Table Of Content

A A-prefix (also an-before a vowel sound) not, without (amoral). [greek] Aa abbr. 1 automobile association. 2 alcoholics anonymous. 3 anti-aircraft. Aardvark n. Mammal with a tubular snout and a long tongue, feeding on termites. [afrikaans] Ab-prefix off, away, from (abduct). [latin] Aback adv. take aback surprise, disconcert. [old english: related to *a2] Abacus n. (pl. -cuses) 1 frame with wires along which beads are slid for calculating. 2 archit. Flat slab on top of a capital. [latin from greek from hebrew] Abaft naut. —adv. In the stern half of a ship. —prep. Nearer the stern than. [from *a2, -baft: see *aft] Abandon —v. 1 give up. 2 forsake, desert. 3 (often foll. By to; often refl.) Yield to a passion, another’s control, etc. —n. Freedom from inhibitions. abandonment n. [french: related to ad-, ban] Abandoned adj. 1 deserted, forsaken. 2 unrestrained, profligate. Abase v. (-sing) (also refl.) Humiliate, degrade. abasement n. [french: related to ad-, base2] Abashed predic. Adj. Embarrassed, disconcerted. [french es- *ex-1, baïr astound] Abate v. (-ting) make or become less strong etc.; diminish. abatement n. [french abatre from latin batt(u)o beat] Abattoir n. Slaughterhouse. [french abatre fell, as *abate] Abbacy n. (pl. -ies) office or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess. [latin: related to *abbot] Abbé n. (in france) abbot or priest. [french from latin: related to *abbot] Abbess n. Head of a community of nuns. Abbey n. (pl. -s) 1 building(s) occupied by a community of monks or nuns. 2 the community itself. 3 building that was once an abbey. Abbot n. Head of a community of monks. [old english from latin abbas] Abbot n. Head of a community of monks. [old english from latin abbas] Abbreviate v. (-ting) shorten, esp. Represent (a word etc.) By a part of it. abbreviation n. [latin: related to *brief] Abc n. 1 the alphabet. 2 rudiments of a subject. 3 alphabetical guide. Abdicate v. (-ting) 1 (usu. Absol.) Give up or renounce (the throne). 2 renounce (a duty, right, etc.). abdication n. [latin dico declare] Abdomen n. 1 the belly, including the stomach, bowels, etc. 2 the hinder part of an insect etc. abdominal adj. [latin] Abduct v. Carry off or kidnap illegally. abduction n. Abductor n. [latin duco lead] Abeam adv. At right angles to a ship’s or an aircraft’s length. Aberdeen angus n. Animal of a scottish breed of hornless black cattle. [aberdeen in scotland] Aberdonian —adj. Of aberdeen. —n. Native or citizen of aberdeen. [medieval latin] Aberrant adj. Deviating from what is normal or accepted. [latin: related to *err] Aberration n. 1 aberrant behaviour; moral or mental lapse. 2 biol. Deviation from a normal type. 3 distortion of an image because of a defect in a lens or mirror. 4 astron. Apparent displacement of a celestial body. Abet v. (-tt-) (usu. In aid and abet) encourage or assist (an offender or offence). [french: related to ad-, bait] Abeyance n. (usu. Prec. By in, into) temporary disuse. [french: related to *ad-, beer gape] Abhor v. (-rr-) detest; regard with disgust. [latin: related to *horror Abhorrence n. Disgust; detestation. Abhorrent adj. (often foll. By to) disgusting or hateful. Abide v. (-ding; past abided or rarely abode) 1 (usu. In neg.) Tolerate, endure (can’t abide him). 2 (foll. By by) a act in accordance with (abide by the rules). B keep (a promise). 3 archaic remain, continue. [old english a-intensive prefix, *bide] Abiding adj. Enduring, permanent. Ability n. (pl. -ies) 1 (often foll. By to + infin.) Capacity or power. 2 cleverness, talent. [french: related to *able] -ability suffix forming nouns of quality from, or corresponding to, adjectives in - able. Ab initio adv. From the beginning. [latin] Abject adj. Miserable, wretched; degraded; despicable. abjection n. [latin jacio - ject-throw] Abjure v. (-ring) renounce on oath (an opinion, cause, etc.). abjuration n. [latin juro swear] Ablative gram. —n. Case (in latin) of nouns and pronouns indicating an agent, instrument, or location. —adj. Of or in the ablative. [latin ablatus taken away] Ablaze predic. Adj. & adv. 1 on fire. 2 glittering, glowing. 3 greatly excited. Able adj. (abler, ablest) 1 (often foll. By to + infin.; used esp. In is able, will be able, etc., replacing tenses of can) having the capacity or power (not able to come). 2 talented, clever. ably adv. [latin habilis] -able suffix forming adjectives meaning: 1 that may or must be (eatable; -able suffix forming adjectives meaning: 1 that may or must be (eatable; payable). 2 that can be made the subject of (dutiable; objectionable). 3 relevant to or in accordance with (fashionable; seasonable). [latin -abilis] Able-bodied adj. Fit, healthy. Able-bodied seaman n. Ordinary trained seaman. Ablution n. (usu. In pl.) 1 ceremonial washing of the hands, sacred vessels, etc. 2 colloq. A ordinary bodily washing. B place for this. [latin ablutio from luo lut- wash] -ably suffix forming adverbs corresponding to adjectives in -able. Abm abbr. Anti-ballistic missile. Abnegate v. (-ting) give up or renounce (a pleasure or right etc.). [latin nego deny] Abnegation n. Denial; renunciation of a doctrine. Abnormal adj. Deviating from the norm; exceptional. abnormality n. (pl. -ies). Abnormally adv. [french: related to *anomalous] Abo (also abo) austral. Slang usu. Offens. —n. (pl. -s) aboriginal. —adj. Aboriginal. [abbreviation] Aboard adv. & prep. On or into (a ship, aircraft, etc.). [from *a2] Abode1 n. Dwelling-place. [related to *abide] Abode2 see *abide. Abolish v. Put an end to (esp. A custom or institution). [latin aboleo destroy] Abolition n. Abolishing or being abolished. abolitionist n. A-bomb n. = *atomic bomb. [a for *atomic] Abominable adj. 1 detestable, loathsome. 2 colloq. Very unpleasant (abominable weather). abominably adv. [latin abominor deprecate] Abominable snowman n. Supposed manlike or bearlike himalayan animal; yeti. Abominate v. (-ting) detest, loathe. abomination n. [latin: related to *abominable] Aboriginal —adj. 1 indigenous, inhabiting a land from the earliest times, esp. Before the arrival of colonists. 2 (usu. Aboriginal) of australian aborigines. —n. 1 aboriginal inhabitant. 2 (usu. Aboriginal) aboriginal inhabitant of australia. [latin: related to *origin] Aborigine n. (usu. In pl.) 1 aboriginal inhabitant. 2 (usu. Aborigine) aboriginal inhabitant of australia. Usage when referring to the people, aboriginal is preferred for the singular form and aborigines for the plural, although aboriginals is also acceptable. Abort v. 1 miscarry. 2 a effect abortion of (a foetus). B effect abortion in (a mother). 3 end or cause (a project etc.) To end before completion. [latin orior be born] Abortion n. 1 natural or (esp.) Induced expulsion of a foetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. 2 stunted or deformed creature or thing. 3 failed project or action. abortionist n. Aboriginal —adj. 1 indigenous, inhabiting a land from the earliest times, esp. Before the arrival of colonists. 2 (usu. Aboriginal) of australian aborigines. —n. 1 aboriginal inhabitant. 2 (usu. Aboriginal) aboriginal inhabitant of australia. [latin: related to *origin] Aborigine n. (usu. In pl.) 1 aboriginal inhabitant. 2 (usu. Aborigine) aboriginal inhabitant of australia. Usage when referring to the people, aboriginal is preferred for the singular form and aborigines for the plural, although aboriginals is also acceptable. Abort v. 1 miscarry. 2 a effect abortion of (a foetus). B effect abortion in (a mother). 3 end or cause (a project etc.) To end before completion. [latin orior be born] Abortion n. 1 natural or (esp.) Induced expulsion of a foetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. 2 stunted or deformed creature or thing. 3 failed project or action. abortionist n. Abortive adj. Fruitless, unsuccessful. Abound v. 1 be plentiful. 2 (foll. By in, with) be rich; teem. [latin unda wave] About —prep. 1 a on the subject of (a book about birds). B relating to (glad about it). C in relation to (symmetry about a plane). 2 at a time near to (about six). 3 a in, round (walked about the town; a scarf about her neck). B all round from a centre (look about you). 4 at points in (strewn about the house). 5 carried with (no money about me). 6 occupied with (about her business). —adv. 1 a approximately (about ten miles). B colloq. In an understatement (just about had enough). 2 nearby (a lot of flu about). 3 in every direction (look about). 4 on the move; in action (out and about). 5 in rotation or succession (turn and turn about). be about (or all about) colloq. Have as its essential nature (life is all about having fun). Be about to be on the point of (was about to laugh). [old english] About-face n. & int. = *about-turn, about turn. About-turn —n. 1 turn made so as to face the opposite direction. 2 change of opinion or policy etc. —int. (about turn) mil. Command to make an about-turn. Above —prep. 1 over; on the top of; higher than; over the surface of (head above water; above the din). 2 more than (above twenty people). 3 higher in rank, importance, etc., than. 4 a too great or good for (not above cheating). B beyond the reach of (above my understanding; above suspicion). —adv. 1 at or to a higher point; overhead (the floor above; the sky above). 2 earlier on a page or in a book (as noted above). —adj. Preceding (the above argument). —n. (prec. By the) preceding text (the above shows). above all most of all, more than anything else. Above oneself conceited, arrogant. [old english: related to *a2] Above-board adj. & adv. Without concealment; open or openly. Abracadabra —int. Supposedly magic word used in conjuring. —n. Spell or charm. [latin from greek] Abrade v. (-ding) scrape or wear away (skin, rock, etc.) By rubbing. [latin rado scrape] Abrasion n. 1 scraping or wearing away (of skin, rock, etc.). 2 resulting damaged area. Abrasive —adj. 1 a tending to rub or graze. B capable of polishing by rubbing or grinding. 2 harsh or hurtful in manner. —n. Abrasive substance.