am ['bē] -vb

(variant of be)

  1. to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
    • God is love
    • January is the first month
    • let x be 10
  2. to have identity with
    • the first person I met was my brother
  3. to constitute the same class as
  4. to have a specified qualification or characterization
    • the leaves are green
  5. to belong to the class of
    • the fish is a trout
    used regularly in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
  6. to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live
    • I think, therefore I am
  7. to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position
    • the book is on the table
  8. to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted used only in infinitive form
    • let him be
  9. to take place : occur
    • the concert was last night
  10. to come or go
    • has already been and gone
    • has never been to the circus
  11. belong, befall
  12. used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice auxiliary
    • the money was found
    • the house is being built
  13. used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action
    • he is reading
    • I have been sleeping
  14. used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses
    • Christ is risen from the dead -- 1 Cor 15:20(DV)
  15. used with the infinitive with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation
    • I am to interview him today
    • she was to become famous

Am -abbr

  1. America; American
  2. americium

AM ['ā-,em] -n

  1. a broadcasting system using amplitude modulation
  2. a radio receiver of such a system
  3. airmail
  4. Air Medal
  5. in the year of the world often printed in small capitals
  6. ante meridiem often not cap and often punctuated
  7. master of arts

ama ['ä-(,)mä] -n

  1. a Japanese diver esp. for pearls or food

AMA -abbr

  1. American Medical Association

amah ['ä-(,)mä] -n

  1. a female servant in eastern Asia
  2. a Chinese nurse

amain [ə-'mān] -adv

  1. with all one's might
    • the soul strives amain to live and work -- R. W. Emerson
  2. at full speed
  3. in great haste
  4. to a high degree : exceedingly
    • they whom I favour thrive in wealth amain -- John Milton

Ama·le·kite ['a-mə-,le-,kīt, ə-'ma-lə-,kīt] -n

  1. a member of an ancient nomadic people living south of Canaan

amal·gam [ə-'mal-gəm] -n

  1. an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used esp. in making tooth cements
  2. a mixture of different elements

amal·gam·ate [-gə-,māt] -vt, n

  1. to unite in or as if in an amalgam
  2. to merge into a single body

amal·gam·ation [ə-,mal-gə-'mā-shən] -n

  1. the action or process of amalgamating : uniting
  2. the state of being amalgamated
  3. the result of amalgamating : amalgam
  4. merger
    • amalgamation of two corporations

aman·dine [,ä-,män-'dēn] -adj

  1. prepared or served with almonds
    • filet of sole amandine

am·a·ni·ta [,a-mə-'nī-tə, -'nē-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Amanita) of white-spored basidiomycetous fungi that typically have a volva and an annulus about the stipe and include some deadly poisonous forms

am·a·ni·tin [-'nī-tᵊn, -'nē-] -n

  1. a highly toxic peptide that is produced by the death cap and that selectively inhibits mammalian RNA polymerase

aman·ta·dine [ə-'man-tə-,dēn] -n

  1. a drug used esp. as the hydrochloride C 10H 17NHCl to prevent infection (as by an influenza virus) by interfering with virus penetration into host cells

aman·u·en·sis [ə-,man-yə-'wen(t)-səs] -n

  1. one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscript

am·a·ranth ['a-mə-,ran(t)th] -n

  1. any of a large genus ( Amaranthusof the family Amaranthaceae, the amaranth family) of coarse annual herbs including forms cultivated as food crops and various pigweeds
  2. a flower that never fades
  3. a red azo dye

am·a·ran·thine [,a-mə-'ran(t)-thən, -'ran-,thīn] -adj

  1. of or relating to an amaranth
  2. undying
  3. of the color amaranth

am·a·ret·to [,a-mə-'re-(,)tō, ,ä-] -n

  1. macaroons made with bitter almonds
  2. an almond-flavored liqueur

ama·ro·ne [,ä-mä-'rō-nā] -n

  1. a robust dry red Italian wine with a high alcohol content

am·a·ryl·lis [,a-mə-'ri-ləs] -n

  1. an autumn-flowering So. African bulbous herb ( Amaryllis belladonnaof the family Amaryllidaceae, the amaryllis family) widely grown for its large deep red to whitish umbellate flowers
  2. a plant of any of several related genera (as Hippeastrumor Sprekelia)

amass [ə-'mas] -vb, n

  1. to collect for oneself : accumulate
    • amass a great fortune
  2. to collect into a mass : gather
    • must select rather than simply amass details
  3. to come together : assemble

am·a·teur ['a-mə-(,)tər, -,tu̇r, -,tyu̇r, -,chu̇r, -chər] -n, adj, adv

  1. devotee, admirer
  2. one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession
  3. one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science

Ama·ti [ä-'mä-tē, ə-] -n

  1. a violin made by a member of the Amati family of Cremona

am·a·tive ['a-mə-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. amorous
  2. amorous

am·a·to·ry ['a-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or expressing sexual love
    • amatory adventures

am·au·ro·sis [,a-mȯ-'rō-səs] -n, adj

  1. partial or complete loss of sight occurring esp. without an externally perceptible change in the eye

amaurotic idiocy -n

  1. any of several recessive genetic conditions characterized by the accumulation of lipid-containing cells in the viscera and nervous system, mental retardation, and impaired vision or blindness
  2. tay-sachs disease

amaze [ə-'māz] -vb, adv

  1. bewilder, perplex
  2. to fill with wonder : astound
  3. to show or cause astonishment
  4. amazement

amaze·ment [ə-'māz-mənt] -n

  1. consternation, bewilderment
  2. the quality or state of being amazed
  3. something that amazes

amazing -adj

  1. causing amazement, great wonder, or surprise
    • an amazing coincidence

amaz·ing·ly [ə-'mā-ziŋ-lē] -adv

  1. to an amazing degree
    • amazingly low prices
  2. as is amazing
    • amazingly, the runnerup was only two seconds behind -- Jim Doherty

am·a·zon ['a-mə-,zän, -zən] -n

  1. a member of a race of female warriors of Greek mythology
  2. a tall strong often masculine woman
  3. any of a genus ( Amazona) of tropical American parrots typically having green plumage marked with other bright colors

Am·a·zo·nian [,a-mə-'zō-nē-ən, -nyən] -adj

  1. relating to, resembling, or befitting an Amazon or an amazon
  2. of or relating to the Amazon River or its valley

am·a·zon·ite ['a-mə-zə-,nīt] -n

  1. an apple-green or bluish-green variety of microcline

am·a·zon·stone [-zən-,stōn] -n

  1. amazonite

amb -abbr

  1. ambassador

am·bage ['am-bij] -n

  1. ambiguity, circumlocution usu. used in pl.
  2. indirect ways or proceedings

am·bas·sa·dor [am-'ba-sə-dər, əm-, im-, -,dȯr, -'bas-dər] -n, adj

  1. an official envoy
  2. a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment
  3. an authorized representative or messenger
  4. an unofficial representative
    • traveling abroad as ambassador s of goodwill

ambassadoratlarge -n

  1. a minister of the highest rank not accredited to a particular foreign government or sovereign

am·bas·sa·dress [am-'ba-sə-drəs, əm-, im-] -n

  1. a woman who is an ambassador
  2. the wife of an ambassador

am·beer ['am-,bir] -n

  1. tobacco juice

am·ber ['am-bər] -n

  1. a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (as beads)
  2. a variable color averaging a dark orange yellow

amber -adj

  1. consisting of amber
  2. resembling amber
  3. having the color amber

am·ber·gris ['am-bər-,gris, -,grē(s)] -n

  1. a waxy substance found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters, believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative

am·ber·i·na [,am-bə-'rē-nə] -n

  1. a late 19th century American clear glassware of a graduated color that shades from ruby to amber

am·ber·jack ['am-bər-,jak] -n

  1. any of several carangid fishes (genus Seriola)
  2. a large vigorous sport fish ( S. dumerili) of the western Atlantic

ambi- -prefix

  1. both
    • ambi valence

am·bi·dex·ter·i·ty [,am-bi-(,)dek-'ster-ə-tē, -'ste-rə-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being ambidextrous

am·bi·dex·trous [,am-bi-'dek-strəs] -adj, adv

  1. using both hands with equal ease
  2. unusually skillful : versatile
  3. characterized by duplicity : double-dealing

am·bi·ence ['am-bē-ən(t)s, 'äm-bē-än(t)s] -n

  1. a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing : atmosphere

am·bi·ent ['am-bē-ənt] -adj

  1. existing or present on all sides : encompassing

ambient -n

  1. an encompassing atmosphere : environment
  2. music intended to serve as an unobtrusive accompaniment to other activities (as in a public place) and characterized esp. by quiet and repetitive instrumental melodies

am·bi·gu·i·ty [,am-bə-'gyü-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being ambiguous esp. in meaning
  2. an ambiguous word or expression
  3. uncertainty

am·big·u·ous [am-'bi-gyə-wəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. doubtful or uncertain esp. from obscurity or indistinctness
    • eyes of an ambiguous color
  2. inexplicable
  3. capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways
    • an ambiguous smile
    • an ambiguous term
    • a deliberately ambiguous reply

am·bi·sex·u·al [,am-bi-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shü-əl, -'sek-shəl] -adj, n

  1. bisexual

am·bit ['am-bət] -n

  1. circuit, compass
  2. the bounds or limits of a place or district
  3. a sphere of action, expression, or influence : scope

am·bi·tion [am-'bi-shən] -n, adj

  1. an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
  2. desire to achieve a particular end
  3. the object of ambition
    • her ambition is to start her own business
  4. a desire for activity or exertion
    • felt sick and had no ambition

ambition -vt

  1. to have as one's ambition : desire

am·bi·tious [am-'bi-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or controlled by ambition
    • an ambitious young executive
  2. having a desire to achieve a particular goal : aspiring
    • ambitious for power
  3. resulting from, characterized by, or showing ambition
    • an ambitious film

am·biv·a·lence [am-'bi-və-lən(t)s] -n, adj, adv

  1. simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action
  2. continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)
  3. uncertainty as to which approach to follow

am·bi·ver·sion [,am-bi-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. the personality configuration of an ambivert

am·bi·vert ['am-bi-,vərt] -n

  1. a person having characteristics of both extrovert and introvert

am·ble ['am-bəl] -vi, n

  1. to go at or as if at an amble : saunter

amble -n

  1. an easy gait of a horse in which the legs on the same side of the body move together
  2. rack
  3. an easy gait
  4. a leisurely walk

am·bly·opia [,am-blē-'ō-pē-ə] -n, adj

  1. dimness of sight esp. in one eye without apparent change in the eye structures called also lazy eye

am·boy·na [am-'bȯi-nə] -n

  1. a mottled curly-grained wood of a southeast Asian tree ( Pterocarpus indicus) of the legume family

am·bro·sia [am-'brō-zh(ē-)ə] -n, adj, adv

  1. the food of the Greek and Roman gods
  2. the ointment or perfume of the gods
  3. something extremely pleasing to taste or smell
  4. a dessert made of oranges and shredded coconut

ambrosia beetle -n

  1. any of various small wood-boring beetles (family Scolytidae) that cultivate a fungus on which they feed and raise their larvae

am·bro·type ['am-brə-,tīp] -n

  1. a positive picture made of a photographic negative on glass backed by a dark surface

am·bry ['am-brē; 'äm-rē, 'ȯm-] -n

  1. pantry
  2. a recess in a church wall (as for holding sacramental vessels)

ambs·ace ['ām-,zās] -n

  1. the lowest throw at dice
  2. something worthless or unlucky

am·bu·la·cral [,am-byə-'la-krəl, -'lā-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being any of the radial areas of echinoderms along which run the principal nerves, blood vessels, and elements of the water-vascular system
    • ambulacral grooves

am·bu·la·crum [-krəm] -n

  1. an ambulacral area or part

am·bu·lance ['am-byə-lən(t)s, -bə- also -,lan(t)s] -n

  1. a vehicle equipped for transporting the injured or sick

ambulance chaser -n

  1. a lawyer or lawyer's agent who incites accident victims to sue for damages

am·bu·lant ['am-byə-lənt] -adj

  1. moving about : ambulatory

am·bu·late [-,lāt] -vi, n

  1. to move from place to place : walk

am·bu·la·to·ry ['am-byə-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or adapted to walking
  2. occurring during a walk
  3. moving from place to place : itinerant
  4. capable of being altered
    • a will is ambulatory until the testator's death
  5. able to walk about and not bedridden
    • ambulatory patients
  6. performed on or involving an ambulatory patient or an outpatient
    • ambulatory medical care
    • an ambulatory electrocardiogram

ambulatory -n

  1. a sheltered place (as in a cloister or church) for walking

am·bus·cade ['am-bə-,skād, ,am-bə-'] -n, vb

  1. ambush

am·bush ['am-,bu̇sh] -vb, n

  1. to station in ambush
  2. to attack from an ambush : waylay
  3. to lie in wait : lurk

ambush -n

  1. a trap in which concealed persons lie in wait to attack by surprise
  2. the persons stationed in ambush
  3. their concealed position
  4. an attack esp. from an ambush

amdt -abbr

  1. amendment

AmE -abbr

  1. American English

ameba [ə-'mē-bə] -n, adj

(variant of amoeba)

  1. any of a large genus ( Amoeba) of naked rhizopod protozoans with lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia, without permanent organelles or supporting structures, and of wide distribution in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments
  2. a naked rhizopod or other amoeboid protozoan

am·e·bi·a·sis [,a-mi-'bī-ə-səs] -n

  1. infection with or disease caused by amoebas (esp. Entamoeba histolytica)

ame·bic dysentery [ə-'mē-bik-] -n

  1. acute human intestinal amebiasis caused by an amoeba ( Entamoeba histolytica) and marked by dysentery, abdominal pain, and erosion of the intestinal wall

amebocyte [ə-'mē-bə-,sīt] -n

(variant of amoebocyte)

  1. a cell (as a phagocyte) having amoeboid form or movements

ameer [ə-'mir, ā-] -n

(variant of emir)

  1. a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries

ame·lio·rate [ə-'mēl-yə-,rāt, -'mē-lē-ə-] -vb, n, adj

  1. to make better or more tolerable
  2. to grow better

am·e·lo·blast ['a-mə-lō-,blast] -n

  1. one of a group of columnar epithelial cells that produce and deposit enamel on the surface of a developing vertebrate tooth

amen [(')ä-'men, (')ā-; 'ä- when sung] -interj

  1. used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion)

ame·na·ble [ə-'mē-nə-bəl, -'me-] -adj, n, adv

  1. liable to be brought to account : answerable
    • citizens amenable to the law
  2. capable of submission (as to judgment or test) : suited
    • the data is amenable to analysis
  3. readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperate
    • a government not amenable to change
  4. willing
    • was amenable to spending more time at home

amen corner ['ā-,men-] -n

  1. a conspicuous corner in a church occupied by fervent worshipers

amend [ə-'mend] -vb, adj, n

  1. to put right
  2. to make emendations in (as a text)
  3. to change or modify for the better : improve
    • amend the situation
  4. to alter esp. in phraseology
  5. to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition
    • amend a constitution
  6. to reform oneself

amen·da·to·ry [ə-'men-də-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. corrective

amend·ment [ə-'men(d)-mənt] -n

  1. the act of amending : correction
  2. a material (as compost or sand) that aids plant growth indirectly by improving the condition of the soil
  3. the process of amending by parliamentary or constitutional procedure
  4. an alteration proposed or effected by this process
    • a constitutional amendment

amends [ə-'men(d)z] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. compensation for a loss or injury : recompense
    • make amends

ame·ni·ty [ə-'me-nə-tē, -'mē-] -n

  1. the quality of being pleasant or agreeable
  2. the attractiveness and value of real estate or of a residential structure
  3. a feature conducive to such attractiveness and value
  4. something (as a conventional social gesture) that conduces to smoothness or pleasantness of social relationships
    • maintaining social amenities
  5. something that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment
    • hotels with modern amenities

amen·or·rhea [,ā-,me-nə-'rē-ə, ,ä-] -n, adj

  1. abnormal absence or suppression of menses

ament ['a-mənt, 'ā-] -n, adj

  1. catkin

amen·tia [(,)ā-'men(t)-sh(ē-)ə, (,)ä-] -n

  1. mental retardation
  2. a condition of lack of development of intellectual capacity

Amer -abbr

  1. America; American

Am·er·asian ['a-mə-'rā-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. a person of mixed American and Asian descent
  2. one fathered by an American and esp. an American serviceman in Asia

amerce [ə-'mərs] -vt, n, adj

  1. to punish by a fine whose amount is fixed by the court
  2. punish

Amer·i·can [ə-'mer-ə-kən, -'mər-, -'me-rə-] -n

  1. an American Indian of No. America or So. America
  2. a native or inhabitant of No. America or So. America
  3. a citizen of the U.S.
  4. american english

American [-kə(n)-nəs] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to America
  2. of or relating to the U.S. or its possessions or original territory

Amer·i·ca·na [ə-,mer-ə-'kä-nə, -,mər-, -,me-rə-, -'ka-nə] -n pl

  1. materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture
  2. things typical of America
  3. American culture

American chameleon -n

  1. an anole ( Anolis carolinensis) of the southeastern U.S. that can vary its skin color from green to brown and is often kept as a pet

American cheese -n

  1. a process cheese made from American cheddar

American dog tick -n

  1. a common No. American ixodid tick ( Dermacentor variabilis) esp. of dogs and humans that is an important vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia called also dog tick

American dream -n

  1. an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and esp. material prosperity
  2. the prosperity or life that is the realization of this ideal

American eel -n

  1. a yellow to greenish-brown catadromous eel ( Anguilla rostrata) that is lighter below, has 103 to 111 vertebrae, is found in fresh and coastal waters along the Atlantic coasts of No. America, and is held to spawn in or near the Sargasso Sea

American elm -n

  1. a large elm ( Ulmus americana) with gradually spreading branches and pendulous branchlets that is common in eastern No. America

American English -n

  1. the English language as spoken in the U.S. used esp. with the implication that it is clearly distinguishable from British English yet not so divergent as to be a separate language

Amer·i·ca·nese [ə-,mer-ə-kə-'nēz, -,mər-, -,me-rə-, -'nēs] -n

  1. american english

American foxhound -n

  1. any of a breed of foxhounds developed in the U.S. that are smaller than the English foxhound but with longer ears and a short glossy coat usu. of black, tan, and white

American Indian -n, adj

  1. a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the western hemisphere except often the Eskimos
  2. an American Indian of No. America and esp. the U.S.

Amer·i·can·ism [ə-'mer-ə-kə-,ni-zəm, -'mər-, -'me-rə-] -n

  1. a characteristic feature of American English esp. as contrasted with British English
  2. attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the U.S.
  3. a custom or trait peculiar to America
  4. the political principles and practices essential to American culture

Amer·i·can·ist [-kə-nist] -n

  1. a specialist in American culture or history
  2. a specialist in the languages or cultures of the aboriginal inhabitants of America

Amer·i·can·i·za·tion [ə-,mer-ə-kə-nə-'zā-shən, -,mər-, -,me-rə-] -n

  1. the act or process of Americanizing
  2. instruction of foreigners (as immigrants) in English and in U.S. history, government, and culture

Amer·i·can·ize [ə-'mer-ə-kə-,nīz, -'mər-, -'me-rə-] -vb

  1. to cause to acquire or conform to American characteristics
  2. to bring (as an area) under the political, cultural, or commercial influence of the U.S.
  3. to acquire or conform to American traits

American pit bull terrier -n

  1. any of a breed of dogs developed to combine the traits of terriers and bulldogs that have extremely powerful jaws and great strength and tenacity and that were orig. bred for dog fighting called also pit bull terrier

American plan -n

  1. a hotel plan whereby the daily rates cover the costs of the room and three meals

American saddlebred -n

  1. any of a breed of 3-gaited or 5-gaited saddle horses developed chiefly in Kentucky from Thoroughbreds and smooth-gaited stock called also American saddle horse

American shad -n

  1. a shad ( Alosa sapidissima) of the Atlantic coast of No. America that has a greenish back and silvery sides

American shorthair -n

  1. any of a breed of cats with a short thick coat of variable color and pattern that are descended from cats brought to America by European settlers

American Sign Language -n

  1. a sign language for the deaf in which meaning is conveyed by a system of articulated hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper body

American Staffordshire terrier -n

  1. any of a breed of strong stocky dogs that are of similar ancestry to but are larger and heavier than the related American pit bull terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier

American Standard Version -n

  1. an American version of the Bible based on the Revised Version and published in 1901 called also American Revised Version

American trotter -n

  1. standardbred

American water spaniel -n

  1. any of a breed of medium-sized spaniels of U.S. origin that have a thick curly chocolate or liver-colored coat

American wigeon -n

  1. a No. American wigeon ( Anas americana) with a large white patch on each wing and in the male a white crown called also baldpate

am·er·i·ci·um [,a-mə-'ri-shē-əm, -sē-] -n

  1. a radioactive metallic element produced artificially by bombarding plutonium with high-energy neutrons

AmerInd -abbr

  1. American Indian

Am·er·in·di·an [,a-mə-'rin-dē-ən] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. american indian

Ame·slan ['a-məs-,lan, 'am-,slan] -n

  1. american sign language

Ames test ['āmz-] -n

  1. a test for identifying potential carcinogens by studying their mutagenic effect on bacteria

am·e·thyst ['a-mə-thəst, -(,)thist] -n, adj

  1. a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone
  2. a deep purple variety of corundum
  3. a moderate purple

am·e·tro·pia [,a-mə-'trō-pē-ə] -n, adj

  1. an abnormal refractive condition (as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism) of the eye in which images fail to focus upon the retina

AMG -abbr

  1. allied military government

Am·har·ic [am-'her-ik, -'ha-rik; am-'här-, äm-] -n, adj

  1. a Semitic language that is an official language of Ethiopia

ami·a·ble ['ā-mē-ə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. pleasing, admirable
  2. generally agreeable
    • an amiable comedy
  3. being friendly, sociable, and congenial

am·i·ca·ble ['a-mi-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. characterized by friendly goodwill : peaceable

am·ice ['a-məs] -n

  1. a liturgical vestment made of an oblong piece of cloth usu. of white linen and worn about the neck and shoulders and partly under the alb

ami·cus [ə-'mē-kəs, -'mī-] -n

  1. amicus curiae

amicus cu·ri·ae [-'kyu̇r-ē-,ī, -'ku̇r-, -i-,ē] -n

  1. one (as a professional person or organization) that is not a party to a particular litigation but that is permitted by the court to advise it in respect to some matter of law that directly affects the case in question

amid [ə-'mid] -prep

  1. in or into the middle of : surrounded by : among
    • amid the crowd
  2. during
    • amid the fighting
  3. with the accompaniment of
    • resigned amid rumors of misconduct

am·i·dase ['a-mə-,dās, -,dāz] -n

  1. an enzyme that hydrolyzes acid amides usu. with the liberation of ammonia

am·ide ['a-,mīd, -məd] -n

  1. an inorganic compound derived from ammonia by replacement of an atom of hydrogen with another element (as a metal)
  2. any of a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia or an amine by replacement of hydrogen with an acyl group

ami·do [ə-'mē-(,)dō, 'a-mə-,dō] -adj

  1. relating to or containing an organic amide group often used in combination

amid·ships [ə-'mid-,ships] -adv

  1. in or toward the part of a ship midway between bow and stern
  2. in or toward the middle

ami·go [ə-'mē-(,)gō, ä-] -n

  1. friend

amine [ə-'mēn, 'a-,mēn] -n

  1. any of a class of basic organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacement of hydrogen with one or more monovalent hydrocarbon radicals

ami·no [ə-'mē-(,)nō] -adj

  1. relating to, being, or containing an amine group often used in combination

amino acid -n

  1. an amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH 2
  2. any of the various amino acids having the amino group in the alpha position that are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized by living cells or are obtained as essential components of the diet

ami·no·ac·id·uria [ə-,mē-nō-,a-sə-'du̇r-ē-ə, -'dyu̇r-] -n

  1. a condition in which one or more amino acids are excreted in excessive amounts

ami·no·ben·zo·ic acid [ə-,mē-nō-ben-'zō-ik-] -n

  1. any of three crystalline derivatives C 7H 7NO 2of benzoic acid
  2. para-aminobenzoic acid

ami·no·pep·ti·dase [ə-,mē-nō-'pep-tə-,dās, -,dāz] -n

  1. an enzyme that hydrolyzes peptides by acting on the peptide bond next to a terminal amino acid containing a free amino group

am·i·noph·yl·line [,a-mə-'nä-fə-lən] -n

  1. a theophylline derivative C 16H 24N 10O 4used esp. to stimulate the heart in congestive heart failure and to dilate the air passages in respiratory disorders (as asthma)

am·i·nop·ter·in [,a-mə-'näp-tə-rən] -n

  1. a derivative C 19H 20N 8O 5of glutamic acid that is a folic acid antagonist and has been used as a rodenticide and antileukemic agent

ami·no·py·rine [ə-,mē-nō-'pī(-ə)r-,ēn] -n

  1. a crystalline compound C 13H 17N 3O formerly used to relieve pain and fever but now largely abandoned for this purpose because of the occurrence of fatal agranulocytosis as a side effect in some users

ami·no·sal·i·cyl·ic acid [ə-,mē-nō-,sa-lə-'si-lik-] -n

  1. any of four isomeric derivatives C 7H 7NO 3of salicylic acid that have a single amino group
  2. para-aminosalicylic acid

ami·no·trans·fer·ase [-'tran(t)s-fə-,rās, -,rāz] -n

  1. transaminase

amir [ə-'mir, ā-] -n

(variant of emir)

  1. a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries

Amish ['ä-mish, 'a-, 'ā-] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to a strict sect of Mennonites who were followers of Amman and settled in America chiefly in the 18th century

amiss [ə-'mis] -adv

  1. in a mistaken way : wrongly
    • if you think he is guilty, you judge amiss
  2. astray
    • something had gone amiss
  3. in a faulty way : imperfectly
  4. not being in accordance with right order
  5. faulty, imperfect
  6. out of place in given circumstances usu. used with a negative
    • a few remarks may not be amiss here

ami·to·sis [,ā-mī-'tō-səs] -n, adj, adv

  1. cell division by simple cleavage of the nucleus and division of the cytoplasm without spindle formation or appearance of chromosomes

am·i·trip·ty·line [,a-mə-'trip-tə-,lēn] -n

  1. a tricyclic aromatic antidepressant drug C 20H 23N used in the form of its hydrochloride salt

am·i·trole ['a-mə-,trōl] -n

  1. a systemic herbicide C 2H 4N 4used in areas other than food croplands

am·i·ty ['a-mə-tē] -n

  1. friendship
  2. friendly relations between nations

am·me·ter ['a-,mē-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring electric current esp. in amperes

am·mine ['a-,mēn, a-'mēn] -n

  1. a molecule of ammonia as it exists in a coordination complex
    • hex- ammine- cobalt chloride Co(NH 3 ) 6 Cl 3
  2. a compound that contains an ammine

am·mo ['a-(,)mō] -n

  1. ammunition

am·mo·nia [ə-'mō-nyə] -n

  1. a pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen NH 3that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure
  2. ammonia water

am·mo·ni·ac [ə-'mō-nē-,ak] -n

  1. the aromatic gum resin of a southwest Asian herb ( Dorema ammoniacum) of the carrot family used as an expectorant and stimulant and in plasters

am·mo·ni·a·cal [,a-mə-'nī-ə-kəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, containing, or resembling ammonia

am·mo·ni·ate [ə-'mō-nē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. to combine or impregnate with ammonia or an ammonium compound
  2. to subject to ammonification

ammonia water -n

  1. a water solution of ammonia

am·mo·ni·fi·ca·tion [ə-,mä-nə-fə-'kā-shən, -,mō-nə-] -n, vb

  1. the act or process of ammoniating
  2. decomposition with production of ammonia or ammonium compounds esp. by the action of bacteria on nitrogenous organic matter

am·mo·nite ['a-mə-,nīt] -n, adj

  1. any of a subclass (Ammonoidea) of extinct cephalopods esp. abundant in the Mesozoic age that had flat spiral shells with the interior divided by septa into chambers

Am·mon·ite ['a-mə-,nīt] -n, adj

  1. a member of a Semitic people who in Old Testament times lived east of the Jordan between the Jabbok and the Arnon

am·mo·ni·um [ə-'mō-nē-əm] -n

  1. an ion NH 4 derived from ammonia by combination with a hydrogen ion and known in compounds (as salts) that resemble in properties the compounds of the alkali metals

ammonium carbonate -n

  1. a carbonate of ammonium
  2. the commercial mixture of the bicarbonate and carbamate used esp. in smelling salts

ammonium chloride -n

  1. a white crystalline volatile salt NH 4Cl that is used in dry cells and as an expectorant called also sal ammoniac

ammonium cyanate -n

  1. an inorganic white crystalline salt NH 4CNO that can be converted into organic urea

ammonium hydroxide -n

  1. a weakly basic compound NH 4OH that is formed when ammonia dissolves in water and that exists only in solution

ammonium nitrate -n

  1. a colorless crystalline salt NH 4NO 3used in explosives and fertilizers and in veterinary medicine

ammonium phosphate -n

  1. a phosphate of ammonium
  2. diammonium phosphate

ammonium sulfate -n

  1. a colorless crystalline salt (NH 4) 2SO 4used chiefly as a fertilizer

am·mo·noid ['a-mə-,nȯid] -n

  1. ammonite
    • Mesozoic ammonoid s

am·mu·ni·tion [,am-yə-'ni-shən] -n

  1. the projectiles with their fuses, propelling charges, or primers fired from guns
  2. cartridges
  3. explosive military items (as grenades or bombs)
  4. material for use in attacking or defending a position
    • ammunition for the defense lawyers

Amn -abbr

  1. airman

am·ne·sia [am-'nē-zhə] -n, adj or n

  1. loss of memory due usu. to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness
  2. a gap in one's memory
  3. the selective overlooking or ignoring of events or acts that are not favorable or useful to one's purpose or position

am·nes·ty ['am-nə-stē] -n, vt

  1. the act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals

am·nio ['am-nē-ō] -n

  1. amniocentesis

am·nio·cen·te·sis [,am-nē-ō-(,)sen-'tē-səs] -n

  1. the surgical insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus to obtain amniotic fluid esp. for the determination of fetal sex or chromosomal abnormality

am·ni·on ['am-nē-,än, -ən] -n, adj

  1. a thin membrane forming a closed sac about the embryos or fetuses of reptiles, birds, and mammals and containing the amniotic fluid
  2. a membrane analogous to the amnion and occurring in various invertebrates

am·ni·ote ['am-nē-,ōt] -n, adj

  1. any of a group (Amniota) of vertebrates that undergo embryonic or fetal development within an amnion and include the birds, reptiles, and mammals

amniotic fluid -n

  1. the serous fluid in which the embryo or fetus is suspended within the amnion

amniotic sac -n

  1. amnion

amn't ['änt, 'ant, 'a-mənt]

  1. am not

amo·bar·bi·tal [,a-mō-'bär-bə-,tȯl] -n

  1. a barbiturate C 11H 18N 2O 3used as a hypnotic and sedative
  2. its sodium salt

amoe·ba [ə-'mē-bə] -n, adj

  1. any of a large genus ( Amoeba) of naked rhizopod protozoans with lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia, without permanent organelles or supporting structures, and of wide distribution in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments
  2. a naked rhizopod or other amoeboid protozoan

amoebiasis [,a-mi-'bī-ə-səs] -n

(variant of amebiasis)

  1. infection with or disease caused by amoebas (esp. Entamoeba histolytica)

amoe·bo·cyte [ə-'mē-bə-,sīt] -n

  1. a cell (as a phagocyte) having amoeboid form or movements

amoe·boid [ə-'mē-,bȯid] -adj

  1. resembling an amoeba specif. in moving or changing in shape by means of protoplasmic flow

amok [ə-'mək, -'mäk] -n

  1. a murderous frenzy that has traditionally been regarded as occurring esp. in Malaysian culture
  2. in a murderously frenzied state
  3. in a violently raging manner
  4. in an undisciplined, uncontrolled, or faulty manner
    • films...about computers run amok -- People
  5. possessed with or motivated by a murderous or violently uncontrollable frenzy

amo·le [ə-'mō-lē] -n

  1. a plant part (as a root) possessing detergent properties and serving as a substitute for soap
  2. a plant (as a yucca or agave) so used

among [ə-'məŋ] -prep

  1. in or through the midst of : surrounded by
    • hidden among the trees
  2. in company or association with
    • living among artists
  3. by or through the aggregate of
    • discontent among the poor
  4. in the number or class of
    • wittiest among poets
    • among other things she was president of her college class
  5. in shares to each of
    • divided among the heirs
  6. through the reciprocal acts of
    • quarrel among themselves
  7. through the joint action of
    • made a fortune among themselves

amon·til·la·do [ə-,män-tə-'lä-(,)dō, -ti(l)-'yä-(,)thō] -n

  1. a medium dry sherry

amor·al [(,)ā-'mȯr-əl, (,)a-, -'mär-] -adj, n, adv

  1. being neither moral nor immoral
  2. lying outside the sphere to which moral judgments apply
    • science as such is completely amoral -- W. S. Thompson
  3. lacking moral sensibility
    • infants are amoral
  4. being outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code of morals
    • amoral customs

amo·ret·to [,a-mə-'re-(,)tō, ,ä-] -n

  1. cupid, cherub

am·or·ist ['a-mə-rist] -n, adj

  1. a devotee of love and esp. sexual love : gallant
  2. one who writes about romantic love

Am·o·rite ['a-mə-,rīt] -n, adj

  1. a member of one of various Semitic peoples living in Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine during the third and second millennia b.c.

am·o·rous ['a-mə-rəs, 'am-rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. strongly moved by love and esp. sexual love
    • amorous couples
  2. being in love : enamored usu. used with of
    • amorous of the girl
  3. indicative of love
    • received amorous glances from her partner
  4. of or relating to love
    • an amorous novel

amor·phous [ə-'mȯr-fəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having no definite form : shapeless
    • an amorphous cloud mass
  2. being without definite character or nature : unclassifiable
    • an amorphous segment of society
  3. lacking organization or unity
    • an amorphous style of writing
  4. having no real or apparent crystalline form
    • an amorphous mineral

amort [ə-'mȯrt] -adj

  1. being at the point of death

am·or·ti·za·tion [,a-mər-tə-'zā-shən also ə-,mȯr-] -n

  1. the act or process of amortizing
  2. the result of amortizing

am·or·tize ['a-mər-,tīz also ə-'mȯr-] -vt, adj

  1. to pay off (as a mortgage) gradually usu. by periodic payments of principal and interest or by payments to a sinking fund
  2. to gradually reduce or write off the cost or value of (as an asset)
    • amortize goodwill
    • amortize machinery

Amos ['ā-məs] -n

  1. a Hebrew prophet of the eighth century b.c.
  2. a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

am·o·site ['a-mə-,sīt, -,zīt] -n

  1. an iron-rich amphibole that is a variety of asbestos

amount [ə-'mau̇nt] -vi

  1. to be equivalent
    • acts that amount to treason
  2. to reach in kind or quality
    • wants her son to amount to something
    • doesn't amount to much
  3. to reach a total : add up
    • the bill amount s to 10
  4. the total number or quantity : aggregate
  5. the quantity at hand or under consideration
    • has an enormous amount of energy
  6. the whole effect, significance, or import
  7. a principal sum and the interest on it

amour [ə-'mu̇r, ä-, a-] -n

  1. a usu. illicit love affair
  2. lover

amour pro·pre [,a-,mu̇r-'prōprᵊ, ,ä-, -'prȯprᵊ] -n

  1. self-esteem

amox·i·cil·lin [ə-,mäk-sē-'si-lən] -n

  1. a semisynthetic penicillin C 16H 19N 3O 5S derived from ampicillin

amox·y·cil·lin [ə-,mäk-sē-'si-lən] -n

(variant of amoxicillin)

  1. a semisynthetic penicillin C 16H 19N 3O 5S derived from ampicillin

Amoy [ä-'mȯi, a-, ə-] -n

  1. the dialect of Chinese spoken in and near Xiamen (Amoy) in southeastern China

amp ['amp] -n

  1. ampere
  2. amplifier
  3. a unit consisting of an electronic amplifier and a loudspeaker
  4. excite, energize often used with up
    • trying to amp up the crowd
  5. heighten, intensify often used with up
    • amp up the drama

AMP [,ā-,em-'pē] -n

  1. a nucleotide C 10H 12N 5O 3H 2PO 4composed of adenosine and one phosphate group that is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions called also adenosine monophosphate adenylic acid

am·per·age ['am-p(ə-)rij, -,pir-ij] -n

  1. the strength of a current of electricity expressed in amperes

am·pere ['am-,pir also -,per] -n

  1. the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric current that is equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second or to the steady current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm
  2. the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units that is equal to a constant current which when maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible circular sections one meter apart in a vacuum produces between the conductors a force equal to 2 10 7newton per meter of length

amperehour -n

  1. a unit quantity of electricity equal to the quantity carried past any point of a circuit in one hour by a steady current of one ampere

ampereturn -n

  1. the meter-kilogram-second unit of magnetomotive force equal to the magnetomotive force around a path that links with one turn of wire carrying an electric current of one ampere

am·per·o·met·ric [,am-pir-ə-'me-trik] -adj

  1. relating to or being a chemical titration in which the measurement of the electric current flowing under an applied potential difference between two electrodes in a solution is used for detecting the end point

am·per·sand ['am-pər-,sand] -n

  1. a character typically standing for the word and

am·phet·amine [am-'fe-tə-,mēn, -mən] -n

  1. a racemic compound C 9H 13N or one of its derivatives (as dextroamphetamine or methamphetamine) frequently abused as a stimulant of the central nervous system but used clinically esp. as the sulfate or hydrochloride salt to treat hyperactive children and the symptoms of narcolepsy and as a short-term appetite suppressant in dieting

amphi- -prefix

  1. on both sides : of both kinds : both
    • amphi brach
    • amphi diploid

am·phib·ia [am-'fi-bē-ə] -n pl

  1. amphibians

am·phib·i·an [-bē-ən] -n, adj

  1. an amphibious organism
  2. any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
  3. an amphibious vehicle
  4. an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water

am·phib·i·ous [am-'fi-bē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. combining two characteristics
  2. relating to or adapted for both land and water
    • amphibious vehicles
  3. executed by coordinated action of land, sea, and air forces organized for invasion
    • an amphibious landing
  4. trained or organized for such action
    • amphibious forces
  5. able to live both on land and in water
    • amphibious plants

am·phi·bole ['am(p)-fə-,bōl] -n

  1. hornblende
  2. any of a group of complex silicate minerals with like crystal structures that contain calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, or iron ions or a combination of them

am·phib·o·lite [am-'fi-bə-,līt] -n

  1. a usu. metamorphic rock consisting essentially of amphibole

am·phi·bol·o·gy [,am(p)-fə-'bä-lə-jē] -n

  1. a sentence or phrase (as nothing is good enough for you) that can be interpreted in more than one way

am·phib·o·ly [am-'fi-bə-lē] -n

  1. amphibology

am·phi·brach ['am(p)-fə-,brak] -n, adj

  1. a metrical foot consisting of a long syllable between two short syllables in quantitative verse or of a stressed syllable between two unstressed syllables in accentual verse
    • romantic is an accentual amphibrach

am·phic·ty·o·ny [am-'fik-tē-ə-nē] -n, adj

  1. an association of neighboring states in ancient Greece to defend a common religious center
  2. an association of neighboring states for their common interest

am·phi·dip·loid [,am(p)-fi-'di-,plȯid] -n, adj

  1. an interspecific hybrid having a complete diploid chromosome set from each parent form called also allotetraploid

am·phi·mix·is [,am(p)-fi-'mik-səs] -n

  1. the union of gametes in sexual reproduction

Am·phi·on [am-'fī-ən] -n

  1. a musician of Greek mythology who builds the walls of Thebes by charming the stones into place with his lyre

am·phi·ox·us [,am(p)-fē-'äk-səs] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Branchiostoma) of lancelets
  2. lancelet

am·phi·path·ic [,am(p)-fə-'pa-thik] -adj

  1. amphiphilic

am·phi·phil·ic [-'fi-lik] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a compound (as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain
  2. being a molecule of such a compound

am·phi·ploid ['am(p)-fi-,plȯid] -adj, n

  1. having at least one complete diploid set of chromosomes derived from each parent species

am·phi·pod [-,päd] -n, adj

  1. any of a large order (Amphipoda) of small crustaceans (as the sand flea) with a laterally compressed body

am·phi·pro·style [,am(p)-fi-'prō-,stī(-ə)l] -adj, n

  1. having columns at each end only
    • an amphiprostyle building

am·phis·bae·na [,am(p)-fəs-'bē-nə] -n, adj

  1. a serpent in classical mythology having a head at each end and capable of moving in either direction

am·phi·the·ater ['am(p)-fə-,thē(-ə)-tər also 'am-pə-,thē-] -n, adj, adv

  1. an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open space and used in ancient Rome esp. for contests and spectacles
  2. a very large auditorium
  3. a room with a gallery from which doctors and students may observe surgical operations
  4. a rising gallery in a modern theater
  5. a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes
  6. a place of public entertainment (as for games or concerts)

Am·phit·ry·on [am-'fi-trē-ən] -n

  1. the husband of Alcmene

am·pho·ra ['am(p)-fə-rə] -n

  1. an ancient Greek jar or vase with a large oval body, narrow cylindrical neck, and two handles that rise almost to the level of the mouth
  2. such a jar or vase used elsewhere in the ancient world
  3. a 2-handled vessel shaped like an amphora

am·pho·ter·ic [,am(p)-fə-'ter-ik] -adj

  1. partly one and partly the other
  2. capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

am·pho·ter·i·cin B [,am(p)-fə-'ter-ə-sən-'bē] -n

  1. an antifungal antibiotic obtained from a soil streptomycete ( Streptomyces nodosus) and used esp. to treat systemic fungal infections

amp hr -abbr

  1. ampere-hour

am·pi·cil·lin [,am-pə-'si-lən] -n

  1. a penicillin C 16H 19N 3O 4S that is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is used to treat various infections of the urinary, respiratory, and intestinal tracts

am·ple ['am-pəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity
    • there was room for an ample garden
  2. generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or need
    • they had ample money for the trip
  3. buxom, portly
    • an ample figure

am·plex·us [am-'plek-səs] -n

  1. the mating embrace of a frog or toad during which eggs are shed into the water and there fertilized

am·pli·fi·ca·tion [,am-plə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. an act, example, or product of amplifying
  2. a usu. massive replication of genetic material and esp. of a gene or DNA sequence (as in a polymerase chain reaction)
  3. the particulars by which a statement is expanded
  4. an expanded statement

am·pli·fi·er ['am-plə-,fī(-ə)r] -n

  1. one that amplifies
  2. an electronic device (as in a stereo system) for amplifying voltage, current, or power

am·pli·fy [-,fī] -vb

  1. to expand (as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis
  2. to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity) : increase
  3. to increase the strength or amount of
  4. to make louder
  5. to cause (a gene or DNA sequence) to undergo amplification
  6. to expand one's remarks or ideas

am·pli·tude [-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n

  1. extent of dignity, excellence, or splendor
  2. the quality or state of being ample : fullness, abundance
  3. : the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: as
  4. the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme
  5. the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value
  6. the angle assigned to a complex number when it is plotted in a complex plane using polar coordinates called also argument

amplitude modulation -n

  1. modulation of the amplitude of a radio carrier wave in accordance with the strength of the audio or other signal
  2. a broadcasting system using such modulation

am·poule ['am-,pyül, -pül] -n

  1. a hermetically sealed small bulbous glass vessel that is used to hold a solution for hypodermic injection
  2. a vial resembling an ampoule

am·pul·la [am-'pu̇-lə, 'am-,pyü-lə] -n, adj

  1. a glass or earthenware flask with a globular body and two handles used esp. by the ancient Romans to hold ointment, perfume, or wine
  2. a saccular anatomical swelling or pouch

ampulla of Lo·ren·zi·ni [-,lȯr-ən-'zē-nē]

  1. any of the pores on the snouts of marine sharks and rays that contain receptors highly sensitive to weak electric fields

am·pu·tate ['am-pyə-,tāt] -vt, n

  1. to remove by or as if by cutting
  2. to cut (as a limb) from the body

am·pu·tee [,am-pyə-'tē] -n

  1. one that has had a limb amputated

amt -abbr

  1. amount

am·trac ['am-,trak] -n

  1. a flat-bottomed military vehicle that moves on tracks on land or water

amu -abbr

  1. atomic mass unit

amuck [ə-'mək, -'mäk] -n

(variant of amok)

  1. a murderous frenzy that has traditionally been regarded as occurring esp. in Malaysian culture
  2. in a murderously frenzied state
  3. in a violently raging manner
  4. in an undisciplined, uncontrolled, or faulty manner
    • films...about computers run amok -- People
  5. possessed with or motivated by a murderous or violently uncontrollable frenzy

am·u·let ['am-yə-lət] -n

  1. a charm (as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to aid the wearer or protect against evil (as disease or witchcraft)

amuse [ə-'myüz] -vb, adv, n

  1. to divert the attention of so as to deceive
  2. to occupy the attention of : absorb
  3. distract, bewilder
  4. to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner
    • amuse the child with a story
  5. to appeal to the sense of humor of
    • the joke doesn't amuse me
  6. muse

amusebouche ['ä-,müz-'büsh, -,mᵫz-] -n

  1. a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants

amuse·ment [ə-'myüz-mənt] -n

  1. a means of amusing or entertaining
    • what are her favorite amusement s
  2. the condition of being amused
    • could not hide his amusement
  3. pleasurable diversion : entertainment
    • plays the piano for amusement

amusement park -n

  1. a commercially operated park having various devices for entertainment (as a merry-go-round and roller coaster) and usu. booths for the sale of food and drink

amus·ing [ə-'myü-ziŋ] -adj, adv, n

  1. giving amusement : diverting

AMVETS -abbr

  1. American Veterans (of World War II)

amyg·da·la [ə-'mig-də-lə] -n

  1. the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe called also amygdaloid nucleus

amyg·da·lin [-lən] -n

  1. a white crystalline cyanogenetic glucoside C 20H 27NO 11found esp. in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond

amyg·da·loid [-,lȯid] -adj

  1. almond-shaped
  2. of, relating to, or affecting an amygdala

amyg·da·loi·dal [ə-,mig-də-'lȯi-dᵊl] -adj, n

  1. of, being, or containing small cavities in igneous rock that are filled with deposits of different minerals (as chalcedony)

am·yl ['a-məl] -n

  1. any of various isomeric alkyl radicals C 5H 11 derived from pentane

amyl- -comb form

  1. starch
    • amylo plast

amyl acetate -n

  1. a colorless liquid acetate C 7H 14O 2of amyl alcohol that has a pleasant fruity odor and is used esp. as a solvent and in the manufacture of artificial fruit essences called also banana oil

amyl alcohol -n

  1. any of eight isomeric alcohols C 5H 12O used esp. as solvents and in making esters
  2. a commercially produced mixture of amyl alcohols used esp. as a solvent

am·y·lase ['a-mə-,lās, -,lāz] -n

  1. any of a group of enzymes (as amylopsin) that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen or their intermediate hydrolysis products

amyl nitrate -n

  1. a colorless liquid ester C 5H 11NO 3of amyl alcohol and nitric acid
  2. amyl nitrite not used technically

amyl nitrite -n

  1. a pale yellow pungent flammable liquid ester C 5H 11NO 2of commercial amyl alcohol and nitrous acid that is used in medicine as a vasodilator and inhaled illicitly esp. as an aphrodisiac

am·y·loid [-,lȯid] -n, adj

  1. a waxy translucent substance consisting primarily of protein that is deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal conditions (as Alzheimer's disease)

am·y·loid·osis [,a-mə-,lȯi-'dō-səs] -n

  1. a disorder characterized by the deposition of amyloid in bodily organs and tissues

am·y·lo·lyt·ic [,a-mə-lō-'li-tik] -adj

  1. characterized by or capable of the enzymatic splitting of starch into soluble products
    • amylolytic enzymes
    • amylolytic activity

am·y·lo·pec·tin [,a-mə-lō-'pek-tən] -n

  1. a component of starch that has a high molecular weight and branched structure and does not tend to gel in aqueous solutions

am·y·lo·plast ['a-mə-(,)lō-,plast] -n

  1. a colorless plastid that forms and stores starch

am·y·lop·sin [,a-mə-'läp-sən] -n

  1. the amylase of the pancreatic juice

am·y·lose ['a-mə-,lōs, -,lōz] -n

  1. a component of starch characterized by its straight chains of glucose units

amyo·to·nia [,ā-,mī-ə-'tō-nē-ə] -n

  1. deficiency of muscle tone

amyo·tro·phic lateral sclerosis [,ā-,mī-ə-'trō-fik-, -'trä-] -n

  1. a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease affecting the motor neurons, usu. beginning in middle age, and characterized esp. by increasing and spreading muscular weakness and atrophy abbr. ALS called also Lou Gehrig's disease

Am·y·tal ['a-mə-,tȯl] -trademark

  1. used for amobarbital