Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 138 results in 138 entries
1. A, n. View full entry OE
...The letter, and the sound it represents....
2. ab-, comb. form View full entry 1904
...Prefixed to the names of units (esp. of electrical and magnetic quantities) in the practical system to form the names of the corresponding units in the centimetre-gram-second electromagnetic system, as abampere...
3. action, n. View full entry a1393
...Something done or performed, a deed, an act; (in pl.) habitual or ordinary deeds, conduct....
4. adaptation, n. View full entry 1597
...The application of something to a particular end or purpose; the action of applying one thing to another or of bringing two things together so as to effect a change in the...
5. adhesion, n. View full entry a1500
...Steadfast commitment to a person or thing; loyalty, allegiance; fidelity, devotion. Also: an instance of this. Cf. adherence1....
6. aerial, adj. View full entry ?1545
...Dwelling, flying, or moving in the air, above the earth; occurring or taking place in the air; (spec. of birds or bats) spending much of the time airborne....
7. aero-, comb. form View full entry 1865
...With reference to air or the air....
8. aerogram, n. View full entry 1890
...A message sent by (an imagined) aircraft or airline. Obs.nonce-use....
9. alpha, n. and adj. View full entry ?c1200
...(The name of) the first letter (Α, α) of the Greek alphabet, corresponding to English a....
10. alpha-tester, n. View full entry 1954
...Electronics. An instrument for ascertaining the ratio of the change in collector current to the corresponding change in emitter current in a transistor in a common-base configuration (the common-base current gain,...
11. Alt, adj.1 and n.3 View full entry 1964
...an escape key on some types of mainframe computer....
12. artificial, adj. and n. View full entry a1398
...Of a thing: made or constructed by human skill, esp. in imitation of, or as a substitute for, something which is made or occurs naturally; man-made....
13. audio-active, adj. View full entry 1958
...Of an approach to language teaching: providing an opportunity for students to listen and respond, typically through the use of audio equipment in a language laboratory; (of such equipment) that allows the...
14. auto-, comb. form1 View full entry c1833
...Forming chiefly scientific terms relating to chemical, biological, or organic processes, with the sense ‘originating within or acting on the body or organism in question; self-produced; self-induced’;human activity or behaviour,...
15. autochrome, n. and adj. View full entry 1902
...A colour photograph made by a process involving several plates for each picture, each plate being used with a different colour filter. rare. Now disused....
16. autodial, n. View full entry 1932
...A trade name for: a combination lock which is operated automatically when a door is closed. rare (disused)....
17. autogenous, adj. View full entry 1826
...gen. Produced without external cause or assistance; self-produced....
18. automatic, adj. and n. View full entry 1599
...Of action, etc.: self-generated, spontaneous; (of a thing) self-acting; having the power of motion within itself. In later use (Physiol.): having intrinsic activity that is not dependent upon external stimuli...
19. automobile, adj. and n. View full entry 1876
...Propelled by some internal mechanism, self-moving; (esp. of a vehicle) having its own means of propulsion, as opposed to being horse-drawn, pulled by a locomotive, etc. Now rare....
20. autophone, n. View full entry 1850
...Usu. with capital initial. A type of small barrel organ producing music by means of perforated cards. Now hist....
