Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 306 results in 306 entries
1. abdominizer, n. View full entry 1989
...A piece of exercise apparatus on which the user lies supine and rocks backwards and forwards, flexing the abdominal muscles. Later also more generally: any of various different types of apparatus designed...
2. ad-lib, v. View full entry 1910
...intr. To speak or perform extempore or without prior rehearsal; to improvise actions, words, music, etc., esp. in the course of a stage or broadcast performance. Also more generally: to improvise;...
3. ageism, n. View full entry 1969
...Prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person's age; age discrimination, esp. against the elderly....
4. airworthiness, n. View full entry 1907
...Of an aircraft, etc.: the condition of being airworthy....
5. Ali shuffle, n. View full entry 1966
...The action of performing rapid footwork in place, intended to confuse, distract, or demoralize an opponent. Cf. rope-a-dope...
6. alterna-, comb. form View full entry 1992
...Forming compounds denoting a form or genre of popular music considered unorthodox or outside of the mainstream, as alterna-funk, alterna-metal, alterna-pop, etc. Cf. alternative music...
7. amp, v.2 View full entry 1979
...trans. To make (a person) very excited, agitated, or energetic through (or as if through) the consumption of amphetamines or another stimulant. Freq. with up....
8. angle-parking, n. View full entry 1916
...The action or practice of parking a vehicle at an oblique angle to the kerb. Also: this style of parking, esp. as part of a regulated civic scheme. Occas. in extended use....
9. animatronic, adj. and n. View full entry 1976
...Of or relating to the use of animatrons; designating an animatron....
10. anthemic, adj. View full entry 1978
...Of popular music: suggestive of or resembling an anthem, esp. in its evocative or emotive qualities; spec. (of a song or refrain) designed to rouse an audience. Sometimes mildly ...
11. arrabbiata, n. View full entry 1979
...In Italian cookery: a spicy tomato-based sauce typically served with pasta....
12. Artex, n. View full entry 1926
...U.S. A type of fine plaster. Now rare....
13. artsy, adj. View full entry 1947
...Artistic, esp. in a self-conscious or pretentious manner. Cf. arty1, artsy-fartsy...
14. -ati, comb. form View full entry 1985
...Forming nouns (often humorous nonce-words) designating elite or prominent groups of people who are associated with what is specified by the stem word, as glamourati, soccerati, etc....
15. auto analyst, n.2 View full entry 1958
...An specialist in analysing the automobile industry or market, esp. for an investment company....
16. babysit, v. View full entry 1946
...To look after a child or children while the parents or guardians are out....
17. backlisted, adj. View full entry 1976
...Of a book title: placed on a backlist....
18. biohacker, n. View full entry 1988
...A person who engages in biohacking....
19. bluesy, adj. View full entry 1933
...Of, characteristic of, or resembling the blues (blues2b), blues songs, or blues singers; having some feature in common with the blues, such as a melancholic aspect, a harmonic progression...
20. BMX, n. View full entry 1978
...Organized bicycle-racing on a dirt-track, esp. for youngsters. Also, a bicycle used for this or similar activities, esp. one which is robust and highly-manœuvrable. Freq. attrib....
