Collins Dictionaries - Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus Essential

Arab n

1a member of a Semitic people originally from Arabia ▸ adj 2of the Arabsarabesque (ar-ab- besk) n 1a ballet position in which one leg is raised behind and the arms are extended 2(arts) an elaborate design of intertwined leaves, flowers, and scrolls 3an ornate piece of musicArabian adj 1of Arabia or the Arabs ▸ n 2same as Arab Arabic n 1the language of the Arabs ▸ adj 2of this language, the Arabs, or Arabiaarable adj (of land) suitable for growing crops onarachnid (ar- rak-nid) n an eight-legged insect-like creature, such as a spider, scorpion, or tickAran adj (of knitwear) knitted in a complicated pattern traditional to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Irelandarbiter n 1a person empowered to judge in a dispute 2a person with influential opinions about something: the customer must be the ultimate arbiter of qualityarbitrary adj 1not done according to any plan or for any particular reason ◇ SYNONYMS: random, chance, subjective, inconsistent, erratic, personal, whimsical, capricious 2without consideration for the wishes of others: the arbitrary power of the king > arbitrarily advarbitrate vb -trating, -tratedto settle (a dispute) by arbitration > arbitrator narbitration n the hearing and settlement of a dispute by an impartial referee chosen by both sides ◇ SYNONYMS: decision, settlement, judgment, determination, adjudicationarbor1 n (US) same as arbour arbor2 n a revolving shaft or axle in a machinearboreal (ahr- bore-ee-al) adj 1of or resembling a tree 2living in or among treesarboretum (ahr-bore- ee-tum) n, pl -ta(-ta) a botanical garden where rare trees or shrubs are cultivatedarboriculture n the cultivation of trees or shrubsarbour or (US) arbor n a shelter in a garden shaded by trees or climbing plantsarc n 1something curved in shape ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bend, bow, arch, crescent, half-moon 2(maths) a section of a circle or other curve 3(electronics) a stream of very bright light that forms when an electric current flows across a small gap between two electrodes ▸ vb 4to form an arcarcade n 1a covered passageway lined with shops 2a set of arches and their supporting columns ◇ SYNONYMS: gallery, cloister, portico, colonnadearcane adj very mysteriousarch1 n 1a curved structure that spans an opening or supports a bridge or roof ◇ SYNONYMS: archway, curve, dome, span, vault 2something curved ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bend, bow, crook, arc, hunch, sweep, hump 3the curved lower part of the foot ▸ vb 4to form an arch ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bridge, bend, bow, span, arcarch2 adj 1knowing or superior 2coyly playful: she gave him an arch smile ◇ SYNONYMS: playful, sly, mischievous, saucy, pert, roguish, frolicsome, waggish > archly advarch- or archi- combining form chief or principal: archbishop; archenemyarchaeology or archeology n the study of ancient cultures by the scientific analysis of physical remains > archaeological or archeological adj > archaeologist or archeologist narchaic (ark- kay-ik) adj 1of a much earlier period 2out of date or old-fashioned 3(of a word or phrase) no longer in everyday use > archaically advarchaism ( ark-kay-iz-zum) n an archaic word or style > archaistic adjarchangel ( ark-ain-jell) n an angel of the highest rankarchbishop n a bishop of the highest rankarchdeacon n a church official ranking just below a bishop > archdeaconry narchdiocese n the diocese of an archbishoparcher n a person who shoots with a bow and arrowarchery n the art or sport of shooting with a bow and arrowarchetype ( ark-ee-type) n 1a perfect or typical specimen 2an original model; prototype > archetypal adjarchipelago (ark-ee- pel-a-go) n, pl -gos 1a group of islands 2a sea full of small islandsarchitect n 1a person qualified to design and supervise the construction of buildings ◇ SYNONYMS: designer, planner, draughtsman or woman or person, master builder 2any planner or creator: you will be the architect of your own futurearchitecture n 1the style in which a building is designed and built: Gothic architecture ◇ SYNONYMS: construction, design, style 2the science of designing and constructing buildings ◇ SYNONYMS: design, planning, building, construction 3the structure or design of anything: computer architecture ◇ SYNONYMS: structure, design, shape, make-up, construction, framework, layout, anatomy > architectural adjarchitrave ( ark-ee-trave) n (archit) 1a beam that rests on top of columns 2a moulding around a doorway or window openingarchive ( ark-ive) n 1a place where records or documents are kept ◇ SYNONYMS: record office, museum, registry, repository 2 archivesa collection of records or documents ◇ SYNONYMS: records, papers, accounts, rolls, documents, files, deeds, chronicles 3(computers) data moved to a disk or directory for long-term storage ▸ vb 4to store in an archive > archival adjarchivist ( ark-iv-ist) n a person in charge of archivesarchway n a passageway under an archarctic adj (informal) very cold; freezing ◇ SYNONYMS: freezing, cold, frozen, icy, chilly, glacial, frigidArctic n 1 the Arcticthe area around the North Pole ▸ adj 2of this region ◇ SYNONYMS: polar, far-northern, hyperboreanardent adj 1passionate ◇ SYNONYMS: passionate, intense, impassioned, emotional, lusty, amorous, hot-blooded 2intensely enthusiastic ◇ SYNONYMS: enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, zealous > ardently advardour or (US) ardor n 1emotional warmth; passion 2intense enthusiasmarduous adj difficult to accomplish; strenuousare1 vb the plural form of the present tense of be used as the singular form with youare2 n a unit of measure equal to one hundred square metresarea n 1a section, part, or region ◇ SYNONYMS: part, section, sector, portion 2a part having a specified function: reception area ◇ SYNONYMS: part, section, sector, portion 3the size of a two-dimensional surface 4a subject field: the area of literature ◇ SYNONYMS: realm, part, department (informal), field, province, sphere, domain 5a sunken area giving access to a basement 6any flat, curved, or irregular expanse of a surface 7range or scopearena n 1a seated enclosure where sports events take place ◇ SYNONYMS: ring, ground, field, theatre, bowl, pitch, stadium, enclosure 2the area of an ancient Roman amphitheatre where gladiators fought 3a sphere of intense activity: the political arena ◇ SYNONYMS: scene (informal), world, area, stage, field, sector, territory, provincearen't are notareola n, pl -laeor -lasa small circular area, such as the coloured ring around the human nippleargon n (chem) an unreactive odourless element of the rare gas series, forming almost 1 per cent of the atmosphere. SYMBOL: Arargot ( ahr-go) n slang or jargon peculiar to a particular groupargue vb -guing, -gued 1to try to prove by presenting reasons ◇ SYNONYMS: claim, reason, challenge, insist, maintain, allege, assert, uphold 2to debate ◇ SYNONYMS: discuss, debate, dispute 3to quarrel ◇ SYNONYMS: quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, disagree, squabble, bicker 4to persuade: we argued her out of going 5to suggest: her looks argue despair > arguable adj > arguably advargument n 1a quarrel ◇ SYNONYMS: quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, controversy, disagreement, feud 2a discussion ◇ SYNONYMS: debate, questioning, claim, discussion, dispute, issue, controversy, plea, assertion 3a point presented to support or oppose a proposition ◇ SYNONYMS: reason, case, reasoning, ground(s), defence, logic, polemic, dialecticargumentation n the process of reasoning methodicallyargumentative adj likely to argueargy-bargy or argie-bargie n, pl -bargies(Brit informal) a squabbling argumentaria ( ah-ree-a) n an elaborate song for solo voice in an opera or choral workarid adj 1having little or no rain 2uninteresting > aridity naright adv correctly or properlyarise vb arising, arose, arisen 1to come into being: the opportunity for action did not arise ◇ SYNONYMS: happen, start, begin, follow, result, develop, emerge, occur 2to come into notice: people can seek answers to their problems as and when they arise ◇ SYNONYMS: happen, start, begin, follow, result, develop, emerge, occur 3 arise fromto happen as a result of 4(old-fashioned) to get or stand up ◇ SYNONYMS: get to your feet, get up, rise, stand up, spring up, leap uparistocracy n, pl -cies 1a class of people of high social rank 2government by this class 3a group of people considered to be outstanding in a particular sphere of activityaristocrat n a member of the aristocracyaristocratic adj 1of the aristocracy ◇ SYNONYMS: upper-class, lordly, titled, elite, gentlemanly, noble, patrician, blue-blooded 2grand or elegantarithmetic n 1the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 2calculations involving numerical operations 3knowledge of or skill in arithmetic: even simple arithmetic was beyond him ▸ adj also arithmetical 4of or using arithmetic > arithmetically adv > arithmetician nark n (Bible) the boat built by Noah, which survived the FloodArk n (Judaism) 1Also called: Holy Arkthe cupboard in a synagogue in which the Torah scrolls are kept 2Also called: Ark of the Covenanta chest containing the laws of the Jewish religion, regarded as the most sacred symbol of God's presence among the Hebrew peoplearm1 n 1(in humans, apes, and monkeys) either of the upper limbs from the shoulder to the wrist ◇ SYNONYMS: upper limb, limb, appendage 2the sleeve of a garment 3the side of a chair on which one's arm can rest 4a subdivision or section of an organization: the London-based arm of a Swiss bank 5something resembling an arm in appearance or function: the arm of a record player 6power or authority: the long arm of the law 7 arm in armwith arms linked 8 at arm's lengthat a distance 9 with open armswith warmth and hospitalityarm2 vb 1to supply with weapons 2to prepare (an explosive device) for use 3to provide (a person or thing) with something that strengthens or protects: you will be armed with all the information you will ever need ▸ See also arms > armed adjarmada n 1a large number of ships 2 the Armadathe great fleet sent by Spain against England in 1588armadillo n, pl -losa small S American burrowing mammal covered in strong bony platesArmageddon n 1(New Testament) the final battle between good and evil at the end of the world 2a catastrophic and extremely destructive conflictarmament n 1 armamentsthe weapon equipment of a military vehicle, ship, or aircraft 2preparation for wararmature n 1a revolving structure in an electric motor or generator, wound with the coils that carry the current 2(sculpture) a framework to support the clay or other material used in modellingarmchair n 1an upholstered chair with side supports for the arms ▸ adj 2taking no active part: we are, on the whole, a nation of armchair athletesarmful n as much as can be held in the arms: armfuls of lovely flowersarmhole n the opening in a piece of clothing through which the arm passesarmistice ( arm-miss-stiss) n an agreement between opposing armies to stop fightingarmour or (US) armor n 1metal clothing worn by medieval warriors for protection in battle ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 2(military) armoured fighting vehicles in general 3the protective metal plates on a tank or warship ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 4protective covering, such as the shell of certain animals ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 5a quality or attitude that gives protection ▸ vb 6to equip or cover with armourarmourer or (US) armorer n 1a person who makes or mends arms and armour 2a person in charge of small arms in a military unitarmoury or (US) armory n, pl -mouriesor -mories 1a secure storage place for weapons 2military supplies 3resources on which to draw: modern medicine has a large armoury of drugs for the treatment of illnessarmpit n 1the hollow beneath the arm where it joins the shoulder 2(slang) an extremely unpleasant place: the armpit of the Mediterraneanarms pl n 1weapons collectively 2military exploits: prowess in arms 3the heraldic symbols of a family or state 4 take up armsto prepare to fight 5 under armsarmed and prepared for war 6 up in armsprepared to protest stronglyarmy n, pl -mies 1the military land forces of a nation ◇ SYNONYMS: soldiers, military, troops, armed force, legions, infantry, military force, land force 2a large number of people or animals ◇ SYNONYMS: vast number, host, gang, mob, flock, array, legion, swarmaroma n 1a distinctive pleasant smell ◇ SYNONYMS: scent, smell, perfume, fragrance, bouquet, savour, odour, redolence 2a subtle pervasive quality or atmospherearomatherapy n the use of fragrant essential oils as a treatment in alternative medicine, often to relieve tensionaromatic adj 1having a distinctive pleasant smell 2(chem) (of an organic compound) having an unsaturated ring of atoms, usually six carbon atoms ▸ n 3something, such as a plant or drug, that gives off a fragrant smellarose vb the past tense of arise around prep 1situated at various points in: cameramen were positioned around the auditorium ◇ SYNONYMS: surrounding, about, enclosing, encompassing, framing, encircling, on all sides of, on every side of 2from place to place in: he had spent twenty-five minutes driving around Amsterdam 3somewhere in or near 4approximately in: around 1980 ◇ SYNONYMS: approximately, about, nearly, close to, roughly, just about, in the region of, circa ▸ adv 5in all directions from a point of reference: there wasn't a house for miles around ◇ SYNONYMS: everywhere, about, throughout, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro 6in the vicinity, esp. restlessly but idly: I couldn't hang around too long 7in no particular place or direction: a few tropical fish tanks dotted around ◇ SYNONYMS: everywhere, about, throughout, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro 8(informal) present in some unknown or unspecified place 9(informal) available: these laptops have been around for several years 10 have been around(informal) to have gained considerable experience of a worldly or social naturearouse vb arousing, aroused 1to produce (a reaction, emotion, or response) ◇ SYNONYMS: stimulate, encourage, inspire, prompt, spur, provoke, rouse, stir up 2to awaken from sleep ◇ SYNONYMS: awaken, wake up, rouse, waken > arousal narpeggio (arp- pej-ee-oh) n, pl -giosa chord whose notes are played or sung in rapid successionarraign (ar- rain) vb 1to bring (a prisoner) before a court to answer a charge 2to accuse > arraignment narrange vb -ranging, -ranged 1to plan in advance: my parents had arranged a surprise party ◇ SYNONYMS: plan, agree, prepare, determine, organize, construct, devise, contrive, jack up (NZ informal) 2to arrive at an agreement: they had arranged to go to the cinema 3to put into a proper or systematic order ◇ SYNONYMS: put in order, group, order, sort, position, line up, organize, classify, jack up (NZ informal) 4to adapt (a musical composition) for performance in a certain way ◇ SYNONYMS: adapt, score, orchestrate, harmonize, instrumentarrangement n 1a preparation or plan made for an event: travel arrangements ◇ SYNONYMS: plan, planning, provision, preparation 2an agreement or a plan to do something ◇ SYNONYMS: agreement, contract, settlement, appointment, compromise, deal (informal), pact, compact 3a thing composed of various ordered parts: a flower arrangement ◇ SYNONYMS: display, system, structure, organization, exhibition, presentation, classification, alignment 4the form in which things are arranged ◇ SYNONYMS: display, system, structure, organization, exhibition, presentation, classification, alignment 5an adaptation of a piece of music for performance in a different way ◇ SYNONYMS: adaptation, score, version, interpretation, instrumentation, orchestration, harmonizationarrant adj utter or downright: that's the most arrant nonsense I've ever heardarras n a tapestry wall-hangingarray n 1an impressive display or collection ◇ SYNONYMS: arrangement, show, supply, display, collection, exhibition, line-up, mixture 2an orderly arrangement, such as of troops in battle order 3(computers) a data structure in which elements may be located by index numbers 4(poetic) rich clothing ◇ SYNONYMS: clothing, dress, clothes, garments, apparel (old-fashioned), attire, finery, regalia ▸ vb 5to arrange in order ◇ SYNONYMS: arrange, show, group, present, range, display, parade, exhibit 6to dress in rich clothing ◇ SYNONYMS: dress, clothe, deck, decorate, adorn, festoon, attirearrears pl n 1money owed 2 in arrearslate in paying a debtarrest vb 1to take (a person) into custody ◇ SYNONYMS: capture, catch, nick (slang, chiefly Brit), seize, detain, apprehend, take prisoner 2to slow or stop the development of ◇ SYNONYMS: stop, end, limit, block, slow, delay, interrupt, suppress 3to catch and hold (one's attention) ◇ SYNONYMS: fascinate, hold, occupy, engage, grip, absorb, entrance, intrigue ▸ n 4the act of taking a person into custody ◇ SYNONYMS: capture, bust (informal), detention, seizure 5 under arrestbeing held in custody by the police 6the slowing or stopping of something: a cardiac arrest ◇ SYNONYMS: stoppage, suppression, obstruction, blockage, hindrancearresting adj attracting attention; striking ◇ SYNONYMS: striking, surprising, engaging, stunning (informal), impressive, outstanding, remarkable, noticeablearrival n 1the act of arriving ◇ SYNONYMS: appearance, coming, arriving, entrance, advent, materialization 2a person or thing that has just arrived ◇ SYNONYMS: newcomer, incomer, visitor, caller, entrant 3(informal) a recently born babyarrive vb -riving, -rived 1to reach a place or destination ◇ SYNONYMS: come, appear, turn up, show up (informal), draw near 2 arrive atto come to (a conclusion, idea, or decision) 3to occur: the crisis he predicted then has now arrived ◇ SYNONYMS: occur, happen, take place 4(informal) to be born 5(informal) to attain success ◇ SYNONYMS: succeed, make it (informal), triumph, do well, thrive, flourish, be successful, make goodarrogant adj having an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance or ability ◇ SYNONYMS: conceited, proud, cocky, overbearing, haughty, scornful, egotistical, disdainful > arrogance n > arrogantly advarrogate vb -gating, -gatedto claim or seize without justification > arrogation narrow n 1a long slender pointed weapon, with feathers at one end, that is shot from a bow ◇ SYNONYMS: dart, flight, bolt, shaft (archaic), quarrel 2an arrow-shaped sign or symbol used to show the direction to a place ◇ SYNONYMS: pointer, indicator, markerarrowhead n the pointed tip of an arrowarrowroot n an easily digestible starch obtained from the root of a West Indian plantarse or (US & Canad) ass n (vulgar, slang) the buttocks or anusarsehole or (US & Canad) asshole n (vulgar, slang) 1the anus 2a stupid or annoying personarsenal n 1a building in which arms and ammunition are made or stored ◇ SYNONYMS: armoury, storehouse, ammunition dump, arms depot, ordnance depot 2a store of anything regarded as weapons: this new weapon in the medical arsenal ◇ SYNONYMS: store, supply, stockpilearsenic n 1a toxic metalloid element. SYMBOL: As 2a nontechnical name for arsenic trioxide, a highly poisonous compound used as a rat poison and insecticide ▸ adj also arsenical 3of or containing arsenicarson n the crime of intentionally setting fire to property > arsonist nart n 1the creation of works of beauty or other special significance ◇ SYNONYMS: artwork, style of art, fine art, creativity 2works of art collectively 3human creativity as distinguished from nature 4skill: she was still new to the art of bargaining ◇ SYNONYMS: skill, craft, expertise, competence, mastery, ingenuity, virtuosity, cleverness 5any branch of the visual arts, esp. painting ◇ SYNONYMS: artwork, style of art, fine art, creativity 6 get something down to a fine artto become proficient at something through practiceartefact or artifact n something made by human beings, such as a tool or a work of artarterial adj 1of or affecting an artery 2being a major route: an arterial roadarteriosclerosis (art-ear-ee-oh-skler- oh-siss) n thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries. Nontechnical name: hardening of the arteriesartery n, pl -teries 1any of the tubes that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to various parts of the body 2a major road or means of communicationartesian well (art- teez-yan) n a well receiving water from a higher altitude, so the water is forced to flow upwardsArtex n (trademark, Brit) a type of coating for walls and ceilings that gives a textured finishartful adj 1cunning 2skilful in achieving a desired end > artfully advarthritis n inflammation of a joint or joints, causing pain and stiffness > arthritic adj, narthropod n a creature, such as an insect or a spider, which has jointed legs and a hard case on its bodyartic n (Brit informal) an articulated lorryartichoke n 1Also called: globe artichokethe flower head of a thistle-like plant, cooked as a vegetable 2same as Jerusalem artichokearticle n 1a written composition in a magazine or newspaper ◇ SYNONYMS: feature, story, paper, piece, item, creation, essay, composition 2an item or object ◇ SYNONYMS: thing, piece, unit, item, object, device, tool, implement 3a clause in a written document ◇ SYNONYMS: clause, point, part, section, item, passage, portion, paragraph 4(grammar) any of the words a, an, or thearticled adj bound by a written contract, such as one that governs a period of training: an articled clerkarticulate adj 1able to express oneself fluently and coherently ◇ SYNONYMS: expressive, clear, coherent, fluent, eloquent, lucid 2distinct, clear, or definite: his amiable and articulate campaign attracted support ◇ SYNONYMS: expressive, clear, coherent, fluent, eloquent, lucid 3(zool) possessing joints ▸ vb -lating, -lated 4to speak clearly and distinctly ◇ SYNONYMS: pronounce, say, talk, speak, voice, utter, enunciate 5to express coherently in words ◇ SYNONYMS: express, say, state, word, declare, phrase, communicate, utter > articulately advarticulated lorry n a large lorry in two separate sections connected by a pivoted bararticulation n 1the expressing of an idea in words 2the process of articulating a speech sound or the sound so produced 3a being jointed together 4(zool) a joint between bones or arthropod segmentsartifice n 1a clever trick 2skill or clevernessartificer (art- tiff-iss-er) n a skilled craftsmanartificial adj 1man-made; not occurring naturally ◇ SYNONYMS: synthetic, manufactured, plastic (slang), man-made, non-natural 2made in imitation of a natural product: artificial flavourings ◇ SYNONYMS: synthetic, manufactured, plastic (slang), man-made, non-natural 3not sincere ◇ SYNONYMS: insincere, forced, affected, phoney or phony (informal), false, contrived, unnatural, feigned > artificiality n > artificially advartificial insemination n introduction of semen into the womb by means other than sexual intercourseartificial intelligence n the branch of computer science aiming to produce machines which can imitate intelligent human behaviourartificial respiration n any method of restarting a person's breathing after it has stoppedartillery n 1large-calibre guns ◇ SYNONYMS: big guns, battery, cannon, ordnance, gunnery 2military units specializing in the use of such gunsartisan n a skilled worker; craftsperson > artisanal adjartist n 1a person who produces works of art such as paintings or sculpture 2a person who is skilled at something 3same as artiste > artistic adj > artistically advartiste n a professional entertainer such as a singer or dancerartistry n 1artistic ability 2great skillartless adj 1free from deceit or cunning: artless generosity 2natural or unpretentious > artlessly advarty adj artier, artiest(informal) having an affected interest in art > artiness narum lily n a plant with a white funnel-shaped leaf surrounding a yellow spike of flowersas conj 1while or when: he arrived just as the band finished the song ◇ SYNONYMS: when, while, just as, at the time that 2in the way that: they had talked and laughed as only the best of friends can ◇ SYNONYMS: in the way that, like, in the manner that 3that which; what: George did as he was asked 4(of) which fact or event (referring to the previous statement): to become wise, as we all know, is not easy 5 as it werein a way; in a manner of speaking: he was, as it were, on probation 6since; seeing that ◇ SYNONYMS: since, because, seeing that, considering that, on account of the fact that 7for instance ▸ adv, conj 8used to indicate amount or extent in comparisons: he was as fat as his mum and dad ▸ prep 9in the role of; being: my task, as his physician, is to do the best that I can ◇ SYNONYMS: in the role of, being, under the name of, in the character of 10 as for or towith reference to 11 as if or thoughas it would be if: she felt as if she had been run over by a bulldozer 12 as (it) isin the existing state of affairsASA (in Britain) 1Amateur Swimming Association 2Advertising Standards Authorityasafoetida n a strong-smelling plant resin used as a spice in Eastern cookerya.s.a.p. as soon as possibleasbestos n a fibrous mineral which does not burn, formerly widely used as a heat-resistant materialasbestosis n inflammation of the lungs resulting from inhalation of asbestos fibreascend vb 1to go or move up 2to slope upwards 3 ascend the throneto become king or queenascendancy or ascendance n the condition of being dominant: when hardliners were in the ascendancy last winterascendant or ascendent adj 1dominant or influential ▸ n 2(astrol) the sign of the zodiac that is rising on the eastern horizon at a particular moment 3 in the ascendantincreasing in power or influenceascension n the act of ascendingascent n 1the act of ascending 2an upward slopeascertain vb to find out definitely > ascertainment nascetic (ass- set-tik) n 1a person who abstains from worldly comforts and pleasures ▸ adj 2rigidly abstinent and self-denyingascorbic acid (ass- core-bik) n a vitamin that occurs in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables, and which prevents and cures scurvy. Also called: vitamin Cascribe vb -cribing, -cribed 1to attribute, as to a particular origin: headaches which may be ascribed to stress 2to consider that (a particular quality) is possessed by something or someone: specific human qualities are ascribed to each of the four elements > ascription naseptic (eh- sep-tik) adj free from harmful bacteriaasexual (eh- sex-yew-al) adj 1having no apparent sex or sex organs 2(of reproduction) not involving sexual activity 3(of a person) not sexually attracted to other people > asexually advash1 n 1the powdery substance formed when something is burnt 2fine particles of lava thrown out by an erupting volcanoash2 n a tree with grey bark and winged seedsashamed adj 1overcome with shame or remorse ◇ SYNONYMS: embarrassed, sorry, guilty, distressed, humiliated, self-conscious, red-faced, mortified 2unwilling through fear of humiliation or shame: she'd be ashamed to admit to jealousy ◇ SYNONYMS: reluctant, embarrassedashen adj pale with shockashlar or ashler n 1a square block of cut stone for use in building 2a thin dressed stone used to face a wallashore adv towards or on land ◇ SYNONYMS: on land, on the beach, on the shore, aground, to the shore, on dry land, shorewards, landwardsashram n a religious retreat where a Hindu holy man livesashtray n a dish for tobacco ash and cigarette endsAsh Wednesday n the first day of Lent, named from the Christian custom of sprinkling ashes on penitents' headsAsian adj 1of Asia 2(Brit) of the Indian subcontinent ▸ n 3a person from Asia 4(Brit) a person from the Indian subcontinent or a descendant of oneAsian pear n an apple-shaped pear with crisp juicy fleshAsiatic adj Asianaside adv 1to one side ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 2out of other people's hearing: her mother took her aside for a serious talk ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 3out of mind: she pushed aside her fears of being beaten or killed ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 4into reserve: a certain amount must also be put aside for defence and government ▸ n 5a remark not meant to be heard by everyone present ◇ SYNONYMS: interpolation, parenthesis 6a remark that is not connected with the subject being discussedasinine ( ass-in-nine) adj 1obstinate or stupid 2of or like an assask vb 1to say or write (something) in a form that requires an answer: I asked him his name; 'do you think we'll have trouble landing?' he asked ◇ SYNONYMS: inquire, question, quiz, query, interrogate 2to make a request or demand: the chairman asked for a show of hands 3to invite ◇ SYNONYMS: invite, bid, summon 4to inquire about: I pretended to be lost and asked for directions 5to expect: is that too much to ask?askance (ass- kanss) adv look askance at Ato look at with an oblique glance Bto regard with suspicionaskew adv, adj towards one side; crookedaslant adv 1at a slant ▸ prep 2slanting acrossasleep adj 1in or into a state of sleep ◇ SYNONYMS: sleeping, napping, dormant, dozing, slumbering, snoozing (informal), fast asleep, sound asleep 2(of limbs) numb 3(informal) not listening or paying attentionAS level n 1(Brit) the advanced subsidiary level of a subject taken for the General Certificate of Education, having a smaller content than the advanced level 2a pass in a subject at AS levelasp n a small viper of S Europeasparagus n the young shoots of a plant of the lily family, which can be cooked and eatenaspect n 1a distinct feature or element in a problem or situation ◇ SYNONYMS: feature, side, factor, angle, characteristic, facet 2a position facing a particular direction: the room's east-facing aspect ◇ SYNONYMS: position, view, situation, scene, prospect, point of view, outlook 3appearance or look: a room with a somewhat gloomy aspect ◇ SYNONYMS: appearance, look, air, condition, quality, bearing, attitude, castaspen n a poplar tree whose leaves quiver in the windAsperger syndrome or Asperger's syndrome n a form of autism in which the person affected has limited but obsessive interestsasperity (ass- per-rit-ee) n, pl -tiesroughness or sharpness of temperaspersion n cast aspersions onto make disparaging or malicious remarks aboutasphalt n 1a black tarlike substance used in road-surfacing and roofing materials ▸ vb 2to cover with asphaltasphodel n a plant with clusters of yellow or white flowersasphyxia (ass- fix-ee-a) n unconsciousness or death caused by lack of oxygenasphyxiate vb -ating, -atedto smother or suffocate > asphyxiation naspic n a savoury jelly based on meat or fish stock, used as a mould for meat or vegetablesaspidistra n a house plant with long tapered evergreen leavesaspirant n a person who aspires, such as to a powerful positionaspirate (phonetics) vb -rating, -rated 1to pronounce (a word or syllable) with an initial h ▸ n 2the sound represented in English and several other languages as haspiration n 1a strong desire or aim ◇ SYNONYMS: aim, plan, hope, goal, dream, wish, desire, objective 2(phonetics) the pronunciation of an aspirated consonant > aspirational adjaspire vb -piring, -piredto yearn for something or hope to do or be something: it struck him as bizarre that somebody could aspire to be a dental technician > aspiring adjaspirin n, pl -rinor -rins 1a drug used to relieve pain and fever 2a tablet of aspirinass n 1a mammal resembling the horse but with longer ears ◇ SYNONYMS: donkey, moke (slang) 2a foolish person ◇ SYNONYMS: fool, idiot, twit (informal, chiefly Brit), oaf, jackass, blockhead, dorba or dorb (Austral slang)assagai n same as assegai assail vb 1to attack violently 2to criticize strongly 3to disturb: he was assailed by a dizzy sensation > assailant nassassin n a murderer of a prominent person ◇ SYNONYMS: murderer, killer, slayer, liquidator, executioner, hitman or woman (slang), hatchet man or woman or person (slang)assassinate vb -nating, -natedto murder (a prominent person) ◇ SYNONYMS: murder, kill, eliminate (slang), take out (slang), terminate, hit (slang), slay, liquidate > assassination nassault n 1a violent attack, either physical or verbal ◇ SYNONYMS: attack, raid, invasion, charge, offensive, onslaught, foray ▸ vb 2to attack violently ◇ SYNONYMS: strike, attack, beat, knock, bang, slap, smack, thumpassault course n an obstacle course designed to give soldiers practice in negotiating hazardsassay vb 1to analyse (a substance, such as gold) to find out how pure it is ▸ n 2an analysis of the purity of an ore or precious metalassegai or assagai n, pl -gaisa sharp light spear used in southern Africaassemblage n 1a collection or group of things 2the act of assemblingassemble vb -bling, -bled 1to collect or gather together ◇ SYNONYMS: gather, meet, collect, rally, come together, muster, congregate 2to put together the parts of (a machine) ◇ SYNONYMS: put together, join, set up, build up, connect, construct, piece together, fabricateassembly n, pl -blies 1a number of people gathered together for a meeting ◇ SYNONYMS: gathering, group, meeting, council, conference, crowd, congress, collection, hui (NZ), runanga (NZ) 2a group of people who meet regularly to make decisions or laws for a particular region or country: the National Assembly for Wales 3the act of assembling ◇ SYNONYMS: putting together, setting up, construction, building up, connecting, piecing togetherassembly line n a sequence of machines and workers in a factory assembling a productassent n 1agreement, consent ▸ vb 2to agreeassert vb 1to state or declare ◇ SYNONYMS: state, argue, maintain, declare, swear, pronounce, affirm, profess 2to insist upon (one's rights, etc.) ◇ SYNONYMS: insist upon, stress, defend, uphold, put forward, press, stand up for 3 assert oneselfto speak and act forcefully ◇ SYNONYMS assert yourself: be forceful, put your foot down (informal), put yourself forward, make your presence felt, exert your influenceassertion n 1a positive statement, usually made without evidence ◇ SYNONYMS: statement, claim, declaration, pronouncement 2the act of asserting ◇ SYNONYMS: insistence, stressing, maintenanceassertive adj confident and direct in dealing with others ◇ SYNONYMS: confident, positive, aggressive, forceful, emphatic, insistent, feisty (informal), pushy (informal) > assertively adv > assertiveness nassess vb 1to judge the worth or importance of ◇ SYNONYMS: judge, estimate, analyse, evaluate, rate, value, check out, weigh up 2to estimate the value of (income or property) for taxation purposes ◇ SYNONYMS: evaluate, rate, tax, value, estimate, fix, impose, levy > assessment nassessor n 1a person who values property for taxation or insurance purposes 2a person with technical expertise called in to advise a court 3a person who evaluates the merits of somethingasset n 1a thing or person that is valuable or useful ◇ SYNONYMS: benefit, help, service, aid, advantage, strength, resource, attraction 2any property owned by a person or companyasseverate vb -ating, -ated(formal) to declare solemnly > asseveration nassiduous adj 1hard-working 2done with care > assiduity n > assiduously advassign vb 1to select (someone) for a post or task ◇ SYNONYMS: select for, post, commission, elect, appoint, delegate, nominate, name 2to give a task or duty (to someone) ◇ SYNONYMS: give, set, grant, allocate, give out, consign, allot, apportion 3to attribute to a specified cause ◇ SYNONYMS: attribute, credit, put down, set down, ascribe, accredit 4to set apart (a place or time) for a particular function or event: to assign a day for the meeting 5(law) to transfer (one's right, interest, or title to property) to someone elseassignation (ass-sig- nay-shun) n a secret arrangement to meet, esp. one between loversassignment n 1something that has been assigned, such as a task ◇ SYNONYMS: task, job, position, post, commission, exercise, responsibility, duty 2the act of assigning 3(law) the transfer to another person of a right, interest, or title to propertyassimilate vb -lating, -lated 1to learn and understand (information) thoroughly 2to adjust or become adjusted: they became assimilated to German culture 3to absorb (food) > assimilable adj > assimilation nassist vb 1to give help or support ◇ SYNONYMS: help, support, aid, cooperate with, abet, lend a helping hand to ▸ n 2(sport) a pass by a player which enables another player to score a goalassistance n help or support ◇ SYNONYMS: help, backing, support, aid, cooperation, helping handassistant n 1a helper or subordinate ◇ SYNONYMS: helper, ally, colleague, supporter, aide, second, attendant, accomplice ▸ adj 2junior or deputy: assistant managerassizes pl n (Brit) (formerly in England and Wales) the sessions of the principal court in each countyassociate vb -ating, -ated 1to connect in the mind ◇ SYNONYMS: connect, link, ally, identify, join, combine, attach, fasten 2to mix socially: addicts are driven to associate with criminals ◇ SYNONYMS: socialize, mix, accompany, mingle, consort, hobnob 3 be associated or associate oneself withto be involved with (a group) because of shared views: she had long been associated with the far right ▸ n 4a partner in business ◇ SYNONYMS: partner, friend, ally, colleague, mate (informal), companion, comrade, affiliate, cobber (Austral & NZ old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (NZ) 5a companion or friend ◇ SYNONYMS: partner, friend, ally, colleague, mate (informal), companion, comrade, affiliate, cobber (Austral & NZ old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (NZ) ▸ adj 6having partial rights or subordinate status: an associate member 7joined with in business: an associate directorassociation n 1a group of people with a common interest ◇ SYNONYMS: group, club, society, league, band, set, pack, collection, social network (computers) 2the act of associating or the state of being associated ◇ SYNONYMS: connection, union, joining, pairing, combination, mixture, blend, juxtaposition 3friendship: their association still had to remain a secret 4a mental connection of ideas or feelings: the place contained associations for herassonance n the rhyming of vowel sounds but not consonants, as in time and lightassorted adj 1consisting of various kinds mixed together ◇ SYNONYMS: various, different, mixed, varied, diverse, miscellaneous, sundry, motley 2matched: an ill-assorted childless coupleassortment n a collection of various things or sortsassuage (ass- wage) vb -suaging, -suagedto relieve (grief, pain, or thirst)assume vb -suming, -sumed 1to take to be true without proof ◇ SYNONYMS: presume, think, believe, expect, suppose, imagine, fancy, take for granted 2to undertake or take on: every general staff officer was able to assume control of the army ◇ SYNONYMS: take on, accept, shoulder, take over, put on, enter upon 3to make a pretence of: the man had assumed a debonair attitude ◇ SYNONYMS: simulate, affect, adopt, put on, imitate, mimic, feign, impersonate 4to take on: her eyes assumed a scared haunted lookassumption n 1something that is taken for granted ◇ SYNONYMS: presumption, belief, guess, hypothesis, inference, conjecture, surmise, supposition 2the act of assuming power or possession ◇ SYNONYMS: taking on, managing, handling, shouldering, putting on, taking up, takeover, acquisitionassurance n 1a statement or assertion intended to inspire confidence ◇ SYNONYMS: promise, statement, guarantee, commitment, pledge, vow, declaration, assertion 2feeling of confidence; certainty ◇ SYNONYMS: confidence, conviction, certainty, self-confidence, poise, faith, nerve, aplomb 3insurance that provides for events that are certain to happen, such as deathassure vb -suring, -sured 1to promise or guarantee ◇ SYNONYMS: promise to, pledge to, vow to, guarantee to, swear to, confirm to, certify to, give your word to 2to convince: they assured me that they had not seen the document ◇ SYNONYMS: convince, encourage, persuade, satisfy, comfort, reassure, hearten, embolden 3to make (something) certain ◇ SYNONYMS: make certain, ensure, confirm, guarantee, secure, make sure, complete, seal 4(chiefly Brit) to insure against loss of lifeassured adj 1confident or self-assured ◇ SYNONYMS: confident, certain, positive, poised, fearless, self-confident, self-assured, dauntless 2certain to happen ◇ SYNONYMS: certain, sure, ensured, confirmed, settled, guaranteed, fixed, secure, nailed-on (slang) 3(chiefly Brit) insured > assuredly (a- sure-id-lee) advastatine n (chem) a radioactive element occurring naturally in minute amounts or artificially produced by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles. SYMBOL: Ataster n a plant with white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowersasterisk n 1a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a footnote, etc. ▸ vb 2to mark with an asteriskastern adv, adj (naut) 1at or towards the stern of a ship 2backwards 3behind a vesselasteroid n any of the small planets that orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiterasthma ( ass-ma) n an illness causing difficulty in breathing > asthmatic adj, nastigmatism (eh- stig-mat-tiz-zum) n a defect of a lens, esp. of the eye, causing it not to focus properlyastir adj 1out of bed 2in motionastonish vb to surprise greatly ◇ SYNONYMS: amaze, surprise, stun, stagger, bewilder, astound, daze, confound > astonishing adj > astonishment nastound vb to overwhelm with amazement > astounding adjastrakhan n 1a fur made of the dark curly fleece of lambs from Astrakhan in Russia 2a cloth resembling thisastral adj 1relating to or resembling the stars 2of the spirit worldastray adj, adv out of the right or expected wayastride adj 1with a leg on either side 2with legs far apart ▸ prep 3with a leg on either side ofastringent adj 1causing contraction of body tissue 2checking the flow of blood from a cut 3severe or harsh ▸ n 4an astringent drug or lotion > astringency nastrolabe n an instrument formerly used to measure the altitude of stars and planetsastrology n the study of the alleged influence of the stars, planets, sun, and moon on human affairs > astrologer or astrologist n > astrological adjastronaut n a person trained for travelling in spaceastronautics n the science and technology of space flight > astronautical adjastronomical or astronomic adj 1enormously large 2of astronomy > astronomically advastronomy n the scientific study of heavenly bodies > astronomer nastrophysics n the study of the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies > astrophysical adj > astrophysicist nAstroturf n (trademark) a brand of artificial grassastute adj quick to notice or understand ◇ SYNONYMS: intelligent, sharp, clever, subtle, shrewd, cunning, canny, perceptive > astutely adv > astuteness nasunder adv, adj (literary) into parts or pieces; apartasylum n 1refuge granted to a political refugee from a foreign country ◇ SYNONYMS: refuge, haven, safety, protection, preserve, shelter, retreat, harbour 2(formerly) a psychiatric hospital ◇ SYNONYMS: psychiatric hospital, hospital, institutionasymmetry n lack of symmetry > asymmetric or asymmetrical adjasymptote ( ass-im-tote) n a straight line that is closely approached but never met by a curve > asymptotic adj