e [] -n

  1. the 5th letter of the English alphabet
  2. a graphic representation of this letter
  3. a speech counterpart of orthographic e
  4. the third tone of a C-major scale
  5. a graphic device for reproducing the letter e
  6. one designated eesp. as the fifth in order or class
  7. a grade rating a student's work as poor and usu. constituting a conditional pass
  8. a grade rating a student's work as failing
  9. one graded or rated with an E
  10. a transcendental number having a value to eight decimal places of 2.71828183 that is the base of natural logarithms
  11. something shaped like the letter E
  12. ecstasy
  13. earth
  14. east; easterly; eastern
  15. edge
  16. eldest
  17. ell
  18. empty
  19. end
  20. energy
  21. erg
  22. excellent

E -abbr

  1. electromotive force
  2. energy
  3. English
  4. error
  5. exponent

ea -abbr

  1. each

each ['ēch] -adj

  1. being one of two or more distinct individuals having a similar relation and often constituting an aggregate
  2. each one
    • to each his own
  3. to or for each : apiece
    • cost a dollar each

each other -pron

  1. each of two or more in reciprocal action or relation
    • looked at each other in surprise

ea·ger ['ē-gər] -adj, adv, n

  1. sharp
  2. sour
  3. marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest

eager beaver -n

  1. a person who is extremely zealous about performing duties and volunteering for more

ea·gle ['ē-gəl] -n

  1. any of various large diurnal birds of prey (family Accipitridae) noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight
  2. the eagle-bearing standard of the ancient Romans
  3. one of a pair of eagle-bearing silver insignia of rank worn by a military colonel or a navy captain
  4. a gold coin of the U.S. bearing an eagle on the reverse and usu. having a value of ten dollars
  5. a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole
  6. a member of a major fraternal order

eagle [-g(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to score an eagle on (a golf hole)

eagle eye ['ē-gəl-,īd] -n, adj

  1. the ability to see or observe keenly
  2. one that sees or observes keenly
  3. close watch
    • keeping an eagle eye on the prisoner

eagle ray -n

  1. any of several widely distributed large active marine stingrays (family Myliobatidae) with broad pectoral fins

Eagle Scout -n

  1. a Boy Scout who has reached the highest level of achievement in scouting
  2. a straight-arrow and self-reliant man

ea·glet ['ē-glət] -n

  1. a young eagle

eal·dor·man ['al-dər-mən] -n

  1. the chief officer in a district (as a shire) in Anglo-Saxon England

Eames ['ēmz, 'āmz] -trademark

  1. used for chairs made from modern materials and designed to fit the contours of the body

EAN -abbr

  1. European Article Number

ear ['ir] -n

  1. the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae
  2. any of various organs (as of a fish) capable of detecting vibratory motion
  3. the external ear of humans and most mammals
  4. the sense or act of hearing
  5. acuity of hearing
  6. sensitivity to musical tone and pitch
  7. the ability to retain and reproduce music that has been heard
  8. sensitivity to nuances of language esp. as revealed in the command of verbal melody and rhythm or in the ability to render a spoken idiom accurately
  9. : something resembling a mammalian ear in shape, position, or function: as
  10. a projecting part (as a lug or handle)
  11. either of a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head of some birds
  12. attention, awareness
    • lend an ear
  13. a space in the upper corner of the front page of a periodical (as a newspaper) usu. containing advertising for the periodical itself or a weather forecast
  14. a person who listens : listener
    • looking for a friendly ear
  15. the fruiting spike of a cereal (as wheat or Indian corn) including both the seeds and protective structures
  16. to form ears in growing
    • the rye should be ear ing up

ear·ache ['ir-,āk] -n

  1. an ache or pain in the ear

ear·bud ['ir-,bəd] -n

  1. a small earphone inserted into the ear

ear canal -n

  1. the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane

ear candy -n

  1. music that is pleasing to listen to but lacks depth

ear clip -n

  1. an earring with a clip fastener

ear·drop [-,dräp] -n

  1. earring
  2. one with a pendant

ear·drum [-,drəm] -n

  1. tympanic membrane

eared ['ird] -adj

  1. having ears esp. of a specified kind or number
    • a big- eared man
    • golden- eared corn

eared seal -n

  1. any of a family (Otariidae) of seals including the sea lions and fur seals and having independent mobile hind flippers and small well-developed external ears

ear·flap ['ir-,flap] -n

  1. a warm covering for the ears
  2. an extension on the lower edge of a cap that may be folded up or down

ear·ful ['ir-,fu̇l] -n

  1. an outpouring of news or gossip
  2. an outpouring of anger, abuse, or complaint

ear·ing ['ir-iŋ] -n

  1. a line used to fasten a corner of a sail to the yard or gaff or to haul a reef cringle to the yard

earl ['ər(-ə)l] -n

  1. a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

Earl Grey -n

  1. a black-tea blend flavored with bergamot oil

earl marshal -n

  1. an officer of state in England serving chiefly as a royal attendant on ceremonial occasions, as marshal of state processions, and as head of the College of Arms

ear·lobe ['ir-,lōb] -n

  1. the pendent part of the ear of humans or some domestic chickens

ear·lock [-,läk] -n

  1. a curl of hair hanging in front of the ear

ear·ly ['ər-lē] -adv

  1. near the beginning of a period of time
    • awoke early in the morning
  2. near the beginning of a course, process, or series
    • early in his senatorial career
  3. before the usual or expected time
    • the train arrived early
  4. soon
  5. sooner than related forms
    • these apples bear early

early -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series
    • in the early evening
    • the early symptoms of the disease
  2. distant in past time
  3. primitive
    • early tools
  4. occurring before the usual or expected time
    • an early arrival
  5. occurring in the near future
    • at your earliest convenience
  6. maturing or producing sooner than related forms
    • an early peach

Early American -n

  1. a style (as of furniture, architecture, or fabric) originating in or characteristic of colonial America

early bird -n

  1. an early riser
  2. one that arrives early and esp. before possible competitors

early on -adv

  1. at or during an early point or stage
    • the reasons were obvious early on in the experiment

ear·ly·wood ['ər-lē-,wu̇d] -n

  1. springwood

ear·mark ['ir-,märk] -n

  1. a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
  2. a distinguishing mark
    • all the earmark s of poverty
  3. a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization

earmark -vt

  1. to mark (livestock) with an earmark
  2. to mark in a distinguishing manner
  3. to designate (as funds) for a specific use or owner
    • money earmark ed for education

ear·muff ['ir-,məf] -n

  1. one of a pair of ear coverings connected by a flexible band and worn as protection against cold or noises

earn ['ərn] -vt, n

  1. to receive as return for effort and esp. for work done or services rendered
  2. to bring in by way of return
    • bonds earn ing 10 percent interest
  3. to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to
    • she earn ed a promotion
  4. to make worthy of or obtain for
    • the suggestion earn ed him a promotion
  5. grieve

earned run -n

  1. a run in baseball that scores without benefit of an error before the fielding team has had a chance to make the third putout of the inning

earned run average -n

  1. the average number of earned runs per game scored against a pitcher in baseball determined by dividing the total of earned runs scored against him by the total number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine

ear·nest ['ər-nəst] -n

  1. a serious and intent mental state
    • a proposal made in earnest
  2. a considerable or impressive degree or amount
    • the sap started running in earnest

earnest [-nəs(t)-nəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind
  2. grave, important
  3. something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain
  4. a token of what is to come : pledge

earn·ings ['ər-niŋz] -n pl

  1. something (as wages) earned
  2. the balance of revenue after deduction of costs and expenses

ear·phone ['ir-,fōn] -n

  1. a device that converts electrical energy into sound waves and is worn over or inserted into the ear

ear pick -n

  1. a device often of precious metal for removing wax or foreign bodies from the ear

ear·piece ['ir-,pēs] -n

  1. a part of an instrument (as a telephone or stethoscope) that is placed against or inserted into the outer opening of the ear
  2. earphone
  3. one of the two sidepieces that support eyeglasses by passing over or behind the ears

ear·plug [-,pləg] -n

  1. an ornament inserted in the lobe of the ear esp. to distend it
  2. a device of pliable material for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to keep out water or deaden sound)

ear·ring ['ir-(,)iŋ, -,riŋ] -n

  1. an ornament for the ear and esp. the earlobe

ear rot -n

  1. a condition of Indian corn that is characterized by molding and decay of the ears and that is caused by fungi (genera Diplodia, Fusarium,or Gibberella)

ear shell -n

  1. abalone

ear·shot ['ir-,shät] -n

  1. the range within which one may hear a person's unaided voice
    • waited until he was out of earshot

ear·split·ting [-,spli-tiŋ] -adj

  1. distressingly loud or shrill

earth ['ərth] -n, adj

  1. the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe
  2. cultivable soil
  3. the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life
  4. areas of land as distinguished from sea and air
  5. the solid footing formed of soil : ground
  6. the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun
  7. the people of the planet Earth
  8. the mortal human body
  9. the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life as distinguished from spiritual concerns
  10. the lair of a burrowing animal
  11. an excessive amount of money used with the
    • real suede, which costs the earth to clean -- Joanne Winship
  12. to drive to hiding in the earth
  13. to draw soil about (plants) often used with up
  14. ground
  15. to hide in the ground

earth·born ['ərth-,bȯrn] -adj

  1. born on this earth : mortal
  2. associated with earthly life
    • earthborn cares

earth·bound [-,bau̇nd] -adj

  1. fast in or to the soil
    • earthbound roots
  2. located on or restricted to land or to the surface of the earth
  3. bound by earthly interests
  4. pedestrian, unimaginative

earth color -n

  1. earth tone

earth·en ['ər-thən, -thən] -adj

  1. made of earth
  2. earthly

earth·en·ware [-,wer] -n

  1. ceramic ware made of slightly porous opaque clay fired at low heat

earth·i·ly ['ər-thə-lē, -thə-] -adv

  1. in an earthy manner

earth·light ['ərth-,līt] -n

  1. earthshine

earth·ling ['ərth-liŋ] -n

  1. an inhabitant of the earth
  2. worldling

earth·ly ['ərth-lē] -adj, n

  1. characteristic of or belonging to this earth
  2. relating to the human race's actual life on this earth
  3. possible
    • of what earthly use is it?

earth mother -n

  1. the earth viewed (as in primitive theology) as the divine source of terrestrial life
  2. an embodiment of the female principle of fertility : a nurturing maternal woman

earth·mov·er ['ərth-,mü-vər] -n, n or adj

  1. a machine (as a bulldozer) for excavating, pushing, or transporting large quantities of earth (as in road building)

earth·quake ['ərth-,kwāk] -n

  1. a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
  2. upheaval

earth·rise ['ərth-,rīz] -n

  1. the rising of the earth above the horizon of the moon as seen from lunar orbit

earth science -n

  1. any of the sciences (as geology, meteorology, or oceanography) that deal with the earth or with one or more of its parts

earth·shak·ing ['ərth-,shā-kiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. of great importance : momentous
    • an earthshaking announcement

earthshat·ter·ing ['ərth-'sha-tə-riŋ] -adj

  1. earthshaking

earthshel·tered ['ərth-,shel-tərd] -adj

  1. built partly or mostly underground
    • an earthsheltered house

earth·shine ['ərth-,shīn] -n

  1. sunlight reflected by the earth that illuminates the dark part of the moon called also earthlight

earth·star [-,stär] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Geastrum) of globose basidiomycetous fungi with an outer peridium that splits into the shape of a star

earth station -n

  1. dish
  2. one used primarily for receiving and transmitting television signals

earth tone -n, adj

  1. any of various rich colors containing some brown

earth·ward [-wərd] -adv

  1. toward the earth

earth·work ['ərth-,wərk] -n

  1. an embankment or other construction made of earth
  2. one used as a field fortification
  3. the operations connected with excavations and embankments of earth
  4. a work of art consisting of a portion of land modified by an artist

earth·worm [-,wərm] -n

  1. a terrestrial annelid worm (class Oligochaeta)
  2. any of a family (Lumbricidae) of numerous widely distributed hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil by means of setae and feed on decaying organic matter

earthy ['ər-thē, -thē] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of earth
    • earthy creatures like worms
  2. suggestive of earth (as in texture, odor, or color)
    • an earthy yellow
  3. rough, coarse, or plain in taste
    • earthy flavors
  4. earthly, worldly
  5. characteristic of or associated with mortal life on the earth
    • prefers earthy to ethereal themes
  6. : suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways: as
  7. practical, down-to-earth
    • earthy problems of daily life
  8. crude, gross
    • earthy humor
  9. plain and simple in style : unsophisticated
    • earthy peasant cookery
    • earthy decor

ear·wax ['ir-,waks] -n

  1. the yellow waxy secretion from the glands of the external ear called also cerumen

ear·wig [-,wig] -n

  1. any of numerous insects (order Dermaptera) having slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of cerci resembling forceps at the end of the body

earwig -vt

  1. to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk

ear·wit·ness ['ir-'wit-nəs] -n

  1. one who overhears something
  2. one who gives a report on what has been heard

ease ['ēz] -n, adj, adv

  1. : the state of being comfortable: as
  2. freedom from pain or discomfort
  3. freedom from care
  4. freedom from labor or difficulty
  5. freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness
    • known for his charm and ease of manner
  6. an easy fit
  7. relief from discomfort or obligation
  8. facility, effortlessness
    • did it with ease
  9. an act of easing or a state of being eased
  10. to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens
    • trying to ease her of her worries
  11. to make less painful : alleviate
    • ease his suffering
  12. to lessen the pressure or tension of esp. by slackening, lifting, or shifting
    • ease a spring
  13. to maneuver gently or carefully
    • eased himself into the chair
  14. to moderate or reduce esp. in amount or intensity
    • ease a flow
  15. to make less difficult
    • ease credit
  16. to put the helm of (a ship) alee
  17. to let (a helm or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard over
  18. to give freedom or relief
  19. to move or pass slowly or easily often used with a directional word (as over or up )
    • the limo eased up in front of the house
  20. to become less intense, vigorous, or engaged : become moderate usu. used with up or off
    • told her staff to ease up a little
    • expected the storm to ease off
    • ease up on fatty foods
  21. to apply less pressure usu. used with up or off
    • ease up on the accelerator
  22. to act in a less harsh manner usu. used with up or off
    • decided to ease off on enforcement

ea·sel ['ē-zəl] -n

  1. a frame for supporting something (as an artist's canvas)

ease·ment ['ēz-mənt] -n

  1. an act or means of easing or relieving (as from discomfort)
  2. an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use or enjoyment
  3. an area of land covered by an easement

eas·i·ly ['ēz-lē, 'ē-zə-] -adv

  1. in an easy manner : without difficulty
    • won easily
  2. without question : by far
    • was easily the best meal I've ever had
  3. at the minimum : at least
    • costs easily twice as much
  4. well
    • it could easily have been me

east ['ēst] -adv

  1. to, toward, or in the east
  2. situated toward or at the east
    • an east window
  3. coming from the east
    • an east wind
  4. the general direction of sunrise : the direction toward the right of one facing north
  5. the compass point directly opposite to west
  6. regions lying to the east of a specified or implied point of orientation
  7. regions having a culture derived from ancient non-European esp. Asian areas
  8. the altar end of a church
  9. the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the east or at the right of a diagram
  10. a person (as a bridge player) occupying this position in the course of a specified activity

east·bound ['ēs(t)-,bau̇nd] -adj

  1. traveling or heading east

east by north

  1. a compass point that is one point north of due east : N7845E

east by south

  1. a compass point that is one point south of due east : S7845E

East Caribbean dollar -n

  1. a basic monetary unit shared by a number of islands of the British West Indies

Eas·ter ['ē-stər] -n

  1. a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon

Easter egg -n

  1. an egg that is dyed and sometimes decorated and that is associated with the celebration of Easter

Easter lily -n

  1. any of several white cultivated lilies (esp. Lilium longiflorum) that bloom in early spring

east·er·ly ['ē-stər-lē] -adj or adv

  1. situated toward or belonging to the east
    • the easterly shore of the lake
  2. coming from the east
    • an easterly storm

easterly -n

  1. a wind from the east

Easter Monday -n

  1. the Monday after Easter observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and in No. Carolina

east·ern ['ē-stərn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East
  2. of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire
  3. eastern orthodox
  4. lying toward the east
  5. coming from the east
    • an eastern wind

eastern bluebird -n

  1. a bluebird ( Sialia sialis) chiefly of eastern No. America that has a reddish-brown throat and breast

East·ern·er ['ē-stə(r)-nər] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of the East
  2. a native or resident of the eastern part of the U.S.

eastern hemisphere -n

  1. the half of the earth east of the Atlantic Ocean including Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa

Eastern Orthodox -adj

  1. of or consisting of the Eastern churches that form a loose federation according primacy of honor to the patriarch of Constantinople and adhering to the decisions of the first seven ecumenical councils and to the Byzantine rite

eastern time -n

  1. the time of the fifth time zone west of Greenwich that includes the eastern U.S.

eastern white pine -n

  1. white pine

Eas·ter·tide ['ē-stər-,tīd] -n

  1. the period from Easter to Ascension Day, to Whitsunday, or to Trinity Sunday

East Germanic -n

  1. a subdivision of the Germanic languages that includes Gothic

East Indiaman -n

  1. a large sailing ship formerly used for trading runs to the East Indies

east·ing ['ēs-tiŋ] -n

  1. easterly progress
    • make as much easting as possible -- Kevin Patterson
  2. difference in longitude to the east from the last preceding point of reckoning

eastnortheast -n

  1. a compass point that is two points north of due east : N6730E

eastsoutheast -n

  1. a compass point that is two points south of due east : S6730E

east·ward ['ēst-wərd] -adv or adj, adv

  1. toward the east

eastward -n

  1. eastward direction or part
    • sail to the eastward

easy ['ē-zē] -adj, n

  1. causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort
    • within easy reach
  2. requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection
    • easy cliches
  3. not severe : lenient
    • hopes they'll be easy on him
  4. not steep or abrupt
    • easy slopes
  5. not difficult to endure or undergo
    • an easy penalty
  6. readily taken advantage of
    • an easy target for takeovers
    • an easy mark for con men
  7. readily available
    • easy pickings
  8. plentiful in supply at low or declining interest rates
    • easy money
  9. less in demand and usu. lower in price
    • bonds were easier
  10. pleasant
    • easy listening
  11. sexually promiscuous
  12. marked by peace and comfort
    • the easy life of a courtier
  13. not hurried or strenuous
    • an easy pace
  14. free from pain, annoyance, or anxiety
    • did all she could to make him easier
  15. marked by social ease
    • an air of easy assurance
  16. easygoing
    • an easy disposition
  17. giving ease, comfort, or relaxation
  18. not burdensome or straitened
    • bought on easy terms
  19. fitting comfortably : allowing freedom of movement
    • easy jackets
  20. marked by ready facility
    • an easy flowing style
  21. felt or attained to readily, naturally, and spontaneously
    • an easy smile
  22. easily
    • promises come easy
  23. without undue speed or excitement
    • take it easy
  24. without worry or care
    • rest easy
  25. without a severe penalty
    • got off easy
  26. without violent movement
    • the boat rode easy
  27. easily
    • cost 500 easy

easy chair -n

  1. a roomy upholstered chair

easy·go·ing [,ē-zē-'gō-iŋ, -'gȯ(-)iŋ] -adj, n

  1. relaxed and casual in style or manner
    • an easygoing boss
  2. morally lax
  3. unhurried, comfortable
    • an easygoing pace

easy street -n

  1. a situation with no worries

easy virtue -n

  1. sexually promiscuous behavior or habits
    • ladies of easy virtue

eat ['ēt] -vb, n

  1. to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
  2. to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating
    • expenses ate up the profits
    • gadgets that eat up too much space
  3. to bear the expense of : take a loss on
    • the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract
  4. to consume gradually : corrode
    • cars eaten away by rust
  5. to consume with vexation : bother
    • what's eat ing you now
  6. to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap used with up
    • it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up
  7. to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on often used with out
  8. to take food or a meal
  9. to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption usu. used with into, away, or at
    • the loss was really eat ing at her
    • the controversy ate into his support
  10. something to eat : food usu. used in pl.

eat·able ['ē-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. fit or able to be eaten

eatable -n

  1. something to eat
  2. food

eat·ery ['ē-tə-rē] -n

  1. luncheonette, restaurant

eath ['ēth] -adv or adj

  1. easy

eating -adj

  1. used for eating
    • eating utensils
  2. suitable to eat
    • the finest eating fish
  3. suitable to eat raw
    • an eating apple

eating disorder -n

  1. any of several psychological disorders (as anorexia nervosa or bulimia) characterized by serious disturbances of eating behavior

eau de co·logne [,ō-də-kə-'lōn] -n

  1. cologne

eau de par·fum [-,pär-'faⁿ] -n

  1. a perfumed liquid containing a percentage of fragrant oils that is lower than that in perfume but greater than that in eau de toilette

eau de toi·lette [,ō-də-twä-'let] -n

  1. a perfumed liquid containing a lower percentage of fragrant oils than is contained in ordinary perfume or eau de parfum called also toilet water

eaudevie [,ō-də-'vē] -n

  1. a clear brandy distilled from the fermented juice of fruit (as pears or raspberries)

eave ['ēv] -n

  1. the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall usu. used in pl.
  2. a projecting edge (as of a hill) usu. used in pl.

eaves·drop ['ēvz-,dräp] -vi, n

  1. to listen secretly to what is said in private

eaves trough -n

  1. gutter