ar ['är] -n

  1. the letter r
  2. arrival; arrive

Ar -abbr

  1. Arabic
  2. argon

AR -abbr

  1. accounts receivable
  2. acknowledgment of receipt
  3. all rail
  4. all risks
  5. annual return
  6. Arkansas
  7. army regulation
  8. autonomous republic

Ar·ab ['a-rəb, 'er-əb; dial also 'ā-,rab] -n, adj

  1. a member of the Semitic people of the Arabian Peninsula
  2. a member of an Arabic-speaking people
  3. arabian horse

Arab -abbr

  1. Arabian; Arabic

ar·a·besque [,a-rə-'besk, ,er-ə] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being in the style of arabesque or an arabesque

arabesque -n

  1. an ornament or style that employs flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines
  2. a posture (as in ballet) in which the body is bent forward from the hip on one leg with one arm extended forward and the other arm and leg backward
  3. an elaborate or intricate pattern
    • richly pierced by an arabesque of wormholes -- John Chase

Ara·bi·an [ə-'rā-bē-ən] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Arabia
  2. arabian horse

Arabian -adj

  1. arabic

Arabian horse -n

  1. any of an ancient breed of swift compact horses developed in Arabia and usu. having gray or chestnut silky hair

Ar·a·bic ['a-rə-bik, 'er-ə-] -n

  1. a Semitic language orig. of the Arabs of the Hejaz and Nejd that is now the prevailing speech of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa

Arabic -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Arabia or the Arabs
  2. of, relating to, or constituting Arabic
  3. expressed in or utilizing Arabic numerals

arab·i·ca [ə-'ra-bə-kə] -n

  1. an evergreen shrub or tree ( Coffea arabica) yielding seeds that produce a high-quality coffee and form a large portion of the coffee of commerce
  2. the seeds of arabica esp. roasted and often ground

Arabic alphabet -n

  1. an alphabet of 28 letters derived from the Aramaic alphabet which is used for writing Arabic and also with adaptations for other languages of the Islamic world

arab·i·cize [ə-'ra-bə-,sīz] -vt, n

  1. to adapt (a language or elements of a language) to the phonetic or structural pattern of Arabic
  2. arabize

Arabic numeral -n

  1. any of the number symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

arab·i·nose [ə-'ra-bə-,nōs, -,nōz] -n

  1. a white crystalline aldose sugar C 5H 10O 5occurring esp. in vegetable gums

ara·bi·no·side [,a-rə-'bi-nə-,sīd, ə-'ra-bə-nō-,sīd] -n

  1. a glycoside that yields arabinose on hydrolysis

Ar·ab·ism ['a-rə-,bi-zəm, 'er-ə-] -n

  1. a characteristic feature of Arabic occurring in another language
  2. devotion to Arab interests, culture, aspirations, or ideals

Ar·ab·ist [-bist] -n

  1. a specialist in the Arabic language or in Arabic culture
  2. a person who favors Arab interests and positions in international affairs

Ar·ab·ize [-,bīz] -vt, n

  1. to cause to acquire Arabic customs, manners, speech, or outlook
  2. to modify (a population) by intermarriage with Arabs
  3. arabicize

ar·a·ble ['a-rə-bəl, 'er-ə-] -adj, n

  1. fit for or used for the growing of crops
  2. engaged in, produced by, or being the cultivation of arable land

arable -n

  1. land fit or used for the growing of crops
  2. a plot of such land
    • the village arable of Anglo-Saxon times

ar·a·chi·don·ic acid [,ar-ə-kə-'dä-nik-] -n

  1. a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C 20H 32O 2that occurs in most animal fats, is a precursor of prostaglandins, and is considered essential in animal nutrition

ar·a·chis oil ['ar-ə-kəs-] -n

  1. peanut oil

arachn- -comb form

  1. spider : arachnid
    • arachno logy

arach·nid [ə-'rak-nəd, -,nid] -n, adj

  1. any of a class (Arachnida) of arthropods comprising chiefly terrestrial invertebrates, including the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, and having a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs of legs but no antennae

arach·noid [ə-'rak-,nȯid] -adj

  1. of or relating to a thin membrane of the brain and spinal cord that lies between the dura mater and the pia mater
  2. covered with or composed of soft loose hairs or fibers

arachnoid -n

  1. an arachnoid membrane
  2. resembling or related to the arachnids

arach·nol·o·gist [,a-,rak-'nä-lə-jist, ,er-,ak-] -n, adj

  1. a person who specializes in the study of spiders and other arachnids

arach·no·pho·bia [ə-,rak-nə-'fō-bē-ə] -n, adj or n

  1. pathological fear or loathing of spiders

ara·go·nite [ə-'ra-gə-,nīt, 'a-rə-gə-, 'er-ə-] -n, adj

  1. a mineral similar to calcite in consisting of calcium carbonate but differing from calcite in its orthorhombic crystallization, greater density, and less distinct cleavage

arak ['a-rək, ə-'rak] -n

(variant of arrack)

  1. an Asian alcoholic beverage like rum that is distilled from a fermented mash of malted rice with toddy or molasses

Ar·a·mae·an [,a-rə-'mē-ən, ,er-ə-] -n, adj

  1. aramaic
  2. a member of a Semitic people of the second millennium b.c.in Syria and Upper Mesopotamia

Ar·a·ma·ic [-'mā-ik] -n

  1. a Semitic language known since the ninth century b.c.as the speech of the Aramaeans and later used extensively in southwest Asia as a commercial and governmental language and adopted as their customary speech by various non-Aramaean peoples including the Jews after the Babylonian exile

Aramaic alphabet -n

  1. an extinct North Semitic alphabet dating from the ninth century b.c.which was for several centuries the commercial alphabet of southwest Asia and the parent of other alphabets (as Syriac and Arabic)
  2. the square Hebrew alphabet as distinguished from the early Hebrew alphabet

ar·a·mid ['a-rə-məd, -,mid, 'er-ə-] -n

  1. any of a group of lightweight but very strong heat-resistant synthetic aromatic polyamide materials that are fashioned into fibers, filaments, or sheets and used esp. in textiles and plastics

Arap·a·ho [ə-'ra-pə-,hō] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of the plains region ranging from Saskatchewan and Manitoba to New Mexico and Texas
  2. the Algonquian language of the Arapaho people

Arau·ca·ni·an [ə-,rau̇-'kä-nē-ən, ,a-,rȯ-'kā-] -n, adj

  1. a member of a group of Indian peoples of south central Chile and adjacent regions of Argentina
  2. the language of the Araucanian people that constitutes an independent language family

ar·au·car·ia [,a-,rȯ-'ka-rē-ə] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Araucariaof the family Araucariaceae, the araucaria family) of So. American or Australian coniferous trees that resemble pines and are often grown as ornamentals
  2. monkey puzzle

Ar·a·wak ['a-rə-,wäk, -,wak] -n

  1. a member of an Indian people of the Arawakan group now living chiefly along the coast of Guyana
  2. the language of the Arawak people

Ar·a·wak·an [,a-rə-'wä-kən, -'wa-] -n

  1. a member of a group of Indian peoples of So. America and the West Indies
  2. the language family of the Arawakan peoples

arb ['ärb] -n

  1. arbitrageur

ar·ba·lest ['är-bə-list] -n

  1. a crossbow esp. of medieval times

ar·bi·ter ['är-bə-tər] -n

  1. a person with power to decide a dispute : judge
  2. a person or agency whose judgment or opinion is considered authoritative
    • arbiter s of taste

arbiter el·e·gan·ti·a·rum [-,e-lə-,gan-shē-'a-rəm, -'er-əm] -n

  1. a person who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized authority on matters of social behavior and taste

ar·bi·tra·ble ['är-bə-trə-bəl, är-'bi-] -adj

  1. subject to decision by arbitration

ar·bi·trage ['är-bə-,träzh] -n

  1. the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of securities or foreign exchange in different markets in order to profit from price discrepancies
  2. the purchase of the stock of a takeover target esp. with a view to selling it profitably to the raider

arbitrage -vi

  1. to engage in arbitrage

ar·bi·tra·geur [,är-bə-(,)trä-'zhər] -n

  1. one that practices arbitrage

ar·bi·tral ['är-bə-trəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to arbiters or arbitration

ar·bit·ra·ment [är-'bi-trə-mənt] -n

  1. the right or power of deciding
  2. the settling of a dispute by an arbiter
  3. the judgment given by an arbitrator

ar·bi·trary ['är-bə-,trer-ē, -,tre-rē] -adj, adv, n

  1. depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law
    • the manner of punishment is arbitrary
  2. not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority
    • an arbitrary government
  3. marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power
    • protection from arbitrary arrest and detention
  4. based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something
    • an arbitrary standard
    • take any arbitrary positive number
    • arbitrary division of historical studies into watertight compartments -- A. J. Toynbee
  5. existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will
    • when a task is not seen in a meaningful context it is experienced as being arbitrary -- Nehemiah Jordan

ar·bi·trate ['är-bə-,trāt] -vb, adj

  1. decide, determine
  2. to act as arbiter upon
  3. to submit or refer for decision to an arbiter
    • agreed to arbitrate their differences
  4. to act as arbiter

ar·bi·tra·tion [,är-bə-'trā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action of arbitrating
  2. the hearing and determination of a case in controversy by an arbiter

ar·bi·tra·tor ['är-bə-,trā-tər] -n

  1. one that arbitrates : arbiter

ar·bor ['är-bər] -n

  1. a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines

arbor -n

  1. a spindle or axle of a wheel
  2. a main shaft or beam
  3. a shaft on which a revolving cutting tool is mounted
  4. a spindle on a cutting machine that holds the work to be cut

arbor- -comb form

  1. tree
    • arbori culture

Arbor Day -n

  1. a day designated for planting trees

ar·bo·re·al [är-'bȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a tree
  2. inhabiting or frequenting trees
    • arboreal monkeys

ar·bo·re·ous [-ē-əs] -adj

  1. arboreal
    • an arboreous palm

ar·bo·res·cent [,är-bə-'re-sᵊnt] -adj, n

  1. resembling a tree in properties, growth, structure, or appearance

ar·bo·re·tum [,är-bə-'rē-təm] -n

  1. a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes

ar·bor·i·cul·ture ['är-bər-ə-,kəl-chər, är-'bȯr-ə-] -n, adj

  1. the cultivation of trees and shrubs esp. for ornamental purposes

ar·bo·rio rice [,är-'bȯr-ē-ō-] -n

  1. a short-grain rice that has a creamy texture when cooked and is typically used in risotto

ar·bor·ist ['är-bə-rist] -n

  1. a specialist in the care and maintenance of trees

ar·bor·i·za·tion [,är-bə-rə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. formation of or into an arborescent figure arrangement
  2. such a figure or arrangement (as a dendritic process of a neuron)

ar·bor·ize ['är-bə-,rīz] -vi

  1. to branch freely and repeatedly

ar·bor·vi·tae [,är-bər-'vī-tē] -n

  1. any of various evergreen trees and shrubs (esp. genus Thuja) of the cypress family that usu. have closely overlapping or compressed scale leaves and are often grown for ornament and in hedges

ar·bour ['är-bər] -n

(variant of arbor)

  1. a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines

ar·bo·vi·rus [,är-bə-'vī-rəs] -n

  1. any of various RNA viruses (as the causative agents of equine encephalitis, sandfly fever, and West Nile fever) transmitted chiefly by arthropods

ar·bu·tus [är-'byü-təs] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Arbutus) of shrubs and trees of the heath family with white or pink flowers and red or orange berries
  2. a creeping plant ( Epigaea repens) of the heath family that occurs in eastern No. America and bears fragrant pink or white flowers in early spring

arc ['ärk] -n

  1. the apparent path described above and below the horizon by a celestial body (as the sun)
  2. something arched or curved
  3. a curved path
    • the arc of a fly ball
  4. a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes
  5. arc lamp
  6. a continuous portion (as of a circle or ellipse) of a curved line
  7. degree measurement on the circumference of a circle used esp. in the phrase of arc
    • 11 minutes 3 seconds of arc
  8. a continuous progression or line of development
    • a story's dramatic arc
  9. to form an electric arc
  10. to follow an arc-shaped course
  11. inverse used with the trigonometric functions and hyperbolic functions

ARC -abbr

  1. AIDS-related complex
  2. American Red Cross

ar·cade [är-'kād] -n

  1. a long arched building or gallery
  2. an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)
  3. a series of arches with their columns or piers
  4. an amusement center having coin-operated games

ar·cad·ed [-'kā-dəd] -adj

  1. having, formed in, or decorated with arches or arcades
    • arcaded streets
    • an arcaded bowl

arcade game -n

  1. video game

ar·ca·dia [är-'kā-dē-ə] -n

  1. a region or scene of simple pleasure and quiet

ar·ca·di·an [är-'kā-dē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Arcadia or the Arcadians
  2. of or relating to Arcadian
  3. idyllically pastoral
  4. idyllically innocent, simple, or untroubled

Ar·ca·di·an [är-'kā-dē-ən] -n

  1. a person who lives a simple quiet life
  2. a native or inhabitant of Arcadia
  3. the dialect of ancient Greek used in Arcadia

ar·cad·ing [är-'kā-diŋ] -n

  1. a series of arches or arcades used in the construction or decoration esp. of a building

Ar·ca·dy ['är-kə-dē] -n

  1. arcadia

ar·cane [är-'kān] -adj

  1. known or knowable only to the initiate : secret
    • arcane rites
  2. mysterious, obscure
    • arcane explanations

ar·ca·num [är-'kā-nəm] -n

  1. mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate usu. used in pl.
  2. elixir

arc·co·sine [(,)är(k)-'kō-,sīn] -n

  1. the inverse function of the cosine
    • if y is the cosine of , then is the arccosine of y

arch ['ärch] -n

  1. a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)
  2. something resembling an arch in form or function
  3. either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it
  4. a curvature having the form of an arch
  5. archway
  6. to cover or provide with an arch
  7. to form into an arch
  8. to form an arch
  9. to take an arch-shaped course
  10. principal, chief
    • your arch opponent
  11. mischievous, saucy
  12. marked by a deliberate and often forced playfulness, irony, or impudence
    • known for her arch comments
    • decided to answer them by being teacherly in a sort of arch, Olympian way -- Gerald Early
  13. archaic
  14. archery
  15. architect; architectural; architecture

Arch -abbr

  1. Archbishop

arch- -prefix

  1. chief : principal
    • arch fiend
  2. extreme : most fully embodying the qualities of the kind
    • arch conservative

archae- -comb form

  1. ancient : primitive
    • archaeo pteryx

ar·chaea [är-'kē-ə] -n pl, adj, adj or n

  1. microorganisms of a domain (Archaea) including esp. methane-producing forms, some red halophilic forms, and others of harsh hot acidic environments (as a hot spring)

ar·chae·bac·te·ri·um [,är-kē-,bak-'tir-ē-əm] -n

  1. any of the microorganisms comprising the archaea

ar·chaeo·as·tron·o·my [,är-kē-(,)ō-ə-'strä-nə-mē] -n

  1. the study of the astronomy of ancient cultures

ar·chae·ol·o·gy [,är-kē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities
  2. remains of the culture of a people : antiquities

ar·chae·op·ter·yx [,är-kē-'äp-tə-riks] -n

  1. a primitive crow-sized bird (genus Archaeopteryx) of the Upper Jurassic period of Europe having reptilian characteristics (as teeth and a long bony tail)

ar·cha·ic [är-'kā-ik] -adj, adv

  1. having the characteristics of the language of the past and surviving chiefly in specialized uses
    • an archaic word
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive time : antiquated
    • archaic legal traditions
  3. of or belonging to the early or formative phases of a culture or a period of artistic development
  4. of or belonging to the period leading up to the classical period of Greek culture
  5. surviving from an earlier period
  6. typical of a previously dominant evolutionary stage
  7. of or relating to the period from about 8000 b.c.to 1000 b.c.and the North American cultures of that time

archaic smile -n

  1. an expression that resembles a smile and is characteristic of early Greek sculpture

ar·cha·ism ['är-kē-,i-zəm, -(,)kā-,i-] -n, adj, vb

  1. the use of archaic diction or style
  2. an instance of archaic usage
  3. something archaic
  4. something (as a practice or custom) that is outmoded or old-fashioned

arch·an·gel ['ärk-,ān-jəl] -n, adj

  1. a chief angel
  2. an order of angels

arch·bish·op [(,)ärch-'bi-shəp] -n

  1. a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank

arch·bish·op·ric [-shə-(,)prik] -n

  1. the see or province over which an archbishop exercises authority
  2. the jurisdiction or office of an archbishop

arch·con·ser·va·tive [(,)ärch-kən-'sər-və-tiv] -n, adj

  1. an extreme conservative

arch·dea·con [(,)ärch-'dē-kən] -n

  1. a clergyman having the duty of assisting a diocesan bishop in ceremonial functions or administrative work

arch·dea·con·ry [-kən-rē] -n

  1. the district or residence of an archdeacon

arch·di·o·cese [(,)ärch-'dī-ə-səs, -,sēs, -,sēz] -n, adj

  1. the diocese of an archbishop

arch·du·cal [(,)ärch-'dü-kəl, -'dyü-] -adj

  1. of or relating to an archduke or archduchy

arch·duch·ess [-'də-chəs] -n

  1. the wife or widow of an archduke
  2. a woman having in her own right a rank equal to that of an archduke

arch·duchy [-'də-chē] -n

  1. the territory of an archduke or archduchess

arch·duke [-'dük, -'dyük] -n

  1. a sovereign prince
  2. a prince of the imperial family of Austria

Ar·che·an [är-'kē-ən] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being the earliest eon of geological history or the corresponding system of rocks
  2. precambrian

ar·che·go·ni·um [,är-ki-'gō-nē-əm] -n, adj

  1. the flask-shaped female sex organ of bryophytes, lower vascular plants (as ferns), and some gymnosperms

arch·en·e·my [(,)ärch-'e-nə-mē] -n

  1. a principal enemy

arch·en·ter·on [är-'ken-tə-,rän, -rən] -n

  1. the cavity of a gastrula forming a primitive gut

archeol -abbr

  1. archeology

Ar·cheo·zo·ic [,är-kē-ə-'zō-ik] -adj, n

  1. archean

ar·cher ['är-chər] -n

  1. a person who uses a bow and arrow
  2. sagittarius

ar·cher·fish ['är-chər-,fish] -n

  1. any of several small East Indian bony fishes (genus Toxotesand esp. T. ejaculatorof the family Toxotidae) that catch insects by stunning them with water ejected from their mouths

ar·chery ['är-chə-rē] -n

  1. the art, practice, or skill of shooting with bow and arrow
  2. an archer's weapons
  3. a body of archers

ar·che·type ['är-ki-,tīp] -n, adj, adv

  1. the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype
  2. a perfect example
  3. idea
  4. an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual

arch·fiend [(,)ärch-'fēnd] -n

  1. a chief fiend
  2. satan

arch·foe [-'fō] -n

  1. a principal foe : archenemy

archi- -prefix

  1. primitive : original : primary
    • arch enteron

ar·chi·di·ac·o·nal [,är-ki-dī-'a-kə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to an archdeacon

ar·chi·epis·co·pal [,är-kē-ə-'pis-kə-pəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to an archbishop

ar·chi·epis·co·pate [-pət, -,pāt] -n

  1. archbishopric

ar·chil ['är-chəl] -n

  1. a violet dye obtained from lichens (genera Roccellaand Lecanora)
  2. a lichen that yields archil

ar·chi·man·drite [,är-kə-'man-,drīt] -n

  1. a dignitary in an Eastern church ranking below a bishop
  2. the superior of a large monastery or group of monasteries

Ar·chi·me·des' screw [,är-kə-'mē-dēz-] -n

  1. a device made of a tube bent spirally around an axis or of a broad-threaded screw encased by a cylinder and used to raise water

ar·chi·pe·lag·ic [,är-kə-pə-'la-jik, ,är-chə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or located in an archipelago

ar·chi·pel·a·go [,är-kə-'pe-lə-,gō, ,är-chə-] -n

  1. an expanse of water with many scattered islands
  2. a group of islands
  3. something resembling an archipelago
  4. a group or scattering of similar things
    • an archipelago of small parks within the city

ar·chi·tect ['är-kə-,tekt] -n

  1. a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction
  2. a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking
    • the architect of American foreign policy

ar·chi·tec·ton·ic [,är-kə-,tek-'tä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or according with the principles of architecture : architectural
  2. having an organized and unified structure that suggests an architectural design

ar·chi·tec·ton·ics [-'tä-niks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. the science of architecture
  2. the unifying structural design of something
  3. the system of structure

ar·chi·tec·tur·al [,är-kə-'tek-chə-rəl, -'tek-shrəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to architecture : conforming to the rules of architecture
  2. having or conceived of as having a single unified overall design, form, or structure

ar·chi·tec·ture ['är-kə-,tek-chər] -n

  1. the art or science of building
  2. the art or practice of designing and building structures and esp. habitable ones
  3. formation or construction resulting from or as if from a conscious act
    • the architecture of the garden
  4. a unifying or coherent form or structure
    • the novel lacks architecture
  5. architectural product or work
  6. a method or style of building
  7. the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated

ar·chi·trave ['är-kə-,trāv] -n

  1. the lowest division of an entablature resting in classical architecture immediately on the capital of the column
  2. the molding around a rectangular opening (as a door)

ar·chi·val [är-'kī-vəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, contained in, suitable for, or constituting archives

ar·chive ['är-,kīv] -n

  1. a place in which public records or historical documents are preserved
  2. the material preserved often used in pl.
  3. a repository or collection esp. of information

archive -vt

  1. to file or collect in or as if in an archive
    • archive documents
    • archived tissue samples

ar·chi·vist ['är-kə-vist, -,kī-] -n

  1. a person in charge of archives

ar·chi·volt ['är-kə-,vōlt] -n

  1. an ornamental molding around an arch corresponding to an architrave

arch·ly ['ärch-lē] -adv

  1. in an arch manner
  2. extremely
    • archly conservative

ar·chon ['är-,kän, -kən] -n

  1. a chief magistrate in ancient Athens
  2. a presiding officer

ar·cho·saur ['är-kə-,sȯr] -n, adj or n

  1. any of a subclass (Archosauria) of reptiles comprising the dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodilians

arch·priest [(,)ärch-'prēst] -n

  1. a priest of preeminent rank

arch·ri·val [-'rī-vəl] -n

  1. a principal rival

arch·way ['ärch-,wā] -n

  1. a way or passage under an arch
  2. an arch over a passage

arc lamp -n

  1. an electric lamp that produces light by an arc made when a current passes between two incandescent electrodes surrounded by gas called also arc light

arcmin -abbr

  1. arc minute

arc minute -n

  1. minute

ar·co ['är-(,)kō] -adv or adj

  1. with the bow usu. used as a direction in music for players of stringed instruments

arcsec -abbr

  1. arc second

arc second -n

  1. second

arc·sine [(,)ärk-'sīn] -n

  1. the inverse function of the sine
    • if y is the sine of , then is the arcsine of y

arc·tan·gent [(,)ärk-'tan-jənt] -n

  1. the inverse function of the tangent
    • if y is the tangent of , then is the arctangent of y

arc·tic ['ärk-tik, 'är-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, or relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it
    • arctic waters
    • arctic animals
    • arctic clothing
  2. bitter cold : frigid
    • arctic air
  3. cold in temper or mood
    • an arctic smile
  4. a rubber overshoe reaching to the ankle or above

arctic char -n

  1. a Holarctic char ( Salvelinus alpinus) of arctic waters occurring in freshwater or anadromous populations

arctic circle -n

  1. the parallel of latitude that is approximately 66 degrees north of the equator and that circumscribes the northern frigid zone

arctic fox -n

  1. a small migratory Holarctic fox ( Alopex lagopus) esp. of coastal arctic and alpine tundra

arctic hare -n

  1. a gregarious hare ( Lepus arcticus) of the tundra of Greenland and northern Canada that turns white in winter and is a major food source for arctic predators (as wolves and snowy owls)

arctic tern -n

  1. a Holarctic tern ( Sterna paradisaea) that breeds in arctic regions and migrates to southern Africa and So. America

Arc·tu·rus [ärk-'tu̇r-əs, -'tyu̇r-] -n

  1. a giant fixed star of the first magnitude in Bootes

ar·cu·ate ['är-kyə-wət, -,wāt] -adj, adv

  1. curved like a bow
    • an arcuate cloud

ar·den·cy ['är-dᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being ardent

ar·dent ['är-dᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity
    • ardent proponents of the bill
  2. fiery, hot
    • an ardent sun
  3. shining, glowing
    • ardent eyes

ardent spirits -n pl

  1. strong distilled liquors

ar·dor ['är-dər] -n

  1. an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling
    • the sudden ardor s of youth
  2. extreme vigor or energy : intensity
  3. zeal
  4. loyalty
  5. sexual excitement

ar·dour ['är-dər] -n

(variant of ardor)

  1. an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling
    • the sudden ardor s of youth
  2. extreme vigor or energy : intensity
  3. zeal
  4. loyalty
  5. sexual excitement

ar·du·ous ['är-jə-wəs, -dyu̇-, -jü-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. hard to accomplish or achieve : difficult
    • years of arduous training
  2. marked by great labor or effort : strenuous
    • a life of arduous toil -- A. C. Cole
  3. hard to climb : steep
    • an arduous path

are ['bē] -vb

(variant of be)

  1. to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
    • God is love
    • January is the first month
    • let x be 10
  2. to have identity with
    • the first person I met was my brother
  3. to constitute the same class as
  4. to have a specified qualification or characterization
    • the leaves are green
  5. to belong to the class of
    • the fish is a trout
    used regularly in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
  6. to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live
    • I think, therefore I am
  7. to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position
    • the book is on the table
  8. to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted used only in infinitive form
    • let him be
  9. to take place : occur
    • the concert was last night
  10. to come or go
    • has already been and gone
    • has never been to the circus
  11. belong, befall
  12. used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice auxiliary
    • the money was found
    • the house is being built
  13. used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action
    • he is reading
    • I have been sleeping
  14. used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses
    • Christ is risen from the dead -- 1 Cor 15:20(DV)
  15. used with the infinitive with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation
    • I am to interview him today
    • she was to become famous

ar·ea ['er-ē-ə, 'ā-rē-ə] -n, adj, adv

  1. a level piece of ground
  2. the surface included within a set of lines
  3. the number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface
  4. the scope of a concept, operation, or activity : field
    • the whole area of foreign policy
  5. areaway
  6. : a particular extent of space or surface or one serving a special function: as
  7. a part of the surface of the body
  8. a geographic region
  9. a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function

area code -n

  1. a usu. 3-digit number that identifies each telephone service area in a country (as the U.S. or Canada)

ar·ea·way ['er-ē-ə-,wā, 'ā-rē-] -n

  1. a sunken space affording access, air, and light to a basement

are·ca [ə-'rē-kə, 'a-ri-kə] -n

  1. any of several tropical Asian palms ( Arecaor related genera)
  2. betel palm

arec·o·line [ə-'re-kə-,lēn] -n

  1. a toxic parasympathomimetic alkaloid C 8H 13NO 2that is used as a veterinary anthelmintic and occurs naturally in betel nuts

are·na [ə-'rē-nə] -n

  1. an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats
  2. an enclosed area used for public entertainment
  3. a building containing an arena
  4. a sphere of interest, activity, or competition
    • the political arena
  5. a place or situation for controversy
    • in the public arena

ar·e·na·ceous [,a-rə-'nā-shəs] -adj

  1. resembling, made of, or containing sand or sandy particles
  2. growing in sandy places

arena football -n

  1. a game resembling American football that is played on a shorter indoor field between two teams of eight players each

arena theater -n

  1. theater-in-the-round

ar·e·na·vi·rus [,a-rə-nə-'vī-rəs, ,er-ə-] -n

  1. any of a family ( Arenaviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses having a dense outer lipid envelope covered by numerous club-shaped projections and including the causative agents of lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Lassa fever

ar·ene ['a-,rēn, 'er-,ēn] -n

  1. an aromatic hydrocarbon (as benzene or naphthalene)

ar·e·nic·o·lous [,arə-'ni-kə-ləs] -adj

  1. living, burrowing, or growing in sand

aren't ['ärnt, 'är-ənt]

  1. are not
    • they aren't here yet
  2. am not used in questions
    • I'm right, aren't I?

are·o·la [ə-'rē-ə-lə; ,er-ē-'ō-, ,a-rē-] -n, adj

  1. a small area between things or about something
  2. a colored ring (as about the nipple, a vesicle, or a pustule)

ar·e·ole ['er-ē-,ōl, 'a-rē-] -n

  1. a round or elongated often raised or depressed area on a cactus which is equivalent to a bud and from which spines, flowers, stems, or roots grow

Ar·e·op·a·gite [,a-rē-'ä-pə-,gīt, -,jīt] -n, adj

  1. a member of the Areopagus

Ar·e·op·a·gus [,a-rē-'ä-pə-gəs] -n

  1. the supreme tribunal of Athens

are·pa [ə-'rā-pə] -n

  1. a usu. grilled cornmeal cake served in Latin-American cuisine

Ar·es ['a-(,)rēz, 'er-(,)ēz] -n

  1. the Greek god of war

arete [ə-'rāt] -n

  1. a sharp-crested ridge in rugged mountains

Ar·e·thu·sa [,a-rə-'thü-zə, -'thyü-] -n

  1. a wood nymph who is changed into a spring while fleeing the advances of the river-god Alpheus

arg -abbr

  1. argent
  2. argument

Arg -abbr

  1. Argentina

ar·ga·li ['är-gə-lē] -n

  1. a large wild sheep ( Ovis ammon) of central Asia with the ram having massive horns

Ar·gand diagram [,är-'gän-, -'gan-] -n

  1. a system of rectangular coordinates in which the complex number x iyis represented by the point whose coordinates are xand y

ar·gent ['är-jənt] -n, adj

  1. the metal silver
  2. whiteness
  3. the heraldic color silver or white

ar·gen·tif·er·ous [,är-jən-'ti-f(ə-)rəs] -adj

  1. containing silver

ar·gen·tine ['är-jən-,tīn, -,tēn] -adj

  1. silver, silvery

argentine -n

  1. silver
  2. any of various similar materials

ar·gen·tite ['är-jən-,tīt] -n

  1. a dark gray or black mineral of metallic luster that consists of native sulfide of silver and is a valuable silver ore

ar·gil ['är-jəl] -n

  1. clay
  2. potter's clay

ar·gil·la·ceous [,är-jə-'lā-shəs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing clay or clay minerals : clayey

ar·gil·lite ['är-jə-,līt] -n

  1. a compact argillaceous rock cemented by silica and having no slaty cleavage

ar·gi·nase ['är-jə-,nās, -,nāz] -n

  1. a crystalline enzyme that converts naturally occurring arginine into ornithine and urea

ar·gi·nine ['är-jə-,nēn] -n

  1. a crystalline basic amino acid C 6H 14N 4O 2derived from guanidine

Ar·give ['är-,jīv, -,gīv] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the Greeks or Greece and esp. the Achaean city of Argos or the surrounding territory of Argolis

ar·glebar·gle [,är-gəl-'bär-gəl] -n

  1. argy-bargy

Ar·go ['är-(,)gō] -n

  1. a large constellation in the southern hemisphere lying principally between Canis Major and the Southern Cross

ar·gol ['är-,gȯl] -n

  1. crude tartar deposited in wine casks during aging

ar·gon ['är-,gän] -n

  1. a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air and in volcanic gases and used esp. in welding, lasers, and electric bulbs

ar·go·naut ['är-gə-,nȯt, -,nät] -n

  1. any of a band of heroes sailing with Jason in quest of the Golden Fleece
  2. an adventurer engaged in a quest
  3. paper nautilus

ar·go·sy ['är-gə-sē] -n

  1. a large ship
  2. a large merchant ship
    • three of your argosies are...come to harbor -- Shak.
  3. a fleet of ships
  4. a rich supply
    • an argosy of railway folklore -- F. P. Donovan

ar·got ['är-gət, -(,)gō] -n

  1. an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group
    • shoved into a taxi by a porter whose argot I couldn't understand -- Allen Tate

ar·gu·able ['är-gyü-ə-bəl] -adj

  1. open to argument, dispute, or question
  2. that can be plausibly or convincingly argued

ar·gu·ably ['är-gyü-(ə-)blē] -adv

  1. as may be argued or shown by argument
    • an arguably effective strategy
    • arguably the greatest writer of his era

ar·gue ['är-(,)gyü] -vb, n

  1. to give reasons for or against something : reason
    • argue for a new policy
  2. to contend or disagree in words : dispute
    • argue about money
  3. to give evidence of : indicate
    • the facts argue his innocence
  4. to consider the pros and cons of : discuss
    • argue an issue
  5. to prove or try to prove by giving reasons : maintain
    • asking for a chance to argue his case
  6. to persuade by giving reasons : induce
    • couldn't argue her out of going

ar·gu·fy ['är-gyə-,fī] -vb, n

  1. dispute, debate
  2. wrangle

ar·gu·ment ['är-gyə-mənt] -n

  1. an outward sign : indication
  2. a reason given in proof or rebuttal
  3. discourse intended to persuade
  4. the act or process of arguing : argumentation
  5. a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion
  6. quarrel, disagreement
  7. an abstract or summary esp. of a literary work
    • an argument preceded the poem
  8. the subject matter esp. of a literary work
  9. one of the independent variables upon whose value that of a function depends
  10. a substantive (as the direct object of a transitive verb) that is required by a predicate in grammar
  11. amplitude

ar·gu·men·ta·tion [,är-gyə-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n

  1. the act or process of forming reasons and of drawing conclusions and applying them to a case in discussion
  2. debate, discussion

ar·gu·men·ta·tive [,är-gyə-'men-tə-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by argument : controversial
  2. given to argument : disputatious

ar·gu·men·tum [,är-gyə-'men-təm] -n

  1. argument

Ar·gus ['är-gəs] -n

  1. a hundred-eyed monster of Greek mythology
  2. a watchful guardian

Ar·guseyed ['är-gəs-,īd] -adj

  1. vigilantly observant

ar·gybar·gy [,är-jē-'bär-jē, ,är-gē-'bär-gē] -n

  1. a lively discussion : argument, dispute

ar·gyle ['är-,gī(-ə)l, är-'] -n

  1. a geometric knitting pattern of varicolored diamonds in solid and outline shapes on a single background color
  2. a sock knit in this pattern

ar·hat ['är-(,)hət] -n

  1. a Buddhist who has reached the stage of enlightenment

aria ['är-ē-ə] -n

  1. air, melody, tune
  2. an accompanied elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice
  3. a striking solo performance (as in a movie)

Ar·i·ad·ne [,a-rē-'ad-nē] -n

  1. a daughter of Minos who helps Theseus escape from the labyrinth

Ar·i·an ['a-rē-ən, 'er-ə-] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to Arius or his doctrines esp. that the Son is not of the same substance as the Father but was created as an agent for creating the world

Arian -n

  1. a supporter of Arian doctrines

Ar·i·an ['er-ē-ən, 'a-rē-] -n

  1. aries

ari·bo·fla·vin·osis [,ā-,rī-bə-,flā-və-'nō-səs] -n

  1. a deficiency disease due to inadequate intake of riboflavin and characterized by sores on the mouth

ar·id ['a-rəd, 'er-əd] -adj, n

  1. excessively dry
  2. having insufficient rainfall to support agriculture
  3. lacking in interest and life : jejune

Ar·i·el ['a-rē-əl, 'er-ē-] -n

  1. a prankish spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest

Ar·i·es ['er-,ēz, -ē-,ēz, 'a-rēz, -rē-,ēz] -n

  1. the first sign of the zodiac in astrology
  2. one born under the sign of Aries
  3. a constellation between Pisces and Taurus pictured as a ram

ari·et·ta [,är-ē-'e-tə, ,a-rē-] -n

  1. a short aria

aright [ə-'rīt] -adv

  1. right, correctly
    • if I remember aright

Arik·a·ra [ə-'ri-kə-rə] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of the Missouri River valley in No. Dakota
  2. the language of the Arikara

ar·il ['a-rəl, 'er-əl] -n, adj

  1. an exterior covering or appendage of some seeds (as of the yew) that develops after fertilization as an outgrowth from the ovule stalk

ari·o·so [,är-ē-'ō-(,)sō, -(,)zō] -n

  1. a musical passage or composition having a mixture of free recitative and metrical song

arise [ə-'rīz] -vi

  1. to get up : rise
  2. to originate from a source
  3. to come into being or to attention
  4. ascend

aris·ta [ə-'ris-tə] -n, adj

  1. a bristlelike structure or appendage

aris·to [ə-'ris-(,)tō] -n

  1. aristocrat

ar·is·toc·ra·cy [,a-rə-'stä-krə-sē, ,er-ə-] -n

  1. government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class
  2. a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified
  3. a state with such a government
  4. a governing body or upper class usu. made up of a hereditary nobility
  5. the aggregate of those believed to be superior

aris·to·crat [ə-'ris-tə-,krat, a-; 'a-rə-stə-] -n

  1. a member of an aristocracy
  2. noble
  3. one who has the bearing and viewpoint typical of the aristocracy
  4. one who favors aristocracy
  5. one believed to be superior of its kind
    • the aristocrat of Southern resorts -- Southern Living

aris·to·crat·ic [ə-,ris-tə-'kra-tik, (,)a-,ris-tə-, ,a-rə-stə-] -adj, adv

  1. belonging to, having the qualities of, or favoring aristocracy
  2. socially exclusive
    • an aristocratic neighborhood
  3. snobbish

Ar·is·to·te·lian [,a-rə-stə-'tēl-yən] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the Greek philosopher Aristotle or his philosophy

arith -abbr

  1. arithmetic; arithmetical

arith·me·tic [ə-'rith-mə-,tik] -n, adj, adv

  1. a branch of mathematics that deals usu. with the nonnegative real numbers including sometimes the transfinite cardinals and with the application of the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to them
  2. a treatise on arithmetic
  3. computation, calculation

arithmetic mean -n

  1. a value that is computed by dividing the sum of a set of terms by the number of terms

arithmetic progression -n

  1. a progression (as 3, 5, 7, 9) in which the difference between any term and its predecessor is constant

Ariz -abbr

  1. Arizona

ark ['ärk] -n

  1. a boat or ship held to resemble that in which Noah and his family were preserved from the Flood
  2. something that affords protection and safety
  3. the sacred chest representing to the Hebrews the presence of God among them
  4. a repository traditionally in or against the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls of the Torah

Ark -abbr

  1. Arkansas

ar·kose ['är-,kōs, -,kōz] -n, adj

  1. a sandstone characterized by feldspar fragments that is derived from granite or gneiss which has disintegrated rapidly

arm ['ärm] -n, adj

  1. a human upper limb
  2. the part between the shoulder and the wrist
  3. : something like or corresponding to an arm: as
  4. the forelimb of a vertebrate
  5. a limb of an invertebrate animal
  6. a branch or lateral shoot of a plant
  7. a slender part of a structure, machine, or an instrument projecting from a main part, axis, or fulcrum
  8. the end of a ship's yard
  9. the part of an anchor from the crown to the fluke
  10. any of the usu. two parts of a chromosome lateral to the centromere
  11. an inlet of water (as from the sea)
  12. a narrow extension of a larger area, mass, or group
  13. power, might
    • the long arm of the law
  14. a support (as on a chair) for the elbow and forearm
  15. sleeve
  16. the ability to throw or pitch a ball well
  17. a player having such ability
  18. a functional division of a group, organization, institution, or activity
    • the logistical arm of the air force
  19. to furnish or equip with weapons
  20. to furnish with something that strengthens or protects
    • arm ing citizens with the right to vote
  21. to equip or ready for action or operation
    • arm a bomb
  22. to prepare oneself for struggle or resistance
    • arm for combat
  23. a means (as a weapon) of offense or defense
  24. firearm
  25. a combat branch (as of an army)
  26. an organized branch of national defense (as the navy)
  27. the hereditary heraldic devices of a family
  28. heraldic devices adopted by a government
  29. active hostilities : warfare
    • a call to arm s
  30. military service

Arm -abbr

  1. Armenian

ARM -abbr

  1. adjustable rate mortgage

ar·ma·da [är-'mä-də, -'mā- also -'ma-] -n

  1. a fleet of warships
  2. a large force or group usu. of moving things
    • an armada of fishing boats

ar·ma·dil·lo [,är-mə-'di-(,)lō] -n

  1. any of a family (Dasypodidae) of burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern U.S. to Argentina and having the body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates

Ar·ma·ged·don [,är-mə-'ge-dᵊn] -n

  1. the site or time of a final and conclusive battle between the forces of good and evil
  2. the battle taking place at Armageddon
  3. a usu. vast decisive conflict or confrontation

Ar·ma·gnac ['är-mən-,yak] -n

  1. a brandy produced in the Gers department of France

ar·ma·ment ['är-mə-mənt also 'ärm-mənt] -n

  1. a military or naval force
  2. the aggregate of a nation's military strength
  3. weapons, arms
  4. the process of preparing for war

ar·ma·men·tar·i·um [,är-mə-,men-'ter-ē-əm, -mən-] -n

  1. a collection of resources available or utilized for an undertaking or field of activity
  2. the equipment, methods, and pharmaceuticals used in medicine

arm and a leg -n

  1. an exorbitant price

ar·ma·ture ['är-mə-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n

  1. an organ or structure (as teeth or thorns) for offense or defense
  2. a piece of soft iron or steel that connects the poles of a magnet or of adjacent magnets
  3. a usu. rotating part of an electric machine (as a generator or motor) which consists essentially of coils of wire around a metal core and in which electric current is induced or in which the input current interacts with a magnetic field to produce torque
  4. the movable part of an electromagnetic device (as a loudspeaker)
  5. a framework used by a sculptor to support a figure being modeled in a plastic material
  6. framework
    • events that serve as the armature of the book

arm·band ['ärm-,band] -n

  1. a band worn around the arm
  2. a band worn around the arm for identification or in mourning

arm candy -n

  1. a young attractive person who accompanies a usu. older person at social events

arm·chair ['ärm-,cher] -n

  1. a chair with armrests

armchair -adj

  1. remote from direct dealing with problems : theoretical rather than practical
    • armchair strategists
  2. sharing vicariously in another's experiences
    • an armchair traveler

armed ['ärmd] -adj

  1. furnished with weapons
    • an armed guard
  2. using or involving a weapon
  3. furnished with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy
    • armed with knowledge
  4. marked by the maintenance of armed forces in readiness
  5. having an arm or arms esp. of a specified kind or number usu. used in combination
    • long- armed
    • two- armed

armed forces -n pl

  1. the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation called also armed services

Ar·me·nian [är-'mē-nē-ən, -nyən] -n, adj

  1. a member of a people dwelling chiefly in Armenia and neighboring areas (as Turkey or Azerbaijan)
  2. the Indo-European language of the Armenians
  3. a member of the Armenian church established by St. Gregory the Illuminator that adheres to the decisions of the first three ecumenical councils

arm·ful ['ärm-,fu̇l] -n

  1. as much as the arm or arms can hold

arm·hole ['ärm-,hōl] -n

  1. an opening for the arm in a garment

ar·mi·ger ['är-mi-jər] -n, adj

  1. squire
  2. one entitled to bear heraldic arms

ar·mig·er·ous [är-'mi-jər-əs] -adj

  1. bearing heraldic arms

ar·mil·la·ry sphere ['är-mə-,ler-ē-, är-'mi-lə-rē-] -n

  1. an old astronomical instrument composed of rings showing the positions of important circles of the celestial sphere

Ar·min·i·an [är-'mi-nē-ən] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to Arminius or his doctrines opposing the absolute predestination of strict Calvinism and maintaining the possibility of salvation for all

ar·mi·stice ['är-mə-stəs] -n

  1. temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents : truce

Armistice Day -n

  1. veterans day used before the official adoption of Veterans Day in 1954

arm·let ['ärm-lət] -n

  1. a band (as of cloth or metal) worn around the upper arm
  2. a small arm (as of the sea)

arm·load ['ärm-,lōd] -n

  1. armful

arm·lock [-,läk] -n

  1. hammerlock

ar·moire [ärm-'wär, Southern also 'är-mər] -n

  1. a usu. tall cupboard or wardrobe

ar·mor ['är-mər] -n, vt, adj

  1. defensive covering for the body
  2. covering (as of metal) used in combat
  3. a quality or circumstance that affords protection
    • the armor of prosperity
  4. a protective outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable)
  5. armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)

ar·mored ['är-mərd] -adj

  1. equipped or protected with armor
  2. equipped with armored fighting vehicles
    • an armored division
  3. marked by the use of armor
    • armored combat

armored scale -n

  1. any of a family (Diaspididae) of scale insects having a firm covering of wax best developed in the female

ar·mor·er ['är-mər-ər] -n

  1. one that makes armor or arms
  2. one that repairs, assembles, and tests firearms

ar·mo·ri·al [är-'mȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or bearing heraldic arms

Ar·mor·i·can [är-'mȯr-i-kən, -'mär-] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Armorica
  2. breton

ar·mory ['ärm-rē, 'är-mə-] -n

  1. a supply of arms for defense or attack
  2. a collection of available resources
  3. a place where arms and military equipment are stored
  4. one used for training reserve military personnel
  5. a place where arms are manufactured

ar·mour ['är-mər] -n, vt, adj

(variant of armor)

  1. defensive covering for the body
  2. covering (as of metal) used in combat
  3. a quality or circumstance that affords protection
    • the armor of prosperity
  4. a protective outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable)
  5. armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)

arm·pit ['ärm-,pit] -n

  1. the hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder
  2. the least desirable place : pit
    • 77th Street Station...was the armpit of detective duty -- Joseph Wambaugh

arm·rest [-,rest] -n

  1. a support for the arm

arm's length -n, adj

  1. a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity
    • kept former friends at arm's length now
  2. the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing

arms race -n

  1. a race between hostile nations to accumulate or develop weapons
  2. an ever escalating race or competition

armtwist·ing [-,twis-tiŋ] -n, vb

  1. the use of direct personal pressure in order to achieve a desired end
    • for all the armtwisting, the...vote on the measure was unexpectedly tight -- Newsweek

arm wrestling -n

  1. a form of wrestling in which two opponents sit face to face gripping usu. their right hands, set corresponding elbows firmly on a surface (as a tabletop), and attempt to force each other's arm down called also Indian wrestling

ar·my ['är-mē] -n

  1. a large organized body of armed personnel trained for war esp. on land
  2. a unit capable of independent action and consisting usu. of a headquarters, two or more corps, and auxiliary troops
  3. the complete military organization of a nation for land warfare
  4. a great multitude
    • an army of birds
  5. a body of persons organized to advance a cause

army ant -n

  1. any of a subfamily (Dorylinae) of aggressive nomadic tropical ants that prey on insects and spiders

ar·my·worm ['är-mē-,wərm] -n

  1. any of numerous moths whose larvae travel in multitudes from field to field destroying grass, grain, and other crops
  2. the common armyworm ( Pseudaletia unipuncta) of the eastern and central U.S. and Canada

ar·ni·ca ['är-ni-kə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Arnica) of composite herbs including some with bright yellow ray flowers

ar·oid ['a-,rȯid, 'er-,ȯid] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the arum family

aroint [ə-'rȯint] -vb imper

  1. begone
    • aroint thee, witch -- Shak.

aro·ma [ə-'rō-mə] -n

  1. a distinctive pervasive and usu. pleasant or savory smell
  2. odor
  3. the odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is made
  4. a distinctive quality or atmosphere : flavor
    • the aroma of enjoyment -- Stella D. Gibbons

aro·ma·tase [ə-'rō-mə-,tās, -,tāz] -n

  1. an enzyme or complex of enzymes that promotes the conversion of an androgen into estrogen

aro·ma·ther·a·py [ə-,rō-mə-'ther-ə-pē] -n, adj

  1. massage of the body and esp. of the face with a preparation of fragrant essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, and fruits
  2. the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being

ar·o·mat·ic [,a-rə-'ma-tik, ,er-ə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. : of, relating to, or having aroma:
  2. fragrant
  3. having a strong smell
  4. having a distinctive quality
  5. characterized by increased chemical stability resulting from the delocalization of electrons in a ring system (as benzene) containing usu. multiple conjugated double bonds

aromatic -n

  1. an aromatic plant or plant part
  2. an aromatic herb or spice
  3. an aromatic organic compound

aro·ma·tize [ə-'rō-mə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to make aromatic : flavor
  2. to convert into one or more aromatic compounds

arose [ə-'rīz] -vi

(variant of arise)

  1. to get up : rise
  2. to originate from a source
  3. to come into being or to attention
  4. ascend

around [ə-'rau̇nd] -adv

  1. in a circle or in circumference
    • the wheel goes around
    • a tree five feet around
  2. in, along, or through a circuit
    • the road goes around by the lake
  3. on all or various sides : in every or any direction
    • papers lying around
    • nothing for miles around
  4. in close from all sides so as to surround
    • people crowded around
  5. in or near one's present place or situation
    • wait around awhile
  6. here and there : from one place to another
    • travels around on business
  7. to a particular place
    • come around for dinner
  8. used with some verbs to indicate repeated or continued action
    • always joking around when he should be serious
    • don't play around with your food
  9. in rotation or succession
    • another winter comes around
  10. from beginning to end : through
    • mild the year around
  11. in order
    • the other way around
  12. in or to an opposite direction or position
    • turn around
  13. with some approach to exactness : approximately
    • cost around 5
  14. on all sides of
  15. so as to encircle or enclose
    • seated around the table
  16. so as to avoid or get past : on or to another side of
    • find a way around their objections
    • went around the lake
    • around the corner
  17. near
    • lives around Chicago
    • around the turn of the century
  18. in all directions outward from
    • look around you
  19. here and there in or throughout
    • barnstorming around the country
  20. so as to have a center or basis in
    • a society organized around kinship ties
  21. about
    • has been up and around for two days
  22. being in existence, evidence, or circulation
    • the most intelligent of the artists around today -- R. M. Coates

aroundtheclock -adj

  1. being in effect, continuing, or lasting 24 hours a day : constant
    • aroundtheclock surveillance

arouse [ə-'rau̇z] -vb, n

  1. to awaken from sleep
  2. to rouse or stimulate to action or to physiological readiness for activity : excite
    • the book aroused debate
  3. to awake from sleep : stir

ar·peg·gi·ate [är-'pe-jē-,āt] -vt

  1. to play (as a chord or passage) in arpeggio

ar·peg·gio [är-'pe-jē-,ō, -'pe-jō] -n

  1. production of the tones of a chord in succession and not simultaneously
  2. a chord played in arpeggio

ar·pent [är-'päⁿ] -n

  1. any of various old French units of land area
  2. one used in French sections of Canada and the U.S. equal to about 0.85 acre (0.34 hectare)
  3. a unit of length equal to one side of a square arpent

arquebus ['här-kwi-(,)bəs, -kə-bəs] -n

(variant of harquebus)

  1. a matchlock gun invented in the 15th century which was portable but heavy and was usu. fired from a support

arr -abbr

  1. arranged
  2. arrival; arrive

ar·rack ['a-rək, ə-'rak] -n

  1. an Asian alcoholic beverage like rum that is distilled from a fermented mash of malted rice with toddy or molasses

ar·raign [ə-'rān] -vt, n

  1. to call (a defendant) before a court to answer to an indictment : charge
  2. to accuse of wrong, inadequacy, or imperfection

ar·range [ə-'rānj] -vb, n

  1. to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustment
    • arrange flowers in a vase
    • arrange cards alphabetically
  2. to make preparations for : plan
    • arranged a reception for the visitor
  3. to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or instruments other than those for which orig. written
  4. orchestrate
  5. to bring about an agreement or understanding concerning : settle
    • arrange an exchange of war prisoners
  6. to bring about an agreement or understanding
    • arranged to have a table at the restaurant
  7. to make preparations : plan
    • arranged for a vacation with his family

ar·range·ment [ə-'rānj-mənt] -n

  1. the state of being arranged : order
    • everything in neat arrangement
  2. the act of arranging
    • the arrangement of the details was quickly accomplished
  3. : something arranged: as
  4. a preliminary measure : preparation
    • travel arrangement s
  5. an adaptation of a musical composition by rescoring
  6. an informal agreement or settlement esp. on personal, social, or political matters
    • arrangement s under the new regime
  7. something made by arranging parts or things together
    • a floral arrangement

ar·rant ['a-rənt, 'er-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. being notoriously without moderation : extreme
    • we are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us -- Shak.

ar·ras ['a-rəs, 'er-əs] -n

  1. a tapestry of Flemish origin used esp. for wall hangings and curtains
  2. a wall hanging or screen of tapestry

ar·ray [ə-'rā] -vt, n

  1. to dress or decorate esp. in splendid or impressive attire : adorn
    • he had already array ed himself in his best clothes -- Thomas Hardy
  2. to set or place in order : draw up, marshal
    • the forces array ed against us
  3. to set or set forth in order (as a jury) for the trial of a cause
  4. to arrange or display in or as if in an array
    • the...data are array ed in descending order -- Ed Burnett

array -n

  1. a regular and imposing grouping or arrangement : order
    • lined up...in soldierly array -- Donald Barthelme
  2. an orderly listing of jurors impaneled
  3. clothing, attire
  4. rich or beautiful apparel : finery
  5. a body of soldiers : militia
    • the baron and his feudal array
  6. an imposing group : large number
    • faced a whole array of problems
  7. variety, assortment
    • a broad array of styles
  8. a number of mathematical elements arranged in rows and columns
  9. a data structure in which similar elements of data are arranged in a table
  10. a series of statistical data arranged in classes in order of magnitude
  11. a group of elements forming a complete unit
    • an antenna array

ar·rear [ə-'rir] -n

  1. the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations usu. used in pl.
    • in arrear s with the rent
  2. an unfinished duty usu. used in pl.
    • arrear s of work that have piled up
  3. an unpaid and overdue debt usu. used in pl.
    • paying off the arrear s of the past several months

ar·rear·age [-ij] -n

  1. the condition of being in arrears
  2. something that is in arrears
  3. something unpaid and overdue

ar·rest [ə-'rest] -vt, n

  1. to bring to a stop
    • sickness arrest ed his activities
  2. check, slow
  3. to make inactive
    • an arrest ed tumor
  4. seize, capture
  5. to take or keep in custody by authority of law
  6. to catch suddenly and engagingly
    • arrest attention

arrest -n

  1. the act of stopping
  2. the condition of being stopped or inactive
  3. the taking or detaining in custody by authority of law

ar·res·tant [ə-'res-tənt] -n

  1. a substance that stimulates an insect to stop locomotion

ar·rest·ee [ə-,res-'tē] -n

  1. a person who is under arrest

ar·rest·ing [ə-'res-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. catching the attention : striking, impressive
    • an arresting image

ar·rhyth·mia [ā-'rith-mē-ə] -n

  1. an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

ar·rhyth·mic [-mik] -adj

  1. lacking rhythm or regularity
    • arrhythmic locomotor activity

ar·ri·ereban [,ar-ē-,er-'bän, -'ban] -n

  1. a proclamation of a king (as of France) calling his vassals to arms
  2. the body of vassals summoned

ar·ri·erepen·see [-päⁿ-'sā] -n

  1. mental reservation

ar·ris ['a-rəs, 'er-əs] -n

  1. the sharp edge or salient angle formed by the meeting of two surfaces esp. in moldings

ar·riv·al [ə-'rī-vəl] -n

  1. the act of arriving
  2. the attainment of an end or state
  3. one that has recently arrived
    • new arrival s

ar·rive [ə-'rīv] -vi, n

  1. to reach a destination
  2. to make an appearance
    • the guests have arrived
  3. happen
  4. to be near in time : come
    • the moment has arrived
  5. to achieve success

ar·ri·ve [,a-ri-'vā] -n

  1. one who has risen rapidly to success, power, or fame

ar·ri·viste [-'vēst] -n

  1. one that is a new and uncertain arrival (as in social position or artistic endeavor)

ar·ro·ba [ə-'rō-bə] -n

  1. an old Spanish unit of weight equal to about 25 pounds
  2. an old Portuguese unit of weight equal to about 32 pounds

ar·ro·gance ['er-ə-gən(t)s, 'a-rə-] -n

  1. an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions

ar·ro·gant [-gənt] -adj, adv

  1. exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner
    • an arrogant official
  2. proceeding from or characterized by arrogance
    • an arrogant reply

ar·ro·gate [-,gāt] -vt, n

  1. to claim or seize without justification
  2. to make undue claims to having : assume
  3. to claim on behalf of another : ascribe

ar·ron·disse·ment [ə-'rän-də-smənt, ,a-,rōⁿ-(,)dē-'smäⁿ] -n

  1. an administrative district of some large French cities
  2. the largest division of a French department

ar·row ['er-(,)ō, 'a-(,)rō] -n

  1. a missile shot from a bow and usu. having a slender shaft, a pointed head, and feathers at the butt
  2. something shaped like an arrow
  3. a mark (as on a map or signboard) to indicate direction

arrow -vi

  1. to move fast and straight like an arrow in flight : dart

ar·row·head ['er-ō-,hed, 'er-ə-, 'a-rō-, 'a-rə-] -n

  1. a wedge-shaped piercing tip usu. fixed to an arrow
  2. something resembling an arrowhead
  3. any of a genus ( Sagittaria) of marsh or aquatic plants of the water-plantain family with leaves shaped like arrowheads

ar·row·root [-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Marantaof the family Marantaceae, the arrowroot family) of tropical American plants with tuberous roots
  2. one ( M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch
  3. any of several plants (as coontie) that yield starch
  4. starch yielded by an arrowroot

ar·row·wood [-,wu̇d] -n

  1. any of several common viburnums (esp. Viburnum dentatum) of eastern No. America

ar·row·worm [-,wərm] -n

  1. any of a phylum (Chaetognatha) of small planktonic wormlike marine organisms having curved bristles on either side of the head for seizing prey

ar·rowy ['er-ə-wē, 'a-rə-] -adj

  1. resembling or suggesting an arrow
    • arrowy pines
  2. swiftly moving
    • the sky was radiant with arrowy bolts -- Mark Twain
  3. consisting of arrows
    • arrowy showers

ar·royo [ə-'rȯi-(,)ō, -ə] -n

  1. a watercourse (as a creek) in an arid region
  2. a water-carved gully or channel

ar·roz con po·llo [ä-'rȯth-(,)kȯn-'pōl-(,)yō, -'pō-(,)yō] -n

  1. a dish of chicken cooked with rice and usu. flavored with saffron

ARRT -abbr

  1. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

arse ['as] -n

(variant of ass)

  1. any of several hardy gregarious African or Asian perissodactyl mammals (genus Equus) smaller than the horse and having long ears
  2. an African mammal ( E. asinus) that is the ancestor of the donkey
  3. a stupid, obstinate, or perverse person
    • made an ass of himself
    often compounded with a preceding adjective
    • don't be a smart- ass
  4. buttocks often used in emphatic reference to a specific person
    • get your ass over here
    • saved my ass
  5. anus
  6. sexual intercourse
  7. used as a postpositive intensive esp. with words of derogatory implication
    • fancy- ass

ar·se·nal ['ärs-nəl, 'är-sə-] -n

  1. an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipment
  2. a collection of weapons
  3. store, repertoire
    • the team's arsenal of veteran players

ar·se·nate ['ärs-nət, 'är-sə-, -,nāt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of an arsenic acid

ar·se·nic ['ärs-nik, 'är-sə-] -n

  1. a trivalent and pentavalent metalloid poisonous element that is commonly metallic steel gray, crystalline, and brittle and is used esp. in wood preservatives, alloys, and semiconductors
  2. a poisonous trioxide As 2O 3or As 4O 6of arsenic used esp. as an insecticide or weed killer called also arsenic trioxide

ar·sen·ic [är-'se-nik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing arsenic esp. with a valence of five

ar·sen·i·cal [är-'se-ni-kəl] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, containing, or caused by arsenic
    • arsenical poisoning

ar·se·nide ['är-sə-,nīd] -n

  1. a binary compound of arsenic with a more electropositive element

ar·se·ni·ous [är-'sē-nē-əs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing arsenic esp. when trivalent

ar·se·nite ['är-sə-,nīt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of an arsenious acid

ar·se·no·py·rite [,är-sə-nō-'pī-,rīt] -n

  1. a silver-white mineral consisting of a combined sulfide and arsenide of iron that occurs in prismatic orthorhombic crystals or in masses or grains and that is the principal source of arsenic

ar·sine [är-'sēn, 'är-,] -n

  1. a colorless flammable extremely poisonous gas AsH 3with an odor like garlic
  2. a derivative of arsine

ar·sis ['är-səs] -n

  1. the lighter or shorter part of a poetic foot esp. in quantitative verse
  2. the accented or longer part of a poetic foot esp. in accentual verse
  3. the unaccented part of a musical measure

ar·son ['är-sᵊn] -n, adj

  1. the willful or malicious burning of property (as a building) esp. with criminal or fraudulent intent

ars·phen·a·mine [ärs-'fe-nə-,mēn, -mən] -n

  1. a light-yellow toxic hygroscopic powder C 12Cl 2H 14As 2N 2O 22H 2O formerly used in the treatment esp. of syphilis and yaws

art ['bē] -vb

(variant of be)

  1. to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
    • God is love
    • January is the first month
    • let x be 10
  2. to have identity with
    • the first person I met was my brother
  3. to constitute the same class as
  4. to have a specified qualification or characterization
    • the leaves are green
  5. to belong to the class of
    • the fish is a trout
    used regularly in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
  6. to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live
    • I think, therefore I am
  7. to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position
    • the book is on the table
  8. to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted used only in infinitive form
    • let him be
  9. to take place : occur
    • the concert was last night
  10. to come or go
    • has already been and gone
    • has never been to the circus
  11. belong, befall
  12. used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice auxiliary
    • the money was found
    • the house is being built
  13. used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action
    • he is reading
    • I have been sleeping
  14. used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses
    • Christ is risen from the dead -- 1 Cor 15:20(DV)
  15. used with the infinitive with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation
    • I am to interview him today
    • she was to become famous

art de·co [,ärt-'de-,kō; ,är(t)-dā-'kō, 'är(t)-'dā-(,)] -n

  1. a popular design style of the 1920s and 1930s characterized esp. by bold outlines, geometric and zigzag forms, and the use of new materials (as plastic)

ar·te·fact ['är-ti-,fakt] -n, adj

(variant of artifact)

  1. something created by humans usu. for a practical purpose
  2. an object remaining from a particular period
    • caves containing prehistoric artifact s
  3. something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human institution, period, trend, or individual
    • self-consciousness...turns out to be an artifact of our education system -- Times Lit. Supp.
  4. a product of artificial character (as in a scientific test) due usu. to extraneous (as human) agency

Ar·te·mis ['är-tə-məs] -n

  1. a Greek moon goddess often portrayed as a virgin huntress

ar·te·mi·sia [,är-tə-'mi-zh(ē-)ə, -zē-ə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Artemisia) of aromatic composite herbs and shrubs (as sagebrush)

arteri- -comb form

  1. artery
    • arterio gram
  2. arterial and
    • arterio venous

ar·te·ri·al [är-'tir-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to an artery
  2. relating to or being the bright red blood present in most arteries that has been oxygenated in lungs or gills
  3. of, relating to, or constituting through traffic

arterial -n

  1. a through street or highway

ar·te·rio·gram [är-'tir-ē-ə-,gram] -n

  1. a radiograph of an artery made by arteriography

ar·te·ri·og·ra·phy [är-,tir-ē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. the radiographic visualization of an artery after injection of a radiopaque substance

ar·te·ri·ole [är-'tir-ē-,ōl] -n, adj

  1. any of the small terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries

ar·te·rio·scle·ro·sis [är-,tir-ē-ō-sklə-'rō-səs] -n, adj or n

  1. a chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening and hardening of the arterial walls with resulting loss of elasticity

ar·te·rio·ve·nous [-'vē-nəs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or connecting the arteries and veins
    • an arteriovenous fistula

ar·ter·i·tis [,är-tə-'rī-təs] -n

  1. arterial inflammation

ar·tery ['är-tə-rē, 'är-trē] -n

  1. any of the tubular branching muscular- and elastic-walled vessels that carry blood from the heart through the body
  2. a channel (as a river or highway) of transportation or communication
  3. the main channel in a branching system

ar·te·sian well [är-'tē-zhən-] -n

  1. a well in which water is under pressure
  2. one in which the water flows to the surface naturally
  3. a deep well

art form -n

  1. a form or medium of expression recognized as fine art
    • sees dance as both an art form and an entertainment
  2. an unconventional form or medium in which impulses regarded as artistic may be expressed
    • describe pinball as a great American art form -- Tom Buckley
  3. an undertaking or activity enhanced by a high level of skill or refinement
    • easy conversation-an art form in peril of being lost to contemporary schedules -- Joanna Pruess

art·ful ['ärt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. performed with or showing art or skill
    • an artful performance on the violin
  2. using or characterized by art and skill : dexterous
    • an artful prose stylist
  3. adroit in attaining an end usu. by insinuating or indirect means : wily
    • an artful cross-examiner
  4. artificial
    • trim walks and artful bowers -- William Wordsworth

art glass -n

  1. articles of glass designed primarily for decorative purposes
  2. novelty glassware

art historical -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the history of art

art house -n

  1. art theater

arthr- -comb form

  1. joint
    • arthro pathy

ar·thral·gia [är-'thral-j(ē-)ə] -n, adj

  1. pain in one or more joints

ar·thrit·ic [är-'thri-tik] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or affected with arthritis
    • arthritic hands
  2. seemingly affected with or caused by arthritis
    • an arthritic legal system
    • a story moving with arthritic slowness

ar·thri·tis [är-'thrī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes
  2. a specific arthritic condition

ar·throd·e·sis [är-'thrä-də-səs] -n

  1. the surgical immobilization of a joint so that the bones grow solidly together

ar·throp·a·thy [är-'thrä-pə-thē] -n

  1. a disease of a joint

ar·thro·pod ['är-thrə-,päd] -n, adj

  1. any of a phylum (Arthropoda) of invertebrate animals (as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) that have a segmented body and jointed appendages, a usu. chitinous exoskeleton molted at intervals, and a dorsal anterior brain connected to a ventral chain of ganglia

ar·thro·scope ['är-thrə-,skōp] -n, adj

  1. a fiber-optic instrument surgically inserted through an incision near a joint (as the knee) and used to visually examine the joint interior

ar·thros·co·py [är-'thräs-kə-pē] -n

  1. examination of a joint with an arthroscope
  2. surgery on a joint using an arthroscope

ar·thro·sis [är-'thrō-səs] -n

  1. an articulation between bones
  2. a degenerative disease of a joint

ar·thro·spore ['är-thrə-,spȯr] -n

  1. oidium

Ar·thur ['är-thər] -n

  1. a legendary king of the Britons whose story is based on traditions of a sixth century military leader

Ar·thu·ri·an [är-'thu̇r-ē-ən, -'thyu̇r-] -adj

  1. of or relating to King Arthur and his court

ar·ti·choke ['är-tə-,chōk] -n

  1. a tall Mediterranean composite herb ( Cynara scolymus) resembling a thistle with coarse pinnately incised leaves
  2. its edible immature flower head which is cooked as a vegetable
  3. jerusalem artichoke

ar·ti·cle ['är-ti-kəl] -n

  1. a distinct often numbered section of a writing
  2. a separate clause
  3. a stipulation in a document (as a contract or a creed)
    • article s of indenture
  4. a nonfictional prose composition usu. forming an independent part of a publication (as a magazine)
  5. an item of business : matter
  6. any of a small set of words or affixes (as a, an,and the) used with nouns to limit or give definiteness to the application
  7. a member of a class of things
  8. an item of goods
    • article s of value
  9. a thing or person of a particular and distinctive kind or class
    • the genuine article

article [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to bind by articles (as of apprenticeship)

article of faith

  1. a basic belief

ar·tic·u·la·ble [är-'ti-kyə-lə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being articulated

ar·tic·u·la·cy [är-'ti-kyə-lə-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being articulate

ar·tic·u·lar [är-'ti-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. of or relating to a joint
    • articular cartilage

ar·tic·u·late [är-'ti-kyə-lət] -adj, adv, n

  1. divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : intelligible
  2. able to speak
  3. expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively
    • an articulate teacher
  4. expressed in this manner
    • an articulate argument
  5. consisting of segments united by joints : jointed
    • articulate animals
  6. distinctly marked off
  7. to give clear and effective utterance to : put into words
    • articulate one's grievances
  8. to utter distinctly
    • articulating each note in the musical phrase
  9. to give definition to (as a shape or object)
    • shades of gray were chosen to articulate different spaces -- Carol Vogel
  10. to give shape or expression to (as a theme or concept)
    • a drama that uses eerie props to articulate a sense of foreboding
  11. to unite by or as if by means of a joint : joint
  12. to form or fit into a systematic whole
    • articulating a program for all school grades
  13. to utter articulate sounds
  14. to become united or connected by or as if by a joint

ar·tic·u·lat·ed [-,lā-təd] -adj

  1. having a hinge or pivot connection esp. to allow negotiation of sharp turns
    • articulated lorry
    • articulated bus

ar·tic·u·la·tion [(,)är-,ti-kyə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. a joint or juncture between bones or cartilages in the skeleton of a vertebrate
  2. a movable joint between rigid parts of an animal
  3. the action or manner of jointing or interrelating
  4. the state of being jointed or interrelated
  5. the act of giving utterance or expression
  6. the act or manner of articulating sounds
  7. an articulated utterance or sound
  8. consonant
  9. occlusion

ar·tic·u·la·to·ry [är-'ti-kyə-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. of or relating to articulation

ar·ti·fact ['är-ti-,fakt] -n, adj

  1. something created by humans usu. for a practical purpose
  2. an object remaining from a particular period
    • caves containing prehistoric artifact s
  3. something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human institution, period, trend, or individual
    • self-consciousness...turns out to be an artifact of our education system -- Times Lit. Supp.
  4. a product of artificial character (as in a scientific test) due usu. to extraneous (as human) agency

ar·ti·fice ['är-tə-fəs] -n

  1. clever or artful skill : ingenuity
    • believing that characters had to be created from within rather than with artifice -- Garson Kanin
  2. an ingenious device or expedient
  3. an artful stratagem : trick
  4. false or insincere behavior
    • social artifice

ar·ti·fi·cer [är-'ti-fə-sər, 'är-tə-fə-sər] -n

  1. a skilled or artistic worker or craftsman
  2. one that makes or contrives : deviser
    • had been the artificer of his own fortunes -- Times Lit. Supp.

ar·ti·fi·cial [,är-tə-'fi-shᵊl] -adj, n, adv

  1. humanly contrived often on a natural model : man-made
    • an artificial limb
    • artificial diamonds
  2. having existence in legal, economic, or political theory
  3. caused or produced by a human and esp. social or political agency
    • an artificial price advantage
    • artificial barriers of discrimination -- R. C. Weaver
  4. artful, cunning
  5. lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
    • an artificial smile
    • an artificial excitement
  6. imitation, sham
    • artificial flavor
  7. based on differential morphological characters not necessarily indicative of natural relationships
    • an artificial key for plant identification

artificial horizon -n

  1. a gyroscopic flight instrument designed to indicate aircraft attitude with respect to the true horizon

artificial insemination -n

  1. introduction of semen into the uterus or oviduct by other than natural means

artificial intelligence -n

  1. a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers
  2. the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior

artificial respiration -n

  1. the rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped

ar·til·ler·ist [är-'ti-lə-rist] -n

  1. gunner, artilleryman

ar·til·lery [är-'ti-lər-ē, -'til-rē] -n

  1. weapons (as bows, slings, and catapults) for discharging missiles
  2. large bore crew-served mounted firearms (as guns, howitzers, and rockets) : ordnance
  3. a branch of an army armed with artillery
  4. means of impressing, arguing, or persuading

ar·til·lery·man [-mən] -n

  1. a soldier in the artillery

ar·tio·dac·tyl [,är-tē-ō-'dak-tᵊl] -n, adj

  1. any of an order (Artiodactyla) of ungulates (as the camel or pig) with an even number of functional toes on each foot

ar·ti·san ['är-tə-zən, -sən, chiefly Brit ,är-tə-'zan] -n, adj

  1. a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson
  2. one that produces something (as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods

art·ist ['är-tist] -n

  1. one skilled or versed in learned arts
  2. physician
  3. artisan
  4. one who professes and practices an imaginative art
  5. a person skilled in one of the fine arts
  6. a skilled performer
  7. artiste
  8. one who is adept at something
    • con artist
    • strikeout artist

ar·tiste [är-'tēst] -n

  1. a skilled adept public performer
  2. a musical or theatrical entertainer
  3. an artistic or creative person

ar·tis·tic [är-'tis-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of art or artists
    • artistic subjects
    • an artistic success
  2. showing imaginative skill in arrangement or execution
    • artistic photography

art·ist·ry ['är-tə-strē] -n

  1. artistic quality of effect or workmanship
    • the artistry of his novel
  2. artistic ability
    • the artistry of the violinist
    • a lawyer's artistry in persuading juries

art·less ['ärt-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking art, knowledge, or skill : uncultured
    • an artless brute
  2. made without skill : crude
    • an artless attempt to win votes
  3. free from artificiality : natural
    • artless grace
  4. free from guile or craft : sincerely simple
    • an artless young woman

art mo·derne [,är(t)-mō-'dern] -n

  1. art deco

art nou·veau [,är(t)-nü-'vō] -n

  1. a design style of late 19th century origin characterized esp. by sinuous lines and foliate forms

artrock ['ärt-,räk] -n

  1. rock music that incorporates elements of traditional or classical music

arts and crafts -n

  1. a movement in European and American design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries promoting handcraftsmanship over industrial mass production

art song -n

  1. a usu. through-composed song for solo voice and accompaniment

art·sy ['ärt-sē] -adj

  1. arty

artsycraftsy [,ärt-sē-'kraf(t)-sē] -adj

  1. arty

art theater -n

  1. a theater that specializes in the presentation of art films

art·work ['ärt-,wərk] -n

  1. an artistic production
    • an 8-foot metal artwork
  2. artistic work
    • artwork being sold on the sidewalk
  3. art
  4. material (as a drawing or photograph) prepared for reproduction in printed matter

arty ['är-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. showily or pretentiously artistic
    • arty lighting and photography
  2. artillery

aru·gu·la [ə-'rü-gə-lə, -gyə-] -n

  1. a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb ( Eruca vesicaria sativa) of the mustard family cultivated for its foliage which is used esp. in salads called also garden rocket rocket roquette rugola

ar·um ['a-rəm, 'er-əm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Arumof the family Araceae, the arum family) of Eurasian plants having usu. arrow-shaped leaves and a showy spathe partially enclosing a spadix
  2. a plant of the arum family

ARV -abbr

  1. American Revised Version

ARVN -abbr

  1. Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)

Ary·an ['a-rē-ən, 'er-ē-; 'är-yən] -adj

  1. indo-european
  2. of or relating to a hypothetical ethnic type illustrated by or descended from early speakers of Indo-European languages
  3. nordic
  4. used in Nazism to designate a supposed master race of non-Jewish Caucasians usu. having Nordic features
  5. of or relating to Indo-Iranian or its speakers

Aryan -n

  1. indo-european
  2. nordic
  3. gentile

ar·yl ['a-rəl, 'er-əl] -adj

  1. having or being a monovalent organic radical (as phenyl) derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon by the removal of one hydrogen atom often used in combination

ar·y·te·noid [,a-rə-'tē-,nȯid, ə-'ri-tᵊn-,ȯid] -adj, n

  1. relating to or being either of two small laryngeal cartilages to which the vocal cords are attached
  2. relating to or being either of a pair of small muscles or an unpaired muscle of the larynx