to [tə, tu̇, 'tü] -prep
- used as a function word to indicate movement or an action or condition suggestive of movement toward a place, person, or thing reached
- went back to the original idea
- used as a function word to indicate direction
- turned his back to the door
- used as a function word to indicate contact or proximity
- applied polish to the table
- put her hand to her heart
- used as a function word to indicate the place or point that is the far limit
- 100 miles to the nearest town
- used as a function word to indicate the limit of extent
- used as a function word to indicate relative position
- perpendicular to the floor
- used as a function word to indicate purpose, intention, tendency, result, or end
- used as a function word to indicate the result of an action or a process
- to their surprise, the train left on time
- used as a function word to indicate position or relation in time: as
- before
- till
- used as a function word to indicate addition, attachment, connection, belonging, possession, accompaniment, or response
- used as a function word (1) to indicate the extent or degree (as of completeness or accuracy) or the extent and result (as of an action or a condition) (2) to indicate the last or an intermediate point of a series
- moderate to cool temperatures
- used as a function word (1) to indicate a relation to one that serves as a standard
- inferior to her earlier works
(2) to indicate similarity, correspondence, dissimilarity, or proportion - used as a function word to indicate agreement or conformity
- used as a function word to indicate a proportion in terms of numbers or quantities
- used as a function word (1) to indicate the application of an adjective or a noun (2) to indicate the relation of a verb to its complement or to a complementary element (3) to indicate the receiver of an action or the one for which something is done or exists
- gives a dollar to the man
and often used with a reflexive pronoun to indicate exclusiveness (as of possession) or separateness - had the house to themselves
- used as a function word to indicate agency
- falls to his opponent's blows
- used as a function word to indicate that the following verb is an infinitive and often used by itself at the end of a clause in place of an infinitive suggested by the preceding context
- knows more than she seems to
- used as a function word to indicate direction toward
- close to the wind
- the gale having gone over, we came to -- R. H. Dana
- into contact esp. with the frame used of a door or a window
- used as a function word to indicate physical application or attachment
- he...hath set to his seal -- Jn 3:33(AV)
- used as a function word to indicate application or attention
- to a state of consciousness or awareness
- brings her to with smelling salts
- at hand : by
- get to see 'em close to -- Richard Llewellyn
TO -abbr
- table of organization
- traditional orthography
- turnover
toad ['tōd] -n
- any of numerous anuran amphibians (esp. family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist
- a contemptible person or thing
toad·eat·er [-,ē-tər] -n
- toady
toad·fish [-,fish] -n
- any of a family (Batrachoididae) of chiefly marine bony fishes having a broad flat head, a wide mouth, and usu. scaleless slimy skin and producing sounds (as grunts) by means of a swim bladder
toad·flax [-,flaks] -n
- butter-and-eggs
- any of several related plants (esp. genus Linaria) of the snapdragon family
toad·stone [-,stōn] -n
- a stone or similar object held to have formed in the head or body of a toad and formerly often worn as a charm or antidote to poison
toad·stool [-,stül] -n
- a fungus having an umbrella-shaped pileus : mushroom
- a poisonous or inedible one as distinguished from an edible mushroom
toady ['tō-dē] -n
- one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors : sycophant
- to behave as a toady : engage in sycophancy
toandfro [,tü-ən-'frō] -n
- activity involving alternating movement in opposite directions
- the busy toandfro of the holiday shoppers
- forward and backward
to and fro -adv
- from one place to another
toast ['tōst] -vb
- to warm thoroughly
- to make (as bread) crisp, hot, and brown by heat
- to become toasted
- to warm thoroughly
- sliced bread browned on both sides by heat
- food prepared with toasted bread
- a person whose health is drunk
- something in honor of which persons usu. drink
- one that is highly admired
- she's the toast of society
- an act of proposing or of drinking in honor of a toast
- a rhyming narrative poem existing in oral tradition among black Americans
- one that is finished or done for
- soon their relationship was toast -- Rick Reilly
- to propose or drink to as a toast
toast·er ['tō-stər] -n
- one that toasts
- an electrical appliance for toasting
toaster oven -n
- a usu. small electrical appliance that can function as an oven or a toaster
toast·mas·ter ['tōs(t)-,mas-tər] -n
- one who presides at a banquet and introduces the after-dinner speakers
toast·mis·tress [-,mis-trəs] -n
- a woman who acts as toastmaster
toasty ['tō-stē] -adj
- pleasantly or comfortably warm
- felt snug and toasty by the fire
- suggestive of toast esp. in flavor
Tob -abbr
- Tobit
to·bac·co [tə-'ba-(,)kō] -n
- any of a genus ( Nicotiana) of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family with viscid foliage and tubular flowers
- a tall erect annual tropical American herb ( N. tabacum) cultivated for its leaves
- the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
- manufactured products of tobacco (as cigars or cigarettes)
- smoking as a practice
- a moderate brown
tobacco budworm -n
- an American noctuid moth ( Heliothis virescenssyn. Helicoverpa virescens) whose striped and variably colored larva feeds on buds and young leaves esp. of tobacco and cotton
tobacco hornworm -n
- an American hawk moth ( Manduca sexta) whose large usu. green larva is a hornworm that feeds on the leaves of plants of the nightshade family and esp. tobacco and tomato
tobacco juice -n
- saliva colored brown by tobacco or snuff
tobacco mosaic virus -n
- a single-stranded RNA virus (species Tobacco mosaic virusof the genus Tobamovirus) that occurs worldwide and causes mosaic disease in plants (as tobacco and tomato) esp. of the nightshade family
to·bac·co·nist [tə-'ba-kə-nist] -n
- a dealer in tobacco esp. at retail
tobacco road -n
- a squalid poverty-stricken rural area or community
tobe [tə-'bē] -adj
- that is to be : future usu. used postpositively and often in combination
To·bi·as [tə-'bī-əs] -n
- a Jewish hero who with divine aid marries his kinswoman Sarah in spite of a jealous evil spirit and restores his father Tobit's sight
- tobit
To·bit ['tō-bət] -n
- the elderly father of Tobias
- a book of Scripture included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha
to·bog·gan [tə-'bä-gən] -n
- a long flat-bottomed light sled made usu. of thin boards curved up at one end with usu. low handrails at the sides
- a downward course or a sharp decline
- stocking cap
toboggan [-gə-nist] -vi, n
- to coast on or as if on a toboggan
- to decline suddenly and sharply
to·bog·gan·ing [tə-'bä-gə-niŋ] -n
- the act, art, or sport of riding a toboggan
to·by jug ['tō-bē-] -n
- a small jug, pitcher, or mug shaped somewhat like a stout man with a cocked hat for the brim called also toby
toc·ca·ta [tə-'kä-tə] -n
- a musical composition usu. for organ or harpsichord in a free style and characterized by full chords, rapid runs, and high harmonies
To·char·i·an [tō-'ker-ē-ən,-'kär-] -n
- a language of central Asia known from documents from the sixth to eighth centuries a.d.
- a branch of the Indo-European language family containing Tocharian
- a member of a people of presumably Indo-European speech dwelling in central Asia during the first millennium of the Christian era
Tocharian A -n
- the eastern dialect of Tocharian
Tocharian B -n
- the western dialect of Tocharian
toch·er ['tä-k̲ər] -n
- dowry
- dowry
to·coph·er·ol [tō-'kä-fə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n
- any of several fat-soluble oily phenolic compounds with varying degrees of antioxidant vitamin E activity
- alpha-tocopherol
toc·sin ['täk-sən] -n
- an alarm bell or the ringing of it
- a warning signal
tod ['täd] -n
- fox
- any of various units of weight for wool
- one equal to 28 pounds (13 kilograms)
- a bushy clump (as of ivy)
to·day [tə-'dā] -adv
- on or for this day
- at the present time
today -n
- the present day, time, or age
- of or characteristic of today : now
tod·dle ['tä-dᵊl] -vi, n
- to walk with short tottering steps in the manner of a young child
- to take a stroll : saunter
tod·dler ['täd-lər, 'tä-dᵊl-ər] -n
- one that toddles
- a young child
tod·dy ['tä-dē] -n
- the fresh or fermented sap of various chiefly Asian palms
- a usu. hot drink consisting of liquor (as rum), water, sugar, and spices
todo [tə-'dü] -n
- bustle, stir, fuss
toe ['tō] -n, adj
- one of the terminal members of the vertebrate foot
- the fore end of a foot or hoof
- a terminal segment of a limb of an invertebrate
- the forepart of something worn on the foot
- : a part that by its position or form is felt to resemble a toe: as
- a lateral projection at one end or between the ends of a piece (as a rod or bolt)
- the lowest part (as of an embankment, dam, or cliff)
- toe dance
- to furnish with a toe
- to touch, reach, or drive with the toe
- to drive (as a nail) obliquely
- to clinch or fasten by or with nails or rods so driven
- tiptoe
- to stand, walk, or be placed so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction
toea ['tȯi-ə] -n
- see kina at
toe cap -n
- a piece of material (as leather) covering the toe of a shoe and reinforcing or decorating it
toed ['tōd] -adj
- having a toe or toes esp. of a specified kind or number usu. used in combination
- driven obliquely
- secured by diagonal or oblique nailing
toe dance -n, vi
- a dance executed on the tips of the toes by means of a ballet slipper with a reinforced toe
TOEFL ['tō-fəl] -trademark
- used for a test to evaluate the English language skills of nonnative speakers
toe·hold ['tō-,hōld] -n
- a hold or place of support for the toes (as in climbing)
- a means of progressing (as in surmounting barriers)
- a slight footing
- used his money to get a toehold, then a foothold, then a near stranglehold on the political economy -- R. W. Armstrong
- an illegal wrestling hold in which the aggressor bends or twists the other wrestler's foot
toein ['tō-,in] -n
- camber
- adjustment of the front wheels of an automotive vehicle so that they are closer together at the front than at the back
toe loop -n
- a backward jump in figure skating with a takeoff from the outside edge of one skate followed by a full turn in the air and a landing on the outside edge of the same skate
toe·nail ['tō-,nāl, -'nāl] -n
- a nail of a toe
toenail -vt
- to fasten by toed nails : toe
toe·piece ['tō-,pēs] -n
- a piece designed to form a toe (as of a shoe) or cover the toes of the foot
toe·plate [-,plāt] -n
- a tab attached to the toe of a shoe (as to prevent wear due to heavy use)
toetotoe -adj or adv
- slugging it out at or as if at close range
- a toetotoe confrontation over the new policy
toff ['täf] -n
- dandy, swell
tof·fee ['tȯ-fē, 'tä-] -n
- candy of brittle but tender texture made by boiling sugar and butter together
tof·feenosed [-'nōzd] -adj
- snobbish
toft ['tȯft, 'täft] -n
- a site for a dwelling and its outbuildings
- an entire holding comprising a homestead and additional land
to·fu ['tō-(,)fü] -n
- a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants (as magnesium chloride or diluted acids) called also bean curd
tog ['täg, 'tȯg] -vt
- to dress esp. in fine clothing usu. used with up or out
to·ga ['tō-gə] -n, adj
- the loose outer garment worn in public by citizens of ancient Rome
- a similar loose wrap or a professional, official, or academic gown
to·ga vi·ri·lis [,tō-gə-və-'rē-ləs, -'ri-] -n
- the white toga of manhood assumed by boys of ancient Rome at age 15
to·ga·vi·rus ['tō-gə-,vī-rəs] -n
- any of a family ( Togaviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a spherical virion and include the causative agents of German measles and the three forms of equine encephalitis
to·geth·er [tə-'ge-thər] -adv, n
- in or into one place, mass, collection, or group
- the men get together every Thursday for poker
- in a body : as a group
- students and faculty together presented the petition
- in or into contact (as connection, collision, or union)
- mix these ingredients together
- in or into association or relationship
- colors that go well together
- at one time : simultaneously
- events that happened together
- in succession
- was depressed for days together
- by combined action : jointly
- together we forced the door
- in or into agreement or harmony
- the soloist and the orchestra weren't quite together
- in or into a unified or coherent structure or an integrated whole
- can't even put a simple sentence together
- with each other used as an intensive after certain verbs
- as a unit : in the aggregate
- these arguments taken together make a convincing case
- considered as a whole : counted or summed up
- all together, there were 21 entries
together -adj
- appropriately prepared, organized, or balanced
- composed in mind or manner : self-possessed
together with -prep
- in addition to : in association with
Tog·gen·burg ['tä-gən-,bərg] -n
- any of a breed of brown hornless dairy goats of Swiss origin with white stripes on the face
tog·gery ['tä-g(ə-)rē, 'tȯ-] -n
- clothing
tog·gle ['tä-gəl] -n
- : a piece or device for holding or securing: as
- a pin inserted in a nautical knot to make it more secure or easier to slip
- a crosspiece attached to the end of or to a loop in something (as a chain, rope, line, strap, or belt) usu. to prevent slipping, to serve in twisting or tightening, or to hold something attached
- a device consisting of two bars jointed together end to end but not in line so that when a force is applied to the joint tending to straighten it pressure will be exerted on the parts adjacent or fixed to the outer ends of the bars
- a device with a joint using a toggle
toggle [-g(ə-)liŋ] -vb
- to fasten with or as if with a toggle
- to furnish with a toggle
- to switch between two options esp. of an electronic device usu. by pressing a single button or a simple key combination
toggle bolt -n
- a bolt that has a nut with wings which close for passage through a small hole and spring open after passing through the hole to keep the bolt from slipping back through
toggle switch -n
- an electric switch operated by pushing a projecting lever through a small arc
togs ['tägz, 'tȯgz] -n pl
- clothing
- a set of clothes and accessories for a specified use
togue ['tōg] -n
- lake trout
To·ho·no O'odham [tō-'hō-nō-] -n
- a member of an American Indian people of southwestern Arizona and northwestern Mexico
toil ['tȯi(-ə)l] -n, adj, adv
- struggle, battle
- laborious effort
- long strenuous fatiguing labor
- to work hard and long
- to proceed with laborious effort : plod
- overwork
- to get or accomplish with great effort
- a net to trap game
- something by which one is held fast or inextricably involved : snare, trap usu. used in pl.
- caught in the toil s of the law
toile ['twäl] -n
- any of many plain or simple twill weave fabrics
- linen
- a mock-up model of a garment
toile de Jouy [,twäl-də-'zhwē] -n
- an 18th century French scenic pattern usu. printed on cotton, linen, or silk in one color on a light ground
- a similar printed fabric
toi·let ['tȯi-lət] -n
- dressing table
- the act or process of dressing and grooming oneself
- bathroom, lavatory
- privy
- a fixture that consists usu. of a water-flushed bowl and seat and is used for defecation and urination
- cleansing in preparation for or in association with a medical or surgical procedure
toilet -vi
- to dress and groom oneself
- to use the toilet usu. used of a child
- dress, garb
- to help (as a child or sick person) use the toilet
toilet paper -n
- a thin sanitary absorbent paper usu. in a roll for use in drying or cleaning oneself after defecation and urination
toilet powder -n
- a fine powder usu. with soothing or antiseptic ingredients for sprinkling or rubbing (as after bathing) over the skin
toi·let·ry ['tȯi-lə-trē] -n
- an article or preparation (as toothpaste, shaving cream, or cologne) used in cleaning or grooming oneself usu. used in pl.
toilet soap -n
- a mild soap that is often perfumed and colored and stabilized with preservatives
toi·lette [twä-'let] -n
- toilet
- formal or fashionable attire or style of dress
- a particular costume or outfit
toilet training -n, vt
- the process of training a child to control bladder and bowel movements and to use the toilet
toilet water -n
- eau de toilette
toil·some ['tȯi(-ə)l-səm] -adj, adv, n
- marked by or full of toil or fatigue : laborious
toil·worn ['tȯi(-ə)l-,wȯrn] -adj
- showing the effects of or worn out with toil
toing and froing ['tü-iŋ-ən(d)-'frō-iŋ] -n
- a passing back and forth
to·ka·mak ['tō-kə-,mak, 'tä-] -n
- a toroidal device for producing controlled nuclear fusion that involves the confining and heating of a gaseous plasma by means of an electric current and magnetic field
To·kay [tō-'kā] -n
- a naturally sweet wine from the area around Tokaj, Hungary
- a blend of Angelica, port, and sherry made in California
toke ['tōk] -n, vi
- a puff on a marijuana cigarette or pipe
to·ken ['tō-kən] -n
- an outward sign or expression
- his tears were token s of his grief
- symbol, emblem
- a white flag is a token of surrender
- an instance of a linguistic expression
- a distinguishing feature : characteristic
- souvenir, keepsake
- a small part representing the whole : indication
- this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish
- something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)
- a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government
- a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms
- a member of a group (as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism
- a token employee
token -adj
- done or given as a token esp. in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement
- representing no more than a symbolic effort : minimal, perfunctory
- serving or intended to show absence of discrimination
to·ken·ism ['tō-kə-,ni-zəm] -n
- the policy or practice of making only a symbolic effort (as to desegregate)
token money -n
- money of regular government issue (as paper currency or coins) having a greater face value than intrinsic value
to·ko·no·ma [,tō-kə-'nō-mə] -n
- a niche or alcove in the wall of a Japanese house for the display of a decorative object
Tok Pis·in ['tȯk-'pi-zən, -sən] -n
- an English-based creole that is a national language of Papua New Guinea
tol- -comb form
- toluene
to·la ['tō-lə, tō-'lä] -n
- a unit of weight of India equal to 180 grains troy or 0.375 ounce troy (11.7 grams)
to·lar ['tō-lär] -n
- the basic monetary unit of Slovenia from 1992 to 2007
tol·booth ['tō(l)-,büth, 'täl-, 'tȯl-] -n
- a town or market hall
- jail, prison
tol·bu·ta·mide [täl-'byü-tə-,mīd] -n
- a sulfonylurea C 12H 18N 2O 3S used in the treatment of diabetes
told ['tel] -vb
(variant of tell)
- count, enumerate
- tell the stars, if thou be able to number them -- Gen 15:5(AV)
- to relate in detail : narrate
- told the whole story to us
- to give utterance to : say
- to make known : divulge, reveal
- to express in words
- she never told her love -- Shak.
- to give information to : inform
- to assure emphatically
- they did not do it, I tell you
- order, direct
- to find out by observing : recognize
- you can tell it's a masterpiece
- to give an account
- an article telling of her experience
- to act as an informer often used with on
- I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me -- Inside Detective
- to have a marked effect
- the pressure was beginning to tell on him
- to serve as evidence or indication
- hill, mound
- an ancient mound in the Middle East composed of remains of successive settlements
tole ['tōl] -n
- sheet metal and esp. tinplate for use in domestic and ornamental wares in which it is usu. japanned or painted and often elaborately decorated
- objects made of tole
To·le·do [tə-'lē-(,)dō] -n
- a finely tempered sword of a kind made in Toledo, Spain
tol·er·a·ble ['tä-lə-rə-bəl, 'täl-rə-; 'tä-lər-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being borne or endured
- moderately good or agreeable : passable
- a tolerable singing voice
tol·er·ance ['tä-lə-rən(t)s, 'täl-rən(t)s] -n
- capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina
- sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own
- the act of allowing something : toleration
- the allowable deviation from a standard
- the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece
- the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult esp. with repeated use or exposure
- developed a tolerance to painkillers
- the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen
- relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor
- the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food
tol·er·ant ['tä-lə-rənt, 'täl-rənt] -adj, adv
- inclined to tolerate
- marked by forbearance or endurance
- a culture tolerant of religious differences
- exhibiting tolerance (as for a drug or an environmental factor)
tol·er·ate ['tä-lə-,rāt] -vt, adj, n
- to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for
- to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction
- to put up with
- learn to tolerate one another
tol·er·a·tion [,tä-lə-'rā-shən] -n
- the act or practice of tolerating something
- a government policy of permitting forms of religious belief and worship not officially established
- tolerance
tol·i·dine ['tä-lə-,dēn] -n
- any of several isomeric aromatic diamines C 14H 16N 2that are homologues of benzidine and used esp. as dye intermediates
toll ['tōl] -n
- a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)
- : compensation for services rendered: as
- a charge for transportation
- a charge for a long-distance telephone call
- a grievous or ruinous price
- inflation has taken its toll
- cost in life or health
- the death toll from the hurricane
- to take or levy toll
- to exact part of as a toll
- to take as toll
- to exact a toll from (someone)
- allure, entice
- to entice (game) to approach
- to attract (fish) with scattered bait
- to lead or attract (domestic animals) to a desired point
- to sound (a bell) by pulling the rope
- to give signal or announcement of
- the clock toll ed each hour
- to announce by tolling
- church bells toll ed the death of the bishop
- to call to or from a place or occasion
- bells toll ed the congregation to church
- to sound with slow measured strokes
- the sound of a tolling bell
toll·booth ['tōl-,büth] -n
- a booth (as on a highway or bridge) where tolls are paid
toll call -n
- a long-distance telephone call at charges above a local rate
tollfree ['tōl-'frē] -adj or adv
- having or using a direct telephone line or number (as an 800 number) for a long-distance call that is not charged to the caller
toll·gate ['tōl-,gāt] -n
- a point where the driver of a vehicle must pay a toll
toll·house [-,hau̇s] -n
- a house or booth where tolls are taken
Toll House -trademark
- used for cookies containing chocolate morsels
toll·way [-,wā] -n
- turnpike
Tol·tec ['tōl-,tek, 'täl-] -n, adj
- a member of a people that dominated central and southern Mexico prior to the Aztecs
tol·u·ene ['täl-yə-,wēn] -n
- a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C 7H 8that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used esp. as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline
to·lu·i·dine [tə-'lü-ə-,dēn] -n
- any of three isomeric amino derivatives of toluene C 7H 9N that are analogous to aniline and are used as dye intermediates
toluidine blue -n
- a basic thiazine dye that is related to methylene blue and is used as a biological stain
tol·u·ol ['täl-yə-,wȯl, -,wōl] -n
- toluene
tol·yl ['tä-ləl] -n
- any of three monovalent radicals CH 3C 6H 4derived from toluene
tom ['täm] -n
- : the male of various animals: as
- tomcat
- a male turkey
- uncle tom
tom·a·hawk ['tä-mi-,hȯk] -n
- a light ax used as a missile and as a hand weapon esp. by No. American Indians
tomahawk -vt
- to cut, strike, or kill with a tomahawk
to·mal·ley [tə-'ma-lē, -'mä-; 'tä-,ma-lē, -mə-lē] -n
- the liver of the lobster
Tom and Jer·ry [,täm-ən(d)-'jer-ē] -n
- a hot drink that is a combination of a toddy and an eggnog
to·ma·til·lo [,tō-mə-'tē-(,)yō, -'tēl-(,)yō] -n
- the small round yellow, purplish, and esp. pale green edible sticky fruit of a Mexican ground-cherry ( Physalis ixocarpasyn. P. philadelphica)
- the plant that bears tomatillos
to·ma·to [tə-'mā-(,)tō; chiefly Brit, eNewEng, neVirginia, and sometimes elsewhere in cultivated speech -'mä-; chiefly Northern -'ma-] -n
- the usu. large rounded typically red or yellow pulpy berry of an herb (genus Lycopersicon) of the nightshade family native to So. America
- a plant that produces tomatoes
- one ( Lycopersicon esculentumsyn. L. lycopersicum) that is a tender perennial widely cultivated as an annual for its edible fruit
to·ma·to·ey [-tə-wē] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a tomato
- richly flavored with tomatoes
tomato fruitworm -n
- corn earworm
tomato hornworm -n
- a No. American hawk moth ( Manduca quinquemaculata) whose green larva is a hornworm feeding on leaves of plants of the nightshade family and esp. tobacco and tomato
tomb ['tüm] -n, adj
- an excavation in which a corpse is buried : grave
- a place of interment
- a house, chamber, or vault for the dead
- a building or structure resembling a tomb (as in appearance)
- bury, entomb
tom·bac ['täm-,bak] -n
- an alloy essentially of copper and zinc and sometimes tin or arsenic that is used esp. for cheap jewelry and gilding
tom·bo·lo ['tōm-bə-,lō, 'täm-] -n
- a sand or gravel bar connecting an island with the mainland or another island
tom·boy ['täm-,bȯi] -n, adj
- a girl who behaves in a manner usu. considered boyish
tomb·stone ['tüm-,stōn] -n
- gravestone
tom·cat ['täm-,kat] -n
- a male domestic cat
tomcat -vi
- to seek sexual gratification promiscuously : cat often used with around
tom·cod ['täm-,käd] -n
- either of two small fishes ( Microgadus tomcodof the Atlantic and M. proximusof the Pacific) of the cod family
Tom Col·lins ['täm-'kä-lənz] -n
- a collins with a base of gin
Tom, Dick, and Har·ry [,täm-,dik-ən(d)-'ha-rē] -n
- the common man : anyone often used with every
- helps every Tom, Dick, and Harry in need
tome ['tōm] -n
- a volume forming part of a larger work
- book
- a large or scholarly book
to·men·tose [tō-'men-,tōs, 'tō-mən-] -adj
- covered with densely matted woolly hairs
to·men·tum [tō-'men-təm] -n
- pubescence composed of densely matted woolly hairs
tom·fool ['täm-'fül] -n
- a great fool : blockhead
tomfool -adj
- extremely foolish, stupid, or doltish
tom·fool·ery [,täm-'fül-rē, -'fü-lə-] -n
- playful or foolish behavior
Tom·my ['tä-mē] -n
- a British soldier
Tommy At·kins [-'at-kənz] -n
- tommy
tom·mygun ['tä-mē-,gən] -vt
- to shoot with a tommy gun
tommy gun -n
- thompson submachine gun
- submachine gun
tom·my·rot ['tä-mē-,rät] -n
- utter foolishness or nonsense
to·mo·gram ['tō-mə-,gram] -n
- an image (as a radiograph) generated by tomography
to·mog·ra·phy [tō-'mä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- a method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object (as the human body or the earth) by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy impinging on those structures
to·mor·row [tə-'mär-(,)ō, -'mȯr-] -adv
- on or for the day after today
tomorrow -n
- the day after the present
- the court will recess until tomorrow
- future
tompion ['tam-pē-ən, 'täm-] -n
(variant of tampion)
- a wooden plug or a metal or canvas cover for the muzzle of a gun
Tom Thumb ['täm-'thəm] -n
- a legendary English dwarf
- a dwarf type, race, or individual
tom·tit ['täm-,tit, täm-'] -n
- any of various small active birds
tomtom ['täm-,täm, 'təm-,təm] -n
- a usu. long and narrow small-headed drum commonly beaten with the hands
- a monotonous beating, rhythm, or rhythmical sound
ton ['tən] -n
- a unit of internal capacity for ships equal to 100 cubic feet called also register ton
- a unit approximately equal to the volume of a long ton weight of seawater used in reckoning the displacement of ships and equal to 35 cubic feet
- a unit of volume for cargo freight usu. reckoned at 40 cubic feet called also measurement ton
- : any of various units of weight:
- metric ton
- a great quantity : lot
- the prevailing fashion : vogue
- the quality or state of being smart or fashionable
ton·al ['tō-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to tone, tonality, or tonicity
- having tonality
to·nal·i·ty [tō-'na-lə-tē] -n
- tonal quality
- key
- the organization of all the tones and harmonies of a piece of music in relation to a tonic
- the arrangement or interrelation of the tones of a work of visual art
ton·do ['tän-(,)dō] -n
- a circular painting
- a sculptured medallion
tone ['tōn] -n
- vocal or musical sound of a specific quality
- musical sound with respect to timbre and manner of expression
- a sound of definite pitch and vibration
- whole step
- accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion
- the pitch of a word often used to express differences of meaning
- a particular pitch or change of pitch constituting an element in the intonation of a phrase or sentence
- style or manner of expression in speaking or writing
- seemed wise to adopt a conciliatory tone
- color quality or value
- a tint or shade of color
- the color that appreciably modifies a hue or white or black
- gray walls of greenish tone
- the effect in painting of light and shade together with color
- the state of a living body or of any of its organs or parts in which the functions are healthy and performed with due vigor
- normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli
- muscular tonus
- healthy elasticity : resiliency
- general character, quality, or trend
- frame of mind : mood
- intone
- to give a particular intonation or inflection to
- to impart tone to : strengthen
- medicine to tone up the system
- to soften or reduce in intensity, color, appearance, or sound : mellow often used with down
- to change the normal silver image of (as a photographic print) into a colored image
- to assume a pleasing color quality or tint
- to blend or harmonize in color
tone·arm ['tōn-,ärm] -n
- the movable part of a phonograph or record player that carries the pickup and permits the needle to follow the record groove
tone color -n
- timbre
toned -adj
- having tone or a specified tone : characterized or distinguished by a tone
- having a slight tint
tonedeaf ['tōn-,def] -adj, n
- relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone language -n
- a language (as Chinese or Zulu) in which variations in tone distinguish words or phrases of different meaning that otherwise would sound alike
tone·less ['tōn-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- lacking in tone, modulation, or expression
to·neme ['tō-,nēm] -n, adj
- an intonation phoneme in a tone language
tone poem -n
- symphonic poem
ton·er ['tō-nər] -n
- : one that tones or is a source of tones: as
- a solution used to impart color to a silver photographic image
- a substance (as a thermoplastic powder) used esp. to develop an image (as a latent xerographic image) on a piece of paper
- a liquid cosmetic for cleansing the skin and contracting the pores
tone row -n
- the chosen sequence of tones that serves as the basis for a work of serial music
- twelve-tone row
to·net·ic [tō-'ne-tik] -adj, adv
- relating to linguistic tones or to tone languages
- of or relating to intonation
to·net·ics [-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- the use or study of linguistic tones
to·nette [tō-'net] -n
- a simple fipple flute with a range somewhat larger than an octave that is often used in elementary music education
toney ['tō-nē] -adj
(variant of tony)
- marked by an aristocratic or high-toned manner or style
tong ['täŋ, 'tȯŋ] -n
- a secret society or fraternal organization esp. of Chinese in the U.S. formerly notorious for gang warfare
- to take, gather, hold, or handle with tongs
- to use tongs esp. in taking or gathering something
ton·ga ['täŋ-gə] -n
- a light 2-wheeled vehicle for two or four persons drawn by one horse and common in India
Ton·gan ['täŋ-gən also -ən] -n, adj
- a member of a Polynesian people of Tonga
- the Polynesian language of the Tongans
tongs ['täŋz, 'tȯŋz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- any of numerous grasping devices consisting commonly of two pieces joined at one end by a pivot or hinged like scissors
tongue ['təŋ] -n, adj
- a fleshy movable muscular process of the floor of the mouths of most vertebrates that bears sensory end organs and small glands and functions esp. in taking and swallowing food and in humans as a speech organ
- a part of various invertebrate animals that is analogous to the tongue
- the flesh of a tongue (as of the ox or sheep) used as food
- the power of communication through speech
- language
- a spoken language
- manner or quality of utterance with respect to tone or sound, the sense of what is expressed, or the intention of the speaker
- ecstatic usu. unintelligible utterance usu. accompanying religious excitation usu. used in pl.
- the cry of or as if of a hound pursuing or in sight of game used esp. in the phrase to give tongue
- a tapering flame
- a long narrow strip of land projecting into a body of water
- : something resembling an animal's tongue in being elongated and fastened at one end only: as
- a movable pin in a buckle
- a metal ball suspended inside a bell so as to strike against the sides as the bell is swung
- the pole of a vehicle
- the flap under the lacing or buckles of a shoe at the throat of the vamp
- the rib on one edge of a board that fits into a corresponding groove in an edge of another board to make a flush joint
- feather
- scold
- to touch or lick with or as if with the tongue
- to cut a tongue on
- to join (as boards) by means of a tongue and groove
- to articulate (notes) by tonguing
- to project in a tongue
- to articulate notes on a wind instrument by successively interrupting the stream of wind with the action of the tongue
tongue and groove -n, adj
- a joint made by a tongue on one edge of a board fitting into a corresponding groove on the edge of another board
tongued -adj
- having a tongue esp. of a specified kind often used in combination
tongueincheek -adj
- characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration
tongue in cheek -adv
- with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration
tonguelash ['təŋ-,lash] -vb, n
- chide, scold
tongue·less ['təŋ-ləs] -adj
- having no tongue
- lacking power of speech : mute
tonguetie ['təŋ-,tī] -vt
- to deprive of speech or the power of distinct articulation
- limited mobility of the tongue due to a short frenulum connecting its underside to the floor of the mouth
tonguetied ['təŋ-,tīd] -adj
- unable or disinclined to speak freely (as from shyness)
- affected with tongue-tie
tongue twister -n
- a word, phrase, or sentence difficult to articulate because of a succession of similar consonantal sounds (as in twin-screw steel cruiser)
ton·ic ['tä-nik] -adj, adv
- characterized by tonus
- tonic contraction of muscle
- marked by prolonged muscular contraction
- producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (as muscles)
- increasing or restoring physical or mental tone : refreshing
- yielding a tonic substance
- relating to or based on the first tone of a scale
- bearing a principal stress or accent
- of or relating to speech tones or to languages using them to distinguish words otherwise identical
tonic -n
- the first tone of a major or minor scale : keynote
- an agent (as a drug) that increases body tone
- one that invigorates, restores, refreshes, or stimulates
- a day in the country was a tonic for him
- a liquid preparation for the scalp or hair
- a carbonated flavored beverage
- tonic water
- a voiced sound
tonic accent -n
- relative phonetic prominence (as from greater stress or higher pitch) of a spoken syllable or word
- accent depending on pitch rather than stress
to·nic·i·ty [tō-'ni-sə-tē] -n
- the property of possessing tone
- healthy vigor of body or mind
- muscular tonus
tonic solfa -n
- a system of solmization based on key relationships that replaces the normal notation with sol-fa syllables or their initials
tonic water -n
- a carbonated beverage flavored with a small amount of quinine, lemon, and lime
to·night [tə-'nīt] -adv
- on this present night or the night following this present day
tonight -n
- the present night or the night following this present day
ton·ka bean ['täŋ-kə-] -n
- the coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx,esp. D. odorata) that is used in perfumes and as an artificial vanilla flavoring
- a tree bearing tonka beans
ton·nage ['tə-nij] -n
- a duty formerly levied on every tun of wine imported into England
- a duty or impost on vessels based on cargo capacity
- a duty on goods per ton transported
- ships in terms of the total number of tons registered or carried or of their carrying capacity
- the cubical content of a merchant ship in units of 100 cubic feet
- the displacement of a warship
- total weight in tons shipped, carried, or produced
- impressively large amount or weight
tonne ['tən] -n
- metric ton
ton·neau ['tä-,nō, tə-'nō] -n
- the rear seating compartment of an automobile
- the entire seating compartment
- a shape of watch case or dial resembling a barrel in profile
ton·ner ['tə-nər] -n
- an object (as a ship) having a specified tonnage used in combination
to·nom·e·ter [tō-'nä-mə-tər] -n
- an instrument or device for determining the exact pitch or the vibration rate of tones
- an instrument for measuring tension or pressure and esp. intraocular pressure
to·no·plast ['tō-nə-,plast] -n
- a semipermeable membrane surrounding a vacuole in a plant cell
ton·sil ['tän(t)-səl] -n, adj
- either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces
- any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils
tonsill- -comb form
- tonsil
ton·sil·lec·to·my [,tän(t)-sə-'lek-tə-mē] -n
- the surgical removal of the tonsils
ton·sil·li·tis [-'lī-təs] -n
- inflammation of the tonsils
ton·so·ri·al [tän-'sȯr-ē-əl] -adj
- of or relating to a barber or the work of a barber
ton·sure ['tän(t)-shər] -n
- the Roman Catholic or Eastern rite of admission to the clerical state by the clipping or shaving of a portion of the head
- the shaven crown or patch worn by monks and other clerics
- a bald spot resembling a tonsure
tonsure ['tän(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ] -vt
- to shave the head of
- to confer the tonsure upon
ton·tine ['tän-,tēn, tän-'] -n
- a joint financial arrangement whereby the participants usu. contribute equally to a prize that is awarded entirely to the participant who survives all the others
to·nus ['tō-nəs] -n
- tone
- a state of partial contraction characteristic of normal muscle
tony ['tō-nē] -adj
- marked by an aristocratic or high-toned manner or style
To·ny ['tō-nē] -n
- a medallion awarded annually by a professional organization for notable achievement in the theater
too ['tü] -adv
- besides, also
- sell the house and furniture too
- to an excessive degree : excessively
- to such a degree as to be regrettable
- this time he has gone too far
- very
- didn't seem too interested
- so
- I didn't do it. You did too.
took ['tāk] -vb, n
(variant of take)
- : to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: as
- to seize or capture physically
- to get possession of (as fish or game) by killing or capturing
- to move against (as an opponent's piece in chess) and remove from play
- to win in a card game
- to acquire by eminent domain
- grasp, grip
- take the ax by the handle
- to catch or attack through the effect of a sudden force or influence
- taken with a fit of laughing
- to catch or come upon in a particular situation or action
- to gain the approval or liking of : captivate, delight
- was quite taken with her at their first meeting
- to receive into one's body (as by swallowing, drinking, or inhaling)
- to put oneself into (as sun, air, or water) for pleasure or physical benefit
- to partake of : eat
- take s dinner about seven
- to bring or receive into a relation or connection
- take s just four students a year
- to copulate with
- : to transfer into one's own keeping:
- appropriate
- to obtain or secure for use (as by lease, subscription, or purchase)
- take a cottage for the summer
- assume
- gods often took the likeness of a human being
- when the college took its present form
- to enter into or undertake the duties of
- to move onto or into : move into position on
- the home team took the field
- to bind oneself by
- to make (a decision) esp. with finality or authority
- to impose upon oneself
- take the trouble to do good work
- take pains to make her feel welcome
- to adopt as one's own
- take a stand on the issue
- to align or ally oneself with
- to assume as if rightfully one's own or as if granted
- to accept the burden or consequences of
- to have or assume as a proper part of or accompaniment to itself
- transitive verbs take an object
- to secure by winning in competition
- defeat
- to pick out : choose, select
- : to adopt, choose, or avail oneself of for use: as
- to have recourse to as an instrument for doing something
- take a scythe to the weeds
- to use as a means of transportation or progression
- to have recourse to for safety or refuge
- to go along, into, or through
- to proceed to occupy
- to use up (as space or time)
- take s a long time to dry
- need, require
- it take s two to start a fight
- to obtain by deriving from a source : draw
- take s its title from the name of the hero
- to obtain as the result of a special procedure : ascertain
- to get in or as if in writing
- to get by drawing or painting or by photography
- to get by transference from one surface to another
- : to receive or accept whether willingly or reluctantly: as
- to submit to : endure
- withstand
- it will take a lot of punishment
- suffer
- to accept as true : believe
- I'll take your word for it
- follow
- to accept or regard with the mind in a specified way
- you take yourself too seriously
- to indulge in and enjoy
- was taking his ease on the porch
- to receive or accept as a return (as in payment, compensation, or reparation)
- we don't take credit cards
- to accept in a usu. professional relationship often used with on
- agreed to take him on as a client
- to refrain from hitting at (a pitched ball)
- to let in : admit
- the boat was taking water fast
- accommodate
- the suitcase wouldn't take another thing
- to be affected injuriously by (as a disease) : contract
- to be seized by
- to absorb or become impregnated with (as dye)
- to be effectively treated by
- a surface that take s a fine polish
- apprehend, understand
- how should I take your remark
- consider, suppose
- I take it you're not going
- reckon, accept
- taking a stride at 30 inches
- feel, experience
- take an instant dislike to someone
- to lead, carry, or cause to go along to another place
- this bus will take you into town
- took an umbrella with her
- to cause to move to a specified state, condition, or sphere of activity
- took his team to the finals
- to stop prescribing a specified regimen to used with off
- took him off the medication
- remove
- to put an end to (life)
- to remove by death
- subtract
- exact
- the weather took its toll
- to undertake and make, do, or perform
- to participate in
- to deal with
- to consider or view in a particular relation
- taken together, the details were significant
- to consider as an example
- to apply oneself to the study of
- to study for esp. successfully
- taking a degree in engineering
- to obtain money from esp. fraudulently
- to pass or attempt to pass through, along, or over
- take the stairs two at a time
- : to obtain possession: as
- capture
- to receive property under law as one's own
- to lay hold : catch, hold
- to establish a take esp. by uniting or growing
- 90 percent of the grafts take
- to betake oneself : set out : go
- take after a purse snatcher
- used as an intensifier or redundantly with a following verb
- took and swung at the ball
- to take effect : act, operate
- hoped the lesson he taught would take
- to show the natural or intended effect
- charm, captivate
- detract
- to be seized or attacked in a specified way : become
- : something that is taken:
- the amount of money received : proceeds, receipts, income
- share, cut
- the number or quantity (as of animals, fish, or pelts) taken at one time : catch, haul
- a section or installment done as a unit or at one time
- a scene filmed or televised at one time without stopping the camera
- a sound recording made during a single recording period
- a trial recording
- : an act or the action of taking: as
- the action of killing, capturing, or catching (as game or fish)
- the uninterrupted photographing or televising of a scene
- the making of a sound recording
- a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful vaccination (as against smallpox)
- a successful union (as of a graft)
- a visible response or reaction (as to something unexpected)
- a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment
- was asked for her take on recent developments
- a distinct treatment or variation
- a new take on an old style
tool ['tül] -n
- a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task
- the cutting or shaping part in a machine or machine tool
- a machine for shaping metal : machine tool
- something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession
- a scholar's books are his tool s
- an element of a computer program (as a graphics application) that activates and controls a particular function
- a means to an end
- a book's cover can be a marketing tool
- penis
- one that is used or manipulated by another
- natural ability
- has all the tool s to be a great pitcher
- to cause (a vehicle) to go : drive
- to convey in a vehicle
- to shape, form, or finish with a tool
- to letter or ornament (as leather or gold) by means of hand tools
- to equip (as a plant or industry) with tools, machines, and instruments for production
- drive, ride
- to equip a plant or industry with the means (as machines, machine tools, and instruments) of production often used with up
- a design (as on the binding of a book) made by tooling
tool·bar ['tül-,bär] -n
- a strip of icons on a computer display providing quick access to certain functions
tool·box ['tül-,bäks] -n
- a chest for tools
tool·hold·er [-,hōl-dər] -n
- a short steel bar having a shank at one end by which it is clamped to a machine and a clamp at the other end to hold small interchangeable cutting bits
tool·house [-,hau̇s] -n
- toolshed
tool·mak·er ['tül-,mā-kər] -n
- one that makes tools
- a machinist who specializes in the construction, repair, maintenance, and calibration of the tools, jigs, fixtures, and instruments of a machine shop
tool·mak·ing [-kiŋ] -n
- the action, process, or art of making tools
- the trade of a toolmaker
tool·room ['tül-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- a room where tools are kept
- a room in a machine shop in which tools are made, stored, and issued for use by workers
tool·shed [-,shed] -n
- an outbuilding for storing tools
tools of ignorance
- a baseball catcher's equipment
tool subject -n
- a subject studied to gain competence in a skill used in other subjects
toom ['tüm] -adj
- empty
toon ['tün] -n
- a southeast Asian and Australian tree ( Toona ciliatasyn. Cedrela toona) of the mahogany family with aromatic dark red to reddish-brown wood
- its wood
toot ['tüt] -vb, n
- to sound a short blast
- to sound a note or call suggesting the short blast of a wind instrument
- to blow or sound an instrument (as a horn) esp. so as to produce short blasts
- to cause to sound
- to take in (as cocaine) by inhalation : snort
- a short blast (as on a horn)
- a sound resembling such a blast
- a drinking bout : spree
tooth ['tüth] -n, adj
- one of the hard bony appendages that are borne on the jaws or in many of the lower vertebrates on other bones in the walls of the mouth or pharynx and serve esp. for the prehension and mastication of food and as weapons of offense and defense
- any of various usu. hard and sharp processes esp. about the mouth of an invertebrate
- taste, liking
- : a projection resembling or suggesting the tooth of an animal in shape, arrangement, or action: as
- any of the regular projections on the circumference or sometimes the face of a wheel that engage with corresponding projections on another wheel esp. to transmit force : cog
- a small sharp-pointed marginal lobe or process on a plant
- something that injures, tortures, devours, or destroys
- jealousy with rankling tooth -- Thomas Gray
- effective means of enforcement
- a roughness of surface produced by mechanical or artificial means
tooth·ache ['tüth-,āk] -n
- pain in or about a tooth
tooth and nail -adv
- with every available means : all out
tooth·brush ['tüth-,brəsh] -n
- a brush for cleaning the teeth
tooth·brush·ing -n
- the action of using a toothbrush to clean teeth
toothed ['tütht, uncompounded also 'tü-thəd] -adj
- having teeth esp. of a specified kind or number often used in combination
toothed whale ['tütht-, 'tü-thəd-] -n
- any of a suborder (Odontoceti) of cetaceans (as a dolphin, porpoise, or killer whale) bearing usu. numerous simple conical teeth
tooth fairy -n
- a fairy believed by children to leave money while they sleep in exchange for a tooth that has come out
tooth·less ['tüth-ləs] -adj
- having no teeth
- lacking in sharpness or bite
- spoke in toothless generalities -- Arthur Hepner
- lacking in means of enforcement or coercion : ineffectual
tooth·paste [-,pāst] -n
- a paste for cleaning the teeth
tooth·pick [-,pik] -n
- a pointed instrument (as a slender tapering piece of wood) for removing food particles lodged between the teeth
tooth powder -n
- a powder for cleaning the teeth
tooth shell -n
- any of a class (Scaphopoda) of burrowing marine mollusks with a tapering tubular shell
- this shell
tooth·some ['tüth-səm] -adj, adv, n
- agreeable, attractive
- sexually attractive
- of palatable flavor and pleasing texture : delicious
- crisp toothsome fried chicken
tooth·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n
- a European parasitic plant ( Lathraea squamaria) of the broomrape family having pink-tinged white flowers and tooth-shaped scaly leaves
- any of several cresses (genus Dentaria) that have usu. fleshy scaly rhizomes and are sometimes placed in the same genus as the bitter cresses
toothy ['tü-thē] -adj, adv
- having or showing prominent teeth
- toothsome
too·tle ['tü-tᵊl] -vb, n
- to toot gently, repeatedly, or continuously
- to drive or move along in a leisurely manner
- to toot continuously on
tootoo ['tü-'tü] -adj
- going beyond the bounds of convention, good taste, or common sense : extreme
- la-di-da
toot·sie ['tu̇t-sē] -n
- dear, sweetheart
- prostitute
toot·sy ['tu̇t-sē] -n
- foot
top ['täp] -n, adj
- the highest point, level, or part of something : summit, crown
- the head or top of the head used esp. in the phrase top to toe
- the head of a plant
- the aboveground part of a plant having edible roots
- a garment worn on the upper body
- the highest or uppermost region or part
- the upper end, edge, or surface
- a fitted, integral, or attached part or unit serving as an upper piece, lid, or covering
- a platform surrounding the head of a lower mast that serves to spread the topmast rigging, strengthen the mast, and furnish a standing place for men aloft
- a comparable part of the superstructure
- such a part on a warship used as a fire-control station or antiaircraft gun platform
- the highest degree or pitch conceivable or attained : acme, pinnacle
- the loudest or highest range of a sound
- the part that is nearest in space or time to the source or beginning
- the first half of an inning in baseball
- the highest position (as in rank or achievement)
- a person or thing at the top
- aces and kings in a hand or the three highest honors in a suit
- the choicest part : cream, pick
- a forward spin given to a ball (as in golf or billiards) by striking it on or near the top or above the center
- the stroke so given
- a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 175 GeV
- the flavor characterizing this particle
- : to remove or cut the top of
- to shorten or remove the top of (a plant) : pinch
- to cover with a top or on the top : provide, form, or serve as a top for
- to supply with a decorative or protective finish or final touch
- to resupply or refill to capacity usu. used with off
- to complete the basic structure of (as a high-rise building) by putting on a cap or uppermost section usu. used with out or off
- to bring to an end or climax usu. used with off
- the event was topped off with a relay race -- Paula Rodenas
- to be or become higher than : overtop
- top s the previous record
- to be superior to : excel, surpass
- to gain ascendancy over : dominate
- to rise to, reach, or be at the top of
- to go over the top of : clear, surmount
- to strike (a ball) above the center thereby imparting topspin
- to make an end, finish, or conclusion
- to reach a summit or crest usu. used with off or out
- of, relating to, or being at the top : uppermost
- chief, leading
- one of the world's top journalists
- of the highest quality, amount, or degree
- a commonly cylindrical or conoidal device that has a tapering point on which it is made to spin and that is used esp. as a toy
top- -comb form
- place : locality
- topology
to·paz ['tō-,paz] -n
- a mineral that is essentially a silicate of aluminum and usu. occurs in orthorhombic translucent or transparent crystals or in white translucent masses
- a usu. yellow to brownish-yellow transparent mineral topaz used as a gem
- a yellow sapphire
- a yellow quartz
- either of two large brilliantly colored So. American hummingbirds ( Topaza pellaand T. pyra)
top banana -n
- the leading comedian in a burlesque show
- kingpin
top billing -n
- prominent emphasis, featuring, or advertising
- the position at the top of a theatrical bill usu. featuring the star's name
top boot -n
- a high boot often with light-colored leather bands around the upper part
top·coat ['täp-,kōt] -n
- a lightweight overcoat
- overcoat
top·cross [-,krȯs] -n
- a cross between a superior or purebred male and inferior female stock to improve the average quality of the progeny
- the product of such a cross
top dog -n
- a person, group, or thing in a position of authority esp. through victory in a hard-fought competition
top dollar -n
- the highest amount being paid for a commodity or service
- willing to pay top dollar to get them -- Dean Failey
topdown ['täp-'dau̇n] -adj
- controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level
- a topdown corporate structure
- proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific
top drawer [-'drȯ(-ə)r] -n, adj
- the highest level of society, authority, or excellence
topdress ['täp-,dres] -vt
- to apply material to (as land or a road) without working it in
- to scatter fertilizer over (land)
top·dress·ing [-,dre-siŋ] -n
- a material used to top-dress soil
tope ['tōp] -vi
- to drink liquor to excess
- a small slender cosmopolitan shark ( Galeorhinus galeus) valued for its flesh, fins, and oil-rich liver
- stupa
to·pee [tō-'pē, 'tō-(,)pē] -n
- a lightweight helmet-shaped hat made of pith or cork
topend ['täp-'end] -adj
- topflight
top·er ['tō-pər] -n
- one that topes
- drunkard
top·flight ['täp-'flīt] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being the highest level of achievement, excellence, or eminence
Top 40 -n pl
- the forty best-selling audio recordings for a given period
- constituting, playing, listing, or relating to the Top 40
top·ful ['täp-'fu̇l] -adj
- brimful
top·gal·lant [(,)täp-'ga-lənt, tə-'ga-] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a part next above the topmast and below the royal mast
topgallant -n
- the topmost point : summit
- the high topgallant of my joy -- Shak.
- a topgallant mast or sail
top gun -n
- one who is at the top (as in ability, rank, or prestige)
topham·per ['täp-'ham-pər] -n
- matter or weight (as spars or rigging) in the upper part of a ship
- unnecessary cumbersome matter
top hat -n
- a tall-crowned hat usu. of beaver or silk
topheavy ['täp-,he-vē] -adj
- having the top part too heavy for the lower part
- having too high a proportion of administrators
- oversupplied with one element at the expense of others : lacking balance
- a novel topheavy with description
To·phet ['tō-fət] -n
- hell, gehenna
tophole ['täp-'hōl] -adj
- excellent, first-class
to·phus ['tō-fəs] -n
- a deposit of urates in tissues (as cartilage) that is characteristic of gout
to·pi ['tō-pē] -n
- a sub-Saharan antelope ( Damaliscus lunatussyn. D. korrigum) having a glossy usu. reddish-brown coat with purplish-black and yellowish markings
to·pi·ary ['tō-pē-,er-ē] -adj
- of, relating to, or being the practice or art of training, cutting, and trimming trees or shrubs into odd or ornamental shapes
- characterized by such work
topiary -n
- topiary art or gardening
- a topiary garden
- a plant shaped by topiary art
- topiary plants
top·ic ['tä-pik] -n
- one of the general forms of argument employed in probable reasoning
- argument, reason
- a heading in an outlined argument or exposition
- the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse
top·i·cal ['tä-pi-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or arranged by topics
- referring to the topics of the day or place : of local or temporary interest
- designed for or involving local application and action (as on the body)
top·i·cal·i·ty [,tä-pə-'ka-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being topical
- an item of topical interest
topic sentence -n
- a sentence that states the main thought of a paragraph or of a larger unit of discourse and is usu. placed at or near the beginning
top·kick ['täp-'kik] -n
- first sergeant
top·knot [-,nät] -n
- an ornament (as a knot of ribbons or a pompom) forming a headdress or worn as part of a coiffure
- a crest of feathers or tuft of hair on the top of the head
top·less [-ləs] -adj, n
- so high as to reach up beyond sight
- and burnt the topless towers of Ilium -- Christopher Marlowe
- being without a top
- wearing no clothing on the upper body
- featuring topless waitresses or entertainers
- being a place where topless women are permitted
top·line [-,līn] -n
- the outline of the top of the body of an animal (as a dog or horse)
top·lofty ['täp-,lȯf-tē] -adj, adv, n
- very superior in air or attitude
top·mast ['täp-,mast, -məst] -n
- the mast that is next above the lower mast and is topmost in a fore-and-aft rig
top milk -n
- the upper layer of milk in a container enriched by whatever cream has risen
top·min·now ['täp-,mi-(,)nō] -n
- any of several live-bearers (family Poeciliidae) or killifish (family Cyprinodontidae)
top·most ['täp-,mōst] -adj
- highest of all : uppermost
topnotch [-'näch] -adj, n
- of the highest quality : first-rate
topo -abbr
- topographic; topographical
to·po·cen·tric [,tä-pə-'sen-trik, ,tō-] -adj
- relating to, measured from, or as if observed from a particular point on the earth's surface : having or relating to such a point as origin
topoftheline -adj
- top-notch
- being or belonging to the highest or most expensive class
- topoftheline camera equipment
to·pog·ra·pher [tə-'pä-grə-fər] -n
- a specialist in topography
to·po·graph·ic [,tä-pə-'gra-fik, ,tō-] -adj
- of, relating to, or concerned with topography
to·po·graph·i·cal [-fi-kəl] -adj, adv
- topographic
- of, relating to, or concerned with the artistic representation of a particular locality
to·pog·ra·phy [tə-'pä-grə-fē] -n
- the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail usu. on maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a place or region esp. in a way to show their relative positions and elevations
- topographical surveying
- the configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its natural and man-made features
- the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships
- the topography of human chromosomes
- the political topography of our time
topo·isom·er·ase [,tō-pō-ī-'sä-mə-,rās, -,rāz] -n
- any of a class of enzymes that reduce supercoiling in DNA by breaking and rejoining one or both strands of the DNA molecule
to·po·log·i·cal [,tä-pə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to topology
- being or involving properties unaltered under a homeomorphism
- continuity and connectedness are topological properties
topological group -n
- a mathematical group which is also a topological space, whose multiplicative operation has the property that given any neighborhood of a product there exist neighborhoods of the elements composing the product such that any pair of elements representing each of these neighborhoods form a product belonging to the given neighborhood, and whose operation of taking inverses has the property that for any neighborhood of the inverse of an element there exists a neighborhood of the element itself in which every element has its inverse in the other neighborhood
topologically equivalent -adj
- related by a homeomorphism
topological space -n
- a set with a collection of subsets satisfying the conditions that both the empty set and the set itself belong to the collection, the union of any number of the subsets is also an element of the collection, and the intersection of any finite number of the subsets is an element of the collection
topological transformation -n
- homeomorphism
to·pol·o·gy [tə-'pä-lə-jē, tä-] -n
- topographic study of a particular place
- the history of a region as indicated by its topography
- a branch of mathematics concerned with those properties of geometric configurations (as point sets) which are unaltered by elastic deformations (as a stretching or a twisting) that are homeomorphisms
- the set of all open subsets of a topological space
- configuration
- topology of a magnetic field
top·o·nym ['tä-pə-,nim, 'tō-] -n
- place-name
top·o·nym·ic [,tä-pə-'ni-mik, ,tō-] -adj
- of or relating to toponyms or toponymy
to·pon·y·my [tə-'pä-nə-mē, tō-] -n
- the place-names of a region or language or esp. the etymological study of them
to·pos ['tō-,päs, 'tä-] -n
- a traditional or conventional literary or rhetorical theme or topic
top·per ['tä-pər] -n
- one that puts on or takes off tops
- one that is at or on the top
- silk hat
- opera hat
- something (as a joke) that caps everything preceding
- a woman's usu. short and loose-fitting lightweight outer coat
topping -n
- something that forms a top
- a garnish (as a sauce, bread crumbs, or whipped cream) placed on top of a food for flavor or decoration
- the action of one that tops
- something removed by topping
- highest in rank or eminence
- proud, arrogant
- excellent
top·ple ['tä-pəl] -vb
- to fall from or as if from being top-heavy
- to cause to topple
- overthrow
- defeat
top round -n
- meat from the inner part of a round of beef
tops ['täps] -adj
- topmost in quality, ability, popularity, or importance used predicatively
- at the very most
top·sail ['täp-,sāl, -səl] -n
- the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast in a square-rigged ship
- the sail set above and sometimes on the gaff in a fore-and-aft rigged ship
top secret -adj
- protected by a high degree of secrecy
- containing or being information whose unauthorized disclosure could result in exceptionally grave danger to the nation
- of or relating to top secret documents
top sergeant -n
- first sergeant
topshelf ['täp-'shelf] -adj
- of the best quality
top·side ['täp-'sīd] -n
- the top portion of the outer surface of a ship on each side above the waterline
- the highest level of authority
- the upper portion of the ionosphere
topside -adv or adj
- to or on the top or surface
- in a position of authority
- on deck
TopSid·er ['täp-,sī-dər] -trademark
- used for a low casual shoe having a rubber sole
top·soil ['täp-,sȯi(-ə)l] -n
- surface soil usu. including the organic layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing
top·spin [-,spin] -n
- a rotary motion imparted to a ball that causes it to rotate forward in the direction it is traveling
top·stitch ['täp-,stich] -vt
- to make a line of stitching on the outside of (a garment) close to a seam
top·sytur·vi·ness [,täp-sē-'tər-vē-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being topsy-turvy
top·sytur·vy [,täp-sē-'tər-vē] -adv
- in utter confusion or disorder
- with the top or head downward : upside down
topsyturvy [-'tər-və-lē] -adj, adv, n
- turned topsy-turvy : totally disordered
- topsy-turviness
top up ['täp-,əp] -vt, n
- to make up to the full quantity, capacity, or amount
- to replenish a supply
top·work ['täp-,wərk] -vt
- to graft scions of another variety on the main branches of (as fruit trees) usu. to obtain more desirable fruit
toque ['tōk] -n
- a woman's small hat without a brim made in any of various soft close-fitting shapes
- tuque
- a tall brimless hat worn by a chef called also toque blanche
tor ['tȯr] -n
- a high craggy hill
To·rah ['tȯr-ə, 'tȯi-rə] -n
- the body of wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature and oral tradition
- the five books of Moses constituting the Pentateuch
- a leather or parchment scroll of the Pentateuch used in a synagogue for liturgical purposes
torch ['tȯrch] -n
- a burning stick of resinous wood or twist of tow used to give light and usu. carried in the hand : flambeau
- something (as tradition, wisdom, or knowledge) likened to a torch as giving light or guidance
- pass the torch to the next generation
- any of various portable devices for emitting an unusually hot flame
- flashlight
- incendiary
- to set fire to with or as if with a torch
torch·bear·er [-,ber-ər] -n
- one that carries a torch
- someone in the forefront of a campaign, crusade, or movement
tor·chere [,tȯr-'sher] -n
- a tall ornamental stand for a candlestick or candelabra
- an electric floor lamp giving indirect light
torch·light [-,līt] -n
- light given by torches
- torch
tor·chon ['tȯr-,shän] -n
- a coarse bobbin or machine-made lace made with fan-shaped designs forming a scalloped edge
torch singer -n
- a singer of torch songs
torch song -n
- a popular sentimental song of unrequited love
torch·wood ['tȯrch-,wu̇d] -n
- any of a genus ( Amyris) of tropical American trees and shrubs of the rue family with hard heavy fragrant resinous streaky yellowish-brown wood
- the wood of a torchwood
torchy ['tȯr-chē] -adj
- of, relating to, characteristic of, or being a torch song or torch singer
tore ['tir] -n, adj
(variant of tear)
- a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion
- a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face
- a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin)
- an act of weeping or grieving
- to fill with tears : shed tears
- eyes tear ing in the November wind -- Saul Bellow
- to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend
- to wound by or as if by tearing : lacerate
- to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces
- to remove by force : wrench often used with off
- to remove as if by wrenching
- tear your thoughts away from the scene
- to make or effect by or as if by tearing
- to separate on being pulled : rend
- to move or act with violence, haste, or force
- went tear ing down the street
- to smash or penetrate something with violent force
- the bullet tore through his leg
- damage from being torn
- a hole or flaw made by tearing
- the act of tearing
- a tearing pace : hurry
- spree
- got paid and went on a tear
- a run of unusual success
to·re·a·dor ['tȯr-ē-ə-,dȯr, 'tär-] -n
- torero, bullfighter
to·re·ro [tə-'rer-(,)ō] -n
- a matador or a member of the attending cuadrilla
to·reu·tics [tə-'rü-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the art or process of working in metal esp. by embossing or chasing
tori ['tȯr-əs] -n
(variant of torus)
- a large molding of convex profile commonly occurring as the lowest molding in the base of a column
- the thickening of a membrane closing a wood-cell pit (as of gymnosperm tracheids) having the secondary cell wall arched over the pit cavity
- a doughnut-shaped surface generated by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does not intersect the circle
- toroid
- a smooth rounded anatomical protuberance (as a bony ridge on the skull)
to·ric ['tȯr-ik] -adj
- of, relating to, or shaped like a torus or segment of a torus
to·rii ['tȯr-ē-,ē] -n
- a Japanese gateway of light construction commonly built at the approach to a Shinto shrine
tor·ment ['tȯr-,ment] -n
- the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)
- extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : agony
- a source of vexation or pain
- to cause severe usu. persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to
- cattle torment ed by flies
- distort, twist
tor·men·til ['tȯr-mən-,til] -n
- a yellow-flowered Eurasian cinquefoil ( Potentilla erectasyn. P. tormentilla) with a root sometimes used in tanning and dyeing
tor·men·tor [tȯr-'men-tər, 'tȯr-,] -n
- one that torments
- a fixed curtain or flat on each side of a theater stage that prevents the audience from seeing into the wings
torn ['tir] -n, adj
(variant of tear)
- a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion
- a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face
- a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin)
- an act of weeping or grieving
- to fill with tears : shed tears
- eyes tear ing in the November wind -- Saul Bellow
- to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend
- to wound by or as if by tearing : lacerate
- to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces
- to remove by force : wrench often used with off
- to remove as if by wrenching
- tear your thoughts away from the scene
- to make or effect by or as if by tearing
- to separate on being pulled : rend
- to move or act with violence, haste, or force
- went tear ing down the street
- to smash or penetrate something with violent force
- the bullet tore through his leg
- damage from being torn
- a hole or flaw made by tearing
- the act of tearing
- a tearing pace : hurry
- spree
- got paid and went on a tear
- a run of unusual success
tor·na·dic [tȯr-'nā-dik, -'na-] -adj
- relating to, characteristic of, or constituting a tornado
tor·na·do [tȯr-'nā-(,)dō] -n
- a tropical thunderstorm
- a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa
- a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land
- a violent windstorm : whirlwind
tor·nil·lo [tȯr-'nē-(,)yō, -'ni-(,)lō] -n
- screwbean
to·roid ['tȯr-,ȯid] -n
- a surface generated by a closed plane curve rotated about a line that lies in the same plane as the curve but does not intersect it
- a body whose surface has the form of a toroid
to·roi·dal [tȯ-'rȯi-dᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or shaped like a torus or toroid : doughnut-shaped
- a toroidal resistance coil
tor·pe·do [tȯr-'pē-(,)dō] -n
- electric ray
- : a weapon for destroying ships by rupturing their hulls below the waterline: as
- a submarine mine
- a thin cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile
- a small firework that explodes when thrown against a hard object
- a professional gunman or assassin
- submarine
torpedo [-'pē-də-wiŋ] -vt
- to hit or sink (a ship) with a naval torpedo : strike or destroy by torpedo
- to destroy or nullify altogether : wreck
torpedo boat -n
- a boat designed for launching torpedoes
- a small very fast boat with one or more torpedo tubes
torpedo bomber -n
- a military airplane designed to carry torpedoes called also torpedo plane
torpedo tube -n
- a tube from which torpedoes are fired
tor·pid ['tȯr-pəd] -adj, n
- having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling : dormant, numb
- sluggish in functioning or acting
- lacking in energy or vigor : apathetic, dull
tor·por ['tȯr-pər] -n
- a state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or total insensibility
- a state of lowered physiological activity typically characterized by reduced metabolism, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature that occurs in varying degrees esp. in hibernating and estivating animals
- apathy, dullness
torque ['tȯrk] -n
- a usu. metal collar or neck chain worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons
- a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion
- an automobile engine delivers torque to the drive shaft
- a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation
- a turning or twisting force
- to impart torque to : cause to twist (as about an axis)
torque converter -n
- a device for transmitting and amplifying torque esp. by hydraulic means
torr ['tȯr] -n
- a unit of pressure equal to of an atmosphere (about 133.3 pascals)
tor·rent ['tȯr-ənt, 'tär-] -n
- a tumultuous outpouring : rush
- a violent stream of a liquid (as water or lava)
- a channel of a mountain stream
torrent -adj
- torrential
tor·ren·tial [tȯ-'ren(t)-shəl, tə-] -adj, adv
- relating to or having the character of a torrent
- caused by or resulting from action of rapid streams
- resembling a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow
tor·rid ['tȯr-əd, 'tär-] -adj, n, adv
- parched with heat esp. of the sun : hot
- giving off intense heat : scorching
- ardent, passionate
torrid zone -n
- the region of the earth between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
tor·sade [tȯr-'säd, -'sād] -n
- a twisted cord or ribbon used esp. as a hat ornament
tor·sion ['tȯr-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction
- the state of being twisted
- the twisting of a bodily organ or part on its own axis
- the reactive torque that an elastic solid exerts by reason of being under torsion
torsion bar -n
- a long metal element in an automobile suspension that has one end held rigidly to the frame end and the other twisted and connected to the axle and that acts as a spring
tor·so ['tȯr-(,)sō] -n
- a sculptured representation of the trunk of a human body
- something (as a piece of writing) that is mutilated or left unfinished
- the human trunk
tort ['tȯrt] -n
- a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction
torte ['tȯrt-ə, 'tȯrt] -n
- a cake made with many eggs and often grated nuts or dry bread crumbs and usu. covered with a rich frosting
tor·tel·li·ni [,tȯr-tə-'lē-nē] -n
- pasta in the form of little ring-shaped cases containing a filling (as of meat or cheese)
tor·ti·col·lis [,tȯr-tə-'kä-ləs] -n
- a twisting of the neck to one side that results in abnormal carriage of the head and is usu. caused by muscle spasms called also wryneck
tor·ti·lla [tȯr-'tē-yə] -n
- a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread usu. eaten hot with a topping or filling (as of ground meat or cheese)
tor·tious ['tȯr-shəs] -adj, adv
- implying or involving tort
tor·toise ['tȯr-təs] -n
- any of a family (Testudinidae) of terrestrial turtles
- turtle
- someone or something regarded as slow or laggard
tortoise beetle -n
- any of various chrysomelid beetles (subfamily Cassidinae) with leaf-eating larvae
tor·toise·shell ['tȯr-tə-,shel, -əsh-,shel] -n
- the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used esp. formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles
- any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalisand Aglais)
tortoiseshell -adj
- made of or resembling tortoiseshell esp. in mottled brown and yellow coloring
- of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream
tor·to·ni [tȯr-'tō-nē] -n
- ice cream made of heavy cream often with minced almonds and chopped maraschino cherries and often flavored with rum
tor·tri·cid ['tȯr-trə-səd] -n, adj
- any of a family (Tortricidae) of small stout-bodied moths many of whose larvae feed in fruits
tor·trix ['tȯr-triks] -n
- a tortricid moth
tor·tu·os·i·ty [,tȯr-chə-'wä-sə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being tortuous
- something winding or twisted : bend
tor·tu·ous ['tȯrch-wəs, 'tȯr-chə-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : winding
- marked by devious or indirect tactics : crooked, tricky
- circuitous, involved
- the tortuous jargon of legal forms
tor·ture ['tȯr-chər] -n
- anguish of body or mind : agony
- something that causes agony or pain
- the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
- distortion or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument : straining
torture ['tȯrch-riŋ, 'tȯr-chə-] -vt, n
- to cause intense suffering to : torment
- to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
- to twist or wrench out of shape : distort, warp
tor·tur·ous ['tȯrch-rəs, 'tȯr-chə-] -adj, adv
- causing torture
- very unpleasant or painful
- painfully difficult or slow
- the torturous course of the negotiations
tor·u·la ['tȯr-yə-lə, 'tär-, -ə-lə] -n
- any of various fungi (genus Torula) and esp. yeasts that lack sexual spores, do not produce alcoholic fermentations, and are typically acid formers called also torula yeast
to·rus ['tȯr-əs] -n
- a large molding of convex profile commonly occurring as the lowest molding in the base of a column
- the thickening of a membrane closing a wood-cell pit (as of gymnosperm tracheids) having the secondary cell wall arched over the pit cavity
- a doughnut-shaped surface generated by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does not intersect the circle
- toroid
- a smooth rounded anatomical protuberance (as a bony ridge on the skull)
To·ry ['tȯr-ē] -n, adj
- a dispossessed Irishman subsisting as an outlaw chiefly in the 17th century
- bandit, outlaw
- a member or supporter of a major British political group of the 18th and early 19th centuries favoring at first the Stuarts and later royal authority and the established church and seeking to preserve the traditional political structure and defeat parliamentary reform
- conservative
- an American upholding the cause of the British Crown against the supporters of colonial independence during the American Revolution : loyalist
- an extreme conservative esp. in political and economic principles
Tory Democracy -n
- a political philosophy advocating preservation of established institutions and traditional principles combined with political democracy and a social and economic program designed to benefit the common man
To·ry·ism ['tȯr-ē-,i-zəm] -n
- the principles and practices of or associated with Tories
- the British Tory party or its members
tosh ['täsh] -n
- sheer nonsense : bosh, twaddle
toss ['tȯs, 'täs] -vb, n
- to fling or heave continuously about, to and fro, or up and down
- bandy
- to mix lightly until well coated with a dressing or until the elements are thoroughly combined
- to make uneasy : stir up : disturb
- to throw with a quick, light, or careless motion or with a sudden jerk
- to throw up in the air
- match
- to send as if by throwing
- to get rid of : throw away
- to fling or lift with a sudden motion
- to tilt suddenly so as to empty by drinking
- to consume by drinking
- to accomplish, provide, or produce readily or easily
- throw
- vomit often used in the phrase toss one's cookies
- to move restlessly or turbulently
- to twist and turn repeatedly
- toss ed sleeplessly all night
- to move with a quick or spirited gesture
- to decide an issue by flipping a coin
- the state or fact of being tossed
- : an act or instance of tossing: as
- an abrupt tilting or upward fling
- a deciding by chance and esp. by flipping a coin
- throw, pitch
toss·pot [-,pät] -n
- drunkard, sot
tossup [-,əp] -n
- toss
- an even chance
- something that offers no clear basis for choice
tos·ta·da [tō-'stä-də] -n
- a tortilla fried in deep fat
tot ['tät] -n
- a small child : toddler
- a small drink or allowance of liquor : shot
- to add together : total usu. used with up
- add
to·tal ['tō-tᵊl] -adj
- comprising or constituting a whole : entire
- absolute, utter
- involving a complete and unified effort esp. to achieve a desired effect
total -n
- a product of addition : sum
- an entire quantity : amount
- totally
- to add up : compute
- to amount to : number
- to make a total wreck of : demolish
- to damage so badly that the cost of repairs exceeds the market value of the vehicle
total depravity -n
- a state of corruption due to original sin held in Calvinism to infect every part of man's nature and to make the natural man unable to know or obey God
total eclipse -n
- an eclipse in which one celestial body is completely obscured by the shadow or body of another
to·tal·ism ['tō-tᵊl-,i-zəm] -n, adj
- totalitarianism
to·tal·i·tar·i·an [(,)tō-,ta-lə-'ter-ē-ən] -adj
- of or relating to centralized control by an autocratic leader or hierarchy : authoritarian, dictatorial
- despotic
- of or relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation esp. by coercive measures (as censorship and terrorism)
- advocating or characteristic of totalitarianism
- completely regulated by the state esp. as an aid to national mobilization in an emergency
- exercising autocratic powers : tending toward monopoly
totalitarian -n
- an advocate or practitioner of totalitarianism
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism [(,)tō-,ta-lə-'ter-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n
- centralized control by an autocratic authority
- the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority
to·tal·i·ty [tō-'ta-lə-tē] -n
- an aggregate amount : sum, whole
- the quality or state of being total : wholeness
- the phase of an eclipse during which it is total : state of total eclipse
to·tal·iza·tor ['tō-tᵊl-ə-,zā-tər] -n
- pari-mutuel
to·tal·ize ['tō-tᵊl-,īz] -vt
- to add up : total
- to express as a whole
to·tal·iz·er [-,ī-zər] -n
- : one that totalizes: as
- pari-mutuel
- a device (as a meter) that records a remaining total (as of fuel)
to·tal·ly ['tō-tᵊl-ē] -adv
- in a total manner : to a total or complete degree : wholly, entirely
total recall -n
- the faculty of remembering with complete clarity and in complete detail
tote ['tōt] -vt, n
- to carry by hand : bear on the person : lug, pack
- haul, convey
- burden, load
- tote bag
- add, total usu. used with up
- toted up his accomplishments -- G. P. Morrill
- pari-mutuel
tote bag -n
- a large 2-handled open-topped bag (as of canvas)
tote board -n
- an electrically operated board (as at a racetrack) on which pertinent information (as betting odds and race results) is posted
to·tem ['tō-təm] -n
- an object (as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry
- a usu. carved or painted representation of such an object
- a family or clan identified by a common totemic object
- one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol
to·tem·ic [tō-'te-mik] -adj
- of, relating to, suggestive of, or characteristic of a totem or totemism
- based on or practicing totemism
to·tem·ism ['tō-tə-,mi-zəm] -n
- belief in kinship with or a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem
- a system of social organization based on totemic affiliations
to·tem·is·tic [,tō-tə-'mis-tik] -adj
- totemic
totem pole -n
- a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indian tribes of the northwest coast of No. America
- an order of rank : hierarchy
toth·er ['tə-thər] -pron or adj
- the other
to·ti·po·tent [tō-'ti-pə-tənt, ,tō-tə-'pō-tᵊnt] -adj, n
- capable of developing into a complete organism or differentiating into any of its cells or tissues
tot·ter ['tä-tər] -vi
- to tremble or rock as if about to fall : sway
- to become unstable : threaten to collapse
- to move unsteadily : stagger, wobble
totter -n
- an unsteady gait : wobble
tot·ter·ing ['tä-tə-riŋ] -adj, adv
- being in an unstable condition
- walking unsteadily
- lacking firmness or stability : insecure
tot·tery ['tä-tə-rē] -adj
- of an infirm or precarious nature
tou·can ['tü-,kan, -,kän, tü-'] -n
- any of a family (Ramphastidae) of chiefly fruit-eating birds of tropical America with brilliant coloring and a very large but light and thin-walled bill
touch ['təch] -vb, adj, n
- to bring a bodily part into contact with esp. so as to perceive through the tactile sense : handle or feel gently usu. with the intent to understand or appreciate
- loved to touch the soft silk
- to strike or push lightly esp. with the hand or foot or an implement
- to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with intent to heal
- to play on (a stringed instrument)
- to perform (a melody) by playing or singing
- to take into the hands or mouth
- to put hands upon in any way or degree
- don't touch anything before the police come
- to commit violence upon
- swears he never touch ed the child
- to deal with : become involved with
- a sticky situation and I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole
- to induce to give or lend
- touch ed him for ten dollars
- to cause to be briefly in contact or conjunction with something
- touch ed her spurs to the horse
- touch ed his hand to his hat
- to meet without overlapping or penetrating : adjoin
- to get to : reach
- the speedometer needle touch ed 80
- to be tangent to
- to rival in quality or value
- nothing can touch that cloth for durability
- to speak or tell of esp. in passing
- barely touch ed the incident in the speech
- to relate to : concern
- to have an influence on : affect
- to leave a mark or impression on
- few reagents will touch gold
- tinge
- to harm slightly by or as if by contact : taint, blemish
- to give a delicate tint, line, or expression to
- a smile touch ed her lips
- to get a hit off or score a run against
- touch ed him for three runs
- to draw or delineate with light strokes
- to hurt the feelings of : wound
- to move to sympathetic feeling
- to feel something with a body part (as the hand or foot)
- to lay hand or finger on a person to cure disease (as scrofula)
- to be in contact
- to come close : verge
- your actions touch on treason
- to have a bearing : relate used with on or upon
- to make a brief or incidental stop on shore during a trip by water
- touch ed at several ports
- to treat a topic in a brief or casual manner used with on or upon
- touch ed upon many points
- a light stroke, tap, or push
- a hit against an opponent in fencing
- the act or fact of touching
- the act or an instance of handling or controlling a ball (as in basketball or soccer)
- the special sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin or mucous membrane is perceived
- mental or moral sensitiveness, responsiveness, or tact
- has a wonderful touch with children
- a specified sensation that arises in response to stimulation of the tactile receptors : feel
- the velvety touch of velour
- the act of rubbing gold or silver on a touchstone to test its quality
- test, trial used chiefly in the phrase put to the touch
- a visible effect : mark
- a touch of the tropical sun
- weakness, defect
- : something slight of its kind: as
- a light attack
- a small quantity or indication : hint
- a touch of spring in the air
- a transient emotion
- a momentary touch of compunction
- a near approach : close call
- beaten in the championships by a mere touch
- the playing of an instrument (as a lute or piano) with the fingers
- musical notes or strains so produced
- particular action of a keyboard with reference to the resistance of its keys to pressure
- : control of the hands: as
- a manner or method of touching or striking esp. the keys of a keyboard instrument
- ability to precisely control the path and speed of a shot or pass
- a set of changes in change ringing that is less than a peal
- an effective and subtle detail
- applies the finishing touch es to the story
- distinctive and often effective manner or method
- a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality
- an act of soliciting or getting a gift or loan
- the state or fact of being in contact or communication or of having awareness
- lost touch with her cousin
- out of touch with modern times
- the area outside of the touchlines in soccer or outside of and including the touchlines in rugby
touchandgo [,təch-ən(d)-'gō] -n
- an airplane landing followed immediately by application of power and a takeoff and usu. executed as one of a series for practice at landings
touch and go -adj
- unpredictable as to outcome : uncertain
- it was touch and go there for a while
touch·back ['təch-,bak] -n
- a situation in football in which the ball is down behind the goal line after a kick or intercepted forward pass after which it is put in play by the team defending the goal on its own 20-yard line
touch·down ['təch-,dau̇n] -n
- the act of touching a football to the ground behind an opponent's goal
- the act of scoring six points in American football by being lawfully in possession of the ball on, above, or behind an opponent's goal line when the ball is declared dead
- the act or moment of touching down (as with an airplane or spacecraft)
touch down -vt
- to place (the ball in rugby) by hand on the ground on or over an opponent's goal line in scoring a try or behind one's own goal line as a defensive measure
- to reach the ground : land
tou·che [tü-'shā] -interj
- used to acknowledge a hit in fencing or the success or appropriateness of an argument, an accusation, or a witty point
touched ['təcht] -adj
- emotionally stirred (as with gratitude)
- slightly unbalanced mentally
touch football -n
- football played informally and chiefly characterized by the substitution of touching for tackling
touch·hole ['təch-,hōl] -n
- the vent in muzzle-loading guns through which the charge is ignited
touch·ing ['tə-chiŋ] -prep
- in reference to : concerning
touching -adj, adv
- capable of arousing emotions of tenderness or compassion
touch·line ['təch-,līn] -n
- either of the lines that bound the long sides of the field of play in rugby and soccer
touch·mark [-,märk] -n
- an identifying maker's mark impressed on pewter
touchmenot ['təch-mē-,nät] -n
- : either of two No. American impatiens growing in moist areas: as
- one ( Impatiens capensis) typically having orange flowers spotted with reddish brown
- one ( I. pallida) having typically yellow flowers sometimes spotted with reddish brown
touch off -vt
- to describe or characterize with precision
- to cause to explode by or as if by touching with fire
- to provoke or initiate with sudden intensity
- the verdict touched off local riots
touch pad -n
- a keypad for an electronic device (as a microwave oven) that consists of a flat surface divided into several differently marked areas which are touched to choose options
touch screen -n
- a display screen on which the user selects options (as from a menu) by touching the screen
touch·stone ['təch-,stōn] -n
- a black siliceous stone related to flint and formerly used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal
- a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing
- a fundamental or quintessential part or feature : basis
- a touchstone film of that decade
- now considered a touchstone of the city's life -- Michael Specter
touch system -n
- a method of typing that assigns a particular finger to each key and makes it possible to type without looking at the keyboard
touchtone ['təch-'tōn, -,tōn] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a telephone having push buttons that produce tones corresponding to numbers
touchtype ['təch-,tīp] -vi, n
- to type by the touch system
touchup ['təch-,əp] -n
- an act or instance of touching up
touch up -vt
- to improve or perfect by small additional strokes or alterations : fix the minor and usu. visible defects or damages of
- to stimulate by or as if by a flick of a whip
touch·wood ['təch-,wu̇d] -n
- punk
touchy ['tə-chē] -adj, adv, n
- marked by readiness to take offense on slight provocation
- he's a little touchy about his past
- acutely sensitive or irritable
- highly explosive or inflammable
- calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment
touchyfeely [,tə-chē-'fē-lē] -adj
- characterized by or encouraging interpersonal touching esp. in the free expression of emotions
- openly or excessively emotional and personal
- gets all touchyfeely with his adoring fans
tough ['təf] -adj, adv, n
- strong or firm in texture but flexible and not brittle
- not easily chewed
- glutinous, sticky
- characterized by severity or uncompromising determination
- capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor
- very hard to influence : stubborn
- difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with
- stubbornly fought
- unruly, rowdyish
- marked by absence of softness or sentimentality
- in a tough manner
- a tough person : rowdy
- to bear unflinchingly : endure usu. used with out esp. in the phrase tough it out
tough·en ['tə-fən] -vb
- to make tough
- to become tough
tough·ie ['tə-fē] -n
- : one that is tough: as
- a loud rough rowdy person
- a difficult problem or question
tough love -n
- love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner (as through discipline) esp. to promote responsible behavior
toughmind·ed ['təf-,mīn-dəd] -adj, n
- realistic or unsentimental in temper or outlook
tou·pee [tü-'pā] -n
- a curl or lock of hair made into a topknot on a periwig or natural coiffure
- a periwig with such a topknot
- a wig or section of hair worn to cover a bald spot
tour ['tu̇r, 1 is also 'tau̇(-ə)r] -n
- one's turn in an orderly schedule : shift
- a period during which an individual or unit is on a specific duty or at one place
- a journey for business, pleasure, or education often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting point
- something resembling such a tour
- a tour of the history of philosophy
- a brief turn : round
- a series of professional tournaments (as in golf or tennis)
- to make a tour
- to make a tour of
- to present (as a theatrical production) on a tour
touraco ['tu̇r-ə-(,)kō] -n
(variant of turaco)
- any of a family (Musophagidae) of typically crested African birds that are related to the cuckoos and have a long tail, a short stout often colored bill, and red wing feathers
tour·bil·lion [tu̇r-'bil-yən] -n
- whirlwind
- a vortex esp. of a whirlwind or whirlpool
tour de force [,tu̇r-də-'fȯrs] -n
- a feat or display of strength, skill, or ingenuity
- the movie is a comic tour de force
tour·er ['tu̇r-ər] -n
- touring car
- one that tours
Tou·rett·er [tu̇-'re-tər] -n
- a person affected with Tourette's syndrome
Tou·rette's syndrome [tu̇-'rets-] -n
- a familial neurological disorder of variable expression that is characterized by recurrent involuntary tics involving body movements (as eye blinks or grimaces) and vocalizations (as grunts or utterance of inappropriate words), often has one or more associated conditions (as obsessive-compulsive disorder), is more common in males than females, and usu. has an onset in childhood and often stabilizes or ameliorates in adulthood called also Tou*rette syndrome -ret-
tour·ing ['tu̇r-iŋ] -n
- participation in a tour
- cross-country skiing for pleasure
touring car -n
- : an automobile suitable for distance driving: as
- a vintage automobile with two cross seats, usu. four doors, and a folding top : phaeton
- a modern usu. 2-door sedan as distinguished from a sports car
tour·ism ['tu̇r-,i-zəm] -n
- the practice of traveling for recreation
- the guidance or management of tourists
- the promotion or encouragement of touring
- the accommodation of tourists
tour·ist ['tu̇r-ist] -n, adj or adv
- one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture
- tourist class
tourist card -n
- a citizenship identity card issued to a tourist usu. for a stated period of time in lieu of a passport or a visa
tourist class -n
- economy accommodations (as on a ship)
tourist court -n
- motel
tour·ist·ed ['tu̇r-is-təd] -adj
- frequented by tourists
- heavily touristed seaside towns
tour·is·tic [tu̇r-'is-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to a tour, tourism, or tourists
- the touristic tradition of visiting Roman ruins by night -- Naomi Rosenblum
tourist trap -n
- a place that attracts and exploits tourists
tour·isty ['tu̇r-əs-tē] -adj
- : characteristic of or relating to tourists
- patronized by or appealing to tourists
tour·ma·line ['tu̇r-mə-lən, -,lēn] -n
- a mineral of variable color that consists of a complex borosilicate and is valued as a gem when transparent and cut
tour·na·ment ['tu̇r-nə-mənt also 'tər- or 'tȯr-] -n
- a knightly sport of the Middle Ages between mounted combatants armed with blunted lances or swords and divided into two parties contesting for a prize or favor bestowed by the lady of the tournament
- the whole series of knightly sports, jousts, and tilts occurring at one time and place
- a series of games or contests that make up a single unit of competition (as on a professional golf tour), the championship play-offs of a league or conference, or an invitational event
tour·ne·dos [,tu̇r-nə-'dō] -n
- a small fillet of beef usu. cut from the tip of the tenderloin
tour·ney ['tu̇r-nē, 'tər- also 'tȯr-] -vi
- to perform in a tournament
tourney -n
- tournament
tour·ni·quet ['tu̇r-ni-kət, 'tər-] -n
- a device (as a band of rubber) that checks bleeding or blood flow by compressing blood vessels
touse ['tau̇z] -vt
- rumple, tousle
- a noisy disturbance
tou·sle ['tau̇-zəl, -səl] -vt
- dishevel, rumple
- rough dalliance : tussle
- a tangled mass (as of hair)
tout ['tau̇t, in sense 4 also 'tüt] -vb
- to spy on : watch
- to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse)
- to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)
- to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately
- not meant to tout you off the movie -- Russell Baker
- to make much of : promote, talk up
- tout ed as the summer's blockbuster movie
- the college's much tout ed women's studies program
- to solicit patronage
- to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting
- to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse
- : one who touts: as
- one who solicits patronage
- one who spies out racing information for betting purposes
- one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse
tout·er ['tau̇-tər] -n
- one that touts
to·va·rich [tə-'vär-ish, -ich] -n
- comrade
tow ['tō] -vb
- to draw or pull along behind : haul
- to move in tow
- trailers that tow behind the family auto -- Bob Munger
- a rope or chain for towing
- the act or an instance of towing
- the fact or state of being towed
- something towed (as a boat or car)
- a group of barges lashed together and usu. pushed
- something (as a tugboat) that tows
- ski tow
- short or broken fiber (as of flax, hemp, or synthetic material) that is used esp. for yarn, twine, or stuffing
- yarn or cloth made of tow
- a loose essentially untwisted strand of synthetic fibers
- rope
tow·age ['tō-ij] -n
- the act of towing
- a charge for towing
to·ward ['tō-ərd, 'tȯ(-ə)rd] -adj
- coming soon : imminent
- happening at the moment : afoot
- quick to learn : apt
- propitious, favoring
- in the direction of
- along a course leading to
- a long stride toward disarmament
- in relation to
- at a point in the direction of : near
- a cottage somewhere up toward the lake
- in such a position as to be in the direction of
- not long before
- toward the end of the afternoon
- in the way of help or assistance in
- did all he could toward raising campaign funds
- for the partial payment of
- proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship
to·ward·li·ness ['tȯrd-lē-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being toward or towardly
to·ward·ly ['tō-ərd-lē, 'tȯ(-ə)rd-] -adj, adv
- pleasant, affable
- favorable, propitious
- developing favorably : promising
tow·boat ['tō-,bōt] -n
- tugboat
- a compact shallow-draft boat with a squared bow designed and fitted for pushing tows of barges on inland waterways
tow·el ['tau̇(-ə)l] -n
- an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying
towel -vb
- to rub or dry (as the body) with a towel
- to use a towel to dry oneself
- towel ed down after swimming
tow·el·ette [,tau̇-(ə-)'let] -n
- a small usu. premoistened piece of material used for personal cleansing (as of the hands)
tow·el·ing ['tau̇-(ə-)liŋ] -n
- a cotton or linen fabric often used for making towels
tow·er ['tau̇(-ə)r] -n, adj
- a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (as a campanile) or be attached (as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (as an observation or transmission tower)
- a towering citadel : fortress
- one that provides support or protection : bulwark
- a personal computer case that stands in an upright position
tower -vi
- to reach or rise to a great height
- to exhibit superior qualities : surpass
- her intellect tower ed over the others'
tower block -n
- a tall building (as a high-rise apartment building)
tower house -n
- a medieval fortified castle (as in Scotland)
tow·er·ing ['tau̇(-ə)r-iŋ] -adj, adv
- impressively high or great : imposing
- reaching a high point of intensity : overwhelming
- going beyond proper bounds : excessive
Tower of Babel
- babel
tow·head ['tō-,hed] -n, adj
- a low alluvial island or shoal in a river : sandbar
- a head of hair resembling tow esp. in being flaxen or tousled
- a person having such a head of hair
to·whee ['tō-,hē, 'tō-(,)ē, tō-'hē] -n
- a common finch ( Pipilo erythrophthalmusof the family Emberizidae) of eastern No. America with the male having reddish sides, white underparts, and black upperparts, head, and neck called also chewink
- any of the No. American finches belonging to the same genus ( Pipilo) as the towhee
to wit [tə-'wit] -adv
- that is to say : namely
tow·line ['tō-,līn] -n
- towrope
tow·mond ['tō-,mänd] -n
- year, twelvemonth
town ['tau̇n] -n, adj
- a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name : hamlet
- a compactly settled area as distinguished from surrounding rural territory
- a compactly settled area usu. larger than a village but smaller than a city
- a large densely populated urban area : city
- an English village having a periodic fair or market
- a particular town or city under consideration
- the city or urban life as contrasted with the country
- the inhabitants of a city or town
- practically the whole town turned out for the parade
- the townspeople of a college or university town as distinct from the academic community
- relations between town and gown
- a New England territorial and political unit usu. containing under a single town government both rural areas and urban areas not having their own charter of incorporation
- a New England community governed by a town meeting
- a group of prairie dog burrows
town car -n
- a 4-door automobile with a usu. open driver's compartment and a separate enclosed passenger compartment
town clerk -n
- a public officer charged with recording the official proceedings and vital statistics of a town
town crier -n
- a town officer who makes public proclamations
town·ee [tau̇-'nē] -n
- townie
town hall -n
- a public building used for town-government offices and meetings
town·home ['tau̇n-,hōm] -n
- town house
town house -n
- a house in town
- the city residence of one having a countryseat or having a chief residence elsewhere
- stayed at their town house during the social season
- a usu. single-family house of two or sometimes three stories that is usu. connected to a similar house by a common sidewall
- row house
town·ie ['tau̇-nē] -n
- townsman
- a permanent inhabitant of a town as distinguished from a member of another group (as the academic community)
town·let ['tau̇n-lət] -n
- a very small town
town manager -n
- an official appointed to direct the administration of a town government
town meeting -n
- a meeting of inhabitants or taxpayers constituting the legislative authority of a town
town·scape [-,skāp] -n
- a representation of an urban scene
- a town or city viewed as a scene
towns·folk ['tau̇nz-,fōk] -n pl
- townspeople
town·ship ['tau̇n-,ship] -n
- an ancient unit of administration in England identical in area with or a division of a parish
- town
- a unit of local government in some northeastern and north central states usu. having a chief administrative officer or board
- an unorganized subdivision of the county in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
- an electoral and administrative district of the county in the southern U.S.
- a division of territory in surveys of U.S. public land containing 36 sections or 36 square miles
- an area in the Republic of South Africa segregated for occupation by persons of non-European descent
towns·man ['tau̇nz-mən] -n
- a native or resident of a town or city
- an urban or urbane person
- a fellow citizen of a town
towns·peo·ple [-,pē-pəl] -n pl
- the inhabitants of a town or city : townsmen
- town-dwelling or town-bred persons
towns·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a native or resident of a town or city
- a woman born or residing in the same town or city as another
tow·path ['tō-,path, -,päth] -n
- a path (as along a canal) traveled esp. by draft animals towing boats called also towing path
tow·plane ['tō-,plān] -n
- an airplane that tows gliders
tow·rope [-,rōp] -n
- a line used in towing something (as a boat)
tow sack ['tō-'sak] -n
- gunnysack
tow truck -n
- a truck with winches and hoist mechanisms for freeing stuck vehicles and towing wrecked or disabled vehicles
tox- -comb form
- poisonous : poison
tox·ae·mia [täk-'sē-mē-ə] -n, adj
(variant of toxemia)
- an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood
- preeclampsia
tox·a·phene ['täk-sə-,fēn] -n
- a persistent chlorinated insecticide mixture with the approximate empirical formula C 10H 10Cl 8that is now banned in the U.S.
tox·e·mia [täk-'sē-mē-ə] -n, adj
- an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood
- preeclampsia
tox·ic ['täk-sik] -adj, n
- containing or being poisonous material esp. when capable of causing death or serious debilitation
- an insecticide highly toxic to birds
- exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis
- the patient became toxic two days later
- extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful
toxic -n
- a toxic substance usu. used in pl.
toxic- -comb form
- poison
tox·i·cant ['täk-si-kənt] -n
- a toxic agent
- pesticide
tox·i·co·log·i·cal [,täk-si-kə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to toxicology or toxins
tox·i·col·o·gy [-'kä-lə-jē] -n
- a science that deals with poisons and their effect and with the problems involved (as clinical, industrial, or legal)
tox·i·co·sis [,täk-sə-'kō-səs] -n
- a pathological condition caused by the action of a poison or toxin
toxic shock syndrome -n
- an acute disease that is characterized by fever, diarrhea, nausea, diffuse erythema, and shock, that is associated esp. with the presence of a bacterium ( Staphylococcus aureus), and that occurs esp. in menstruating females using tampons called also toxic shock
toxi·gen·ic [,täk-sə-'je-nik] -adj, n
- producing toxin
- toxigenic bacteria and fungi
tox·in ['täk-sən] -n
- a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usu. very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation
tox·oid ['täk-,sȯid] -n
- a toxin of a pathogenic organism treated so as to destroy its toxicity but leave it capable of inducing the formation of antibodies on injection
tox·oph·i·lite [täk-'sä-fə-,līt] -n, adj
- a person fond of or expert at archery
toxo·plas·ma [,täk-sə-'plaz-mə] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Toxoplasma) of sporozoans that are typically serious pathogens of vertebrates
toxo·plas·mo·sis [-,plaz-'mō-səs] -n
- infection of humans, other mammals, or birds with disease caused by a toxoplasma ( Toxoplasma gondii) that invades the tissues and may seriously damage the central nervous system esp. of infants
toy ['tȯi] -n, adj
- flirtatious or seductive behavior
- pastime
- a sportive or amusing act : antic
- something (as a preoccupation) that is paltry or trifling
- a literary or musical trifle or diversion
- trinket, bauble
- something for a child to play with
- something diminutive
- a diminutive animal (as of a small breed or variety)
- something that can be toyed with
- a headdress of linen or woolen hanging down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women of the lower classes
- to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose
- to engage in flirtation
- to amuse oneself as if with a toy : play
- they're just toy ing with him
- of diminutive size compared to a standard form or breed
- designed or made for use as a toy
toy Man·ches·ter terrier [-'man-,ches-tər-, -chə-stər-] -n
- any of a breed of toy dogs developed from the Manchester terrier that have erect ears of moderate size and weigh not more than 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) called also toy Manchester
toy·on ['tȯi-,än] -n
- a chiefly Californian ornamental evergreen shrub ( Heteromeles arbutifolia) of the rose family having white flowers succeeded by persistent usu. bright red berries
toy poodle -n
- a poodle developed from the standard poodle that is not more than 10 inches (25 centimeters) high at the withers and that is often considered to constitute a separate breed