aq -abbr

  1. aqua
  2. aqueous

aqua ['ä-kwə also 'a-] -n

  1. water
  2. water
  3. a light greenish-blue color

aqua·cade ['ä-kwə-,kād, 'a-] -n

  1. a water spectacle that consists usu. of exhibitions of swimming and diving with musical accompaniment

aqua·cul·ture ['ä-kwə-,kəl-chər, 'a-] -n, adj, vt

  1. the cultivation of aquatic organisms (as fish or shellfish) esp. for food

aqua for·tis ['ä-kwə-'fȯr-təs, 'a-] -n

  1. nitric acid

AquaLung ['ä-kwə-,ləŋ, 'a-] -trademark

  1. used for an underwater breathing apparatus

aqua·ma·rine [,ä-kwə-mə-'rēn, ,a-] -n

  1. a transparent blue, blue-green, or green variety of beryl used as a gem
  2. a pale blue to light greenish blue

aqua·naut ['ä-kwə-,nȯt, 'a-, -,nät] -n

  1. a scuba diver who lives and operates both inside and outside an underwater shelter for an extended period

aqua·plane ['ä-kwə-,plān, 'a-] -n

  1. a board on which a standing rider is towed behind a speeding motorboat

aquaplane -vi

  1. to ride an aquaplane
  2. hydroplane

aqua re·gia [-'rē-j(ē-)ə] -n

  1. a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum

aqua·relle [,a-kwə-'rel, ,ä-] -n

  1. a drawing usu. in transparent watercolor

Aquar·i·an [ə-'kwa-rē-ən, -'kwer-ē-] -n, adj

  1. aquarius

aquar·ist [ə-'kwa-rist, -'kwer-ist] -n

  1. a person who keeps or maintains an aquarium

aquar·i·um [ə-'kwer-ē-əm] -n

  1. a container (as a glass tank) or an artificial pond in which living aquatic animals or plants are kept
  2. an establishment where aquatic organisms are kept and exhibited

Aquar·i·us [-ē-əs] -n

  1. the 11th sign of the zodiac in astrology
  2. one born under the sign of Aquarius
  3. a constellation south of Pegasus pictured as a man pouring water

aqua·scape ['ä-kwə-,skāp, 'a-] -n

  1. a scenic view of a body of water
  2. an area having a natural or constructed aquatic feature (as a pond or fountain)

aquat·ic [ə-'kwä-tik, -'kwa-] -adj, adv

  1. growing or living in or frequenting water
    • aquatic mosquito larvae
  2. taking place in or on water
    • aquatic sports

aquatic -n

  1. an aquatic animal or plant
  2. water sports

aqua·tint ['a-kwə-,tint, 'ä-] -n, vt

  1. a method of etching a printing plate so that tones similar to watercolor washes can be reproduced
  2. a print made from a plate so etched

aqua·vit ['ä-kwə-,vēt] -n

  1. a clear Scandinavian liquor flavored with caraway seeds

aqua vi·tae [,a-kwə-'vī-tē, ,ä-] -n

  1. a strong alcoholic liquor (as brandy)

aq·ue·duct ['a-kwə-,dəkt] -n

  1. a conduit for water
  2. one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water
  3. a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow
  4. a canal or passage in a part or organ

aque·ous ['ā-kwē-əs, 'a-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling water
  2. made from, with, or by water
    • an aqueous solution
  3. of or relating to the aqueous humor

aqueous humor -n

  1. a transparent fluid occupying the space between the crystalline lens and the cornea of the eye

aqui·fer ['a-kwə-fər, 'ä-] -n, adj

  1. a water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel

Aq·ui·la ['a-kwə-lə also ə-'kwi-lə] -n

  1. a constellation in the northern hemisphere represented by the figure of an eagle

aq·ui·le·gia [,a-kwə-'lē-j(ē-)ə] -n

  1. columbine

aq·ui·line ['a-kwə-,līn, -lən] -adj, n

  1. curving like an eagle's beak
    • an aquiline nose
  2. of, relating to, or resembling an eagle

aquiv·er [ə-'kwi-vər] -adj

  1. marked by trembling or quivering
    • all aquiver with excitement