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Showing 1-20 of 265 results in 265 entries
1. abstractionism, n. View full entry 1842
...Usu. somewhat depreciative. The presentation of ideas in abstract terms; the tendency to favour abstract explanations and theories while ignoring or paying insufficient attention to concrete details or particular instances....
2. ad hocism, n. View full entry 1956
...depreciative. The use of (or tendency to use) ad hoc measures, rather than general long-term strategies, to deal with issues, situations, etc....
3. 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....
4. alpha, n. and adj. View full entry ?c1200
...(The name of) the first letter (Α, α) of the Greek alphabet, corresponding to English a....
5. animal, n. View full entry a1398
...A living organism which feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and a nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli; any living creature, including man....
6. art, n.1 View full entry c1300
...Skill in doing something, esp. as the result of knowledge or practice....
7. 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...
8. ass, n.1 View full entry c1000
...A well-known quadruped of the horse kind, distinguished from the horse by its smaller size, long ears, tuft at end of tail, and black stripe across the shoulders. Found wild in western...
9. Babel, n. View full entry a1529
...A confused or discordant medley of sounds, esp. of voices; a hubbub, a din. Perh. influenced by babble2 in later use....
10. baboon, n. View full entry c1400
...A representation of a grotesque figure or monster, esp. in architecture, or as a manuscript decoration. Cf. baboonery1. hist. after Middle English....
11. 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...
12. 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....
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. barn, n. View full entry c950
...A covered building for the storage of grain; and, in wider usage, of hay, straw, flax, and other produce of the earth....
15. base, n.1 View full entry ?a1325
...Part of a structure....
16. bastard, n. and adj. View full entry 1297
...One begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate or natural child....
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. 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....
19. 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)...
20. black jack, n.2 View full entry c1540
...A large, tar-coated leather jug for beer. Cf. black bowlblack5a. Now hist....
