Th -abbr

  1. Thursday
  2. thorium
  3. used in forming ordinal numbers
    • hundred th
    • forti eth
  4. act or process
    • spil th
  5. state or condition
    • dear th
  6. used with the figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0 and related Roman numerals to indicate an ordinal number
    • 25 th
    • 50 th wedding anniversary
    • XXV th Olympiad

Thai ['tī] -n

  1. tai
  2. a native or inhabitant of Thailand
  3. one who is descended from a Thai
  4. the official language of Thailand
  5. of or relating to Thailand, its people, or their language or culture

thal·a·mus ['tha-lə-məs] -n, adj

  1. the largest subdivision of the diencephalon that consists chiefly of an ovoid mass of nuclei in each lateral wall of the third ventricle and serves chiefly to relay impulses and esp. sensory impulses to and from the cerebral cortex

thal·as·sae·mia [,tha-lə-'sē-mē-ə] -n, adj or n

(variant of thalassemia)

  1. any of a group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis affecting the globin chain that are characterized usu. by mild to severe hemolytic anemia, are caused by a series of allelic genes, and tend to occur esp. in individuals of Mediterranean, black, or southeast Asian ancestry
  2. cooley's anemia

thal·as·se·mia [,tha-lə-'sē-mē-ə] -n, adj or n

  1. any of a group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis affecting the globin chain that are characterized usu. by mild to severe hemolytic anemia, are caused by a series of allelic genes, and tend to occur esp. in individuals of Mediterranean, black, or southeast Asian ancestry
  2. cooley's anemia

thalassemia major -n

  1. cooley's anemia

thalassemia minor -n

  1. a mild form of thalassemia associated with the heterozygous condition for the gene involved

tha·las·sic [thə-'la-sik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or situated or developed about inland seas

thal·as·soc·ra·cy [,tha-lə-'sä-krə-sē] -n

  1. maritime supremacy

tha·las·so·crat [thə-'la-sə-,krat] -n

  1. one who has maritime supremacy

tha·las·so·ther·a·py [thə-,la-sō-'the-rə-pē] -n

  1. exposure to seawater (as in a hot tub) or application of sea products (as seaweed) to the body for health or beauty benefits

thaler ['tä-lər] -n

(variant of taler)

  1. any of numerous silver coins issued by various German states from the 15th to the 19th centuries

Tha·lia [thə-'lī-ə] -n

  1. the Greek Muse of comedy
  2. one of the three Graces

tha·lid·o·mide [thə-'li-də-,mīd, -məd] -n

  1. a drug C 13H 10N 2O 4that was formerly used as a sedative and is now used as an immunomodulatory agent esp. in the treatment of leprosy and that is known to cause malformations of infants born to mothers using it during pregnancy

thal·li·um ['tha-lē-əm] -n

  1. a soft poisonous metallic element that resembles lead in physical properties, occurs sparsely in a number of common ores, and is used chiefly in the form of compounds esp. in photosensitive devices and formerly as a pesticide

thal·loid ['tha-,lȯid] -adj

  1. of, relating to, resembling, or consisting of a thallus
    • thalloid liverworts

thal·lo·phyte ['tha-lə-,fīt] -n, adj

  1. any of a group of plants or plantlike organisms (as algae and fungi) that lack differentiated stems, leaves, and roots and that were formerly classified as a primary division (Thallophyta) of the plant kingdom

thal·lus ['tha-ləs] -n

  1. a plant body that lacks differentiation into distinct members (as stem, leaves, and roots), does not grow from an apical point, and is characteristic of organisms formerly classified as thallophytes

than [thən, 'than] -conj

  1. used as a function word to indicate the second member or the member taken as the point of departure in a comparison expressive of inequality used with comparative adjectives and comparative adverbs
    • older than I am
    • easier said than done
  2. used as a function word to indicate difference of kind, manner, or identity used esp. with some adjectives and adverbs that express diversity
    • anywhere else than at home
  3. rather than usu. used only after prefer, preferable, and preferably
  4. other than
  5. when used esp. after scarcely and hardly
  6. in comparison with
    • you are older than me

than·a·tol·o·gy [,tha-nə-'tä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the description or study of the phenomena of death and of psychological mechanisms for coping with them

Than·a·tos ['tha-nə-,täs] -n

  1. death instinct

thane ['thān] -n

  1. a free retainer of an Anglo-Saxon lord
  2. one resembling a feudal baron by holding lands of and performing military service for the king
  3. a Scottish feudal lord

thank ['thaŋk] -vt, n

  1. to express gratitude to
    • thank ed her for the present
    used in the phrase thank you usu. without a subject to politely express gratitude
    • thank you for your consideration
    or sometimes to emphasize a preceding statement esp. by implying that it is not subject to question
    • likes her job just fine, thank you
    used in such phrases as thank God, thank goodness usu. without a subject to express gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's pleasure or satisfaction in something
  2. to hold responsible
    • had only himself to thank for his loss

thank·ful ['thaŋk-fəl] -adj, n

  1. conscious of benefit received
    • for what we are about to receive make us truly thankful
  2. expressive of thanks
    • thankful service
  3. well pleased : glad
    • was thankful that it didn't rain

thank·ful·ly [-f(ə-)lē] -adv

  1. in a thankful manner
    • spoke thankfully
  2. as makes one thankful
    • graceless stadiums...thankfully going out of fashion -- R. G. Echevarria
    • thankfully, those opinions are advanced with graceful prose -- Ken Auletta

thank·less ['thaŋk-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. not likely to obtain thanks : unappreciated
    • a thankless task
  2. not expressing or feeling gratitude : ungrateful
    • how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child -- Shak.

thanks ['thaŋ(k)s] -n pl

  1. kindly or grateful thoughts : gratitude
  2. an expression of gratitude
    • return thanks before the meal
    often used in an utterance containing no verb and serving as a courteous and somewhat informal expression of gratitude
    • many thanks

thanks·giv·ing [thaŋ(k)s-'gi-viŋ also 'thaŋ(k)s-,] -n

  1. the act of giving thanks
  2. a prayer expressing gratitude
  3. a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness
  4. thanksgiving day

Thanksgiving Day -n

  1. : a day appointed for giving thanks for divine goodness: as
  2. the fourth Thursday in November observed as a legal holiday in the U.S.
  3. the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in Canada

thanks to -prep

  1. with the help of : because of
    • arrived early, thanks to good weather

thank·wor·thy ['thaŋk-,wər-thē] -adj

  1. worthy of thanks or gratitude : meritorious

thankyou ['thaŋk-,yü] -n

  1. a polite expression of one's gratitude

thankyouma'am ['thaŋk-yu̇-,mam, -(y)ē-] -n

  1. a bump or depression in a road
  2. a ridge or hollow made across a road on a hillside to cause water to run off

that ['that, thət] -pron

  1. the person, thing, or idea indicated, mentioned, or understood from the situation
    • that is my father
  2. the time, action, or event specified
    • after that I went to bed
  3. the kind or thing specified as follows
    • the purest water is that produced by distillation
  4. one or a group of the indicated kind
    • that' s a cat - quick and agile
  5. the one farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion
    • those are maples and these are elms
  6. the former one
  7. used as a function word after and to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous word or phrase
    • he was helpful, and that to an unusual degree
  8. used as a function word immediately before or after a word group consisting of a verbal auxiliary or a form of the verb be preceded by there or a personal pronoun subject to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous verb or predicate noun or predicate adjective
    • is she capable? She is that
  9. the one : the thing : the kind : something, anything
    • the truth of that which is true
    • the senses are that whereby we experience the world
    • what's that you say
  10. some persons
    • those who think the time has come
  11. used as a function word to introduce a noun clause that is usu. the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative
    • said that he was afraid
  12. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is anticipated by the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb
    • it is unlikely that he'll be in
  13. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined as complement to a noun or adjective
    • we are certain that this is true
    • the fact that you are here
  14. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression
    • will go anywhere that he is invited
  15. used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a strong emotion esp. of surprise, sorrow, or indignation
    • that it should come to this
  16. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing purpose or desired result
    • cutting down expenses that her son might inherit an unencumbered estate -- W. B. Yeats
  17. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause
    • rejoice that you are lightened of a load -- Robert Browning
  18. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing consequence, result, or effect
    • are of sufficient importance that they cannot be neglected -- Hannah Wormington
  19. used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a wish
    • oh, that he would come
  20. used as a function word after a subordinating conjunction without modifying its meaning
    • if that thy bent of love be honorable -- Shak.
  21. being the person, thing, or idea specified, mentioned, or understood
  22. being the one specified usu. used for emphasis
    • that rarity among leaders
    • that brother of yours
  23. so great a : such
  24. the farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion
    • this chair or that one
  25. used as a function word to introduce a restrictive relative clause and to serve as a substitute within that clause for the substantive modified by the clause
    • the house that Jack built
    • I'll make a ghost of him that lets me -- Shak.
  26. at which : in which : on which : by which : with which : to which
    • each year that the lectures are given
  27. according to what : to the extent of what used after a negative
    • has never been here that I know of
  28. that which
  29. the person who
  30. to such an extent
    • a nail about that long
  31. very, extremely usu. used with the negative
    • did not take the festival that seriously -- Eric Goldman

that·away ['tha-də-,wā] -adv

  1. in that direction

thatch ['thach] -vt, n

  1. to cover with or as if with thatch
  2. a plant material (as straw) used as a sheltering cover esp. of a house
  3. a sheltering cover (as a house roof) made of such material
  4. a mat of undecomposed plant material (as grass clippings) accumulated next to the soil in a grassy area (as a lawn)
  5. something likened to the thatch of a house
  6. the hair of one's head

thau·ma·turge ['thȯ-mə-,tərj] -n

  1. thaumaturgist

thau·ma·tur·gic [,thȯ-mə-'tər-jik] -adj

  1. performing miracles
  2. of, relating to, or dependent on thaumaturgy

thau·ma·tur·gist ['thȯ-mə-,tər-jist] -n

  1. a performer of miracles
  2. magician

thau·ma·tur·gy ['thȯ-mə-,tər-jē] -n

  1. the performance of miracles
  2. magic

thaw ['thȯ] -vb

  1. to cause to thaw
  2. to go from a frozen to a liquid state : melt
  3. to become free of the effect (as stiffness, numbness, or hardness) of cold as a result of exposure to warmth
  4. to be warm enough to melt ice and snow used with it in reference to the weather
  5. to abandon aloofness, reserve, or hostility : unbend
  6. to become mobile, active, or susceptible to change
  7. the action, fact, or process of thawing
  8. a period of weather warm enough to thaw ice
    • the January thaw
  9. the action or process of becoming less aloof, less hostile, or more genial
    • a thaw in international relations

THC [,tē-(,)āch-'sē] -n

  1. either of two physiologically active isomers C 21H 30O 2from hemp plant resin
  2. one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana

ThD -abbr

  1. doctor of theology

the [before consonants usu thə, before vowels usu thē, sometime before vowels also thə; for emphasis before titles and names or to suggest uniqueness often 'thē] -definite article

  1. used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance
    • put the cat out
  2. used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is a unique or a particular member of its class
    • the President
    • the Lord
  3. used as a function word before nouns that designate natural phenomena or points of the compass
    • the night is cold
  4. used as a function word before a noun denoting time to indicate reference to what is present or immediate or is under consideration
    • in the future
  5. used as a function word before names of some parts of the body or of the clothing as an equivalent of a possessive adjective
    • how's the arm today
  6. used as a function word before the name of a branch of human endeavor or proficiency
    • the law
  7. used as a function word in prepositional phrases to indicate that the noun in the phrase serves as a basis for computation
    • sold by the dozen
  8. used as a function word before a proper name (as of a ship or a well-known building)
    • the Mayflower
  9. used as a function word before a proper name to indicate the distinctive characteristics of a person or thing
    • the John Doe that we know wouldn't lie
  10. used as a function word before the plural form of a surname to indicate all the members of a family
    • the Johnsons
  11. used as a function word before the plural form of a numeral that is a multiple of ten to denote a particular decade of a century or of a person's life
    • life in the twenties
  12. used as a function word before the name of a commodity or any familiar appurtenance of daily life to indicate reference to the individual thing, part, or supply thought of as at hand
    • talked on the telephone
  13. used as a function word to designate one of a class as the best, most typical, best known, or most worth singling out
    • this is the life
    • the pill
    sometimes used before a personal name to denote the most prominent bearer of that name
  14. used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun
    • the right answer
    • Peter the Great
  15. used as a function word before an absolute adjective or an ordinal number
    • nothing but the best
    • due on the first
  16. used as a function word before a noun to limit its application to that specified by a succeeding element in the sentence
    • the poet Wordsworth
    • the days of our youth
    • didn't have the time to write
  17. used as a function word after a person's name to indicate a characteristic trait or notorious activity specified by the succeeding noun
    • Jack the Ripper
  18. used as a function word before a singular noun to indicate that the noun is to be understood generically
    • the dog is a domestic animal
  19. used as a function word before a singular substantivized adjective to indicate an abstract idea
    • an essay on the sublime
  20. used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole
    • the elite
  21. than before : than otherwise used before a comparative
    • none the wiser for attending
  22. to what extent
    • the sooner the better
  23. to that extent
    • the sooner the better
  24. beyond all others
    • likes this the best
  25. per
    • a dollar the dozen

the- -comb form

  1. god : God
    • the ism
    • theo centric

the·ater ['thē-ə-tər, 'thēə-, oftenest in Southern 'thē-,ā- also thē-'ā-] -n

  1. an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome
  2. a building or area for dramatic performances
  3. a building or area for showing motion pictures
  4. a place or sphere of enactment of usu. significant events or action
    • the theater of public life
  5. a place rising by steps or gradations
    • a woody theater of stateliest view -- John Milton
  6. a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
  7. dramatic literature : plays
  8. dramatic representation as an art or profession : drama
  9. dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness
  10. spectacle
  11. entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events
    • their public feud made for good theater
  12. theater of operations

theater -adj

  1. of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations
    • theater nuclear weapons

the·ater·go·er ['thē-ə-tər-,gō-ər] -n, n or adj

  1. a person who frequently goes to the theater

theaterintheround -n

  1. a theater in which the stage is located in the center of the auditorium called also arena theater
  2. the style or method of staging plays in a theater-in-the-round

theater of operations

  1. the part of a theater of war in which active combat operations are conducted

theater of the absurd

  1. theater that seeks to represent the absurdity of human existence in a meaningless universe by bizarre or fantastic means

theater of war

  1. the entire land, sea, and air area that is or may become involved directly in war operations

The·a·tine ['thē-ə-,tīn, -,tēn] -n, adj

  1. a priest of the Order of Clerks Regular founded in 1524 in Italy by St. Cajetan and Gian Pietro Caraffa to reform Catholic morality and combat Lutheranism

the·at·ri·cal [thē-'a-tri-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to the theater or the presentation of plays
    • a theatrical costume
  2. marked by pretense or artificiality of emotion
  3. histrionic
    • a theatrical gesture
  4. marked by extravagant display or exhibitionism

theatrical -n

  1. the performance of plays
  2. dramatics
  3. a professional actor
  4. showy or extravagant gestures

the·at·ri·cal·ize [thē-'a-tri-kə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to adapt to the theater : dramatize
  2. to display in showy fashion

the·at·rics [thē-'a-triks] -n pl

  1. theatrical
  2. staged or contrived effects

the·be ['thā-(,)bā] -n

  1. see pula at

the·ca ['thē-kə] -n, adj

  1. an enveloping sheath or case of an animal or animal part

the·co·dont ['thē-kə-,dänt] -adj

  1. having the teeth inserted in sockets

thecodont -n

  1. any of an order (Thecodontia) of Triassic diapsid thecodont reptiles that were presumably on the common ancestral line of the dinosaurs, birds, and crocodiles

the dan·sant [tā-däⁿ-'säⁿ] -n

  1. tea dance

thee ['thē] -pron

  1. used esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and by Friends esp. among themselves in contexts where the objective case form would be expected
  2. used by Friends esp. among themselves in contexts where the subjective case form would be expected
  3. thyself

thee·lin ['thē(-ə)-lən] -n

  1. estrone

theft ['theft] -n

  1. the act of stealing
  2. the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it
  3. an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property
  4. something stolen
  5. a stolen base in baseball

thegn ['thān] -n

  1. thane

thegn·ly ['thān-lē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a thegn

their [thər, 'ther] -adj

  1. of or relating to them or themselves esp. as possessors, agents, or objects of an action
    • their furniture
    • their verses
    • their being seen
  2. his or her : his, her, its used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
    • anyone in their senses -- W. H. Auden

theirs ['therz] -pron, sing or pl in constr

  1. that which belongs to them used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective their
  2. his or hers : his, hers used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
    • I will do my part if everybody else will do theirs

their·selves [thər-'selvz, (,)ther-, Southern also -'sevz] -pron pl

  1. themselves

the·ism ['thē-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj, adv

  1. belief in the existence of a god or gods
  2. belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world

Thelp·er cell ['tē-'hel-pər-] -n

  1. helper t cell

them [(th)əm, 'them, after p, b, v, f, also ᵊm] -pron

  1. they used as object of a verb or preposition
    • took them back
    • gave it to them
  2. those used esp. as antecedent to a relative pronoun
    • the best of them that speak this speech -- Shak.
    used as the subject of a verb chiefly in nonstandard speech and for humorous effect
    • them is fighting words
  3. those used chiefly in nonstandard speech and for humorous effect

the·mat·ic [thi-'ma-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a theme
  2. of or relating to the stem of a word
  3. being the last part of a word stem before an inflectional ending

thematic apperception test -n

  1. a projective technique that is widely used in clinical psychology to make personality, psychodynamic, and diagnostic assessments based on the subject's verbal responses to a series of black-and-white pictures

theme ['thēm] -n, adj

  1. a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation
    • guilt and punishment is the theme of the story
  2. a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern
    • the campaign has lacked a theme
  3. stem
  4. a written exercise : composition
    • a research theme
  5. a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement

theme park -n

  1. an amusement park in which the structures and settings are based on a central theme

theme song -n

  1. a melody recurring so often in a musical play that it characterizes the production or one of its characters
  2. a song used as a signature

them·selves [thəm-'selvz, them-] -pron pl

  1. those identical ones that are they used reflexively, for emphasis, or in absolute constructions
    • nations that govern themselves
    • they themselves were present
    • themselves busy, they disliked idleness in others
  2. himself or herself : himself, herself used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
    • nobody can call themselves oppressed -- Leonard Wibberley
  3. their normal, healthy, or sane condition
    • were themselves again after a night's rest

then ['then] -adv

  1. at that time
  2. soon after that : next in order of time
    • walked to the door, then turned
  3. following next after in order of position, narration, or enumeration : being next in a series
    • first came the clowns, and then came the elephants
  4. in addition : besides
    • then there is the interest to be paid
  5. in that case
    • take it, then, if you want it so much
  6. used after but to qualify or offset a preceding statement
    • she lost the race, but then she never really expected to win
  7. according to that : as may be inferred
    • your mind is made up, then
  8. as it appears : by way of summing up
    • the cause of the accident, then, is established
  9. as a necessary consequence
    • if the angles are equal, then the complements are equal
  10. that time
    • since then, he's been more cautious
  11. existing or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned
    • the then secretary of state

then and there -adv

  1. on the spot : immediately
    • wanted the money right then and there

the·nar ['thē-,när, -nər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, involving, or constituting the ball of the thumb or the intrinsic musculature of the thumb

thence ['then(t)s also 'then(t)s] -adv

  1. from that place
  2. from that time : thenceforth
  3. from that fact or circumstance : therefrom

thence·forth [-,fȯrth] -adv

  1. from that time forward

thence·for·ward [then(t)s-'fȯr-wərd also then(t)s-] -adv

  1. onward from that place or time

theo·bro·mine [,thē-ə-'brō-,mēn, -mən] -n

  1. a bitter alkaloid C 7H 8N 4O 2closely related to caffeine that occurs esp. in cacao beans and has stimulant and diuretic properties

theo·cen·tric [,thē-ə-'sen-trik] -adj, n

  1. having God as the central interest and ultimate concern
    • a theocentric culture

the·oc·ra·cy [thē-'ä-krə-sē] -n

  1. government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided
  2. a state governed by a theocracy

theo·crat ['thē-ə-,krat] -n

  1. one who rules in or lives under a theocratic form of government
  2. one who favors a theocratic form of government

theo·crat·ic [,thē-ə-'kra-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a theocracy

the·od·i·cy [thē-'ä-də-sē] -n

  1. defense of God's goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil

the·od·o·lite [thē-'ä-də-,līt] -n

  1. a surveyor's instrument for measuring horizontal and usu. also vertical angles

the·og·o·ny [thē-'ä-gə-nē] -n, adj

  1. an account of the origin and descent of the gods

theol -abbr

  1. theological; theology

theo·lo·gian [,thē-ə-'lō-jən] -n

  1. a specialist in theology

theo·log·i·cal [,thē-ə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to theology
  2. preparing for a religious vocation
    • a theological student

theological virtue -n

  1. one of the three spiritual graces faith, hope, and charity drawing the soul to God according to scholastic theology

the·ol·o·gise [thē-'ä-lə-,jīz] -vb, n

(variant of theologize)

  1. to make theological : give a religious significance to
  2. to theorize theologically

the·ol·o·gize [thē-'ä-lə-,jīz] -vb, n

  1. to make theological : give a religious significance to
  2. to theorize theologically

theo·logue ['thē-ə-,lȯg, -,läg] -n

  1. a theological student or specialist

the·ol·o·gy [thē-'ä-lə-jē] -n

  1. the study of religious faith, practice, and experience
  2. the study of God and of God's relation to the world
  3. a theological theory or system
    • Thomist theology
    • a theology of atonement
  4. a distinctive body of theological opinion
    • Catholic theology
  5. a usu. 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminary

the·on·o·mous [thē-'ä-nə-məs] -adj

  1. governed by God : subject to God's authority

the·on·o·my [-mē] -n

  1. the state of being theonomous : government by God

the·oph·a·ny [thē-'ä-fə-nē] -n, adj

  1. a visible manifestation of a deity

the·oph·yl·line [thē-'ä-fə-lən] -n

  1. a feebly basic bitter crystalline compound C 7H 8N 4O 2present in tea leaves that is isomeric with theobromine and is used in medicine esp. as a bronchodilator

the·or·bo [thē-'ȯr-(,)bō] -n

  1. a stringed instrument of the 17th century resembling a large lute but having an extra set of long bass strings

the·o·rem ['thē-ə-rəm, 'thir-əm] -n, adj

  1. a formula, proposition, or statement in mathematics or logic deduced or to be deduced from other formulas or propositions
  2. an idea accepted or proposed as a demonstrable truth often as a part of a general theory : proposition
    • the theorem that the best defense is offense
  3. stencil
  4. a painting produced esp. on velvet by the use of stencils for each color

the·o·ret·i·cal [,thē-ə-'re-ti-kəl, ,thir-'e-] -adj

  1. relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
  2. confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative
    • theoretical physics
  3. given to or skilled in theorizing
    • a brilliant theoretical physicist
  4. existing only in theory : hypothetical
    • gave as an example a theoretical situation

the·o·ret·i·cal·ly [-ti-k(ə-)lē] -adv

  1. in a theoretical way
  2. according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles : in theory

the·o·re·ti·cian [,thē-ə-rə-'ti-shən, -re-; ,thir-ə-] -n

  1. theorist

the·o·rise ['thē-ə-,rīz, 'thir-,īz] -vb, n

(variant of theorize)

  1. to form a theory : speculate
  2. to form a theory about
  3. to propose as a theory

the·o·rist ['thē-ə-rist, 'thir-ist] -n

  1. a person who theorizes

the·o·rize ['thē-ə-,rīz, 'thir-,īz] -vb, n

  1. to form a theory : speculate
  2. to form a theory about
  3. to propose as a theory

the·o·ry ['thē-ə-rē, 'thir-ē] -n

  1. the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
  2. abstract thought : speculation
  3. the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art
    • music theory
  4. a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action
    • her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn
  5. an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances often used in the phrase in theory
    • in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all
  6. a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena
    • the wave theory of light
  7. a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation
  8. an unproved assumption : conjecture
  9. a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject
    • theory of equations

theory of games

  1. game theory

theory of numbers

  1. number theory

the·os·o·phist [thē-'ä-sə-fist] -n

  1. an adherent of theosophy
  2. a member of a theosophical society

the·os·o·phy [-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. teaching about God and the world based on mystical insight
  2. the teachings of a modern movement originating in the U.S. in 1875 and following chiefly Buddhist and Brahmanic theories esp. of pantheistic evolution and reincarnation

Theo·to·kos [,thē-ə-'tō-(,)kōs, ,thā-, -kəs] -n

  1. virgin mary

ther·a·peu·sis [,ther-ə-'pyü-səs] -n

  1. therapeutics

ther·a·peu·tic [,ther-ə-'pyü-tik] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods
    • a therapeutic rather than a diagnostic specialty
  2. providing or assisting in a cure : curative, medicinal
    • therapeutic diets
    • a therapeutic investigation of government waste

therapeutic index -n

  1. a measure of the relative desirability of a drug for the attaining of a particular medical end that is usu. expressed as the ratio of the largest dose producing no toxic symptoms to the smallest dose routinely producing cures

ther·a·peu·tics [,ther-ə-'pyü-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a branch of medical science dealing with the application of remedies to diseases

therapeutic touch -n

  1. a technique in alternative medicine that involves passing the hands over the body of the person being treated and that is held to induce relaxation, reduce pain, and promote healing

ther·a·pist ['ther-ə-pist] -n

  1. one specializing in therapy
  2. a person trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery
    • a speech therapist

the·rap·sid [thə-'rap-səd] -n, adj

  1. any of an order (Therapsida) of Permian and Triassic synapsid reptiles considered ancestors of the mammals

ther·a·py ['ther-ə-pē] -n

  1. therapeutic treatment esp. of bodily, mental, or behavioral disorder

Ther·a·va·da [,ther-ə-'vä-də] -n

  1. a conservative branch of Buddhism comprising sects chiefly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia and adhering to the original Pali scriptures alone and to the nontheistic ideal of nirvana for a limited select number

there ['ther] -adv

  1. in or at that place
    • stand over there
    often used interjectionally
  2. to or into that place : thither
    • went there after church
  3. at that point or stage
    • stop right there before you say something you'll regret
  4. in that matter, respect, or relation
    • there is where I disagree with you
  5. used interjectionally to express satisfaction, approval, encouragement or sympathy, or defiance
    • there, it's finished
  6. used as a function word to introduce a sentence or clause
    • there shall come a time
  7. used as an indefinite substitute for a name
    • hi there
  8. that place or position
    • there is no here and no there...in pure space -- James Ward
  9. that point
    • you take it from there
  10. used for emphasis esp. after a demonstrative pronoun or a noun modified by a demonstrative adjective
    • those men there can tell you
  11. used for emphasis after a demonstrative adjective but before the noun modified
    • I bet I cussed that there blamed mule five hundred times -- Elizabeth M. Roberts
  12. capable of being relied on for support or aid
    • she is always there for him
  13. fully conscious, rational, or aware
    • not all there

there·abouts [,ther-ə-'bau̇ts, 'ther-ə-,] -adv

  1. near that place or time
  2. near that number, degree, or quantity
    • a boy of 18 or thereabouts

there·af·ter [ther-'af-tər] -adv

  1. after that
  2. according to that : accordingly

there·at [-'at] -adv

  1. at that place
  2. at that occurrence

there·by [ther-'bī, 'ther-,] -adv

  1. by that : by that means
    • thereby lost her chance to win
  2. connected with or with reference to that
    • thereby hangs a tale -- Shak.

there'd ['therd, 'ther-əd]

  1. there had : there would

there·for [ther-'fȯr] -adv

  1. for or in return for that
    • ordered a change and gave his reasons therefor

there·fore ['ther-,fȯr] -adv

  1. for that reason : consequently
  2. because of that
  3. on that ground
  4. to that end

there·from [ther-'frəm, -'främ] -adv

  1. from that or it

there·in [ther-'in] -adv

  1. in or into that place, time, or thing
  2. in that particular or respect
    • therein lies the problem

there·in·af·ter [,ther-in-'af-tər] -adv

  1. in the following part of that matter (as writing, document, or speech)

there·in·to [ther-'in-(,)tü] -adv

  1. into that or it

there'll ['ther(-ə)l]

  1. there will : there shall

the·re·min ['ther-ə-mən] -n

  1. a purely melodic electronic musical instrument typically played by moving the hands in the electromagnetic fields surrounding two projecting antennae

there·of [ther-'əv, -'äv] -adv

  1. of that or it
  2. from that cause or particular : therefrom

there·on [-'ȯn, -'än] -adv

  1. on that
    • a text with a commentary thereon
  2. thereupon

there's ['therz, thərz]

  1. there is : there has

there·to [ther-'tü] -adv

  1. to that
    • a text and the notes thereto

there·to·fore ['ther-tə-,fȯr; ,ther-tə-'] -adv

  1. up to that time
    • a theretofore unknown author

there·un·der [ther-'ən-dər] -adv

  1. under that

there·un·to [-'ən-(,)tü; ,ther-ən-'tü] -adv

  1. thereto

there·up·on ['ther-ə-,pȯn, -,pän; ,ther-ə-'] -adv

  1. on that matter
  2. therefore
  3. immediately after that

there've ['therv, thərv]

  1. there have

there·with [ther-'with, -'with] -adv

  1. with that
  2. thereupon, forthwith

there·with·al ['ther-wi-,thȯl, -thȯl] -adv

  1. besides
  2. therewith

the·ri·ac ['thir-ē-,ak] -n

  1. theriaca
  2. cure-all

the·ri·a·ca [thi-'rī-ə-kə] -n, adj

  1. a mixture of many drugs and honey formerly held to be an antidote to poison

the·ri·an ['thir-ē-ən] -n, adj

  1. any of a subclass (Theria) of mammals comprising the marsupials and the placental mammals

the·rio·mor·phic [,thir-ē-ō-'mȯr-fik] -adj

  1. having an animal form
    • theriomorphic gods

therm ['thərm] -n

  1. a unit for quantity of heat that equals 100,000 British thermal units

therm- -comb form

  1. heat
    • thermo stat
  2. thermoelectric
    • thermo pile

ther·mal ['thər-məl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or marked by the presence of hot springs
    • thermal waters
  2. of, relating to, or caused by heat
    • thermal stress
    • thermal insulation
  3. being or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature
    • thermal conductivity
    • thermal agitation of molecular structure
  4. having low energies of the order of those due to thermal agitation
    • thermal neutrons
  5. designed (as with insulating air spaces) to prevent the dissipation of body heat
    • thermal underwear

thermal -n

  1. a rising body of warm air

ther·mal·ize ['thər-mə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to change the effective speed of (a particle) to a thermal value
    • thermalize a neutron

thermal pollution -n

  1. the discharge of heated liquid (as wastewater from a factory) into natural waters at a temperature harmful to the environment

thermal printer -n

  1. a dot matrix printer (as for a computer) in which heat is applied to the pins of the matrix to form dots on usu. heat-sensitive paper

ther·mic ['thər-mik] -adj, adv

  1. thermal
    • thermic energy

therm·ion·ic [,thər-(,)mī-'ä-nik] -adj

  1. relating to, using, or being the emission of charged particles (as electrons) by an incandescent material

therm·ion·ics [,thər-(,)mī-'ä-niks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. physics dealing with thermionic phenomena

therm·is·tor ['thər-,mis-tər] -n

  1. an electrical resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature

Ther·mit ['thər-mət, -,mīt] -trademark

  1. used for thermite

ther·mite ['thər-,mīt] -n

  1. a mixture of aluminum powder and a metal oxide (as iron oxide) that when ignited evolves a great deal of heat and is used in welding and in incendiary bombs

ther·mo·chem·is·try [,thər-mō-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj

  1. a branch of chemistry that deals with the interrelation of heat with chemical reaction or physical change of state

ther·mo·cline ['thər-mə-,klīn] -n

  1. the region in a thermally stratified body of water which separates warmer surface water from cold deep water and in which temperature decreases rapidly with depth

ther·mo·cou·ple ['thər-mə-,kə-pəl] -n

  1. a device for measuring temperature in which a pair of wires of dissimilar metals (as copper and iron) are joined and the free ends of the wires are connected to an instrument (as a voltmeter) that measures the difference in potential created at the junction of the two metals

ther·mo·du·ric [,thər-mō-'du̇r-ik, -'dyu̇r-] -adj

  1. able to survive high temperatures
  2. able to survive pasteurization used of microorganisms

ther·mo·dy·nam·ic [,thər-mō-dī-'na-mik, -də-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to thermodynamics
  2. being or relating to a system of atoms, molecules, colloidal particles, or larger bodies considered as an isolated group in the study of thermodynamic processes

ther·mo·dy·nam·ics [-miks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, n

  1. physics that deals with the mechanical action or relations of heat
  2. thermodynamic processes and phenomena

ther·mo·elec·tric [,thər-mō-i-'lek-trik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or dependent on phenomena that involve relations between the temperature and the electrical condition in a metal or in contacting metals

ther·mo·elec·tric·i·ty [,thər-mō-i-,lek-'tri-sə-tē, -'tris-tē] -n

  1. electricity produced by the direct action of heat (as by the unequal heating of a circuit composed of two dissimilar metals)

ther·mo·el·e·ment [-'e-lə-mənt] -n

  1. a device for measuring small currents consisting of a wire heating element and a thermocouple in electrical contact with it

ther·mo·form ['thər-mə-,fȯrm] -vt, adj

  1. to give a final shape to (as a plastic) with the aid of heat and usu. pressure

ther·mo·gen·e·sis [,thər-mō-'je-nə-səs] -n

  1. the production of heat esp. in the body (as by oxidation)

ther·mo·gen·ic [,thər-mə-'je-nik] -adj

  1. relating to, caused by, or inducing the production of heat
    • thermogenic dietary supplements
    • thermogenic destruction of bacteria
  2. producing heat
    • thermogenic flowers
    • thermogenic organs

ther·mo·gram [-,gram] -n

  1. the record made by a thermograph
  2. a photographic record made by thermography

ther·mo·graph [-,graf] -n

  1. thermogram
  2. a self-recording thermometer
  3. the apparatus used in thermography

ther·mog·ra·phy [(,)thər-'mä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a process of writing or printing involving the use of heat
  2. a raised-printing process in which matter printed by letterpress is dusted with powder and heated to make the lettering rise
  3. a technique for detecting and measuring variations in the heat emitted by various regions of the body and transforming them into visible signals that can be recorded photographically (as for diagnosing abnormal or diseased underlying conditions)
  4. a similar technique used elsewhere (as on buildings)

ther·mo·ha·line [,thər-mō-'hā-,līn, -'ha-] -adj

  1. involving or dependent upon the conjoint effect of temperature and salinity
    • thermohaline circulation in the Pacific

ther·mo·junc·tion [-'jəŋ(k)-shən] -n

  1. a junction of two dissimilar conductors used to produce a thermoelectric current

ther·mo·la·bile [-'lā-,bī(-ə)l, -bəl] -adj, n

  1. unstable when heated
  2. subject to loss of characteristic properties on being heated to or above 55C (131F)
    • many immune bodies, enzymes, and vitamins are thermolabile

ther·mo·lu·mi·nes·cence [-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊn(t)s] -n, adj

  1. phosphorescence developed in a previously excited substance upon gentle heating
  2. the determination of the age of old material (as pottery) by the amount of thermoluminescence it produces called also thermoluminescence dating

ther·mo·mag·net·ic [,thər-mō-mag-'ne-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the effects of heat upon the magnetic properties of substances or to the effects of a magnetic field upon thermal conduction

ther·mom·e·ter [thə(r)-'mä-mə-tər] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument for determining temperature
  2. one consisting of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (as mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes of temperature

ther·mom·e·try [thə(r)-'mä-mə-trē] -n

  1. the measurement of temperature

ther·mo·nu·cle·ar [,thər-mō-'nü-klē-ər, -'nyü-, ÷-'n(y)ü-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or employing transformations in the nuclei of atoms of low atomic weight (as hydrogen) that require a very high temperature for their inception (as in the hydrogen bomb or in the sun)
    • thermonuclear reaction
    • thermonuclear weapon
  2. of, utilizing, or relating to a thermonuclear bomb
    • thermonuclear war
    • a thermonuclear attack

ther·mo·pe·ri·od·ism [,thər-mō-'pir-ē-ə-,di-zəm] -n

  1. the sum of the responses esp. of a plant to appropriately fluctuating temperatures

ther·mo·phil·ic [,thər-mə-'fi-lik] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being an organism living at a high temperature
    • thermophilic fermentation
    • thermophilic bacteria

ther·mo·pile ['thər-mə-,pī(-ə)l] -n

  1. an apparatus consisting of thermocouples combined so as to multiply the effect and used for generating electric currents or determining intensities of radiation

ther·mo·plas·tic [,thər-mə-'plas-tik] -adj, n

  1. capable of softening or fusing when heated and of hardening again when cooled
    • thermoplastic synthetic resins

ther·mo·re·cep·tor [,thər-mō-ri-'sep-tər] -n

  1. a sensory end organ that is stimulated by heat or cold

ther·mo·reg·u·la·tion [-,re-gyə-'lā-shən] -n, vb

  1. the maintenance or regulation of temperature
  2. the maintenance of a particular temperature of the living body

ther·mo·reg·u·la·tor [-'re-gyə-,lā-tər] -n

  1. a device (as a thermostat) for the regulation of temperature

ther·mo·reg·u·la·to·ry [-'re-gyə-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. tending to maintain a body at a particular temperature whatever its environmental temperature
    • thermoregulatory mechanisms

ther·mo·rem·a·nent [-'re-mə-nənt] -adj, n

  1. being or relating to magnetic remanence (as in a rock cooled from a molten state or in a baked clay object containing magnetic minerals) that indicates the strength and direction of the earth's magnetic field at a former time

ther·mos ['thər-məs] -n

  1. a container (as a bottle or jar) with a vacuum between an inner and outer wall used to keep material and esp. liquids either hot or cold for considerable periods

ther·mo·set ['thər-mō-,set] -n

  1. a thermosetting resin or plastic

ther·mo·set·ting [-,se-tiŋ] -adj

  1. capable of becoming permanently rigid when heated or cured
    • a thermosetting resin

ther·mo·sphere ['thər-mə-,sfir] -n, adj

  1. the part of the earth's atmosphere that begins at about 50 miles (80 kilometers) above the earth's surface, extends to outer space, and is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with height

ther·mo·sta·ble [,thər-mō-'stā-bəl] -adj, n

  1. stable when heated
  2. retaining characteristic properties on being moderately heated
    • a thermostable bacterial enzyme

ther·mo·stat ['thər-mə-,stat] -n, adj, adv

  1. an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus)
  2. a similar device for actuating fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers

thermostat [-,sta-təd] -vt

  1. to provide with or control the temperature of by a thermostat

ther·mo·tax·is [-'tak-səs] -n

  1. the regulation of body temperature
  2. a taxis in which temperature is the directive factor

ther·mo·trop·ic [-'trä-pik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or exhibiting thermotropism

ther·mot·ro·pism [(,)thər-'mä-trə-,pi-zəm] -n

  1. a tropism in which a temperature gradient determines the orientation

the·ro·pod ['thir-ə-,päd] -n

  1. any of a suborder (Theropoda) of carnivorous bipedal saurischian dinosaurs (as a tyrannosaur or velociraptor) usu. having small forelimbs

Ther·si·tes [(,)thər-'sī-(,)tēz] -n

  1. a Greek warrior at Troy known as a carping critic and slain by Achilles for mocking him

the·sau·rus [thi-'sȯr-əs] -n, adj

  1. treasury, storehouse
  2. a book of words or of information about a particular field or set of concepts
  3. a book of words and their synonyms
  4. a list of subject headings or descriptors usu. with a cross-reference system for use in the organization of a collection of documents for reference and retrieval

these ['this, thəs] -pron

(variant of this)

  1. the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
    • these are my hands
  2. what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse
    • I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday
  3. this time or place
    • expected to return before this
  4. the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion
    • this is iron and that is tin
  5. the one more recently referred to
  6. being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
    • this book is mine
    • early this morning
  7. constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse
  8. constituting the immediate past or future
    • friends all these years
  9. being one not previously mentioned used esp. in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness
    • then this guy runs in
    • had this urge to go shopping
  10. being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion
    • this car or that one
  11. to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation
    • didn't expect to wait this long

The·seus ['thē-,süs, -sē-əs] -n

  1. a king of Athens in Greek mythology who kills Procrustes and the Minotaur before defeating the Amazons and marrying their queen

the·sis ['thē-səs, Brit esp for 1 'the-sis] -n

  1. the unstressed part of a poetic foot esp. in accentual verse
  2. the longer part of a poetic foot esp. in quantitative verse
  3. the accented part of a musical measure : downbeat
  4. a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument
  5. a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof : hypothesis
  6. the first and least adequate stage of dialectic
  7. a dissertation embodying results of original research and esp. substantiating a specific view
  8. one written by a candidate for an academic degree

thesp ['thesp] -n

  1. actor

thes·pi·an ['thes-pē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Thespis
  2. relating to the drama : dramatic

thespian -n

  1. actor

Thess -abbr

  1. Thessalonians

Thes·sa·lo·nians [,the-sə-'lō-nyənz, -nē-ənz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. either of two letters written by St. Paul to the Christians of Thessalonica and included as books in the New Testament

the·ta ['thā-tə, chiefly Brit 'thē-tə] -n

  1. the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet
  2. theta rhythm

theta rhythm -n

  1. a relatively high amplitude brain wave pattern between approximately four and nine hertz that is characteristic esp. of the hippocampus called also theta wave

thet·ic ['the-tik, 'thē-] -adj, adv

  1. constituting or beginning with a poetic thesis
    • a thetic syllable

The·tis ['thē-təs] -n

  1. a sea goddess who marries Peleus and becomes the mother of Achilles

the·ur·gist ['thē-(,)ər-jist] -n

  1. wonder-worker, magician

the·ur·gy ['thē-(,)ər-jē] -n, adj

  1. the art or technique of compelling or persuading a god or beneficent or supernatural power to do or refrain from doing something

thew ['thü, 'thyü] -n

  1. muscular power or development
  2. strength, vitality
  3. muscle, sinew usu. used in pl.

they ['thā] -pron, pl in constr

  1. those ones used as third person pronoun serving as the plural of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more individuals not all of the same sex
    • they dance well
  2. he often used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
    • everyone knew where they stood -- E. L. Doctorow
    • nobody has to go to school if they don't want to -- N. Y. Times
  3. people used in a generic sense
    • as lazy as they come

they'd ['thād]

  1. they had : they would

they'll ['thāl, 'thel]

  1. they will : they shall

they're [thər, 'ther]

  1. they are

they've ['thāv]

  1. they have

thi- -comb form

  1. containing sulfur
    • thi amine
    • thio cyanate

thia·ben·da·zole [,thī-ə-'ben-də-,zōl] -n

  1. a drug C 10H 7N 3S used in the control of parasitic nematode worms and fungus infections and as an agricultural fungicide

thi·ami·nase [thī-'a-mə-,nās, 'thī-ə-mə-, -,nāz] -n

  1. an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of thiamine

thi·a·mine ['thī-ə-mən, -,mēn] -n

  1. a vitamin C 12H 17N 4OSCl of the vitamin B complex that is essential to normal metabolism and nerve function and is widespread in plants and animals called also vitamin B 1

thi·a·zide ['thī-ə-,zīd, -zəd] -n

  1. any of a group of drugs used as oral diuretics esp. in the control of high blood pressure

thi·a·zine ['thī-ə-,zēn] -n

  1. any of various compounds that are characterized by a ring composed of four carbon atoms, one sulfur atom, and one nitrogen atom and include some important as dyes and others as tranquilizers

thi·a·zole ['thī-ə-,zōl] -n

  1. a colorless basic liquid C 3H 3NS consisting of a 5-membered ring and having an odor like pyridine
  2. any of various thiazole derivatives including some used in medicine and others important as chemical accelerators

thick ['thik] -adj, adv

  1. having or being of relatively great depth or extent from one surface to its opposite
    • a thick plank
  2. heavily built : thickset
  3. close-packed with units or individuals
    • the air was thick with snow
  4. occurring in large numbers : numerous
  5. viscous in consistency
    • thick syrup
  6. sultry, stuffy
  7. marked by haze, fog, or mist
    • thick weather
  8. impenetrable to the eye : profound
    • thick darkness
  9. extremely intense
    • thick silence
  10. measuring in thickness
    • 12 inches thick
  11. imperfectly articulated : indistinct
    • thick speech
  12. plainly apparent : decided
    • a thick French accent
  13. producing inarticulate speech
    • a thick tongue
  14. obtuse, stupid
    • too thick to understand
  15. associated on close terms : intimate
    • was quite thick with his pastor
  16. exceeding bounds of propriety or fitness : excessive
    • called it a bit thick to be fired without warning
  17. in a thick manner : thickly
  18. the most crowded or active part
    • in the thick of the battle
  19. the part of greatest thickness
    • the thick of the thumb

thick and thin -n

  1. every difficulty and obstacle used esp. in the phrase through thick and thin
    • was loyal through thick and thin

thick·en ['thi-kən] -vb, n

  1. to become dense
    • the mist thicken ed
  2. to become concentrated in numbers, mass, or frequency
  3. to grow blurred or obscure
  4. to grow broader or bulkier
  5. to grow complicated or keen
    • the plot thicken s
  6. to make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency
    • thicken gravy with flour
  7. to make close or compact
  8. to increase the depth or diameter of
  9. to make inarticulate : blur
    • alcohol thicken ed his speech

thickening -n

  1. a thickened part or place
  2. the act of making or becoming thick
  3. something used to thicken

thick·et ['thi-kət] -n, adj

  1. a dense growth of shrubbery or small trees : coppice
  2. something resembling a thicket in density or impenetrability : tangle
    • a political thicket
    • a thicket of reporters

thick·et·ed ['thi-kə-təd] -adj

  1. dotted or covered with thickets

thick·head ['thik-,hed] -n

  1. a stupid person : blockhead

thick·head·ed [-,he-dəd] -adj

  1. sluggish and obtuse of mind
  2. having a thick head

thick·ness ['thik-nəs] -n

  1. the smallest of three dimensions
    • length, width, and thickness
  2. the quality or state of being thick
  3. viscous consistency
    • boiled to the thickness of honey
  4. the condition of being smoky, foul, or foggy
  5. the thick part of something
  6. concentration, density
  7. stupidity, dullness
  8. layer, ply, sheet
    • a single thickness of canvas

thick·set [-,set] -adj

  1. closely placed
  2. growing thickly
    • a thickset wood
  3. having a thick body : burly

thickskinned [-,skind] -adj

  1. having a thick skin : pachydermatous
  2. callous, insensitive
  3. impervious to criticism
    • became thickskinned about his own work

thickwit·ted [-,wi-təd] -adj

  1. dull or slow of mind : stupid

thief ['thēf] -n

  1. one that steals esp. stealthily or secretly
  2. one who commits theft or larceny

thieve ['thēv] -vb

  1. steal, rob

thiev·ery ['thēv-rē, 'thē-və-] -n

  1. the act or practice or an instance of stealing : theft

thiev·ish ['thē-vish] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a thief
  2. given to stealing

thigh ['thī] -n, adj

  1. the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee
  2. the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
  3. the femur of an insect
  4. something resembling or covering a thigh

thigh·bone ['thī-,bōn] -n

  1. femur

thighslap·per ['thī-,sla-pər] -n

  1. knee-slapper

thig·mo·tax·is [,thig-mə-'tak-səs] -n

  1. a taxis in which contact esp. with a solid body is the directive factor

thig·mot·ro·pism [thig-'mä-trə-,pi-zəm] -n

  1. a tropism in which contact esp. with a solid or a rigid surface is the orienting factor

thill ['thil] -n

  1. a shaft of a vehicle

thim·ble ['thim-bəl] -n

  1. a pitted cap or cover worn on the finger to push the needle in sewing
  2. a grooved ring of thin metal used to fit in a spliced loop in a rope as protection from chafing
  3. a lining (as of metal) for an opening (as in a roof or wall) through which a stovepipe or chimney passes

thim·ble·ber·ry [-,ber-ē] -n

  1. any of several American raspberries or blackberries (esp. Rubus occidentalis, R. parviflorus,and R. odoratus) having thimble-shaped fruit

thim·ble·ful [-,fu̇l] -n

  1. as much as a thimble will hold
  2. a very small quantity
    • not a thimbleful of common sense

thim·ble·rig [-,rig] -n

  1. a swindling trick in which a small ball or pea is quickly shifted from under one to another of three small cups to fool the spectator guessing its location
  2. one who manipulates the cup in thimblerig : thimblerigger

thimblerig -vt, n

  1. to cheat by trickery
  2. to swindle by thimblerig

thim·ble·weed ['thim-bəl-,wēd] -n

  1. any of various anemones (as Anemone virginianaand A. cylindrica) with cylindrical seed heads

thi·mer·o·sal [thī-'mer-ə-,sal] -n

  1. a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic C 9H 9HgNaO 2S used esp. for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties

thin ['thin] -adj, adv, n

  1. having little extent from one surface to its opposite
    • thin paper
  2. measuring little in cross section or diameter
    • thin rope
  3. not dense in arrangement or distribution
    • thin hair
  4. not well fleshed : lean
  5. more fluid or rarefied than normal
    • thin air
  6. having less than the usual number : scanty
    • thin attendance
  7. few in number : scarce
  8. scantily supplied
  9. characterized by a paucity of bids or offerings
    • a thin market
  10. lacking substance or strength
    • thin broth
    • a thin plot
  11. infertile, poor
  12. flimsy, unconvincing
    • a thin disguise
  13. disappointingly poor or hard
    • had a thin time of it
  14. somewhat feeble, shrill, and lacking in resonance
    • a thin voice
  15. lacking in intensity or brilliance
    • thin light
  16. lacking sufficient photographic density or contrast
  17. : to make thin or thinner:
  18. to reduce in thickness or depth : attenuate
  19. to make less dense or viscous
  20. dilute, weaken
  21. to cause to lose flesh
    • thinned by weeks of privation
  22. to reduce in number or bulk
  23. to become thin or thinner
  24. to become weak
  25. in a thin manner : thinly used esp. in combination
    • thin -clad
    • thin -flowing

thine ['thīn] -adj

  1. thy used esp. before a word beginning with a vowel or h
  2. that which belongs to thee used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective thy used esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and still surviving in the speech of Friends esp. among themselves

thin film -n

  1. a very thin layer of a substance on a supporting material
  2. a coating (as of a semiconductor) that is deposited in a layer one atom or one molecule thick

thing ['thiŋ] -n

  1. a matter of concern : affair
    • many thing s to do
  2. state of affairs in general or within a specified or implied sphere
    • thing s are improving
  3. a particular state of affairs : situation
    • look at this thing another way
  4. event, circumstance
    • that shooting was a terrible thing
  5. deed, act, accomplishment
    • do great thing s
  6. a product of work or activity
    • likes to build thing s
  7. the aim of effort or activity
    • the thing is to get well
  8. a separate and distinct individual quality, fact, idea, or usu. entity
  9. the concrete entity as distinguished from its appearances
  10. a spatial entity
  11. an inanimate object distinguished from a living being
  12. possessions, effects
    • pack your thing s
  13. whatever may be possessed or owned or be the object of a right
  14. an article of clothing
    • not a thing to wear
  15. equipment or utensils esp. for a particular purpose
    • bring the tea thing s
  16. an object or entity not precisely designated or capable of being designated
    • use this thing
  17. detail, point
    • checks every little thing
  18. a material or substance of a specified kind
    • avoid fatty thing s
  19. a spoken or written observation or point
  20. idea, notion
    • says the first thing he thinks of
  21. a piece of news or information
    • couldn't get a thing out of him
  22. individual
    • not a living thing in sight
  23. the proper or fashionable way of behaving, talking, or dressing used with the
  24. a mild obsession or phobia
    • has a thing about driving
  25. the object of such an obsession or phobia
  26. something (as an activity) that makes a strong appeal to the individual : forte, specialty
    • letting students do their own thing -- Newsweek
    • I think travelling is very much a novelist's thing -- Philip Larkin

thing·am·a·bob ['thiŋ-ə-mə-,bäb] -n

  1. thingamajig

thing·am·a·jig ['thiŋ-ə-mə-,jig] -n

  1. something that is hard to classify or whose name is unknown or forgotten

thinginitself -n

  1. noumenon

thing·ness ['thiŋ-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of objective existence or reality

thing·um·my ['thiŋ-ə-mē] -n

  1. thingamajig

think ['thiŋk] -vb, n

  1. to form or have in the mind
  2. to have as an intention
    • thought to return early
  3. to have as an opinion
    • think it's so
  4. to regard as : consider
    • think the rule unfair
  5. to reflect on : ponder
    • think the matter over
  6. to determine by reflecting
    • think what to do next
  7. to call to mind : remember
    • he never think s to ask how we do
  8. to devise by thinking usu. used with up
    • thought up a plan to escape
  9. to have as an expectation : anticipate
    • we didn't think we'd have any trouble
  10. to center one's thoughts on
    • talks and think s business
  11. to form a mental picture of
  12. to subject to the processes of logical thought
    • think things out
  13. to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason
  14. to have in the mind or call to mind a thought
  15. to have the mind engaged in reflection : meditate
  16. to consider the suitability
    • thought of her for president
  17. to have a view or opinion
    • think s of himself as a poet
  18. to have concern usu. used with of
    • a man must think first of his family
  19. to consider something likely : suspect
    • may happen sooner than you think
  20. an act of thinking
    • has another think coming
  21. relating to, requiring, or stimulating thinking

think·able ['thiŋ-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. conceivably possible
    • a time when divorce was barely thinkable
  2. capable of being comprehended or reasoned about
    • the ultimate nature of Deity is scarcely thinkable

thinking -n

  1. the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts
  2. opinion, judgment
    • I'd like to know your thinking on this
  3. thought that is characteristic (as of a period, group, or person)
    • the current student thinking on fraternities
  4. marked by use of the intellect : rational
    • thinking citizens

thinking cap -n

  1. a state or mood in which one thinks usu. used in the phrase put one's thinking cap on

think piece -n

  1. a piece of writing meant to be thought-provoking and speculative that consists chiefly of background material and personal opinion and analysis

think tank -n

  1. an institute, corporation, or group organized for interdisciplinary research (as in technological and social problems) called also think factory

thinlayer chromatography -n

  1. chromatography in which a liquid sample migrates by capillarity through a solid adsorbent medium (as alumina or silica gel) which is arranged as a thin layer on a rigid support (as a glass plate)

thin·ner ['thi-nər] -n

  1. one that thins
  2. a volatile liquid (as turpentine) used esp. to thin paint

thinskinned ['thin-,skind] -adj

  1. having a thin skin or rind
    • thinskinned oranges
  2. unduly susceptible to criticism or insult : touchy

thio acid ['thī-ō-] -n

  1. an acid in which oxygen is partly or wholly replaced by sulfur

thio·cy·a·nate [,thī-ō-'sī-ə-,nāt, -nət] -n

  1. a compound that consists of the chemical group SCN bonded by the sulfur atom to a group or an atom other than a hydrogen atom

thi·ol ['thī-,ȯl, -,ōl] -n, adj

  1. any of various compounds having the general formula RSH which are analogous to alcohols but in which sulfur replaces the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and which have disagreeable odors
  2. the functional group SH characteristic of thiols

thion- -comb form

  1. sulfur
    • me thion ine

thio·pen·tal [,thī-ō-'pen-,tal, -,tȯl] -n

  1. a barbiturate C 11H 18N 2O 2S used in the form of its sodium salt esp. as an intravenous anesthetic

thio·phene ['thī-ə-,fēn] -n

  1. a heterocyclic liquid C 4H 4S from coal tar that resembles benzene

thi·o·rid·a·zine [,thī-ə-'ri-də-,zēn, -zən] -n

  1. a phenothiazine tranquilizer C 21H 26N 2S 2used in the form of its hydrochloride for relief of anxiety states and in the treatment of psychotic disorders and severe childhood behavioral problems

thio·sul·fate [-'səl-,fāt] -n

  1. a salt containing the anion S 2O 3 2

thio·te·pa [,thī-ə-'tē-pə] -n

  1. an alkylating agent C 6H 12N 3PS that has been used as an antineoplastic agent and insect sterilant

thio·ura·cil [,thī-ō-'yu̇r-ə-,sil] -n

  1. a bitter crystalline compound C 4H 4N 2OS that depresses the function of the thyroid gland

thio·urea [-yu̇-'rē-ə] -n

  1. a colorless crystalline bitter compound CS(NH 2) 2analogous to and resembling urea that is used esp. as a photographic and organic chemical reagent
  2. a substituted derivative of this compound

thir [thər, 'thir, 'thu̇r] -pron or adj

  1. these

thi·ram ['thī-,ram] -n

  1. a compound C 6H 12N 2S 4used as a fungicide and seed disinfectant

third ['thərd] -adj, adv

  1. being next after the second in place or time
    • the third taxi in line
  2. ranking next after the second of a grade or degree in authority or precedence
    • served as third mate
  3. being the forward speed or gear next higher than second esp. in a motor vehicle
  4. being one of three equal parts into which something is divisible
    • a third share of the money
  5. being the last in each group of three in a series
    • take out every third card
  6. one of three equal parts of something
    • a third of the pie
  7. one that is next after second in rank, position, authority, or precedence
    • the third in line
  8. the musical interval embracing three diatonic degrees
  9. a tone at this interval
  10. mediant
  11. the harmonic combination of two tones a third apart
  12. merchandise whose quality falls below the manufacturer's standard for seconds
  13. third base
  14. the third forward gear or speed esp. of a motor vehicle

third base -n

  1. the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball
  2. the player position for defending the area around third base

thirdclass -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a class, rank, or grade next below the second

third class -n

  1. the third and usu. next below second class in a classification
  2. the least expensive class of accommodations (as on a passenger ship)
  3. a class of U.S. mail comprising printed matter exclusive of regularly issued periodicals and merchandise less than 16 ounces (454 grams) in weight that is not sealed against inspection
  4. a similar class of Canadian mail with different weight limits

third degree -n

  1. the subjection of a prisoner to mental or physical torture to extract a confession

thirddegree burn -n

  1. a severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through its deeper layers and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock

third dimension -n, adj

  1. thickness, depth
  2. a dimension that adds the effect of solidity to a two-dimensional system
  3. a quality that confers reality or lifelikeness
    • night sounds that stick in the mind and give a third dimension to the memory -- Adie Suehsdorf

third estate -n

  1. the third of the traditional political orders
  2. the commons

third force -n

  1. a grouping (as of political parties or international powers) intermediate between two opposing political forces

third·hand ['thərd-'hand] -adj

  1. received from or through two intermediaries
    • thirdhand information
  2. acquired after being used by two previous owners
  3. dealing in thirdhand merchandise

third house -n

  1. a legislative lobby

third market -n

  1. the over-the-counter market in listed securities

third order -n

  1. an organization composed of lay people living in secular society under a religious rule and directed by a religious order
  2. a congregation esp. of teaching or nursing sisters affiliated with a religious order

thirdparty -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving a third party
    • thirdparty insurance
  2. of, relating to, or being software that is created by a vendor to be compatible with the products of another vendor

third party -n

  1. a person other than the principals
    • a third party to a divorce proceeding
    • insurance against injury to third parties
  2. a major political party operating over a limited period of time in addition to two other major parties in a nation or state normally characterized by a two-party system
  3. minor party

third person -n

  1. a set of linguistic forms (as verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring to one that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which they occur nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed
    • they is a pronoun of the third person
  2. a linguistic form belonging to such a set
  3. reference of a linguistic form to one that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which it occurs nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed
    • referred to himself in the third person
  4. a style of discourse marked by general use of verbs and pronouns of the third person
    • the story was written in the third person

third rail -n

  1. a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as a subway car)
  2. a controversial issue usu. avoided by politicians

thirdrate ['thərd-'rāt] -adj, n

  1. of third quality or value
  2. worse than second-rate

third reading -n

  1. the final stage of the consideration of a legislative bill before a vote on its final disposition

thirdstream -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being music that incorporates elements of classical music and jazz

third ventricle -n

  1. the median unpaired ventricle of the brain bounded by parts of the telencephalon and diencephalon

third world [-'wər(-ə)l-dər] -n

  1. a group of nations esp. in Africa and Asia not aligned with either the Communist or the non-Communist blocs
  2. an aggregate of minority groups within a larger predominant culture
  3. the aggregate of the underdeveloped nations of the world

thirl ['thər(-ə)l] -n

  1. hole, perforation, opening
  2. pierce, perforate

thirst ['thərst] -n

  1. a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids
  2. the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation
  3. a desire or need to drink
  4. an ardent desire : craving, longing
    • a thirst for success
  5. to feel thirsty : suffer thirst
  6. to crave vehemently and urgently

thirst·i·ly ['thər-stə-lē] -adv

  1. with or on account of thirst

thirsty ['thər-stē] -adj, n

  1. feeling thirst
  2. deficient in moisture : parched
    • thirsty land
  3. highly absorbent
    • thirsty towels
  4. having a strong desire : avid
    • thirsty for knowledge

thir·ty ['thər-tē] -n, adj or n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. the numbers 30 to 39
  2. the years 30 to 39 in a lifetime or century
  3. a sign of completion : end usu. written 30
    • wrote thirty on the last page of the story
  4. the second point scored by a side in a game of tennis

thir·tyeight [,thər-tē-'āt] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. a handgun nominally of .38 caliber usu. written .38

thir·tysec·ond note [-'se-kən(d)-,nōt, -kən(t)-] -n

  1. a musical note with the time value of of a whole note

thirtysecond rest -n

  1. a musical rest corresponding in time value to a thirty-second note

thir·ty·some·thing ['thər-tē-,səm(p)-thiŋ] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a person who is in his or her thirties
    • thirtysomething parents

thir·tythir·ty [,thər-tē-'thər-tē] -n

  1. a rifle that fires a .30 caliber cartridge having a 30 grain powder charge usu. written .3030

thir·tythree [,thər-tē-'thrē] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. a microgroove phonograph record designed to be played at 33 revolutions per minute usu. written 33

thir·tytwo [-'tü] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. a .32 caliber handgun usu. written .32

thir·tytwo·mo [-(,)mō] -n

  1. the size of a piece of paper cut 32 from a sheet
  2. a book, a page, or paper of this size

this ['this, thəs] -pron

  1. the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
    • these are my hands
  2. what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse
    • I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday
  3. this time or place
    • expected to return before this
  4. the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion
    • this is iron and that is tin
  5. the one more recently referred to
  6. being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
    • this book is mine
    • early this morning
  7. constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse
  8. constituting the immediate past or future
    • friends all these years
  9. being one not previously mentioned used esp. in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness
    • then this guy runs in
    • had this urge to go shopping
  10. being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion
    • this car or that one
  11. to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation
    • didn't expect to wait this long

This·be ['thiz-bē] -n

  1. a legendary young woman of Babylon who dies for love of Pyramus

this·tle ['thi-səl] -n, adj

  1. any of various prickly composite plants (esp. genera Carduus, Cirsium,and Onopordum) with often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers
  2. any of various other prickly plants

this·tle·down ['thi-səl-,dau̇n] -n

  1. the typically plumose pappus from the ripe flower head of a thistle

thistle tube -n

  1. a funnel tube usu. of glass with a bulging top and flaring mouth

thisworld·li·ness ['this-'wərld-lē-nəs] -n

  1. interest in, concern with, or devotion to things of this world esp. as opposed to a future stage of existence (as after death)

thisworld·ly [-lē] -adj

  1. characterized by or manifesting this-worldliness

thith·er ['thi-thər also 'thi-] -adv

  1. to that place : there

thither -adj

  1. being on the other and farther side : more remote

thith·er·to [-,tü; ,thi-thər-', ,thi-] -adv

  1. until that time

thith·er·ward ['thi-thər-wərd, 'thi-] -adv

  1. toward that place : thither

thix·ot·ro·py [thik-'sä-trə-pē] -n, adj

  1. the property of various gels of becoming fluid when disturbed (as by shaking)

ThM -abbr

  1. master of theology

THM -abbr

  1. trihalomethane

tho ['thō] -conj

(variant of though)

  1. in spite of the fact that : while
    • though they know the war is lost, they continue to fight -- Bruce Bliven 1977
  2. in spite of the possibility that : even if
    • though I may fail, I will try
  3. however, nevertheless
    • It's hard work. I enjoy it though

thole ['thōl] -vb

  1. endure
  2. either of a pair of pins set in the gunwale of a boat to hold an oar in place
  3. peg, pin

tho·lei·ite ['tō-lə-,īt, 'thō-] -n, adj

  1. a basaltic rock that is rich in aluminum and low in potassium, is found typically in the ocean floor, and is prob. derived from the earth's mantle

thole·pin ['thōl-,pin] -n

  1. thole

Thom·as ['tä-məs] -n

  1. an apostle who demanded proof of Jesus' resurrection

Tho·mism ['tō-,mi-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. the scholastic philosophical and theological system of St. Thomas Aquinas

Thomp·son submachine gun ['täm(p)-sən-] -n

  1. a .45 caliber submachine gun with a drum or stick magazine, a pistol grip, and a detachable buttstock

Thom·son's gazelle ['täm(p)-sənz-] -n

  1. a small gazelle ( Gazella thomsonii) of eastern Africa that is tan above and white below with a broad black stripe on each side

thong ['thȯŋ] -n, adj

  1. a strip esp. of leather or hide
  2. a sandal held on the foot by a thong fitting between the toes and connected to a strap across the top or around the sides of the foot
  3. an article of swimwear or underwear consisting of a narrow strip of material that passes between the thighs and connects with a waistband

Thor ['thȯr] -n

  1. the Norse god of thunder, weather, and crops

tho·rac·ic [thə-'ra-sik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, located within, or involving the thorax

thoracic duct -n

  1. the main trunk of the system of lymphatic vessels that lies along the front of the spinal column and opens into the left subclavian vein

tho·ra·cot·o·my [,thȯr-ə-'kä-tə-mē] -n

  1. surgical incision of the chest wall

tho·rax ['thȯr-,aks] -n

  1. the part of the mammalian body between the neck and the abdomen
  2. its cavity in which the heart and lungs lie
  3. the middle of the three chief divisions of the body of an insect
  4. the corresponding part of a crustacean or an arachnid

Tho·ra·zine ['thȯr-ə-,zēn] -trademark

  1. used for chlorpromazine

tho·ria ['thȯr-ē-ə] -n

  1. a powdery white oxide of thorium ThO 2used esp. as a catalyst and in crucibles and refractories and optical glass

tho·ri·a·nite [-ē-ə-,nīt] -n

  1. a strongly radioactive mineral that is an oxide of thorium and often contains rare earth elements

tho·rite ['thȯr-,īt] -n

  1. a rare mineral that is a brown to black or sometimes orange-yellow silicate of thorium resembling zircon

tho·ri·um ['thȯr-ē-əm] -n

  1. a radioactive metallic element that is obtained esp. from monazite and is usu. associated with rare earths

thorn ['thȯrn] -n, adj

  1. a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (as prickles or spines)
  2. hawthorn
  3. a sharp rigid process on a plant
  4. a short, indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified branch
  5. any of various sharp spinose structures on an animal
  6. the runic letter used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives th or and in Icelandic to represent th
  7. something that causes distress or irritation often used in the phrase thorn in one's side

thorn apple -n

  1. jimsonweed
  2. any plant of the same genus
  3. the fruit of a hawthorn
  4. hawthorn

thorn·back ['thȯrn-,bak] -n

  1. any of various ray fishes having spines on the back

thorn·bush [-,bu̇sh] -n

  1. any of various spiny or thorny shrubs or small trees
  2. a low growth of thorny shrubs esp. of dry tropical regions

thorny ['thȯr-nē] -adj, n

  1. full of thorns
  2. full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish
    • a thorny problem

thoro ['thər-(,)ō, sometimes 'thȯr-; 'thə-(,)rō] -prep

(variant of thorough)

  1. through

thor·ough ['thər-(,)ō, sometimes 'thȯr-; 'thə-(,)rō] -prep

  1. through

thorough -adv

  1. through
  2. carried through to completion : exhaustive
    • a thorough search
  3. marked by full detail
    • a thorough description
  4. careful about detail : painstaking
    • a thorough scholar
  5. complete in all respects
    • thorough pleasure
  6. having full mastery (as of an art)
    • a thorough musician

thor·ough·bass ['thər-ə-,bās, 'thə-rə-] -n

  1. continuo

thor·ough·brace [-,brās] -n

  1. any of several leather straps supporting the body of a carriage and serving as springs

thor·ough·bred [-,bred] -adj

  1. thoroughly trained or skilled
    • a thoroughbred soldier
  2. bred from the best blood through a long line : purebred
    • thoroughbred dogs
  3. of, relating to, or being a Thoroughbred horse
  4. having characteristics resembling those of a Thoroughbred

thoroughbred -n

  1. a purebred or pedigreed animal
  2. a thoroughly educated or skilled person
  3. any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing that originated from crosses between English mares of uncertain ancestry and Arabian stallions

thor·ough·fare [-,fer] -n

  1. : a way or place for passage: as
  2. a street open at both ends
  3. a main road
  4. passage, transit
  5. the conditions necessary for passing through

thor·ough·go·ing [,thər-ə-'gō-iŋ, ,thə-rə-, -'gȯ(-)iŋ] -adj, adv

  1. marked by thoroughness or zeal : thorough, complete
    • thoroughgoing changes
    • a thoroughgoing traditionalist

thor·oughpaced [-'pāst] -adj

  1. thorough, complete
    • he has been a thoroughpaced little villain -- Charles Dickens
  2. thoroughly trained : accomplished

thor·ough·pin ['thər-ə-,pin, 'thə-rə-] -n

  1. a synovial swelling just above the hock of a horse on both sides of the leg and slightly anterior to the hamstring tendon that is sometimes associated with lameness

thor·ough·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. boneset

thorp ['thȯrp] -n

  1. village, hamlet

those ['that, thət] -pron

(variant of that)

  1. the person, thing, or idea indicated, mentioned, or understood from the situation
    • that is my father
  2. the time, action, or event specified
    • after that I went to bed
  3. the kind or thing specified as follows
    • the purest water is that produced by distillation
  4. one or a group of the indicated kind
    • that' s a cat - quick and agile
  5. the one farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion
    • those are maples and these are elms
  6. the former one
  7. used as a function word after and to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous word or phrase
    • he was helpful, and that to an unusual degree
  8. used as a function word immediately before or after a word group consisting of a verbal auxiliary or a form of the verb be preceded by there or a personal pronoun subject to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous verb or predicate noun or predicate adjective
    • is she capable? She is that
  9. the one : the thing : the kind : something, anything
    • the truth of that which is true
    • the senses are that whereby we experience the world
    • what's that you say
  10. some persons
    • those who think the time has come
  11. used as a function word to introduce a noun clause that is usu. the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative
    • said that he was afraid
  12. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is anticipated by the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb
    • it is unlikely that he'll be in
  13. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined as complement to a noun or adjective
    • we are certain that this is true
    • the fact that you are here
  14. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression
    • will go anywhere that he is invited
  15. used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a strong emotion esp. of surprise, sorrow, or indignation
    • that it should come to this
  16. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing purpose or desired result
    • cutting down expenses that her son might inherit an unencumbered estate -- W. B. Yeats
  17. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause
    • rejoice that you are lightened of a load -- Robert Browning
  18. used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing consequence, result, or effect
    • are of sufficient importance that they cannot be neglected -- Hannah Wormington
  19. used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a wish
    • oh, that he would come
  20. used as a function word after a subordinating conjunction without modifying its meaning
    • if that thy bent of love be honorable -- Shak.
  21. being the person, thing, or idea specified, mentioned, or understood
  22. being the one specified usu. used for emphasis
    • that rarity among leaders
    • that brother of yours
  23. so great a : such
  24. the farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion
    • this chair or that one
  25. used as a function word to introduce a restrictive relative clause and to serve as a substitute within that clause for the substantive modified by the clause
    • the house that Jack built
    • I'll make a ghost of him that lets me -- Shak.
  26. at which : in which : on which : by which : with which : to which
    • each year that the lectures are given
  27. according to what : to the extent of what used after a negative
    • has never been here that I know of
  28. that which
  29. the person who
  30. to such an extent
    • a nail about that long
  31. very, extremely usu. used with the negative
    • did not take the festival that seriously -- Eric Goldman

thou ['thau̇] -pron

  1. the one addressed
    • thou shalt have no other gods before me -- Exod 20:3(AV)
    used esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and by Friends as the universal form of address to one person
  2. to address as thou
  3. a thousand of something (as dollars)
    • paid 25 thou for the car

though ['thō] -conj

  1. in spite of the fact that : while
    • though they know the war is lost, they continue to fight -- Bruce Bliven 1977
  2. in spite of the possibility that : even if
    • though I may fail, I will try
  3. however, nevertheless
    • It's hard work. I enjoy it though

thought ['thiŋk] -vb, n

(variant of think)

  1. to form or have in the mind
  2. to have as an intention
    • thought to return early
  3. to have as an opinion
    • think it's so
  4. to regard as : consider
    • think the rule unfair
  5. to reflect on : ponder
    • think the matter over
  6. to determine by reflecting
    • think what to do next
  7. to call to mind : remember
    • he never think s to ask how we do
  8. to devise by thinking usu. used with up
    • thought up a plan to escape
  9. to have as an expectation : anticipate
    • we didn't think we'd have any trouble
  10. to center one's thoughts on
    • talks and think s business
  11. to form a mental picture of
  12. to subject to the processes of logical thought
    • think things out
  13. to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason
  14. to have in the mind or call to mind a thought
  15. to have the mind engaged in reflection : meditate
  16. to consider the suitability
    • thought of her for president
  17. to have a view or opinion
    • think s of himself as a poet
  18. to have concern usu. used with of
    • a man must think first of his family
  19. to consider something likely : suspect
    • may happen sooner than you think
  20. an act of thinking
    • has another think coming
  21. relating to, requiring, or stimulating thinking

thought experiment -n

  1. gedankenexperiment

thought·ful ['thȯt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. absorbed in thought : meditative
  2. characterized by careful reasoned thinking
    • a thoughtful essay
  3. having thoughts : heedful
    • became thoughtful about religion
  4. given to or chosen or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and wants of others
    • a kind and thoughtful friend

thought·less [-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. insufficiently alert : careless
  2. reckless, rash
    • thoughtless actions
  3. devoid of thought : insensate
  4. lacking concern for others : inconsiderate
    • rude and thoughtless behavior
    • a thoughtless remark

thoughtout [-'au̇t] -adj

  1. produced or arrived at through mental effort and esp. through careful and thorough consideration
    • a thoughtout plan

thought·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a way of thinking that is characteristic of a particular group, time, or culture

thou·sand ['thau̇-zᵊn(d)] -n, adj, adj or adv, adj or n

  1. a very large number
    • thousand s of ants

Thousand Island dressing -n

  1. mayonnaise with chili sauce and seasonings (as chopped pimientos, green peppers, and onion)

thousandleg·ger [,thau̇-zᵊn(d)-'le-gər, -'lā-] -n

  1. millipede

thousands place -n

  1. the place four to the left of the decimal point in a number expressed in the Arabic system of writing numbers

Thra·cian ['thrā-shən] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Thrace
  2. the Indo-European language of the ancient Thracians

thrall ['thrȯl] -n, adj

  1. a servant slave : bondman
  2. serf
  3. a person in moral or mental servitude
  4. a state of servitude or submission
    • in thrall to his emotions
  5. a state of complete absorption
    • mountains could hold me in thrall with a subtle attraction of their own -- Elyne Mitchell
  6. enthrall, enslave

thrash ['thrash] -vb

  1. to separate the seeds of from the husks and straw by beating : thresh
  2. to beat soundly with or as if with a stick or whip : flog
  3. to defeat decisively or severely
    • thrash ed the visiting team
  4. to swing, beat, or strike in the manner of a rapidly moving flail
    • thrash ing his arms
  5. to go over again and again
    • thrash the matter over inconclusively
  6. to hammer out : forge
    • thrash out a plan
  7. thresh
  8. to deal blows or strokes like one using a flail or whip
  9. to move or stir about violently : toss about
    • thrash in bed with a fever
  10. an act of thrashing
  11. rock music (as heavy metal or punk rock) that is extremely fast and loud

thrash·er ['thra-shər] -n

  1. one that thrashes or threshes
  2. an avid skateboarder

thrasher -n

  1. any of various American oscine birds (family Mimidae, esp. genus Toxostoma) related to the mockingbird that resemble thrushes but have a usu. long curved bill and long tail

thra·son·i·cal [thrā-'sä-ni-kəl, thrə-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, resembling, or characteristic of Thraso : bragging, boastful

thraw ['thrä] -vb

  1. to cause to twist or turn
  2. cross, thwart
  3. twist, turn
  4. to be in disagreement
  5. twist, turn
  6. ill humor

thra·wart ['thrä-wərt] -adj

  1. stubborn
  2. crooked

thrawn ['thrän] -adj, adv

  1. : lacking in pleasing or attractive qualities: as
  2. perverse, recalcitrant
  3. crooked, misshapen

thread ['thred] -n, adj

  1. a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand
  2. a piece of thread
  3. any of various natural filaments
    • the thread s of a spiderweb
  4. a slender stream (as of water)
  5. a projecting helical rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can be screwed together : screw thread
  6. : something continuous or drawn out: as
  7. a line of reasoning or train of thought that connects the parts in a sequence (as of ideas or events)
    • lost the thread of the story
  8. a continuing element
    • a thread of melancholy marked all his writing
  9. a series of newsgroup messages following a single topic
  10. a tenuous or feeble support
    • hung on by a thread
  11. clothing
  12. to pass a thread through the eye of (a needle)
  13. to arrange a thread, yarn, or lead-in piece in working position for use in (a machine)
  14. to pass something through in the manner of a thread
    • thread a pipe with wire
  15. to pass (as a tape, line, or film) into or through something
    • thread ed a fresh roll of film into the camera
  16. to make one's way through or between
    • thread ing narrow alleys
  17. to make one's way usu. cautiously through a hazardous situation
  18. to put together on or as if on a thread : string
    • thread beads
  19. to interweave with or as if with threads : intersperse
    • dark hair thread ed with silver
  20. to form a screw thread on or in
  21. weave
    • the car thread ed through traffic
  22. to form a thread

thread·bare ['thred-,ber] -adj, n

  1. having the nap worn off so that the thread shows : shabby
    • threadbare clothes
  2. wearing threadbare clothing : very poor
    • took in threadbare relatives -- Russell Baker
  3. barely adequate because of cheapness or shabbiness
    • a threadbare production
  4. exhausted of interest or freshness

thread·fin [-,fin] -n

  1. any of various bony fishes (family Polynemidae, esp. genus Polydactylus) having elongated filamentous rays on the pectoral fin
  2. a fish (as Dorosoma pretenseof the herring family) having usu. one similar ray extending from a fin

thread·worm [-,wərm] -n

  1. a long slender nematode worm (as a pinworm or strongyle)

thready ['thre-dē] -adj, n

  1. consisting of or bearing fibers or filaments
    • a thready bark
  2. resembling a thread : filamentous
  3. tending to form or draw out into strands : ropy
  4. lacking in fullness, body, or vigor : thin
    • a thready voice

threap ['thrēp] -vt

  1. scold, chide
  2. to maintain persistently

threat ['thret] -n

  1. an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
  2. one that threatens
  3. an indication of something impending
    • the sky held a threat of rain
  4. threaten

threat·en ['thre-tᵊn] -vb, n, adv

  1. to utter threats against
  2. to give signs or warning of : portend
    • the clouds threaten ed rain
  3. to hang over dangerously : menace
    • famine threaten s the city
  4. to announce as intended or possible
    • the workers threaten ed a strike
  5. to cause to feel insecure or anxious
    • felt threaten ed by his brother's success
  6. to utter threats
  7. to portend evil

threatened -adj

  1. having an uncertain chance of continued survival
    • a threatened species
  2. likely to become an endangered species

three ['thrē] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. the third in a set or series
    • the three of hearts
  2. something having three units or members
  3. three-pointer

threebag·ger [-'ba-gər] -n

  1. triple

threeball [-,bȯl] -adj

  1. relating to or being a golf match in which three players compete against one another with each playing a single ball

threecard monte ['thrē-'kärd-] -n

  1. a gambling game in which the dealer shows three cards, shuffles them, places them face down, and invites spectators to bet they can identify the location of a particular card

threecol·or ['thrē-'kə-lər] -adj

  1. being or relating to a printing or photographic process wherein three primary colors are used to reproduce all the colors of the subject

threedeck·er ['thrē-'de-kər] -n

  1. a wooden warship carrying guns on three decks
  2. triple-decker

threedi·men·sion·al ['thrē-də-'mench-nəl, -'men(t)-shə-nᵊl also -dī-] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or having three dimensions
  2. giving the illusion of depth or varying distances used esp. of an image or a pictorial representation on a two-dimensional medium when this illusion is enhanced by stereoscopic means
  3. describing or being described in well-rounded completeness
    • a threedimensional analysis of multiple historical processes -- L. L. Snyder
  4. true to life : lifelike

three·fold ['thrē-,fōld, -'fōld] -adj, adv

  1. having three parts or members : triple
    • a threefold purpose
  2. being three times as great or as many
    • a threefold increase

threegait·ed [-'gā-təd] -adj

  1. trained to use the walk, trot, and canter

threehand·ed [-'han-dəd] -adj

  1. played by three players
    • threehanded bridge

Three Hours -n

  1. a service of devotion between noon and three o'clock on Good Friday

threelegged ['thrē-'legd, -'lāgd; -'le-gəd, -'lā-] -adj

  1. having three legs
    • a threelegged stool

threelegged race -n

  1. a race between pairs of competitors with each pair having their adjacent legs bound together

threemile limit -n

  1. the limit of the marginal sea of three miles included in the territorial waters of a state

three of a kind

  1. three cards of the same rank in one hand

threepeat ['thrē-,pēt] -n, vi

  1. a third consecutive championship

three·pence ['thre-pən(t)s, 'thri-, 'thrə-, US also 'thrē-pen(t)s] -n

  1. a coin worth threepence
  2. the sum of three British pennies

three·pen·ny ['thre-p(ə-)nē, 'thri-, 'thrə-, US also 'thrē-,pe-nē] -adj

  1. costing or worth threepence
  2. poor

threephase -adj

  1. of, relating to, or operating by means of a combination of three circuits energized by alternating electromotive forces that differ in phase by one third of a cycle

threepiece -adj

  1. consisting of or made in three pieces
    • a threepiece suit

threepointer -n

  1. a basketball shot or field goal from beyond the three-point line

threepoint landing -n

  1. an airplane landing in which the two main wheels of the landing gear and the tail wheel or skid or nose wheel touch the ground simultaneously

threepoint line -n

  1. a line on a basketball court forming an arc at a set distance (as 22 feet) from the basket beyond which a field goal counts for three points

threequarter -adj

  1. extending to three-quarters of the normal full length
    • a threequarter sleeve

threequarterbound -adj, n

  1. bound like a half-bound book but having the material on the spine extended to cover about one third of the boards

threering circus -n

  1. a circus with simultaneous performances in three rings
  2. something wild, confusing, engrossing, or entertaining

three R's -n pl

  1. the fundamentals taught in elementary school
  2. reading, writing, and arithmetic
  3. the fundamental skills in a field of endeavor

three·score ['thrē-'skȯr] -adj

  1. being three times twenty : sixty

three·some ['thrē-səm] -n

  1. a group of three persons or things : trio
  2. a golf match in which one person plays his or her ball against the ball of two others playing each stroke alternately

threespined stickleback ['thrē-'spīn(d)-] -n

  1. a stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) chiefly of fresh and brackish waters that typically has three dorsal spines called also three-spine stickleback

threetoed sloth ['thrē-'tōd-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Bradypus) of sloths having three clawed digits on each foot and eight or nine vertebrae in the neck

threewheel·er [-,hwē-lər, -,wē-] -n

  1. any of various vehicles having three wheels

thre·node ['thrē-,nōd, 'thre-] -n, adj

  1. threnody

thren·o·dy ['thre-nə-dē] -n

  1. a song of lamentation for the dead : elegy

thre·o·nine ['thrē-ə-,nēn] -n

  1. a colorless crystalline essential amino acid C 4H 9NO 3

thresh ['thresh, 'thrash] -vb

  1. to separate seed from (a harvested plant) mechanically
  2. to separate (seed) in this way
  3. thrash
  4. to strike repeatedly
  5. to thresh grain
  6. thrash
  7. thrash

thresh·er ['thre-shər, 'thra-] -n

  1. one that threshes
  2. threshing machine
  3. thresher shark

thresher shark -n

  1. a large nearly cosmopolitan shark ( Alopias vulpinus) that has a greatly elongated curved upper lobe of the tail which is often used to thresh the water to round up the schooling fish on which it feeds

thresh·ing machine ['thre-shiŋ-, 'thra-] -n

  1. a machine for separating grain crops into grain or seeds and straw

thresh·old ['thresh-,hōld, 'thre-,shōld] -n

  1. the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door : sill
  2. gate, door
  3. end, boundary
  4. the end of a runway
  5. the place or point of entering or beginning : outset
    • on the threshold of a new age
  6. the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced
    • has a high threshold for pain
  7. a level, point, or value above which something is true or will take place and below which it is not or will not

threw ['thrō] -vb, n

(variant of throw)

  1. to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm
    • throw a baseball
  2. to propel through the air in any manner
    • a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile
  3. pitch
    • threw a no-hitter
  4. to cause to fall
    • threw his opponent
  5. to cause to fall off : unseat
    • the horse threw its rider
  6. to get the better of : overcome
    • the problem didn't throw her
  7. to fling (oneself) precipitately
    • threw herself down on the sofa
  8. to drive or impel violently : dash
    • the ship was thrown on a reef
  9. to put in a particular position or condition
    • threw her arms around him
    • thrown into chaos
    • threw him into prison
  10. to put on or off hastily or carelessly
    • threw on a coat
  11. to bring to bear : exert
    • threw all his efforts into the boy's defense
    • throw their weight behind the proposal
  12. build, construct
    • threw a pontoon bridge over the river
  13. to form or shape on a potter's wheel
  14. to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing
  15. to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn
  16. to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)
  17. roll
    • throw a bowling ball
  18. to give up : abandon
  19. to send forth : project
    • the setting sun threw long shadows
  20. shed
    • throw some light on the matter
  21. to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection
    • threw himself on the mercy of the court
  22. deposit
    • the wine throw s sediment
  23. to perform (as a stunt) successfully
    • throw ing tricks on a skateboard
  24. to indulge in : give way to
    • threw a temper tantrum
  25. to bring forth
    • throw s a good crop
  26. to give birth to
    • threw large litters
  27. to lose intentionally
    • throw a game
  28. to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch
  29. to make or break (a connection) with a lever
  30. to put (an automobile) in a different gear esp. quickly or suddenly
    • he threw the car into reverse
  31. to give by way of entertainment
    • throw a party
  32. cast, hurl
  33. an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging
  34. an act of throwing dice
  35. the number thrown with a cast of dice
  36. a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
  37. the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected
  38. an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture
  39. the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geological fault
  40. the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke
  41. the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam
  42. a light coverlet (as for a bed)
  43. a woman's scarf or light wrap

thrice ['thrīs] -adv

  1. three times often used in combination
    • thrice- married
  2. in a threefold manner or degree
  3. to a high degree

thrift ['thrift] -n

  1. healthy and vigorous growth
  2. careful management esp. of money
  3. gainful occupation
  4. any of a genus ( Armeria) of low-growing perennial evergreen herbs of the plumbago family
  5. a tufted herb ( A. maritima) with pink or white flower heads
  6. a savings bank or savings and loan association called also thrift institution

thrift·less ['thrift-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking usefulness or worth
  2. careless, wasteful, or incompetent in handling money or resources : improvident

thrift shop -n

  1. a shop that sells secondhand articles and esp. clothes and is often run for charitable purposes

thrifty ['thrif-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. thriving by industry and frugality : prosperous
  2. growing vigorously
  3. given to or marked by economy and good management

thrill ['thril] -vb, n, adv

  1. to cause to experience a sudden sharp feeling of excitement
    • the news thrill ed him
  2. to cause to have a shivering or tingling sensation
  3. to cause to vibrate or tremble perceptibly
  4. to move or pass so as to cause a sudden wave of emotion
  5. : to become thrilled:
  6. to experience a sudden sharp excitement
  7. tingle, throb
  8. tremble, vibrate

thril·ler ['thri-lər] -n

  1. one that thrills
  2. a work of fiction or drama designed to hold the interest by the use of a high degree of intrigue, adventure, or suspense

thrips ['thrips] -n

  1. any of an order (Thysanoptera) of small to minute sucking insects many of which feed often destructively on plant juices

thrive ['thrīv] -vi, n

  1. to grow vigorously : flourish
  2. to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
  3. to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances often used with on
    • thrive s on conflict

thriving ['thrī-viŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by success or prosperity
    • a thriving business

thro ['thrü] -prep

  1. through

throat ['thrōt] -n

  1. the part of the neck in front of the spinal column
  2. the passage through the neck to the stomach and lungs
  3. voice
  4. the seat of the voice
  5. : something resembling the throat esp. in being an entrance, a passageway, a constriction, or a narrowed part: as
  6. the orifice of a tubular organ esp. of a plant
  7. the opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep
  8. the part of a tennis racket that connects the head with the shaft
  9. the curved part of an anchor's arm where it joins the shank
  10. to utter in the throat : mutter
  11. to sing or enunciate in a throaty voice

throat·ed ['thrō-təd] -adj

  1. having a throat esp. of a specified kind usu. used in combination
    • white- throated

throat·latch ['thrōt-,lach] -n

  1. a strap of a bridle or halter passing under a horse's throat
  2. the part of a horse's throat around which the throatlatch passes

throaty ['thrō-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. uttered or produced from low in the throat
    • a throaty voice
  2. heavy, thick, and deep as if from the throat
    • throaty notes of a horn

throb ['thräb] -vi, n

  1. to pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity
  2. to beat or vibrate rhythmically
  3. beat, pulse

throe ['thrō] -n

  1. pang, spasm
    • death throe s
    • throe s of childbirth
  2. a hard or painful struggle
    • the throe s of revolutionary social change -- M. D. Geismar

thromb- -comb form

  1. blood clot : clotting of blood
    • thromb in
    • thrombo plastic

throm·bin ['thräm-bən] -n

  1. a proteolytic enzyme that is formed from prothrombin and facilitates the clotting of blood by catalyzing conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

throm·bo·cyte [-bə-,sīt] -n, adj

  1. platelet
  2. a cell with a similar clotting function

throm·bo·cy·to·pe·nia [,thräm-bə-,sī-tə-'pē-nē-ə, -nyə] -n, adj

  1. persistent decrease in the number of platelets in the blood that is often associated with hemorrhagic conditions

throm·bo·em·bo·lism [,thräm-bō-'em-bə-,li-zəm] -n, adj

  1. the blocking of a blood vessel by a particle that has broken away from a blood clot at its site of formation

throm·bo·ki·nase [,thräm-bō-'kī-,nās, -,nāz] -n

  1. thromboplastin

throm·bo·lyt·ic [,thräm-bə-'li-tik] -adj, n

  1. destroying or breaking up a thrombus
    • a thrombolytic agent
    • thrombolytic therapy

thrombolytic -n

  1. a thrombolytic drug : clot-buster

throm·bo·phle·bi·tis [,thräm-bō-fli-'bī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of a vein with formation of a thrombus

throm·bo·plas·tic [-'plas-tik] -adj

  1. initiating or accelerating the clotting of blood

throm·bo·plas·tin [-'plas-tən] -n

  1. a complex enzyme found esp. in platelets that functions in the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin in the clotting of blood

throm·bo·sis [thräm-'bō-səs, thrəm-] -n, adj

  1. the formation or presence of a blood clot within a blood vessel

throm·box·ane [thräm-'bäk-,sān] -n

  1. any of several substances that are produced esp. by platelets, are formed from endoperoxides, cause constriction of vascular and bronchial smooth muscle, and promote blood clotting

throm·bus ['thräm-bəs] -n

  1. a clot of blood formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin

throne ['thrōn] -n

  1. the chair of state of a sovereign or high dignitary (as a bishop)
  2. the seat of a deity
  3. royal power and dignity : sovereignty
  4. an order of angels
  5. to seat on a throne
  6. to invest with kingly rank or power
  7. to sit on a throne
  8. to hold kingly power

throne room -n

  1. a formal audience room containing the throne of a sovereign

throng ['thrȯŋ] -n

  1. a multitude of assembled persons
  2. a large number : host
  3. a crowding together of many persons
  4. a pressing increase of activity
    • this throng of business -- S. R. Crockett
  5. to crowd upon : press
    • a celebrity throng ed by fans
  6. to crowd into : pack
    • shoppers throng ing the streets
  7. to crowd together in great numbers

thros·tle ['thrä-səl] -n

  1. thrush
  2. song thrush

throt·tle ['thrä-tᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to compress the throat of : choke
  2. to kill by such action
  3. to prevent or check expression or activity of : suppress
    • policies that throttle creativity
  4. to decrease the flow of (as steam or fuel to an engine) by a valve
  5. to regulate and esp. to reduce the speed of (as an engine) by such means
  6. to vary the thrust of (a rocket engine) during flight
  7. to throttle something (as an engine) usu. used with back or down
    • the pilot throttled back

throttle -n

  1. throat
  2. trachea
  3. a valve for regulating the supply of a fluid (as steam) to an engine
  4. the valve controlling the volume of vaporized fuel charge delivered to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine
  5. the lever controlling this valve
  6. the condition of being throttled

throt·tle·able ['thrä-tᵊl-ə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of having the thrust varied used of a rocket engine

throt·tle·hold ['thrä-tᵊl-,hōld] -n

  1. a vicious, strangling, or stultifying control

through ['thrü] -prep

  1. used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and esp. the opposite side of
    • drove a nail through the board
  2. by way of
    • left through the door
  3. used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another
    • a highway through the forest
    • a road through the desert
  4. without stopping for : past
    • drove through a red light
  5. used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
    • the matter has already passed through her hands
  6. used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: as
  7. by means of : by the agency of
  8. because of
    • failed through ignorance
  9. by common descent from or relationship with
    • related through their grandfather
  10. over the whole surface or extent of : throughout
    • homes scattered through the valley
  11. used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse
    • flew through the air
  12. used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions
    • put him through hell
  13. used as a function word to indicate a period of time: as
  14. during the entire period of
    • all through her life
  15. from the beginning to the end of
    • the tower stood through the earthquake
  16. to and including
    • Monday through Friday
  17. used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion
    • got through the book
    • went through the money in a year
  18. used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval esp. by an official body
    • got the bill through the legislature
  19. from one end or side to the other
  20. from beginning to end
  21. to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
    • see it through
  22. to the core : completely
    • soaked through
  23. into the open : out
    • break through
  24. extending from one surface to another
    • a through mortise
  25. admitting free or continuous passage : direct
    • a through road
  26. going from point of origin to destination without change or reshipment
    • a through train
  27. of or relating to such movement
    • a through ticket
  28. initiated at and destined for points outside a local zone
    • through traffic
  29. arrived at completion or accomplishment
    • is through with the job
  30. washed-up, finished

through and through -adv

  1. in every way : thoroughly

throughcom·posed [,thrü-kəm-'pōzd] -adj

  1. having new music provided for each stanza

through·ith·er ['thrü-(ə-)thər] -adv

  1. in confusion : promiscuously

through·ly ['thrü-lē] -adv

  1. in a thorough manner

through·out [thrü-'au̇t] -adv

  1. in or to every part : everywhere
    • of one color throughout
  2. during the whole time or action : from beginning to end
    • remained loyal throughout

throughout -prep

  1. all the way from one end to the other of : in or to every part of
    • cities throughout the United States
  2. during the whole course or period of
    • troubled her throughout her life

through·put ['thrü-,pu̇t] -n

  1. output, production
    • the throughput of a computer

through street -n

  1. a street on which the through movement of traffic is given preference

throve ['thrīv] -vi, n

(variant of thrive)

  1. to grow vigorously : flourish
  2. to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
  3. to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances often used with on
    • thrive s on conflict

throw ['thrō] -vb, n

  1. to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm
    • throw a baseball
  2. to propel through the air in any manner
    • a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile
  3. pitch
    • threw a no-hitter
  4. to cause to fall
    • threw his opponent
  5. to cause to fall off : unseat
    • the horse threw its rider
  6. to get the better of : overcome
    • the problem didn't throw her
  7. to fling (oneself) precipitately
    • threw herself down on the sofa
  8. to drive or impel violently : dash
    • the ship was thrown on a reef
  9. to put in a particular position or condition
    • threw her arms around him
    • thrown into chaos
    • threw him into prison
  10. to put on or off hastily or carelessly
    • threw on a coat
  11. to bring to bear : exert
    • threw all his efforts into the boy's defense
    • throw their weight behind the proposal
  12. build, construct
    • threw a pontoon bridge over the river
  13. to form or shape on a potter's wheel
  14. to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing
  15. to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn
  16. to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)
  17. roll
    • throw a bowling ball
  18. to give up : abandon
  19. to send forth : project
    • the setting sun threw long shadows
  20. shed
    • throw some light on the matter
  21. to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection
    • threw himself on the mercy of the court
  22. deposit
    • the wine throw s sediment
  23. to perform (as a stunt) successfully
    • throw ing tricks on a skateboard
  24. to indulge in : give way to
    • threw a temper tantrum
  25. to bring forth
    • throw s a good crop
  26. to give birth to
    • threw large litters
  27. to lose intentionally
    • throw a game
  28. to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch
  29. to make or break (a connection) with a lever
  30. to put (an automobile) in a different gear esp. quickly or suddenly
    • he threw the car into reverse
  31. to give by way of entertainment
    • throw a party
  32. cast, hurl
  33. an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging
  34. an act of throwing dice
  35. the number thrown with a cast of dice
  36. a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
  37. the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected
  38. an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture
  39. the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geological fault
  40. the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke
  41. the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam
  42. a light coverlet (as for a bed)
  43. a woman's scarf or light wrap

throw·away ['thrō-ə-,wā] -n

  1. : one that is or is designed to be thrown away: as
  2. a free handbill or circular
  3. a line of dialogue (as in a play) de-emphasized by casual delivery
  4. a joke or witticism delivered casually
  5. something made or done without care or interest
  6. a child who has been forced to leave home or who has run away from indifferent or hostile parents

throwaway -adj

  1. designed to be thrown away : disposable
    • throwaway containers
  2. written or spoken (as in a play) in a low-key or unemphatic manner
    • throwaway lines
  3. nonchalant, casual
  4. marked by a tendency to discard things : overly wasteful
    • a throwaway society

throw away -vt

  1. to get rid of as worthless or unnecessary
  2. discard
  3. to use in a foolish or wasteful manner : squander
  4. to fail to take advantage of : waste
    • throw away an opportunity
  5. to make (as a line in a play) unemphatic by casual delivery

throw·back ['thrō-,bak] -n

  1. reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
  2. an instance or product of atavistic reversion
  3. one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style
    • his manners were a throwback to a more polite era

throw back -vt

  1. to delay the progress or advance of : check
  2. to cause to rely : make dependent
    • they are thrown back upon...native intelligence -- Michael Novak
  3. reflect
  4. to revert to an earlier type or phase

throw down -vt

  1. to cause to fall : overthrow
  2. precipitate
  3. to cast off : discard
  4. to make (a slam dunk) with exceptional force

throwin ['thrō-,in] -n

  1. : an act or instance of throwing a ball in: as
  2. a throw made from the touchline in soccer to put the ball back in play after it has gone into touch
  3. a throw from an outfielder to the infield in baseball
  4. an inbounds pass in basketball
  5. something added as a bonus or supplement

throw in -vt

  1. to add as a gratuity or supplement
  2. to introduce or interject in the course of something : contribute
    • they throw in some...sound effects on several songs -- Tom Phillips
  3. distribute
  4. engage
    • throw in the clutch
  5. to enter into association or partnership : join
    • agrees to throw in with a crooked ex-cop -- Newsweek

throw off -vt

  1. to free oneself from : get rid of
    • threw off his inhibitions
  2. to cast off often in a hurried or vigorous manner : abandon
    • threw off all restraint
  3. distract, divert
    • dogs thrown off by a false scent
  4. emit, give off
    • stacks throwing off plumes of smoke
  5. to produce in an offhand manner : execute with speed or facility
    • some little...tune that the composer had thrown off -- James Hilton
  6. to cause to depart from an expected or desired course
    • mistakes threw his calculations off a bit
  7. to cause to make a mistake : mislead
  8. earn, generate
    • an investment that throws off a sizable income
  9. to begin hunting
  10. to make derogatory comments

throw out -vt

  1. to remove from a place, office, or employment usu. in a sudden or unexpected manner
  2. to get rid of as worthless or unnecessary
  3. to give expression to : utter
    • threw out a remark...that utterly confounded him -- Jean Stafford
  4. to dismiss from acceptance or consideration : reject
    • the testimony was thrown out
  5. to make visible or manifest : display
    • the signal was thrown out for the...fleet to prepare for action -- Archibald Duncan
  6. to leave behind : outdistance
  7. to give forth from within : emit
  8. to send out
  9. to cause to project : extend
  10. confuse, disconcert
    • automobiles in line blocking the road... threw the whole schedule out -- F. D. Roosevelt
  11. to cause to stand out : make prominent
  12. to make a throw that enables a teammate to put out (a base runner)

throw over -vt

  1. to forsake despite bonds of attachment or duty
  2. to refuse to accept : reject

throw pillow -n

  1. a small pillow used esp. as a decorative accessory

throw rug -n

  1. a rug of such a size that several can be used in a room

throw·ster ['thrō-stər] -n

  1. one who throws textile filaments

throw up -vt

  1. to raise quickly
  2. give up, quit
    • the urge...to throw up all intellectual work -- Norman Mailer
  3. to build hurriedly
    • new houses thrown up almost overnight
  4. vomit
  5. to bring forth : produce
  6. to make distinct esp. by contrast : cause to stand out
  7. to mention repeatedly by way of reproach
  8. vomit

throw weight -n

  1. the maximum payload of an ICBM

thru ['thrü] -prep

(variant of through)

  1. used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and esp. the opposite side of
    • drove a nail through the board
  2. by way of
    • left through the door
  3. used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another
    • a highway through the forest
    • a road through the desert
  4. without stopping for : past
    • drove through a red light
  5. used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
    • the matter has already passed through her hands
  6. used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: as
  7. by means of : by the agency of
  8. because of
    • failed through ignorance
  9. by common descent from or relationship with
    • related through their grandfather
  10. over the whole surface or extent of : throughout
    • homes scattered through the valley
  11. used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse
    • flew through the air
  12. used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions
    • put him through hell
  13. used as a function word to indicate a period of time: as
  14. during the entire period of
    • all through her life
  15. from the beginning to the end of
    • the tower stood through the earthquake
  16. to and including
    • Monday through Friday
  17. used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion
    • got through the book
    • went through the money in a year
  18. used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval esp. by an official body
    • got the bill through the legislature
  19. from one end or side to the other
  20. from beginning to end
  21. to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
    • see it through
  22. to the core : completely
    • soaked through
  23. into the open : out
    • break through
  24. extending from one surface to another
    • a through mortise
  25. admitting free or continuous passage : direct
    • a through road
  26. going from point of origin to destination without change or reshipment
    • a through train
  27. of or relating to such movement
    • a through ticket
  28. initiated at and destined for points outside a local zone
    • through traffic
  29. arrived at completion or accomplishment
    • is through with the job
  30. washed-up, finished

thrum ['thrəm] -n, adj

  1. a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed
  2. one of these warp threads
  3. a tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas usu. used in pl.
  4. bit, particle
  5. a hair, fiber, or threadlike leaf on a plant
  6. a tuft or fringe of such structures
  7. to furnish with thrums : fringe
  8. to insert short pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas) to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped about rigging to prevent chafing
  9. to play or pluck a stringed instrument idly : strum
  10. to sound with a monotonous hum
  11. to play (as a stringed instrument) in an idle or relaxed manner
  12. to recite tiresomely or monotonously
  13. the monotonous sound of thrumming

thrush ['thrəsh] -n

  1. any of numerous small or medium-sized birds of an oscine family (Turdidae, the thrush family) or in some classifications a subfamily (Turdinae of the family Muscicapidae) which are mostly of a plain color often with spotted underparts and many of which are excellent singers
  2. a disease that is caused by a fungus ( Candida albicans), occurs esp. in infants and children, and is marked by white patches in the oral cavity
  3. candidiasis
    • vaginal thrush
  4. a suppurative disorder of the feet in various animals (as a horse)

thrust ['thrəst] -vb

  1. to push or drive with force : shove
  2. to cause to enter or pierce something by or as if by pushing
    • thrust a dagger into his heart
  3. extend, spread
  4. stab, pierce
  5. to put (as an unwilling person) forcibly into a course of action or position
    • was thrust into the job
  6. to introduce often improperly into a position : interpolate
  7. to press, force, or impose the acceptance of upon someone
    • thrust new responsibilities upon her
  8. to force an entrance or passage
  9. to push forward : press onward
  10. to push upward : project
  11. to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon
    • thrust at them with a knife
  12. a push or lunge with a pointed weapon
  13. a verbal attack
  14. a military assault
  15. a strong continued pressure
  16. the sideways force or pressure of one part of a structure against another part (as of an arch against an abutment)
  17. the force produced by a propeller or by a jet or rocket engine that drives a vehicle (as an aircraft) forward
  18. a nearly horizontal geological fault
  19. a forward or upward push
  20. a movement (as by a group of people) in a specified direction
  21. salient or essential element or meaning
    • the thrust of the argument
  22. principal concern or objective
    • the plan's major thrust is testing -- Ryan Lizza

thrust·er ['thrəs-tər] -n

  1. one that thrusts
  2. an engine (as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

thrust·ful ['thrəst-fəl] -adj

  1. characterized by thrust : aggressive
    • thrustful young man on the make -- Current Literature

thrust stage -n

  1. a stage that projects beyond the proscenium so that the audience sits around the projection
  2. a forestage that is extended into the auditorium to increase the stage area

thru·way ['thrü-,wā] -n

  1. expressway

thud ['thəd] -n

  1. blow
  2. a dull sound : thump
  3. to move or strike so as to make a thud

thug ['thəg] -n, adj

  1. a brutal ruffian or assassin : gangster, tough

thu·ja ['thü-jə, 'thyü-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Thuja) of evergreen shrubs and trees (as an arborvitae) of the cypress family having scalelike closely imbricated or compressed leaves

Thu·le ['thü-lē, 'thyü-] -n

  1. the northernmost part of the habitable ancient world
  2. of, relating to, or being the culture existing in the arctic lands from Alaska to Greenland from about a.d.500 to a.d.1400

thu·li·um ['thü-lē-əm, 'thyü-] -n

  1. a soft silvery metallic element of the rare-earth group

thumb ['thəm] -n

  1. the short thick digit of the human hand that is analogous in position to the big toe and differs from the other fingers in having only two phalanges, allowing greater freedom of movement, and being opposable to each of them
  2. a corresponding digit in lower animals
  3. the part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb
  4. a convex molding : ovolo
  5. to leaf through (pages) with the thumb : turn
  6. to soil or wear by or as if by repeated thumbing
    • a badly thumb ed book
  7. to request or obtain (a ride) in a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb
  8. to turn over pages
    • thumb through a book
  9. to travel by thumbing rides : hitchhike
    • thumb ed across the country

thumb·hole ['thəm-,hōl] -n

  1. an opening in which to insert the thumb
  2. a hole in a wind musical instrument opened or closed by the thumb

thumb index -n

  1. a series of usu. labeled notches cut in the fore edge of a book (as a dictionary) to facilitate reference

thumb·nail ['thəm-,nāl, -'nāl] -n

  1. the nail of the thumb
  2. a miniature computer graphic sometimes hyperlinked to a full-size version

thumbnail -adj

  1. concise, brief
    • a thumbnail sketch

thumb piano -n

  1. mbira

thumb·print ['thəm-,print] -n

  1. an impression made by the thumb
  2. a print made by the inside of the first joint
  3. something that identifies
  4. fingerprint

thumb·screw [-,skrü] -n

  1. an instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw
  2. a screw having a flat-sided or knurled head so that it may be turned by the thumb and index finger

thumbsdown ['thəmz-'dau̇n] -n

  1. an instance or gesture of rejection, disapproval, or condemnation

thumbsup [-'əp] -n

  1. an instance or gesture of approval or encouragement

thumb·tack ['thəm-,tak] -n

  1. a tack with a broad flat head for pressing into a surface with the thumb

thumbtack -vt

  1. to fasten with a thumbtack

thumb·wheel ['thəm-,hwēl, -,wēl] -n

  1. a control for various devices consisting of a partially exposed wheel that can be turned by moving the exposed edge with a finger

thump ['thəmp] -vb, n

  1. to strike or beat with or as if with something thick or heavy so as to cause a dull sound
  2. pound, knock
  3. whip, thrash
  4. to produce (music) mechanically or in a mechanical manner usu. used with out
    • thump ed out a tune on the piano
  5. to inflict a thump
  6. to make or move with a thumping sound
  7. to make a vigorous endorsement
    • got a couple of...senators to thump for him -- N.Y. Herald Tribune
  8. a blow or knock with or as if with something blunt or heavy
  9. the sound made by such a blow

thump·ing ['thəm-piŋ] -adj, adv

  1. impressively large, great, or excellent
    • a thumping majority

thumping -adv

  1. very, extremely
    • a thumping good time

thun·der ['thən-dər] -n

  1. the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical discharge
  2. a loud utterance or threat
  3. bang, rumble
    • the thunder of big guns

thunder [-d(ə-)riŋ] -vb, n

  1. to produce thunder usu. used impersonally
    • it thunder ed
  2. to give forth a sound that resembles thunder
    • horses thunder ed down the road
  3. roar, shout
  4. to utter loudly : roar
  5. to strike with a sound likened to thunder

thun·der·bird ['thən-dər-,bərd] -n

  1. a bird that causes lightning and thunder in American Indian myth

thun·der·bolt [-,bōlt] -n

  1. a single discharge of lightning with the accompanying thunder
  2. an imaginary elongated mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash
  3. a person or thing that resembles lightning in suddenness, effectiveness, or destructive power
  4. a vehement threat or censure

thun·der·clap [-,klap] -n

  1. a clap of thunder
  2. something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder

thun·der·cloud [-,klau̇d] -n

  1. a cloud charged with electricity and producing lightning and thunder

thunder egg -n

  1. chalcedony in rounded concretionary nodules

thun·der·head [-,hed] -n

  1. a rounded mass of cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud often appearing before a thunderstorm

thundering -adj, adv

  1. awesomely great, intense, or unusual

thunder lizard -n

  1. brontosaurus

thun·der·ous ['thən-d(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv

  1. producing thunder
  2. making or accompanied by a noise like thunder
    • thunderous applause
  3. thundering

thun·der·show·er [-,shau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. a shower accompanied by lightning and thunder

thun·der·stone [-,stōn] -n

  1. thunderbolt
  2. any of various stones (as a meteorite or an ancient artifact) regarded as having been cast to the earth as thunderbolts

thun·der·storm [-,stȯrm] -n

  1. a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder

thun·der·strike [-,strīk] -vt

  1. to strike dumb : astonish
    • was thunderstruck at the news
  2. to strike by or as if by lightning

thun·der·stroke [-,strōk] -n

  1. a stroke of or as if of lightning with the attendant thunder

thunk ['thiŋk] -vb, n

(variant of think)

  1. to form or have in the mind
  2. to have as an intention
    • thought to return early
  3. to have as an opinion
    • think it's so
  4. to regard as : consider
    • think the rule unfair
  5. to reflect on : ponder
    • think the matter over
  6. to determine by reflecting
    • think what to do next
  7. to call to mind : remember
    • he never think s to ask how we do
  8. to devise by thinking usu. used with up
    • thought up a plan to escape
  9. to have as an expectation : anticipate
    • we didn't think we'd have any trouble
  10. to center one's thoughts on
    • talks and think s business
  11. to form a mental picture of
  12. to subject to the processes of logical thought
    • think things out
  13. to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason
  14. to have in the mind or call to mind a thought
  15. to have the mind engaged in reflection : meditate
  16. to consider the suitability
    • thought of her for president
  17. to have a view or opinion
    • think s of himself as a poet
  18. to have concern usu. used with of
    • a man must think first of his family
  19. to consider something likely : suspect
    • may happen sooner than you think
  20. an act of thinking
    • has another think coming
  21. relating to, requiring, or stimulating thinking

thu·ri·ble ['thu̇r-ə-bəl, 'thyu̇r-, 'thər-] -n

  1. censer

thu·ri·fer [-ə-fər] -n

  1. one who carries a censer in a liturgical service

Thu·rin·ger ['thu̇r-ən-jər, 'thyu̇r-] -n

  1. a mildly seasoned fresh or smoked sausage

Thu·rin·gian [thu̇-'rin-j(ē-)ən, thyu̇r-] -n, adj

  1. a member of an ancient Germanic people whose kingdom was overthrown by the Franks in the sixth century
  2. a native or inhabitant of Thuringia

thurl ['thər(-ə)l] -n

  1. the hip joint in cattle

Thurs -abbr

  1. Thursday

Thurs·day ['thərz-dē, -(,)dā] -n, adv

  1. the fifth day of the week

thus ['thəs] -adv

  1. in this or that manner or way
    • described it thus
  2. to this degree or extent : so
    • thus far
  3. because of this or that : hence, consequently
  4. as an example

thus·ly [-lē] -adv

  1. in this manner : thus

thwack ['thwak] -vt

  1. to strike with or as if with something flat or heavy : whack
  2. a heavy blow : whack
  3. the sound of or as if of such a blow

thwart ['thwȯrt] -vt, n

  1. to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or baffle : contravene
  2. to oppose successfully : defeat the hopes or aspirations of
  3. to pass through or across
  4. athwart
  5. situated or placed across something else : transverse
  6. a seat extending athwart a boat

thwart·wise [-,wīz] -adv or adj

  1. crosswise

thy ['thī] -adj

  1. of or relating to thee or thyself esp. as possessor or agent or as object of an action used esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and sometimes by Friends esp. among themselves

Thy·es·te·an [thī-'es-tē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to the eating of human flesh : cannibal

thy·la·cine ['thī-lə-,sīn] -n

  1. tasmanian tiger

thy·la·koid ['thī-lə-,kȯid] -n

  1. any of the membranous disks of lamellae within plant chloroplasts that are composed of protein and lipid and are the sites of the photochemical reactions of photosynthesis

thym- -comb form

  1. thymus
    • thym ic
    • thymo cyte

thyme ['tīm also 'thīm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Thymus) of Eurasian mints with small pungent aromatic leaves
  2. a Mediterranean garden herb ( T. vulgaris)
  3. thyme leaves used as a seasoning

thy·mec·to·my [thī-'mek-tə-mē] -n, vt

  1. surgical removal of the thymus

thy·mic ['thī-mik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the thymus

thy·mi·dine ['thī-mə-,dēn] -n

  1. a nucleoside C 10H 14N 2O 5that is composed of thymine and deoxyribose and occurs as a structural part of DNA

thy·mine ['thī-,mēn] -n

  1. a pyrimidine base C 5H 6N 2O 2that is one of the four bases coding genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA

thy·mo·cyte ['thī-mə-,sīt] -n

  1. a cell of the thymus
  2. a thymic lymphocyte

thy·mol ['thī-,mȯl, -,mōl] -n

  1. a crystalline phenol C 10H 14O of aromatic odor and antiseptic properties found esp. in thyme oil or made synthetically and used chiefly as a fungicide and preservative

thy·mo·sin ['thī-mə-sən] -n

  1. a mixture of polypeptides isolated from the thymus
  2. any of these

thy·mus ['thī-məs] -n

  1. a glandular structure of largely lymphoid tissue that functions esp. in the development of the body's immune system, is present in the young of most vertebrates typically in the upper anterior chest or at the base of the neck, and tends to atrophy in the adult

thymy ['tī-mē also 'thī-] -adj

  1. abounding in or fragrant with thyme

thyr- -comb form

  1. thyroid
    • thyro toxicosis
    • thyr oxine

thy·ra·tron ['thī-rə-,trän] -n

  1. a gas-filled hot-cathode electron tube in which the grid controls only the start of a continuous current thus giving the tube a trigger effect

thy·ris·tor [thī-'ris-tər] -n

  1. any of several semiconductor devices that act as switches, rectifiers, or voltage regulators

thy·ro·cal·ci·to·nin [,thī-rō-,kal-sə-'tō-nən] -n

  1. calcitonin

thy·ro·glob·u·lin [-'glä-byə-lən] -n

  1. an iodine-containing protein of the thyroid gland that is the precursor of thyroxine and triiodothyronine

thy·roid ['thī-,rȯid] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being the thyroid gland
  2. suggestive of a disordered thyroid
    • a thyroid personality
  3. of, relating to, or being the chief cartilage of the larynx

thyroid -n

  1. a large bilobed endocrine gland of vertebrates lying at the anterior base of the neck and producing esp. the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine
  2. a preparation of the thyroid gland of various domestic animals used in treating thyroid disorders

thy·roid·ec·to·my [,thī-,rȯi-'dek-tə-mē, ,thī-rə-] -n, adj

  1. surgical removal of thyroid gland tissue

thy·roid·itis [,thī-,rȯi-'dī-təs, ,thī-rə-] -n

  1. inflammation of the thyroid gland

thyroidstimulating hormone -n

  1. a hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland abbr. TSH called also thyrotropic hormone thyrotropin

thy·ro·tox·i·co·sis [,thī-rō-,täk-sə-'kō-səs] -n

  1. hyperthyroidism

thy·ro·tro·pic [,thī-rə-'trō-pik, -'trä-] -adj

  1. exerting or characterized by a direct influence on the secretory activity of the thyroid gland
    • thyrotropic functions

thyrotropic hormone -n

  1. thyroid-stimulating hormone

thy·ro·tro·pin [,thī-rə-'trō-pən] -n

  1. thyroid-stimulating hormone

thyrotropinreleasing hormone -n

  1. a tripeptide hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus that stimulates secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone called also thyrotropin-releasing factor

thy·rox·ine [thī-'räk-,sēn, -sən] -n

  1. an iodine-containing hormone C 15H 11I 4NO 4that is an amino acid produced by the thyroid gland as a product of the cleavage of thyroglobulin, increases metabolic rate, and is used to treat thyroid disorders

thyr·sus ['thər-səs] -n

  1. a staff surmounted by a pinecone or by a bunch of vine or ivy leaves with grapes or berries that is carried by Bacchus and by satyrs and others engaging in bacchic rites

thy·sa·nu·ran [,thī-sə-'nu̇r-ən, -'nyu̇r-] -n, adj

  1. bristletail

thy·self [thī-'self] -pron

  1. yourself used esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and sometimes by Friends esp. among themselves