ab ['ab] -n
- an abdominal muscle usu. used in pl.
- about
Ab ['äb, 'äv, 'ȯv] -n
- the 11th month of the civil year or the 5th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar
AB ['ā-'bē] -n
- the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letters A and B and by the absence of antibodies against these antigens
- able seaman; able-bodied seaman
- airborne
- airman basic
- Alberta
- bachelor of arts
ab- -prefix
- from : away : off
aba [ə-'bä, a-, 'ä-bə] -n
- a loose sleeveless outer garment worn as traditional dress by men in the Middle East
- a fabric woven from the hair of camels or goats
ABA -abbr
- Amateur Boxing Association
- American Bankers Association
- American Bar Association
- American Booksellers Association
ab·a·ca [,a-bə-'kä, 'a-bə-,] -n
- a strong fiber obtained from the leafstalk of a banana ( Musa textilis) native to the Philippines called also Manila hemp
- the plant that yields abaca
aback [ə-'bak] -adv
- backward, back
- in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail)
- by surprise : unawares
- was taken aback by her sharp retort
abac·te·ri·al [,ā-(,)bak-'tir-ē-əl] -adj
- not caused by or characterized by the presence of bacteria
aba·cus ['a-bə-kəs, ə-'ba-] -n
- an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves
- a slab that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column
abaft -adv
- toward or at the stern : aft
- to the rear of
- toward the stern from
ab·a·lo·ne [,a-bə-'lō-nē, 'a-bə-,] -n
- any of a genus ( Haliotis) of edible rock-clinging gastropod mollusks that have a flattened shell slightly spiral in form, lined with mother-of-pearl, and with a row of apertures along its outer edge
aban·don [ə-'ban-dən] -vt, n
- to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent
- to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in
- to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment
- to withdraw protection, support, or help from
- to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly
- to cease from maintaining, practicing, or using
- abandon ed their native language
- to cease intending or attempting to perform
abandon -n
- a thorough yielding to natural impulses
- enthusiasm, exuberance
aban·doned [ə-'ban-dənd] -adj
- wholly free from restraint
- given up : forsaken
abase [ə-'bās] -vt, n
- to lower physically
- to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem
abash [ə-'bash] -vt, n
- to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of : disconcert
abate [ə-'bāt] -vb, n
- to put an end to
- nullify
- to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate
- may abate their rancor to win peace
- to reduce in value or amount : make less esp. by way of relief
- deduct, omit
- to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief
- blunt
- deprive
- to decrease in force or intensity
- to become defeated or become null or void
- to decrease in amount or value
abate·ment [ə-'bāt-mənt] -n
- the act or process of abating : the state of being abated
- an amount abated
- a deduction from the full amount of a tax
ab·a·tis ['a-bə-,tē, 'a-bə-təs] -n
- a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy
ab·at·toir ['a-bə-,twär, -,twȯr, -,tȯr] -n
- slaughterhouse
ab·ax·i·al [(,)a-'bak-sē-əl] -adj
- situated out of or directed away from the axis
- the abaxial or lower surface of a leaf
aba·ya [ə-'bī-ə] -n
- a loose-fitting full-length robe worn by some Muslim women
ab·ba·cy ['a-bə-sē] -n
- the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbot
Ab·bas·id [ə-'ba-səd, 'a-bə-səd] -n
- a member of a dynasty of caliphs (7501258) ruling the Islamic empire esp. from their capital Baghdad and claiming descent from Abbas the uncle of Muhammad
ab·ba·tial [ə-'bā-shəl, a-] -adj
- of or relating to an abbot, abbess, or abbey
ab·be [a-'bā, 'a-,bā] -n
- a member of the French secular clergy in major or minor orders used as a title
ab·bess ['a-bəs] -n
- a woman who is the superior of a convent of nuns
Abbe·vil·li·an [,ab-'vi-lē-ən, ,a-bə-] -adj
- of or relating to an early Lower Paleolithic culture of Europe characterized by bifacial stone hand axes
ab·bey ['a-bē] -n
- a monastery ruled by an abbot
- a convent ruled by an abbess
- an abbey church
ab·bot ['a-bət] -n
- the superior of a monastery for men
abbr -abbr
- abbreviation
ab·bre·vi·ate [ə-'brē-vē-,āt] -vt, n
- to make briefer
- to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole
ab·bre·vi·a·tion [ə-,brē-vē-'ā-shən] -n
- the act or result of abbreviating : abridgment
- a shortened form of a written word or phrase used in place of the whole
- amt is an abbreviation for amount
ABC [,ā-(,)bē-'sē] -n
- alphabet usu. used in pl.
- the rudiments of reading, writing, and spelling usu. used in pl.
- the rudiments of a subject usu. used in pl.
- American Bowling Congress
- American Broadcasting Companies
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABCD -abbr
- accelerated business collection and delivery
abd -abbr
- abdomen; abdominal
ABD [,ā-(,)bē-'dē] -n
- a doctoral candidate who has completed required courses and examinations but not a dissertation
Ab·di·as [ab-'dī-əs] -n
- obadiah
ab·di·cate ['ab-di-,kāt] -vb, adj, n
- to cast off : discard
- to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
- to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function
ab·do·men ['ab-də-mən, -,dō-; əb-'dō-mən, ab-] -n, adj, adv
- the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis
- the cavity of this part of the trunk containing the chief viscera
- the posterior section of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod
ab·du·cens nerve [ab-'dü-,senz-, -'dyü-] -n
- either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves that are motor nerves supplying the rectus on the outer and lateral side of each eye called also abducens
ab·du·cent nerve [ab-'dü-sᵊnt-, -'dyü-] -n
- abducens nerve
ab·duct [ab-'dəkt, əb-; 2 also 'ab-,] -vt, n
- to seize and take away (as a person) by force
- to draw or spread away (as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb
ab·duct·ee [,ab-,dək-'tē] -n
- a person who has been abducted
ab·duc·tion [ab-'dək-shən, əb-] -n
- the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted
- the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or intercourse
abeam [ə-'bēm] -adv or adj
- off to the side of a ship or plane esp. at a right angle to the middle of the ship or plane's length
abe·ce·dar·i·an [,ā-bē-(,)sē-'der-ē-ən] -n
- one learning the rudiments of something (as the alphabet)
abecedarian -adj
- of or relating to the alphabet
- alphabetically arranged
- rudimentary
abed [ə-'bed] -adv or adj
- in bed
Abel ['ā-bəl] -n
- a son of Adam and Eve killed by his brother Cain
abe·lia [ə-'bēl-yə] -n
- any of a genus ( Abelia) of Asian or Mexican shrubs of the honeysuckle family having opposite leaves and white, red, or pink flowers
abe·li·an [ə-'bē-lē-ən] -adj
- commutative
Abe·na·ki [,a-bə-'nä-kē] -n
- a member of a group of American Indian peoples of northern New England and adjoining parts of Quebec
- either of the two Algonquian languages spoken by the Abenaki peoples
Ab·er·deen An·gus ['a-bər-,dēn-'aŋ-gəs] -n
- angus
ab·er·rant [a-'ber-ənt, ə-, -'be-rənt; 'a-bə-rənt, -,ber-ənt, -,be-rənt] -adj, n, adv
- straying from the right or normal way
- deviating from the usual or natural type : atypical
aberrant -n
- an aberrant group, individual, or structure
- a person whose behavior departs substantially from the standard
ab·er·rat·ed ['a-bə-,rā-təd] -adj
- aberrant
ab·er·ra·tion [,a-bə-'rā-shən] -n, adj
- the fact or an instance of being aberrant esp. from a moral standard or normal state
- failure of a mirror, refracting surface, or lens to produce exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image
- unsoundness or disorder of the mind
- a small periodic change of apparent position in celestial bodies due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer
- an aberrant individual
abet [ə-'bet] -vt, n
- to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)
- to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose
abey·ance [ə-'bā-ən(t)s] -n, adj
- a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
- temporary inactivity : suspension
ab·hor [əb-'hȯr, ab-] -vt, n
- to regard with extreme repugnance : loathe
ab·hor·rence [əb-'hȯr-ən(t)s, -'här-] -n
- the act or state of abhorring
- the feeling of one who abhors
- one that is abhorred
ab·hor·rent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- strongly opposed
- feeling or showing abhorrence
- not agreeable : contrary
- a notion abhorrent to their philosophy
- being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism
- acts abhorrent to every right-minded person
Abib [ä-'vēv] -n
- the first month of the ancient Hebrew calendar corresponding to Nisan
abid·ance [ə-'bī-dᵊn(t)s] -n
- an act or state of abiding : continuance
- compliance
abide [ə-'bīd] -vb, n
- to wait for : await
- to endure without yielding : withstand
- to bear patiently : tolerate
- to accept without objection
- to remain stable or fixed in a state
- to continue in a place : sojourn
abid·ing [ə-'bī-diŋ] -adj, adv
- enduring, continuing
- an abiding interest in nature
ab·i·gail ['a-bə-,gāl] -n
- a lady's personal maid
abil·i·ty [ə-'bi-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being able
- ability of the soil to hold water
- physical, mental, or legal power to perform
- competence in doing : skill
- natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
- children whose abilities warrant higher education
ab in·i·tio [,ab-ə-'ni-shē-,ō] -adv
- from the beginning
abio·gen·e·sis [,ā-,bī-ō-'je-nə-səs] -n
- the supposed spontaneous origination of living organisms directly from lifeless matter
abio·gen·ic [,ā-,bī-ō-'je-nik] -adj, adv
- not produced by the action of living organisms
abi·o·log·i·cal [,ā-,bī-ə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj
- not biological
- not involving or produced by organisms
- abiological synthesis of amino acids
abi·ot·ic [,ā-(,)bī-'ä-tik] -adj, adv
- not biotic : abiological
ab·ject ['ab-,jekt] -adj, adv, n
- sunk to or existing in a low state or condition
- to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen -- John Milton
- cast down in spirit : servile, spiritless
- a man made abject by suffering
- showing hopelessness or resignation
- expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit
ab·jec·tion [ab-'jek-shən] -n
- a low or downcast state : degradation
- the act of making abject : humbling, rejection
- I protest...this vile abjection of youth to age -- G. B. Shaw
ab·ju·ra·tion [,ab-jə-'rā-shən] -n
- the act or process of abjuring
- an oath of abjuring
ab·jure [ab-'ju̇r] -vt, n
- to renounce upon oath
- to reject solemnly
- to abstain from : avoid
abl -abbr
- ablative
ab·late [a-'blāt] -vb
- to remove or destroy esp. by cutting, abrading, or evaporating
- to become ablated
- vaporize
ab·la·tion [a-'blā-shən] -n
- : the process of ablating: as
- surgical removal
- loss of a part (as ice from a glacier or the outside of a nose cone) by melting or vaporization
ab·la·tive ['a-blə-tiv] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or constituting a grammatical case expressing typically the relations of separation and source and also frequently such relations as cause or instrument
- of or relating to ablation
- tending to ablate
- ablative material on a nose cone
ablative absolute -n
- a construction in Latin in which a noun or pronoun and its adjunct both in the ablative case form together an adverbial phrase expressing generally the time, cause, or an attendant circumstance of an action
ab·laut ['ä-blau̇t, 'a-; 'äp-,lau̇t] -n
- a systematic variation of vowels in the same root or affix or in related roots or affixes esp. in the Indo-European languages that is usu. paralleled by differences in use or meaning (as in sing, sang, sung, song)
ablaze [ə-'blāz] -adj or adv
- being on fire
- radiant with light or emotion
- his face all ablaze with excitement -- Bram Stoker
able ['ā-bəl] -adj, adv
- having sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish an object
- susceptible to action or treatment
- marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
ablebod·ied [,ā-bəl-'bä-dēd] -adj
- having a sound strong body
ablebodied seaman -n
- able seaman
abled ['ā-bəld] -adj
- capable of unimpaired function
- the design is physically helpful for the less abled -- Royal Ford
able·ism ['ā-bə-,li-zəm] -n, adj
- discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities
able seaman -n
- an experienced deck-department seaman qualified to perform routine duties at sea
abloom [ə-'blüm] -adj
- abounding with blooms : blooming
ab·lut·ed [ə-'blü-təd, a-] -adj
- washed clean
ab·lu·tion [ə-'blü-shən, a-] -n, adj
- the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite)
- the act or action of bathing
- a building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base
ABM [,ā-(,)bē-'em] -n
- antiballistic missile
abn -abbr
- airborne
ab·ne·gate ['ab-ni-,gāt] -vt, n
- deny, renounce
- surrender, relinquish
ab·ne·ga·tion [,ab-ni-'gā-shən] -n
- denial
- self-denial
ab·nor·mal [(,)ab-'nȯr-məl, əb-] -adj, adv
- deviating from the normal or average : unusual, exceptional
abnormal -n
- an abnormal person
ab·nor·mal·i·ty [,ab-nər-'ma-lə-tē, -(,)nȯr-] -n
- the quality or state of being abnormal
- something abnormal
abnormal psychology -n
- a branch of psychology concerned with mental and emotional disorders (as neuroses, psychoses, and mental retardation) and with certain incompletely understood normal phenomena (as dreams and hypnosis)
abo ['a-(,)bō] -n
- aborigine
aboard [ə-'bȯrd] -adv or adj
- alongside
- on, onto, or within a vehicle (as a car or ship)
- in or into a group, association, or organization
- her second promotion since coming aboard
- on base
- on, onto, within
ABO blood group [,ā-(,)bē-'ō-] -n
- any of the four blood groups A, B, AB, and O comprising the ABO system
abode [ə-'bōd] -n
- wait, delay
- a temporary stay : sojourn
- the place where one abides : home
aboil [ə-'bȯi(-ə)l] -adj or adv
- being at the boiling point : boiling
- intensely excited or stirred up
- the meeting was aboil with controversy
abol·ish [ə-'bä-lish] -vt, adj, n
- to end the observance or effect of : annul
- destroy
ab·o·li·tion [,a-bə-'li-shᵊn] -n, adj
- the act of abolishing : the state of being abolished
- the abolishing of slavery
ab·o·li·tion·ism [-'li-shᵊn-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj
- principles or measures fostering abolition esp. of slavery
ab·oma·sum [,a-bō-'mā-səm] -n, adj
- the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function
Abomb ['ā-,bäm] -n
- atomic bomb
abom·i·na·ble [ə-'bäm-nə-bəl, -'bä-mə-] -adj, adv
- worthy of or causing disgust or hatred : detestable
- the abominable treatment of the poor
- quite disagreeable or unpleasant
abominable snow·man [-'snō-mən, -,man] -n
- a mysterious creature with human or apelike characteristics reported to exist in the high Himalayas called also yeti
abom·i·nate [ə-'bä-mə-,nāt] -vt, n
- to hate or loathe intensely : abhor
abom·i·na·tion [ə-,bä-mə-'nā-shən] -n
- something abominable
- extreme disgust and hatred : loathing
ab·oral [(,)a-'bȯr-əl] -adj, adv
- situated opposite to or away from the mouth
- a sea urchin's aboral surface
ab·orig·i·nal [,a-bə-'rij-nəl, -'ri-jə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- being the first or earliest known of its kind present in a region
- of or relating to aborigines
- of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia
aboriginal -n
- aborigine
- aborigine
ab·orig·i·ne [,a-bə-'rij-(,)nē, -'ri-jə-] -n
- an aboriginal inhabitant esp. as contrasted with an invading or colonizing people
- a member of any of the indigenous peoples of Australia
aborn·ing [ə-'bȯr-niŋ] -adv
- while being born or produced
- a resolution that died aborning
aborning -adj
- being born or produced
abort [ə-'bȯrt] -vb, n
- to bring forth stillborn, nonviable, or premature offspring
- to become checked in development so as to degenerate or remain rudimentary
- to terminate a procedure prematurely
- the pilot decided to abort due to mechanical difficulties
- to induce the abortion of or give birth to prematurely
- to terminate the pregnancy of before term
- to terminate prematurely : cancel
- to stop in the early stages
- the premature termination of a flight (as of an aircraft or spacecraft), a mission, or an action or procedure relating to a flight
abor·ti·fa·cient [ə-,bȯr-tə-'fā-shənt] -n, adj
- an agent (as a drug) that induces abortion
abor·tion [ə-'bȯr-shən] -n
- : the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: as
- spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation
- induced expulsion of a human fetus
- expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy
- monstrosity
- arrest of development (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection
- a result of such arrest
abor·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n
- one who induces abortions
abortion pill -n
- a drug taken orally to induce abortion esp. early in pregnancy
- RU-486
abor·tive [ə-'bȯr-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- prematurely born
- fruitless, unsuccessful
- imperfectly formed or developed
- tending to cut short
ABO system [,ā-(,)bē-'ō-] -n
- the basic system of antigens of human blood behaving in heredity as an allelic unit to produce any of the ABO blood groups
abound [ə-'bau̇nd] -vi
- to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : be prevalent
- to be copiously supplied used with in or with
- life abound ed in mysteries -- Norman Mailer
- institutions abound with evidence of his success -- Johns Hopkins Mag.
about [ə-'bau̇t] -adv
- reasonably close to
- almost
- on the verge of usu. used with be and a following infinitive
- is about to join the army
used with a negative to express intention or determination - on all sides : around
- in rotation
- around the outside
- here and there
- in the vicinity : near
- in the opposite direction
- in a circle around : on every side of : around
- in the immediate neighborhood of : near
- on or near the person of
- in the makeup of
- a mature wisdom about him
- at the command of
- engaged in
- act as if they know what they're about -- T. S. Matthews
- with regard to : concerning
- concerned with
- fundamentally concerned with or directed toward
- poker is about money -- David Mamet
- over or in different parts of
- moving from place to place
- being out of bed
- around
aboutface [ə-'bau̇t-'fās] -n, vi
- a 180 turn to the right from the position of attention
- a reversal of direction
- a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view
aboutturn [-'tərn] -n
- about-face
above [ə-'bəv] -adv
- in the sky : overhead
- in or to heaven
- in or to a higher place
- higher on the same page or on a preceding page
- upstairs
- above zero
- in or to a higher rank or number
- in addition : besides
- upstage
- in or to a higher place than : over
- upriver of
- superior to (as in rank, quality, or degree)
- out of reach of
- in preference to
- too proud or honorable to stoop to
- not above taking undue credit
- exceeding in number, quantity, or size : more than
- as distinct from and in addition to
- heard the whistle above the roar of the crowd
- something that is above
- a person whose name is written above
- a higher authority
- heaven
- written or discussed higher on the same page or on a preceding page
above all -adv
- before every other consideration : especially
above·board [ə-'bəv-,bȯrd] -adv
- in a straightforward manner : openly
aboveboard -adj
- free from all traces of deceit or duplicity
above·ground [ə-'bəv-,grau̇nd] -adj, adv
- located or occurring on or above the surface of the ground
- existing, produced, or published by or within the establishment
ab ovo [ab-'ō-(,)vō] -adv
- from the beginning
abp -abbr
- archbishop
abr -abbr
- abridged; abridgment
ab·ra·ca·dab·ra [,a-brə-kə-'da-brə] -n
- a magical charm or incantation
- unintelligible language
abrade [ə-'brād] -vb, adj, n
- to rub or wear away esp. by friction : erode
- to irritate or roughen by rubbing
- to wear down in spirit : irritate, weary
- to undergo abrasion
Abra·ham ['ā-brə-,ham] -n
- an Old Testament patriarch regarded by Jews as the founder of the Hebrew people through his son Isaac and by Muslims as the founder of the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael
abra·sion [ə-'brā-zhən] -n
- a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
- irritation
- an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane
abra·sive [ə-'brā-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- tending to abrade
- causing irritation
abrasive -n
- a substance (as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing
ab·re·ac·tion [,a-brē-'ak-shən] -n, vb
- the expression and emotional discharge of unconscious material (as a repressed idea or emotion) by verbalization esp. in the presence of a therapist
abreast [ə-'brest] -adv or adj
- beside one another with bodies in line
- columns of men five abreast
- up to a particular standard or level esp. of knowledge of recent developments
- keeps abreast of the news
abridge [ə-'brij] -vt, n
- deprive
- to reduce in scope : diminish
- attempts to abridge the right of free speech
- to shorten in duration or extent
- modern transportation that abridge s distance
- to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense : condense
abridg·ment [ə-'brij-mənt] -n
- the action of abridging : the state of being abridged
- a shortened form of a work retaining the general sense and unity of the original
abroach [ə-'brōch] -adv or adj
- in a condition for letting out a liquid (as wine)
- in action or agitation : astir
- mischiefs that I set abroach -- Shak.
abroad [ə-'brȯd] -adv or adj
- over a wide area : widely
- away from one's home
- beyond the boundaries of one's country
- in wide circulation : about
- wide of the mark : astray
ab·ro·gate ['a-brə-,gāt] -vt, n
- to abolish by authoritative action : annul
- to treat as nonexistent
- abrogating their responsibilities
abrupt [ə-'brəpt] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by or involving action or change without preparation or warning : unexpected
- an abrupt decision to retire
- unceremoniously curt
- lacking smoothness or continuity
- giving the impression of being cut or broken off
- involving a sudden steep rise or drop
- a high abrupt bank bounded the stream
abrup·tion [ə-'brəp-shən] -n
- a sudden breaking off or away
abs -abbr
- absolute
- abstract
ABS [,ā-(,)bē-'es] -n
- a tough rigid plastic used esp. for automobile parts and building materials
- American Bible Society
- antilock braking system
ab·scess ['ab-,ses] -n, adj
- a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
ab·scise [ab-'sīz] -vb
- to separate (as a flower from a stem) by abscission
- to separate by abscission
ab·scis·ic acid [,ab-'si-zik-, -sik-] -n
- a plant hormone C 15H 20O 4that is a sesquiterpene widespread in nature and that typically promotes leaf abscission and dormancy and has an inhibitory effect on cell elongation
ab·sci·sin ['ab-sə-sən, ab-'si-sᵊn] -n
- abscisic acid
ab·scis·sa [ab-'si-sə] -n
- the horizontal coordinate of a point in a plane Cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the x-axis
ab·scis·sion [ab-'si-zhən] -n
- the act or process of cutting off : removal
- the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer
ab·scond [ab-'skänd, əb-] -vi, n
- to depart secretly and hide oneself
ab·seil ['ab-,sāl, -,sī(-ə)l] -vi, n
- rappel
ab·sence ['ab-sən(t)s] -n
- the state of being absent
- the period of time that one is absent
- want, lack
- inattention to present surroundings or occurrences
ab·sent ['ab-sənt] -adj, adv
- not present or attending : missing
- not existing : lacking
- danger in a situation where power is absent -- M. H. Trytten
- lost in thought : not attentive
- to keep (oneself) away
- in the absence of : without
ab·sen·tee [,ab-sən-'tē] -n, adj
- : one that is absent: as
- a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business
- one missing from work or school
absentee ballot -n
- a ballot submitted (as by mail) in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls
ab·sen·tee·ism [,ab-sən-'tē-,i-zəm] -n
- prolonged absence of an owner from his or her property
- chronic absence (as from work or school)
- the rate of such absence
ab·sent·mind·ed [,ab-sənt-'mīn-dəd] -adj, adv, n
- lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions : preoccupied
- given to absence of mind
- indicative of or resulting from preoccupation or absence of mind
absent without leave -adj
- absent without authority from one's place of duty in the armed forces
ab·sinthe ['ab-(,)sin(t)th] -n
- wormwood
- a green liqueur which is flavored with wormwood, anise, and other aromatic herbs and commercial production of which is banned in many countries for health concerns
- a liqueur resembling absinthe
ab·so·lute ['ab-sə-,lüt, ,ab-sə-'] -adj, n
- free from imperfection : perfect
- it is a most absolute and excellent horse -- Shak.
- free or relatively free from mixture : pure
- outright, unmitigated
- being, governed by, or characteristic of a ruler or authority completely free from constitutional or other restraint
- standing apart from a normal or usual syntactical relation with other words or sentence elements
- the absolute construction this being the case in the sentence this being the case, let us go
- standing alone without a modified substantive
- blind in help the blind and ours in your work and ours are absolute
- having no object in the particular construction under consideration though normally transitive
- kill in if looks could kill is an absolute verb
- having no restriction, exception, or qualification
- positive, unquestionable
- independent of arbitrary standards of measurement
- relating to or derived in the simplest manner from the fundamental units of length, mass, and time
- relating to, measured on, or being a temperature scale based on absolute zero
- kelvin
- fundamental, ultimate
- perfectly embodying the nature of a thing
- being self-sufficient and free of external references or relationships
- an absolute term in logic
- being the true distance from an aircraft to the earth's surface
absolute ceiling -n
- the maximum height above sea level at which a particular airplane can maintain horizontal flight under standard air conditions called also ceiling
absolute convergence -n
- convergence of a mathematical series when the absolute values of the terms are taken
absolute humidity -n
- the amount of water vapor present in a unit volume of air
ab·so·lute·ly ['ab-sə-,lüt-lē, ,ab-sə-'] -adv
- in an absolute manner or condition often used as an intensive
- with respect to absolute values
- an absolutely convergent series
absolute magnitude -n
- a measure of the intrinsic luminosity of a celestial body (as a star) expressed as the apparent magnitude the body would have if viewed from a distance of 10 parsecs
absolute pitch -n
- the position of a tone in a standard scale independently determined by its rate of vibration
- the ability to recognize or sing a given isolated note called also perfect pitch
absolute space -n
- space
absolute value -n
- a nonnegative number equal in numerical value to a given real number
- the positive square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex number
absolute zero -n
- a theoretical temperature characterized by complete absence of heat and motion and equivalent to exactly 273.15C or 459.67F
ab·so·lu·tion [,ab-sə-'lü-shən] -n
- the act of absolving
- a remission of sins pronounced by a priest (as in the sacrament of reconciliation)
ab·so·lut·ism ['ab-sə-,lü-,ti-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- a political theory that absolute power should be vested in one or more rulers
- government by an absolute ruler or authority : despotism
- advocacy of a rule by absolute standards or principles
- an absolute standard or principle
ab·so·lu·tive [,ab-sə-'lü-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or being an inflectional morpheme that typically marks the subject of an intransitive verb or the direct object of a transitive verb in an ergative language
ab·so·lut·ize ['ab-sə-,lü-,tīz] -vt
- to make absolute : convert into an absolute
ab·solve [əb-'zälv, -'sälv, -'zȯlv, -'sȯlv also without l] -vt, n
- to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
- to remit (a sin) by absolution
ab·sorb [əb-'sȯrb, -'zȯrb] -vt, n, adj
- to take in and make part of an existent whole
- the capacity of China to absorb invaders
- to suck up or take up
- to take in : acquire, learn
- convictions absorb ed in youth -- M. R. Cohen
- use up, consume
- the fever absorb ed her strength
- to engage or engross wholly
- to receive without recoil or echo
- provided with a sound- absorbing surface
- endure, sustain
- assume, bear
- the expenses were absorb ed by the company
- to transform (radiant energy) into a different form esp. with a resulting rise in temperature
- the earth absorb s the sun's rays
ab·sor·bance [əb-'sȯr-bən(t)s, -'zȯr-] -n
- the ability of a layer of a substance to absorb radiation expressed mathematically as the negative common logarithm of transmittance
ab·sor·ben·cy [əb-'sȯr-bən(t)-sē, -'zȯr-] -n
- the quality or state of being absorbent
- absorbance
ab·sor·bent [-bənt] -adj, n
- able to absorb
ab·sorb·ing [-biŋ-lē] -adj, adv
- fully taking one's attention : engrossing
ab·sorp·tance [əb-'sȯrp-tən(t)s, -'zȯrp-] -n
- the ratio of the radiant energy absorbed by a body to that incident upon it
ab·sorp·ti·om·e·try [əb-,sȯrp-shē-'ä-mə-trē, -,zȯrp-] -n
- measurement of the amount of radiation absorbed (as by living tissue) esp. to determine density
ab·sorp·tion [əb-'sȯrp-shən, -'zȯrp-] -n, adj
- the process of absorbing or of being absorbed
- interception of radiant energy or sound waves
- entire occupation of the mind
absorption band -n
- a dark band in an absorption spectrum
- absorption line
absorption line -n
- a dark line in an absorption spectrum
absorption spectrum -n
- an electromagnetic spectrum in which a decrease in intensity of radiation at specific wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths characteristic of an absorbing substance is manifested esp. as a pattern of dark lines or bands
ab·sorp·tiv·i·ty [əb-,sȯrp-'ti-və-tē, -,zȯrp-] -n
- the property of a body that determines the fraction of incident radiation absorbed by the body
ab·stain [əb-'stān, ab-] -vi, n
- to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice
ab·ste·mi·ous [ab-'stē-mē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by restraint esp. in the consumption of food or alcohol
- reflecting such restraint
ab·sten·tion [əb-'sten(t)-shən, ab-] -n, adj
- the act or practice of abstaining
ab·sti·nence ['ab-stə-nən(t)s] -n, adj, adv
- voluntary forbearance esp. from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from eating some foods
- habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages
- abstention from sexual intercourse
abstr -abbr
- abstract
ab·stract [ab-'strakt, 'ab-,] -adj, adv, n
- disassociated from any specific instance
- difficult to understand : abstruse
- insufficiently factual : formal
- possessed only an abstract right
- expressing a quality apart from an object
- the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract
- dealing with a subject in its abstract aspects : theoretical
- impersonal, detached
- the abstract compassion of a surgeon -- Time
- having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content
- a summary of points (as of a writing) usu. presented in skeletal form
- something that summarizes or concentrates the essentials of a larger thing or several things
- an abstract thing or state
- abstraction
- remove, separate
- to consider apart from application to or association with a particular instance
- to make an abstract of : summarize
- to draw away the attention of
- steal, purloin
- to make an abstraction
ab·stract·ed [ab-'strak-təd, 'ab-,] -adj, adv, n
- withdrawn in mind : inattentive to one's surroundings
- said hello but seemed abstracted
- abstract
- abstracted geometric shapes
abstract expressionism -n, n or adj
- an artistic movement of the mid-20th century comprising diverse styles and techniques and emphasizing esp. an artist's liberty to convey attitudes and emotions through nontraditional and usu. nonrepresentational means
ab·strac·tion [ab-'strak-shən, əb-] -n, adj
- the act or process of abstracting : the state of being abstracted
- an abstract idea or term
- absence of mind or preoccupation
- abstract quality or character
- an abstract composition or creation in art
- abstractionism
ab·strac·tion·ism [ab-'strak-shə-,ni-zəm, əb-] -n, adj or n
- the principles or practice of creating abstract art
abstract of title
- a summary statement of the successive conveyances and other facts on which a title to a piece of land rests
ab·struse [əb-'strüs, ab-] -adj, adv, n
- difficult to comprehend : recondite
- the abstruse calculations of mathematicians
ab·stru·si·ty [-'strü-sə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being abstruse : abstruseness
- something that is abstruse
ab·surd [əb-'sərd, -'zərd] -adj, adv, n
- ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous
- having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless
- lacking order or value
- dealing with the absurd or with absurdism
absurd -n
- the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning usu. used with the
ab·surd·ism [əb-'sər-,di-zəm, -'zər-] -n
- a philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe
ab·surd·ist [-dist] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or characterized by the absurd or by absurdism : absurd
- an absurdist sense of humor
ab·sur·di·ty [əb-'sər-də-tē, -'zər-] -n
- the quality or state of being absurd : absurdness
- something that is absurd
abub·ble [ə-'bə-bəl] -adj
- being in the process of bubbling
- being in a state of agitated activity or motion : astir
abuild·ing [ə-'bil-diŋ] -adj
- being in the process of building or of being built
abu·lia [ā-'bü-lē-ə, -'byü-, ə-] -n, adj
- abnormal lack of ability to act or to make decisions
abun·dance [ə-'bən-dən(t)s] -n
- an ample quantity : profusion
- affluence, wealth
- relative degree of plentifulness
- low abundance s of uranium and thorium -- H. C. Urey
abun·dant [-dənt] -adj, adv
- marked by great plenty (as of resources)
- amply supplied : abounding
- an area abundant with bird life
- occurring in abundance : ample
abuse [ə-'byüs] -n
- a corrupt practice or custom
- improper or excessive use or treatment : misuse
- a deceitful act : deception
- language that condemns or vilifies usu. unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
- physical maltreatment
- to put to a wrong or improper use
- to use excessively
- to use without medical justification
- deceive
- to use so as to injure or damage : maltreat
- to attack in words : revile
abu·sive [ə-'byü-siv also -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by wrong or improper use or action
- corrupt
- abusive financial practices
- using harsh insulting language
- an angry and abusive crowd
- characterized by or serving for abuse
- physically injurious
abut [ə-'bət] -vb
- to touch along a border or with a projecting part
- to terminate at a point of contact
- to lean for support
- to border on
- their property abut s our land
- to cause to abut
abu·ti·lon [ə-'byü-tᵊl-,än, -tᵊl-ən] -n
- any of a genus ( Abutilon) of plants of the mallow family often having lobed leaves and solitary bell-shaped flowers
abut·ment [ə-'bət-mənt] -n
- the place at which abutting occurs
- the part of a structure (as an arch or a bridge) that directly receives thrust or pressure
abut·tals [ə-'bə-tᵊlz] -n pl
- the boundaries of lands with respect to adjacent lands
abut·ter [ə-'bə-tər] -n
- one that abuts
- the owner of a contiguous property
abutting -adj
- that abuts or serves as an abutment : adjoining, bordering
abuzz [ə-'bəz] -adj
- filled or resounding with or as if with a buzzing sound
- a lake abuzz with outboards
- filled with talk or excitement
- an office abuzz with rumors
- a town abuzz with anticipation of the big game
aby [ə-'bī] -vt
- to suffer a penalty for
abysm [ə-'bi-zəm] -n
- abyss
- the dark backward and abysm of time -- Shak.
abys·mal [ə-'biz-məl, a-] -adj, adv
- having immense or fathomless extension downward, backward, or inward
- immeasurably great : profound
- immeasurably low or wretched
- abysmal living conditions of the poor
- abyssal
abyss [ə-'bis, a- also 'a-(,)bis] -n
- the bottomless gulf, pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies
- an immeasurably deep gulf or great space
- intellectual or moral depths
abys·sal [ə-'bi-səl] -adj
- unfathomable
- of or relating to the bottom waters of the ocean depths
abyssal plain -n
- any of the great flat sediment-covered areas of ocean floor
Ab·ys·sin·i·an [,a-bə-'si-nē-ən, -'sin-yən] -n
- any of a breed of medium-sized slender domestic cats of African origin with short usu. brownish hair ticked with bands of darker color