Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 406 results in 406 entries
1. ack, n. View full entry 1898
...A syllable used to represent the letter a in signalling and telephone communications, and in the oral spelling of messages....
2. adamsite, n.2 View full entry 1919
...An organic arsenic compound which induces vomiting and is irritating to the eyes and lungs, used in the form of an aerosol in chemical warfare, riot control, etc.; also called DM...
3. Africa Star, n. View full entry 1943
...A military decoration awarded to British Commonwealth soldiers for service in Africa during the Second World War....
4. Aich's metal, n. View full entry 1861
...A hard alloy of copper, zinc, and iron, used (esp. formerly) in gun-making and marine engineering....
5. Albert, n.2 View full entry 1840
...(usually in pl.) a type of boot popularized by Prince Albert, orig. and esp. one having a fabric upper and patent leather toecap....
6. Aldermaston, n. View full entry 1958
...Used attrib. with reference to demonstrations and protest marches to Aldermarston by people opposed to nuclear weapons, as Aldermaston march, Aldermaston marcher....
7. Aldis, n. View full entry 1902
...a kind of anastigmatic compound lens that is a doublet consisting of a front lens which is convex on one side and concave on the other and a back lens which is...
8. Alice, n.2 View full entry 1973
...A soldier's field pack for carrying weapons and other essential items, typically consisting of a frame with a rucksack and subsidiary attachments, or a belt or harness with a collection of pockets,...
9. Ally Sloper, n. View full entry 1890
...Used attrib. to designate a person or thing resembling, characteristic of, or relating to Ally Sloper, esp. in appearance or behaviour. Also (occas.): a person resembling Ally Sloper....
10. ARVN | Arvin, n. View full entry 1966
...The Army of the Republic of (South) Vietnam; a member of this army....
11. asap, adv. (and adj.) View full entry 1954
...As soon as possible; as quickly as possible, straightaway. Also as ...
12. AWACS, n. View full entry 1966
...An airborne long-range radar system for detecting other aircraft, including low-flying ones, and controlling weapons directed against them....
13. bad, adj., n.2, and adv. View full entry 1203
...Of poor quality or little worth....
14. Baedeker, n. View full entry 1863
...Any of the series of guide-books issued by Baedeker at Coblenz, or by his successors; also applied loosely to any guide-book. Also fig....
15. Bailey bridge, n. View full entry 1944
...A bridge of lattice steel designed for rapid assembly from prefabricated standard parts, used esp. in military operations. Also Bailey bridging and ellipt....
16. ballow, n.1 View full entry a1616
...Prob. a misprint for baton, to which the word is emended in many modern editions of King Lear. The Quartos read battero (which is prob. another...
17. bamboo, n. View full entry 1598
...A genus of giant-grasses (genus Bambusa), numerous species of which are common throughout the tropics. Also the stem of any of these used as a stick, or as material....
18. Bangalore torpedo, n. View full entry 1913
...A tube containing explosive used by troops for blowing up wire entanglements....
19. bantam, n. View full entry 1749
...A small variety of the domestic fowl, most breeds of which have feathered legs: the cocks are spirited fighters....
20. basket, n. View full entry a1300
...A vessel of wickerwork, made of plaited osiers, cane, rushes, bast, or other materials....
