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Absolute majority n. Majority over all rivals combined. |
Absolute pitch n. Ability to recognize or sound any given note. |
Absolute temperature n. One measured from absolute zero. |
Absolute zero n. Theoretical lowest possible temperature calculated as –273.15° c (or 0° k). |
Absolution n. Formal forgiveness of sins. |
Absolutism n. Principle or practice of absolute government. absolutist n. |
Absolve v. (-ving) (often foll. By from, of) set or pronounce free from blame or obligation etc. [latin: related to *solve] |
Absorb v. 1 incorporate as part of itself or oneself. 2 take in, suck up (liquid, heat, knowledge, etc.). 3 reduce the effect or intensity of; deal easily with (an impact, sound, difficulty, etc.). 4 consume (resources etc.). 5 (often as absorbing adj.) Engross the attention of. [latin sorbeo suck in] |
Absorbent —adj. Tending to absorb. —n. Absorbent substance or organ. |
Absorption n. 1 absorbing or being absorbed. 2 mental engrossment. absorptive adj. |
Abstain v. 1 (usu. Foll. By from) refrain from indulging (abstained from smoking). 2 decline to vote. [latin teneo tent- hold] |
Abstemious adj. Moderate or ascetic, esp. In eating and drinking. abstemiously adv. [latin: related to *ab-, temetum strong drink] |
Abstention n. Abstaining, esp. From voting. [latin: related to *abstain] |
Abstinence n. Abstaining, esp. From food or alcohol. abstinent adj. [french: related to *abstain] |
Abstract —adj. 1 a of or existing in thought or theory rather than matter or practice; not concrete. B (of a word, esp. A noun) denoting a quality, condition, etc., not a concrete object. 2 (of art) achieving its effect by form and colour rather than by realism. —v. 1 (often foll. By from) extract, remove. 2 summarize. —n. 1 summary. 2 abstract work of art. 3 abstraction or abstract term. [latin: related to *tract1] |
Abstracted adj. Inattentive, distracted. abstractedly adv. |
Abstraction n. 1 abstracting or taking away. 2 abstract or visionary idea. 3 abstract qualities (esp. In art). 4 absent-mindedness. |
Abstruse adj. Hard to understand, profound. [latin abstrudo -trus- conceal] |
Absurd adj. Wildly illogical or inappropriate; ridiculous. absurdity n. (pl. -ies). Absurdly adv. [latin: related to *surd] |
Abta abbr. Association of british travel agents. |
Abundance n. 1 plenty; more than enough; a lot. 2 wealth. [latin: related to *abound] |
Abundance n. 1 plenty; more than enough; a lot. 2 wealth. [latin: related to *abound] |
Abundant adj. 1 plentiful. 2 (foll. By in) rich (abundant in fruit). abundantly adv. |
Abuse —v. (-sing) 1 use improperly, misuse. 2 insult verbally. 3 maltreat. —n. 1 misuse. 2 insulting language. 3 unjust or corrupt practice. 4 maltreatment (child abuse). abuser n. [latin: related to *use] |
Abusive adj. Insulting, offensive. abusively adv. |
Abut v. (-tt-) 1 (foll. By on) (of land) border on. 2 (foll. By on, against) (of a building) touch or lean upon (another). [anglo-latin butta strip of land: related to *butt1] |
Abutment n. Lateral supporting structure of a bridge, arch, etc. |
Abuzz adv. & adj. In a state of excitement or activity. |
Abysmal adj. 1 colloq. Extremely bad (abysmal food). 2 profound, utter (abysmal ignorance). abysmally adv. [latin: related to *abyss] |
Abyss n. 1 deep chasm. 2 immeasurable depth (abyss of despair). [latin from greek, = bottomless] |
Ac abbr. 1 (also ac) alternating current. 2 aircraftman. |
Ac symb. Actinium. |
A/c abbr. Account. [account current] |
-ac suffix forming adjectives often (or only) used as nouns (cardiac; maniac). [latin -acus, greek -akos] |
Acacia n. Tree with yellow or white flowers, esp. One yielding gum arabic. [latin from greek] |
Academia n. The academic world; scholastic life. |
Academic —adj. 1 scholarly, of learning. 2 of no practical relevance; theoretical. —n. Teacher or scholar in a university etc. academically adv. |
Academician n. Member of an academy. [french académicien] |
Academy n. (pl. -ies) 1 place of specialized training (military academy). 2 (usu. Academy) society or institution of distinguished scholars, artists, scientists, etc. (royal academy). 3 scot. Secondary school. [greek akademeia the place in athens where plato taught] |
Acanthus n. (pl. -thuses) 1 herbaceous plant with spiny leaves. 2 archit. Representation of its leaf. [latin from greek] |
A cappella adj. & adv. (of choral music) unaccompanied. [italian, = in church style] |
Acas abbr. Advisory, conciliation, and arbitration service. |
Accede v. (-ding) (foll. By to) 1 take office, esp. As monarch. 2 assent or agree. [latin: related to *cede] |
Accelerate v. (-ting) move or cause to move or happen more quickly. acceleration n. [latin: related to *celerity] |
Accelerator n. 1 device for increasing speed, esp. The pedal controlling the speed of a vehicle's engine. 2 physics apparatus for imparting high speeds to charged particles. |
Accent —n. 1 particular (esp. Local or national) mode of pronunciation. 2 distinctive feature or emphasis (accent on speed). 3 prominence given to a syllable by stress or pitch. 4 mark on a letter or word to indicate pitch, stress, or vowel quality. —v. 1 emphasize (a word or syllable etc.). 2 write or print accents on (words etc.). 3 accentuate. [latin cantus song] |
Accentuate v. (-ting) emphasize, make prominent. accentuation n. [medieval latin: related to *accent] |
Accept v. 1 (also absol.) Willingly receive (a thing offered). 2 (also absol.) Answer affirmatively (an offer etc.). 3 regard favourably; treat as welcome (felt accepted). 4 believe, receive (an opinion, explanation, etc.) As adequate or valid. 5 take as suitable (does accept cheques). 6 undertake (an office or duty). [latin capio take] |
Acceptable adj. 1 worth accepting, welcome. 2 tolerable. acceptability n. Acceptably adv. [french: related to *accept] |
Acceptance n. 1 willingness to accept. 2 affirmative answer to an invitation etc. 3 approval, belief (found wide acceptance). |
Access —n. 1 way of approach or entry (shop with rear access). 2 a right or opportunity to reach or use or visit; admittance (access to secret files, to the prisoner). B accessibility. 3 archaic outburst (an access of anger). —v. 1 computing gain access to (data etc.). 2 accession. [french: related to *accede] |