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Showing 1-100 of 272858 results in 272858 entries

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1. A, n. View full entry OE

...The letter, and the sound it represents....

2. a, adj. View full entry ?a1160

...Used in an indefinite noun phrase referring to something not specifically identified (and, freq., mentioned for the first time) but treated as one of a class: one, some, any (the oneness, or...

3. a, prep.1 View full entry OE

...Expressing position within, situation, etc.: in, with; = on7a13. Now Eng. regional....

4. a, prep.2 View full entry c1275

...Representing a genitive dependent on a verb or adjective; = ofXI....

5. † a, conj. View full entry ?a1325

...= andI....

6. a, int.1 View full entry ?c1200

...Expressing invocation, surprise, or admiration; (also) used to gain attention. Obs....

7. a, int.2 View full entry c1440

...Prefixed to a proper name as a war cry....

8. a-, prefix1 View full entry

...With verbs, implying motion onward or away from a position; hence (originally with verbs of motion) adding intensity....

9. a-, prefix2 View full entry c1275

...(No longer productive.) Expressing completeness; = y-23....

10. a-, prefix3 View full entry 1673

...(No longer productive.) Forming verbs, adverbs, and prepositions, originally with the senses ‘on’, ‘on to’....

11. a-, prefix4 View full entry

...(No longer productive.) Forming compounds with nouns, verbs, and adjectives, originally with the senses ‘away’, ‘off’, ‘from’, ‘of’....

12. a-, prefix5 View full entry

...(Not productive in English.) Forming verbs and adjectives (and their derivatives), expressing addition or increase, or bringing into a state....

13. a-, prefix6 View full entry

...Forming nouns and adjectives, with the sense ‘without’; ‘not’; ‘-less’....

14. -a, suffix1 View full entry

...Forming the scientific names of genera (or subgenera) of living organisms, as hosta, Maiasaura, Murraya...

15. -a, suffix2 View full entry

...Forming the plural of nouns with singulars ending in -um or -on derived from Latin and Greek neuter nouns....

16. A1, adj. View full entry 1776

...Esp. of a wooden ship: first-class in respect of both hull and fittings (originally and esp. as classified in Lloyd's Register: see note in etymology). Also A1 at Lloyd's. Now...

17. A2, n. View full entry 1999

...The second half of an A level which is divided into two discrete components. Freq. attrib., esp. in A2 level....

18. † aa, n.1 View full entry 1430

...A stream, a watercourse....

19. aa, n.2 View full entry 1859

...A kind of volcanic lava with a rough, jagged surface covered with loose clinkers. Freq. attrib., esp. in aa lava. Contrasted with pahoehoe....

20. aal, n. View full entry 1799

...The noni or Indian mulberry, Morinda citrifolia. Also: the reddish dye obtained from this plant, used (esp. formerly) in India to colour cotton fabrics. Cf. Morinda...

21. 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....

22. aam, n. View full entry a1400

...A Dutch and German liquid measure of varying capacity, ranging in different continental cities from 37 to 44 imperial gallons (168.2 to 200.2 litres) and used in Britain for Rhenish wine; (also)...

23. aandblom, n. View full entry 1793

...Any of several evening-scented wild flowers of the family Iridaceae; esp. Hesperantha falcata, which has fragrant white flowers that open in the late afternoon....

24. aandblommetjie, n. View full entry 1870

...= aandblom...

25. Aanderaa, n. View full entry 1969

...attrib. Designating an instrument for measuring, recording, and transmitting oceanographic data, typically the direction and speed of currents and the water temperature; esp. in Aanderaa current meter....

26. aapa, n. View full entry 1998

...An older sister. Also used as a term of respect or familiarity to an older woman....

27. aardvark, n. View full entry 1785

...A medium-sized, nocturnal African mammal, Orycteropus afer, which has sparse hair, long ears, an elongated snout, strong burrowing limbs, and a thick tail, feeding solely on ants and termites. Also...

28. aardwolf, n. View full entry 1833

...A small, nocturnal African hyena, Proteles cristata, which has a mane along the back and black vertical stripes, feeding chiefly on termites. Also called earth wolf, maanhaar...

29. aaron, n.1 View full entry ?c1425

...The wild arum or cuckoo pint, Arum maculatum. Cf. arum...

30. Aaron, n.2 View full entry 1565

...A person resembling the Jewish high priest Aaron, esp. a high priest, a leader....

31. Aaronic, adj. View full entry 1652

...Of or relating to Aaron or the order of priesthood which he is taken to represent; Levitical. Also: characteristic of or relating to a high priest....

32. Aaronical, adj. View full entry ?1549

...Of or relating to Aaron; Aaronic....

34. Aaronite, n. and adj. View full entry a1382

...A descendant or follower of Aaron; a member of the Jewish priesthood. Cf. Aaron...

35. 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...

36. Aaron's bells, n. View full entry 1581

...Originally: the small bells attached to the hem of Aaron's ephod (see quot. 1611 in etymology). In later use also: small bells used as Torah scroll ornaments. Also fig....

37. Aaron's rod, n. View full entry 1631

...In similative and allusive use: a powerful force which devours or overwhelms everything around it....

38. Aaron's serpent, n. View full entry 1732

...= Aaron's rod1....

39. aasvoel, n. View full entry 1821

...A vulture; esp. the Cape vulture, Gyps coprotheres....

40. † ab, n.1 View full entry 1587

...Moisture within timber; sap....

41. ab, n.2 View full entry 1956

...An abdominal muscle; = abdominal3. Usu. in pl....

42. ab-, prefix View full entry

...In combinations already formed in Latin and freq. maintained through Old French, as abhor, or adapted or formed in later French, as abscond, absorb, or adapted...

43. ab-, comb. form View full entry 1904

...Prefixed to the names of units (esp. of electrical and magnetic quantities) in the practical system to form the names of the corresponding units in the centimetre-gram-second electromagnetic system, as abampere...

44. aba, n.1 View full entry 1792

...A loose-fitting overgarment of various forms, traditionally worn by esp. Arab men and women. Cf. abaya...

45. aba, n.2 View full entry 1876

...A simplified type of theodolite lacking the artificial horizon sometimes required by the sextant....

46. abac, n. View full entry 1890

...A type of nomogram in which the required value is determined by use of a ruler or other straight edge....

47. abaca, n. View full entry 1751

...A kind of banana plant, Musa textilis, native to the Philippines, the petioles of which yield a strong fibre. Also: the fibre itself, used for making paper, ropes, matting, etc.;...

48. abacinate, v. View full entry 1855

...trans. To blind by placing red-hot irons or reflective metal plates in front of the eyes. Also in extended use....

49. abacination, n. View full entry 1866

...The action of blinding a person by placing red-hot irons or reflective metal plates in front of the eyes; an instance of this. Also in extended use....

50. abaciscus, n. View full entry 1753

...A square section containing part or all of the pattern of a mosaic pavement; (also) a single mosaic tile, a tessera. Now rare....

51. abacist, n. View full entry a1387

...A person who makes calculations using an abacus....

52. † aback, n. View full entry 1592

...A square section or area, sometimes containing an inscription....

53. aback, adv. View full entry OE

...In a backward direction; to or towards the rear; back. Also fig. and in extended use: from the scene of action, away, to a distance; to a former place or...

54. † abackstays, adv. View full entry 1630

...In line with the direction of the wind; with sails positioned in this way, thus presenting no surface to the wind....

55. abackward, adv. View full entry c1275

...= backward...

56. † abackwards, adv. View full entry a1477

...= back5. Cf. abackward...

57. abacost, n. View full entry 1974

...In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire): a man's suit consisting of a short-sleeved collarless jacket and loose trousers. ...

58. abacot, n. View full entry 1548

...= bycoket...

59. abactinal, adj. View full entry 1857

...Designating the part or surface of an echinoderm or other radiate animal that is furthest from the mouth (as the upper side of a starfish); relating to this part; = aboral...

60. abaction, n. View full entry 1623

...The action of driving something away; spec. the action of stealing livestock, esp. cattle, by driving them away....

61. abactor, n. View full entry 1659

...A person who steals livestock, esp. herds of cattle, usually by driving the animals away. Also in extended use....

62. abaculus, n. View full entry 1868

...A square or tile for use in a mosaic pavement; a tessera. Cf. abaciscus...

63. abacus, n. View full entry a1387

...A board or tray strewn with sand in which numbers, letters, diagrams, etc., can be traced and erased. Cf. sandboard1, sand-table(a)sand2a. Now rare...

64. † abada, n. View full entry 1588

...Originally in south and south-east Asia: a rhinoceros....

65. Abaddon, n. View full entry c1350

...Apollyon, the destroyer; (a name for) the Devil. ...

66. † abaeile, v. View full entry OE

...trans. To anger, offend; to provoke....

67. abaft, adv. and prep. View full entry a1400

...Chiefly Naut. To or towards the rear; backward....

69. † abail, v.1 View full entry 1450

...trans. To provide bail for, to release on bail; (also) to pay bail to....

70. † abail, v.2 View full entry 1513

...trans. To reach, get to....

71. abaisance, n. View full entry a1486

...An act expressing deference or respect, usually a bending forwards of the body; a bow....

72. abaiser, n. View full entry 1849

...A soft black pigment; ivory black, bone black....

73. † abait, v. View full entry a1400

...trans. To excite, stimulate (sexual appetite)....

74. abakwetha, adj. and n. View full entry 1846

...Of or relating to the traditional initiation period or ritual symbolizing passage into manhood among Xhosas....

75. abalienate, v. View full entry a1555

...trans. To estrange or alienate in feeling; to cause to feel removed or distant. Also: to remove, distance. Freq. with from. Now rare....

76. abalienation, n. View full entry 1596

...Removal or transferral of feeling; estrangement, alienation....

77. abalone, n. View full entry 1850

...An edible gastropod mollusc of the genus Haliotis, typically found in warm seas, having a shallow ear-shaped shell lined with mother-of-pearl and pierced with a line of respiratory holes; an...

78. † aban, v. View full entry eOE

...trans. To summon, esp. by proclamation; spec. to call to arms. Freq. with out....

79. A band, n. View full entry 1939

...In fibrils of striated muscle: each of the transverse bands which alternate with I bands, appearing dark under polarized light and composed of interdigitating filaments of actin and myosin....

80. aband, v. View full entry 1574

...trans. To banish. Obs....

81. abanderado, n. View full entry 1598

...A standard-bearer....

82. † abandon, n.1 View full entry a1425

...Chiefly Sc.at (also in) abandoun: recklessly, impetuously; unreservedly, freely. to give in abandon: to give freely....

83. abandon, n.2 View full entry 1614

...The action of abandoning; abandonment, relinquishment; an instance of this....

84. abandon, v. View full entry a1393

...trans. To let go, give up, renounce (a pursuit, practice, possession, etc.); to cease to use, have, or practise....

85. † abandon, adv. View full entry a1250

...Under control or authority; at one's disposal....

86. abandonable, adj. View full entry 1611

...Capable of being abandoned....

87. † abandonate, v. View full entry ?1561

...trans. = abandon (in various senses). Also refl....

88. abandoned, adj. View full entry a1393

...In predicative use: devoted or given up to an influence, passion, pursuit, etc.; (now esp.) devoted to something evil or immoral....

89. abandonedly, adv. View full entry 1723

...In an abandoned manner; spec.without moral or sexual constraint, profligately;without bounds or restriction, freely....

90. abandonee, n. View full entry 1804

...A person to whom anything is formally or legally abandoned; spec. (in marine insurance) the underwriters to whom all interest in property insured is relinquished after a loss (cf. ...

91. abandoner, n. View full entry 1562

...A person, creature, etc., that abandons or forsakes something. Freq. followed by of....

92. abandoning, n. View full entry a1500

...The action of relinquishing, giving up, or deserting; abandonment....

93. † abandonly, adv.1 View full entry 1487

...Recklessly, impetuously, unguardedly....

94. abandonly, adv.2 View full entry 1757

...Without constraint....

95. abandonment, n. View full entry 1593

...The surrender or devotion of oneself to an influence, passion, emotion, etc.; self-abandonment; an instance of this....

96. † abandum, n. View full entry 1729

...Anything which is sequestered, proscribed, or abandoned....

97. abangan, n. View full entry 1956

...With pl. concord. Indonesians, esp. Javanese, who are syncretically or culturally (rather than observantly) Muslim....

98. † abannation, n. View full entry 1721

...= abannition...

99. † abannition, n. View full entry 1583

...An act or the action of banishing someone, usually for a year as a punishment for manslaughter....

100. abapical, adj. View full entry 1866

...Designating a side or part that is furthest from or opposite to an apex....

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