HUAC -abbr

  1. House Un-American Activities Committee

hua·ra·che [wə-'rä-chē, hə-] -n

  1. a low-heeled sandal having an upper made of interwoven leather strips

hub ['həb] -n

  1. the central part of a circular object (as a wheel or propeller)
  2. a center of activity : focal point
  3. an airport or city through which an airline routes most of its traffic
  4. a central device that connects multiple computers on a single network
  5. a steel punch from which a working die for a coin or medal is made

hubandspoke -adj

  1. being or relating to a system of routing air traffic in which a major airport serves as a central point for coordinating flights to and from other airports

Hub·bard squash ['hə-bərd-] -n

  1. an often large variably green squash of any of several cultivars of a winter squash ( Cucurbita maxima) called also Hubbard

hub·blebub·ble ['hə-bəl-,bə-bəl] -n

  1. water pipe
  2. a flurry of sound or activity : commotion

hub·bub ['hə-,bəb] -n

  1. noise, uproar
  2. confusion, turmoil

hub·by ['hə-bē] -n

  1. husband

hub·cap ['həb-,kap] -n

  1. a removable usu. metal cap over the end of an axle
  2. one used on the wheel of a motor vehicle

hu·bris ['hyü-brəs] -n, adj

  1. exaggerated pride or self-confidence

huck ['hək] -n

  1. huckaback

huck·a·back ['hə-kə-,bak] -n

  1. an absorbent durable fabric of cotton, linen, or both used chiefly for towels

huck·le·ber·ry ['hə-kəl-,ber-ē] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Gaylussacia) of American shrubs of the heath family
  2. the edible dark blue to black usu. acid berry (esp. of G. baccata) with 10 nutlets
  3. blueberry

huck·ster ['hək-stər] -n

  1. hawker, peddler
  2. one who produces promotional material for commercial clients esp. for radio or television

huckster [-st(ə-)riŋ] -vb

  1. haggle
  2. to deal in or bargain over
  3. to promote by showmanship

HUD -abbr

  1. Department of Housing and Urban Development

hud·dle ['hə-dᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to arrange carelessly or hurriedly
  2. to crowd together
  3. to draw (oneself) together : crouch
  4. to wrap closely in (as clothes)
  5. to gather in a close-packed group
  6. to curl up : crouch
  7. to hold a consultation
  8. to gather in a huddle in football

huddle -n

  1. a close-packed group : bunch
    • huddle s of children
    • a huddle of cottages
  2. meeting, conference
  3. a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down

Hu·di·bras·tic [,hyü-də-'bras-tik] -adj, n

  1. written in humorous octosyllabic couplets
  2. mock-heroic

hue ['hyü] -n

  1. complexion, aspect
    • political parties of every hue -- Louis Wasserman
  2. color
  3. gradation of color
  4. the attribute of colors that permits them to be classed as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors

hue and cry -n

  1. a loud outcry formerly used in the pursuit of one who is suspected of a crime
  2. the pursuit of a suspect or a written proclamation for the capture of a suspect
  3. a clamor of alarm or protest
  4. hubbub

hued ['hyüd] -adj

  1. colored usu. used in combination
    • green- hued

hue·vos ran·che·ros ['wā-vōs-,rän-'cher-ōs] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. fried or poached eggs served on a tortilla and topped with a usu. tomato-based sauce

huff ['həf] -vb

  1. to emit puffs (as of breath or steam)
  2. to proceed with labored breathing
    • huff ed up to the peak
  3. to make empty threats : bluster
  4. to react or behave indignantly
  5. to treat with contempt
  6. to make angry
  7. to utter with indignation or scorn
  8. to inhale (noxious fumes) through the mouth for the euphoric effect produced by the inhalant
  9. a usu. peevish and transitory spell of anger or resentment
    • quit in a huff

huff·ish ['hə-fish] -adj

  1. arrogant, sulky

huffy ['hə-fē] -adj, adv, n

  1. haughty, arrogant
  2. roused to indignation : irritated
  3. easily offended : touchy

hug ['həg] -vt, n, adj

  1. to press tightly esp. in the arms
  2. congratulate
  3. to hold fast : cherish
    • hugged his miseries like a sulky child -- John Buchan
  4. to stay close to
    • the road hug s the river

huge ['hyüj, 'yüj] -adj, adv, n

  1. : very large or extensive: as
  2. of great size or area
  3. great in scale or degree
    • a huge deficit
  4. great in scope or character
    • a dancer of huge talent

huge·ous ['hyü-jəs, 'yü-] -adj, adv

  1. huge

hug·germug·ger ['hə-gər-,mə-gər] -n

  1. secrecy
  2. confusion, muddle

huggermugger -adj, adv

  1. secret
  2. of a confused or disorderly nature : jumbled

hugmetight ['həg-mē-,tīt] -n

  1. a woman's short usu. knitted sleeveless close-fitting jacket

Hu·gue·not ['hyü-gə-,nät] -n, adj

  1. a member of the French Reformed communion esp. of the 16th and 17th centuries

huh [a grunt articulated as a syllabic m or n with a voiceless onset, or as the syllable 'hə or 'həⁿ, often ending in a glottal stop, and uttered with a range of intonations; often read as 'hə] -interj

  1. used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply

Hui·chol [wē-'chōl] -n, adj

  1. a member of an American Indian people of the mountains between Zacatecas and Nayarit, Mexico
  2. the Uto-Aztecan language of the Huichol people

hui·sa·che [wē-'sä-chē] -n

  1. a widely cultivated thorny shrubby acacia ( Acacia farnesiana) of the southern U.S. and tropical America with fragrant ball-shaped yellow flowers

hu·la ['hü-lə] -n

  1. a sinuous Polynesian dance characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic gestures with the hands and often accompanied by chants and rhythmic drumming

Hu·lahoop ['hü-lə-,hüp also ,hu̇p] -trademark

  1. used for a plastic toy hoop that is twirled around the body

hulk ['həlk] -n

  1. a heavy clumsy ship
  2. the body of an old ship unfit for service
  3. a ship used as a prison usu. used in pl.
    • every prisoner sent to the hulk s -- Kenneth Roberts
  4. an abandoned wreck or shell (as of a building or automobile)
  5. one that is bulky or unwieldy
  6. to move ponderously
  7. to appear impressively large or massive : loom
    • factories hulk ed along the river

hulk·ing ['həl-kiŋ] -adj

  1. ponderous, massive
    • a hulking wrestler

hull ['həl] -n, adj

  1. the outer covering of a fruit or seed
  2. the persistent calyx or involucre that subtends some fruits (as a strawberry)
  3. the frame or body of a ship or boat exclusive of masts, yards, sails, and rigging
  4. the main body of a usu. large or heavy craft or vehicle (as an airship or tank)
  5. covering, casing
  6. to remove the hulls of : shuck

hul·la·ba·loo ['hə-lə-bə-,lü] -n

  1. din
  2. uproar

hull down -adv or adj

  1. at such a distance that only the superstructure is visible

hulled corn -n

  1. whole grain corn from which the hulls have been removed by soaking or boiling in lye water

hul·lo [hə-'lō, he-] -n

(variant of hello)

  1. an expression or gesture of greeting used interjectionally in greeting, in answering the telephone, or to express surprise

hum ['həm] -vb, n, adj

  1. to utter a sound like that of the speech sound m prolonged
  2. to make the natural noise of an insect in motion or a similar sound : drone
  3. to give forth a low continuous blend of sound
  4. to be busily active
    • the museum hummed with visitors
  5. to run smoothly
    • the business started to hum
  6. to sing with the lips closed and without articulation
  7. to affect or express by humming
    • hummed his displeasure

hum ['hem] -n

(variant of hem)

  1. a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down
  2. rim, margin
    • bright green hem of reeds about the ponds -- R. M. Lockley
  3. to finish with a hem
  4. border, edge
  5. to surround in a restrictive manner : confine usu. used with in
    • hemmed in by enemy troops
  6. to make a hem in sewing
  7. to utter the sound represented by hem
    • hemmed and hawed before answering
  8. equivocate
    • the administration hemmed and hawed over the students' demands
  9. often used to indicate a vocalized pause in speaking

hu·man ['hyü-mən, 'yü-] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of humans
  2. consisting of humans
  3. having human form or attributes
  4. susceptible to or representative of the sympathies and frailties of human nature
    • such an inconsistency is very human -- P. E. More

human [-mən-,līk] -n, adj

  1. a bipedal primate mammal ( Homo sapiens) : man
  2. hominid

human being -n

  1. human

human chorionic gonadotropin -n

  1. a glycoprotein hormone similar in structure to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the placenta during early pregnancy to maintain corpus luteum function and is commonly tested for as an indicator of pregnancy

hu·mane [hyü-'mān, yü-] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals
  2. characterized by or tending to broad humanistic culture : humanistic
    • humane studies

human ecology -n

  1. a branch of sociology dealing esp. with the spatial and temporal interrelationships between humans and their economic, social, and political organization
  2. the ecology of human communities and populations esp. as concerned with preservation of environmental quality (as of air or water) through proper application of conservation and civil engineering practices

human engineering -n

  1. management of humans and their affairs esp. in industry
  2. ergonomics

human factors -n pl but sing in constr

  1. ergonomics

human growth hormone -n

  1. the naturally occurring growth hormone of humans or a genetically engineered form that is used to treat children with growth hormone deficiencies and has been used esp. by athletes to increase muscle mass

human immunodeficiency virus -n

  1. hiv

hu·man·ism ['hyü-mə-,ni-zəm, 'yü-] -n, n or adj, adj, adv

  1. devotion to the humanities : literary culture
  2. the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance
  3. humanitarianism
  4. a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values
  5. a philosophy that usu. rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason

hu·man·i·tar·i·an [hyü-,ma-nə-'ter-ē-ən, yü-] -n, adj

  1. a person promoting human welfare and social reform : philanthropist

hu·man·i·ty [hyü-'ma-nə-tē, yü-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being humane
  2. the quality or state of being human
  3. human attributes or qualities
    • his work has the ripeness of the 18th century, and its rough humanities -- Pamela H. Johnson
  4. the branches of learning (as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics)
  5. the human race : the totality of human beings

hu·man·ize ['hyü-mə-,nīz, 'yü-] -vt, n

  1. to represent as human : attribute human qualities to
  2. to adapt to human nature or use
  3. to make humane

hu·man·kind ['hyü-mən-,kīnd, 'yü-] -n sing but sing or pl in constr

  1. the human race

human leukocyte antigen -n

  1. any of various proteins that are encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and are found on the surface of many cell types (as white blood cells)
  2. hla

hu·man·ly ['hyü-mən-lē, 'yü-] -adv

  1. with regard to human needs and emotions
    • provide humanly for those who are not needed in the economy -- E. F. Bacon
  2. with regard to or in keeping with human proneness to error or weakness
    • humanly inaccurate
  3. from a human viewpoint
    • humanly speaking, the process works...like this -- Elizabeth Janeway
  4. within the range of human capacity
    • did everything humanly possible
  5. by humans
    • humanly made

human nature -n

  1. the nature of humans
  2. the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans

hu·man·oid ['hyü-mə-,nȯid, 'yü-] -adj, n

  1. having human form or characteristics
    • humanoid dentition
    • humanoid robots

human papillomavirus -n

  1. any of numerous papillomaviruses (as of the genera Alphapapillomavirus, Betapapillomavirus,and Gammapapillomavirus) that cause various human papillomas (as genital warts and plantar warts) and include some associated with the production of human cancer abbr. HPV

human relations -n pl but usu sing in constr

  1. a study of human problems arising from organizational and interpersonal relations (as in industry)
  2. a course, study, or program designed to develop better interpersonal and intergroup adjustments

human resources -n pl

  1. personnel
  2. personnel
    • director of human resources

human rights -n pl

  1. rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons

hu·mate ['hyü-,māt, 'yü-] -n

  1. a salt or ester of a humic acid

hum·ble ['həm-bəl also chiefly Southern 'əm-] -adj, n, adv

  1. not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
  2. reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
    • a humble apology
  3. ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious
  4. not costly or luxurious
    • a humble contraption

humble [-b(ə-)liŋ] -vt, n, adv

  1. to make humble in spirit or manner
  2. to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of

hum·blebee ['həm-bəl-,bē] -n

  1. bumblebee

humble pie -n

  1. a figurative serving of humiliation usu. in the form of a forced submission, apology, or retraction often used in the phrase eat humble pie

hum·bug ['həm-,bəg] -n

  1. something designed to deceive and mislead
  2. a willfully false, deceptive, or insincere person
  3. an attitude or spirit of pretense and deception
  4. nonsense, drivel
  5. a hard usu. mint-flavored candy

humbug -vb

  1. deceive, hoax
  2. to engage in a hoax or deception

hum·ding·er ['həm-'diŋ-ər] -n

  1. a striking or extraordinary person or thing

hum·drum ['həm-,drəm] -adj, n

  1. monotonous, dull

hu·mec·tant [hyü-'mek-tənt] -n, adj

  1. a substance that promotes retention of moisture

hu·mer·al ['hyü-mə-rəl] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or situated in the region of the humerus or shoulder
  2. of, relating to, or being a body part analogous to the humerus or shoulder

humeral veil -n

  1. an oblong vestment worn around the shoulders and over the hands by a priest holding a sacred vessel

hu·mer·us ['hyü-mə-rəs] -n

  1. the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending from the shoulder to the elbow

hu·mic ['hyü-mik, 'yü-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or derived at least in part from humus

humic acid -n

  1. any of various organic acids obtained from humus

hu·mid ['hyü-məd, 'yü-] -adj, adv

  1. containing or characterized by perceptible moisture esp. to the point of being oppressive

hu·mid·i·fi·er [hyü-'mid-ə-,fī(-ə)r, yü-] -n

  1. a device for supplying or maintaining humidity

hu·mid·i·fy [-,fī] -vt, n

  1. to make humid

hu·mid·i·stat [hyü-'mi-də-,stat, yü-] -n

  1. an instrument for regulating or maintaining the degree of humidity

hu·mid·i·ty [hyü-'mi-də-tē, yü-] -n

  1. a moderate degree of wetness esp. of the atmosphere

hu·mi·dor ['hyü-mə-,dȯr, 'yü-] -n

  1. a case or enclosure (as for storing cigars) in which the air is kept properly humidified

hu·mi·fi·ca·tion [,hyü-mə-fə-'kā-shən, ,yü-] -n

  1. formation of or conversion into humus

hu·mi·fied ['hyü-mə-,fīd, 'yü-] -adj

  1. converted into humus

hu·mil·i·ate [hyü-'mi-lē-,āt, yü-] -vt, n

  1. to reduce to a lower position in one's own eyes or others' eyes : mortify

humiliating [-tiŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. extremely destructive to one's self-respect or dignity : humbling

hu·mil·i·ty [hyü-'mi-lə-tē, yü-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being humble

hum·mer ['hə-mər] -n

  1. one that hums
  2. hummingbird
  3. humdinger
  4. fastball

hum·ming·bird ['hə-miŋ-,bərd] -n

  1. any of a family (Trochilidae) of tiny brightly colored nonpasserine American birds related to the swifts that have a very slender bill and an extensible tongue for sipping nectar and that usu. hover rather than perch when feeding

hum·mock ['hə-mək] -n, vb, adj

  1. a rounded knoll or hillock
  2. a ridge of ice
  3. hammock

hum·mus ['hə-məs, 'hu̇-] -n

  1. a paste of pureed chickpeas usu. mixed with sesame oil or sesame paste and eaten as a dip or sandwich spread

hu·mon·gous [hyü-'məŋ-gəs, yü-, -'mäŋ-] -adj

  1. extremely large : huge
    • a humongous building
    • humongous amounts of money

hu·mor ['hyü-mər, 'yü-] -n

  1. a normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the blood or lymph)
  2. a secretion (as a hormone) that is an excitant of activity
  3. a fluid or juice of an animal or plant
  4. one of the four fluids entering into the constitution of the body and determining by their relative proportions a person's health and temperament
  5. characteristic or habitual disposition or bent : temperament
    • of cheerful humor
  6. an often temporary state of mind imposed esp. by circumstances
    • was in no humor to listen
  7. a sudden, unpredictable, or unreasoning inclination : whim
    • the uncertain humor s of nature
  8. that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous
  9. the mental faculty of discovering, expressing, or appreciating the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous
  10. something that is or is designed to be comical or amusing

humor ['hyüm-riŋ, 'yüm-, 'hyü-mə-, 'yü-] -vt

  1. to soothe or content by indulgence
  2. to adapt oneself to

hu·mor·al ['hyü-mə-rəl, 'yü-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, proceeding from, or involving a bodily humor (as a hormone)
  2. relating to or being the part of immunity or the immune response that involves antibodies secreted by B cells and circulating in bodily fluids

hu·mor·esque [,hyü-mə-'resk, ,yü-] -n

  1. a typically whimsical or fanciful musical composition

hu·mor·ist ['hyü-mə-rist, 'yü-] -n

  1. a person subject to whims
  2. a person specializing in or noted for humor

hu·mor·is·tic [,hyü-mə-'ris-tik, ,yü-] -adj

  1. humorous

hu·mor·less ['hyü-mər-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking a sense of humor
  2. lacking humorous characteristics

hu·mor·ous ['hyüm-rəs, 'yüm-, 'hyü-mə-, 'yü-] -adj, adv, n

  1. humid
  2. full of or characterized by humor : funny
  3. indicating or expressive of a sense of humor

hu·mour ['hyü-mər, 'yü-] -n

(variant of humor)

  1. a normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the blood or lymph)
  2. a secretion (as a hormone) that is an excitant of activity
  3. a fluid or juice of an animal or plant
  4. one of the four fluids entering into the constitution of the body and determining by their relative proportions a person's health and temperament
  5. characteristic or habitual disposition or bent : temperament
    • of cheerful humor
  6. an often temporary state of mind imposed esp. by circumstances
    • was in no humor to listen
  7. a sudden, unpredictable, or unreasoning inclination : whim
    • the uncertain humor s of nature
  8. that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous
  9. the mental faculty of discovering, expressing, or appreciating the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous
  10. something that is or is designed to be comical or amusing

hump ['həmp] -n, adj

  1. : a rounded protuberance: as
  2. humpback
  3. a fleshy protuberance on the back of an animal (as a camel, bison, or whale)
  4. mound, hummock
  5. mountain, range
    • the Himalayan hump
  6. a fit of depression or sulking
  7. a difficult, trying, or critical phase or obstacle often used in the phrase over the hump
  8. to copulate with
  9. to exert (oneself) vigorously
  10. to make humpbacked : hunch
  11. to put or carry on the back : lug
  12. transport
  13. to exert oneself : hustle
  14. to move swiftly : race

hump·back [-,bak, for 1 also -'bak] -n

  1. a humped or crooked back
  2. kyphosis
  3. hunchback
  4. humpback whale
  5. pink salmon

hump·backed [-'bakt] -adj

  1. having a humped back
  2. convexly curved
    • a humpbacked bridge

humpback whale -n

  1. a large baleen whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae) that is black above and white below and has very long flippers, and fleshy tubercles along the snout

humph [a snort articulated as a syllabic m or n with a voiceless onset and ending in a nasal h or a glottal stop; often read as 'həm(p)f] -interj

  1. used to express doubt or contempt
  2. to utter a humph
  3. to utter (as a remark) in a tone suggestive of a humph

humpy ['həm-pē] -adj

  1. full of humps
  2. covered with humps

hu·mus ['hyü-məs, 'yü-] -n

  1. a brown or black complex variable material resulting from partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic portion of soil

Hum·vee [,həm-'vē, 'həm-,] -trademark

  1. used for a military automotive vehicle

Hun ['hən] -n

  1. a member of a nomadic central Asian people gaining control of a large part of central and eastern Europe under Attila about a.d.450
  2. a person who is wantonly destructive : vandal
  3. german
  4. a German soldier

Hu·nan ['hü-'nän] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a hot and spicy style of Chinese cooking

hunch ['hənch] -vb

  1. jostle, shove
  2. to thrust or bend over into a humped or crooked position
  3. to thrust oneself forward
  4. to assume a bent or crooked posture
  5. to draw oneself into a ball : curl up
  6. huddle, squat
  7. an act or instance of hunching : push
  8. a thick piece : lump
  9. hump
  10. a strong intuitive feeling concerning esp. a future event or result

hunch·back ['hənch-,bak] -n, adj

  1. a person with a humpback
  2. humpback

hun·dred ['hən-drəd, -dərd] -n, adj, adj or adv, adj or n

  1. the numbers 100 to 999
  2. a great number
    • hundred s of times
  3. a 100-dollar bill
  4. a subdivision of some English and American counties

hun·dredper·cent·er [-pər-'sen-tər] -n

  1. a thoroughgoing nationalist

hundreds place -n

  1. the place three to the left of the decimal point in a number expressed in the Arabic system of notation

hun·dred·weight ['hən-drəd-,wāt, -dərd-,wāt] -n

  1. a unit of weight equal to 100 pounds called also short hundredweight
  2. a unit of weight equal to 112 pounds called also long hundredweight

hung ['haŋ] -vb, adj

(variant of hang)

  1. to fasten to some elevated point without support from below : suspend
  2. to suspend by the neck until dead often hanged in the past often used as a mild oath
    • I'll be hang ed
  3. to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension
    • hang a door
  4. to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height
  5. to furnish with hanging decorations (as flags or bunting)
  6. to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner
    • hung his head in shame
  7. to apply to a wall
    • hang wallpaper
  8. to display (pictures) in a gallery
  9. to throw (as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly
  10. to make (a turn) esp. while driving
    • hang a right
    • hung a quick U-turn -- Tom Clancy
  11. base, found
    • something to hang our hopes on
  12. to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below : dangle
  13. to die by hanging often hanged in the past
    • he hang ed for his crimes
  14. to be connected as something relevant or related
    • thereby hang s a tale -- Shak.
  15. to remain poised or stationary in the air
    • clouds hang ing low overhead
  16. linger, persist
  17. to be imminent : impend
    • doom hung over the nation
  18. to fall or droop from a usu. tense or taut position
  19. depend
    • election hang s on one vote
  20. to take hold for support : cling
    • she hung on his arm
  21. to keep persistent contact
    • dogs hung to the trail
  22. to maintain or continue holding a position
    • hang behind
  23. to stay even : keep up usu. used with with
    • trying to hang with the leader
  24. to be burdensome or oppressive
    • time hang s on his hands
  25. to be uncertain or in suspense
    • the decision is still hang ing
  26. to lean, incline, or jut over or downward
  27. to be in a state of rapt attention
    • hung on her every word
  28. to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines
    • the coat hang s loosely
  29. to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing
    • hang ing at the beach
    often used with around or out
    • hung out with friends
  30. to fail to break or drop as intended
  31. the manner in which a thing hangs
  32. declivity, slope
  33. droop
  34. facility with or an understanding of something
    • can't get the hang of this
  35. a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course

Hung -abbr

  1. Hungary

Hun·gar·i·an [,həŋ-'ger-ē-ən] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Hungary : magyar
  2. a person of Hungarian descent
  3. the Finno-Ugric language of the Hungarians

hun·ger ['həŋ-gər] -n

  1. a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient
  2. an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food
  3. a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food
  4. a strong desire : craving
    • a hunger for success

hunger [-g(ə-)riŋ] -vb

  1. to feel or suffer hunger
  2. to have an eager desire
  3. to make hungry

hunger strike -n

  1. refusal (as by a prisoner) to eat enough to sustain life

hung·over ['həŋ-'ō-vər] -adj

  1. suffering from a hangover

hun·gry ['həŋ-grē] -adj, adv, n

  1. feeling hunger
  2. characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite
  3. eager, avid
    • hungry for affection
  4. strongly motivated (as by ambition)
  5. not rich or fertile : barren

hung up -adj

  1. delayed or detained for a time
  2. anxiously nervous
  3. having great or excessive interest in or preoccupation with someone or something usu. used with on
    • they broke up but he's still hung up on her
    • hung up on winning

hunk ['həŋk] -n

  1. a large lump, piece, or portion
    • a hunk of bread
  2. an attractive and usu. well-built man

hun·ker ['həŋ-kər] -vi

  1. crouch, squat usu. used with down
  2. to settle in or dig in for a sustained period used with down
    • hunker down for a good long wait -- New Yorker

hun·kers ['həŋ-kərz] -n pl

  1. haunches

hunks ['həŋ(k)s] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. a surly ill-natured person
  2. miser

hunky ['həŋ-kē] -adj

  1. being a hunk : attractive and usu. well-built
    • the film's hunky leading man

Hun·ky ['həŋ-kē] -n

  1. a person of central or east European birth or descent

hun·kydo·ry [,həŋ-kē-'dȯr-ē] -adj

  1. quite satisfactory : fine

Hun·nish ['hə-nish] -adj

  1. relating to or resembling the Huns

hunt ['hənt] -vb

  1. to pursue for food or in sport
    • hunt buffalo
  2. to manage in the search for game
    • hunt s a pack of dogs
  3. to pursue with intent to capture
    • hunt ed the escapees
  4. to search out : seek
  5. to drive or chase esp. by harrying
    • members...were hunt ed from their homes -- J. T. Adams
  6. to traverse in search of prey
    • hunt s the woods
  7. to take part in a hunt
  8. to attempt to find something
  9. to oscillate alternately to each side (as of a neutral point) or to run alternately faster and slower used esp. of a device or machine
  10. the act, the practice, or an instance of hunting
  11. a group of mounted hunters and their hunting dogs

huntandpeck [,hənt-ᵊn-'pek] -n

  1. a method of typing in which one looks at the keyboard and types using usu. the index fingers

hunt·er ['hən-tər] -n

  1. a person who hunts game
  2. a dog used or trained for hunting
  3. a horse used or adapted for use in hunting with hounds
  4. a fast strong horse trained for cross-country work and jumping
  5. one that searches for something
  6. a pocket watch with a hinged protective cover

hunt·ergath·er·er ['hən-tər-'ga-thər-ər] -n

  1. a member of a culture in which food is obtained by hunting, fishing, and foraging rather than by agriculture or animal husbandry

hunter green -n

  1. a dark yellowish green

hunt·ing ['hən-tiŋ] -n

  1. the act of one that hunts
  2. the pursuit of game
  3. the process of hunting
  4. a periodic variation in speed of a synchronous electrical machine
  5. a self-induced and undesirable oscillation of a variable above and below the desired value in an automatic control system
  6. a continuous attempt by an automatically controlled system to find a desired equilibrium condition

hunting horn -n

  1. a signal horn used in the chase
  2. a coiled circular horn with a flared bell and a cup-shaped mouthpiece

Hun·ting·ton's disease ['hən-tiŋ-tənz-] -n

  1. a chorea usu. beginning in middle age that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and progresses to dementia called also Huntington's chorea

hunt·ress ['hən-trəs] -n

  1. a woman who hunts game
  2. a female animal that hunts prey

hunts·man ['hən(t)-smən] -n

  1. hunter
  2. a person who manages a hunt and looks after the hounds

hup ['həp, 'hət] -interj

  1. used to mark a marching cadence

huppah ['k̲u̇-pə, -(,)pä] -n

(variant of chuppah)

  1. a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremony

hur·dies ['hər-dēz] -n pl

  1. rump

hur·dle ['hər-dᵊl] -n

  1. a portable panel usu. of wattled withes and stakes used esp. for enclosing land or livestock
  2. a frame or sled formerly used in England for dragging traitors to execution
  3. an artificial barrier over which racers must leap
  4. any of various track events in which a series of hurdles must be surmounted
  5. barrier, obstacle

hurdle ['hərd-liŋ, 'hər-dᵊl-iŋ] -vt, n

  1. to leap over esp. while running (as in a sporting competition)
  2. overcome, surmount

hur·dygur·dy [,hər-dē-'gər-dē, 'hər-dē-,] -n

  1. a stringed instrument in which sound is produced by the friction of a rosined wheel turned by a crank against the strings and the pitches are varied by keys
  2. any of various mechanical musical instruments (as the barrel organ)

hurl ['hər(-ə)l] -vb, n

  1. rush, hurtle
  2. pitch
  3. vomit
  4. to send or thrust with great vigor
    • the forces that were to be hurl ed against the Turks -- N. T. Gilroy
  5. to throw down with violence
  6. to throw forcefully : fling
    • hurl ed the manuscript into the fire
    • hurl ed myself over the fence
  7. pitch
  8. to utter with vehemence
    • hurl ed insults at the police

hurling -n

  1. an Irish game resembling field hockey played between two teams of 15 players each

hur·ly ['hər-lē] -n

  1. uproar, tumult

hur·lybur·ly [,hər-lē-'bər-lē] -n, adj

  1. uproar, tumult

Hu·ron ['hyu̇r-ən, -,än] -n

  1. a member of a confederacy of American Indian peoples formerly occupying the country between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario
  2. the Iroquoian language of the Hurons

hur·rah [hu̇-'rȯ, -'rä, 'hü-,] -n

  1. excitement, fanfare
  2. cheer
  3. fuss

hurrah [hu̇-'rā] -interj

(variant of hooray)

  1. used to express joy, approval, or encouragement

Hur·ri·an ['hu̇r-ē-ən] -n

  1. a member of an ancient non-Semitic people of northern Mesopotamia, Syria, and eastern Asia Minor about 1500 b.c.
  2. the language of the Hurrian people

hur·ri·cane ['hər-ə-,kān, -i-kən, 'hə-rə-, 'hə-ri-] -n

  1. a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or greater that occurs esp. in the western Atlantic, that is usu. accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning, and that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes
  2. something resembling a hurricane esp. in its turmoil

hurricane -adj

  1. having or being a glass chimney providing protection from wind
    • a hurricane lamp

hurried ['hər-əd-lē, 'hə-rəd-] -adj, adv, n

  1. going or working at speed
    • a hurried waitress
  2. done in a hurry : hasty
    • a hurried departure

hur·ry ['hər-ē, 'hə-rē] -vb, n

  1. to carry or cause to go with haste
    • hurry them to the hospital
  2. to impel to rash or precipitate action
  3. to impel to greater speed : prod
    • used spurs to hurry the horse
  4. expedite
  5. to perform with undue haste
    • hurry a minuet
  6. to move or act with haste
    • please hurry up

hurry -n

  1. disturbed or disorderly activity : commotion
  2. agitated and often bustling or disorderly haste
  3. a state of eagerness or urgency : rush

hur·ryscur·ry [,hər-ē-'skər-ē, ,hə-rē-'skə-rē] -n, adj or adv

  1. a confused rush : turmoil

hur·ryup ['hər-ē-,əp, 'hə-rē-] -adj

  1. speeded up : completed in a hurry
    • a hurryup dinner

hurt ['hərt] -vb, adj, n

  1. to inflict with physical pain : wound
  2. to do substantial or material harm to : damage
    • the dry summer has hurt the land
  3. to cause emotional pain or anguish to : offend
  4. to be detrimental to : hamper
    • charges of graft hurt my chances of being elected
  5. to suffer pain or grief
  6. to be in need usu. used with for
    • hurt ing for money
  7. to cause damage or distress
    • hit where it hurt s
  8. a cause of injury or damage : blow
  9. a bodily injury or wound
  10. mental distress or anguish : suffering
  11. wrong, harm

hurt·ful ['hərt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. causing injury, detriment, or suffering : damaging

hur·tle ['hər-tᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to move rapidly or forcefully
  2. hurl, fling

hurt·less ['hərt-ləs] -adj

  1. causing no pain or injury : harmless

hus·band ['həz-bənd] -n, adj

  1. a male partner in a marriage
  2. manager, steward
  3. a frugal manager

husband -vt, n

  1. to manage prudently and economically
  2. to use sparingly : conserve
  3. to find a husband for : mate

hus·band·man ['həz-bən(d)-mən] -n

  1. one that plows and cultivates land : farmer
  2. a specialist in a branch of farm husbandry

hus·band·ry ['həz-bən-drē] -n

  1. the care of a household
  2. the control or judicious use of resources : conservation
  3. the cultivation or production of plants or animals : agriculture
  4. the scientific control and management of a branch of farming and esp. of domestic animals

hush ['həsh] -vb

  1. calm, quiet
    • hush ed the children as they entered the library
  2. to put at rest : mollify
  3. to keep from public knowledge : suppress
    • hush the story up
  4. to become quiet
  5. silent, still
  6. intended to prevent the dissemination of certain information
    • hush money
  7. a silence or calm esp. following noise : quiet

hushhush ['həsh-,həsh] -adj

  1. secret, confidential

hush puppy -n

  1. cornmeal dough shaped into small balls and fried in deep fat usu. used in pl.

husk ['həsk] -n

  1. a usu. dry or membranous outer covering (as a pod or one composed of bracts) of various seeds and fruits (as barley and corn) : hull
  2. one of the constituent parts
  3. a carob pod
  4. an outer layer : shell
  5. an emptied shell : remnant
  6. a supporting framework
  7. to strip the husk from

husk·ing ['həs-kiŋ] -n

  1. cornhusking called also husking bee

huskto·ma·to ['həsk-tə-,mā-(,)tō also -,mä- or -,ma-] -n

  1. ground-cherry

husky ['həs-kē] -adj

  1. resembling, containing, or full of husks

hus·ky ['həs-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. hoarse with or as if with emotion
  2. a heavy-coated working dog of the New World arctic region
  3. siberian husky
  4. one that is husky
  5. burly, robust
  6. large

hus·sar [(,)hə-'zär, -'sär] -n

  1. a member of any of various European military units orig. modeled on the Hungarian light cavalry of the 15th century

Huss·ite ['hə-,sīt, 'hu̇-] -n, adj

  1. a member of the Bohemian religious and nationalist movement originating with John Huss

hus·sy ['hə-sē, -zē] -n

  1. a lewd or brazen woman
  2. a saucy or mischievous girl

hus·tings ['həs-tiŋz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a local court formerly held in various English municipalities and still held infrequently in London
  2. a local court in some cities in Virginia
  3. a raised platform used until 1872 for the nomination of candidates for the British Parliament and for election speeches
  4. an election platform : stump
  5. the proceedings or locale of an election campaign

hus·tle ['hə-səl] -vb, n

  1. jostle, shove
  2. to convey forcibly or hurriedly
  3. to urge forward precipitately
  4. to obtain by energetic activity
    • hustle up new customers
  5. to sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and esp. underhanded activity
    • hustling the suckers
  6. to sell or promote energetically and aggressively
    • hustling a new product
  7. to lure less skillful players into competing against oneself at (a gambling game)
    • hustle pool
  8. shove, press
  9. hasten, hurry
  10. to make strenuous efforts to obtain esp. money or business
  11. to obtain money by fraud or deception
  12. to engage in prostitution
  13. to play a game or sport in an alert aggressive manner

hut ['hət] -n, vb

  1. an often small and temporary dwelling of simple construction : shack
  2. a simple shelter from the elements
  3. used to mark a marching cadence

hutch ['həch] -n

  1. a chest or compartment for storage
  2. a cupboard usu. surmounted by open shelves
  3. a pen or coop for an animal
  4. shack, shanty

hut·ment ['hət-mənt] -n

  1. a collection of huts : encampment
  2. hut

Hut·ter·ite ['hə-tə-,rīt, 'hü-] -n, adj

  1. a member of an Anabaptist sect of northwestern U.S. and Canada living communally and holding property in common

Hu·tu ['hü-(,)tü] -n

  1. a member of a Bantu-speaking people of Rwanda and Burundi

hutzpah ['hu̇t-spə, 'k̲u̇t-, -(,)spä] -n

(variant of chutzpah)

  1. supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall

huz·zah [(,)hə-'zä] -n

  1. an expression or shout of acclaim often used interjectionally to express joy or approbation