em ['em] -n

  1. the letter m
  2. the width of a piece of type about as wide as it is tall used as a unit of measure of typeset matter

EM -abbr

  1. electromagnetic
  2. electron microscope; electron microscopy
  3. end matched
  4. engineer of mines
  5. enlisted man

ema·ci·ate [i-'mā-shē-,āt] -vb, n

  1. to waste away physically
  2. to cause to lose flesh so as to become very thin
    • cattle emaciated by illness
  3. to make feeble

email ['ē-,māl] -n, vb

  1. a means or system for transmitting messages electronically (as between computers on a network)
    • communicating by email
  2. messages sent and received electronically through an e-mail system
    • receives a lot of email
  3. an e-mail message
    • sent him an email

em·a·nate ['e-mə-,nāt] -vb

  1. to come out from a source
    • a sweet scent emanating from the blossoms
  2. emit
    • she seems to emanate an air of serenity

em·a·na·tion [,e-mə-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action of emanating
  2. the origination of the world by a series of hierarchically descending radiations from the Godhead through intermediate stages to matter
  3. something that emanates or is produced by emanation : effluence
  4. an isotope of radon produced by radioactive disintegration
    • radium emanation

eman·ci·pate [i-'man(t)-sə-,pāt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to free from restraint, control, or the power of another
  2. to free from bondage
  3. to release from paternal care and responsibility and make sui juris
  4. to free from any controlling influence (as traditional mores or beliefs)

eman·ci·pa·tion [i-,man(t)-sə-'pā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of emancipating

emar·gin·ate [(,)ē-'mär-jə-nət, -,nāt] -adj, n

  1. having the margin notched

emas·cu·late [i-'mas-kyə-,lāt] -vt, adj, n

  1. to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : weaken
  2. to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate
  3. to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination

em·balm [im-'bä(l)m, em-] -vt, n

  1. to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay
  2. to fill with sweet odors : perfume
  3. to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve
    • embalm a hero's memory
  4. to fix in a static condition

em·bank [im-'baŋk] -vt

  1. to enclose or confine by an embankment

em·bank·ment [-mənt] -n

  1. a raised structure (as of earth or gravel) used esp. to hold back water or to carry a roadway
  2. the action of embanking

em·bar·ca·de·ro [(,)em-,bär-kə-'der-(,)ō] -n

  1. a landing place esp. on an inland waterway

em·bar·go [im-'bär-(,)gō] -n

  1. an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships from its ports
  2. a legal prohibition on commerce
    • a trade embargo
  3. stoppage, impediment
  4. prohibition
    • I lay no embargo on anybody's words -- Jane Austen
  5. an order by a common carrier or public regulatory agency prohibiting or restricting freight transportation

embargo -vt

  1. to place an embargo on

em·bark [im-'bärk] -vb, n

  1. to go on board a vehicle for transportation
    • the troops embark ed at noon
  2. to make a start
    • embark ed on a new career
  3. to cause to go on board (as a boat or airplane)
  4. to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise

em·bar·rass [im-'ber-əs, -'ba-rəs] -vb, adj

  1. to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties
  2. to involve in financial difficulties
  3. to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress
    • bawdy stories embarrass ed him
  4. to hamper the movement of
  5. hinder, impede
  6. to make intricate : complicate
  7. to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part)
    • digestion embarrass ed by overeating
  8. to become anxiously self-conscious
    • he embarrass es easily

em·bar·rassed·ly [-əst-lē, -ə-səd-lē] -adv

  1. with embarrassment

em·bar·rass·ing·ly [-ə-siŋ-lē] -adv

  1. to an embarrassing degree : so as to cause embarrassment
    • an embarrassingly messy house

em·bar·rass·ment [im-'ber-ə-smənt, -'ba-rəs-] -n

  1. something that embarrasses
    • the scandal was a major embarrassment
  2. an excessive quantity from which to select used esp. in the phrase embarrassment of riches
  3. : the state of being embarrassed: as
  4. confusion or disturbance of mind
    • couldn't hide her embarrassment
  5. difficulty arising from the want of money to pay debts
  6. difficulty in functioning as a result of disease
    • cardiac embarrassment

em·bas·sage ['em-bə-sij] -n

  1. the message or commission entrusted to an ambassador
  2. embassy

em·bas·sy ['em-bə-sē] -n

  1. a body of diplomatic representatives
  2. one headed by an ambassador
  3. the function or position of an ambassador
  4. a mission abroad undertaken officially esp. by an ambassador
  5. embassage
  6. the official residence and offices of an ambassador

em·bat·tle [im-'ba-tᵊl] -vt

  1. to arrange in order of battle : prepare for battle
  2. fortify

embattled -adj

  1. ready to fight : prepared to give battle
    • here once the embattled farmers stood -- R. W. Emerson
  2. engaged in battle, conflict, or controversy
    • an embattled official accused of extortion
  3. being a site of battle, conflict, or controversy
    • the embattled capital
  4. characterized by conflict or controversy
    • an embattled presidency

em·bat·tle·ment [-'ba-tᵊl-mənt] -n

  1. battlement
  2. the state of being embattled

em·bay [im-'bā] -vt

  1. to trap or catch in or as if in a bay
    • an embay ed sailing ship

em·bay·ment [-'bā-mənt] -n

  1. formation of a bay
  2. a bay or a conformation resembling a bay

Emb·den ['em-dən] -n

  1. any of a breed of large white domestic geese with an orange bill and deep orange shanks and toes

em·bed [im-'bed] -vb, n

  1. to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix
    • fossils embedded in stone
  2. to make something an integral part of
    • the prejudices embedded in our language
  3. to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance
  4. to surround closely
    • a sweet pulp embed s the plum seed
  5. to become embedded

em·bed·ded [im-'be-dəd] -adj, n

  1. occurring as a grammatical constituent (as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent

em·bel·lish [im-'be-lish] -vt, n

  1. to make beautiful with ornamentation : decorate
    • a book embellish ed with illustrations
  2. to heighten the attractiveness of by adding decorative or fanciful details : enhance
    • embellish ed our account of the trip

em·bel·lish·ment [-lish-mənt] -n

  1. the act or process of embellishing
  2. something serving to embellish
  3. ornament

em·ber ['em-bər] -n

  1. a glowing fragment (as of coal) from a fire
  2. one smoldering in ashes
  3. the smoldering remains of a fire
  4. slowly dying or fading emotions, memories, ideas, or responses still capable of being revived
    • the ember s of his past

ember day ['em-bər-] -n

  1. a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday, September 14, or December 13 set apart for fasting and prayer in Western churches

em·bez·zle [im-'be-zəl, em-] -vt, n

  1. to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
    • embezzled thousands of dollars

em·bit·ter [im-'bi-tər] -vt, n

  1. to excite bitter feelings in
    • embitter ed by divorce
  2. to make bitter

em·blaze [im-'blāz] -vt

  1. to illuminate esp. by a blaze
  2. to set ablaze

emblaze -vt

  1. emblazon
  2. to adorn sumptuously
    • with gems and golden luster rich emblazed -- John Milton

em·bla·zon [im-'blā-zᵊn] -vt, n

  1. to inscribe or adorn with or as if with heraldic bearings or devices
  2. to inscribe (as heraldic bearings) on a surface
  3. celebrate, extol
    • have his...deeds emblazon ed by a poet -- Thomas Nash

em·bla·zon·ry [-zᵊn-rē] -n

  1. emblazoned figures : brilliant decoration
  2. the act or art of emblazoning

em·blem ['em-bləm] -n

  1. a picture with a motto or set of verses intended as a moral lesson
  2. an object or the figure of an object symbolizing and suggesting another object or an idea
  3. a symbolic object used as a heraldic device
  4. a device, symbol, or figure adopted and used as an identifying mark

emblem -vt

  1. emblematize

em·blem·at·ic [,em-blə-'ma-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting an emblem : symbolic, representative

em·blem·a·tize [em-'ble-mə-,tīz] -vt

  1. to represent by or as if by an emblem : symbolize

em·ble·ments ['em-blə-mən(t)s] -n pl

  1. crops from annual cultivation legally belonging to the tenant

em·bodi·ment [im-'bä-di-mənt] -n

  1. one that embodies something
    • the embodiment of all our hopes
  2. the act of embodying : the state of being embodied

em·body [im-'bä-dē] -vt, n

  1. to give a body to (a spirit) : incarnate
  2. to deprive of spirituality
  3. to make concrete and perceptible
  4. to cause to become a body or part of a body : incorporate
  5. to represent in human or animal form : personify
    • men who greatly embodied the idealism of American life -- A. M. Schlesinger b 1917

em·bold·en [im-'bōl-dən] -vt

  1. to instill with boldness or courage

em·bo·lec·to·my [,em-bə-'lek-tə-mē] -n

  1. surgical removal of an embolus

em·bol·ic [em-'bä-lik, im-] -adj

  1. of or relating to an embolus or embolism

em·bo·li·sa·tion [,em-bə-lə-'zā-shən] -n

(variant of embolization)

  1. the process or state in which a blood vessel or organ is obstructed by the lodgment of a material mass (as an embolus)

em·bo·lism ['em-bə-,li-zəm] -n, adj

  1. the insertion of one or more days in a calendar : intercalation
  2. the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus
  3. embolus

em·bo·li·za·tion [,em-bə-lə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. the process or state in which a blood vessel or organ is obstructed by the lodgment of a material mass (as an embolus)

em·bo·lus ['em-bə-ləs] -n

  1. an abnormal particle (as an air bubble) circulating in the blood

em·bon·point [äⁿ-bōⁿ-'pwaⁿ] -n

  1. plumpness of person : stoutness

em·bos·om [im-'bu̇-zəm also -'bü-] -vt

  1. to take into or place in the bosom
  2. to shelter closely : enclose
    • his house embosom ed in the grove -- Alexander Pope

em·boss [im-'bäs, -'bȯs] -vt

  1. to drive (as a hunted animal) to bay or to exhaustion

emboss [-'bä-sə-bəl, -'bȯ-] -vt, adj, n

  1. to raise the surface of into bosses
  2. to ornament with raised work
  3. to raise in relief from a surface
  4. adorn, embellish

em·bou·chure ['äm-bü-,shu̇r, ,äm-bü-'] -n

  1. the position and use of the lips, tongue, and teeth in playing a wind instrument
  2. the mouthpiece of a musical instrument

em·bour·geoise·ment [em-'bu̇rzh-,wäz-mənt, äm-; äⁿ-bu̇rzh-wäz-'mäⁿ] -n

  1. a shift to bourgeois values and practices

em·bowed [im-'bōd] -adj

  1. bent like a bow : arched

em·bow·el [im-'bau̇(-ə)l] -vt

  1. disembowel
  2. enclose

em·bow·er [im-'bau̇(-ə)r] -vt

  1. to shelter or enclose in or as if in a bower
    • like a rose embower ed in its own green leaves -- P. B. Shelley

em·brace [im-'brās] -vb, adj, n, adv

  1. to clasp in the arms : hug
  2. cherish, love
  3. encircle, enclose
  4. to take up esp. readily or gladly
    • embrace a cause
  5. to avail oneself of : welcome
    • embraced the opportunity to study further
  6. to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole
    • charity embrace s all acts that contribute to human welfare
  7. to be equal or equivalent to
    • his assets embraced 10
  8. to participate in an embrace

embrace -n

  1. a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the chest esp. as a sign of affection : hug
  2. grip, encirclement
    • in the embrace of terror
  3. acceptance
    • her embrace of new ideas

em·bra·ceor [im-'brā-sər] -n

  1. one guilty of embracery

em·brac·ery [im-'brā-sə-rē] -n

  1. an attempt to influence a jury corruptly

em·brac·ive [-'brā-siv] -adj

  1. disposed to embrace
  2. inclusive, comprehensive

em·bran·gle [im-'braŋ-gəl] -vt, n

  1. embroil

em·bra·sure [im-'brā-zhər] -n

  1. an opening with sides flaring outward in a wall or parapet of a fortification usu. for allowing the firing of cannon
  2. a recess of a door or window

em·brit·tle [im-'bri-tᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to make brittle
  2. to become brittle

em·bro·ca·tion [,em-brə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. liniment

em·broi·der [im-'brȯi-dər] -vb, n

  1. to ornament with needlework
  2. to form with needlework
  3. to elaborate on : embellish
    • embroider a story
  4. to make embroidery
  5. to provide embellishments : elaborate

em·broi·dery [im-'brȯi-d(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the art or process of forming decorative designs with hand or machine needlework
  2. a design or decoration formed by or as if by embroidery
  3. an object decorated with embroidery
  4. elaboration by use of decorative and often fictitious detail
  5. something pleasing or desirable but unimportant
    • considered the humanities mere educational embroidery

em·broil [im-'brȯi(-ə)l] -vt, n

  1. to throw into disorder or confusion
  2. to involve in conflict or difficulties
    • a program embroil ed in controversy

em·brown [im-'brau̇n] -vt

  1. darken
  2. to cause to turn brown

embrue [im-'brü] -vt

(variant of imbrue)

  1. stain

embry- -comb form

  1. embryo
    • embryo geny

em·bryo ['em-brē-,ō] -n

  1. a vertebrate at any stage of development prior to birth or hatching
  2. an animal in the early stages of growth and differentiation that are characterized by cleavage, the laying down of fundamental tissues, and the formation of primitive organs and organ systems
  3. the developing human individual from the time of implantation to the end of the eighth week after conception
  4. the young sporophyte of a seed plant usu. comprising a rudimentary plant with plumule, radicle, and cotyledons
  5. something as yet undeveloped
  6. a beginning or undeveloped state of something
    • productions seen in embryo during their out-of-town tryout period -- Henry Hewes

em·bryo·gen·e·sis [,em-brē-ō-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj

  1. the formation and development of the embryo

em·bry·og·e·ny [,em-brē-'ä-jə-nē] -n, adj

  1. embryogenesis

em·bry·oid ['em-brē-,ȯid] -n, adj

  1. a mass of plant or animal tissue that resembles an embryo

em·bry·ol·o·gy [,em-brē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a branch of biology dealing with embryos and their development
  2. the features and phenomena exhibited in the formation and development of an embryo

embryon- -comb form

  1. embryo
    • embryon ic

em·bry·o·nal [em-'brī-ə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. embryonic

em·bry·o·nat·ed ['em-brē-ə-,nā-təd] -adj

  1. having an embryo

em·bry·on·ic [,em-brē-'ä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to an embryo
  2. being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary
    • an embryonic plan

embryonic disk -n

  1. blastodisc
  2. blastoderm
  3. the part of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst from which the embryo of a placental mammal develops called also embryonic shield

embryonic membrane -n

  1. a structure (as the amnion) that derives from the fertilized ovum but does not form a part of the embryo

em·bryo·phyte ['em-brē-ə-,fīt] -n

  1. any of a subkingdom (Embryophyta) of plants in which the embryo is retained within maternal tissue and which include the bryophytes and tracheophytes

embryo sac -n

  1. the female gametophyte of a seed plant consisting of a thin-walled sac within the nucellus that contains the egg nucleus and other nuclei which give rise to endosperm on fertilization

embryo transfer -n

  1. a procedure used esp. in animal breeding in which an embryo from a superovulated female is removed and reimplanted in the uterus of another female called also embryo transplant

em·cee [,em-'sē] -n

  1. master of ceremonies

emcee -vb

  1. to act as master of ceremonies of
    • emcee an awards dinner
  2. to act as master of ceremonies

emend [ē-'mend] -vt, adj, n

  1. to correct usu. by textual alterations
    • emend ed the manuscript

emen·da·tion [,ē-,men-'dā-shən; ,e-mən-, e-,men-] -n

  1. the act or practice of emending
  2. an alteration designed to correct or improve

emer -abbr

  1. emeritus

em·er·ald ['em-rəld, 'e-mə-] -n

  1. a rich green variety of beryl prized as a gemstone
  2. any of various green gemstones (as synthetic corundum or demantoid)

emerald -adj

  1. brightly or richly green

emerald cut -n

  1. a rectangular cut for a gem having a series of parallel facets on each side and at each corner

emerald green -n

  1. a clear bright green resembling that of the emerald
  2. any of various strong greens

emerge [i-'mərj] -vi

  1. to become manifest : become known
    • new problems emerged
  2. to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid : come out into view
    • a diver emerging from the water
  3. to rise from an obscure or inferior position or condition
    • someone must emerge as a leader
  4. to come into being through evolution

emer·gence [i-'mər-jən(t)s] -n

  1. the act or an instance of emerging
  2. any of various superficial outgrowths of plant tissue usu. formed from both epidermis and immediately underlying tissues
  3. penetration of the soil surface by a newly germinated plant

emer·gen·cy [i-'mər-jənt-sē] -n

  1. an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
  2. an urgent need for assistance or relief
    • the governor declared a state of emergency after the flood

emergency brake -n

  1. a brake (as on an automobile) that can be used for stopping in the event of failure of the main brakes and to keep the vehicle from rolling when parked

emergency medical technician -n

  1. emt

emergency medicine -n

  1. a medical specialty concerned with the care and treatment of acutely ill or injured patients who need immediate medical attention

emergency room -n

  1. a hospital room or area staffed and equipped for the reception and treatment of persons requiring immediate medical care

emer·gent [i-'mər-jənt] -adj

  1. arising unexpectedly
  2. calling for prompt action : urgent
    • emergent danger
  3. rising out of or as if out of a fluid
    • emergent coastal islands
  4. rooted in shallow water and having most of its vegetative growth above water
    • an emergent plant
  5. arising as a natural or logical consequence
  6. newly formed or prominent
    • emergent nations

emergent -n

  1. something emergent
  2. a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
  3. an emergent plant

emergent evolution -n

  1. evolution that according to some theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities at complex levels of organization (as the cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from the study of less complex levels (as the atom or molecule)

emerging -adj

  1. emergent
    • emerging nations
    • an emerging artist

emer·i·ta [i-'mer-ə-tə] -adj

  1. emeritus used of a woman
    • Professor Emerita Mary Smith

emer·i·tus [i-'mer-ə-təs] -n

  1. one retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held

emeritus -adj

  1. holding after retirement an honorary title corresponding to that held last during active service
  2. retired from an office or position
    • professor emeritus
    converted to emeriti after a plural
    • professors emeriti

emersed [(,)ē-'mərst] -adj

  1. standing out of or rising above a surface (as of a fluid)
    • emersed aquatic weeds

emer·sion [(,)ē-'mər-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. an act of emerging : emergence

em·ery ['em-rē, 'e-mə-] -n

  1. a dark granular mineral that consists of corundum with iron oxide impurities (as magnetite) and is used as an abrasive
  2. a hard abrasive powder

emery board -n

  1. a cardboard nail file covered with emery

eme·sis ['e-mə-səs, i-'mē-] -n

  1. an act or instance of vomiting

emet·ic [i-'me-tik] -n, adj, adv

  1. an agent that induces vomiting

em·e·tine ['e-mə-,tēn] -n

  1. an emetic alkaloid C 29H 40N 2O 4extracted from ipecac root and used esp. to treat amebiasis

emeute [ā-'mœt] -n

  1. uprising

emf [,ē-(,)em-'ef] -n

  1. potential difference

EMF -abbr

  1. electromagnetic field

EMG -abbr

  1. electromyogram; electromyograph; electromyography

emic ['ē-mik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving analysis of cultural phenomena from the perspective of one who participates in the culture being studied

em·i·grant ['e-mi-grənt] -n

  1. one who emigrates
  2. a migrant plant or animal

emigrant -adj

  1. departing or having departed from a country to settle elsewhere

em·i·grate ['e-mə-,grāt] -vi, n

  1. to leave one's place of residence or country to live elsewhere
    • emigrated from Canada to the United States

emi·gre ['e-mi-,grā, ,e-mi-'] -n

  1. emigrant
  2. a person who emigrates for political reasons

em·i·nence ['e-mə-nən(t)s] -n

  1. a position of prominence or superiority
  2. : one that is eminent, prominent, or lofty: as
  3. an anatomical protuberance (as on a bone)
  4. a person of high rank or attainments often used as a title for a cardinal
  5. a natural elevation

emi·nence grise [ā-mē-näⁿs-'grēz] -n

  1. a confidential agent
  2. one exercising unsuspected or unofficial power
  3. a respected authority
  4. elder statesman
    • the eminence grise of classical music

em·i·nen·cy ['e-mə-nən(t)-sē] -n

  1. eminence

em·i·nent ['e-mə-nənt] -adj

  1. standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted : conspicuous
  2. jutting out : projecting
  3. exhibiting eminence esp. in standing above others in some quality or position : prominent

eminent domain -n

  1. a right of a government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction

em·i·nent·ly [-lē] -adv

  1. to a high degree : very
    • eminently worthy
    • an eminently sensible plan

emir [ə-'mir, ā-] -n

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

emir·ate ['e-mə-rət, -,rāt] -n

  1. the state or jurisdiction of an emir

em·is·sary ['e-mə-,ser-ē, -,se-rē] -n

  1. one designated as the agent of another : representative
  2. a secret agent

emis·sion [ē-'mi-shən] -n, adj

  1. an act or instance of emitting : emanation
  2. publication
  3. a putting into circulation
  4. : something sent forth by emitting: as
  5. electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body
  6. substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine)
  7. effluvium

emis·siv·i·ty [,e-mə-'si-və-tē, ,ē-,mi-'siv-] -n

  1. the relative power of a surface to emit heat by radiation : the ratio of the radiant energy emitted by a surface to that emitted by a blackbody at the same temperature

emit [ē-'mit] -vt, n

  1. to throw or give off or out (as light or heat)
  2. to send out : eject
  3. to issue with authority
  4. to put (as money) into circulation
  5. publish
  6. to give utterance or voice to
    • emitted a groan

emit·tance [ē-'mi-tᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. the energy radiated by the surface of a body per second per unit area
  2. emissivity

em·men·a·gogue [ə-'me-nə-,gäg, e-] -n

  1. an agent that promotes the menstrual discharge

Em·men·ta·ler ['e-mən-,tä-lər] -n

  1. swiss cheese

em·mer ['e-mər] -n

  1. an ancient tetraploid wheat ( Triticum dicoccum) that has spikelets with two hard red kernels which remain in the glumes after threshing and that has been cultivated esp. in southwest Asia, northeast Africa, and Europe

em·met ['e-mət] -n

  1. ant

Em·my ['e-mē] -n

  1. a statuette awarded annually by a professional organization for notable achievement in television

emo ['ē-(,)mō] -n

  1. a style of rock music influenced by punk rock and featuring introspective and emotionally fraught lyrics

em·o·din ['e-mə-dən] -n

  1. an orange crystalline phenolic compound C 15H 10O 5that is obtained from plants (as rhubarb and cascara buckthorn) and is used as a laxative

emol·lient [i-'mäl-yənt] -adj

  1. making soft or supple
  2. soothing esp. to the skin or mucous membrane
    • an emollient hand lotion
  3. making less intense or harsh : mollifying
    • soothe us in our agonies with emollient words -- H. L. Mencken

emollient -n

  1. something that softens or soothes

emol·u·ment [i-'mäl-yə-mənt] -n

  1. the returns arising from office or employment usu. in the form of compensation or perquisites
  2. advantage

emote [i-'mōt] -vi, n

  1. to give expression to emotion esp. in acting

emo·ti·con [i-'mō-ti-,kän] -n

  1. a group of keyboard characters (as :-)) that typically represents a facial expression or suggests an attitude or emotion and that is used esp. in computerized communications (as e-mail)

emo·tion [i-'mō-shən] -n

  1. disturbance
  2. excitement
  3. the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling
  4. a state of feeling
  5. a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usu. directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body

emo·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to emotion
    • an emotional disorder
  2. dominated by or prone to emotion
    • an emotional person
  3. appealing to or arousing emotion
    • an emotional sermon
  4. markedly aroused or agitated in feeling or sensibilities
    • gets emotional at weddings

emo·tion·al·ism [i-'mō-shnə-,li-zəm, -shə-nə-,liz-] -n

  1. a tendency to regard things emotionally
  2. undue indulgence in or display of emotion

emo·tion·al·ist [-shnə-list, -shə-nə-list] -n, adj

  1. one who bases a theory or policy on an emotional conviction
  2. one prone to emotionalism

emo·tion·al·ize [i-'mō-shnə-,līz, -shə-nə-,līz] -vt

  1. to give an emotional quality to

emo·tion·less [i-'mō-shən-ləs] -adj, n, adv

  1. showing, having, or expressing no emotion
    • an emotionless stare

emo·tive [i-'mō-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to the emotions
  2. appealing to or expressing emotion
    • the emotive use of language

emp -abbr

  1. emperor; empress

EMP -abbr

  1. electromagnetic pulse

em·pa·na·da [,em-pə-'nä-də] -n

  1. a turnover with a sweet or savory filling

empanel [im-'pa-nᵊl] -vt

(variant of impanel)

  1. to enroll in or on a panel
    • impanel a jury

em·pa·thet·ic [,em-pə-'the-tik] -adj, adv

  1. involving, characterized by, or based on empathy

em·path·ic [em-'pa-thik, im-] -adj, adv

  1. empathetic

em·pa·thise ['em-pə-,thīz] -vi, n

(variant of empathize)

  1. to experience empathy
    • empathized with his son's fears

em·pa·thize ['em-pə-,thīz] -vi, n

  1. to experience empathy
    • empathized with his son's fears

em·pa·thy ['em-pə-thē] -n

  1. the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it
  2. the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner
  3. the capacity for this

em·pen·nage [,äm-pə-'näzh, ,em-] -n

  1. the tail assembly of an airplane

em·per·or ['em-pər-ər, -prər] -n

  1. the sovereign or supreme male monarch of an empire

emperor penguin -n

  1. a penguin ( Aptenodytes forsteri) that is the largest known and that is noted for the male's habit of incubating the egg between the feet and a fold of abdominal skin resembling a pouch called also emperor

em·pery ['em-p(ə-)rē] -n

  1. wide dominion : empire

em·pha·sis ['em(p)-fə-səs] -n

  1. force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something
  2. a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables
  3. special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

em·pha·sise ['em(p)-fə-,sīz] -vt

(variant of emphasize)

  1. to place emphasis on : stress
    • emphasized the need for reform

em·pha·size ['em(p)-fə-,sīz] -vt

  1. to place emphasis on : stress
    • emphasized the need for reform

em·phat·ic [im-'fa-tik, em-] -adj, adv

  1. uttered with or marked by emphasis
    • an emphatic refusal
  2. tending to express oneself in forceful speech or to take decisive action
  3. attracting special attention
  4. constituting or belonging to a set of tense forms in English consisting of the auxiliary dofollowed by an infinitive without tothat are used to facilitate rhetorical inversion or to emphasize something

em·phy·se·ma [,em(p)-fə-'zē-mə, -'sē-] -n, adj

  1. a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues
  2. a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized esp. by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action

em·pire ['em-,pī(-ə)r] -n

  1. a major political unit having a territory of great extent or a number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority
  2. one having an emperor as chief of state
  3. the territory of such a political unit
  4. something resembling a political empire
  5. an extensive territory or enterprise under single domination or control
  6. imperial sovereignty, rule, or dominion
  7. a juicy apple with dark red skin that is a cross between a McIntosh apple and a Red Delicious apple

Em·pire ['äm-,pir, 'em-,pī(-ə)r] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing or furniture) popular in early 19th century France

Em·pire Day ['em-,pī(-ə)r-] -n

  1. commonwealth day used before the official adoption of Commonwealth Day in 1958

em·pir·ic [im-'pir-ik, em-] -n

  1. charlatan
  2. one who relies on practical experience

em·pir·i·cal [-i-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. originating in or based on observation or experience
    • empirical data
  2. relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory
    • an empirical basis for the theory
  3. capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment
    • empirical laws
  4. of or relating to empiricism

empirical formula -n

  1. a chemical formula showing the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms in the molecule
    • CH 2 O is the empirical formula for glucose

em·pir·i·cism [im-'pir-ə-,si-zəm, em-] -n

  1. a former school of medical practice founded on experience without the aid of science or theory
  2. quackery, charlatanry
  3. the practice of relying on observation and experiment esp. in the natural sciences
  4. a tenet arrived at empirically
  5. a theory that all knowledge originates in experience

em·place [im-'plās] -vt

  1. to put into position
    • missiles emplaced around the city

em·place·ment [-'plā-smənt] -n

  1. the situation or location of something
  2. a prepared position for weapons or military equipment
    • radar emplacement s
  3. a putting into position : placement

emplane [in-'plān, en-] -vi

(variant of enplane)

  1. to board an airplane

em·ploy [im-'plȯi, em-] -vt, n

  1. to make use of (someone or something inactive)
    • employ a pen for sketching
  2. to use (as time) advantageously
    • a job that employ ed her skills
  3. to use or engage the services of
  4. to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
  5. to devote to or direct toward a particular activity or person
    • employ ed all her energies to help the poor
  6. use, purpose
  7. occupation, job
  8. the state of being employed
    • in the city's employ

em·ploy·able [im-'plȯi-ə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being employed

employable -n

  1. one who is employable

em·ploy·ee [im-,plȯ(i)-'ē, (,)em-; im-'plȯ(i)-,ē, em-] -n

  1. one employed by another usu. for wages or salary and in a position below the executive level

em·ploy·ment [im-'plȯi-mənt] -n

  1. use, purpose
  2. activity in which one engages or is employed
    • seeking gainful employment
  3. an instance of such activity
  4. the act of employing : the state of being employed
    • employment of a pen in sketching

employment agency -n

  1. an agency whose business is to find jobs for people seeking them or to find people to fill jobs that are open

em·poi·son [im-'pȯi-zᵊn] -vt, n

  1. poison
  2. embitter
    • a look of empoison ed acceptance -- Saul Bellow

em·po·ri·um [im-'pȯr-ē-əm, em-] -n

  1. a place of trade
  2. a commercial center
  3. a retail outlet
    • a hardware emporium
    • a pizza emporium
  4. a store carrying many different kinds of merchandise

em·pow·er [im-'pau̇(-ə)r] -vt, n

  1. to give official authority or legal power to
    • empower ed her attorney to act on her behalf
  2. enable
  3. to promote the self-actualization or influence of
    • women's movement has been inspiring and empower ing women -- Ron Hansen

em·press ['em-prəs] -n

  1. the wife or widow of an emperor
  2. a woman who is the sovereign or supreme monarch of an empire

em·presse·ment [äⁿ-pres-'mäⁿ] -n

  1. demonstrative warmth or cordiality

em·prise [em-'prīz] -n

  1. an adventurous, daring, or chivalric enterprise

emp·ty ['em(p)-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. containing nothing
    • empty shelves
  2. not occupied or inhabited
    • an empty building
  3. unfrequented
  4. not pregnant
    • empty heifer
  5. null
    • the empty set
  6. lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value : hollow
    • an empty pleasure
  7. destitute of effect or force
    • an empty threat
  8. devoid of sense : foolish
  9. hungry
  10. idle
    • empty hours
  11. having no purpose or result : useless
  12. marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort
    • an empty silence

empty -vb

  1. to make empty : remove the contents of
    • empty a purse
  2. deprive, divest
    • a phrase emptied of all meaning
  3. to discharge (itself) of contents
  4. to fire (a repeating firearm) until empty
  5. to remove from what holds or encloses
  6. to become empty
    • the theater emptied quickly
  7. to discharge contents
    • the river empties into the ocean
  8. something (as a bottle or can) that is empty

empty calories -n pl

  1. calories from food that supplies energy but is not nutritionally balanced

emp·tyhand·ed [,em(p)-tē-'han-dəd] -adj

  1. having or bringing nothing
  2. having acquired or gained nothing
    • came back emptyhanded

emp·tyhead·ed [-'he-dəd] -adj

  1. vacuous

empty nest·er [-'nes-tər] -n

  1. a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home

emp·tynest syndrome [,em(p)-tē-'nest-] -n

  1. an emotional letdown often experienced by an empty nester

empty suit -n

  1. an ineffectual executive

em·pur·ple [im-'pər-pəl] -vb

  1. to tinge or color purple
  2. to become purple

em·py·ema [,em-,pī-'ē-mə] -n, adj

  1. the presence of pus in a bodily cavity

em·py·re·al [,em-,pī-'rē-əl, -pə-; em-'pir-ē-əl, -'pī-rē-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the empyrean : celestial
  2. sublime

em·py·re·an [-ən] -adj

  1. empyreal

empyrean -n

  1. the highest heaven or heavenly sphere in ancient and medieval cosmology usu. consisting of fire or light
  2. the true and ultimate heavenly paradise
  3. firmament, heavens
  4. an ideal place or state

EMS -abbr

  1. emergency medical service; emergency medical services

EMT [,ē-(,)em-'tē] -n

  1. a specially trained medical technician certified to provide basic emergency services (as cardiopulmonary resuscitation) before and during transportation to a hospital

emu ['ē-(,)myü, -mü] -n

  1. a swift-running Australian ratite bird ( Dromaius novae-hollandiae) with undeveloped wings that is smaller than the ostrich
  2. electromagnetic unit

em·u·late ['em-yə-,lāt, -yü-] -vt

  1. to strive to equal or excel
  2. imitate
  3. to imitate by means of an emulator
  4. to equal or approach equality with
  5. emulous
    • pricked on by a most emulate pride -- Shak.

em·u·la·tion [,em-yə-'lā-shən, -yü-] -n, adj, adv

  1. ambitious or envious rivalry
  2. ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)
  3. imitation
  4. the use of or technique of using an emulator

em·u·la·tor ['em-yə-,lā-tər] -n

  1. one that emulates
  2. hardware or software that permits programs written for one computer to be run on another computer

em·u·lous ['em-yə-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. inspired by or deriving from a desire to emulate
  2. ambitious or eager to emulate
  3. jealous

emul·si·fi·er [i-'məl-sə-,fī(-ə)r] -n

  1. one that emulsifies
  2. a surface-active agent (as a soap) promoting the formation and stabilization of an emulsion

emul·si·fy [-,fī] -vt, adj, n

  1. to disperse (as an oil) in an emulsion
  2. to convert (two or more immiscible liquids) into an emulsion

emul·sion [i-'məl-shən] -n

  1. a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usu. in droplets of larger than colloidal size
  2. the state of such a system
  3. suspension
  4. a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper