Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 3925 results in 3925 entries
1. Aalenian, n. and adj. View full entry 1882
...A stage at the lowest level of the Middle Jurassic, lying next below the Bajocian; the geological age corresponding to this stage....
2. Aaronid, n. and adj. View full entry 1850
...= Aaronite...
3. Aaron's beard, n. View full entry 1820
...Any of several plants which are thought to resemble a beard in growth, habit, or appearance; esp.the rose of Sharon, Hypericum calcinum, which has prominent tufts of hair-likeeither...
4. aba, n.2 View full entry 1876
...A simplified type of theodolite lacking the artificial horizon sometimes required by the sextant....
5. Abbe, n.2 View full entry 1876
...Used attrib., in the genitive, and with of, to designate optical instruments and concepts invented by or associated with Abbe....
6. ABC, n.2 View full entry 1868
...A process for treating sewage involving the addition to it of a mixture that causes the precipitation of much of the solid matter as a sludge, which was then available for sale...
7. Abdim, n. View full entry 1872
...In full Abdim's stork. A small stork native to Eastern Africa, Ciconia abdimii, with predominantly black plumage and white underparts....
8. Abelian, adj. View full entry 1846
...Designating concepts associated with Abel or arising from his work; of the nature of or relating to such a concept....
9. Abernethian, adj. View full entry 1819
...Of, relating to, or associated with the surgeon John Abernethy or his theories of medicine; spec. designating a blunt manner of speaking reminiscent of that attributed to Abernethy (now ...
10. Abernethy, n. View full entry 1830
...More fully Abernethy biscuit. A hard biscuit flavoured with caraway seeds....
11. Abert's squirrel, n. View full entry 1853
...A tree squirrel, Sciurus aberti, found in pine forests of southwestern North America, which is dark grey with pale undersides and distinctive long black ear tufts....
12. Abney, n. View full entry 1883
...a small hand-held instrument used in surveying for the measurement of slopes and vertical angles, invented by Abney in the 1870s....
13. abote, adj. View full entry 1878
...Probably a misreading of a boot (boat)....
14. acadialite, n. View full entry 1840
...A reddish mineral long recognized as a particular form of chabazite....
15. Achilles heel, n. View full entry 1840
...A vulnerable spot or weak point....
16. † achirite, n. View full entry 1820
...= dioptase...
17. achoo, int. and n. View full entry 1843
...Representing the sound of a sneeze. Cf. atishoo...
18. 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....
19. Ackermann, n. View full entry 1898
...attrib. Designating a steering mechanism designed so that, when a vehicle turns, both the outer and the inner wheels remain perpendicular to the radius of the turn, even though the outer...
20. Acrasian, adj. View full entry 1818
...Of, relating to, or characteristic of Acrasia, a personification of excess or intemperance presented as a deceitful enchantress in Spenser's Faerie Queene (cf. quot. 1590acrasia); spec....
