ch -abbr

  1. chain
  2. champion
  3. chaplain
  4. chapter
  5. chief
  6. child; children
  7. church

CH -abbr

  1. clearinghouse
  2. courthouse
  3. customhouse

Cha·blis [sha-'blē, shə-, shä-; 'sha-(,)blē] -n

  1. a dry sharp white burgundy wine
  2. a semidry soft white California wine

chacha ['chä-(,)chä] -n

  1. a fast rhythmic ballroom dance of Latin-American origin with a basic pattern of three steps and a shuffle

chac·ma baboon ['chäk-mə-] -n

  1. a large dusky baboon ( Papio ursinus) of southern African savannas called also chacma

cha·conne [shä-'kȯn, sha-, -'kän, -'kən] -n

  1. an old Spanish dance tune of Latin-American origin
  2. a musical composition in moderate triple time typically consisting of variations on a repeated succession of chords

chad ['chad] -n, adj

  1. small pieces of paper or cardboard produced in punching paper tape or data cards
  2. a piece of chad

Chad·ic ['cha-dik] -n, adj

  1. a subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising numerous languages of northern Nigeria, northern Cameroon, and Chad

cha·dor ['chə-dər, 'chä-] -n

  1. a large cloth worn as a combination head covering, veil, and shawl usu. by Muslim women esp. in Iran

chae·bol ['chā-,bōl, 'je-,bəl] -n

  1. a family-controlled industrial conglomerate in South Korea

chae·ta ['kē-tə] -n, adj

  1. bristle, seta

chae·to·gnath ['kē-,täg-,nath, -tə(g)-] -n, adj

  1. arrowworm

chafe ['chāf] -vb

  1. irritate, vex
  2. to warm by rubbing esp. with the hands
  3. to rub so as to wear away : abrade
    • the strap chafed his skin
  4. to make sore by or as if by rubbing
  5. to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : fret
    • chafe s at the rules
  6. to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation
  7. a state of vexation : rage
  8. injury or wear caused by friction
  9. friction, rubbing

cha·fer ['chā-fər] -n

  1. any of various scarab beetles (as a cockchafer) that feed on leaves and flowers and whose larvae feed on plant roots

chaff ['chaf] -n, adj

  1. the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain
  2. something comparatively worthless
  3. the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants
  4. material (as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires) ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for confusing an enemy's radar detection)
  5. light jesting talk : banter
  6. to tease good-naturedly
  7. jest, banter

chaf·fer ['cha-fər] -n

  1. a haggling about price

chaffer ['cha-f(ə-)riŋ] -vb, n

  1. haggle
  2. to exchange small talk : chatter
  3. exchange, barter
  4. to bargain for

chaf·finch ['cha-(,)finch] -n

  1. a common European finch ( Fringilla coelebsof the family Frangillidae) of which the male has a pinkish-brown breast

chaf·ing dish ['chā-fiŋ-] -n

  1. a utensil for cooking or keeping food warm at the table

Cha·gas' disease ['shä-gəs-, -gə-səz-] -n

  1. a tropical American disease that is caused by a trypanosome ( Trypanosoma cruzi) and is marked by prolonged high fever, edema, and enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes

cha·grin [shə-'grin] -n

  1. disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure

chagrin [-'grind] -vt

  1. to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliating
    • he was chagrin ed to learn that his help was not needed

chai ['chī] -n

  1. a beverage that is a blend of black tea, honey, spices, and milk

chain ['chān] -n

  1. a series of usu. metal links or rings connected to or fitted into one another and used for various purposes (as support, restraint, transmission of mechanical power, or measurement)
  2. a series of links used or worn as an ornament or insignia
  3. a measuring instrument of 100 links used in surveying
  4. a unit of length equal to 66 feet (about 20 meters)
  5. something that confines, restrains, or secures
  6. a series of things linked, connected, or associated together
    • a chain of events
    • a mountain chain
  7. a group of enterprises or institutions of the same kind or function usu. under a single ownership, management, or control
    • fast-food chain s
  8. a number of atoms or chemical groups united like links in a chain
  9. to obstruct or protect by a chain
  10. to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain
  11. fetter

chai·ne [shā-'nā] -n

  1. a series of short usu. fast turns by which a ballet dancer moves across the stage

chain gang -n

  1. a gang of people (as convicts) chained together esp. as an outside working party

chain letter -n

  1. a letter sent to several persons with a request that each send copies of the letter to an equal number of persons

chainlink fence -n

  1. a fence of heavy steel wire woven to form a diamond-shaped mesh

chain mail -n

  1. flexible armor of interlinked metal rings

chain of command

  1. a series of executive positions in order of authority
    • a military chain of command

chain pickerel -n

  1. a large greenish-black pickerel ( Esox niger) with dark markings along the sides that is common in quiet waters of eastern No. America

chain reaction ['chān-rē-'akt] -n, vi

  1. a series of events so related to each other that each one initiates the next
  2. a number of events triggered by the same initial event
  3. a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reactions of the same kind

chain rule -n

  1. a mathematical rule concerning the differentiation of a function of a function (as f u( x)) by which under suitable conditions of continuity and differentiability one function is differentiated with respect to the second function considered as an independent variable and then the second function is differentiated with respect to its independent variable

chain saw ['chān-,sȯ] -n, vt

  1. a portable power saw that has teeth linked together to form an endless chain

chainsmoke ['chān-'smōk] -vi, n

  1. to smoke esp. cigarettes continually
  2. to smoke (as cigarettes) almost without interruption

chain stitch -n

  1. an ornamental stitch like chain links
  2. a machine stitch forming a chain on the underside of the work

chain store -n

  1. one of numerous usu. retail stores having the same ownership and selling the same lines of goods

chain·wheel ['chān-,hwēl, -,wēl] -n

  1. sprocket

chair ['cher] -n

  1. a seat typically having four legs and a back for one person
  2. electric chair used with the
  3. an official seat or a seat of authority, state, or dignity
  4. an office or position of authority or dignity
  5. professorship
    • holds a university chair
  6. chairman
  7. a sedan chair
  8. a position of employment usu. of one occupying a chair or desk
  9. the position of a player in an orchestra or band
  10. any of various devices that hold up or support
  11. to install in office
  12. to carry on the shoulders in acclaim
    • we chair ed you through the market place -- A. E. Housman
  13. to preside as chairman of

chair car -n

  1. a railroad car having pairs of chairs with individually adjustable backs on each side of the aisle
  2. parlor car

chair·lift ['cher-,lift] -n

  1. a motor-driven conveyor consisting of a series of seats suspended from a cable and used for transporting skiers or sightseers up or down a long slope or mountainside

chair·man [-mən] -n

  1. the presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or event
  2. the administrative officer of a department of instruction (as in a college)
  3. a carrier of a sedan chair

chairman -vt

  1. chair

chair·per·son [-,pər-sᵊn] -n

  1. chairman

chair·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who serves as chairman

chaise ['shāz] -n

  1. : any of various light horse-drawn vehicles: as
  2. a 2-wheeled carriage for one or two persons with a folding top
  3. post chaise
  4. chaise longue

chaise longue ['shāz-'lȯŋ] -n

  1. a long reclining chair

chaise lounge ['shāz-'lau̇nj, 'chās-] -n

  1. chaise longue

chak·ra ['chä-krə, 'shä-, 'chə-] -n

  1. any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy

cha·la·za [kə-'lā-zə, -'la-] -n, adj

  1. either of two spiral bands in the white of a bird's egg that extend from the yolk and attach to opposite ends of the lining membrane
  2. the basal part of a plant ovule where the nucellus is fused to the surrounding integument and to which the funiculus is usu. attached

Chal·ce·do·ni·an [,kal-sə-'dō-nē-ən] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to Chalcedon or the ecumenical council held there in a.d.451 declaring Monophysitism heretical

chal·ce·do·ny [kal-'se-dᵊn-ē, chal-; 'kal-sə-,dō-nē, 'chal-, -,dä-] -n, adj

  1. a translucent variety of quartz of various colors and waxy luster

chal·cid ['kal-səd] -n, adj

  1. any of a superfamily (Chalcidoidea) of mostly minute wasps parasitic in the larval state on the larvae or pupae of other insects

chal·co·cite ['kal-kə-,sīt] -n

  1. a black or gray lustrous metallic mineral that consists of a sulfide of copper and is an important copper ore

chal·co·gen ['kal-kə-jən] -n

  1. any of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium

chal·co·gen·ide [-jə-,nīd] -n

  1. a binary compound of a chalcogen with a more electropositive element or radical

chal·co·py·rite [,kal-kə-'pī-,rīt] -n

  1. a yellow mineral that consists of a sulfide of copper and iron and is an important copper ore

Chal·da·ic [kal-'dā-ik, kȯl-, käl-] -adj or n

  1. chaldean

Chal·de·an [kal-'dē-ən, kȯl-, käl-] -n, adj

  1. a member of an ancient Semitic people that became dominant in Babylonia
  2. the Semitic language of the Chaldeans
  3. a person versed in the occult arts

Chal·dee ['kal-,dē, 'kȯl-, 'käl-] -n

  1. chaldean
  2. the Aramaic vernacular that was the original language of some parts of the Bible

chal·dron ['chȯl-drən, 'chäl-] -n

  1. any of various old units of measure varying from 32 to 72 imperial bushels

cha·let [sha-'lā, 'sha-(,)lā] -n

  1. a remote herdsman's hut in the Alps
  2. a Swiss dwelling with unconcealed structural members and a wide overhang at the front and sides
  3. a cottage or house in chalet style

chal·ice ['cha-ləs] -n

  1. a drinking cup : goblet
  2. the eucharistic cup
  3. the cup-shaped interior of a flower

chalk ['chȯk] -n, adj

  1. a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers
  2. a prepared form of chalk or a material resembling chalk esp. when used (as for writing on blackboards) as a crayon
  3. a mark made with chalk
  4. a point scored in a game
  5. to write or draw with chalk
  6. to rub or mark with chalk
  7. to delineate roughly : sketch
  8. to set down or add up with or as if with chalk : record usu. used with up
    • chalk up the totals
  9. to become chalky
    • the paint had begun to chalk

chalk·board ['chȯk-,bȯrd] -n

  1. blackboard

chalk talk ['chȯk-,tȯk] -n

  1. a talk or lecture illustrated at a blackboard

chalk up -vt

  1. ascribe, credit
    • chalked up his failures to inexperience
  2. attain, achieve
    • chalk up another victory

chal·lah ['k̲ä-lə, 'hä-] -n

  1. egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usu. braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and holidays

chal·lenge ['cha-lənj] -vb, n

  1. to demand as due or deserved : require
    • an event that challenge s explanation
  2. to order to halt and prove identity
    • the sentry challenged the stranger
  3. to dispute esp. as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn
    • new data that challenge s old assumptions
  4. to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of
    • challenge a juror
  5. to confront or defy boldly : dare
    • he challenged his critics to prove his guilt
  6. to call out to duel or combat
  7. to invite into competition
    • he challenged his brother to a tennis match
  8. to arouse or stimulate esp. by presenting with difficulties
    • she wants a job that will challenge her
  9. to administer a physiological and esp. an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)
  10. to make or present a challenge
  11. to take legal exception

challenge -n

  1. a summons that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting
  2. a summons to a duel to answer an affront
  3. an invitation to compete in a sport
  4. a calling to account or into question : protest
  5. an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn
  6. a sentry's command to halt and prove identity
  7. a questioning of the right or validity of a vote or voter
  8. a stimulating task or problem
    • looking for new challenge s
  9. the act or process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance
  10. a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen

challenged -adj

  1. presented with difficulties (as by a disability)
    • physically challenged

chal·leng·ing [-lən-jiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. arousing competitive interest, thought, or action
    • a challenging course of study
  2. invitingly provocative : fascinating
    • a challenging personality

chal·lis ['sha-lē] -n

  1. a lightweight soft clothing fabric made of cotton, wool, or synthetic yarns

cha·lone ['kā-,lōn, 'ka-] -n

  1. a substance (as a glycoprotein) that inhibits mitosis only in the specific tissue that secretes it

cha·lu·pa [chä-'lü-pä, chə-'lü-pə] -n

  1. a fried corn tortilla sometimes shaped like a boat and usu. filled with a savory mixture (as of meat, vegetables, or cheese)

cha·ly·be·ate [kə-'lē-bē-ət, -'li-] -adj

  1. impregnated with salts of iron
  2. having a taste due to iron
    • chalybeate springs

chalybeate -n

  1. a chalybeate liquid or medicine

cham·ae·phyte ['ka-mi-,fīt] -n

  1. a perennial plant that bears its perennating buds just above the surface of the soil

cham·ber ['chām-bər] -n, adj

  1. room
  2. bedroom
  3. a natural or artificial enclosed space or cavity
  4. a hall for the meetings of a deliberative, legislative, or judicial body
    • the senate chamber
  5. a room where a judge transacts business usu. used in pl.
  6. the reception room of a person of rank or authority
  7. a legislative or judicial body
  8. either of the houses of a bicameral legislature
  9. a voluntary board or council
  10. the part of the bore of a gun that holds the charge
  11. a compartment in the cartridge cylinder of a revolver

chamber [-b(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to place in or as if in a chamber : house
  2. to serve as a chamber for
  3. to accommodate in the chamber of a firearm
  4. being, relating to, or performing chamber music

chambered nautilus -n

  1. nautilus

cham·ber·lain ['chām-bər-lən] -n

  1. an attendant on a sovereign or lord in his bedchamber
  2. a chief officer in the household of a king or nobleman
  3. treasurer
  4. an often honorary papal attendant
  5. a priest having a rank of honor below domestic prelate

cham·ber·maid [-,mād] -n

  1. a maid who makes beds and does general cleaning of bedrooms (as in a hotel)

chamber music -n

  1. music and esp. instrumental ensemble music intended for performance in a private room or small auditorium and usu. having one performer for each part

chamber of commerce

  1. an association of businesspeople to promote commercial and industrial interests in the community

chamber of horrors

  1. a place in which macabre or horrible objects are exhibited
  2. a collection of such exhibits

chamber orchestra -n

  1. a small orchestra usu. with one player for each part

chamber pot -n

  1. a bedroom vessel for urination and defecation

cham·bray ['sham-,brā, -brē] -n

  1. a lightweight clothing fabric with colored warp and white filling yarns

cha·me·leon [kə-'mēl-yən] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal Old World lizards with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin
  2. a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character
  3. one that is subject to quick or frequent change esp. in appearance
  4. american chameleon

cham·fer ['cham(p)-fər, 'cham-pər] -vt

  1. to cut a furrow in (as a column) : groove
  2. to make a chamfer on : bevel

chamfer -n

  1. a beveled edge

cham·fron ['sham-frən, 'cham-] -n

  1. the headpiece of a horse's bard

cha·mi·sa [shə-'mē-sə, chə-] -n

  1. a saltbush ( Atriplex canescens) of the western U.S. and Mexico having winged seeds
  2. a rabbitbrush ( Chrysothamnus nauseosus) having yellow flowers

cha·mise [shə-'mēs, chə-] -n

  1. a California shrub ( Adenostoma fasciculatum) of the rose family that forms dense stands in chaparral

cham·ois ['sha-mē, sense 1 also sham-'wä] -n

  1. a small goatlike bovid ( Rupicapra rupicapra) of mountainous regions from southern Europe to the Caucasus
  2. a soft pliant leather prepared from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin
  3. a cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather

cham·o·mile ['ka-mə-,mī(-ə)l, -,mēl] -n

  1. a perennial composite herb ( Chamaemelum nobilesyn. Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and No. Africa with aromatic foliage and flower heads
  2. any of several composite plants (genera Matricariaand Anthemis) related to chamomile
  3. an annual Eurasian herb ( M. recutitasyn. M. chamomilla) naturalized in No. America
  4. the dried flower heads of chamomile that are often used in making tea and that yield an essential oil possessing medicinal properties

champ ['champ, 'chämp, 'chȯmp] -vb

  1. chomp
  2. mash, trample
  3. to make biting or gnashing movements
  4. to show impatience of delay or restraint usu. used in the phrase champing at the bit
    • he was champ ing at the bit to begin
  5. champion

cham·pac ['cham-,pak, 'chəm-(,)pək] -n

  1. an Asian tree ( Michelia champaca) of the magnolia family with fragrant usu. yellow flowers

cham·pagne [sham-'pān] -n

  1. a white sparkling wine made in the old province of Champagne, France
  2. a similar wine made elsewhere
  3. a pale orange yellow to light grayish-yellowish brown

cham·paign [sham-'pān] -n, adj

  1. an expanse of level open country : plain
  2. battlefield

cham·pers ['sham-pərz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. champagne

cham·per·ty ['cham-pər-tē] -n, adj

  1. a proceeding by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense in consideration of a share of the matter in suit

cham·pi·gnon [(,)sham-pē-'nyōn, (,)shäm-, -'nyōⁿ; sham-'pin-yən, cham-] -n

  1. an edible fungus
  2. button mushroom

cham·pi·on ['cham-pē-ən] -n

  1. warrior, fighter
  2. a militant advocate or defender
    • a champion of civil rights
  3. one that does battle for another's rights or honor
    • God will raise me up a champion -- Sir Walter Scott
  4. a winner of first prize or first place in competition
  5. one who shows marked superiority
    • a champion at selling

champion -vt

  1. challenge, defy
  2. to protect or fight for as a champion
  3. to act as militant supporter of : uphold, advocate
    • always champion s the cause of the underdog

cham·pi·on·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. designation as champion
  2. the act of championing : defense
    • his championship of freedom of speech
  3. a contest held to determine a champion

champ·le·ve [,shäⁿ-lə-'vā] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a style of enamel decoration in which the enamel is applied and fired in cells depressed (as by incising) into a metal background

chan -abbr

  1. channel

chance ['chan(t)s] -n, adj

  1. something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause
  2. the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : luck
    • an outcome decided by chance
  3. the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : contingency
  4. a situation favoring some purpose : opportunity
    • needed a chance to relax
  5. a fielding opportunity in baseball
  6. the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation
  7. the degree of likelihood of such an outcome
    • a small chance of success
  8. the more likely indications
    • chance s are he's already gone
  9. risk
    • not taking any chance s
  10. a raffle ticket
  11. to take place, come about, or turn out by chance : happen
    • it chanced to rain that day
  12. to have the good or bad luck
    • we chanced to meet
  13. to come or light by chance
    • they chanced upon a remote inn
  14. to leave the outcome of to chance
  15. to accept the hazard of : risk
    • knew the trip was dangerous but decided to chance it

chance·ful ['chan(t)s-fəl] -adj

  1. casual
  2. full of chance or uncertainty

chan·cel ['chan(t)-səl] -n

  1. the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choir

chan·cel·lery ['chan(t)-s(ə-)lə-rē, -səl-rē] -n

  1. the position, court, or department of a chancellor
  2. the building or room where a chancellor's office is located
  3. the office of secretary of the court of a person high in authority
  4. the office or staff of an embassy or consulate

chan·cel·lor ['chan(t)-s(ə-)lər] -n

  1. the secretary of a nobleman, prince, or king
  2. the lord chancellor of Great Britain
  3. the chief secretary of an embassy
  4. a Roman Catholic priest heading the office in which diocesan business is transacted and recorded
  5. the titular head of a British university
  6. a university president
  7. the chief executive officer in some state systems of higher education
  8. a lay legal officer or adviser of an Anglican diocese
  9. a judge in a court of chancery or equity in various states of the U.S.
  10. the chief minister of state in some European countries

chancellor of the exchequer

  1. a member of the British cabinet in charge of the public income and expenditure

chancemed·ley ['chan(t)s-'med-lē] -n

  1. accidental homicide not entirely without fault of the killer but without evil intent
  2. haphazard action : confusion

chanc·er ['chan(t)-sər] -n

  1. a scheming opportunist

chan·cery ['chan(t)-sə-rē, 'chan(t)s-rē] -n

  1. a record office for public archives or those of ecclesiastical, legal, or diplomatic proceedings
  2. a high court of equity in England and Wales with common-law functions and jurisdiction over causes in equity
  3. a court of equity in the American judicial system
  4. the principles and practice of judicial equity
  5. a chancellor's court or office or the building in which it is located
  6. the office in which the business of a Roman Catholic diocese is transacted and recorded
  7. the office of an embassy : chancellery

chan·cre ['shaŋ-kər] -n, adj

  1. a primary sore or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen (as in tularemia)
  2. the initial lesion of syphilis

chan·croid ['shaŋ-,krȯid] -n, adj

  1. a venereal disease caused by a bacterium ( Hemophilus ducreyi) and characterized by chancres unlike those of syphilis in lacking firm indurated margins called also soft chancre

chancy ['chan(t)-sē] -adj, n

  1. bringing good luck : auspicious
  2. uncertain in outcome or prospect : risky
  3. occurring by chance : haphazard

chan·de·lier [,shan-də-'lir] -n, adj

  1. a branched often ornate lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling

chan·delle [shan-'del, shäⁿ-] -n, vi

  1. an abrupt climbing turn of an airplane in which the momentum of the plane is used to attain a higher rate of climb

chan·dler ['chan(d)-lər] -n

  1. a maker or seller of tallow or wax candles and usu. soap
  2. a retail dealer in provisions and supplies or equipment of a specified kind
    • a yacht chandler

chan·dlery [-lə-rē] -n

  1. a place where candles are kept
  2. the business or shop of a chandler
  3. the commodities sold by a chandler

change ['chānj] -vb, n

  1. to make different in some particular : alter
    • never bothered to change the will
  2. to make radically different : transform
    • can't change human nature
  3. to give a different position, course, or direction to
  4. to replace with another
    • let's change the subject
  5. to make a shift from one to another : switch
    • always change s sides in an argument
  6. to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency)
    • change a 20-dollar bill
  7. to undergo a modification of
    • foliage changing color
  8. to put fresh clothes or covering on
    • change a bed
  9. to become different
    • her mood change s every hour
  10. to pass from one phase to another
  11. to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer
    • on the bus trip he had to change twice
  12. to shift to lower register : break
  13. to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution
    • winter changed to spring
  14. to put on different clothes
    • need a few minutes to change for dinner
  15. exchange, switch
    • neither liked his seat so they changed with each other
  16. : the act, process, or result of changing: as
  17. alteration
    • a change in the weather
  18. transformation
    • a time of vast social change
    • going through change s
  19. substitution
    • a change of scenery
  20. the passage of the moon from one monthly revolution to another
  21. the passage of the moon from one phase to another
  22. menopause
  23. a fresh set of clothes
  24. exchange
  25. money in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent sum in larger denominations
  26. money returned when a payment exceeds the amount due
  27. coins esp. of low denominations
    • a pocketful of change
  28. a negligible additional amount
    • only six minutes and change left in the game
  29. money
    • cost a large chunk of change
  30. an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing
  31. changeup

change·able ['chān-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. : capable of change: as
  2. able or apt to vary
    • changeable weather
  3. subject to change : alterable
    • changeable plans
  4. fickle
    • a person changeable in his moods

change·ful ['chānj-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. notably variable : uncertain
    • changeful times

change·less ['chānj-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. never changing : constant
    • changeless truths

change·ling ['chānj-liŋ] -n, adj

  1. turncoat
  2. a child secretly exchanged for another in infancy
  3. imbecile

change off -vi

  1. to alternate with another at doing an act
  2. to alternate between two different acts or instruments or between an action and a rest period

change of heart

  1. a reversal in position or attitude

change of life

  1. climacteric

change of pace

  1. changeup
  2. an interruption of continuity by a shift to a different activity

change·over ['chānj-,ō-vər] -n

  1. conversion, transition
  2. a pause in a tennis match during which the players change sides of the court

change ringing -n

  1. the art or practice of ringing a set of tuned bells (as in the bell tower of a church) in continually varying order

change·up ['chānj-,əp] -n

  1. a slow pitch in baseball thrown with the same motion as a fastball in order to deceive the batter

chan·nel ['cha-nᵊl] -n

  1. the bed where a natural stream of water runs
  2. the deeper part of a river, harbor, or strait
  3. a strait or narrow sea between two close landmasses
  4. : a means of communication or expression: as
  5. a path along which information (as data or music) in the form of an electrical signal passes
  6. a fixed or official course of communication
    • went through established military channel s with his grievances
  7. a way, course, or direction of thought or action
    • new channel s of exploration
  8. a band of frequencies of sufficient width for a single radio or television communication
  9. channeler
  10. a usu. tubular enclosed passage : conduit
  11. a passage created in a selectively permeable cell membrane by a conformational change in membrane proteins
  12. the proteins of such a passage
  13. a long gutter, groove, or furrow
  14. a metal bar of flattened U-shaped section

channel -vt

  1. to form, cut, or wear a channel in
  2. to make a groove in
    • channel a chair leg
  3. to convey or direct into or through a channel
    • channel his energy into useful work
  4. to serve as a channeler or intermediary for
  5. one of the flat ledges of heavy plank or metal bolted edgewise to the outside of a ship to increase the spread of the shrouds

channel bass -n

  1. red drum

channel catfish -n

  1. a large black-spotted catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) that is an important freshwater food fish of the U.S. and Canada called also channel cat

chan·nel·er ['cha-nə-lər] -n

  1. a person who conveys thoughts or energy from a source believed to be outside the person's body or conscious mind
  2. one who speaks for nonphysical beings or spirits

chan·nelhop·ping ['cha-nᵊl-,hä-piŋ] -n, vi

  1. channel surfing

chan·nel·ize ['cha-nə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. channel
  2. channel
  3. to straighten by means of a channel
    • channelize a stream

channel surfing -n, vi

  1. the action or practice of surfing through television programs usu. by use of a remote control

chan·son [shäⁿ-'sōⁿ] -n

  1. song
  2. a music-hall or cabaret song

chanson de geste [-də-'zhest] -n

  1. any of several Old French epic poems of the 11th to the 13th centuries

chan·son·nier [,shäⁿ-sō-'nyā] -n

  1. a writer or singer of chansons
  2. a cabaret singer

chant ['chant] -vb

  1. to make melodic sounds with the voice
  2. to sing a chant
  3. to recite something in a monotonous repetitive tone
    • protesters were chant ing outside
  4. to utter as in chanting
  5. to celebrate or praise in song or chant
  6. song
  7. plainsong
  8. a rhythmic monotonous utterance or song
  9. a composition for chanting

chant·er ['chan-tər] -n

  1. : one who chants:
  2. chorister
  3. cantor
  4. the chief singer in a chantry
  5. the reed pipe of a bagpipe with finger holes on which the melody is played

chan·te·relle [,shan-tə-'rel, ,shän-] -n

  1. a fragrant edible mushroom ( Cantharellus cibarius) usu. having a yellow to orange color

chan·teuse [shan-'tüz, shäⁿ-'tə(r)z] -n

  1. songstress
  2. a woman who is a concert or nightclub singer

chan·tey ['shan-tē, 'chan-] -n

  1. a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

chan·ti·cleer [,chan-tə-'klir, ,shan-] -n

  1. rooster

Chan·til·ly lace [shan-'ti-lē-] -n

  1. a delicate silk, linen, or synthetic lace having a 6-sided mesh ground and a floral or scrolled design called also Chantilly

chan·try ['chan-trē] -n

  1. an endowment for the chanting of masses commonly for the founder
  2. a chapel endowed by a chantry

cha·os ['kā-,äs] -n, adj, adv

  1. chasm, abyss
  2. a state of things in which chance is supreme
  3. the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms
  4. the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
  5. a state of utter confusion
    • the blackout caused chaos throughout the city
  6. a confused mass or mixture
    • a chaos of television antennas

chaos theory -n

  1. a branch of mathematical and physical theory that deals with the nature and consequences of chaos and chaotic systems

chap ['chap] -n

  1. a crack in or a sore roughening of the skin caused by exposure to wind or cold
  2. to open in cracks, slits, or chinks
  3. to become cracked, roughened, or reddened esp. by the action of wind or cold
    • hands often chap in winter
  4. to cause to chap
    • wind- chapped lips
  5. the fleshy covering of a jaw
  6. jaw usu. used in pl.
    • a wolf's chap s
  7. the forepart of the face usu. used in pl.
  8. fellow
  9. baby, child
  10. chapter

chap·a·ra·jos [,sha-pə-'rā-(,)ōs, -'rä-] -n pl

  1. chaps

chap·ar·ral [,sha-pə-'ral, -'rel] -n

  1. a thicket of dwarf evergreen oaks
  2. a dense impenetrable thicket of shrubs or dwarf trees
  3. an ecological community composed of shrubby plants adapted to dry summers and moist winters that occurs esp. in southern California

chaparral cock -n

  1. roadrunner called also chaparral bird

cha·pa·ti [chə-'pä-tē] -n

  1. a round flat unleavened bread of India that is usu. made of whole wheat flour and cooked on a griddle

chap·book ['chap-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a small book containing ballads, poems, tales, or tracts

chape ['chāp, 'chap] -n

  1. the metal mounting or trimming of a scabbard or sheath

cha·peau [sha-'pō, shə-] -n

  1. hat

chap·el ['cha-pəl] -n

  1. : a subordinate or private place of worship: as
  2. a place of worship serving a residence or institution
  3. a small house of worship usu. associated with a main church
  4. a room or recess in a church for meditation and prayer or small religious services
  5. a place of worship used by a Christian group other than an established church
    • a nonconformist chapel
  6. a choir of singers belonging to a chapel
  7. a chapel service or assembly at a school or college
  8. an association of the employees in a printing office
  9. funeral home
  10. a room for funeral services in a funeral home

chapel of ease

  1. a chapel or dependent church built to accommodate an expanding parish

chap·er·one ['sha-pə-,rōn] -n

  1. a person (as a matron) who for propriety accompanies one or more young unmarried women in public or in mixed company
  2. an older person who accompanies young people at a social gathering to ensure proper behavior
  3. one delegated to ensure proper behavior
  4. any of a class of proteins that facilitate the proper folding of proteins by binding to and stabilizing unfolded or partially folded proteins called also molecular chaperone

chaperone [-,rō-nij] -vb, n

  1. escort
  2. to act as chaperone to or for
    • chaperone a dance
    • chaperoning teenagers
  3. to act as a chaperone

chap·fall·en ['chap-,fȯ-lən, 'chäp-] -adj

  1. having the lower jaw hanging loosely
  2. cast down in spirit : depressed

chap·i·ter ['cha-pə-tər] -n

  1. the capital of a column

chap·lain ['cha-plən] -n

  1. a clergyman in charge of a chapel
  2. a clergyman officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court
  3. a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society)
  4. a clergyman appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function)

chap·let ['chap-lət] -n, adj

  1. a wreath to be worn on the head
  2. a string of beads
  3. a part of a rosary comprising five decades
  4. a small molding carved with small decorative forms

chap·man ['chap-mən] -n

  1. merchant, trader
  2. peddler

chap·pie ['cha-pē] -n

  1. fellow

chaps ['shaps, 'chaps] -n pl

  1. leather leggings joined by a belt or lacing, often having flared outer flaps, and worn over the trousers (as by western ranch hands)

chap·ter ['chap-tər] -n

  1. a main division of a book
  2. something resembling a chapter in being a significant specified unit
    • a new chapter in my life
  3. a regular meeting of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of the members of a religious house
  4. the body of canons of a cathedral or collegiate church
  5. a local branch of an organization

chapter and verse -n, adv

  1. the exact reference or source of information or justification for an assertion
    • clinched their arguments by citing chapter and verse -- J. M. Burns
  2. full precise information or detail
    • can give chapter and verse on the effects of diverting defense spending -- Horace Sutton

Chapter 11 -n

  1. bankruptcy as provided under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code which governs corporate reorganization
    • filed for Chapter 11

char ['chär] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Salvelinus) of small-scaled trouts with light-colored spots
  2. to convert to charcoal or carbon usu. by heat : burn
  3. to burn slightly or partly : scorch
    • the fire charred the beams
  4. to become charred
  5. a charred substance : charcoal
  6. a combustible residue remaining after the destructive distillation of coal
  7. to work as a cleaning woman
  8. charwoman

char·a·banc ['shar-ə-,baŋ, -,bäŋ] -n

  1. a sight-seeing motor coach

char·a·cin ['ker-ə-sən, 'ka-rə-] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Characidae) of usu. small brightly colored tropical freshwater fishes that includes many aquarium fishes

char·ac·ter ['ker-ik-tər, 'ka-rik-] -n, adj

  1. a conventionalized graphic device placed on an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship
  2. a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter) used in writing or printing
  3. a magical or astrological emblem
  4. alphabet
  5. writing, printing
  6. style of writing or printing
  7. cipher
  8. a symbol (as a letter or number) that represents information
  9. a representation of such a character that may be accepted by a computer
  10. one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual
  11. a feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories
  12. a group or kind so separated
    • advertising of a very primitive character
  13. the detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes
  14. the aggregate of distinctive qualities characteristic of a breed, strain, or type
    • a wine of great character
  15. the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation
    • the character of the American people
  16. main or essential nature esp. as strongly marked and serving to distinguish
    • excess sewage gradually changed the character of the lake
  17. position, capacity
    • his character as a town official
  18. reference
  19. reputation
    • the scandal has damaged his character and image
  20. moral excellence and firmness
    • a man of sound character
  21. a person marked by notable or conspicuous traits
    • quite a character
  22. one of the persons of a drama or novel
  23. the personality or part which an actor recreates
    • an actress who can create a character convincingly
  24. characterization esp. in drama or fiction
  25. person, individual
    • a suspicious character
  26. a short literary sketch of the qualities of a social type

character -vt

  1. engrave, inscribe
  2. represent, portray
  3. characterize
  4. capable of portraying an unusual or eccentric personality often markedly different from the player
    • a character actor
  5. requiring the qualities of a character actor
    • a character role

character assassination -n

  1. the slandering of a person usu. with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person

char·ac·ter·ful ['ker-ik-tər-fəl, 'ka-rik-] -adj

  1. markedly expressive of character
    • a characterful face
  2. marked by character
    • a characterful decision

char·ac·ter·i·sa·tion [,ker-ik-t(ə-)rə-'zā-shən, ,ka-rik-] -n

(variant of characterization)

  1. the act of characterizing
  2. the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives

char·ac·ter·is·tic [,ker-ik-tə-'ris-tik, ,ka-rik-] -n

  1. a distinguishing trait, quality, or property
  2. the integral part of a common logarithm
  3. the smallest positive integer nwhich for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used ntimes with the operation

characteristic [-ti-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character

characteristic equation -n

  1. an equation in which the characteristic polynomial of a matrix is set equal to 0

characteristic polynomial -n

  1. the determinant of a square matrix in which an arbitrary variable (as x) is subtracted from each of the elements along the principal diagonal

characteristic root -n

  1. eigenvalue

characteristic value -n

  1. eigenvalue

characteristic vector -n

  1. eigenvector

char·ac·ter·i·za·tion [,ker-ik-t(ə-)rə-'zā-shən, ,ka-rik-] -n

  1. the act of characterizing
  2. the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives

char·ac·ter·ize ['ker-ik-tə-,rīz, 'ka-rik-] -vt

  1. to describe the character or quality of
    • characterize s him as ambitious
  2. to be a characteristic of : distinguish
    • an era characterized by greed

char·ac·ter·olog·i·cal [,ker-ik-t(ə-)rə-'lä-ji-kəl, ,ka-rik-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or based on character or the study of character including its development and its differences in different individuals

character witness -n

  1. a person who gives evidence in a legal action concerning the reputation, conduct, and moral nature of a party

char·ac·tery ['ker-ik-t(ə-)rē, 'ka-rik-, kə-'rak-] -n

  1. a system of written letters or symbols used in the expression of thought

cha·rade [shə-'rād, -'räd] -n

  1. a word represented in riddling verse or by picture, tableau, or dramatic action
  2. a game in which some of the players try to guess a word or phrase from the actions of another player who may not speak
  3. an empty or deceptive act or pretense
    • his concern was a charade

cha·ras ['chär-əs] -n

  1. hashish

char·broil ['chär-,brȯi(-ə)l] -vt, n

  1. to broil on a rack over hot charcoal
    • charbroil ed steak

char·coal ['chär-,kōl] -n

  1. a dark or black porous carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances (as from wood by charring in a kiln from which air is excluded)
  2. a piece or pencil of fine charcoal used in drawing
  3. a charcoal drawing
  4. a dark gray

charcoal -vt

  1. charbroil

char·cu·te·rie [(,)shär-,kü-tə-'rē] -n

  1. a delicatessen specializing in dressed meats and meat dishes
  2. the products sold in such a shop

chard ['chärd] -n

  1. swiss chard
  2. chardonnay

char·don·nay [,shär-dᵊn-'ā] -n

  1. a dry white table wine typically made from a single white grape variety orig. grown in France
  2. the grape

chare ['cher] -n

  1. chore

charge ['chärj] -n

  1. a material load or weight
  2. a figure borne on a heraldic field
  3. the quantity that an apparatus is intended to receive and fitted to hold
  4. the quantity of explosive used in a single discharge
  5. a store or accumulation of impelling force
    • the deeply emotional charge of the drama
  6. a definite quantity of electricity
  7. an excess or deficiency of electrons in a body
  8. thrill, kick
    • got a charge out of the game
  9. obligation, requirement
  10. management, supervision
    • has charge of the home office
  11. the ecclesiastical jurisdiction (as a parish) committed to a clergyman
  12. a person or thing committed to the care of another
  13. instruction, command
  14. instruction in points of law given by a court to a jury
  15. expense, cost
    • gave the banquet at his own charge
  16. the price demanded for something
    • no admission charge
  17. a debit to an account
    • the purchase was a charge
  18. the record of a loan (as of a book from a library)
  19. an interest in property granted as security for a loan
  20. a formal assertion of illegality
    • a charge of murder
  21. a statement of complaint or hostile criticism
    • denied the charge s of nepotism that were leveled against him
  22. a violent rush forward (as to attack)
    • the charge of the brigade
  23. the signal for attack
    • sound the charge
  24. a usu. illegal rush into an opponent in various sports (as basketball)
  25. to lay or put a load on or in : load
  26. to place a charge (as of powder) in
  27. to load or fill to capacity
  28. to restore the active materials in (a storage battery) by the passage of a direct current through in the opposite direction to that of discharge
  29. to give an electric charge to
    • charge a capacitor
  30. to assume as a heraldic bearing
  31. to place a heraldic bearing on
  32. to fill or furnish fully
    • the music is charged with excitement
  33. electrify
    • the crowd was charged by her performance
  34. to impose a task or responsibility on
    • charge him with the job of finding a new meeting place
  35. to command, instruct, or exhort with authority
    • I charge you not to go
  36. to give a charge to (a jury)
  37. to make an assertion against esp. by ascribing guilt or blame
    • charge s him with armed robbery
    • they were charged as being instigators
  38. to place the guilt or blame for
    • charge her failure to negligence
  39. to assert as an accusation
    • charge s that he distorted the data
  40. to bring (a weapon) into position for attack : level
    • charge a lance
  41. to rush against : attack
  42. to rush into (an opponent) usu. illegally in various sports
  43. to impose a financial burden on
    • charge his estate with debts incurred
  44. to impose or record as financial obligation
    • charge debts to an estate
  45. to fix or ask as fee or payment
    • charge s 50 for an office visit
  46. to ask payment of (a person)
    • charge a client for expenses
  47. to record (an item) as an expense, debt, obligation, or liability
    • charged a new sofa
  48. to rush forward in or as if in assault : attack
  49. to charge an opponent in sports
  50. to ask or set a price
    • do you charge for this service?
  51. to charge an item to an account
    • charge now, pay later

charge·able ['chär-jə-bəl] -adj

  1. financially burdensome : expensive
  2. : liable to be charged: as
  3. liable to be accused or held responsible
  4. suitable to be charged to a particular account
  5. qualified to be made a charge on the county or parish

charge account -n

  1. a customer's account with a creditor (as a merchant) to which the purchase of goods is charged

charge card -n

  1. credit card

chargecoup·led device ['chärj-,kə-pəld-] -n

  1. a semiconductor device that is used esp. as an optical sensor and that stores charge and transfers it sequentially to an amplifier and detector called also CCD charged coupled device

charged ['chärjd] -adj

  1. possessing or showing strong emotion
    • attacked the author in a highly charged review
  2. capable of arousing strong emotion
    • a politically charged subject
  3. exciting
    • a highly charged palette of bold colors

char·ge d'af·faires [(,)shär-,zhā-də-'fer] -n

  1. a subordinate diplomat who substitutes for an absent ambassador or minister
  2. a diplomat inferior in rank to an ambassador or minister who heads a mission when no ambassador or minister is assigned

charge·hand ['chärj-,hand] -n

  1. foreman

charge off ['chärj-,ȯf] -vt, n

  1. to treat as a loss or expense

charge of quarters

  1. an enlisted man designated to handle administrative matters in a unit esp. after duty hours abbr. CQ

char·ger ['chär-jər] -n

  1. a large flat dish or platter

charg·er -n

  1. : one that charges: as
  2. an appliance for holding or inserting a charge of powder or shot in a gun
  3. a cartridge clip
  4. a device for charging storage batteries
  5. a horse for battle or parade

char·i·ness ['cher-ē-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being chary : caution
  2. carefully preserved state : integrity

char·i·ot ['cher-ē-ət, 'cha-rē-] -n

  1. a light four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage
  2. a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle car of ancient times used also in processions and races

chariot -vi

  1. to drive or ride in or as if in a chariot
  2. to carry in or as if in a chariot

char·i·ot·eer [,cher-ē-ə-'tir, ,char-rē-] -n

  1. one who drives a chariot
  2. auriga

char·ism ['ker-,i-zəm, 'ka-,ri-] -n

  1. an extraordinary power (as of healing) given a Christian by the Holy Spirit for the good of the church

cha·ris·ma [kə-'riz-mə] -n

  1. a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)
  2. a special magnetic charm or appeal
    • the charisma of a popular actor

char·is·mat·ic [,ker-əz-'ma-tik, ,ka-rəz-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting charisma or charism
    • charismatic gifts
  2. having, exhibiting, or based on charisma or charism
    • charismatic sects
    • a charismatic leader

charismatic -n

  1. a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms (as glossolalia or healing)

char·i·ta·ble ['cher-ə-tə-bəl, 'cha-rə-] -adj, n, adv

  1. full of love for and goodwill toward others : benevolent
  2. liberal in benefactions to the needy : generous
  3. of or relating to charity
    • charitable institutions
  4. merciful or kind in judging others : lenient

char·i·ty ['cher-ə-tē, 'cha-rə-] -n

  1. benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
  2. generosity and helpfulness esp. toward the needy or suffering
  3. aid given to those in need
  4. an institution engaged in relief of the poor
  5. public provision for the relief of the needy
  6. a gift for public benevolent purposes
  7. an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
  8. lenient judgment of others

cha·ri·va·ri [,shi-və-'rē, 'shi-və-,] -n

  1. shivaree

char·la·tan ['shär-lə-tən] -n

  1. quack
  2. one making usu. showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker

Charles's Wain ['chärlz-'wān, ,chärl-zəz-] -n

  1. big dipper

Charles·ton ['chärl-stən] -n

  1. a lively ballroom dance in which the knees are twisted in and out and the heels are swung sharply outward on each step

char·ley horse ['chär-lē-,hȯrs] -n

  1. a muscular pain, cramping, or stiffness esp. of the quadriceps that results from a strain or bruise

char·lie ['chär-lē] -n

  1. fool

Char·lie ['chär-lē]

  1. a communications code word for the letter c

Charlie -n

  1. used as a collective name for the Vietcong during the war in Vietnam

char·lock ['chär-,läk, -lək] -n

  1. an Old World mustard ( Brassica kabersyn. Sinapis arvensis) that is a common weed in grain fields called also wild mustard

char·lotte ['shär-lət] -n

  1. a dessert consisting of a filling (as of fruit, whipped cream, or custard) layered with or placed in a mold lined with strips of bread, ladyfingers, or biscuits

char·lotte russe ['shär-lət-'rüs] -n

  1. a charlotte made with sponge cake or ladyfingers and a whipped-cream or custard-gelatin filling

charm ['chärm] -n, adj

  1. the chanting or reciting of a magic spell : incantation
  2. a practice or expression believed to have magic power
  3. something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune : amulet
  4. a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights
  5. a physical grace or attraction used in pl.
    • her feminine charm s
  6. compelling attractiveness
    • the island possessed great charm
  7. a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain
  8. a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + and a measured energy of approximately 1.5 GeV
  9. the flavor characterizing this particle
  10. to affect by or as if by magic : compel
  11. to please, soothe, or delight by compelling attraction
    • charm s customers with his suave manner
  12. to endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means of charms
  13. to protect by or as if by spells, charms, or supernatural influences
  14. to control (an animal) typically by charms (as the playing of music)
    • charm a snake
  15. to practice magic and enchantment
  16. to have the effect of a charm : fascinate

charmed ['chärmd] -adj

  1. extremely lucky or prosperous
    • living a charmed life
  2. of, relating to, or being a charm quark

charmed circle -n

  1. a group marked by exclusiveness

char·meuse [(,)shär-'müz, -'müs, -'myüz, -'mə(r)z] -n

  1. a fine semilustrous crepe in satin weave

charm·ing ['chär-miŋ] -adj, adv

  1. extremely pleasing or delightful : entrancing
    • a charming restaurant

char·nel ['chär-nᵊl] -n, adj

  1. a building or chamber in which bodies or bones are deposited called also charnel house

Cha·ro·lais [,sha-rə-'lā] -n

  1. any of a breed of large white cattle developed in France and used primarily for beef and crossbreeding

Char·on ['ker-ən, -än] -n

  1. a son of Erebus who in Greek mythology ferries the souls of the dead over the Styx

char·poy ['chär-,pȯi] -n

  1. a bed used esp. in India consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope

charr ['chär] -n

(variant of char)

  1. any of a genus ( Salvelinus) of small-scaled trouts with light-colored spots
  2. to convert to charcoal or carbon usu. by heat : burn
  3. to burn slightly or partly : scorch
    • the fire charred the beams
  4. to become charred
  5. a charred substance : charcoal
  6. a combustible residue remaining after the destructive distillation of coal
  7. to work as a cleaning woman
  8. charwoman

chart ['chärt] -n

  1. : map: as
  2. an outline map exhibiting something (as climatic or magnetic variations) in its geographical aspects
  3. a map for the use of navigators
  4. a sheet giving information in tabular form
  5. graph
  6. diagram
  7. a sheet of paper ruled and graduated for use in a recording instrument
  8. a record of medical information about a patient
  9. a listing by rank (as of sales) usu. used in pl.
    • number one on the chart s -- Tim Cahill
  10. a musical arrangement
  11. a part in such an arrangement
  12. to lay out a plan for
    • chart a course
  13. to make a map or chart of
    • chart the coastline
  14. chronicle
    • the book chart s the last years of his life
  15. to be ranked on a chart
    • the song chart ed for three months

char·ter ['chär-tər] -n

  1. a written instrument or contract (as a deed) executed in due form
  2. a grant or guarantee of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign power of a state or country
  3. a written instrument that creates and defines the franchises of a city, educational institution, or corporation
  4. constitution
  5. a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge or branch
  6. a special privilege, immunity, or exemption
  7. a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal part of it
  8. a charter travel arrangement

charter [-tər-ər] -vt, n

  1. to establish, enable, or convey by charter
  2. certify
    • a charter ed mechanical engineer
  3. to hire, rent, or lease for usu. exclusive and temporary use
    • charter ed a boat for deep-sea fishing
  4. of, relating to, or being a travel arrangement in which transportation (as a bus or plane) is hired by and for one specific group of people
    • a charter flight

chartered accountant -n

  1. a member of a chartered institute of accountants

charter member -n

  1. an original member of a group (as a society or corporation)

charter school -n

  1. a tax-supported school established by a charter between a granting body (as a school board) and an outside group (as of teachers and parents) which operates the school without most local and state educational regulations so as to achieve set goals

Char·tism ['chär-,ti-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. the principles and practices of a body of 19th century English political reformers advocating better social and industrial conditions for the working classes

chart·ist ['chär-tist] -n

  1. an analyst of market action whose predictions of market courses are based on study of graphic presentations of past market performance
  2. cartographer

char·treuse [shär-'trüz, -'trüs] -n

  1. a variable color averaging a brilliant yellow green

Chartreuse -trademark

  1. used for a usu. green or yellow liqueur

char·tu·lary ['kär-chə-,ler-ē] -n

  1. cartulary

char·wom·an ['chär-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a cleaning woman esp. in a large building

chary ['cher-ē] -adj, adv

  1. dear, treasured
  2. : discreetly cautious: as
  3. hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks
  4. slow to grant, accept, or expend
    • a person very chary of compliments

Cha·ryb·dis [kə-'rib-dəs also shə- or chə-] -n

  1. a whirlpool off the coast of Sicily personified in Greek mythology as a female monster

chase ['chās] -n

  1. the hunting of wild animals used with the
  2. the act of chasing : pursuit
  3. an earnest or frenzied seeking after something desired
  4. something pursued : quarry
  5. a tract of unenclosed land used as a game preserve
  6. steeplechase
  7. a sequence (as in a movie) in which the characters pursue one another
  8. to follow rapidly : pursue
  9. hunt
  10. to follow regularly or persistently with the intention of attracting or alluring
  11. harass
  12. to seek out often used with down
    • detectives chasing down clues
  13. to cause to depart or flee : drive
    • chase the dog out of the garden
  14. to cause the removal of (a baseball pitcher) by a batting rally
  15. to swing at (a baseball pitched out of the strike zone)
  16. to chase an animal, person, or thing
    • chase after material possessions
  17. rush, hasten
    • chased all over town looking for a place to stay
  18. to ornament (metal) by indenting with a hammer and tools without a cutting edge
  19. to make by such indentation
  20. to set with gems
  21. groove, indent
  22. to cut (a thread) with a chaser
  23. groove, furrow
  24. the bore of a cannon
  25. trench
  26. a channel (as in a wall) for something to lie in or pass through
  27. a rectangular steel or iron frame in which letterpress matter is locked (as for printing)

chas·er ['chā-sər] -n

  1. one that chases
  2. a mild drink (as beer) taken after hard liquor

chaser -n

  1. a skilled worker who produces ornamental chasing
  2. a tool for cutting screw threads

chasm ['ka-zᵊm] -n

  1. a deep cleft in the surface of a planet (as the earth) : gorge
  2. a marked division, separation, or difference

chas·se [sha-'sā] -vi

  1. to make a chasse
  2. sashay

chasse -n

  1. a sliding dance step resembling the galop

chasse·pot ['shas-,pō, 'sha-sə-] -n

  1. a bolt-action rifle firing a paper cartridge

chas·seur [sha-'sər] -n

  1. hunter, huntsman
  2. one of a body of light cavalry or infantry trained for rapid maneuvering
  3. a liveried attendant : footman

chas·sis ['cha-sē, 'sha-sē also 'cha-səs] -n

  1. the supporting frame of a structure (as an automobile or television)
  2. the frame and working parts (as of an automobile or electronic device) exclusive of the body or housing

chaste ['chāst] -adj, adv, n

  1. innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
  2. celibate
  3. pure in thought and act : modest
  4. severely simple in design or execution : austere
    • chaste classicism
  5. clean, spotless

chas·ten ['chā-sᵊn] -vt, n

  1. to correct by punishment or suffering : discipline
  2. purify
  3. to prune (as a work or style of art) of excess, pretense, or falsity : refine
  4. to cause to be more humble or restrained : subdue

chas·tise [(,)chas-'tīz] -vt, n

  1. to inflict punishment on (as by whipping)
  2. to censure severely : castigate
  3. chasten

chas·ti·ty ['chas-tə-tē] -n

  1. : the quality or state of being chaste: as
  2. abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse
  3. abstention from all sexual intercourse
  4. purity in conduct and intention
  5. restraint and simplicity in design or expression
  6. personal integrity

chastity belt -n

  1. a belt device (as of medieval times) designed to prevent sexual intercourse on the part of the woman wearing it

cha·su·ble ['cha-zə-bəl, -zhə-, -sə-] -n

  1. a sleeveless outer vestment worn by the officiating priest at mass

chat ['chat] -vb

  1. chatter, prattle
  2. to talk in an informal or familiar manner
  3. to take part in an online discussion in a chat room
  4. to talk to
  5. to talk lightly, glibly, or flirtatiously with often used with up
  6. idle small talk : chatter
  7. light informal or familiar talk
  8. conversation
  9. any of several songbirds (as of the genera Cercomela, Granatellus,or Icteria)
  10. online discussion in a chat room
  11. an instance of such discussion
    • participate in computer chat s

cha·teau [sha-'tō] -n

  1. a feudal castle or fortress in France
  2. a large country house : mansion
  3. a French vineyard estate

cha·teau·bri·and [(,)sha-,tō-brē-'äⁿ] -n

  1. a large tenderloin steak usu. grilled or broiled and served with a sauce (as bearnaise)

chat·e·lain ['sha-tə-,lān] -n

  1. castellan

chat·e·laine ['sha-tə-,lān] -n

  1. the wife of a castellan : the mistress of a chateau
  2. the mistress of a household or of a large establishment
  3. a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys

cha·toy·ance [shə-'tȯi-ən(t)s] -n

  1. chatoyancy

cha·toy·an·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being chatoyant

cha·toy·ant [shə-'tȯi-ənt] -adj

  1. having a changeable luster or color with an undulating narrow band of white light
    • a chatoyant gem

chatoyant -n

  1. a chatoyant gem

chat room -n

  1. a real-time online interactive discussion group

chat show -n

  1. talk show

chat·tel ['cha-tᵊl] -n

  1. an item of tangible movable or immovable property except real estate and things (as buildings) connected with real property
  2. slave, bondman

chat·ter ['cha-tər] -vb, n, adj

  1. to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct
    • squirrels chatter ed angrily
  2. to talk idly, incessantly, or fast
  3. to click repeatedly or uncontrollably
    • teeth chatter ing with cold
  4. to vibrate rapidly in cutting
    • a chatter ing tool
  5. to vibrate esp. audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping
    • chatter ing brakes
  6. to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly

chatter -n

  1. the action or sound of chattering
  2. idle talk : prattle
  3. electronic and esp. radio communication between individuals engaged in a common or related form of activity
  4. such chatter regarding future hostile activities

chat·ter·box ['cha-tər-,bäks] -n

  1. one who engages in much idle talk

chatter mark -n

  1. a fine undulation formed on the surface of work by a chattering tool
  2. one of a series of short curved cracks on a glaciated rock surface transverse to the glacial striae

chat·ty ['cha-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. fond of chatting : talkative
    • a chatty neighbor
  2. having the style and manner of light familiar conversation
    • a chatty letter

chauf·feur ['shō-fər, shō-'] -n

  1. a person employed to drive a motor vehicle

chauffeur ['shō-f(ə-)riŋ, shō-'fər-iŋ] -vb

  1. to do the work of a chauffeur
  2. to transport in the manner of a chauffeur
    • chauffeur s the children to school
  3. to operate (as an automobile) as chauffeur

chaul·moo·gra [chȯl-'mü-grə] -n

  1. any of several East Indian trees (family Flacourtiaceae) that yield an acrid oil used esp. formerly in treating leprosy and skin diseases

chaunt ['chant] -vb

(variant of chant)

  1. to make melodic sounds with the voice
  2. to sing a chant
  3. to recite something in a monotonous repetitive tone
    • protesters were chant ing outside
  4. to utter as in chanting
  5. to celebrate or praise in song or chant
  6. song
  7. plainsong
  8. a rhythmic monotonous utterance or song
  9. a composition for chanting

chaus·sure [shō-'sᵫr] -n

  1. footgear
  2. shoes

chau·tau·qua [shə-'tȯ-kwə] -n

  1. any of various traveling shows and local assemblies that flourished in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that provided popular education combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts, and plays, and that were modeled after activities at the Chautauqua Institution of western New York

chau·vin·ism ['shō-və-,ni-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj, adv

  1. excessive or blind patriotism
  2. undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged
  3. an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex
  4. behavior expressive of such an attitude

chaw ['chȯ] -vb

  1. chew
  2. a chew esp. of tobacco

chaw·ba·con ['chȯ-,bā-kən] -n

  1. bumpkin, hick

cha·yo·te [chī-'yō-tē, chē-, -(,)tā] -n

  1. the pear-shaped fruit of a West Indian annual vine ( Sechium edule) of the gourd family that is widely cultivated as a vegetable
  2. the plant called also chayote squash christophene mirliton

CHD -abbr

  1. coronary heart disease

cheap ['chēp] -n

  1. bargain
  2. purchasable below the going price or the real value
  3. charging or obtainable at a low price
    • a good cheap hotel
    • cheap tickets
  4. depreciated in value (as by currency inflation)
    • cheap dollars
  5. gained or done with little effort
    • a cheap victory
    • talk is cheap
  6. of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy
    • cheap workmanship
  7. contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities
    • feeling cheap
  8. stingy
    • my cheap uncle
  9. obtainable at a low rate of interest

cheap·en ['chē-pən] -vb

  1. to ask the price of
  2. to bid or bargain for
  3. to make cheap in price or value
  4. to lower in general esteem
  5. to make tawdry, vulgar, or inferior
  6. to become cheap

cheap·ie ['chē-pē] -n, adj

  1. one that is cheap
  2. an inexpensively produced motion picture

cheap·jack ['chēp-,jak] -n

  1. a haggling huckster
  2. a dealer in cheap merchandise

cheapjack -adj

  1. being inferior, cheap, or worthless
    • cheapjack movie companies
  2. unscrupulously opportunistic
    • cheapjack speculators

cheapo ['chē-(,)pō] -adj

  1. cheap

cheap shot -n, vt

  1. an act of deliberate roughness against a defenseless opponent esp. in a contact sport
    • taking cheap shots at the quarterback
  2. a critical statement that takes unfair advantage of a known weakness of the target

cheap·skate ['chēp-,skāt] -n

  1. a miserly or stingy person
  2. one who tries to avoid paying a fair share of costs or expenses

cheat ['chēt] -vt, n

  1. to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
  2. to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
  3. to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting
    • cheat death
  4. to practice fraud or trickery
  5. to violate rules dishonestly
    • cheat at cards
    • cheat ing on a test
  6. to be sexually unfaithful usu. used with on
    • was cheat ing on his wife
  7. to position oneself defensively near a particular area in anticipation of a play in that area
    • the shortstop was cheat ing toward second base
  8. the act or an instance of fraudulently deceiving : deception, fraud
  9. one that cheats : pretender, deceiver
  10. chess
  11. cheatgrass
  12. the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth

cheat·grass ['chēt-,gras] -n

  1. an annual weedy Eurasian bromegrass ( Bromus tectorum) naturalized in No. America

cheat sheet -n

  1. a sheet containing information (as test answers) used secretly for cheating
  2. a written or graphic aid (as a sheet of notes) that can be referred to for help in understanding or remembering something complex

check ['chek] -n, adj

  1. exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety
  2. a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress : arrest
  3. a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey)
  4. a sudden pause or break in a progression
  5. reprimand, rebuke
  6. one that arrests, limits, or restrains : restraint
    • against all check s, rebukes, and manners, I must advance -- Shak.
  7. a standard for testing and evaluation : criterion
  8. examination
    • a quick check of the engine
  9. inspection, investigation
    • a loyalty check on government employees
  10. the act of testing or verifying
  11. the sample or unit used for testing or verifying
  12. a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed : draft
  13. a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made
    • a baggage check
  14. a counter in various games
  15. a slip indicating the amount due : bill
  16. a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard
  17. a fabric woven or printed with such a design
  18. a mark typically placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified
  19. crack, break
  20. to put (a chess king) in check
  21. rebuke, reprimand
  22. to slow or bring to a stop : brake
    • hastily check ed the impulse
  23. to block the progress of (as a hockey player)
  24. to restrain or diminish the action or force of : control
  25. to slack or ease off and then belay again (as a rope)
  26. to compare with a source, original, or authority : verify
    • needs to check her facts
  27. to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly usu. used with out or over
    • check ing out new cars
  28. to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory often used with off
    • check ed off each item
  29. to consign (as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket
    • check ed our bags before boarding
  30. to ship or accept for shipment under such a consignment
  31. to mark into squares : checker
  32. to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom
    • check a coat
  33. to make checks or chinks : cause to crack
    • the sun check s timber
  34. to stop in a chase esp. when scent is lost
  35. to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear : stop
  36. to investigate conditions
    • check ed on the passengers' safety
  37. to prove to be consistent or truthful
    • the description check s with the photograph
    often used with out
    • the story check ed out
  38. to draw a check on a bank
  39. to waive the right to initiate the betting in a round of poker
  40. crack, split
  41. used to express assent or agreement

check·able -adj

  1. capable of being checked
    • a checkable story
  2. held in or being a bank account on which checks can be drawn
    • checkable deposits

check·book ['chek-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a book containing blank checks to be drawn on a bank

checkbook journalism -n

  1. the practice of paying someone for a news story and esp. for granting an interview

check·er ['che-kər] -n

  1. chessboard
  2. a square or spot resembling the markings of a checkerboard
  3. a piece in checkers

checker ['che-k(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to variegate with different colors or shades
  2. to vary with contrasting elements or situations
  3. to mark into squares
  4. one that checks
    • a fact checker
  5. an employee who checks out purchases in a self-service store

check·er·ber·ry ['che-kər-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n

  1. the spicy red berrylike fruit of a No. American wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens)
  2. a plant producing checkerberries

check·er·board [-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a board used in various games (as checkers) with usu. 64 squares in 2 alternating colors
  2. something that has a pattern or arrangement like a checkerboard

check·ered ['che-kərd] -adj

  1. marked by alternation or contrast of fortune
    • the best album of his checkered career -- Mark Coleman
  2. marked by many problems or failures
    • trying to prevent discovery of his checkered past

check·ers ['che-kərz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. a checkerboard game for 2 players each with 12 pieces

checkin ['chek-,in] -n

  1. an act or instance of checking in

check in -vi

  1. to register at a hotel
  2. to report one's presence or arrival
    • check in at a convention
  3. to satisfy all requirements in returning
    • check in the equipment after using

checking account -n

  1. a bank account against which the depositor can draw checks

check·list ['chek-,list] -n

  1. a list of things to be checked or done
    • a pilot's checklist before takeoff
  2. a comprehensive list

check mark -n, vt

  1. check

check·mate ['chek-,māt] -vt

  1. to arrest, thwart, or counter completely
  2. to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is impossible

checkmate -n

  1. the act of checkmating
  2. the situation of a checkmated king
  3. a complete check

check·off ['chek-,ȯf] -n

  1. the deduction of union dues from a worker's paycheck by the employer
  2. designation on an income tax return of a small amount of money to be applied to a special fund (as for financing political campaigns)
  3. audible

check off -vt

  1. to eliminate from further consideration
  2. to deduct (union dues) from a worker's paycheck
  3. to change a play at the line of scrimmage in football by calling an audible

check·out ['chek-,au̇t] -n

  1. the action or an instance of checking out
  2. the time at which a lodger must vacate a room (as in a hotel) or be charged for retaining it
  3. a counter or area in a store where goods are checked out
  4. the action of examining and testing something for performance, suitability, or readiness
  5. the action of familiarizing oneself with the operation of a mechanical thing (as an airplane)

check out -vi

  1. to vacate and pay for one's lodging (as at a hotel)
  2. die
  3. to satisfy all requirements in taking away
    • checked out a library book
  4. to itemize and total the cost of and receive payment for (outgoing merchandise) esp. in a self-service store
  5. to have the cost totaled and pay for (purchases) at a checkout

check·point ['chek-,pȯint] -n

  1. a point at which a check is performed
    • vehicles were inspected at various checkpoint s

check·rein [-,rān] -n

  1. a short rein looped over a hook on the saddle of a harness to prevent a horse from lowering its head
  2. a branch rein connecting the driving rein of one horse of a pair with the bit of the other

check·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. a room at which baggage, parcels, or clothing can be left for safekeeping

checks and balances -n pl

  1. a system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power

check·sum ['chek-,səm] -n

  1. a sum derived from the bits of a segment of computer data that is calculated before and after transmission or storage to assure that the data is free from errors or tampering

check·up ['chek-,əp] -n

  1. examination
  2. a general physical examination

check valve -n

  1. a valve that permits flow in one direction only

ched·dar ['che-dər] -n

  1. a hard white, yellow, or orange smooth-textured cheese with a flavor that ranges from mild to strong as the cheese matures called also cheddar cheese

cheder ['k̲ā-dər, 'k̲e-] -n

(variant of heder)

  1. an elementary Jewish school in which children are taught to read the Torah and other books in Hebrew

chee·cha·ko [chē-'chä-(,)kō, -'chȯ- also -'cha-] -n

  1. tenderfoot used chiefly in Alaska

cheek ['chēk] -n

  1. the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth
  2. the lateral aspect of the head
  3. something suggestive of the human cheek in position or form
  4. one of two laterally paired parts
  5. insolent boldness and self-assurance
  6. buttock
  7. to speak rudely or impudently to

cheek·bone ['chēk-,bōn] -n

  1. the prominence below the eye that is formed by the zygomatic bone
  2. zygomatic bone

cheek by jowl -adv

  1. side by side

cheeked ['chēkt] -adj

  1. having cheeks of a specified nature used in combination
    • rosy- cheeked

cheek tooth -n

  1. any of the molar or premolar teeth

cheeky ['chē-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. insolently bold : impudent

cheep ['chēp] -vi, n

  1. to utter faint shrill sounds : peep
  2. to utter a single word or sound

cheer ['chir] -n

  1. face
  2. facial expression
  3. state of mind or heart : spirit
    • be of good cheer -- Mt 9:2(AV)
  4. lightness of mind and feeling : animation, gaiety
  5. hospitable entertainment : welcome
  6. food and drink for a feast : fare
  7. something that gladdens
    • words of cheer
  8. a shout of applause or encouragement
  9. to instill with hope or courage : comfort usu. used with up
  10. to make glad or happy usu. used with up
  11. to urge on or encourage esp. by shouts
    • cheer ed the team on
  12. to applaud with shouts
  13. to be mentally or emotionally disposed
  14. to grow or be cheerful : rejoice usu. used with up
  15. to utter a shout of applause or triumph

cheer·ful ['chir-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of good spirits : merry
    • a cheerful host
  2. ungrudging
    • cheerful obedience
  3. conducive to cheer : likely to dispel gloom or worry
    • sunny cheerful room

cheer·io [,chir-ē-'ō] -interj

  1. usu. used as a farewell and sometimes as a greeting or toast

cheer·lead·er ['chir-,lē-dər] -n, vt

  1. one that calls for and directs organized cheering (as at a football game)

cheer·less [-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking qualities that cheer : bleak, joyless
    • a cheerless room

cheer·ly ['chir-lē] -adv

  1. in a cheerful manner
    • lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath -- Shak.

cheers ['chirz] -interj

  1. used as a toast

cheery ['chir-ē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by cheerfulness or good spirits
  2. causing or suggesting cheerfulness
    • cheery music

cheese ['chēz] -n

  1. a food consisting of the coagulated, compressed, and usu. ripened curd of milk separated from the whey
  2. an often cylindrical cake of this food
  3. something resembling cheese in shape or consistency
  4. something cheap or shabby : cheesy material
    • cinematic cheese
  5. to put an end to : stop
  6. someone important

cheese·burg·er ['chēz-,bər-gər] -n

  1. a hamburger topped with a slice of cheese

cheese·cake [-,kāk] -n

  1. a dessert consisting of a creamy filling usu. containing cheese baked in a pastry or pressed-crumb shell
  2. a photographic display of shapely and scantily clothed female figures often used attributively

cheese·cloth [-,klȯth] -n

  1. a very lightweight unsized cotton gauze

cheesed off -adj

  1. angry, irritated

cheese·par·ing [-,per-iŋ] -n, adj

  1. something worthless or insignificant
  2. miserly economizing

cheese·steak [-,stāk] -n

  1. a sandwich consisting of thinly sliced beef topped with melted cheese and condiments (as fried onions or peppers)

cheesy ['chē-zē] -adj, n

  1. resembling or suggesting cheese esp. in consistency or odor
  2. containing cheese
  3. shabby , cheap
    • a cheesy movie
    • cheesy motels

chee·tah ['chē-tə] -n

  1. a long-legged spotted swift-moving African and formerly Asian cat ( Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard that has blunt nonretractile claws

chef ['shef] -n, vi

  1. a skilled cook who manages the kitchen (as of a restaurant)
  2. cook

chef d'oeu·vre [shā-dœvrᵊ, (,)shā-'də(r)v] -n

  1. a masterpiece esp. in art or literature

che·la ['kē-lə] -n

  1. a pincerlike organ or claw borne by a limb of a crustacean or arachnid

che·late ['kē-,lāt also 'chē-] -adj

  1. resembling or having chelae
  2. of, relating to, or being a chelate

chelate [-,lā-tə-bəl] -vb, adj

  1. to combine with (a metal) so as to form a chelate ring
  2. to react so as to form a chelate ring
  3. a compound having a ring structure that usu. contains a metal ion held by coordinate bonds

che·la·tion [kē-'lā-shən also chē-] -n

  1. the process of chelating or the quality or state of being chelated
  2. chelation therapy

chelation therapy -n

  1. the use of a chelator (as EDTA) to bind with a metal (as lead or iron) in the body to form a chelate so that the metal loses its chemical effect (as toxicity or physiological activity)

che·la·tor [kē-'lā-tər also chē-] -n

  1. one that chelates
  2. a binding agent that suppresses chemical activity by forming chelates

che·lic·era [ki-'li-sə-rə] -n, adj

  1. one of the anterior pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as fangs

che·li·ped ['kē-lə-,ped] -n

  1. one of the pair of legs that bears the large chelae in decapod crustaceans

Chel·le·an ['she-lē-ən] -adj

  1. abbevillian

che·lo·ni·an [ki-'lō-nē-ən] -n, adj

  1. turtle

chem -abbr

  1. chemical; chemist; chemistry

chem- -comb form

  1. chemical : chemistry
    • chemo taxis
  2. chemically
    • chemi sorb

chem·ic ['ke-mik] -adj

  1. alchemic
  2. chemical

chem·i·cal ['ke-mi-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry
    • chemical reactions
  2. acting or operated or produced by chemicals
    • a chemical fire extinguisher
  3. detectable by chemical means

chemical -n

  1. a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect
  2. drug

chemical engineering -n

  1. engineering dealing with the industrial application of chemistry

chemical peel -n

  1. a cosmetic procedure for the removal of facial blemishes and wrinkles involving the application of a caustic chemical and esp. an acid (as trichloroacetic acid) to the skin

chemical warfare -n

  1. tactical warfare using incendiary mixtures, smokes, or irritant, burning, poisonous, or asphyxiating gases

chemical weapon -n

  1. a weapon used in chemical warfare

chemi·lu·mi·nes·cence [,ke-mē-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊn(t)s, ,kē-] -n, adj

  1. luminescence (as bioluminescence) due to chemical reaction

che·min de fer [shə-,man-də-'fer] -n

  1. a card game in which two hands are dealt, any number of players may bet against the dealer, and the winning hand is the one that comes closer to but does not exceed a count of nine on two or three cards

chemi·os·mot·ic [,ke-mē-äz-'mä-tik, ,kē-] -adj

  1. relating to or being a theory that seeks to explain the mechanism of ATP formation in oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria and chloroplasts without recourse to the formation of high-energy intermediates by postulating the formation of an energy gradient of hydrogen ions across the organelle membranes that results in the reversible movement of hydrogen ions to the outside and is generated by electron transport or the activity of electron carriers

che·mise [shə-'mēz, sometimes -'mēs] -n

  1. a woman's one-piece undergarment
  2. a loose straight-hanging dress

chem·i·sette [,she-mi-'zet] -n

  1. a woman's garment
  2. one (as of lace) to fill the open front of a dress

chem·i·sorb ['ke-mi-,sȯrb, 'kē-, -,zȯrb] -vt, n

  1. to take up and hold usu. irreversibly by chemical forces

chem·ist ['ke-mist] -n

  1. alchemist
  2. one trained in chemistry
  3. pharmacist

chem·is·try ['ke-mə-strē] -n

  1. a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformations that they undergo
  2. the composition and chemical properties of a substance
    • the chemistry of iron
  3. chemical processes and phenomena (as of an organism)
    • blood chemistry
  4. a strong mutual attraction, attachment, or sympathy
    • they have a special chemistry
  5. interaction between people working together
  6. such interaction when harmonious or effective
    • a team lacking chemistry

che·mo ['kē-(,)mō] -n

  1. chemotherapy

che·mo·au·to·tro·phic [,kē-mō-,ȯ-tə-'trō-fik also ,ke-] -adj, n

  1. being autotrophic and oxidizing an inorganic compound as a source of energy
    • chemoautotrophic bacteria

che·mo·kine [-'kīn] -n

  1. any of a group of cytokines produced by various cells (as at sites of inflammation) that stimulate chemotaxis in white blood cells (as neutrophils and T cells)

che·mo·pre·ven·tion [-pri-'ven(t)-shən] -n, adj

  1. the use of chemical agents to prevent or slow the development of cancer

che·mo·pro·phy·lax·is [-,prō-fə-'lak-səs also -,prä-fə-] -n, adj

  1. the prevention of infectious disease by the use of chemical agents

che·mo·re·cep·tion [-ri-'sep-shən] -n, adj

  1. the physiological reception of chemical stimuli

che·mo·re·cep·tor [-ri-'sep-tər] -n

  1. a sense organ (as a taste bud) responding to chemical stimuli

che·mo·sur·gery [,kē-mō-'sərj-rē, -'sər-jə-rē] -n, adj

  1. chemical removal of diseased or unwanted tissue

che·mo·syn·the·sis [-'sin(t)-thə-səs] -n, adj

  1. synthesis of organic compounds (as in living cells) by energy derived from inorganic chemical reactions

che·mo·tac·tic [-'tak-tik] -adj, adv

  1. involving, inducing, or exhibiting chemotaxis

che·mo·tax·is [-'tak-səs] -n

  1. orientation or movement of an organism or cell in relation to chemical agents

che·mo·tax·on·o·my [-(,)tak-'sä-nə-mē] -n, adj

  1. the classification of plants and animals based on similarities and differences in biochemical composition

che·mo·ther·a·peu·tic [-,ther-ə-'pyü-tik] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or used in chemotherapy

che·mo·ther·a·py [-'ther-ə-pē] -n

  1. the use of chemical agents in the treatment or control of disease (as cancer) or mental illness

che·mot·ro·pism [ki-'mä-trə-,pi-zəm, ke-] -n

  1. orientation of cells or organisms in relation to chemical stimuli

che·nille [shə-'nēl] -n

  1. a wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with protruding pile
  2. a pile-face fabric with a filling of this yarn
  3. an imitation of chenille yarn or fabric

che·nin blanc ['she-nən-'bläŋk, shə-naⁿ-'bläⁿ] -n

  1. any of various white wines ranging from dry to sweet made from a grape orig. grown in the Loire valley

che·no·pod ['kē-nə-,päd, 'ke-] -n

  1. any plant of the goosefoot family

cheong·sam ['chȯŋ-,säm] -n

  1. a dress of Southern Chinese origin with a slit skirt and a mandarin collar

cheque ['chek] -n, adj

(variant of check)

  1. exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety
  2. a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress : arrest
  3. a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey)
  4. a sudden pause or break in a progression
  5. reprimand, rebuke
  6. one that arrests, limits, or restrains : restraint
    • against all check s, rebukes, and manners, I must advance -- Shak.
  7. a standard for testing and evaluation : criterion
  8. examination
    • a quick check of the engine
  9. inspection, investigation
    • a loyalty check on government employees
  10. the act of testing or verifying
  11. the sample or unit used for testing or verifying
  12. a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed : draft
  13. a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made
    • a baggage check
  14. a counter in various games
  15. a slip indicating the amount due : bill
  16. a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard
  17. a fabric woven or printed with such a design
  18. a mark typically placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified
  19. crack, break
  20. to put (a chess king) in check
  21. rebuke, reprimand
  22. to slow or bring to a stop : brake
    • hastily check ed the impulse
  23. to block the progress of (as a hockey player)
  24. to restrain or diminish the action or force of : control
  25. to slack or ease off and then belay again (as a rope)
  26. to compare with a source, original, or authority : verify
    • needs to check her facts
  27. to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly usu. used with out or over
    • check ing out new cars
  28. to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory often used with off
    • check ed off each item
  29. to consign (as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket
    • check ed our bags before boarding
  30. to ship or accept for shipment under such a consignment
  31. to mark into squares : checker
  32. to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom
    • check a coat
  33. to make checks or chinks : cause to crack
    • the sun check s timber
  34. to stop in a chase esp. when scent is lost
  35. to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear : stop
  36. to investigate conditions
    • check ed on the passengers' safety
  37. to prove to be consistent or truthful
    • the description check s with the photograph
    often used with out
    • the story check ed out
  38. to draw a check on a bank
  39. to waive the right to initiate the betting in a round of poker
  40. crack, split
  41. used to express assent or agreement

che·quer ['che-kər] -n

(variant of checker)

  1. chessboard
  2. a square or spot resembling the markings of a checkerboard
  3. a piece in checkers

cher·i·moya [,cher-ə-'mȯi-ə] -n

  1. a round, oblong, or heart-shaped fruit with a pitted pale green rind that is borne by a widely cultivated tropical American tree ( Annona cherimola) of the custard-apple family
  2. this tree

cher·ish ['cher-ish, 'che-rish] -vt, adj, n

  1. to hold dear : feel or show affection for
    • cherish ed her friends
  2. to keep or cultivate with care and affection : nurture
    • cherish es his marriage
  3. to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely
    • still cherish es that memory

cher·no·zem [,cher-nə-'zyȯm, -'zem] -n, adj

  1. any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (as the grasslands of central No. America) of temperate to cool climate

Cher·o·kee ['cher-ə-(,)kē, 'che-rə-] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people orig. of Tennessee and No. Carolina
  2. the language of the Cherokee people

Cherokee rose -n

  1. a Chinese climbing rose ( Rosa laevigata) with a fragrant white blossom

che·root [shə-'rüt, chə-] -n

  1. a cigar cut square at both ends

cher·ry ['cher-ē, 'che-rē] -n, adj

  1. any of numerous trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family that bear pale yellow to deep red or blackish smooth-skinned drupes enclosing a smooth seed and that include some cultivated for their fruits or ornamental flowers
  2. the fruit of a cherry
  3. the reddish-brown wood of a cherry
  4. black cherry
  5. a variable color averaging a moderate red
  6. hymen
  7. virginity

cherry bomb -n

  1. a powerful globular red firecracker

cher·rypick ['cher-ē-,pik] -vi

  1. to select the best or most desirable
  2. to select as being the best or most desirable
  3. to select the best or most desirable from
    • cherrypick ed the art collection

cherry picker -n

  1. a traveling crane equipped for holding a passenger at the end of the boom
  2. one who cherry-picks
    • cherry pickers who gobbled up bargains all over town -- J. S. Coyle

cher·ry·stone ['cher-ē-,stōn] -n

  1. a small quahog

cherry tomato -n

  1. a small globose red or orange tomato borne in long dense clusters
  2. a tropical American plant ( Lycopersicon esculentum cerasiforme) bearing cherry tomatoes

cher·ry·wood [-,wu̇d] -n

  1. cherry

chert ['chərt, 'chat] -n, adj

  1. a rock resembling flint and consisting essentially of a large amount of fibrous chalcedony with smaller amounts of cryptocrystalline quartz and amorphous silica

cher·ub ['cher-əb, 'che-rəb] -n, adj, adv

  1. an order of angels
  2. a beautiful usu. winged child in painting and sculpture
  3. an innocent-looking usu. chubby and rosy person

cher·vil ['chər-vəl] -n

  1. an aromatic herb ( Anthriscus cerefolium) of the carrot family with divided leaves that are often used in soups and salads
  2. any of several related plants

Ches·a·peake Bay retriever ['che-sə-,pēk-'bā-] -n

  1. any of a breed of powerful brown sporting dogs developed in Maryland and having a dense oily water-shedding coat

Chesh·ire cat ['che-shər-] -n

  1. a broadly grinning cat in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Cheshire cheese -n

  1. a cheese similar to cheddar made chiefly in Cheshire, England

chess ['ches] -n

  1. a game for 2 players each of whom moves 16 pieces according to fixed rules across a checkerboard and tries to checkmate the opponent's king
  2. a weedy annual European bromegrass ( Bromus secalinus) widely naturalized in No. America as a weed esp. in grain
  3. any of several weedy bromegrasses related to chess

chess·board ['ches-bȯrd] -n

  1. a checkerboard used in the game of chess

chess·man [-,man, -mən] -n

  1. any of the pieces used in chess

chess pie -n

  1. a pie or tart with a filling made esp. of eggs, butter, and sugar

chest ['chest] -n

  1. a container for storage or shipping
  2. a box with a lid used esp. for the safekeeping of belongings
  3. a cupboard used esp. for the storing of medicines or first-aid supplies
  4. the place where money of a public institution is kept : treasury
  5. the fund so kept
  6. thorax
  7. the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs and sternum
  8. breast
    • a hairy chest

chest·ed ['ches-təd] -adj

  1. having a chest of a specified kind used in combination
    • flat- chested

ches·ter·field ['ches-tər-,fēld] -n

  1. a single-breasted or double-breasted semifitted overcoat with velvet collar
  2. a davenport usu. with upright armrests

Ches·ter White ['ches-tər-] -n

  1. any of a breed of large white swine

chest·nut ['ches(t)-(,)nət] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Castanea) of trees or shrubs of the beech family
  2. an American tree ( C. dentata) that was formerly a dominant or codominant member of many deciduous forests of the eastern U.S. but has now been largely eliminated by the chestnut blight and seldom grows beyond the shrub or sapling stage
  3. the edible nut of a chestnut
  4. the wood of a chestnut
  5. a grayish to reddish brown
  6. horse chestnut
  7. a chestnut-colored animal
  8. a horse having a body color of any shade of pure or reddish brown with mane, tail, and points of the same or a lighter shade
  9. a callosity on the inner side of the leg of the horse
  10. an old joke or story
  11. something (as a musical piece or a saying) repeated to the point of staleness

chestnut -adj

  1. of the color chestnut
  2. of, relating to, or resembling a chestnut

chestnut blight -n

  1. a destructive disease of the American chestnut marked by cankers of the bark and cambium and caused by an imported fungus ( Endothia parasiticasyn. Cryphonectria parasitica)

chestnut oak -n

  1. : any of several oaks having oblong to lanceolate leaves with crenate or serrate edges: as
  2. chinquapin oak
  3. a medium-sized oak ( Quercus prinus) of eastern No. America with large acorns and leaves that are yellow-green above and paler below

chest of drawers

  1. a piece of furniture designed to contain a set of drawers (as for holding clothing)

chestthump·ing ['ches(t)-,thəm-piŋ] -n

  1. conduct or expression marked by pompous or arrogant self-assertion
    • political chestthumping

chesty ['ches-tē] -adj

  1. proudly or arrogantly self-assertive
  2. marked by a large or well-developed chest

Chet·nik [chet-'nēk, 'chet-nik] -n

  1. an irregular Slav soldier in the Balkans
  2. a member of various irregular Serbian military forces that in periods of disorder (as during World War II and following the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991) pursued ultranationalist aims
  3. an ultranationalist Serb

chet·rum ['chē-trəm, 'che-] -n

  1. see ngultrum at

che·valdefrise [shə-,val-də-'frēz] -n

  1. a defense consisting typically of a timber or an iron barrel covered with projecting spikes and often strung with barbed wire
  2. a protecting line (as of spikes) on top of a wall usu. used in pl.

che·val glass [shə-'val-] -n

  1. a full-length mirror in a frame in which it may be tilted

che·va·lier [,she-və-'lir, esp for 1b & 2 also shə-'val-,yā] -n

  1. cavalier
  2. a member of any of various orders of knighthood or of merit (as the Legion of Honor)
  3. a member of the lowest rank of French nobility
  4. a cadet of the French nobility
  5. a chivalrous man

che·ve·lure [shəv-lᵫr] -n

  1. a head of hair

chev·i·ot ['she-vē-ət, esp Brit 'che-] -n

  1. any of a breed of hardy hornless relatively small sheep that are a source of quality mutton and have their origin in the Cheviot hills
  2. a fabric of cheviot wool
  3. a heavy rough napped plain or twill fabric of coarse wool or worsted
  4. a sturdy soft-finished plain or twill cotton shirting

chevre ['shev(rᵊ), 'shev-rə] -n

  1. goat cheese

chev·ron ['shev-rən] -n

  1. : a figure, pattern, or object having the shape of a V or an inverted V: as
  2. a heraldic charge consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at an angle usu. with the point up
  3. a sleeve badge that usu. consists of one or more chevron-shaped stripes that indicates the wearer's rank and service (as in the armed forces)

chew ['chü] -vb, adj, n

  1. to crush, grind, or gnaw (as food) with or as if with the teeth : masticate
  2. to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing usu. used with up
    • chew ing up profits
  3. to chew something
  4. to chew tobacco
  5. the act of chewing
  6. something for chewing

chewing gum -n

  1. a sweetened and flavored insoluble plastic material (as a preparation of chicle) used for chewing

che·wink [chi-'wiŋk] -n

  1. towhee

chew out -vt

  1. reprimand, bawl out

chew over -vt

  1. to meditate on : think about reflectively

Chey·enne [shī-'an, -'en] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of the western plains of the U.S.
  2. the Algonquian language of the Cheyenne people

chez ['shā] -prep

  1. at or in the home or business place of

CHF -abbr

  1. congestive heart failure

ChFC -abbr

  1. chartered financial consultant

chg -abbr

  1. change
  2. charge

chi ['kī, 'kē] -n

  1. the 22d letter of the Greek alphabet
  2. vital energy that is held to animate the body internally and is of central importance in some Eastern systems of medical treatment (as acupuncture) and of exercise or self-defense (as tai chi)

Chi·a·ni·na [,kē-ə-'nē-nə] -n

  1. any of a breed of tall white cattle of Italian origin noted esp. for producing lean meat

Chi·an·ti [kē-'än-tē, -'an-] -n

  1. a dry usu. red wine from the Tuscany region of Italy
  2. a similar wine made elsewhere

chiar·oscu·rist [kē-,är-ə-'skyu̇r-ist, kē-,er-, kē-,a-rə-, -'sku̇r-] -n

  1. an artist who specializes in chiaroscuro

chiar·oscu·ro [-'skyu̇r-(,)ō, -'sku̇r-] -n

  1. pictorial representation in terms of light and shade without regard to color
  2. the arrangement or treatment of light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art
  3. the interplay or contrast of dissimilar qualities (as of mood or character)
  4. a 16th century woodcut technique involving the use of several blocks to print different tones of the same color
  5. a print made by this technique
  6. the interplay of light and shadow on or as if on a surface
  7. the quality of being veiled or partly in shadow

chi·asm ['kī-,a-zᵊm, 'kē-] -n

  1. chiasma

chi·as·ma [kī-'az-mə, kē-] -n, adj

  1. an anatomical intersection or decussation
  2. a cross-shaped configuration of paired chromatids visible in the diplotene stage of meiotic prophase and considered the cytological equivalent of genetic crossing-over

chi·as·mus [kī-'az-məs, kē-] -n

  1. an inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases (as in Goldsmith's to stop too fearful, and too faint to go)

chiaus ['chau̇s, 'chau̇sh] -n

  1. a Turkish messenger or sergeant

Chib·cha ['chib-(,)chä] -n

  1. a member of an Indian people of central Colombia
  2. the extinct language of the Chibcha people

Chib·chan [-chən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a language family of Colombia and Central America

chi·bouk [chə-'bük, shə-] -n

  1. a long-stemmed Turkish tobacco pipe with a clay bowl

chic ['shēk] -n

  1. smart elegance and sophistication esp. of dress or manner : style
    • wears her clothes with superb chic
  2. a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit
    • wearing the latest in urban chic
  3. a faddishly popular quality or appeal
  4. something (as a practice or interest) having such appeal
    • the transient tides of academic chic -- Irving Kristol
  5. cleverly stylish : smart
    • the woman who is chic adapts fashion to her own personality -- Elizabeth L. Post
  6. currently fashionable
    • a chic restaurant

Chi·ca·na [chi-'kä-nə also shi-] -n, adj

  1. an American woman or girl of Mexican descent

chi·cane [shi-'kān, chi-] -vb

  1. to use chicanery
    • a wretch he had taught to lie and chicane -- George Meredith
  2. trick, cheat

chicane -n

  1. chicanery
  2. an obstacle on a racecourse
  3. a series of tight turns in opposite directions in an otherwise straight stretch of a road-racing course
  4. the absence of trumps in a hand of cards

chi·ca·nery [-'kān-rē, -'kā-nə-] -n

  1. deception by artful subterfuge or sophistry : trickery
  2. a piece of sharp practice (as at law) : trick

Chi·ca·no [chi-'kä-(,)nō also shi-] -n, adj

  1. an American and esp. a man or boy of Mexican descent

chi·chi ['shē-(,)shē also 'chē-(,)chē] -n

  1. frilly or elaborate ornamentation
  2. affectation, preciosity
  3. chic

chichi -adj

  1. elaborately ornamented : showy, frilly
    • a chichi dress
  2. arty, precious
    • chichi poetry
  3. chic, fashionable
    • a chichi nightclub

chick ['chik] -n

  1. a domestic chicken
  2. one newly hatched
  3. the young of any bird
  4. child
  5. girl, woman

chick·a·dee ['chi-kə-(,)dē] -n

  1. any of several small No. American oscine birds (genus Poecileof the family Paridae) that are related to the titmice, usu. have the crown of the head distinctly darker than the body, and have sometimes been placed esp. formerly in a related genus ( Parus)

chick·a·ree ['chi-kə-,rē] -n

  1. red squirrel
  2. a related squirrel ( Tamiasciurus douglasii) of forests from southwestern British Columbia to central California

Chick·a·saw ['chi-kə-,sȯ] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of Mississippi and Alabama
  2. the Muskogean language of the Chickasaw

chick·en ['chi-kᵊn, sometimes -kᵊŋ] -n

  1. the common domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus) esp. when young
  2. its flesh used as food
  3. any of various birds or their young
  4. a young woman
  5. coward
  6. any of various contests in which the participants risk personal safety in order to see which one will give up first
  7. petty details
  8. a young male homosexual

chicken -adj

  1. scared
  2. timid, cowardly
  3. insistent on petty details of duty or discipline
  4. petty, unimportant
  5. to lose one's nerve usu. used with out
    • seemed to exhibit courage, manliness, and conviction when others chicken ed out -- J. R. Seeley

chickenandegg -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a cause-and-effect dilemma

chicken colonel -n

  1. colonel

chicken feed -n

  1. a paltry sum (as in profits or wages)

chick·enfried steak ['chi-kᵊn-'frīd-] -n

  1. steak coated with batter, fried, and served with gravy

chicken hawk -n

  1. a hawk that preys or is believed to prey on chickens
  2. a man who pursues boys or young men for sexual purposes

chick·en·heart·ed ['chi-kən-,här-təd] -adj

  1. timid, cowardly
    • too...chickenhearted to accompany me in this perilous undertaking -- Washington Irving

Chicken Little -n

  1. one who warns of or predicts calamity esp. without justification

chick·enliv·ered [-,li-vərd] -adj

  1. fainthearted, cowardly

chicken pox -n

  1. an acute contagious disease esp. of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and caused by a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 3of the genus Varicellovirus)

chick·en·shit ['chi-kᵊn-,shit] -adj

  1. petty, insignificant
  2. lacking courage, manliness, or effectiveness

chickenshit -n

  1. the petty details of a duty or discipline
  2. coward, chicken

chicken snake -n

  1. rat snake

chicken wire -n

  1. a light galvanized wire netting of hexagonal mesh

chick flick -n

  1. a motion picture intended to appeal esp. to women

chick·pea ['chik-,pē] -n

  1. an Asian herb ( Cicer arietinum) of the legume family cultivated for its short pods with one or two seeds
  2. its seed

chick·weed [-,wēd] -n

  1. any of various low-growing small-leaved weedy plants of the pink family (esp. genera Cerastiumand Stellaria)
  2. a cosmopolitan weed ( Stelleria media) naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia

chi·cle ['chi-kəl, 'chi-klē] -n

  1. a gum from the latex of the sapodilla used as the chief ingredient of chewing gum

chic·o·ry ['chi-k(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a thick-rooted usu. blue-flowered European perennial composite herb ( Cichorium intybus) widely grown for its roots and as a salad plant
  2. the dried ground roasted root of chicory used to flavor or adulterate coffee

chide ['chīd] -vb

  1. to speak out in angry or displeased rebuke
  2. to voice disapproval to : reproach in a usu. mild and constructive manner : scold

chief ['chēf] -adj

  1. accorded highest rank or office
    • chief librarian
  2. of greatest importance or influence
    • the chief reasons
  3. chiefly
  4. the upper part of a heraldic field
  5. the head of a body of persons or an organization : leader
    • chief of police
  6. the principal or most valuable part
    • would never rest till she had read the chief of the letter to him -- Jane Austen

chief executive -n

  1. : a principal executive: as
  2. the president of a republic
  3. the governor of a state
  4. ceo

chief justice -n

  1. the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

chief·ly ['chē-flē] -adv

  1. most importantly : principally, especially
  2. for the most part : mostly, mainly

chiefly -adj

  1. of or relating to a chief
    • chiefly duties

chief master sergeant -n

  1. a noncommissioned officer in the air force ranking above a senior master sergeant

chief master sergeant of the air force

  1. the ranking noncommissioned officer in the air force serving as adviser to the chief of staff

chief of naval operations

  1. the ranking officer of the navy and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

chief of staff

  1. the ranking officer of a staff in the armed forces serving as principal adviser to a commander
  2. the ranking officer of the army or air force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

chief of state

  1. the formal head of a national state as distinguished from the head of the government

chief petty officer -n

  1. an enlisted man in the navy or coast guard ranking above a petty officer first class and below a senior chief petty officer

chief·tain ['chēf-tən] -n

  1. a chief esp. of a band, tribe, or clan

chief·tain·cy [-sē] -n

  1. the rank, dignity, office, or rule of a chieftain
  2. a region or a people ruled by a chief

chief warrant officer -n

  1. a warrant officer of senior rank in the armed forces
  2. a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking below an ensign

chiel ['chēl] -n

  1. fellow, lad

chiff·chaff ['chif-,chaf] -n

  1. a small grayish European warbler ( Phylloscopus collybita)

chif·fon [shi-'fän, 'shi-,] -n

  1. an ornamental addition (as a knot of ribbons) to a woman's dress
  2. a sheer fabric esp. of silk

chiffon -adj

  1. resembling chiffon in sheerness or softness
  2. having a light delicate texture achieved usu. by adding whipped egg whites or whipped gelatin
    • lemon chiffon pie

chif·fo·nade [,shi-fə-'nād, -'näd] -n

  1. shredded or finely cut vegetables or herbs used esp. as a garnish

chif·fo·nier [,shi-fə-'nir] -n

  1. a high narrow chest of drawers

chif·fo·robe ['shi-fə-,rōb] -n

  1. a combination of wardrobe and chest of drawers

chig·ger ['chi-gər, 'ji-] -n

  1. chigoe
  2. a 6-legged mite larva (family Trombiculidae) that sucks the blood of vertebrates and causes intense irritation

chi·gnon ['shēn-,yän also -,yȯn] -n

  1. a knot of hair that is worn at the back of the head and esp. at the nape of the neck

chi·goe ['chi-(,)gō, 'chē-] -n

  1. a tropical flea ( Tunga penetrans) of which the fertile female causes great discomfort by burrowing under the skin
  2. chigger

Chi·hua·hua [chə-'wä-(,)wä, shə-, -wə] -n

  1. any of a breed of very small roundheaded dogs that occur in short-coated and long-coated varieties

chil·blain ['chil-,blān] -n

  1. an inflammatory swelling or sore caused by exposure (as of the feet or hands) to cold

child ['chī(-ə)ld] -n, adj

  1. an unborn or recently born person
  2. a female infant
  3. a young person esp. between infancy and youth
  4. a childlike or childish person
  5. a person not yet of age
  6. a youth of noble birth
  7. a son or daughter of human parents
  8. descendant
  9. one strongly influenced by another or by a place or state of affairs
  10. product, result
    • barbed wire...is truly a child of the plains -- W. P. Webb

child·bear·ing ['chī(-ə)l(d)-,ber-iŋ] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the process of conceiving, being pregnant with, and giving birth to children
    • women of childbearing age

child·bed [-,bed] -n

  1. the condition of a woman in childbirth

childbed fever -n

  1. puerperal fever

child·birth ['chī(-ə)l(d)-,bərth] -n

  1. parturition

child·hood ['chī(-ə)ld-,hu̇d] -n

  1. the state or period of being a child
  2. the early period in the development of something

child·ish ['chī(-ə)l-dish] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a child or childhood
  2. marked by or suggestive of immaturity and lack of poise
    • a childish spiteful remark
  3. lacking complexity : simple
    • it's a childish device, but it works
  4. deteriorated with age esp. in mind : senile

child·like ['chī(-ə)l(d)-,līk] -adj, n

  1. resembling, suggesting, or appropriate to a child or childhood
  2. marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness
    • childlike delight

child·ly ['chī(-ə)l(d)-lē] -adj

  1. childlike

child·proof ['chīl(d)-,prüf] -adj

  1. designed to prevent tampering or opening by children
    • childproof pill bottles
  2. made safe for children (as by safe storage of dangerous materials)
    • a childproof home

childproof -vt

  1. to make childproof
    • childproof a house

child's play -n

  1. an extremely simple task or act
  2. something that is insignificant
    • his injury was child's play compared with the damage he inflicted

chile re·lle·no [-rā-'yā-(,)nō] -n

  1. a stuffed chili pepper that usu. contains cheese or meat and is fried or grilled

Chile saltpeter ['chi-lē-, 'chē-(,)lā-] -n

  1. sodium nitrate esp. occurring naturally (as in caliche)

chili ['chi-lē] -n

  1. a hot pepper of any of a group of cultivars ( Capsicum annuum annuumgroup longum) noted for their pungency called also chili pepper
  2. a pepper whether hot or sweet
  3. a thick sauce of meat and chilies
  4. chili con carne

chil·i·ad ['ki-lē-,ad, -əd] -n

  1. a group of 1000
  2. millennium

chil·i·asm ['ki-lē-,a-zᵊm] -n, adj

  1. millenarianism

chili con car·ne [,chi-lē-,kän-'kär-nē, -kən-] -n

  1. a spiced stew of ground beef and minced chilies or chili powder usu. with beans

chili dog -n

  1. a hot dog topped with chili

chili powder -n

  1. a condiment made with chilies ground to a powder and often other spices

chili sauce -n

  1. a spiced tomato sauce usu. made with red and green peppers

chill ['chil] -n

  1. a sensation of cold accompanied by shivering
  2. a disagreeable sensation of coldness
  3. a moderate but disagreeable degree of cold
  4. a check to enthusiasm or warmth of feeling
    • felt the chill of his opponent's stare
  5. moderately cold
  6. cold, raw
  7. affected by cold
    • chill travelers
  8. distant, formal
    • a chill reception
  9. depressing, dispiriting
    • chill penury -- Thomas Gray
  10. to become cold
  11. to shiver or quake with or as if with cold
  12. to become taken with a chill
  13. chill out
  14. hang
  15. to make cold or chilly
    • spectators chill ed by a cold wind
  16. to make cool esp. without freezing
    • chill a bottle of wine
  17. to affect as if with cold : dispirit
    • were chill ed by the drab austerity -- William Attwood

chil·lax [chi-'laks] -vi

  1. to calm down : relax

chill·er ['chi-lər] -n

  1. one that chills
  2. an eerie or frightening story of murder, violence, or the supernatural

chill factor -n

  1. windchill

chill·ing ['chi-liŋ] -adj, adv

  1. gravely disturbing or frightening
    • a chilling case of abuse

chill out -vi

  1. to calm down : go easy : relax often used in the imperative

chil·lum ['chi-ləm] -n

  1. the part of a water pipe that contains the substance (as tobacco or hashish) which is smoked
  2. a quantity of a substance thus smoked
  3. a funnel-shaped clay pipe for smoking

chilly ['chi-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. noticeably cold : chilling
    • a chilly day
  2. unpleasantly affected by cold
    • chilly spectators
  3. lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly
    • a chilly reception
  4. tending to arouse fear or apprehension
    • chilly suspicions

chil·te·pin ['chil-tə-,pēn] -n

  1. a small red oblong wild chili pepper of marked pungency that is produced by a capsicum ( Capsicum annuum glabriusculumsyn. C. annuum aviculare) occurring from northern So. America to northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
  2. this plant

chi·mae·ra [kī-'mir-ə, kə-] -n

(variant of chimera)

  1. a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail
  2. an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts
  3. an illusion or fabrication of the mind
  4. an unrealizable dream
    • a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer -- John Donne
  5. an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution

chimaera -n

  1. any of a family (Chimaeridae) of marine cartilaginous fishes with a tapering or threadlike tail and usu. no anal fin

chi·mae·ric [kī-'mir-ik, kə-, -'mer-, -'me-rik] -adj

(variant of chimeric)

  1. relating to, derived from, or being a genetic chimera or its genetic material
    • a chimeric cat
    • chimeric genes

chime ['chīm] -n

  1. the edge or rim of a cask or drum
  2. to make a musical and esp. a harmonious sound
  3. to make the sounds of a chime
  4. to be or act in accord
    • the music and the mood chimed well together
  5. to cause to sound musically by striking
  6. to produce by chiming
  7. to call or indicate by chiming
    • the clock chimed midnight
  8. to utter repetitively : din
  9. an apparatus for chiming a bell or set of bells
  10. a musically tuned set of bells
  11. one of a set of objects giving a bell-like sound when struck
  12. the sound of a set of bells usu. used in pl.
  13. a musical sound suggesting that of bells
  14. accord, harmony
    • such happy chime of fact and theory -- Henry Maudsley

chime in -vi

  1. to combine harmoniously
    • the artist's illustrations chime in perfectly with the text -- Book Production
  2. to break into a conversation or discussion esp. to express an opinion
  3. to remark while chiming in

chi·me·ra [kī-'mir-ə, kə-] -n

  1. a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail
  2. an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts
  3. an illusion or fabrication of the mind
  4. an unrealizable dream
    • a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer -- John Donne
  5. an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution

chi·mere [shə-'mir, chə-] -n

  1. a loose sleeveless robe worn by Anglican bishops over the rochet

chi·me·ric [kī-'mir-ik, kə-, -'mer-, -'me-rik] -adj

  1. relating to, derived from, or being a genetic chimera or its genetic material
    • a chimeric cat
    • chimeric genes

chi·me·ri·cal [kī-'mer-i-kəl, kə-, -'mir-] -adj, adv

  1. existing only as the product of unchecked imagination : fantastically visionary or improbable
  2. given to fantastic schemes

chi·me·rism [kī-'mir-,i-zəm, kə-; 'kī-mə-,ri-] -n

  1. the state of being a genetic chimera

chi·mi·chan·ga [,chi-mē-'chäŋ-gə] -n

  1. a tortilla wrapped around a filling (as of meat) and deep-fried

chim·ney ['chim-nē] -n, adj

  1. fireplace, hearth
  2. a vertical structure incorporated into a building and enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke
  3. the part of such a structure extending above a roof
  4. smokestack
  5. a tube usu. of glass placed around a flame (as of a lamp)
  6. : something resembling a chimney: as
  7. a narrow cleft or passage in rock
  8. a tall column of rock on the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from superheated water issuing from a vent in the earth's crust and rising through the column of rock

chim·ney·piece ['chim-nē-,pēs] -n

  1. an ornamental construction over and around a fireplace that includes the mantel

chimney pot -n

  1. a usu. earthenware pipe placed at the top of a chimney

chimney sweep -n

  1. a person whose occupation is cleaning soot from chimney flues called also chimney sweeper

chimney swift -n

  1. a small sooty-gray swift ( Chaetura pelagica) with long narrow wings that often builds its nest inside an unused chimney called also chimney swallow

chimp ['chimp sometimes 'shimp] -n

  1. chimpanzee

chim·pan·zee [(,)chim-,pan-'zē, -pən-'zē, -'pan-zē sometimes (,)shim-] -n

  1. an anthropoid ape ( Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla

chin ['chin] -n, adj

  1. the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw
  2. the surface beneath or between the branches of the lower jaw
  3. to bring to or hold with the chin
    • chin a violin
  4. to raise (oneself) while hanging by the hands until the chin is level with the support
  5. to talk idly

chi·na ['chī-nə] -n

  1. porcelain
  2. vitreous porcelain wares (as dishes, vases, or ornaments) for domestic use
  3. earthenware or porcelain tableware

China aster -n

  1. a common annual garden aster ( Callistephus chinensis) native to northern China that occurs in many showy forms

chi·na·ber·ry ['chī-nə-,ber-ē, Southern also 'chā-nē-,ber-ē] -n

  1. a small Asian tree ( Melia azedarach) of the mahogany family naturalized in the southern U.S. where it is widely planted for shade or ornament

china clay -n

  1. kaolin

china closet -n

  1. a cabinet or cupboard for the storage or display of household china

Chi·na·man ['chī-nə-mən] -n

  1. a native of China : chinese

China rose -n

  1. any of numerous garden roses derived from a shrubby Chinese rose ( Rosa chinensis)

China Syndrome -n

  1. meltdown

Chi·na·town ['chī-nə-,tau̇n] -n

  1. the Chinese quarter of a city

China tree -n

  1. chinaberry

chi·na·ware ['chī-nə-,wer] -n

  1. tableware made of china

chin·bone ['chin-,bōn] -n

  1. mandible
  2. the median anterior part of the human mandible

chinch ['chinch] -n

  1. bedbug

chinch bug -n

  1. a small black-and-white bug ( Blissus leucopterus) that is very destructive to cereal grasses

chin·che·rin·chee [,chin-chə-ri(n)-'chē, ,chiŋ-kə-] -n

  1. a southern African perennial bulbous herb ( Ornithogalum thyrsoides) of the lily family with spikes of white to golden-yellow blossoms

chin·chil·la [chin-'chi-lə] -n

  1. either of two small So. American rodents ( Chinchilla lanigerand C. brevicaudataof the family Chinchillidae) of the high Andes that are the size of large squirrels, have very soft pearly-gray fur, and are extensively bred in captivity
  2. the fur of a chinchilla
  3. a heavy twilled woolen coating

chine ['chīn] -n

  1. backbone, spine
  2. a cut of meat including all or part of the backbone
  3. the intersection of the bottom and the sides of a flat or V-bottomed boat
  4. to cut through the backbone of (as in butchering)

Chi·nese [chī-'nēz, -'nēs] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of China
  2. a person of Chinese descent
  3. a group of related languages used by the people of China that are often mutually unintelligible in their spoken form but share a single system of writing and that constitute a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family
  4. mandarin

Chinese boxes -n pl

  1. a set of boxes graduated in size so that each fits into the next larger one
  2. something that resembles a set of Chinese boxes esp. in complexity

Chinese cabbage -n

  1. : either of two Asian brassicas now grown in the U.S. and widely used as greens:
  2. bok choy
  3. one ( Brassica rapa pekinensis) that forms elongate more or less solid cylindrical heads and has pale green or cream-colored leaves

Chinese checkers -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a game in which each player seeks to be the first to transfer a set of marbles from a home point to the opposite point of a pitted 6-pointed star by single moves or jumps

Chinese chestnut -n

  1. an Asian chestnut ( Castanea mollissima) that is resistant to chestnut blight

Chinese chive -n

  1. garlic chive usu. used in pl.

Chinese copy -n

  1. an exact imitation or duplicate that includes defects as well as desired qualities

Chinese crested -n

  1. any of a breed of hairless or coated dogs with a plumed tail and a crest of hair on the head

Chinese gooseberry -n

  1. a subtropical vine ( Actinidia deliciosasyn. A. chinensisof the family Actinidiaceae) that bears kiwifruit
  2. kiwifruit

Chinese lantern -n

  1. a collapsible translucent covering for a light

Chinese parsley -n

  1. cilantro

Chinese puzzle -n

  1. an intricate or ingenious puzzle
  2. something intricate and obscure

Chinese restaurant syndrome -n

  1. a group of symptoms (as numbness of the neck, arms, and back with headache, dizziness, and palpitations) that is held to affect susceptible persons eating food and esp. Chinese food heavily seasoned with monosodium glutamate

Chinese sharpei -n

  1. shar-pei

Chinese wall -n

  1. a strong barrier
  2. a serious obstacle to understanding

Chinese white -n

  1. zinc white

Ching ['chiŋ] -n

  1. a Manchu dynasty in China dated 16441912 and the last imperial dynasty

chink ['chiŋk] -n

  1. a small cleft, slit, or fissure
    • a chink in the fence
  2. a weak spot that may leave one vulnerable
    • his lawyers found a chink in the law
  3. a narrow beam of light shining through a chink
  4. to fill the chinks of (as by caulking)
    • chink a log cabin
  5. coin, money
  6. a short sharp sound
  7. to make a slight sharp metallic sound
  8. to cause to make a chink

Chink ['chiŋk] -n or adj

  1. chinese

chin music -n

  1. idle talk
  2. a usu. high inside pitch in baseball intended to intimidate the batter

chi·no ['chē-(,)nō, 'shē-] -n

  1. a usu. khaki cotton or synthetic-fiber twill of the type used for military uniforms
  2. an article of clothing made of chino

chi·noi·se·rie [shēn-'wäz-rē, -'wä-zə-; ,shēn-,wäz-'rē, -,wä-zə-] -n

  1. a style in art (as in decoration) reflecting Chinese qualities or motifs
  2. an object or decoration in this style

Chi·nook [shə-'nu̇k, chə-, -'nük] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of the north shore of the Columbia River at its mouth
  2. a Chinookan language of the Chinook and other nearby peoples
  3. a warm moist southwest wind of the coast from Oregon northward
  4. a warm dry wind that descends the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains
  5. chinook salmon

Chi·nook·an [-'nu̇-kən, -'nü-] -n, adj

  1. an American Indian language family of Washington and Oregon

Chinook jargon -n

  1. a pidgin language based on Chinook and other Indian languages, French, and English and formerly used as a lingua franca in the northwestern U.S. and on the Pacific coast of Canada and Alaska

chinook salmon -n

  1. a large commercially important Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with red flesh that occurs in the northern Pacific Ocean called also king salmon

chin·qua·pin ['chiŋ-ki-,pin] -n

  1. the edible nut of a chinquapin
  2. any of several trees (genera Castaneaand Castanopsis)
  3. a dwarf chestnut ( Castanea pumila) of the U.S.

chinquapin oak -n

  1. either of two chestnut oaks ( Quercus muhlenbergiiand Q. prinoides) of the eastern U.S.

chin·strap penguin ['chin-,strap-] -n

  1. a penguin ( Pygoscelis antarctica) with a narrow band of black feathers from ear to ear under its chin that breeds on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands called also chinstrap

chintz ['chin(t)s] -n

  1. a printed calico from India
  2. a usu. glazed printed cotton fabric

chintzy ['chin(t)-sē] -adj, n

  1. decorated with or as if with chintz
  2. gaudy, cheap
    • chintzy toys
  3. stingy

chinup ['chin-(,)əp] -n

  1. the act or an instance of chinning oneself performed esp. as a conditioning exercise

chinwag ['chin-,wag] -n

  1. conversation, chat

chi·o·no·doxa [,kī-ə-nō-'däk-sə, kī-,ä-nə-] -n

  1. glory-of-the-snow

chip ['chip] -n

  1. a small usu. thin and flat piece (as of wood or stone) cut, struck, or flaked off
  2. : a small piece of food: as
  3. a small thin slice of food
  4. potato chip
  5. french fry
  6. a small cone-shaped bit of food often used for baking
    • chocolate chip s
  7. something small, worthless, or trivial
  8. one of the counters used as a token for money in poker and other games
  9. money used esp. in the phrase in the chips
  10. something valuable that can be used for advantage in negotiation or trade
    • a bargaining chip
  11. a piece of dried dung usu. used in combination
    • cow chip
  12. a flaw left after a chip has been broken off
  13. integrated circuit
  14. a small wafer of semiconductor material that forms the base for an integrated circuit
  15. chip shot
  16. to cut or hew with an edged tool
  17. to cut or break (a small piece) from something
  18. to cut or break a fragment from
    • chip a tooth
  19. to cut into chips
    • chip a tree stump
  20. chaff, banter
  21. to hit (a return in tennis) with backspin
  22. to break off in small pieces
  23. to play a chip shot

chip·board ['chip-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a cardboard usu. made entirely from wastepaper

chip in -vi

  1. contribute
    • everyone chipped in for the gift
  2. chime in
  3. contribute
    • chip in five dollars

chip·munk ['chip-,məŋk] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Tamias) of small striped No. American and Asian rodents of the squirrel family

chi·pot·le [chə-'pōt-lā, chē-, -'pȯt-, -lē] -n

  1. a smoked and usu. dried jalapeo pepper

chipped beef ['chip(t)-] -n

  1. smoked dried beef sliced thin

Chip·pen·dale ['chi-pən-,dāl] -adj

  1. of or relating to an 18th century English furniture style characterized by graceful outline and often ornate rococo ornamentation

chip·per ['chi-pər] -n

  1. one that chips
    • a wood chipper

chipper -adj

  1. sprightly

Chip·pe·wa ['chi-pə-,wȯ, -,wä, -,wā, -wə] -n

  1. ojibwa

chip·pie ['chi-pē] -n

  1. tramp, prostitute

chip·ping sparrow ['chi-piŋ-] -n

  1. a small gray-breasted No. American sparrow ( Spizella passerina) with a black line through the eye, a white line above it, and in breeding plumage a reddish patch on the top of the head

chip·py ['chi-pē] -adj

  1. aggressively belligerent
    • a chippy hockey player
  2. marked by much fighting
    • a chippy game

chip shot -n

  1. a short usu. low approach shot in golf that lofts the ball to the green and allows it to roll
  2. a short and easy field goal in football

chir- -comb form

  1. hand
    • chiro practic

chi·ral ['kī-rəl] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image

chiral center -n

  1. an atom esp. in an organic molecule that has four unique atoms or groups attached to it

ChiRho ['kī-'rō, 'kē-] -n

  1. a Christian monogram and symbol formed from the first two letters X and P of the Greek word for Christ called also Christogram

Chir·i·ca·hua [,chir-ə-'kä-wə] -n

  1. a member of an Apache people of Arizona

chirimoya [,cher-ə-'mȯi-ə] -n

(variant of cherimoya)

  1. a round, oblong, or heart-shaped fruit with a pitted pale green rind that is borne by a widely cultivated tropical American tree ( Annona cherimola) of the custard-apple family
  2. this tree

chirk ['chərk] -vt

  1. cheer
    • play with her and chirk her up a little -- Harriet B. Stowe

chi·rog·ra·phy [kī-'rä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. handwriting, penmanship
  2. calligraphy

chi·ro·man·cy ['kī-rə-,man(t)-sē] -n

  1. palmistry

chi·ron·o·mid [kī-'rä-nə-məd] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Chironomidae) of midges that lack piercing mouthparts

chi·rop·o·dy [kə-'rä-pə-dē, shə- also kī-] -n

  1. podiatry

chi·ro·prac·tic ['kī-rə-,prak-tik, ,kī-rə-'] -n, adj

  1. a system of therapy which holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body structures (as the spinal column)

chi·rop·ter·an [kī-'räp-tə-rən] -n

  1. bat

chirp ['chərp] -vb

  1. to make a chirp or a sound resembling a chirp
  2. to utter with a cheerful liveliness
    • she chirp ed good morning
  3. the characteristic short sharp sound esp. of a small bird or insect

chirpy ['chər-pē] -adj, adv, n

  1. cheerfully lively
    • a chirpy manner
  2. making chirps
  3. suggestive of chirping
    • a chirpy voice

chirr ['chər] -n, vi

  1. the short vibrant or trilled sound characteristic of an insect (as a grasshopper or cicada)

chir·rup ['chər-əp, 'chir-] -n, vi

  1. chirp

chir·rupy ['chər-ə-pē, 'chir-] -adj

  1. chirpy

chiru ['chir-(,)ü] -n

  1. an antelope ( Pantholops hodgsoni) chiefly of the Tibetan plateau having a pinkish-fawn wooly coat and in the male long nearly straight horns

chi·rur·geon [kī-'rər-jən] -n

  1. surgeon

chis·el ['chi-zᵊl] -n

  1. a metal tool with a sharpened edge at one end used to chip, carve, or cut into a solid material (as wood, stone, or metal)

chisel ['chi-zə-liŋ, 'chiz-liŋ] -vb, n

  1. to cut or work with or as if with a chisel
  2. to employ shrewd or unfair practices on in order to obtain one's end
  3. to obtain by such practices
    • chisel a job
  4. to work with or as if with a chisel
  5. to employ shrewd or unfair practices
  6. to thrust oneself : intrude
    • chisel in on a racket

chis·eled ['chi-zᵊld] -adj

  1. formed or crafted as if with a chisel
    • chiseled good looks
    • a chiseled essay
    • a chiseled physique

chisquare ['kī-'skwer] -n

  1. a statistic that is a sum of terms each of which is a quotient obtained by dividing the square of the difference between the observed and theoretical values of a quantity by the theoretical value

chisquare distribution -n

  1. a probability density function that gives the distribution of the sum of the squares of a number of independent random variables each with a normal distribution with zero mean and unit variance, that has the property that the sum of two or more random variables with such a distribution also has one, and that is widely used in testing statistical hypotheses esp. about the theoretical and observed values of a quantity and about population variances and standard deviations

chit ['chit] -n

  1. child
  2. a pert young woman
  3. a short letter or note
  4. a signed voucher of a small debt (as for food)
  5. a small slip of paper with writing on it

chit·chat ['chit-,chat] -n, vi

  1. small talk, gossip

chi·tin ['kī-tᵊn] -n, adj

  1. a horny polysaccharide (C 8H 13NO 5) n that forms part of the hard outer integument esp. of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans

chi·ton ['kī-tᵊn, 'kī-,tän] -n

  1. any of a class (Polyplacophora) of elongated bilaterally symmetrical marine mollusks with a dorsal shell of calcareous plates
  2. the basic garment of ancient Greece worn usu. knee-length by men and full-length by women

chit·ter ['chi-tər] -vi

  1. twitter, chirp
  2. chatter

chit·ter·lings ['chit-lənz] -n pl

  1. the intestines of hogs esp. when prepared as food

chi·val·ric [shə-'val-rik] -adj

  1. relating to chivalry : chivalrous

chiv·al·rous ['shi-vəl-rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. valiant
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of chivalry and knight-errantry
  3. marked by honor, generosity, and courtesy
  4. marked by gracious courtesy and high-minded consideration esp. to women

chiv·al·ry ['shi-vəl-rē] -n

  1. mounted men-at-arms
  2. martial valor
  3. knightly skill
  4. gallant or distinguished gentlemen
  5. the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood
  6. the qualities of the ideal knight : chivalrous conduct

chive ['chīv] -n

  1. a perennial plant ( Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and having slender leaves used as a seasoning
  2. its leaves usu. used in pl.

chivy ['chi-vē] -vt

  1. to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks
  2. to move or obtain by small maneuvers
    • chivy an olive out of a bottle

chla·myd·ia [klə-'mi-dē-ə] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Chlamydia,family Chlamydiaceae) of spherical gram-negative intracellular bacteria
  2. one ( C. trachomatis) that causes or is associated with various diseases of the eye and urogenital tract including trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, cervicitis, and some forms of urethritis
  3. a disease or infection caused by chlamydiae

chla·mydo·spore [klə-'mi-də-,spȯr] -n

  1. a thick-walled usu. resting fungal spore

chla·mys ['kla-məs, 'klā-] -n

  1. a short oblong mantle worn by young men of ancient Greece

Chloe ['klō-ē] -n

  1. a lover of Daphnis in a Greek pastoral romance

chlor- -comb form

  1. green
    • chlor ine
    • chlor osis
  2. chlorine : containing chlorine
    • chloro prene

chlor·ac·ne [klȯ-'rak-nē] -n

  1. a skin eruption resembling acne and resulting from exposure to chlorine or its compounds

chlo·ral ['klȯr-əl] -n

  1. a pungent colorless oily aldehyde CCl 3CHO used in making DDT and chloral hydrate
  2. chloral hydrate

chloral hydrate -n

  1. a bitter white crystalline drug C 2H 3Cl 3O 2used as a hypnotic and sedative or in knockout drops

chlo·ral·ose ['klȯr-ə-,lōs, -,lōz] -n

  1. a bitter crystalline compound C 8H 11Cl 3O 6used esp. to anesthetize animals

chlo·ra·mine ['klȯr-ə-,mēn] -n

  1. any of various compounds containing nitrogen and chlorine

chlor·am·phen·i·col [,klȯr-,am-'fe-ni-,kȯl, -,kōl] -n

  1. a broad-spectrum antibiotic C 11H 12Cl 2N 2O 5isolated from cultures of a soil actinomycete ( Streptomyces venezuelae) or prepared synthetically

chlo·rate ['klȯr-,āt] -n

  1. a salt containing the anion ClO 3
    • chlorate of potassium

chlor·dane ['klȯr-,dān] -n

  1. a viscous volatile toxic liquid insecticide C 10H 6Cl 8formerly used in the U.S.

chlor·di·az·epox·ide [,klȯr-dī-,a-zə-'päk-,sīd] -n

  1. a benzodiazepine C 16H 14ClN 3O related to diazepam and used in the form of its hydrochloride esp. as a tranquilizer and to treat the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism

chlo·rel·la [klə-'re-lə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Chlorella) of unicellular green algae

chlor·en·chy·ma [klȯr-'eŋ-kə-mə] -n

  1. chlorophyll-containing parenchyma of plants

chlor·hex·i·dine [klȯr-'hek-sə-,dīn, -,dēn] -n

  1. an antibacterial compound C 22H 30Cl 2N 10used as a local antiseptic (as in mouthwash) and disinfectant esp. in the form of its hydrochloride or gluconate

chlo·ride ['klȯr-,īd] -n

  1. a compound of chlorine with another element or group
  2. a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid
  3. a monovalent anion consisting of one atom of chlorine

chloride of lime

  1. bleaching powder

chlo·ri·nate ['klȯr-ə-,nāt] -vt, n

  1. to treat or combine with chlorine or a chlorine compound

chlorinated lime -n

  1. bleaching powder

chlo·rine ['klȯr-,ēn, -ən] -n

  1. a halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish-yellow diatomic gas of pungent odor and is used esp. as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification

chlorine dioxide -n

  1. a heavy reddish-yellow gas ClO 2used esp. as a bleach and disinfectant

chlorine monoxide -n

  1. a reactive monovalent radical ClO that plays a major role in stratospheric ozone depletion

chlo·rin·i·ty [klȯ-'ri-nə-tē] -n

  1. a measure of the concentration of halides in one kilogram of seawater

chlo·rite ['klȯr-,īt] -n, adj

  1. any of a group of usu. green silicate minerals associated with and resembling the micas

chlorite -n

  1. a salt containing the anion ClO 2
    • chlorite of sodium

chlo·ro·ben·zene [,klȯr-ō-'ben-,zēn, -ben-'] -n

  1. a colorless flammable volatile toxic liquid C 6H 5Cl used in organic synthesis (as of DDT) and as a solvent

chlo·ro·fluo·ro·car·bon [,klȯr-ō-,flȯr-ō-'kär-bən, -,flu̇r-] -n

  1. any of several simple gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen, that are used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, and aerosol propellants and in the manufacture of plastic foams, and that are believed to be a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion abbr. CFC

chlo·ro·fluo·ro·meth·ane [-'me-,thān, Brit usu -'mē-] -n

  1. a chlorofluorocarbon derived from methane

chlo·ro·form ['klȯr-ə-,fȯrm] -n

  1. a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid CHCl 3with an ether odor used esp. as a solvent

chloroform -vt

  1. to treat with or as if with chloroform esp. so as to produce anesthesia, insensibility, or death

chlo·ro·gen·ic acid [,klȯr-ə-'je-nik-] -n

  1. a crystalline acid C 16H 18O 9occurring in various plant parts (as coffee beans)

chlo·ro·hy·drin [,klȯr-ə-'hī-drən] -n

  1. any of various organic compounds derived from diols or polyhydroxy alcohols by substitution of chlorine for part of the hydroxyl groups

chlo·ro·phyll ['klȯr-ə-,fil, -fəl] -n, adj

  1. the green photosynthetic pigment found chiefly in the chloroplasts of plants and occurring esp. as a blue-black ester C 55H 72MgN 4O 5or a dark green ester C 55H 70MgN 4O 6 called also respectively chlorophyll a chlorophyll b
  2. a waxy green chlorophyll-containing substance extracted from green plants and used as a coloring agent or deodorant

chlo·ro·pic·rin [,klȯr-ə-'pi-krən] -n

  1. a colorless liquid CCl 3NO 2that causes tears and vomiting and is used esp. as a soil fumigant

chlo·ro·plast ['klȯr-ə-,plast] -n, adj

  1. a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis

chlo·ro·prene [-,prēn] -n

  1. a colorless liquid C 4H 5Cl used esp. in making neoprene by polymerization

chlo·ro·quine ['klȯr-ə-,kwēn] -n

  1. an antimalarial drug C 18H 26ClN 3administered in the form of its bitter crystalline diphosphate

chlo·ro·sis [klə-'rō-səs] -n, adj

  1. an iron-deficiency anemia esp. of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to the skin called also greensickness
  2. a diseased condition in green plants marked by yellowing or blanching

chlo·ro·thi·a·zide [,klȯr-ə-'thī-ə-,zīd, -zəd] -n

  1. a thiazide diuretic C 7H 6ClN 3O 4S 2used esp. in the treatment of edema and hypertension

chlor·phen·ir·amine [,klȯr-(')fen-'ir-ə-,mēn, -mən] -n

  1. an antihistamine C 16H 19ClN 2that is usu. administered in the form of its maleate

chlor·prom·a·zine [klȯr-'prä-mə-,zēn] -n

  1. a phenothiazine C 17H 19ClN 2S used chiefly as a tranquilizer esp. in the form of its hydrochloride to control the symptoms of psychotic disorders (as schizophrenia)

chlor·prop·amide [-'prä-pə-,mīd, -'prō-] -n

  1. a sulfonylurea drug C 10H 13ClN 2O 3S used orally to reduce blood sugar in the treatment of mild diabetes

chlor·pyr·i·fos [-'pir-ə-fäs, -'pī-rə] -n

  1. a toxic crystalline organophosphate pesticide C 9H 11Cl 3NO 3PS that inhibits acetylcholinesterase and is used to control insect pests and ticks

chlor·tet·ra·cy·cline [,klȯr-,te-trə-'sī-,klēn] -n

  1. a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic C 22H 23ClN 2O 8that is produced by a soil actinomycete ( Streptomyces aureofaciens) and is sometimes used in animal feeds to stimulate growth

chm -abbr

  1. chairman
  2. checkmate

Chmn -abbr

  1. chairman

cho·ano·cyte [kō-'a-nə-,sīt] -n

  1. collar cell

chock ['chäk] -n

  1. a wedge or block for steadying a body (as a cask) and holding it motionless, for filling in an unwanted space, or for blocking the movement of a wheel
  2. a heavy metal casting (as on the bow or stern of a ship) with two short horn-shaped arms curving inward between which ropes or hawsers may pass for mooring or towing
  3. as close or as completely as possible
  4. to stop or make fast with or as if with chocks

chock·a·block ['chä-kə-,bläk] -adv

  1. chock
    • chockablock full

chockablock -adj

  1. brought close together
  2. very full
    • shelves chockablock with books

chockfull ['chək-'fu̇l, 'chäk-, -,fu̇l] -adj

  1. full to the limit
    • hotels chockfull of tourists

choc·o·hol·ic [,chä-kə-'hȯ-lik, ,chȯ-, -'hä-] -n

  1. a person who craves or compulsively consumes chocolate

choc·o·late ['chä-k(ə-)lət, 'chȯ-] -n, adj

  1. a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk
  2. a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans
  3. a small candy with a center (as a fondant) and a chocolate coating
  4. a brownish gray

chocolatebox -adj

  1. superficially pretty or sentimental

choc·o·la·tier [,chä-k(ə-)lə-'tir, ,chȯ-] -n

  1. a maker or seller of chocolate candy

choc·o·laty ['chä-k(ə-)lə-tē, 'chȯ-] -adj

  1. made of or like chocolate
  2. having a rich chocolate flavor

Choc·taw ['chäk-(,)tȯ] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana
  2. the language of the Choctaw people

choice ['chȯis] -n

  1. the act of choosing : selection
    • finding it hard to make a choice
  2. power of choosing : option
    • you have no choice
  3. the best part : cream
  4. a person or thing chosen
    • she was their first choice
  5. a number and variety to choose among
    • a plan with a wide choice of options
  6. care in selecting
  7. a grade of meat between prime and good
  8. worthy of being chosen
  9. selected with care
  10. of high quality
  11. of a grade between prime and good
    • choice meat

choir ['kwī(-ə)r] -n

  1. an organized company of singers (as in a church service)
  2. a group of instruments of the same class
    • a brass choir
  3. an organized group of persons or things
  4. a division of angels
  5. the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy
  6. the part of a church where the services are performed
  7. a group organized for ensemble speaking
  8. to sing or sound in chorus or concert

choir·boy ['kwī(-ə)r-,bȯi] -n

  1. a boy member of a choir

choir loft -n

  1. a gallery occupied by a church choir

choir·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n

  1. the director of a choir

choke ['chōk] -vb

  1. to check or block normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air
  2. to check or hinder the growth, development, or activity of
    • the flowers were choked by the weeds
  3. to obstruct by filling up or clogging
    • leaves choked the drain
  4. to fill completely : jam
    • roads choked with traffic
  5. to enrich the fuel mixture of (a motor) by partially shutting off the air intake of the carburetor
  6. to grip (as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the handle usu. used with up
  7. to become choked in breathing
    • he choked on a bone
  8. to become obstructed or checked
  9. to become or feel constricted in the throat (as from strong emotion) usu. used with up
    • choked up and couldn't finish the speech
  10. to shorten one's grip esp. on the handle of a bat usu. used with up
  11. to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation
    • had a chance to win the game but he choked
  12. the filamentous inedible center of an artichoke flower head
  13. an artichoke flower head
  14. : something that obstructs passage or flow: as
  15. a valve for choking a gasoline engine
  16. a constriction in an outlet (as of an oil well) that restricts flow
  17. reactor
  18. a constriction (as a narrowing of the barrel or an attachment) at the muzzle of a shotgun that serves to limit the spread of shot
  19. the act of choking

choke·ber·ry [-,ber-ē] -n

  1. a small berrylike astringent fruit
  2. any of a genus ( Aronia) of No. American shrubs of the rose family bearing chokeberries

choke chain -n

  1. a collar that may be tightened as a noose and that is used esp. in training and controlling powerful or stubborn dogs called also choke collar

choke·cher·ry ['chōk-,cher-ē] -n

  1. a wild cherry ( Prunus virginiana) of the U.S. and Canada having bitter or astringent red to black edible fruit
  2. this fruit

choke coil -n

  1. reactor

choke hold -n

  1. a hold that involves strong choking pressure applied to the neck of another
  2. absolute dominance or control
    • had a choke hold on the city's finances

choke off -vt

  1. to bring to a stop or to an end as if by choking

choke point -n

  1. a strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region

chok·er ['chō-kər] -n

  1. one that chokes
  2. something (as a collar or necklace) worn closely about the throat or neck

chok·ing ['chō-kiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. producing the feeling of strangulation
    • a choking cloud of smog
  2. indistinct in utterance used esp. of a person's voice
    • a low choking laugh

choky ['chō-kē] -adj

  1. tending to cause choking or to become choked

chol- -comb form

  1. bile : gall
    • chol ate

chol·an·gi·og·ra·phy [kə-,lan-jē-'ä-grə-fē, (,)kō-] -n, adj

  1. radiographic visualization of the bile ducts after injection of a radiopaque substance

cho·late ['kō-,lāt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of cholic acid

cho·le·cal·cif·er·ol [,kō-lə-(,)kal-'si-fə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n

  1. a sterol C 27H 43OH that is a natural form of vitamin D found esp. in fish, egg yolks, and fish-liver oils and is formed in the skin on exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays called also vitamin D 3

cho·le·cys·tec·to·my [-(,)sis-'tek-tə-mē] -n, adj

  1. surgical excision of the gallbladder

cho·le·cys·ti·tis [-(,)sis-'tī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of the gallbladder

cho·le·cys·to·ki·nin [-,sis-tə-'kī-nən] -n

  1. a hormone secreted esp. by the duodenal mucosa that regulates the emptying of the gallbladder and secretion of enzymes by the pancreas and that has been found in the brain called also cholecystokinin-pancreozymin pancreozymin

cho·le·li·thi·a·sis [,kō-lə-li-'thī-ə-səs] -n

  1. production of gallstones
  2. the resulting abnormal condition

cho·ler ['kä-lər, 'kō-] -n

  1. yellow bile
  2. bile
  3. the quality or state of being bilious
  4. ready disposition to irritation : irascibility
  5. anger

chol·era ['kä-lə-rə] -n

  1. any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usu. marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms
  2. an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by a comma-shaped gram-negative bacillus ( Vibrio choleraesyn. V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small intestine

chol·era mor·bus [-'mȯr-bəs, dial -'mä(r)-; dial 'kä-lē-] -n

  1. gastrointestinal illness characterized by cramps, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting not used technically

cho·ler·ic ['kä-lə-rik, kə-'ler-ik] -adj, adv

  1. easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered
  2. angry, irate

cho·le·sta·sis [,kō-lə-'stā-səs] -n, adj

  1. a checking or failure of bile flow

cho·le·ster·ic [,kō-lə-'ster-ik, kə-'les-tə-rik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal characterized by arrangement of molecules in layers with the long molecular axes parallel to one another in the plane of each layer and incrementally displaced in successive layers to give helical stacking

cho·les·ter·ol [kə-'les-tə-,rōl, -,rȯl] -n

  1. a steroid alcohol C 27H 45OH that is present in animal cells and body fluids, regulates membrane fluidity, and functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways and as a constituent of LDL may cause arteriosclerosis

cho·le·styr·amine [(,)kō-,les-tə-'ra-,mēn, kə-; ,kō-lə-'stir-ə-,mēn] -n

  1. a strongly basic synthetic resin that forms insoluble complexes with bile acids and has been used to lower cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients

cho·lic acid ['kō-lik-] -n

  1. a crystalline bile acid C 24H 40O 5

cho·line ['kō-,lēn] -n

  1. a basic compound C 5H 15NO 2that is found in various foods (as egg yolks and legumes) or is synthesized in the liver and that is a component of lecithin, is a precursor of acetylcholine, and is essential to liver function

cho·lin·er·gic [,kō-lə-'nər-jik] -adj, adv

  1. liberating, activated by, or involving acetylcholine
    • cholinergic nerve fiber
    • cholinergic functions
  2. resembling acetylcholine esp. in physiologic action
    • a cholinergic drug

cho·lin·es·ter·ase [,kō-lə-'nes-tə-,rās, -,rāz] -n

  1. acetylcholinesterase
  2. an enzyme that hydrolyzes choline esters and that is found esp. in blood plasma called also pseudocholinesterase

chol·la ['chȯi-yə] -n

  1. any of numerous shrubby opuntias chiefly of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that have needlelike spines partly enclosed in a papery sheath and cylindrical joints called also cholla cactus

cho·lo ['chō-(,)lō] -n

  1. a man or boy of Mexican descent
  2. a Mexican-American youth who belongs to a street gang

chomp ['chämp, 'chȯmp] -vb, n

  1. to chew or bite on something
  2. champ usu. used in the phrase chomping at the bit
  3. to chew or bite on

chon·drio·some ['kän-drē-ə-,sōm] -n

  1. mitochondrion

chon·drite ['kän-,drīt] -n, adj

  1. a meteoric stone characterized by the presence of chondrules

chon·dro·cra·ni·um [,kän-drō-'krā-nē-əm] -n

  1. the cartilaginous parts of an embryonic cranium
  2. the part of the adult skull derived therefrom

chon·dro·cyte ['kän-drə-,sīt] -n

  1. a cartilage cell

chon·droi·tin [kän-'drȯi-tᵊn, -'drō-ə-tən] -n

  1. any of several glycosaminoglycans occurring in sulfated form in various animal tissues (as cartilage)

chon·drule ['kän-(,)drül] -n

  1. a rounded granule of cosmic origin often found embedded in meteoric stones and sometimes free in marine sediments

chook ['chu̇k] -n

  1. chicken

choose ['chüz] -vb, n

  1. to select freely and after consideration
    • choose a career
  2. to decide on esp. by vote : elect
  3. to have a preference for
  4. decide
    • chose to go by train
  5. to make a selection
    • finding it hard to choose
  6. to take an alternative used after cannot and usu. followed by but
    • when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy -- J. A. Froude

choose up -vt

  1. to form (sides) esp. for a game by having opposing captains choose their players
  2. to form sides for a game

choosy ['chü-zē] -adj

  1. fastidiously selective : particular
    • choosy shoppers

chop ['chäp] -vb

  1. to cut into or sever usu. by repeated blows of a sharp instrument
  2. to cut into pieces often used with up
    • chop up an onion
  3. to weed and thin out (young cotton)
  4. to cut as if by chopping
    • chop prices
    • a bridge chop s the lake in two
  5. to strike (as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke
  6. to subject to the action of a chopper
    • chop a beam of light
  7. to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (as an ax)
  8. to move or act suddenly or violently
  9. a forceful usu. slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver
  10. a sharp downward blow or stroke
  11. a small cut of meat often including part of a rib
  12. a mark made by or as if by chopping
  13. material that has been chopped up
  14. a short abrupt motion (as of a wave)
  15. a stretch of choppy sea
  16. chopper
  17. ax
    • it is the very top men who have got the chop -- Daily Mirror
  18. to change direction
  19. to veer with or as if with wind
  20. a seal or official stamp or its impression
  21. a license validated by a seal
  22. a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality
  23. a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop
  24. quality, grade
    • of the first chop

chopchop [,chäp-'chäp, 'chäp-'] -adv

  1. without delay : quickly

chopfallen ['chap-,fȯ-lən, 'chäp-] -adj

(variant of chapfallen)

  1. having the lower jaw hanging loosely
  2. cast down in spirit : depressed

chop·house ['chäp-,hau̇s] -n

  1. restaurant

cho·pine [shä-'pēn, chä-] -n

  1. a woman's shoe of the 16th and 17th centuries with a very high sole designed to increase stature and protect the feet from mud and dirt

chop·log·ic ['chäp-,lä-jik] -n, adj

  1. involved and often specious argumentation

chop mark ['chäp-,märkt] -n, adj

  1. an indentation made on a coin to attest weight, silver content, or legality

chopped liver -n

  1. one that is insignificant or not worth considering

chop·per ['chä-pər] -n

  1. one that chops
  2. teeth
  3. a device that interrupts an electric current or a beam of radiation (as light) at short regular intervals
  4. machine gun
  5. helicopter
  6. a high-bouncing batted baseball
  7. a customized motorcycle

chopper -vb

  1. helicopter

chop·pi·ness ['chä-pē-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being choppy

chopping block -n

  1. a wooden block on which material (as meat, wood, or vegetables) is cut, split, or diced
  2. a situation in which someone or something is threatened with elimination
    • government programs on the chopping block

chop·py ['chä-pē] -adj, adv

  1. being roughened : chapped
  2. rough with small waves
  3. interrupted by ups and downs
    • choppy terrain
    • a choppy career
  4. jerky
    • short choppy strides
  5. disconnected
    • choppy writing

choppy -adj

  1. changeable, variable
    • a choppy wind

chops ['chäps] -n pl

  1. jaw
  2. mouth
  3. the fleshy covering of the jaws
    • a dog licking its chops
  4. embouchure
  5. the technical facility of a musical performer
  6. expertise in a particular field or activity
    • acting chops

chop shop -n

  1. a place where stolen automobiles are stripped of salable parts

chopsocky ['chäp-'sä-kē] -n

  1. a genre of motion pictures featuring martial arts violence
    • a chopsocky star

chop·stick ['chäp-,stik] -n

  1. one of a pair of slender sticks held between thumb and fingers and used chiefly in Asian countries to lift food to the mouth

chop su·ey [,chäp-'sü-ē] -n

  1. a dish prepared chiefly from bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, onions, mushrooms, and meat or fish and served with rice and soy sauce

cho·ra·gus [kə-'rā-gəs] -n, adj

  1. the leader of a chorus or choir
  2. the leader of any group or movement
  3. a leader of a dramatic chorus in ancient Greece

cho·ral ['kȯr-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a chorus or choir
    • a choral group
  2. sung or designed for singing by a choir
    • a choral arrangement

cho·rale [kə-'ral, -'räl] -n

  1. a hymn or psalm sung to a traditional or composed melody in church
  2. a harmonization of a chorale melody
    • a Bach chorale
  3. chorus, choir

chorale prelude -n

  1. a composition usu. for organ based on a chorale

chord ['kȯrd] -n

  1. three or more musical tones sounded simultaneously
  2. accord
  3. to play chords esp. on a stringed instrument
  4. to make chords on
  5. harmonize
  6. cord
  7. a straight line segment joining and included between two points on a circle
  8. a straight line joining two points on a curve
  9. an individual emotion or disposition
    • struck a responsive chord
  10. either of the two outside members of a truss connected and braced by the web members
  11. the straight line distance joining the leading and trailing edges of an airfoil

chord·al ['kȯr-dᵊl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or suggesting a chord
  2. relating to music characterized more by harmony than by counterpoint

chor·da·meso·derm [,kȯr-də-'me-zə-,dərm also -'me-sə-] -n, adj

  1. the portion of the embryonic mesoderm that forms the notochord and related structures and induces the formation of neural structures

chor·date ['kȯr-,dāt, -dət] -n, adj

  1. any of a phylum (Chordata) of animals having at least at some stage of development a notochord, dorsally situated central nervous system, and gill clefts and including the vertebrates, lancelets, and tunicates

chore ['chȯr] -n

  1. the regular or daily light work of a household or farm
  2. a routine task or job
  3. a difficult or disagreeable task
    • doing taxes can be a real chore

cho·rea [kə-'rē-ə] -n, adj

  1. any of various nervous disorders (as of humans or dogs) marked by spasmodic movements of limbs and facial muscles and by incoordination

cho·re·i·form [kə-'rē-ə-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. resembling or characteristic of chorea
    • choreiform movements

cho·reo·graph ['kȯr-ē-ə-,graf] -vt, n

  1. to compose the choreography of
    • choreograph a ballet
  2. to arrange or direct the movements, progress, or details of
    • a carefully choreograph ed meeting
  3. to engage in choreography

cho·re·og·ra·phy [,kȯr-ē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the art of symbolically representing dancing
  2. the composition and arrangement of dances esp. for ballet
  3. a composition created by this art
  4. something resembling choreography
    • a snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacy -- Wolfgang Saxon

cho·ric ['kȯr-ik, 'kär-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being in the style of a chorus and esp. a Greek chorus

cho·rine ['kȯr-,ēn] -n

  1. chorus girl

cho·rio·al·lan·to·is [,kȯr-ē-(,)ō-ə-'lan-tə-wəs] -n, adj

  1. a vascular fetal membrane composed of the fused chorion and adjacent wall of the allantois that in the hen's egg is used as a living culture medium for viruses and for tissues called also chorioallantoic membrane

cho·rio·car·ci·no·ma [-,kär-sə-'nō-mə] -n

  1. a malignant tumor typically developing in the uterus from the trophoblast

cho·ri·on ['kȯr-ē-,än] -n

  1. the highly vascular outer embryonic membrane of reptiles, birds, and mammals that in placental mammals is associated with the allantois in the formation of the placenta

cho·ri·on·ic [,kȯr-ē-'ä-nik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being part of the chorion
    • chorionic villi
  2. secreted or produced by chorionic or related tissue (as in the placenta or a choriocarcinoma)

chorionic villus sampling -n

  1. biopsy of a villus of the chorion at usu. 10 to 12 weeks of gestation to obtain fetal cells for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities abbr. CVS called also chorionic villi sampling

cho·ris·ter ['kȯr-ə-stər, 'kär-] -n

  1. a singer in a choir
  2. choirboy
  3. the leader of a church choir

cho·ri·zo [chə-'rē-(,)zō, -(,)sō] -n

  1. a pork sausage highly seasoned esp. with chili powder and garlic

cho·rog·ra·phy [kə-'rä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. the art of describing or mapping a region or district
  2. a description or map of a region
  3. the physical conformation and features of such a region

cho·roid ['kȯr-,ȯid] -n, adj

  1. a vascular membrane containing large branched pigmented cells that lies between the retina and the sclera of the vertebrate eye called also choroid coat

chor·ten ['chȯr-,ten] -n

  1. a Lamaist shrine or monument

chor·tle ['chȯr-tᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to sing or chant exultantly
    • he chortled in his joy -- Lewis Carroll
  2. to laugh or chuckle esp. in satisfaction or exultation
  3. to say or sing with a chortling intonation

cho·rus ['kȯr-əs] -n

  1. a company of singers and dancers in Athenian drama participating in or commenting on the action
  2. a similar company in later plays
  3. a character in Elizabethan drama who speaks the prologue and epilogue and comments on the action
  4. an organized company of singers who sing in concert : choir
  5. a body of singers who sing the choral parts of a work (as in opera)
  6. a group of dancers and singers supporting the featured players in a musical comedy or revue
  7. a part of a song or hymn recurring at intervals
  8. the part of a drama sung or spoken by the chorus
  9. a composition to be sung by a number of voices in concert
  10. the main part of a popular song
  11. a jazz variation on a melodic theme
  12. something performed, sung, or uttered simultaneously or unanimously by a number of persons or animals
    • a chorus of boos
    • that eternal chorus of: Are we there yet? from the back seat -- Sheila More
  13. sounds so uttered
    • visitors are taken to the woods by car to hear the mournful chorus es of howling wolves -- Bob Gaines

chorus -vt

  1. to sing or utter in chorus

chorus boy -n

  1. a young man who sings or dances in the chorus of a theatrical production (as a musical or revue)

chorus girl -n

  1. a young woman who sings or dances in the chorus of a theatrical production (as a musical or revue)

chose ['chüz] -vb, n

(variant of choose)

  1. to select freely and after consideration
    • choose a career
  2. to decide on esp. by vote : elect
  3. to have a preference for
  4. decide
    • chose to go by train
  5. to make a selection
    • finding it hard to choose
  6. to take an alternative used after cannot and usu. followed by but
    • when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy -- J. A. Froude

cho·sen ['chō-zᵊn] -n

  1. one who is the object of choice or of divine favor : an elect person

chosen -adj

  1. elect
  2. selected or marked for favor or special privilege
    • a chosen few

Chou ['jō] -n

  1. a Chinese dynasty traditionally dated 1122 to about 256 b.c.and marked by the development of the philosophical schools of Confucius, Mencius, Lao-tzu, and Mo Ti

chou·croute [shü-'krüt] -n

  1. sauerkraut
  2. sauerkraut cooked and served with meat called also choucroute gar*nie -gar-ne

chough ['chəf] -n

  1. either of two Old World birds ( Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxand P. graculus) that are related to the crows and have red legs and glossy blue-black plumage

chouse ['chau̇s] -vt

  1. cheat, trick
  2. to drive or herd roughly

chow ['chau̇] -n

  1. food, victuals
  2. eat often used with down
    • chow ing down on pizza
  3. chow chow

chow·chow ['chau̇-,chau̇] -n

  1. a Chinese preserve of ginger, fruits, and peels in heavy syrup
  2. a relish of chopped mixed pickles in mustard sauce

chow chow ['chau̇-,chau̇] -n

  1. any of a breed of heavy-coated sturdy muscular dogs of Chinese origin having a broad head and muzzle, a distinctive blue-black tongue and black-lined mouth, and either a long dense coat with a full ruff or a short smooth coat called also chow

chow·der ['chau̇-dər] -vt

  1. to make chowder of

chowder -n

  1. a soup or stew of seafood (as clams or fish) usu. made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions, and other vegetables (as potatoes)
  2. a soup resembling chowder
    • corn chowder

chow·der·head [-,hed] -n, adj

  1. dolt, blockhead

chow·hound ['chau̇-,hau̇nd] -n

  1. one fond of eating

chow line -n

  1. a line of people waiting to be served food

chow mein ['chau̇-'mān] -n

  1. a seasoned stew of shredded or diced meat, mushrooms, and vegetables that is usu. served with fried noodles

chres·tom·a·thy [kre-'stä-mə-thē] -n

  1. a selection of passages used to help learn a language
  2. a volume of selected passages or stories of an author

chrism ['kri-zəm] -n

  1. consecrated oil used in Greek and Latin churches esp. in baptism, chrismation, confirmation, and ordination

chris·ma·tion [kriz-'mā-shən] -n

  1. a confirmatory sacrament of the Eastern Orthodox Church in which a baptized member is anointed with chrism

chris·mon ['kriz-,män] -n

  1. chi-rho

chris·om ['kri-zəm] -n

  1. a white cloth or robe put on a person at baptism as a symbol of innocence

chrisom child -n

  1. a child that dies in its first month

Christ ['krīst] -n, adj

  1. messiah
  2. jesus
  3. an ideal type of humanity
  4. the ideal truth that comes as a divine manifestation of God to destroy incarnate error

chris·ten ['kri-sᵊn] -vt

  1. baptize
  2. to name at baptism
  3. to name or dedicate (as a ship) by a ceremony suggestive of baptism
  4. name
  5. to use for the first time

Chris·ten·dom ['kri-sᵊn-dəm] -n

  1. christianity
  2. the part of the world in which Christianity prevails

chris·ten·ing -n

  1. the ceremony of baptizing and naming a child

Chris·tian ['kris-chən, 'krish-] -n

  1. one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
  2. disciple
  3. a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906
  4. a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961
  5. the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

Christian -adj, adj or adv

  1. of or relating to Christianity
    • Christian scriptures
  2. based on or conforming with Christianity
    • Christian ethics
  3. of, relating to, or being a Christian
    • Christian responsibilities
  4. professing Christianity
    • a Christian affirmation
    • a Christian country
  5. commendably decent or generous
    • has a very Christian concern for others

Christian Brother -n

  1. a member of the Roman Catholic institute of Brothers of the Christian Schools founded by St. John Baptist de la Salle in France in 1684 and dedicated to education

Christian era -n

  1. the period dating from the birth of Christ

chris·ti·ania [,kris-chē-'a-nē-ə, ,krish-, ,kris-tē-, -'ä-nē-ə] -n

  1. christie

Chris·tian·i·ty [,kris-chē-'a-nə-tē, ,krish-, -'cha-nə-, ,kris-tē-'a-] -n

  1. the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies
  2. conformity to the Christian religion
  3. the practice of Christianity

Chris·tian·ize ['kris-chə-,nīz, 'krish-] -vt, n

  1. to make Christian

Christian name -n

  1. given name

Christian Science -n

  1. a religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866 that was organized under the official name of the Church of Christ, Scientist, that derives its teachings from the Scriptures as understood by its adherents, and that includes a practice of spiritual healing

chris·tie ['kris-tē] -n

  1. a skiing turn used for altering the direction of hill descent or for stopping and executed usu. at high speed by shifting the body weight forward and skidding into a turn with parallel skis

Christ·mas ['kris-məs] -n, adj

  1. a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usu. observed as a legal holiday
  2. christmastide

Christmas cactus -n

  1. a branching Brazilian cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesiisyn. S. buckleyi) having flat jointed stems with scalloped margins and showy usu. red, pink, white, violet, or yellow flowers
  2. a related cactus ( Schlumbergera truncatasyn. Zygocactus truncatus) or a hybrid of this and the Christmas cactus

Christmas card -n

  1. a greeting card sent at Christmas

Christmas club -n

  1. a savings account in which regular deposits are made year-round to provide money for Christmas shopping

Christmas fern -n

  1. a No. American evergreen fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides)

Christmas pudding -n

  1. plum pudding

Christmas rose -n

  1. a European evergreen herb ( Helleborus niger) of the buttercup family that has usu. white flowers produced in winter

Christ·mas·tide ['kris-məs-,tīd] -n

  1. the festival season from Christmas Eve till after New Year's Day or esp. in England till Epiphany

Christ·mas·time [-,tīm] -n

  1. the Christmas season

Christmas tree -n

  1. a usu. evergreen tree decorated at Christmas
  2. an oil-well control device consisting of an assembly of fittings placed at the top of the well

Chris·to·cen·tric [,kris-tə-'sen-trik, ,krīs-] -adj

  1. centering theologically on Christ

Chris·to·gram ['kris-tə-,gram, 'krīs-] -n

  1. a graphic symbol of Christ
  2. chi-rho

Chris·tol·o·gy [kris-'tä-lə-jē, krīs-] -n, adj

  1. theological interpretation of the person and work of Christ

chris·to·phene ['kris-tə-,fēn] -n

  1. chayote

Christ'sthorn ['krīs(ts)-'thȯrn] -n

  1. any of several prickly or thorny shrubs (as the shrub Paliurus spina-christior the jujube Ziziphus spina-christi)

chrom- -comb form

  1. chromium
    • chrom ize
  2. color : colored
    • chromo lithograph
  3. pigment
    • chromo gen

chro·ma ['krō-mə] -n

  1. saturation
  2. a quality of color combining hue and saturation

chro·maf·fin ['krō-mə-fən] -adj

  1. staining deeply with chromium salts
    • chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla

chro·makey ['krō-mə-,kē] -n

  1. a photographic compositing technique based on the separation of colors in the original images
  2. blue screen

chromat- -comb form

  1. color
    • chromat id
  2. chromatin
    • chromato lysis

chro·mate ['krō-,māt] -n

  1. a salt of chromic acid

chro·mat·ic [krō-'ma-tik] -n

  1. accidental

chromatic [-ti-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to color or color phenomena or sensations
  2. highly colored
  3. of or relating to chroma
  4. of, relating to, or giving all the tones of the chromatic scale
  5. characterized by frequent use of accidentals

chromatic aberration -n

  1. aberration caused by the differences in refraction of the colored rays of the spectrum

chro·ma·tic·i·ty [,krō-mə-'ti-sə-tē] -n

  1. the quality of color characterized by its dominant or complementary wavelength and purity taken together

chro·mat·ics [krō-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. the branch of colorimetry that deals with hue and saturation

chromatic scale -n

  1. a musical scale consisting entirely of half steps

chro·ma·tid ['krō-mə-təd] -n

  1. one of the usu. paired and parallel strands of a duplicated chromosome joined by a single centromere

chro·ma·tin ['krō-mə-tən] -n, adj

  1. a complex of nucleic acid and basic proteins (as histone) in eukaryotic cells that is usu. dispersed in the interphase nucleus and condensed into chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis

chro·mato·gram [krō-'ma-tə-,gram, krə-] -n

  1. the pattern formed on an adsorbent medium by the layers of components separated by chromatography
  2. a time-based graphic record (as of concentration of eluted materials) of a chromatographic separation

chro·mato·graph [krō-'ma-tə-,graf, krə-] -n, vb

  1. an instrument for performing chromatographic separations and producing chromatograms

chro·ma·tog·ra·phy [,krō-mə-'tä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a process in which a chemical mixture carried by a liquid or gas is separated into components as a result of differential distribution of the solutes as they flow around or over a stationary liquid or solid phase

chro·ma·tol·y·sis [,krō-mə-'tä-lə-səs] -n, adj

  1. the dissolution and breaking up of chromophil material (as chromatin) of a cell and esp. a nerve cell

chro·mato·phore [krō-'ma-tə-,fȯr, krə-] -n

  1. a pigment-bearing cell
  2. one of the cells of an animal integument capable of causing integumentary color changes by expanding or contracting
  3. the organelle of photosynthesis in photosynthetic bacteria (as the cyanobacteria)
  4. chromoplast, chloroplast

chrome ['krōm] -n

  1. chromium
  2. a chromium pigment
  3. something plated with an alloy of chromium
  4. to treat with a compound of chromium (as in dyeing)
  5. chromize

chrome green -n

  1. any of various brilliant green pigments containing or consisting of chromium compounds

chrome yellow -n

  1. a yellow pigment consisting essentially of neutral lead chromate PbCrO 4

chro·mic ['krō-mik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or derived from chromium esp. with a valence of three

chromic acid -n

  1. an acid H 2CrO 4analogous to sulfuric acid but known only in solution and esp. in the form of its salts

chro·mi·nance ['krō-mə-nən(t)s] -n

  1. the difference between a color and a chosen reference color of the same luminous intensity in color television

chro·mite ['krō-,mīt] -n

  1. a black mineral that consists of an oxide of iron and chromium and is the only chromium ore
  2. an oxide of divalent chromium

chro·mi·um ['krō-mē-əm] -n

  1. a blue-white metallic element found naturally only in combination and used esp. in alloys and in electroplating

chromium pi·co·li·nate [-pi-'kä-lə-,nāt, -'pi-k(-ə)li-] -n

  1. a biologically active chromium salt C 18H 12CrN 3O 6used as a dietary supplement

chro·mize ['krō-,mīz] -vt

  1. to treat (metal) with chromium in order to form a protective surface alloy

chro·mo ['krō-(,)mō] -n

  1. chromolithograph

chro·mo·cen·ter ['krō-mə-,sen-tər] -n

  1. a densely staining aggregation of heterochromatic regions in the nucleus of some cells

chro·mo·dy·nam·ics [,krō-mə-dī-'na-miks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. quantum chromodynamics

chro·mo·gen ['krō-mə-jən] -n

  1. a precursor of a biochemical pigment
  2. a pigment-producing microorganism

chro·mo·gen·ic [,krō-mə-'je-nik] -adj

  1. of or relating to a chromogen
  2. being a process of photographic film development in which silver halides activate precursors of chemical dyes that form the final image while the silver is removed
  3. being a film developed by this process

chro·mo·litho·graph [,krō-mə-'li-thə-,graf] -n, vt, adj

  1. a picture printed in colors from a series of lithographic stones or plates

chro·mo·mere ['krō-mə-,mir] -n, adj

  1. one of the small bead-shaped and heavily staining masses of coiled chromatin that are linearly arranged along the chromosome

chro·mo·ne·ma [,krō-mə-'nē-mə] -n, adj

  1. the coiled filamentous core of a chromatid

chro·mo·phil ['krō-mə-,fil] -adj

  1. staining readily with dyes

chro·mo·phobe [-,fōb] -adj

  1. resisting staining with dyes

chro·mo·phore ['krō-mə-,fȯr] -n, adj

  1. a chemical group (as an azo group) that absorbs light at a specific frequency and so imparts color to a molecule
  2. a colored chemical compound

chro·mo·plast ['krō-mə-,plast] -n

  1. a colored plastid usu. containing red or yellow pigment (as carotene)

chro·mo·pro·tein [,krō-mə-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n

  1. any of various proteins (as hemoglobins, carotenoids, or flavoproteins) having a pigment as a prosthetic group

chro·mo·some ['krō-mə-,sōm, -,zōm] -n, adj, adv

  1. any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usu. ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
  2. the genetic material of a virus

chromosome number -n

  1. the usu. constant number of chromosomes characteristic of a particular kind of animal or plant

chro·mo·sphere ['krō-mə-,sfir] -n, adj

  1. the region of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun) between the star's photosphere and its corona

chro·mous ['krō-məs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or derived from chromium esp. with a valence of two

chron -abbr

  1. chronicle
  2. chronological; chronology

Chron -abbr

  1. Chronicles

chron- -comb form

  1. time
    • chrono gram

chron·ax·ie ['krō-,nak-sē, 'krä-] -n

  1. the minimum time required for excitation of a structure (as a nerve cell) by a constant electric current of twice the threshold voltage

chron·ic ['krä-nik] -adj, n, adv

  1. marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute
    • chronic indigestion
    • chronic experiments
  2. suffering from a chronic disease
    • the special needs of chronic patients
  3. always present or encountered
  4. constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling
    • chronic petty warfare
  5. being such habitually
    • a chronic grumbler

chronic fatigue syndrome -n

  1. a disorder of unknown cause that is characterized by persistent profound fatigue usu. accompanied by other symptoms (as headache and tender lymph nodes) unrelated to any preexisting medical condition abbr. CFS

chron·i·cle ['krä-ni-kəl] -n

  1. an historical account of events arranged in order of time usu. without analysis or interpretation
    • a chronicle of the Civil War
  2. narrative

chronicle [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vt, n

  1. to present a record of in or as if in a chronicle
    • chronicle Victorian society
    • chronicle the doings of the rich and famous

chronicle play -n

  1. a play with a theme from history consisting usu. of rather loosely connected episodes chronologically arranged

Chron·i·cles ['krä-ni-kəlz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. either of two historical books of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture called also Paralipomenon

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -n

  1. pulmonary disease (as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation abbr. COPD

chro·no·bi·ol·o·gy [,krä-nō-bī-'ä-lə-jē, ,krō-] -n, adj

  1. the study of biological rhythms

chro·no·gram ['krä-nə-,gram, 'krō-] -n

  1. an inscription, sentence, or phrase in which certain letters express a date or epoch

chro·no·graph ['krä-nə-,graf, 'krō-] -n, adj

  1. : an instrument for measuring and recording time intervals: as
  2. an instrument having a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks
  3. stopwatch
  4. a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch
  5. an instrument for measuring the time of flight of projectiles

chro·nol·o·ger [krə-'nä-lə-jər] -n

  1. chronologist

chro·no·log·i·cal [,krä-nə-'lä-ji-kəl, ,krō-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or arranged in or according to the order of time
    • chronological tables of American history
  2. reckoned in units of time
    • chronological age

chro·nol·o·gist [krə-'nä-lə-jist] -n

  1. an expert in chronology

chro·nol·o·gy [-jē] -n

  1. the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events their proper dates
  2. a chronological table, list, or account
  3. an arrangement (as of events) in order of occurrence
    • reconstruct the chronology of the trip

chro·nom·e·ter [krə-'nä-mə-tər] -n

  1. timepiece
  2. one designed to keep time with great accuracy

chro·no·met·ric [,krä-nə-'me-trik, ,krō-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a chronometer or chronometry

chro·nom·e·try [krə-'nä-mə-trē] -n

  1. the measuring of time

chro·no·ther·a·py [,krä-nō-'ther-ə-pē, ,krō-] -n

  1. treatment of a sleep disorder (as insomnia) by changing sleeping and waking times in an attempt to reset the patient's biological clock

chrys- -comb form

  1. gold : yellow
    • chrys arobin

chrys·a·lid ['kri-sə-ləd] -n, adj

  1. chrysalis

chrys·a·lis ['kri-sə-ləs] -n

  1. a pupa of a butterfly
  2. an insect pupa
  3. the enclosing case or covering of a pupa
  4. a protecting covering : a sheltered state or stage of being or growth
    • a budding writer could not emerge from his chrysalis too soon -- William Du Bois

chry·san·the·mum [kri-'san(t)-thə-məm also -'zan(t)-] -n

  1. any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides
  2. a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

chrys·a·ro·bin [,kri-sə-'rō-bən] -n

  1. a powder derived from the wood of a tropical tree used to treat skin diseases

Chry·se·is [krī-'sē-əs] -n

  1. a daughter of a priest of Apollo in the Iliadnarrative taken at Troy by Agamemnon but later restored to her father

chryso·ber·yl ['kri-sə-,ber-əl] -n

  1. a yellowish beryl
  2. a hard usu. yellow or green mineral consisting of beryllium aluminum oxide and sometimes used as a gem

chrys·o·lite ['kri-sə-,līt] -n

  1. olivine

chrys·o·me·lid [,kri-sə-'me-ləd, -'mē-] -n, adj

  1. any of a large family (Chrysomelidae) of small, usu. oval and smooth, shining, and brightly colored beetles (as the Colorado potato beetle)

chryso·phyte ['kri-sə-,fīt] -n

  1. golden-brown alga

chrys·o·prase ['kri-sə-,prāz] -n

  1. an apple-green chalcedony valued as a gem

chrys·o·tile [-,tī(-ə)l] -n

  1. a mineral consisting of a fibrous silky variety of serpentine and constituting a common form and principal source of asbestos

chthon·ic ['thä-nik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the underworld : infernal
    • chthonic deities

chub ['chəb] -n

  1. any of numerous freshwater cyprinid fishes (as of the genera Gilaand Nocomis)
  2. any of several marine or freshwater fishes that are not cyprinids

chub·bi·ly ['chə-bə-lē] -adv

  1. in the manner of one that is chubby

chub·by ['chə-bē] -adj, n

  1. plump
    • a chubby boy

chuck ['chək] -vb

  1. cluck
  2. used as an endearment
  3. pat, tap
  4. toss, throw
  5. discard
    • chuck ed his old shirt
    • chuck it out with the trash
  6. dismiss, oust used esp. with out
    • was chuck ed out of office
  7. give up
    • chuck ed his job
  8. a pat or nudge under the chin
  9. an abrupt movement or toss
  10. a cut of beef that includes most of the neck, the parts about the shoulder blade, and those about the first three ribs
  11. food
  12. an attachment for holding a workpiece or tool in a machine (as a drill or lathe)

chuck·hole ['chək-,hōl] -n

  1. a hole or rut in a road : pothole

chuck·le ['chə-kᵊl] -vi, n, adj, adv

  1. to laugh inwardly or quietly
  2. to make a continuous gentle sound resembling suppressed mirth
    • the clear bright water chuckled over gravel -- B. A. Williams

chuck·le·head ['chə-kᵊl-,hed] -n, adj

  1. blockhead

chuck wagon ['chək-,wa-gən] -n

  1. a wagon carrying supplies and provisions for cooking (as on a ranch)
  2. an informal buffet often used attributively
    • a chuck wagon dinner

chuck·wal·la ['chək-,wä-lə] -n

  1. a large herbivorous lizard ( Sauromalus obesus) of the iguana family of desert regions of the southwestern U.S.

chuckwill'swid·ow [,chək-,wilz-'wi-(,)dō] -n

  1. a nightjar ( Caprimulgus carolinensis) of the southeastern U.S.

chuff ['chəf] -n

  1. boor, churl
  2. to produce noisy exhaust or exhalations : proceed or operate with chuffs
    • the chuff ing and snorting of switch engines -- Paul Gallico
  3. the sound of noisy exhaust or exhalations

chuffed ['chəft] -adj

  1. quite pleased : delighted

chug ['chəg] -n

  1. a dull explosive sound made by or as if by a laboring engine
  2. to move or go with or as if with chugs
    • a locomotive chugging along
    • wearily chug through the routine
  3. chugalug

chug·a·lug ['chə-gə-,ləg] -vb

  1. to drink a container of (as beer) without pause
  2. guzzle
  3. to drink a container (as of beer) without pause

chu·kar ['chə-kər also chə-'kär] -n

  1. a grayish-brown Eurasian partridge ( Alectoris chukar) introduced as a game bird into arid mountainous regions of the western U.S. called also chukar partridge

Chuk·chi ['chu̇k-,chē] -n

  1. a member of a Siberian people inhabiting the Chukchi Peninsula
  2. the language of the Chukchi people

chuk·ka ['chə-kə] -n

  1. a usu. ankle-high leather boot with two or three pairs of eyelets or a buckle and strap

chuk·ker ['chə-kər] -n

  1. a playing period of a polo game

chum ['chəm] -n

  1. a close friend : pal
  2. to room together
  3. to be a close friend
  4. to show affable friendliness
  5. animal or vegetable matter (as chopped fish or corn) thrown overboard to attract fish
  6. to attract with chum
  7. to throw chum overboard to attract fish
  8. chum salmon

Chu·mash ['chü-,mash] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of southwestern California
  2. the family of languages spoken by the Chumash people

chum·my ['chə-mē] -adj, adv, n

  1. quite friendly

chump ['chəmp] -n

  1. fool, dupe

chump change -n

  1. a relatively small or insignificant amount of money

chum salmon -n

  1. a salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta) of the northern Pacific called also chum

chunk ['chəŋk] -n

  1. a short thick piece or lump (as of wood or coal)
  2. a large noteworthy quantity or part
    • bet a sizable chunk of money on the race
  3. a strong thickset horse usu. smaller than a draft horse
  4. to make a dull plunging or explosive sound
    • the rhythmic chunk ing of thrown quoits -- John Updike
  5. to mishit (a golf ball or shot) by striking the ground behind the ball

chunky ['chəŋ-kē] -adj, adv

  1. heavy, solid, and thick or bulky
    • a chunky sweater
    • chunky bracelets
  2. stocky
    • an athlete with a chunky build
  3. plump, chubby
  4. filled with chunks
    • chunky peanut butter

chun·ter ['chən-tər] -vi

  1. to talk in a low inarticulate way : mutter

chup·pah ['k̲u̇-pə, -(,)pä] -n

  1. a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremony

church ['chərch] -n

  1. a building for public and esp. Christian worship
  2. the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
  3. : a body or organization of religious believers: as
  4. the whole body of Christians
  5. denomination
    • the Presbyterian church
  6. congregation
  7. a public divine worship
    • goes to church every Sunday
  8. the clerical profession
    • considered the church as a possible career
  9. of or relating to a church
    • church government
  10. of or relating to the established church
  11. to bring to church to receive one of its rites

churched ['chərcht] -adj

  1. affiliated with a church

church father -n

  1. father

church·go·er ['chərch-,gō-ər] -n, adj or n

  1. one who habitually attends church

church·i·an·i·ty [,chər-chē-'a-nə-tē] -n

  1. a usu. excessive or narrowly sectarian attachment to the practices and interests of a particular church

church·ing -n

  1. the administration or reception of a rite of the church
  2. a ceremony in some churches by which women after childbirth are received in the church with prayers, blessings, and thanksgiving

church key -n

  1. an implement with a triangular pointed head at one end for piercing the tops of cans and often with a rounded head at the other end for opening bottles

church·less ['chərch-ləs] -adj

  1. not affiliated with a church

church·ly ['chərch-lē] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to a church
    • churchly authority
  2. suitable to or suggestive of a church
    • a churchly setting
  3. adhering to a church
    • a churchly community
  4. churchy

church·man ['chərch-mən] -n

  1. clergyman
  2. a member of a church

church·man·ship [-mən-,ship] -n

  1. the attitude, belief, or practice of a churchman

church mode -n

  1. one of eight scales prevalent in medieval music each utilizing a different pattern of intervals and beginning on a different tone

Church of England

  1. the established episcopal church of England

church register -n

  1. a parish register of baptisms, marriages, and deaths

church school -n

  1. a school providing a general education but supported by a particular church in contrast to a public school or a nondenominational private school
  2. an organization of officers, teachers, and pupils for purposes of moral and religious education under the supervision of a local church

Church Slavonic -n

  1. any of several Slavic literary and liturgical languages that continue Old Church Slavonic but vary regionally under influence of vernacular languages called also Church Slavic

church·war·den ['chərch-,wȯr-dᵊn] -n

  1. one of two lay parish officers in Anglican churches with responsibility esp. for parish property and alms
  2. a long-stemmed clay pipe

church·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a member of a church

churchy ['chər-chē] -adj

  1. marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a church
  2. of or suggestive of a church or church services

church·yard ['chərch-,yärd] -n

  1. a yard that belongs to a church and is often used as a burial ground

churl ['chər(-ə)l] -n

  1. ceorl
  2. a medieval peasant
  3. rustic, countryman
  4. a rude ill-bred person
  5. a stingy morose person

churl·ish ['chər-lish] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, resembling, or characteristic of a churl : vulgar
  2. marked by a lack of civility or graciousness : surly
  3. difficult to work with or deal with : intractable
    • churlish soil

churn ['chərn] -n

  1. a vessel for making butter in which milk or cream is agitated in order to separate the oily globules from the watery medium
  2. to agitate (milk or cream) in a churn in order to make butter
  3. to stir or agitate violently
    • an old stern-wheeler churn ing the muddy river
  4. to make (as foam) by so doing
  5. to make (the account of a client) excessively active by frequent purchases and sales primarily in order to generate commissions
  6. to work a churn
  7. to produce, proceed with, or experience violent motion or agitation
    • her stomach was churn ing
    • churn ing legs
  8. to proceed by or as if by means of rotating members (as wheels or propellers)
    • boats churn ing across the harbor

churn out -vt

  1. to produce mechanically or copiously : grind out
    • the usual pap which has been churned out about this superstar -- W. S. Murphy

churr ['chər] -vi, n

  1. to make a vibrant or whirring noise like that made by some insects (as the cockchafer) or some birds (as the partridge)

chur·ri·gue·resque [,chu̇r-i-gə-'resk] -adj

  1. of or relating to a Spanish baroque architectural style characterized by elaborate surface decoration or its Latin-American adaptation

chur·ro ['chu̇r-ō, 'chü-rō] -n

  1. a Spanish and Mexican pastry resembling a doughnut or cruller and made from deep-fried unsweetened dough and sprinkled with sugar

chuse ['chüz] -vb, n

(variant of choose)

  1. to select freely and after consideration
    • choose a career
  2. to decide on esp. by vote : elect
  3. to have a preference for
  4. decide
    • chose to go by train
  5. to make a selection
    • finding it hard to choose
  6. to take an alternative used after cannot and usu. followed by but
    • when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy -- J. A. Froude

chute ['shüt] -n

  1. fall
  2. a quick descent (as in a river) : rapid
  3. an inclined plane, sloping channel, or passage down or through which things may pass : slide
  4. parachute
  5. spinnaker
  6. to convey by a chute
  7. to go in or as if in a chute
  8. to utilize a chute (as by passing ore down it)

chut·ist ['shü-tist] -n

  1. parachutist

chut·ney ['chət-nē] -n

  1. a thick sauce of Indian origin that contains fruits, vinegar, sugar, and spices and is used as a condiment

chutz·pah ['hu̇t-spə, 'k̲u̇t-, -(,)spä] -n

  1. supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall

chyle ['kī(-ə)l] -n, adj

  1. lymph that is milky from emulsified fats, characteristically present in the lacteals, and most apparent during intestinal absorption of fats

chy·lo·mi·cron [,kī-lō-'mī-,krän] -n

  1. a lipoprotein rich in triglyceride and common in the blood during fat digestion and assimilation

chyme ['kīm] -n

  1. the semifluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum

chy·mo·tryp·sin [,kī-mō-'trip-sən] -n, adj

  1. a protease that hydrolyzes peptide bonds and is formed in the intestine from chymotrypsinogen

chy·mo·tryp·sin·o·gen [-,trip-'si-nə-jən] -n

  1. a zymogen that is secreted by the pancreas and is converted by trypsin to chymotrypsin