Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 260 results in 260 entries
1. ace, n.1 and adj. (and int.) View full entry ?a1300
...A single point in a game, and related uses....
2. adhocracy, n. View full entry 1966
...A flexible and informal style of organization and management, characterized by a lack of bureaucracy. Also (depreciative): bureaucracy characterized by inconsistency and lack of planning....
3. adhocratic, adj. View full entry 1970
...Characterized by adhocracy; informal, flexible. Also (freq. depreciative): lacking planning or strategy; ad hoc, inconsistent....
4. alimony, n. View full entry c1613
...Law. Provision for the maintenance of a (former) spouse made by a husband (occas. a wife) after divorce or legal separation or during proceedings for these....
5. all, adj., pron., and n., adv., and conj. View full entry eOE
...With singular noun. The whole amount, quantity, extent, or compass of; the whole of....
6. alpha, n. and adj. View full entry ?c1200
...(The name of) the first letter (Α, α) of the Greek alphabet, corresponding to English a....
7. apple, n. View full entry eOE
...The round firm fruit (a pome) of any of various wild and cultivated trees of the genus Malus (see sense 4a), occurring in a wide variety of forms,...
8. article, n. View full entry ?c1225
...Each of the separate items of a summary of faith; spec.each of the separate clauses or statements of the Apostles' Creed; (freq. with capital initial) any of the...
9. baby, n. and adj. View full entry c1400
...A very young child, esp. one not yet able to walk and dependent on the care of others; an infant. Also applied to an unborn child. Formerly also: †a child...
10. bag, n. View full entry ?c1225
...A receptacle made of some flexible material closed in on all sides except at the top (where also it generally can be closed); a pouch, a small sack....
11. ball and chain, n. View full entry 1818
...A heavy metal ball secured by a chain to a person's leg to prevent escape or as a punishment. Cf. chain and ballchain2a. Now chiefly hist....
12. bang, v.1 View full entry ?c1550
...trans. To strike violently with a resounding blow; to thump, thrash....
13. bargain, n.1 View full entry 1330
...Discussion between two parties of the terms on which one is to give or do something to or for the other; chaffering; bargaining. Obs....
14. base, n.1 View full entry ?a1325
...Part of a structure....
15. bean-counter, n. View full entry 1975
...An accountant, esp. one who compiles statistical records or accounts; also applied contempt. to financial planners or statisticians. Hence, a person excessively concerned with accounts or figures....
16. bear, n.1 View full entry c1000
...A heavily-built, thick-furred plantigrade quadruped, of the genus Ursus; belonging to the Carnivora, but having teeth partly adapted to a vegetable diet. ...
17. bed, n. View full entry c995
...A permanent structure or arrangement for sleeping on, or for the sake of rest. In some form or other it constitutes a regular article of household furniture in civilized life, as well...
18. beggar, n. View full entry a1250
...One who asks alms, especially habitually; one who lives by so doing....
19. bit, n.2 View full entry c1000
...The portion of food bitten off at once; as much as is taken in the mouth at once; a mouthful; = bite4. Obs....
20. black, adj. and n. View full entry eOE
...Designating the darkest colour possible, that of soot, coal, the sky on a moonless night in open country, and a small hole in a hollow object; of or having this colour; (also)...
