at [ət, 'at] -prep
- used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near
- used as a function word to indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or motion
- creditors are at him again
- used as a function word to indicate that with which one is occupied or employed
- used as a function word to indicate situation in an active or passive state or condition
- used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, or manner
- act at your own discretion
- used as a function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position in a scale or series
- used as a function word to indicate age or position in time
- see kip at
- airtight
- atmosphere
- atomic
At -symbol
- astatine
AT -abbr
- air temperature
- ampere-turn
- automatic transmission
at·a·brine ['a-tə-brən] -n
- quinacrine
atac·tic [(,)ā-'tak-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a polymer exhibiting no stereochemical regularity of structure
At·a·lan·ta [,a-tə-'lan-tə] -n
- a fleet-footed huntress in Greek mythology who challenges her suitors to a race and is defeated by Hippomenes when she stops to pick up three golden apples he has dropped
at all -adv
- in any way or respect : to the least extent or degree : under any circumstances
at·a·man [,a-tə-'man] -n
- hetman
at·a·mas·co lily [,a-tə-'mas-(,)kō-] -n
- any of a genus ( Zephyranthes) of American bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family with pink, white, or yellowish flowers
- one ( Z. atamasco) of the southeastern U.S. with white flowers usu. tinged with purple
at·a·vism ['a-tə-,vi-zəm] -n, adj, adv
- recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usu. due to genetic recombination
- recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity
- one that manifests atavism : throwback
atax·ia [ə-'tak-sē-ə, (,)ā-] -n, adj
- an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness called also incoordination
atax·iatel·an·gi·ec·ta·sia [-,te-,lan-jē-,ek-'tā-zh(ē-)ə, -tē-, -tə-] -n
- an inherited systemic disorder marked esp. by progressive pathological changes in the nervous system resulting in loss of motor coordination and by increased susceptibility to cancer esp. of lymphoid tissue
at bat -n
- an official turn at batting charged to a baseball player except when the player walks, sacrifices, is hit by a pitched ball, or is interfered with by the catcher
- three hits in five at bats
ATC -abbr
- air traffic control
ate ['ēt] -vb, n
(variant of eat)
- to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
- to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating
- expenses ate up the profits
- gadgets that eat up too much space
- to bear the expense of : take a loss on
- the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract
- to consume gradually : corrode
- to consume with vexation : bother
- to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap used with up
- it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up
- to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on often used with out
- to take food or a meal
- 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
- something to eat : food usu. used in pl.
Ate ['ä-tē, 'ā-(,)tē; 'ä-,tā] -n
- a Greek goddess personifying foolhardy and ruinous impulse
at·el·ec·ta·sis [,a-tə-'lek-tə-səs] -n
- collapse of the expanded lung
- defective expansion of the pulmonary alveoli at birth
ate·lier [,a-tᵊl-'yā] -n
- an artist's or designer's studio or workroom
- workshop
ate·moya [,ä-tə-'mȯi-ə, ,a-] -n
- a white-pulped tropical fruit of a tree that is a hybrid of the sweetsop and the cherimoya
atem·po·ral [(,)ā-'tem-p(ə-)rəl] -adj
- independent of or unaffected by time : timeless
aten·o·lol [ə-'te-nə-,lȯl, -,lōl] -n
- a beta blocker C 14H 22N 2O 3used in the treatment of hypertension
ATF -abbr
- [Bureau of] Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Ath·a·bas·can [,a-thə-'bas-kən] -n
- a family of American Indian languages spoken primarily in western Canada, Alaska, and the U.S. Southwest
- a member of a people speaking an Athabascan language
Ath·a·na·sian [,a-thə-'nā-zhən, -shən] -adj
- of or relating to Athanasius or his advocacy of the homoousian doctrine against Arianism
Athanasian Creed -n
- a Christian creed originating in Europe about a.d.400 and relating esp. to the Trinity and Incarnation
athe·ism ['ā-thē-,i-zəm] -n
- ungodliness, wickedness
- a disbelief in the existence of deity
- the doctrine that there is no deity
athe·ist ['ā-thē-ist] -n, adj, adv
- one who believes that there is no deity
ath·e·ling ['a-thə-liŋ, -thə-] -n
- an Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman
- the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family
Athe·na [ə-'thē-nə] -n
- the Greek goddess of wisdom
ath·e·nae·um [,a-thə-'nē-əm] -n
- a building or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use
- a literary or scientific association
athe·o·ret·i·cal [,ā-,thē-ə-'re-ti-kəl, -,thir-'e-] -adj
- not based on or concerned with theory
athero- -comb form
- atheroma
ath·ero·gen·e·sis [,a-thə-rō-'je-nə-səs] -n
- the formation of atheroma
ath·ero·gen·ic [-'je-nik] -adj
- relating to or causing atherogenesis
ath·er·o·ma [,a-thə-'rō-mə] -n, adj
- fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries
- an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery
ath·ero·scle·ro·sis [,a-thə-,rō-sklə-'rō-səs] -n, adj
- an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries
athirst [ə-'thərst] -adj
- thirsty
- having a strong eager desire
- I that for ever feel athirst for glory -- John Keats
ath·lete ['ath-,lēt, ÷'a-thə-,lēt] -n
- a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
athlete's foot -n
- ringworm of the feet
ath·let·ic [ath-'le-tik, ÷,a-thə-'le-] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to athletes or athletics
- characteristic of an athlete
- vigorous, active
- mesomorphic
- used by athletes
ath·let·ics [ath-'le-tiks, ÷,a-thə-'le-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- exercises, sports, or games engaged in by athletes
- the practice or principles of athletic activities
athletic supporter -n
- a supporter (as of elasticized fabric) for the genitals worn by men participating in sports or strenuous activities
athome [ət-'hōm, 'at-,hōm] -adj
- intended or suitable for one's home
- being or occurring at one's home
at home -n
- a reception given at one's home
athwart [ə-'thwȯrt, naut often -'thȯrt] -prep
- across
- in opposition to
- a procedure directly athwart the New England prejudices -- R. G. Cole
- across esp. in an oblique direction
- in opposition to the right or expected course
- and quite athwart goes all decorum -- Shak.
athwart·ship [-,ship] -adj
- being across the ship from side to side
- athwartship and longitudinal framing
athwart·ships [-,ships] -adv
- across the ship from side to side
atilt [ə-'tilt] -adv or adj
- in a tilted position
- with lance in hand
- run atilt at death -- Shak.
atin·gle [ə-'tiŋ-gəl] -adj
- tingling esp. with excitement
At·ka mackerel ['at-kə-, 'ät-] -n
- a greenling ( Pleurogrammus monopterygius) that is a food fish found in Alaska and adjacent regions
Atl -abbr
- Atlantic
At·lan·te·an [,at-,lan-'tē-ən, ət-'lan-tē-] -adj
- of, relating to, or resembling Atlas : strong
Atlantean -adj
- of or relating to Atlantis
At·lan·tic [ət-'lan-tik, at-] -adj
- of, relating to, or found in, on, or near the Atlantic Ocean
- of, relating to, or found on or near the east coast of the U.S.
- of or relating to the nations that border the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic croaker -n
- a small croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus) of the Gulf coast and the Atlantic coast
At·lan·ti·cism [-'lan-tə-,si-zəm] -n
- a policy of military cooperation between European powers and the U.S.
Atlantic puffin -n
- a small black-and-white puffin ( Fratercula arctica) of the northern coastal parts of the No. Atlantic Ocean that has a triangular bill with a broad red or yellow tip
Atlantic salmon -n
- salmon
Atlantic time -n
- the time of the fourth time zone west of Greenwich that includes the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
Atlantic white cedar -n
- white cedar
At·lan·tis [ət-'lan-təs, at-] -n
- a fabled island in the Atlantic that according to legend sank beneath the sea
atlarge ['at-'lärj] -adj
- relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
- an atlarge city councilor
at·las ['at-ləs] -n
- a Titan who for his part in the Titans' revolt against the gods is forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders
- one who bears a heavy burden
- a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter
- a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates
- the first vertebra of the neck
- a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster called also telamon
at·latl ['ät-,lä-tᵊl] -n
- a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released
At·li ['ät-lē] -n
- a king of the Huns figuring in Germanic legend and corresponding to the historical Attila
atm -abbr
- atmosphere; atmospheric
ATM [,ā-(,)tē-'em] -n
- a computerized electronic machine that performs basic banking functions (as handling check deposits or issuing cash withdrawals) called also automated teller machine automatic teller automatic teller machine
- asynchronous transfer mode
at·man ['ät-mən, -,män] -n
- the innermost essence of each individual
- the supreme universal self : brahma
at·mo·sphere ['at-mə-,sfir] -n, adj
- the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (as a planet)
- the whole mass of air surrounding the earth
- the air of a locality
- a surrounding influence or environment
- an atmosphere of hostility
- a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (101,325 pascals)
- the overall aesthetic effect of a work of art
- an intriguing or singular tone, effect, or appeal
at·mo·spher·ic [,at-mə-'sfir-ik, -'sfer-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or occurring in the atmosphere
- resembling the atmosphere : airy
- having, marked by, or contributing aesthetic or emotional atmosphere
- marked by an emphasis on impression or tone
at·mo·spher·ics [-iks] -n pl
- audible disturbances produced in radio receiving apparatus by atmospheric electrical phenomena (as lightning)
- the electrical phenomena causing these disturbances
- actions (as official statements) intended to create or suggest a particular atmosphere or mood in politics and esp. international relations
- the mood so created or suggested
- realistic detail added (as to a literary work) to create a mood
at no -abbr
- atomic number
atoll ['a-,tȯl, -,täl, -,tōl, 'ā-] -n
- a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon
at·om ['a-təm] -n
- one of the minute indivisible particles of which according to ancient materialism the universe is composed
- a tiny particle : bit
- the smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination
- the atom considered as a source of vast potential energy
atom·ic [ə-'tä-mik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or concerned with atoms
- nuclear
- marked by acceptance of the theory of atomism
- atomistic
- minute
- existing in the state of separate atoms
atomic bomb -n
- a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction called also atom bomb
- a nuclear weapon (as a hydrogen bomb)
atomic clock -n
- a precision clock that depends for its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system (as a beam of cesium atoms)
atomic force microscope -n
- an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscope probe moving above the surface abbr. AFM
atomic mass -n
- the mass of an atom usu. expressed in atomic mass units
- atomic weight
atomic mass unit -n
- a unit of mass for expressing masses of atoms, molecules, or nuclear particles equal to the mass of a single atom of the most abundant carbon isotope 12C called also dalton
atomic number -n
- an experimentally determined number characteristic of a chemical element that represents the number of protons in the nucleus which in a neutral atom equals the number of electrons outside the nucleus and that determines the place of the element in the periodic table
atomic reactor -n
- reactor
atomic theory -n
- a theory of the nature of matter: all material substances are composed of minute particles or atoms of a comparatively small number of kinds and all the atoms of the same kind are uniform in size, weight, and other properties
- any of several theories of the structure of the atom
- one based on experimentation and theoretical considerations holding that the atom is composed essentially of a small positively charged comparatively heavy nucleus surrounded by a comparatively large arrangement of electrons
atomic weight -n
- the mass of one atom of an element
- the average mass of an atom of an element as it occurs in nature that is expressed in atomic mass units
at·om·ise ['a-tə-,mīz] -vt, n
(variant of atomize)
- to treat as made up of many discrete units
- to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray
- divide, fragment
- to deprive of meaningful ties to others
- to subject to attack by nuclear weapons
at·om·ism ['a-tə-,mi-zəm] -n
- a doctrine that the physical or physical and mental universe is composed of simple indivisible minute particles
- individualism
at·om·is·tic [,a-tə-'mis-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to atoms or atomism
- composed of many simple elements
- characterized by or resulting from division into unconnected or antagonistic fragments
at·om·ize ['a-tə-,mīz] -vt, n
- to treat as made up of many discrete units
- to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray
- divide, fragment
- to deprive of meaningful ties to others
- to subject to attack by nuclear weapons
at·om·iz·er ['a-tə-,mī-zər] -n
- an instrument for atomizing usu. a perfume, disinfectant, or medicament
atom smasher -n
- accelerator
at·o·my ['a-tə-mē] -n
- a tiny particle : atom, mite
aton·al [(,)ā-'tō-nᵊl, (,)a-] -adj, n, adv
- marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality
- organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially
atone [ə-'tōn] -vb
- reconcile
- to supply satisfaction for : expiate
- to make amends
atone·ment [ə-'tōn-mənt] -n
- reconciliation
- the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ
- reparation for an offense or injury : satisfaction
- the exemplifying of human oneness with God
aton·ic [(,)ā-'tä-nik, (,)a-] -adj
- characterized by atony
- uttered without accent or stress
at·o·ny ['a-tə-nē] -n
- lack of physiological tone esp. of a contractile organ
atop [ə-'täp] -adv or adj
- on, to, or at the top
- on top of
at·o·py ['a-tə-pē] -n, adj
- a prob. hereditary allergy characterized by symptoms (as asthma, hay fever, or hives) produced upon exposure esp. by inhalation to the exciting environmental antigen
ator·va·stat·in [ə-,tȯr-və-'sta-tᵊn, -'tȯr-və-,sta-] -n
- a statin administered orally in the form of its hydrated calcium salt (C 33H 34FN 2O 5) 2Ca 3H 2O to lower lipid levels in the blood
ATP [,ā-,tē-'pē] -n
- a phosphorylated nucleotide C 10H 16N 5O 13P 3composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis esp. to ADP called also adenosine triphosphate
ATPase [,ā-,tē-'pē-,ās, -,āz] -n
- an enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP
- one that hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate
at·ra·bil·ious [,a-trə-'bil-yəs] -adj, n
- given to or marked by melancholy : gloomy
- ill-natured, peevish
at·ra·zine ['a-trə-,zēn] -n
- a photosynthesis-inhibiting persistent herbicide C 8H 14ClN 5used esp. to kill annual weeds and quack grass
atrem·ble [ə-'trem-bəl] -adj
- shaking involuntarily : trembling
- he was white as death and all atremble -- Robert Coover
atre·sia [ə-'trē-zhə] -n
- absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
- absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration
Atreus ['ā-,trüs, -trē-əs] -n
- a king of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and Menelaus
atrial natriuretic peptide -n
- a peptide hormone secreted by the cardiac atria that in pharmacological doses promotes salt and water excretion and lowers blood pressure called also atrial natriuretic factor
atrio·ven·tric·u·lar [,ā-trē-ō-ven-'tri-kyə-lər, -vən-] -adj
- of, relating to, or located between an atrium and ventricle of the heart
atrioventricular node -n
- a small mass of tissue in the right atrioventricular region of higher vertebrates through which impulses from the sinoatrial node are passed to the ventricles
atrip [ə-'trip] -adj
- aweigh
atri·um ['ā-trē-əm] -n, adj
- the central room of a Roman house
- a rectangular open patio around which a house is built
- a many-storied court in a building (as a hotel) usu. with a skylight
- an anatomical cavity or passage
- the chamber or either of the chambers of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the ventricle or ventricles
atro·cious [ə-'trō-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel : barbaric
- appalling, horrifying
- the atrocious weapons of modern war
- utterly revolting : abominable
- atrocious working conditions
- of very poor quality
atroc·i·ty [ə-'trä-sə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being atrocious
- an atrocious act, object, or situation
- the...sufferings and atrocities of trench warfare -- Aldous Huxley
at·ro·phy ['a-trə-fē] -n, adj, vb
- decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
- arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant
- a wasting away or progressive decline
- was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering -- Willa Cather
at·ro·pine ['a-trə-,pēn] -n
- a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine obtained from any of various solanaceous plants (as belladonna) and used esp. in the form of its sulfate for its anticholinergic effects (as pupil dilation or inhibition of smooth muscle spasms)
at sign -n
- the symbol esp. when used as part of an Internet user's e-mail address
att [ət, 'at] -prep
(variant of at)
- used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near
- used as a function word to indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or motion
- creditors are at him again
- used as a function word to indicate that with which one is occupied or employed
- used as a function word to indicate situation in an active or passive state or condition
- used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, or manner
- act at your own discretion
- used as a function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position in a scale or series
- used as a function word to indicate age or position in time
- see kip at
- airtight
- atmosphere
- atomic
at·ta·boy ['a-tə-,bȯi] -interj
- used to express encouragement, approval, or admiration
at·tach [ə-'tach] -vb, adj
- to take by legal authority esp. under a writ
- to bring (oneself) into an association
- attach ed herself to their cause
- to assign (an individual or unit in the military) temporarily
- to bind by personal ties (as of affection or sympathy)
- was strongly attach ed to his family
- to make fast (as by tying or gluing)
- attach a label to a package
- to associate esp. as a property or an attribute : ascribe
- attach ed great importance to public opinion polls
- to become attached : adhere
at·ta·che [,a-tə-'shā, ,a-,ta-, ə-,ta-] -n
- a technical expert on a country's diplomatic staff at a foreign capital
- attache case
at·ta·che case [,a-,ta-'shā-, ,a-tə-; ə-'ta-(,)shā-] -n
- a small thin suitcase used esp. for carrying business papers
- briefcase
at·tached [ə-'tacht] -adj
- permanently fixed when adult
at·tach·ment [ə-'tach-mənt] -n
- a seizure by legal process
- the writ or precept commanding such seizure
- the state of being personally attached : fidelity
- affectionate regard
- a deep attachment to nature
- a device attached to a machine or implement
- the physical connection by which one thing is attached to another
- the process of physically attaching
at·tack [ə-'tak] -vb, n
- to set upon or work against forcefully
- to assail with unfriendly or bitter words
- to begin to affect or to act on injuriously
- plants attack ed by aphids
- to set to work on
- to threaten (a piece in chess) with immediate capture
- to make an attack
attack -n
- the act of attacking with physical force or unfriendly words : assault
- a belligerent or antagonistic action
- a fit of sickness
- an active episode of a chronic or recurrent disease
- a period of being strongly affected by something (as a desire or mood)
- an offensive or scoring action
- won the game with an 8-hit attack
- offensive players or the positions taken up by them
- the setting to work on some undertaking
- made a new attack on the problem
- the beginning of destructive action (as by a chemical agent)
- the act or manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
- designed, planned, or used for carrying out a military attack
attack dog -n
- a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
- a person noted for harsh, personal, and usu. public verbal attacks against others
at·tack·man [-,man] -n
- a player (as in lacrosse) assigned to an offensive zone or position
at·tain [ə-'tān] -vb, n, adj
- to reach as an end : gain, achieve
- to come into possession of : obtain
- he attain ed preferment over his fellows
- to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement
- they attain ed the top of the hill
- to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort usu. used with to
at·tain·der [ə-'tān-dər] -n
- extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a person upon sentence of death or outlawry usu. after a conviction of treason
- dishonor
at·tain·ment [ə-'tān-mənt] -n
- the act of attaining : the condition of being attained
- something attained : accomplishment
at·taint [ə-'tānt] -vt
- to affect by attainder
- infect, corrupt
- taint, sully
- accuse
attaint -n
- a stain upon honor or purity : disgrace
at·tar ['a-tər, 'a-,tär] -n
- a fragrant essential oil (as from rose petals)
- fragrance
at·tempt [ə-'tem(p)t] -vt, adj
- to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
- attempt ed to swim the swollen river
- tempt
- to try to subdue or take by force : attack
attempt -n
- the act or an instance of attempting
- an unsuccessful effort
- something resulting from or representing an attempt
- surrounded by...a few attempt s at rose bushes -- Marian Engel
- attack, assault
- an attempt on the life of the president
at·tend [ə-'tend] -vb, n
- to pay attention to
- to look after : take charge of
- campsites...attend ed by park rangers -- Jackson Rivers
- to go or stay with as a companion, nurse, or servant
- to visit professionally esp. as a physician
- to wait for
- to be in store for
- to be present with : accompany
- to be present at : go to
- to apply oneself
- to apply the mind or pay attention : heed
- to be ready for service
- ministers who attend upon the king
- to be present
- wait, stay
- to direct one's attention : see
at·ten·dance [ə-'ten-dən(t)s] -n
- the act or fact of attending
- a physician in attendance
- the persons or number of persons attending
- an account of persons attending
- the teacher took attendance before starting class
- the number of times a person attends
attendance officer -n
- truant officer
at·ten·dant [ə-'ten-dənt] -n
- one who attends another to perform a service
- an employee who waits on customers
- something that accompanies : concomitant
- attendee
attendant -adj
- accompanying, waiting upon, or following in order to perform service
- Cherub and Seraph...attendant on their Lord -- John Milton
- accompanying or following as a consequence or result
- problems attendant on pollution
- civilization and its attendant morality -- Robert Stone
at·tend·ee [ə-,ten-'dē, ,a-] -n
- a person who is present on a given occasion or at a given place
- attendee s at a convention
at·tend·ing [ə-'ten-diŋ] -adj
- serving as a physician on the staff of a teaching hospital
attending -n
- an attending physician or surgeon
at·ten·tion [ə-'ten(t)-shən; sense 4 often (ə-),ten(ch)-'hət] -n, adj
- the act or state of applying the mind to something
- a condition of readiness for such attention involving esp. a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity
- observation, notice
- consideration with a view to action
- a problem requiring prompt attention
- an act of civility or courtesy esp. in courtship
- she welcomed his attention s
- sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness
- a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front often used as a command
attention deficit disorder -n
- a syndrome of disordered learning and disruptive behavior that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder and that has several subtypes characterized primarily by symptoms of inattentiveness or primarily by symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior (as speaking out of turn) or by the significant expression of all three abbr. ADD
attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder -n
- attention deficit disorder abbr. ADHD
attention line -n
- a line usu. placed above the salutation in a business letter directing the letter to one specified
attention span -n
- the length of time during which one (as an individual or a group) is able to concentrate or remain interested
at·ten·tive [ə-'ten-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- mindful, observant
- attentive to what he is doing
- heedful of the comfort of others : solicitous
- offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor
at·ten·u·ate [ə-'ten-yə-wət, -yü-ət] -adj
- reduced esp. in thickness, density, or force
- tapering gradually usu. to a long slender point
- to make thin or slender
- to make thin in consistency : rarefy
- to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of : weaken
- to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality of
- to become thin, fine, or less
at·ten·u·a·tor [-yə-,wā-tər, -yü-,ā-] -n
- a device for attenuating
- one for reducing the amplitude of an electrical signal without appreciable distortion
at·test [ə-'test] -vb, n
- to affirm to be true or genuine
- to authenticate by signing as a witness
- to authenticate officially
- to establish or verify the usage of
- to be proof of : manifest
- her record attest s her integrity
- to put on oath
- to bear witness : testify
at·tic ['a-tik] -n
- a low story or wall above the main order of a facade in the classical styles
- a room behind an attic
- a room or a space immediately below the roof of a building : garret
- something resembling an attic (as in being used for storage)
At·tic ['a-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Athens or its ancient civilization
- marked by simplicity, purity, and refinement
Attic -n
- a dialect of ancient Greek orig. used in Attica and later the literary language of the Greek-speaking world
at·ti·cism ['a-tə-,si-zəm] -n
- a witty or well-turned phrase
- a characteristic feature of Attic Greek occurring in another language or dialect
at·tire [ə-'tī(-ə)r] -vt
- to put garments on : dress, array
- to clothe in fancy or rich garments
attire -n
- dress, clothes
- splendid or decorative clothing
- the antlers or antlers and scalp of a stag or buck
at·ti·tude ['a-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture
- a position assumed for a specific purpose
- a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
- a mental position with regard to a fact or state
- a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
- the position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as the horizon or a particular star)
- an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)
- a negative or hostile state of mind
- a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner
at·ti·tu·di·nal [,a-tə-'tü-də-nəl, -'tyü-] -adj, adv
- relating to, based on, or expressive of personal attitudes or feelings
at·ti·tu·di·nise [,a-tə-'tü-də-,nīz, -'tyü-] -vi
(variant of attitudinize)
- to assume an affected mental attitude : pose
at·ti·tu·di·nize [,a-tə-'tü-də-,nīz, -'tyü-] -vi
- to assume an affected mental attitude : pose
attn -abbr
- attention
at·to- ['a-(,)tō] -comb form
- one quintillionth (10 18) part of
at·torn [ə-'tərn] -vi, n
- to agree to be tenant to a new owner or landlord of the same property
at·tor·ney [ə-'tər-nē] -n
- one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf
- lawyer
attorneyatlaw -n
- a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients
attorney general -n
- the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in litigation and serves as its principal legal adviser
at·tract [ə-'trakt] -vb, n
- : to cause to approach or adhere: as
- to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself
- to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : entice
- to exercise attraction
at·trac·tant [ə-'trak-tənt] -n
- a substance (as a pheromone) that attracts specific animals (as insects or individuals of the opposite sex)
at·trac·tion [ə-'trak-shən] -n
- the act, process, or power of attracting
- personal charm
- the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality
- a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
- something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes
at·trac·tive [ə-'trak-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- having or relating to the power to attract
- attractive forces between molecules
- arousing interest or pleasure : charming
- appealing
attrib -abbr
- attributive; attributively
at·tri·bute ['a-trə-,byüt] -n
- an inherent characteristic
- an accidental quality
- an object closely associated with or belonging to a specific person, thing, or office
- a scepter is the attribute of power
- such an object used for identification in painting or sculpture
- a word ascribing a quality
- adjective
at·trib·ute [ə-'tri-,byüt, -byət] -vt, adj
- to explain by indicating a cause
- attributed his success to his coach
- to regard as a characteristic of a person or thing
- to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashion
- attributed the invention to a Russian
- classify, designate
at·tri·bu·tion [,a-trə-'byü-shən] -n, adj
- the act of attributing
- the ascribing of a work (as of literature or art) to a particular author or artist
- an ascribed quality, character, or right
at·trib·u·tive [ə-'tri-byə-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- relating to or of the nature of an attribute : attributing
- joined directly to a modified noun without a linking verb (as cityin city streets)
at·trit·ed [ə-'trī-təd] -adj
- worn by attrition
at·tri·tion [ə-'tri-shən, a-] -n, adj
- sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God
- the act of rubbing together : friction
- the act of wearing or grinding down by friction
- the act of weakening or exhausting by constant harassment, abuse, or attack
- a reduction in numbers usu. as a result of resignation, retirement, or death
- a company with a high rate of attrition
at·tune [ə-'tün, -'tyün] -vt, n
- to bring into harmony : tune
- to make aware or responsive
- attune businesses to changing trends
atty -abbr
- attorney
atty gen -abbr
- attorney general
ATV [,ā-(,)tē-'vē] -n
- all-terrain vehicle
atwit·ter [ə-'twi-tər] -adj
- nervously concerned : excited
- gossips atwitter with speculation -- Time
at wt -abbr
- atomic weight
atyp·i·cal [(,)ā-'ti-pi-kəl] -adj, n, adv
- not typical : irregular, unusual
- an atypical form of a disease