ge -abbr

  1. gilt edges

Ge -symbol

  1. germanium

gear ['gir] -n, adj

  1. clothing, garments
  2. movable property : goods
  3. equipment, paraphernalia
    • fishing gear
  4. the rigging of a ship or boat
  5. the harness esp. of horses
  6. absurd talk : nonsense
  7. doings
  8. a mechanism that performs a specific function in a complete machine
    • steering gear
  9. a toothed wheel
  10. working relation, position, order, or adjustment
    • got her career in gear
  11. a level or pace of functioning
    • kicked their performance into high gear
  12. one of two or more adjustments of a transmission (as of a bicycle or motor vehicle) that determine mechanical advantage, relative speed, and direction of travel
  13. to provide (as machinery) with gearing
  14. to connect by gearing
  15. to make ready for effective operation
  16. to adjust so as to match, blend with, or satisfy something
    • gear ing wages to productivity
  17. to be in gear : mesh
  18. shift
    • gear down
  19. to become adjusted so as to match, blend, or harmonize

gear·box ['gir-,bäks] -n

  1. gearing
  2. transmission

gear·change [-,chānj] -n

  1. gearshift

gear·head ['gir-,hed] -n

  1. a person who pursues mechanical or technological interests (as in automobiles or computers)

gear·ing ['gir-iŋ] -n

  1. the act or process of providing or fitting with gears
  2. the parts by which motion is transmitted from one portion of machinery to another
  3. a train of gears

gear·shift ['gir-,shift] -n

  1. a mechanism by which the transmission gears in a power-transmission system are engaged and disengaged
  2. a lever for controlling such a mechanism

gear up -vi

  1. to get ready
    • are gearing up for the big game

gear·wheel ['gir-,hwēl, -,wēl] -n

  1. gear

Geat ['gēt, 'gā-ət, OE 'yaət] -n, adj

  1. a member of a Scandinavian people of southern Sweden to which the legendary hero Beowulf belonged

gecko ['ge-(,)kō] -n

  1. any of numerous small chiefly tropical and nocturnal insectivorous lizards (family Gekkonidae)

GED -abbr

  1. General Educational Development (tests)
  2. general equivalency diploma

ge·dank·en·ex·per·i·ment [gə-'däŋ-kən-ik-,sper-ə-mənt also -,spir-] -n

  1. an experiment carried out in thought only

gee ['jē] -vb

  1. used as a direction to turn to the right or move ahead
  2. to turn to the right side
  3. the letter g
  4. a thousand dollars
  5. used as an introductory expletive or to express surprise or enthusiasm

geegaw ['g(y)ü-(,)gȯ] -n

(variant of gewgaw)

  1. a showy trifle : bauble, trinket

geek ['gēk] -n, adj

  1. a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usu. includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake
  2. a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked
  3. an enthusiast or expert esp. in a technological field or activity
    • computer geek

geeked ['gēkt] -adj

  1. filled with excitement or enthusiasm

geese ['güs] -n

(variant of goose)

  1. any of numerous large waterfowl (family Anatidae) that are intermediate between the swans and ducks and have long necks, feathered lores, and reticulate tarsi
  2. a female goose as distinguished from a gander
  3. simpleton, dolt
  4. a tailor's smoothing iron with a gooseneck handle
  5. a poke between the buttocks
  6. to poke between the buttocks with an upward thrust
  7. to increase the activity, speed, power, intensity, or amount of : spur
    • an effort to goose newsstand sales

geewhiz ['jē-,hwiz, -,wiz] -adj

  1. designed to arouse wonder or excitement or to amplify the merits or significance of something esp. by the use of clever or sensational language
    • play-by-play specialists who wallow in geewhiz banality -- Jack Gould
  2. marked by spectacular or astonishing qualities or achievement
    • geewhiz technology
  3. characterized by wide-eyed enthusiasm, excitement, and wonder

gee whiz [(,)jē-'] -interj

  1. gee

geez ['jēz] -interj

(variant of jeez)

  1. used as a mild oath or introductory expletive (as to express surprise)

Ge·ez [gē-'ez; 'gē-(,)ez, 'gā-] -n

  1. a Semitic language formerly spoken in northern highland Ethiopia and still used as the liturgical language of the Christian church in Ethiopia

gee·zer ['gē-zər] -n

  1. a queer, odd, or eccentric person used esp. of elderly men

ge·fil·te fish [gə-'fil-tə-] -n

  1. balls or cakes of seasoned minced fish usu. simmered in a fish stock or baked in a tomato sauce

ge·gen·schein ['gā-gən-,shīn] -n

  1. a faint light about 20 across on the celestial sphere opposite the sun probably caused by backscatter of sunlight by solar-system dust

Ge·hen·na [gi-'he-nə] -n

  1. a place or state of misery
  2. hell

Gei·ger counter ['gī-gər-] -n

  1. an instrument for detecting the presence and intensity of radiations (as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of their ionizing effect on an enclosed gas which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving a visible or audible indication

Gei·gerMul·ler counter [-'myü-lər, -'mi-, -'mə-] -n

  1. geiger counter

gei·sha ['gā-shə, also 'gē-] -n

  1. a Japanese girl or woman who is trained to provide entertaining and lighthearted company esp. for a man or a group of men

gel ['jel] -n

  1. a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
  2. jelly
  3. a thin colored transparent sheet used over a stage light to color it
  4. a gelatinous preparation used in styling hair
  5. to change into or take on the form of a gel : set
  6. jell

gel·a·da baboon ['je-lə-də-, 'ge-; jə-'lä-də-] -n

  1. a large long-haired chiefly herbivorous primate ( Theropithecus gelada) of Ethiopia related to the baboon called also gelada

ge·lan·de·sprung [gə-'len-də-,shpru̇ŋ, -,spru̇ŋ] -n

  1. a jump usu. over an obstacle in skiing that is made from a low crouch with the aid of both ski poles

gel·ate ['je-,lāt] -vi

  1. gel

gel·a·tin ['je-lə-tən] -n

  1. glutinous material obtained from animal tissues by boiling
  2. a colloidal protein used as a food, in photography, and in medicine
  3. any of various substances (as agar) resembling gelatin
  4. an edible jelly made with gelatin
  5. gel

ge·la·ti·ni·za·tion [jə-,la-tə-nə-'zā-shən, ,je-lə-tə-] -n, vb

  1. the process of converting into a gelatinous form or into a jelly

ge·lat·i·nous [jə-'lat-nəs, -'la-tə-nəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. resembling gelatin or jelly : viscous
    • a gelatinous precipitate
  2. of, relating to, or containing gelatin

ge·la·tion [ji-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the action or process of freezing

gel·ation [je-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the formation of a gel from a sol

ge·la·to [je-'lä-(,)tō] -n

  1. a soft rich ice cream containing little or no air

gel·cap ['jel-,kap] -n

  1. a capsule-shaped tablet coated with gelatin for easy swallowing

geld ['geld] -vt

  1. castrate
  2. to deprive of a natural or essential part
    • the legislation was pretty much geld ed by the time it was passed
  3. the crown tax paid under Anglo-Saxon and Norman kings

geld·ing ['gel-diŋ] -n

  1. a castrated animal
  2. a castrated male horse
  3. eunuch

ge·lee [zhə-'lā] -n

  1. a cosmetic gel

gel electrophoresis -n

  1. electrophoresis in which molecules (as proteins and nucleic acids) migrate through a gel and esp. a polyacrylamide gel and separate into bands according to size

gel ice -n

  1. a gel matrix in a solution that is frozen in a pack esp. for use in preserving perishable products

gel·id ['je-ləd] -adj, n, adv

  1. extremely cold : icy
    • gelid water
    • a man of gelid reserve -- New Yorker

gel·ig·nite ['je-lig-,nīt] -n

  1. a dynamite in which the adsorbent base is largely potassium nitrate or a similar nitrate usu. with some wood pulp

gel·lant ['je-lənt] -n

  1. a substance used to produce gelling

gel permeation chromatography -n

  1. chromatography in which macromolecules (as polymers) in a solution are separated by size on a column packed with a gel (as of polystyrene)

gelt ['gelt] -n

  1. money

gem ['jem] -n

  1. jewel
  2. a precious or sometimes semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament
  3. something prized esp. for great beauty or perfection
  4. a highly prized or well-beloved person
  5. muffin
  6. to adorn with or as if with gems

GEM -abbr

  1. ground-effect machine

Ge·ma·ra [gə-'mär-ə, -'mȯr-] -n, adj

  1. a commentary on the Mishnah forming the second part of the Talmud

ge·mein·schaft [gə-'mīn-,shäft] -n

  1. a spontaneously arising organic social relationship characterized by strong reciprocal bonds of sentiment and kinship within a common tradition
  2. a community or society characterized by this relationship

gem·fi·bro·zil [jem-'fī-brə-(,)zil, -'fi-] -n

  1. a drug C 15H 22O 3that regulates blood serum lipids and is used esp. to lower the levels of triglycerides and increase the levels of HDLs in the treatment of hyperlipemia

gem·i·nal ['je-mə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or characterized by two usu. similar substituents on the same atom

gem·i·nate ['je-mə-nət, -,nāt] -adj

  1. arranged in pairs : duplicate
  2. being a sequence of identical speech sounds (as in meannessor Italian nottent-te night)
  3. to make geminate
  4. to be or become geminate

Gem·i·ni ['je-mə-(,)nē, -,nī; 'ge-mə-,nē] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. the third zodiacal constellation pictorially represented as the twins Castor and Pollux sitting together and located on the opposite side of the Milky Way from Taurus and Orion
  2. the third sign of the zodiac in astrology
  3. one born under the sign of Gemini

gem·ma ['je-mə] -n

  1. bud
  2. an asexual reproductive body that becomes detached from a parent plant

gem·ma·tion [je-'mā-shən] -n

  1. reproduction by gemmae

gem·mule ['jem-(,)yül] -n

  1. : a small bud:
  2. a theoretical particle proposed in the theory of pangenesis that is shed by a somatic cell and contains all the information necessary to reproduce that cell type (as in an offspring)
  3. a reproductive bud produced by freshwater and some marine sponges that consists of a usu. hardened aggregate of cells

gem·my ['je-mē] -adj

  1. having the characteristics desired in a gemstone
  2. bright, glittering

gem·ol·o·gist [je-'mä-lə-jist, jə-] -n

  1. a specialist in gems
  2. one who appraises gems

gem·ol·o·gy [-jē] -n, adj

  1. the science of gems

ge·mot [gə-'mōt, yə-] -n

  1. a judicial or legislative assembly in Anglo-Saxon England

gems·bok ['gemz-,bäk] -n

  1. a large and strikingly marked oryx ( Oryx gazella) formerly abundant in southern Africa

gem·stone ['jem-,stōn] -n

  1. a mineral or petrified material that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry

ge·mut·lich [gə-'mᵫt-lik̲, -'müt-lik] -adj

  1. agreeably pleasant : comfortable

ge·mut·lich·keit [gə-'mᵫt-lik̲-,kīt, -'müt-lik-] -n

  1. cordiality, friendliness

gen ['jen] -n

  1. information
  2. general
  3. genitive
  4. genus

Gen -abbr

  1. Genesis

gen- -comb form

  1. offspring : race
    • geno cide
  2. genus : kind
    • geno type

Gen AF -abbr

  1. general of the air force

gen·darme ['zhän-,därm also 'jän-] -n

  1. a member of a body of soldiers esp. in France serving as an armed police force for the maintenance of public order
  2. police officer

gen·dar·mer·ie [zhän-'där-mə-rē, jän-] -n

  1. a body of gendarmes

gen·der ['jen-dər] -n

  1. a subclass within a grammatical class (as noun, pronoun, adjective, or verb) of a language that is partly arbitrary but also partly based on distinguishable characteristics (as shape, social rank, manner of existence, or sex) and that determines agreement with and selection of other words or grammatical forms
  2. membership of a word or a grammatical form in such a subclass
  3. an inflectional form showing membership in such a subclass
  4. sex
    • the feminine gender
  5. the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex

gender [-d(ə-)riŋ] -vb

  1. engender

gender bender -n, adj or n

  1. a person who dresses and behaves like a member of the opposite sex

gendered -adj

  1. reflecting the experience, prejudices, or orientations of one sex more than the other
    • gendered language
  2. reflecting or involving gender differences or stereotypical gender roles

gen·der·less ['jen-dər-ləs] -adj, n

  1. lacking qualities typically associated with either sex
  2. suitable to or for either sex
  3. not reflective of the experiences, prejudices, or orientations of one sex more than the other
    • genderless language

gene ['jēn] -n

  1. a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usu. on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and esp. a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material

ge·ne·al·o·gist [,jē-nē-'ä-lə-jist also -'a-lə- also ,je-nē-] -n

  1. a person who traces or studies the descent of persons or families

ge·ne·al·o·gy [-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms
  2. regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form : pedigree
  3. the study of family pedigrees
  4. an account of the origin and historical development of something

gene conversion -n

  1. a genetic process that involves nonreciprocal meiotic recombination in heterozygotes in which a mismatched DNA sequence from one heteroduplex DNA strand is replaced with a sequence complementary to the other strand resulting in aberrant gametic ratios (as 3:1) and that is observed esp. in ascomycetous fungi

gene flow -n

  1. the passage and establishment of genes typical of one breeding population into the gene pool of another

gene frequency -n

  1. the ratio of the number of a specified allele in a population to the total of all alleles at its genetic locus

gene mutation -n

  1. mutation due to fundamental intramolecular reorganization of a gene

gene pool -n

  1. the collection of genes in an interbreeding population that includes each gene at a certain frequency in relation to its alleles : the genetic information of a population of interbreeding organisms
    • the human gene pool

genera ['jē-nəs, 'je-] -n

(variant of genus)

  1. a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic
  2. a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and being designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun
  3. a class of objects divided into several subordinate species

gen·er·a·ble ['jen-rə-bəl, 'je-nə-] -adj

  1. capable of being generated

gen·er·al ['jen-rəl, 'je-nə-] -adj

  1. involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole
  2. involving, relating to, or applicable to every member of a class, kind, or group
    • the general equation of a straight line
  3. not confined by specialization or careful limitation
  4. belonging to the common nature of a group of like individuals : generic
  5. applicable to or characteristic of the majority of individuals involved : prevalent
  6. concerned or dealing with universal rather than particular aspects
  7. relating to, determined by, or concerned with main elements rather than limited details
    • bearing a general resemblance to the original
  8. holding superior rank or taking precedence over others similarly titled
    • the general manager

general -n

  1. something (as a concept, principle, or statement) that involves or is applicable to the whole
  2. superior general
  3. the general public : people
  4. general officer
  5. a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a lieutenant general and whose insignia is four stars

general admission -n

  1. a fee paid for admission to a usu. unreserved seating area (as in an auditorium or stadium)

general agent -n

  1. one employed to transact generally all legal business entrusted by a principal
  2. an insurance company agent working within a specified area

general anesthesia -n

  1. anesthesia affecting the entire body and accompanied by loss of consciousness

general assembly -n

  1. the highest governing body in a religious denomination (as the United Presbyterian Church)
  2. a legislative assembly
  3. a U.S. state legislature
  4. the supreme deliberative body of the United Nations

general aviation -n

  1. the operation of civilian aircraft not under the control of a common carrier
  2. such aircraft collectively

General Court -n

  1. a legislative assembly
  2. the state legislature in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

general delivery -n

  1. a department of a post office that handles the delivery of mail at a post office window to persons who call for it

general election -n

  1. an election usu. held at regular intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state

gen·er·al·i·sa·tion [,jen-rə-lə-'zā-shən, ,je-nə-] -n

(variant of generalization)

  1. the act or process of generalizing
  2. a general statement, law, principle, or proposition
  3. the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus

gen·er·a·lis·si·mo [,jen-rə-'li-sə-,mō, ,je-nə-] -n

  1. the chief commander of an army

gen·er·al·ist ['jen-rə-list, 'je-nə-] -n

  1. one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized

gen·er·al·i·ty [,je-nə-'ra-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being general
  2. generalization
  3. a vague or inadequate statement
  4. the greatest part : bulk
    • the generality of the population

gen·er·al·i·za·tion [,jen-rə-lə-'zā-shən, ,je-nə-] -n

  1. the act or process of generalizing
  2. a general statement, law, principle, or proposition
  3. the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus

gen·er·al·ize ['jen-rə-,līz, 'je-nə-] -vb, n, adj

  1. to give a general form to
  2. to derive or induce (a general conception or principle) from particulars
  3. to draw a general conclusion from
  4. to give general applicability to
    • generalize a law
  5. to make indefinite
  6. to form generalizations
  7. to make vague or indefinite statements
  8. to spread or extend throughout the body

generalized -adj

  1. made general
  2. not highly differentiated biologically nor strictly adapted to a particular environment

gen·er·al·ly ['jen-rə-lē, 'je-nə-, 'je-nər-lē] -adv

  1. : in a general manner: as
  2. in disregard of specific instances and with regard to an overall picture
    • generally speaking
  3. as a rule : usually

general officer -n

  1. any of the officers in the army, air force, or marine corps above colonel

general of the air force

  1. a general of the highest rank in the air force whose insignia is five stars

general of the army

  1. a general of the highest rank in the army whose insignia is five stars

general paresis -n

  1. insanity caused by syphilitic alteration of the brain that leads to dementia and paralysis called also general paralysis of the insane

general partner -n

  1. a partner whose liability for partnership debts and obligations is unlimited

general practitioner -n

  1. a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty
  2. generalist

generalpurpose -adj

  1. suitable to be used for two or more basic purposes

general quarters -n pl

  1. a condition of maximum readiness of a warship for action

general relativity -n

  1. relativity

general semantics -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a doctrine and educational discipline intended to improve habits of response of human beings to their environment and one another esp. by training in the more critical use of words and other symbols

gen·er·al·ship ['jen-rəl-,ship, 'je-nə-] -n

  1. office or tenure of office of a general
  2. leadership
  3. military skill in a high commander

general store -n

  1. a retail store located usu. in a small or rural community that carries a wide variety of goods including groceries but is not divided into departments

general theory of relativity

  1. relativity

general will -n

  1. the collective will of a community that is the embodiment or expression of its common interest

gen·er·ate ['je-nə-,rāt] -vt

  1. : to bring into existence: as
  2. procreate, beget
  3. to originate by a vital, chemical, or physical process : produce
    • generate electricity
  4. to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
    • these stories...generate a good deal of psychological suspense -- Atlantic
  5. to define or originate (as a mathematical or linguistic set or structure) by the application of one or more rules or operations
  6. to trace out (as a curve) by a moving point or trace out (as a surface) by a moving curve

gen·er·a·tion [,je-nə-'rā-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor
  2. a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously
  3. a group of individuals having contemporaneously a status (as that of students in a school) which each one holds only for a limited period
  4. a type or class of objects usu. developed from an earlier type
    • first of the...new generation of powerful supersonic fighters -- Kenneth Koyen
  5. the action or process of producing offspring : procreation
  6. the process of coming or bringing into being
    • generation of income
  7. origination by a generating process : production
  8. formation of a geometric figure by motion of another
  9. the average span of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring

Generation X [-'ek-sər] -n

  1. the generation of Americans born in the 1960s and 1970s

gen·er·a·tive ['jen-rə-tiv, 'je-nə-, -,rā-tiv] -adj

  1. having the power or function of generating, originating, producing, or reproducing

generative cell -n

  1. a sexual reproductive cell : gamete

generative grammar [usu 'je-nə-rə-tiv-] -n

  1. a description in the form of a set of rules for producing the grammatical sentences of a language
  2. transformational grammar

generative nucleus -n

  1. the one of the two nuclei resulting from the first division in the pollen grain of a seed plant that gives rise to sperm nuclei

generative semantics [usu 'je-nə-rə-tiv-] -n pl but usu sing in constr

  1. a description of a language emphasizing a semantic deep structure that is logical in form, that provides syntactic structure, and that is related to surface structure by transformations

gen·er·a·tor ['je-nə-,rā-tər] -n

  1. : one that generates: as
  2. an apparatus in which vapor or gas is formed
  3. a machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy
  4. a mathematical entity that when subjected to one or more operations yields another mathematical entity or its elements
  5. generatrix

gen·er·a·trix [,je-nə-'rā-triks] -n

  1. a point, line, or surface whose motion generates a line, surface, or solid

ge·ner·ic [jə-'ner-ik, -'ne-rik] -adj, adv, n

  1. relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
  2. being or having a nonproprietary name
    • generic drugs
  3. having no particularly distinctive quality or application
    • generic restaurants
  4. relating to or having the rank of a biological genus

generic -n

  1. a generic product (as a drug)

gen·er·os·i·ty [,je-nə-'rä-sə-tē, -'räs-tē] -n

  1. the quality or fact of being generous
  2. a generous act
  3. abundance
    • great generosity of spirit

gen·er·ous ['jen-rəs, 'je-nə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. highborn
  2. characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit : magnanimous, kindly
  3. liberal in giving : openhanded
  4. marked by abundance or ample proportions : copious
    • a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous nose -- Richard Zabel

gen·e·sis ['je-nə-səs] -n

  1. the origin or coming into being of something
    • the genesis of a new political movement

Genesis -n

  1. the mainly narrative first book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scriptures

genesplic·ing ['jēn-,splī-siŋ] -n

  1. the process of preparing recombinant DNA

gen·et ['je-nət] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Genetta) of small Old World usu. carnivorous viverrid mammals related to the civets and having retractile claws, spotted or striped fur, and a ringed tail

gene therapy -n

  1. the insertion of usu. genetically altered genes into cells esp. to replace defective genes in the treatment of genetic disorders or to provide a specialized disease-fighting function

ge·net·ic [jə-'ne-tik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something
  2. of, relating to, or involving genetics
  3. of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes
    • a genetic disease
    • genetic variation

genetic code -n

  1. the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to be uniform for nearly all known forms of life

genetic counseling -n

  1. guidance relating to genetic disorders that is provided by a medical professional typically to individuals with an increased risk of having a child with such a disorder

genetic drift -n

  1. random changes in gene frequency esp. in small populations when leading to preservation or extinction of particular genes

genetic engineering -n, adj

  1. the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and esp. DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics

genetic fingerprinting -n

  1. DNA fingerprinting

genetic load -n

  1. the decrease in fitness of the average individual in a population relative to the fittest genotype due to the presence of deleterious genes in the gene pool

genetic map -n

  1. map

genetic marker -n

  1. a readily recognizable genetic trait, gene, DNA segment, or gene product used for identification esp. when closely linked to a trait or genetic material that is difficult to identify

ge·net·ics [jə-'ne-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, n

  1. a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms
  2. the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition

ge·ne·va [jə-'nē-və] -n

  1. a highly aromatic bitter gin orig. made in the Netherlands

Ge·ne·va bands [jə-'nē-və-] -n pl

  1. two strips of white cloth suspended from the front of a clerical collar and sometimes worn by Protestant clergymen called also Geneva tabs

Geneva convention -n

  1. one of a series of agreements concerning the treatment of prisoners of war and of the sick, wounded, and dead in battle first made at Geneva, Switzerland in 1864 and subsequently accepted in later revisions by most nations

Geneva cross -n

  1. red cross

Geneva gown -n

  1. a loose large-sleeved black academic gown widely used as a vestment by members of the Protestant clergy

Ge·ne·van [jə-'nē-vən] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to Geneva, Switzerland
  2. of or relating to Calvinism

ge·nial ['jēn-yəl, 'jē-nē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to marriage or generation
    • the genial bed -- John Milton
  2. inborn, native
  3. favorable to growth or comfort : mild
    • genial sunshine
  4. marked by or diffusing sympathy or friendliness
    • your genial host
  5. displaying or marked by genius

ge·ni·al [ji-'nī(-ə)l] -adj

  1. of or relating to the chin

gen·ic ['jē-nik, 'je-] -adj, adv

  1. genetic

ge·nic·u·late [jə-'ni-kyə-lət] -adj

  1. bent abruptly at an angle like a bent knee

ge·nie ['jē-nē] -n

  1. jinni
  2. a magic spirit believed to take human form and serve the person who calls it

ge·nis·tein [jə-'nis-tē-ən, -'nis-,tēn] -n

  1. an isoflavone C 15H 10O 5found esp. in soybeans and shown in laboratory experiments to have antitumor activity

gen·i·tal ['je-nə-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. generative
  2. of, relating to, or being a sexual organ
  3. of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which oral and anal impulses are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms

genital herpes -n

  1. herpes simplex of the type typically affecting the genitalia

gen·i·ta·lia [,je-nə-'tāl-yə] -n pl, adj

  1. the organs of the reproductive system
  2. the external genital organs

gen·i·tals ['je-nə-tᵊlz] -n pl

  1. genitalia

genital wart -n

  1. a wart on the skin or adjoining mucous membrane on or near the genital organs or the anus and caused by any of several human papillomaviruses

gen·i·ti·val [,je-nə-'tī-vəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or formed with or from the genitive case

gen·i·tive ['je-nə-tiv] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a grammatical case marking typically a relationship of possessor or source
  2. expressing a relationship that in some inflected languages is often marked by a genitive case used esp. of English prepositional phrases introduced by of

genito- -comb form

  1. genital and
    • genito urinary

gen·i·to·uri·nary [,je-nə-tō-'yu̇r-ə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. of or relating to the genital and urinary organs or functions
    • genitourinary disorders

gen·i·ture ['je-nə-,chu̇r, -chər, -,t(y)u̇r] -n

  1. nativity, birth

ge·nius ['jēn-yəs, 'jē-nē-əs] -n

  1. an attendant spirit of a person or place
  2. a person who influences another for good or bad
  3. a strong leaning or inclination : penchant
  4. a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit
  5. the associations and traditions of a place
  6. a personification or embodiment esp. of a quality or condition
  7. spirit, jinni
  8. a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude
    • had a genius for getting along with boys -- Mary Ross
  9. extraordinary intellectual power esp. as manifested in creative activity
  10. a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority
  11. a person with a very high IQ

genius lo·ci [-'lō-,sī, -,kē] -n

  1. the pervading spirit of a place
  2. a tutelary deity of a place

genl -abbr

  1. general

gen·na·ker ['je-ni-kər] -n

  1. a spinnaker sail having an asymmetrical shape

gen·oa ['je-nə-wə] -n

  1. a large jib that overlaps the mainsail and is used esp. in racing

geno·cide ['je-nə-,sīd] -n, adj

  1. the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group

gen·o·gram ['je-nə-,gram, 'jē-] -n

  1. a diagram outlining the history of the behavior patterns (as of divorce, abortion, or suicide) of a family over several generations
  2. a similar diagram detailing the medical history of a family in order to assess a family member's risk of developing disease

ge·noise [zhā-'nwäz] -n

  1. a sponge cake containing butter and leavened by stiffly beaten eggs

ge·nome ['jē-,nōm] -n

  1. one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain
  2. the genetic material of an organism

ge·no·mic [ji-'nō-mik, -'nä-] -adj

  1. of or relating to a genome or to genomics

ge·no·mics [jē-'nō-miks, jə-] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. a branch of biotechnology concerned with applying the techniques of genetics and molecular biology to the genetic mapping and DNA sequencing of sets of genes or the complete genomes of selected organisms, with organizing the results in databases, and with applications of the data (as in medicine or biology)

ge·no·type ['jē-nə-,tīp, 'je-] -n, adj, adv

  1. type species
  2. all or part of the genetic constitution of an individual or group

genre ['zhän-rə, 'zhäⁿ-; 'zhäⁿr; 'jän-rə] -n

  1. a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content
  2. kind, sort
  3. painting that depicts scenes or events from everyday life usu. realistically

gen·ro ['gen-'rō] -n pl

  1. the elder statesmen of Japan who formerly advised the emperor

gens ['jenz, 'gen(t)s] -n

  1. a Roman clan embracing the families of the same stock in the male line with the members having a common name and worshipping a common ancestor
  2. clan
  3. a patrilineal clan
  4. a distinguishable group of related organisms

gent ['jent] -adj

  1. pretty, graceful
  2. gentleman

gen·ta·mi·cin [,jen-tə-'mī-sᵊn] -n

  1. a broad-spectrum antibiotic mixture derived from an actinomycete ( Micromonospora purpureaor M. echinospora) and extensively used as the sulfate in treating infections (as of the urinary tract)

gen·teel [jen-'tēl] -adj, adv, n

  1. having an aristocratic quality or flavor : stylish
  2. of or relating to the gentry or upper class
  3. elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape
  4. free from vulgarity or rudeness : polite
  5. maintaining or striving to maintain the appearance of superior or middle-class social status or respectability
  6. marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation
  7. conventionally or insipidly pretty
    • timid and genteel artistic style

gen·teel·ism [-'tē(l)-,li-zəm] -n

  1. a word believed by its user to be more polite or less vulgar than a common synonym
  2. the use of genteelisms

gen·tian ['jen(t)-shən] -n

  1. any of numerous herbs (family Gentianaceae, the gentian family, and esp. genus Gentiana) with opposite smooth leaves and showy usu. blue flowers
  2. the rhizome and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian ( Gentiana lutea) of southern Europe that is used as a tonic, stomachic, and flavoring in vermouth

gentian violet -n

  1. any of several dyes or dye mixtures consisting of one or more methyl derivatives of pararosaniline
  2. a dark green or greenish mixture used esp. as a bactericide, fungicide, and anthelmintic

gen·tile ['jen-,tī(-ə)l] -n

  1. a person of a non-Jewish nation or of non-Jewish faith
  2. a Christian as distinguished from a Jew
  3. heathen, pagan
  4. a non-Mormon

gentile -adj

  1. of or relating to the nations at large as distinguished from the Jews
  2. of or relating to Christians as distinguished from the Jews
  3. of or relating to non-Mormons
  4. heathen, pagan
  5. relating to a tribe or clan

gen·ti·lesse [,jen-tə-'les] -n

  1. decorum of conduct befitting a member of the gentry

gen·til·i·ty [jen-'ti-lə-tē] -n

  1. the condition of belonging to the gentry
  2. gentlefolk, gentry
  3. decorum of conduct : courtesy
  4. attitudes or activity marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation
  5. superior social status or prestige evidenced by manners, possessions, or mode of life

gen·tle ['jen-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. belonging to a family of high social station
  2. chivalrous
  3. honorable, distinguished
  4. of or relating to a gentleman
  5. kind, amiable used esp. in address as a complimentary epithet
    • gentle reader
  6. suited to a person of high social station
  7. tractable, docile
  8. free from harshness, sternness, or violence
  9. soft, delicate
  10. moderate

gentle -n

  1. a person of gentle birth or status
  2. to raise from the commonalty : ennoble
  3. to make gentler
  4. to make (an animal) tame and docile
  5. mollify, placate
  6. to stroke soothingly : pet
  7. to become gentle
    • the wind gentled

gentle breeze -n

  1. wind having a speed of 8 to 12 miles per hour (about 12 to 19 kilometers per hour)

gen·tle·folk ['jen-tᵊl-,fōk] -n pl

  1. persons of gentle or good family and breeding

gen·tle·man ['jen-tᵊl-mən, 'je-nᵊl-, in rapid speech also 'jen-tə-mən, 'je-nə-] -n, adj

  1. a man of noble or gentle birth
  2. a man belonging to the landed gentry
  3. a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities
  4. a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior
  5. a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain
  6. a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain
  7. valet often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman
  8. a man of any social class or condition often used in a courteous reference
    • show this gentleman to a seat
    or usu. in the pl. in address
    • ladies and gentlemen

gentlemanatarms -n

  1. one of a military corps of 40 gentlemen who attend the British sovereign on state occasions

gentlemancommoner -n

  1. any of a privileged class of commoners formerly required to pay higher fees than ordinary commoners at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge

gentleman farmer -n

  1. a man who farms mainly for pleasure rather than for profit

gen·tle·man·ly [-lē] -adj, n

  1. characteristic of or having the character of a gentleman

gentleman of fortune

  1. adventurer

gentleman's agreement -n

  1. an agreement secured only by the honor of the participants

gentleman's club -n

  1. a nightclub for men that features scantily clad women dancers or stripteasers

gen·tle·ness ['jen-tᵊl-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being gentle
  2. mildness of manners or disposition

gen·tle·per·son ['jen-tᵊl-,pər-sᵊn] -n

  1. a gentleman or lady

gentle sex -n

  1. the female sex : women in general

gen·tle·wom·an ['jen-tᵊl-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman of noble or gentle birth
  2. a woman who is an attendant upon a lady of rank
  3. a woman of refined manners or good breeding : lady

Gen·too ['jen-(,)tü] -n

  1. hindu

gen·too penguin ['jen-(,)tü-] -n

  1. a penguin ( Pygoscelis papua) of Antarctica and nearby islands with a gray back and throat, white underparts, and white spots above the eyes called also gentoo

gen·trice ['jen-trəs] -n

  1. gentility of birth : rank

gen·tri·fi·ca·tion [,jen-trə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents

gen·tri·fy ['jen-trə-,fī] -vb, n

  1. to attempt or accomplish the gentrification of
  2. to become gentrified

gen·try ['jen-trē] -n

  1. the qualities appropriate to a person of gentle birth
  2. courtesy
  3. the condition or rank of a gentleman
  4. upper or ruling class : aristocracy
  5. a class whose members are entitled to bear a coat of arms though not of noble rank
  6. the landed proprietors having such status
  7. people of a specified class or kind : folks
    • no real heroes or heroines among the academic gentry -- R. G. Hanvey

gents ['jen(t)s] -n

  1. men's room

gen·u·flect ['jen-yə-,flekt] -vi, n

  1. to bend the knee
  2. to touch the knee to the floor or ground esp. in worship
  3. to be servilely obedient or respectful

gen·u·ine ['jen-yə-wən, -(,)win, ÷-,wīn] -adj, adv, n

  1. actually having the reputed or apparent qualities or character
    • genuine vintage wines
  2. actually produced by or proceeding from the alleged source or author
    • the signature is genuine
  3. sincerely and honestly felt or experienced
    • a deep and genuine love
  4. actual, true
    • a genuine improvement
  5. free from hypocrisy or pretense : sincere

ge·nus ['jē-nəs, 'je-] -n

  1. a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic
  2. a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and being designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun
  3. a class of objects divided into several subordinate species

Gen X ['jen-'eks] -n

  1. generation X often hyphenated in attributive use
    • a Gen-X celebrity

geo- -comb form

  1. earth : ground : soil
    • geo phyte
  2. geographic : geography and
    • geo politics

geo·bot·a·ny [,jē-ō-'bä-tə-nē, -'bät-nē] -n, adj

  1. phytogeography

geo·cen·tric [,jē-ō-'sen-trik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, measured from, or as if observed from the earth's center
  2. having or relating to the earth as center
  3. taking or based on the earth as the center of perspective and valuation

geo·chem·is·try [,jē-ō-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a science that deals with the chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid matter of the earth or a celestial body (as the moon)
  2. the related chemical and geological properties of a substance

geo·chro·nol·o·gy [-krə-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the chronology of the past as indicated by geologic data
  2. the study of geochronology

ge·ode ['jē-,ōd] -n

  1. a nodule of stone having a cavity lined with crystals or mineral matter
  2. the cavity in a geode

geo·de·sic [,jē-ə-'de-sik, -'dē-, -zik] -adj

  1. geodetic
  2. made of light straight structural elements mostly in tension
    • a geodesic dome

geodesic -n

  1. the shortest line between two points that lies in a given surface

ge·od·e·sy [jē-'ä-də-sē] -n

  1. a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the determination of the size and shape of the earth and the exact positions of points on its surface and with the description of variations of its gravity field

geo·det·ic [,jē-ə-'de-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or determined by geodesy

geodetic survey -n

  1. a survey of a large land area in which corrections are made for the curvature of the earth's surface

geo·duck ['gü-ē-,dək] -n

  1. a large edible clam ( Panopea abruptasyn. P. generosa) of the Pacific coast that usu. weighs two to three pounds (about one kilogram) but may attain a weight of over ten pounds (4.5 kilograms)

geo·eco·nom·ics [,jē-ō-,e-kə-'nä-miks, -,ē-kə-] -n, adj

  1. the combination of economic and geographic factors relating to international trade
  2. a governmental policy guided by geoeconomics

geog -abbr

  1. geographic; geographical; geography

ge·og·ra·pher [jē-'ä-grə-fər] -n

  1. a specialist in geography

geo·graph·ic [,jē-ə-'gra-fik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to geography
  2. belonging to or characteristic of a particular region

ge·og·ra·phy [jē-'ä-grə-fē] -n

  1. a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface
  2. the geographic features of an area
  3. a treatise on geography
  4. a delineation or systematic arrangement of constituent elements : configuration
    • the philosophers...have tried to construct geographies of human reason -- Times Lit. Supp.
  5. makeup
    • her emotional geography

geo·hy·drol·o·gy [,jē-ō-hī-'drä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. a science that deals with the character, source, and mode of occurrence of underground water

ge·oid ['jē-,ȯid] -n, adj

  1. the surface within or around the earth that is everywhere normal to the direction of gravity and coincides with mean sea level in the oceans

geol -abbr

  1. geologic; geological; geology

geo·log·ic [,jē-ə-'lä-jik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or based on geology

geologic time -n

  1. the long period of time occupied by the earth's geologic history

ge·ol·o·gize [jē-'ä-lə-,jīz] -vi

  1. to study geology or make geologic investigations

ge·ol·o·gy [jē-'ä-lə-jē] -n

  1. a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life esp. as recorded in rocks
  2. a study of the solid matter of a celestial body (as the moon)
  3. geologic features
  4. a treatise on geology

geom -abbr

  1. geometric; geometrical; geometry

geo·mag·net·ic [,jē-ō-mag-'ne-tik] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to terrestrial magnetism

geomagnetic storm -n

  1. magnetic storm

geo·man·cy ['jē-ə-,man(t)-sē] -n, adj

  1. divination by means of figures or lines or geographic features

ge·om·e·ter [jē-'ä-mə-tər] -n

  1. a specialist in geometry
  2. geometrid

geo·met·ric [,jē-ə-'me-trik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or according to the methods or principles of geometry
  2. increasing in a geometric progression
    • geometric population growth
  3. of or relating to a style of ancient Greek pottery characterized by geometric decorative motifs
  4. utilizing rectilinear or simple curvilinear motifs or outlines in design
  5. of or relating to art based on simple geometric shapes (as straight lines, circles, or squares)
    • geometric abstractions

geo·me·tri·cian [(,)jē-,ä-mə-'tri-shən, ,jē-ə-mə-] -n

  1. geometer

geometric mean -n

  1. the nth root of the product of nnumbers
  2. a number that is the second term of three consecutive terms of a geometric progression
    • the geometric mean of 9 and 4 is 6

geometric progression -n

  1. a sequence (as 1, , ) in which the ratio of a term to its predecessor is always the same called also geometrical progression geometric sequence

geo·met·rics [,jē-ə-'me-triks] -n pl

  1. decorative patterns or designs based on geometric shapes

geometric series -n

  1. a series (as 1 x x 2 x 3...) whose terms form a geometric progression

geo·me·trid [jē-'ä-mə-trəd, ,jē-ə-'me-trəd] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Geometridae) of usu. medium-sized moths with large wings and larvae that are loopers

ge·om·e·trise [jē-'ä-mə-,trīz] -vb, n

(variant of geometrize)

  1. to work by or as if by geometric methods or laws
  2. to represent geometrically
  3. to make conform to geometric principles and laws

ge·om·e·trize [jē-'ä-mə-,trīz] -vb, n

  1. to work by or as if by geometric methods or laws
  2. to represent geometrically
  3. to make conform to geometric principles and laws

ge·om·e·try [jē-'ä-mə-trē] -n

  1. a branch of mathematics that deals with the measurement, properties, and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids
  2. the study of properties of given elements that remain invariant under specified transformations
  3. a particular type or system of geometry
  4. configuration
  5. surface shape
  6. an arrangement of objects or parts that suggests geometric figures

geo·mor·phic [,jē-ə-'mȯr-fik] -adj

  1. geomorphological

geo·mor·pho·log·i·cal [-mȯr-fə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the form or surface features of the earth or another celestial body

geo·mor·phol·o·gy [-mȯr-'fä-lə-jē] -n

  1. a science that deals with the relief features of the earth or of another celestial body (as the moon) and seeks a genetic interpretation of them
  2. the features dealt with in geomorphology

ge·oph·a·gy [jē-'ä-fə-jē] -n

  1. the practice of eating earthy substances (as clay) that in humans is performed esp. to augment a scanty or mineral-deficient diet or as part of a cultural tradition

geo·phone ['jē-ə-,fōn] -n

  1. an instrument for detecting vibrations passing through rocks, soil, or ice

geo·phys·ics [,jē-ə-'fi-ziks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv, n

  1. a branch of earth science dealing with the physical processes and phenomena occurring esp. in the earth and in its vicinity

geo·phyte ['jē-ə-,fīt] -n

  1. a perennial plant that bears its perennating buds below the surface of the soil

geo·pol·i·ti·cian [,jē-ō-,pä-lə-'ti-shən] -n

  1. a specialist in geopolitics

geo·pol·i·tics [-'pä-lə-,tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, adv

  1. a study of the influence of such factors as geography, economics, and demography on the politics and esp. the foreign policy of a state
  2. a governmental policy guided by geopolitics
  3. a combination of political and geographic factors relating to something (as a state or particular resources)

geo·pres·sured [,jē-ō-'pre-shərd] -adj

  1. subjected to great pressure from geologic forces
    • geopressured methane

Geor·die ['jȯr-dē] -n

  1. an inhabitant of Newcastle upon Tyne or its environs
  2. the dialect of English spoken by Geordies

George ['jȯrj] -n

  1. either of two of the insignia of the British Order of the Garter
  2. a British coin bearing the image of St. George

geor·gette [jȯr-'jet] -n

  1. a sheer crepe woven from hard-twisted yarns to produce a dull pebbly surface

Geor·gian ['jȯr-jən] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Georgia in the Caucasus
  2. the language of the Georgian people

Georgian -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting Georgia in the Caucasus, the Georgians, or Georgian
  2. a native or resident of the state of Georgia
  3. of, relating to, or characteristic of the state of Georgia or its people
  4. of, relating to, or characteristic of the reigns of the first four Georges of Great Britain
  5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the reign of George V of Great Britain
  6. one belonging to either of the Georgian periods
  7. a poet of the second decade of the 20th century
  8. Georgian taste or style esp. in architecture

geor·gic ['jȯr-jik] -n

  1. a poem dealing with agriculture

georgic -adj

  1. agricultural

geo·sci·ence [,jē-ō-'sī-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the sciences (as geology, geophysics, and geochemistry) dealing with the earth
  2. any of the geosciences

geo·sta·tion·ary [-'stā-shə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. being or having an equatorial orbit at an altitude of about 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) requiring an angular velocity the same as that of the earth so that the position of a satellite in such an orbit is fixed with respect to the earth

geo·strat·e·gy [-'stra-tə-jē] -n, adj

  1. a branch of geopolitics that deals with strategy
  2. the combination of geopolitical and strategic factors characterizing a particular geographic region
  3. the use by a government of strategy based on geopolitics

geo·stroph·ic [,jē-ə-'strä-fik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or arising from the Coriolis force

geo·syn·chro·nous [,jē-ō-'siŋ-krə-nəs, -'sin-] -adj

  1. being or having an orbit around the earth with a period equal to one sidereal day
  2. geostationary

geo·syn·cline [-'sin-,klīn] -n, adj

  1. a great downward flexure of the earth's crust

geo·tac·tic [,jē-ō-'tak-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to geotaxis

geo·tax·is [-'tak-səs] -n

  1. a taxis in which the force of gravity is the directive factor

geo·tech·ni·cal [-'tek-ni-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to geotechnical engineering

geotechnical engineering -n

  1. a science that deals with the application of geology to engineering

geo·tec·ton·ic [-tek-'tä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the form, arrangement, and structure of rock masses of the earth's crust resulting from folding or faulting

geo·ther·mal [-'thər-məl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or utilizing the heat of the earth's interior
  2. produced or permeated by such heat
    • geothermal steam
    • geothermal regions

geo·tro·pic [,jē-ə-'trō-pik, -'trä-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to geotropism

ge·ot·ro·pism [jē-'ä-trə-,pi-zəm] -n

  1. a tropism (as of plant roots) in which gravity is the orienting factor

ger -abbr

  1. gerund

Ger -abbr

  1. German; Germany

ge·rah ['gir-ə] -n

  1. an ancient Hebrew unit of weight equal to shekel

ge·ra·ni·ol [jə-'rā-nē-,ȯl, -,ōl] -n

  1. a fragrant liquid unsaturated alcohol C 10H 18O used chiefly in perfumes and soap

ge·ra·ni·um [jə-'rā-nē-əm, -nyəm] -n

  1. any of a widely distributed genus ( Geraniumof the family Geraniaceae, the geranium family) of plants having regular usu. white, pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands that alternate with the petals called also cranesbill
  2. pelargonium
  3. a vivid or strong red

ge·rar·dia [jə-'rär-dē-ə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Agalinissyn. Gerardia) of often root-parasitic herbs of the snapdragon family having pink, purple, or white flowers

ger·bera ['gər-bə-rə, 'jər-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Gerbera) of Asian and African composite herbs that have basal tufted leaves and are often cultivated for their showy heads of yellow, pink, or orange flowers with prominent rays

ger·bil ['jər-bəl] -n

  1. any of numerous Old World burrowing desert rodents ( Gerbillusand related genera) with long hind legs adapted for leaping

GERD -abbr

  1. gastroesophageal reflux disease

ge·rent ['jir-ənt] -n

  1. one that rules or manages

ge·re·nuk ['ger-ə-,nu̇k, gə-'re-nək] -n

  1. a large-eyed antelope ( Litocranius walleri) of eastern Africa with a long neck and limbs

ge·ri·at·ric [,jer-ē-'a-trik, ,jir-] -n

  1. a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people
  2. an aged person

geriatric -adj

  1. of or relating to geriatrics or the process of aging
  2. of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people
    • the geriatric set
  3. old, elderly
    • a geriatric dachshund
  4. being old and outmoded
    • geriatric airplanes

ger·i·a·tri·cian [,jer-ē-ə-'tri-shən, ,jir-] -n

  1. a specialist in geriatrics

germ ['jərm] -n

  1. a small mass of living substance capable of developing into an organism or one of its parts
  2. the embryo with the scutellum of a cereal grain that is usu. separated from the starchy endosperm during milling
  3. something that initiates development or serves as an origin : rudiments, beginning
  4. microorganism
  5. a microorganism causing disease

ger·man ['jər-mən] -adj

  1. having the same parents or the same grandparents on either the maternal or paternal side usu. used after the noun which it modifies and joined to it by a hyphen
    • brother- german
    • cousin- german

german -n

  1. a near relative

Ger·man ['jər-mən] -n

  1. a member of any of the Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times
  2. a native or inhabitant of Germany
  3. a person of German descent
  4. one whose native language is German and who is a native of a country other than Germany
  5. the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland
  6. the literary and official language of Germany
  7. a dance consisting of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled with waltzes
  8. a dancing party
  9. one at which the german is danced

German -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Germany, the Germans, or German

German cockroach -n

  1. a small active winged cockroach ( Blattella germanica) prob. of African origin that is a common household pest in the U.S. called also Croton bug

ger·man·der [(,)jər-'man-dər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Teucrium) of plants of the mint family with flowers having four projecting stamens, a short corolla tube, and a prominent lower lip

ger·mane [(,)jər-'mān] -adj, adv

  1. closely akin
  2. being at once relevant and appropriate : fitting
    • omit details that are not germane to the discussion

Ger·man·ic [(,)jər-'ma-nik] -adj

  1. german
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Germanic-speaking peoples
  3. of, relating to, or constituting Germanic

Germanic -n

  1. a branch of the Indo-European language family containing English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, the Scandinavian languages, and Gothic

Ger·man·ism ['jər-mə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. a characteristic feature of German occurring in another language
  2. partiality for Germany or German customs
  3. the practices or objectives characteristic of the Germans

Ger·man·ist [-nist] -n

  1. a specialist in German or Germanic language, literature, or culture

ger·ma·ni·um [(,)jər-'mā-nē-əm] -n

  1. a grayish-white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles silicon and is used esp. in optical and semiconductor materials and as a catalyst

ger·man·ize ['jər-mə-,nīz] -vb, n

  1. to translate into German
  2. to cause to acquire German characteristics
  3. to have or acquire German customs or leanings

German measles -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. an acute contagious virus disease that is caused by a togavirus (species Rubella virusof the genus Rubivirus) and is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy called also rubella

Germano- -comb form

  1. German
    • Germano phile

Ger·mano·phile [(,)jər-'ma-nə-,fī(-ə)l] -adj

  1. approving or favoring the German people and their institutions and customs

Germanophile -n

  1. one that is Germanophile

German shepherd -n

  1. any of a breed of working dogs of German origin that are intelligent and responsive and are often used in police work and as guide dogs for the blind called also Alsatian

German shorthaired pointer -n

  1. any of a breed of gundogs of German origin that have a liver or liver and white short coat

German silver -n

  1. a silver-white alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel

German wirehaired pointer -n

  1. any of a breed of gundogs of German origin that have a liver or liver and white flat-lying wiry coat

germ cell -n

  1. a gamete (as an egg or sperm cell) or one of its antecedent cells

ger·men ['jər-mən] -n

  1. germ

germ·free ['jərm-,frē] -adj

  1. free of microorganisms : axenic

ger·mi·cid·al [,jər-mə-'sī-dᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to a germicide
  2. destroying germs

ger·mi·cide ['jər-mə-,sīd] -n

  1. an agent that destroys germs

ger·mi·na·bil·i·ty [,jər-mə-nə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the capacity to germinate

ger·mi·nal ['jərm-nəl, 'jer-mə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. being in the earliest stage of development
  2. creative, productive
  3. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a germ cell or early embryo

germinal vesicle -n

  1. the enlarged nucleus of the egg before completion of meiosis

ger·mi·nate ['jər-mə-,nāt] -vb, n, adj

  1. to cause to sprout or develop
  2. to come into being : evolve
    • before Western civilization began to germinate -- A. L. Kroeber
  3. to begin to grow : sprout

germ layer -n

  1. any of the three primary layers of cells differentiated in most embryos during and immediately following gastrulation

germ line -n

  1. the cellular lineage of a sexually reproducing organism from which eggs and sperm are derived
  2. the genetic material contained in this cellular lineage which can be passed to the next generation

germ·o·phobe ['jər-mə-,fōb] -n, adj

  1. a person who has an abnormal fear of germs

germ·plasm ['jərm-,pla-zəm] -n

  1. germ cells and their precursors serving as the bearers of heredity and being fundamentally independent of other cells
  2. the hereditary material of the germ cells : genes

germ·proof ['jərm-,prüf] -adj

  1. impervious to the penetration or action of germs

germ theory -n

  1. a theory in medicine: infections, contagious diseases, and various other conditions result from the action of microorganisms

germ warfare -n

  1. the use of harmful microorganisms (as bacteria) as weapons in war

germy ['jər-mē] -adj

  1. full of germs

geront- -comb form

  1. aged one : old age
    • geronto logy

ge·ron·tic [jə-'rän-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to decadence or old age

ger·on·toc·ra·cy [,jer-ən-'tä-krə-sē] -n, adj

  1. rule by elders
  2. a form of social organization in which a group of old men or a council of elders dominates or exercises control

ger·on·tol·o·gy [,jer-ən-'tä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the comprehensive study of aging and the problems of the aged

ger·ry·man·der ['jer-ē-,man-dər, also 'ger-; orig 'ger-] -n

  1. the act or method of gerrymandering
  2. a district or pattern of districts varying greatly in size or population as a result of gerrymandering

gerrymander [-d(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
  2. to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group
    • gerrymander a school district

ger·und ['jer-ənd, 'je-rənd] -n

  1. a verbal noun in Latin that expresses generalized or uncompleted action
  2. any of several linguistic forms analogous to the Latin gerund in languages other than Latin
  3. the English verbal noun ending in -ingthat has the function of a substantive and at the same time shows the verbal features of tense, voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers and to govern objects

ge·run·dive [jə-'rən-div] -n

  1. the Latin future passive participle that functions as the verbal adjective, that expresses the fitness or necessity of the action to be performed, and that has the same suffix as the gerund
  2. a verbal adjective in a language other than Latin analogous to the gerundive

ge·sell·schaft [gə-'zel-,shäft] -n

  1. a rationally developed mechanistic type of social relationship characterized by impersonally contracted associations between persons
  2. a community or society characterized by this relationship

ges·ne·ri·ad [ges-'nir-ē-,ad] -n

  1. any of a family (Gesneriaceae) of tropical or subtropical herbs (as an African violet or gloxinia) with chiefly opposite leaves and highly zygomorphic flowers

ges·so ['je-(,)sō] -n, adj

  1. plaster of paris or gypsum prepared with glue for use in painting or making bas-reliefs
  2. a paste prepared by mixing whiting with size or glue and spread upon a surface to fit it for painting or gilding

gest ['jest] -n

  1. a tale of adventures
  2. a romance in verse
  3. adventure, exploit

ge·stalt [gə-'stält, -'shtält, -'stȯlt, -'shtȯlt] -n

  1. a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts

ge·stalt·ist [-'stäl-tist, -'shtäl-, -'stȯl-, -'shtȯl-] -n

  1. a specialist in Gestalt psychology

Gestalt psychology -n

  1. the study of perception and behavior from the standpoint of an individual's response to configurational wholes with stress on the uniformity of psychological and physiological events and rejection of analysis into discrete events of stimulus, percept, and response

ge·sta·po [gə-'stä-(,)pō] -n

  1. a secret-police organization employing underhanded and terrorist methods against persons suspected of disloyalty

ges·tate ['jes-,tāt] -vb

  1. to carry in the uterus during pregnancy
  2. to conceive and gradually develop in the mind
  3. to be in the process of gestation

ges·ta·tion [je-'stā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy
  2. conception and development esp. in the mind

geste ['jest] -n

  1. deportment
  2. gesture

ges·tic ['jes-tik] -adj

  1. relating to or consisting of bodily movements or gestures

ges·tic·u·lant [je-'sti-kyə-lənt] -adj

  1. making gesticulations
    • the little wiry man gesticulant and wild -- William Faulkner

ges·tic·u·late [je-'sti-kyə-,lāt] -vi, adj, n

  1. to make gestures esp. when speaking

ges·tic·u·la·tion [je-,sti-kyə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the act of making gestures
  2. gesture
  3. an expressive gesture made in showing strong feeling or in enforcing an argument

ges·tur·al ['jes-chə-rəl, 'jesh-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of gestures
  2. of, relating to, or characterized by vigorous application of paint and expressive brushwork
    • gestural expressionism

ges·ture ['jes-chər, 'jesh-] -n

  1. carriage, bearing
  2. a movement usu. of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude
  3. the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression
  4. something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes of others
    • a political gesture to draw popular support -- V. L. Parrington

gesture -vb

  1. to make a gesture
  2. to express or direct by a gesture

gesture language -n

  1. communication by gestures
  2. sign language called also gestural language

ge·sund·heit [gə-'zu̇nt-,hīt] -interj

  1. used to wish good health esp. to one who has just sneezed

get ['get, ÷'git] -vb

  1. to gain possession of
  2. to receive as a return : earn
    • he got a bad reputation for carelessness
  3. to obtain by concession or entreaty
    • get your mother's permission to go
  4. to become affected by (a disease or bodily condition) : catch
    • got measles from his sister
  5. to seek out and obtain
    • hoped to get dinner at the inn
  6. to obtain and bring where wanted or needed
    • get a pencil from the desk
  7. beget
  8. to cause to come or go
    • quickly got his luggage through customs
  9. to cause to move
    • get it out of the house
  10. to cause to be in a certain position or condition
    • got his feet wet
  11. to make ready : prepare
    • get breakfast
  12. to be subjected to
    • got a bad fall
  13. to receive by way of punishment
  14. to suffer a specified injury to
    • got my nose broken
  15. to achieve as a result of military activity
  16. to obtain or receive by way of benefit or advantage
    • he got little for his trouble
    • get the better of an enemy
  17. seize
  18. overcome
  19. to have an emotional effect on
    • the final scene always get s me
  20. irritate
    • the delays were starting to get her
  21. puzzle
  22. to take vengeance on
  23. kill
  24. hit
  25. to prevail on : cause
    • finally got them to tidy up their room
  26. have used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning
    • I've got no money
  27. to have as an obligation or necessity used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning
    • you have got to come
  28. to find out by calculation
    • get the answer to a problem
  29. memorize
    • got the verse by heart
  30. hear
  31. understand
    • he got the joke
  32. to establish communication with
  33. to put out in baseball
  34. deliver
    • the car get s 20 miles to the gallon
  35. to succeed in coming or going : to bring or move oneself
    • get away to the country
    • got into the car
  36. to reach or enter into a certain condition
    • got to sleep after midnight
  37. to make progress
    • hasn't gotten far with the essay
  38. to acquire wealth
  39. to be able
    • never got to go to college
  40. to come to be often used with following present participle
    • got talking about old times
  41. to succeed in becoming : become
    • how to get clear of all the debts I owe -- Shak.
  42. to become involved
    • people who get into trouble with the law
  43. to leave immediately
    • told them to get
  44. used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary
    • they got caught in the act
  45. : something begotten:
  46. offspring
  47. the entire progeny of a male animal
  48. lineage
  49. a return of a difficult shot in a game (as tennis)
  50. a document of release from obligation in Jewish law
  51. a bill of divorce
  52. a religious divorce by Jewish law

ge·ta ['ge-(,)tä, -tə] -n

  1. a Japanese wooden clog for outdoor wear

get about -vi

  1. to become current : circulate
  2. to be up and about : begin to walk
    • able to get about again

get across -vi

  1. to become clear or convincing
  2. to make clear or convincing
    • we couldn't get our point across

get along -vi

  1. to proceed toward a destination : progress
  2. to approach an advanced stage
  3. to approach old age
  4. to meet one's needs : manage
    • we got along on a minimum of clothing
  5. to be or remain on congenial terms

get around -vt

  1. circumvent, evade
  2. to get the better of
  3. to find or take the necessary time or effort used with to
  4. to give attention or consideration used with to
  5. to go from place to place
  6. to become known or current
    • word got around that he was resigning

get·at·able [get-'a-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. accessible, approachable

get·away ['ge-tə-,wā] -n

  1. : an act or instance of getting away: as
  2. escape
  3. start
  4. a place suitable for a vacation
  5. a vacation esp. of brief duration

get back -vi

  1. to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert
    • getting back to the main topic of the lecture
  2. to gain revenge : retaliate usu. used with at
  3. to regain possession of : recover

get by -vi

  1. to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment
  2. to make ends meet : survive
  3. to proceed without being discovered, criticized, or punished

get down -vt

  1. to manage to swallow
  2. to cause to be physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausted : depress
    • the weather was getting her down
  3. to commit to writing : describe
  4. to alight esp. from a vehicle : descend
  5. to give one's attention or consideration used with to
    • get down to business
  6. to perform music or dance effectively and infectiously
  7. to have a good time partying

getgo ['git-,gō, 'get-] -n

  1. the very beginning used in the phrase from the get-go
    • didn't like me from the getgo

Geth·sem·a·ne [geth-'se-mə-nē] -n

  1. the garden outside Jerusalem mentioned in Mk 14 as the scene of the agony and arrest of Jesus
  2. a place or occasion of great mental or spiritual suffering

get in -vi

  1. enter
  2. arrive
  3. to become friendly
  4. to become involved
  5. to become accepted for membership or chosen for office
  6. to succeed in doing, making, or delivering
  7. to include in one's schedule
  8. involve

get off -vi

  1. to avoid the most serious consequences of a dangerous situation or punishment
    • got off with a light sentence
  2. start, leave
    • got off on the trip early
  3. to leave work with permission or as scheduled
  4. to get high on a drug
  5. to experience orgasm
  6. to experience great pleasure often used with on
  7. to secure the release of or procure a modified penalty for
    • his lawyers got him off
  8. utter
    • get off a joke
  9. to write and send
  10. to succeed in doing, making, or delivering
  11. to cause to get off

get on -vi

  1. get along
    • was getting on in years
    • got on well with the boss
    • get on with the game
  2. to gain knowledge or understanding
    • got on to the racket

get out -vi

  1. leave, escape
    • doubted that he would get out alive
  2. to become known : leak out
    • their secret got out
  3. to cause to leave or escape
  4. to bring before the public
  5. publish

get round -vi

  1. get around

get·ter ['ge-tər] -n

  1. one that gets
  2. a substance introduced into a vacuum tube or electric lamp to remove traces of gas

get through -vi

  1. to reach a destination
  2. to gain approval or a desired outcome
  3. to become clear or understood
    • our warnings finally got through to him
  4. to complete a communications connection

getto·geth·er ['get-tə-,ge-thər] -n

  1. meeting
  2. an informal social gathering

get·up ['get-,əp] -n

  1. outfit, costume
  2. general composition or structure

get up -vi

  1. to arise from bed
  2. to rise to one's feet
  3. climb, ascend
  4. to go ahead or faster used in the imperative as a command esp. to driven animals
  5. to make preparations for : organize
    • got up a party for the newcomers
  6. to arrange as to external appearance : dress
  7. to acquire a knowledge of
  8. to create in oneself
    • cannot get up the courage to tell them

getupandgo [,get-,əp-ᵊn-'gō, ,git-, -ᵊm-, -ᵊŋ-] -n

  1. energy, drive

ge·um ['jē-əm] -n

  1. avens

GeV -abbr

  1. giga-electron-volt

gew·gaw ['g(y)ü-(,)gȯ] -n

  1. a showy trifle : bauble, trinket

ge·wurz·tra·mi·ner [gə-'vu̇rt-,stra-mə-nər, -'vərt-, -,strä; -strə-'mē-nər] -n

  1. a light dry Alsatian white wine with a spicy bouquet
  2. a similar wine made elsewhere

gey ['gā] -adv

  1. very, quite

gey·ser ['gī-zər, Brit sometimes 'gā- or 'gē- for 1 & usu 'gē- for 2] -n

  1. a spring that throws forth intermittent jets of heated water and steam
  2. an apparatus for heating water rapidly with a gas flame (as for a bath)

gey·ser·ite [-zə-,rīt] -n

  1. a variety of opal that is deposited around some hot springs and geysers in white or grayish concretions