el ['el] -n
- the letter l
- an urban railway that operates chiefly on an elevated structure
- a train belonging to such a railway
- elevation
elab·o·rate [i-'la-b(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n
- planned or carried out with great care
- took elaborate precautions
- marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness
- to produce by labor
- to build up (as complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
- to work out in detail : develop
- to become elaborate
- to expand something in detail
- would you care to elaborate on that statement
Elaine [i-'lān] -n
- any of several women in Arthurian legend
- one who dies for unrequited love of Lancelot
Elam·ite ['ē-lə-,mīt] -n
- a language of unknown affinities used in Elam approximately from the 25th to the 4th centuries b.c.
elan [ā-'läⁿ] -n
- vigorous spirit or enthusiasm
eland ['ē-lənd, -,land] -n
- either of two large African antelopes ( Taurotragus oryxsyn. Tragelaphus oryxand Taurotragus derbianussyn. Tragelaphus derbianus) bovine in form with short spirally twisted horns in both sexes
elan vi·tal [ā-läⁿ-vē-täl] -n
- the vital force or impulse of life
- a creative principle held by Bergson to be immanent in all organisms and responsible for evolution
el·a·pid ['e-lə-pəd] -n
- any of a family (Elapidae) of venomous snakes (as the cobras and coral snakes) with hollow fangs
elapse [i-'laps] -vi
- pass, go by
- four years elapsed before he returned
- passage
- returned after an elapse of 15 years
elapsed time -n
- the actual time taken (as by a boat or automobile in traveling over a racecourse)
elas·mo·branch [i-'laz-mə-,braŋk] -n, adj
- any of a subclass (Elasmobranchii) of cartilaginous fishes that have five to seven lateral to ventral gill openings on each side and that comprise the sharks, rays, skates, and extinct related fishes
elas·tase [i-'las-,tās, -,tāz] -n
- an enzyme esp. of pancreatic juice that digests elastin
elas·tic [i-'las-tik] -adj, adv
- capable of recovering size and shape after deformation
- relating to or being a collision between particles in which the total kinetic energy of the particles remains unchanged
- capable of recovering quickly esp. from depression or disappointment
- my elastic spirits revived -- Wilkie Collins
- capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape : flexible
- capable of ready change or easy expansion or contraction : not rigid or constricted
- receptive to new ideas : adaptable
elastic -n
- easily stretched rubber usu. prepared in cords, strings, or bands
- rubber band
- an elastic fabric usu. made of yarns containing rubber
- something made from this fabric
elastic fiber -n
- a thick very elastic smooth yellowish anastomosing fiber of connective tissue that contains elastin
elas·tic·i·ty [i-,las-'ti-sə-tē, ,ē-,las-, -'tis-tē] -n
- : the quality or state of being elastic: as
- the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation : springiness
- resilience
- the quality of being adaptable
- the responsiveness of a dependent economic variable to changes in influencing factors
elas·ti·cized [i-'las-tə-,sīzd] -adj
- made with elastic thread or inserts
elastic limit -n
- the greatest stress that an elastic solid can sustain without undergoing permanent deformation
elastic modulus -n
- the ratio of the stress in a body to the corresponding strain
elastic scattering -n
- a scattering of particles as the result of an elastic collision
elas·tin [i-'las-tən] -n
- a protein that is similar to collagen and is the chief constituent of elastic fibers
elas·to·mer [-tə-mər] -n, adj
- any of various elastic substances resembling rubber
elate [i-'lāt] -vt
- to fill with joy or pride
- elated
- I smiled to myself and felt elate -- Charlotte Bronte
elated -adj, adv, n
- marked by high spirits : exultant
el·a·ter ['e-lə-tər] -n
- : a plant structure functioning in the dispersal of spores: as
- one of the elongated filaments among the spores in the capsule of a liverwort
- one of the filamentous appendages of the spores in the horsetails
ela·tion [i-'lā-shən] -n
- the quality or state of being elated
- pathological euphoria
El·ba ['el-bə] -n
- a place or state of exile
el·bow ['el-,bō] -n
- the joint of the human arm
- a corresponding joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate
- something (as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an elbow
elbow -vt
- to push with the elbow : jostle
- to shove aside by pushing with or as if with the elbow
- people elbow ed each other to get a better view
- to force (as one's way) by pushing with or as if with the elbow
- elbow ing our way through the crowd
- to advance by pushing with the elbow
- to make an angle : turn
elbow grease -n
- vigorously applied physical labor : hard work
el·bow room ['el-,bō-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- room for moving the elbows freely
- adequate space for work or operation
- a lab with plenty of elbow room
- free scope
- elbow room to try new ideas
el cheapo [(,)el-'chē-(,)pō, 'el-] -adj
- cheap
eld ['eld] -n
- old age
- old times : antiquity
el·der ['el-dər] -n
- elderberry
elder -adj
- of earlier birth or greater age
- of or relating to earlier times : former
- of or relating to a more advanced time of life
- prior or superior in rank, office, or validity
- one living in an earlier period
- one who is older : senior
- a child trying to please her elder s
- an aged person
- one having authority by virtue of age and experience
- : any of various officers of religious groups: as
- presbyter
- a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
- minister
- a leader of the Shakers
- a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood
el·der·ber·ry ['el-də(r)-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n
- the edible black or red berrylike drupe of any of a genus ( Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
- a tree or shrub bearing elderberries
el·der·ly ['el-dər-lē] -adj, n
- rather old
- being past middle age
- old-fashioned
- of, relating to, or characteristic of later life or elderly persons
elderly -n
- an elderly person
elder statesman -n
- an eminent senior member of a group or organization
- a retired statesman who unofficially advises current leaders
el·dest ['el-dəst] -adj
- of the greatest age or seniority : oldest
eldest hand -n
- the card player who first receives cards in the deal
El Do·ra·do [,el-də-'rä-(,)dō, -'rā-] -n
- a city or country of fabulous riches held by 16th century explorers to exist in So. America
- a place of fabulous wealth or opportunity
el·dress ['el-drəs] -n
- a woman who is an elder esp. of the Shakers
el·dritch ['el-drich] -adj
- weird, eerie
- whose voice had risen to a kind of eldritch singsong -- R. L. Stevenson
El·e·at·ic [,el-ē-'a-tik] -adj, n
- of or relating to a school of Greek philosophers founded by Parmenides and developed by Zeno and marked by belief in the unity of being and the unreality of motion or change
elec -abbr
- electric, electrical, electricity
ele·cam·pane [,e-li-,kam-'pān] -n
- a large coarse Eurasian composite herb ( Inula helenium) that has yellow ray flowers and is naturalized in the U.S.
elect [i-'lekt] -adj
- carefully selected : chosen
- chosen for salvation through divine mercy
- chosen for office or position but not yet installed
- chosen for marriage at some future time
- one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
- a select or exclusive group of people
- to select by vote for an office, position, or membership
- elect ed her class president
- to make a selection of
- will elect an academic program
- to choose (as a course of action) esp. by preference
- might elect to sell the business
- to make a selection
elect·able [i-'lek-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being elected (as to public office)
elec·tion [i-'lek-shən] -n
- an act or process of electing
- the election of a new governor
- the fact of being elected
- her election to the Senate
- predestination to eternal life
- the right, power, or privilege of making a choice
Election Day -n
- a day legally established for the election of public officials
- the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in an even year designated for national elections in the U.S. and observed as a legal holiday in many states
elec·tion·eer [i-,lek-shə-'nir] -vi, n
- to take an active part in an election
- to work for the election of a candidate or party
elec·tive [i-'lek-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- chosen or filled by popular election
- of or relating to election
- based on the right or principle of election
- the presidency is an elective office
- permitting a choice : optional
- an elective course in school
- beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival
- tending to operate on one substance rather than another
- favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic
elective -n
- an elective course or subject
elec·tor [i-'lek-tər, -,tȯr] -n
- one qualified to vote in an election
- : one entitled to participate in an election: as
- any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor
- a member of the electoral college in the U.S.
elec·tor·al [i-'lek-t(ə-)rəl, ,ē-lek-'tȯr-əl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to an elector
- of or relating to election
electoral college -n
- a body of electors
- one that elects the president and vice president of the U.S.
elec·tor·ate [i-'lek-t(ə-)rət] -n
- the territory, jurisdiction, or dignity of a German elector
- a body of people entitled to vote
electr- -comb form
- electricity
- electric: electric and: electrically
- electrolytic
- electron
Elec·tra [i-'lek-trə] -n
- a sister of Orestes who aids him in killing their mother Clytemnestra
Electra complex -n
- the Oedipus complex when it occurs in a female
elec·tress [i-'lek-trəs] -n
- the wife or widow of a German elector
elec·tret [i-'lek-trət, -,tret] -n
- a dielectric body in which a permanent state of electric polarization has been set up
elec·tric [i-'lek-trik, ē-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or operated by electricity
- exciting as if by electric shock
- charged with strong emotion
- the room was electric with tension
- electronic
- amplifying sound by electronic means used of a musical instrument
- very bright
electric -n
- a nonconductor of electricity used to excite or accumulate electricity
- something (as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity
electrical storm -n
- thunderstorm called also electric storm
electric chair -n
- a chair used in legal electrocution
- the penalty of death by electrocution
electric eel -n
- a large eel-shaped fish ( Electrophorus electricus) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with its electric organs
electric eye -n
- photoelectric cell
electric field -n
- a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges
elec·tri·cian [i-,lek-'tri-shən, ē-,] -n
- one who installs, maintains, operates, or repairs electrical equipment
elec·tric·i·ty [i-,lek-'tri-sə-tē, ē-,, -'tris-tē] -n
- a fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons
- electric current or power
- a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity
- keen contagious excitement
- could feel the electricity in the room
electric organ -n
- a specialized tract of tissue (as in the electric eel) in which electricity is generated
electric ray -n
- any of various round-bodied short-tailed rays (family Torpedinidae) of warm seas with a pair of electric organs
elec·tri·fi·ca·tion [i-,lek-trə-fə-'kā-shən, ē-,] -n
- an act or process of electrifying
- the state of being electrified
elec·tri·fy [i-'lek-trə-,fī, ē-'] -vt
- to charge with electricity
- to equip for use of electric power
- to supply with electric power
- to amplify (music) electronically
- to excite intensely or suddenly
- the news electrified the nation
elec·tro·acous·tics [i-,lek-trō-ə-'küs-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- a science that deals with the transformation of acoustic energy into electric energy or vice versa
elec·tro·anal·y·sis [-ə-'na-lə-səs] -n, adj
- chemical analysis by electrolytic methods
elec·tro·car·dio·gram [-'kär-dē-ə-,gram] -n
- the tracing made by an electrocardiograph
- the procedure for producing an electrocardiogram
elec·tro·car·dio·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv
- an instrument for recording the changes of electrical potential occurring during the heartbeat used esp. in diagnosing abnormalities of heart action
elec·tro·cau·tery [-'kȯ-tə-rē] -n
- cauterization of tissue by means of an instrument heated by an electric current
elec·tro·chem·is·try [-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj, adv
- a science that deals with the relation of electricity to chemical changes and with the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy
elec·tro·con·vul·sive [i-,lek-trō-kən-'vəl-siv] -adj
- of, relating to, or involving convulsive response to electroshock
electroconvulsive therapy -n
- electroshock therapy
elec·tro·cor·ti·co·gram [i-,lek-trō-'kȯr-ti-kə-,gram] -n
- an electroencephalogram made with the electrodes in direct contact with the brain
elec·tro·cute [i-'lek-trə-,kyüt] -vt, n
- to execute (a criminal) by electricity
- to kill by electric shock
elec·trode [i-'lek-,trōd] -n
- a conductor used to establish electrical contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit
- an element in a semiconductor device (as a transistor) that emits or collects electrons or holes or controls their movements
elec·tro·de·pos·it [i-,lek-trō-di-'pä-zət] -n
- a deposit formed in or at an electrode by electrolysis
electrodeposit [-,de-pə-'zi-shən, -,dē-pə-] -vt, n
- to deposit (as a metal or rubber) by electrolysis
elec·tro·der·mal [i-,lek-trō-'dər-məl] -adj
- of or relating to electrical activity in or electrical properties of the skin
elec·tro·des·ic·ca·tion [i-,lek-trō-,de-si-'kā-shən] -n
- the drying up of tissue by a high-frequency electric current applied with a needle-shaped electrode called also fulguration
elec·tro·di·al·y·sis [i-,lek-trō-dī-'a-lə-səs] -n, adj
- dialysis accelerated by an electromotive force applied to electrodes adjacent to the membranes
elec·tro·dy·nam·ics [-dī-'na-miks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- a branch of physics that deals with the effects arising from the interactions of electric currents with magnets, with other currents, or with themselves
elec·tro·en·ceph·a·lo·gram [-in-'se-f(ə-)lə-,gram] -n
- the tracing of brain waves made by an electroencephalograph
elec·tro·en·ceph·a·lo·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv
- an apparatus for detecting and recording brain waves
elec·tro·fish·ing [i-'lek-trō-,fi-shiŋ] -n
- fishing that employs a direct electric current to attract and usu. temporarily immobilize fish for easy capture
elec·tro·form [i-'lek-trə-,fȯrm] -vt, n
- to form (shaped articles) by electrodeposition on a mold
elec·tro·gen·ic [i-,lek-trə-'je-nik] -adj, n
- of or relating to the production of electrical activity in living tissue
elec·tro·gram [i-'lek-trə-,gram] -n
- a tracing of the electrical potentials of a tissue (as the brain or heart) made by means of electrodes placed directly in the tissue instead of on the surface of the body
elec·tro·hy·drau·lic [i-,lek-trō-hī-'drȯ-lik, -'drä-] -adj
- of or relating to a combination of electric and hydraulic mechanisms
- involving or produced by the action of very brief but powerful pulse discharges of electricity under a liquid resulting in the generation of shock waves and highly reactive chemical species
- an electrohydraulic effect
elec·tro·jet [i-'lek-trə-,jet] -n
- a concentration of atmospheric electric current found in the regions of strong auroral displays and along the magnetic equator
elec·tro·ki·net·ic [i-,lek-trō-kə-'ne-tik, -kī-] -adj
- of or relating to the motion of particles or liquids that results from or produces a difference of electric potential
elec·tro·ki·net·ics [-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- a branch of physics dealing with the motion of electric currents or charged particles
elec·tro·less [i-'lek-,trō-ləs, -trə-] -adj
- being or involving deposition of metal by chemical means instead of by electrodeposition
elec·trol·o·gist [i-,lek-'trä-lə-jist] -n
- a person who removes hair by means of an electric current applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode
elec·tro·lu·mi·nes·cent [i-,lek-trō-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊnt] -adj, n
- of or relating to luminescence resulting from a high-frequency discharge through a gas or from application of a current to a layer of phosphor
elec·trol·y·sis [i-,lek-'trä-lə-səs] -n
- the producing of chemical changes by passage of an electric current through an electrolyte
- subjection to this action
- the destruction of hair roots by an electrologist using direct current
elec·tro·lyte [i-'lek-trə-,līt] -n
- a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions
- a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent or when fused becomes an ionic conductor
- any of the ions (as of sodium or calcium) that in biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells)
elec·tro·lyt·ic [i-,lek-trə-'li-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to electrolysis or an electrolyte
- produced by or used in electrolysis
elec·tro·lyze [i-'lek-trə-,līz] -vt
- to subject to electrolysis
elec·tro·mag·net [i-,lek-trō-'mag-nət] -n
- a core of magnetic material (as iron) surrounded by a coil of wire through which an electric current is passed to magnetize the core
elec·tro·mag·net·ic [-mag-'ne-tik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or produced by electromagnetism
electromagnetic pulse -n
- high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems
electromagnetic radiation -n
- energy in the form of electromagnetic waves
- a series of electromagnetic waves
electromagnetic spectrum -n
- the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light
electromagnetic unit -n
- any of a system of electrical units based primarily on the magnetic properties of electrical currents
electromagnetic wave -n
- one of the waves that are propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays
elec·tro·mag·ne·tism [i-,lek-trō-'mag-nə-,ti-zəm] -n
- magnetism developed by a current of electricity
- a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions between charged particles which occur because of their charge and for the emission and absorption of photons, that is about a hundredth the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over atomic and molecular distances called also electromagnetic force
- a branch of physical science that deals with the physical relations between electricity and magnetism
elec·tro·me·chan·i·cal [-mə-'ka-ni-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being a mechanical process or device actuated or controlled electrically
- being a transducer for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy
elec·tro·met·al·lur·gy [-'me-tə-,lər-jē, esp Brit -mə-'ta-lər-] -n
- a branch of metallurgy that deals with the application of electric current either for electrolytic deposition or as a source of heat
elec·trom·e·ter [i-,lek-'trä-mə-tər] -n
- any of various instruments for detecting or measuring potential differences or ionizing radiations by means of the forces of attraction or repulsion between charged bodies
elec·tro·mo·tive force [i-,lek-trō-,mō-tiv-, -trə-] -n
- something that moves or tends to move electricity
- the apparent force that drives a current around an electrical circuit and that is equivalent to the potential difference between the terminals of the circuit
elec·tro·myo·gram [i-,lek-trō-'mī-ə-,gram] -n
- a tracing made by an electromyograph
elec·tro·myo·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv
- an instrument that converts the electrical activity associated with functioning skeletal muscle into a visual record or into sound and is used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders and in biofeedback training
elec·tron [i-'lek-,trän] -n
- an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 10 19coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109 10 31kilogram or about that of a proton
electron cloud -n
- the system of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom
elec·tro·neg·a·tive [i-,lek-trō-'ne-gə-tiv] -adj, n
- having a tendency to attract electrons
electron gas -n
- a population of free electrons in a vacuum or in a metallic conductor
electron gun -n
- an electron-emitting cathode and its surrounding assembly (as electromagnets in a cathode-ray tube) for directing, controlling, and focusing a beam of electrons
elec·tron·ic [i-,lek-'trä-nik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to electrons
- of, relating to, or utilizing devices constructed or working by the methods or principles of electronics
- electronic fuel injection
- implemented on or by means of a computer : involving a computer
- generating musical tones by electronic means
- of, relating to, or being music that consists of sounds electronically generated or modified
- of, relating to, or being a medium (as television) by which information is transmitted electronically
elec·tron·i·ca [i-,lek-'trä-ni-kə] -n
- dance music featuring extensive use of synthesizers, electronic percussion, and samples of recorded music or sound
electronic countermeasure -n
- the disruption of the operation of an enemy's equipment (as by jamming radio or radar signals)
electronic mail -n
- e-mail
electronic publishing -n
- publishing in which information is distributed by means of a computer network or is produced in a format for use with a computer
elec·tron·ics [i-,lek-'trä-niks] -n pl
- a branch of physics that deals with the emission, behavior, and effects of electrons (as in electron tubes and transistors) and with electronic devices
- electronic components, devices, or equipment
electron micrograph [-mī-'krä-grə-fē] -n
- a micrograph made with an electron microscope
electron microscope -n
- an electron-optical instrument in which a beam of electrons is used to produce an enlarged image of a minute object
electron multiplier -n
- a device utilizing secondary emission of electrons for amplifying a current of electrons
electron optics [i-,lek-,trän-'äp-ti-kəl] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- a branch of physics in which the principles of optics are applied to beams of electrons
electron probe -n
- a microprobe that uses an electron beam to induce X-ray emissions in a sample
electron transport -n
- the sequential transfer of electrons esp. by cytochromes in cellular respiration from an oxidizable substrate to molecular oxygen by a series of oxidation-reduction reactions
electron tube -n
- an electronic device in which conduction by electrons takes place through a vacuum or a gaseous medium within a sealed glass or metal container and which has various uses based on the controlled flow of electrons
electron volt -n
- a unit of energy equal to the energy gained by an electron in passing from a point of low potential to a point one volt higher in potential : 1.60 10 19joule
elec·tro·oc·u·lo·gram [i-,lek-trō-'ä-kyə-lə-,gram] -n
- a record of the difference in electrical charge between the front and back of the eye that is correlated with eyeball movement (as in REM sleep) and obtained by electrodes placed on the skin near the eye
elec·tro·oc·u·log·ra·phy [-,ä-kyə-'lä-grə-fē] -n
- the preparation and study of electrooculograms
elec·troop·ti·cal [i-,lek-trō-'äp-ti-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to electro-optics
- relating to or being a change in the refractive index of a material due to an electric field
- using or being a material that exhibits electro-optical properties
- an electrooptical crystal
- relating to or being an electronic device for emitting, modulating, transmitting, or sensing light
elec·troop·tics [-trō-'äp-tiks] -n pl
- a branch of physics that deals with the effects of an electric field on light traversing it
- electro-optical devices
elec·tro·os·mo·sis [i-,lek-trō-äz-'mō-səs, -äs-] -n, adj
- the movement of a liquid out of or through a porous material or a biological membrane under the influence of an electric field
elec·tro·phe·ro·gram [-trə-'fir-ə-,gram, -'fer-] -n
- electrophoretogram
elec·tro·phile [i-'lek-trə-,fī(-ə)l] -n
- an electrophilic substance (as an electron-accepting reagent)
elec·tro·phil·ic [i-,lek-trə-'fi-lik] -adj, n
- having an affinity for electrons : being an electron acceptor
- involving an electrophilic species
- an electrophilic reaction
elec·tro·pho·re·sis [-trə-fə-'rē-səs] -n, vt, adj, adv
- the movement of suspended particles through a medium (as paper or gel) under the action of an electromotive force applied to electrodes in contact with the suspension
elec·tro·pho·reto·gram [-'re-tə-,gram] -n
- a record that consists of the separated components of a mixture (as of proteins) produced by electrophoresis in a supporting medium (as filter paper)
elec·troph·o·rus [i-,lek-'trä-fə-rəs] -n
- a device for producing electric charges consisting of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction and a metal plate that becomes charged by induction when placed on the disk
elec·tro·pho·tog·ra·phy [i-,lek-trō-fə-'tä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- photography in which images are produced by electrical means (as in xerography)
elec·tro·phys·i·ol·o·gy [i-,lek-trō-,fi-zē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- physiology that is concerned with the electrical aspects of physiological phenomena
- electrical phenomena associated with a physiological process (as the function of a body or bodily part)
- electrophysiology of the eye
elec·tro·plate [i-'lek-trə-,plāt] -vt
- to plate with an adherent continuous coating by electrodeposition
elec·tro·po·ra·tion [i-,lek-trə-pȯr-'ā-shən] -n
- the application of an electric current to a living surface (as the skin or a cell membrane) in order to open pores or channels through which something (as a drug or DNA) may pass
elec·tro·pos·i·tive [i-,lek-trō-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -adj
- having a tendency to release electrons
elec·tro·re·cep·tor [-ri-'sep-tər] -n
- a vertebrate organ found esp. in fish that contains sensory cells capable of detecting electric fields
elec·tro·ret·i·no·gram [-'re-tə-nə-,gram] -n
- a graphic record of electrical activity of the retina used esp. in the diagnosis of retinal conditions
elec·tro·ret·i·no·graph [-,graf] -n, adj
- an instrument for recording electrical activity in the retina
elec·tro·scope [i-'lek-trə-,skōp] -n
- any of various instruments for detecting the presence of an electric charge on a body, for determining whether the charge is positive or negative, or for indicating and measuring intensity of radiation
elec·tro·shock [-trō-,shäk] -n
- shock
- electroshock therapy
electroshock therapy -n
- the treatment of mental disorder and esp. depression by the application of electric current to the head of a usu. anesthetized patient that induces unconsciousness and convulsive seizures in the brain called also electroconvulsive therapy
elec·tro·stat·ic [i-,lek-trə-'sta-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to static electricity or electrostatics
- of or relating to painting with a spray that utilizes electrically charged particles to ensure complete coating
electrostatic generator -n
- Van de Graaff generator
electrostatic precipitator -n
- an electrostatic device in chimney flues that removes particles from escaping gases
elec·tro·stat·ics [i-,lek-trə-'sta-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- physics that deals with phenomena due to attractions or repulsions of electric charges but not dependent upon their motion
elec·tro·sur·gery [i-,lek-trō-'sər-jə-rē] -n, adj
- surgery by means of diathermy
elec·tro·ther·a·py [-'ther-ə-pē] -n
- the therapeutic use of electricity
elec·tro·ther·mal [-'thər-məl] -adj, adv
- relating to or combining electricity and heat
- relating to the generation of heat by electricity
elec·tro·ton·ic [i-,lek-trə-'tä-nik] -adj, adv
- of, induced by, relating to, or constituting electrotonus
- of, relating to, or being the spread of electrical activity through living tissue or cells in the absence of repeated action potentials
elec·trot·o·nus [i-,lek-'trä-tə-nəs] -n
- the altered sensitivity of a nerve when a constant current of electricity passes through any part of it
elec·tro·type [i-'lek-trə-,tīp] -n, vt
- a duplicate printing surface made by an electroplating process
- a copy (as of a coin) made by an electroplating process
elec·tro·weak [i-'lek-trō-,wēk] -adj
- of, relating to, or being the unification of electromagnetism and the weak force
elec·tro·win·ning [i-'lek-trō-,wi-niŋ] -n
- the recovery esp. of metals from solutions by electrolysis
elec·trum [i-'lek-trəm] -n
- a natural pale yellow alloy of gold and silver
elec·tu·ary [i-'lek-chə-,wer-ē, -chü-,er-] -n
- confection
el·e·doi·sin [,e-lə-'dȯi-sᵊn] -n
- a small protein C 54H 85N 13O 15S from the salivary glands of several octopuses (genus Eledone) that is a powerful vasodilator and hypotensive agent
el·ee·mo·sy·nary [,e-li-'mä-sə-,ner-ē, -'mō-; -'mä-zə-] -adj
- of, relating to, or supported by charity
el·e·gance ['e-li-gən(t)s] -n
- refined grace or dignified propriety : urbanity
- tasteful richness of design or ornamentation
- the sumptuous elegance of the furnishings
- dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style : polish
- the essay is marked by lucidity, wit, and elegance
- scientific precision, neatness, and simplicity
- the elegance of a mathematical proof
- something that is elegant
el·e·gan·cy [-gən(t)-sē] -n
- elegance
el·e·gant ['e-li-gənt] -adj, adv
- marked by elegance
- of a high grade or quality : splendid
- elegant gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars
ele·gi·ac [,e-lə-'jī-ək, -,ak also i-'lē-jē-,ak] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or consisting of two dactylic hexameter lines the second of which lacks the arsis in the third and sixth feet
- written in or consisting of elegiac couplets
- noted for having written poetry in such couplets
- of or relating to the period in Greece about the seventh century b.c.when poetry written in such couplets flourished
- of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy
- expressing sorrow often for something now past
- an elegiac lament for departed youth
ele·git [i-'lē-jət] -n
- a judicial writ of execution by which a defendant's goods and if necessary his or her lands are delivered for debt to the plaintiff until the debt is paid
el·e·gize ['e-lə-,jīz] -vb
- to write an elegy
- to write an elegy on
el·e·gy ['e-lə-jē] -n
- a poem in elegiac couplets
- a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation esp. for one who is dead
- something (as a speech) resembling such a song or poem
- a pensive or reflective poem that is usu. nostalgic or melancholy
- a short pensive musical composition
elem -abbr
- elementary
el·e·ment ['e-lə-mənt] -n
- any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
- weather conditions
- violent or severe weather
- the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing
- at school she was in her element
- : a constituent part: as
- the simplest principles of a subject of study : rudiments
- a part of a geometric magnitude
- an infinitesimal element of volume
- a generator of a geometric figure
- a line or line segment contained in the surface of a cone or cylinder
- a basic member of a mathematical or logical class or set
- one of the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant
- a distinct group within a larger group or community
- the criminal element in the city
- one of the necessary data or values on which calculations or conclusions are based
- one of the factors determining the outcome of a process
- any of the fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
- a distinct part of a composite device
- a subdivision of a military unit
- the bread and wine used in the Eucharist
el·e·men·tal [,e-lə-'men-tᵊl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or being an element
- existing as an uncombined chemical element
- of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
- elemental biological needs
- simple, uncomplicated
- of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
- taught elemental crafts to the children
- forming an integral part : inherent
- an elemental sense of rhythm
- of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
- the rains come with elemental violence
el·e·men·ta·ry [,e-lə-'men-tə-rē, -'men-trē] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something
- of or relating to an elementary school
- elemental
- elemental
elementary particle -n
- any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature
- one whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities
elementary school -n
- a school including usu. the first four to the first eight grades and often a kindergarten
el·e·mi ['e-lə-mē] -n
- any of various fragrant oleoresins from tropical trees (family Burseraceae) used chiefly in varnishes, lacquers, and printing inks
elen·chus [i-'leŋ-kəs] -n
- refutation
- one in syllogistic form
el·e·phant ['e-lə-fənt] -n
- : any of a family (Elephantidae, the elephant family) of thickset usu. extremely large nearly hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed esp. in the male into large ivory tusks and that include two living forms and various extinct relatives: as
- a tall large-eared mammal ( Loxodonta africana) of tropical Africa called also African elephant
- a relatively small-eared mammal ( Elephas maximus) of forests of southeastern Asia called also Asian elephant Indian elephant
- an animal or fossil related to the elephants
- one that is uncommonly large or hard to manage
elephant bird -n
- any of a group (genus Aepyornisor order Aepyornithiformes) of gigantic flightless ratite birds known only from remains found in Madagascar
elephant garlic -n
- an Old World herb ( Allium ampeloprasum) of the lily family that is related to the leek and has a bulb that resembles that of garlic but is much larger
- the mildly flavored bulb of the elephant garlic used esp. as a seasoning
elephant grass -n
- an Old World cattail ( Typha elephantina) used esp. in making baskets
- napier grass
el·e·phan·ti·a·sis [,e-lə-fən-'tī-ə-səs, -,fan-] -n
- enlargement and thickening of tissues
- the enormous enlargement of a limb or the scrotum caused by obstruction of lymphatics by filarial worms (esp. Wuchereria bancrofti)
- an undesirable usu. enormous growth, enlargement, or overdevelopment
- elephantiasis of the imagination
el·e·phan·tine [,e-lə-'fan-,tēn, -,tīn, 'e-lə-fən-] -adj
- having enormous size or strength : massive
- clumsy, ponderous
- of or relating to an elephant
elephant seal -n
- : either of two very large seals (genus Miroungaof the family Phocidae) characterized by a long inflatable proboscis:
- one ( M. angustirostris) found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska to Baja California
- one ( M. leonina) found in coastal waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia
elephant's ear -n
- : any of several large-leaved plants of the arum family: as
- taro
- any of a genus ( Alocasia) of tropical Asian perennial herbs cultivated as ornamentals for their large heavily veined basal leaves
El·eu·sin·i·an [,el-yü-'si-nē-ən] -adj
- of or relating to ancient Eleusis or to the religious mysteries celebrated there in worship of Demeter and Persephone
elev -abbr
- elevation
el·e·vate ['e-lə-,vāt, -vət] -adj
- elevated
- to lift up or make higher : raise
- exercises that elevate the heart rate
- to raise in rank or status
- to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally
- great books that both entertain and elevate their readers
- to raise the spirits of : elate
- to become elevated : rise
- his voice elevated to a shout
el·e·vat·ed [-,vā-təd] -adj
- raised esp. above the ground or other surface
- increased esp. abnormally (as in degree or amount)
- being morally or intellectually on a high plane : refined
- formal, dignified
- exhilarated in mood or feeling
elevated -n
- el
el·e·va·tion [,e-lə-'vā-shən] -n
- : the height to which something is elevated: as
- the angular distance of something (as a celestial object) above the horizon
- the degree to which a gun is aimed above the horizon
- the height above the level of the sea : altitude
- a dancer's or an athlete's leap and seeming suspension in the air
- the ability to achieve an elevation
- an act or instance of elevating
- : something that is elevated: as
- an elevated place
- a swelling esp. on the skin
- the quality or state of being elevated
- a geometrical drawing that depicts one vertical plane of an object or structure
el·e·va·tor ['e-lə-,vā-tər] -n
- : one that raises or lifts something up: as
- an endless belt or chain conveyor with cleats, scoops, or buckets for raising material
- a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for conveying people or things to different levels
- grain elevator
- a movable auxiliary airfoil usu. attached to the tail plane of an airplane for controlling pitch
elevator music -n
- instrumental arrangements of popular songs often piped in (as to an elevator or retail store)
elev·en [i-'le-vən] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr, adj or n
- the 11th in a set or series
- something having 11 units or members
- a football team
elevenplus [i-,le-vən-'pləs] -n
- an examination taken by schoolchildren between the ages of 11 and 12 that determines the type of secondary education to which they are assigned
elev·ens·es [-vən-zəz] -n pl but sometimes sing in constr
- light refreshment (as a snack) taken in the middle of the morning
eleventh hour -n
- the latest possible time
- still making changes at the eleventh hour
el·e·von ['e-lə-,vän] -n
- an airplane control surface that combines the functions of elevator and aileron
elf ['elf] -n, adj, adv
- a small often mischievous fairy
- a small lively creature
- a usu. lively mischievous or malicious person
ELF -abbr
- extremely low frequency
elf·in ['el-fən] -adj
- of, relating to, or produced by an elf
- resembling an elf esp. in its tiny size
- having an otherworldly or magical quality or charm
elf·lock ['elf-,läk] -n
- hair matted as if by elves usu. used in pl.
elf owl -n
- a very small insectivorous owl ( Micrathene whitneyi) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that roosts and nests in the cavities of trees and saguaro cacti
el·hi [(,)el-'hī] -adj
- of, relating to, or designed for use in grades 1 to 12
Eli ['ē-,lī] -n
- a judge and priest of Israel who according to the account in I Samuel was entrusted with the care of the boy Samuel
Eli·as [i-'lī-əs] -n
- elijah
elic·it [i-'li-sət] -vt, n
- to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential)
- hypnotism elicit ed his hidden fears
- to call forth or draw out (as information or a response)
- her remarks elicit ed cheers
elide [i-'līd] -vt
- to suppress or alter (as a vowel or syllable) by elision
- to strike out (as a written word)
- to leave out of consideration : omit
- curtail, abridge
el·i·gi·ble ['e-lə-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- qualified to participate or be chosen : entitled
- permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass
- worthy of being chosen : desirable
- an eligible young bachelor
Eli·jah [i-'lī-jə] -n
- a Hebrew prophet of the ninth century b.c.who according to the account in I Kings championed the worship of Jehovah as against Baal
elim·i·nate [i-'li-mə-,nāt] -vb, adj, n
- to put an end to or get rid of : remove, eradicate
- the need to eliminate poverty
- to remove from consideration
- cannot yet eliminate him as a suspect
- to remove from further competition by defeating
- the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
- to expel (as waste) from the living body
- to cause (as an unknown) to disappear by combining two or more mathematical equations
- to expel waste from the living body
elim·i·na·tion [i-,li-mə-'nā-shən] -n
- : the act, process, or an instance of eliminating or discharging: as
- the act of discharging or excreting waste products from the body
- the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
- ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol
ELISA [ē-'lī-sə, -zə] -n
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Eli·sha [i-'lī-shə] -n
- a Hebrew prophet and disciple and successor of Elijah
eli·sion [i-'li-zhən] -n
- the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (as 'sinstead of isin there's)
- the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern
- the act or an instance of omitting something : omission
elite [ā-'lēt, i-, ē-] -n, adj
- the choice part : cream
- the elite of the entertainment world
- the best of a class
- superachievers who dominate the computer elite -- Marilyn Chase
- the socially superior part of society
- how the elite live -- A P World
- how the French-speaking elite...was changing -- Economist
- a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
- members of the ruling elite
- the intellectual elite s of the country
- a member of such an elite usu. used in pl.
- the elite s ..., pursuing their studies in Europe -- Robert Wernick
- a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
elite [ā-'lēt, i-, ē-] -n, adj
(variant of elite)
- the choice part : cream
- the elite of the entertainment world
- the best of a class
- superachievers who dominate the computer elite -- Marilyn Chase
- the socially superior part of society
- how the elite live -- A P World
- how the French-speaking elite...was changing -- Economist
- a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
- members of the ruling elite
- the intellectual elite s of the country
- a member of such an elite usu. used in pl.
- the elite s ..., pursuing their studies in Europe -- Robert Wernick
- a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
elit·ism [ā-'lē-,ti-zəm, i-, ē-] -n, n or adj
- leadership or rule by an elite
- the selectivity of the elite
- snobbery
- elitism in choosing new members
- consciousness of being or belonging to an elite
elix·ir [i-'lik-sər] -n
- a substance held capable of changing base metals into gold
- a substance held capable of prolonging life indefinitely
- cure-all
- a medicinal concoction
- a sweetened liquid usu. containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring
- the essential principle
Eliz·a·be·than [i-,li-zə-'bē-thən] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Elizabeth I of England or her reign
elk ['elk] -n
- moose used for one of the Old World
- a large gregarious deer ( Cervus elaphus) of No. America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa called also red deer wapiti
- any of various large Asian deer
- soft tanned rugged leather
- a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order
elk·horn coral ['elk-,hȯrn-] -n
- a reef-building branching coral ( Acropora palmata) of shallow waters of southern Florida and the West Indies
elk·hound ['elk-,hau̇nd, 'el-,kau̇nd] -n
- norwegian elkhound
ell ['el] -n
- a former English unit of length (as for cloth) equal to 45 inches (about 1.14 meters)
- any of various units of length used similarly
- an extension at right angles to the length of a building
- an elbow in a pipe or conduit
el·lag·ic acid [ə-'la-jik-, e-] -n
- a crystalline phenolic compound C 14H 6O 8with two lactone groupings that is obtained esp. from oak galls and some tannins and is used medicinally as a hemostatic
el·lipse [i-'lips, e-] -n
- oval
- a closed plane curve generated by a point moving in such a way that the sums of its distances from two fixed points is a constant : a plane section of a right circular cone that is a closed curve
- ellipsis
el·lip·sis [i-'lip-səs, e-] -n
- the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete
- a sudden leap from one topic to another
- marks or a mark (as ...) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause
el·lip·soid [i-'lip-,sȯid, e-] -n, adj
- a surface all plane sections of which are ellipses or circles
el·lip·ti·cal [i-'lip-ti-kəl, e-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse
- of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis
- of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing
- of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)
elliptical galaxy -n
- a galaxy that has a generally elliptical shape and that has no apparent internal structure or spiral arms called also elliptical
el·lip·tic·i·ty [i-,lip-'ti-sə-tē, (,)e-] -n
- deviation of an ellipse or a spheroid from the form of a circle or a sphere
elm ['elm] -n
- any of a genus ( Ulmusof the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usu. large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
- the wood of an elm
elm bark beetle -n
- : either of two beetles (family Scolytidae) that are vectors for the fungus causing Dutch elm disease:
- one ( Hylurgopinus rufipes) native to eastern No. America
- one ( Scolytus multistriatus) introduced from Europe into eastern No. America
elm leaf beetle -n
- a small yellow to greenish black-striped Old World chrysomelid beetle ( Pyrrhalta luteola) that in the larval and adult stage is a leaf-eating pest of elms in eastern No. America
El Ni·o [el-'nē-nyō] -n
- an irregularly recurring flow of unusually warm surface waters from the Pacific Ocean toward and along the western coast of South America that prevents upwelling of nutrient-rich cold deep water and that disrupts typical regional and global weather patterns
el·o·cu·tion [,e-lə-'kyü-shən] -n, adj
- a style of speaking esp. in public
- the art of effective public speaking
elo·dea [i-'lō-dē-ə] -n
- any of a small American genus ( Elodea) of submerged aquatic monocotyledonous herbs
Elo·him [,e-lō-'hēm, e-'lō-,him] -n
- God used esp. in the Hebrew Bible
eloign [i-'lȯin] -vt
- to take (oneself) far away
- to remove to a distant or unknown place : conceal
elon·gate [i-'lȯŋ-,gāt, (,)ē-, 'ē-,] -vb
- to extend the length of
- to grow in length
elongate -adj
- stretched out
- slender
elon·ga·tion [(,)ē-,lȯŋ-'gā-shən] -n
- the angular distance of a celestial body from another around which it revolves or from a particular point in the sky
- the state of being elongated or lengthened
- the process of elongating
- something that is elongated
elope [i-'lōp] -vi, n
- to slip away : escape
- might have mistaken him for...some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield -- Washington Irving
- to run away from one's husband with a lover
- to run away secretly with the intention of getting married usu. without parental consent
el·o·quence ['e-lə-kwən(t)s] -n
- discourse marked by force and persuasiveness
- the art or power of using such discourse
- the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness
el·o·quent [-kwənt] -adj, adv
- marked by forceful and fluent expression
- vividly or movingly expressive or revealing
else ['el(t)s] -adv
- in a different manner or place or at a different time
- how else could he have acted
- in an additional manner or place or at an additional time
- if not : otherwise
- leave or else you'll be sorry
used absolutely to express a threat - do what I tell you or else
- : other:
- being different in identity
- it must have been somebody else
- being in addition
else·where [-,(h)wer] -adv
- in or to another place
- took my business elsewhere
el·u·ant ['el-yə-wənt, -yü-ənt] -n
- a solvent used in eluting
el·u·ate ['el-yə-wət, -,wāt; -yü-ət, -,āt] -n
- the washings obtained by eluting
elu·ci·date [i-'lü-sə-,dāt] -vb, n, adj
- to make lucid esp. by explanation or analysis
- to give a clarifying explanation
elude [ē-'lüd] -vt
- to avoid adroitly : evade
- the mice eluded the traps
- to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of
- subtlety simply elude s them
- victory continued to elude us
- defy
Elul [e-'lül] -n
- the 12th month of the civil year or the 6th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar
elu·sion [ē-'lü-zhən] -n
- an act of eluding
elu·sive [ē-'lü-siv, -'lü-ziv] -adj, adv, n
- : tending to elude: as
- tending to evade grasp or pursuit
- hard to comprehend or define
- hard to isolate or identify
elute [ē-'lüt] -vt, n
- extract
- to remove (adsorbed material) from an adsorbent by means of a solvent
elu·tri·ate [ē-'lü-trē-,āt] -vt, n
- to purify, separate, or remove by washing
elu·vi·a·tion [(,)ē-,lü-vē-'ā-shən] -n, adj
- the transportation of dissolved or suspended material within the soil by the movement of water when rainfall exceeds evaporation
el·ver ['el-vər] -n
- a young eel
- a small immature catadromous eel chiefly of fresh and brackish water
elves ['elf] -n, adj, adv
(variant of elf)
- a small often mischievous fairy
- a small lively creature
- a usu. lively mischievous or malicious person
el·vish ['el-vish] -adj
- of or relating to elves
- mischievous
ely·sian [i-'li-zhən] -adj
- of or relating to Elysium
- blissful, delightful
elysian fields -n pl
- elysium
Ely·si·um [i-'li-zhē-əm, -zē-] -n
- the abode of the blessed after death in classical mythology
- paradise
el·y·tron ['e-lə-,trän] -n
- one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings