fo -abbr

  1. folio

FO -abbr

  1. field officer
  2. field order
  3. finance officer
  4. flight officer
  5. foreign office
  6. forward observer

foal ['fōl] -n

  1. a young animal of the horse family
  2. one under one year
  3. to give birth to a foal
  4. to give birth to (a foal)

foam ['fōm] -n, adj

  1. : a light frothy mass of fine bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid or from a liquid: as
  2. a frothy mass formed in salivating or sweating
  3. a stabilized froth produced chemically or mechanically and used esp. in fighting oil fires
  4. a material in a lightweight cellular form resulting from introduction of gas bubbles during manufacture
  5. sea
  6. something resembling foam
  7. to produce or form foam
  8. to froth at the mouth esp. in anger
  9. to be angry
  10. to gush out in foam
  11. to become covered with or as if with foam
    • streets...foam ing with life -- Thomas Wolfe
  12. to cause to foam
  13. to cause air bubbles to form in
  14. to convert (as a plastic) into a foam

foam cell -n

  1. a swollen vacuolated phagocytic cell filled with lipid inclusions that often accummulates along arterial walls and is characteristic of some conditions of disturbed lipid metabolism

foamed plastic -n

  1. expanded plastic

foam·flow·er ['fōm-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. a spring-flowering herb ( Tiarella cordifolia) of eastern No. America that has white flowers with long stamens and no stem leaves called also false miterwort

foam rubber -n

  1. spongy rubber of fine texture made from latex by foaming (as by whipping) before vulcanization

foamy ['fō-mē] -adj, adv, n

  1. covered with foam : frothy
  2. full of, consisting of, or resembling foam

fob ['fäb] -vt

  1. deceive, cheat
  2. watch pocket
  3. a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached esp. to a pocket watch
  4. an ornament attached to a fob chain

FOB -abbr

  1. free on board

fob off -vt

  1. to put off with a trick, excuse, or inferior substitute
  2. to pass or offer (something spurious) as genuine
  3. to put aside
    • now fob off what once they would have welcomed eagerly -- Walter Lippmann

FOC -abbr

  1. free of charge

fo·cac·cia [fō-'kä-ch(ē-)ə] -n

  1. a flat Italian bread typically seasoned with herbs and olive oil

fo·cal ['fō-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, being, or having a focus

focal infection -n

  1. a persistent bacterial infection of some organ or region
  2. one causing symptoms elsewhere in the body

fo·cal·ize ['fō-kə-,līz] -vb, n

  1. to bring to a focus
  2. localize
  3. to come to a focus : concentrate
  4. localize

focal length -n

  1. the distance of a focus from the surface of a lens or curved mirror

focal plane -n

  1. a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of a lens or mirror and passes through the focus

focal point -n

  1. focus
  2. focus

focal ratio -n

  1. f-number

fo'c'sle ['fōk-səl; 'fȯr-,ka-səl] -n

(variant of forecastle)

  1. the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
  2. the crew's quarters usu. in a ship's bow

fo·cus ['fō-kəs] -n, adj

  1. a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge
  2. the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system
  3. a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)
  4. focal length
  5. adjustment for distinct vision
  6. the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image
  7. a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding
    • tried to bring the issues into focus
  8. direction
    • the team lost focus
  9. one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section
  10. a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection
  11. a center of activity, attraction, or attention
    • the focus of the meeting was drug abuse
  12. a point of concentration
  13. the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake
  14. directed attention : emphasis

focus [-kə-sə-bəl] -vb, adj, n

  1. to bring into focus
  2. to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens)
  3. to cause to be concentrated
    • focus ed their attention on the most urgent problems
  4. to bring (as light rays) to a focus : concentrate
  5. to come to a focus : converge
  6. to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range
  7. to concentrate attention or effort

focus group -n

  1. a small group of people whose response to something (as a new product or a politician's image) is studied to determine the response that can be expected from a larger population

fod·der ['fä-dər] -n, vt

  1. something fed to domestic animals
  2. coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep
  3. inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand
    • fodder for tabloids

fod·gel ['fä-jəl] -adj

  1. buxom

foe ['fō] -n

  1. one who has personal enmity for another
  2. an enemy in war
  3. adversary, opponent
  4. one who opposes on principle
    • a foe of needless expenditures
  5. something prejudicial or injurious

FOE -abbr

  1. Fraternal Order of Eagles

foehn ['fə(r)n, 'fœn, 'fān] -n

  1. a warm dry wind blowing down the side of a mountain

foe·man ['fō-mən] -n

  1. foe

foe·tal ['fē-tᵊl] -adj

(variant of fetal)

  1. of, relating to, or being a fetus

foe·tid ['fe-təd, esp Brit 'fē-tid] -adj, adv, n

(variant of fetid)

  1. having a heavy offensive smell
    • a fetid swamp

foeto- -comb form

(variant of feto-)

  1. fetus
    • feti cide

fog ['fȯg, fäg] -n, adj

  1. vapor condensed to fine particles of water suspended in the lower atmosphere that differs from cloud only in being near the ground
  2. a fine spray or a foam for firefighting
  3. a murky condition of the atmosphere or a substance causing it
  4. a state of confusion or bewilderment
    • spent the morning in a fog
  5. something that confuses or obscures
    • hid behind a fog of rhetoric
  6. cloudiness or partial opacity in a developed photographic image caused by chemical action or stray radiation
  7. to cover, envelop, or suffuse with or as if with fog
    • fog the barns with pesticide
  8. to make obscure or confusing
    • accusations which fogged the real issues
  9. to make confused
  10. to produce fog on (as a photographic film) during development
  11. to become covered or thick with fog
  12. to become blurred by a covering of fog or mist
  13. to become indistinct through exposure to light or radiation

fog·bound ['fȯg-,bau̇nd, 'fäg-] -adj

  1. unable to move because of fog
    • a fogbound ship
  2. covered by fog
    • a fogbound coast

fog·bow [-,bō] -n

  1. a nebulous arc or circle of white or yellowish light sometimes seen in fog

fog·gage ['fȯ-gij, 'fä-] -n

  1. a second growth of grass

fog·ger ['fȯ-gər, 'fä-] -n

  1. an apparatus for spreading a fog of pesticide

fog·gy ['fȯ-gē, 'fä-] -adj, adv, n

  1. filled or abounding with fog
  2. covered or made opaque by moisture or grime
  3. blurred or obscured as if by fog
    • hadn't the foggiest notion

Foggy Bottom -n

  1. the U.S. Department of State

fog·horn ['fȯg-,hȯrn, 'fäg-] -n

  1. a horn (as on a ship) sounded in a fog to give warning
  2. a loud hoarse voice

fo·gy ['fō-gē] -n, adj

  1. a person with old-fashioned ideas usu. used with old

FOIA -abbr

  1. Freedom of Information Act

foi·ble ['fȯi-bəl] -n

  1. the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point
  2. a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness
    • admired their teacher despite his foible s

foie gras ['fwä-'grä] -n

  1. the fatted liver of an animal and esp. of a goose usu. served as a pate

foil ['fȯi(-ə)l] -vt

  1. trample
  2. to prevent from attaining an end : defeat
    • always able to foil her enemies
  3. to bring to naught : thwart
    • foil ed the plot
  4. defeat
  5. the track or trail of an animal
  6. very thin sheet metal
    • aluminum foil
  7. a thin piece of material (as metal) put under an inferior or paste stone to add color or brilliance
  8. someone or something that serves as a contrast to another
    • acted as a foil for a comedian
  9. an indentation between cusps in Gothic tracery
  10. one of several arcs that enclose a complex figure
  11. hydrofoil
  12. to back or cover with foil
  13. to enhance by contrast
  14. a light fencing sword having a usu. circular guard and a flexible blade of rectangular section tapering to a blunted point
  15. the art or sport of fencing with the foil often used in pl.

foiled ['fȯi(-ə)ld] -adj

  1. ornamented with foils
    • a foiled arch

foils·man ['fȯi(-ə)lz-mən] -n

  1. a person who fences with a foil

foin ['fȯin] -vi

  1. to thrust with a pointed weapon : lunge
  2. a pass in fencing : lunge

foi·son ['fȯi-zᵊn] -n

  1. rich harvest
  2. physical energy or strength
  3. resources

foist ['fȯist] -vt

  1. to introduce or insert surreptitiously or without warrant
  2. to force another to accept esp. by stealth or deceit
  3. to pass off as genuine or worthy
    • foist costly and valueless products on the public -- Jonathan Spivak

fo·la·cin ['fō-lə-sən] -n

  1. folic acid

fo·late ['fō-,lāt] -n

  1. folic acid

fold ['fōld] -n

  1. an enclosure for sheep
  2. a flock of sheep
  3. a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm
  4. to pen up or confine (as sheep) in a fold
  5. to lay one part over another part of
    • fold a letter
  6. to reduce the length or bulk of by doubling over
    • fold a tent
  7. to clasp together : entwine
    • fold the hands
  8. to clasp or enwrap closely : embrace
  9. to bend (as a layer of rock) into folds
  10. to incorporate (a food ingredient) into a mixture by repeated gentle overturnings without stirring or beating
  11. to incorporate closely
  12. to concede defeat by withdrawing (one's cards) from play (as in poker)
  13. to bring to an end
  14. to become doubled or pleated
  15. to fail completely : collapse
  16. to go out of business
  17. to fold one's cards (as in poker)
  18. a part doubled or laid over another part : pleat
  19. something that is folded together or that enfolds
  20. a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rock
  21. an undulation in the landscape
  22. a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (as a membrane)
  23. a crease made by folding something (as a newspaper)

fold·away ['fōld-ə-,wā] -adj

  1. designed to be folded for storage or portability
    • foldaway doors
    • a foldaway bed
    • a foldaway table

fold·boat ['fōl(d)-,bōt] -n

  1. a small collapsible canoe made of rubberized sailcloth stretched over a framework

fold·er ['fōl-dər] -n

  1. one that folds
  2. a folded printed circular
  3. a folded cover or large envelope for holding or filing loose papers
  4. an organizational element of a computer operating system used to group files or other folders together

fol·de·rol ['fäl-də-,räl] -n

  1. a useless ornament or accessory : trifle
  2. nonsense

fold·ing ['fōl-diŋ] -adj

  1. capable of being folded into a more compact shape
    • folding chairs
    • a folding door

folding money -n

  1. paper money

fold·out ['fōld-,au̇t] -n

  1. a folded leaf in a publication (as a book) that is larger in some dimension than the page
    • a foldout map

Fo·ley ['fō-lē] -n

  1. sound effects created for a film
    • a Foley artist

fo·li·a·ceous [,fō-lē-'ā-shəs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling an ordinary green leaf as distinguished from a modified leaf (as a petal, bract, or scale)

fo·liage ['fō-lē-ij also -lyij; ÷'fō-lij, ÷'fȯi-lij] -n, adj

  1. a representation of leaves, flowers, and branches for architectural ornamentation
  2. the aggregate of leaves of one or more plants
  3. a cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches

foliage plant -n

  1. a plant grown primarily for its decorative foliage

fo·li·ar ['fō-lē-ər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or applied to leaves
    • foliar sprays
    • foliar diseases

fo·li·ate ['fō-lē-ət, -,āt] -adj

  1. shaped like a leaf
    • a foliate sponge
  2. foliated

fo·li·at·ed [-,ā-təd] -adj

  1. composed of or separable into layers
    • a foliated rock
  2. ornamented with foils or a leaf design

fo·li·a·tion [,fō-lē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. the process of forming into a leaf
  2. the state of being in leaf
  3. vernation
  4. the numbering of the leaves of a manuscript or early printed book
  5. ornamentation with foliage
  6. a decoration resembling a leaf
  7. the enrichment of an opening by foils
  8. foliated texture

fo·lic acid [,fō-lik-] -n

  1. a crystalline vitamin C 19H 19N 7O 6of the B complex that is used esp. in the treatment of nutritional anemias called also pteroylglutamic acid

fo·lie a deux [fȯ-lē-ä-'dœ, ,fä-lē-,ä-'də(r)] -n

  1. the presence of the same or similar delusional ideas in two persons closely associated with one another

fo·lio ['fō-lē-,ō] -n

  1. a leaf esp. of a manuscript or book
  2. a leaf number
  3. a page number
  4. an identifying reference in accounting used in posting
  5. a sheet of paper folded once
  6. a case or folder for loose papers
  7. the size of a piece of paper cut two from a sheet
  8. paper or a page of this size
  9. a book printed on folio pages
  10. a book of the largest size
  11. a certain number of words taken as a unit or division in a document for purposes of measurement or reference

folio -vt

  1. to put a serial number on each leaf or page of

fo·li·ose ['fō-lē-,ōs] -adj

  1. having a flat, thin, and usu. lobed thallus attached to the substratum
    • foliose lichens

folk ['fōk] -n

  1. a group of kindred tribes forming a nation : people
  2. the great proportion of the members of a people that determines the group character and that tends to preserve its characteristic form of civilization and its customs, arts and crafts, legends, traditions, and superstitions from generation to generation
  3. a certain kind, class, or group of people
    • old folk s
    • just plain folk
    • country folk
    • media folk
  4. people generally
  5. the persons of one's own family
  6. parents
  7. folk music
  8. originating or traditional with the common people of a country or region and typically reflecting their lifestyle
    • folk hero
    • folk music
  9. of or relating to the common people or to the study of the common people
    • folk sociology

folk art -n

  1. the traditional typically anonymous art of usu. untrained people

folk etymology -n

  1. the transformation of words so as to give them an apparent relationship to other better-known or better-understood words (as in the change of Spanish cucarachato English cockroach)

folk·ie ['fō-kē] -n

  1. a folk singer or instrumentalist

folkie -adj

  1. of or relating to folk music

folk·ish ['fō-kish] -adj, n

  1. folklike

folk·life ['fōk-,līf] -n

  1. the traditions, activities, skills, and products (as handicrafts) of a particular people or group

folk·like ['fōk-,līk] -adj

  1. having a folk character

folk·lore ['fōk-,lȯr] -n, adj

  1. traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people
  2. a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore
  3. an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated

folk mass -n

  1. a mass in which traditional liturgical music is replaced by folk music

folk medicine -n

  1. traditional medicine as practiced nonprofessionally esp. by people isolated from modern medical services and usu. involving the use of plant-derived remedies on an empirical basis

folk·moot ['fōk-,müt] -n

  1. a general assembly of the people (as of a shire) in early England

folk·sing·er [-,siŋ-ər] -n

  1. one who sings folk songs or sings in a style associated with folk songs

folk song -n

  1. a traditional or composed song typically characterized by stanzaic form, refrain, and simplicity of melody

folksy ['fōk-sē] -adj, adv, n

  1. sociable, friendly
  2. informal, casual, or familiar in manner or style
    • folksy humor

folk·tale ['fōk-,tāl] -n

  1. a characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale circulated orally among a people

folk·way ['fōk-,wā] -n

  1. a mode of thinking, feeling, or acting common to a given group of people
  2. a traditional social custom

fol·li·cle ['fä-li-kəl] -n, adj

  1. a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression
  2. a small lymph node
  3. a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells
  4. graafian follicle
  5. a dry dehiscent one-celled many-seeded fruit (as of the milkweed) that has a single carpel and opens along one suture

follicle mite -n

  1. any of several minute mites (genus Demodex) parasitic in hair follicles

folliclestimulating hormone -n

  1. a hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of the ovum-containing follicles in the ovary and activates sperm-forming cells abbr. FSH

fol·lic·u·li·tis [fə-,li-kyə-'lī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of one or more follicles esp. of the hair

fol·low ['fä-(,)lō] -vb

  1. to go, proceed, or come after
    • follow ed the guide
  2. to engage in as a calling or way of life : pursue
    • wheat-growing is generally follow ed here
  3. to walk or proceed along
    • follow a path
  4. to be or act in accordance with
    • follow directions
  5. to accept as authority : obey
    • follow ed his conscience
  6. to pursue in an effort to overtake
  7. to seek to attain
    • follow knowledge
  8. to come into existence or take place as a result or consequence of
    • disaster follow ed the blunder
  9. to come or take place after in time, sequence, or order
  10. to cause to be followed
    • follow ed dinner with a liqueur
  11. to copy after : imitate
  12. to watch steadily
    • follow ed the flight of the ball
  13. to keep the mind on
    • follow a speech
  14. to attend closely to : keep abreast of
    • follow ed his career with interest
  15. to understand the sense or logic of (as a line of thought)
  16. to go or come after a person or thing in place, time, or sequence
  17. to result or occur as a consequence, effect, or inference

follow -n

  1. the act or process of following
  2. forward spin given to a ball by striking it above center

fol·low·er ['fä-lə-wər] -n

  1. one in the service of another : retainer
  2. one that follows the opinions or teachings of another
  3. one that imitates another
  4. one that chases
  5. a sheet added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed
  6. a machine part that receives motion from another part
  7. a spring-loaded plate at the bottom of a firearm's magazine that angles cartridges for proper insertion into the chamber
  8. fan, devotee

fol·low·er·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. following
  2. the capacity or willingness to follow a leader

fol·low·ing ['fä-lə-wiŋ] -adj

  1. being next in order or time
    • the following day
  2. listed or shown next
    • trains will leave at the following times

following -n

  1. a group of followers, adherents, or partisans
  2. subsequent to
    • following the lecture tea was served

fol·lowon ['fä-lō-,ȯn, -,än] -adj, n

  1. being or relating to something that follows as a natural or logical consequence, development, or progression

follow out -vt

  1. to follow to the end or to a conclusion
  2. carry out, execute
    • followed out their orders

follow shot -n

  1. a shot in billiards or pool made by striking the cue ball above its center to cause it to continue forward after striking the object ball
  2. a camera shot in which the camera follows the movement of the subject

fol·lowthrough ['fä-lō-,thrü, ,fä-lō-', -lə-] -n

  1. the part of the stroke following the striking of a ball
  2. the act or an instance of following through

follow through -vi

  1. to continue a stroke or motion to the end of its arc
  2. to press on in an activity or process esp. to a conclusion

fol·lowup ['fä-lō-,əp] -n

  1. the act or an instance of following up
  2. something that follows up
  3. maintenance of contact with or reexamination of a person (as a patient) esp. following treatment
  4. a news story presenting new information on a story published earlier

followup -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being something that follows up
    • followup action by the police -- Frank Faulkner
  2. done, conducted, or administered in the course of following up persons
    • followup care for discharged hospital patients

follow up -vt

  1. to follow with something similar, related, or supplementary
    • following up his convictions with action -- G. P. Merrill
  2. to maintain contact with (a person) so as to monitor the effects of earlier activities or treatments
  3. to pursue in an effort to take further action
    • the police are following up leads
  4. to take appropriate action
    • follow up on complaints

fol·ly ['fä-lē] -n

  1. lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
  2. criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct
  3. evil, wickedness
  4. lewd behavior
  5. a foolish act or idea
  6. an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
  7. an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste

Fol·som ['fōl-səm] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a prehistoric culture of No. America on the east side of the Rocky Mountains that is characterized by flint projectile points having a concave base with side projections and a longitudinal groove on each face

fo·ment ['fō-,ment, fō-'] -vt, n

  1. to promote the growth or development of : rouse, incite
    • foment a rebellion

fo·men·ta·tion [,fō-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n

  1. the application of hot moist substances to the body to ease pain
  2. the material so applied
  3. the act of fomenting : instigation

fo·mite ['fō-,mīt] -n

  1. an object (as a dish or an article of clothing) that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission

fond ['fänd] -adj

  1. foolish, silly
    • fond pride
  2. prizing highly : desirous used with of
    • fond of praise
  3. having an affection or liking used with of
    • fond of music
  4. foolishly tender : indulgent
    • a fond mother
  5. affectionate, loving
    • absence makes the heart grow fond er
  6. cherished with great affection : doted on
    • our fond est hopes
  7. to lavish affection : dote
  8. background, basis
  9. fund

fon·dant ['fän-dənt] -n

  1. a soft creamy preparation of sugar, water, and flavorings that is used as a basis for candies or icings
  2. a candy consisting chiefly of fondant

fon·dle ['fän-dᵊl] -vb, n

  1. pamper
  2. to handle tenderly, lovingly, or lingeringly : caress
  3. to show affection or desire by caressing

fond·ly ['fän-(d)lē] -adv

  1. in a foolish manner : foolishly
  2. in a fond manner : affectionately
    • spoke of her fondly
  3. in a willingly credulous manner
    • it would stun, I fondly hoped, the reader -- Annie Dillard

fond·ness ['fän(d)-nəs] -n

  1. foolishness, folly
  2. tender affection
  3. appetite, relish
    • had a fondness for argument

fon·due [fän-'dü, -'dyü, 'fän-,] -n

  1. a dish similar to a souffle usu. made with cheese and bread crumbs
  2. a preparation of melted cheese (as Swiss cheese and Gruyere) usu. flavored with white wine and kirsch
  3. a dish that consists of small pieces of food (as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid
    • beef fondue
    • chocolate fondue
  4. a chafing dish in which fondue is made

font ['fänt] -n, adj

  1. a receptacle for baptismal water
  2. a receptacle for holy water
  3. a receptacle for various liquids
  4. source, fountain
    • a font of information
  5. an assortment or set of type or characters all of one style and sometimes one size

fon·ta·nel [,fän-tə-'nel, 'fän-tə-,] -n

  1. a membrane-covered opening in bone or between bones
  2. any of the spaces closed by membranous structures between the uncompleted angles of the parietal bones and the neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull

fon·ti·na [fän-'tē-nə] -n

  1. a cheese that is semisoft to hard in texture and mild to medium sharp in flavor

food ['füd] -n, adj

  1. material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy
  2. such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)
  3. inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution
  4. nutriment in solid form
  5. something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies
    • food for thought

food chain -n

  1. an arrangement of the organisms of an ecological community according to the order of predation in which each uses the next usu. lower member as a food source
  2. a hierarchy based on power or importance
    • at the top of the corporate food chain

food court -n

  1. an area within a building (as a shopping mall) set apart for food concessions

food·ie ['fü-dē] -n

  1. a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads

foo dog ['fü-] -n

  1. a mythical lion-dog used as a decorative motif in Far Eastern art

food poisoning -n

  1. an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food

food processor -n

  1. an electric kitchen appliance with a set of interchangeable blades revolving inside a container

food pyramid -n

  1. an ecological hierarchy of food relationships in which a chief predator is at the top, each level preys on the next lower level, and usu. green plants are at the bottom

food stamp -n

  1. a government-issued coupon that is sold or given to low-income persons and is redeemable for food

food·stuff ['füd-,stəf] -n

  1. a substance with food value
  2. the raw material of food before or after processing

food vacuole -n

  1. a membrane-bound vacuole (as in an amoeba) in which ingested food is digested

food·ways ['füd-,wāz] -n pl

  1. the eating habits and culinary practices of a people, region, or historical period

food web -n

  1. the totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community

foo·fa·raw ['fü-fə-,rȯ] -n

  1. frills and flashy finery
  2. a disturbance or to-do over a trifle : fuss

fool ['fül] -n

  1. a person lacking in judgment or prudence
  2. a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells, and bauble
  3. one who is victimized or made to appear foolish : dupe
  4. a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding
  5. one with a marked propensity or fondness for something
    • a dancing fool
    • a fool for candy
  6. a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard
  7. foolish, silly
    • barking its fool head off
  8. to behave foolishly
    • told the children to stop their fool ing
    often used with around
  9. to meddle, tamper, or experiment esp. thoughtlessly or ignorantly
    • don't fool with that gun
    often used with around
  10. to play or improvise a comic role
  11. to speak in jest : joke
    • I was only fool ing
  12. to contend or fight without serious intent or with less than full strength : toy
    • a dangerous man to fool with
  13. to make a fool of : deceive
  14. infatuate
  15. to spend on trifles or without advantage : fritter used with away

fool around -vi

  1. to spend time idly, aimlessly, or frivolously
  2. to engage in casual sexual activity

fool·ery ['fül-rē, 'fü-lə-] -n

  1. a foolish act, utterance, or belief
  2. foolish behavior

fool·har·dy ['fül-,här-dē] -adj, adv, n

  1. foolishly adventurous and bold : rash

fool·ish ['fü-lish] -adj, adv

  1. lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion
  2. absurd, ridiculous
  3. marked by a loss of composure : nonplussed
  4. insignificant, trifling

fool·ish·ness -n

  1. foolish behavior
  2. a foolish act or idea

fool·proof ['fül-,prüf] -adj

  1. so simple, plain, or reliable as to leave no opportunity for error, misuse, or failure
    • a foolproof plan

fools·cap ['fülz-,kap] -n

  1. a cap or hood usu. with bells worn by jesters
  2. a conical cap for slow or lazy students
  3. a size of paper formerly standard in Great Britain
  4. a piece of writing paper

fool's gold -n

  1. pyrite
  2. any of various pyritic minerals resembling gold

fool's paradise -n

  1. a state of delusory happiness

fool's parsley -n

  1. a poisonous European weed ( Aethusa cynapium) of the carrot family that resembles parsley and is naturalized in the northern U.S. and southern Canada

foos·ball ['füz-,bȯl] -n

  1. a table game resembling soccer in which the ball is moved by manipulating rods to which small figures of players are attached called also table soccer

foot ['fu̇t] -n

  1. the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands
  2. an invertebrate organ of locomotion or attachment
  3. a ventral muscular surface or process of a mollusk
  4. any of various units of length based on the length of the human foot
  5. a unit equal to yard and comprising 12 inches pl. foot used between a number and a noun
    • a 10- foot pole
    pl. feet or foot used between a number and an adjective
    • 6 feet tall
  6. the basic unit of verse meter consisting of any of various fixed combinations or groups of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables
  7. motion or power of walking or running : step
    • fleet of foot
  8. speed, swiftness
    • showed early foot
  9. : something resembling a foot in position or use: as
  10. the lower end of the leg of a chair or table
  11. the basal portion of the sporophyte in mosses
  12. a specialized outgrowth by which the embryonic sporophyte esp. of many bryophytes absorbs nourishment from the gametophyte
  13. a piece on a sewing machine that presses the cloth against the feed
  14. infantry
  15. the lower edge (as of a sail)
  16. the lowest part : bottom
    • the foot of the hill
  17. the end that is lower or opposite the head
    • the foot of the bed
  18. the part (as of a stocking) that covers the foot
  19. material deposited esp. in aging or refining : dregs
  20. footlights
  21. dance
  22. to go on foot
  23. to make speed : move
  24. to perform the movements of (a dance)
  25. to walk, run, or dance on, over, or through
  26. kick
  27. reject
  28. establish
  29. to add up
  30. to pay or stand credit for
    • foot the bill
  31. to make or renew the foot of (as a stocking)

foot·age ['fu̇-tij] -n

  1. : length or quantity expressed in feet: as
  2. board feet
  3. the total number of running feet of motion-picture film used (as for a scene or subject)
  4. the material contained on such footage

footandmouth disease -n

  1. an acute contagious febrile disease esp. of cloven-footed animals that is caused by serotypes of a picornavirus (species Foot-and-mouth disease virusof the genus Aphthovirus) and is marked by ulcerating vesicles in the mouth, about the hooves, and on the udder and teats called also foot-and-mouth hoof-and-mouth disease

foot·ball ['fu̇t-,bȯl] -n

  1. : any of several games played between two teams on a usu. rectangular field having goalposts or goals at each end and whose object is to get the ball over a goal line, into a goal, or between goalposts by running, passing, or kicking: as
  2. soccer
  3. rugby
  4. an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is in possession of one side at a time and is advanced by running or passing
  5. australian rules football
  6. canadian football
  7. an inflated oval ball used in the game of football
  8. a soccer ball
  9. something treated roughly esp. as the subject of a prolonged dispute
    • the issue became a political football in Congress

foot·bath ['fu̇t-,bath, -,bäth] -n

  1. a bath for cleansing, warming, soothing, or disinfecting the feet

foot·board ['fu̇t-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a narrow platform on which to stand or brace the feet
  2. a board forming the foot of a bed

foot·boy [-,bȯi] -n

  1. a serving boy : page, attendant

foot·bridge ['fu̇t-,brij] -n

  1. a bridge for pedestrians

footcan·dle [-'kan-dᵊl] -n

  1. a unit of illuminance on a surface that is everywhere one foot from a uniform point source of light of one candle and equal to one lumen per square foot

foot·cloth [-,klȯth] -n

  1. an ornamental cloth draped over the back of a horse to reach the ground on each side
  2. carpet

foot·drag·ger [-,dra-gər] -n

  1. one who engages in foot-dragging

footdrag·ging [-,dra-giŋ] -n

  1. failure to act with the necessary promptness or vigor

foot·ed ['fu̇-təd] -adj

  1. having a foot or feet esp. of a specified kind or number often used in combination
    • a four- footed animal

foot·er ['fu̇-tər] -n

  1. pedestrian
  2. information (as a page number) printed at the bottom of each page of a document

foot·fall ['fu̇t-,fȯl] -n

  1. the sound of a footstep

foot fault ['fu̇t-,fȯlt] -n, vi

  1. an infraction of the service rules (as in tennis, racquetball, or volleyball) that results from illegal placement of the server's feet

foot·gear ['fu̇t-,gir] -n

  1. footwear

foot·hill [-,hil] -n

  1. a hill at the foot of higher hills
  2. a hilly region at the base of a mountain range

foot·hold [-,hōld] -n

  1. a hold for the feet : footing
  2. a position usable as a base for further advance

foot·ing ['fu̇-tiŋ] -n

  1. a stable position or placing of the feet
  2. a surface or its condition with respect to one walking or running on it
  3. the condition of a racetrack
  4. the act of moving on foot : step, tread
  5. a place or position providing a base of operations : foothold
  6. established position : status
  7. position or rank in relation to others
    • they all started off on an equal footing
  8. basis
  9. terms of social intercourse
  10. an enlargement at the lower end of a foundation wall, pier, or column to distribute the load
  11. the sum of a column of figures

foot·lam·bert ['fu̇t-,lam-bərt] -n

  1. a unit of luminance equal to the luminance of a perfectly diffusing surface that emits or reflects one lumen per square foot

foo·tle ['fü-tᵊl] -vi, n

  1. to talk or act foolishly
  2. to waste time : trifle, fool

foot·less ['fu̇t-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having no feet
  2. lacking foundation : unsubstantial
  3. stupid, inept

foot·lights [-,līts] -n pl

  1. a row of lights set across the front of a stage floor
  2. the stage as a profession
    • the lure of the footlights

foo·tling ['fü-tᵊl-iŋ, 'füt-liŋ] -adj

  1. lacking judgment or ability : inept
    • footling amateurs who understand nothing -- E. R. Bentley
  2. lacking use or value : trivial
    • footling matters

foot·lock·er ['fu̇t-,lä-kər] -n

  1. a small trunk designed to be placed at the foot of a bed (as in a barracks)

foot·loose [-,lüs] -adj

  1. having no ties : free to move about

foot·man [-mən] -n

  1. a traveler on foot : pedestrian
  2. infantryman
  3. a servant in livery formerly attending a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage
  4. a servant who serves at table, tends the door, and runs errands

foot·mark [-,märk] -n

  1. footprint

foot·note [-,nōt] -n

  1. a note of reference, explanation, or comment usu. placed below the text on a printed page
  2. one that is a relatively subordinate or minor part (as of an event, work, or field)
    • a movement now regarded as a footnote to architectural history
  3. commentary

footnote -vt

  1. to furnish with a footnote : annotate

foot·pace ['fu̇t-,pās] -n

  1. a walking pace
  2. platform, dais

foot·pad [-,pad] -n

  1. a criminal who robs pedestrians

footpad -n

  1. a flattish foot on the leg of a spacecraft for distributing weight to minimize sinking into a surface

foot·path ['fu̇t-,path, -,päth] -n

  1. a narrow path for pedestrians

footpound [-'pau̇nd] -n

  1. a unit of work equal to the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force

footpoundsecond -adj

  1. being or relating to a system of units based upon the foot as the unit of length, the pound as the unit of weight, and the second as the unit of time abbr. fps

foot·print ['fu̇t-,print] -n

  1. an impression of the foot on a surface
  2. the area on a surface covered by something
    • a tire with a wide footprint
    • the footprint of a laser beam
  3. range of operation (as of a service)
    • a global footprint
  4. a marked effect, impression, or impact
    • left a footprint in the field of research
  5. something that identifies
    • a genetic footprint

foot·race [-,rās] -n

  1. a race run by humans on foot

foot·rest [-,rest] -n

  1. a support for the feet

foot·rope [-,rōp] -n

  1. the part of a boltrope sewed to the lower edge of a sail
  2. a rope rigged below a yard for crew members to stand on

foot rot -n

  1. a progressive inflammation of the feet of sheep, goats, or cattle that is associated with bacterial infection
  2. a plant disease marked by rot of the stem near the ground

foot·sie ['fu̇t-sē] -n

  1. a furtive flirtatious caressing with the feet (as under a table)
  2. a usu. surreptitious cooperation or negotiation with someone supposed hostile to one's own interests usu. used with play

foot·slog ['fu̇t-,släg] -vi, n

  1. to march or tramp through mud

foot soldier -n

  1. infantryman
  2. a person likened to an infantryman esp. in doing active and usu. unglamorous work in support of an organization or movement
    • foot soldiers in the war against drugs

foot·sore ['fu̇t-,sȯr] -adj, n

  1. having sore or tender feet (as from much walking)

foot·step [-,step] -n

  1. the mark of the foot : track
  2. tread
  3. distance covered by a step : pace
  4. a step on which to ascend or descend
  5. a way of life, conduct, or action
    • followed in his father's footstep s

foot·stone [-,stōn] -n

  1. a stone placed at the foot of a grave

foot·stool [-,stül] -n

  1. a low stool used to support the feet

foot·wall [-,wȯl] -n

  1. the lower underlying wall of a vein, ore deposit, or coal seam in a mine
  2. the lower wall of an inclined fault

foot·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a narrow way or path for pedestrians

foot·wear [-,wer] -n

  1. wearing apparel (as shoes or boots) for the feet

foot·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. the activity of moving from place to place
    • the investigation entailed a lot of footwork
  2. the management of the feet (as in boxing)
  3. the work done with them
  4. active and adroit maneuvering to achieve an end
    • fancy political footwork

foo·zle ['fü-zəl] -n

  1. an act of foozling
  2. a bungling golf stroke

foozle ['füz-liŋ, 'fü-zə-] -vt

  1. to manage or play awkwardly : bungle

fop ['fäp] -n

  1. a foolish or silly person
  2. a man who is devoted to or vain about his appearance or dress : coxcomb, dandy
  3. fool, dupe

fop·pery ['fä-p(ə-)rē] -n

  1. foolish character or action : folly
  2. the behavior or dress of a fop

fop·pish ['fä-pish] -adj, adv, n

  1. foolish, silly
  2. characteristic of a fop
    • a foppish dressing gown
  3. behaving or dressing in the manner of a fop

for [fər, (')fȯr, Southern also (')fär] -prep

  1. used as a function word to indicate purpose
    • a grant for studying medicine
  2. used as a function word to indicate an intended goal
    • left for home
    • acted for the best
  3. used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity
    • now for a good rest
    • run for your life
    • an eye for a bargain
  4. as being or constituting
    • taken for a fool
    • eggs for breakfast
  5. used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selection
    • for one thing, the price is too high
  6. because of
    • can't sleep for the heat
  7. used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitness
    • it is not for you to choose
    • ready for action
  8. in place of
    • go to the store for me
  9. on behalf of : representing
    • speaks for the court
  10. in favor of
    • all for the plan
  11. in spite of usu. used with all
    • for all his large size, he moves gracefully
  12. with respect to : concerning
    • a stickler for detail
    • heavy for its size
  13. used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange
    • 10 for a hat
    , equality in number or quantity
    • point for point
    , or correspondence or correlation
    • for every one that works, you'll find five that don't
  14. used as a function word to indicate number of attempts
    • 0 for 4
  15. used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of space
    • gone for two days
  16. in honor of : after
    • named for her grandmother
  17. for the reason that : on this ground : because
  18. foreign
  19. forestry

FOR -abbr

  1. free on rail

for- -prefix

  1. so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal
    • for bid
  2. destructively or detrimentally
    • for do
  3. completely : excessively : to exhaustion : to pieces
    • for spent

fora ['fȯr-əm] -n

(variant of forum)

  1. the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business
  2. a public meeting place for open discussion
  3. a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas
  4. a judicial body or assembly : court
  5. a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion
  6. a program (as on radio or television) involving discussion of a problem usu. by several authorities

for·age ['fȯr-ij, 'fär-] -n

  1. food for animals esp. when taken by browsing or grazing
  2. the act of foraging : search for provisions

forage -vb, n

  1. to strip of provisions : collect forage from
  2. to secure by foraging
    • foraged a chicken for the feast
  3. to wander in search of forage or food
  4. to secure forage (as for horses) by stripping the country
  5. ravage, raid
  6. to make a search : rummage

fo·ram ['fȯr-əm] -n

  1. foraminifer

fo·ra·men [fə-'rā-mən] -n, adj

  1. a small opening, perforation, or orifice : fenestra

fo·ra·men mag·num [fə-,rā-mən-'mag-nəm] -n

  1. the opening in the skull through which the spinal cord passes to become the medulla oblongata

foramen ova·le [-ō-'va-lē, -'vä-, -'vā-] -n

  1. an opening in the septum between the two atria of the heart that is normally present only in the fetus

for·a·min·i·fer [,fȯr-ə-'mi-nə-fər, ,fär-] -n, adj

  1. any of an order (Foraminifera) of large chiefly marine rhizopod protozoans usu. having calcareous shells that often are perforated with minute holes for protrusion of slender pseudopodia and form the bulk of chalk and nummulitic limestone

fo·ra·mi·nif·era [fə-,ra-mə-'ni-f(ə-)rə; ,fȯr-ə-mə-'ni-, ,fär-] -n pl

  1. organisms that are foraminifers

fo·ra·mi·nif·er·an [-f(ə-)rən] -n

  1. foraminifer

for and -conj

  1. and also

for·as·much as ['fȯr-əz-,mə-chəz] -conj

  1. in view of the fact that

for·ay ['fȯr-,ā, 'fär- also fȯ-'rā or fə-'] -vb, n

  1. to ravage in search of spoils : pillage
  2. to make a raid or brief invasion
    • foray ed into enemy territory

foray -n

  1. a sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils : raid
  2. a brief excursion or attempt esp. outside one's accustomed sphere
    • the novelist's foray into nonfiction

forb ['fȯrb] -n

  1. an herb other than grass

for·bear [fȯr-'ber, fər-] -vb, n

  1. to do without
  2. to hold oneself back from esp. with an effort
    • forbore mentioning the incident
  3. to leave alone : shun
    • forbear his presence -- Shak.
  4. hold back, abstain
    • have forborne from taking part in any controversy -- Abraham Lincoln
  5. to control oneself when provoked : be patient

forbear [-,ber] -n

(variant of forebear)

  1. ancestor, forefather
  2. precursor usu. used in pl.

for·bear·ance [fȯr-'ber-ən(t)s, fər-] -n

  1. a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due
  2. the act of forbearing : patience
  3. the quality of being forbearing : leniency

for·bid [fər-'bid, fȯr-] -vt, n

  1. to proscribe from or as if from the position of one in authority : command against
    • the law forbid s stores to sell liquor to minors
    • her mother forbid s her to go
  2. to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command
    • space forbid s further treatment here

forbid -adj

  1. accursed
    • he shall live a man forbid -- Shak.

for·bid·dance [fər-'bi-dᵊn(t)s, fȯr-] -n

  1. the act of forbidding

for·bid·den [-'bi-dᵊn] -adj

  1. not permitted or allowed
  2. not conforming to the usual selection principles used of quantum phenomena
    • forbidden transition
    • forbidden radiation
    • forbidden spectral line

forbidden fruit -n

  1. an immoral or illegal pleasure

forbidding [-'bi-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. such as to make approach or passage difficult or impossible
    • forbidding walls
  2. disagreeable, repellent
    • a forbidding task
  3. grim, menacing
    • a dark forbidding sky

forbode [(,)fȯr-'bōd] -vt, n

(variant of forebode)

  1. to have an inward conviction of (as coming ill or misfortune)
  2. foretell, portend
  3. augur, predict

for·by [fȯr-'bī] -prep

  1. past
  2. near
  3. besides

forby -adv

  1. besides: in addition

force ['fȯrs] -n, adj

  1. strength or energy exerted or brought to bear : cause of motion or change : active power
    • the force s of nature
    • the motivating force in her life
  2. used with a number to indicate the strength of the wind according to the Beaufort scale
    • a Force 10 hurricane
  3. moral or mental strength
  4. capacity to persuade or convince
    • the force of the argument
  5. military strength
  6. a body (as of troops or ships) assigned to a military purpose
  7. the whole military strength (as of a nation)
  8. a body of persons or things available for a particular end
    • a labor force
    • the missile force
  9. an individual or group having the power of effective action
    • join force s to prevent violence
    • a force in politics
  10. police force usu. used with the
  11. violence, compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person or thing
  12. an agency or influence that if applied to a free body results chiefly in an acceleration of the body and sometimes in elastic deformation and other effects
  13. any of the natural influences (as electromagnetism, gravity, the strong force, and the weak force) that exist esp. between particles and determine the structure of the universe
  14. the quality of conveying impressions intensely in writing or speech
    • stated the objectives with force
  15. to do violence to
  16. rape
  17. to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means
  18. to make or cause esp. through natural or logical necessity
    • forced to admit my error
    • the last minute goal forced overtime
  19. to press, drive, pass, or effect against resistance or inertia
    • force your way through
  20. to impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably
    • force unwanted attentions on a coworker
  21. : to achieve or win by strength in struggle or violence: as
  22. to win one's way into
    • force a castle
    • forced the mountain passes
  23. to break open or through
    • force a lock
  24. to raise or accelerate to the utmost
    • forcing the pace
  25. to produce only with unnatural or unwilling effort
    • forced a smile
  26. to wrench, strain, or use (language) with marked unnaturalness and lack of ease
  27. to hasten the rate of progress or growth of
  28. to bring (as plants) to maturity out of the normal season
    • forcing lilies for Easter
  29. to induce (as a particular bid or play by another player) in a card game by some conventional act, play, bid, or response
  30. to cause (a runner in baseball) to be put out on a force-out
  31. to cause (a run) to be scored in baseball by giving a base on balls when the bases are full

forced ['fȯr-səd-lē] -adj, adv

  1. compelled by force or necessity : involuntary
    • a forced landing
  2. done or produced with effort, exertion, or pressure
    • a forced laugh

forcefeed -vt

  1. to feed (as an animal) by forcible administration of food
  2. to force to take in
    • forcefeed students the classics
    also used with a single object
    • forcefeed the classics to students
    • forcefeed students with the classics

force field -n

  1. field
  2. a special charm, aura, or spirit that can influence anyone in its presence
  3. something resembling a force field esp. in intensity that restricts or impedes movement toward an area or object

force·ful ['fȯrs-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. possessing or filled with force : effective
    • a forceful argument

force ma·jeure [,fȯrs-mä-'zhər, -mə-] -n

  1. superior or irresistible force
  2. an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled

force·meat ['fȯrs-,mēt] -n

  1. finely chopped and highly seasoned meat or fish that is either served alone or used as a stuffing called also farce

force of habit

  1. behavior made involuntary or automatic by repeated practice

force of nature

  1. force

forceout ['fȯrs-,au̇t] -n

  1. a play in baseball in which a runner is put out by being forced to advance to the next base but failing to do so safely

force play -n

  1. force-out

for·ceps ['fȯr-səps, -,seps] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon objects esp. for delicate operations (as by jewelers or surgeons)

force pump -n

  1. a pump with a solid piston for drawing and forcing through valves a liquid (as water) to a considerable height above the pump or under a considerable pressure

forc·ible ['fȯr-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. effected by force used against opposition or resistance
  2. characterized by force, efficiency, or energy : powerful

ford ['fȯrd] -n

  1. a shallow part of a body of water that may be crossed by wading
  2. to cross (a body of water) by wading

for·do [fȯr-'dü] -vt

  1. to do away with : destroy
  2. to overcome with fatigue used only as past participle
    • quite fordone with the heat

fore ['fȯr] -adv

  1. at an earlier time or period
  2. in, toward, or near the front : forward
  3. before
  4. in the presence of
  5. situated in front of something else : forward
  6. prior in order of occurrence : former
  7. something that occupies a front position
  8. used by a golfer to warn anyone within range of the probable line of flight of the ball

fore- -comb form

  1. earlier : beforehand
    • fore see
  2. occurring earlier : occurring beforehand
    • fore shock
  3. situated at the front : in front
    • fore leg
  4. front part of (something specified)
    • fore arm
  5. foremast
    • fore top

foreandaft [,fȯr-ə-'naft] -adj

  1. lying, running, or acting in the general line of the length of a construction (as a ship or a house) : longitudinal
  2. having no square sails

fore and aft -adv

  1. lengthwise of a ship : from stem to stern
  2. in, at, or toward both the bow and stern
  3. in or at the front and back or the beginning and end

foreandaft·er [-'naf-tər] -n

  1. a ship with a fore-and-aft rig
  2. schooner

foreandaft rig -n

  1. a sailing-ship rig in which most or all of the sails are not attached to yards but are bent to gaffs or set on the masts or on stays in a fore-and-aft line

fore·arm [(,)fȯr-'ärm] -vt

  1. to arm in advance : prepare
  2. the part of the human arm between the elbow and the wrist
  3. the corresponding part in other vertebrates

fore·bay ['fȯr-,bā] -n

  1. a reservoir or canal from which water is taken to run equipment (as a waterwheel or turbine)

fore·bear [-,ber] -n

  1. ancestor, forefather
  2. precursor usu. used in pl.

fore·bear·er ['fȯr-,ber-ər] -n

  1. ancestor, forefather

fore·bode [(,)fȯr-'bōd] -vt, n

  1. to have an inward conviction of (as coming ill or misfortune)
  2. foretell, portend
  3. augur, predict

fore·bod·ing [-'bō-diŋ] -n

  1. the act of one who forebodes
  2. an omen, prediction, or presentiment esp. of coming evil : portent

foreboding [-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. indicative of or marked by foreboding

fore·brain ['fȯr-,brān] -n

  1. the anterior of the three primary divisions of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding part of the adult brain that includes esp. the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus and that esp. in higher vertebrates is the main control center for sensory and associative information processing, visceral functions, and voluntary motor functions called also prosencephalon

fore·cad·die [-,ka-dē] -n

  1. a golf caddie who is stationed in the fairway and who indicates the position of balls on the course

fore·cast [-,kast; fȯr-'kast] -vb, adj, n

  1. to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usu. as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data
  2. to predict (weather conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological observations
  3. to indicate as likely to occur
  4. to serve as a forecast of : presage
    • such events may forecast peace
  5. to calculate the future
  6. foresight of consequences and provision against them : forethought
  7. a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of a future happening or condition

fore·cas·tle ['fōk-səl; 'fȯr-,ka-səl] -n

  1. the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
  2. the crew's quarters usu. in a ship's bow

fore·check ['fȯr-,chek] -vi, n

  1. to check an opponent in ice hockey in the opponent's defensive zone

fore·close [(,)fȯr-'klōz] -vb

  1. to shut out : preclude
  2. to hold exclusively
  3. to deal with or close in advance
  4. to subject to foreclosure proceedings
  5. to foreclose a mortgage

fore·clo·sure [-'klō-zhər] -n

  1. an act or instance of foreclosing
  2. a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's right of redeeming a mortgaged estate

fore·court ['fȯr-,kȯrt] -n

  1. an open court in front of a building
  2. the area near the net in a court game

fore·deck ['fȯr-,dek] -n

  1. the forepart of a ship's main deck

foredo [fȯr-'dü] -vt

(variant of fordo)

  1. to do away with : destroy
  2. to overcome with fatigue used only as past participle
    • quite fordone with the heat

fore·doom [(,)fȯr-'düm] -vt

  1. doom

fore·face ['fȯr-,fās] -n

  1. the part of the head of a quadruped that is in front of the eyes

fore·fa·ther [-,fä-thər] -n

  1. ancestor
  2. a person of an earlier period and common heritage

fore·feel [(,)fȯr-'fēl] -vt

  1. to have a presentiment of

forefend [fȯr-'fend] -vt

(variant of forfend)

  1. forbid
  2. to ward off : prevent
  3. protect, preserve

fore·fin·ger ['fȯr-,fiŋ-gər] -n

  1. index finger

fore·foot [-,fu̇t] -n

  1. one of the anterior feet esp. of a quadruped
  2. the front part of the human foot
  3. the front part of a shoe
  4. the forward part of a ship where the stem and keel meet

fore·front [-,frənt] -n

  1. the foremost part or place

foregather [fȯr-'ga-thər] -vi

(variant of forgather)

  1. to come together : assemble
  2. to meet someone usu. by chance

fore·go [fȯr-'gō] -vt, n

  1. to go before : precede

forego [fȯr-'gō] -vt, n

(variant of forgo)

  1. to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
  2. forsake

fore·go·ing [-'gō-iŋ, -'gȯ(-)iŋ] -adj

  1. listed, mentioned, or occurring before
    • the foregoing statement can be proven

fore·gone ['fȯr-,gȯn also -,gän] -adj

  1. previous, past

foregone conclusion -n

  1. a conclusion that has preceded argument or examination
  2. an inevitable result : certainty
    • the victory was a foregone conclusion

fore·ground ['fȯr-,grau̇nd] -n

  1. the part of a scene or representation that is nearest to and in front of the spectator
  2. a position of prominence : forefront
  3. a level of computer processing at which the processor responds immediately to input to a designated high-priority task

foreground -vt

  1. to bring to the foreground
  2. to give prominence or emphasis to

fore·gut ['fȯr-,gət] -n

  1. the anterior part of the alimentary canal of a vertebrate embryo that develops into the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and extreme anterior part of the intestine

fore·hand [-,hand] -n

  1. superior position : advantage
  2. the part of a horse that is before the rider
  3. a forehand stroke (as in tennis or racquets)
  4. the side on which such strokes are made

forehand -adj

  1. done or given in advance : prior
  2. made with the palm of the hand turned in the direction in which the hand is moving
    • a forehand tennis stroke
  3. with a forehand stroke

fore·hand·ed [(,)fȯr-'han-dəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. mindful of the future : prudent
  2. well-to-do
  3. forehand

fore·head ['fär-əd, 'fȯr-; 'fȯr-,hed also -,ed] -n

  1. the part of the face above the eyes
  2. the front or forepart of something
    • flames in the forehead of the morning sky -- John Milton

fore·hoof ['fȯr-,hu̇f, -,hüf] -n

  1. the hoof of a forefoot

for·eign ['fȯr-ən, 'fär-] -adj, n

  1. situated outside a place or country
  2. situated outside one's own country
  3. born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration
  4. of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration
  5. alien in character : not connected or pertinent
  6. related to or dealing with other nations
  7. occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside
    • a foreign body lodged in the esophagus
  8. not recognized by the immune system as part of the self
    • foreign proteins
  9. not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state)

foreign affairs -n pl

  1. matters having to do with international relations and with the interests of the home country in foreign countries

foreign aid -n

  1. assistance (as economic aid) provided by one nation to another

foreign bill -n

  1. a bill of exchange that is drawn in one jurisdiction (as a country or state) and payable within another

for·eignborn [,fȯr-ən-'bȯrn, ,fär-] -adj

  1. foreign by birth

foreign correspondent -n

  1. a correspondent employed to send news or comment from a foreign country

for·eign·er ['fȯr-ə-nər, 'fär-] -n

  1. a person belonging to or owing allegiance to a foreign country
  2. one not native to a place or community : stranger

foreign exchange -n

  1. a process of settling accounts or debts between persons residing in different countries
  2. foreign currency or current short-term credit instruments payable in such currency

for·eign·ism ['fȯr-ə-,ni-zəm, 'fär-] -n

  1. something peculiar to a foreign language or people
  2. a foreign idiom or custom

foreign minister -n

  1. a governmental minister for foreign affairs

foreign office -n

  1. a government office (as a ministry) that deals with foreign affairs

foreign policy -n

  1. the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states

foreign service -n

  1. the field force of a foreign office comprising diplomatic and consular personnel

fore·judge [fər-'jəj, fȯr-] -vt

  1. to expel, oust, or put out by judgment of a court
  2. prejudge

fore·know [(,)fȯr-'nō] -vt, n

  1. to have previous knowledge of : know beforehand esp. by paranormal means or by revelation

fore·la·dy ['fȯr-,lā-dē] -n

  1. forewoman

fore·land ['fȯr-lənd] -n

  1. promontory, headland

fore·leg ['fȯr-,leg, -,lāg] -n

  1. a front leg

fore·limb [-,lim] -n

  1. a limb (as an arm, wing, fin, or leg) that is situated anteriorly
    • the forelimb of a bat

fore·lock [-,läk] -n

  1. a lock of hair growing from the front of the head

fore·man ['fȯr-mən] -n

  1. : a first or chief person: as
  2. a member of a jury who acts as chairman and spokesman
  3. a chief and often specially trained worker who works with and usu. leads a gang or crew
  4. a person in charge of a group of workers, a particular operation, or a section of a plant

fore·mast ['fȯr-,mast, -məst] -n

  1. the mast nearest the bow of a ship

fore·most [-,mōst] -adj

  1. first in a series or progression
  2. of first rank or position : preeminent

foremost -adv

  1. in the first place
  2. most importantly
    • first and foremost

fore·moth·er ['fȯr-,mə-thər] -n

  1. a female ancestor

fore·name [-,nām] -n

  1. a name that precedes one's surname

fore·named [-,nāmd] -adj

  1. named previously : aforesaid

fore·noon ['fȯr-,nün, fȯr-'] -n

  1. the early part of the day ending with noon : morning

fo·ren·sic [fə-'ren(t)-sik, -'ren-zik] -adj, adv

  1. belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate
  2. argumentative, rhetorical
  3. relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems
    • forensic medicine
    • forensic science
    • forensic pathologist
    • forensic experts

forensic -n

  1. an argumentative exercise
  2. the art or study of argumentative discourse
  3. the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems
  4. scientific analysis of physical evidence (as from a crime scene)

fore·or·dain [,fȯr-ȯr-'dān] -vt, n

  1. to dispose or appoint in advance : predestine

fore·part ['fȯr-,pärt] -n

  1. the anterior part of something
  2. the earlier part of a period of time

fore·passed [-,past] -adj

  1. bygone

fore·paw [-,pȯ] -n

  1. the paw of a foreleg

fore·peak [-,pēk] -n

  1. the extreme forward lower compartment or tank usu. used for trimming or storage in a ship

fore·play [-,plā] -n

  1. erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse
  2. action or behavior that precedes an event

fore·quar·ter [-,kwȯ(r)-tər, -,kȯr-] -n

  1. the front half of a lateral half of the body or carcass of a quadruped
    • a forequarter of beef

fore·reach [fȯr-'rēch] -vi

  1. to gain ground in tacking
  2. to gain on or go ahead of (a ship) when close-hauled

fore·run [-'rən] -vt

  1. to run before
  2. to come before as a token of something to follow
  3. forestall, anticipate

fore·run·ner ['fȯr-,rə-nər] -n

  1. : one that precedes and indicates the approach of another: as
  2. a premonitory sign or symptom
  3. a skier who runs the course before the start of a race
  4. predecessor, ancestor

fore·said [-,sed] -adj

  1. aforesaid

fore·sail ['fȯr-,sāl, -səl] -n

  1. the lowest sail set on the foremast of a square-rigged ship or schooner
  2. the sole or principal headsail (as of a sloop, cutter, or schooner)

fore·see [fȯr-'sē] -vt, n

  1. to see (as a development) beforehand

fore·see·able [-'sē-ə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. being such as may be reasonably anticipated
    • foreseeable problems
  2. lying within the range for which forecasts are possible
    • in the foreseeable future

fore·shad·ow [-'sha-(,)dō] -vt, n

  1. to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand : prefigure

fore·shank ['fȯr-,shaŋk] -n

  1. the upper part of the foreleg of cattle
  2. meat cut from this part

fore·sheet [-,shēt] -n

  1. one of the sheets of a foresail
  2. the forward part of an open boat

fore·shock [-,shäk] -n

  1. any of the usu. minor tremors commonly preceding the principal shock of an earthquake

fore·shore [-,shȯr] -n

  1. a strip of land margining a body of water
  2. the part of a seashore between high-water and low-water marks

fore·short·en [fȯr-'shȯr-tᵊn] -vt

  1. to shorten by proportionately contracting in the direction of depth so that an illusion of projection or extension in space is obtained
  2. to make more compact : abridge, shorten

fore·side ['fȯr-,sīd] -n

  1. the front side or part : front

fore·sight ['fȯr-,sīt] -n, adj, adv

  1. an act or the power of foreseeing : prescience
  2. provident care : prudence
    • had the foresight to invest his money wisely
  3. an act of looking forward
  4. a view forward

fore·skin [-,skin] -n

  1. a fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis called also prepuce

fore·speak [fȯr-'spēk] -vt

  1. foretell, predict
  2. to arrange for in advance

for·est ['fȯr-əst, 'fär-] -n, adj

  1. a dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract
  2. a tract of wooded land in England formerly owned by the sovereign and used for game
  3. something resembling a forest esp. in profusion or lushness
    • a forest of microphones
    • a kelp forest

forest [,fȯr-ə-'stā-shən, ,fär-] -vt, n

  1. to cover with trees or forest
    • land densely forest ed with firs

fore·stage ['fȯr-,stāj] -n

  1. apron

fore·stall [fȯr-'stȯl] -vt, n

  1. to prevent the normal trading in by buying or diverting goods or by persuading persons to raise prices
  2. intercept
  3. obstruct, beset
  4. to exclude, hinder, or prevent by prior occupation or measures
  5. to get ahead of : anticipate

fore·stay ['fȯr-,stā] -n

  1. a stay from the foremast to the foredeck or bow of a ship

fore·stay·sail [-,sāl, -səl] -n

  1. the triangular aftermost headsail of a schooner, ketch, or yawl set on the forestay

for·est·er ['fȯr-ə-stər, 'fär-] -n

  1. a person trained in forestry
  2. an inhabitant of a forest
  3. any of various noctuid woodland moths (subfamily Agaristinae)
  4. a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

forest floor -n

  1. the richly organic layer of soil and debris characteristic of forested land

forest green -n

  1. a dark yellowish or moderate olive green

for·est·land ['fȯr-əst-,land, 'fär-] -n

  1. land covered with forest or reserved for the growth of forests

forest ranger -n

  1. an officer charged with the patrolling and guarding of a forest
  2. one in charge of the management and protection of a portion of a public forest

for·est·ry ['fȯr-ə-strē, 'fär-] -n

  1. forestland
  2. the science of developing, caring for, or cultivating forests
  3. the management of growing timber

forest tent caterpillar -n

  1. a moth ( Malacosoma disstriaof the family Lasiocampidae) whose orange-marked larva is a tent caterpillar and a serious defoliator of deciduous trees

foreswear [fȯr-'swer] -vb

(variant of forswear)

  1. to make a liar of (oneself) under or as if under oath
  2. to reject or renounce under oath
  3. to renounce earnestly
  4. to deny under oath
  5. to swear falsely

fore·taste ['fȯr-,tāst] -n

  1. a small anticipatory sample
  2. an advance indication or warning
  3. to taste beforehand : anticipate

fore·tell [fȯr-'tel] -vt, n

  1. to tell beforehand : predict

fore·thought ['fȯr-,thȯt] -n

  1. a thinking or planning out in advance : premeditation
  2. consideration for the future

forethought -adj

  1. aforethought

fore·thought·ful [-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of or having forethought

fore·time ['fȯr-,tīm] -n

  1. former or past time : the time before the present

fore·to·ken ['fȯr-,tō-kən] -n

  1. a premonitory sign
  2. to indicate or warn of in advance

fore·top ['fȯr-,täp, -təp] -n

  1. the platform at the head of a ship's foremast

fore·top·man ['fȯr-,täp-mən, -təp-] -n

  1. a sailor on duty on the foremast and above

foretop·mast ['fȯr-,täp-məst, -təp-,mast] -n

  1. a mast next above the foremast

for·ev·er [fə-'rev-ər, fȯ-; Southern often fə-'e-və] -adv

  1. for a limitless time
    • wants to live forever
  2. at all times : continually
    • is forever making bad puns

forever -n

  1. a seemingly interminable time : excessively long
    • it took her forever to find the answer

for·ev·er·more [-,re-və(r)-'mȯr] -adv

  1. forever

for·ev·er·ness [-'re-vər-nəs] -n

  1. eternity

fore·warn [fȯr-'wȯrn] -vt

  1. to warn in advance

fore·warn·ing [fȯr-'wȯr-niŋ] -n

  1. a warning given in advance
  2. the state of being warned in advance

fore·wing ['fȯr-,wiŋ] -n

  1. either of the anterior wings of a 4-winged insect

fore·wom·an ['fȯr-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a foreman

fore·word ['fȯr-(,)wərd] -n

  1. prefatory comments (as for a book) esp. when written by someone other than the author

fore·worn [fər-'wȯrn] -adj

(variant of forworn)

  1. worn-out

for·feit ['fȯr-fət] -n

  1. something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty
  2. forfeiture esp. of civil rights
  3. something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine
  4. a game in which forfeits are exacted

forfeit [-fə-tə-bəl] -vt, adj, n

  1. to lose or lose the right to esp. by some error, offense, or crime
  2. to subject to confiscation as a forfeit
  3. abandon, give up
  4. forfeited or subject to forfeiture

for·fei·ture ['fȯr-fə-,chu̇r, -chər, -,t(y)u̇r] -n

  1. the act of forfeiting : the loss of property or money because of a breach of a legal obligation
  2. something (as money or property) that is forfeited : penalty

for·fend [fȯr-'fend] -vt

  1. forbid
  2. to ward off : prevent
  3. protect, preserve

for·gath·er [fȯr-'ga-thər] -vi

  1. to come together : assemble
  2. to meet someone usu. by chance

forge ['fȯrj] -n

  1. a furnace or a shop with its furnace where metal is heated and wrought : smithy
  2. a workshop where wrought iron is produced or where iron is made malleable
  3. to form (as metal) by heating and hammering
  4. to form (metal) by a mechanical or hydraulic press with or without heat
  5. to make or imitate falsely esp. with intent to defraud : counterfeit
    • forge a document
    • forge a signature
  6. to form or bring into being esp. by an expenditure of effort
    • working to forge party unity
  7. to work at a forge
  8. to commit forgery
  9. to move forward slowly and steadily
    • the ship forged ahead through heavy seas
  10. to move with a sudden increase of speed and power
    • forged into the lead
    • forged ahead in marketing the product

forg·er ['fȯr-jər] -n

  1. one that forges metals
  2. a person who falsifies
  3. a creator of false tales
  4. a person guilty of forgery

forg·ery ['fȯrj-rē, 'fȯr-jə-] -n

  1. invention
  2. something forged
  3. an act of forging
  4. the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (as a check)

for·get [fər-'get, fȯr-] -vb, n

  1. to lose the remembrance of : be unable to think of or recall
    • I forget his name
  2. to cease from doing
  3. to treat with inattention or disregard
    • forgot their old friends
  4. to disregard intentionally : overlook usu. used in the imperative
    • I shouldn't have said that, so just forget it
  5. to give up hope for or expectation of usu. used in the imperative
    • as for prompt service, forget it
  6. to cease remembering or noticing
    • forgive and forget
  7. to fail to become mindful at the proper time
    • forgot about paying the bill

for·get·ful [-'get-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. likely to forget
  2. characterized by negligent failure to remember : neglectful
  3. inducing oblivion
    • forgetful sleep

for·ge·tive ['fȯr-jə-tiv] -adj

  1. inventive, imaginative

for·getmenot [fər-'get-mē-,nät, fȯr-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Myosotis) of small herbs of the borage family having usu. bright blue or white flowers usu. arranged in a curving spike

for·get·ta·ble [fər-'ge-tə-bəl, fȯr-] -adj

  1. fit or likely to be forgotten
    • a forgettable movie

forging -n

  1. the art or process of forging
  2. a piece of forged work
  3. forgery

for·give [fər-'giv, fȯr-] -vb, adj, adv, n

  1. to give up resentment of or claim to requital for
    • forgive an insult
  2. to grant relief from payment of
    • forgive a debt
  3. to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon
    • forgive one's enemies
  4. to grant forgiveness

for·give·ness [-'giv-nəs] -n

  1. the act of forgiving

forgiving [-'gi-viŋ-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. willing or able to forgive
  2. allowing room for error or weakness
    • designed to be a forgiving tennis racquet

for·go [fȯr-'gō] -vt, n

  1. to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
  2. forsake

forgotten man -n

  1. a person or category of persons that receives less attention than is merited

for instance [fə-'rin(t)-stənts, 'frin(t)-] -n

  1. example
    • I'll give you a for instance

fork ['fȯrk] -n

  1. an implement with two or more prongs used esp. for taking up (as in eating), pitching, or digging
  2. a forked part, tool, or piece of equipment
  3. a division into branches or the place where something divides into branches
  4. confluence
  5. one of the branches into which something forks
  6. an attack by one chess piece (as a knight) on two pieces simultaneously
  7. to divide into two or more branches
    • where the road fork s
  8. to use or work with a fork
  9. to turn into a fork
  10. to give the form of a fork to
    • fork ing her fingers
  11. to attack (two chessmen) simultaneously
  12. to raise, pitch, dig, or work with a fork
    • fork hay
  13. pay, contribute used with over, out, or up
    • had to fork over 5000

fork·ball ['fȯrk-,bȯl] -n

  1. a baseball pitch in which the ball is gripped between the forked index and middle fingers

forked ['fȯrkt, 'fȯr-kəd] -adj

  1. resembling a fork esp. in having one end divided into two or more branches or points
    • forked lightning
  2. shaped like a fork or having a forked part
    • a forked road

forked tongue -n

  1. intent to mislead or deceive usu. used in the phrase to speak with forked tongue

fork·lift ['fȯrk-,lift] -n

  1. a self-propelled machine for hoisting and transporting heavy objects by means of steel fingers inserted under the load

forkten·der ['fȯrk-'ten-dər] -adj

  1. tender enough to be easily pierced or cut with a fork
    • forktender filet mignon

forky ['fȯr-kē] -adj

  1. forked
    • a forky beard

for·lorn [fər-'lȯrn, fȯr-] -adj, adv, n

  1. bereft, forsaken
    • left quite forlorn of hope
  2. sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : desolate
    • a forlorn landscape
  3. being in poor condition : miserable, wretched
    • forlorn tumbledown buildings
  4. nearly hopeless
    • a forlorn attempt

forlorn hope -n

  1. a body of men selected to perform a perilous service
  2. a desperate or extremely difficult enterprise

form ['fȯrm] -n

  1. the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
  2. a body (as of a person) esp. in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : figure
  3. beauty
  4. : the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: as
  5. idea
  6. the component of a thing that determines its kind
  7. established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote
  8. a standard or expectation based on past experience : precedent
    • true to form, the champions won again
  9. a prescribed and set order of words : formula
    • the form of the marriage service
  10. a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
    • tax form s
  11. conduct regulated by extraneous controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony
  12. show without substance
  13. manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
    • rudeness is simply bad form
  14. manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
    • a strong swimmer but weak on form
  15. the resting place or nest of a hare
  16. a long seat : bench
  17. a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (as the torso) of the human figure usu. used for displaying apparel
  18. a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes
  19. a mold in which concrete is placed to set
  20. the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
  21. one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
    • one form of respiratory disorder
    • a form of art
  22. a distinguishable group of organisms
  23. linguistic form
  24. one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
    • verbal form s
  25. a mathematical expression of a particular type
    • a bilinear form
    • a polynomial form
  26. orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)
  27. a particular kind or instance of such arrangement
    • the sonnet is a poetical form
  28. pattern, schema
    • arguments of the same logical form
  29. the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art
  30. a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume
  31. a grade in a British school or in some American private schools
  32. the past performance of a race horse
  33. racing form
  34. known ability to perform
    • a singer at the top of her form
  35. condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
    • back on form
  36. to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
    • form the dough into a ball
    • a state form ed along republican lines
  37. to arrange themselves in
    • the dancers form ed a line
  38. to model by instruction and discipline
    • a mind form ed by classical education
  39. to give form or shape to : fashion, construct
  40. to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
  41. develop, acquire
    • form a habit
  42. to arrange in order : draw up
  43. to assume an inflection so as to produce (as a tense)
    • form s the past in -ed
  44. to combine to make (a compound word)
  45. to become formed or shaped
  46. to take form : come into existence : arise
  47. to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement

form- -comb form

  1. formic acid
    • form ate

for·mal ['fȯr-məl] -adj, adv, n

  1. belonging to or constituting the form or essence of a thing
    • formal cause
  2. relating to or involving the outward form, structure, relationships, or arrangement of elements rather than content
    • formal logic
    • a formal style of painting
    • a formal approach to comparative linguistics
  3. following or according with established form, custom, or rule
    • lacked formal schooling
    • a formal dinner party
    • formal attire
  4. done in due or lawful form
    • a formal contract
    • received formal recognition
  5. characterized by punctilious respect for form : methodical
    • very formal in all his dealings
  6. rigidly ceremonious : prim
  7. having the appearance without the substance
    • formal Christians who go to church only at Easter

formal -n

  1. something (as a dance or a dress) formal in character
  2. molar

form·al·de·hyde [fȯr-'mal-də-,hīd, fər-] -n

  1. a colorless pungent irritating gas CH 2O used chiefly in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

for·ma·lin ['fȯr-mə-lən, -,lēn] -n

  1. a clear aqueous solution of formaldehyde containing a small amount of methanol used esp. as a preservative

for·mal·ise ['fȯr-mə-,līz] -vt, adj, n

(variant of formalize)

  1. to give a certain or definite form to : shape
  2. to make formal
  3. to give formal status or approval to

for·mal·ism ['fȯr-mə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. the practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as in religion or art)
  2. an instance of this
  3. marked attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as in art or literature) usu. with corresponding de-emphasis of content

for·mal·i·ty [fȯr-'ma-lə-tē] -n

  1. compliance with formal or conventional rules : ceremony
  2. the quality or state of being formal
  3. an established form or procedure that is required or conventional
    • the interview was just a formality

for·mal·ize ['fȯr-mə-,līz] -vt, adj, n

  1. to give a certain or definite form to : shape
  2. to make formal
  3. to give formal status or approval to

form·am·ide [fȯr-'ma-,mīd; 'fȯr-mə-,mīd, -məd] -n

  1. a colorless hygroscopic liquid CHONH 2used chiefly as a solvent

for·mant ['fȯr-mənt, -,mant] -n

  1. a characteristic component of the quality of a speech sound
  2. any of several resonance bands held to determine the phonetic quality of a vowel

for·mat ['fȯr-,mat] -n

  1. the shape, size, and general makeup (as of something printed)
  2. general plan of organization, arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television show)
  3. a method of organizing data (as for storage)
    • various file format s

format -vt, n

  1. to arrange (as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format
  2. to prepare (as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format

for·mate ['fȯr-,māt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of formic acid

for·ma·tion [fȯr-'mā-shən] -n

  1. an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development
  2. something that is formed
    • new word formation s
  3. the manner in which a thing is formed : structure
    • the peculiar formation of the heart
  4. a major kind of plant growth (as forest, grassland, or tundra) characteristic of a broad ecological region
  5. any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock represented as a unit
  6. any sedimentary bed or consecutive series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive to be a unit
  7. an arrangement of a body or group of persons or things in some prescribed manner or for a particular purpose
    • flying in formation

for·ma·tive ['fȯr-mə-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. giving or capable of giving form : constructive
    • a formative influence
  2. used in word formation or inflection
  3. capable of alteration by growth and development
  4. producing new cells and tissues
  5. of, relating to, or characterized by formative effects or formation
    • formative years

formative -n

  1. the element (as a suffix) in a word that serves to give the word appropriate form and is not part of the base

form class -n

  1. a class of linguistic forms that can be used in the same position in a construction and that have one or more morphological or syntactical features in common

formcritical -adj

  1. based on or applying form criticism

form criticism -n

  1. a method of criticism for determining the sources and historicity of biblical writings through analysis of the writings in terms of ancient literary forms and oral traditions (as love poems, parables, and proverbs)

forme ['fȯm, 'fȯrm] -n

  1. form

formed ['fȯrmd] -adj

  1. organized in a way characteristic of living matter
    • mitochondria are formed bodies of the cell

for·mee ['fȯr-,mā, fȯr-'] -adj

  1. having the arms narrow at the center and expanding toward the ends

for·mer ['fȯr-mər] -adj

  1. coming before in time
  2. of, relating to, or occurring in the past
    • former correspondence
  3. preceding in place or arrangement : foregoing
    • the former part of the chapter
  4. first in order of two or more things cited or understood
    • of the two given, the former spelling is more common
    • of the two spellings, the former is more common
  5. having been previously : onetime
    • a former athlete

form·er ['fȯr-mər] -n

  1. one that forms
  2. a member of a school form usu. used in combination
    • sixth former

for·mer·ly ['fȯr-mə(r)-lē] -adv

  1. at an earlier time : previously
  2. just before

form·fit·ting ['fȯrm-,fi-tiŋ] -adj

  1. conforming to the outline of the body : fitting snugly
    • a formfitting sweater

form·ful ['fȯrm-fəl] -adj

  1. exhibiting or notable for form

form genus -n

  1. an artificial taxonomic category established for organisms (as imperfect fungi) of obscure true relationships

For·mi·ca [fȯr-'mī-kə, fər-] -trademark

  1. used for any of various laminated plastic products used esp. for surface finish

for·mic acid ['fȯr-mik-] -n

  1. a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid CH 2O 2found esp. in ants and in many plants and used chiefly in dyeing and finishing textiles

for·mi·cary ['fȯr-mə-,ker-ē] -n

  1. an ant nest

for·mi·da·ble ['fȯr-mə-də-bəl; fȯr-'mi-, fər-'mi-] -adj, n, adv

  1. causing fear, dread, or apprehension
    • a formidable prospect
  2. having qualities that discourage approach or attack
  3. tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive

form·less ['fȯrm-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having no regular form or shape
  2. lacking order or arrangement
  3. having no physical existence

form letter -n

  1. a letter on a subject of frequent recurrence that can be sent to different people without essential change except in the address
  2. a letter for mass circulation that is printed in many copies and has a very general salutation (as Dear Friend)

For·mo·san termite [fȯr-'mō-sᵊn-, fər-, -zᵊn-] -n

  1. a large termite ( Coptotermes formosanusof the family Rhinotermitidae) native to Taiwan and nearby areas and introduced into Hawaii, California, and some southern U.S. states where it is a destructive pest of wooden structures called also Formosan subterranean termite

for·mu·la ['fȯr-myə-lə] -n, adj, adv

  1. a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
  2. a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle esp. as a basis for negotiation or action
  3. recipe
  4. prescription
  5. a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant
  6. a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usu. mathematical symbols
  7. a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance
  8. a group of symbols (as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely
  9. a combination of signs in a logical calculus
  10. a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality

formula -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement

for·mu·la·rize ['fȯr-myə-lə-,rīz] -vt, n

  1. to state in or reduce to a formula : formulate

for·mu·lary ['fȯr-myə-,ler-ē] -n, adj

  1. a collection of prescribed forms (as oaths or prayers)
  2. formula
  3. a book listing medicinal substances and formulas

for·mu·late ['fȯr-myə-,lāt] -vt, n

  1. to reduce to or express in a formula
  2. to put into a systematized statement or expression
  3. devise
    • formulate a policy
  4. to develop a formula for the preparation of (as a soap or plastic)
  5. to prepare according to a formula

for·mu·la·tion [,fȯr-myə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. an act or the product of formulating

formula weight -n

  1. molecular weight used esp. of ionic compounds

for·mu·lize ['fȯr-myə-,līz] -vt

  1. formulate

form word -n

  1. function word

form·work ['fȯrm-,wərk] -n

  1. a set of forms in place to hold wet concrete until it sets

for·myl ['fȯr-,mil] -n

  1. the radical HCO of formic acid that is also characteristic of aldehydes

for·ni·cate ['fȯr-nə-,kāt] -vb, n

  1. to commit fornication
  2. to commit fornication with

for·ni·ca·tion [,fȯr-nə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other

for·nix ['fȯr-niks] -n

  1. an anatomical arch or fold

forprof·it ['fȯr-'prä-fət] -adj

  1. established, maintained, or conducted for the purpose of making a profit
    • forprofit businesses

for·rad·er ['fär-ə-dər] -adv

  1. further ahead

for·sake [fər-'sāk, fȯr-] -vt

  1. to renounce or turn away from entirely
    • friends have forsaken her
    • forsook the theater for politics

for·sooth [fər-'süth] -adv

  1. in truth : indeed often used to imply contempt or doubt

for·spent [fər-'spent, fȯr-] -adj

  1. worn-out, exhausted

for·swear [fȯr-'swer] -vb

  1. to make a liar of (oneself) under or as if under oath
  2. to reject or renounce under oath
  3. to renounce earnestly
  4. to deny under oath
  5. to swear falsely

for·sworn [-'swȯrn] -adj

  1. guilty of perjury
  2. marked by perjury

for·syth·ia [fər-'si-thē-ə, chiefly Brit -'sī-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Forsythia) of ornamental shrubs of the olive family with opposite leaves and yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing before the leaves in early spring

fort ['fȯrt] -n

  1. a strong or fortified place
  2. a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification
  3. a permanent army post often used in place names

for·ta·lice ['fȯr-tə-ləs] -n

  1. fortress
  2. a small fort

forte ['fȯrt; 2 is often 'fȯr-,tā or fȯr-'tā or 'fȯr-tē] -n

  1. the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of the blade
  2. one's strong point

for·te ['fȯr-,tā, 'fȯr-tē] -adv or adj

  1. loud used as a direction in music
  2. a tone or passage played forte

for·te·pia·no [,fȯr-,tā-pē-'a-(,)nō also -'ä-(,)nō] -n

  1. an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano

for·tepi·a·no [,fȯr-,tā-pē-'ä-(,)nō, ,fȯr-tē-] -adv or adj

  1. loud then immediately soft used as a direction in music

forth ['fȯrth] -adv

  1. onward in time, place, or order : forward
    • from that day forth
  2. out into notice or view
    • put forth leaves
  3. away, abroad
  4. forth from : out of

forth·com·ing [fȯrth-'kə-miŋ, 'fȯrth-] -adj

  1. being about to appear or to be produced or made available
    • the forthcoming holidays
    • your forthcoming novel
    • funds are forthcoming
  2. responsive, outgoing
    • a forthcoming and courteous man
  3. characterized by openness, candidness, and forthrightness
    • not forthcoming about his memories of medical school -- Mark Kramer

forth of -prep

  1. out from : out of

forth·right ['fȯrth-,rīt] -adv

  1. directly forward
  2. without hesitation : frankly
  3. at once

forthright -adj, adv, n

  1. proceeding straight on
  2. free from ambiguity or evasiveness : going straight to the point
    • a forthright critic
    • was forthright in appraising the problem
  3. notably simple in style or quality
    • forthright furniture
  4. a straight path

forth·with [(,)fȯrth-'with also -'with] -adv

  1. immediately

for·ti·fi·ca·tion [,fȯr-tə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. an act or process of fortifying
  2. something that fortifies, defends, or strengthens
  3. works erected to defend a place or position

fortified wine -n

  1. a wine (as sherry) to which alcohol usu. in the form of grape brandy has been added during or after fermentation

for·ti·fy ['fȯr-tə-,fī] -vb, n

  1. : to make strong: as
  2. to strengthen and secure (as a town) by forts or batteries
  3. to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to
    • fortified by a hearty meal
  4. to add mental or moral strength to : encourage
    • fortified by prayer
  5. to add material to for strengthening or enriching
    • fortified milk
  6. to erect fortifications

for·tis ['fȯr-təs] -adj

  1. produced with relatively great articulatory tenseness and strong expiration
    • t in toe is fortis, d in doe is lenis

for·tis·si·mo [fȯr-'ti-sə-,mō] -adv or adj

  1. very loud used esp. as a direction in music

fortissimo [-,mē] -n

  1. a very loud passage, sound, or tone

for·ti·tude ['fȯr-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n

  1. strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
  2. strength

fort·night ['fȯrt-,nīt] -n

  1. a period of 14 days : two weeks

fort·night·ly [-lē] -adj

  1. occurring or appearing once in a fortnight

fortnightly -adv

  1. once in a fortnight : every fortnight
  2. a publication issued fortnightly

FOR·TRAN ['fȯr-,tran] -n

  1. a computer programming language that resembles algebra in its notation and is widely used for scientific applications

for·tress ['fȯr-trəs] -n, adj

  1. a fortified place : stronghold
  2. a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town

for·tu·itous [fȯr-'tü-ə-təs, -'tyü-, fər-] -adj, adv, n

  1. occurring by chance
  2. fortunate, lucky
    • from a cost standpoint, the company's timing is fortuitous -- Business Week
  3. coming or happening by a lucky chance
    • belted down the stairs, and there was a fortuitous train -- Doris Lessing

for·tu·ity [-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being fortuitous
  2. a chance event or occurrence

for·tu·nate ['fȯrch-nət, 'fȯr-chə-] -adj, n

  1. bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain : auspicious
  2. receiving some unexpected good

for·tu·nate·ly [-lē] -adv

  1. in a fortunate manner
  2. it is fortunate that
    • fortunately, no one was hurt

for·tune ['fȯr-chən] -n

  1. a hypothetical force or personified power that unpredictably determines events and issues favorably or unfavorably
  2. accident, incident
  3. prosperity attained partly through luck : success
  4. luck
  5. the turns and courses of luck accompanying one's progress (as through life)
    • her fortune s varied but she never gave up
  6. destiny, fate
    • can tell your fortune
  7. a prediction of fortune
  8. riches, wealth
    • a man of fortune
  9. a store of material possessions
    • the family fortune
  10. a very large sum of money
    • spent a fortune redecorating

fortune -vb

  1. to give good or bad fortune to
  2. to endow with a fortune
  3. happen, chance

fortune cookie -n

  1. a thin cookie folded to contain a slip of paper on which is printed a fortune, proverb, or humorous statement

fortune hunter -n

  1. a person who seeks wealth esp. by marriage

for·tunetell·er [-,te-lər] -n, n or adj

  1. one that professes to foretell future events

for·ty ['fȯr-tē] -n, adj or n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. the numbers 40 to 49
  2. the years 40 to 49 in a lifetime or century
  3. the third point scored by a side in a game of tennis

for·tyfive [,fȯr-tē-'fīv] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. a .45 caliber handgun usu. written .45
  2. a phonograph record designed to be played at 45 revolutions per minute usu. written 45

Forty Hours -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a Roman Catholic devotion in which the churches of a diocese in 2-day turns have the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar for continuous daytime veneration

for·tynin·er [,fȯr-tē-'nī-nər] -n

  1. one taking part in the rush to California for gold in 1849

forty winks -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a short sleep : nap

fo·rum ['fȯr-əm] -n

  1. the marketplace or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the center of judicial and public business
  2. a public meeting place for open discussion
  3. a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas
  4. a judicial body or assembly : court
  5. a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion
  6. a program (as on radio or television) involving discussion of a problem usu. by several authorities

for·ward ['fȯr-wərd, also 'fō- or 'fȯ-, Southern also 'fär-] -adj, adv, n

  1. near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
  2. situated in advance
  3. strongly inclined : ready
  4. lacking modesty or reserve : brash
  5. notably advanced or developed : precocious
  6. moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
  7. moving toward an opponent's goal
  8. advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress
  9. extreme, radical
  10. of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
    • forward buying of produce

forward -adv

  1. to or toward what is ahead or in front
    • from that time forward
    • moved slowly forward
  2. to help onward : promote
    • forward ed his friend's career
  3. to send forward : transmit
    • will forward the goods on receipt of your check
  4. to send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit
    • forward mail
  5. a player who plays at the front of his team's formation near the goal at which his team is attempting to score

forward air controller -n

  1. a military officer who directs from a forward position on the ground or in the air the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support of land forces

for·ward·er [-wər-dər] -n

  1. one that forwards
  2. an agent who performs services (as receiving, transshipping, or delivering) designed to move goods to their destination

for·wardlook·ing ['fȯr-wərd-,lu̇-kiŋ] -adj

  1. concerned with or planning for the future

forward pass -n

  1. a pass (as in football) made in the direction of the opponents' goal

for·wards ['fȯr-wərdz] -adv

  1. forward

forwent [fȯr-'gō] -vt, n

(variant of forgo)

  1. to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
  2. forsake

for·worn [fər-'wȯrn] -adj

  1. worn-out

forz -abbr

  1. forzando

for·zan·do [fȯrt-'sän-(,)dō] -adj or adv

  1. sforzando

fos·car·net [fäs-'kär-nət] -n

  1. a hydrated sodium salt Na 3CO 56H 2O that is administered intravenously to individuals infected with HIV to treat retinitis caused by a cytomegalovirus

fos·sa ['fä-sə] -n

  1. an anatomical pit, groove, or depression

fossa -n

  1. a slender long-tailed carnivorous mammal ( Cryptoprocta ferox) of Madagascar that has retractile claws and is often grouped with the mongooses or placed in a related family (Eupleridae)

fosse ['fäs] -n

  1. ditch, moat

fos·sick ['fä-sik] -vb, n

  1. to search for gold or gemstones typically by picking over abandoned workings
  2. to search about : rummage
  3. to search for by or as if by rummaging : ferret out

fos·sil ['fä-səl] -adj

  1. preserved from a past geologic age
    • fossil plants
    • fossil water in an underground reservoir
  2. being or resembling a fossil
  3. of or relating to fossil fuel

fossil -n

  1. a remnant, impression, or trace of an organism of past geologic ages that has been preserved in the earth's crust
  2. a person whose views are outmoded : fogy
  3. something (as a theory) that has become rigidly fixed
  4. an old word or word element preserved only by idiom (as froin to and fro)

fossil fuel [-,fyü(-ə)ld] -n, adj

  1. a fuel (as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth from plant or animal remains

fos·sil·if·er·ous [,fä-sə-'li-f(ə-)rəs] -adj

  1. containing fossils

fos·sil·ise ['fä-sə-,līz] -vb, n

(variant of fossilize)

  1. to convert into a fossil
  2. to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed
  3. to become changed into a fossil

fos·sil·ize ['fä-sə-,līz] -vb, n

  1. to convert into a fossil
  2. to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed
  3. to become changed into a fossil

fos·so·ri·al [fä-'sȯr-ē-əl] -adj

  1. adapted to digging
    • a fossorial foot

fos·ter ['fȯs-tər, 'fäs-] -adj

  1. affording, receiving, or sharing nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties

foster [-t(ə-)riŋ] -vt, n

  1. to give parental care to : nurture
  2. to promote the growth or development of : encourage
    • foster ed the college in its early years

fos·ter·age [-tə-rij] -n

  1. the act of fostering
  2. a custom once prevalent in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland of entrusting one's child to foster parents to be brought up

foster home -n

  1. a household in which an orphaned, neglected, or delinquent child is placed for care

fos·ter·ling [-tər-liŋ] -n

  1. a foster child

fou ['fü] -adj

  1. drunk

Fou·caul·di·an [fü-'kō-dē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the philosophy of Michel Foucault

Fou·cault pendulum [,fü-'kō-] -n

  1. a freely swinging pendulum that consists of a heavy weight hung by a long wire and that swings in a constant direction which appears to change showing that the earth rotates

fouet·te [(,)fwe-'tā] -n

  1. a quick whipping movement of the raised leg in ballet usu. accompanying a pirouette

fought ['fīt] -vb

(variant of fight)

  1. to contend in battle or physical combat
  2. to strive to overcome a person by blows or weapons
  3. to engage in boxing
  4. to put forth a determined effort
  5. to contend against in or as if in battle or physical combat
  6. to box against in the ring
  7. to attempt to prevent the success or effectiveness of
    • the company fought the takeover attempt
  8. to oppose the passage or development of
    • fight a bill in Congress
  9. wage, carry on
    • fight a battle
  10. to take part in (as a boxing match)
  11. to struggle to endure or surmount
    • fight a cold
  12. to gain by struggle
    • fight s his way through
  13. to resolve by struggle
    • fought out their differences in court
  14. to manage (a ship) in a battle or storm
  15. to cause to struggle or contend
  16. to manage in an unnecessarily rough or awkward manner
  17. a hostile encounter : battle, combat
  18. a boxing match
  19. a verbal disagreement : argument
  20. a struggle for a goal or an objective
    • a fight for justice
  21. strength or disposition for fighting : pugnacity
    • still full of fight

foul ['fau̇(-ə)l] -adj, adv, n

  1. offensive to the senses : loathsome
  2. filled or covered with offensive matter
  3. full of dirt or mud
  4. morally or spiritually odious : detestable
    • a foul crime
  5. notably unpleasant or distressing : wretched, horrid
    • in a foul mood
  6. obscene, abusive
    • foul language
  7. being wet and stormy
  8. obstructive to navigation
    • a foul tide
  9. homely, ugly
  10. treacherous, dishonorable
    • fair means or foul
  11. constituting an infringement of rules in a game or sport
    • a foul blow in boxing
  12. containing marked-up corrections
    • a foul manuscript
    • foul proofs
  13. encrusted, clogged, or choked with a foreign substance
    • the chimney was foul and smoked badly
  14. being odorous and impure : polluted
    • foul air
  15. placed in a situation that impedes physical movement : entangled
  16. being outside the foul lines in baseball
  17. something foul
  18. an entanglement or collision esp. in angling or sailing
  19. an infringement of the rules in a game or sport
  20. free throw
  21. foul ball
  22. : to become or be foul: as
  23. decompose, rot
  24. to become encrusted, clogged, or choked with a foreign substance
  25. to become entangled or come into collision
  26. to commit a violation of the rules in a sport or game
  27. to hit a foul ball
  28. : to make foul: as
  29. to make dirty : pollute
  30. to tangle or come into collision with
  31. to encrust with a foreign substance
    • a ship's bottom foul ed with barnacles
  32. obstruct, block
  33. dishonor, discredit
  34. to commit a foul against
  35. to hit (a baseball) foul
  36. in a foul manner : so as to be foul

fou·lard [fu̇-'lärd] -n

  1. a lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk usu. decorated with a printed pattern
  2. an imitation of this fabric
  3. an article of clothing made of foulard

foul ball -n

  1. a baseball batted into foul territory

foul·brood ['fau̇(-ə)l-,brüd] -n

  1. a destructive disease of honeybee larvae caused by bacteria (as Bacillus larvae)

foul·ing -n

  1. deposit, incrustation
    • fouling on a ship's bottom

foul line -n

  1. either of two straight lines extending from the rear corner of home plate through the outer corners of first and third base respectively and prolonged to the boundary of a baseball field
  2. a line across a bowling alley that a player must not step over when delivering the ball
  3. either of two lines on a basketball court parallel to and 15 feet from the backboards behind which a player must stand while shooting a free throw

foul·mouthed ['fau̇(-ə)l-,maüthd, -,mau̇tht] -adj

  1. given to the use of obscene, profane, or abusive language

foul of -prep

  1. afoul of
    • he fell foul of the law
    • ran foul of a hidden reef

foul out -vi

  1. to be put out of a basketball game for exceeding the number of fouls permitted

foul play -n

  1. violence
  2. murder

foul shot -n

  1. free throw

foul tip -n

  1. a pitched ball in baseball that is slightly deflected by the bat
  2. a tipped pitch legally caught by the catcher and counting as a full strike with the ball remaining in play

foulup ['fau̇(-ə)l-,əp] -n

  1. a state of confusion or an error caused by ineptitude, carelessness, or mismanagement
    • foulup s in transportation
  2. a mechanical difficulty

foul up -vt

  1. to make dirty : contaminate
  2. to spoil by making mistakes or using poor judgment : confuse
  3. entangle, block
    • fouled up communications
  4. to cause a foul-up : bungle
    • it was his fault. He had fouled up -- Pat Frank

found ['fīnd] -vb, adj

(variant of find)

  1. to come upon often accidentally : encounter
  2. to meet with (a particular reception)
    • hoped to find favor
  3. to come upon by searching or effort
    • must find a suitable person for the job
  4. to discover by study or experiment
    • find an answer
  5. to obtain by effort or management
    • find the time to study
  6. attain, reach
    • the bullet found its mark
  7. to discover by the intellect or the feelings : experience
    • find much pleasure in your company
  8. to perceive (oneself) to be in a certain place or condition
  9. to gain or regain the use or power of
    • trying to find his tongue
  10. to bring (oneself) to a realization of one's powers or of one's proper sphere of activity
    • must help the student to find himself as an individual -- N. M. Pusey
  11. provide, supply
  12. to furnish (room and board) esp. as a condition of employment
  13. to determine and make a statement about
    • find a verdict
    • found her guilty
  14. to determine a case judicially by a verdict
    • find for the defendant
  15. an act or instance of finding
  16. : something found: as
  17. a valuable discovery
    • an archaeological find
  18. a person whose ability proves to be unexpectedly good

foun·da·tion [fau̇n-'dā-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. the act of founding
  2. a basis (as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something stands or is supported
    • the foundation s of geometry
    • the rumor is without foundation in fact
  3. funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment
  4. an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance
  5. an underlying base or support
  6. the whole masonry substructure of a building
  7. a body or ground upon which something is built up or overlaid
  8. a woman's supporting undergarment : corset
  9. a cosmetic usu. used as a base for makeup

foundation stone -n

  1. a stone in the foundation of a building
  2. such a stone laid with public ceremony
  3. basis, groundwork

found·er ['fau̇n-dər] -n

  1. one that founds or establishes

foun·der ['fau̇n-dər] -vb

  1. to become disabled
  2. to go lame
  3. to give way : collapse
  4. to become submerged : sink
  5. to come to grief : fail
  6. to disable (an animal) esp. by excessive feeding
  7. laminitis

found·er -n

  1. one that founds metal
  2. typefounder

founder effect -n

  1. the effect on the resulting gene pool that occurs when a new isolated population is founded by a small number of individuals possessing limited genetic variation relative to the larger population from which they have migrated

founding father -n

  1. an originator of an institution or movement : founder
  2. a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.
  3. a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

found·ling ['fau̇n(d)-liŋ] -n

  1. an infant found after its unknown parents have abandoned it

found object -n

  1. objet trouve

found poem -n

  1. a poem consisting of words found in a nonpoetic context (as a product label) and usu. broken into lines that convey a verse rhythm

found·ry ['fau̇n-drē] -n

  1. an establishment where founding is carried on
  2. the act, process, or art of casting metals

fount ['fau̇nt] -n

  1. fountain, source
  2. a type font

foun·tain ['fau̇n-tᵊn] -n

  1. the source from which something proceeds or is supplied
  2. a spring of water issuing from the earth
  3. an artificially produced jet of water
  4. the structure from which it rises
  5. a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed
  6. soda fountain

fountain -vi

  1. to flow or spout like a fountain
  2. to cause to flow like a fountain

fountain grass -n

  1. any of several ornamental grasses (genus Pennisetum) having tufted stems and spikes of feathery flower clusters

foun·tain·head [-,hed] -n

  1. a spring that is the source of a stream
  2. principal source : origin

fountain pen -n

  1. a pen containing a reservoir that automatically feeds the writing point with ink

four [fȯr] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr

  1. the fourth in a set or series
    • the four of hearts
  2. : something having four units or members: as
  3. a 4-oared racing shell or its crew
  4. a 4-cylinder engine or automobile

fourbag·ger [-'ba-gər] -n

  1. home run

fourball [-,bȯl] -n

  1. a golf match in which the best individual score of one partnership is matched against the best individual score of another partnership for each hole

four·chee [fu̇r-'shā] -adj

  1. having the end of each arm forked

fourdimensional -adj

  1. relating to or having four dimensions
    • fourdimensional space-time continuum
  2. consisting of or relating to elements requiring four coordinates to determine them

four·dri·nier [,fȯr-drə-'nir; fu̇r-'dri-nē-ər, fȯr-] -n

  1. a machine for making paper in an endless web

foureyed ['fȯr-,īd] -adj

  1. wearing glasses

fourflush [-'flə-shər] -vi, n

  1. to bluff in poker holding a four flush
  2. to make a false claim : bluff

four flush -n

  1. four cards of the same suit in a 5-card poker hand

four·fold ['fȯr-,fōld, -'fōld] -adj, adv

  1. being four times as great or as many
  2. having four units or members

fourfoot·ed [-'fu̇-təd] -adj

  1. having four feet : quadruped

fourhand ['fȯr-,hand] -adj

  1. four-handed

fourhand·ed [-'han-dəd] -adj

  1. engaged in by four persons
    • a fourhanded card game
  2. designed for four hands
    • a fourhanded piano piece

Four Horsemen -n pl

  1. war, famine, pestilence, and death personified as the four major plagues of humankind

Four Hundred -n

  1. the exclusive social set of a community used with the

Fou·ri·er analysis ['fu̇r-ē-,ā-] -n

  1. the process of using the terms of a Fourier series to find a function that approximates periodic data

Fou·ri·er·ism ['fu̇r-ē-ə-,ri-zəm, -ē-,ā-,i-] -n

  1. a system for reorganizing society into cooperative communities of small self-sustaining groups

Fourier series -n

  1. an infinite series in which the terms are constants multiplied by sine or cosine functions of integer multiples of the variable and which is used in the analysis of periodic functions

Fourier's theorem -n

  1. a theorem in mathematics: under suitable conditions any periodic function can be represented by a Fourier series

Fourier transform -n

  1. any of various functions (as F(u)) that under suitable conditions can be obtained from given functions (as f(x)) by multiplying by e iux and integrating over all values of xand that in scientific instrumentation describe the dependence of the average of a series of measurements (as of a spectrum) on a quantity of interest (as brightness) esp. of a very small magnitude called also Fourier transformation

fourinhand ['fȯr-ən-,hand] -n

  1. a vehicle drawn by a team of four horses driven by one person
  2. such a team of four horses
  3. a necktie tied in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front

fourletter -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being four-letter words

fourletter word -n

  1. any of a group of vulgar or obscene words typically made up of four letters
  2. a taboo word or topic
    • tax is a four-letter word to him

fouro'clock ['fȯr-ə-,kläk] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Mirabilis) of chiefly American annual or perennial herbs (family Nyctaginaceae, the four-o'clock family) having apetalous flowers with a showy involucre simulating a calyx
  2. a garden plant ( M. jalapa) with fragrant yellow, red, or white flowers opening late in the afternoon

four of a kind

  1. four cards of the same rank in one hand

fourpeat ['fȯr-,pēt] -n, vi

  1. a fourth consecutive championship

four·plex ['fȯr-,pleks] -n

  1. a building that contains four separate apartments

fourpost·er [,fȯr-'pō-stər] -n

  1. a bed with tall often carved corner posts orig. designed to support curtains or a canopy

four·ra·gere [,fu̇r-ə-'zher] -n

  1. a braided cord worn usu. around the left shoulder
  2. such a cord awarded as a decoration to a military unit

four·score ['fȯr-'skȯr] -adj

  1. being four times twenty : eighty

four·some ['fȯr-səm] -n

  1. a group of four persons or things : quartet
  2. two couples
  3. a golf match in which two players compete against two others with players on each side taking turns playing one ball
  4. any golf match involving four players

four·square [-'skwer] -adj, adv

  1. square
  2. marked by boldness and conviction : forthright
    • a foursquare hero

fourstar [-'stär] -adj

  1. of a superior degree of excellence
    • a fourstar French restaurant

four·teen·er [-'tē-nər] -n

  1. a verse consisting of 14 syllables or esp. of 7 iambic feet
  2. a mountain that is at least 14,000 feet high

fourth ['fȯrth] -n, adj or adv, adv

  1. a musical interval embracing four tones of the diatonic scale
  2. a tone at this interval
  3. subdominant
  4. the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart
  5. the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
  6. independence day used with the

fourth dimension -n, adj

  1. a dimension in addition to length, breadth, and depth
  2. a coordinate in addition to three rectangular coordinates esp. when interpreted as the time coordinate in a space-time continuum
  3. something outside the range of ordinary experience

fourth estate -n

  1. the public press

Fourth of July

  1. independence day

fourth wall -n

  1. an imaginary wall (as at the opening of a modern stage proscenium) that keeps performers from recognizing or directly addressing their audience

fourth world -n

  1. a group of nations esp. in Africa and Asia characterized by extremely low per capita income and an absence of valuable natural resources

fourway ['fȯr-'wā] -adj

  1. allowing or affecting passage in any of four directions
  2. applicable to traffic from each of four directions
    • a fourway stop
  3. including four participants

fourwheel ['fȯr-,hwēl, -,wēl] -adj

  1. having four wheels
  2. acting on or by means of four wheels of an automotive vehicle
    • fourwheel disc brakes

fourwheel drive -n

  1. an automotive drive mechanism that acts on all four wheels of the vehicle
  2. a vehicle equipped with such a drive

fourwheel·er [-,hwē-lər, -,wē-] -n

  1. a vehicle with four wheels

fo·vea ['fō-vē-ə] -n, adj

  1. a small fossa
  2. a small rodless area of the retina that affords acute vision

fovea cen·tra·lis [-sen-'tra-ləs, -'trä-, -'trā-] -n

  1. fovea

fowl ['fau̇(-ə)l] -n

  1. a bird of any kind
  2. a cock or hen of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus)
  3. an adult hen
  4. any of several domesticated or wild gallinaceous birds
  5. the meat of fowls used as food
  6. to seek, catch, or kill wildfowl

fowling piece -n

  1. a shotgun for shooting birds or small animals

fox ['fäks] -n

  1. any of various carnivorous mammals (esp. genus Vulpes) of the dog family related to but smaller than wolves with shorter legs, more pointed muzzle, large erect ears, and long bushy tail
  2. the fur of a fox
  3. a clever crafty person
  4. sword
  5. a member of an American Indian people formerly living in what is now Wisconsin
  6. a good-looking young woman or man
  7. intoxicate
  8. to trick by ingenuity or cunning : outwit
  9. baffle
    • fox ed by his behavior

foxed ['fäkst] -adj

  1. discolored with foxing
    • foxed leaves of old books

fox fire -n

  1. an eerie phosphorescent light (as of decaying wood)
  2. a luminous fungus (as Armillaria mellea) that causes decaying wood to glow

fox·glove ['fäks-,gləv] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Digitalis) of erect herbs of the snapdragon family
  2. a common European biennial or perennial ( D. purpurea) cultivated for its showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers and as a source of digitalis

fox grape -n

  1. any of several native grapes (esp. Vitis labrusca) of eastern No. America with sour or musky fruit

fox·hole ['fäks-,hōl] -n

  1. a pit dug usu. hastily for individual cover from enemy fire

fox·hound [-,hau̇nd] -n

  1. any of various large swift powerful hounds of great endurance used in hunting foxes and developed to form several breeds and many distinctive strains

fox·hunt·er [-,hən-tər] -n

  1. one who engages in foxhunting
  2. hunter

fox·hunt·ing [-,hən-tiŋ] -n, vi

  1. a pastime in which participants on horseback ride over the countryside following a pack of hounds on the trail of a fox

fox·ing ['fäk-siŋ] -n

  1. brownish spots on old paper
    • some foxing on the pages

fox·tail ['fäks-,tāl] -n

  1. the tail of a fox
  2. something resembling the tail of a fox
  3. any of several grasses (esp. genera Alopecurus, Hordeum,and Setaria) with spikes resembling brushes called also foxtail grass

foxtail lily -n

  1. eremurus

foxtail millet -n

  1. a coarse drought-resistant but frost-sensitive annual grass ( Setaria italica) grown for grain, hay, and forage

fox terrier -n

  1. : a small lively terrier of either of two breeds formerly used to dig out foxes:
  2. smooth fox terrier
  3. wire fox terrier

Fox·trot ['fäks-,trät]

  1. a communications code word for the letter f

foxtrot ['fäks-,trät] -n

  1. a short broken slow trotting gait in which the hind foot of the horse hits the ground a trifle before the diagonally opposite forefoot
  2. a ballroom dance in duple time that includes slow walking steps, quick running steps, and the step of the two-step
  3. to dance the fox-trot

foxy ['fäk-sē] -adj, adv, n

  1. : resembling or suggestive of a fox
    • a narrow foxy face
    : as
  2. cunningly shrewd
  3. of a warm reddish-brown color
    • foxy eyebrows
  4. having a sharp brisk flavor
    • foxy grapes
  5. physically attractive
    • a foxy lady

foy ['fȯi] -n

  1. a farewell feast or gift

foy·er ['fȯi(-ə)r, 'fȯi-,(y)ā also 'fwä-,yā] -n

  1. an anteroom or lobby esp. of a theater
  2. an entrance hallway : vestibule