Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 122 results in 122 entries
1. 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;...
2. 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...
3. all-star, adj. and n. View full entry 1888
...orig. Theatre. Of a cast, production, etc.: consisting of or performed wholly by well-known and popular performers....
4. 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...
5. 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....
6. 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....
7. Artex, n. View full entry 1926
...U.S. A type of fine plaster. Now rare....
8. auto analyst, n.2 View full entry 1958
...An specialist in analysing the automobile industry or market, esp. for an investment company....
9. body slam, n. View full entry 1899
...A move in which the opponent's body is lifted and thrown hard on to the mat. Also fig. and in extended use....
10. boo, n.3 View full entry 1988
...Esp among teenagers: a girlfriend or boyfriend. Also as a form of address....
11. breakout, adj. View full entry 1960
...colloq. (orig. U.S.). Characterized by or producing sudden or unexpected success; suddenly (and sometines unexpectedly) popular or successful....
12. bunny hop, n. View full entry 1938
...orig. U.S. An informal dance in which participants typically form a line and perform jumping and kicking movements....
13. 'burb, n. View full entry 1977
...A suburb, a suburban area. Freq. in pl. with the....
14. carbo-load, n. and adj. View full entry 1982
...A meal or snack high in carbohydrates, usually eaten with the intention of increasing energy levels; (Athletics) such a meal eaten with other competitors the day before an athletic event....
15. carbo-load, v. View full entry 1983
...intr. To practise carbo-loading (Athletics); (gen.) to eat food high in carbohydrates....
16. care package, n. View full entry 1946
...A proprietary name for: a humanitarian aid package containing food or other necessities in quantities appropriate for a family or individual. Also in extended use....
17. channel grazer, n. View full entry 1991
...= channel surfer...
18. channel hopper, n. View full entry 1979
...orig. U.S. = channel surfer...
19. channel-hopping, n. View full entry 1979
...orig. U.S. = channel surfing...
20. churn rate, n. View full entry 1982
...The percentage of customers who discontinue using a particular service over a specific period of time (freq. a year); esp. the percentage of users of an Internet access provider or...
