent or guardian; spec, a person registered with the local authority to offer paid daytime care in his or her own home for children under the age of eight; childminding the oversight of a child or children in the temporary absence of a parent or guardian; spec. the work of a registered childminder; child-molestation sexual abuse of a child by an adult; child-molester a person guilty of child-molestation; child pornography: childproof adjective that cannot be operated, opened, damaged, etc., by a child; child psychologist a specialist in child psychology; child psychology the systematic study of the psychology of children; children’s hour (chiefly Hist.) an hour of recreation spent together by parents and their children in the evening; (Children's Hour), a BBC radio programme with this title, broad¬ cast 1922-61; child-resistant adjective = childproof above; child’s play (a) play befitting a child; (b) an easy task: Child Support Agency (in the UK and Australia) a government agency responsible for the assessment and collection of compulsory child maintenance payments from absent parents; child-wife a wife who is still a child, a very young wife; child-woman a person between childhood and womanhood: a woman who is still like a child. ■ childed adjective provided with a child or children Ei7 childless adjective me. childlessness noun mi9 childlike adjective (a) belonging to or becoming a child; filial; (b) resembling (that

a cat. a: arm. e bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot. a: saw, a run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how. ei day an no, e: hair, ra near, ai boy, ua poor. aio tire, ana sour

394

child | chime Chilkat 'tjilkat/ noun & adjective. Also Chilcat. Mi9.

of) a child; possessing the qualities of a child (usu. in a good sense, as opn childish): Lis, childlikeness noun childlike quality Ei9. childly adjective (a) childish; t(b) filial: oe. childness noun [rare] t(a) childish humour, childishness; |b) being a child: Ei7 childship noun (now rare) the relationship of child to parent; fillation, adoption: Mi6.

[Tlingitjilkdat.] ► A noun. PI. -s, same. A member of a subdivision of the Tlingit in Alaska, mi 9. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to this people. M19.

chill /tjil/ noun.

. [Old English cele. dele, of Germanic origin. Rel. to cold adjective. In branch II also from the verb or adjective.] ►til gen. Absence of heat, cold, coldness, oe-lme.

tchild verb. me. [from the noun.] 1 verb traps. Give birth to (a child); bring forth. ME-E17. 2 verb intrans. Bear a child; be delivered of a child.

► II2 A lowered bodily temperature, marked by shiver¬ ing; feverish shivering; a sudden sensation of physical cold, which is often a first stage or symptom of illness; a

ME-E19.

childbed /'tjAil(d)bed/ noun. me. [from child noun + bed noun.] 1 The state of a woman in labour; giving birth to a

feverish cold. me. 3 A coldness of the air, water, etc., which may induce shivering; cold which has a depressing, benumbing, or penetrating effect on the body. L18. 4 fig. a A depressing influence. E19. tb Absence of warmth of feeling or sympathy; coldness of manner.

child, me. 2 The bed in which a child is born. Li 6. childe noun see child noun. Childermas tfildsmas/ noun. arch. [Old English dldrama>sse. from dldra genit. pi. of aid child noun + mxsse mass noun'.] 1 The festival of the Holy Innocents, 28 December, commemorating Herod’s slaughter of the children

M19. 5 A metal mould, or piece of metal in a sand mould, used to cool quickly, and often to harden, the surface of molten metal brought into contact with it. Li9. 6 A cloud or bloom on a surface, esp. caused by conden¬

(Matthew 2:16). oe. 2 The day of the week throughout the year correspond¬ ing to the day on which the festival last occurred. Now

sation. L19. £B 2 E. Roosevelt He began to complain that he felt a chill. P. F. Boiler He contracted a chill that quickly became pneu¬ monia. 3 G. Maxwell She had recoiled at first from the biting chill of the water take the chill off warm slightly. 4a j. Morley The .. prosaic results .. have thrown a chill over our political imaginations, b H. Martineau To dissi¬ pate the chill by showing that we were ready to.. be soci¬ able. 6 P. V. White Basil returned with a green bottle. It was wearing a chill.

dial. E17. childhood 'tj.uldhody noun. [Old English aldhad: see child noun, -hood.] 1 The state or stage of life of a child; the time during which one is a child; the time from birth to puberty. OE. |2 Childishness; a childish action. Only in me. f3 The relationship of child to parent. Only in E17.

Comb. : chill factor meteorology the apparent lowering of the air temperature by wind.

ta 1 fig.: Shakes. Rom. S Jul. Now I have stain'd the child¬ hood of our joy. second childhood the state of childishness incident to old age; dotage.

chill /tjil/ adjective. Now literary, lme. [Prob. from the noun.] 1 Cold to touch or feel; now usu. unpleasantly or injuri¬ ously cold; that chills or causes shivering, lme. 2 fig. That tends to repress warmth of feeling or enthu¬ siasm; repressed in feeling, unemotional, austere, lme. 3 Depressingly affected by cold; having a pervading sensation of cold; sensitive or liable to cold. L16.

childish ,'tjAildiJ/ adjective. [Old English didisc: see child noun, -ISH'.[ 1 Of, belonging, or proper to a child or childhood; childlike, oe. 2 Not befitting mature age; puerile, silly, lme. ■ childishly adverb lme. childishness noun E16.

children noun pi. of child noun.

ca 1 Arnold Bennett The atmosphere outside the stove was chill. W. Boyd He adored the chill green drink, clear and clinking with ice-cubes. 2 T. Gray Chill Penury repress’d their noble rage. T. Hardy A chill self-reproach. 3 M. Shelley They had a fire to warm them when chill.

Chile /'tjiliy noun\ Also (arch.) Chili. E19. [A S. American republic.] Used 0ttrib. to designate things found in or associated with Chile. Chile hazel: see hazel noun1. Chile nitre natural sodium nitrate. Chile pine the monkey-puzzle tree. Araucaria araucana. Chile saltpetre = Chile nitre above.

chile noun2 var.

■ chillness noun Li6.

chill /tjil/ verb. lme. [Prob. from the noun.] ► 11 verb intrans. Become cold. lme. fb Be seized with a sudden chill. M19. tc Foil, by out: calm down, relax, slang (chiefly US). L20. t2 verb intrans. Shiver with cold. lme-li6. 3 verb traps. Make cold; affect injuriously with cold. lme. ►b Deaden or destroy with cold. ei 8. 4 verb trans. fig. Affect as with cold; depress; deject, dis¬ pirit. LME. 5 verb trans. Cool and harden (molten metal) by contact with cold metal, or by casting in a metal mould, mi9. 6 verb trans. Give a cloud or bloom to (a surface) by cold, condensation, etc. Mi9. 7 verb trans. Subject (food, esp. meat, etc.) to a low but not freezing temperature, esp. to preserve it. Li 9.

of chilli.

Chilean /'tjilian adjective & noun. Also (arch.) Chilian,

eis.

[from Chile noun1 + -an.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to Chile or its inhabitants. El 8.

Chilean jasmine. ► B noun. A native or inhabitant of Chile. E19.

chile ancho noun phr.: chili

noun1

Chili noun2

see ancho.

var. of chilli. see Chile

chiliad /'kiliad/ noun.

noun1. lme.

[Late Latin chilias, -ad- from Creek khUias, -ad-, from fchtlioi one thousand: see -ad1.] 1 Aperiodofonethousandyears. lme. tb spec. The mil¬ lennium. rare. eis. 2 A group of one thousand (things); a thousand. L16. chiliagon/'kiliag(a)n/noun. Li7.

[from Greek khiliagonos, from kliilioi one thousand + gonia angle.) A plane figure with a thousand straight sides and a thousand angles. /-dra/, -drons L17. [from Greek khilioi one thousand + -hedron.] A solid figure or object with a thousand plane faces.

► III slang (orig. US). 9 verb intrans. Freq. with out. Calm down, relax, take it easy. Freq. as interjection. 120. >b Pass time idly; hang around, esp. with other members of a group. L20.

see Chilean.

chiliarch/'kilia:k/noun.

Li6.

[Late Latin chiliarches, -us from Greek khiliarkhes. -os, from Mini one thousand: see -arch.] A commander of a thousand men. ■ chiliarchy noun f(a) a body ofa thousand men: (b) the post of chiliarch: M17.

chiliasm

/'kiliaz(a)m/noun. Ei7.

[Greek khiliasmos, from khilias chiliad.] The doctrine of the millennium; the belief that Christ will reign in bodily presence on earth for a thousand years.

chiliast

'kiliastnoun. Li6.

f few.

g get, h he, j yes.

: 9 Q. Tarantino Tell her to chill. C. Wilkins Then Frank said, softly, ‘Hey, Elliot, chill out. okay?’ b B. Cross Bored as hell... so I went to a place where the homeboys chill. Comb.: chill-cast verb rapidly solidify (cast iron or other metal) by contact with a cooled metal mould or other cold surface in order to produce a hard, dense surface; chill-out adjective (colloq.) intended to induce or enhance a relaxed mood, esp. denoting a room in a nightclub in which dancers may relax and where quiet or ambient music is played. ■ chiller noun a person who or thing which chills (spine-chiller: see spine noun) L18 chillingly adverb in a chilling manner L16.

chilli 'tjili/ noun. PI. -i(e)s. Also chile, pi. chiles. *chili.

[Late Latin cMiastes from Greek khiliastes. from khilias chiliad.] An adherent of chiliasm; a millenarian. ■ chili astic adjective of, pertaining to. or holding the doctrine of the millennium 117. b but, d dog.

► II 8 verb trans. & intrans. Warm slightly; raise or rise to temperate heat. dial. El 9. E£1 8 Dickens A pint pot. the contents of which were 'chill¬ ing' on the hob.

chiliahedron /kili3'hi:dr(a)n. -'had-/ noun. rare. PI. -dra

Chilian adjective & noun

CQ 1 Defoe My very blood chills at the mention of the name of Newgate. 3 Dryden Ev’ry Lady's Blood with Fear was chill'd. 4 H. Keller Even now the thought of those dreadful days chills my heart, spine-chilling 7 B. Spock You boil your milk.. cool it, then chill it in the refrigerator.

k cat,

I leg.

n

cayenne; cayenne made from these dried pods. Also chilli

pepper chilli con carne ikon 'ka:ni/ [Spanish = with meat] a Mexican dish of minced beef, beans, and chilli, chilli relleno re'ljemou/ [Spanish = stuffed] a stuffed green pepper. Comb, chilli pepper see above, chilli powder hot cayenne made from chillies. chillsome /'tjilsfajm/ adjective. E20. [from chill noun or verb + -some1.] Chilling, chilly, chillum/'tjilsm/ noun. Lis. [Hindi chilam.] The part ofa hookah containing the tobacco etc.; loosely a hookah, the act of smoking, the charge of tobacco. chiilumchee/‘tjibmtji:/noun. eis. [Urdu chilamchi.] In the Indian subcontinent: a wash-basin of brass or tinned copper, chilly /'tjili/ adjective. Li6. [from CHIU noun + -Y1.] 1 That chills; disagreeably cold to touch or feel. Li6. 2 Affected by a chill; (feeling) rather cold; sensitive to Cold. E17. 3 fig. Not genial; cold-mannered. M19. ■ chillily adverb M19. chilliness noun E18. chilo- combining form var. of cheilo-. chilopod /'kAibpDd/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [from mod. Latin Chilopoda pi. (see below): see cheilo-, -pod.] zoology. ►A noun. A myriapod of the class Chilopoda, a centipede, mi9. ► B adjective. Of, Chilopoda. Li 9.

pertaining to,

or characteristic of

Chiltern Hundreds .tfiltfrln 'hAndradz/ noun phr. pi. me. [from Chiltern Hills in S. England + hundred + -s'.) A crown manor, the administration of which is a nominal office under the Crown and so requires an MP to vacate his or her seat. apply for the Chiltern Hundreds resign from the House of

Commons. chilver /'tjilva/ noun. Now dial. [Old English dl/er-, dlfor-lomb, corresp. to Old High German kilburjra), -irra: rel. to calf noun1.] In full chilver-lamb. A ewe-lamb, chimaera noun var. of chimera. chimaeroid /kAi'miaroid, ki- noun & adjective. M19. [from prec. + -oid.] (Relating to or characteristic of) a deep-sea fish of the subclass Holocephali (chimera 4). chimb noun var. of chime noun2. chime /tjArm/ noun1, me. [Prob. from Old English ambal cymbal, by analysis as chime bell.] 11 A cymbal. Only in me. 2 An apparatus for striking a set of bells so as to make them chime; spec. (usu. in pi.) such an apparatus used as a doorbell, lme. 3 A set of bells, or of metal bars or tubes, so attuned as to chime when struck or slightly swung, lme. 4 The series of musical sounds or tune played on such sets of bells; a chiming sound. M16. 5 The rhythm or ring of verse; derog. jingle. M17. 6 fig. A system of which all the parts are in harmony. M17.

7 fig. Harmony, accord, agreement, mi9. £3 3 musical chime see musical adjective. 4 J. Betjeman The girl of my choice, with the tilt of her nose and the chime of her voice. 6 Milton Disproportion'd sin Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din Broke the fair Musick. 7 H. Maudsley Others have found no such happy chime of fact and theory. Co mb.: chime bars a type of glockenspiel used esp. in schools, chime /tjAim/ noun2. Also chimb. See also chine noun3. LME.

[Prob. identical with the noun occurring in Old English dmstan base, pedestal, dmiren damp-iron, dmbingjoint, corresp. to Middle Dutch kimme (Dutch kim) edge of a cask, Middle Low German timme, kunm (German Kimme).] The rim at the ends of a cask, formed by the ends of the staves. chime /tjAim/ verb1, me. [Origin uncertain: the relation to chime noun1 is obscure.] 1 verb intrans. Resound when struck; ring out; tinkle; (of a set of bells) make a series of musical sounds, me. 2 verb intrans. Produce a musical sound from a bell by striking it; make a series of musical sounds with a set of bells, lme. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Recite or repeat in cadence or mechanically, lme.

ei 7. [Spanish chile from Nahuatl chilli.]

4 verb trans. a Of a set of bells etc.: indicate (the hour) by chiming. M16. kb Give out (a musical sound) when struck, arch. Ei7.

The (dried) red pod of the pepper Capsicum annuum var. longum, used in sauces, relishes, etc., and made into a hot

5 verb trans. Bring or put (into or out of a state or place) by chiming. Li6.

man. n no. p pen. r red, s sit, t top, v van,

w we, z zoo.

J she.

3

vision,

0 thin,

6

this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

395

chime | chine 6 verb trans. Make a series of musical sounds on (a set of bells); strike (a bell etc.) so that a musical sound is given OUt. L16. 7 verb intrans. & trans. Jingle; rhyme (words). Mi7. 8 verb intrans. fig. Harmonize, agree, (together, with). L17. £3 1 E. Waugh The bells of St. Bride’s chimed unheard. L. Deighton A clock chimed loudly. I. McEwan Ice chimed in glasses. 3 Byron Let simple Wordsworth chime his childish verse. 4a G. Swift The mantelpiece clock chimed one in the morning. 5 Southey His enemies had the indecency to chime him out of the church. 8 W. S. Churchill Her endeavours chimed with the Imperial spirit of the age. With adverbs in specialized senses: chime in (a) verb phr. intrans. join in harmoniously or in unison; (b) verb phr. intrans. & trans. interject (as) a remark in agreement; (c) verb phr. intrans. be in complete (but usu. subordinate) accord Kith.

chime /tfAim/ verb2 trans. Mt9. [from chime noun2.]

Groove or chamfer staves for the chime of (a cask).

chimer/'tjAima/ noun'. Ei7. verb' + -er1.] A person who chimes bells etc. [from chime

chimer noun2 var. of chimere. chimera 'kvi'miara, ki-/ noun. Also chimaera. lme. [Latin chimaera from Greek khimaira she-goat, monster, from khimaros he-goat.] 1 creek mythology. A fire-breathing monster, with a lion's

head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail. lme. 2 A grotesque monster represented in painting etc. LME. 3 a A bogey, a horrible phantasm. Ei6. >b A wild or fanciful conception. Li 6. >c A thing of hybrid character. M19. 4 (Usu. chimaera.) Any cartilaginous fish of the family Chimaeridae (order Holocephali), typically having erect pointed fins and a long tail. Also called rabbit-fish, rat¬ fish. El 9. 5 biology. An organism whose cells are not all derived

from the same zygote. E20. ■ chimeric l-’mer-/, chimerical -'mer-/ adjectives of the nature of a chimera; imaginary, fanciful, visionary; prone to entertain chimeras: Mi7. chimerism noun (eioiocr) the state of being a chimera (sense 5); the occurrence of chimeras: M20.

chimere 'tji'mio/ noun. Also chimer /'tjima/. lme. [Obscurely rel. to Spanish zamarra sheepskin cloak, Italian zimarra, cimarra long robe (whence French simarre, fchimarre loose gown): cf. simar.] A loose outer robe, esp. that worn by a bishop and having lawn sleeves attached.

chimichanga /tJTmi'tJagga/ noun. M20. [Mexican Spanish, lit. 'trinket'.] A tortilla rolled round a savoury filling and deep-fried.

chiminage /'tjuninidy noun. Li6. [Old French cheminage from chemin road: see -age. In Anglo-Latin cheminagium, chim-.] feudal law. A toll for liberty of passage through a forest.

chimney /'tjimni/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French cheminee chimney, fireplace, from late Latin caminata, perh. orig. for camera caminata room with a fireplace, from Latin caminus forge, furnace, from Greek kaminos oven, furnace.] ► A noun. 1 A fireplace, a hearth, obsolete exc. dial. me. t2 A furnace. ME-E17. J3 A (portable) stove. LME-E17. 4 A channel or flue by which smoke from a fire, furnace, engine, etc. ascends; the part of this above a roof etc. lme. 5 transf. A natural opening in the earth’s surface, esp.

that of a volcano, lme. 6 More fully lamp-chimney A glass tube over the wick of a lamp protecting and providing a draught for the flame. M19. 7 mining. An ore-shoot, mi 9. 8 mountaineering. A steep and narrow cleft by which a cliff or mountain face may be climbed. Li 9. CJ 4 Arnold Bennett To the east rose pitheads, chimneys, and kilns. P. V. White The slow fire, upon which a dusty yellow light descended through the shaft that served them as a chimney smoke like a chimney smoke cigarettes etc, very heavily. Comb. : chimney-bar an iron bar supporting the masonry above a fireplace: chimney-board a board used to dose up a fireplace in summer; chimney-breast: see breast noun 8; chimneycorner a warm seat within an old-fashioned fireplace; chimney-money Hist, a tax on fire-hearths, spec that in England and Wales in the 17th cent.: chimney-nook = chimney-corner above; chimney-piece t(a) a picture, piece of sculpture, etc., over a fireplace; (b) a mantelpiece: chimney-pot la) an earthen¬ ware or metal pipe, added to a chimney-top: (b) arch, (more fully chimney-pot hat) a tall silk hat: chimney-stack a number of chimneys standing together: a tall factory chimney; chimney swallow the common swallow, Hirundo mstica: IN. Amer.) = chimney swift below; chimney-sweep, chimney-sweeper .1 person whose business is to remove soot from chimneys: chimney swift N.Amer. a swift, Chaeturapelagica. often nesting in

chimneys; chimney-top the part of a chimney which rises above the roof, esp. the flat upper surface of this. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Provide with a chimney. E19. 2 verb intrans. mountaineering. Climb up a chimney. M20. ■ chimneyless adjective having no chimney(s) M17.

chimonanthus /kAtma'narfttes/ noun. E19. [mod. Latin, from Greek kheimon winter + anthos flower.] A shrub of the genus Chimonanthus, native to China; esp. winter-sweet, C. praecox.

chimp /tjimp/ noun, colloq. L19. [Abbreviation.] A chimpanzee.

chimpanzee/tfimpan'zi:/noun. mis. [French chimpanze from Kikongo.] A Central and W. African anthropoid ape of the genus Pan, of which there are two species, P. troglodytes, which resembles man more closely than does any other ape, and the pygmy chimpanzee, P. paniscus. pygmy chimpanzee see pygmy adjective.

chin /tjin/ noun1. [Old English cin(n) = Old Frisian kin, Old Saxon kinni (Dutch kin). Old Norse kinn chin, lower jaw. Gothic kinnus cheek, from Ger¬ manic: cogn. with Latin gena cheek, Greek genus jaw.] 1 The front of the lower jaw. oe. 2 A talk, a conversation. Also redupl. chin-chin, slang (chiefly US). Li 9. 1 double chin: see double adjective & adverb, keep one’s chin up remain cheerful, lead with one’s chin: see lead verb', stick one’s chin out see stick verb', take it on the chin fig. (a) suffer a severe blow; (b) meet misfortune courageously, up to the chin reach¬ ing to the chin; deeply immersed in. Comb.: chin music (chiefly US) talk, chatter; chin-strap a strap for fastening a hat etc. under the chin; chins wag see wag verb. chin-wag noun & verb (colloq.) (a) noun chat, talk; a conversation; (b) verb intrans. talk, chat ■ chinless adjective (a) without a chin: (b)fig. lacking firmness of character (esp. in chinless wonder): E19. chinned adjective having a chin, esp. of a specified kind L16. chinny adjective marked by a conspicuous chin Lis.

Chin /tjin/ noun2. PI. -s, same. Li9. [Burmese - hill-man.] A member of a people inhabiting the Chin hills and adjacent districts in Myanmar (Burma); the language of this people.

chin noun3 var. of tchin. Chin noun4 & adjective var. of Qin. chin /tjin/ verb. Infl. -nn-. L16. [from chin noun'.] ► I fl verb intrans. Press chin to chin. Only in Li6. 2 verb trans. Bring (a fiddle etc.) up or up to the chin.

Ml 9. 3 verb trans. Draw one’s body up so as to bring the chin up to or above (a horizontal bar etc.) with one’s feet off the ground; refl. raise oneself thus. E20. £D 3 H. Allen You take exercise by chinning yourself on the window bars. A. S. Neill To ask a boy.. to chin a bar four times. ► II 4 verb intrans. & trans. Talk, chat, (to). US slang. Li9.

China /'tjAino/ noun1. Li6. [A country in Asia: origin of the name unkn. (not native Chinese).] ► I 1 Used attrib. to designate things found in, obtained from, or associated with China. Li6. 1 China aster see aster noun 2b. China berry N. Arner. (the fruit of) a China tree. China crepe: see crepe noun & adjective. China grass ramie, Boehrneria nivea. China ink Indian ink. China orange the common orange, orig. from China. China-root (the fleshy root of) a Far Eastern shrub, Smilax china; also, any of certain other plants or their roots. China rose (a) the monthly rose, Rosa chinensis, native to China; (b) an ornamental shrubby hibiscus, H. rosa-sinensis. China silk a light plain-woven silk fabric. China syndrome the imagined movement of a nuclear reactor deep into the earth after a melt-down. China tea a smoke-cured tea from a small-leaved tea plant grown in China. Chinatown a section of a town, esp. a seaport, where Chinese live as a colony. China tree N. Amer. the azedarac: also, a wild soapberry, Sapindus marginatus, of the southern US. Chinawoman (now arch, or derog.) a female Chinese. ► II2e///pt. a = China-root above. Li6. ►b = China rose (a) above mi9. ►€ = China tea above. E20. |3 A Chinese person. e-mi7. ► Ill See next.

china /’tf Aina/ adjective & noun2. Also C-. Li6. [Persian cini formed as prec. (from attrib. uses of which early uses of the adjective are indistinguishable).] 1 (Of) a fine semi-transparent or white ceramic mater¬ ial; porcelain. Li6. 2 Items made of this. Mi7. 3 In full china plate A mate, a friend, rhyming slang. Li9. CD 1 R. Brautigan We treat them all as if they were china. Meissen china. Pinxton china. Plymouth china. Sevres china. etc. 3 B. Behan Two chinas from the same district or town. Comb. & special collocations: china-blue (of) a greyish blue; china clay kaolin; china-closet a cabinet for keeping or displaying china; china-mark (moth) any of various delicately-patterned

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw. a run, o put, u: too. a ago. ai my, ao how, ei day,

pyralid moths whose larvae feed on water-plants; f china-metal porcelain (so called when its composition was unknown); china plate see sense 3 above; china shop: selling china (bull in a china shop: see bull noun j; chinaware = sense 2 above. ■ chinagraphnouna type of pencil for writing on glass, china, etc. (also chinagraph pencil} M20.

Chinaman/'jAinomon/noun. PI. -men. mis. [from

china

noun2 (branch I) or

China

noun' (branch II) +

man

noun.]

► 11 A dealer in porcelain. Now rare or obsolete, mis. ► II2 A Chinese man. Now arch, or derog. mi9. 3 cricket. A left-handed bowler's off-break or googly to a right-handed batsman. M20. Phrases: Chinaman's chance US colloq. a very slight chance (usu. in neg. contexts).

chinar noun var. of chenar. chincapin /'tfipkopin/ noun. Also chinquapin & other vars. E17. [from Virginia Algonquian.)

Any of various small N. American trees or their edible nuts; esp. the dwarf chestnut. Castanea pumila. water chincapin the American lotus, Nelumbo lutea. chinch /tJm(t)J7 noun'. Also chintz l-tsl & other vars. E17. [Spanish chinche from Latin cimex, rimic-.]

More folly chinch-bug. 1 A bed-bug. obsolete exc. N. Amer. E17. 2 A N. American bug, Blissus leucopterus, very destruc¬ tive to cereals and other grasses, mis. tchinch adjective & noun2, me. [Old & mod. French chi(n)che.[

► A adjective. Niggardly, miserly. Only in me. ► B noun. A niggard, a miser; a wretch. ME-L16. 5

Survives in chinchy.

chinch verb see chink verb2. chincherinchee /tjmtjann'tji:/ noun. /tJTijk-/; ttintirinties (earlier). E20.

Also

chink-

[Imit. of the squeaky sound made by rubbing stalks together.]

A white-flowered bulbous plant, Omithogalum thyrsoides, native to southern Africa. chinchilla tjm’tfib/noun. Ei7. [Spanish, prob. from Aymara or Quechua.]

► I 1 AS. American rodent of the genus Chinchilla, with very soft grey fur. E17. 2 A cat of a silver-grey breed. Li 9. 3 A rabbit of a variety bred for its grey fur. Also chinchilla rabbit. E20. ► II 4 The fur of the S. American chinchilla or of the chinchilla rabbit. Ei9. chin-chin noun see chin noun' 2. chin-chin /tjm'tjm/ interjection & verb. Now colloq. lis. [Chinese qing qing (Wade-Giles cfii'ng thing).]

► A interjection. Used as a greeting, as a farewell, and as a toast. LI 8. ► B verb. Infl. -nn-. 1 verb trans. Greet. Li 8. 2 verb intrans. Say ‘chin-chin’. M19. chinchona noun var. of cinchona. chinchy 'tj'mtji/ adjective. Now chiefly US colloq. lme. [from chinch

noun1 + -Y1.]

Niggardly, miserly. R) Not recorded between M17 and

E20.

chincough noun see kinkcough. Chindit/'tjmdit/ noun. M20. [Burmese chinthe, a mythological creature.]

An Allied fighter behind the Japanese lines in Burma (Myanmar) (1943-5). chine /tfAm/ noun'. [Old English cinu = Middle Dutch kene (Dutch keen) from Germanic base of CHiNEverb1. Cf. chawn. cHINKnoun2.]

fl gen. A fissure, a crack, oe-li 6. 2 A fissure in the earth. Now only spec a deep ravine in the Isle of Wight and in Dorset (chiefly in proper names). OE. chine /tfAin/noun2, me. [Aphet. from Old French eschine (mod. echine) from ProtoRomance blend of Germanic source of shin noun and Latin spina noun.]

spine

1 The spine, the backbone, me. J2 The back. ME-Li8. 3 A joint of meat containing (part of) an animal's back¬ bone. ME. 4 transf. A ridge, an arete. Mi9. Phrases: mourning of the chine: see

mourning noun2.

chine/tjAin/noun’, lme. [Alt. of chime noun2.]

1 = chime noun2, lme. 2 shipbuilding, a That part of the waterways projecting above the deck-plank. M19. >b The angle where the bottom lines of a ship's planking or plating meet the sides. E20. no. e: hair, ra near. 01 boy, us poor, ab tire, aos sour

396

chine | Chippendale chine /tjAin/ verb'. Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English Snan = Old Saxon, Old High German ton. Gothic keinan sprout, from Germanic: cf. chine noun'.] 1 verb intrans. Split open, crack; sprout, oe. f 2 verb traps. Burst, split. LME-E16. [from chine noun2: cf. French echiner break the back of.]

1 Cut along or through the backbone of (a carcass). LME. 2 Break the back of. Now rare or obsolete. Li6. chine Ji:'nei/ noun & adjective. Mi9. [French, pa. pple of chiner, from Chine China.]

(A fabric) given a mottled pattern of (supposedly) Chinese style by colouring the warp or weft threads, or both, before weaving. Chinee tj\: m noun, slang (now arch, or derog.). L19. A Chinese. Chinese tjAi'ni:z/ adjective & noun. Li6. [from China (see China noun1) + -ese.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to China. Li 6. Chinese anise see anise i. Chinese artichoke: see artichoke 3. Chinese block an oblong slatted wooden block used esp. by jazz drummers. Chinese box each of a nest of boxes. Chinese burn colloq. an act of placing both hands on a person s arm and then twisting it with a wringing motion to produce a burning sensa¬ tion. Chinese cabbage an oriental brassica; spec. B. chinensis. with smooth-edged tapering leaves, or B. pekinensis.^ which resembles lettuce. Chinese Chippendale Chinese compliment a pretended deference to the opinions of others, when one's mind is already made up. Chinese copy a slavish imitation. Chinese gooseberry - kiwi 4. Chinese jute see jute noun’. Chinese lantern (a) a collapsible lantern of thin coloured paper; (b) = alkekenci. Chinese laundry a laundry operated by Chinese. Chinese layering = air-layering s.v. air noun’. Chinese leaf pe-tsai: in pi., the leaves of this vegetable, used in salads. Chinese mitten crab an olive-green Asian crab, Eriocheir sinensis, with fur-covered pincers and hair on the legs, which has been introduced into European fresh water and estuaries where it can become a pest. Chinese olive: see olive noun' lb. Chinese puzzle an intricate puzzle or problem. Chinese restaurant: operated by Chinese, serving Chinese food. Chinese tallow-tree see tallow noun. Chinese wall fig. an insurmountable barrier. Chinese water chestnut: see water noun. Chinese whispers a game in which a message is distorted by being passed around in a whisper (also called Russian scandal). Chinese white zinc oxide as a white pigment. ► B noun. PI. same, f-eses.

1 A native of China; a person of Chinese descent. E17. 2 The Chinese language, a member of the Sino-Tibetan group, a tonal language with no inflections, declensions, or conjugations and having many dialects. E18. Chinese: see overseas adjective. «J See also Red Chinese s.v. red adjective. Tibeto-Chinese. • chineserynoun = CHiNoisERiELi9. 1 overseas

Ching noun & adjective var. of Qing. chink/tfirjk/noun'. Mi6. chink

verb1.]

1 gen. A fissure, a crack. Mi6. 2 A long narrow opening, a slit, a peep-hole; a place not fully closed and admitting the light etc. M16. ■ chinky adjective characterized by or full of chinks M17. verb1.]

1 A short sharp ringing sound as of glasses or coins striking together. Li6. 2 a Ready cash. arch, colloq. L16. Mb In pi. Coins. L16-E17. Chink tfujk/ noun3, slang, offensive. Li9. [Irreg. from China (see China noun'): cf. Chinky.]

A Chinese. iron Chink: see

iron

chink noun4 see

chino /'tfbnsu/ noun & adjective. US. M20. [Amer. Spanish = toasted.]

► A noun. PI. -os. A cotton twill cloth, usu. khakicoloured; in pi., trousers made of this. M20. ► B adjective. Of this cloth. M20. Chino- /'tjAinao/ combining form. [from China (see China noun') + -o-.]

Chinese and, Sino-, as Chino-Japanese etc.

noun & adjective.

kink noun1.

chink /tjirjk/ verb', lme.

2

[Imit.: cf. chink noun and Dutch kintoi.] 1 verb intrans. Emit a short, sharp ringing sound, as of

coins, glasses, etc. striking together, lme. 2 verb trans. Cause to make this sound. Ei7. Q 1 A. Carter Spoon chinked upon soup-plate. 2 Pope He chinks his purse. ■ chinkle verb intrans. & trans. chink continuously or lightly Mis. chink ijigk/ verb- intrans. & trans. Also (dial.) chinch tjintj/; (esp. nautical) chinse tjms/. Ei6. [Obscurely rel. to chine verb': cf. chink noun1.] 1 a nautical. (Chiefly chinse.) Caulk (a ship, its seams), now spec, as a temporary measure. Also foil, by up. E16.

►b Fill up (cracks, esp. between bricks, tiles, the logs of a log cabin, etc.); fill up the cracks of (a building). Also foil, by up. Chiefly N. Amer. mi 8. 12 [chink only.) Open in cracks; crack, chap. M16-L17.

chink tjxrjky verb1 trans. dial. E19. [Origin unkn.: cf. kink noun2, verb2.]

Give a twist to; sprain. chink verb4 see kink verb1. b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he.

[French, from chinois Chinese + -erie -ery.]

A Chinese or imitation Chinese artistic object, piece of furniture, etc.; the imitation of Chinese motifs in furni¬ ture etc. tchinoline noun var. of quinoline. Chinook /tfi'nok/ noun. N. Amer. Also (exc. sense 1) c-. PI. -s, same. Ei9. [Salish tsiniik.]

1 A member of a N. American Indian people formerly living along the Columbia river; the language of this people. Ei 9. 2 In full Chinook Jargon. A pidgin composed of elem¬ ents from Chinook, Nootka, English, French, and other languages, used in the Pacific north-west of N. America. M19. 3 In full Chinook salmon. A salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, of the N. American Pacific coast Mi9. 4 In full Chinook wind. A warm dry wind which blows east of the Rocky Mountains. Also, a warm wet southerly wind west of them, m 19. 1 Lower Chinook. Upper Chinook: dialects of Chinook,

chinovnik/tji'novmk/ noun. Also tch-. PI. -s, -i /-V. Li9. [Russian.]

In Russia: a government official, esp. a minor function¬ ary; a (mere) bureaucrat. chinquapin noun var. of chincapin. chinse verb see chink verb2. chintz tjints/ noun' & adjective. Ei7. [Hindi chit spattering, stain. Mod. form a fanciful spelling of ori¬ ginal pi.] ► A noun. PI. chintzes. Orig. tchint. pi. chints. Orig., a

painted or stained calico from India. Now, a cotton cloth with a particoloured pattern, usu. fast-printed and glazed. E17. ► B adjective. Of chintz; covered with chintz, ei 8. ■ chintzy adjective (a) decorated or covered with chintz; (b) fig. unfashionable; genteel, suburban, petit bourgeois: M19.

chintz noun2 var. of chinch noun'. chionodoxa 'kAiana'doksa/ noun. L19. [mod. Latin, from Greek khion snow + doxa glory.]

chink tfirjk/ noun2. Li6. chink

1

[formed as Chink noun + -Y6, -ie.]

A Chinese person (derog.); a Chinese restaurant.

chinoiserie /Jm'woczori; foreign Jinwazri (pi. same)/ noun. LI 9.

[from Chinese noun taken as a pi.]

[Imit.: cf.

Gazella bennettii.

chinkerinchee noun var. of chincherinchee. Chinky /'tjinki/ noun, slang, offensive. Also -key. -kie. Li9.

chine /tjAin/ verb2 trans. lme.

[Obscurely rel. to chine noun'. Cf.

chinkara /tfi'kaira/ noun. Also chikara ifirj ku:r.v. Mi9. [Hindi cikara from Sanskrit chikkara.] In the Indian subcontinent: the mountain gazelle,

A blue-flowered early-blooming plant of the genus Chionodoxa of the lily family. Also called glory-of-thesnow. chip /tjip/ noun. [Old English cipp, cyp = Old Saxon kip post, kipa stave (Dutch kip beam of a plough). Old High German kipfa (German dial. Kipjfe)) axle, stave, Old Norse keppr stick, staff. Branch II perh. a different word. rel. to chip verb1,] ► 11 The beam of a plough, dial. oe.

► II 2 A thin piece cut from wood; a fragment broken from stone etc. me. 3 A thin slice or piece of bread-crust (obsolete), fruit, potato, etc.; spec, a (usu. oblong) piece of potato fried or for frying, (chiefly N. Amer.) a potato crisp; (orig. US) a cold thin crisp piece of food made from seasoned flour or meal (usu. with specifying word), lme. 14 A key of a spinet or harpsichord, rare (Shakes.). Only in Li 6. 5 a Wood or woody fibre split into thin strips for making hats, bonnets, baskets, etc. Lis. >b In full chip basket A basket made of strips of thin wood interwoven or joined. E20. 6 A piece of dried buffalo- or cow-dung, used as fuel. Usu. in pi. N. Amer. mi9. 7 A counter used for betting in a game of chance; a coin; in pi., money. M19. 8 A blemish caused by chipping; a place on china etc. from which a chip has been knocked off. L19. 9 More fully chip shot. In golf, a short lofted approachshot on to the putting-green. In soccer etc., a short lofted kick. E20. 10 A tiny wafer of semiconducting material used to make an integrated circuit, esp. such a wafer of silicon (also silicon chip). M20.

j yes, k cat. 1 lej ■g, m man, n no, p pen,

r red,

s sit,

corn chip, potato chip, tortilla chip. etc. chocolate chip Phrases: (as) dry as a chip thoroughly dried up bargaining chip: see bargain verb 1. blue chip, see blue adjective, burn to a chip make inedible or useless by burning, bum up. cash in one’s chips see cash verb2 3a. chip off the old block, chip of the old block see block noun 1. fish and chips: see pish noun hand in one’s chips, pass in one's chips throw in one’s chips fig (US colloq.) die. have a chip on one’s shoulder be touchy or embit¬ tered (from a former US practice of so placing a chip as a chal¬ lenge to others to knock it off), have had one’s chips slang be beaten, be finished: be unable to have what one wants, in the chips slang moneyed, affluent, not care a chip not care at all. pass in one’s chips see hand in one’s chips above spit chips see spit verb', throw in one’s chips see hand in one’s chips above, when the chips are down colloq. when it comes to the point. Comb, chip basket (a) a wire basket used in deep-frying potato chips; (b) see sense 5b above; chipboard a thin pasteboard made of compressed wood chips and resin; chipmaker a company that makes microchips: chip-shop a shop selling fish and chips; chip shot: see sense 9 above. 3

chip /tjip/ verb'. Infl. -pp- lme. [Rel. to Old English forcippian cut off, Middle & mod. Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch kippen hatch out by chipping the shell.] verb trans. Remove the crust of (bread); remove (the crust of bread), lme-eis. 2 verb trans. Chap, crack. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 verb intrans. Of a seed or bud: break open, germinate. Long obsolete exc. dial. Lis. 4 verb trans. Of a hatching chicken etc.: crack and break open (the eggshell). E17. 5 verb trans. Hew or cut with an axe, adze, qr other implement. Ei7. 6 a verb intrans. Break at the edge; lose a piece from the edge or surface; be apt to do so. Mi8. tb verb trans. Cut or break at the surface or edge; shape by so cutting; carve (an inscription etc.); cut or break (a piece) off, from, a surface or edge, mi9. >c verb intrans. Make strokes at (as if) to cut or break pieces off, work away at so as to dimin¬ ish or destroy. M19. 7 verb trans. Harrow, hoe, (ground). Austral. & N1. Li8. 8 verb trans. Cut (esp. a potato) into chips; US slice (smoked dried beef) thinly. Chiefly as chipped ppl adjec¬ tive. ei 9. 9 a verb intrans. Aim a blow at (lit & fig.); poke fun at. Ei9. ►b verb trans. Tease, chaff, colloq. Li9. 10 verb intrans. & trans. Foil, by in: >a Put down (as) a stake, contribute (money etc.). M19. >b Contribute to a conversation, interpose. L19. 11 verb intrans. & trans. Kick or hit (a ball etc.) with a chip shot; bypass (an opposing player) with a chip shot. E20. £□ 5 G. Swift Dick.. chips ice from the lock-gates with fingers that do not seem to feel the cold. 6a Ladies Home Journal (US) If nail color chips between manicures, c H. E. Bates Workmen were chipping at snow and ice with pickaxes. Globe & Mail (Toronto) Members will chip away at the coverage extended to the consumer, if there is no regulation. 9b J. Hilton Being chipped about that Chinese girl didn’t appeal to my sense of humour. 10a P. Ackroyd He insisted on paying the bill, he would not dream of having them chip in. R. Carver All of us chipped in thirty-eight bucks for a funeral spray, b Scottish Daily Express Andrew quickly chipped in that there wasn't a 'bottomless pit of money'. Stage 6 Television Today Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau—ready to chip in comments. 11 G. Green Chipping home the free kick for goal number five. Guardian Bodak broke clear.. to chip Corrigan delightfully. Los Angeles Times A chance to chip and putt the ball. Comb., chip-axe a small axe used in chipping timber etc. into shape; chip-in cotf a chip shot by which the ball is holed. ■ chipping noun (a) a small piece of wood, stone. (obsolete) bread, etc., chipped or pared off, esp. in dressing or shaping (usu. in pi.); (b) the action of the verb: lme.

chip ffjip/ verb2 intrans. Chiefly US. Infl. -pp-. Li8. [Imit.] Cheep, chirp. chipping sparrow, tchipping bird a N. American sparrow, Spizella passerina. chipping squirrel, chip squirrel [by erron. identification of chip in chipmunk] a chipmunk.

Chipewyan /tJipa'wAisn/ adjective & noun. Also -pp-. L18. [Cree ri:pwaya:n lit. '(wearing) pointed-skin (garments)’.] ► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to an Athapaskan people of NW Canada or their language, li 8. ► B noun. PI. -s, same. A member of this people; the lan¬ guage of this people. E19.

chipmunk /'tJtpmAijk/ noun. Also f-muck. M19. [from Ojibwa acitamo-n’’.] A N. American ground-squirrel of the genus Tamias. least chipmunk: see least adjective, noun, & adverb.

chipolata /tjips'lata/ noun. L19. [French from Italian tipollata dish of onions, from apolta onion.] In full chipolata sausage. A small, thin sausage.

Chippendale /'tjip(a)ndeil/ adjective & noun. Li9. [See below.] ► A adjective. Designating or pertaining to an elegant style of ornamental furniture popularized in the pattern-books of the English cabinet-maker Thomas

t top, v van, w we, z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

6

thin, d this, q ring, tj chip, d3 jar

397

chipper | chit Chippendale (1718-79); designed by or in the style of Thomas Chippendale. L19. ► B noun. A piece of Chippendale furniture. Li 9. Chinese Chippendale: combining square and angular outlines with Chinese motifs.

chipper/'tjipa/ noun. Ei6. [from chip verb1 +-ER1.]

A person who or thing which chips; esp. a machine for chipping timber.

2 A flock (o/finches etc.), lme.

chirm /tja:m/ verb intrans. Now dial. Also charm /tjarm/, sharm /Ja:m/. [Old English cirman = Middle Dutch kermen, carmen mourn, lament (Dutch kermen), Middle High German karmen.] Cry out; spec, (of a bird, or a person likened to a bird) warble, chirp. ffj W. Owen The birds fifed on before... Right down to town; and there they ceased to charm.

chipper /'tjipa/ adjective, colloq. (orig. N.Amer.). M19. [Prob. var. of kipper adjective2, infl. by next.]

Cheerful, lively. chipper /‘tjipa/ verb. dial. & US. eis. [Imit.: partly a metathesis of chirrup verb.] 1 verb intrans. Twitter; chatter, eis. 2 verb traps. Cheer up. L19.

Chippewa /'tjipawo:, -wa:/ noun & adjective. Also -way /-wei/. PI. of noun same, -s. mis. [Alt. ofOjIBWA.]

= Ojibwa. 9 Chippewafy) is the more usual name in the US, and Oj'ibwa in

Canada. Chippewyan adjective & noun var. of Chipewyan. chippie noun', noun2 vars. of chippy noun', noun2. chippy /'tjipi/ noun'. Orig. US. Also -ie. Mi9. [from chip verb2 + -y6, -ie.] 1 A small bird; spec. = chipping sparrow s.v. chip verb2.

M19. 2 A promiscuous or delinquent young woman; a pros¬ titute; derog. a young woman, a girl, slang. L19. chippy /'tjipi/ noun2. Also -ie. E20. [from chip noun + -Y6, -ie.]

1 A carpenter. (Cf. Chips.) slang. E20. 2 A shop selling fish and chips, colloq. M20. chippy /'tjipi/ adjective, dial. & slang. E17. [from chip noun orverf?1 + -y1.]

1 2 3 4

That chips or breaks into small pieces easily. Ei7. As dry as a chip, thoroughly dried up. M19. Unwell, esp. with a hangover. Li 9. Irritable. Li9.

■ chippiness noun L19.

Chips /tjips/ noun, slang, lis. [PI. of chip noun: see -s'.) (A nickname for) a carpenter, esp. on a ship. tchique noun see chigoe. chir/tjio/ noun'. L19. [Hindi cir.] A pine, Pinus roxburghii, native to the Himalayas. Also

chir pine. chir noun2 var. of cheer noun2. chiragh /tji'ra:g/ noun. L19. [Urdu from Persian drag lamp, light.]

A simple oil lamp used in India and adjacent countries. chiral /’kAiar(a)l/ adjective. L19. [from Greek kheir hand + -AL1.]

Of a crystal, molecule, etc.: not superposable on its mirror image. ■ chi rality noun L19.

chirayta ZtJi'rAita/ noun. Also -retta /-'rets/. Mi9. [Hindi tiraytd, draita.]

(A bitter infusion made from) an Indian plant of the gentian family, Swertia chirata. tchire noun see chive noun'. chiretta noun var. of chirayta. chirimoya noun var. of cherimoya. chirk /tja:k/ adjective. US colloq. Lis. [Prob. from next.]

Lively, in good spirits. chirk /tja:k/ verb. lme. [Imit.: cf. chark verb’.] 1 verb intrans. Grate, grind; creak; croak. Long obsolete exc. Scot, dial. lme. 2 verb intrans. Chirp; squeak, lme. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Cheer up. US colloq. mi 9.

£H 2 O. Nash The rural squirrel in his rage Chirks like a squirrel in a cage. chirl /tja:l/ noun & verb. Chiefly Scot. E17. [Imit.]

► A noun. A warble. E17. ► B verb trans. & intrans. Warble. E19. chirm /tja:m/ noun. Also (now the usual form in sense 2) charm /tja:m/. [Old English rearm, derm = Old Saxon karm: cf. next.] 1 Noise, din; esp. (a) the blended singing of many birds; (b) the noise of many children etc. chattering. Now dial.

OE. a cat,

a:

chiro- /'kAirau/ combining form. Also cheiro-; (before a vowel) chir-, cheir-. [Greek kheiro-, from kheir hand: see -o-.] Of the hand. ■ chi rognomist noun one practising chirognomy L19. chi rognomy noun the supposed estimation of character by inspection of the hand mi 9. chiro nomic adjective of or pertain¬ ing to chironomy mi 8. chi'ronomy noun the art or science of ges¬ ticulation. or of moving the hands according to rule in oratory etc. Li 7.

chirograph /'kAiragra:f/ noun. me. [French chirographe from Latin chirographum from Greek kheirographon, formed as chiro- + -graph.] Chiefly Hist. A formal handwritten document, esp. an indenture of a fine.

chirographer kAi'rngrofa/ noun. lme. [Anglo-Norman drographer, medieval Latin chirographarius, from chirographum: see prec., -er3. In sense 2 from chiro- + -grapher.] 1 Hist. A legal officer appointed to engross fines in the Court of Common Pleas, lme. 2 A copying clerk; a person who employs handwriting. mis.

chirography /kAi'rDgrafi/ noun. M17. [from chiro- + -graphy.] (The style or character of) handwriting.

chirology ,kar1 rolods]/ noun. Also cheir-. M17. [(French chirologie,) formed as chiro- + -logy.) 11 The use of manual sign language. M-L17. 2 The branch of knowledge that deals with the hand. LI 9. ■ chiro logical adjective of or pertaining to chirology (sense 2) M19. chirologist noun a person who makes the hand a subject of study Mi9.

chiromancy /'kAiramansi/ noun. lme. [French cliiromanrie from Latin chiromantia from Greek kheiromanteia, formed as chiro- + -mancy.] Divination by (inspection of) the hand; palmistry. ■ chiromancer noun a practitioner of chiromancy M16. chiro mantic adjective & noun [from Greek kheiromantis chiromancer + -ic] (a) adjective of or pertaining to chiromancy; t(b) noun a chiromancer: E17. chiro mantical adjective (now rare) = chiromantic adjective M17. chiromantist noun (rare) a chiromancer M17.

chironomid /kAi'ronanud/ adjective & noun. Li9. [mod. Latin Chironomidae (see below), from Chiro no mu: genus name from Greek kheironomos pantomime dancer: see -id3.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or designating the dipteran family Chironomidae, which includes many midges. Li 9. ► B noun. An insect of this family. Li 9.

chiropodist /ki'ropadist, Ji-/ noun. lis. [from chiro- + Greek pod-, pous foot + -1ST.] A person who treats ailments of the feet, esp. corns, bunions, etc., (and orig. those of the hands also). ■ chiropody noun the treatment of ailments of the feet L19.

chiropractic /kAira'praktik/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from chiro- + Greekpraktikos: see practic noun, adjective.] (Concerned with or pertaining to) the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of mechanical disorders of the joints, esp. of the spine. ■ chiropractor noun a person who practises chiropractic E20.

chiropteran /kAi'ropt(a) ran/ noun & adjective. Also tcheir- Mi9. (from mod. Latin Chtroptera bats, formed as chiro- + Greek pteron wing: see -an.] ► A noun. A mammal of the order Chiroptera; a bat. mi 9. ► B adjective. Of this order; pertaining to bats, mi 9. ■ Also chiropterous adjective L19.

chirp/tja:p/verbs noun. lme. [Imit.] ► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Of a small bird, a grasshopper, etc.: make a characteristic short sharp thin sound. Of a person; make a sound imitative of or similar to this, esp. as a greeting or as encouragement; talk merrily; colloq. speak up. lme. 2 verb trans. Utter or express by chirping. E17. 3 verb trans. Greet or encourage by chirping, mi9. 4 verb trans. & intrans. Cheer up. US. Li 9. ► B noun. A short sharp thin sound (as) of a small bird, a grasshopper, etc. E19. ■ chirper noun a person who or thing which chirps; a small bird: Li6. chirping ppl adjective (a) that chirps: (b) merry, lively: (c) arch, producing merriment, cheering: Mi6.

chirpy /'tJo:pi/ adjective, colloq. Mi9. [from

prec.

+ -y1.]

Given to chirping; lively; cheerful. ■ chirpily

adverb

E20. chirpiness

noun

M19.

chirr /tja:/ noun & verb. E17. [Imit.: cf.

churr.]

► A noun. A prolonged trilling sound (as) of a grasshopper etc. E17. ► B verb intrans. Make such a sound. E17. chirrup /’tjirap/ verb & noun. Li6. [Alt. of chirp verb by trilling the r.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. Of a bird, grasshopper, etc.: make a series of chirps, twitter. Of a person: make a sound imita¬ tive of or similar to this, esp. as a greeting or as encour¬ agement; sing or talk merrily, li 6. 2 verb trans. Utter by chirruping. M17. 3 verb trans. Greet or encourage by chirruping, lis. ► B noun. A series of chirps; a twitter. M19. ■ chirrupy

adjective (colloq.) given to chirruping; lively, cheerful;

chirpy: E19.

chirt /tja:t/ verb & noun, obsolete exc. Scot lme. [Imit.]

► A verb. 11 verb intrans. Chirp. Only in lme. 2 verb intrans. Spurt out. E16. 3 verb trans. Squeeze, press out. M17. ► Bnoun. fl A chirp. Only in E17. 2 A squeeze (ejecting liquid). M19. chiru /'tjiru:/ noun. Li9. [Prob. from Tibetan.]

A gazelle, Pantholops hodgsoni, of high plateaux in Tibet, northern India, and parts of China, the male of which has very long straight horns. chirurgeon /kAi'ra:d3(a)n, tji-/ noun. arch. me. [Old French drurgien (mod. chir-): see surgeon.]

A surgeon. chirurgery /kAi'ra:d3(a)ri, tji-/ noun. arch. lme. [Old French tirurgerie: see surgery.]

Surgery. ■ chirurgic chirurgical

adjectives surgical

lme

chisel /'tjiz(a)l/ noun1, lme. [Old Northern French (mod. dseau, in pi. scissors) from ProtoRomance, from Latin cis- (as in late Latin cisorium) var. of caes- stem of caedere to cut: see -el3. Cf. scissors.]

1 A cutting tool having a square bevelled end for shaping wood, stone, or metal, lme. 2 A similar surgical instrument for cutting bones. 117. suitable for cutting cold, hot, metaL US colloq. at full speed, skew chisel: see skew adjective. Comb.: chisel-toe a squared toe of a shoe. ■ chisel-like /-l-l-/ adjective resembling (that of) a chisel M19. 1 cold chisel, hot chisel:

full chisel

chisel noun2 var. of chesil noun. chisel /'tjiz(a)l/ verb trans. Infl. -II-, *-l-. Ei6. [from chisel noun’.]

1 Cut, shape, etc., with a chisel; transf. shape, give form to. El 6. 2 Cheat, defraud; treat unfairly, slang. E19. G3 1 A. Miller You can chisel the wood out around those bolts, fg.: R. Macaulay Time chiselled delicate lines in her fine clear skin. ■ chiselled ppl adjective cut or shaped with a chisel; fig. (of fea¬ tures etc.) finely or clearly cut: L16.

chiseller /'tjiz(a)la/ noun'. Also *-eler. E19. [from prec. + -er'.]

A person who cuts or shapes with a chisel; slang a cheat, a swindler, a confidence trickster. chiseller /'tjiz(a)la/ noun2. Anglo-Irish. Also -elur, chisler /'tjizlo/. E20. [Origin unkn.]

A youngster, a child, a youth. chi-square /kAi'skwe:/ noun. E20. [from chi + square noun: X is used conventionally to represent the square root of the sum of the squares of differences between observed and theoretical data.] In full chi-square test A significance test used in the

statistical comparison of observed and theoretical values. ■ chi-squared

adjective designating such a test M20.

chit /tjit/ noun', lme. [Origin uncertain: perh. same as next.) f 1 An animal’s young; a whelp, a cub, a kitten, lme-eis. 2 A young child, a brat; a young, small, or slender woman. Usu. derog. E17. (33 2 G. Santayana Some chit of a silly nurse-maid. Sloan Wilson She was a proper woman. Not some little chit.

chit /tjit/ noun2, obsolete exc. dial. Ei7. [Perh. repr. obscurely Old English dp shoot, sprout, seed, mote (in the eye). Old Saxon lap sprout, shoot. Middle Dutch hit, Old High German -kidi sprout, from Germanic base also of chine noun'.)

A shoot, a sprout.

arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, 0: saw, a run, u put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day. au no. e: hair, a near. a. boy. ua poor, Aia tire, aua sour

398

chit | chlorite chivalresque /Jiv(o)l'rEsk/ adjective. Alsochevaleresque /jEvalo'resk/. E19.

chit /tj'it/ noun3. lis. [Abbreviation of chitty noun.]

[(from chivalry + -esque after) French chevaleresque, from chevalier: see chevalier.] Characteristic or suggestive of the Age of Chivalry.

A written paper, a note; a note of an order, a sum owed, etc.

chit /tj’it/ verb intrans. Infl. -tt-. Ei7.

chivalric/'Jiv(a)lrik; poet. Ji'valrik/ adjective. Li8.

[from chit noun3.]

chital /'tji:t(a)l/ noun. Also chee-. Li9. cittal from Sanskrit citrala spotted.] A white-spotted deer, Axis axis, of southern Asia. Also called axis (deer), spotted deer

chitarrone /kita'raoni/ noun. PL -ni /-ni/. mis.

[from Greek khloazein become green.] medicine. An area of skin, usu. on the face, which is tem¬

valorous. LME-E17. 2 Of or pertaining to (a knight of) the Age of Chivalry.

porarily abnormally pigmented, often owing to hormo¬ nal changes. chlor- /kb:/ combining form' of chlorine noun. Cf.

[Italian, augm. ofchitarra guitar.]

L18. 3 Pertaining to or characteristic of the ideal knight; gallant, honourable, courteous, disinterested; derog. quixotic. E19. ■ chivalrously adverb lme. chivalrousness noun M19.

[Redupl. of chat noun2.]

► A noun. 1 Light familiar conversation. L17. 2 Subject-matter of gossip or small tallc. E18. ► B verb intrans. Infl. -tt-. Gossip, chat. E19. ■ chit-chatty adjective of the nature of chit-chat: gossipy: Li9.

chivalry/'fiv(3)lri/noun. me.

tchithe noun see chive noun'. chitin/'kAitin/noun. Also |-ine. Mi9. [French chitine, irreg. from Greek fcHiton: see chiton, -in'.] An insoluble nitrogenous polysaccharide which is the main constituent of the exoskeleton of arthropods and also occurs in fungi. ■ chitini zation noun conversion into chitin L19. chitinize verb trans. convert into chitin (usu. in poss.) L19. chitinoid adjective resembling chitin L19 chitinous adjective of the nature of or con¬ sisting of chitin M19.

chitlings /'tfitligz/ noun pi. dial. & US. Also chid- /'tjid-/. MI9.

[Old & mod. French chevalerie, fchiv-, from medieval Latin caballerius for caballarius: see chevalier, -ery, -y3.] 1 collect. Knights or horsemen equipped for battle; medieval men-at-arms; gallant gentlemen, arch. me. ►|b The cavalry of ancient Greece and Rome. E16-L18. 2 The qualities and abilities of a knight; knightly skill. arch. me. 13 A feat of knightly valour; a gallant exploit. ME-E19. 4 Knighthood as a rank or order, arch. lme. 5 law. Tenure by knight-service, obsolete exc. Hist. Li6. 6 The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code. Mi8. 7 The characteristics of an ideal knight; courage, honour, and courtesy; inclination to defend or help a weaker party, lis. £3 1 Gibbon A valorous knight, who charged at the head of the Spanish chivalry.. against the Moors. 2 Sir W. Scott The last of all the Bards was he, who sung of Border Chivalry. 7 W. Holtby She had evoked some masculine sentiment of protective chivalry.

[Contr. of pi. of chitterling.]

1 Chitterlings. Mi9. 2 Rags, tatters. US. MT9.

chiton /'kAitDn, -t(a)n/ noun. Ei9. khiton; in sense i through mod. Latin Chiton genus name.] 1 A mollusc of the class Polyplacophora, characterized by a broad oval foot and a symmetrical dorsal shell com¬ posed of a series of eight overlapping plates. Ei9. 2 Along woollen tunic worn in ancient Greece. M19. [Creek

chittack /'tjitak/ noun. Li9. chat.dk.] In the Indian subcontinent: a unit of weight equal to about 900 grains (approx. 58.3 grams). [Bengali

chitter/'tjita/verbs noun. me.

chitter-chatter TJrtatJata/ noun. eis. Lively chattering, light gossip.

[Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to Middle High German kutel (German Kutteln) in same sense. In sense 3 treated as dim. of chit noun1.] 1 sing. & (usu.) in pi. The smaller intestines of pigs etc., esp. when cooked as food. me. 2 A frill, esp. down the front of a dress-shirt (prob. from the resemblance of this to the mesentery), obsolete exc. dial. Li6. 3 A little child, a little brat, derog. L17.

OE-M19. 2 A filamentous organ in a flower, a stamen or pistil; the filament of a stamen. 0E-E19. [Old French dial. var. (whence Picard chivot green onion) of Old & mod. French cive from Latin repa onion. See also sithe noun2.] 1 sing. & (usu.) in pi. A small plant. Allium schoenoprasum, resembling the onion; the slender hollow leaves of this plant as used to flavour salads, soups, etc. lme. f 2 A small bulb or bulbil, esp. a clove of garlic, m 1 6-m 18.

chive /tjArv, tjiv/ noun3 & verb, slang. Also sh- /J-/. See also CHIV. LI7.

[Prob. from Chevy Chase, scene of a skirmish celebrated in a Border ballad.] ► A noun. 1 A hunting cry. Li 8. 2 A chase, a pursuit, a hunt. E19. 3 [Abbreviation of Chevy Chase.] The face, slang. L19. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Chase; harry; worry, trouble, harass.

M19. 2 verb intrans. Race, scamper. M19.

Of a face: pinched; (later) baby-like. Comb.: chitty-faced adjective having a pinched face; baby¬ faced.

chitty-face /'tjitifeis/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. Ei7. [Perh. from French chicheface thin face: assoc, with chit noun'.] A person with a pinched face; (later) a baby-faced person.

chiule /tjr'u:l/ noun. M19. [Anglo-Latin noun2.]

chiula, cyula from Old English do!, ceol: see keel

Hist. A warship of the early Germanic or Norse invaders of Britain.

chiv /tjrv/ verb & noun, slang. Also sh- /[-/. E19. [Var. of chive noun1 & verb.]

b but. d dog,

f few, g get.

h he. j yes, k cat,

m

[mod. Latin, dim. of Greek khloros green.]

A unicellular green alga of the genus Chlorella. chlorhexidine /kb:‘hsksidi:n/ noun. M20. [from chlor-' + hex(ane + -id(e + am)ine.] pharmacology. A biguanide derivative, C„H30C12N,0, used as a mild antiseptic, chiefly in skin creams and mouth¬ washes. chloric /'kb:nk/ adjective. E19. [from chlorine noun + -ic: cf. chlorous.] chemistry. Of chlorine; chloric acid, a strongly oxidizing

acid, HCIO3, known only as an aqueous solution.

[mod. Latin, formed as next + Greek monas monad.] A unicellular green freshwater alga of the genus Chlamydomonas.

r red,

s sit, t top,

[from chlorine noun + -ide.] 1 chemistry. A compound of chlorine with a less electro-

valent element or radical; a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid. ei9. 2 loosely. A bleach or disinfectant containing a hypo¬ chlorite. El 9. ■ chloridi zation noun the process of chloridizing L19. chloridize verb trans. convert (esp. metal ores) into chloride L19.

v van,

A toxic yellowish-green gaseous chemical element, atomic no. 17, of the halogen group, with a strong pungent smell. (Symbol Cl.) ■ chlo rinity noun chloride concentration (of seawater etc.) M20.

chlorine /'kbirAin/adjective, rare. M19. [formed as prec. + -ine'.]

Light-green.

chlamydomonas /.klarmda'maonas/ noun. L19.

p pen,

chlorella /kb'reb/noun. E20.

[from Greek khloros green + -ine5.]

[mod. Latin, formed as next: see -ia’.] bacteriology. A virus-like parasitic bacterium of the genus Chlamydia, some species of which cause diseases such as trachoma and psittacosis. ■ chlamydial adjective M20.

n no,

[from chlor-1 + indene + -ane.]

A viscous chlorinated derivative of indene, C10H6C18, used as an insecticide.

chlorine/'kb:ri:n/noun. E19.

chlamydia /kb'midia/ noun. PL -ias. -iae /-ii:/. M20.

man,

[from chloric + -ate1.] chemistry. A salt of chloric acid.

■ chlori nation noun M19. chlorinator noun an apparatus for chlorinating water etc. M20.

[Abbreviation of chisel verb.] ► A verb intrans. Cheat. M20. ► B noun. A swindle. M20. ■ chizzer noun a cheater M20.

w we,

chlorite /'kb:rAit/ noun', lis. [from Latin chloritis from Greek khloritis a green precious stone: see chloro-1, -ite1.] mineralogy. A monoclinic basic aluminosilicate of magne¬ sium, iron, and often other elements, which is a con¬ stituent of many rocks and forms greenish platy crystals.

[from Greek khlamyd- chlamys + -o- + spore noun.] botany & zoology. A spore with a thick protective coat. I leg,

5 A proprietary name for this drug is Chloromycetin.

[from next + -ate3.]

chlamydospore /'klamidaspcc/noun. Li9.

► A verb trans. Infl. -vv-. Knife, stab, slash. E19. ► B noun. A knife, a blade, a razor. M19.

[formed as prec. + amide + phen- + nitro- + glycol.]

An antibiotic obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae or prepared synthetically.

Treat or impregnate with chlorine (esp. as a means of disinfecting water); chemistry introduce one or more chlorine atoms into (a compound or molecule), usu. in place of hydrogen. Freq. as chlorinated ppl adjective.

chizz /tjiz/ verb & noun. School slang. M20.

[from next.]

chloramphenicol /kbuam'femkDl/ noun. M20.

chlorinate /'kb:rmeit, 'klD-/ verb trans. M19.

chivy noun & verb var. of chivvy noun & verbL chitty /'tjiti/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. dial. E17.

volatile liquid which is obtained by the action of chlor¬ ine on alcohol and is used esp. as a hypnotic (usu. in the form of its crystalline hydrate).

chloride/'kb:rAid/noun. Ei9.

[from chiv verb.] = chiv verb.

[Hindi citthi from Sanskrit ritra spot, mark.] = chit noun3.

[from chlor-1 +-al2.] chemistry. Trichloroacetaldehyde, CCl3CHO, a pungent

chlordane /'kb:dem/ noun. M20.

chivvy /'tjivi/ verb2, slang. M20. chitty /'tjiti/ noun. E17.

chloral /'kb:ral/noun. M19.

i chive noun'. Earlier chire, chithe. [Old English ap from Germanic base also of chine noun', verb'. Intermediate chire unexpl.; chive perh. infl. by next.] 1 A tiny shoot, a sprout; a slender blade of grass etc.

chivvy/'tjivi/ noun & verb'. Also chivy, chevy /'tjevi/. lis.

chitterling /'tjitoln)/ noun. me.

chlor- combining form2 see chloro-1.

Phrases: the Age of Chivalry the period during which the knightly social and ethical system prevailed; the period during which men behave with courage, honour, and courtesy.

[Origin unkn.) = CHIV.

[Redupl. of chatter noun: cf. chit-chat.]

CHLORO-2. ■ chlo racne noun (medicine) a skin disease characterized by per¬ sistent lesions resembling acne, caused by regular exposure to chlorinated chemicals E20. chloramine noun an organic com¬ pound containing a chlorine atom bonded to nitrogen; spec, any of a group of sulphonamide derivatives used as antiseptics and disinfectants: L19 chlo rapatite noun (mineralogy) a variety of apatite containing chlorine M19. chlordiaze poxide noun a minor tranquillizer of the benzodiazepine group; (a proprietary name for the drug is Librium): M20. chlortetra cycline noun an antibiotic of the tetracycline group, obtained from the bacter¬ ium Streptomyces aureofaciens or prepared synthetically; (a propri¬ etary name for the drug is Aureomycin): M20.

chlorate/'kb:reit/ noun. E19.

chive /1J"arv/ noun2. Also (now rare) cive /saiv/. lme.

[Imit., of frequentative formation: see -er5. Cf. chatter.)

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. (Of a bird) utter quick series of short notes, twitter; (of a squirrel etc.) chatter: gen. make a twittering or chattering sound, me. 2 verb trans. Utter by chittering. rare. lme. 3 verb intrans. Shiver with cold. E16. 4 verb intrans. Of the teeth: chatter. M16. ► B noun. Twittering, mi9.

[from Greek khloanthes becoming green + -ite1.] mineralogy. A nickel-rich variety of skutterudite. Also

[Old French chevalerous. from chevalier: see chevalier, -ous.] fl Characteristic of a medieval knight or man-at-arms;

A double-necked lute of great length, a theorbo.

chit-chat /'tjittjat/ noun & verb. H7.

chloanthite/kbu'an0Ait/ noun. Mi9.

chloasma /kbo'azmo/ noun. PL -mas, -mata /-mats/. M19.

chivalrous 'Jiv(3)lros/ adjective, lme.

[Hindi dial,

[Greek khlamus mantle.]

A short cloak worn by men in ancient Greece.

called white nickel (ore)

[from chivalry + -tc.] Of or pertaining to chivalry; chivalrous.

Esp. of potatoes: sprout, germinate.

chlamys /'klamis/ noun. Li7.

z zoo,

J she,

3

vision,

0 thin.

6

this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

399 ■

chlorite | choil

adjective consisting of or containing chlorite Ei9. chloriti'zation noun conversion into (a form containing) chlor¬ ite Li9. chloritize verb trans. bring about chloritization of (usu. in pass.) E20. chloritous adjective = chloritic Mi9. chlo ritic

chlorite/'kb:rAit/noun2. Mi9.

Ch. M. abbreviation. tchoak noun var. of chock noun2. f choaker noun var. of choker.

[from chlorite noun1 + -oid.]

tchoaky adjective var. of choky adjective.

mineralogy. A basic aluminosilicate of iron and usu. also

magnesium, similar to mica and varying in colour from greenish black to grey. chloro- /'kb:rau. 'klorau/ combining form1 of Greek khloros green: see -o-. Before a vowel also chlor-. ■ chloro cruorin noun a green respiratory pigment related to haemoglobin, present in the blood of some marine worms Li9. chlo roma noun, pi. -mas. -mata -mats/, medicine (the occurrence of) a greenish tumour of bone associated with myeloid leukae¬ mia L19. chloro melanite noun [Greek khlbromelan dark green) mineralogy a greenish-black iron-containing variety of jadeite Li9. chlo ropal noun (mineralogy) = nontronite E19. chlorophyte noun botany f(a) rare a green plant; (b) a green alga: Li9.

chloro- /'kb:rau, 'klorau/ combining form2 of chlorine noun: see -o-. Cf. chlor-1. Often denoting compounds formed by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by chlorine, as chlorobenzene. ■ chloro picrin noun [picric acid, from which orig. prepared] trichloronitromethane. CCl3NO,, a volatile, toxic, reactive liquid used as a disinfectant, pesticide, etc. MI9. chloro platinate noun a salt of chloroplatinic acid Mi9. chloropla tinic adjective: chloroplatinic acid, an acid, H,PtCl6, formed when platinum dis¬ solves in aqua regia L19. chloroprene noun [isoprene] 2-chloro-i,3-butadiene, C,H..C1, a colourless liquid made from acetylene and hydrochloric acid, easily polymerized to neo¬ prene M20. chloroquine /-kwi:n/noun [quin(oline) pharmacology a quinoline derivative used esp. as an antimalarial M20. chloro thiazide noun (pharmacology) a chlorinated thiazide used as a diuretic M20.

chlorodyne/'kbiradAin, 'klor-/noun. Mi9.

choana /'kauana/ noun. PI. -nae /-ni:/.

choano- /'kaoanau/ combining form of Greek khoane funnel: see -o-. ■ choanocyte noun (zoology) a flagellated cell with a collar of protoplasm at the base of tire flagellum, e.g. in sponges L19.

choanoid /'kauanard/ adjective. M19.

choate /'kaueit/ adjective.

/,kb:r3uflu3rau'ka:b(3)n/ noun.

[from chloro-2 + fluoro- + carbon noun.)

Any of a group of exceptionally stable compounds con¬ taining carbon, fluorine, and chlorine (analogous to the hydrocarbons), which have been used esp. as refriger¬ ants and aerosol propellants. Abbreviation CFC chloroform /'kloirsfoim, 'k 1 Dr-/ noun & verb. M19. [from chloro-2 + formic.)

► A noun. A thin colourless liquid, trichloromethane, CHCI3, used as a solvent and as a general anaesthetic, its sweetish vapour producing narcosis when inhaled, mi9. ► B verb trans. Treat with chloroform; render unconscious with chloroform. Freq. fig. Ml9. adjective of, pertaining to, or like chloroform

LI 9.

k 1 cry if!-,

[from chloro-2 * myceto- + -in*.]

chocolaty adjective var. of chocolatey. Choctaw /'tjDkto:/ noun & adjective, eis.

[Urdu from Persian cubddr mace-bearer.) In the Indian subcontinent: an usher bearing a staff, attending on a dignitary. L19.

[Abbreviation.] = CHOCOLATE HOUR.

Comb.: choc-bar. choc-ice, a small bar of ice-cream enclosed in a thin layer of chocolate.

chocaholic noun & adjective var. of chocoholic. chocho /'tfautjou/ noun. Also (chiefly Austral, & NZ) choko /'tjaukao/. PI. -os. mis. [Spanish, of Amer. Indian origin.)

chlorophyll /'kb:rafil, 'ktor-/ noun. Ei9. [French chlorophyUe formed as chloro-1 + GreekphuHon leaf.)

Any of a group of magnesium-containing green pig¬ ments which occur in plants (giving the characteristic colour to foliage etc.) and act as absorbers of light for photosynthesis. ■ chloro phyllous adjective of the nature of. containing, or characteristic of chlorophyll M19.

chloroplast/'kb:roplast, -pla:st, 'klor-/noun. L19. [from chloro-1 + -plast.) botany. A plastid containing chlorophyll. ■ tchloroplastid noun = chloroplast L19-E20.

chlorosis /klo'rausis/ noun. PI. -roses /-'raosi:z/. L17.

[Late Latin from Greek khoinix.] Greek history. A diy measure equal to 1 quart or il/2 pints

chock /tjbk/ noun'. Also tchoak. See also

chuck

noun".

ME.

[Prob. from Old Northern French (mod. Picard choke big log, Norman chouque) var. of Old French co(u)che (mod. souche) log, block of wood: ult. origin unkn.) 1 A block of wood, esp. a wedge for stopping the motion of a cask or wheel; a block (of wood or other material) placed in front of an aeroplane wheel as a brake, me. 2 A log, esp. for burning, dial. 117. 3 = chuck noun4 3 (now the usual form). Ei8. Comb.: chockstone mountaineering a stone wedged in a vertical cleft, used as a belay point, stance, or hold.

chock /tjDk/ noun2. E20. limit.) A hollow sound such as is made by an impact on wood.

chock /tjbk/ verb. Ei7. [from chock noun1.] 11 verb trans. Drive in firmly. Only in E17. 12 verb intrans. Fit in tightly and exactly. M17-118. 3 verb trans. Fit or make fast with a chock or chocks; wedge up tightly, mi9. Lis.

[Prob. from chock-full adjective.] Closely, tightly; close up. chock-a-block (a) nautical (of two blocks) run close together in a tackle; (b) transf. & fig. jammed together, crammed with.

chocker /'tjoka/ adjective, slang. Also -cka. M20. [Abbreviation of chock-a-block: see prec.) Fed up; very disgruntled.

chock-full

/tjDk'fol/ adjective. Also choak-. chuck- /tjAk-/. lme. [Origin uncertain: later assoc, with chock noun1, verb.) Crammed full (of): packed with; stuffed.

choke-

/tjauk-/;

choco /'tjDkau/ noun. Austral, slang. Also -cko. PI. -os. M20. [Abbreviation of chocolate soldier.] A militiaman, a conscripted soldier,

chocoholic /tjDka'holik/ noun & adjective. Also choca-.

causing a characteristic greenish pallor. Also called greensickness. L17. 2 BOTANY. The blanching of normally green parts of plants. Also, the abnormal turning green of other parts. E19.

[from next: see -aholic.J ► A noun. A person addicted to or very fond of chocolate.

■ chlorotic /-'rDtik/

adjective

pertaining to or affected with

chlorous /'kbiras/ adjective. M19. [from chlorine noun + -ous: cf. chloric.) chemistry. Of chlorine; chlorous acid, a weak acid, HC102,

known only in aqueous solutions. [from chlor-' + promethazine.) pharmacology. A phenothiazine derivative used as a tran¬

quillizer, sedative, and anti-emetic. *) Proprietary names for this drug are

L20.

L20.

► B adjective. Of or pertaining to chocoholics; addicted to or very fond of chocolate. L20.

chocolate /'tJok(a)bt/ noun & adjective.

Ei7.

[French chocolat or Spanish chocolate, from Nahuati chocolatl article of food made from cacao seeds; infl. by unrelated cacaua-atl drink made from cacao.) ► A noun. 1 A drink made of prepared chocolate (sense 2) dissolved in hot milk or water. E17.

chlorpromazine/kbfpraomazin, -zi:n/noun. M20.

Largactil, Thorazine.

2 An edible paste or solid made from cacao seeds by roasting, grinding, etc.; a small sweet or confection made of or covered with chocolate. Mi7. 3 = cacao noun 3 (cf. chocolate-tree below). Now rare or obsolete, mi8.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a; her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0: saw,

a

imperial measure. choga /'tjauga/ noun. M19.

[from chloro-1 + -osis.) 1 medicine. Severe anaemia due to iron deficiency,

chlorosis (in either sense) mis.

[Choctaw cahta.]

► A noun. PI. -s, same. 1 A member of a Muslcogean people originally inhabit¬ ing Mississippi and Alabama; the language of this people, ei 8. Fb Used as a type of an unknown or difficult language, colloq. Ml9. 2 skating. A step from either edge of the skate to the other edge on the other foot in an opposite direction. Cf. Mohawk noun 2. L19. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or pertaining to the Choctaws or their language, mis. choenix/'ki:mks/ noun. Ei7.

chock /tjDk/ adverb. Also choke /tjaok/.

(Proprietary name for) the drug chloramphenicol.

[from prec. + -y1.]

Made of, containing, or resembling chocolate,

A maker or seller of chocolate,

"tjaobda:/noun. eis.

choc /tJDk/ noun, colloq.

chocolatey /'tjok(a)bti/ adjective. Also -ty. M20.

[French, formed as chocolate: see -ier.) L19.

(Back-form, from inchoate adjective, as if in- were in-3.] Finished, complete; fully developed.

chobdar

Comb. & special collocations: chocolate biscuit a chocolate-coated biscuit; chocolate-box a decorated box filled with chocolates; fg. (usu. attrib.) a stereotyped romantic style of prettiness; chocolate-boxy adjective in chocolate-box style; chocolatebrown a dark rich brown; chocolate chip a small piece of choc¬ olate used in making sweet biscuits and other confections; chocolate drop a small round sweet made of chocolate; chocolate-house Hist, a house providing chocolate as a drink; chocolate mousse: see mousse noun 2: chocolate soldier a choc¬ olate figurine of a soldier; fig. a soldier unwilling to fight; chocolate-tree = cacao noun 3.

chocolatier /tjokaTatra, foreign fokolatje (pi, same)/ noun. LI 9.

[formed as prec. + -oid.) Funnel-shaped.

anatomy & biology.

= CHAYOTE.

A preparation containing chloroform and morphine, (esp. formerly) used as an anodyne.

Chloromycetin /kb:r3(u)'mAisitin, ,kb;raumAi'si:tm/ noun. M20.

L19.

[mod. Latin from Greekkhoane funnel.) anatomy. A funnel-shaped opening, esp. either of those connecting the nasal cavities to the pharynx.

[from next + anodyne.)

chloro formic

► B attrib. or as adjective. Of or resembling the colour or flavour of chocolate; dark brown. Lis.

choak-full adjective var. of chock-full

chloritoid /'kb:ntaid/ noun. M19.

■

2 milk chocolate: see milk noun, plain chocolate see plain adjective' & adverb.

tchoak verb var. of choke verb.

[from chlorine noun + -ite1.] chemistry. A salt of chlorous acid.

chlorofluorocarbon M20.

4 A dark brown colour. L18.

Latin Chirurgiae Magister Master of Surgery,

run, o put, u: too, a ago.

ai

my, ao how. ei day, ;

[Urdu chogha, -a from Persian cute.)

A loose Afghan garment with long sleeves, choice /tjois/ noun, me, [Old French chois (mod. choix) from choisir choose, from ProtoGallo-Romance from Germanic base of choose.]

1 Choosing, deciding between possibilities; a necessity to choose, a selection, me. 2 The power, right, or faculty of choosing; option, me. 3 A person or thing (to be) specially chosen or selected; the elite; the best of a group etc.; the pick. lme. 4 Variety and abundance to choose from; a scope or field of possibilities. L16. Fb An abundant and wellchosen supply. L16. |5 Care in choosing, judgement, discrimination. L16-M18. 16 Special value, estimation, rare. (Shakes.). Only in E17. 7 An alternative. Lis. Q 1 J. R. Green With this body too.. lay the choice of all future Protectors. R. L. Stevenson At breakfast we had a choice between tea and coffee. J. Buchan I had before me a choice of routes, and I chose a ridge. A. Lurie You have already made your choices, taken the significant moral actions of your life. 2 E. W. Lane I have given thee thy choice of the Manner in which thou wilt die 3 Milton The flower and choice of many Provinces. Dryden For me, the Wilds and Desarts are my Choice. 4 E. Heath Shops stocked with an immense choice of goods. 5 Bacon They were col¬ lected with ludgement, and Choice. 6 Shakes. All’s Well This ring he holds In most rich choice. 7 W. Paley Death or con¬ version was the only choice offered to idolaters. J. D. Salinger I didn't have any goddam choice except to leave. Phrases: by choice, for choice preferably, from choice will ingly. voluntarily, have no choice have no alternative. Hobson’s choice, make one’s choice decide between possibil¬ ities. spoilt for choice: see spoil verb, take one’s choice = make one's choice above.

choice /tjois/ adjective, me. [from the noun.)

1 Worthy of being chosen; of picked quality, select; exquisite; especially fine. me. 2 Carefully chosen; (esp. of words) apt, appropriate. L16. 3 Careful in choosing; discriminative; making much of. obsolete exc. dial, Ei7. CD 1 Pope In a sea of folly toss’d. My choicest Hours of Life are lost. 3 Jer. Taylor He that is choice of his time, will also be choice of his company and choice of his actions. ■ choicely adverb lme choiceness noun M17.

choil /tJail/ noun. L19. [Origin unkn.)

Tire indentation in a knife where the edge of the blade adjoins the tang; the point at which the cutting edge ends. no, e: hair, ra near, or boy. no poor, aio tire, auo sour

400

choir | chondrochoir /'kwAia/ noun & verb. Also (arch., earlier) quire, me. [Old French quer (mod. choeur) from Latin chorus; spelling with chas in Latin 8. mod. French introduced in 17th cent.] ► A noun. 1 An organized body of singers performing or leading in the musical parts of a church service, me. 2 That part of a church appropriated to singers; esp. the chancel of a cathedral, minster, or large church, me. 3 Any company of singers, esp. an organized body per¬ forming at conceits etc., a choral society; a company of singing birds, angels, etc.; gen. a band or collection of similar persons or things, lme. kb A band of dancers or dancers and singers in non-Christian religious festivals etc. Cf. chorus noun lb. Mi7. 4 (The players of) a group of musical instruments of the same class in an orchestra. E20. Phrases: ritual choir, see ritual adjective, ruler of the choir see ruler noun. Comb.: choirboy a boy who sings in a choir, esp. an ecclesias¬ tical choir; choirman a man who sings in a choir, choirmaster the conductor of a choir; choir nun a nun professed to perform choir offices; choir office a divine service said or sung by a choir; choir organ [alt. of chair organ s.v. chair noun1] the softest of three parts making up a large compound organ, with the lowest of three keyboards; choir practice the regular rehearsal of set pieces of music by a choir; choir school a school for choirboys (and other pupils) maintained by a cathedral etc.; choir sister - choir nun above; choir-stall a fixed seat in the choir of a church etc. ► B verb intrans. & trans. Sing as a choir, poet. rare. Li6. ■ choired adjective [rare) assembled in a choir; sung in chorus: Lis.

choise /tjois, -z/ verb trans. & intrans. Long obsolete exc. Scot. E16. [Alt. of choose, prob. through assim. to French forms.]

= CHOOSE. [mod. Latin, from M.J. D. Choisy (1799-1859), Swiss botanist: see -A1.]

A whiteflowered evergreen shrub of the genus Choisya, of the rue family, native to Mexico and Arizona; esp. Mexican orange, C. temata.

choke /tjauk/ noun1, obsolete exc. dial. Also (Scot) chowk /tjauk/. me. [Prob. var. of cheek noun; perh. also infl. by Old Norse kjalki jawbone.] The fleshy part around and trader the jaw; in p/., the chops.

choke /tjauk/ noun2. Ei6. [from the verb.] 1 A thing which chokes. In pi. formerly also, quinsy.

Ei 6. 12 A block to progress, an obstruction. L17-E18. 3 [Perh. infl. by ending of artichoke.] The central part of an artichoke. L17. 4 A constriction; esp. a narrowed part of a gun bore etc.

Mi8. 5 (The sound produced by) the action of choking, mi 9. 6 electricity. A high-inductance coil which serves to smooth variations or change the phase of an alternating voltage applied to it. E20. 7 A valve in the air intake of a carburettor serving esp. to provide a richer mixture for engine starting. E20.

choke 'tjauk/ verb. Also tchoak. me. [Aphet. from late Old English aceocian, formed as A-1 + cheek noun.] ► I verb trans. 1 Stop the breath of; suffocate, temporarily or finally, by squeezing the throat, blocking it up, or (of water, smoke, etc.) being unbreathable; (of emotion etc.) render speechless, me. 2 Smother, kill (a plant, fire, etc.) by deprivation of light, air, etc.; stop the vibration of (a cymbal); fig. sup¬ press (feelings, aspirations, etc.), lme kfb Silence (an opponent) by an argument. M16-M17. 3 Block up (or up) wholly or partly, constrict (a tube) by narrowing part of it; obstruct (a channel) with sand, debris, etc. E17. 4 Fill chock-full (lit & fig.). E18. 5 Stop (a machine or its action) by clogging or jamming; chock, eis. 6 Fit tightly in, ram in. mis. 7 Close the choke of (an internal-combustion engine, a vehicle). M20. ► II verb intrans. 8 Suffer a temporary or permanent stop¬ page of breath; become speechless through emotion etc.

LME. 9 Undergo smothering, suppression, blockage, or obstruction. Li6. With adverbs in specialized senses: choke back conceal (emotion etc.) with difficulty, choke down swallow (food) with difficulty; restrain oneself with an effort from uttering (words etc.), choke off colloq. stop (a person, an attempt, etc.), esp. forcibly; dissuade, discourage, rebuke. Comb, choke-berry (the red. black, or purple astringent fruit of) a N. American shrub of the genus Aroma, of the rose family; choke-cherry (the astringent cherry of) a N. American tree, Prunus virgimana: choke-coil = choke noun 6; choke-cymbal equipped or able to be rapidly damped; choke-damp asphyxi¬

2

f

few,

g

get,

choke adverb var. of chock adverb. choke-full adjective var. of chock-full. choker /'tjauka/ noun. Also fchoaker, Mi6. [from choke verb + -er1.] 1 A person who or thing which chokes. Mi6.

it. E20.

chokey noun, adjective'furs, of choky noun, adjective. chokidar

h he.

j

yes,

k

cat.

1

noun.

/'tjaokida:/

Also

chauk-,

chowk-,

/'tjauk-/. E17.

[Urdu chaukidar, from Hindi cauki choky noun + Urdu & Persian -dar holding, holder.] In the Indian subcontinent: a watchman,

choko noun var of chocho. chokra /'tjaukra/ noun.

Li9.

[Hindi chota-d.] In the Indian subcontinent: a boy, esp. one employed as a household or regimental servant,

choky /'tjauki/ noun. Also chokey; (in sense 1) chauki /'tjaoki/. E17. [Hindi rauld: in sense 2 infl. by choke verb etc.] 1 In the Indian subcontinent: a custom or toll station; a station for horses etc.; a police station, a lock-up. E17. 2 Prison, imprisonment, slang. L19. adjective. Also tchoaky: chokey. L16. [from choke verb + -Y1.] 1 Apt to cause choking. Li6. 2 Liable to or afflicted with choking, mi 9. ■ chokiness noun M19. 'tjauki/

1 Hist. Having choler as the predominant humour; bilious, me. |2 Subject to, involving or causing biliousness. M16-E18. 3 Irascible; hot-tempered. 116. J4 Angry, wrathful. L16-E18. 5 = CHOLERAIC. M19.

cholesterol /ka’lestarol/ noun.

Li9.

[from chole- + Greek stereos stiff + -ol.]

chemistry. A steroid alcohol, C27H45OH, which occurs widely in body cells and fluids, has several metabolic functions, and is a major component of atheromas and gallstones. ■ Also cholesterin noun (now rare or obsolete) E19.

choli /‘tjauli/ noun.

E20.

[Hindi roll.]

A woman's short-sleeved bodice of a type worn in the Indian subcontinent. choliarnb/'kauliam(b)/noun. Mi9.

[Late Latin choliambus from Greek kholiambos, from kholos lame: see iambus.) PROSODY. = SCAZON. ■ choli ambic noun & odjective (a) noun (in pi.) (poetry written in) this metre; (b) adjective of or pertaining to the choliamb; written incholiambs: L17. M19.

[Greek kholikos: see chole-, -ic.]

chola noun see cholo.

biochemistry, cholic acid, a steroid acid, C24H4005, which is an oxidation product of cholesterol and is present (as salts) in bile.

cholate /'kaoleit, 'kol-/ noun. M19. [from cholic +-ate1.] biochemistry. A salt or ester of cholic arid,

choline /'kaolim, -in/ noun. Also -in /-in/. M19.

chole- /'koli/ combining form of Greek khoie bile, gall. Before a vowel chol-. ■ cholagogue noun [Creek kholagogos adjective, from agogos leading, eliciting] a medicine supposed to promote the flow of bile from the gall bladder L17 cholangi ography noun radio¬ logical examination of the bile ducts M20. cholan gitis noun inflammation of the bile ducts L19. cholecal ciferol noun (biochemistry) vitamin Dr a compound related to calciferol, formed in the skin by ultraviolet light and present in egg yolk, liver, and fish-liver oils M20. tcholedoch adjective [Creek dokhos containing, receiving] conveying or containing bile Li 7 M19 choledo chotomy noun (an instance of) surgical opening of the bile duct draining into the duodenum L19. choleli thiasis noun. pi. -ases /-asi:z/, the formation of gallstones Li9.

cholecyst- /'kDlisist/ combining form of mod. Latin cholecystis gall bladder: see prec.. cyst. ■ cholecy stectomy noun (an instance of) surgical removal of the gall bladder li 9. cholecystitis noun inflammation of the gall bladder M19, cholecy stography noun radiological examination of the gall bladder E20. cholecysto kinin noun (biochemistry) a hormone which is secreted by cells in the duodenum and stimu¬ lates the release of bile into the intestine and the secretion of enzymes by the pancreas M20. cholecy stotomy noun (an instance of) surgical incision into the gall bladder L19.

[from CHOLE- + -INE5.]

biochemistry. A strong base, HO-N(CH3)3-CH2CH2OH, which occurs widely in living organisms as a metabolic intermediate. ■ choli nergic adjective (physiology) releasing or involving acetyl¬ choline as a neurotransmitter (cf. adrenergic) M20. choli riesterase noun an enzyme which hydrolyses esters of choline; esp. acetylcholinesterase: M20.

cholla /'tjora/ noun. US. Also choya.

M19.

[Mexican Spanish use of Spanish = skull, head, of unkn. origin.]

Any of various opuntias of Mexico and the south¬ western US. tcholle noun1, noun2 vars. of jowl noun2, noun3. cholo tjaubu/ noun. PI. -os. Fem. chola /'tjaula/. Also C-. M19. [Amer. Spanish, from CholoUan, now Cholula, a district of Mexico.] An Indian of Latin America; a mestizo; US (freq. derog.) a

lower-class Mexican. chomer noun var. of homer noun1, chometz noun var. of hametz.

cholent 'tJoHaJnt,'Jd-/ noun. M20. [Yiddish tsdiolnt. Cf. schalet.] A Jewish Sabbath dish of slowly baked meat and veget¬ ables, prepared on a Friday and cooked overnight

choler/'kola/noun. lme.

chomp /tjDmp/ verb intrans. & trans.

M17.

[Imit.] = champ verb 1,2.

Chomskyan '’tjDmskian/ adjective. Also -skian.

[Old & mod. French colere from Latin cholera.] |1 = CHOLERA 2a. LME-M18. 2 Hist. Bile, orig. as that one of the four bodily humours believed to cause irascibility, lme. ►tb Bilious disorder, biliousness, lme-liz. 3 Anger; irascibility, temper, mi 6. 2 choler adust a thick black fluid formerly supposed to be secreted by the suprarenal glands and to cause melancholy; black bile (cf. atrabilious).

cholera /'kolara/noun. lme.

M20.

[from Chomsky (see below) + -an.]

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Noam Avram Chomsky (1928-), US linguistic scholar, or his writings. chon

noun seejuN.

chondr- combining form see

chondro-.

chondrify ''kondnfAi/ verb trans. L19. [from Greek khondros cartilage + -fy.]

Convert into cartilage. Usu. in pass. m chondrifi cation noun Li 9

[Latin from Greek khoiera; in late Latin taking over the meanings of Greek khoie bile, anger.]

chondrin /'kDndrin/ noun. M19. [formed as prec. + -in1.]

tl = CHOLER 2. LME-M16.

2 a gen. Any ofvarious ailments involving severe vomit¬ ing and diarrhoea. Freq. with distinguishing word (see below), obsolete exc. Hist. E17. tb spec. A dangerous infec¬ tious disease, endemic in Asia, which is caused by intes¬ tinal infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is characterized by severe vomiting and diarrhoea leading to dehydration. E19. 3 chicken cholera, fowl cholera, infectious pasteurellosis of fowls (orig. thought to coincide with cholera epidemics). 119. n no, p pen, r red,

me.

[Old & mod. French cholerique from Latin cholericus bilious from Greek kholerikos, from khoiera cholera.]

cholic/'kaulik, 'kri-/adjective.

chol- combining form see chole-.

leg, m man,

2 With distinguishing words (now largely obsolete exc. Hist.): Asiatic cholera = sense 2b, cholera infantum /in'fantam/ [Latin = of infants] gastro-enteritis or a similar condition when occur¬ ring in a child; also called summer cholera, summer diarrhoea. etc. cholera morbus m.rhos [Latin = the disease cholera] = sense 2a, b. epidemic cholera = sense 2b, summer cholera cholera infantum above. Comb, cholera belt arch, a flannel or silk waistband worn to prevent intestinal ailments. ■ choleraic /kDb'renk/ adjective pertaining to or of the nature of cholera Ml9.

choleric /'kolarik/ adjective,

2 A clerical or other high collar, colloq. M19. 3 A close-fitting necklace. E20. 4 A noose of wire rope etc. tied round a log for hauling

choky

choisya Jwa:zra/noun. Mi9.

b but. d dog.

ating gas, largely carbon dioxide, accumulated in a mine, well, etc choke-pear (now rare or obsolete) a hard or unpalatable pear. fig. something hard to accept, a difficulty; choke-weed a weed which chokes other plants, esp. (formerly) broomrape; choking coil = choke noun2 6. ■ chokingly adverb in a choking maimer, so as to choke E17.

s sit.

t top.

v van.

w we.

A substance like gelatin, extracted from cartilage by boiling in water. chondrite /'kDndrAit/ noun.

M19.

[from Greek khondros granule + -ite1.]

A stony meteorite containing chondrules. ■ chondritic /kon'dntik/adjective M19.

chondro- /'kondrau/ combining form of Greek khondros car¬ tilage, granule: see -o-. Before a vowel chondr-. ■ chondro cranium noun the cartilaginous skull of an embryo 119 chondrocyte noun a cartilage cell E20. chondro genesis

z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

6 thin,

6 this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

401

chondrodite | choragus noun cartilage formation 119. chon droma noun, pi. -mas, -mata /-mats/, medicine a benign tumour of cartilage M19. chondrosar coma noun, pi. -mas, -mata /-mata/, medicine a malignant tumour arising from cartilage cells in bone 119.

chondrodite /'kDndradAit/ noun. E19. [from Creek khondrodes granular + -ite1.] mineralogy, A monoclinic basic silicate and fluoride of

magnesium and iron, usu. occurring as yellow to dark red prisms or granules. chondroid /'kondnid, adjective. M19. [from Greek khondros cartilage + -oid.]

Resembling cartilage. chondroitin /kon'draoitin/ noun. 119. [from CHONDRO- +

-ITE1

t3 A fissure, cleft, crack; a chap in the skin. Li6 M19. 4 A broken motion of waves, usu. due to the action of the wind against the tide; choppiness. M19. 1 the chop slang being killed or dismissed; sudden cancellation (of a project etc.), b KARATE-chop 2 chump chop, loin chop, etc Maintenon chop: see Maintenon 1. Comb. : chop-house a (cheap) restaurant. chop /tJ*Dp/ noun-, lme. [Var. of chap noun2.] Usu. in p/,1 = chap noun21, 2. lme. 12 (A name for) a fat-faced person. L16-E17. 3 The entrance or opening of a channel, valley, etc. M17.

+ -IN'.)

EQ 1 lick one’s chops see lick verb. 2 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV: I'll hang you for going... You will, chops? 3 Chops of the Channel the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to the English Channel.

biochemistry A polysaccharide which in the form of sul¬

phate esters is a major component of cartilage and other connective tissue. chondrophore /’kondrafo:/ noun. L19. [from CHONDRO- + -phore, in sense 2 via mod. Latin Chondrophora (see below).] zoology. 1 A pit or projection that supports the internal hinge cartilage of a bivalve mollusc. L19. 2 Any of various pelagic hydroids of the suborder Chondrophora, consisting of polymorphic colonies or single large polyps with a chitinous float and a sail. L20.

chondrostean /knn'dmsuon noun & adjective. Li9. [from mod. Latin Chondrostei (see below), formed as chondro- + Creek osteon bone: see -an.] ► A noun. A bony fish of the superorder Chondrostei,

Comb.: chop-fallen adjective = chap-fallen s.v. chap noun2. chop /tjop/ noun3. E17. [Hindi chap stamp, brand.] 1 In the Indian subcontinent, China, etc.: a seal, an offi¬ cial stamp. E17. 2 A licence, permit, etc., validated by an official stamp; an official permit. E17. 3 A trade mark, a brand of goods (orig. in China). Ei9. Phrases: first chop, second chop (colloq.) first class, second class. no chop, not much chop Austral. & NZ colloq. no good, not up to much.

which includes the sturgeons and many fossil forms. L19. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the Chondrostei. Lt9.

chop /tjop/ noun4. M17. [from chop verb2,] A snap with the jaws or mouth.

chondrule /'kDndrud/ noun. L19.

chop /tJDp/ noun5. Now rare or dial. exc. in chop and change below. L17. [from chop ver62.] An exchange, a barter. chop and change a change, an alteration (usu. in pi.) (cf. chop verb2 2).

[from chondrite + -ule.]

A spheroidal mineral grain embedded in a meteorite. choo-choo /'tju:tfu:/ noun, colloq. or nursery. E20. [Imit.]

A railway (steam) train or locomotive. chook /t juk/ noun. Austral. & NZ colloq. E20. [cf. chuck noun2, chucky.]

A domestic fowl, a chicken. chookie. chooky nouns see chucky. choola /'tjuda/ noun. Also chula. E19. [Hindi riiHid from Sanskrit ruili.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a fireplace, a cookingplace. choom /tfum/ noun. Austral. &NZslang. E20. [Alt. of chum noun'.]

An English soldier; an Englishman. choose /tju:z/ verb. Also (arch.) chuse. Pa. t. chose /tfaoz/; pa. pple chosen /'tJaoz(a)n/, (arch. & non-standard) chose. [Old English ceosan = Old Frisian kidsa, ziasa, Old Saxon kiosan (Dutch kiezen), Old High German kiosan. Old Norse kjosa. Gothic idusan, from Germanic, cogn. with Latin gustare to taste.] ► I verb trans. 1 Take by preference out of all that are avail¬

able; select, pick (out); (with compl.) select as. oe. 2 Decide to do something (rather than something else); think fit to do-, be determined to do. me. 3 Wish to have, want, obsolete exc. dial. mis. GJ 1 S. Foote Have unanimously chosen you Mayor. A. L. Rowse Sir Thomas Arundell, who chose out.. this spot. D. Lodge The Poles did not choose.. the political system under which they live. 2 AV Heb. 11:25 Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season. D. Bogarde She.. didn't hear him. Or chose not to. 3 G. Colman Do you chuse any refreshment. Sir?

chop /tjDp/ noun6. W. Afr. colloq. E19. [Origin unkn.: cf. chop verb4.] (Prepared and cooked) food. Freq. in comb. chop /tJ*Dp/ verb'. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple -pped, (arch.) -pt. LME. [Var. of CHAP verb2.] 1 verb trans. Cut by one or more quick heavy blows, usu. with an axe or the like. Freq. with adverb or adverbial phr. lme. fb Strike (a ball, a person, etc.) with a short heavy (esp. edgewise) blow. Li 9. 2 verb trans. Cut (up) into pieces, mince, lme. 3 verb intrans. Strike a short heavy (esp. edgewise) blow at (occas. on), orig. in order to cut; cut through with such a blow. lme. kb In cricket, tennis, etc.: hit the ball with a short heavy (esp. edgewise) stroke. Li9. 4 verb trans. & intrans. Thrust, go, or come, (in, into) with sudden impetus or violence; drop, fall, etc., suddenly. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Strike, knock. Chiefly Scot. Now rare or obsolete, lme. |6 verb intrans. Break open in clefts or fissures; crack; chap. L16-M18. 7 verb intrans. Of the sea, waves, etc.: have a short jerky motion; break in short abrupt waves. Chiefly as chopping ppladjective. Mi7. CP 1 AV Micoh 3:3 They breake their bones, and chop them in pieces. E. Crispin I’ll chop off your feet with these shears, chopping-block a block for chopping wood etc. on; fig. something sustaining continual blows, chopping-board for preparing vegetables etc. on. b J. Clavell Mura had chopped his [another's] elbow with the side of his hand. 2 E. M. Forster Euphemia .. will not.. chop the suet suffi¬ ciently small. 3J. T. Story Felix.. started chopping at the chain with an axe. 4 Shakes. Rich. Ill Chop him in the malmsey-butt in the next room. Sir W. Scott Lest some passing stranger should chop in between me and the prize. 7 R. H. Dana A stiffbreeze .. directly against the course of the current, made an ugly, chopping sea.

► II verb intrans. 4 Make a selection; exercise choice (between, from), me. 5 Do as one likes, take one’s own way. obsolete or dial.

LME. C£1 4 E. F. Benson She knew that she must act in one way or in another way, and she had to choose. Phrases cannot choose arch, has or have no alternative (but). choose ends see end noun, nothing to choose between no dif¬ ference between, pick and choose see pick verb'. 5 Formerly also with weak inflections. ■ chooser noun (a) gen. a person who chooses; f(b) spec, an elector: lme. choosingly adverb (rare) by choice M17.

choosy /'tju:zi/ adjective, colloq. Also -sey. M19. [from prec. + -v1.]

Particular in one’s choice, fastidious. ■ choosiness noun M20.

chop /tjDp/ noun',

lme.

[from chop verb'.] 1 An act of chopping; a cutting stroke made with an

axe or similar implement, lme. kb A short sharp down¬ ward blow or stroke in boxing, cricket, tennis, etc. Li9. ►c sing. & (usu.) in pi. A wood-chopping contest. Austral. & NZ. E20. 2 A piece chopped off; spec, a thick slice of meat (esp. pork or lamb) usu. including a rib. lme.

chop /tjDp/ verb2. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple -pped. (arch.) -pt. LME. [Origin uncertain: perh. var. of chap verb’. First evidenced in chopchurch (see below).] 1 verb intrans. & trans. Barter, traffic (with); exchange by way of commerce. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 chop and change: ka verb phr. intrans. Barter, traffic, (with). Now chiefly fig., change one’s tactics, vacillate, be inconstant. Lis. kb verb phr. trans. Barter, exchange; fig. make different, alter. Now rare. Mi6. 3 verb trans. chop logic, engage in pedantically logical arguments. E16. f4 verb intrans. Exchange words; answerback. L16--E17. 5 verb intrans. Change, shift; esp. nautical (of the wind) veer round, about, suddenly. M17. Comb.: fchop-church a trafficker in ecclesiastical benefices; chop-logic (a) disputatious argument; (b) a person who argues pedantically or sophistically.

a cat, a: arm, e bed. a: her. 1 sit, i cosy, i: see. d hot, 0: saw,

a

chop /tjDp/ verb3. Infl. -pp-. li6. [App. from chop noun2.]

|1 verb trans. Take into the jaws and eat; snap up L16-E18. f 2 verb intrans. Snap, bite at. L16-L17. 3 verb trans. Of hounds etc.: seize (prey) before it is fairly away from cover. E17. chop /tj Dp/ verb4 trans. & intrans. I/I/. Afr. colloq. Infl. -pp-. M19. [Origin unkn.: cf. chop noun6.]

Eat; kill to eat.

chop-chop /tfop’tjDp/

adverb & interjection, colloq. (orig. Pidgin Eng.). M19. [An obscure formation rendering Chinese dial, kuai-kuai.]

Quick, quickly; hurry up! Chopin /'tjbpin/ noun1. Chiefly Scot obsolete exc. Hist me. [Old & mod. French chopine from Low German schopen an old measure = half a pint.]

A liquid measure of about one English quart,

chopin noun2 var. of next. chopine /'tjopiai/ noun. arch. Also chopin /-pm/. Li6. [App. orig. from Spanish chapxn = Portuguese chapim, Old French chapin.]

A kind of shoe raised above the ground by a cork sole or the like.

Chopinesque J.x/pi'nssk

adjective. E20. [from Chopin (see below) + -esque.] music. Pertaining to or resembling the compositions or pianistic style of the Polish composer Frederic Chopin (1809-49).

chopper/'tjbpa/ noun', lis. [from chop verb2 + -er’.] A person who barters or exchanges, esp. (formerly) = chop-church s.v. chop verb2; a person who chops logic,

chopper/'tfopa/noun2. Mi6. [from chop verb' + -er1.] 1 A person who chops or cuts into pieces. M16. kb A person who fells trees; a lumberman. US colloq. E19. 2 An implement for chopping, esp. a large-bladed short axe; a butcher’s cleaver. E19. 3 A device for regularly interrupting a light-beam etc. E20. 4 A machine-gun or-gunner. US slang. E20. 5 A helicopter, colloq. M20. 6 A motorcycle built or adapted for speed and stripped ofinessential parts, slang (orig. US). M20.

chopper/'tjbpa/ noun3, lis. [Hindi chappar.]

In the Indian subcontinent: a thatched roof. Comb. : chopper-cot a camp-bed with curtains. ■ choppered adjective thatched E19.

chopping /’tjbpn)/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. M16. [from chop verb' + -ing2.]

Big and vigorous; strapping; (of a baby) bouncing. choppy / tjDpi/ adjective'. E17. [from chop noun' + -y'.j 1 = chappy adjective, rare. E17. 2 Of the sea etc.: breaking in short abrupt waves: giving a short jerky motion to things floating. M19. ■ choppiness noun L19.

choppy /'tjDpi/ adjective2. M19. [from chop verb' + -Y’.]

Liable to change (like the wind); fig. unstable, vacillat¬ ing. chopsocky /'tjDpsDki/ noun. N. Amer. colloq. L20. [Perh. joc. from chop suey.] Rung fu or a similar martial art, especially as depicted in violent action films. Freq. attrib. chopstick/'tfopstik/noun. Li7. [from pidgin English chop quick (cf. chop-chop) + stick noun1. ren¬ dering Chinese dial, kuaiz: lit. 'nimble ones'.]

1 Either of a pair of sticks of wood, ivory, etc., held in one hand, used by the Chinese etc. to lift food to the mouth. L17. 2 In pi. A simple tune for the piano, played with the forefinger of each hand. L19. chopsuey /tjop'sua/ noun. L19. (Chinese (Cantonese) tsnap sui mixed bits.]

A Chinese dish of pieces of meat or chicken fried with rice, onions, etc., often made with leftover food. chopt verb', verb2 pa. t. & pple: see chop verb', verb2. choragium /kD'reid3iam/ noun. rare. PI. -ia l-isl. L17. [Latin from Greek khoreg(e)ion place where a chorus was trained, formed as next.]

A dancing-ground. choragus /ko'reigas/ noun. Also -regus. PI. -gi /-gAi, -gi:/. El 7. [Latin from Greek khoragos. -egos, from khoros chorus noun + again to lead.]

1 A functionary at Oxford University orig. appointed to supervise the practice of music. E17.

run. u put, u: too. a ago. ai my. au how. ei day ao no. e: hair, ia near. 31 boy ua poor, Aia tire, auo sour

402

choral | choroido2 Chiefly Greek history. The leader of a chorus, or of any

group; spec, at Athens, a person who defrayed the cost of bringing out a chorus, Ei7. ■ choragic /-'rad^k, -'reKfyk/ adjective of or pertaining to a choragus mi 8.

choral

noun

var. of chorale.

[medieval Latin choralis. from Latin chorus noun: see -al1.]

1 Of or belonging to a choir, sung by a choir. Li6. 2 Of, belonging to, or of the nature of a chorus; sung in

chorus; containing a chorus or choruses. M17. >b Of poetry, drama, etc.: said or read by a group of voices. M20. 3 creek history. Pertaining to or forming a chorus as in ancient Greek religious festivals. M17. Special collocations: Choral Ode: see ode l. choral service a reli¬ gious service with canticles, anthems, etc., sung in chorus (also occas. with the versicles and responses being chanted), choral society a society of people interested in performing choral music, vicar choral see vicar noun 4. ■ choralism noun choral composition; choral rendering and technique: E20. choralist noun a person who sings in a chorus M19. chorally adverb L18.

chorale /kD’ra:!/ noun. Also -ral. Mi9. Chorallgesang)

translating

medieval

Latin

cantus

Comb.: chorale prelude an organ piece based on a chorale. poet.

E19.

[from Greek Khorasmioi (pi.) name of a tribe of Sogdiana + -an.]

Of, pertaining to, or designating a desert land south of the Aral Sea and about the lower course of the Oxus. chord /ko:dt noun'. Also t cord. me. [Aphet. from accord noun, later infl. by next.]

fl Agreement, reconciliation; an agreement, a peace treaty. Only in me. |2 = ACCORD noun 4. LME-M17. t3 music. A concord; in pi., the notes added to a bass to make up a chord (sense 4). LI6-MI8. 4 music. A group of notes sounded usu. together, com¬ bined according to some system, mi8. 4 common chord any note with its major or minor third and perfect fifth, supplemental chord: see supplemental adjective.

chord /ko:d/ noun2, mi6. [Refash, of cord noun' after Latin chorda.] 1 anatomy. = cord noun' 3, esp. in spinal chord, vocal chord M16. 2 A straight line joining the extremities of an arc. Cf.

earlier cord noun' 5. L16. lb aeronautics. The width of an aerofoil from leading to trailing edge. E20. |3 = cord noun' 1. M17-E19. 4 The string of a harp or other instrument. Chiefly poet, or fig. M17. 5 engineering. Either of the two principal members of the truss of a bridge. L19. 4 strike a chord evoke some reaction in a person, touch the right chord appeal skilfully to emotion; evoke sympathy.

chord /ka:d/ verb intrans.

rare.

chore /ko:/ noun’. Long obsolete exc. dial. oe.

13 A company of dancers or singers; a dance, a chorus. LME-L17. chore /tjo:/ noun2 & verb. Orig. dial. & US. mis. [Unexpl. var. of char noun'.]

► A noun. A small piece of domestic work (freq. in p/.); an odd job; a recurrent, routine, or tedious task, mi8. ► B verb intrans. Do household work etc.; perform routine tasks. Li 8. Comb. : chore-boy N. Amec : employed to do odd jobs.

[from Greek khorein to spread.] botany. Forming nouns denoting plants whose seeds are dispersed in a particular way, as anemochore, hydrochore.

M19.

[Prob. from chord noun1, but perh. var. of cord verb2.]

Form a chord (with); harmonize. ■ chording noun the playing, singing, or arrangement of chords M19.

chorda /'ko:da/ noun. PI. -dae/-di:/. Ei9. [Latin] = CORD noun' 3. chorda tendinea /ten’dinra/, pi. -neae -mi:/, [mod. Latin = ten¬ dinous cord] any of the fine cords attaching the borders of the mitral and tricuspid valves of the heart to the papillary muscles. ANATOMY

chordal /'ko:d(3)l/ adjective. E17.

[Latin from Greek khoreia dance.] medicine. Jerky involuntary movements; a disease with symptoms of this kind.

Huntington’s chorea. Sydenham’s chorea. ■ choreal adjective = choreic adjective1 Mi9. choreic /ko’nik/ adjective' pertaining to or affected with chorea L19. choreiform /kD'rnfem/ adjective resembling the symptoms of chorea 119.

choree /kroTi:, 'ko:ri:/ noun. rare. L16. [French choree from Latin choreus from Greek khoreios pertaining to a dance.] = TROCHEE, ■ cho reic adjective2 characterized by trochees 119.

choregraph,

Relating to, consisting or of the nature of, a chord or chords. chordate " kmdeit/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from mod. Latin Chordata, from Latin chorda: see -ate1.]

h-A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the phylum Chordata of animals which possess a notochord (for at least some part of their lives). L19. ► B noun. A member of this phylum, including all verte¬ brates, cephalochordates (lancelets), and (usu.) urochordates, E20. zoology

choregrapher

nouns,

etc.,

see

choreograph noun etc.

choregus noun var. of choragus. choregy /ko'ri:d3i, 'korid3i/ noun. M19. [Greek khoregia, from khoregos choragus: see -Y3.] Greek history The function or position of a choragus in

ancient Athens. choreograph /’koriagraf/ noun. rare. Also choregraph /'kDrigra:f/. L19. [formed as choreography +

Greek graphos writer.]

Having chords; combined in chords, in harmony, chordee 'ko:di:/ noun. E18. [French (chaudepisse) cordee corded (urethral discharge).] medicine.

(An) abnormal downward curvature of the erect

penis. [formed as next + -phone.]

Any musical instrument with strings, b but, d dog,

f few, g get.

h he, j yes,

k cat. I leg, m

Also

in

Latin

form

[Late Latin choriambus, formed as choree + iamb.] prosody. A metrical foot consisting of two short syllables between two long ones. ■ chori ambic noun & adjective [late Latin choriambicus] (a) noun a choriambic verse, a choriamb; (b) adjective consisting of a choriamb, containing choriambs: E17

choric /'kDrik, 'ko:rik/ noun & adjective. Ei9. [Late Latin choricus from Greek khorikos, from khoros chorus noun: see -ic. As noun perh. after heroics etc.] ► A noun. In pi. The verses of a (Greek) chorus, rare. Ei9. ► B adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or resembling the chorus in a classical Greek play, mi9. 2 Pertaining to a choir or chorus; choral, rare. Li9. ■ chorically adverb M20. E20.

[from chorus noun + -ine3.] A chorus girl.

chorio- /'koxiao, 'konou/ combining form of chorion, and also occas. of choroid: see -o-. ■ chorio-allan toic adjective of or pertaining to the chorio¬ allantois E20. chorio-a llantois noun the chorion and allantois fused together M20. choriocarci noma noun. pi. -mas, -mata /-mats/, = chorionepithelioma s.v. chorion noun E20. chorioreti nitis noun = choroidoretinitis L19.

chorion/'komon/noun.

Mi6.

(Greek khorion.] 1 anatomy. The outermost membrane enveloping the foetus in mammals, birds, and reptiles. Mi6. 2 entomology. The outer covering or shell of an insect's egg. mi9. Comb.: chorionepithelioma. pi. -mas, -mata /-mats/, medicine a carcinoma of maternal tissue, originating in the chorion. ■ chori onic adjective of or pertaining to the chorion; chorionic gonadotrophin, a hormone secreted during pregnancy by the placenta which stimulates continued production of progester¬ one by the ovaries; chorionic villus sampling, a procedure for obtaining information about a foetus in which a sample of tissue is taken from the villi of the chorion (abbreviation CVS): 119. chorist/’kDrist, 'ko:rist/ noun. Lis. [Old & mod. French choriste from medieval Latin chorista, formed as chorus noun + -ist.) 11 A member of a choir, lis-mis. 2 Greek history. A member of the chorus in Greek drama.

chorister/ kDrista/noun.

lme.

[Back-form, from next.] 1 verb trans. Compose the choreography of (a ballet etc.); fig. arrange or combine harmoniously or for maximum effect. M20. 2 verb intrans. Compose choreography. M20.

[Anglo-Norman var. of Old French cueriste, from quer choir; refash. in 16 after prec.] A member of a choir, esp. a choirboy; fig. each of a group of angels, songbirds, etc. Also (US), the leader of a choir. ■ choristership noun the office of chorister mib.

choreographer /kon'ngrafa noun. Also choregrapher /kD'regrafa/. L19.

chorizo/tjo'rkzou/fioun. PL -os. M19. [Spanish.] A Spanish sausage of which the chief ingredient is pork.

[formed as next: see -Grapher.]

The creator or arranger of a ballet, stage dance, etc.; a person skilled in choreography. choreographic /kona'grafik/ choregraphic/kDri'grafik/. E19.

adjective.

Also

[formed as next + -graphic.]

1 Of or pertaining to dancing. E19. 2 Of or pertaining to choreography or the devising of ballet or stage dances. E20. ■ choreographical adjective 119. choreographically adverb E20. choreography /kori'Dgrafi/ noun. Also choregraphy /kD'regrafi/. L18. Greek khoreia choral dancing to music + -ography.]

1 The written notation of dancing, choreology. Lt8. 2 The art of dancing, mi 9. 3 The creation or arrangement of a ballet or stage dance: the devising of steps and figures for a ballet or stage dance; the steps and figures of a particular ballet etc. E20. ■ choreographist

noun = choreographer L19.

choreology /koriotadji/ noun. M20.

chorizont /krm'zonjt/ noun. Also C-. PI.

-tes /-ti:z/. Mi9. [Greek khonzonte:: pi. of pres, pple of khorizein to separate.) Hist A grammarian who ascribed the Iliad and the Odyssey to different authors; gen. anyone ascribing a liter¬ ary corpus to more than one author.

chorography /kofrografi/ noun'. Now rare or obsolete. Mi6.

[French chorographie or Latin chorographia from Greek khorographia, from khora, khoros country, district: see -graphy.] The description and mapping of particular regions or districts; a description or delineation, or the natural con¬ figuration and features, of such a region. ? Taken as intermediate in its scale between geography and topography ■ chorographer noun E17. choro graphic adjective L17. choro graphical adjective Li6. choro graphically adverb 116.

chorography /koi'rbgrofi/ noun2. Now rare or obsolete.

Ei8.

[from Greek khoros dance + -graphy.) Dance notation; choreography.

choroid /'ko:roid, 'kor-/ noun & adjective.

[formed as prec. + -ology.J

The written notation of dancing; the study and descrip¬ tion of the movements of dancing.

M17.

[Greek khoroeides adjective, for khorioeides, formed as chorion + -010.]

ecclesiastical history A country or suffragan bishop of the early Church. ■ chorepiscopal adjective of or pertaining to a chorepiscopus

anatomy ►A noun. The pigmented vascular layer of the eyeball, situated between the retina and the sclera. Mi7. ► B adjective. Resembling the chorion; choroidal, mis. choroid coat, choroid membrane = choroid noun, choroid plexus a network of blood-vessels in each ventricle of the brain. ■ choroidal adjective of or pertaining to the choroid of the eye or the choroid plexus of the brain L17 choroi ditis noun inflam¬ mation of the choroid M19.

chori- /'ko:ri, kon/ combining form of Greek kh on, khoris asunder, apart, used in botany.

choroido- /ka'roidau/ combining form of prec.: see -o-. ■ choroidoreti nitis noun inflammation of the choroid and the retina Ml9.

chorepiscopus /kom'piskopas/ noun. PI. -pi /-dm -pi-/ Li6. [Late Latin from Greek khorepiskopos, from khora, khoros country + episkopos bishop noun.]

Ml 9.

chordophone /’koidafaun/ noun. M20.

noun.

3 A person who sings in a chorus. M19.

choreograph /'koriagraf/ verb. M20.

chorded /'ko:did/ adjective. Li7. [from chord noun1, noun2, verb see -ed3, -ed1.]

/’konam(b)/

choriambus /kori'ambas/, pi. -bi /-bAi/. L18.

mis.

= choreographer.

[from

[from chord noun1 or noun2: see -al1.]

choriamb

chorine /'ko:ri:n/ noun. Orig. & chiefly US.

-chore /ko:/ suffix.

chorea Iko'nol noun. Li7.

1 (A metrical hymn to) a simple tune usu. sung or played in unison, orig. in the Lutheran Church; the har¬ monized form of this. M19. 2 A group of singers. M20. Chorasmian /ko'razmian/ adjective,

[from chord noun2 + -o- + tonal adjective.] zoology. Of sense-organs in insects: responsive to mech¬ anical vibrations such as sound and bodily movements.

[Latin chorus noun. Cf. core noun2.] fl = choir noun 2. OE-M17. 2 A band, a company; a group, oe.

choral /'ko:r(a)l/ adjective. L16.

[German choralis.]

■ chori petalous adjective having separate petals L19.

chordotonal /ka:d3u't30n(3)l/ adjective. L19.

man, n

r

no,

p pen, r red, s sit, t top, v van, w we. z zoo. J she. 3 vision, 0 thin. 6 this.

rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

chorology | chrisom

403

chorology /koi'rDbc^i/ noun. L19. [from Creek khora region + -ology.] (The knowledge of) the geographical distribution of an animal, plant, etc. ■ choro logical adjective mi9.

choropleth /"korspleG/ noun. M20. [formed as prec. + Greekplethos multitude, quantity.] geography. A symbol on a choropleth map (see below). Chiefly in choropleth map. Comb., choropleth map a map showing the geographical dis¬ tribution of a property or quantity other than by isopleths, e.g. where an average value over an area is indicated by the way the area is shaded or coloured or by a symbol within the area.

chorten /.'tJo:t(3)n/ noun. Li9. [Tibetan.] = CHAITYA.

chortle/'tJo:t(3)l/ verb & noun. L19. [Invented by Lewis Carroll: app. blend of chuckle verb and snort verbf] ► A verb intrans. & trons. Utter (with) a loud gleeful chuckle; express pleasure or satisfaction in this way. Li9. ► B noun. A chuckle of pleasure or satisfaction; an act of chortling. E20.

chorus /'ko:ras/ noun. Mi6. [Latin from Greek khoros.] 1 a A character in a play whose function is to speak the prologue and epilogue and comment upon events. Mi6. ► b Greek history. A band of organized singers and dancers in religious festivals and dramatic performances; esp. in Attic tragedy, such a group providing a moral and reli¬ gious commentary upon events; an utterance of such a group. L16. 2 The refrain of a song in which the audience joins the performer in singing; the (repeated) main part of a popular song; a jazz improvisation on this. Li6. 3 Aband of singers, a choir; spec, in opera, oratorio, etc., the body of vocalists (as opp. to the soloists) who sing the choral parts. M17. Fb A group of organized dancers and usu. singers who provide support for the main roles in musical comedy, variety shows, etc. mi9. 4 Anything sung by many at once; the simultaneous utterance of sounds by many persons, animals, etc. L17. 5 music. A composition in several (ffeq. four) parts each sung by several voices. Li7. 6 (The sound produced by) a group of organ-pipes or stops designed to be played together; a compound stop.

LI 8. CO 1 a Shakes. Hen. V Admit me Chorus to this history, b Creek chorus: see Greek adjective. 2 G. Dawson The chorus .. must be nonsense, or how could you expect the company to join in. 3 E. Linklater Her mother had been one of a chorus of villagers in Cavalleria Rusticana. 4 Arnold Bennett He disappeared amid a wailing chorus of Oh, dad! G. Orwell Utter silence except for the chorus of the frogs. down chorus: see dawn noun, in chorus in unison, all giving utterance together. 5 Hallelujah Chorus: see halleluiah noun. Comb.: chorus girl a young woman who sings and dances in the chorus of a musical comedy or the like: chorus-master the con¬ ductor of a chorus or choir.

chorus /'koiras/ verb. Infl. -S-, (now rare) -ss-. El 8. [from the noun,] 1 verb trons. Provide with a chorus. El 8. 2 verb trons. & intrans. Sing, utter, or speak in chorus.

M18. chose fooz/ noun.

[French - cabbage from Latin caulis.] 1 A small round cake of pastry filled with cream etc. E18.

2 A rosette or ornamental knot of ribbon, chiffon, etc., on a woman’s hat or dress. Li9. Comb.: choux pastry a very light pastry enriched with eggs. Chou noun2 & adjective var. of Zhou.

Chouan

/jwa/ noun & adjective. PI. of noun pronounced same. Li 8. [French, from 'Jean Chouan', an early Chouan leader, who used the cry of the chouan (dial.), a kind of owl.] french HisroRt. A member of, of or pertaining to, the irregular forces who maintained a partisan resistance in the west of France against the Republican and Bonapartist governments; (a) Bourbon partisan.

choucroute /Jukrut/ noun.

mis. [French from German dial. Surkrut sauerkraut, assim. to French

CHOU,]

A kind of pickled cabbage.

chouette /J'u:'et/ noun.

Li9.

[French, lit. ‘barn owl'.] A player in a two-handed game (e.g. backgammon, piquet) who plays against a number of others succes¬ sively or in combination, esp. as a means of enabling three players to compete with one another.

chough /tfAf/ noun.

me.

[Prob. imit.] 1 A jackdaw or related bird. Now rare exc. as below, me. 2 A small crow of the genus Pyrrhocorax: spec, (a) the redlegged, red-billed P. pyrrhocorax (orig. called Cornish chough), which in Britain frequents western cliffs; (b) alpine chough, a yellow-billed chough, P. graculus, inhabiting mountains of Continental Europe and Asia. Also (in full white-winged chough), an E. Australian magpie-lark. Cor cor ax melanorhamphos. lme.

choultry /tjaoltri/ noun.

Ei7.

[from Malayalam cavati, Telugu cavadi.] In the Indian subcontinent: an open shed used as a trav¬ ellers’ rest-house; the colonnade of a temple; a meeting¬ house, a court-house. chou moellier/tjau 'molra/ noun phr. Austral. & NZ. E20. [French = marrow-filled cabbage.] = marrow-stem (kale) s.v. marrow noun

chouse /tjaos/ noun & verb', slang (now arch. rare). Also fchiaus, chowse. E17. [App. var. of chiaus noun, after a Turk who received hospitality in England after claiming to be a messenger or ambassador of the Sultan.] ► A noun. I fl A cheat, a swindler. E-M17. |2 A person easily cheated, a dupe. M17-M18. 3 A trick, a swindle, a sham. Ei8. ►|II4 = chiaus. OnlyinMi7.

► B verb trons. Dupe, trick, swindle; defraud of, cheat out of. M17. ■ chouser noun a swindler, a cheat Li 9.

chouse /tjaos/ verb2 trons. UScolloq. Also chowse.

E20.

[Origin unkn.] Disturb, hairy (esp. cattle). [Marathi cauth a fourth part.] Hist. In India, the blackmail of a quarter of the revenue exacted from provinces by the Mahrattas. chou

noun'.

chow /tjau/ noun'. Scot.

E19.

[Var. of chew noun: cf. chaw noun2.] An act of chewing; something for chewing, esp. a quid of tobacco.

chow /tjau/ noun2. Li9.

chose verb pa. t. & pple: see choose. /Jo:z 3y3e/ noun phr. PI. -s -s (pronounced

same). Li9. [French.] . . A settled or decided matter; something it is idle to discuss.

chosen /’tjouzlajn/ ppl adjective & noun.

choux noun see

me.

[pa. pple of choose.] Taken by preference, selected, picked out; spec. (theology) elect of God. the chosen, one's chosen, a person or (usu.) people chosen, esp. by God. chosen people, chosen race the Jews; loosely those specially favoured by God.

choses jugees noun phr. pi. of chose jugee. chota /'tjsota/ adjective. Anglo-Indian. Ei9. [Hindi chotd.] Small, little; younger, junior. . . chota hazri "ha:zri/ [Urdu Hazin' breakfast] a light early break¬ fast. chota peg a small drink of whisky.

chott noun var. of shott. a cat, a: arm, c: bed, a: her, i sit. i cosy, i: see, d hot.

[Abbreviation of chow-chow.] 1 A Chinese, slang (chiefly/lustra/.), derog. Li9. 2 Food, slang (orig. Pidgin Eng.). L19. 3 A black-tongued dog of a Chinese breed, resembling a Pomeranian and usu. black or brown. 119. Comb.: chowhound US slang an excessively enthusiastic eater; a glutton.

chow tjau/ verb trons. & intrans. dial,

2 = chow noun21. Austral, slang, derog. Mi9. 3 = chow noun2 3. Li 9. ► B adjective. Miscellaneous, mixed, assorted; (of water) broken, choppy, mi9.

chowder /'tjaoda/ noun & verb. Orig. & chiefly N. Amer. mis. [Origin uncertain: perh. from French faire 1 a chaudiere supply a pot etc. for cooking a stew offish etc. (chaudiere pot, cauldron).) ► Anoun. 1 A stew or thick soup offish, dams, etc. mis. 2 More fully chowder-party. A (large) social gathering, freq. held in the open, at which chowder is cooked and served. E19. ► B verb trons. & intrans. Prepare a chowder (of), mis.

chowderhead /'tfaudahed/ noun, colloq. (chiefly US). Mi9. [Prob. var. of jolter-head.] A blockhead, a muddle-headed person. ■ chowderheaded adjective stupid, blockheaded El 9.

chowk /t jauk/noun1. M19. [Hindi cauk.] In the Indian subcontinent: a city market-place; a main street.

chowk noun2 see choke noun1. chowkidar noun var. of chokidar. chow mein /tjau 'mein/ noun phr. L19. [Chinese riiaomian fried noodles.) A Chinese dish of fried noodles usu. in a sauce with shredded meat and vegetables.

chowry /'tjauri/ noun. Also chowrie.

118.

[Hindi cauri from Sanskrit camara (tail of) yak.] A fly-whisk made of hair, feathers, or (orig.) the tail of the Tibetan yak.

chowse noun & verb', verb2 vars. of chouse noun & verb', verb2.

choya noun var. of cholla. CHP abbreviation. Combined heat and power.

Chr. abbreviation. Chronicles (in the Bible). chrematistic/krkmo'ttstik/ adjective & noun. mis. [Greek khrematistikos, from khrematizein make money, from khrema, -mat- money: see -ic.] ► A adjective. Of, pertaining to, or engaged in the accumu¬ lation of wealth, mi 8. ► B noun. In pi. (treated as sing.). The branch of knowledge that deals with wealth; economics, mi9.

chrestomathy /krs'stomoBi/ noun. Mi9. [French chrestomathie or its source Greek khrestomatheia, from khrestos useful + -matheia learning.] A collection of selected passages from an author or authors, esp. one compiled to assist in learning a Ianguage. ■ chrestomathie /krest3(o)’ma0ik/ adjective devoted to learn¬ ing useful things E19.

Chrisake noun & interjection var. of Chrissake. chrism /'knz(a)m/ noun. oe.

chout /tfaut/ noun. L17.

lme.

[Old & mod. French from Latin causa matter, affair, thing.] 11 A thing (as a vague general term). lme-mi7. 2 iaw. A thing, a chattel, a piece of property. H7. 2 chose in action a right enforceable by legal action, chose in possession a tangible good capable of being possessed and enjoyed, as a book, item of clothing, etc.

chose jugee

chou /ju:, foreign Ju/ noun'. Also choux (pronounced same). PI. choux. Ei8.

(chiefly Scot.), lme.

[medieval Latin crisma, ecclesiastical Latin chrisma. from Greek kh risma, from khriein anoint.] 1 Oil mingled with balm, consecrated for use as an unguent in the administration of certain sacraments of the Christian Churches; an unguent, oe. 2 = CHRISOM 1, 2. OE. 3 A sacramental anointing; unction; spec, the ceremony of confirmation, esp. in the Orthodox Church, me. ■ chrismal adjective & noun (a) adjective of or pertaining to chrism; (b) noun a chrisom or similar doth; a vessel for holding the chrism: M17. chrismation kriz'meij(a)n/ noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) [medieval Latin chrismatio(n-)] application of the chrism, sac¬ ramental unction M16.

jehrism verb trans. lme-li8. [medieval Latin cHrismare, formed as prec.] Anoint with chrism.

chrismatory /'knzmatlajri/ noun. lme. [medieval Latin chrismatorium. from chrisma, -mat- chrism noun: see-ORY’.] Christian church. The vessel containing the chnsm.

[Var. of chew verb: cf. chaw vert.]

chrismon /'knzmsn/ noun. Li9.

Chew.

chowchilla /tjao'tjib/ noun. Austral.

M20.

[Imit. of the birds'calls.] Either of two logrunners of the genus Orthonyx, which have stiffened tail feathers and are found in eastern Aus¬ tralia and New Guinea,

chow-chow /'tjautjao/ noun & adjective. Lis [Pidgin English: ult. origin unkn.] ► A noun 1 A mixture or medley of food, as mixed pickles; esp. a Chinese preserve of orange peel, ginger,

[medieval Latin, MONOGRAM.] = cHi-rho.

from

Christo

Christ

+

monogramma

chrisom /'krizfajm/ noun. me. [Alt. of chrism noun through its popular pronunc. with two syll.J 1 In full chrisom-cloth. chrisom-robe, etc. A child s white robe at Christian baptism, used as a shroud if he or she died within a month. Now Hist. me. 2 In full chrisom-child. chrisom-babe. etc. A child that is less than one month old; a child that died at less than a

etc.; gen. (colloq.) food. L18. saw. a run. u put, u: too. a ago. ai my, ao how. ei day.

au no. e: hair,

19

near,

01

boy, era poor, aio lire, aua sour

404

Chrissake j chromatic month, or before baptism; gen. an infant, an innocent.

noun. ei 6. [from the adjective.]

ME. 13

= chrism noun l, 3. lme-eis.

Chrissake /'krAiseik/

noun & interjection, informal. Also

Chrisake M20. [Repr. a pronunc.]

Christ’s sake; for Christ’s sake! (See next.)

Christ /krAist/ noun & interjection. (Old English Crist = Old Saxon. Old High German Crist. Krist from Latin Christus from Greek Khristos, use as noun of adjective meaning 'anointed', from khriein anoint, translating Hebrew masiah Messiah.] ► A noun. 1 The Messiah or Lord’s Anointed of Jewish

tradition, oe. 2 (The title, now usu. treated as a name, given to) Jesus of Nazareth, regarded by Christians as the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy, oe. kb An image or picture representingjesus. Mi7. 13 In the Old Testament [rendering Latin christus]: a divinely appointed ruler or high priest. OE-E17. Phrases & comb. : babe in Christ: see babe 2. body of Christ: see BODY noun. Christ's sakel colloq. = for Christ’s sake! below. Christ’s thorn any ofvaiious thorny shrubs popularly supposed to have formed Jesus' crown of thorns; esp. Ziziphus spina-christi and Paliurus spina-christi, two shrubs of the buckthorn family, for Christ’s sakel colloq. expr. exasperation, surprise, impatience, etc. soldier of Christ: see soldier noun, the Christ-child Jesus as a child. ► B interjection. Expr. surprise, dismay, disbelief, etc. slang (freq. considered offensive), mis. 5 See also Jesus. ■ Christed adjective made one with Christ; made a partaker of Christ’s nature: M17. Christhood noun the state or condition of being Christ, Messiahship lme. Christless adjective without Christ or his spirit M17. Christlike adjective resembling Christ; exhibiting the personal or spiritual qualities of Jesus: L17. Christlikeness noun L19. Christly adjective (a) Christlike; (b) rare of or pertaining to Christ: oe.

Christadelphian /knsta'delfren/ adjective & noun.

M19. [from late Greek Khristadelphos in brotherhood with Christ, from Khristos Christ + adelphos brother: see -ian.]

Designating or pertaining to, a member of, a religious sect founded in the US, rejecting the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and expecting the second coming of Christ.

Christ-cross /'kriskros, -krn:s/ noun.

See also criss-cross

noun. lme. [from Christ's cross.]

3 The mark of a cross in general; esp. one used as a sig¬ nature by an illiterate. Now dial, or Hist. E17.

christen /'knst(a)n/ adjective & noun.

Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English cristen = Old Saxon, Old High German kristln from Latin Christianas Christian adjective.]

(A) Christian.

Christian /'kristjfajn, -ton/ adjective, lme. (Latin Christianas, from Christus Christ: see -ian.]

1 Of a person, community, etc.: believing in, profess¬ ing, or belonging to the religion of Christ, lme. 2 Of a thing: pertaining to Christ or his religion; of or belonging to Christianity, mi6. 3 Showing a character consistent with Christ’s teach¬ ing; of genuine piety; Christlike. Li6. 4 Of or belonging to a Christian or Christians. 116. 5 Civilized, decent. Now colloq. Li6. Special collocations & comb.: Christian antiquity see antiquity 1 Christian Brethren see brother noun. Christian burial burial according to the ceremonies of the Christian Church. Christian Democrat a member of any of various moderate European pol¬ itical parties having a Roman Catholic base. Christian Democratic adjective designating, of or pertaining to. a party of Christian Democrats. Christian era: reckoned from the birth of Jesus. Christian name a name given (as) at baptism, a forename, a personal name. Christian Science the beliefs and practices of 'The Church of Christ, Scientist1, a Christian body founded in the mid 19th cent, by Mary Baker Eddy in New Hampshire, USA, which holds that God and his perfect spiritual creation are the only ultimate reality, and that his law is always available to bring regeneration and healing to humanity. Christian Scientist an adherent of Christian Science, Christian Socialism a form of socialism, embracing Christianity, arising from an attempt to apply Christian precepts in everyday life. Christian Socialist an adherent of Christian Socialism. Christian year see year noun’ 3b. Court Christian (obsolete exc. Hist.) an ecclesiastical court. ■ Christianable adjective (colloq.) [irreg.] fit to be or befitting a Christian L19. Christianlike adjective & adverb = Christianly Li6. Christianly adjective & adverb (a) adjective characteristic of or befit¬ ting a Christian; (b) adverb in a Christianly manner: lme.

[Old English cristntan, formed as prec.]

1 Convert to Christianity; make Christian. Now obsolete or arch. oe. 2 Admit to the Christian Church by baptism; adminis¬ ter baptism to. me. 3 Give a name to at baptism; name and dedicate (a bell, a ship, etc.) by a ceremony analogous to baptism; gen. give a name to. Freq. with compl.: give as a name at baptism; call by the name of. lme. ►Jb Stand as sponsor to at baptism. L15-M17. 4 Use for the first time; soil etc. through use for the first time, colloq. E20. £Q 3 P. Norman Both of Nanny Belmayne’s sons were chris¬ tened with very long names. Q. Crisp It has now been chris¬ tened the New End Theatre. A. Bleasdale He was christened here in this very Church as Patrick.

Christianise verb var. of Christianize. [French christinnisme or ecclesiastical Latin christranismus from Creek khristirmismos Christianity: see -ism.]

1 Christian belief, Christianity (chiefly when com¬ pared with other ‘isms’). Li6. 2 Christianity of a sort. 117.

2 The Christian faith; the doctrines of Christ and his disciples, me. 3 The state or fact of being Christian; Christian quality or character, me. 4 Hist. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Li6. 3 muscular Christianity.

Christianize /'kristfonAiz, -ton-/ verb. Also -ise. Mi6. [from Christian adjective + -ize.] 1 verb trans. Make Christian; give a Christian character to. M16.

■ Christiani zation noun lis.

/knsti'ccnou/ combining Christianus Christian adjective: see -o-.

form

of Latin

[App. from Christianity, infl. by next.]

Christendom.

Christie /'knsti/ noun. Also -ty. E20.

[from CHRISTEN adjective & noun + -dom.]

OE-M17.

3 Christians collectively; the Christian Church, oe. >b The nations professing Christianity collectively, the Christian domain, lme. 14 Baptism, christening; the giving of a name. me-li7. Christer /'krAists/ noun. N. Amer. slang. E20. [from Christy -er’.]

An excessively zealous, pious, or sanctimonious person. g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

1 leg,

m

[from Stephen Christmas, 20th-cent. English sufferer from the disease.] MEDICINE. = HAEMOPHILIA B.

Christo- /’kristau/ combining form of Latin Christus or Greek Khristos Christ: see -0-. ■ Christo centric adjective having Christ as its centre L19. Christocen tricity Christo centrism nouns the state or condi¬ tion of being Christocentric E20. Christophany /kn’stofsni/ noun a manifestation of Christ, esp. after the Resurrection mis.

[from prec. + -logy.]

That part of Christian theology dealing specifically with Christ; a doctrine or theory concerning Christ. Christy noun var. of Christie. chrom- /kraum/ combining form of chromium, used esp. in names of minerals (cf. chromo-). chroma/'krouma/noun. Li9. Purity or intensity as a colour quality, esp. in colour tele¬ vision etc. chromaffin /krafufmafin/ adjective. E20. [from chromo-

+ Latin affinis akin.]

Stained brown by chromates; spec, designating hormone-secreting granules in the adrenal medulla. histology.

chromakey /'kraumaki:/ noun & verb. M20. [from chroma + key

noun’

or mb.]

► A noun. A technique by which a block of a particular colour in a video image can be replaced either by another colour or by a separate image, enabling, for example, a TV presenter to appear against a computer¬ generated background. M20. ► B verb trans. Manipulate (an image) using this tech¬ nique. L20. -chromasia /kra'meizia/ suffix. [from

chromo-

+ -asia mod. Latin ending on Greek model (cf.

[Anglicization.]

[Prob. alt. of German Christkindl Christmas present, (colloq.) Christ-child, after Kriss Kringle.]

11 The state or condition of being a Christian, oe L17. 12 The Christian faith or religious system; Christianity.

2 verb intrans. Celebrate Christmas. Ei9. Christmas disease /’krismas di,zi:z/ noun phr. M20.

-chromasy /'kraumasi/ suffix.

Christingle /'kristiggfsjl/ noun. M20.

Christendom /'kns(3)ndam/ noun. oe.

Li6.

-plasia, -stasia, etc.) for nouns with a stem -at-: see -ia1.] medicine & biology. Forming nouns denoting a condition or property to do with colour, as hyperchromasia.

[Abbreviation.] = Christiania.

christendie /'kris(3)ndi/ noun. Scot. lis.

[from the noun.]

fl verb trans. Provide with Christmas cheer, rare. Only in

[Greek khroma colour.]

[Old French crestiente (mod. chretiente), from crestien Christian adjective, assim. to late Latin christianitas: see -ity.] J1 = Christendom 3. ME-M17.

2 verb intrans. Become Christian; act according to Chris¬ tianity. Ml 6.

■ christener noun 3 person who performs a christening or christenings OE. christening verbal noun (a) the action ofthe verb; (b) an instance of this; a ceremony of baptism: me.

Christmas /’knsmos/ verb, colloq. Infl. -s-, -ss-. Li6.

■ Christo logical adjective M19 Christologist noun E19.

Christianism /'knstj(3)mz(3)m, -ton-/ noun. L16.

Christiano-

Father Christmas Santa Claus; a jolly old man dressed in red. personifying Christmas festivities, merry Christmas see merry adjective, white Christmas: see white adjective. Comb.: Christmas-box a small present or gratuity given at Christmas esp. to employees of firms providing regular services; Christmas bush (chiefly Austral.) any of various shrubs; esp. Ceratopetalum gummiferum, of the family Cunoniaceae, which bears decorative fruit at Christmas-time; Christmas cactus a succulent S. American plant, Schlumbergera bridges!!, with red, pink, or white flowers, grown as a house-plant and typically flowering in the northern midwinter; Christmas card a greet¬ ings card sent at or just before Christmas; Christmas carol see carol noun 4: Christmas Day 25 December; Christmas Eve (the evening of) 24 December; Christmas flower any of various plants flowering at Christmas-time; esp. = Christmas rose below; Christmas present a gift given at Christmas; Christmas pudding a plum pudding eaten at Christmas: Christmas rose a hellebore. Helleborus niger, bearing white flowers in winter; Christmas shopping: for Christmas presents and seasonal fare; Christmas stocking: hung up by children on Christmas Eve for Father Christmas to fill with presents; Christmas-tide, Christmas-time the period of some days around 25 December: Christmas tree (a) an evergreen tree (usu. a Norway spruce) or artificial tree set up indoors or in the open at Christmas-time and hung with lights, presents, baubles, etc.; (b) Austral. & NZ. any of various trees or shrubs blooming at Christmas-time; esp. = pohutukawa; (c) a device or structure suggesting a Christmas tree in appearance; spec, a valve manifold situated on the casing of an oil or gas well (= tree noun 7(d)). ► B interjection. [Alt. of Christ.] Expr. surprise, dismay, exas¬ peration, etc. Freq. as Jiminy Christmas. Li9. 5 Cf. Xmas. ■ Christmassy adjective (colloq.) characteristic of or suitable for Christmas (festivities) L19.

Christology /kristDbd3i/ noun. L17.

A turn in skiing in which the skis are kept in parallel, used for stopping short.

Christianity /knsti'amti/ noun. me.

christen /'kris(3)n/ verb trans.

f few,

1 Bible Christian see Bible Liberal Christian see liberal adjective, muscular Christian m Chrlstianlike adjective & adverb (in a manner) proper to or befitting a Christian L16.

[Former name of Oslo, capital of Norway.]

M16.

d dog,

1 A member ofthe religion of Christ; an adherent of Christianity, ei 6. kb A member of a particular sect using this name. Ei9. 2 A person who follows the precepts and example of Christ; a person of genuine piety. E16. 3 A (civilized) human being; a decent, respectable person. Now colloq. L16. 4 A variety of pear or plum. Now rare or obsolete. Ml 7.

Christiania /knsti'ccma/ noun. Also c-. E20.

1 The figure of a cross (►£b A route followed by an itinerant entertainer or competitor in sporting events; a number of places of entertainment at which productions are presented successively; a sequence of sporting events; a chain of theatres, cinemas, etc., under a single management. M19. 6 A roundabout process or mode (of reasoning, legal action, t expression, etc.), mi6. 7 The district through which a judge etc. moves to hold courts. LI6. 8 A group of local Methodist churches forming a minor administrative unit. M18. b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he. j yes, k cat,

I lej

2 A letter, notice, advertisement, etc., of which many copies are made for distribution, Li8. ■ circularly adverb in a circular manner; circularly polarized. (of light) having a uniformly rotating plane of polarization: lme. circularness noun (rare) Lie. tcirculary adjective = circular adjective L16-M18.

circularise verb var. of circularize. [medieval Latin circularitas, from circularis: see circular adjective & noun, -ity.]

Circular quality, form, or movement. £3 S. Johnson A hut is constructed with loose stones, ranged.. with some tendency to circularity. J. Lyons There is no circularity involved in the statement of the problem or its proposed solution.

circularize /'ssikjobrAiz/ verb trans. Also -ise. L18. [from circular + -ize.J

1 Make circular. L18. 2 = CIRCULATE 3. LI8. 3 Send circulars to. mi9. circulate/'so:kjoleit/ verb. lis. [Latin circular pa. ppl stem of circulare, -ari, from circulus circle noun: see -ate1.]

► I verb trans. f 1 /uchemy. Subject to continuous distillation in a closed vessel, fashioned so as to return the con¬ densed vapour to the original liquid. L15-L17. 12 = circle verb 1. L16-L17. p pen,

r red,

ca 3 E. Bowen Portia had to circulate the cakes. M. L. King An enthusiastic group had mimeographed leaflets.. and by evening these had been widely circulated. 4 Daily Telegraph By using the.. mailing list it has circulated some 97,000 of the fund's members. ► II verb intrans. f5 Gather in a circle, rare. Only in Ei6. 6 Move round in a circle or circuit; travel a course which ends at the starting-point; spec, (of blood, sap, or other vital fluid) flow continuously round the body. Mi7. 7 Pass from place to place freely and continuously; (of a newspaper etc.) pass into the hands of readers, be exten¬ sively read. Ml 7. 8 math. Of a decimal fraction, esp. of more than one figure: recur. Now rare or obsolete, mis. 9 Of a person: go about in a social circle; move around at a social function, talking to different people. Mi9. 10 Travel or walk about. Chiefly US. M19. £B 6 J. F. W. Herschel The moon circulates about the earth. G. Orwell A large jug was circulating, and the mugs were being refilled with beer. 7 Evelyn The Air.. circulates through.. to the Grate of the Stove. 9 M. 0. W. Oliphant He came.. by no means prepared to circulate among his flock. J. Wain Shall we circulate a bit?.. Otherwise we shan’t have spoken to a soul. Phrases: circulating library, circulating medium the notes, gold, etc., used in exchange. ■ circulative adjective having the quality of circulating or pro¬ ducing circulation mi7.

circulation /s3:kjo'leiJ(a)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, or Latin circulatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ATION.] 11 /uchemy. The continuous distillation of a liquid: see CIRCULATE 1. LME-M17. 2 Movement in a circle, circular motion or course. obsolete exc. Hist, mi6. 3 The continuous motion by which the blood travels through all parts of the body under the action of the heart; transf. the movement of sap in plants. Mi7. 4 The movement of anything such that it returns to its previous position or state after a circuit of intermediate points. M17. 15 A continuous repetition of a series of actions, events, etc. L17-M18. 6 Movement to and fro or from hand to hand etc.; the movement or exchange of currency, coin, etc., transmis¬ sion or distribution of news, books, etc.; the number of copies, esp. of a newspaper, that are sold. Li7. 7 A circulating medium; a currency. Li 8. £Q 3 E. Hemingway I slapped my arms to keep the circula¬ tion going, collateral circulation: see collateral adjective. A Langmuir circulation. 6 R. Lardner A growing paper, with a big New York circulation. D. Lodge A wildly distorted .. version of an anecdote .. which I.. put into circulation. bank of circulation see bank noun* 3. in circulation, out of circulation fig. participating, not participating, in activities etc. 7 medium of circulation: see medium noun.

circulator /'saikjuleits/ noun. Ei7. [Latin circulator pedlar, quack (whence French fcircidateur), formed as circulate: see -or.] 11 A quack, a charlatan. E17-M19. 12 A person who travels round the world; a commercial traveller. M17-M18. 3 A person who circulates information etc.; a scandal¬ monger. Lis.

tcirculatory noun. mi6-mis. [medieval Latin circulatorium, formed as circulate: see -ory’.] alchemy. An alembic having its neck bent back so as to re-enter its lower part. [from circulate + -ory2: cf. French circulatoire. In branch II from Latin drculatorius, formed as circulator.] ► 11 Of or pertaining to the circulation of the blood, sap, etc. El 7. |2 alchemy. For the purpose of continuous distillation. L17-E18. ►t II3 Of or pertaining to a quack or charlatan. M17-L18. circulus vitiosus/.saikjubs vijibusss, viti-/ noun phr. PI. -li -osi /-Iai -'sosai/. E20. [Latin.] A vicious circle.

circum- /'saikam/ prefix.

■ circulari zation noun 119.

n no,

as a circular. Li8. 4 = CIRCULARIZE 3. M20.

circulatory/‘s3:kjul3t(3)ri. S3:kju'leit(a)ri/ adjective. E17.

circularity /ssilguTanti/ noun. Li6.

m man,

3 Cause to go round, pass or hand round; put about, give currency to (a book, report, scandal, etc.); send out

s sit,

t top,

v van.

[Latin, from circum preposition = around, about.] Used in words adopted from Latin and in English words modelled on these with the sense 'around, about' adver¬ bially, as circumfuse, circumscribe, and prepositionally, as circumlittoral etc. ■ circuma djacent adjective lying immediately around E17. tcircumagitation noun motion or impulsion round or about M17-L18. circum ambages noun pi. (rare) roundabout methods or modes of speech M17. circum gyrate verb trans. 8, intrans. (now

w we, z zoo, J she.

3

vision,

0 thin.

6

this,

q ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

circumambient | circumstance

413 rare) (cause to) turn, wheel, or roll round mi?, circumgy ration noun the action or an act of turning, wheeling, or rolling round E17. circumgy ratory adjective marked by circumgyration M19. circum jovial adjective & Jnoun (astronomy) (a satellite) revolving round Jupiter U7. circum Jovian adjective=circumiovial adjective M19. circumlittoral adjective bordering the shore Li9 circum lunar adjective moving or situated round the moon E20. circum-me'ridian adjective (of a body when) at or near the meridian M19. circum mure verb trails. wall round E17. circumnu tate verb intrans. (botany) perform circumnutation L19 circumnu tation noun (botany) helical movement of the growing part of a plant L19. circum’oral adjective (anatomy Azooiocr) situated around die mouth wiis. circumpo sition noun (horticulture) the propagation of plants in a particular surrounding environment or medium; spec. = air-layering s.v. air noun': win circumro tation noun f(a) a changing about in rotation; (b) a revolution as of a wheel or on an axis; a complete rotation: E17. circum scissile adjective (botany) dehiscing or opening by a circu¬ lar fissure mi9. circum solar adjective moving or situated round the sun M19. circum tabular adjective sitting round a table E20 circumter restrial adjective moving or situated round the earth M19.

circumambient /ssiksm'ambisnt/ adjective & noun. M17. [from

circum-

+ ambient.

Cf.

late Latin circumambire.]

► A adjective. Hsp. of the air or other fluid: surrounding, encompassing. Mi7. ► B absol. as noun. The surrounding air or atmosphere. L17.

■ circumambience noun the act or fact of surrounding eis. circumambiency noun surrounding quality or condition; an environment: Mi7.

circumambulate /saikam'ambjoleit/ verb trans. & intrans. M17. [from

circum-

+

ambulate.

Cf. late Latin cimimambulare.]

Walk round or about.

■ circumambu lation noun E17. circumambulator noun a person who circumambulates ns. circumambulatory adjective M17.

circumbendibus /soikam'bEndibos/ noun. Li7. [from circum- +

bend

noun2

+ Latin -ibus abl. pi. ending.]

A roundabout method; a twist, a turn; a circumlocu¬ tion. Circumcellion /sahom'sdran/ noun. lme. [ecclesiastical Latin circumcelliones pi., formed as

circum-

+ cella

cell noun1.]

1 ecclesiastical HISTORY. A Donatist fanatic in 4th-cent. Africa. Usu. in pi. lme. J2 Avagrant. lme-mi7. circumcirde /'saikamsaikCsJl/ noun. Li9. [from CIRCUM-

+ circle

noun.]

A circle passing through each vertex of a polygon. circumcise /'saikamsAiz/ verb trans. me. [Old French circonciser or circonds- pa. ppl stem of circoncire, from Latin drcumcidere (translating Creek perttemnein), formed as circum- + caedere to cut.]

► I 1 Cut off the foreskin of (a male), as a religious rite (esp. Jewish or Muslim) or for medical reasons; cut off the clitoris or the labia minora of (a female), me. 2 fig. In biblical translations and allusions: purify (the heart etc.). ME. ►t II 3 Cut round, trim, lme-lis. J4 fig. Cut short, curtail, limit. M16-L17. ■

circumciser noun

circumferentor/safkAmforenta/noun. E17. [from Latin drcumfirent- pres, ppl stem of circumferre: see prec., -OR.] A surveyor’s instrument consisting of a flat bar with vertical sights at each end and a compass in the middle. circumflex /‘saikamfkks/ adjective & noun. Li6. [Latin drcumflexus pa. pple of drcumflectere, formed as circum- + flectere to bend, translating Greekperispomenos drawn around.] ► A adjective. 1 grammar Designating an angular or curved accent-mark f,", or ~) placed over a vowel in some lan¬ guages (orig. Greek) to indicate rising and falling tone, contraction, length, or special quality (of the vowel or of an adjacent consonant). Li6. 2 Bent, bending round. Now rare in gen. sense. El 8. 3 anatomy. Curved; bent round another part; spec, desig¬ nating a nerve and artery of the upper arm. Mi 9. ► B noun. 1 A circumflex accent-mark. E17. J2 Bending round, winding. E17-L18. 3 A curved line, (or {, bracketing two or more lines of writing etc. rare. Ei9. circumflex /'sp-kamflsks/ verb trans. Mi6. [Sense 1 from prec.; sense 2 from Latin drcumflex-, formed as prec.] 1 Write with a circumflex accent; pronounce as indi¬ cated by a circumflex accent. Mi6. 2 Bend or wind round, M17. circumfluent /safkAmfloont/ adjective. Li6. [Latin circumfluent- pres, ppl stem of drcumfluere, formed as circum- + fluere to flow: see -ent.] Flowing round; surrounding. ■ circumfluence noun LI9

circumfluous /ssi'kAinfluss/ adjective, literary. E17. [from Latin drcumfluus, from drcumfluere: see prec., -ous.] 1 Flowed round, surrounded by water. E17. 2 = CIRCUMFLUENT. M17. circumforaneous /saikamfa'remias/ adjective. Now rare. El 7. [from Latin circumforaneus (formed as circum- + forum) + -ous.] Strolling from market to market; vagrant, vagabond; quack. circumfuse /saikoni'fjuiz/ verb trans. Li6. [Latin drcumfus- pa. ppl stem of drcumfundere, formed as circumrfundere pour.] Pour about, diffuse, (around, about); surround with or in a fluid medium etc. ■ circumfusion noun E17

circumgestation /soikamdpc'steijfojn/ noun. Long rare. Mi6. [from circum- + gestation.] Carrying about (ceremonially or in procession). circumincession saikamin'sEjialn/ noun. Also -session.

M16.

circumcision /s3:k3m'si3(3)n/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French circoncision, from late Latin drcumdsio(n-) (translating Creek peritome), from drcumcis- pa. ppl stem of drcumcidere: see prec., -ion.]

► I 1 The act or rite of circumcising a person, for reli¬ gious or medical reasons, me. 2 fig. In biblical translations and allusions: spiritual purification, lme. 3 In biblical translations and allusions: the Jews. lme. 4 ecclesiastical. The feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, 1 January, lme. 1 female circumcision: see female adjective.

►t II 5 Cutting round; a cut round. L16-M18. as circum-

+ ducere to

lead.]

J1 =next. M16-M17. 2 SCOTS LAW (now Hist.). Reject as legally invalid; spec, declare (the term) elapsed for producing proof or evi¬ dence in court proceedings. Mi6. circumduct/s3:kam'dAkt/ verb trans. L16. [Latin drcumduct- pa. ppl stem of drcumducere: see prec.) Lead or move around or about. Now spec, in anatomy.

cause (an eye, a limb, etc.) to make a circular move¬ ment. circumduction/s3:k3m'dAkf(a)n/ noun. Mi6. [Latin drcumductio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ion.] 1 scots law (now Hist.). The action of circumducing. mis. 2 The action of circumducting. Mi6.

circumference/s3‘kAmf(3)r(3)ns/noun. lme. [Old & mod. French drconference from Latin drcumferentia, from circumferre, formed as circum- rferre to carry, bear: see -ence.]

1 An enclosing boundary, esp. of a circle or other figure enclosed by a curve; the distance round this, lme. a cat, a: arm, e bed, o: her,

1

M17. [medieval Latin drcumincessio(n-) (translating Creek perikhoresis going round), formed as circum- + incessio(n-), from incess- pa. ppl stem of incedere move, proceed: see -ion. Spelling with -s- through misinterpretation as ‘reciprocal indwelling'.] Christian theology. The reciprocal existence of the persons of the Trinity in one another. circumjacent /saikam'dpeislalnl/ adjective. 115. [Latin circumjacent- pres, ppl stem of drcumjacere, formed as circum- +jacere lie down: see -ent.] Situated around, adjacent on all sides. (Foil, by to.) ■ circumjacence noun the fact or quality of being circumja¬ cent L19. circumjacency noun (a) in pi, circumjacent parts; (b) = circumjacence: mis.

circumduce /saikam'djuis/ verb trans. Mi6. [Latin tircumducere, formed

12 An arc; a circle; the surface of a sphere, cylinder, or other body of circular section, lme-lis. 3 Environment, rare. lme. J4 A circuit; a roundabout course. M16-E18. 5 Boundary, compass, enclosure. L16. ■ circumfe rential adjective of or pertaining to a circumfer¬ ence El7. circumfe rentially adverb M19.

sit, i cosy, i: see, n hot.

circumlocution /s3:komb'kju:J(o)n/ noun. lme. [French, or Latin circumlocutio(nj, formed as circum- + iocutio(n-) locution, translating Greek periphrasis.] Expression of meaning indirectly or in more words than necessary; evasive talk; an instance of this, a round¬ about expression. ■ circumlocutional circumlocutionary adjectives pertaining to or given to circumlocution Mi9. circumlocutionist noun a person who uses circumlocution Mi9. circumlocutory /sa:k9mTokjut(9)ri, sa:kamh'kju:t(p)ri/ adjective marked by circumlocution Mi7. circumnavigate /saiksm'navigeit/ verb trans. Mi7. [from circum- + navigate. Cf. Latin drcumnavigare.] Sail round (esp. the world). ■ circumnavigable adjective able to be circumnavigated L17 circumnavi gation noun E18 circumnavigator L18. circumpolar /soikom'paub/ adjective. Li7. [from circum- + polar.]

1 astronomy. Situated or occurring above the horizon at all times of the day in a given latitude. Li7.

2 Around either pole of the earth; inhabiting such a region. Li7. circumscribe /'ssikamskrAib/ verb trans. lme. [Latin drcumscribere, formed as circum- + scribere draw lines, write.]

1 Lay down the limits of, confine; restrict; mark off, define logically, lme. 2 Draw a line round; form the boundary of; encircle, encompass. Li 6. 3 geometry. Draw (a figure) round another, meeting it at points but not cutting it. Li6. J4 Inscribe around. Only in 17. 1 Shakes. Huml. Therefore must his choice be circumscrib'd. E. F. Benson To play lawn-tennis.. in the exceedingly circumscribed court. 2 W. FLogarth The straight line and the circular line.. bound and circumscribe all visible objects. Depoe I was alone, circumscribed by the ..ocean. ■ circumscriber noun (arch.) a person who or thing which cir¬ cumscribes; spec, a person who signs a round robin: E17. circumscript adjective (now rare) circumscribed M16.

circumscription /saikam'sknpjjajn/ noun. lme. [Latin arcumsmptio(n-), from drcumscript- pa. ppl stem of drcumscribere: see prec., -ion.] 1 An inscription around a coin etc. lme.

J2 The fact or quality of being confined to definite limits of space, as a property of matter. L15-M19. 3 The action or an act of laying down limits; the fact of being limited; confinement; (a) restraint, (a) restriction; (a) definition, (a) description. Mi6. 4 A boundary, an outline, a periphery; a border, an edging. Li6. 5 geometry. The action of circumscribing one figure around another. L16. 6 A circumscribed space; a district or region of definite limits, mi 9. £3 3 Milton No injurious Alteration or Circumscription of Mens Lands. E. Pound Criticism is not a circumscription or a set of prohibitions. 4 M. Bradbury The main horizon .. of their lives, the limit and circumscription of their world. ■ ( circumscriptive adjective pertaining to or having the attrib¬ ute of circumscription (esp. of matter) lis-mis. fcircumscriptively adverb L15-M18

circumspect /'ssikamspekt/ adjective, lme. [Latin arcumspecLuc pa. pple of circumspicere, formed as circum- + specere to look.]

Showing caution; cautious, wary; taking everything into account. CJ J. Steinbeck The brothels were quiet, orderly and cir¬ cumspect. S. Bellow He was a circumspect driver. ■ circum’spection noun cautious observation of circumstan¬ ces; circumspect action or conduct: lme. circum spectious adjective circumspect M17. circum spective adjective looking around; given to circumspection: M17, circum spectively adverb E17. circumspectly adverb lme. circumspectness noun M16.

circumsphere /'saikamsfra/ noun. M20. [from CIRCUM- + sphere noun, after circumcirde.] math, a sphere that touches all the vertices of a given polyhedron. Cf. in-sphere.

circumstance /'s3:k3mst(3)ns/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French drconstance or Latin drcumstantia, from circumsCanP pres, ppl stem of drcumstare, formed as circum- + stare to stand: see -ance.] ► A noun. I Something surrounding (lit. &fig.).

J1

That which stands around or surrounds; surround¬ ings. ME-L19. 2 In pi., or sing, (as a non-count noun). The material, logical, or other environmental conditions of an act or event; the time, place, manner, cause, occasion, etc., of an act or event; the external conditions affecting or that might affect action, spec, as indicating criminality, me. ►b In sing, (as a count noun). Any of such conditions. Mi6. ►c spec. In pi. State of financial or material welfare. Ei8. 3 Formality, ceremony, or fuss surrounding an act or event. Now chiefly in pomp and circumstance, lme. ►Jb Importance. L16-L17. 4 Detail about the external conditions of an act or event; arch, circumlocution, indirectness. E16. C3 2 J. Webster We have nought but circumstances To charge her with, about her husband's death . J. A. Froudb Who°found himself in circumstances to which he was unequal. L. P. Hartley A soldier has to change his mind when circumstances demand it. |. Heller That men should die was a matter of necessity; which men should die, though, was a matter of circumstance, j. Barth When i next saw her. it was under entirely different circumstances. J. Fowles Ernestina.. was .. a victim of circumstances, b [. Galsworthy A solid and prolonged happiness such as perhaps no other circumstance in life had afforded him. c N. Mitford Summer came and went without any change in Polly's circumstances.

► II Something accessory. 5 An accessory matter; a particular, a detail. Usu. in pi. me. ►tb spec. A material adjunct; a physical feature. H6-L18.

saw, a run, o put, u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day. ao no,

hair,

13

near.

31

boy. ua poor, aid tire, aim sour

414

circumstantial | cist 3 A sinuous movement; a winding course; a twist, a

t6 Subordinate matters or details, lme-eis. 7 The part(s) not of the essence or substance of some¬

lme.

i i 5 Swift The sentence of death with all the circumstan¬ ces of hanging, beheading, quartering, embowelling and the like 8 7 Capote A circumstance which explained the pres¬ ence of perhaps a third of the immense congregation. Phrases: a mere circumstance, a poor circumstance, a remote circumstance US colloq. a person or thing of little oi no importance, creature of circumstance see creature, in no circumstances not whatever happens: never in the circumstances owing to or making allowance for circumstan¬ ces narrow circumstances see narrow adjective, not a circumstance to US colloq. nothing in comparison with_ under no circumstances - in no circumstances above, under the circumstances - in the circumstances above. ► B verb trans. fl Subject to conditions or circumstances.

LME-M18. 2 Place with regard to circumstances or relations. Chiefly as circumstanced ppl adjective. E17. |3 = CIRCUMSTANTIATE 4. M17-L18.

circumstantial /s3:k3m'stanj(3)l/ adjective & noun. Li6. [from Latin circumstantia circumstance noun + -al1.] ► A adjective. 1 Of, pertaining to, or dependent on circum¬ stances; adventitious, incidental. Li6. 2 Detailed; particular. E17. 3 Full of ceremony or pomp. eis. 13 1 Coleridge Our political strength and circumstantial prosperity.]. R. Lowell A principle of life is the first require¬ ment of art: all else is circumstantial and secondary. O. Sacks The names of my patients,.. and certain other circumstan¬ tial details, circumstantial evidence: tending to establish a conclusion by inference from known facts which are otherwise hard to explain. 2 Addison We cannot be too minute and circumstantial in accounts of this nature. ]. Wain When telling a lie, make it circumstantial, load it with detail. ► B noun. In pi. Circumstantial matters; particulars, details; incidental or adventitious features. M17. ■ circumstanti ality noun circumstantial quality, (a) particu¬ larity M18 circumstantially adverb M17. I circumstantialness noun M18-E19. circumstantiate tekam'stanfieit/ verb trans. Now rare.

LME. [medieval Latin circumstantiat- pa. ppl stem of circumstantiate to condition, from Latin circumstantia: see circumstance, -ate3.] 11 Accompany as a circumstance. Only in lme. j 2 = circumstance verb 2. Chiefly as circumstantiated ppl adjective. E17-L19. f3 = circumstance verb 1. M17-E18. 4 Set forth or support with circumstances or details.

M17. ■ circumstantia tion

noun M19.

circumvallate /sakam'valeit/ verb trans. Ei9. [Latin circumvallat- pa. ppi stem of circumvallare, formed as circum- + vatlare, from vallutn rampart: see -ate3.] Surround (as) with a rampart or entrenchment. circumvallation /sakamvaieifrejn. noun. Mi7. [Late Latin circumvallatio{n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] 1 The making of a rampart or entrenchment. Mt7. 2 A rampart, an entrenchment; fig. a surrounding defence, mi7. circumvent /saham'vent/ verb. lme. [Latin circumvent- pa. ppl stem oicircumvenire, formed as circum+ venire come.] 1 verb trans. Deceive, outwit, overreach; find a way round, evade (a difficulty), lme. ►b verb /citrons. Employ deception or evasion. L16. 2 verb trans. Entrap by surrounding; beset (with), mi6. 3 verb trans. Go round; enclose; make the circuit of. E19. ■ Also tcircumvene verb trans. (chiefly Scot.) L15-118. circumvention /s3:k3m'v£nf(3)n/ noun. lme. [Late Latin circumventio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ion.] The action or an act of circumventing someone; scots law deceitful or fraudulent conduct perpetrated against a facile person. circumvolute /ssfkAmvaluit/ verb trans. Now rare. L16, [Latin (arcumvolutcjrc frequentative of) circumvolut- pa. ppl stem of circumvolvere circumvolve.] Roll or curl round; enwrap by twisting or winding something round. circumvolution /s3:k3mvo'lu:J(a)ny noun. lme. [from Latin drcumvdlut- (see prec.) + -ion.] 1 Turning round an axis or centre; an instance of this; (a) revolution, (a) rotation, lme. 2 The winding or folding of one thing round another; a fold or turn of something so wound. Li6. f few, g get,

[Latin

circumvolvere.

formed as circum- + volvere to turn.]

1 Rotate, revolve, lme. j-2 Wind, fold, or twist round; enwrap (lit. & fig.). LI6-E19.

circus /'sahas/ noun. lme. [Latin = circle, circus, corresp. to Creek kirkos. krikos ring, circle.] ► 11 Roman antiquities, A rounded or oval arena lined with tiers of seats, for equestrian and other exhibitions, lme. 12 A circle, a ring; a road forming a closed loop. E-M18. 3 An open, more or less circular, area in a town where streets converge; a circular range of houses, mis. 4 A natural amphitheatre of hills etc. M19. 1 the Circus: the largest at Rome. 3 Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, (in London), etc. ► II 5 A travelling show of horses, riders, acrobats, clowns, performing animals, etc., usu. performing in a circular arena; the type of entertainment provided by such shows. Lis. 6 A disturbance; a scene of lively action, colloq. mi 9. 7 An exhibition etc. at a Roman circus; spec, in bread and circuses [translating Latin panem et circenses], public provision of food and entertainment, esp. to assuage the

h he, j yes,

k cat,

I leg, r

cirrous /'sires/ adjective. Mi7. [from cirrus + -ous.] 1 botany & zoology. Bearing cirri; of the nature of a cirrus. M17. 2 meteorology. Of or pertaining to cirrus cloud. Ei9. ■ Also cirrose adjective El 9. cirrus /'sires/ noun. Also fcirrhus. PI. cirri /'sirAi, -ri:/. Ei8. [Latin - curl, fringe.] 1 A curl or tuft of hair. rare, ei 8. 2 botany. A tendril. Ei8. 3 zoology. A slender, filamentary appendage, e.g. the limb of a cirripede, a barbel of certain fishes, mis. 4 meteorology. A cloud-type occurring at high altitude (usu. 5 to 13 km, 16,500 to 45,000 ft) and having the appearance of wispy filamentous tufts. E19. tcirsocele noun. EI8-L19. [Greek kirsokele, from kirsos enlargement of a vein: see -cele.] = VARICOCELE.

populace. E20. 8 More fully flying circus. A squadron of aeroplanes; a group of aircraft or pilots engaged in spectacular flying.

cirsoid /'saisoid/ adjective. Mi9. [Greek kirsoeides, from kirsos: see prec.. -oid.] medicine. Having the appearance of a varicose vein.

slang. E20. 9 A group of people performing in sports etc. together or in succession, usu. in a series of different places, colloq.

CIS abbreviation. Commonwealth of Independent States.

(freq. derog.). M20. 10 (C-.) The British secret service, slang. M20. 5 THREE-ring circus m circussy adjective resembling or characteristic of a circus L19.

cire /'si:rei/ adjective & noun. E20. [French = waxed.] (Fabric) with a smooth polished surface, obtained esp. by heating and waxing. cire perdue /si:r perdy/ noun phr. Li9. [French = lost wax.] A method of casting bronze by pouring metal over a core within a mould, into the space created by melting and running out the original wax surface of the model.

cirl bunting /so:l 'bAntnj/ noun pbr. lis. [from Italian cirto, prob. from zirlare whistle as a thrush, + bunting noun'.] A bunting. Emberiza cirlus, which is resident in SW England and is distinguished by the yellow, black, and green head of the male.

fciron noun, lme-lis.

circumvallate/saikam'valeit, -at/adjective. Mi7. [Latin arcumvallatus pa. pple, formed as next: see -ate3.] Surrounded (as) with a rampart; spec, designating certain papillae near the back of the tongue, surrounded by taste receptors.

b but, d dog.

coil. Li6.

circumvolve /ssiksm’vDlv/ verb trans. & intrans. Now rare.

thing. arch. li 6. 8 An incident, an occurrence; a fact. L16.

cirro- /'sireo/ combining form of cirrus: see -o-. ■ cirro cumulus noun. pi. -li. /-Iat, -li:/, meteorology a cloud or cloud-type occurring at high altitude (usu. 5 to 13 km. 16,500 to 45.000 ft) and having the appearance of a rippled, granulated, or otherwise broken layer £19. cirro stratus noun [meteorology) a cloud or cloud-type occurring at high altitude (usu. 5 to 13 km, 3 to 8 miles) and forming a thin, more or less uniform layer Ei9.

[French.] The itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Also = jigger noun21. cirque /so:k/ noun. Ei7. [French from Latin circus.] 1 = CIRCUS 1. E17. 2 A circle, a ring, a circlet, literary. Li7. 3 physical geography. A large bowl-shaped hollow of glacial origin at the head of a valley or on a mountainside. M19.

cirrhosis /si'reusis/ noun. PI. -rrhoses /-'reusi:z/. Formerly also in French form tcirrhose. Ei9. [mod. Latin from Creek kirrhos orange-tawny (on account of the colour of the affected liver in many cases): see -osis.] medicine. A chronic disease in which much of the liver is replaced by fibrous tissue and the organ takes on a nodular appearance. Also occas., degeneration of another organ. ■ cirrhotic adjective & noun (a) adjective of the nature of or affected by cirrhosis: (b) noun a sufferer from cirrhosis: L19.

t cirrhus noun var. of cirrus. cirriferous/si'rif(a)res/ adjective, mis. [from Latin cirri- cirrus + -ferous.] Bearing cirri.

cirriform /'sirifo:m/ adjective. Ei9. [formed as prec. + -form.]

1 meteorology. Having the form or appearance of cirrus. El 9. 2 zoology. Like cirri. M19. cirrigerous/si'rid33r3s/ adjective, mis. [formed as prec. + -cerous.]

Bearing cirri.

cirripede /'smpi:d/ noun & adjective. Also (earlier) -ped /-ped/. M19. [mod. Latin Cirripeda, -dia pl„ from Latin cirrus +ped-,pesfoot: so called from the appearance of the leqs when protruded from the valved shell.] zoology. (A marine crustacean) of the subclass Cirripedia, members of which (the barnacles) are generally sessile as adults and have limbs modified for filter-feeding. n no. p pen,

r red,

s sit, 1 top,

cisalpine /sis'alpAin/ adjective & noun. Mi6. [Latin cisalpinus, formed as cis-, Alpine adjective & noun2.] ► A adjective. 1 On this (the Roman) side of the Alps; south of the Alps, mi 6. 2 Christian church. Of or pertaining to the Gallican Church movement. Li8. ► B noun. A member of the Roman Catholic Church who accepts the principles of the Gallican Synod of 1682. Li8. cisco ' siskao/ noun. PL -oes, same. M19. [Origin unkn.] Any of several freshwater salmonid fishes of the genus Coregrmus. Arctic cisco = omul. Ciskeian /si’skAian/ noun & adjective. M20. [from Ciskei (see below), from cis- + Kei, a river in eastern South Africa, + -an.] (A native or inhabitant) of Ciskei, a former black African homeland and later National State within the Republic of South Africa. cismontane /sis'mDntem/ adjective. E19. [Latin cismontanus, formed as cis-, montane.] On this side of the mountains; esp. = cisalpine adjective 1.

cirri noun pi. of cirrus.

man,

cis- /sis/ prefix. In sense 2 also as attrib. adjective cis. [Latin, from ris preposition.] 1 Used in words adopted from Latin and in English words modelled on these with the sense ‘on this side of (opp. trans-. ultra-), occas. retaining orientation from Rome (as cisalpine etc.), but usu. from the user's or the majority’s position (as cisatlantic etc.); also occas. of time (as cis-Elizabethan). 2 chemistry. (Usu. italicized.) Designating compounds in which two atoms or groups are situated on the same side of a given plane in the molecule (opp. trans-). li9. ■ cisat lantic adjective on one’s own side of the Atlantic Lis cis lunar adjective on this side of the moon, between the earth and the moon Li9. cisoid adjective (chemistry) designating a com¬ pound, group, or structure in which two like atoms or groups lie on the same side of a single bond or line of bonds M20. cispadane adjective on the south (Roman) side of the River Po L18. cis pontine adjective on this side of the bridge or bridges; spec, on the north (orig. the better-known) side of the Thames bridges in London: M19. cis-trans adjective (chemistry) designating isomerism characterized by ris and trails isomers M20.

v van,

w we,

cisplatin/sis'platin/noun. L20. [from cis- 2 + platin(um noun.) pharmacology. A coordination compound of platinum, Pt(NH3)2Cl2, which is cytotoxic and is used in cancer chemotherapy. cissoid /'sisoid/ noun. M17. [Greek kissoeides, from kissos ivy: see -oid.] math. A cubic curve of infinite length and having one cusp, that is the locus of certain points on the secants of a circle from a fixed point on its circumference (represented by the equation r = a sin2 9/cos 9). cissy noun & adjective var. of sissy. cist /sist, kist/ noun'. E19. [Welsh = chest.] archaeology. A prehistoric burial-chamber made with stone slabs. Also, a hollowed tree-coffin. long cist: see lonc adjective', oak cist: see oak noun & adjective.

z zoo, J she,

3

vision,

6 thin,

d this,

q ring,

t] chip.

d3 jar

415

cist | city

cist/sist/ noun2, mi9. (Latin cista: see chest noun.] creek antiquities. A box used for sacred utensils.

Cistercian /si'st3:{(o)n/ adjective & noun. lme. [French risterrien, from Latin Cistercium CTteaux, near Dijon, France (cf. medieval Latin Cisterciensis): see -ian.] ► A adjective. Of or belonging to a monastic order founded at Citeaux in 1098 by Robert, abbot of Molesme, as a stricter offshoot of the Benedictines, lme. ► B noun. A monk or nun of the Cistercian order, lme.

cistern /‘sistan/ noun. me. [Old French cisteme (mod. riteme) from Latin ristema, formed as cist noun2.] 1 An artificial reservoir for storing water, esp. one in the roof-space of a house etc. supplying the taps, or above a water-closet, me. 2 A large vessel for water or other liquid, esp. one used t(a) for personal washing, t(b) at the dinner-table. Li6. 3 A natural reservoir or depression containing water, e.g. a pond. E17. 4 A fluid-filled cavity in an organism or cell; esp. a reser¬ voir of cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space. E17,

cisterna /si'st3:na/ noun. PI. -nae /-ni:/. L19. [mod. Latin from Latin: see prec.] ANATOMY & BIOLOGY. = CISTERN 4.

cistophorus /si'stDfaras/ noun. PI. -ri I-imI. Mi9. [Latin from Creek kistophoros, from kiste chest noun + -phoros bearing.] A Greek coin bearing an impression of a sacred chest,

cistron /'sistron/ noun. M20. [from cis- + trans- (referring to the possibility of two genes being on the same or different chromosomes) + -on.] biology. A section of a nucleic acid molecule that codes for a specific product of transcription.

cistus /'sistos/ noun. M16. [mod. Latin from Greek kistos, -tiros.] An evergreen shrub of the genus Cistus, of the Mediter¬ ranean region, with large white or red flowers. Also called rock rose.

cistvaen noun var. of kistvaen. cit /sit/ noun. arch. Mi7. [Abbreviation of citizen.] 1 A townsman; a shopkeeper, a trader. Occas. = citess i. Usu. contempt, mi7. 2 In pi. Civilian clothes, ‘civvies'. US slang. Ei9.

citadel "sit3d(3)l, -del/ noun. Mi6. [French ritadelle or its source Italian cittadella dim. of frittade (var. of rittd) from Latin tivitas city.] 1 A fortress, esp. one guarding or dominating a city; transf. &fig. a stronghold, mi6. 2 A meeting-hall of the Salvation Army. L19. Q 1C Thirl WALL To collect all the remaining strength .. in a mountain citadel. W. S. Churchill The French had had to evacuate their troops from the citadel in Aleppo. L. Trilling The university figured as the citadel of conserva¬ tism.

citation /sAi'teiJ(3)n/ noun. me. [Old & mod. French from Latin citatio(n-), from ritcit- pa. ppl stem of ritare cite: see -ation ] 1 law. A summons; a document containing a summons. ME.

2 The action of citing or quoting any words or a written passage. MiG. 3 A passage cited, a quotation. M16. 4 A mention in an official dispatch; a descriptive announcement of an award. E20. tXI 4 T. Roethke I was graduated.. with the highest pos¬ sible degree citation.

citatory /'sAit3t(3)ri/ adjective, arch. Mi6. [medieval Latin citatorius, from Latin citat-: see prec., -ory2.] Having the faculty of citing or summoning; concerned with citation. Esp. in letters citatory.

cite /saiU verb trans. lme. [Old & mod. French citer from Latin ritare frequentative of ciere, tire set in motion, call.] 1 Summon officially before a court of (usu. ecclesias¬ tical) law. LME. 2 gen. Summon; arouse, excite. Now arch. or poet. M16. 3 Quote (a book, passage, author, etc.), esp. as an authority in support of a position; adduce or mention as an example, precedent, or proof; call to mind, refer to (as), mi6. tb spec. Mention in an official dispatch. E20. d 3 Pope I rite the whole three verses. R. Graves He cited Ovid as having said this, and Meleager that, in praise of a fine head of hair. J. F. Kennedy After announcing this new indus¬ trial plan the White Paper cited the need for skilled labour. I. Hamilton The poem's last lines—sometimes cited as a memorable evocation of urban violence. ■ citable adjective able to be cited Eis. fcital noun (rare) [-al'| (o) an impeachment; (b) citation, summons: LI6-MI8. citer noun

CITES abbreviation.

and blackcurrants and were formerly thought to be essential in the diet. Also called vitamin P (chiefly US).

Convention on Trade in Endangered Species,

citess /‘sites, si'tes/ noun. arch. L17. [from (the same root as) cit + -ess1.]

1 A townswoman; a female shopkeeper or trader. contempt, rare. Li7. 12 A female citizen. US. L18-E19.

cithara /'siOjajrs, k-/ noun. Also k- Ik-1, lis. [Latin from Greek kithara.] An ancient Greek and Roman stringed musical instru¬ ment alcin to the lyre, having two arms rising vertically from the soundbox,

citharist/ siG(3)rist/noun. lme. [Latin ritharista from Greek kitharistes, from kithara: see prec.. -1ST]

A player on the cithara or (formerly) the cittern,

cither /'si03/ noun. Now rare. E17. [formed as cithara.]

A cithara; a cittern.

cithern, citheren nouns vars. of cittern. citied /’srtxd/ adjective. Ei7. [from city + -ed2.]

Made into or like a city; occupied by a city or cities,

citrine /'sitnn/ adjective & noun.

LME.

► B noun. 1 A glassy yellow variety of quartz; false topaz. L16.

2 Citrine colour. Li 9. citron /'sitr(3)n/ noun & adjective.

acid, and with thicker rind. (Orig. also the lemon, and perh. the lime.) E16. 2 The tree, Citrus medica, which bears this fruit. Also citron tree mi6. 3 A light greenish-yellow colour; citrine. E17. 14 The fragrant wood of an African tree, prob. a cypress, Tetraclinis articulata, prized in Roman times for making furniture. M17-M18. 15 Brandy flavoured with citron or lemon peel. E-M18. ► B adjective. Of a light greenish-yellow colour, citrine. E20.

citronella /sitrs’neb/ noun.

A fragrant southern Asian grass, Cymbopogon nardus; an oil distilled from this (also citronella oil), often used to keep insects away.

■ citronellal noun ]-al2] a terpenoid aldehyde, C.H.J), found esp. in citronella, rose, and geranium oils L19. citronellol noun the corresponding alcohol, C^H^O, obtained from similar sources; also called rhodinol: L19.

citizen /‘sitiz(3)n/ noun & adjective, me.

citrous /'sitras/ adjective.

E20.

[from citrus+ -ous.] Of the genus Citrus; from a tree of the genus Citrus.

tcitrul noun.

LME-M18.

[Old French citrule (mod. dtrouille), ult. from Latin citrus with dim. suffix.]

The watermelon. Also, the pumpkin. citrulline /'sitr/dun/ noun. Also -in /-in/.

M20.

[from medieval Latin ritrulius watermelon, formed as prec., + -INE5.]

biochemistry. An amino acid, NH2CONH(CH2)3 CHNH2COOH, which occurs in watermelons and is an intermediate in urea synthesis in animals.

citrus /'sitras/ noun.

Ei9.

[Latin = citron tree, thuja.] A tree of the genus Citrus, which includes the lemon,

citron, lime, orange, grapefruit, etc.; (more fully citrus fruit) a fruit of such a tree. cittern /'sit(3)n/ noun. Also cithern /'si0(3)n/. cithren /'si0r(3)n/. M16. [formed as cithara after cittern.]

A wire-stringed musical instrument akin to the lute and usu. played with a plectrum, much used in the 16th and 17th cents. Comb.: f cittern-head a term of abuse alluding to the grotesque carved head often found on a cittern.

citole /si'tsol/ noun. lme. [Old

M19.

[mod. Latin, dim. of prec.]

Make urban in appearance or behaviour; impart fea¬ tures characteristic of a city to. Chiefly as citified ppl adjective. m citifi cation noun E20. [Anglo-Norman citesein, -zein alt. (prob. after deinzein denizen noun & adjective) of Old French riteain (mod. dtoyen) from ProtoRomance, from Latin rivitas city.] ► A noun. 1 An inhabitant of a city or town; esp. one pos¬ sessing civic rights, as a freeman etc.; a town-dweller. ME. 2 A member, native or naturalized, of a (usu. specified) State or Commonwealth, lme. Fb spec. As a title or form of address during the French Revolution: supporter of the republican order, obsolete exc. Hist. Li 8. 3 An inhabitant, an occupant, (of), lme. 4 A civilian, rare. Ei7. Phrases: citizen of the world a person who is at home any¬ where, a cosmopolitan. Citizens' Advice Bureau a local office giving free advice to enquirers concerning their rights or about available aid. citizen’s arrest: by a private citizen without a warrant, allowable in certain cases, as the witnessing of an arrestable offence, citizens’ band (designating or pertaining to) a range of radio frequencies allocated for local communication by individuals. Citizen’s Charter a document setting out the rights of citizens, esp. a British government document of 1991 guaranteeing citizens the right of redress where a public service fails to meet certain standards John Citizen, second class citizen see second class adjective, senior citizen see senior adjective. ►f B adjective. Like a city- or town-dweller, city-bred, rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. ■ citizeness noun a female citizen 118. citizen hood noun (a) the state of being a citizen: (b) the body of citizens: Li9. citizenish adjective of the nature of or relating to citizens El 9. citizenly adjective pertaining to or characteristic of a citizen M19. citizenry noun a body of citizens, citizens collectively E19. citizenship noun the position or status of being a citizen E17.

E16.

[Old & mod. French from Latin citrus, after limon lemon.] ► A noun. 1 A fruit resembling the lemon but larger, less

citify /'sitrfAi/ verb trans. Also cityfy. E19. [from city + -FY.]

lme.

[Old & mod. French dtrtn(e) lemon-coloured from medieval Latin ritrmus, from Latin citrus: see -ine1.] ► A adjective. Of a light greenish yellow; lemon-coloured.

city /'siti/

French (= Provencal ritola). obscurely from Latin cithara: see

noun. me.

[Old & mod. French cite from Latin rivitas, from rivis citizen: see

-OLE1.]

-TV’.]

A medieval plucked musical instrument akin to the lute, a precursor of the cittern,

ME.

1 A town or other inhabited place. Long obsolete exc. dial. 2 A large town; spec, a town created a ‘city’ by charter, esp. as containing a cathedral. Also (chiefly US), a muni¬ cipal corporation occupying a definite area. me. 3 The people or entire community of a city. me. 4 the City, that part of London situated within the ancient boundaries and governed by the Lord Mayor and Corporation, esp. its business part or community, in the neighbourhood of the Exchange and the Bank of England; loosely financial and commercial circles, mi6. 5 Hist. A self-governing city or city-state. M16. 6 With preceding adjective or as 2nd elem. of comb.: used to emphasize the adjective or noun of quality. N.

citral /'sitral/ noun. Li9. [from citrus + -al2.] chemistry. A terpenoid aldehyde, C10H16O (of which there are several isomers), which occurs widely in plants (esp. lemon-grass and citrus fruit) and has an odour of

lemons.

citrate 'sitreit/ noun& verb. lis. [from citric +-ate1.] ► A noun, chemistry. A salt or ester of citric acid. L18. ► B verb trans. Treat (blood) with a solution of a citrate, esp. to prevent coagulation. Chiefly as citrated ppl adjec¬ tive. E20.

Amer. slang. M20.

citric /'sitrik/adjective, lis.

CQ 1 AV Luke 7:11 He went into a city called Nain. 2 Browning Hamelin town’s in Brunswick By famous Hanover city. E. A. Freeman Birmingham and Dundee, hith¬ erto merely boroughs, were raised to the rank of cities. Cities of the Plain see plain noun' 1. city of refuge Hist, an Israelite town set apart for those who had committed manslaughter. free city: see free adjective. Granite City: see granite adjective. Holy City see holy adjective, inner city see inner adjective. Leonine City: see Leonine adjective2 1. Monumental City see MONUMENTAL. Mormon City mushroom city see mushroom noun & adjective, open city: see open adjective, the City of Cod Paradise, an ideal community in Heaven, the City of the Seven Hills, the Eternal City Rome the Heavenly City Paradise, the Windy City see windy adjectiveL twin city see twin adjective & noun. Vatican City. 3 AV Mart. 21:10 All the city was moved, saying. Who is this? 6 Rolling Stone I get talking and whoa! Trouble city!

Latin citrus + -ic.] CHEMISTRY, citric acid. a sharp-tasting crystalline tribasic acid, C6HsO„ present in the juice of citrus fruit and made commercially by the fermentation of sugar, [from

citriculture /'sitri.kAltJV noun. E20. (from Latin citr(us + -i- + -culture.] The cultivation of citrus fruit trees,

citril /'sitnl/ noun. Li7. [App. from Italian dtrinella dim. of ritrrna citrine-coloured (bird).] More fully citril finch. A yellow-green finch, Serinus dtrinella, resident in southern Europe,

citrin /'sitnn/ noun. M20. [from citrus +-in'.] biochemistry. A substance consisting of one or more of a group of flavonoids which occur mainly in citrus fruit

L16.

a cat, a: arm.

bed, a: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, o

: saw,

A

run, u put. u: too. 3 ago. ai my. ao how, ei day.

30

no, e: hair. 13 near, m boy. 03 poor, ais tire, aos sour

416

cityfy | clack Comb. City Company a corporation representing an ancient trade-guild; city desk N. Amer. the newspaper department tor local news; city editor: (a) N. Amer. dealing with local news tor a newspaper: (b) (C-) dealing with financial news for a newspaper or journal; city farm (a) US a penal institution which also func¬ tions as a farm; (b) a farm established within an urban area for educational purposes, as a museum, etc.; city fathers the persons responsible for the administration of a city; city gent coll on. a typical businessman working in the City; city hall N. Amer. municipal offices or officers: city marshal (a) see marshal noun 5b; (b) US a law officer in some cities, whose duties include the serving of summonses; city mission see mission noun 4b; city missionary see missionary noun 1; city page tire page in a news¬ paper or journal dealing with financial and business news, cityscape a view of a city, city sceneiy; city slicker (a) a plausible rogue as usu. found in cities: (b) a smart and sophisticated city-dweller; city-state Hist, a city that is also an independent sovereign State. ■ cityful noun as many as a city will contain E19. city less adjective without a city or cities lme. cityward adjective. cityward(s) adverb [orig. to the cityward] in the direction of a city LME.

cityfy verb var. of citify cive noun see chive noun2. civet/'srvit/ noun1. Mi6. [French civette from Italian zibetto from medieval Latin zibethum from Arab, zabad (- sense 2).] 1 Any of several carnivorous mammals of the Asian and African family Viverridae, which also includes the genets and mongooses; esp. Viverra tivetta, of subSaharan Africa. Also civet-cat. mi6. 2 A strong musky perfume obtained from the anal glands of these animals, mi 6. tcivet noun2. M16-E18. [French civette, dim. of Old & mod. French cive: see chive noun2, -ET1.] =

chive noun2.

civet /sive/ noun3. PI. pronounced same. Et8. [French, earlier cive, from cive chive noun2.] A highly seasoned stew of hare, venison, game, etc. civet de lievre da lje;vr/ civet of hare. civet /'srvit/ verb trans. Ei7. [from civet noun1.]

Perfume with civet. civic /'smk/ adjective. Mi6. [French civique or Latin rivicus, from avis citizen. In sense 1 trans¬ lating Latin (corona) rivica.] 1 Hist. Designating a garland of oak-leaves and acorns given in ancient Rome to one who saved a fellow cit¬ izen's life in war. M16. 2 Of or pertaining to a city; municipal; urban. Mi7. 3 Of or pertaining to citizenship; civil (opp. military, ecclesiastical, etc.). Li8. 4 Of or proper to a citizen or citizens. Li 8. ED 1 Marvell Our civil warrs have lost the civick crowne. 2 Byron Butcher'd in a civic alley. R. H. Tawney The whole range of civic administration, from the regulations to be made for markets.. to the control of prices,.. and rents, civic centre an area where municipal offices and other public buildings are situated, often in a united architectural scheme. 3 H. Arendt A municipal law giving full civic, though not political, rights to the Jews. 4 J. S. Blackie He displayed a civic virtue on other occasions. Comb: civic-minded adjective concerned with civic affairs, public-spirited. ■ tcivical adjective E-M17. civicaliy adverb M17.

civics siviks/ noun pi. (usu. treated as sing.) Orig. US. L19. [from prec. +-s': see -ics.]

The rights and duties of citizenship, as a subject of study. civil /'srv(a)l, -il/ adjective, noun, & adverb, lme. [Old & mod. French from Latin civilis, from rivis citizen: see -il,

► II spec. 8 Not military or naval etc.; not ecclesiastical, secular, lme. . 9 Of law, a legal process, etc.: not criminal, political, or (formerly) ecclesiastical; relating to private relations between members of a community, lme. fb Of or per¬ taining to Roman law or the legal systems (as of France or Germany) historically influenced by it. Li6. 10 Legal as distinguished from natural; legally recog¬ nized: spec, (of time measurement) fixed by custom or enactment, not natural or astronomical. Ei7. til theology. Good or moral, but unregenerate. Only in

civilization /,sivilAi'zeif(3)n/ noun. Also -isation. E18. [from next + -ation. Cf. French civilisation.]

j-1 law. The process of turning a criminal action or process into a civil one; the assimilation of common law to civil law. E18-E19. 2 The state or condition of being civilized; civilized society; a highly developed state of society; a particular form, stage, or type of social development, mis. 3 The action or process of civilizing or being civilized. Li8. US 2 A. Koestler The breakdown of civilization during the Dark Ages. K. Clark Of this ancient, rustic civilisation we have no record beyond the farmhouses themselves.

17. £□ 8 Milton Both in religious and civil] Wisdome. B. Russell The civil government had not discovered ways of preventing military insurrection.

■ civilizational adjective of or pertaining to civilization M19.

civilize /'siviIaiz/ verb. Also -ise. E17.

Special collocations: civil aviation: not military, esp. commercial, civil court a court dealing with non-criminal cases, civil day see day noun, civil death, civil defence the organization of civilians to preserve lives and property during and after enemy action, esp. air raids, civil disobedience the refusal to obey laws, pay taxes, etc., as part of a political campaign, civil engineer see engineer noun 3. civil engineering: see engineering noun 1. civil law spec, (also the civil law) Roman law (opp. canon or common law) or the systems of private law (as of France or Germany) his¬ torically influenced by it (the sense meant when cm law is used as a subject label in this dictionary); see also sense 9 above; civil liberty the state of being subject only to laws established for the good of the community: in pi., one's rights to be only so subject, civil list (a) Hist, a list of certain items of State expenditure on civil administration; the recipients of moneys voted on this list; (b) an annual allowance by Parliament for the British monarch’s official expenses, civil marriage: solemnized as a civil contract without a religious ceremony, civil parish see parish 2. civil rights the rights of each citizen (US esp. of black people) to liberty, equality, etc. civil servant a member of the Civil Service. Civil Service (a) Hist, that paid of the service of the East India Company carried out by covenanted servants not belong¬ ing to the army or navy; (b) all the non-military branches of State administration, civil state marital status; being single, married, divorced, etc. civil war: between citizens of the same country, esp. (freq. with cap. initials) in England (1642-9), US (1861-5), or Spain (1936-9). civil wrong an infringement of a person’s rights, as a tort of breach of contract, civil year see year noun'. ► B noun, fl = civilian noun 1. Only in lme. t2 In pi. Civil matters, concerns, or affairs. M17-E18.

3 do the civil, act politely (to a person), behave in a properly polite manner, arch, colloq. mi9. ►tC adverb. = civilly. M17-L18. ■ tcivilist noun (a) a civilian; (b) a politician: M16-M18. civilly adverb (a) in accordance with civil law: (b) with reference to civil matters; (c) in a civil manner: lme. civilness noun (rare) civility Mi6.

civilian /si'vilj(s)n/ noun & adjective, lme. [Old French civilien in droit dvilien civil law, formed as prec.: see -ian. Later directly from civil.]

► A noun. I A student of, practitioner of, or expert in civil law. Now rare. lme. 12 theology. A person who is good or moral, but unregen¬ erate. E-M17. 3 Hist. A non-military employee of the East India Company; (later) a member of the Indian Civil Service.

► A adjective. I gen. 1 Of or pertaining to citizens as a com¬ munity; relating to the internal organization of a society. State, etc. Also, of, pertaining to, or proper to citizens as individuals, lme. 12 Civic, municipal; urban, rare. E16-E18. 3 Orderly; well-governed. Long obsolete exc. (V. Ir. & Canad. dial, mi6. 4 In a condition of advanced social development; civil¬ ized; educated, well-bred; refined, arch. Ml6. 15 Seemly, decent, grave. LI6-L17. 16 Humane, considerate, kind. Only in 17. 7 Polite, obliging; uneffusively courteous; not rude. E17. tQ 1 R. Hooker To exercise civil dominion of their own. Hor. Walpole The instruction of heathen children in.. civil knowledge. Ld Macaulay Compelled by civil troubles to go into banishment. 3 Milton That Army, lately so renown'd for the civilest and best order'd in the world. 4 E. Brerewood Their own languages, which they held to be more civil than the Roman. Southey As in civil, so in barbar¬ ous states. 5 T. Dekker In lookes, graue; in attire, ciuili. 7 G. Swift Quinn was actually civil to me, even amiable.

4 A person whose regular profession is non-military; one who is not in or of the army, navy, air force, or police. Ei 9. ► B art rib. or as adjective. Being a civilian; of or pertaining to civilians; not in or of the army, navy, air force, or police. Mi7. ■ civiliani zation noun the action orresult of civilianizing M20. civilianize verb trans. make civilian; spec, convert (an armedservice post) into a civilian post: 119.

civilisation noun var. of civilization.

f few, g get.

h he, j yes,

k cat, 1 leg, r

■ civilizable adjective able to be civilized Mis. civilized ppl adjective that has been civilized; pertaining to or characteristic of (members of) a highly-developed society; refined, educated: E17. civili zee noun (now rare) a civilized person M19. civilizer noun L17.

civism /'srviz(3)m/ noun. L18. [French civisme, from Latin rivis citizen: see -ism.]

The principles of good citizenship, esp. (& orig.) in rela¬ tion to the republican order established by the French Revolution. civvy /'srvi/ noun & adjective, slang. Li9. [Abbreviation of civilian.]

► A noun. 1 In pi. Civilian clothes. Li9. 2 A civilian. E20. ► B adjective. Civilian. E20. Civvy Street civilian (as opp. to Service) life.

CJ abbreviation. Chiefjustice. CJD abbreviation. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. cl abbreviation. Centilitre(s). Cl symbol. chemistry. Chlorine. cl. abbreviation. 1 Class. 2 Clause. clabber /'klaba/ noun1. Scot & Anglo-Irish. Also dauber /'kb:ba/. E19. [Gaelic cldbar, Irish dabar.]

-ITY.]

► I Conn, with citizenship. tl = CITIZENHOOD. LME-L16. |2 Civil power. LME-M16.

13 Polity, civil organization; spec, good polity, civil order. M16-L17.

4 Good citizenship; orderly behaviour. Long obsolete exc. N. Ir. M16. 15 theology. Civil or moral righteousness. E-M17. ► II Conn, with civilization. 6 The state of being civilized, civilization; culture, refinement; polite or liberal education, arch. M16. 7 Politeness; consideration; an act or expression of politeness (usu. in pi.). M16. 18 Decency, seemliness. Only in 17. 6 W. Raleigh From them the Greekes, then barbarous, received Civilitie. De Quincey Our universities, all so many recurring centres of civility. 7 Ld Macaulay He would not use the common forms of civility. J. I. M. Stewart A formally courteous person.. who felt obliged to stay put until adequate civilities had been exchanged.

n no. p pen,

r red.

s sit,

■ clabbery adjective L19.

clabber /'klabs/ noun2 & verb. Chiefly US. E19. [Abbreviation.] ► A noun. = bonny-clabber. Ei9.

► B verb intrans. & trans. Curdle, turn sour. L19. dachan /'klax(a)n/ noun. Scot. & N. Ir. lme. [Gaelic & Irish dachan.]

A small village, a hamlet. [Imit.: cf. Old Norse klak chirping of birds, Dutch klak, Middle High German Mac, claik noun.] ► I noun & interjection. Also redupl. clack-clack)-clack)

civility /si'viliti/ noun. lme.

man,

E17.

12 verb trans. Subject to civil authority. E17-E18. 3 verb intrans. fa Behave in a civilized fashion. Only in E17. Fb Become civilized. M19.

clack 'klak/ noun & interjection, lme.

civilise verb var. of civilize.

t top.

1 (Repr.) the noise of continual loud talking, loud chatter, lme. 2 (Repr.) a sharp sound as of boards struck together, a metal object striking stone or wood, etc. Li 6. ► II noun. 3 The clapper of a mill, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 4 The human tongue. Usu. contempt. 116. 5 A flap-valvein a pump etc. Also clock-valve. M17. 6 An instrument that clacks to frighten birds away. L17.

7 A (loud) chat, a conversation, colloq. Lis. clack/klak/verb. ME. [Imit.: cf. Old Norse klaka twitter, (of birds) chatter, Dutch klakken crack, French daquer, claik verb.]

1 verb intrans. Chatter loudly, talk continually, me. 2 verb intrans. & trans. (Cause to) make a clack; clatter. M16. 3 verb intrans. Of a hen etc.: cluck, cackle. E18. ffl 1 Ld Macaulay He will sit clacking with an old woman for hours. 2 S. Delaney The old clogs clacking along the cobbles. M. Richler Max clacked his tongue reproachfully. Comb. : clack-dish Hist. = clap-dish s.v. clap verb'. ■ clacker noun M17.

Comb.: tcivility-money a gratuity, a tip. b but, d dog,

1 verb trans. Bring out of barbarism; bring to conformity with the standards of behaviour and the tastes of a highly developed society; enlighten; refine and educate.

Mud, soft dirt, wet clay.

Mis.

[Old & mod. French dvilite from Latin civilitas, from civilis: see civil,

-HE.]

[French civiliser (earlier -zer), formed as civil: see -ize.]

v van. w we, z zoo,

J she,

3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this, q ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

417

clacket | clamber

clacket/'klakit/noun. Li6. [French claquet, from claquer to clack: see -et'.J

tl = CLACK noun 3, 6. L16-E17. 2 A light or repeated clacking sound; incessant chatter. E19. ■ ciackety adjective making a light or repeated clacking sound Ml 9.

clacket /’klakit/ verb intrans. M16. [French claqueter, formed as prec.]

Clack lightly or repeatedly. Clactonian /klak’taoman/ adjective & noun. M20. [from Clacton (see below) + -ian.] archaeology. (The culture or industry) of an early Palaeo¬ lithic period represented by flint implements found at Clacton-on-Sea in SE England, dated to about 250,000200,000 years ago. clad /klad/ verb1 trans. Infl. -dd-. Mi6. [App. from next.)

1 Clothe, arch. M16. 2 Provide with cladding. M20.

dad verb2 pa. t. & pple: see clothe. Claddagh /'klada/ noun. E20. [from Claddagh, a fishing village on the edge of Galway city, Ireland.]

A symbol formed from two hands holding a crowned heart, which represents friendship, love, and loyalty. Chiefly attrib.. designating jewellery bearing the symbol; Claddagh ring, a ring given traditionally in Ireland as a token of love. cladding /'kladig/ noun. Li9. [from clad verb' + -INC'.] 1 In pi. Clothes, rare. Li9. 2 A special coating or covering on a structure, mater¬ ial, etc.; the application of such a covering. M20. dade /kleid/ noun. M20. [Greek Idados branch.]

A group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor. biology.

■ cladism noun belief in cladistics M20. cladist noun [perh. back-form, from next] an exponent of cladistics M20.

cladistic /kla’distik/ adjective. M20. [from prec. + -istic.] biology. Of or pertaining to clades or cladistics. ■ cladistically adverb in terms of cladistics; as regards cladis¬ tics or a cladistic relationship: M20.

cladistics /klo'distiks/ noun. M20. [from prec.: see -ics.]

The systematic classification of groups of organ¬ isms on the basis of the order of their assumed diver¬ gence from ancestral species; systematics based on this. biology.

dado- /’kleidau, 'kladau/ combining form of Greek klados branch, shoot, or of clade: see -o-.

■ dado genesis noun (bioiocy) the formation of a new species by evolutionary divergence of an ancestral species and species derived from it (cf. anagenesis) M20. cladoge netic adjective (biology) of, pertaining to. or arising through dadogenesis M20. da dogenous adjective (botany) growing from or borne on branches Li9. cladogram noun (biology) a tree diagram of the cla¬ distic relationship between a number of species M20.

dadoceran /kb'dos(3)r(o)n/ noun & adjective. E20. [from mod. Latin Cladocera (see below), formed as clado- + Greek kerns horn (on account of the branched antennae): see -an.] (A branchiopod crustacean) of the group Cladocera, which includes the water-fleas. dadode kleidaod/noun. Li9. [from late Greek idadodes with many shoots, from Idados shoot.] botany.

A flattened leaflike stem.

dadosporium 'kladnu'spnnam noun. PI. -ria l-ml. L19. [mod. Latin (see below), formed as clado- + spora seed + -ium.] (Infestation with) a fungus of the genus Cladosporium, esp. causing leaf-mould of tomatoes. daes noun pi. see clothes. dag /klag/ verb & noun. Chiefly Scot. & north, lme. [Perh. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Danish klag, Idagge sticky mud. clay, klsg, klxget viscous, rel. to clay noun.] ► A verb. Infl. -gg-. 1 verb trans. Bedaub or clot with; clog. lme. 2 verb intrans. Stick, adhere, (to). M16. ► B noun. 1 A flaw of character; a fault. Scot. Li6. 2 A legal encumbrance on a property etc. Scot. Long rare. L16. 3 A mass of clotted dirt in a sheep’s fleece etc. Mi7. ■ claggum noun treacle toffee M19 daggy adjective tending to form clots; sticky: Li6.

daik /kleik/ noun, interjection, & verb. Scot. lme. [Imit.: cf. CLACK noun & interjection, verb.]

► A noun. 1 More fully claik goose The barnacle goose. LME. 2 Also interjection. (Repr.) the harsh call of a goose, the cluck or cackle of a hen etc. lis. 3 Chatter, gossip; a gossipy person, lis. a cat. a: arm, r. bed. a: her. 1 sit. i cosy, i: see, o hot, 0

► B verb intrans. 1 Of a goose: call harshly. Of a hen etc.: cluck, cackle. Ei6. 2 Chatter, talk tediously. M19. claim /kleim/ noun. me. [Old French claime, from clamer: see next.]

► X 1 A demand for something as due; a statement of one’s right to something; a contention, an assertion; spec, (a) a formal assertion of a right to a piece of land for mining etc.; (b) a demand for payment in accordance with law, an insurance policy, etc.; (c) (in full pay-claim) a demand for an increase in pay; (d) a formal statement of the novel features in a patent, me. 2 A right or title (to something); a right to make a demand ((up)on a person etc.), me. 3 A piece of land allotted or taken for the purpose of mining etc. Li 8. (QIC. Day The telephone company sent us circulars in which they made large claims. C. Hill By arbitrary arrest and imprisonment he enforced his claim to tax without Parlia¬ mentary consent. A. Brink The Department of Justice insti¬ tuted a claim for libel against the newspaper. Court of Claims see court noun1, lay claim to assert one’s right to, claim, no-claim bonus, no-claims bonus: see NO adjective, quit claim to: see quit verb, small-claims court: see small adjective, statement of claim see statement noun. 2 J. B. Priestley Miss Trant had waived any claim to her part of the fee. R. S. Thomas The claim Of wife and young ones. W. S. Churchill His care for the Royal Navy is his chief claim upon the gratitude of his countrymen. 3 prospecting claim: see prospect verb 4 stake a claim, stake out a claim make a claim to a piece of land for mining etc. by marking it with stakes; fig. make a statement of one’s rights (to).

►f II4 A call, a shout, rare (Spenser). Only in L16. Comb.: claim-jumper a person who appropriates a mining claim already taken by another. ■ claimless adjective E19.

claim /kleim/ verb. me. [Old French claim- tonic stem of clamer to cry, call, appeal, from Latin clamare. Cf. clamour noun.] ► I verb trans. 1 Demand as one's due or property, require

as a right, (arch. foil, by that, to be + pa. ppl adjective); fig. have as a property, achievement, or consequence, esp. take by death, me. 2 Assert or demand recognition of (the fact that); represent oneself as having, oneself to be, to have done-, represent oneself so as to seem to do; assert, contend, that. ME. •J3 Name (as), proclaim (to be); represent (oneself) as. M E-LI 6. 4 Of a thing: have a right to, deserve, call for. E17. (QIC. Merivale He claimed that his word should be law. J. R. Green Every townsman could claim to be tried by his fellow-townsman. B. Pym The television screen was begin¬ ning to claim their full attention. M. M. Kaye The cholera had claimed four more lives. Which? You should claim a refund of the repair cost from the shop. 2 Defoe Both sides claimed the victory. E. Waugh Basil claimed to have eaten a girl once in Africa. G. Greene She never claimed to like a thing that she disliked. M. Holroyd He claimed to be a descendant of Owen Glendower. E. Crispin The Major could sense a jour¬ nalist, or.. claimed he could. 4 J. Tyndall One other point .. which claims our attention. ► II verb intrans. 5 Put forward a claim; assert a right; represent oneself to be. Now only spec, make a claim for indemnity on an insurance company, me.

clairvoyant /kle/vorant/ adjective & noun. Occas. fem. -ante L17. [French, from clair clear + voyant pres, ppl adjective of voir see: see -ant1.]

► A adjective. 1 Clear-sighted, perceptive, rare. L17. 2 Having or exercising the faculty of clairvoyance; per¬ taining to clairvoyance. M19. ► B noun. 1 A clear-sighted person, rare. Li 8. 2 A person having the faculty of clairvoyance. M19. ■ clairvoyantly adverb 119. s

dam /'klam/ noun1. [Old English clam = Old High German klamma (German dial. Klamm), Middle High German, German klemme, Dutch Idemme, klem, from Germanic (rel. to clamp noun1).] ■fl Anything that holds tight; in pi. bonds, bondage. Only in oe. 2 An instrument for clasping rigidly or holding fast; a clamp, vice, pair of pincers, etc.; also, a lining for the jaws of a vice. lme. 3 In pi. clutches, claws. Long obsolete exc. dial. Mi6.

dam /klam/ noun2. Ei6.

[App. from prec.] 1 A bivalve mollusc; esp. (a) Scot, a scallop; (b) an extremely large tropical bivalve, Tridacna gigas (usu. giant clam)-, (c) either of two common bivalves valued as food on the east coast of N. America, the quahog Venus mercenaria (also hard clam, round clam) andMya arenaria, which has a very long siphon (also long clam, longneck clam, soft clam, steamer clam). (Earliest in clam-shell below.) E16. 2 The mouth. US slang. E19. 3 A person who is close-minded, close-mouthed, etc.; a taciturn person. US slang. M19. 1 (as) happy as a clam see happy adjective. Venus clam: see Washington clam: see Washington 1. Comb.: damba ke US a social gathering for eating (esp. clams and fish) outdoors; a loud and lively gathering, a jam-session; damdigger (a) a person who digs for clams; (b) (clamdiggers) close-fitting calf-length trousers for women; dam-shell (a) the shell of a clam; (b) US slang = sense 2 above. Venus 9.

dam /klam/ noun3. mi6.

[Perh. back-form, from clammy.] fl A soft mass. Only in Mi6. 2 Clamminess. L17. dam /klam/ noun4. E18. [Prob. imit.: cf. clam verb3.] campanology. The crash of two or more bells of a peal rung

together. dam /klam/ adjective, obsolete exc. dial. me. [Prob. rel. to next, cloam noun.]

Sticky; cold and damp; clammy. dam /klam/ verb1, obsolete exc. dial. Infl. -mm-, lme.

[Var. of cleam. perh. infl. by prec.] 1 verb trans. Smear or spread (sticky or slimy matter) on; daub (with), lme. 2 verb trans. Clog or choke up. E16. 3 verb intrans. Be moist and sticky; stick, adhere, mi 6. 4 verb trans. Clog or entangle with or in anything sticky. LI 6. dam /klam/ verb2 intrans. Infl. -mm-. Mi7. [from clam noun2.]

£Q 5 Pope Say from what scepter’d ancestry ye claim.

■ claimable adjective E17. claimant noun a person who makes a claim, esp. formally; a person who has a claim (up)on: L17.

1 Dig for clams, collect clams. US. Mi7. 2 Foil, by up: become silent, stop talking or otherwise communicating, slang (chiefly IV. Amer.). E20.

daimernoun lme.

dairaudience /kl£:r'a:dians/ noun. mi9. [from French clair clear + audience, after clairvoyance.]

The supposed faculty of perceiving, as if by hearing, what is inaudible, ■ clairaudient adjective & noun (a) adjective having the faculty of dairaudience; of the nature of or pertaining to clan-audience: (b) noun a clairaudient person: MI9. clair-de-lune kl:::rdolyn, kli::do lu:i: noun. Li9. [French, lit. ’moonlight’.]

A soft white or pale blue-grey colour; a Chinese porcel¬ ain glaze of this colour. dair-obscure /kleuab'skjoo/ noun. Ei8. [French clair-obscurtranslating Italian chiaroscuro.]

Chiaroscuro. clairschach /'k!a:Jax/noun. Also clar-. lis. [Irish clairseach, Gaelic clarsach.]

The traditional Celtic harp strung with wire.

■ dairschacher noun a person who plays the clairschach Eie.

clairvoyance /kle/voians/ noun. mi9. [French, formed as next; see -ance.]

1 The supposed faculty of perceiving, as if by seeing, what is happening or exists out of sight. M19. 2 Keenness of mental perception: exceptional insight. M19. : saw. A run. u put. u: too. a ago, ai my. ao how, ei day.

dam /klam/ verb3. Infl. -mm-. Li7. [Prob. imit.: cf. clam noun2, clamour verb2.] campanology. 1 verb intrans. Of bells: sound or crash together. L17. 2 verb trans. Sound or crash (bells) together. E18. dam verb4 var. of clem. clamant /'kleim(a)nt, ’klam-/ adjective. Mi7. [from Latin clamant- pres, ppl stem of clamare cry out: see Cf. claim verb.] 1 Clamorous, noisy. Mi7. 2 fig. Insistent, urgent, ei 8.

-ant1.

£B 2 New Scientist By 1920 the need for training and transfer of US technology was clamant. ■ clamantly adverb M19. ■Jdamb verb pa. tsee climb verb. clamber/'klambo/ verb & noun. me. [Of frequentative form, prob. from prec.: see -er5.]

► A verb. 1 verb intrans. & trans. Climb using hands and feet; climb with difficulty and effort, me. 2 verb intrans. transf.8, fig. *a Climb or struggle (up) into a position of eminence; attain with effort to. Now rare. Lie. ►b Rise upwards heavily, irregularly, or steeply. E17. ►c Of a plant: climb by means of tendrils. E17. so no. e: hair, is near. 01 boy, ua poor, xia tire, aus sour

418

dame | dap ►b clamp down, (of cloud, fog, etc.) descend veiy low, so as to prevent flying etc. M20. 4 verb trans. electricity. Maintain the voltage limits of (a signal) at prescribed values. Freq. as clamping verbal noun.

O 1 S. Johnson They can.. clamber tire mountain. F. Herbert The craft creaked as tire others clambered aboard. 2b N. Hawthorn e A tall palace of gray, time-worn stone clambered skyward. Tennyson The narrow street that clamber’d toward the mill, c C. Raine Ivy clambers over the sides of a rusty cot.

M20. CQ 2 R. P. Warren To .. clamp a cigar in his left jaw. W. Golding A heavy hand.. clamped me down. L. Deighton The.. cables were roughly damped across the charred ends as if with artery forceps. 3a EconomistThe government clamped down firmly on all political agitation. L. Lee Suddenly the iron-frost of destitution would clamp down on the house.

► B noun. An act of clambering; a climb using hands and feet. Ei9. ■ damberer noun a person who or thing which clambers; for¬ merly esp. a climbing plant: L16.

dame verb var. of cleam. clamjamphrie /klam'd3ainfri/ noun. Scot. & north. Also clan- /klan-/, -fry, & other vars. E19.

[Prob. from (M)Du klamp heap. rel. to clump noun.)

Worthless or vulgar people; a mob, a rabble.

► A noun. 1 A stack or pile of bricks for burning. Li6. 2 A heap or pile of straw and earth covering potatoes etc. during winter; a heap or pile of turf, peat, garden rubbish, etc. Ei8. ► B verb trans. Pile up in a clamp; store (potatoes etc.) in a clamp. Mi9.

dammer verb see clamour verb2. clammy "klami/ adjective, lme. [from clam verb' or adjective + -Y’.[

Moist, usu. cold, and sticky or slimy; damp and cold. B3 Southey The cold sweat stands Upon his clammy limbs. D. H. Lawrence The wind drifted a clammy fog across the hills. J. Masters The clammy sari was clinging to my body.

clamp /klamp/ noun3 & verb3. Chiefly Scot. & north. Li 8. [Imit.; cf. clomp, clump noun, verb.] ► A noun. A heavy step or tread; a stamp with the feet.

■ clammily adverb Mi9. clamminess noun Ei6.

clamor noun, verb', verb2 see clamour noun, verb*, verb2.

L18.

► B verb intrans. Tread heavily, clump. Ei9.

clamorous /'klam(o)ros/ adjective, lme. [from late Latin clamorosus, from Latin clamor: see clamour noun, -ous. Cf. Old French damoreus.)

Of the nature of clamour; uttered with or accompanied by shouting; noisy; loudly and persistently complaining, appealing, or demanding; urgently claiming attention. LIT Shakes. AY.L. I will be.. more clamorous than a parrot against rain. D. H. Lawrence Her voice was loud and clamor¬ ous. W. Styron The night was clamorous with frogs and katydids.

[from clamp verb' + -er5.] ► A verb trans. Put together hastily or clumsily, patch up, (lit. & fig.). Mi6. ► B noun. 1 A metal patch or plate. Scot. Ei7.

[from clamp verb3 + -er5.]

LQ 1R. Whately Attempts.. to silence a speaker by clamour. E. Longford An important section of the Army .. fell a victim to the country’s clamour for economy. 2 C. Thirlwall Interrupted in a speech by clamours of disap¬ probation. 3 W. Irving The clamour of a troop of dogs. A. C. Swinburne The clamour of his storms. A. MacLean The sudden strident clamour of an alarm bell.

clamour /‘klamo/ verb1. Also *-or. lme. [from the noun.] 1 verb intrans. Make a clamour; raise an outcry; make a loud appeal, complaint, or demand, (/or, against, to do).

LME. 2 verb trans. Ja Disturb with clamour. Only in 17. ►b Move or drive out of, into, etc., by clamouring; put down by clamour, mi7. 3 verb trans. Utter or assert clamorously. M19. ICQ 1 Shakes. Macb. The obscure bird Clamour’d the livelong night. A Briggs The urban working classes came into the open to clamour for reform. FL Sutcliff If you tell me to do a thing, 1 will do it, without clamouring to know why.

clamour/'klama/ verb2 trans. Now rare. Also-or, dammer. E17.

descent from a common ancestor, acknowledging a patriarchal chief, and usu. all having the same surname. LME. 2 gen. Any similar tribal division or group; a (large) close-knit family. Ei6.

3 A group of people having shared attributes; a party, a coterie, a set. Usu. derog. Mi6. 4 A group of objects, animals, plants, etc., sharing common origins or attributes. M17. Fb ecolocy. A small local group of a dominant plant species. E20. fc geology. A group of igneous rocks of similar chemical composition. E20. Comb. : dansfolk (fellow) members of a dan. clansman a male (fellow) member of a clan, clanswoman a female (fellow) member of a dan. ► B verb intrans. Infl. -nn-. Combine (together) as members of a clan. L17. ■ clanism noun dan system or feeling Mi9. danny adjective = clannish li9. clanship noun a clan system; clannish behaviour; dan membership or feeling: M18. tclancular adjective. ei7-mis. [Latin clancularius, from clanculum adverb, dim. of clam in secret: see -ar2.]

Secret; clandestine. E17-M19.

Jdanculary

adjective

=

[Prob. of Low German origin: cf. Dutch. Low German klamp, fklampe (whence German Klampe), from Germanic (rel. to clam noun').]

► A noun. 1 A brace, clasp, or band, usu. of rigid material, used for strengthening or fastening things together, me. 2 nautical Each of the thick planks in a ship’s side below the shelf-piece, which support the ends of the deckbeams. L15. 3 An appliance or tool with parts which may be brought together by a screw etc. for holding or com¬ pressing. L17. 4 electricity. A circuit which serves to maintain at pre¬ scribed levels the voltage limits of a signal. Also clamp circuit. M20. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Patch (up). Scot. L15. 2 verb trans. Make fast or strengthen (as) with a clamp or clamps; place or hold firmly. 117. kb Immobilize with a wheel clamp. L20. 3 verb intrans. a clamp down (on), press down hard (on), become stricter (regarding), call a halt (to). E20! 1 leg,

Surreptitious, secret.

dang /klag/ noun & verb. Li6.

damp /klamp/ noun1 & verb1, me.

h he, j yes, k cat,

[French clandestin or Latin clandestinus, from clam in secret: see -ine1.] ■ clandestinely adverb M17. clande stinity noun (surrepti¬ tious) secrecy L17.

[Origin uncertain: perh. rel. to clam verb3 or a use of prec.] Silence, stop the noise of, (spec, bells). 9 First recorded in Shakes.

m

[Imit., but infl. by Latin clangor, clangere (see next); sense A.3 from German Hang. Cf. clank, clink noun’, verb'.] ► A noun. 1 A loud resonant metallic sound, as of a trumpet, armour, a large bell, etc. Li6.

2 The loud harsh scream of certain birds, as geese. M17. 3 Chiefly psychology. (The acoustic sensation of) a sound consisting of a fundamental tone and overtones. Now rare, mi9. Comb.: clang association psychology an association of words by sound rather than meaning.

► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Move with or make a loud resonant metallic sound. Li 6. 2 verb trans. Cause to make a clang; strike together with a clang, Ei8. 3 verb intrans. Of certain birds: utter their loud harsh cry. mi9. CQ 1 J. Steinbeck Every day the red bus clangs back and foi th. A. Carter A voice that clanged like dustbin lids. ■ clanger noun (slang) a blunder (esp. in drop a clanqer. make a blunder) M20. man,

n no, p pen,

r red,

vars.

nouns

of

dank 'klagk/ noun & verb. lme. [Imit.. = Middle Low German. Middle & mod. Dutch klank. Old High German klanc, klank-. Cf. clang, clink noun', verb', clonk, clunk verb & noun2.] ► A noun. An abrupt heavy metallic sound, as of heavy

pieces of metal meeting, a chain rattling, etc. lme. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Deposit with a clank; put down heavily. E17. 2 verb intrans. Make an abrupt heavy metallic sound; move with a clank or clanks. M17. 3 verb trans. Cause to make a clank or clanks; proclaim by a clank or clanks, mis. £3 2 E. Darwin Dungeons dank Where.. fetters clank. J. Galsworthy The iron gates clanked open. C. P. Snow Some undergraduates came clanking through in football boots. 3 J. Clare The beating snow-clad bell, with sounding dead. Hath clanked four. C. H. Sisson Gaolers.. Clanking their keys. 9 In isolated use before 17. ■ dankety-clank kJaijku: khink noun a repeated clanking sound li9. dankless adjective (rare) that does not or do not clank

El 9. clannish /'klamj/ adjective, mis.

[from clap verb'.]

clandestine/klan'destin, 'klandestm/ adjective. M16.

■ clamourer noun M17.

danjamphrie

■ clannishly adverb L19 clannishness noun E19.

[Gaelic clam offspring, family, stock, from Old Irish eland (mod. Irish darm) from Latin planta sprout, scion, plant noun.] ► A noun. 1 A group of (esp. Highland) Scots claiming

■ fdanculady adverb CLANCULAR M16-M17.

danjamfry. CLAMJAMPHRIE.

dap /klap/ noun1, me.

clan /klan/ noun & verb. lme.

1 Loud shouting (by one or, freq., many), esp. in com¬ plaint, appeal, or opposition; vehement expression of feeling, esp. of discontent or disapprobation; popular outcry, lme. 2 A loud shout, an outburst of noisy utterance; a popular outcry, lme. 3 Any loud or confused noise. Li6.

■ clangorous adjective full of clangour Ei8. dangorously adverb mi9.

[from clan noun + -ish'.]

Walk or step heavily or noisily.

[Anglo-Norman clamur. Old French clamour from Latin clamor rel. to damare: see -our. Cf. claim verb.]

[Latin clangor, from clangere resound: see -our, -or.]

► A noun. Clanging noise; a succession or prevalence of clanging noises. Li6. ► B verb intrans. Make a clangour, mi9.

Pertaining to or characteristic of a clan; (too much) attached to one’s own clan, family, etc.

clamper/'klamps/ verb2 intrans. Chiefly Scot & dial. Ei9.

clamour /'klamo/ noun. Also *-or. lme.

f few, g get,

clamper/'klampa/ verb1 & noun. Now chiefly Scot. M16.

2 Abotched-up argument or charge. M17.

■ clamorously adverb Mi6 clamorousness noun E17.

b but, d dog,

Comb. : clamp-down an act of clamping down.

clamp /klamp/ noun2 & verb2. L16.

[Origin unkn.]

clangour /'klaggs/ noun & verb. Also *-or. Li6.

s sit,

t top,

v van,

w we, z zoo.

►I 1 2 3

A noise or action. Noisy talk, chatter. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. A sounding blow; a slap, a pat. me. A sudden stroke (lit. & fig.), obsolete exc. Scot. & in afterclap s.v. after-, me. 4 An abrupt explosive noise, as of two hard surfaces striking one another; the report of a gun. lme. Fb spec. A peal of thunder, lme. fc spec. The noise of the palms of the hands being struck together; (a round of) applause. LI 6. £□ 2 S. Johnson All the forms of.. salutation, from the clap on the shoulder to the humble bow.

► II A physical object. 5 = clapper noun1 i; esp. the clapper of a mill. me. J6 The human tongue, me-116. 7 The lower mandible of a hawk. lis. For combs, see clap verb'.

clap /klap/ noun2, coarse slang. Li6. [from Old French clapoir venereal bubo.]

Venereal disease, esp. gonorrhoea, (also the clap), an infection with this. clap /klap/ verb1. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple clapped, (arch.) clapt. [Old English dappan = Old Frisian klappia. Middle Low German klappen. Old High German klapfon, Old Norse Idappa, beside Old English dsppan = Old Frisian kleppa. Middle Low German kleppen. Old High German klepfen: of imit. origin.] 11 verb intrans. Throb, beat, pulsate, oe-lme. 2 verb trans. Strike with sounding blows, arch. oe. 3 verb intrans. Make an abrupt explosive noise; make a

loud rattling noise; spec, (a) (of a door, window, etc.) close with a bang, slam; t(b) rap, knock at a door etc.; (see also sense 6b). Now arch. & dial, lme, 4 verb intrans. Chatter loudly, talk continually, (= clack verb i). Now rare. lme. 5 verb trans. Cause to make an abrupt explosive noise, strike together; cause to make a loud rattling noise; spec, (a) close (a door, window, etc., to) with a bang, slam; t(b) strike (hands) reciprocally, in token of a bargain; (see also senses 6, 7). Now arch. & dial. lme. 6 verb trans. Strike (the hands) together loudly, esp. to show approval, for warmth, as a signal, etc.; show approval of (a person, an event, etc.) by doing this. lme. Fb verb intrans. Clap the hands together; applaud by clap¬ ping hands. Ei6. 7 verb trans. Of a bird: flap (the wings) audibly, lme. 8 verb trans. Slap with the palm of the hand, as a sign of approval, in encouragement, etc.; Scot. & north, pat fondly. lme. Fb Smooth or flatten (out) with the palms or with a flat-surfaced object. Chiefly north. M16. 9 verb trans. Put or place quickly, energetically, or unceremoniously; impose (as) with authority (up)on. LME. 10 verb intrans. ta Come or go suddenly or decisively; enter into (an activity) with alacrity, mi6-mi8. Fb Foil, by on: apply oneself energetically, set to. colloq. mi 9. J she.

3 vision,

0 thin,

6 this,

ij ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

419

dap | clash

11 verb intrans. Press or lie close (to, in, etc.). Now chiefly Scot. L16. 12 verb trans. a Foil, by up: make or construct hastily or without much care; chiefly (& now only) fig., arrange or settle (an agreement etc.) hastily or without much care. arch. Li 6. ►tb Put or stick together. M17-EI8. £Q 6 S. Pepys It was very finely sung, so as to make the whole house clap her. D. Parker The Swedish girl raised her hands.. and clapped them twice together to summon the waiter. 9 Shakes. Merry W. Clap on more sails; pursue. Byron I have.. clapt sentinels at the doors. R. W. Emerson He has clapped copyright on the world. E. Bowen The ices .. were clapped between wafers. J. Cheever I.. clapped my hat on my head, and marched out. A. Fraser The govern' ment speedily clapped the leaders in prison, clap eyes on co(lot), catch sight of, see (usu. in neg. contexts). (partly from clap noun’): clap-bread thin oatmeal cake; dap-dish Hist, a wooden alms-dish with a lid, carried by beggars, lepers, etc., and rattled to attract notice; clap-net a fowler’s or entomologist’s net shut by pulling a string. ■ clapped out adjectival phr. (slang) worn out, exhausted, no longer functioning M20. Comb,

[from clap noun2.]

darabella /klara'beb/ noun. Mi9. [from Latin clarus, (fern.) -ra clear + bellus, (fern.) -lin beautiful.]

An organ-stop having a flutelike quality. darain /'klarein/ noun. E20. [from Latin dams clear adjective, after fusain.) geology. One of the lithotypes of coal, a finely laminated material with a silky lustre. Clare /kle:/ noun. E17. [from St Clare (see below).]

A nun of the Franciscan order founded by St Clare at Assisi c 1212. Freq. Poor Clare clarence /’klar(a)ns/ noun. M19. [from the Duke of Clarence, later William IV.) Chiefly Hist. A four-wheeled closed carriage with seats

for four inside and two on the box,

Infect with venereal disease, esp. gonorrhoea. [Partial translation of clapholt.]

► A noun. 1 a A piece of split oak used for barrel-staves and wainscoting, obsolete exc. Hist. Ei6. tb A weather¬ board. N.Amer. mi7. t2 The material of such boards; such boards collect¬ ively. Ml 6—LI 9. ► B verb trans. Cover or line with clapboards. US. Ml7. ■ clapboarding verbal noun (US) (a) the action of the verb; (b) a covering of clapboards on a building etc.: Mi7.

Clapham/'klap(3)m/ noun. Mi9. [A district of SW London.]

1 the Clapham Sect, an early-i9th-cent. group noted for evangelical opinions and philanthropic activity (some ofwhose chief members lived at Clapham). Some¬ what derog. obsolete exc. Hist, mi9. 2 the man on the Clapham omnibus, the average man. E20. clapholt noun, lme-eis. [Low German klappholt = Dutch klaphout, from Happen crack + holt wood.]

Clarenceux I’klariafiisu:/ noun. Also t-cieux lme.

Clarendon /’klafialndsn/ noun. Mi9. [Prob. from the Clarendon Press, Oxford.] typography. A bold condensed type with bracketed serifs, used esp. for emphasis. claret /'klarat/ adjective & noun, lme, [Old French (vin) claret (mod, claim) orig. of light-red wines, from

dare: see clary noun1.] ► A adjective, tl claret wine = sense B.i below, lme-eis. 2 Of the colour of claret, mi 6. ► B noun. 1 Orig., wine of a yellowish or light-red colour, as distinguished from white or red wine; later, red wine generally. Now, (a) red wine from Bordeaux in France; transf. (a) wine of the same character from some other country. Also, a drink of such wine. E16. 2 Blood, slang. E17. 3 The colour of claret, (now) a reddish violet, mi 7. Phrases: riddle of claret see riddle noun2 i. tap a person’s claret slang make a person's nose bleed by a blow with the fist. Comb.: claret colour = sense 3 above; claret-coloured adjective

of the colour claret. ■ dare teer noun (now rare or obsolete) a drinker of claret Li7. darety adjective eis.

clarichord /'klarikp:d/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. lme.

= CLAPBOARD noun 2. dapmatch /'klapmatj/ noun. Also k-. mis. [Dutch klapmuts(rob) hooded seal, from Idapmuts cap with flaps.]

Orig., a hooded or eared seal. Now, a female seal. dapper /'klapa/ noun1 & verb. me. [from clap verb1 + -er'.]

► A noun. 1 A device that makes short repeated strokes or that makes a clapping or loud rattling noise; spec, (a) a contrivance in a mill for striking or shaking the hopper so as to make the grain move down to the millstones; (b) Hist, the lid of a clap-dish, or a rattle, used by beggars, lepers, etc., to attract attention; (c) the tongue or striker of a bell; (d) an instrument for frightening birds away; (e) cinematography (in full clapperboard) a device making a sharp noise for the synchronization of picture and sound, me. hb The human tongue. Usu. contempt. Mi7. 2 A person who claps; a claqueur. Ei9. 1 like the clappers slang very fast, very hard. Comb.: clapperboard: see sense l above; clapperclaw verb trans. (arch.) claw with the open hand and nails; fig. revile, clapperdudgeon arch, slang [app. dudgeon noun1] a person bom a

beggar, a low wretch; clapper rail a large greyish N. American rail, Rallus longirostris, of coastal marshes.

► B verb. 1 verb trans. a Fit a clapper to (a bell), rare. E16. ►b Sound (a bell) by pulling the dapper. Li9. 2 verb intrans. Make a noise like a clapper, mi9. clapper/'klaps/noun2. me.

[Anglo-Norman claper = Old French clapier from Provencal = heap of stones, rabbit warren, of Gaulish origin.]

1 More fully dapper bridge. A rough bridge or raised path of stones, dial. ME. f2 A rabbit burrow; a place for keeping rabbits. LME-E18. dapt verb pa. t. & pple: see clap verb'. [from clap noun1 + trap noun1.]

1 A device, expression, etc., to elicit applause, arch. M18. . 2 Language used or sentiments expressed only to elicit applause; pretentious but empty assertions; nonsense. E19. Mi9.

claque /klak, kla:k;/orrign klak (pi. same)/ noun. Mi9. [French, from claquer to clap.]

A hired body of applauders; transf. a body of sycophantic followers. a cat. a: arm, e bed, s: her, i sit, i cosy, i: see.

d

hot. o

claron (mod. clairon).]

► A noun. 1 Hist. A shrill narrow-tubed war trumpet, me. 2 The sound of a trumpet; any rousing sound, poet. M17.

3 An organ-stop of sound-quality similar to a clarion. L17. £Q 2 Milton The crested Cock whose clarion sounds The silent hours. K. Tynan Her voice is a rallying-call.. a down¬ right clarion.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Of a clarion; sounding like a clarion; loud and clear, lme. clarionet /klarrs'net/ noun. Li8. [from prec. + -et1, partly from clarinet.]

Clarisse /kla'ri:s/ noun. L17. [French, formed as Clare.] = Clare.

clarity /'klanti/noun. me. [Latin daritas, from clarus clear: see -ity.] tl Glory, divine lustre. ME-L17.

|2 Brightness, brilliancy, splendour. lme-li7. 3 Clearness (of sight, judgement, colour, sky, atmos¬ phere, etc.); unambiguousness (of literary style, ideas, etc.); an instance of this. E17. Clark /kla:k/ noun. E19. [William Clark (1770-1838), US explorer.) Clark's crow. Clark's nutcracker. Clark nutcracker, a black, grey, and white crow, Nucijraga Columbiana, of western N, America. darkia "kla:k»/noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin (see below), from William Clark (1770-1838), US explorer: see -ia1.]

A plant of the American genus Clarkia, which includes several annuals cultivated for their white, pink, or purple flowers. daro /'klccreu/ noun, PI. -os. Li9. [Spanish = light, dear.]

A light-coloured cigar. tclaro-obscuro noun. Only in is.

[Alt. of clavichord by assoc, with Latin clarus clear.]

[Latinization of Italian chiaroscuro.]

= CLAVICHORD.

Chiaroscuro.

clarification ,jklanfi’keij(3)n/ noun. Ei6. [In branch I partly from next, partly from French clarification. formed as next: see -fication. In branch II from ecclesiastical Latin clarificatio(n-), from clarificat- pa. ppl stem of clarificare: see next, -ATION.]

► I 1 The action of making clear or plain to the under¬ standing; removal of complexity, ambiguity, or obscur¬ ity. E16. 2 The action of freeing from impurities or making transparent; the process of becoming free from impur¬ ities or transparent. E17. ►t II3 Glorification, transfiguration. M-L17.

■ darificatory adjective tending to, having the purpose of, or relating to. clarification M20.

clarify "klanfAi/ verb. me. [Old & mod. French clarifier from late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus clear + -ficare -FY.] ► I fl verb trans. Declare, set forth clearly. Only in me. 2 verb trans. Make pure and clean, physically or (arch.) morally; free from impurities; spec, make (a liquid,

butter, the air, etc.) transparent, me. 13 verb trans. Free from darkness or gloom; brighten, illu¬ mine. LME-L17. 4 verb trans. Enlighten; make clear or plain to the under¬ standing; remove complexity, ambiguity, or obscurity from (a subject, statement, etc.): remove ignorance, mis¬ conception, or error from (the mind etc.), lme. 5 verb trans. Make unobstructed, clear, (the sight, eyes, mental vision; arch, the throat, the voice), lme. 6 verb intrans. Become transparent; be made clear or pure (lit & fig.). Li6. ►til 7 verb trans. Make illustrious or glorious; exalt. LME-M17. ■ clarifier noun a person who or thing which provides clarifi¬ cation; a vessel used in clarification: M16.

daptrap /'klaptrap/ noun. Mi8.

clarion /'klarron/ noun & adjective, me. [medieval Latin dario(n-), from Latin clarus clear: cf. Old French

= CLARINET.

The second English King of Arms, having jurisdiction south of the Trent,

clapboard /'klapbo:d, 'klabad/ noun & verb. Ei6.

2 An organ-stop of similar sound-quality. Li9. ■ clarinettist. *-etist noun a player on the clarinet M19.

[French, from claquer (see prec.) + -eur -or.)

A member of a daque.

[Anglo-Norman, from Clarence, an English dukedom named from Clare in Suffolk.]

dap /klap/ verb2 trans. coarse slang. Infl. -pp-. Mi7.

■ daptrappy adjective

claqueur /kla:'k3:;/oreign klakce:r (pi. same)/ noun. Mi9.

clarine /’klari:n/ noun. lme. [Old French clarin (mod. clarine in sense CLARION.)

2

only) by-form of claron

tl = CLARION. LME-M18. 2 A cow-bell. rare. E20. clarinet/klarinet/ noun. Mi8. [French clarinette dim. of darine: see prec., -ette.] 1 A woodwind instrument having a single-reed mouth¬ piece, holes, and keys; a player on this in an orchestra etc. mis. : saw, a run, u put, u: too, a ago, ai my, au how, ei day,

darschach noun var. of clairschach. dart /kla:t/ verb & noun. Scot. & north. L17. [Origin unkn.]

► A verb trans. |1 Smear or plaster (up)on. Only in Li7. 2 Smear or daub with dirt. Ei9. ► B noun. 1 Sticky dirt, mud, filth; a daub of this. Ei9. 2 A dirty person; a nasty thing; hypocritical talk. El 9. 5 Much older than the written record: bedart verb is evidenced in Middle English. ■ darty adjective covered in or of the nature of sticky dirt; nasty: Li6.

clary /'Me:ri/ noun'. ME. [Old French clan, from medieval Latin (vinum) claratum clarified (wine), from darare, from clarus dear: see -Ys.[

Chiefly Hist. A sweet drink made of wine, clarified honey, pepper, ginger, and other spices, clary /'klsrri/ noun2, lme. [French fdarie from medieval Latin sclarea: loss of initial s is unexpl.J

An aromatic herb of the genus Salvia, of the mint family; esp. S. sclarea, native to southern Europe. clash /klaj/ noun. Ei6. [Imit.: cf. next.]

1 A loud discordant resonant sound as of a collision, the striking of weapons, bells rung together, cymbals, etc.; Scot, a blow yielding such a sound. E16. 2 A collision, a conflict, esp. of hostile opinions; a dis¬ agreement; being at variance or incompatible (with); a jarring or unpleasant contrast (of colour etc.). M17.

3 Chatter, idle talk; an item of (malicious) gossip. Scot. & north. Mi7. 4 The sound of heavy rainfall; Scot. & north, a sudden and heavy fall of rain etc. E19. clash /klaj/ verb. Ei6. [Imit.: cf. prec.]

► I verb intrans. 1 Make a loud discordant resonant sound, produce a clash; strike violently, esp. so as to produce a clash (against, together). El 6. 2 Come into conflict; disagree, be at variance, be incompatible; (of colours etc.) contrast jarringly. (Foil, by With.) E17.

3 Talk recklessly or maliciously. Scot. Li7. 3U no, e: hair, ra near. 01 boy, us poor, ais tire, aus sour

420

dashee | classify

► II verb trans. 4 Strike (together) so as to produce a dash; slam (a door etc.); Scot, throw violently so as to produce a clash. E16. 5 Produce or express with a clash. M17. CO 4 Tennyson Sir Gareth's brand clashed his. Tolkien The armed men that stood near clashed their weapons. J. Dickey 1 got in and clashed the car door. 5 R. Ellis Let a gong clash glad emotion. ■ dasher noun E17. jclashee, dashy nouns vars. of khalassi.

clasp /kla:sp/ noun & verb. me. [Origin unkn.: for the terminal sounds cf. grasp, hasp, Middle Dutch gaspe, gespe (Dutch gesp clasp, buckle).]

► A noun, 1 A contrivance of interlocking parts for fasten¬ ing; a buckle, a brooch; a metal fastening of a bookcover. ME. |2 =CLASPER2. L16-E18. 3 An embrace; an encircling grip of the hand or arm; a handshake; grasp, reach. Mi7. 4 A bar of silver on a medal-ribbon with the name of a battle etc. (fought during the campaign commemorated by the medal) at which the wearer was present. E19.

CO 1 W. Shenstone One modest em'rald clasp'd the robe she wore. 3 T. Hood She stood .. Clasp'd by the golden light of mom. R. Macaulay She clasped Helen's hand in both hers. 4 Geo. Eliot She should clasp her son again. A. G. Gardiner Two other children .. walk with the soldier, each clasping a hand. V. Woolf She sank down.., clasping her knees together. 1. Asimov His hands, which had been clasped, drew apart, clasp hands shake hands with fervour or affection.

► II verb intrans. 6 Be fastened as a clasp; hold tight; embrace; (of hands) press tightly together, esp. with interlaced fingers, mi6. £□ 6 Shakes. Per. Clasping to the mast. R. Warner I saw his hands clasp and unclasp.

dasper/'kkrspa/noun. Mi6. [from clasp verb + -er'.]

1 A person who or thing which clasps; a means of holding fast. Mi6. 2 botany. A tendril. L16. 3 zoology. Either of a pair of appendages of the male used to hold the female in copulation, esp. in certain fishes and insects. Usu. in pi. M19. class /kla:s/ noun & adjective. M16. [Latin classis assembly, division of the Roman people. Cf. Old & mod. French closse.]

► A noun. 1 soman history. Each of the divisions or orders of the Roman people in the constitution ascribed to Servius Tullius. M16. 2 A set of students or scholars taught together; a course of instruction for a group of students; a meeting of students for instruction. Mi6. >b All college or school students of the same standing. N. Amer. L17. 3 gen. A division according to grade or quality. E17. 4 gen. A group of people or things having some attrib¬ ute in common; a set, a category. M17. 5 a A presbytery in the Church of Scotland. Cf. classis 2. obsolete exc. Hist. E18. >b A subdivision of a Methodist congregation, meeting together, mis. 6 A rank or order of a society; sing. & in pi., the members of a specified social rank; in pi. also (arch.) the rich or edu¬ cated. M18. >b The system or fact of the division of society into ranks or orders; social rank, esp. high rank. M19. 7 biology. The principal taxonomic grouping ranking above order and below phylum or division, mis. 8 A division of candidates or competitors according to merit in an examination. Ei9. 9 Distinction, high quality, colloq. L19. Cl 2 Lytton I was in the head class when I left Eton. S. Heaney My lesson note reads: Teacher will play Beethoven's Concerto Number Five And class will express themselves freely In writing. Jo Grimond A class in first aid, which he attended. In class (a) teaching or being taught in a

b but, d dog.

f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

adjective.

classical /'klasik(a)l/ adjective. Li6. [from Latin dassicus classic + -al'.]

rlacc rnllnn nilifP inferior.

Comb.: class action US a (single) legal action brought on behalf of all the members of a group with a common interest or griev¬ ance; class-conscious adjective conscious of class, esp. realizing and usu. participating in the conflict between one's own and other classes; class-consciousness the state of being class¬ conscious; class-fellow = classmate below; class-leader see LEADER 7 class-list spec, a list of the classes obtained by candi¬ dates in an examination: classmate a present or past member of the same school, college, etc., class as oneself; class-noun grammar a count noun, a common noun referring to each member of a class; classroom a place where a class is taught (open classroom see open adjective); class-war. class-warfare con¬ flict between social classes. ► B adjective. Having class, in the top class, classy, colloq. L19. CCS H. DE Selincourt If he'd had coaching, he'd be a class bowler. Day Lewis Real class your sister is.

Comb.: clasp-knife a folding knife, usu. with a catch to fix the blade when open.

► B verb. I verb trans. 1 Fasten, secure, or close with or as a clasp; fasten (a clasp), ime. 2 Provide or fit (a book etc.) with a clasp, lme. 3 gen. Encircle and hold closely; loosely & poet, surround, enfold, lme. 4 spec. Hold with close pressure of the curved hand; press (one’s hands) closely together with fingers inter¬ laced; hold closely in one's arms with hands joined; throw both arms round, embrace, lme. 5 Bend or fold tightly around or over, li 8.

classic' 2 E. M. Forster He was not a good classic, but good enough to take the Lower Fifth, senior classic: see senior

class; (b) as a member of a class, senior class: see senior adjective, b class of (a specified year): all those graduating from a school or college in a particular year. 3 high class, low class first class, second class, etc. In a class of its own. in a class of one’s own. in a class on its own. in a class on one's own unequalled. 4 Coleridge The class o! readers to which he means to address his communications. D. R. Hofstadter The class of numbers known to be produ¬ cible. open class: see open adjective, spectral class spectraliuminosity class 6 labouring class(es), lower class(es). master class middle class(es). professional class(es). socio¬ economic class, upper class(es), upper middle class(es). working class(es), etc. 8 take a class obtain an honours degree. 9 T. Dreiser This is a special coat. It has class, no

03 1 Milton Arms on Armour clashing. Sir W. Scott The swords clashed smartly together. 0. Manning Outside, a thunderstorm was roaring and clashing. 2 D. Carnegie These two clashed on every debatable subject. W. S. Churchill When pleasure dashed with royal duty it was usually pleasure that won. H. Kissinger Soviet and Chinese troops clashed in the frozen Siberian tundra.

«] See note s.v. classis. ■ classless adjective making or having no distinction of class classlessness noun M20.

Li9.

class /kla:s/ verb. f

► II = classic adjective 1. Li6. 2 Designating, of, or pertaining to the standard ancient Greek and Latin authors or their works, or the culture, art, architecture, etc., of Greek and Roman antiquity generally; specializing in or based on the study of the Greek and Latin classics, or Greek and Roman antiquity generally. Cf. classic adjective 2. Ei7. 3 Designating the form or period of a language used by ancient standard authors, mi9. 4 = classic adjective 4. Mi9. 5 spec. Designating, of, or pertaining to music charac¬ terized by clarity, regularity, and use of established forms, esp. that of the late 18th and early 19th cents, marked esp. by sonata form (cf. romantic): loosely desig¬ nating so-called conventional or serious music as opp. to folk, jazz, pop, rock, etc. Mi9. 6 Designating, of, or pertaining to the form or period of an art etc. regarded as representing the height of achievement; in a long-established style of acknow¬ ledged excellence. E20. 7 Designating, of, or pertaining to the first significant period of a department of study; spec, (physics etc.) relating to or based upon concepts and theories which predate (and hence are not subject to the postulates of) relativity and quantum mechanics, based on the theories and con¬ cepts of Newton, Maxwell, etc. E20. ca 1 C. Hill He is a classical example of a man who ruined himself by unsuccessful investment in the court. 2 John Bright One of the faults of a high classical education. R. V. Jones Cambridge could not find.. a classical scholar who knew any engineering. G. Ewart The multitudinous / classical allusions just fill them with boredom, classical antiquity see antiquity 1. 3 classical Arabic, classical Creek, classical Hebrew, classical Latin, etc. 4 J. Ruskin The clas¬ sical landscape.. is.. the representative of perfectly trained and civilised human life. T. E. Hulme I prophesy that a period of dry, hard classical verse is coming. 5 classical guitar, see guitar noun. 6 classical ballet etc. 7 classical mechanics: see mechanics lb.

E18.

[from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Divide into classes. EI8-E19. 2 verb trans. Place in a class; assign to its proper class or

group. Ml8. 3 verb intrans. Rank; be classed, mis. 3 classed growth [translating French cru classe] a Bordeaux wine belonging to one of the top official groupings. ■ dassable adjective able to be classed M19. classer noun a person who classes Ei9.

classes noun pi. of class noun, classis. classic /'klasik/ adjective & noun.

Ei7.

[French dossique or Latin classing, formed as class noun: see -ic.] ► A adjective. 11 Of the first class, of acknowledged excel¬

► II 8 Hist. Of or pertaining to a classis in a Presbyterian Church, li 6.

lence; remarkably typical; outstandingly important. E17.

2 Of or pertaining to the standard ancient Greek and Latin authors or their works, or the culture, art, archi¬ tecture, etc. of Greek and Roman antiquity generally. Cf. CLASSICAL 2. E17. 3 Known from ancient Greek or Latin authors; having literary or historic associations, eis. 4 Characteristic of the art, architecture, or literature of Greek and Roman antiquity; well-proportioned, with clarity of outline or formal design; (of style) restrained, harmonious and in accordance with established forms (cf. romantic), mis. >b Ofclothes: made in a simple style not much affected by changes in fashion. M20. 5 (Usu. C-.) Of or pertaining to a high phase of ancient Meso-American civilization c 300-c 900. M20. EQ 1 C. S. Lewis The taste for what he called 'the good, solid, old books', the classic English novelists. C. Hampton They tell me I'm a classic case, because my uncle raped me when I was twelve, classic races the five annual chief flat races for horses in England (tire One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, Oaks, and St Leger). 2 C. Kingsley He had never felt the influence of classic civil¬ ization. 3 R. Burns A few pilgrimages over some of the classic ground of Caledonia. 4 J. Morley That permanence, which is only secured by classic form J. Agate Wolfit has everything a great actor should have except classic features, b classic tutu: see tutu noun1.

►tII6 = classical 8. Only in M17. ► B noun. 1 A writer, artist, composer, work, or example of the first rank, acknowledged excellence, or value; orig. & esp. an ancient Greek or Latin writer or work of literature. In pi. also, the body of Greek and Latin litera¬ ture; the body of literature, art, music, etc. that is con¬ sidered excellent, significant, or standard. ei 8. >b In pi. The branch of knowledge that deals with ancient Greek and Latin literature, or Greek and Roman antiquity gen¬ erally. li 9. 2 A scholar of Greek and Latin literature, arch. Ei9. 3 A follower of classic models. Li9. 4 Each of the five classic races (see sense A.i above). 5 A garment in a classic style. M20. £3 1 I. D Israeli Dante was the classic of his country. G. B. Shaw The glees, madrigals, and motets.. are the five English classics. D. H. Lawrence We like to think of the old fashioned American classics as children's books. S. Brett ‘All they ever bloody want is the Barbershop Sketch.' 'Well, it is a n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit, t top,

van,

w we,

classicise verb var. of classicize. classicism /'klasisiz(3)m/ noun. Mi9. [from classic + -ism.]

1 The principles of classic literature, art, etc.; adher¬ ence to classical ideals, styles, etc. Mi9. 2 A classical idiom or form. Li9. 3 Classical scholarship; advocacy of classical educa¬ tion. L19. ■ classicist noun an upholder or imitator of classical style; a student or scholar of classics; an advocate of classical education: ei 9. classi cistic adjective characterized by classicism M19.

classicize /'klasisAiz/ verb. Also -ise. Mi9. [formed as prec. + -ize.] 1 verb trans. Make classic, mi9. 2 verb intrans. Affect or imitate classical style etc. Li9.

Classico /'klasikou/ adjective. M20. [Italian classico classic, traditional, genuine.]

In the classification of Italian wines (orig. of Chianti): designating a wine produced in the original district or near the town from which the type takes its name, and thus usu. made to higher standards than a regional wine without the designation. classification /.klasifi’keiJ(o)n/ noun. lis. [French, from dasse class noun: see -fication.]

1 The action of classifying. Lis. 2 The result of classifying; a systematic distribution or arrangement in a class or classes, lis. Phrases: decimal classification see decimal adjective, periodic classification: see periodic adjective12. • classificatory adjective tending to, having the purpose of, or relating to classification M19.

classify /'klasifAi/ verb trans. Li8. [Back-form, from prec.]

1 Arrange in classes; assign to a class, li 8. 2 Designate as officially secret or not for general dis¬ closure. Chiefly as classified ppl adjective. M20.

E20.

1 leg, m man,

■ classicalism noun adherence to classical ideals, styles, etc.; interest in the classics: M19. classi cality noun classical quality or character; classical scholarship; an instance of classical learning; a classical feature mart etc.: E19. classically adverb f(o) in classes, in order; (b) in (a) classical manner; in a classical style; (c) as regards the classics: M17.

z zoo,

■ classifiable adjective able to be classified MI9 classifier noun a person who or thing which classifies; (b) grammar an element attached to or associated with nouns in certain languages, esp. indicating the class of objects to which the referent belongs: El 9. (a)

f she,

3 vision,

0 thin.

6 this, rj ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

421

dassis | daw

dassis /'klasis/ noun. PI. classes /'klasi:z/. Li6.

daught verb see cleek verb.

[Latin: see class noun.]

11 A division according to rank; a class. L16-E18. 2 In certain Protestant Churches: an inferior judicial body consisting of the elders or pastors of the parishes or churches of a district; such a district. L16. 13 A bookcase at right angles to a wall in a library; a bay or alcove between two of these. E17-E18. t4 A school or college class. US. M17-M19. 9 Exc. in speech the pi. is usu. indistinguishable from that of class noun. Ambiguous early exs. in all but sense i have been regarded as belonging here.

dassism /'kla:siz(a)m/ noun. M19. [from class noun + -ism.]

Distinction or discrimination on the grounds of social class; prejudice in favour of or against others on the basis of their social class. ■ dassist noun & adjective (a) noun an adherent or practitioner of classism; (b) adjective of or pertaining to classism or classists: L20.

dassy /'klaisi/ adjective, colloq. Li9.

clause /kb:z/ noun & verb. me. [Old & mod. French = Provencal clauza, for Latin clausula close of a rhetorical period, (later) conclusion of a legal formula, section of law, fern. dim. of daus- pa. ppl stem of dander.? close verb.] ► A noun. 1 A simple sentence; a distinct part of a sen¬

tence including a subject and predicate, or one resem¬ bling this; a single passage of discourse or writing, m e. 2 A particular and separate article, stipulation, or proviso, in any formal or legal document, lme. 13 Conclusion, esp. the close of a sentence. L16-E18. 1 final clause see final adjective, subordinate clause: see subordinate adjective 2. 2 Clause Four the part of the constitu¬ tion of the UK Labour Party which contained a commitment to the common ownership of industry and services (revised in 1995 to allow for the alternative of public accountability of privatelyowned services), praemunientes clause reopener clause resolutive clause see resolutive 2. saving clause: see saving ppl adjective, testimonium clause see testimonium 2. valent clause. ► B verb intrans. Construct clauses. L19. ■ clausal adjective E20.

■ classiness noun E2o.

clastic /'klastik/ adjective & noun. L19. [French clastique from Creek klastos broken in pieces: see -ic.] geology. (Designating) a rock consisting of fragments of pre-existing rocks. ■ clast noun [back-form.] a constituent fragment of a clastic rock M20.

clatch noun var. of cletch. dathrate 'klaGreit/ adjective & noun, mi9. [Latin clathratus pa. pple of dathrarc. from clathri (pi.) lattice from Creek klethra bars: see -ate2.] ► A adjective. 1 Resembling lattice-work; cancellate. rare. M19. 2 chemistry. Of a compound: containing molecules of

one substance physically enclosed within the structure of another. M20. ► B noun, chemistry. A dathrate compound. M20. a cla thration noun formation of a dathrate compound M20

clatter /’klata/ noun. lme. [Prob. from the verb: cf. Middle Dutch klatere, Dutch Haler a rattle.] 1 Noisy rapid talk, loud chatter, gabble, lme. kb sing. & in pi. Gossip; tittle-tattle. Chiefly Scot. L16. 2 A rattling noise as of the rapidly repeated collision of sonorous bodies that do not ring. Li6. CD 1 T. H. White Shut yer trap... and leave this daft clatter about Sir Lancelot. 2 S. Johnson The clatter of empty pots. ■ clattery adverb & adjective (a) adverb (now non-standard, rare) in a clattery manner, clatteringly; (b) adjective tending to clatter, clat¬ tering: E19.

clatter /'klata/ verb. [Old English (as verbal noun). Cf. Middle & mod. Dutch klateren rattle, chatter.] 1 verb intrans. Make a clatter; move with a clatter (along, down, etc.), oe. 2 verb intrans. Talk noisily and rapidly, chatter loudly; Scot, gossip. ME. 13 verb trans. Say noisily and rapidly; talk noisily or indis¬ creetly about. ME-M18. 4 verb trans. Cause to make a clatter. Mi6. CP 1 E. Hemingway He fired two pans, the guns clattering. A. Mason The guards clattered to a halt. ■ datterer noun lme.

dauber noun var. of clabber noun1. claucht verb see cleek verb. Claude Lorraine glass /kb:d lp'retn gla;s/ nounphr. Also Claude glass, lis. [iClaude Gelee (1600-82), known as Lorraine. French landscape painter.]

A convex dark or coloured glass that reflects an image of diminished size and subdued colour. Claudian /'kb:dian/ adjective & noun. eis. [Latin Claudianus. from Claudius: see -an.] roman history. ►A adjective. Of or pertaining to any of several distinguished Romans of the name of Claudius or the gens to which they belonged (among whose members were the emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claud¬ ius, and Nero), eis. ► B noun. A member of the Claudian gens. E20. daudicant /'kb:dik(a)nt/ adjective. Now rare or obsolete. E17. , . [Latin daudicant- pres, ppl stem of claudicare: see next, -ant .)

Lame, limping. claudication /kb:di'keij(a)n/ noun. lme. [Latin claudicatio(n-), from daudicat- pa. ppl stem of claudicare to limp, from claudus lame: see -ation.] The action of limping; intermittent claudication, a con¬

dition of the legs, due to arterial obstruction, in which pain is induced by walking and relieved by rest.

117. [Old French (mod. claveau) from medieval Latin clavellus dim. of Latin clavis key: see -el2.]

The lintel over a fireplace. Comb. : davel-piece a mantelpiece.

daver /'klerva/ noun. Scot. & north. E18. [from claver verb2. ]

Idle garrulous talk; a piece of idle gossip. claver/'klava/ verb1 intrans. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. [Origin uncertain: cf. Danish klavre, & mod.Dutch klaveren clamber.)

Climb, clamber. claver /'klerva/ verb2 intrans. Scot. & north. Li6. [Origin unkn.]

Talk idly, gossip. clavicembalo /klavT'tfEmbalau/ noun. PL -os. mis. [Italian formed as clavicymbal.]

A harpsichord, esp. in or from Italy. clavichord /'klavika:d/noun. lme.

[from class noun + -y'.]

Of a high or superior class; stylish, smart.

davel /'klav(a)l/ noun. Now dial.

tclauster noun. Also -tre. oe-eis. [Latin claustrum cloister noun.]

A cloister, cell, or monastery. daustral /'kb:str(a)l/ adjective, lme. [Late Latin claustralis, formed as prec.: see -al1.]

1 Pertaining to a cloister or religious house; adjoining a cloister, lme. 2 Resembling (that of) a cloister; fig. narrow-minded. M19. claustration /kb: 'streij(a)n/ noun. Mi9. [from Latin daustrum: see cloister noun, -ation.]

Enclosure or confinement (as) in a cloister. fdaustre noun var. of clauster. daustrophilia /kb:stra'filia/ noun. E20. [mod. Latin, from Latin claustrum (see cloister noun) + -0- + -PHILIA. ]

Irrational desire to be enclosed within a confined space. daustrophobe /'kb:strafaub/ adjective & noun. M20. [Back-form, from next.]

► A adjective. = claustrophobic adjective 2. rare. M20. ► B noun. = claustrophobic noun. M20. claustrophobia /kb:stra'faobia/ noun. Li9. [mod. Latin, from Latin daustrum (see cloister noun) + -o- + -PHOBIA.]

Irrational fear of confined places. claustrophobic /ktoistra'foubrk/ adjective & noun. Li9. [from prec. + -ic.]

► A adjective. 1 Prone to or suffering from claustrophobia. Li 9. 2 Of a place etc.: confined, restricting; inducing claus¬ trophobia. M20. ► B noun. A person who is prone to or suffers from claus¬ trophobia. M20.

■ claustrophobicaily adverb in a claustrophobic manner; so as to induce claustrophobia: M20.

daustrum /'kb:stram/ noun. PL -stra /-stra/. Mi9. [Latin: see cloister noun.) ANATOMY. A thin layer of grey matter in each cerebral

hemisphere between the lentiform nucleus and the insula. clausula /'kb:zjub/ noun Pl. -lae /-li:/. Mi7. [Latin (in medieval Latin sense): see clause.]

1 music. The conclusion of a movement or phrase, mi 7. 2 GRAMMAR. The close or end of a period, esp. one in ancient or medieval Latin having a definable cadence. E20. «] See also clausula rebus sic stantibus.

Jdausure noun. lme-ei9 [Late Latin dausura: see closure.]

The action of closing or enclosing; closed condition; that which encloses. davate /'klerveit/ adjective. Mi7. [mod. Latin clavatus. from dava club: see -ate2.] fl Knobbed. Only in Mi7.

2 Chiefly botaa/y Club-shaped. E19. ■ Also davated adjective eis.

clave /kleiv, kla:v/ noun. E20. [Amer. Spanish from Spanish clave keystone from Latin clavis key.] music. Either of a pair of hardwood sticks used to make a hollow sound. Usu. in pl.

clave verb1, verb2 see cleave verb', verb2. clavecin /'klavisin/noun. Ei9. [French formed as clavicymbal]

A harpsichord, esp. in or from France.

■ davecinist noun a (French) harpsichordist M19

a cat. a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a run, u

[medieval Latin davichordium, from Latin davis key + chorda string (see cord noun1).]

A keyboard instrument with strings activated by brass blades fixed upright in the key levers. clavicle/'klavik(a)!/noun. Ei7. [Latin davicula dim. of clavis key: see -cule.] A collar-bone. ■ cla vicular adjective E19.

anatomy

clavicymbal /klavi'simb(a)l/noun. Now arch, or Hist. lis. [medieval Latin davicymbalum, from clavis key + cymbalum CYMBAL.)

A harpsichord, esp. of early date. davicytherium /,klavisi'0ianani/ noun. Pl. -ia /-ia/. lis. [mod. Latin, from Latin davis key + cithara.) Hist. A keyboard instrument resembling an upright

spinet. clavier /'klavta; in sense 2 also kla'via/ noun. eis. [(German Klavier from) French clavier from medieval Latin claviarius key-bearer, from clavis key: see -er2.] music. 1 A keyboard. El 8.

2 A keyboard instrument, esp. in or from Germany. M19.

daviform /'klavifo:m/ adjective. Ei9. [from Latin dava club + -1- + -form.]

Club-shaped. daviger /'klavta/ noun, obsolete exc. Hist. Mi6. [Latin daviger adjective, carrying a key or a club, from clavis key or dava club + -ger: see -cerous.)

A carrier or keeper of a key or keys clavioline /'klavialLn/ noun. M20. [After clavichord etc.]

(Proprietary name for) a small electronic keyboard instrument attachable to a piano. davis / kleivis/ noun. rare. Mi7. [Latin.]

A key. davus /'kleivas/ noun. PL -vi /-vai/. E19. [Latin = nail, wart.] 1 = ergot noun 1. Now rare or obsolete. E19. 2 medicine. A corn, a callosity. E19. 3 = LATICLAVE. M19.

4 zoology. A projection resembling a fingernail; esp. part of the hardened fore wing of a heteropteran insect. M19. claw /kb:/ noun1. [Old English dowu (from the oblique cases, the orig. nom. being repr. by dea clee) = Old Frisian kle. klawe, Old Saxon dauua (Dutch Wauw), Old High German klawa (German Klaue), from West Ger¬ manic.]

1 A sharp horny nail (often slender and curved) on the toes of birds and some animals; a similar structure in some arthropods; a foot with such a nail or nails, oe. ►fb A hoof; one of the parts of a (cloven) hoof. OE-M17. 2 A contrivance resembling a claw, for grappling, holding, etc.; part of the mechanism of a lock. oe. 3 A hand (contempt.); a bent disfigured hand. L16. 4 botany. In some flowers, the narrow tapering lower part of a petal, by which it is attached, 118. ta 3 N. Hawthorne A yellow claw—the very same that had clawed together so much wealth—poked itself out of the coach-window. Comb.: daw-and-ball adjective (of furniture) having feet which represent a daw clasping a ball; claw foot (a) a foot on a piece of furniture, shaped to resemble a claw; (b) medicine (a condition causing) an excessively arched foot with an unnaturally high instep; claw-hammer a hammer with a curved split end for extracting nails. ■ clawed adjective (a) having a claw or claws; clawed toad, a southern African toad. Xenopus laevfs. ffeq. bred for scientific research; (b) (of a hand) bent and disfigured like a daw: me. clawless adjective E19. clawlike adjective resembling (that of) a daw El 9.

put. u: too, a ago, Ar my, au how, ei day, au no. r.:: hair,

ia

near,

ai

boy,

ua

poor.

Aia

tire,

aoa

sour

422

daw I cleanse [Old Norse klxda, pa. t. klxdda rel. to cloth, clothe.)

daw /kb:/ verb. [Old English dawian, from claw noun'.] 1 verb trans. Scratch or tear with or as with claws, oe. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Scratch gently, so as to relieve

itching or soothe. Now Scot me. 3 verb trans. Flatter, cajole, wheedle, fawn upon. Now dial. lme. 4 verb intrans. Grasp, clutch, (at etc.); scratch at. lme. 5 verb trans. Seize, grip, dutch, or pull (as) with claws.

Mi6. i 6 verb trans. Strike as with claws; beat. Now dial. L16. 7 verb intrans. nautical Beat to windward (off, from, a leeshore etc.). E17. ID 2 claw the back of (now dial.) flatter, toady to. 3 T. Adams Claw me, and I will claw thee: Winke at mine, and I will not see thy faults. With adverbs in specialized senses: claw back regain gradually or with great effort; take back (an allowance by additional taxation etc.) claw off (a) get rid of (as an itch); f (b) rate soundly, scold. Comb.: claw-back (a) [back noun'] a toady; (b) [back adverb] retrieval, recovery (of an allowance by additional taxation etc.). ■ clawer noun [rare] me.

day /klei/ noun. [Old English dreg = Old Frisian Hay, Middle & mod. Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch klei, from West Germanic from Germanic base repr. also by cleam, cleave verb2, climb verb.]

1 A stiff tenacious fine-grained earth consisting mainly of hydrated aluminosilicates, which becomes more plastic when water is added, and can be moulded and dried to make bricks, pottery, etc. oe. ►tb Any sub¬ stance of a tough sticky nature, as bitumen, pitch, etc. LME-L16. 2 (Moist) earth, mire, mud. me. 3 (The material of) the human body, me, 4 In full clay pipe. A tobacco-pipe made of clay. Mi9. 5 In full clay pigeon. A saucer-shaped piece of baked clay or other material, serving as a target in trap¬ shooting. Orig. US. H9. Ca 1 Yeats Quiet as the clay-cold dead, china clay, fire-clay, grafting-clay, pipeclay, etc. London clay. Oxford clay. etc. feet of clay: see foot noun, virgin clay see virgin adjective, white clay: see white adjective. 3 lump of clay: see lump noun1, moisten one’s clay, wet one’s clay arch. joc. drink. 4 long clay: see long adjective1. Comb.: clay court a tennis-court with a clay surface; clay ironstone clayey iron ore. esp. argillaceous siderite; clay mineral any of a number of aluminosilicate minerals which occur as colloidal crystals in clay; day-pan Austral, a natural hollow formed of clayey soil and retaining water after rain; clay pigeon: see sense 5 above; clay pipe: see sense 4 above; clay slate an argillaceous sedimentary rock with a slaty cleavage; daystone any of various rocks consisting of or resembling clay, esp. fine-grained mudstone. ■ clayen adjective (arch.) of clay lme. clayish adjective more or less clayey LME. daylike adjective resembling clay E17.

day /klei/ verb trans. lme. [from the noun.)

Treat, cover, or dress with clay. dayey /'klen/ adjective, oe. [from clay noun: see -Y1)

1 ►b 2 3

Full of clay; of the nature of clay; argillaceous, oe. Of mortal clay. Li6. Smeared or soiled with clay. lme. Resembling clay. L17.

■ clayeyness noun

L19.

daymation /klei'meij(a)n/ noun. Also C-. L20. [from clay noun + animation.]

A method of animation in which clay figures are filmed using stop-motion photography. •I Proprietary name in the US.

daymore/'kleimo:/noun. eis. [from Gaelic cktfdheamh sword + mar great.) 1 Hist. A broadsword used by Scottish Highlanders,

either two-edged, or basket-hiked and single-edged (a form introduced in the 16th cent.). Ei 8. tb A man armed, with a claymore. M19. 2 In full claymore mine. A type of anti-personnel mine. M20.

daytonia /klei'taoma/ noun. Lis. [mod. Latin, from John Clayton i8th-cent. Virginian botanist: see -IA'.]

A small succulent plant of the chiefly N. American genus Qaytonia, of the purslane family, with white or pink flowers. Also called spring beauty. -de/k(a)l, afters (3)]/suffix (not productive). Repr. French -cle from Latin -cuius, -a, -um -cule, as in article, corpuscle, follicle, ventricle, etc. deach /kli:tf/ verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. [Prob. already in Old English: cf. corresp. north, cleek verb.) 1 verb trans. & fintrans. Clutch, me. 2 verb trans. & intrans. Draw or get (water) in a shallow vessel, lme. b but. d dog.

escape by speed, the clean potato see potato noun, the clean thing US the honest straightforward thing, wipe the slate clean see slate noun1 3b. ■ cleanish adjective fairly clean mis. cleanness l-n-n-l noun oe.

dead /kli:d/ verb t„ Scot. & north. Also deed. Pa. t. & pple ded /kled/. me.

f daw noun- var. of clove noun3,

I few,

g get,

h he, j yes,

k cat,

Clothe.

■ Heading noun (a) clothing; (b) a protective covering or

dean/kli:n/ verb lme. [from the adjective.)

casing, lagging: me.

1 verb trans. Make clean (of dirt etc.); remove the internal organs of (fish or fowl) preparatory to serving as food; eat all the food on (one’s plate), lme. >b Deprive (a person) of all his or her money. Cf. sense 4 below, slang. E20. 2 verb intrans. Become clean; make oneself clean, eis. 3 verb trans. Foil, by down: clean from top to bottom; clean by brushing or wiping, mi9. 4 verb trans. Foil, by out: fa Remove undesirable con¬ tents from; empty, strip; slang deprive of all available money or assets. Mi9. fb Deal effectively with; eject; eject the occupants from. US. Mi9. 5 verb trans. & intrans. Foil, by up: fa verb trans. & intrans. Make (a place, oneself, etc.) clean or tidy; clear away a mess (from), mi9. tb verb trans. Acquire as gain or profit. slang (orig. US). Mi9. tc verb trans. Defeat; take all the money from, slang. Li9. fd verb intrans. Make a large profit. N. Amer. slang. E20. ► e verb trans. Remove disorder, immoral¬ ity, crime, etc., from; remove remaining pockets of enemy resistance from (an area). E20. 6 weightlifting. Raise (a weight) from the floor to shoulder-level in a single movement. Freq. in clean and jerk, clean and press M20.

deam /kli:m/ verb trans. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also dame /kleim/. _ [Old English clxman - Middle Dutch klemen. Old High German Meimen Old Norse klrima daub, plaster, from Germanic, ult. from base repr. also by clay noun, cleave verb2, climb verb, cloam. See also clam verb'.]

1 Smear, bedaub, plaster, oe. 2 Cause to stick, me. dean /kli:n/noun. Mi9. [from the verb.)

1 An act of cleaning, mi 9. 2 WEicHnirriNC. The action of raising a weight from the floor to shoulder-level in a single movement. Freq. in clean and jerk, clean and press. E20. •j See also clean-out, clean-up.

dean /kli:n/ adjective. [Old English dame = Old Frisian Jdene, kleine. Old Saxon kleni (Dutch kleen, Hein small). Old High German kleini clear, delicate, neat, small (German klein small), from West Germanic.)

1 Free from anything that dims lustre or transparency. obsolete exc. as passing into sense 2. oe.

2 Free from any polluting ingredient or foreign matter; unadulterated, pure, (lit. & fig.), oe. tb In good condition, unspoiled, essentially unchanged, colloq. M20. 3 Free from or of dirt or contaminating matter; unsoiled, oe. tb Of a ship: having a bottom free of barn¬ acles etc. Of a whaling or fishing vessel: with nothing in the hold, empty. Mi7. >c Of paper: blank. Of a printer’s proof, a copy of writing, etc.: free from corrections or alterations. Of a document, report, etc.: bearing no adverse point or remark; listing no offence. 117. td Of a deer, a deer’s horns: having shed the velvet. M19. >e Of an animal, child, etc.: not fouling itself or its environ¬ ment; habitually depositing or able to deposit excreta, esp. faeces, in the proper place. L19. tf Free from con¬ cealed weapons, illegal substances, etc. slang. E20. >g Ofa nuclear weapon: causing relatively little fallout. M20. 4 Free from spiritual or moral pollution; chaste, inno¬ cent. (Foil, by tof, from.) oe. >b Guiltless of a charge or accusation. Now slang, free from involvement in criminal or otherwise undesirable activity, giving no cause for suspicion. (obsolete from Et7; recorded again E20.) me. ►c Free from impropriety; not obscene, colloq. Mi9. ►d Free from or cured of addiction to drugs, slang. M20. 5 Free from ceremonial defilement or from disease, oe. ►b Of animals: not prohibited as food; suitable foruse as food. oe. >c Of an animal: avoiding food regarded as unwholesome, arch. Mi6. 6 Free from obstructions, encumbrances, unevennesses, irregularities, or non-essentials; having a simple well-defined form or line. me. ►b Of timber: free from knots. E17. >c Ofa ship, aircraft, etc.: with tapering lines, smooth, streamlined, eis. ►d Ofa pigeon: without feathers on the legs or feet. Of a draught horse: without long hair on the fetlocks. Mi9. be Giving a distinct impression to the senses; sharp and fresh. E20. 7 Complete, entire; decisive, thoroughgoing, me. 8 a Of style or language: free from faults, correct, pure. arch. lme. >b Observing the rules or conventions of a sport or game; fair, sporting. M20. 9 Well-formed; slender and shapely; neatly made or done; skilful, adroit; smart, clever. In early use also as a vague term of approbation, lme.

1 dry-clean see dry adjective, m cleanable adjective able to be cleaned Li9.

dean /kli:n/ adverb [Old English cleene, clene, from the adjective.) 1 In a clean manner (= cleanly adverb 1). oe. 2 Completely, outright, quite, simply, oe. £□ 2 C. Bronte Your proposal has almost driven me ‘clean daft’. H. James He had clean forgotten. R. Macaulay The young man got clean away. clean- /kli:n/ combining form. Ei6.

III! 1 Spenser All of Diamond perfect pure and cleene. 2 Times Clean air, that is to say an atmosphere .. relatively free from pollution and contamination. 3 R. W. Emerson A Frenchman may possibly be clean; an Englishman is con¬ scientiously clean. A. Powell Why aren’t you wearing a clean shirt? e G. Gorer When should a young child start being trained to be clean? f M. Puzo They'll frisk me.. so I'll have to be clean. 4 Tennyson I trust That I am whole, and clean, and meet for Heaven, b A. Price He's.. absolutely clean No contacts. No hint of anything, c good clean fun. 6 E. K. Kane The dean abrupt edge of the fractures. J. Stallworthy Years overlap, have no dean start or end. D. Bagley Brooks's desk was dean, a vast expanse of solid teak unmarred by a single paper, e J. Rhys The strong taste of punch, the cleaner taste of champagne. 9 E. Waller Thy waist is straight and dean As Cupid’s shaft. D. Justice Ladies .. dean of limb. J. A. MicHENERTopickoffthe.. animals with a dean shot. Special collocations & phrases: (as) clean os a whistle: see whistle noun, clean bill of health: see bill noun3, clean break a quick and final break, clean fingers fig. absence of corruption or bribery, clean hands fig. absence of guilt, clean sheet, clean slate fig. a state free from commitments or imputations, clean sweep: see SWEEP noun, clean ticket: see ticket noun, come clean colloq. (orig. US) confess, own up. keep one's nose clean see nose noun, keep the party clean see party noun, make a clean breast of see breast noun, make a clean job of colloq. do thoroughly, make a clean sweep (of) see sweep noun, show a clean pair of heels

I leg, m man,

n no. p pen,

r red,

s

sit,

t top, v van,

w we. z zoo,

[Repr. clean

adjective, adverb.]

Clean(ly). dean-bowl verb trans. (cricket) bowl out (a batsman) or bowl down (a wicket) with a ball that hits the wicket without having touched the bat or the body of the batsman, clean-cut adjective sharply outlined, dean-living adjective of upright character, clean-limbed adjective (of joints, a figure, etc.) well-formed, shapely, clean-run adjective (of a salmon) well-fed and brightlooking. newly returned to fresh water from the sea; fig. (of a person) with the bloom of youth, healthy and lively, clean¬ shaven adjective without a beard or moustache or whiskers, cleanskin Austral, an unbranded animal (cf. clearskin s.v. clear adjective): slang a person without a police record.

cleaner/'klima/ noun. lme. [from clean

verb +

-er‘.)

1 A person who cleans, esp. rooms or clothes, lme. ►b sing. & (freq.) in pi. A shop or firm that cleans clothes or household fabrics (= dry-cleaner s.v. dry adjective). Li9. 2 An instrument or machine for cleaning. Li 9. 3 A small marine animal which cleans larger ones of parasites, bacteria, or dead tissue. Also cleaner fish. M20. 1b send to the cleaners, take to the cleaners fig. (slang) (a) rob or defraud of all available money or assets; (b) criticize strongly or adversely.

cleanly /'klenli/ adjective, oe. [from clean

11 ■J2 3 4 5

adjective +

-ly'.]

Morally or spiritually clean. oe-li7. Free of dirt, unsoiled. ME-L16. Habitually clean, ei 6. Of an action: adroit, deft, obsolete exc. dial. Mi6. Conducing to or promoting cleanness. E17.

■ cleanlily adverb Li7. cleanliness noun

lme.

cleanly /'kli.nli/ adverb, oe. [from clean

adjective +

-ly2.]

1 In a clean manner (= clean adverb 1). oe. J2 = clean adverb 2. OE-M17. clean-out /'klinaut/ noun. Li9. [from clean

verb +

out

adverb:

see clean

verb 4.]

An act of cleaning out; an emptying or removal of undesirable contents etc. cleanse /klenz/ verb. [Old English clinsian, from clean adjective.] ► I verb trans. 1 Make morally or spiritually clean (of, from, sin, guilt, etc.); expiate (sin or crime), oe. 2 Make free of dirt etc. Now usu. arch. & formal, oe. 3 verb trans. Chiefly in biblical translations: make cere¬ monially or sanitarily clean; cure (a leper etc.), arch. oe. 4 verb trans. Purge, clear by evacuation, oe. 5 verb trans. Clear, rid (of, from), me. ► II verb intrans. 6 Remove sin, guilt, dirt, (arch.) infection, etc. ME. 7 Of cattle: pass the afterbirth, north. E17. Phrases: cleansing cream: for removing unwanted matter from the face, hands, etc. cleansing department a local service of refuse collection etc. cleansing tissue: for removing unwanted matter from the face, hands, etc. J’ she,

3 vision,

6 thin,

5 this,

rj ring,

tj chip. d3 jar

423

dean-up | deat

■ cleansable adjective L15. cleanser noun a person who or thing which cleanses; spec, (a) arch, a purgative; (b) a cosmetic for clean¬ ing the skin: oe.

clean-up/'kli:nAp/ noun. M19. [from clean verb + up adverb': see clean verb 5.]

1 mining. An act of collecting the valuable material pro¬ duced during a given period of operation; the value of such material. US. mi9. 2 A profit; a financial success or gain, slang (orig. US). LI 9.

3 An act of making clean or tidy; a clearing away of a mess. li 9. 4 An act of removing or putting an end to disorder, immorality, crime, etc., or remaining pockets of enemy resistance. E20. dear /klia/ noun. me. [Branch I from the adjective, branch II from the verb.] ► it! A beautiful woman. ME-M17. t2 Brightness, clearness; translucence. lis-eis. 3 in the clear: >a In interior extent. L17. >b In profit. N. Amer. E20. he Free of suspicion or difficulty. M20. 4 in clear, not in cipher or code. M20.

► II5 A clearing of the sky, weather, fog, etc. Lie. clear /klia/ adjective, me.

[Old French cler (mod. c!air) from Latin dams clear, bright, etc.] 1 Of light, a source of light: (orig.) brightly shining, brilliant; (now) pure, unclouded. Of fire: with little flame or smoke. Of a colour: pure, unmixed, me. 2 Of the day, daylight, etc.: fully light (arch.). Of the

weather, a period of time in respect of weather, etc.: (orig.) full of sunshine, bright; (now) free from cloud, mist, and haze. Of the sky: cloudless, me. hb fig. Cheer¬ ful, serene, arch. lme. 3 Transparent; translucent; not turbid: free from sedi¬ ment etc. ME. 4 Lustrous, having a shiny surface, me. hb Of the com¬ plexion; fresh and unblemished. Formerly also of a person: having such a complexion, me. ►lx Of a woman: beautiful, fair. LME-L16. ►!b Confident, decided, certain. Foil, by for, as to, on, about (a fact, course of action, etc.), that, fof(a fact). E17. 7 Of a sound, a voice, etc.: ringing, pure and welldefined; distinctly audible, me. >b phonetics. Not velarized or retracted; spec, designating the palatalized, as opp. to the 'dark’ or velarized, lateral consonant (/!/). L19.

8 Guileless, ingenuous; innocent, free from fault or guilt. ME. 9 Free from obstructions, obstacles, encumbrances, burden, contents, or occupants; open for passage or operations; free from the presence of. me. fb Free from unevennesses or irregularities. Mi7. 10 Free from contact; disengaged; apart, out of reach. (Foil, by of, from.) lme. 11 Of income, gain, etc.: without deduction, net. lme. 12 Free from legal, pecuniary, or other complications. LI 5.

13 Free from limitation or qualification; absolute, complete, entire; sheer. Ei6. 14 Unadulterated, pure; of the highest quality, techn. & slang. M18. ca 1 AV S. ofS. 6:10 Cleare as the surme. ]. B. Priestley The clearest azure. 2 D. H. Lawrence It was a clear morning. C. Ryan Unlike Holland, where the weather was clear, Britain was covered by fog. 3 Swift A dozen or two of good clear wine. Coleridge The harbour-bay was dear as glass. Scott Fitzgerald The air so clear you could see the leaves on Sunset Mountain. 5 G. Orwell The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. J. B. Priestley Make it clear jthat] 1 m not trying to sell any pictures. I. Murdoch All the elements of his case were clear to him. P. Roth Either I'm not making myself clear or you don’t even want to begin to understand me. A. Thwaite A clear vision of Christ in majesty. 6 J. Morley His sight was exquisitely keen and dear, b Boswell We were, by a great majority, clear for the experi¬ ment. E. A. Freeman I am not quite clear about the date. G. Greene He would like to be clear in his own mind as to what had happened. J. Berryman I'm fairly clear.. there's no such place. 7 Shakes. Ti: B Cr. Crack my clear voice with sobs. J. Steinbeck In Kino's head there was a song now, dear and soft. 8 Shakes. Macb. Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office. Milton Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise. 9 Pope A clear stage is left for Jupiter to display his omnipotence. H. Nelson One of our Transports will be clear tonight. A. P. Stanley The way was now clear to the Jordan. B. Webb To leave the field clear for the younger men and remain a silent member. B. Chatwin Providing the lanes were clear of ice. the coast is clear: see coast noun 2. b W. Cobbett Several oaks.. with a Clear stem of more than forty feet. 10 Defoe We were clear of the isles. Burke My motives are clear from private inter¬ est. H. E. Bates Ice that had been swept clear. a cat, a: arm, e bed,

3:

her,

1

13 R. L'Estrange You will find in all Respects the clear con¬ trary. H. Cecil Leading by a clear eighteen lengths. Phrases: (as) clear as a bell heard very distinctly, (as) dear as day very clear, esp. to the understanding, (as) clear as mud not clear at all, completely unintelligible, (as) clear as a whistle: see whistle noun, clear conscience, clear grit see grit noun’, clear soup: containing little solid matter, out of a clear sky fig. as a complete surprise, the clear grit see grit noun'. Comb.: clear-air adjective designating atmospheric turbulence without visible signs; dear-eyed adjective (fig.) discerning, pene¬ trating; clear-headed adjective having a clear head; able to think clearly; clear-headedness the quality or state of being clear¬ headed; clear-obscure = chiaroscuro: clear-sighted adjective having clear sight, discerning; clear-sightedness the quality or state of being clear-sighted; dearskin Austral, an unbranded animal (cf. cieanskin s.v. clean-); dear-starch verb intrans. & trans. stiffen (linen) with colourless starch; clearway a road on which vehicles must not stop; clear weed N. Amer. a plant of the nettle family, Pilea purniia, with a semi-transparent stem; dearwing a day-flying moth of the family Sesiidae. members of which have largely transparent wings and mimic other insects, e.g. hornets. ■ clearish adjective somewhat clear Ei9. clearness noun me. dear /klra/ verb. me. [from the adjective.] ► 11 verb trans. Make morally or spiritually pure; expiate. obsolete exc. as fig. use of senses 9,12. me. 2 verb trans. Show or declare to be innocent; free from blame or suspicion. (Foil, by of, from.) lme. 3 verb trans. Approve or obtain approval of (a plan etc., a

person to be entrusted with secret information etc.). (Foil, by with an authorizing person or body.) M20. Cj 1 Shakes. Iuct. The blackest sin is clear'd with absolu¬ tion. 2 Addison How! would'st thou clear rebellion! M. Edgeworth He must commit Mr. F. to gaol, unless he can clear himself. 3 A. H. Compton If they cleared me it would be necessary for them to dear my wife as well. M. Edwardes The appointment had been cleared with the Prime Minister.

► II 4 verb trans. Explain, elucidate; enlighten, inform (the mind or understanding), arch. me. ►fb Prove, dem¬ onstrate. ME-L18. 5 verb trans. ta Fill with light; brighten (lit. & fig.). Also foil, by up. LME-L17. fb Make transparent or translucent; remove cloudiness or turbidity from; clarify (a liquid). LME. 6 verb in trans. Become clear or bright. Esp. of weather also foil, by up. lme. 7 verb trans. a Make (the voice) clear and distinct in sound, lme. ib Make (the eyes or eyesight) clear in vision, li 6. 8 verb trans. Remove obstructions, obstacles, encum¬ brances, burden, contents, or occupants from; open for passage or operations; empty. (Foil, by o/] ffrom.) Also foil, by out. See also clear up below. Mi6. >b verb intrans. Become empty or unobstructed. L19. 9 verb trans. Settle, discharge, (a debt, a bill, etc.). Also foil, by ojf. L16. ►tb verb intrans. Settle accounts with. L16-L18. ic verb trans. & intrans. Set (a person, an estate) free from debt. Ei7. 10 verb trans. Free from contact, disengage; get clear of, from, li 6. >b verb trans. & intrans. football & hockey etc. Of a defending player: kick or hit (the ball) away from a dan¬ gerous attacking position. Li 9. 11 verb trans. Remove (an obstruction, unwanted object, contents, etc.), disperse. Also foil, by away, off, out. See also clear up below. Ei7. >b ver6 intrans. Go away; dis¬ perse; disappear. Also foil, by away, off, out. E19. 12 verb trans. Pass clear of (an obstruction etc.); get clear through, away from, or over (a distance). E17. ib Pass over or by without touching, esp. by jumping. Lis. 13 verb trans. Make (a sum) as a net gain or to balance expenses. Ei8. 14 verb trans. & intrans. Pass through the formalities of (a customs office etc.). Also foil, by out. E18. 15 verb trans. Pass (a cheque, bill) through a clearing¬ house. M19. 16 verb intrans. Remove the remains of a meal from a table etc. Also (earlier) foil, by away. M19. CQ 4 Goldsmith Willing to clear the thing to his satisfac¬ tion. 6 Thackeray The day did not clear up sufficiently. Ld Macaulay For a time the prospect seemed to clear. A. Silutoe His head clearing with the sudden onset of fresh air. 8 H. Mayhew The strathes and glens of Sutherland have been cleared of their inhabitants ,J. Agate It entirely cleared my mind of any possible doubts. D. Abse She cleared the teatable. R. Macaulay Sites would be cleared for rebuilding. D. Jacobson The soldiers began to dear a way through the throng. F. Ormsby Other chores—a path to clear, [etc.], fig.: P. Ackroyd Clearing the ground . before he began seriously to concentrate on the work to come, clear one's throat rid the throat of phlegm, huskiness. etc., by slight coughing, clear the air: of sultriness; fig. of suspicion, tension, etc. clear the coast: see coast noun 2. clear the decks (for action) make ready to fight (lit. & fig.), clear the way: see way noun. 11 Southey A gentle sea-breeze began to clear the mist. M. Puzo How did he get the cops to clear everybody out and where did they goVJ. Frame Clearing the weeds and pre¬ paring the garden. E. Figes Breakfast had been cleared away, b A. Ransome The smoke was clearing outside. J. T. Story

sit, i cosy, i: see. n hot, a: saw, a run. u

Felix suddenly cleared out and drove off. T. Sharpe The Dean sat in his car and waited for the traffic to dear. 12 T. Collins Another mile, and I cleared the pine-ridge, b W. S. Churchill Not only did he.. arrive at the fence, he cleared it in magnificent style. With adverbs in specialized senses: clear up (a) verb phr. trans. & intrans. put (an area) into order by removing obstructions, rubbish, etc.; remove (obstructions, rubbish, etc.) to leave an area tidy; (b) verb phr. trans. elucidate, solve (a mystery); cure (an infection etc.); (c) verb phr. intrans. (of an infection etc.) become cured, disappear; (see also senses 5,6.9 above). Comb.: clear-out an act or period of clearing out. a removal and disposal of unwanted items or material; dear-up an act or period of clearing up, a removal and tidying away of obstruc¬ tions. rubbish, etc. ■ dearage noun (a) = clearance 2; (b) the action of clearing; mis. clearer noun Li6.

dear /klra/ adverb,

me.

[Partly the adjective after verbs; partly after other flat adverbs, esp. clean adverb.] 1 = clearly 1. Now chiefly of sound, esp. in loud and clear s.v. loud adverb 1. me. 2 Completely; = clean adverb 2. Now only modifying

adverbs & adverbial phrs. me. 3 Brightly; with a clear light, 4 So as to be clear (of). L16.

lme.

D3 1 Milton Now clear Iunderstand. G. Stein To make Jeff Campbell see much clearer. 2 R. L'Estrange He is Now got into Clear Another story. A. Loos The boat does not come clear up to London. 4 H. Secombe He leapt clear just before it plummeted down, steer clear of: see steer verb'. Comb.: clear-cut adjective well-defined; clear-cut verb trans., dear-fell verb trans. cut down and remove every tree from (an area).

dearance/'klrar(a)ns/ noun.

Mi6.

[from clear verb + -ance.]

1 An act of clearing or making clear; esp. (a) a removal of obstructions, encumbrances, contents, etc. (see clear verb 8,11); a removal of old buildings, persons, or objects, so as to clear land; (b) the clearing of a ship at customs; (c) the clearing of a cheque; (d) permission, authoriza¬ tion, esp. for an aircraft to land or take off or for a person to be entrusted with secret information etc. mi6. 2 A certificate that a ship has been cleared at customs. Ei8.

3 A clear space allowed for the passage of two objects or parts; the distance allowed. Lis. 4 A cleared space, a clearing. Now rare or obsolete. E19. 5 football & HockEY etc. A defensive kick or hit away from a dangerous attacking position. E20. 1 the Highland clearances, the clearances Hist, the enforced depopulation of the Scottish Highlands. Comb.: clearance order: for the demolition of buildings; clearance sale: to effect clearance of superfluous stock.

dear-cole /'kliakaul/ noun & verb trans.

E19.

[French ciaire colie clear glue or size.]

(Paint with) size and whiting or white lead as a first coat in house-painting, clearing /'kliang/noun.

lme.

[from clear verb + -ing'.]

1 The action of clear verb. lme. >b The washing of calico to remove excess dye. Mi9. 2 A piece of land in a forest cleared for cultivation; an open space in a forest. L17. f3 In pi. The balance of a military officer’s pay after deductions. L17-E19. Comb.: clearing-bank a bank that is a member of a clearing¬ house, spec, of the London Clearing House; clearing-house a bankers’ institution where cheques and bills are exchanged, so that only the balances need be paid in cash; transf. an agency for collecting and distributing information etc.

dearly /'klrali/ adverb,

me.

[from clear adjective + -LY-.]

1 Distinctly; plainly; manifestly, obviously, 2 Brightly; with a clear light. Now rare. lme. |3 Flonestly, frankly, lme-li 7. j4 Completely; = clear adverb 2. LME-E19. {5 Without deduction, net. LME-M17.

me.

£□ 1 j. Tyndall The top of the mountain rose clearly above us. H. James The moment ofhis mother's arrival was never dearly ascertained. G. Vidal I remember that veiy clearly. I. McEwan It was dearly visiting time in the wards. 21. Murdoch The moon shone clearly on to my bed.

clearstory noun see clerestory. deat /kli:t/ noun & verb.

me.

[Corresp. to Dutch Moot ball, sphere. Old High German Moc clod, lump, wedge (German Kloss clod, dumpling), from West Germanic: prob. already in Old English. Rel. to clot noun, clout noun'.]

► A noun. 1 A wedge, me. 2 a A projecting piece bolted on to a spar, gangway, boot, etc. to provide footing or to prevent a rope from slipping, lme. >b A piece of wood or iron bolted on for securing ropes to or for strengthening woodwork etc. M18.

3 A wedge-shaped or other piece fastened on, or left projecting, for any purpose: as a handle etc. E17.

put, u: too, a ago. ai my. au how. ei day. 30 no.

e:

hair, is near. 01 boy. us poor,

ms

tire, aus sour

424

cleavage | clergy

Clementine ''klem(3)ntAin/ noun1 & adjective, lme.

► B verb trons. Fasten to, or with, a cleat; provide with cleats. E17. cleavage/'kli:vid3/ noun, E19. [from cleave verb'+-ace.]

_

1 The action of splitting a crystal or rock along a line of natural fissure; gen. the action of splitting or dividing. Also, the state of being split, a division; the manner or direction in which a mineral or rock or gen. a party, opinion, etc., tends to split. E19. >b bioioge Cell division; esp. of a fertilized egg cell, li 9. 2 The hollow between a woman’s breasts, esp. as exposed by a low-cut garment, collog. M20. LJ 1 W. Lippmann There is some kind of radical cleavage between the Marxian theory and the historic Soviet state. W. S. Churchill Anxious to avoid a total religious cleavage with the European Powers, j. Bronowski Sometimes the stone had a natural grain, sometimes the tool-maker created the lines of cleavage, b spiral cleavage: see spiral adjective .

cleave /kli:v/ noun. Anglo-Irish, Mi6. [Irish diabh.]

A basket.

deek /kli:k/ noun. Chiefly Scot. lme.

[medieval Latin Clementinas, from Clemens the adjective (see

[from the verb: cf. click noun3.]

prec.) used as a personal name; see-ine'.]

1 A large hook or crook (for catching hold of some¬ thing), lme. kb Ahold, a clutch, lme. 2 coir An iron-headed club with a straight narrow face and a lone shaft, as a number one iron. arch. Ei9.

► A noun. In pi. The constitutions collected by Pope Clement V (1264-1314), forming the seventh book of the decretals. Also, certain apocryphal writings once attnb-

deek /kli:k/ verb trons. Scot. & north. Also deik. Pa. t. & pple daucht.-ght,/klo:(x)t/. lme.

C AD 96). LME. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to one of the name of Clement, esp. (o) Clement of Rome, (b) Pope Clement V.

[formed as cleach verb. Cf. click verb2.] 1 Clutch; grasp suddenly, firmly, or eagerly, lme. 2 Snatch (out, up, off), lme. 3 Lay hold of with a cleek. Ei9.

[Old English cleofan = Old Saxon klioBati (Dutch Wieven), Old High German kliuban (German kiieben). Old Norse kljufa, from Ger¬ manic.] 1 verb trans. Split, esp. along the gram or line of cleav¬ age; intersect, fissure, oe. >b verb trans. Separate or sever from by dividing or splitting, me. 2 verb intrans. Come apart, esp. along the grain or line of

cleavage, me. 3 verb trons. & intrans. Pierce and penetrate (air, water, etc.), make one's way through (air, water, etc.). Mi6. ►b verb trans. Make (one’s way, a channel, etc.) by pier¬ cing and penetrating. Ml9. Q3 1 AV Gen. 22:3 Abraham.. claue the wood. R. Macaulay Cleaving the forests, deep valleys ran down to the sea. 3 Wordsworth Through the inferior throng I clove Of the plain Burghers. E. Muir Two towering birds cleaving the air. b E. Bowen A steamer.. cleft a long bright furrow in the shadowy water. ■ deavable adjective able to be cloven or split Mi9.

cleave /kli:v/ verb2. Now literary. Pa. t. clave /kleiv/, cleaved; pa. pple cleaved. [Old English deofian, clifian (weak), clifan (strong) = (i) Old Saxon kliEon (Dutch kleven). Old High German kleben (German kleben). (ii) Old Saxon bikliBan (Dutch beidijven). Old High German kliban. Old Norse Idifa. from West Germanic base also of clay noun, climb verb, cloam] 1 verb intrans. Stick fast, adhere, or cling to (lit. & fig.}, oe. ►fb Remain steadfast, continue. ME-L16. 2 verb trans. Attach to (esp. fig.). M20. CO 1 Bacon Water in small quantity cleaveth to any thing that is solid. L. Strachey More closely than ever did she cleave to the side of her mistress. B. Bettelheim The English translations cleave to an early stage of Freud's thought. 2 A. Fraser The real theme of the coronation—to cleave the Scottish people to their young King.

•_ T_fL„ mrlu fhllTV'n

Ei8. -ti:n/ noun2. E20. [French clementine.] A variety of tangerine grown esp. in N. Africa and the

cleeve noun var. of cleve.

Mediterranean.

def/kief/noun. Li6. [French from Latin davis key.] music Any of several symbols placed on a particular line

of a stave to indicate the name and pitch of the notes standing on that line, and hence of the other notes. alto clef, see alto adjective, bass clef see bass adjective. C clef see Ccf clef see F. f G clef see G, c. soprano clef, see soprano adjective, tenor clef see tenor adjective, treble clef see treble

denbuterol /klen'bjudsrDl/ noun. L20. [Prob. from cl- (in chloro-) + ph)en(yl + but(yl + er + -ol.] pharmacology. A synthetic compound with sympath¬

omimetic and growth-promoting properties, C„HI8C1,N20, used in the treatment of asthma and respiratory diseases and in veterinary obstetrics, and also as an illegal performance-enhancing drug. dench /klen(t)J7 noun. See also clinch noun. lme.

deft /kleft/ noun. Also (earlier) dift /klift/. me. [Corresp. to Old High German. Old Norse Uuft, cogn. with cleave verb1: prob. already in Old English. Assim. to next.]

1 A space or division made by cleaving; a split, a fissure, a crack, a crevice, me. 2 spec, a The fork of the legs, obsolete exc. dial. me. tb A split made in a tree, esp. to receive a graft, lme. >c A crack of the skin, a chap; a crack in a horse’s foot. Lis. 3 (A piece of) split wood, esp. for fuel. Now dial. lis. 1 natal cleft: see natal adjective1, visceral cleft m clefted adjective having a cleft or clefts, split Mi6.

[pa. pple of CLEAVE verb1: cf. cloven ppl adjective.] cleft palate a congenital malformation in which there is a lon¬ gitudinal fissure in the roof of the mouth, deft sentence grammar a sentence in which an element is emphasized by being put in a separate clause and the use of an empty introductory word. usu. it, that, or what, e.g. it’s money we want, what we want is money: it was today that I saw him; that was the King you were talking to. in a cleft stick in a position allowing neither retreat nor advance; in a fix.

1 A person who cleaves wood etc. lme. 2 An instrument for cleaving; spec, chopping-tool for carcasses. Li6.

a butcher’s

cleavers /'kliivsz/noun (treated as sing, or p/.). Also clivers /’klrv-/. [Old English dife = Old Saxon klida. Old High German klfba, from base of cleave verb2.] A climbing weed, Galium aparine, which adheres by

minute hooked prickles to clothes, fur, etc. Also called goose-grass.

deck /kick/ verb trans. Chiefly Scot.

lme.

[Old Norse klekja.] Hatch (lit. &fig.). m decking noun (a) hatching; (b) a brood; Mi6.

dedge /kled3/ noun. dial. Ei8. [Prob. rel. tocLAG.] ■ cledgy adjective Lie.

m dencher noun = clincher lme.

deome /klibumi/ noun. Ei9. [mod. Latin from Greek (Theophrastus), name of a different plant.]

deg /kleg/ noun.

Any of various chiefly tropical American plants consti¬ tuting the genus Cleome, of the caper family, notable for their very long stamens; esp. = spider flower s.v. spider

lme.

[Old Norse kleggi (Norwegian klegg, Danish kteg).]

noun.

A gadfly, a horsefly; esp. one of the common genus Haematopota.

depe /kli:p/ verb. arch, (long rare exc. as yclept). Pa. t. & pple also tdept.

deidoic /klAi'douik/ adjective. M20. [from Greek kleidoo lock up + -ic.] biology. Of the egg of an oviparous land animal; com¬

pletely enclosed in a membrane or shell.

[Old English cleopian, diplan from Germanic, rel. to Old Frisian klippa, kleppa ring, Low German klippen sound, resound.] 11 verb intrans. Cry, call, (on, to, for, after). 0E-M16. 12 verb trans. Call (a person); summon; speak to, address.

deik verb var. of cleek verb.

0E-M16. 3 verb trans. Call by the name of, name. oe.

cleistogamy /kUi'stDgomi/ noun, li9. [from Greek kleistos closed + -gamy.] botany. The occurrence of permanently closed flowers in

which self-fertilization occurs. Opp.

clepsydra /'klspsidrs/ noun. PI. -dras, -drae /-dri:/. lme. [Latin from Greekklepsudra, from kleps-combining form of kleptein steal + fiuddr water.]

chasmogamy.

■ cleisto gamic. cleistogamous adjectives L19.

An instrument used in antiquity to measure time by the flow of water; a water-clock.

[from Greek kleithron bar for closing a door + -al’.] creek architecture. Of a temple: covered HYPAETHRAL.

in.

Opp.

tdept verb pa. t. & pple of clepe verb. deptoparasite noun var. of kleptoparasite. clerestory /’klrastoiri/ noun. Also *dearstory. lme.

clam noun1.] 1 verb trans. Pinch or waste with hunger or thirst. Mi6. 2 verb intrans. Suffer the pangs of hunger or thirst;

starve. Li6. clematis /'kbmstis, kb'meitis/ noun. M16. [Latin (also, periwinkle) from Greek klematis, from klema vinebranch.] A plant of the large genus Gematis of the buttercup family, with a showy calyx and no corolla, and seedvessels often with a feathery style, most species being woody climbing shrubs, as traveller’s joy, C. vitalba: esp. any of the numerous cultivated varieties.

dement /'klem(3)nt/ adjective, lme. [Latin dement-, -ens: see -ent.] 1 Mild and humane in the exercise of power or author¬ ity; merciful, lenient, kindly, lme. 2 Ofweather or climate: mild. Mi9.

dee /kli:/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. [Old English dea (cleo): see claw noun1.] noun' 1.

= claw

■ clemently adverb Mi6.

var. of clead. f few, g get. h he. j yes,

ta 1 M.Leitch Her hair was clenched in curlers. 2 J. Steinbeck He struck her in the face with his clenched fist. F. King She clenched her jaws until they ached, clenched fist salute see salute noun'.

■ Also clemence noun lme-li6.

Clay, clayey soil; a kind of fuller's earth.

b but, d dog,

verb2. [Old English -dencan = Old High German Idenken, from Germanic, from base parallel to that of cling verb.] 1 = clinch verb 1a. oe.

clemency /'klem(3)nsi/ noun. lme. [Latin dementia, formed as next: see -ency.) 1 Mildness or gentleness of temper in the exercise of authority or power; mercy, leniency, lme. 2 Mildness of weather or climate. Mi7.

pa. t. & pple of clead verb.

verb

dench /klen(t)J/ verb trans. See also clinch verb, clink

deft verb pa. t. & pple of cleave verb'.

clem /klEm/ verb. dial. Also dam /klam/. Infl. -mm-. Mi6. [Repr. Old English bedemman confine, shut in. Old Saxon Idemmian pinch, constrain, from West Germanic, from Germanic base also of

[from cleave verb' + -er1.]

1 = clinch noun 1, 2,3. lme. 2 A pun, a quibble; = clinch noun 4. arch. M17. 3 The action of clenching the fingers, fist, teeth, etc.; the state of being clenched together. M19.

Split apart; partly split; bifurcate.

cleaver/'kliwa/noun.

lme.

[from the verb.]

2 Set firmly together, close (the fingers, fist, teeth, etc.) tightly, lme.

deft /kleft/ ppl adjective, lme.

deithral /'klAi0r(a)l/ adjective. Mi9.

deed

1

dementine klEm(o)ntAin,

cleavelandite /'kliivbndAit/ noun. Ei9. [from Parker Cleaveland (1780-1858), US mineralogist + -ite1.] mineralogy. A variety of albite forming thin platy crys¬ tals.

verb

.

adjective.

cleave /kli'v/ verb1. Now chiefly literary. Pa. t. cleaved, cleft /kleft/, clove /kbov/, (arch.) clave /kleiv/. Pa. pple cleaved, cleft, clove, cloven /'kbov(a)n/. See also clovenppladjective. ,

ded

r- ^

(fl.

k cat, I leg,

m man, n no.

p pen.

r red, s sit,

[from clear adjective + storey: cf. Anglo-Latin htstoria dara.]

1 The upper part of the nave, choir, and transepts of any large church, containing a series of windows, clear of the roofs of the aisles, admitting light to the central parts of the building, lme. ►b A similar feature in other buildings. E16. 2 A raised section of a railway-carriage roof, containing small windows or ventilators. Chiefly US. L19. Comb.: clerestory window: with no crosspiece dividing the light. dergess /'kb^es/ noun. Long arch. rare. me. [Old French dergesse fem. of clerc: see clerk noun, -ess1.]

11 A learned woman. Only in me. 2 A female member of a religious order, lme. clergy /'kb^i/ noun. me. [Partly from Old & mod. French clerge from ecclesiastical Latin dcricatus, from derinis (see clerk, -ate1); partly from Old & mod. French cletgie, from derc clerk noun + -ie -Y3, infl. by derge.] ► 11 Learning, scholarship. Long obsolete exc. in proverb an ounce of mother-wit is worth a pound of clergy, me.

12 The state of being ordained to the Christian ministry; membership of a clerical order. ME-M16. ► II Treated as sing. & (usu.) collect, pi. 3 The body of all persons ordained to the Christian ministry. Opp. laity, me. ►fb Any priestly body. LME-E18.

t top, v van.

w we, z zoo,

J she. 3 vision,

0 thin.

8 this,

p ring,

tf chip,

d3 jar

425

cleric | click

4 In biblical translations and allusions [translating Creek Heros, Heron (i Peter 5:3)]: the body of all Christians, arch.

3 Of or pertaining to fine handwriting; skilled in copying. Ei9. 4 Of or pertaining to an office clerk, mi 9. ■ derklinessnoun Mi6.

LME. Phrases benefit of clergy Hist, exemption from ordinary courts of law because of membership of the clergy or (later) literacy or scholarship; also (later), exemption from the sentence for certain first offences because of literacy, regular clergy see regular adjective, secular clergy see secular adjective 1. without benefit of clergy jo c. without formal marriage etc. Comb.: clergy-house a dwelling-house for the member or members of clergy having (sole or subordinate) charge of a par¬ ticular living; clergyman a man ordained to the Christian min¬ istry, a priest: esp. an ordained minister of the Church of England; clergyman’s sore throat, clergyman’s throat, a chronic sore throat afflicting those who speak much in public; clergywoman +(a) a nun; a priestess; (b) (chiefly joc.) the wife of a clergyman; (c) a female minister of religion. ■ clergiable adjective (Hist.) (of an offence etc.) admitting benefit of clergy mis.

clerkly /'klcukli/ adverb, lme. [from clerk noun + -ly2, after late Latin clericaliter.] 1 In a scholarly way, learnedly, arch. lme. Efb Cleverly, artfully. L16-E17. 2 In fine handwriting, in the manner of a good copyist. E19. clerkship /'kla:kjip/ noun. me. [from clerk noun + -ship.] f 1 The clergy, rare. Only in me. 2 The status or position of a clerk, lis. 3 Writing by hand; style of handwriting, copying. Mi6. 4 Scholarship, learning, arch. Mi7.

cleric /'klenk/ adjective & noun. E17. [ecclesiastical Latin dericus from ecclesiastical Greek klerikos belonging to the Christian ministerial order, from Heros lot, heri¬ tage (as in Acts 1:17}.] ► A adjective. Of or pertaining to the clergy, clerical. Now

clerodendrum /klrara'dendrem/ noun. Also -dron /-dr(o)n/. El 9. [mod. Latin, from Greek kleros chance, lot + dendron tree: prob. so called because of the variable medicinal properties of the genus.) A shrub or small tree of the African and Asian genus Clerodendrum, of the verbena family, with fragrant showy flowers.

rare. E17. ► B noun. A person ordained to the Christian ministry. E17. clerical /‘klenk(a)l/ adjective & noun. lis.

deromancy/‘kliaromansi/ noun. Now rare. E17. [from Greek kleros chance, lot + -MANCY.] Divination by lots.

[ecclesiastical Latin dericalis, formed as prec.: see -al1.]

► A adjective. 1 Orig., learned. Later gen., of, pertaining to, or characteristic of (a member of) the clergy, lis. 2 Of or pertaining to a clerk or clerks; involving copying out. Li 8.

cleruch /'kliaruk/ noun. Also k-. M19. [Greek kleroukhos allottee, from Heros chance, lot + ekheln have, hold.] GREEK history. An Athenian granted land in a foreign State but retaining rights as a citizen at home. ■ deruchy noun the allotment of land among cleruchs, a body ofcleruchs M19.

1 clerical collar an upright white collar, fastening at the back, worn by members of the clergy. 2 . clerical error an errormade in copying or writing out.

► B noun. 1 A cleric. E17. 2 In pi. Clerical clothes, mi 9.

■ clericalism noun clerical principles, rule, or influence mis. clericalist noun an adherent of clericalism M19. cleri cality noun (a) rare a clerical trait; (b) clerical quality or condition; M17. clericali zation noun the action of clericalizing E20. dericalize verb trans. make clerical, subject to clerical rule or influence L19. clerically adverb Lis.

cletch /klstj/ noun. dial. Also datch /klatj/. L17. [from cleck verb: cf. bake, batch, etc. Cf. clutch noun2.] A clutch of eggs, chicks, etc.; transf. (usu. contempt.) a family. dethra /'klitGra, ‘klE0ra/ noun. L18. [mod. Latin from Greek Hethra alder, which it resembles in foliage.] A tree or shrub of the genus Clethra, native to America and eastern Asia, with racemes of white or pink flowers. Cf. pepperbush s.v. pepper noun.

derico- /'klErrkau/ combining form. Ei9. [formed as cleric: see -o-.[

Clerically, clerical and, as clerico-liberal, clericopolitical adjectives,

derid 'klsnd/ noun & adjective. L19. [mod. Latin Cleridae (see below), from Clerus genus name from Greek kleros: see -id3.]

deuch /kl(j)u:x/ noun. Scot. Also -gh ME. [Var. of clough noun'.] 1 A steep-sided ravine (= clough noun1). Freq. in placenames as Buccleuch etc. me. 2 The precipitous side of a ravine; a steep descent. E16.

(A beetle) of the family Cleridae. derihew / klsnhju:/ noun. E20. [Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956), English writer who devised the form.]

A short witty, comic, or nonsensical verse, usu. in two rhyming couplets with lines of unequal length.

cleuk noun see clutch noun1. cleve /kli:v/ noun. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also deeve. me. [Var. of CLIFF noun after Old English pis. deofU, cleofum.] 1 A cliff. ME. 2 A steep slope, a steep hillside, me.

derisy /'klensi/ noun. Ei9. [App.

after

German Klerisei, formed

skilled

as cleric.]

A distinct class of learned or literary persons, clerk /kla:k/ noun & verb. oe.

deveite /'kli:vAit/ noun. Li9. [from Per T. Cleve (1840-1905), Swedish chemist t -ite1 .) mineralogy A variety of uraninite containing rare-earth elements.

[formed as cleric, reinforced by Old & mod. French den from same source.] ► A noun. 1 A man ordained to the Christian ministry, formerly esp. in minor orders, now (arch, or law) in holy

orders. OE. kb A lay officer of a cathedral, parish church, university college chapel, etc. M16. 2 A literate person, a scholar. Now arch, or Hist. oe. 3 An officer in charge of records etc.; the secretary or agent of a town council, corporation, court, etc.; spec, a senior official in Parliament. E16. 4 A person employed in a bank, office, shop, etc., to make entries, copy letters, keep accounts and files, etc. Also, a person being trained in law. E16. 5 An assistant in a shop or hotel. N. Amer. lis.

Cleveland bay /'kli:vbnd 'bei/ noun phr. lis. [from Cleveland, a county of England + bay noun6.] A bay horse with black legs of a strong breed originat¬ ing in the north of England. clever /'klevo/ adjective & adverb. Also (dial.) diver /'kliva/. ME. [Perh. rel. to cleave verb1. Cf. also Low German Hover, Hever, Middle Dutch Hever sprightly, brisk, smart.] ► A adjective, fl Quick or ready to catch hold. rare. Only in ME.

Phrases: articled clerk: see article verb 4 Clerk of the Closet see noun 2. clerk of the course the judges secretary etc. in horse-racing or motor racing. Clerk of the Irons: see iron noun. Clerk of the Pells see pell noun1. Clerk of the Scales the official who weighs jockeys etc clerk of the works, clerk of works an overseer of building works etc. criminous clerk see criminous 3. Deputy Clerk Register see register noun', lay clerk see lay adjective. Lord Clerk Register see recister noun' Lord justice Clerk: see lord noun, parish clerk: see parish noun, reading c/erk see reading ppl adjective'. St Nicholas' clerk. St Nicholas s c/erK see saint noun & adjective, tally clerk: see tally noun1, town clerk. see town noun, treason of the clerks: see treason noun. ► B verb intrans. Act or work as a clerk. Mi6. ■ clerkage noun (rare) the work of a clerk; clerks collectively. M16. derkdom noun the status or function of a clerk; clerks as a class: M19 clerkess noun (Scot.) a female clerk E20. clerkhood noun the status or position of a clerk me derkish adjective resem¬ bling or characteristic of a clerk M19 1 clerklike adverb & adjective (rare) (a) adverb in the manner of a clerk; (b) adjective resembling (that of) a clerk: E17-E18.

2 Manually dexterous; deft; possessing physical skill.

closet

LI 6.

3 Nimble, agile, active; in good health. Now dial. L17. 4 Lithe, clean-limbed; handsome. Now dial. L17. 5 Possessing mental skill or agility; talented; quick¬ witted. El 8. 6 Of a thing or action: showing physical or mental skill or agility; ingenious. E18. 7 Handy; neat and convenient; well-made, obsolete exc. Canad.dial. E18. 8 Pleasing, nice. Now dial. & US colloq. M18. 5 too clever by half, see half noun. Comb, clever-clever adjective ostentatiously clever, eagerly seeking to appear clever; clever-dogs, clever Dick, deversticks colloq. a (would-be) smart and knowing person, a knowall. ► B adverb. Cleverly. Chiefly colloq. & dial. M17. box clever: see box verb1. m cleve rality noun (Scot. & north.) cleverness Mis. cleverish adjective fairly clever E19. cleverly adverb (a) in a clever manner; (b) (now dial. & US) fully, completely: Li?, cleverness noun the state or quality of being clever M18.

clerkly 'kla:kli/ adjective, lme. [from clerk noun + -ly1, after next,] 1 Scholarly, learned, arch. lme. 2 Of or pertaining to the clergy, clerical, lis. a cat, u: arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit. i cosy, i: see, d hot.

: saw. a run. u put. u: too. a ago, ai my, au how, ei day. 0

clevis /'klevis/ noun. Li6. |Perh. rel. to cleave verb1.] A U-shaped piece of metal at the end of a beam for attaching tackle etc.; a connection in which a bolt holds one part that fits between the forked ends of another. dew /klu:/ noun. See also clue noun. [Old English diwen, cleowen = Middle Low German. Dutch kluwen. from base also of Old High German Hiuwa. Hmwi ball, sphere, prob. ult. rel. to claw noun1.] fl A globular body; aroundedmass. OE-118. Eb Around bunch or cluster. E17-E18. 2 A ball of thread or yam. arch. OE. 3 spec, a A ball of yam etc. used to trace a path through a maze (as in the Greek myth of Theseus in the Labyrinth); a thing which guides through perplexity, a difficult investigation, an intricate structure, etc. lme. Eb = clue noun 4a. ei 8. 4 The mythological thread of life spun by the Fates. E17.

5 nautical. The lower or after comer of a sail. (Earlier as clue noun 2.) E17. 6 nautical. The series of cords by which a hammock is suspended, mi8. Comb. : dew-garnet nautical a tackle to clew up the courses or lower square-sails in furling; dew-line nautical a tackle connect¬ ing the clew of a sail to the upper yard or mast; occas. = clewgarnet above.

clew /klu:/ verb. See also clue verb. lme. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Coil up into a ball. lme. 2 verb trans. Point out or trace (as) by a clew or clue. rare. E17.

3 verb trans. & intrans. nautical, Draw the lower ends of (a sail) up to the upper yard or mast ready for furling; let down (a sail) by clews in unfurling. Mi8. dianthus /klxi'aneas/ noun. Mi9. [mod. Latin, app. from Greek Idei-, kleos glory + anthos flower.] An Australasian leguminous plant of the genus Clianthus, which includes the kaka-beak, C. puniceus, and Sturt’s desert pea, C.formosus. Also called glory pea. cliche /'kli:Jei/ noun. Mi9. [French, use as noun of pa. pple of clicher to stereotype, perh. of imit. origin.] 1 Hist. A metal stereotype or electrotype block. M19. 2 fig, A stereotyped expression, a hackneyed phrase or opinion; a stereotyped character, style, etc. Li 9. ■ clicked, diche'd adjective hackneyed, full of cliches E20,

dick /klik/ noun'. E17. [Imit.: cf. Old French clique tick of clock, Dutch klik tick.] 1 A slight sharp sound of concussion as made by the latch of a door dropping, the impact of two billiard-balls, etc. Also (dial.), a quick light blow, a tap. E17. Eb spec. (Such a sound made by) a touching of a horse’s fore and hind shoes, through overreaching. Li9. Ec radio. In pi. Atmos¬ pherics of short duration. E20. 2 A mechanism making this noise, e.g. the catch of a ratchet-wheel etc. mis. 3 A sharp non-vocal suction, used as a speech sound in certain (chiefly African) languages. Ei9. 4 computing. An act of pressing one of the buttons on a mouse. L20. Comb.: dick-beetle a beetle of the large family Elateridae, members of which are able to spring up with a clicking sound when lying on their backs; dick-dack noun & verb intrans. (make) a repeated sound like a dick; dick language: in which clicks are used; clickstream computing a series of mouse clicks made by a user while accessing the Internet, esp. as monitored to assess a person's interests for marketing purposes. ■ dicky adjective containing many clicks L19.

dick /klik/ noun2. Ei9. [Anglicized from French clique.] = CLIQUE.

dick /khk/ noun3. Ei9. [Var. of cleek noun.] 1 In full click-hook. A large hook or crook. E19. 2 A jerk with a hook or crook. L19. 3 A manoeuvre in wrestling, whereby the opponent's foot is knocked sharply off the ground. Now rare. Li 9. dick /klik/verb1. Li6. [Imit.: cf. click noun1.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) make a slight sharp concussive sound; move with such a click; operate (a camera etc.) with a click. L16. Eb verb intrans. Of a horse; overreach and make a click by the touching of fore and hind shoes. E18. Ec verb trans. & intrans. computing. Press (one of the buttons on a mouse); select (an item on a screen, in a menu, etc.) by pressing a mouse button when the cursor is over the appropriate symbol, uo. 2 verb intrans. fig. ta Be successful; secure one’s object; be understood; become instantly friendly, strike up a rapport. (Foil, by with.) slang. E20. Eb Be chosen for. come in for. Military slang. E20. Ec Become pregnant, colloq. M20. Ed Fall into context; begin to revive a memory, colloq. M20.

go no. e: hair, is near, di boy. os poor. ai9 tire, aos sour

426

dick | dine if I i D. H. Lawrence She heard a latch click. E. Bowen She clicked open her bag. G. Orwell The cage door had clicked shut. J. Kosinski The soldiers clicked their heels. B. Hines Clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth. 2a C. Lambert Attractive girls with whom he ultimately and triumphantly 'clicks'. D. Cusack We don’t seem to click, d A. Burgess Then the name clicked, because somebody in the town had talked about Everett. ■ clickable adjective L20.

dick /klik/ verb2 trans. Chiefly dial. L17. [Var. ofciEEKverfr]

Clutch; grasp suddenly, firmly, or eagerly; snatch (up etc.). dicker/'klika/ noun. li7. [from click verb‘ or verb- * -er1.] 1 A shopkeeper’s (orig. a shoemaker’s) tout. L17.

2 A foreman shoemaker who cuts out the leather. L17. 3 A compositor in charge of a companionship who dis¬ tributes the copy etc. E19. dicket /’klikit/ noun, obsolete exc. dial. lme. [Old & mod. French cliquet, from Old French clique door-latch: see -ET'-]

1 The latch of a door or gate. lme. f2 A latchkey. LME-L16. f3 A device for making a clicking sound, a clapper, a rattle, lme-mis. dicket /'klikit/ verb. lme. [from the noun: cf. French cliqueter. Branch II may be a different word.] ► 11 verb trans. Fasten with a latch, lock, obsolete exc. dial. LME. 2 verb intrans. Chatter. L16. 3 verb intrans. Make a light or repeated clicking sound. E20.

► II4 verb intrans. Of a fox: be in heat; copulate. Li 6. diency /’kkiansi/ noun. rare. M17. [Late Latin client!a, formed as next.] = CLIENTSHIP.

client /’klAisnt/ noun. lme. [Latin client-, -ens, earlier cluens use as noun of pres, pple of cluere, duere hear, listen, obey: see -ent.]

► I 1 A person who is under the protection and patron¬ age of another; a dependant, a hanger-on. arch. lme. 2 roman history. A plebeian under the protection of a patrician. Cf. patron noun 4c. M16. ► II 3 A person who employs the services of a legal adviser; a person whose cause an advocate pleads, lme. 4 gen. A person using the services of any professional; a customer. E17. >b A person assisted by a social worker etc. li 9.

► III 5 computing. (In a network) a desktop computer or workstation that is capable of obtaining information and applications from a server. L20. >b More fully client application, program. A program that is capable of obtain¬ ing a service provided by another program. L20. Comb.: client-server adjective denoting a computer system in which a central server provides data to a number of networked workstations; client state, client nation, etc.: dependent upon a larger one for trade, military aid, etc. ■ clientage noun (a) a body of clients; (b) the relation of client to patron: Mi 7 diental adjective (rare) of or pertaining to a client or clients M17. dientry noun - clientage L16. clientship noun the state or relation of a client M17.

clientele /klimn'tel./oretgn kliatel/ noun. Also -ele. Mi6. [Orig. from Latin clientela, formed as prec. Later from French clientele from Latin.] 11 Clientship; patronage. M16-L19.

2 A body of clients, a following; the customers (of a shop); the patrons (of a theatre etc.); persons seeking the professional advice of a lawyer, architect, etc. Li6. clientelism /kli:on'teliz(3)m/ noun. Orig. in Italian form clientelismo /kliEnti’lizmo/. M20. [Italian clientelismo patronage system.]

A social order which depends upon relations of patron¬ age, esp. as a political approach which emphasizes or exploits such relations. ■ cllente’listic adjective M20

Clifden nonpareil /khfd(o)n 'nonpars!/ noun phr. mis.

pyrrhonota, which builds ajar-shaped nest of mud and straw; also called mud swallow , , , ■ clifflike adjective resembling (that of) a cliff, steep and locky Mia. cliffy adjective having cliffs, craggy M16.

dift /klift/ noun1. Now dial. lme. [Var. of prec., by assoc, with cllft cleft noun.]

A cliff.

■ cliffy adjective cliffy Li 6.

dift noun2 var. of cleft noun. climacteric /klAi'niakUajrik, kUnnak'tBnk. adjective & noun. Mi6. [French dimacterique or Latin climactencus, from Greek klimakterikos, from klimakter critical period, from klimax, -mak-: see CLIMAX, -1C.] . ► A adjective. 1 Pertaining to or constituting a critical period in human life; critical, fatal. M16. fb medicine.

Occurring at or characteristic of a period of life when (male) fertility and sexual activity are in decline; (in women) menopausal. Ei9. 2 = CLIMACTIC. L18. ► B noun. A supposedly critical stage in human life, esp. occurring at ages that are multiples of seven years; a crit¬ ical period, point, or epoch. Mi7. Phrases: grand climacteric (designating) the 63rd year of life, supposed to be specially critical. ■ fclimacter noun = climacteric noun E-M17 dimac terical adjective & jnoun = climacteric Li6.

climactic /kUi'maktik/ adjective. Li9. [Irreg. from climax, prob. infl. by prec.]

Of or pertaining to a climax or ascending series; of the nature of a climax. ■ climactically adverb Li9.

climate /'kUimat/ noun & verb. lme. [Old & mod. French climat or late Latin clima, -mat- from Greek klima, -mat- slope of ground, zone, region, from klinein to lean, slope.] ► A noun. |1 A belt of the earth's surface contained between two parallels of latitude. lme-li8. fb Any region of the earth. L15-LI8.

2 A region considered with reference to its atmos¬ pheric conditions or its weather. Ei7. 3 The prevailing atmospheric phenomena and condi¬ tions of temperature, humidity, wind, etc., (of a country or region). E17. fb fig. The mental, moral, etc., environ¬ ment prevailing in a body of people in respect of opinion, some aspect of life, etc. Mi7. continental climate see continental adjective. Mediterranean climate. ► B verb. |1 verb intrans. Sojourn in a particular climate. rare (Shakes.). Only in E17. 2 verb trans. = acclimatize. US. M19. ■ climatal adjective = climatic M19. climatize verb trans. = acclimatize E19. Iclimature noun (a) rare a region: (b) meteoro¬ logical condition resulting from latitude: E17 E19 3

climatic /kUi'matik/ adjective. E19. [from prec. + -ic.]

Of or pertaining to climate. ■ climatical adjective (rare) mi?, climatically adverb in relation to climate L19.

climatology /klAimo'tobdsi/ noun. Mi9. [from climate + -ology.]

The branch of physical science that deals with climate. ■ climato logical adjective M19. climato logically adverb L19 climatologist noun L19.

climax /'kUimaks/ noun & verb. M16. [Late Latin climax from Greek klimax ladder, climax.]

► A noun. 1 rhetoric. (A figure characterized by) the arrangement of propositions or ideas in order of increas¬ ing importance, force, or effectiveness of expression.

E20.

► B verb intrans. & trans. Come or bring to a climax. M19.

A large Eurasian noctuid moth, Catocala Jraxini, with blue and black hindwings.

climb /klAim/noun. Li6.

[Old English dif = Old Saxon (Dutch) klif. Old High German klep. Old Norse klif, from Germanic. Cf. cleve.] 1 A steep rock face, now esp. one facing the sea. oe.

t2 A shore, a coast. OE-E17. 3 A steep slope, a steep hillside. Now dial. me. 4 The strata ofrock lying above or between coal seams. LI 7. Comb. : diff-hanger a serial film in which each episode ends in a desperate situation; a story etc. with the outcome excitingly uncertain; cliff-hanging adjective full of suspense; cliff swallow a square-tailed swallow of N. and S. America, Hirundo b but, d dog,

f few, g get. h he, j yes. k cat, 1 leg, n

me. CO 1 A Ransome John climbed to the topmost branches of the old ash tree. J. Fowles I climbed up the goat-paths, climbing-frame a structure, usu. of pipes joined together, for children to climb on. climbing-iron a set of spikes attachable to a boot for climbing trees or ice-slopes, climbing perch see perch noun', climb on the bandwagon see bandwagon s.v. band noun ', b Shakes. Cymb. Let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils. Tennyson The slow moon climbs. C. P. Snow The cost of living was climbing, c H. L. Mencken The Japanese.. have climbed into the first rank of World Powers, social climb: see social adjective. d climbing bitter-sweet: see bitter-sweet noun 4. 2 E. J. Howard The road.. climbed with a steepness only made possible by its tortuous method. 3 G. B. Shaw Climbing down the pipe. R. Macaulay Makeshift opportun¬ ists. backing out and climbing down.

► II verb trans. 4 Ascend or mount by climbing, me. 5 Attain or achieve by climbing. L16. 13 4 Byron We.. clomb the high hill. R. Macaulay The rich fruit orchards that climbed the wooded hills. K. Vonnegut To climb a few rungs of the ladder of culture. climb the ladder: see ladder noun lb. 5 A. Welby I've climbed the summit of some breezy hill. Comb.: climb-down a withdrawal, esp. with ignominy, from a position taken up; abandonment of a declared position. ■ climbable adjective Mi6 climber noun a person who or thing which climbs; spec, (a) a climbing plant; (b) Criminals' slang a catburglar; (c) fig. a person who continually seeks (esp. social) advancement (social climber: see social adjective): lme.

dime /klAim/ noun. Now chiefly literary, lme. [Late Latin clima: see climate.] 1 A region, esp. considered with reference to its cli¬ matic conditions. Cf. climate noun lb, 2. lme. |2 = climate noun 1. li5-L17. 3 = climate noun 3; fig. atmosphere. L16.

clinamen /klAi'neimen/ noun, literary. Pi. -mina /-mina/. L17. [Latin.]

An inclination, a bias. clinch /klm(t)J/ noun. Li6. [Var. of clench noun: cf. next.]

1 A thing which clutches, grips, or fixes fast; a grip, a hold. LI 6. 2 nautical. A method of fastening large ropes by a half¬ hitch with the end seized back on its own part; that part of a rope which is clinched. E17. 3 A fastening in which the end of a nail or bolt is beaten back or flattened after passing through some¬ thing; the point of a clinched nail; a clinched nail or bolt, a nail for clinching something (also clinch-nail). Mi7. 4 A pun, a quibble; (= clench noun 2). M17. 5 An act of clinching or riveting together; the clinch¬ ing of an argument etc.; the state of being clinched. M19. 6 A struggle or scuffle at close quarters; boxing a position of being too close for a full-arm blow, an act of holding after an exchange of blows. M19. ►!> An embrace, colloq. (Orig. US). E20.

clinch /klin(t)J/ verb. Li6.

Mi6.

12 An ascending series or scale, m-lis. 3 The highest point reached; a peak of intensity or interest; a culmination. Li 8. kb spec. The last or highest term of a rhetorical climax, mi9. >c ecology The final stage in a succession, at which a plant community reaches a state of equilibrium; a community that has attained this state. Freq. attrib. E20. >d A sexual orgasm.

[from tClifdeti (now Cliveden), a village in Buckinghamshire, central England + nonpareil.]

cliff /klif/ noun.

gradual or continuous motion; (of the sun, an aeroplane, etc.) go upwards, move towards the zenith; fig. increase steadily, oe. Fc fig. Rise in dignity, rank, or state by con¬ tinued effort; ascend in the intellectual, moral, or social scale, me. Fd Of a plant: creep up by the aid of tendrils or by twining. Li 8. 2 Slope upwards, me. 3 Foil, by down: (a) (adverb & preposition) lower oneself (along) by grasping or dinging, or by the aid of hands and feet; (b) fig. (adverb) withdraw, esp. with ignominy, from a position taken up, abandon a declared position.

[from the verb.]

An act of climbing; a place (to be) climbed; an ascent by climbing. at the climb Criminals'slang engaged as a cat burglar.

climb /klAim/ verb. Pa. t. & pple climbed, (arch.) clomb /klaom/. Pa. t. also fdamb. [Old English climban = Middle & mod. Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch Firm men, Old High German klimban (German kiimmen), from West Germanic nasalized var. of base of cleave verb (orig. = hold fast).]

2

► I verb intrans. 1 Raise oneself by grasping or clinging, or by the aid of hands and feet; ascend a steep place. Freq. foil, by up (adverb & preposition), oe. Fb Rise with n no,

p pen,

r red,

s sit.

t top, v van.

w we,

[Var. of clench verb, prob. by assim. to clink verb-.] 1 verb trans. a Fix securely (as) with a nail, bolt, rivet,

etc.; secure (a nail, rivet, etc.) by driving the point side¬ ways when through. Li6. Fb fg. Make firm and sure (an argument, bargain, etc.); drive home; make conclusive, establish. E18. f 2 verb trans. = clench verb 2. E17-E19. 3 verb trans. nautical. Fasten (a rope) with a clinch, mis. 4 verb intrans. Grapple at close quarters; (of boxers) come too close for a full-arm blow. Ei9. Fb Embrace. colloq. (orig. US). Li 9. £B 1 b Anthony Smith His earlier, considered, authenti¬ cated and definite wish clinched the matter. ■ clincher noun a person who or thing which clinches; esp. a conclusive statement, argument, etc.: clincher-built = clinkerbuilt s.v. clinker noun': me.

dine /kUin/ noun. M20. [from Greek klineiti to lean, slope.] 1 biology A gradation in one or more characters within a species or other taxon. M20. 2 gen. A continuum with an infinite number of grad¬ ations. M20. ■ clinal adjective M20.

z zoo. J she.

3

vision,

6

thin.

6

this,

g ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

427

ding j clip

ding /klnj/noun. M17. [from the verb.]

1 The act of clinging; adhesion, adherence. Mi7. 2 A clasp; an embrace, rare. M17. 3 = clingstone s.v. cling verb. Also cling peach. Mi9. ding /kin)/ verb. Pa. t. & pple clung /kUg/. [Old English dingan, corresp. to Middle butch klingen stick, adhere. Middle High German klingen climb, from Germanic, from base parallel to that of clench verb.] 1 verb intrans. Adhere together in a stiff mass. Long obsolete exc. as passing into senses 3 & 5 in cling together OE.

2 verb intrans. Of an animal or vegetable body: shrink up, shrivel, wither. Now dial. oe. fb verb trans. Cause (an animal or vegetable body) to shrink up, shrivel, or wither. Now dial. M16. 3 verb intrans. Adhere or be attached (to) by stickiness, suction, grasping, embracing, etc.; be or remain close to, as if attached, me. fb fig. Adhere or cleave to in affection, fellowship, sympathy, practice, or idea; remain (stub¬ bornly) faithftil to. L16. f4 verb trans. Cause to cling, make fast. L16-L18. 5 verb trans. Cause to adhere or stick together. Now dial. E17.

d 2b Shakes. Mad). Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive. Till famine cling thee. 3 Dickens The fog clings so. D. H. Lawrence He caught her hand and clung to it. D. Welch The wet shorts clung to our thighs, fig.: John Brooke Some of the abuse heaped upon her still clings to her name, b H. L. Mencken The lawyers and judges cling to the idea of equality before the law. Comb.: ding film thin plastic film that adheres to surfaces, used esp. for wrapping and covering foods; dingfish (orig. N. Amer.) a small marine fish of the family Gobiesocidae, having a ventral sucker enabling it to adhere to rocks etc.; also called sea-sucker. dingstone, clingstone nectarine, clingstone peach a kind of nectarine or peach in which the flesh is firmly attached to the stone when ripe.

■ dinger noun Et 6. clinginess noun the state or quality of being clingy Lis. dinging adjective that clings, clingy Li6. clingingly adverb Mi9. clingy adjective tending to cling; sticky, adhesive, ten¬ acious: E18.

clinic /'klinik/ noun' & adjective. Now rare or obsolete.

Ei7.

[Latin dininis from Greek klinikos, from Wine bed: see -ic.]

► A noun. 1 A person who is confined to bed by sickness etc. E17. 2 ecclesiastical history. A person who defers baptism until the deathbed. Ml7. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to the sickbed; spec, desig¬ nating deathbed baptism, conversion, etc. (cf. clinical adjective 2). E17.

clinic /'klinik/ noun2.

■ Clin tonian adjective & noun L20. Clintonism noun L20.

clink /kligk/ verb', me.

M19.

[French dinique from Greek klinike the clinical art.]

1 The teaching of medicine or surgery at the bedside of a sick person, esp. in a hospital, mi9. 2 A private or specialized hospital; a place or an occa¬ sion for giving medical treatment or advice, esp. in a hos¬ pital and devoted to one topic. Li9. 3 A conference, class, short course, etc., on a particular subject or activity. Chiefly N. Amer. E20. 2 family-planning clinic, fracture clinic, immunization clinic, postnatal clinic, etc. ■ clinician /kli‘mj(a)n/ noun orig., a clinical investigator; now, a doctor having direct contact with and responsibility for patients: L19.

clinical /'klmtk(3)l/ adjective.

Li8.

[formed as clinic noun' & adjective + -al'.] 1 medicine Designating or pertaining to teaching given

[Prob.from Middle & mod. Dutch klinken sound, ring, tinkle, rel. to Middle Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch klank sound. Cf. clang, CLANK.]

1 verb trans. Cause to make a sharp abrupt ringing sound; strike together with such a clink, me. 2 verb intrans. Move with ormake a clink or clinks, lme. 3 verbintrans. Ofwords: jingle together; rhyme. Ei8. 4 verb trans. & intrans. Put or sit down, go off, put on, abruptly or smartly. Scot. Ei8. ■ clinking ppl adjective & adverb (a) ppl adjective that clinks; slang (exceedingly) good; (b) adverb (slang) exceedingly: M17.

dink /kliqk/ verb2 trans. Scot. & north, lme. [Var. of clench verb.]

Rivet; fix or fasten with nails; secure (a nail, rivet, etc.), [Origin unkn.: cf. clink noun3,]

Cause (metal) to fracture internally, tdinkard, clinkart nouns vars. of clinker noun2. clink-clank /'kligk-klagk/ noun & verb. L18. verb' + clank.]

► A noun. A repeated clinking sound. L18. ► B verb intrans. Move with or make such a sound. E20. clinker /'klirjka/ noun1, me. [from clink

verb‘ + -er'.]

1 A person who or thing which rivets or puts in nails; fig. a clinching argument etc. me. 2 A clinched nail, a nail for clinching something. Li 9. Comb.: clinker-built adjective (of a boat) made with external planks which overlap downwards and are fastened with clinched nails.

clinker /'klirjka/ noun2. Also f-ard, f-art. M17. [Early mod.Dutch klinckaerd (now klinker), from klinken to ring: see CLINK verb1.]

1 A very hard kind of brick employed as paving in the Netherlands. Mi7. 2 A brick the surface of which has vitrified, or a mass of bricks that has fused, by exposure to intense heat, mi7. 3 (A piece of) stony residue from burnt coal, a furnace, etc.; slag. M18. 4 (A piece of) rough scoriaceous lava resembling furnace slag. Mi 9. ■ clinkery adjective 119.

clinker /'klirjks/ noun3. Li7. [from clink

verb' + -er'.]

1 A person who or thing which clinks. L17. 2 A thing, animal, or person of the first quality; an excellent specimen. Cf. clinking ppl adjective, slang. M19. 3 A wrong musical note, a discord; an error in perform¬ ance, a blunder. N. Amer. slang. M20. clinkstone /'klirjkstsun/ noun. E19. [German

idingstein, formed as clink verb' + stone noun.]

A compact greyish-blue feldspathic rock having a metallic resonance when struck. dino- /'kUinso/ combining form of Greek klinein to lean, slope; in mineralogy & crystallography usu. with the sense ‘monoclinic’: see -o-. Cf. klino-. ■ dinochlore noun a hexagonal variety of chlorite rich in mag¬ nesium and aluminium and usu. poor in iron M19. dino graphic adjective (a) (of a projection) oblique, such that no surface (esp. of a crystal) is projected as a line; (b) (of a curve) representing gradi¬ ent as a function of altitude: L19. clino pinacoid noun the plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in the monoclinic system L19. clinopy roxene noun any monoclinic pyroxene E20.

dinoid /'klAinoid/ adjective, mis. [from Greek kline bed + -oid.] anatomy. Resembling a bed; spec, designating four pro¬

at the bedside of a sick person, esp. in a hospital, and (branches of) medicine involving the study or care of actual patients. L18. 2 ecclesiastical. Administered at the sickbed to one likely to die. Cf. clinic adjective, mi9. 3 Coldly detached and impersonal; objective, dispas¬ sionate. E20. ib Bare and functional, like a hospital.

dinometer /klAi'nomits, kli-/ noun. Ei9.

M20.

clinquant /'kliqkfrlnt/adjectives noun. Li6.

1 clinical death: judged by direct observation of the individ¬ ual's condition, clinical medicine: based on the observed symp¬ toms. clinical thermometer. m clinically adverb in a clinical manner; as regards clinical medicine, from the point of view of clinical medicine: mis.

clink/kliqk/noun1,

lme.

[from clink verb'.]

1 A sharp abrupt ringing sound, as of small metallic bodies or glasses struck together, lme. 2 Assonance, jingle, derog. E18. 3 A smart sharp blow. dial. Ei8. 4 Money; hard cash. Scot, colloq. E18. clink /kligk/ noun2, slang.

[Origin unkn.: orig. applied to a prison in Southwark, London.]

Li9.

[Origin unkn.: cf. clink verb3.]

An internal crack in a block of metal caused by uneven heating or cooling. a

cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her.

[from CLINO- + -METER.]

Any of various instruments for measuring inclination or elevation, esp. of sloping ground, strata, etc. [French, pres, pple of fclinquer ring, glitter, from Low German klinken clink verb': see -ant1.] ► A adjective. Glittering with gold and silver; tinselled.

L16. ► B noun. Imitation gold leaf; fig. literary or artistic tinsel; false glitter. Li7. dint /klint/ noun. me. klint, from Old Swedish Winter rock.]

A hard or flinty rock; spec, (geology) any of the masses of rock left standing between fissures (grikes) in a lime¬ stone pavement; also occas., a grike. ■ clinty adjective consisting of or characterized by dints Ei6.

Clintonite /‘klintsnait/ noun & adjective. L20.

Ei6.

A prison. Esp. in in clink, in the clink. clink /klirjk/ noun3.

cesses of the sphenoid bone surrounding the base of the pituitary gland.

[Danish & Swedish

1

[from

Clinton (see below) + -ite'.]

► A noun. A supporter or adherent of President William J. D. Clinton (b. 1946). US President 1993-2000, or his policies. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to Clintonites or Clinton's policies.

sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot, a: saw, a run, o

put, u: too,

[from

Clio, the Muse of history + metric noun': see -ics.]

A method of historical research making much use of statistical information and methods. ■ diometric adjective M20. diometrician 'klArame'tnJIsjn/ noun a practitioner of cliometrics M20.

dioquinol /klAi3(u)'kwmDl/ noun. M20. Cl. chemical symbol for chlorine + io(dine + quinol(ine.[ pharmacology. A quinoline derivative that has been used [from

as an antiseptic to treat intestinal amoebiasis, diarrhoea, and ear and skin infections; 5-chloro-8-hydroxy-7iodoquinoline, C9H5N0C1I. clip /klip/ noun1,

lme.

[from cup verb2.]

clink /klipk/ verb3 trans. E20.

[from clink noun',

cliometrics /klAra'metriks/ noun. M20.

3

ago, ai my, ao how, ei day.

1 In pi. Shears, esp. for wool. lme. 2 A thing which is clipped or cut; a clipping; the whole quantity of wool shorn in any place or season. E19. ►b An extract from a motion picture, a television pro¬ gramme, etc. M20. 3 An act of clipping or shearing; a haircut. Ei9. 4 A smart blow or stroke. Mi9. 5 A rate of (esp. rapid) motion. Ml 9. LJ 2b Sunday Times The illustrative dip shown on the night featured a large Chinese family. 4 J. Fowles I felt like giving her a good clip over the earhole. 5 H. Allen He splashed at a sharp clip through the ford.

dip /klip/ noun2,

lis.

[from clip verb1.]

1 A thing which clips or clasps; an instrument or device (usu. worked by a spring) that holds an object or objects fast or together, or that attaches to an object as a marker, lis. >b A linked set of cartridges for a firearm. E20. Kc A piece of jewellery fastened by a clip. M20. |2 Embracing; an embrace. M16-L17. 1 bicycle-clip, crocodile-clip, hair-clip, paper-clip, etc. Comb.: clipboard a small board with a sprung clip for holding papers etc.

dip /klip/ verb'. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple clipped, (arch.) dipt. [Old English cfyppan = Old Frisian kleppa, from West Germanic.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Clasp with the arms, embrace, hug. arch. & dial. oe. 2 verb trans. Surround closely, encircle, encompass, arch. OE. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Grip tightly; fasten with a clip;

fasten (a clip), oe. EQ 2 W. Cowper Yon fair sea, That clips thy shores. 3 E. Hemingway Their carbines were dipped to the frame of the bicycles. A. MacLean They clipped their parachute snap catches on to the overhead wire. Which Computer? The ribbon .. has guides that clip onto the print head. Comb. : clip-on adjective that attaches by a clip.

dip /klip/ verb2. Infl. -pp-. Pa. t. & pple clipped, (arch.) dipt. me. [Old Norse klippa, prob. imit.: cf. Low German, Frisian klippen.] 1 verb trans. Cut or trim with scissors or shears; take

away (part of the hair, wool, etc,) with scissors or shears (foil, by off), me. ib Form or mark by so cutting or trim¬ ming. Li 7. 2 spec, a verb trans. & intrans. Shear (sheep); cut off (a sheep’s fleece etc.); cut off (a person’s hair), poll. me. ►b verb trans. & intrans. Pare the edges of (coinage), lme. he verb trans. Cut out (an article, coupon, etc.) from a newspaper etc. Chiefly N.Amer. Li 9. Ed verb trans. Remove a small piece of (a railway, bus, etc., ticket) to show that it has been used. L19. he verb trans. computing. Process (an image) so as to remove the parts outside a certain area. M20. 3 verb trans. & (now dial.) intrans. Cut short, diminish: spec,

pronounce hurriedly and imperfectly or in a staccato fashion, omit (letters or syllables) from words. E16. 4 verb intrans. a Move the wings rapidly, fly rapidly, arch. E17. tfo Move or run quickly. US colloq. M19. 5 verb trans. Hit smartly; strike against in passing, colloq. M19. 6 verb trans. Swindle; rob, steal, slang (orig. US). E20. CB 1 W. Gass She'd be dipping the hedge. W. Boyd A neatly dipped pencil moustache, fig.: P. G. Wodehouse How your grandfather clipped six seconds off Roger Bannister’s mile, dip the wings of trim the feathers of (a bird) so as to disable from flight; fig. check the aspirations of. prevent (a person) from acting, b P. Pearce Each alcove and archway clipped in the yew-trees. 3 Carlyle Pfalz must be reinstated, though with territories much clipped. D. Cusack A habit of clipping her sentences till they resemble explosive bullets rather than conversation. I. Murdoch He had given her clipped answers, minimizing everything. S New Statesman He had 'dipped him round the earhole'. Daily Express Tony definitely had to snatch up the filly to avoid dipping the winner's heels. Comb.: dip art (a) pre-printed illustrations designed to be cut out and used in artwork; (b) COMRim»c pre-drawn pictures and symbols that computer users can add to their documents, often i no, e: hair, to near, .11 boy, us poor aio tire, auo sour

428

dip-clop | docker provided with word-processing software and drawing packages; clip-joint slang a nightclub etc. charging exorbitant prices.

dip-clop /'klipklDp/ noun & verb.

-vea. Ei9.

Northumberland (1787-1866): see-IA'.]

[IIIIIL.]

„

i

■ Also dippety-dop noun E20.

A southern African amaryllid of the genus Clma, with orange, red, or yellow flowers. Also called Kaffir lily. Cf. Natal lily. Cllr. abbreviation. Councillor. do /kbu/ noun. Orig. US. PL same. M20.

dipe verb & noun var. of clype.

[from clo(thing. Cf. tog noun 3.]

me.

2

[from CLIP verb + -ER1.]

1 A person who clips fleeces, hair, coinage, etc. me. 2 An instrument for clipping; in pi., shears, scissors.

A unit expressing the heat-retaining power of clothing material. do’ /kbu/ noun pi. arch, colloq.

mi9.

[Abbreviation.]

LI 6.

3 a A fast sailing ship, esp. one with raking bows and masts. Ei9. Eb A fast horse. Mi9. Ec A first-rate person or thing, an excellent specimen, slang. M19. Comb:, dipper-built adjective (of a sailing ship) built for speed, with raking bows and masts; clipper ship = sense 3a above.

clippie /'klipi/ noun, colloq. Also dippy. M20.

2 + -ie, -Y6.]

[from clip verb

A bus-conductress.

clipping /'klrpirj/ noun. [from clip

verb2 + -ing1.]

clipping /’klipn)/adjective. Li6.

2

[from clip verb + -iimg2.]

1 That clips. L16. 2 First-rate, excellent, slang. Mi9.

1 An underground conduit for drainage, a sewer. Also, a water-closet. Li 6. 2 zoology. A common cavity for the release of digestive and urogenital products in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes. Mi9. Carlyle

That tremendous Cloaca ofPauperism.

■ cloacal adjective M17.

cloak /kbuk/ noun & verb. Also (arch.)

doke. me.

[Old French dote, cloque, dial. var. of cloche (i) bell, (ii) cloak, from medieval Latin clocca: cf. clock noun1.] ► A noun. 1 A loose usu. sleeveless outdoor garment, me. Eb fig. A thing which covers over and conceals; a pretext;

M17-E18.

dippy noun var. of clippie. dipt verb', verb2 pa. t. & pple: see clip verb1, verb2. clique /kli:k/ noun. See also click noun2. E18. [Old & mod. French, from cliquer make a noise, from Middle Dutch ldikken click verb1,]

A small exclusive group; a coterie.

■ cliquish adjective resembling or suggestive of a clique or cliques; pettily exclusive: M19. diquishness noun M19. diquism noun the practice of forming cliques; petty exclusiveness: M19.

cliquey /'kli:ki/ adjective. Also cliquy.

M19.

[from prec. + -Y1.]

Characterized by cliques; cliquish.

dish-dash /'klijklaj/ noun & interjection.

Li6. [Redupl. of clash noun.] 1 noun & interjection (Repr.) the reciprocal or alternate clash of weapons. Li6. 2 noun. Idle gossip. Scot. L17.

clish-ma-claver /klijma’kleiva/ noun. Scot.

Ei8.

dish- in prec. + euphonic -mo- + claver noun.]

Idle gossip.

3 In pi. = cloakroom (b) below. M20. L,J 1 Inverness cloak: see Inverness 2. bR. W. Emerson Tucking up.. the ground under a cloak of snow. E. Waugh She pretends to be a painter, but you have only to look at her work to realise it is a cloak for other activities. Plymouth cloak: see Plymouth 1. Comb.: cloak-and-dagger adjective [translating French tie cape et d'epee] involving or characteristic of plot and intrigue, esp. espi¬ onage; cloak-and-sword adjective [translating Spanish {comedia) de capa y espada] involving or characteristic of fighting and romance; fdoak-bag a bag for a cloak or other clothes; a valise; cloakroom (a) a room in which to leave cloaks, coats, hats, etc., or luggage; (b) euphem. a water-closet, a lavatory; a room contain¬ ing a number of lavatories. ► B verb. 1 verb trans. Cover with or wrap in a cloak; cover

over, conceal, disguise, lme. 2 verb intrans. Put on a cloak; fig. dissemble. Li6. ■ cloaking noun (a) the action or an act of wrapping someone or something in a cloak; (an act of) concealment; (b) (a) material for making cloaks: Ei6. cloakless adjective Li6.

doam /kbum/ noun & adjective, obsolete exc. SW dial. [Old English dam = Middle Dutch deem potter’s clay, from West Germanic deriv. of Germanic base repr. also by clay noun, cleam. cleave verb2, climb verb.] ► A noun. Orig. gen., mud, clay. Later spec., earthenware,

dit /klit/ noun, slang. M20. [Abbreviation.] = CLITORIS.

potter’s clay. oe. ► B adjective. Earthenware,

C.Lit. abbreviation. Companion of Literature.

tdoath

ditch /klitj/ verb, obsolete exc. dial. See also clutch verb. [Old English clyccan from Germanic.] 11 a verb trans. Crook, bend; close (the hand); clench (the fist). OE-116. Eb verb intrans. Crook, bend at a joint,

crouch. Only in me. 2 verb trans. Grasp tightly, clutch, lme. 3 verb trans. Make fast; stick together, lme. ditellum /klAi'tebm/ noun. PI. -Ila l-lsl. Mi9. [mod. Latin from Latin cliteUae pi., pack-saddle.] zoology. A raised band encircling the body of oligochaete

worms and some leeches, made up of reproductive seg¬ ments. ■ ditellar adjective L19.

clitic /'klitik/ noun & adjective. M20.

verb

var. of clothe.

& verb1. M19.

[Origin unkn.) ► A noun. A black paste used by cobblers to fill up and

conceal cracks in leather, mi9. ► B verb trans. 1 Patch up; cobble. M19. 2 Add enamelled decoration to (porcelain, esp, blueand-white). Li9. clobber /'ktaba/ noun2 & verb2, slang.

L19.

[Origin unkn.] ► A noun. Clothing; gear, equipment. Li 9. ► B verb trans. Dress (oneself). Freq. foil, by up. Chiefly as clobbered ppl adjective. Li 9. M20.

Hit, thrash; defeat; criticize severely,

A small erectile part of the female genitals in mammals and some other vertebrates. ■ clitoral di torial adjectives M20. diton dectomy noun (an instance of) surgical removal of the clitoris M19.

ditter /'klita/ verbs,noun. E16.

mic.

[Redupl. of clatter noun.]

A light or repeated clatter; garrulous talk, idle gossip.

mi6.

[Origin unkn.]

An ornamental pattern worked on (the side of) a sock or stocking. clock /klDk/ noun3, dial,

mi6.

[Origin unkn.] A beetle; esp. a dor beetle or cockroach (also black

clock /kbk/ verb2

trans. mi6.

[from clock noun2.]

Embroider with clocks (formerly also occas. with a similar pattern). Chiefly as clocked ppl adjective. clock /klDk/ verb3.

Li9.

[from clock noun1.] ► II verb trans. Time by a clock or stopwatch. Li9. 2 verb trans. Attain or register (a stated time, distance, or speed in a race etc.). Also foil, by up. colloq. L19. 3 verb intrans. clock in or clock on. clock out or clock off.

M20.

£0 4 j. Arnott I docked a few faces 1 vaguely remembered. ► II5 verb trans. = clapper verb lb. L19. 6 verb trans. Punch in the face; hit. slang. docker /'ktako/ noun1. Scot. & north.

M20.

E19.

[from clock verb1 + -er1.]

A sitting hen.

lme.

[Anglo-Norman clocher. Old French clochier, (also mod.) clocher, from doche bell (see cloak) + -er-ER2.]

A bell tower; a belfry.

b but. d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat, I leg, m man. n no, p pen. r red, s sit, t top, v vanL,

etc.) by clucking, lme-eis. 2 verb intrans. Of the stomach, water, etc.: gurgle, oe. 3 verb intrans. & trans. Of a bird etc.: sit on eggs; incubate; hatch. Scot. & north. 117.

4 verb trans. Look at, watch, observe, notice, slang.

L19.

1 A bell-glass; a small translucent (esp. glass) cover for forcing or protecting outdoor plants. Li9. 2 In full cloche hat. A woman’s close-fitting bell¬ shaped hat. E20. clocher /’kbuja/ noun.

dock /klDk/ noun2,

E20.

In France: a beggar, a vagrant. [French - bell: see cloak.]

[Imit.: cf. clatter noun, verb.]

► A verb, fl verb intrans. Chatter, rare. E16-M19. 2 verb trans. & intrans. (Cause to) make a thin vibratoiy rattling sound. Mi6. ► B noun. A thin vibratory rattling sound. L19.

Phrases: Act of Parliament clock see parliament noun, against the clock: see against preposition 1 astronomical clock see astronomical 1. atomic clock beat the clock complete a task before a stated rime, biological clock, by Shrewsbury clock see Shrewsbury 1 digital clock: see digital adjective 1. French clock see French adjective. German clock: see German adjectiveL hold the clock on ascertain the time taken by. jack of the clock see Jack noun1 2. journeyman clock: see journeyman 3. master clock: see master noun1 & adjective, musical clock: see musical adjective, night clock: see night noun, o'clock, of the clock see of preposition, punch the clock: see punch verb, put the clock back reset a clock to an earlier time; fig. go back to a past age or earlier state of affairs; take a retrograde step, regulator clock: see regulator 4. round the clock for 24 or 12 hours without inter¬ mission; all day and night; ceaselessly, set the clock back = put the clock back above, settler's clock: see settler 2. speaking clock: see speaking ppl adjective, talking clock: see talking ppl adjective, turn the clock back=put the clock back above, watch the clock eagerly wait for a particular time, esp. the end of working hours, water-clock: see water noun. Comb. : clock-face the dial-plate of a clock; clock golf a lawn game in which the players putt to a hole in the centre of a circle from successive points on its circumference; clock radio a com¬ bined clock and radio, which can be set so that the radio will come on at a desired time; clock tower: built for a large dock: clock-watch verb intrans. eagerly wait for a particular time, esp. the end of working hours; clock-watcher a person who clockwatches, a person who takes care not to exceed minimum working hours. ■ clockwise adjective & adverb in the direction of movement of the hands of a clock, moving in a curve from left to right as seen from a central position Li 9.

register arrival, departure, by means of an automatic recording clock; transf. start, stop, working; arrive, leave.

clochard /kbja:r/ noun. PI. pronounced same. M20. [French, from clocher to limp.]

doche /klDf, kbuj/ noun.

7 A dial indicating pressure, consumption, etc.; esp. a taximeter, a speedometer, an odometer, colloq. M20. 8 computing. An electronic device, usu. a stable oscillator, used to initiate actions within, and to synchronize, sequential logic circuits. M20.

[Old English doccian, cf. Middle Dutch clocken (Dutch kloclcen), Swedish dial, klokka: cf. cluck verb.] 1 verb intrans. Cluck, oe. Efb verb trans. Call (chickens

dobiosh noun var. of klaberjass.

[mod. Latin from Greek kleitoris.]

2 An instrument for indicating or measuring time, usu. utilizing the motion of wheels controlled by period¬ ically wound-up springs or weights or by electricity etc., or (now) utilizing vibrating atoms, piezoelectric crystals, etc., to record and show hours, minutes, etc., by hands on a dial or by displayed figures, lme. Eb (Usu. C-.) The constellation Horologium, mi9. 3 A watch; esp. a stopwatch. Now colloq. mi6. j-4 The hour as struck by the clock. E17-M18. 5 The downy seed-head of a dandelion etc. M19. 6 The human face, slang. E20. Eb A punch (in the face).

clock /klok/ verb1. Now Scot. & north.

[Origin unkn.]

clitoris /’klit(a)ns/ noun. Ei7.

LME-E18.

clock).

clobber /'kloba/ verb3 trans. slang.

[from en(clitic, pro)clitic.] = ENCLITIC, PROCLITIC.

GRAMMAR.

fl Orig., a bell. Later, the gong of a striking watch.

oe.

tdoaths noun pi. var. of clothes. clobber /'klDbo/ noun1

lme.

[Middle Low German, Middle Dutch klocke (Low German, Dutch klok) corresp. to Old English cluege. Old Frisian klokke, Old High German glocka (German Glocke bell). Old Norse klokka, klucca, from Germanic from medieval Latin clocca: cf. cloak.]

slang. M20.

-cae/-si:, -ki:/, -cas. L16.

[Latin cloaca, cluaca rel. to cluere cleanse.]

a pretence; a covering. E16. f 2 An academic or clerical gown, esp. a Geneva gown.

■ dippingly adverb Mi9

ditter-datter /'klitaklata/noun.

Clothes. Esp. in old do’. cloaca /kbo’eika/ noun. PI.

ffl 1 /ig.:

me.

1 The action of clip verb2, me. 2 A piece clipped off; a paring; a shred of cloth etc.; (chiefly N. Amer.) = cutting noun 2c. me.

[from

divia /'klAivia/ noun. Also

[mod. Latin, from Clive, maiden name of Charlotte, Duchess of

Li9.

► A noun. An abrupt alternating sound as of the beating of a horse's hoofs on a hard surface. Li9. ► B verb introns. Infl. -pp- Move with or make such a sound. E20.

clipper/'klipa/noun.

dock /klDk/ noun1,

clivers noun var. of cleavers.

docker 'kink 3/ noun2.

E20.

(from clock verb2.]

A person who embroiders clocks. w we.

z zoo.

J she,

3 vision,

9 thin,

3 this,

rj ring,

tj chip,

dj jar

429

docker | dose

docker/'kbka/noun3. [from clock verb’

E20.

+ -er1.]

1 horse-racing. A person (usu. employed by a racing magazine or paper) who times horses’ training runs in order to give a guide to form. US. 2 A person who turns back the milometer of a motor vehicle so that it registers a falsely low mileage, slang. L20.

3 [Perh. because such dealers work around the clock.) A drug dealer, esp. one who works on the streets. US slang. L20. clockwork /'klDkwo:k/ noun & adjective. Ei7. [from clock

noun' + work noun.)

► A noun. A mechanism utilizing the motion of wheels controlled by periodically wound up springs (as in a clock). El 7.

3 (Within gay culture) a homosexual man who adopts an exaggeratedly macho appearance and style of dress.

Phrases: clogs to clogs in three generations the return of a family to poverty after one generation of prosperity, pop one ’s clogs: see pop verb 2. Comb, clog-almanac Hist. = sense 5 above; dog-dance a dance performed in clogs with rhythmic beating of the feet; transf. a dance imitating this: dog-dancer a person who performs a clog-dance. ■ dogger noun [a) a maker of clogs; (b) slang a player in soccer who habitually fouls in tackling: Mis. dogginess noun the state or quality of being cloggy Li 8. doggy adjective lumpy, knotty; sticky; frill of clogging matter: li 6.

► B verb trans. Propagate or produce as a clone; create gen¬ etically identical copies of. M20.

clog /kbg/ verb. Infl. -gg-.

with a clog; fasten by a clog; encumber, hamper, hinder. lme.

2 verb trans. Obstruct or encumber by stickiness. E16. 3 a verb trans. Fill up or up so as to hinder free passage, action, or function. Li 6. kb verb intrans. Become filled (up) so as to hinder free passage, action, or function. M17. 4 verb trans. Satiate, surfeit, cloy, obsolete exc. dial. Li6. 5 verb trans. Put wooden soles on (shoes etc.). M17. 6 verb intrans. Perform a clog-dance. E20.

► B attrib. or as adjective. Operated by clockwork; of or like clockwork, mis. Q3 S. E. Ferrier A very.. quiet, old-fashioned family, quite clock-work in our ways and hours. V. Nabokov Mere springs and coils produced the movement of our clockwork man.

Cl 1 Shelley Superstition.. has.. clogged man to earth, A. W. Kinglake The whole flotilla would be clogged by the slowness of the sailing vessels. A. Powell Extraneous detail that can clog a narrative. 2 A. T. Ellis Her boots were dogged with mud. 3a W. Dufton When the Eustachian tube is clogged up with mucus. H. Kissinger The White House switchboard was clogged with congratulatory phone calls, b F. L. Wright Broken stone does not clog up.

/kbd/noun. lme.

[Var. of clot noun.)

11 A coagulated mass; a clot of blood etc. lme-mis. 2 A mass of solid matter; a lump of earth, clay, loam, etc., esp. one formed by ploughing, lme. kb A sod, a turf. obsolete exc. dial. L16. 3 A coarse cut of meat from the lower neck of an ox. LI 5.

doison / kbiz(a)n: foreign klwazo (pi. same)/ noun.

4 Earth, clay, lumpy soil. Li6. kb mining. Soft shale, esp. over a coal-seam. Mi9. 5 fig. A human body, a human being, as non-spiritual or mortal. Li6. 6 fig. A blockhead; a clumsy awkward person; a dull unresponsive person; a dolt. Cf. clot noun 3. Now colloq.

[French.] cloisonne /klwazone/ adjective & noun. M19. [French, pa. pple of doisonnerto partition, formed as prec.]

More fully cloisonne enamel. (Designating) enamelwork or -ware in which the colours in the pattern are separated by thin strips of metal etc.

7 A small loaf of (esp. coarse) bread. Scot. Lis. 8 A copper coin, slang. E20.

cloister /'kloisto/ noun & verb.

E3 2 Milton Two massie clods of Iron and Bras. W. Sewel Clods and stones were thrown at him. 4 the clod spec, the earth as a place for burial. 5 Spenser Us wretched earthly clods. 6 R. D. Blackmore The Doones were of very high birth, as all we clods of Exmoor knew. J. Raban His portrait of desert life is so loving.. that one would be a clod not to be moved by it.

me.

[Old French do(i)stre (mod. doitre) from Latin claustrum, clostrum lock, bar, enclosed space, from dcms- pa. ppl stem of daudere close verb + -trnrn instr. suffix.] ► A noun. 1 A place of religious seclusion; a convent, a

monastic house, me. 2 sing. & (freq.) in pi. A covered place for walking, often round a quadrangle with a wall on the outer and a colon¬ nade or windows on the inner side, esp. of convent, college, or cathedral buildings, me. 3 An enclosed space, an enclosure, obsolete exc. as passing into fig. uses of senses 1,2. lme.

Comb.: clodhopper colloq. (a) a ploughman, an agricultural labourer; a country bumpkin; a clumsy awkward person; (b) a large clumsy shoe (usu. in pi): clodhopping adjective [colloq.) large and clumsy, awkward, loutish; dodpate arch, a blockhead; dodpated adjective [arch.) blockheaded; clodpole. dodpoll a blockhead; a bumpkin, a lout. ■ cloddish adjective somewhat like a clod, boorishly stolid, clumsy and awkward M19. cloddy adjective t(a) characterized by clots, clotted, coagulated; (b) characterized by or full of clods; (c) like a clod, cloddish: lme.

1 the cloister monastic life, seclusion. Comb.: cloister-garth the open court enclosed by a cloister. ► B verb trans. 1 Surround (as) with a cloister; convert into

a cloister, lme. 2 Enclose or shut up in a cloister or religious house.

clod /klDd/ verb. Infl. -dd-. lme.

LI 6.

3 Shut up in a secluded place, Li6. 4 fig. Confine, restrain within narrow limits,

[from the noun: cf. clot verb.] 1 verb trans. Clear (land) of clods etc. obsolete exc. Scot. dial. \2 verb trans. Cover with clods; enclose (as) in clods. LME-E17.

3 verb intrans. & trans. fa Clot, coagulate, lme-mis. kb Stick together in clods, form into clods. Chiefly as cloddedppladjective, mi6. 4 verb trans. Pelt with clods, throw clods, stones, etc., at: drive away, out with clods, stones, etc. Chiefly Scot. & dial.

cloistral

/'kbistr(a)l/ adjective. E17.

[from cloister noun + -al'; cf. medieval Latin daustralis, Old & mod. French daustra!.]

Of or pertaining to a cloister; monastic; belonging to a monastic order.

E16. Li 8.

doke noun' see clutch noun’.

dodder /'kbda/ noun. Long dial. rare. lme. [from next.)

A clotted or curdled mass; a clot. dodder verb var. of clotter.

0

clonus /'kbunos/ noun. E19. [Latin from Creek Ido nos turmoil.]

Muscular spasm involving repeated, often rhythmic, contractions. medicine.

tdooch noun see clutch noun'. doop /klu:p/ noun & verb intrans. Mi9. [Imit.]

(Make) a muted popping sound, as, of a cork being drawn from a bottle. doose noun see clow. doot /klu:t/ noun. Scot&north. Ei8. [Prob. from Old Norse Ido claw noun1.] 1 (A division of) a cloven hoof. E18. 2 In pi. C-. The Devil, colloq. Li 8. ■ Clootie noun (colloq.) the Devil Lis.

dop /kbp/ noun & verb. Freq. redupl. dop-dop. Also (now rare) k-. See also clip-clop. Mi9. [Imit.]

► A noun. An abrupt sound as of heavy shoes or a horse’s hoofs on a hard surface. M19. ► B verb intrans. Infl. -pp-. Move with or make such a sound. M19. cloque /'kbukei/ noun. Also Anglicized as doky /’kboki/. E20. [French, lit. 'blistered'.]

A fabric with an irregularly raised or embossed surface. dosabte /'kbuzabfa)!/ adjective. Also dose-. E20. [from close verb + -able.]

Able to be dosed. 5 Earlier in unclosable.

dose /kbus/ noun', me. [Old & mod. French clos from Latin clausum closed place, enclos¬ ure, use as noun of neut. pa. pple of daudere close verb.] ► 11 gen. An enclosed place, an enclosure, me. 2 a An enclosure about or beside a building. Long obsolete in gen. sense. ME. >b spec. The precinct of a cath¬

edral. Formerly also, the precinct of any sacred place, a cloister, lme. kc A farmyard. Now dial. lme. 3 a A field, an enclosed piece of land. Now dial. & law. lme. kb A playing field at certain English public schools. LI 9.

4 An entry, a passage, an alleyway. Chiefly Scot., an entry from a street to a common stairway or a court at the back of a building; also, a common stairway or court with such an entry, lme. 5 A (usu. short) street dosed at one end, a cul-de-sac. Freq. in proper names. Ei8. H 1 Tennyson I lay Pent in a roofless dose of ragged stones, break a close, break a person's close law trespass on another's land. 3b H. Newbolt There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night, Ten to make and the match to win!

1 An act of coming to an end; an end, a conclusion.

[Greek klori twig, slip.]

► A noun. 1 A group of organisms (orig. plants) produced by asexual means from a single ancestor to which they are genetically identical. E20. 2 An individual organism so produced; an animal or person that develops from one somatic cell of its parent and is genetically identical to that parent. L20. kb Each of two or more identical people, an imitator, a double; a copy, esp. a microcomputer designed to simulate another (more expensive) model. L20. : saw. A run. u put. u; too. a ago,

lme. f2 The closing passage of a speech, argument, etc. L16-M18.

3 music. The conclusion of a phrase, a cadence. Li6. 4 A dosing or uniting together; union, junction. Chiefly poet. L16. 5 A closing in fight, a grapple, a struggle, arch. Lis.

E19.

done /kbun/ noun & verb. E20.

1 A block of wood etc. used to prevent or hinder move¬ ment, loss, or escape; fig. an impediment, an encum¬ brance. ME. 2 A thick piece of wood, a log. obsolete exc. Scot. lme. 3 A heavy shoe or overshoe with a wooden sole; a heavy wooden shoe with an upturned pointed toe of a type traditionally worn in the Netherlands, lme. 14 A fir cone, a pine cone. L16-E18. 5 Hist. A calendar cut on the sides of a square (usu. wooden) block. L17.

► A noun & interjection. (Repr.) an abrupt heavy metallic sound of impact. Ml 9. ► B verb. 1 verb intrans. Move with or make a clonk or clonks. M19. 2 verb trans. Hit forcibly, colloq. M20.

[from close verb.]

[Imit.: cf. clamp noun3 & verb1, clump noun, verb.]

/king/ noun. me. [Origin unkn.)

tonic-clonic see tonic adjective 1.

donk /klDgk/ noun, interjection, & verb. M19.

dose /kboz/ noun2, lme.

► A verb intrans. = clump verb 1. ► B noun. = clump noun 4. M19.

dog

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of clonus. Opp. tonic adjective 1.

►|II 6 An enclosing line, a drcuit, a boundary. ME-M17.

E19.

commodities given to cover inaccuracies in retailing in smaller quantities.

[from clonus + -ic.) medicine.

doky noun see cloque.

clomp /klDmp/ verb & noun. Also (Scot.) domph /klmnf/.

[Origin unkn.) Hist. A proportion of the weight of certain wholesale

■ clonal adjective E20. donally adverb M20.

clonic /'klDnik/ adjective. Mi9.

cloke noun3 & verb see cloak.

domb verb see climb verb.

doff /klDf/ noun. Ei6.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, 1 sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot.

E17.

■ cloistered adjective shut up (as) in a cloister; secluded, shel¬ tered (lit. & fig.): Li6. cloisterer noun (now rare) a person who lives in a cloister, a monk or nun me. cloisterless adjective lme. doisterly adjective of, pertaining to. or characteristic of a cloister L16- tcloistress noun (rare. Shakes.) a nun: only in E17.

LME.

5 verb trans. Heave, throw heavily. Scot. & north.

L17.

A partition, a division.

LI 6.

L20.

[Imit.: cf. clank, clink noun', verb', clunk verb 8, noun3.)

lme.

[from the noun.) 1 verb trans. Fasten a clog to, impede (an animal etc.)

ffl fig. : G. Berkeley The clockwork of nature. M. R. Mitford This jewel of a valet, this matchless piece of clock-work, (as) regular as clockwork, like clockwork smooth(ly), regular(ly), automatic(ally).

clod

CO 1 C. Lamb I never tied tin-kettle, clog. Or salt-box to the tail of dog. C. V. Wedgwood That dog on their action—the powerless, reduced but obstructive House of Lords.

ai

my. ao how, ei day.

3 PLACAL close

dose /kbus/ adjective & adverb, lme. [Old & mod. French clos from Latin clausus pa. pple of daudere close ver6.] ► A adjective. I Of a dosed condition or its results. 1 Closed, shut; having no part left open. ime. kb heraldry. Of wings: folded to the body. E17. kc phonetics.

Of a vowel: articulated with the tongue in a relatively high position. Ei7. au no. e: hair, ra near, 01 boy. 0.1 poor, ais tire, aua sour

430

dose | dosure 2 Shut up in prison etc., under strict restraint. Of con¬ finement: strict. LME. 3 Concealed from observation: hidden, secret, secluded; arch, private, snug. lme. 4 Secretive, reticent, reserved, lme. 15 Rigorous, severe. lme-li8. 6 Enclosed, esp. with walls or barriers; shut in or away from; confined, contracted; narrow, li 5. 7 Of air, atmosphere, etc.: stuffy, airless, stifling. Li6. 8 Stingy, niggardly; grudging any expense. Mi7. 9 Restricted or limited to a privileged few. El 9. 10 Under prohibition; during which something is pro¬ hibited. E19. £Q 1 A. Trollope I've brought a close carriage for him. 2 Wellington Captain—is in close arrest. 3 S. Johnson A close room, an easy chair. I. Murdoch She kept this inter¬ lude a dose secret and never spoke of it to anyone. 4 Dickens He was too dose to name his circumstances to me. 5 J. Wesley She had close trials from her poor, apostate husband. 6 W. Owen Down the close, darkening lanes they sang their way. 7 A. Paton It was dose and sultry, and soon there would be thunder. S. Bellow The house was close and faintly sour with furniture polish. 8 A. S. Byatt He would break a close northern habit of meanness to provide cham¬ pagne. 9 Bosw. Smith These.. filled up the vacancies from among themselves, like the members of a close college.

► II Of proximity of space or time. 11 Dense or compact in texture or arrangement; with no or only slight intervals. Cf. earlier B.4 below. L15. ►b Detailed, concentrated, searching, thorough; leaving no gaps or weaknesses. M17. 12 Of an item of clothing etc.: fitting exactly or tightly. L15. 13 Very near in relation or connection; intimate, con¬ fidential. Cf. earlier B.s below. Lie. Fb Of a translation etc.: following or resembling the original to a large extent. Ei8. 14 Very near in position; in or nearly in contact; nar¬ rowly escaped. Cf. earlier B.s below. E17. 15 Of a contest, its outcome, etc.: nearly equal, nar¬ rowly decided. Mi9. £□11 Dryden In dose plantations. T. Hardy Their vans .. were drawn up.. in close file, b Coleridge A close reasoner. E. A. Bond Under a dose cross-questioning. F. R. Leavis Close analytical study of a few poems. 13 W. Paley In dose conformity with the Scripture account. P. Scott No close friend by whom to be comforted. C. Connolly With the sea.. his relations were always close and harmonious. P. V. White We were a very close family. 14 J. Heller The tables in the delicatessen were small and close.

► B adverb. (Some pred. uses of the adjective pass into this.) 1 In or into a closed position, lme. 2 In concealment, hiding, or strict confinement, lme. f3 Secretly, covertly. lme-mi7. 4 Tightly; fast; densely, compactly; so as to leave no interstices or openings; searchingly, thoroughly, lme. 5 Very near in position, relation, or connection; in or into immediate proximity or intimacy, lme. 6 gen. In a close manner; closely. M17. P3 2 A. S. Byatt We must keep our secrets close. 4 C. Thirlwall The closer they are examined, the more suspidous do they appear. 5 Joseph Hall Let us pile up all dose together. J. C. Powys The courage.. to move up close to him. I. McEwan They kissed and sat close. Special collocations, comb., & phrases: as close as it can stick, as close as one can stick: see stick verb', at close range see range noun*. close as wax: see wax noun', close borough: see borough noun 3. close by very near (to), close call colloq. = close shove below, dose-carpet verb trans. cover the whole floor of (a room) with carpet, close communion: see communion 5. close-cropped adjective (of hair) cut very short, close encounter: spec, a sup¬ posed encounter with a UFO or extraterrestrials; close encounter of the first, second, etc., kind involving increasing degrees of complexity and apparent exposure of the witness to aliens, tclose-flghts pi. = close quarters (a) below close-fisted adjective that keeps the hand tightly shut; chiefly fig., niggardly, grudging, close-fitting adjective (of a garment) fitting closely to the body, close-grained adjective without gaps between fibres etc. dose-handed adjective (arch.) = close-fisted above, close harmony the singing of parts within an octave or twelfth, close-hauled adjective (of a ship) with sails hauled aft to sail close to the wind, close-knit adjective intimately united by common interests, marriage, etc. dose-lipped adjective with tightly set lips: fig. reticent, discreet, close mourning arch, deep mourning, dose-mouthed adjective = close-lipped above, close on very near to, nearly, close port see port noun1, dose quarters pi. (a) Hist, barriers across a ship's decks providing a place of retreat for the crew and with holes for firing at a hostile boarding party; (b) direct contact, esp. with an enemy; uncomfortable nearness; (at close quarters, very near, from a very short distance), dosereef verb trans. (Motion) reef closely, take in all the reefs of (a sail or ship), close season a period when something is forbidden by law. as the killing of game, or does not take place, as the playing of cricket or another organized sport, close shave a narrow escape, a near thing, close-stool a chamber-pot enclosed in a stool with a cover, close thing = close shave above, close to home: see home noun & adjective, close to the bone: see bone noun. close to the wind nautical against the wind as nearly as is com¬ b but, d dog,

f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

patible with its filling the sails, dose upon = close on above hold one’s cards close to one’s chest: see chest noun, maison close pound close: see pound noun1 ta. ■ closen verb trans. 8, intrans. make or become dose(r), close up M19 closish adjective fairly close M19. dose /klaoz/ verb. me. [Old & mod. French clas- pa. ppl stem of clore from Latin claudere shut, close.) . . . . 1 verb trans. Enclose, confine, encompass; fig. include, contain. (Foil, by in, within.) arch. me. 2 verb trans. Cover or block (an opening); move (a lid, door etc.) so as to cover or block an opening; cover or block up the opening(s) of (a box, room, etc.); officially prohibit access to (a public building etc.), declare to be no longer open. me. 3 verb intrans. Become enclosed, covered or blocked up, or (esp. officially) inaccessible; become or be declared to be no longer open; move so as to cover or block an opening (foil, by over, (upjon a person who or a thing which has entered), lme. 4 verb trans. Bring to an end; conclude, complete, settle (a bargain etc.), lme. , J . . , . 5 verb intrans. Come to an end; conclude, finish speaking or writing (with a particular remark etc ), lme. Fb verb intrans. Of stocks or shares: be at a particular price at the close of a day’s trading, m 19. 6 verb trans. Bring closer or into contact; draw together so as to eliminate gaps or openings, lme. Fb Join together the uppers of (a boot or shoe). Ei9. Fc Make (an

electric circuit etc.) continuous. Li9. 7 verb intrans. Come closer or into contact; coalesce, meet in a common centre; draw near, approach close. lme. Fb Come within strildng distance, come to close quarters, grapple (with). L16. 8 verb intrans. Come to terms, come to an agreement, (with); agree with, (up)on an offer, terms, etc. E17. 9 verb trans. Chiefly nautical. Come close to or alongside Of. L17. £0 1 W. Prynne They.. closed him in a monastery. Tennyson I dung to all the present for the promise that it dosed. 2 T. Gray Now my weary lips I dose. Ld Macaulay An attempt.. to dose the coffee houses. P. Kavanagh The potato-stalks closed the alleys. T. Keneally They dosed the .. pasture gates behind them. T. Berger He sprinkled a bit of salt into the pot before closing it with the lid. close a gap see gap noun, close one’s eyes against, close one’s eyes to: see eye noun, close one’s heart (to): see heart noun, close one’s mind (to): see mind noun1, close the books see book noun, close the door on, close the door to: see door noun. 3 Dickens On June 24th the eyes of the brilliant comedian closed upon the world. Jan Morris The Cowley works close for their annual holidays. 4 G. Saintsbury Dryden.. at once closed the period of his own contemporaries and opened a new one. 5 D. J. Enright I want to close by reading three poems. C. Ives The day of leaders, as such, is gradually closing. 6 E. Hemingway My hands were so sore I could hardly close them over the oars, close ranks fig. maintain solidarity. 7 Shakes. Hen. V As many lines close in the dial's centre. R. Sutcliff Closing round them as a wolf-pack closes round its prey, b C. Isiterwood They closed.. and staggered grappling about the room. 8 H. Belloc Mr. Foley was glad that he came to a sensible business decision .. and closed with him. W. Golding I closed.. with this very advanta¬ geous offer. 9 F. Marryat We.. closed the admiral's ship, and the captain went on board. With adverbs in specialized senses: close down (a) verb phr. trans. close by forcing or fastening down; (b) verb phr. trans. & intrans. stop the functioning of, stop functioning, esp. permanently; (of a broad¬ casting station) end transmission until the next day. close in (a) verb phr. trans. confine by covering or blocking the means of egress, hem in, enclose; (b) verb phr. trans. shut with inward motion; f(c) verb phr. intrans. come to agreement with; (d) verb phr. intrans. come into contact or to close quarters with; (e) verb phr. intrans. come nearer so as to surround or envelop; (of days etc.) get successively shorter; (foil, by (upjon). close off verb phr. trans. prevent access to by covering or blocking the means of entrance, close out verb phr. trans. (N. Amer.) clear out (stock etc.), bring (a business etc.) to a close, dispose of, discontinue, close up (a) verb phr. trans. confine or prevent access to by covering or blocking the opening(s); cover or block up completely; shut, esp. temporarily; bring the parts of closer together or into contact; (b) verb phr. trans. (arch.) bring to an end; (c) verb phr. intrans. move closer (to); coalesce; become more dense or compact.

doseable adjective var. of closable. closed /klaozd/ ppl adjective. ME. [from close verb + -ed1.] 1 gen. That has been closed; not open. me.

2 Limited in number or by certain conditions; selfcontained, not communicating with others, mi9. Fb math. Limited in some specified way; esp. (of a set) having the property that the result of a specified operation on any element of the set is itself a member of the set; also, (of a set) containing all its limit points. M19. Special collocations & comb.: closed book: see book noun, closed caption (chiefly N. Amer.) noun & verb (a) noun one of a series of sub¬ titles to a television programme, accessible through a decoder; (b) verb (closed-caption) provide (a programme) with such cap¬ tions. closed-circuit adjective (of television) for a restricted number of receivers by use of wires not waves for transmission, closed door fig. an obstacle, an impasse, a restriction; behind

1 leg, m man. n no,

p pen.

r red. s sit,

closed doors, in secret, in private, closed-door adjective restricted, obstructive, secret, closed-end adjective having a pre¬ determined extent, closed loop see loop noun* 13. c osed season N. Amer = close season s.v. close adjective & adverb, closed shop (the system obtaining in) a workshop or other establish¬ ment where only members of a trade union may be employed, closed society; characterized by a rigid system of beliefs, resist¬ ing all contact with other systems, and hostile to any structural change, closed syllable: ending in a consonant.

closely /'kbusli/ adverb,

lme.

[from close adjective + -lyA]

In a close manner; so as to be or make close. CJ Shakes. Ham!. We have closely sent for Hamlet hither. OED Henry was closely confined in the Tower. D. H. Lawrence He followed her closely. J. Buchan A sheet of yellowish parchment, covered closely with Greek charac¬ ters. J. Cary He listened closely to the details of fashionable life. G. Greene He leant closely to the canvas. J. Mitchell

closeness /'kbosnis/ noun. lme. [from close

adjective + -ness.]

The state or quality of being close. ta Swift Almost stifled by the closeness of the room. H. A. L. Fisher The old Norse literature.. stands out.. for .. its closeness to the facts of life. C. Freeman She felt a strange closeness to the actors on the stage.

closer/'kbuza/noun. lme. [from close verb+ -er*.[

1 gen. A person who or thing which closes something; a person who or thing which forms a close, lme. 2 A worker who joins together the uppers of boots or shoes. Ei8. 3 A stone or brick smaller than the rest, used to end a course of brickwork etc. E18. closet /'klDzit/ noun & adjective, lme. [Old French, dim. of dos: see close

noun', -et*.]

► A noun. 1 A private or small room, esp. one used for private interviews, devotions, or study, lme. 2 The private apartment of a monarch. Now Hist. lme. 3 A room etc. for urination and defecation; a lavatory. LI 5.

4 a A private repository of valuables, curiosities, etc.; a cabinet. Now chiefly in china-closet (passing into sense b). E17. Fb A cupboard, a recess for storage. Now dial. & N. Amer. Ei7. 2 Clerk of the Closet the British monarch’s principal chap¬ lain. 3 water-closet see water noun. 4b come out of the closet fig. stop hiding something about oneself, esp. one's homo¬ sexuality; come to public notice or view, skeleton in the closet see skeleton noun. Comb.: closet play a play to be read rather than acted. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Concealed, secret, private. E17. £2 Sunday Telegraph He was not a closet Papist intoxicated by bells and fancy vestments, closet queen slang a man who conceals his homosexuality.

closet /'klDzit/ verb trans. L16. [from the noun.]

Shut up (or J up) in a closet; detain for a private consult¬ ation etc. Freq. in pass., be in private consultation (with). CD Ld Macaulay Some of the Churchmen whom he had closeted had offered to make large concessions. C. S. Forester He was closeted alone with Hudson for a long time.

close-up /'klousAp/ noun. E20. [from close

adjective & adverb + up adverb'.]

A photograph or film taken at short range and showing the subject on a large scale; fig. an intimate and detailed description. medium close-up: see medium adjective.

dosh /klDj/noun. Ei9. [Origin unkn.]

A spiked upright block on the deck of a whaling vessel, on which blubber is cut up. closing /'kbuzig/ noun. lme. [from close verb + -ing1.]

The action of close verb, an act or instance of this: esp. the prohibition of access to a public building, the declar¬ ation that a shop etc. is no longer open. early closing. Sunday closing, etc. Comb.: closing-time the set time at which a public building or place, spec, a public-house, is closed.

Clostridium /klD'stridiam/ noun. PI. -dia /-dia/. L19. [mod. Latin from Greek kloster spindle: see -idium.]

A rod-shaped anaerobic bacterium of the large genus Clostridium, which includes many pathogenic species, e.g. those causing tetanus, gas gangrene, botulism, and other forms of food poisoning. ■ clostridial adjective of, pertaining to, or caused by such bac¬ teria M20.

closure /'kbi^a/ noun & verb. lme. [Old French from late Latin clausura, from claus- pa. ppl stem of claudere close verb: see -ure.[ ► A noun, jl 1 A thing which encloses, shuts in, or con¬ fines. lme-li9. Fb Bound, limit, circuit. L16-M17.

t top, v van, w we, z zoo. J she,

3

vision.

0 thin.

6

this,

ri ring,

tj chip.

d3 jar

431

dot | doudberry

2 An enclosed place; spec, a fortification, an entrench¬ ment. LME-E17. 3 Enclosing, lme-eis. ► II4 An act of closing or shutting, lme. 5 fa Afontanelle ofthe skull. lme-mi6. kb A thing by which another thing is closed or fastened, a fastener.

16 The distinctive clothing worn by employees of the same person or members of the same profession; livery. LME-E19. 7 transf. One’s profession as shown by clothes, esp. cler¬ ical. M17. 7 man of the cloth see man noun, the cloth the clergy. ► B attrib. or as adjective. Made of cloth. Li 6.

E17.

6 The state or condition of being closed. Mi9. kb math. The condition or property of being closed (sense 2b); a function, operation, etc,, which produces this condition; the smallest closed set that contains a given set; the closed set obtained from a given set by adding all the limit points of the latter. E20. ► III 7 A bringing to an end; a conclusion; a close, lme. 8 In a legislative assembly, a decision, by vote or under rules, to put a question without further debate. L19. 9 Orig. psychoanalysis. (An act which brings about) a sense of resolution of a traumatic, emotional, or other experi¬ ence. L20.

[from clot verb + -ed‘. In sense ib prob. alt. of clouted.]

1 Formed into clots or lumps; coagulated, congealed; matted in or with dots; covered with clots of blood etc. E17. kb Of cream: made by scalding milk. Li 9. 2 fig. Concentrated, dense, unpenetrable. L17. ca

Comb. & special collocations: cloth-binding the cover of a book in cloth over boards; cloth-bound adjective having a cloth-binding; cloth-cap adjective pertaining to or characteristic of the working class; cloth-eared adjective (colloq.) having poor hearing, insensi¬ tive to sound; cloth ears colloq. (a person with) poor hearing; cloth-head colloq. a stupid person, a dolt: cloth-headed adjective (colloq.) stupid, foolish; cloth-worker a maker or manufacturer of doth; cloth-yard shaft Hist, an arrow a yard long.

[from clot verb + - er5.]

cloture /'kbotjua/ noun & verb. Now chiefly US.

[Old English clot(t) = Middle High German khz (German Klotz), from Germanic: cf. cleat, clout noun'.]

►

A noun. = closure noun 8. L19. ► B verb trans. = closure verb. L19. clou /klu/ noun. L19. [French, lit. ‘nail, stud'.]

The chief attraction, the point of greatest interest, the central idea. cloud /klaod/ noun. [Old English clud, prob. rel. to clot noun.]

1 A mass of rock, earth, etc.; a hill. Long obsolete exc. local in place-names, oe. 2 (A mass of) visible condensed water vapour sus¬ pended in the atmosphere high over the general level of the ground; in pi. also, the sky, the heavens, me. 3 A thing that darkens or overshadows with gloom, trouble, suspicion, etc.; obscurity; a state of gloom, trouble, etc.; a frowning or depressed look. me. 4 An airborne suspension of smoke, dust, etc.; a hazy aggregation of gas, particles, etc. lme. kb astronomy. A hazy area in the night sky produced by the light of distant stars; a nebula; a region of dust, gas, etc., in deep space appearing lighter or darker owing to the reflec¬ tion, absorption, etc., of light. Mi6. 5 A great number of birds, insects, persons, etc., moving together, lme. 6 A thing that obscures or conceals, ei 6. kb A region of dimness or obscurity in an otherwise clear or transpar¬ ent body or liquid; a fuzzy patch or spot, spec, of another colour on the face of a horse. M16. kc A light loosely knitted woollen scarf or shawl. Now arch. & Canad. dial. 119.

CQ 1 Spenser In mighty amies he was yclad anon. And silver shield. Milton He clad Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts. Tennyson The hand that.. often toil’d to clothe your little ones. B. Trapido Jane would.. clothe herself.. in a dowdy two-piece.

1 A mass of material stuck or matted together; a semi¬ solid lump of coagulated liquid, esp. one formed from blood exposed to air. oe. 2 = clod noun 2. Long dial. me. 3 = clod noun 4. Now rare. lme. 4 fig. A clumsy awkward person; (now more com¬ monly) a stupid person, a dolt. Cf. clod noun 6. Now colloq.

► life. 5 verb trans. Cover as with clothes or a doth. (Foil, by in, with.) me. 6 verb trans. Conceal the true nature or form of, dis¬ guise. (Foil, by in, with.) lme. 7 verb trans. Invest or endue with a character, attributes, etc.; endow with power, a liability, etc. E17. 8 verb trans. Express (thoughts, ideas, etc.) in, with. L17.

M17. B3 1 R. Adams A flat, wet clot of dead leaves. 4 T. Rattigan Johnny, you clot! What about that beer?

£B 5 Sir W. Scott Will spring return.. And blossoms clothe the hawthorn spray? Carlyle Thus he |Man| is also said to be clothed with a body. H. Belloc A wood.. clothing a rocky peak. 6 E. J. Howard Men had more practice at dressing up their lusts, or.. no need to clothe them. 7 Bunyan With such gravity cloath every page. T. Jefeerson The clauses .. clothing consuls with privileges of the law of nations.

Comb.: i clot-bird the wheatear; clotpole dotpoll arch. = clodpole s.v. clod noun. ■ dottish adjective (colloq.) stupid, somewhat blockheaded M20. dotty adjective (now rare) fiill of clots or lumps, inclined to clot LME.

dot/klDt/ verb. Infl. -tt-. lme. [from the noun: cf. clod verb.] 1 a verb intrans. Break up clods. Long dial. lme. kb verb trans. Clear (land) of clods. Long dial. Mi6. 2 a verb intrans. Form into clots; congeal, coagulate, lme. ►b verb trans. Cause to form into clots; mat with sticky matter; cover with clots of dirt etc. L17.

til 2 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. She is advanc'd Above the clouds, as high as heaven itself. L. Deighton Big rain clouds raced across the moon. K. A. Porter La Condesa rose lightly as a cloud. Anthony Huxley Cloud may reduce light intensity to as little as five per cent of that of the full sun. a cloud on the horizon an indication of future trouble, in the clouds mystical, unreal, imaginary: (of a person) abstracted, inattentive. Land ofthe Long White Cloud: see land noun1. lenticular cloud on cloud seven, on cloud nine colloq extremely happy, with one’s head in the clouds unrealistic(ally): living in a world of fantasy. 3 J. HeathStubbs A dark cloud of suspicion broods over all. under a cloud out of favour, discredited. 4 H. E. Bates The tractor seemed to draw behind it a brown and smoky cloud, blow a cloud: see blow verb1, mushroom cloud: see mushroom noun 5 adjective, b Magellanic Cloud. 5 Oort cloud. Oort comet cloud. Oort’s cloud. Oort's comet cloud: see Oort 2. 6 C. V. Wedgwood The cloud of conjecture which obscures Cromwell's actions and motives.

dotheless /'kbuSlis/ adjective. Also fdothless. lme. [from cloth noun + -less.)

Without clothes, destitute of clothing, clothes /ktaoSz, kbuz/ noun pi. Also fdoaths, (Scot. & north.) daes /kleiz/.

CO 2a A Koestler The people were clotting into groups, chattering excitedly. D. Morris Blood spilled.. will clot more quickly, b D. Welch The autumn leaves were clotted into great coloured lumps. E. Bowen Dead leaves clotted and marred the lake.

[Old English ddpas pi. of cloth noun]

1 Things worn to cover the body and limbs. Freq. in comb, with word specifying purpose, oe. kb Clothing etc. for washing; laundry, lme. J2 Swaddling-clothes. Me-mi8. 3 Bedclothes, me.

dot-bur /'klDtba:/ noun. Now dial. M16.

1 bedclothes swaddling-clothes, underclothes, etc change of clothes see change noun 2. old clothes man see old adjective. b drive a buck of clothes: see drive verb. Comb. : clothes-bag, clothes-basket: for holding or conveying clothes to be washed; dothes-brush a stiff brush for removing dust, dirt, etc., from clothes; dothes-conscious adjective aware of or concerned with clothes; dothes-drier a device for drying washed or wet clothes; rotary dothes-drier see rotary adjective: dothes-hanger a shaped piece of wood, wire, etc., from which clothes can be hung in the normal shape, a coat-hanger; clothes-horse a frame for airing washed clothes; fig., an affect¬ edly fashionable person; clothes-line a rope, wire, etc., for hanging washed clothes etc. to dry (rotary clothes-line see rotary adjective): clothes-moth: see moth noun11a: clothes-peg. (chiefly N. Amer.) clothes-pin a clip or forked device of wood, plastic, etc., to hold washing on a clothes-line; dothes-post, dothes-prop a support for a clothes-line. ■ dothesless adjective = clotheless M19. dotheslessness noun

[from next + bur noun’.]

Burdock. dote /kbut/ noun. Now dial. [Old English elate from Germanic base meaning 'to stick': rel. to clay noun.]

Burdock, or another plant resembling it; the yellow water lily (also water dote). doth /klD0/ noun & adjective. [Old English clap = Old Frisian Math, kleth, Middle Dutch Meet (Dutch Meed), Middle High German kleit (German Kieid), of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. PI. cloths, clothes.

► I (A piece of) fabric. 1 A piece of woven or felted material, suited for any of various purposes (identified contextually or specified), as wrapping, spreading, wiping, covering, etc. oe. Lb A tablecloth, me. ►lx A canvas for painting on, a painted canvas. L17-E19. kd theatrical. A large piece of painted scenery. See also backcloth 1. L19. 2 nautical. Ja A sail. Only in lme. kb The sails of a ship collectively, mi7. tc Each of the breadths of canvas of which a sail is composed. L17. 3 A particular length or quantity of woven fabric; a ‘piece’, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 4 Fabric woven or felted from animal, vegetable, mineral, or synthetic fibres; esp. woollen woven fabric used for clothes, lme. 1 altar-cloth, dust-cloth, loincloth neckcloth, tablecloth tea

Comb.: cloudburst a sudden violent rainstorm; cloud-castle a daydream: cloud chamber physics a container of air or gas super¬ saturated with water vapour, used to detect charged particles by the condensation trails which they produce; cloud cover cloud that covers (much of) the sky; the extent to which the sky is covered by cloud; cloud-cuckoo-land [translating Greek Nephelokokkugia (nephele cloud, kokkux cuckoo) In Aristophanes' Birds] a fanciful or ideal realm; cloud-hopping (of aircraft) flying from cloud to cloud esp. for concealment; cloud-land utopia, fairyland: cloudscape a picture or picturesque grouping of clouds; cloud seeder a person who or thing which seeds clouds with crystals to cause rain, cloud seeding the seedingof clouds with crystals; cloud street a line of cumulus clouds formed parallel to the wind direction. ■ cloudless adjective lme. cloudlessness noun M19 cloudlet noun a little cloud L18 cloudlike adjective & adverb (a) adjective resembling (that of) a cloud; (b) adverb in the manner of a cloud: M17.

LI 9. clothier/'kbuata/noun. me. [from cloth noun: see -er1. -ier.] A person engaged in the cloth trade; esp. a seller of

cloud /klaod/ verb.

men’s clothes. clothing /'kbudig/noun. me.

trouble, etc.; throw into the shade, surpass; make dim or obscure; mar, detract from; arch, defame, lme. |2 Hide, conceal. L17-E18. 3 Variegate with vague patches of colour. L17.

1 The action of clothe verb. me. 2 Clothes collectively, dress, me. ►fb Bedclothes. me-li8. ►tc Livery; a livery company. IME-E17. 3 Cloth-making; the cloth trade. Now rare. Mi6. 4 A covering or casing of cloth etc.; esp. lagging, clad¬ ding. Li 8. 5 nautical. Sails, rigging. Li8.

3 clouded leopard a large, spotted, mainly arboreal feline. Neofelisnebulosa, of SE Asia, clouded yellow an orange oryellow and black pierid butterfly of the genus Colias, esp. C. croceus, known in Britain as a migrant from southern Europe. ► n verb intrans. 4 Become overcast or gloomy. (Foil, by

2 protective clothing see protective adjective, wolf in sheep's clothing see wolf noun. Comb, dothing-book a ration book containing clothing coupons; dothing-dub a dub for the purchase or exchange of clothing by small part-payments; clothing coupon .1 ration coupon entitling the holder to a specified quantity of clothes or clothing materials.

► II As clothing. |5a A garment, oe-lme. kb Clothing, dress. ME-E19.

over, up.) M16.

cloudberry /'klaodberi, -b(a)ri/noun. Li6. [App. from cloud noun + berry noun’.]

(The edible orange fruit of) a dwarf thornless bramble, Rubus chamaemorus, of mountain moorlands in north temperate regions.

tclothless adjective var. of clotheless. 0

: saw, a run, u put. u: too. a ago, ai my, au how. ei day.

lme.

[from the noun.] ► I verb trans. 1 Overspread or darken with clouds, gloom,

[from CLOTHE verb * -INC1.]

cloth, etc. cloth of estate, cloth of state a doth erected over a throne or chair as a sign of rank, a canopy fpainted c'ot*1 a painted or embroidered wall-hanging, a tapestry. 4 broadcloth Lancaster cloth, long cloth, oilcloth, sackcloth, etc. cloth of gold, cloth of silver tissue of gold, silver, threads interwoven with silk or wool, cloth of tars cut one's coat according to one’s cloth adapt expenditure to resources, limit one's ambi¬ tion to what is feasible,

L19.

[French cloture from Old French closure.]

habit. E17. 12 verb trans. Put on as clothing, don. Only in me. 3 verb trans. Cover with a cloth or cloths, lme. ►b nautical. Rig (a ship, mast, etc.). Ei8. 4 verb intrans. Put clothes on, dress oneself; be clothed. Now rare. lme.

clot /klDt/ noun. See also clod noun.

W. Empson I tried to defend my clotted kind of poetry.

= clot verb 2.

(Old English (ge)clapod, -ed ppl adjective, from prec, Infl. by Old Norse klsrdda, kbcddr pa. t. & pple.] ► I lit. 1 verb trans. Provide with clothes; put clothes upon; dress. (Foil, by in, with.) oe. kb spec. Invest in a religious

►t IV10 An agreement, a union, (with). Only in mi7. ► B verb trans. Apply closure to (a motion, speakers, etc.) in a legislative assembly. Li9.

2

dotter /'klDto/ verb intrans. & trans. Now arch. & dial. Also dodder /'kind?/. See also clutter verb. lme.

clothe /klsu5/ verb. Also tcloath Pa. t. & pple clothed. (arch., techn., & formal) clad /klad/. See also yclad.

£3 8 kangaroo closure see kangaroo noun 3. 9 David Mitchell You need peace of mind, some closure.

a cat, a: arm, e bed, a: her, r sit, i cosy, i: see, d hot,

dotted /'klDtid/ ppl adjective. E17.

1

no, e: hair, in near,

01

boy, us poor, ais tire, aus sour

432

cloudy | club 1

cloudy /'klaudi/ adjective, oe. [from cloud noun + -Y1.]

fl Rocky, hilly, oe-lme. 2 Of or like cloud; of or pertaining to the clouds; char¬ acterized by clouds, having many clouds; obscured by cloud(s). ME. 3 Not transparent or clear, lme. ►b Variegated with vague patches of colour. Now rare. Li7. 4 Darkened by ignorance etc.; (of ideas etc.) unclear, indistinct, vague, lme. 5 Darkened by misfortune, grief, anger, etc.; gloomy, sullen, frowning, lme. ■ cloudily adverb L16. cloudiness noun L16.

Comb. : dove-brown (of) the colour of cloves; medium brown; clove carnation = sense 2 above; clove-gillyflower see branch I above; clove pink = sense 2 above.

dove /kbuv/ noun3. Also tclaw lis. [Anglo-Latin clavus, Anglo-Norman dou, dove.] Hist. A weight of cheese or wool, equal to 7 or 8 lbs

(approx. 3.2 to 3.6 kg).

[Old English cloh (in place-names) from Germanic, rel. to Old High German klinga (German dial. Klinge) ravine.] 1 A ravine, a steep valley usu. with a torrent bed. oe. 2 A cliff, a crag, a rock. Long obsolete exc. Scot. lme.

A rocky cleft or fissure; a gap, a ravine. Chiefly in placenames. clove verb see cleave verb'. dove hitch /'kbuv hitj/ noun phr. Mi8.

dough noun2 var. of clow.

[from dove pa. pple of cleave verb' (as showing parallel separate lines) + hitch noun.]

dour /kluo/ noun & verb. Scot. & north, lme. [Origin unkn.] ► Anoun.fi Aknoll,amound.lme-mi7.

2 A swelling or lump (on the head) caused by a heavy blow. E16. 3 A heavy blow. L18. 4 A dent caused by a heavy blow. E19. ► B verb trans. Dent; strike heavily; raise a swelling or lump on (the head) by a heavy blow. Li 6. dout/klaut/noun1. [Old English clut, corresp. to Middle 8, mod. Low German, Middle Dutch klut(e) (Dutch Muit lump, clod). Old Norse klutr kerchief: rel. tO CLEAT, CLOT nOUO.J

► 11 A piece of cloth, leather, etc., for mending; a patch. OE.

2 A metal plate, esp. one fixed to an axle-tree to prevent wear, obsolete exc. dial. oe. f 3 A shred, esp. of cloth. ME-E17. 4 A piece of cloth (gen.); a doth, esp. one put to squalid uses; a rag; an article of clothing. Now arch.&dial. me. >b A handkerchief. Now dial. & slang, lme. 5 In pi. Swaddling-clothes. Now dial. me. 6 archery. Orig. (Hist.), (a piece of canvas on a frame and laid on the ground as) the mark shot at in archery; a shot that hits the mark. Now spec, a target twelve times the usual size, used flat on the ground with a flag marking its centre. Li 6. 7 = CLOUT-NAIL. E19. id 4 J. Banville In her hospital clouts she sat up in bed .. and talked ecstatically of God. fbabe of clouts a doll, cast a clout remove a garment

► II8 A heavy blow. lme. 9 Personal or private influence; power of effective action, esp. in politics, colloq. M20. clout /klaut/ noun2. Long obsolete exc. dial. me. [Perh. var. of clot noun or formed as prec.] 1 A clot or clod of earth, me. f2 In pi. Cream curds, clotted cream. lme-mi7. 3 A stupid person. E19.

A hitch by which a rope etc. is secured by passing it twice round a spar or rope etc. that it crosses at right angles. cloven /'kbuv(a)n/ppladjective,

me.

[pa. pple pf cleave verb1.]

Divided lengthwise; split (into pieces or to a certain depth); bifurcate. cloven foot, cloven hoof: of ruminant quadrupeds, of the god Pan, of the Devil (show the cloven foot, show the cloven hoof see show verb).

cloven verb see cleave verb1. clover /'kbuva/ noun & verb. [Old English dafre - Middle & mod. Low German. Dutch kldver, from Germanic. First syll. corresp. to Old Saxon kle. Old High German kleo (German Klee).] ► A noun. Any of various leguminous plants constituting the genus Trifolium, with white, pink, etc., flowers in crowded heads and with trifoliate leaves; esp. any of several such plants grown as fodder, T. repens (more fully Dutch clover, white clover). T. pratense (more fully red clover), and T. hybridum (more fully alsike clover). Cf. TREFOIL. OE. Darling clover see Darling noun2, four-leaf clover, four¬ leaved clover (a representation of) a clover leaf with four leaf¬ lets, thought to bring good luck, in clover in ease and luxury. Japan clover = lespedeza rabbit-foot clover: see rabbit noun, subterranean clover, see subterranean adjective, sweet clover see sweet adjective & adverb. Comb. : clover-grass clover; clover leaf (chiefly N. Amer.) a road intersection whose layout resembles a four-leaf clover; clover weevil any of various small weevils which feed on leguminous crops. ► B verb trans. Sow or cover with clover. Chiefly as dovered ppl adjective. M17. ■ dovery adjective having much clover; of the nature of clover: M17.

Clovis /'kbuvis/ adjective. M20. [See below.]

clout /klaut/ verb trans. oe. [from clout noun1.]

► 11 Mend with a patch, patch, oe. ►fb Put in, on, to, as a patch. ME-L16. 2 Arm or protect with a metal plate; shoe with cloutnails as protection against wear. lme. f 3 Put together clumsily; botch (up). lme-mi7. 4 Cover with a cloth, arch. L16. 2 clouted shoe: studded with clout-nails as a protection against wear.

► II5 Hit hard. me. ■ douter noun a person who mends or patches; a botcher: ME. fclouteriy adjective clumsy, awkward, clownish M17-E19.

Designating a prehistoric culture first found near Clovis in eastern New Mexico, USA, or its remains, esp. the typical stone projectile points with fluting at the base, which are earlier than the Folsom points (see Folsom).

clow /klau/ noun. Now dial. Also dough. (Scot. & north.) doose /klu:s/. [Old English cluse from late Latin clusa var. ot clausa dosed place or way, later taken as pl.[

11 A narrow pass. Only in oe. 2 A dam for water, a sluice, me. down /klaun/ noun & verb. M16. [Perh. of Low German origin: cf. Northern Frisian Idonne, kliinne, clumsy fellow, kliinj clod, lump, etc.] ► A noun. 1 A countryman, a rustic, a peasant, esp. when

clouted /'klautid/ adjective. Now dial. Mi6. [Perh. from clout noun2 + -ed2.]

Of cream: clotted.

regarded as ignorant, crass, or rude, mi6. 2 A person without refinement or culture; an ignor¬ amus, a boor, an uncouth or ill-bred person. Li6. 3 A fool or jester, esp. in a pantomime or circus. Ei7.

clout-nail /'klautneil/ noun. me. [from clout noun1 or verb + nail noun.]

A nail with a large flat head, clove /kbuv/ noun'. [Old English clufu, corresp. to the first elem. of Old Saxon clufloc 'dove-leek', garlic. Old High German klovolouh (German Knoblauch), from Germanic base rel. to that of cleave verb1.]

1 Each of the small bulbs which make up the com¬ pound bulb of garlic, shallot, etc. oe. 2 A natural segment of a fruit. Now rare. M17. clove /klauv/ noun2, me. [Old French dou de girofle lit. 'nail of gillyflower': cf. gillyflower.]

► I Orig. (long rare in sense 1) clove-gillyflower & vars. 1 The dried flower-bud of a tropical myrtle, Syzygium aromaticum, used as a pungent aromatic spice. Usu. in pi. ME.

2 A clove-scented pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, now known only as carnations and other cultivated forms. Mi6.

Comb. : clown fish an anemone fish. Amphiprion percula, which is orange-brown with black-bordered white stripes and occurs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

► B verb. 1 verb ftrans. with it & intrans. Play the clown; perform as a clown. 116. 2 verb trans. Play the clown in; portray like a clown. Li9. ■ clownery noun the behaviour or acts of a clown, clownish behaviour Li6. clownish adjective pertaining to or characteristic of a down; ignorant, crass, rude; jesting, boisterously comic: Li 6. clownishly adverb L16. clownishness noun 116. clownship noun (a) the estate or condition of a clown or clowns; (b) (with possess, adjective, as your clownship etc.) a mock title of respect given to a clown: E17.

cloy /kloi/ verb.

lme.

[Aphet. from accloy.]

I"1 verb trans. Pierce (as) with a nail; esp. =

accloy 1

lme-ei8.

1 leg, n

man. n no. p pen,

r red, s sit.

2 verb trans. |a Stop up. block (a passage etc.); choke, fill up; clog, encumber. lme-mi7. >b Spike (a gun). Now rare. E17. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Satiate, weary, or nauseate by rich¬ ness, sweetness, sameness, or excess, of food, pleasure, attention, etc. (Foil, by with.) Mi6.

■ cloyingly adverb in a cloying manner or degree E20. cloyless adjective that does not cloy E17. tcloyment noun (rare. Shakes.) satiety: only in E17. doysome adjective [rare) tending to cloy E17.

clozapine "klouzapiai noun. M20. [from c(h)lo(ro-2 + elems. of benzodiazepine.] pharmacology. A sedative of the benzodiazepine group

clove /kbuv/ noun4. US. L18. [Dutch klove, also kloof, in Middle Dutch dove, Middle Low German Wove split, cleft, rel. to cleave verb1.]

dough /klAf/ noun1.

b but, d dog, f few, g get, h he, j yes, k cat,

oil of doves a medicinal oil extracted from cloves.

► II 3 In full clove tree. The tropical myrtle, Syzygium aromaticum, native to the Moluccas. Li6. 4 In pi. A cordial flavoured with cloves. M19.

t top. v van, w we, z zoo,

used to treat schizophrenia. cloze /kboz/ adjective. M20. [Repr. abbreviation of closure noun.]

Designating a comprehension test or testing procedure in which the subject is asked to supply words deleted from a text. club /klab/ noun. ME. [Old Norse clubba assim. form of klumba (cf. khimbu-, IduWaufotr club-footed), rel. to clump noun.]

► I 1 A heavy stick which increases in thickness and weight towards one end, used as a weapon etc. me. 2 A stick or bat used in various ball games, esp. golf. LME. 3 Any organ, structure, etc., shaped like a club or with a knob at the end. lme. tb The butt-end of a gun. Ei8. ►c Chiefly Hist. (A wig with) a club-shaped pigtail. Li8. 4 CARDS, [translating Spanish barto, Italian bastone (cf. basto. baton noun) the club or cudgel figured on Spanish or Italian cards.] In pi. (occas. treated as sing.), one of the four suits into

which a pack of playing-cards is divided, distinguished in British cards by a trefoil leaf in black; sing, a card of this suit. Also occas. a card or (in pi.) the suit distinguished in Spanish and Italian cards by cudgels or batons. M16. ► II t5 Combination into one mass; esp. combination of contributions to make up a total sum; one share of such joint expense. Mi7-n8. f6 A social meeting the expenses of which are jointly defrayed. M17-E19. f7 A secret society, esp. with a political object L17-M18. 8 An association of people united by some common interest; esp. (a) an association meeting periodically for a shared activity or for social purposes; (b) an association in which members make regular payments to a central fund or regular purchases from a central source to acquire some benefit. (Freq. with specification of purpose, nature, or membership.) 117. tb spec. An associ¬ ation of people formed mainly for social purposes and having premises providing meals, temporary residence, etc., for the use of members, lis. >c A group of people, nations, etc., having something in common. M20. 9 A building, rooms, or other premises occupied or owned by a club; an establishment providing entertain¬ ment etc. to members and guests; also = nightclub s.v. night noun. (Freq. with specification as in sense 8 above.) M19. i-J 8 athletic club, benefit-club, book club, Christmas club, fan club, football club, social club, working men’s dub, etc. b A. Trollope The club went on its way like other clubs, and men dined and smoked and played billiards and pretended to read. 9 R. Hoggart Going with her husband to his pub or club. Phrases: Indian dubs see Indian adjective, in the club, in the pudding club slang pregnant, nuclear club: see nuclear adjective, on the club col/oq. through a benefit-club etc. the best club in London joc. the House of Commons. Co mb.: club armchair, club chair a thickly upholstered arm¬ chair of the type often found in clubs; club class an intermedi¬ ate class of fare and accommodation on a passenger aircraft; club-foot a congenitally distorted foot, = talipes; also, a foot of stunted lumpy appearance; club-footed adjective having a club¬ foot; club-haul verb trans. & intrans. (nautical) tack (a ship) by letting the lee-anchor down as soon as the wind is out of the sails, so bringing the head to wind, then cutting the cable and trimming the sails to the other tack when the ship pays off (a last resort); clubhouse the premises occupied by a dub; esp. those attached to a golf course; clubland colloq. the vicinity of St James's in London; any area where there are many clubs; club-law the use of physical force as contrasted with argument; the law of the physically stronger; dub-man (a) a man armed with a club; (b) a member of one or more clubs; club-money money for a club, the subscription to a benefit-club etc.; dubmoss any of various pteridophytes constituting the genus Lycopodium (family Lycopodiaceae) or formerly included in it, which are small creep¬ ing plants (unrelated to mosses) with needle-like or scalelike leaves; lesser dubmoss. an allied smaller mosslike plant, Selaginella selaginoides; dub-root a fungal disease of turnips and other root crops, in which root galls are produced; dub-rush a marsh or aquatic plant of the genus Scirpus or certain related genera of the sedge family; club sandwich (orig. US) a sandwich with two layers of filling between three slices of toast or bread, esp one containing bacon, chicken, and tomato; Club Soda (pro¬ prietary name for) a variety of soda-water. ■ clubbish adjective (a) resembling a club; clumsy, (now dial.) clownish, boorish; (b) fond of dubs, given to frequenting clubs: Ei6. dubbism noun the club system, the practice of forming clubs (orig. political clubs of the French Revolution) M19. J she,

3

vision,

9 thin,

5 this,

r) ring,

tj chip,

d3 jar

433

dub | dutch

clubbist noun (a) a member or supporter of the political clubs of the French Revolution, or of their principles; (b) a member of a club: Li 8 clubby adjective (US) (o) identified with a club, character¬ istic of a club; (b) friendly, sociable: Mi9 clublike adjective resem¬ bling a club: having a swelling at one end: M19, clubster noun (a) = club man above; (b) dial, a stoat: Ei8. dub/kUb/ verb. Infl. -bb-. 116. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Beat with or as with a dub. li 6. fb Use(esp. a musket) as a club. eis. 2 verb trans. Gather into a clublike mass, gather together, (foil, by together); (chiefly Hist.) dress (hair) in a club-shaped pigtail. E17. 3 verb trans. Combine into a common stock or to a common end (foil, by together)-, contribute (money etc.) as one’s share of a common stock; make up or put together (a sum of money etc.) by joint contributions. Mi7. 4 verb intrans. Combine, form into a club or mass; esp. combine for joint action, to make up a sum of money for a particular purpose, or (formerly) as members of a secret society. (Foil, by together, with.) M17. 5 verb trans. military, Throw into a confused mass. E19. 6 verb intrans. Visit a nightclub or nightclubs, esp. to dance. Freq. in go (out) clubbing M20. ca 1 c. g. Seligman Kinnyole was clubbed to death by his own people. 2 J. Payn London which is equal to half a dozen great towns clubbed together. 3 P. A. Motteux Let every Man club his Penny towards it. G. Greene We clubbed our butter rations. 4 S. Pepys How he did endeavour to find out a ninepence to club with me for the coach. E. Huxley A group of Pakistanis.. have clubbed together to buy a joint house. 6 S. Stewart I hadn’t been clubbing.. since the last New Year’s Eve disaster.

clubbable /'klAbablajl/ adjective. Also clubable.

lis.

[from club noun + -able.] Fit to be a member of a club, sociable. ■ clubba bility noun Li9. clubbableness noun M20.

dubbed /kUbd/ adjective,

lme.

[from club noun, verb: see -ed2, -ed'.] 1 Shaped like a club; thickset, lme. 2 That has been clubbed; formed into a club; used as a club. E17.

clubber /'klAbs/ noun.

Mi7.

[from club verb or noun + -era] 1 a A person who clubs or combines with others for any object; a person who belongs to a club. Mi7. fb A person who goes clubbing. M20. 2 A person who wields a club. Li 9.

duck /klak/ noun & interjection. Ei8. [from the verb, or imit.] ► A noun. 1 The abrupt hollow guttural sound made by a hen desiring to sit or calling its chicks. Also, any similar sound, esp. the click of African etc. languages (see click noun1 3). E18. 2 A stupid person. Esp. in dumb cluck, slang. M20. ► B interjection. Repr. the cluck of a hen (see above). E19. duck/kUk/ verb. Lis. [Imit., corresp. to Middle High German klukken, Danish klukke, Swedish klucka: cf. clock verb'.] 1 verb trans. (Of a hen) summon (chicks) with clucks; summon or encourage as a hen her chicks, lis. 2 verb intrans. Utter a cluck; fig. express fussy concern, disapproval, etc. Li6. CP 2J. Dos Passos Fainy clacked the reins .. and clucked with his tongue. S. Miles The.. nurse.. is clucking distressedly. ■ ducky adjective (of a hen) sitting or ready to sit on eggs E20.

due /klu:/ noun.

lme.

[Var. of clew noun.] 1 = clew noun 3a. lme.

2 = clew noun 5. Li6. 3 = clew noun 2. arch. E17 4 a A fact or principle that serves as a guide, or sug¬ gests a line of inquiry, in a problem or investigation, an intricate structure, etc. E17. >b A word, phrase, etc., indicating a word or words to be inserted in a crossword puzzle. E20. 5 The thread of a story; a train of thought. M17. f6 = clew noun lb. L17-EI8.

7 = clew noun 5.

L17.

8 = clew noun 6. mi8. 4a not have a clue colloq.

be ignorant or incompetent, be at a complete loss. ■ clueless adjective without a clue; colloq. ignorant, stupid: M19. cluelessness noun M20.

due /klu:/ verb.

M17. Pres, pple & verbal noun dueing. [Var. of clew verb.] f 1 verb trans. Follow, track. Only in M17. 2 verb trans. & intrans. = clew verb 3. mis. 3 verb trans. = clew verb 1. M19. 4 verb trans. Provide a clue to (a line in a crossword

puzzle etc.). M20.

5 verb trans. Inform, tell (a person). Freq. foil, by in, up. slang. M20. Clumber/'klamba/noun. M19. [from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.] More fully Clumber spaniel. A spaniel of a slow heavily-

built breed.

Cluniac /'kluiniak/ noun & adjective.

in France, or of the reformed Benedictine order which developed from it. L16. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to this monastery or order.

dump /klamp/ noun. me. [Partly from Middle Low German klumpe (Low German klump) rel. to Middle Dutch klompe (Dutch klomp) lump, mass, & clumper, clamp noun2, club noun; partly imit.]

LI 9.

clunk noun' var. of klunk noun. clunk /klAijk/ verb & noun2. Orig. Scot. L18. [Imit.: cf. clank, clink noun', verb', clonk.]

1 A compact shapeless mass, a heap, a lump. me. ►b spec. An agglutinated mass of blood cells, bacteria, etc.

► A verb intrans. Make a hollow gurgling sound, as liquid poured from a bottle; make a dull clanking sound. Li 8. ► B noun. Such a sound. E19.

L19.

2 A cluster or compact group of or 0/trees, shrubs, or other growing things, or (transf.) buildings, people, etc.

clunker /'kUpka/ noun. N. Amer. colloq.

L16.

M20.

[from clunk verb + -er1.]

3 More fully clump-sole. A thick extra sole on a shoe.

1 A dilapidated vehicle or machine. M20. 2 A thing that is totally unsuccessful. L20.

M19.

4 A heavy blow, colloq. Li 9. 5 A noise of a heavy step or tread, a non-resonant sound as of a heavy blow. Cf. clamp noun3, clomp noun.

clunky /'kUgki/ adjective, colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). M20. [from clunk noun1 or noun2 + -Y1.]

Poorly constructed, clumsy; inferior. Also, solid, heavy, and somewhat inelegant (freq. of shoes).

LI 9.

6 In pi. A game in which two teams try to guess an agreed word. Li 9.

CQ L. O’Keeffe In the ’50s.. teenage girls rocked and rolled in clunky saddle shoes. Y. Martel Stupid script, clunky dia¬ logue, cardboard characters.

CJ 1 E. Garrett A baker gave me a clump o’ bread. 2 V. Woolf The fine clump of St John's wort that grew beside it. A. Carter Discontented tradespeople stood in fretful clumps in the street. 5 W. Boyd Acutely aware of the clump of his boots on the wood. ■ dumpish adjective heavy and clumsy L17. clumpy forming clumps; having many clumps; dumpish: ei 9.

■ clunkily adverb L2o.

Cluny /’klu:ni/ noun.

adjective

etc. dupeoid /'klu:pioid/ noun & adjective. M19. [from mod. Latin Clupea genus name from Latin clupea, name of a river-fish + -oid.]

(A fish) of the family Clupeidae, which includes the herring, sprat, anchovy, etc. ■ Also dupeid noun & adjective ti9.

cluster/’kUsto/noun. [Old English clyster, rarely duster, also geclystre, prob. from Ger¬ manic base also of clot noun.]

1 A collection of fruit (orig. grapes), flowers, etc., growing closely together; a bunch, oe. 2 A compact group of other similar things, as persons, animals, gems, etc. lme. fb astronomy. A group of stars or galaxies forming a relatively close association. E18. ►c linguistics. A group of successive consonants. E20.

1:1 1 Bunyan Every clown with his clumping dirty shoes. F. Tuohy They dumped around in tweeds and brogues. 2a C. Beaton Three carnations clumped together, b E. Bowen A sort of outdoor drawing-room dumped with mauve rhododendrons, c Anthony Smith Further aggrega¬ tion, or clumping, of the blood platelets.

to 2 A. P. Herbert There was a lock every quarter of a mile, and sometimes a cluster of two or three. B. Moore The other monks bunched in a cluster, laycear cluster b globuiar cluster local cluster, see local adjective, open duster see open adjective.

dumper /'kLampa/ noun & verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. [Old English clympre rel. to clump noun.] ► A noun. = clump noun 1. oe. ►fB verb trans. Form into lumps or masses, clot. M16-M17.

Comb.: cluster bomb an anti-personnel bomb spraying metal pellets on Impact; cluster compound chemistry a compound whose structure involves a polycyclic aggregate of atoms of one (sometimes, more than one) element bonded together: cluster pine the maritime pine. Pirns pinaster.

dumps /klAinps/ adjective. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also fclumse. Ei7. [Rel. to next: cf. Icelandic klumsa lockjawed. Swedish dial. Idumsen benumbed, dazed.]

duster /'kUsta/ verb.

Numb with cold; awkward, stupid, lazy; gruff, surly.

[Prob. of Scandinavian origin: cf. Norwegian dial. Idumsen strike dumb, clog, hamper, klumst clumsy.] 1 verb trans. Numb (lit. & fig.): daze, stupefy, dumbfound. Orig. & chiefly as clumsed, clumst ppl adjective, me. f 2 verb intrans. Be or become numb with cold. Only in LME.

1 Arrange in a cluster, group closely, lme. 2 Provide or cover with clusters. (Foil, by with.) f3 Coagulate, clot. Only in mi6.

► XI verb intrans. 4 Congregate in a cluster or clusters; grow or be situated in a cluster or dusters; gather (a)round. lme. f5 Coagulate, clot. L15-M16.

1 Heavy and awkward in motion or action; awkward in shape; ungainly; lacking in grace or skill; rudely con¬ structed; without tact. Li6. j- 2 Numb or stiffened with cold. Only in E17.

CQ 4 M. F. Maury The .. icebergs which cluster off the Falk¬ land islands. K. Mansfield Round the ice-cream cart.. the children cluster. R. Ellison We were a small tight group, clustered together.

CQ 1 I. D’Israeli A clumsy forgery. G. Orwell He wrote in large clumsy capitals. A. Wilson Tom was.. clumsy; he .. knocked over full ashtrays. ■ clumsily adverb 117. clumsiness noun M17.

dutch /kUtJ/ noun'. Branch I also (all earlier) (Scot. & north.) cleuk /klu:k, klyk/, (now dial.) cloke /klauk/, fclooch, & other vars. me.

clunch /kUn(t)J/noun. lme. [Perh. from next, or rel. to clump noun as bump:bunch, humpihunch.] 1 A lump. Long obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 A lumpish fellow, a lout, obsolete exc. dial. Ei7. 3 a Any of various stiff clays. Also clunch clay, local. L17. ►b A soft limestone used esp. for internal carved building-work. E19.

[Origin unkn.: mod. form from clutch verb. The relationship of the various early forms is obscure.]

► 11 A claw; contempt, a hand. Usu. in pi. Now chiefly Scot, in gen. sense, me. 2 spec. A hand as an instrument of rapacity or cruelty, a grasping hand. Usu. in pi., 81 in in a person s clutches, into a person's clutches, out of a person's clutches, etc. (passing into sense 3). E16. 3 a Tight hold or grip; relentless control, lis. fb An act of grasping at. mi 9.

clunch /kUnltlf/ adjective, obsolete exc. dial. 118. [Prob. from Low German Klunt, Dutch klant lump, clod.]

Lumpy; heavy and stiff in consistency; thickset. dung /king/ ppl adjective, arch. 8 dial. me. [pa. pple of cling verb.]

CQ 2 Shakes. Ham! But age.. hath caught me in his clutch. Steele |He| escapes the Clutches of the Hangman. 3a F. Marryat I can't hold on ten seconds more ... my clutch is going now.

Drawn together, shrunken; pinched with hunger. Of soil: stiff, tenacious.

► II clutch only.

dung verb pa. t. & pple of cling verb. a ago,

lme.

ca 1 clustered columns clustered pillars, clustered shafts: several close together, or disposed round and half detached from the pier. 2 Southey Mountains clustered with the fruitful pines.

clumsy /'klAirizi/adjective. L16. [from prec. + -Y1: cf. Swedish klumsig numb, clumsy.]

u; too.

lme.

[from the noun.] ► I verb trans. Orig. & chiefly as clustered pa. pple & ppl adjective.

dumse /klxmz/ verb. Long obsolete exc. dial. Also clumps /klAmps/. me.

put,

L19.

[See Cluniac.] In full Cluny lace. A kind of bobbin-lace for clothing

dump /kkmp/ verb. Mi7. [Partly from the noun, partly imit.] 1 verb intrans. Move with or make a heavy non-resonant sound; tread heavily. Cf. clamp verb3, clomp verb. M17. 2 a verb trans. Arrange or plant in a clump or mass. L18. ►b verb trans. Provide with clumps of trees or other growing things. Chiefly as clumped ppl adjective. E19. ►c verb intrans. Form a clump or clumps. Li 9. 3 ver6 trans. Hit, strike, colloq. mi9.

a cat. a: arm. e bed, a: her, 1 sit. i cosy, i: see. 0 hot, a: saw, a run, u

Li6.

[medieval Latin Cluniacus, from Clun(i)aeum Cluny (or Clugny), France; see -ac.] ► A noun. A monk of the monasteiy of Cluny, near Macon

ai my,

au how.

ei day.

30

no, e:: hair, ia near, ai boy. o? poor, ais tire, aoa sour

434

dutch | coach 4 mechanics. An arrangement for connecting or discon¬ necting working parts. Ei9. Fb In a motor vehicle: a device for connecting the engine to the transmission; the pedal operating this. L19. 4b ride the clutch: see ride verb, slip in the clutch, slip the clutch: see slip verb'.

clyster /'klista/ noun & verb. arch. lme. [Old & mod. French clystere or Latin clyster from Greek duster syringe, from cluzein rinse out.] ► A noun. A medicine injected into the rectum, an

enema; occas., a suppository, lme. ► B verb trans. Treat with a clyster, lis.

CM abbreviation1.

dutch /kktJV noun2, eis. [Prob. southern var. of cletch.]

Member of the Order of Canada.

A set of eggs for hatching, or of birds hatched, at a single time; transf. (usu. contempt.) a closely associated group of. Q3 A. L. Rowse A clutch of leering women. D. Attenborough The female can only lay a relatively small number of eggs in a clutch. dutch /klAtjy verb. me. [Var. of clitch verb.] ■) 1 a verb intrans. Bend or crook at the joint. Only in me. ►b verb tcans. Incurve (the fingers), clench (the hand). L16-E18. 2 verb trans. Seize eagerly or convulsively with the claws or fingers, lme, 3 verb trans. Hold firmly in one’s grasp, grip. Ei7. 4 verb intrans. Grasp or snatch at. Mi9. Q3 2 Sir W. Scott With all the fingers spread out as if to clutch it. 3 D. H. Lawrence Alvina counted it |money] and kept it clutched in her hand. j. Berger She dances like a bear, clutching her partner close to her. 4 H. James She .. could only clutch at the hope of some inspiration. L. Durreil The sleeper awoke and clutched at my hand. Phrases: clutch at a straw, clutch a straw, clutch at straws, clutch straws: see straw noun. Comb.: dutch bag a handbag with no handle or strap, clutter /'kUta/ noun. Li6. [Var. of clodder noun or from the verb: assoc, with duster, datter.] 11 A clotted mass. L16-E17.

2 A confused collection; crowded disorder, untidy state, litter. Mi7. 3 Bustle, commotion; hubbub, disturbance; mingled rattle. Now arch.&diol. Mi7. £Q 2 G. Heyer An open book lay on the ground beside it, with a clutter of newspapers and magazines. H. Acton She was surrounded by neatness and order: there was a complete absence of clutter. 3 Milton The clutter of their Horse, and of their Wheels. Swift Those ladies, who are apt to make the greatest clutter on such occasions. clutter Z'klAta/ verb. lme. [Var. of clotter verb, assoc, with duster, clatter.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Clot, coagulate, obsolete exc. dial. lme. 2 a verb intrans. Run (together) in confused groups, crowd (together). Now rare or obsolete. M16. Fb verb trans. Heap together in confusion, obsolete exc. diol. mi7. 3 verb intrans. Run in bustling disorder or with a con¬ fused noise. Now chiefly dial. Ei7. 4 verb trans. & intrans. Utter or speak confusedly, esp. habitually. M17. 5 verb trans. Crowd untidily (with), litter with. Freq. foil, by up. L17. QJ 3 Defoe The coaches, horsemen and crowd, cluttered away, to be out of harm's way. 5 C. McCullers The four walls were cluttered with calendars and crudely painted advertisements. J. Frame Who wanted an ugly old brokendown alcoholic cluttering up precious hospital cubic feet? verb&noun, slang. Mi6. [Perh. of Low German origin: cf. Low German kleien to scratch, claw.]

tdy

► A verb trans. Take; esp. steal, pocket. M16-M19. ► B noun. A pocket; money. L17-L19.

cm abbreviation2. Centimetre(s).

Cm symbol. CHEMISTRY. Curium.

Cm. abbreviation. Command Paper (sixth series,

1986-).

Cmd. abbreviation. Command Paper (fourth series,

1918-56).

Cmdr. abbreviation. Commander.

Cmdre.

abbreviation.

Commodore.

CMEA abbreviation. Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.

CMC abbreviation. Companion of (the Order of) St Michael and St George.

Cmnd. abbreviation. Command Paper (fifth series 1956-86).

CMOS abbreviation. electronics. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor, denoting a technology for making low power integrated circuits.

CMV abbreviation. medicine. Cytomegalovirus.

CNAA abbreviation. Council for National Academic Awards.

CND abbreviation. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. ■ CNDer noun a member or supporter of CND L20.

cnemial /'knbmisl/ adjective.

Li9.

Greek kneme tibia + -al1.] ornithology. Of or pertaining to the tibia. [from

CNC abbreviation. Compressed natural gas.

cnidarian /nAi'de:rran, m-/ noun & adjective. M20. [from mod. Latin Cnidaria (see below), formed as cnido- + -aria pi. of Latin -arium -ary1 (cf. -arian): see -an.] zoology. ►A noun. An animal of the invertebrate phylum Cnidaria (cf. coelenterate noun). M20. ► B adjective. Of or pertaining to this phylum. M20.

cnido- /'knAidao/ combining form. [from Greek knide nettle: see -o-.] zoology. Used in terms relating to stinging cells of coel-

enterates etc. ■ cnidoblast noun a cell in which a nematocyst develops Li9. cnidocil noun [Latin cilium] the external irritable process of a nematocyst L19.

CNN abbreviation. Cable News Network.

cnr. abbreviation. Corner.

CNS abbreviation. 1 Central nervous system. 2 Chief of the Naval Staff.

CO abbreviation.

Comb. : dy-faker a pickpocket; dy-faking picking pockets. Clydesdale /'kUidzdeil/ noun. lis. [The area of the River Clyde in Scotland.] 1 More fully Clydesdale horse. A horse of a heavy draught breed originating around Clydesdale. Lis. 2 More fully Clydesdale terrier. A terrier of a small

1 Colorado. 2 Commanding Officer. 3 Conscientious objector.

Co symbol. chemistry. Cobalt. CO- /kao/ prefix. [Latin, var. of com- esp. before vowels, h, and gn: cf. col-, con-,

smooth-haired breed originating around Clydesdale

cor-.]

L19.

1 Used in words adopted from Latin and in English words modelled on these, and as a productive prefix, forming: (a) verbs from verbs with the sense ‘with others, as co-edit, cooperate, (b) adjectives from adjec¬ tives and adverbs from adverbs with the senses ‘jointly’, mutually, as co-belligerent, coequal, coequally, (c) nouns from nouns with the senses ‘joint’, as co-author, co-precipitation, and mutual’, as coequality. ►b biology. Forming names of substances which combine with others to produce an effect, or enhance the action of others, but are individually inactive, as

dype /kUip/ verb & noun. Scot. Also dipe. eis. [Obscurely from clepe.] ► A verb intrans. Tell tales, tattle (on), eis. ► B noun. A telltale. E19. dypeate /'klipieit/ adjective. M19. [formed as next + -ate-.] botany & zoo LOGY. Resembling a round shield. ■ Also dypeated adjective (rare) E18. clypeus /'klipias/ noun. PI. -ei /-iai/. Mi9. [Latin clipeus, clupeus round shield.]

co-carcinogen, coenzyme.

The broad shield-shaped frontal part of an insect's head, above the labrum. ■ dypeal adjective L19.

2 math. Short for complement, in the sense ‘of the com¬ plement’ (as cosine) or ‘complement of (as co-latitude). m coadap tation noun mutual adaptation E19. coadapted adjective mutually adapted mi9. coa'djust verb trans. adjust to

each other mi9. co adjutant adjective & noun (a person) helping another or others or with another or others E18. co-adore verb trans. adore conjointly (with) Ei7. coad'venturer noun a fellow adventurer Mi7. co agency noun joint or combined agency E17. co agent noun a joint agent Li6. co-a'ration noun cooperative ploughing or tillage, esp. as anciently practised in Wales L19. co arbiter noun a joint arbiter L16. coa'ssessor noun a joint asses¬ sor Mi7. coa'ssume verb trans. assume together or conjointly (with) Ei7. coa'ttest verb trans. attest together or conjointly (with) Mi7. code fendant noun a joint defendant Mi7. code pendency noun emotional dependency on supporting or caring for another person or other people L20. code terminant noun each of a set of determining factors Li9. co-determi' nation noun joint deter¬ mination; spec, of company policies by unions and workers as well as management E20. code'termine verb trans. jointly deter¬ mine E2o. codirector noun a joint director mi 9. co-driver noun a person who takes turns in driving a vehicle, esp. in a race, rally, etc. M20. co-'editor noun a joint editor L19. coe'ffect noun a joint or concomitant effect mi8. co'enzyme noun (biochemistry) an organic compound which combines with an enzyme to activate it E20. co-e state noun an estate or state possessing equal author¬ ity or rank with another mis. co-favourite noun an equal or joint favourite, esp. in a sporting contest E20. co-feo’ffee noun (Hist.) a joint feoffee lme. co- founder noun a joint founder Ei7. co-foundress noun a joint foundress, a female joint founder M17. co- guardian noun a joint guardian Mi7. co- guardianship noun joint guardianship Li9. co- head noun a joint leader or prin¬ cipal li9. co heir noun a joint heir lme. co heiress noun a joint heiress, a female coheir Mi7. co heirship noun joint heirship Ei7. co helper noun a joint helper Mi6. co- heritor noun a joint inheritor Mi6. coindi cation noun (a) conjoint or concurrent indication E17. co- infinite adjective equally or conjointly infinite Mi7. co-in habitant noun a joint inhabitant M16. co-in here verb intrans. inhere together mi 9. co-in herence noun joint inherence ei9. co-in herent adjective jointly inherent E19. co-in heritance noun (a) joint inheritance Li6. co-in heritor noun a joint inheritor ei6. co-instan taneous adjective occurring or existing at the same moment mis. co-instan taneously adverb simultaneously ei9. co juror noun (chiefly Hist.) a fellow oath-taker, one who con¬ firms under oath the oath of another mis. co-'labourer noun a fellow labourer mi 9. co- obligant noun a person under joint obli¬ gation ei9. co-obligor noun (law) a person who accepts an obli¬ gation or makes a commitment along with others lis. co-o'ccur verb intrans. occur together or simultaneously (with) M20. co-o ccurrence noun simultaneous or joint occurrence M20. co-o ccurrent adjective & noun (each of two or more things) occur¬ ring together or simultaneously M20. co-omni potent adjective conjointly omnipotent Mi6. co-'ossify verb intrans. & trans. ossify together Li9. co-owner noun a joint owner Mi9. co-ownership noun joint ownership Li9. co'pastor noun a joint pastor Ei9. co-pro duction noun (a) joint production; esp. a cinemato¬ graphic film produced by teams from more than one country: M20. co-pro moter noun a joint promoter Ei9. co-pro prietor noun a joint proprietor Li 8. co- 'regency noun a joint regency mi 7. co-regent adjective & noun (a person) ruling jointly with another li 8. co-regnant noun & adjective (a person) reigning jointly with another Mi7. co- residence noun residence together, joint resi¬ dence Mi7. co- ruler noun a joint ruler Li7. co seismal adjective & noun (a) adjective relating to points affected simultaneously "by an earthquake; (b) noun a line or curve connecting such points: Mi9. co- sovereign noun a joint sovereign, a fellow sovereign lis. co-sovereignty noun joint sovereignty eis. co-spe cific adjective = conspecific adjective L19. co tectic adjective [after eutectic] petrography representing conditions under which two or more minerals etc. crystallize simultaneously from a liquid E20. co-'tenancy noun joint tenancy Li9. co-'tenant noun a joint tenant Mi9. cotext noun the text surrounding a particular word etc. M20. co-u nite verb trans. & intrans. (arch.) unite together, conjoin Mi6. co- work verb intrans. work together, cooperate Ei7. co-worker noun a person who works in collaboration with another; a fellow worker; Mi7.

Co. abbreviation. 1 Company. 2 County. Phrases: and Co. /kao/ colloq. and the rest of them, and similar things, etcetera.

c/o abbreviation. Care of. coacervate /kau'asaveit/ noun. E20. [Back-form, from coacervation: see -ate1.] chemistry. A colloid-rich viscous liquid phase which may separate from a colloidal solution on addition of a third component. coacervate /kau'asaveit/ verb trans. Ei7. [Latin coacervat- pa. ppl stem of coacervare, formed as co- + acervare, from acervus heap: see -ate3.]

1 Heap together, gather into a heap. Now rare. E17. Cause coacervation of. M20.

2 chemistry.

coacervation /kau,asa'veiJ(a)n/noun. [Latin coacervatio(nj, formed as prec.: see

lme.

-ation.]

1 The action of heaping together; accumulation; an accumulated mass. Now rare. lme. 2 chemistry. The separation of a coacervate from a col¬ loidal solution. E20. coach /kautj/noun.

mi6.

[French codie from Hungarian kocsi (szeker) (cart) from Kocs. a town in Hungary.]

1 A large horse-drawn carriage; esp. (a) a State carriage; (b) (chiefly Hist.) a privately owned carriage for personal use; (c) Hist, a large closed carriage for public conveyance of passengers. Mi6. Fb A railway passenger or mail car¬ riage; esp. (US) one not provided with beds or berths. M19. ►c A chartered or long-distance usu. single-decker bus.

For other words beginning with co- see the main alphabetic sequence of entries

435 Also called motor coach. E20. >d Economy-class seating in an aircraft. US. M20.

2 A cabin at the stern of a man-of-war, usu. occupied by the captain. M17. 3 A private tutor. Mi9. kb An instructor of an athletics team, rowing crew, etc. 119. kc A tame bullock, horse, etc., used as a decoy in catching wild livestock. Austral. LI 9. 1 hackney coach, stagecoach, etc drive a coach and horses through, drive a coach and six through etc., fig. render (legis¬ lation etc.) useless, sociable coach see sociable adjective. Comb.: coach-box a coachman's seat: coach-building the building of motor-vehicle bodies; coach-built adjective (of a motor-vehicle body) built by craftsmen, orig. using wood; coach-dog a Dalmatian; coach-horse: used for drawing a coach; devil’s coach-horse see devil noun; coach-house an out¬ house for carriages; coachload a large number of people travel¬ ling by coach, a coachful; coachman a driver of a horse-drawn carriage; coachmanship skill in driving a coach; coach station see station noun; coach whip [from its whiplike stems] the ocotillo, Fouquiera splendens; coachwood Austral, (a tree, esp. Ceratopetalum apetalum, yielding) close-grained timber suitable for cabinet-making; coachwork the bodywork of a road or rail vehicle. ■ coachee noun (a) arch, colloq. a coachman; (b) US (chiefly Hist.) a long lightweight horse-drawn carriage: ns. coachful noun a coach’s full complement of passengers Mi7. coachy noun (arch. colloq.) a coachman E19. coach /ksutJV verb. Ei7. [from the noun.] 1 verb trans. Convey in, seat in, or provide with a coach. Now rare. Ei7. 2 verb intrans. Ride or drive in a coach. M17. 3 verb trans. Tutor, train, esp. individually or intensively (for an examination, competition, etc.); give hints to; prime with facts. ei 8. kb Decoy (wild cattle, horses, etc.) with tame animals. Austral. Li9. 03 2 J. Hatton The.. inn of the old coaching days. C. Chaplin Sydney had so zealously coached me that I was almost word-perfect. H. Macmillan Expert scientists who .. tried to coach me in the profound mysteries of atomic theory. 3

coacher/'kaotjb/ noun. Li6. [from coach noun or verb + -er'.]

fl A coachman. L16-E17. 2 A coach-horse, eis. 3 A person who coaches a pupil, a team, etc. L19. kb = coach noun 3c. Austral. &NZ. Li9.

coachwhip /'kautjwip/ noun. mis. noun + whip noun.] 1 A whip used by a coachman, mis. 2 More fully coachwhip snake. A fast-moving black or brown N. American snake, Masticophisflagellum. M18. 3 More fully coachwhip bird. The Australian whipbird. [from coach

LI 8.

coact /kau'akt/ verb. lme. [Branch I from Latin coact- pa. ppl stem of cogere compel (see branch II from co- + act verb.) ► I fl verb trans. Compel, constrain. lme-mi7. 2 verb trans. Control, rare, mi9. ► II f3 verb trans. Enact together, rare. Only in Li6. 4 verb intrans. Act together, cooperate. E17. ■ coaction noun (a) (now rare) compulsion, restraint, coercion; (b) concerted action, acting together: lme. cogent):

coactive /kao'aktrv/ noun & adjective. Ei6. [Late Latin coactivus compulsory, from coact- (see prec.. -ive), or Old & mod. French coactif, -ive. Sense B.2 from co- -*• active adjective, infl. by Anglo-Latin coactivus acting jointly.] ►t A noun. A compelling cause, rare. Only in E16. ► B adjective, fl a Enforced, compulsory. 116-M17. kb Compelling, coercive. Now rare. E17. 2 Acting in concert, taking place together, rare. E17.

Coade stone /'kood staon/ noun phr. M20. [Coade, the name of a family whose company manufactured the stone.] = LITHODIPYRA.

coadjutor/kou'ad3ut3/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French coadjuteur, f-tor, from late Latin coadjutor. formed as co- + adjutor.] An assistant, esp. one appointed to assist a bishop. ■ coadjutorship noun (a) the office of coadjutor; (b) helping cooperation: Mi7. coadjutress noun a female coadjutor E17. tcoadjutrice noun = coadjutress M16-M18. coadjutrlx noun = COADJUTRESS Ml7.

coadunate /kao'adjuneit/ verb trans. £17. [Latin coadmat- pa. ppl stem of coadunare, formed as co- + adunare, formed as AD- + mare, from iinus one: see -ate3.] Unite, combine. Chiefly as coadunated ppi adjective.

coadunation /kao.adjo'neiftaln/ noun. Mi6. [Late Latin coadunatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.] Union, combination.

coagment /kauag'ment/ verb trans. Now rare or obsolete. E17. [Latin coagmentarc, from coagmentum joining: see -ment.J Stick together; cement. Only as coagmented ppl adjec¬

coach | coal-tit coagulable /kau'agjutobtojl/ adjective.

Mi7.

[French, or medieval Latin coagulabilts, from coagulare coagulate verb: see -able.)

Able to be coagulated. ■ coagula bility noun L18.

coagulant /kau'agjul(3)nt/ noun & adjective, lis. [Latin coagulant- pres, ppl stem of coagulare coagulate verb: see -ant1.]

(An agent, as rennet) that brings about coagulation. coagulase /kao'agjuleiz, -s/ noun. E20. [from next + -ase.[

biochemistry. A bacterial enzyme which brings about

coagulation of the blood. fcoagulate adjective. lme-mi9. [Latin coagulatus, formed as next: see -ate3.]

Coagulated. coagulate/koo'agjoleit/ verb. lme. [Latin coagulat- pa. ppi stem of coagulare, formed as coagulum: see -ate3.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Change from a fluid to a more or

less solid state, esp. by a chemical reaction; set, solidify. lme. ►fb verb intrans. Solidify by evaporation; crystallize. M17-E18.

verb trans. & intrans. Form as a mass; unite into a mass.

2 E17.

03 1 Robert Knox Albumen.. is coagulated by heat, alcohol and the stronger adds. E. Hemingway I stopped the bleeding by lying still and letting it coagulate. 2 J. Howell Venus.. was.. coagulated of that foam, fig.: j. Steinbeck Gradually their wills coagulated. ■ coagulative adjective having the property of coagulating; involving or producing coagulation: Ei7. coagulator noun = coagulant noun ei?.

coagulation /k3uagju'leif(o)n/ noun. lme. [Old & mod. French, or Latin coagulatiofnj, formed as prec.: see -ATION.] 1 The action or process of coagulating, lme. ►tb Solidification by evaporation; precipitation from a

solution; ciystallization. L15-E18. 2 A coagulated mass. M17. coagulin /kau'agjulin/ noun.

biology Any substance produced in the body which accel¬

erates the coagulation of foreign proteins or of blood. E20.

[from coagulate verb + -ometer.]

An instrument for measuring the ease or rate of coagu¬ lation of blood. coaqulum /kau'aqjutonV noun. PI. -la /-to/.

Mi6.

[Latin.]

1 A coagulant; rennet; that part of the blood that coagulates, the clotting element. Now rare or obsolete. M16. 2

A coagulated mass.

etc.). M19. 2 verb trans. Convert into charcoal, arch. Li6. £0 1 a E. Waugh A.. sloop which was coaling for a cruise in the Persian Gulf. fl The vowel was short in Old English and remained so in many derivatives. ■ coaler noun a ship or railway transporting coal; a tender sup¬ plying coal to a steamship: Li9. coalifi cation noun the process by which plant remains become coal E20.

coalesce /ksoa'lss/ verb. Mi6.

E20.

[from coagulate verb + -in'.]

coagulometer /kau aqjoinmita/ noun.

head cause remorse by returning good for evil, live coal see sense 1 above, small coal see small adjective, white coal: see white adjective. Comb.: coal-bed a stratum of coal; coal-black adjective com¬ pletely black; coal-box a receptacle for coal to supply the fire of a room; coal-bunker a place for storing coal in a ship etc. ; coalcellar a basement storage place for coal; coal-dust powdered coal; coalface an exposed surface of coal in a mine; coalfield a district with a series of coal strata; coal fire a fire made (primar¬ ily) of coal; coal-fired adjective heated or driven by coal; coalfish = saithe; coal gas a mixture of gases (chiefly hydrogen and methane) obtained by destructive distillation of coal and used for fuel; coal-heaver a person employed in moving coal; coalheugh Scot, a coalmine; coal-hole a small coal-cellar; coalhouse a building etc. for the storage of coal; coalman a man who carries, sells, or delivers coal; coal-master Hist, the owner or lessee of a coalmine; coal measures the series of rocks com¬ prising coal seams and the intervening strata; coal-merchant a retail seller of coal; coal-meter (now arch, or Hist.) a person who measures or weighs coal (formerly spec., an official of the corpor¬ ation of London); coalmine a mine in which coal is dug; coalminer a person who digs for coal; coalmining digging for coal; coal oil N. Amer. (a) petroleum; (b) paraffin; coal-owner Hist. = coal-master above; coal-pit (a) (now US) a place where charcoal is made; (b) a coalmine; coal-sack (a) a sack for carrying coal; (b) a dark patch in the Milky Way, spec, (also C-) one near the Southern Cross; coal-scuttle a coal-box; a bucket, usu. with a sloping lip for pouring, for carrying and holding coal for the fire of a room; coal-seam a stratum of coal; coal tar a thick black viscid liquid produced by the destructive distillation of bitumin¬ ous coal, containing benzene, naphthalene, phenols, aniline, and many other organic chemicals; coal-whipper Hist, a person or apparatus raising coal from a ship’s hold by means of a pulley; coal-worker a coalminer; a worker at a colliery; coal-works a colliery. ► B verb. 1 a verb intrans. Get coal; take in a supply of coal. lme. ►b verb trans. Supply with coal; put coal into (a ship

M17.

coaita /kao'Aita/noun. lis. [Spanish from Tupi-Guarani coota monkey.]

A spider-monkey. coak /kauk/ noun & verb. lis. [Perh. repr. Old Northern French var. of Old French coche, Italian cocca notch: cf. cock verb3.] ► A noun. A tabular projection on the face of a piece of

scarfed timber, to fit into a recess in the face of another which is to be joined to it, to make a firmerjoint; a metal lining to such a recess. Lis. ► B verb trans. Join by means of coaks. L18. coal /kaol/ noun & verb. [Old English col = Old Frisian, Middle Low German Icole (Low German kale), Middle Dutch cole (Dutch kool), Old High German lcoi(o) (German Kohle), Old Norse kol, from Germanic.] ► A noun. 1 A red-hot piece of carbon, charred wood, etc.; a glowing ember. Also more fully coal of fire (arch.), live coal, etc. oe.

■j 2 A charred remnant, a cinder; cinders, ashes. Also more fully dead coal etc. 0E-M17. f3 sing. & in pi. Charcoal. ME-M19. 4 sing. & (now rare) in pi. A hard opaque black or blackish mineral, mainly carbonized plant matter, found in seams or strata at or below the earth's surface and used as fuel and in the manufacture of gas, tar, etc. (With pi.) a piece of this ready for burning in a fire. me. bituminous coal, black coal, blind coal, brown coal, cannel coal, coking coal, mineral coal, rough coal, round coal, sea coal, soft coal, splint-coal, steam coal, stone-coal. etc. P. H. Johnson She.. went over to the fire, throwing more coals upon it. N. Calder Fossil fuels like coal and oil. W. Bronk The coal,.. 1 put it on the fire. 03 4

Phrases: call over the coals = haul over the coals below coal of fire see sense 1 above, (carry) coals to Newcastle (bring) a thing of which there is already a plentiful supply; (do) some¬ thing absurdly superfluous, haul over the coals [from the treat¬ ment of heretics] call to account and convict, reprimand heap coals on a person’s head, heap coals of fire on a person's

tive.

For other words beginning with co- see the entry for co-

[Latin coalescere, formed as CO- + alescere grow up, from alere nourish: see -esce.] 11 verb trans. Cause to grow together, unite, M160.18. 2 verb intrans. Grow or come together to form one

whole; unite; combine in a coalition. M17. C3 2 Ld Macaulay Who had bound himself.. never to coalesce with Pitt. C. Darwin The granules coalesce into larger masses. M. Girouard The elements that were to coalesce as ‘Queen Anne’. ■ coalescence noun the action or process of coalescing; union; combination in a coalition: M16. coalescent adjective that coalesces M17.

coalise verb var. of coalize. Coalite /'kauLut/ noun. E20. [from coal noun + -ite1.]

(Proprietary name for) a land of smokeless fuel made by refining coal. coalition /kaua'liJ(a)n/noun. E17. [medieval Latin coalitiofn-), from coalit- pa. ppl stem of coalescere coalesce: see -ion.]

1 Coalescence; union, fusion, combination. E17. 2 politics. A temporary combination of parties etc. that retain distinctive principles. E18. ta 1 J. Trapp Water and oil violently shaken together may seem to mingle, but.. there is no coalition. B. Cottle The coalition of an emphatic name and a dear symbol has often made for fine visual advertising. 2 T. Benn All major polit¬ ical parties are coming to be seen for what they are—broad coalitions. ■ coalitioner noun a person who forms or joins a coalition Ei9. coalitionism noun the principles or advocacy of government by coalition of parties E20. coalitionist noun an adherent of a coali¬ tion or of coalitionism L18.

coalize /‘kaualAiz/ verb intrans. Now rare. Also -ise. Li8. [French coaliser, from coalition formed as prec.: see -ize.)

Form a coahtion.

■ coalizer noun Li 8.

coalmouse /'kaulmaos/ noun. Also cole-. PI. -mice /-mAis/. [Old English colmdse: see coal, titmouse.] = COAL-TIT.

Coalport /'kaulpo:t/ noun. Li9. [See below.]

A kind of porcelain, ffeq. decorated with floral designs, produced at Coalport in Shropshire. coal-tit /’kaoltit/ noun. Also cole-. M19. [from coal noun (on account of its dark colouring) + tit noun3.]

A small greyish tit, Pams ater. Also called coalmouse m Also coal-titmouse noun. pi. -mice, arch. L18.

436

coaly | cob coaly /'ksuli/ adjective. See also colly adjective & noun2. Li6. [from coal noun + -y1.]

Having much coal; covered with coal; of the nature or colour of coal. *] Place-name evidence and the short-vowel var. colly suggest that the word was already in Old English.

coaming /'kaomirj/ noun. E17. (Origin unkn.]

A raised border round the hatches etc. of a ship to keep out water. Usu. in pi. coapt /kau'apt/ verb trans. Now rare. L16. [Late Latin

coaptare, formed as co- + aptare, from aptus apt.]

Fit or join together. coaptation /kaoap'teijlaln/ noun. Mi6. [Late Latin

coaptatio(n-), formed as prec.: see -ation.]

The adaptation or adjustment of things, parts, etc., to each other; spec, in medicine, the drawing together of separ¬ ated tissue, e.g. in a wound or fracture.

Church. tcoarct verb trans. lme. coar(c)tare, formed as co- + artare, from artus confined.]

1 Press or draw together. LME-E17. 2 Restrict the action of (a person). LME-E19. 3 Confine within narrow limits. lme-mi7. coarctate /kou'a:kteit/ adjective, lme. [Latin

coar(c)tatus pa. pple of coar(c)tare: see prec., -ate2.]

1 Pressed close together, contracted, confined, lme. 2 entomology. (Of a pupa) formed within and remaining concealed by the larval cuticle; (of metamorphosis) resulting in such a pupa. Ei9. coarctation /k3oa:k'teiJ(3)n/ noun. lme. [Latin coarfc)tatio(n-). from see coarct, -ation.]

coar(c)tat- pa. ppl stem of coar(c)tare:

1 The action of compressing tightly; the state of being tightly compressed; spec, (medicine) congenital narrowing of a short section of the aorta, lme. 2 Confinement or restriction as to limits. Now rare. E17. coarse /ko:s/ adjective, lme. [Origin unkn.]

► 11 Ordinary, common, inferior. Largely obsolete exc. as passing into other senses, lme. LQ 1 Shakes. Hen. V07 Now 1 feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded—envy.

► II (Often inherent in earlier uses of sense l.) 2 Rough, loose, or large in texture, grain, or features; in a natural or raw state; rough or harsh to the senses. Li6. Fb Of weather: rough, stormy. Now dial. Li 8. 3 Not delicate in perception, manner, or taste; unre¬ fined; rude, uncivil, vulgar; (esp. of language) obscene. L17. U3 2 R. W. Emerson They are full of coarse strength, rude exercise.. and sound sleep. Tennyson Thou, My Lord, eat also, tho' the fare is coarse. J. Steinbeck His mustache was thin and coarse. A. Lurie The fine sheet.. weighed on me like a coarse blanket. C. Conran Spread a layer of coarse salt over the bottom of a heavy frying-pan. 3 L. Stephen That style of coarse personal satire of which Swift was a master. L. G. Gibbon That coarse young Guthrie brute would never thrive. Special collocations & comb.: coarse-fibred adjective = coarse¬ grained below, coarse fish any freshwater fish other than salmon or trout, coarse fishing: for coarse fish, coarse¬ grained adjective (fig., of a person) having a coarse nature, unre¬ fined. ■ coarsely adverb M16. coarsen verb trans. & intrans. make or become (more) coarse E19 coarseness noun M16. coarsish adjective somewhat coarse Ml8

coarticulate /kauai'tikjuleit/ verb. Li6. [from co- + articulate verb]

1 verb intrans. anatomy. Unite to form a joint, rare. L16. 2 verb trans. phonetics. Articulate together. M20. coarticulation /.kooaftikjo'leifMn/ noun. Li6. [from

co-

+

(b) adjective following or carried along a coast: Li7. [Old French costeier (mod. cotoyer), formed as prec.)

comharba.]

Hist. A successor in an ecclesiastical office of the Celtic

[Latin

in pi. LME-E17. 2 dear the coast remove an enemy or other obstacle to (dis) embarkation etc. coast to coast, from coast to coast across a whole island or continent. Slave Coast: see slave noun & adjective. the Coast esp. (US) the Pacific coast of N. America, the coast is clear the enemy is not about to obstruct (dis(embarkation etc.; there is no chance of being hindered or observed. ► II 6 A slide for tobogganing; a slide downhill on a toboggan. N.Amer. lis. 7 A (usu. downhill) run on a bicycle etc. without pedal¬ ling or in a motor vehicle without using the engine. ti9. Co mb: coast disease Austral, a mineral deficiency disease of sheep and cattle; coastguard (one of) a body of people employed to keep watch on the coasts and thus save life, prevent smuggling, etc.: coast sickness Austral = coast disease above. ■ coastal adjective of or pertaining to a coast M19 coastward adjective, coastward(s) adverb toward or in the direction of a coast M19. coastways adverb (arch.) = coastwise adverb eis. coastwise adverb & adjective (a) adverb by way of or along a coast; coast /kaust/ verb. lme.

coarb /'kaocub/ noun. M17. [Irish

|5 The border of a country etc., frontier territory. Usu.

articulation.

Sense

i

translating

Greek

sunarthrosis.]

11 Jointing together of two bones. L16-M17. 2 phonetics. (An) articulation of two sounds together. M20.

coast /kaost/ noun. oe. [Old French coste (mod. cote) or (in earliest use) its source Latin costa rib, flank, side. In branch II repr. mod. French cote with the sense 'slope, hillside', infl. by the verb.]

► I J1 A rib; the side of any body (human or animal); the side of anything. OE-E19. 2 Orig. more fully coast of the sea. sea-coast. The border of land near the sea; the seashore, me.

13 A region of the earth or the heavens; a tract, a dis¬ trict; a part of the world. me-mi7. T 4 An area or direction in relation to a person or thing; a point of the compass; a quarter, me-eis.

► IJ1 verb trans. & intrans. Keep by the side of (a person etc. moving). lme-H7. J2 a verb trans. Go or move by the side of (a place etc.); skirt. lme-mi8. Fb verb intrans. Lie or lead alongside; go, pass, along, by, round, etc. lme-mi9. fc verb intrans. Move in a roundabout course, rare (Shakes.). Only in Ei7. 3 verb trans. & intrans. Proceed or travel by the edge of (the sea, a lake, a river, etc,). Now arch. & dial. lme. 4 a verb trans. Sail by the sea-coast of, skirt the shore of. lme. Fb verb intrans. Sail along, by, etc., a coast; sail along a coast from port to port. Mi6. |5 verb trans. & intrans. Travel around, move about, explore, scour. LME-L17. J6 a verb trans. Border, adjoin; approach, esp. with hos¬ tility. lme-mi7. Fb verb intrans. Border (upjcm; come or be near to; make one’s way to, towards; approach, lit. & fig. LME-E18. 7 verb intrans. Of a hawk, hound, etc.: not fly or run straight at the prey. Ml6. 4b coasting vessel = coaster 3. ► II 8 verb intrans. Slide downhill on a toboggan. N. Amer. Li8. 9 verb intrans. Ride (usu. downhill) on a bicycle, in a motor vehicle, etc., without the use of power. L19. 10 verb intrans. fig. Make progress without any exertion. M20. coastel /kaos'tsl/ noun. L20. [Blend of coast noun and hotel.]

An accommodation barge for off-shore workers, troops, etc.; a floating barracks or hotel. coaster/'kausta/ noun. Li6. [from coast verb + -er1.]

1 A person who sails along a coast. L16. 2 A person who lives by a sea-coast. E17. 3 A vessel employed in sailing along a coast, trading from port to port, esp. of the same country. Li7. 4 a A toboggan for coasting. N. Amer. mi9. Fb A roller¬ coaster. N. Amer. E20. 5 A silver tray for a decanter; a small mat for a drinking-glass etc. L19. coat kaot/ noun & verb. me. [Old French cote (mod. cotte petticoat), from Proto-Romance from Frankish, of unkn. origin.] ► A noun. 1 An outer garment, usu. made of cloth and

having long sleeves, and orig. worn by men and boys. Without specification now esp. a sleeved outdoor garment worn over indoor clothes for warmth; also (esp. in coat and skirt) a woman’s tailored jacket worn with a skirt; formerly also, a close-fitting tunic coming no lower than the waist, me. Fb transf. With qualifying colour adjective: a person wearing a coat of the specified colour, esp. as a uniform. Ei6. Ffc = coat-card below. LI6-M17. Ffd = coot-money below. ei7-ei8. 2 A petticoat. Usu. in pi. obsolete exc. dial. lme. 3 In translations of ancient languages: any of various styles of tunic or other outer garment for the body. lme. 4 More fully coot of arms. A person’s or corporation's distinctive heraldic bearings or shield, lme. 5 A natural covering or integument: Fa An animal's covering of hair, fur, feathers, etc. Also (rare), an animal’s hide. lme. Fb anatomy A membrane etc. enclosing or lining an organ, lme. Fc A skin, a rind, a husk; a layer of a bulb etc. mi6. J6 Clothing as indicating a profession, class, etc. L16-L18. 7 nautical A piece of tarred canvas or (now usu.) of rubber fixed around a mast, bowsprits, etc., where they enter the deck, to keep water out. E17. 8 A layer of any substance, esp. paint, covering a surface; a covering laid on at one time. E17. 9 fig. Anything that covers or conceals. E17. 1 car coat, dress coat, frock-coat, greatcoat, housecoat. Mackintosh coat, mandarin coat. Melton coat, overcoat.

For other words beginning with co- see the entry for co¬

raincoat. russet coat, surcoat. tailcoat, trench coat, tuxedo coot, waistcoat, etc. coat of arms a coat or vest embroidered with heraldic arms, a herald's tabard; (see also sense 4 above), coat of mail a linen or leather jacket quilted with interlaced rings or overlapping plates of steel, as defensive armour, cut one's coat according to one's cloth: see cloth noun 4. pull a person's coat: see pull verb, trail one’s coat = trail one’s coat¬ tails below turn one’s coat desert, change sides, b blue-coat, redcoat etc. 8 first coat rough coat: see rough adjective. Comb.: coat armour f(a) a coat of arms (both senses); (b) blaz¬ onry, heraldic arms; fcoat-card a court-card; coat dress a woman's tailored dress resembling a coat; coat-hanger a clothes-hanger; coat-money Hist, money for providing a coat for each man in military service, esp. a non-parliamentary tax exacted by Charles I: coat-tail a tail of a coat; on a person’s coat¬ tails. undeservedly benefiting from someone’s progress; trail one's coat-tails (for someone to tread on), seek to pick a quarrel. ► B verb trans. 1 Provide with or clothe in a coat; dress.

LME. 2 Cover with a surface layer or successive layers of a substance as paint, tin, etc.; (of a substance) cover (a surface) in a coat. mis. ■ coated adjective wearing a coat; having a coat (of a specified kind) (wavy-coated see wavy adjective id); covered with, in, a coat or coating of some substance: Li6. coa tee noun (a) arch, a closefitting short-tailed chiefly military coat; (b) a woman's or infant's short coat: lis. coatless adjective Lie.

coath noun var. of cothe noun. coati /kao'a:ti/noun. PL -s, same. Ei7. [Spanish & Portuguese from Tupi kua'ti.]

A Central and S. American carnivore of the genera Nasua or Nasuella, resembling a racoon and with a long flexible snout. ■ Also coatimundi /kau.aiti'nundi/ noun [Portuguese cuatimundi from Tupi hiatimirtne, from i:ua'!ti + mu'bie snare, trick] L17.

coating /’kaotir)/ noun. Li6. [from coat + -INC'.] 1 Material for coats. L16. 2 (An article of) clothing of the nature of a coat. Li 8. 3 A layer of any substance, as paint, tin, etc., spread over or covering a surface. L18. co-author /kou'a:0a/ noun & verb. L19. [from co- + AUTHOR.]

► A noun. A joint author. Li9. ► B verb trans. Be a co-author of. M20. ■ co-authorship noun L19.

coax/'kaoaks/noun. colloq. M20. [Abbreviation.]

Coaxial cable. coax /kooks/ verb. Orig. Jcokes. Li6. [from cokes noun.] 1 verb trans. Pet. fondle, caress; treat endearingly, obsolete exc. dial. L16. 2 verb trans. Persuade gradually by flattery, caresses, etc., or by continued patient trial (to do, into doing, (in)to or out of an action or state); get (a thing) out of, from a person by such gradual persuasion. Mi7. Fb verb intrans. Employ persuasive flattery, caresses, etc., or continued patient trial, Mt7. J3 verb trans. Make a fool of. L17-E19. CQ 2L. M. Montgomery I had ever such a time coaxing her to let me come down and say good-bye. P. Kavanagh How to coax a cheer or a laugh from a lazy crowd. Day Lewis A recalcitrance I could always be coaxed out of by my father's pretending I was a bear. I. Colegate To rake out the embers of his stove and coax it back into flame. 9 Described by Samuel Johnson as ‘a low word’ and prob. in use long before it is recorded in literature. Sense 3 is prob. the original. ■ coaxer noun eis. coaxingly adverb in a coaxing manner eis.

coaxial /kao'aksial/ adjective. Li9. [from co- + axial.] Sharing a common axis; situated on or rotating about the same axis. Also, using or involving coaxial cable, coaxial cable a coaxial line; a cable consisting of several coaxial lines, coaxial line an electrical transmission line with two concentric conductors separated by an insulator. ■ coaxially adverb li 9.

cob /kDb/ noun1,

lme.

[Origin unkn.]

► I With the notion ‘big’, ‘stout’. 1 A great man, a leading man. Now dial. lme. Ffb A wealthy man, a miser. M16-L17. 2 A male swan. Also cob-swan. lme. 3 A sturdy short-legged riding-horse. E19. ► II With the notion ‘rounded’. 4 a In full cob-nut A large kind of hazelnut; (as cobnut(s)). any of various children's games using nuts. M16. Fb In full cob-loaf. A round-headed loaf. E17" FC In full (now dial.) cob-coal. A large roundish piece of coal. E19. ►d A testicle. Usu. in pi. dial. E19. Fe A (baked apple) dumpling, dial. Li9. 5 a A small stack of hay or corn. dial. Et7. Fb A bunch or knot of hair; a chignon, mi 9. 6 gen. A lump or heap of. dial. L19.

437

cob | coccidiostat

► III With the notion ‘head’, 'top’. f7a Theheadofa(red)herring.U6-Mi7. Fb Inpl.Young herring. Scot. Li9. 8 = CORN-COB 1. L17. 9 The seeding head of wheat, clover, etc. dial, mi 9. 8 corn on the cob maize cooked and eaten attached to the cob. Comb.: cob coal see sense 4c above; cob-iron (a) in pi. (Hist.), the irons supporting a spit; (b) an andiron; cob-loaf: see sense 4b above; cob-meal US corn-cobs ground down; cob-nut(s): see sense 4a above; cob pipe = corn-cob 2.

cob /kDb/ noun2. Also cobb. Mi6. [Perh. of Low German origin: cf. Dutch kobbe, kobmeeuw, East Frisian se-kobbe.]

More fully sea-cob. A gull, esp. a greater black-backed gull. cob /kob/ noun3. E17. [Origin unkn.]

A composition of clay, gravel, and straw, used for build¬ ing walls etc.

cobber /'kobo/ noun2 & verb. Austral. & NZ colloq.

Coburg /'ksubsig/ noun.

Li9.

[Perh. from cob verb1 + -er1.]

► A noun. A companion; a mate; a friend. Li9. ► B verb intrans. Foil, by up: make friends (with). cobble/'kDb(a)l/ noun.

[from Prince Albert of Victoria.] E20.

lme.

II + -le'.] 1 In full cobble-stone. A water-worn rounded stone,

[from cob noun'

[Back-form, from cobbler.] 1 verb trans. & intrans. Mend (esp. shoes); mend roughly or clumsily; patch (up), lis. 2 verb trans. Put together roughly or clumsily. Li6. 3 verb trans. Make by putting things together roughly or clumsily. Also foil, by together, mi8. Li7.

[from cobble noun.]

cob /kDb/ noun4. Also cobb. E17. [Perh. abbreviation of cobble noun.)

1 Pelt with stones etc. dial. L17. 2 Pave with cobbles. M19.

A mole or pier (as constructed of cobble-stones). cobbler/'kDbb/noun. cob /kDb/ noun5. Chiefly Anglo-Irish obsolete exc. Hist. L17. [Perh. from cob noun’ I (as the largest silver coin).]

A Spanish dollar or piece of eight. cob /kDb/ noun6, dial. Also cobb. L17. [Origin unkn.)

A wicker basket carried on the arm. cob /kob/ noun7. US & dial. Also cobb. E19. [from cob verb1.]

A blow, a knock. cob /kDb/ noun5, slang. M20. [Origin unkn.]

A fit of annoyance or anger. Only in have a cob on, get a cob on, be annoyed, become angry. cob noun9 var. of kob noun1. cob /kDb/ verb\ Infl. -bb-. lme. [Origin uncertain: perh. imit.]

11 verb intrans. Fight; give blows. Only in lme. 2 a verb trons. nautical Strike on the buttocks with a flat instrument, as a punishment. Now Hist. mis. Fb gen. Strike, dial. Ei9. 3 verb trons. Crush or bruise (ore). L18. 4 a verb intrans. Of seed: undergo threshing (well etc.). Lis. Fb verb trans. Thresh or beat out (seed). Ei9. cob /kDb/ verb2 intrans. & trans. dial. Infl. -bb-. L19.

1 A person who mends shoes, me. Fb The last sheep to be sheared, an awkward sheep to shear, (in punning allu¬ sion to a cobbler’s last). Austral. & NZ colloq. L19. Fc In pi. [abbreviation of cobbler's awls below]. Testicles; nonsense, rubbish, slang. M20. 2 A clumsy worker, a botcher. Li6. 3 An iced drink of wine, sugar, and lemon, in a tall glass. E19. 4 A dish of fruit, or occas. other ingredients, b