as [əz, (,)az] -adv
- to the same degree or amount
- for instance
- various trees, as oak or pine
- when considered in a specified form or relation usu. used before a preposition or a participle
- my opinion as distinguished from his
- as if
- looks as he had seen a ghost -- S. T. Coleridge
- in or to the same degree in which usu. used as a correlative after an adjective or adverb modified by adverbial as or so
- in the way or manner that
- in accordance with what or the way in which
- while, when
- spilled the milk as she got up
- regardless of the degree to which : though
- improbable as it seems, it's true
- for the reason that : because, since
- stayed home as she had no car
- that the result is
- so clearly guilty as to leave no doubt
- that, who, which used after same or such
- in the same building as my brother
- tears such as angels weep -- John Milton
and chiefly dial. after a substantive not modified by same or such - that kind of fruit as maids call medlars -- Shak.
- a fact that
- is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent
- like
- like
- his face was as a mask -- Max Beerbohm
- in the capacity, character, condition, or role of
- a bronze coin of the ancient Roman republic
- a unit of value equivalent to an as coin
- libra
As -abbr
- altostratus
- arsenic
AS -abbr
- after sight
- airspeed
- American Samoa
- Anglo-Saxon
- antisubmarine
- associate in science
asa·fet·i·da [,a-sə-'fe-tə-də, -'fē-; Southern also -'fi-tə-dē] -n
- the dried fetid gum resin of the root of several west Asian plants (genus Ferula) of the carrot family used as a flavoring esp. in Indian cooking and formerly used in medicine esp. as an antispasmodic and in folk medicine as a general prophylactic against disease
asa·na ['ä-sə-nə] -n
- any of various yogic postures
Asan·te [ə-'san-tē, -'sän-] -n
- ashanti
ASAP -abbr
- as soon as possible
asb -abbr
- asbestos
as·bes·tos [as-'bes-təs, az-] -n
- any of several minerals (as chrysotile) that readily separate into long flexible fibers, that cause asbestosis and have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used esp. formerly as fireproof insulating materials
as·bes·to·sis [,as-,bes-'tō-səs, ,az-] -n
- a pneumoconiosis due to asbestos particles that is marked by thickening and scarring of lung tissue
asc- -comb form
- ascus
ASCAP -abbr
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
as·ca·ri·a·sis [,as-kə-'rī-ə-səs] -n
- infestation with or disease caused by ascarids
as·ca·rid ['as-kə-rəd] -n
- any of a family (Ascaridae) of nematode worms that includes the common roundworm ( Ascaris lumbricoides) parasitic in the human intestine
as·ca·ris ['as-kə-rəs] -n
- ascarid
as·cend [ə-'send] -vb, adj
- to move upward
- to slope upward
- to rise from a lower level or degree
- to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
- to go or move up
- to succeed to : occupy
as·cen·dance [ə-'sen-dən(t)s] -n
- ascendancy
as·cen·dan·cy [ə-'sen-dən(t)-sē] -n
- governing or controlling influence : domination
as·cen·dant [ə-'sen-dənt] -n
- the point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern horizon at any moment
- a state or position of dominant power or importance
- a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending line
ascendant -adj, adv
- moving upward : rising
- directed upward
- superior
- dominant
as·cend·er [ə-'sen-dər, 'a-] -n
- the part of a lowercase letter (as b) that rises above the main body of the letter
- a letter that has such a part
- a device used for climbing rope that slides freely in one direction and grips the rope when pulled in the opposite direction
as·cend·ing [ə-'sen-diŋ] -adj
- rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or degrees
- mounting or sloping upward
- rising upward usu. from a more or less prostrate base or point of attachment
as·cen·sion [ə-'sen(t)-shən] -n
- the act or process of ascending
as·cen·sion·al [ə-'sench-nəl, ə-'sen(t)-shə-nᵊl] -adj
- of or relating to ascension or ascent
Ascension Day -n
- the Thursday 40 days after Easter observed in commemoration of Christ's ascension into Heaven
as·cen·sive [ə-'sen(t)-siv] -adj
- rising or tending to rise
as·cent [ə-'sent, a-] -n
- the act of rising or mounting upward : climb
- an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity
- the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient
- an advance in social status or reputation : progress
- a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession
as·cer·tain [,a-sər-'tān] -vt, adj, n
- to make certain, exact, or precise
- to find out or learn with certainty
as·ce·sis [ə-'sē-səs] -n
- self-discipline, asceticism
as·cet·ic [ə-'se-tik, a-] -adj, n, adv
- practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and esp. spiritual discipline
- austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
as·cid·i·an [ə-'si-dē-ən] -n
- any of a class (Ascidiacea) of solitary or colonial sessile tunicates having an incurrent and excurrent siphon called also sea squirt
ASCII ['as-(,)kē] -n
- a code for representing alphanumeric information
as·ci·tes [ə-'sī-tēz] -n, adj
- abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the spaces between tissues and organs in the cavity of the abdomen
as·cle·pi·ad [ə-'sklē-pē-əd, a-, -,ad] -n
- milkweed
as·co·carp ['as-kə-,kärp] -n, adj
- the mature fruiting body of an ascomycetous fungus
- such a body with its enclosed asci, spores, and paraphyses
as·co·go·ni·um [,as-kə-'gō-nē-əm] -n
- the female sex organ in ascomycetous fungi
as·co·my·cete [,as-kō-'mī-,sēt, -,mī-'sēt] -n, adj
- any of a group (as class Ascomycetes or subdivision Ascomycotina) of higher fungi (as yeasts or molds) with septate hyphae and spores formed in asci
ascor·bate [ə-'skȯr-,bāt, -bət] -n
- a salt of ascorbic acid
ascor·bic acid [ə-'skȯr-bik-] -n
- vitamin c
as·co·spore ['as-kə-,spȯr] -n, adj
- any of the spores contained in an ascus
as·cot ['as-kət, -,kät] -n
- a broad neck scarf that is looped under the chin
as·cribe [ə-'skrīb] -vt, adj
- to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author
ascribed -adj
- acquired or assigned arbitrarily (as at birth)
as·crip·tion [ə-'skrip-shən] -n
- the act of ascribing : attribution
- arbitrary placement (as at birth) in a particular social status
as·crip·tive [ə-'skrip-tiv] -adj
- relating to, marked by, or involving ascription
as·cus ['as-kəs] -n
- the membranous oval or tubular spore case of an ascomycete
as·dic ['az-(,)dik] -n
- sonar
ASE -abbr
- American Stock Exchange
ASEAN -abbr
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations
asep·sis [(,)ā-'sep-səs, ə-] -n
- the condition of being aseptic
- the methods of making or keeping aseptic
asep·tic [(,)ā-'sep-tik, ə-] -adj, adv
- preventing infection
- free or freed from pathogenic microorganisms
- an aseptic operating room
- lacking vitality, emotion, or warmth
asex·u·al [(,)ā-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shü-əl, -'sek-shəl] -adj, n, adv
- lacking sex or functional sex organs
- involving or reproducing by reproductive processes (as cell division, spore formation, fission, or budding) that do not involve the union of individuals or gametes
- produced by asexual reproduction
- devoid of sexuality
as far as -conj
- to the extent or degree that
- is safe, as far as we know
often used in expressions like as far as (something) goes and as far as (something) is concerned to mean with regard to (something) - we felt pretty safe as far as the fire was concerned -- Mark Twain
or in expressions like as far as (someone) is concerned to mean in (someone's) opinion - as far as I'm concerned, it's a mistake
- with regard to : concerning
- neatly groomed and, as far as clothes, casual looking -- N.Y. Times
- as far as being mentioned in the Ten Commandments, I think it is -- Billy Graham
chiefly in oral use
as for -prep
- with regard to : concerning
- as for the others, they'll arrive later
As·gard ['as-,gärd, 'az-] -n
- the home of the Norse gods
asgd -abbr
- assigned
asgmt -abbr
- assignment
ash ['ash] -n
- any of a genus ( Fraxinus) of trees of the olive family with pinnate leaves, thin furrowed bark, and gray branchlets
- the tough elastic wood of an ash
- the ligature used in Old English and some phonetic alphabets to represent a low front vowel a
- something that symbolizes grief, repentance, or humiliation
- the solid residue left when combustible material is thoroughly burned or is oxidized by chemical means
- fine particles of mineral matter from a volcanic vent
- the remains of the dead human body after cremation or disintegration
- deathly pallor
- the lip of ash es and the cheek of flame -- Lord Byron
- ruins
- to convert into ash
ashamed [ə-'shāmd] -adj, adv
- feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace
- feeling inferior or unworthy
- restrained by anticipation of shame
Ashan·ti [ə-'shan-tē, -'shän-] -n
- a member of a people of southern Ghana
- the dialect of Akan spoken by the Ashanti people
ashblond ['ash-'bländ] -adj
- pale or grayish blond
Ash·can ['ash-,kan] -adj
- of or relating to a group of 20th century American painters who depicted city life realistically
ash can -n
- a metal receptacle for refuse
- depth charge
ash·en ['a-shən] -adj
- of, relating to, or made from ash wood
ashen -adj
- resembling ashes (as in color)
- deathly pale
Ash·er ['a-shər] -n
- a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel
ash·fall ['ash-,fȯl] -n
- a deposit of volcanic ash
Ash·ke·nazi [,äsh-kə-'nä-zē, ,ash-kə-'na-] -n, adj
- a member of one of the two great divisions of Jews comprising the eastern European Yiddish-speaking Jews
ash·lar ['ash-lər] -n
- hewn or squared stone
- masonry of such stone
- a thin squared and dressed stone for facing a wall of rubble or brick
ashore [ə-'shȯr] -adv
- on or to the shore
as how -conj
- that
- allowed as how she was glad to be here
ash·ram ['äsh-rəm, -,räm; 'ash-,ram] -n
- a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage
- the group of disciples instructed there
- a religious retreat
Ash·to·reth ['ash-tə-,reth] -n
- astarte
ash·tray ['ash-,trā] -n
- a receptacle for tobacco ashes and for cigar and cigarette butts
Ashur ['ä-,shu̇r] -n
- the chief deity of the Assyrians
Ash Wednesday -n
- the first day of Lent
ashy ['a-shē] -adj
- of or relating to ashes
- ashen
ASI -abbr
- airspeed indicator
Asi·a·go [,ä-zhē-'ä-(,)gō, ,ä-sē, -shē-] -n
- a pungent hard yellow cheese of Italian origin suitable for grating
Asian ['ā-zhən also -shən] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people
- a native or inhabitant of Asia
- a person of Asian descent
AsianAmer·i·can [-ə-'mer-ə-kən] -n, adj
- an American of Asian descent
Asian elephant -n
- elephant
Asian flu -n
- influenza that is caused by a subtype (H2N2) of the orthomyxovirus causing influenza A and that was responsible for about 70,000 deaths in the U.S. in the influenza pandemic of 195758 called also Asian influenza
Asian pear -n
- any of various pears chiefly of Japanese and Chinese origin that have crisp juicy flesh, usu. resemble an apple in shape, and typically have yellow, brown, or green skin
Asian tiger mosquito -n
- a black-and-white striped Asian mosquito ( Aedes albopictus) that is a vector of several diseases (as dengue) and has been introduced into the U.S.
Asi·at·ic [,ā-zhē-'a-tik, -zē-] -adj, n
- asian
Asiatic cholera -n
- cholera of Asian origin that is caused by virulent strains of the cholera vibrio ( Vibrio cholerae)
Asiatic elephant -n
- elephant
aside [ə-'sīd] -adv
- to or toward the side
- away from others or into privacy
- out of the way esp. for future use : away
- away from one's thought or consideration
- beyond, past
- an utterance meant to be inaudible to someone
- an actor's speech heard by the audience but supposedly not by other characters
- a straying from the theme : digression
aside from -prep
- in addition to : besides
- except for
as if -conj
- as it would be if
- it was as if he had lost his last friend
- as one would do if
- he ran as if ghosts were chasing him
- that
- it seemed as if the day would never end
as·i·nine ['a-sə-,nīn] -adj, adv, n
- extremely or utterly foolish
- of, relating to, or resembling an ass
ask ['ask, 'äsk; dial 'aks] -vb, n
- to call on for an answer
- she ask ed him about his trip
- to put a question about
- speak, utter
- to make a request of
- she ask ed her teacher for help
- to make a request for
- she ask ed help from her teacher
- to call for : require
- a challenge that will ask much of us
- to set as a price
- invite
- to seek information
- to make a request
- look often used in the phrase ask for trouble
askance [ə-'skan(t)s] -adv
- with a side-glance : obliquely
- with disapproval or distrust : scornfully
- they eyed the stranger askance
askesis [ə-'sē-səs] -n
(variant of ascesis)
- self-discipline, asceticism
askew [ə-'skyü] -adv or adj, n
- out of line : awry
asking price -n
- the price at which something is offered for sale
ASL -abbr
- American Sign Language
aslant [ə-'slant] -adv or adj
- in a slanting direction : obliquely
- over or across in a slanting direction
asleep [ə-'slēp] -adj
- being in a state of sleep
- dead
- lacking sensation : numb
- inactive, dormant
- not alert : indifferent
- into a state of sleep
- into the sleep of death
- into a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or indifference
as long as -conj
- provided that
- can do as they like as long as they have a B average
- inasmuch as, since
- as long as you're going, I'll go too
aslope [ə-'slōp] -adj or adv
- being in a sloping or slanting position or direction
aso·cial [(,)ā-'sō-shəl] -adj
- : not social: as
- rejecting or lacking the capacity for social interaction
- antisocial
as of -prep
- on, at, from used to indicate a time or date at which something begins or ends
- takes effect as of July 1
asp ['asp] -n
- aspen
- a small venomous snake of Egypt usu. held to be a cobra ( Naja haje)
as·par·a·gine [ə-'sper-ə-,jēn, -'spa-rə-] -n
- a nonessential amino acid C 4H 8N 2O 3that is an amide of aspartic acid
as·par·a·gus [ə-'sper-ə-gəs, -'spa-rə-] -n
- any of a genus ( Asparagus) of Old World perennial plants of the lily family having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usu. filiform branchlets that function as leaves
- one ( A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots
as·par·tame ['as-pər-,tām, ə-'spär-,tām] -n
- a crystalline compound C 14H 18N 2O 5that is a diamide synthesized from phenylalanine and aspartic acid and that is used as a low-calorie sweetener
as·par·tate [ə-'spär-,tāt] -n
- a salt or ester of aspartic acid
as·par·tic acid [ə-'spär-tik-] -n
- a crystalline amino acid C 4H 7NO 4found esp. in plants
ASPCA -abbr
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
as·pect ['as-,pekt] -n, adj
- the position of planets or stars with respect to one another held by astrologers to influence human affairs
- the apparent position (as conjunction) of a body in the solar system with respect to the sun
- a position facing a particular direction : exposure
- the house has a southern aspect
- the manner of presentation of a plane to a fluid through which it is moving or to a current
- appearance to the eye or mind
- a particular appearance of the face : mien
- a particular status or phase in which something appears or may be regarded
- studied every aspect of the question
- an act of looking : gaze
- the nature of the action of a verb as to its beginning, duration, completion, or repetition and without reference to its position in time
- a set of inflected verb forms that indicate aspect
aspect ratio -n
- : a ratio of one dimension to another: as
- the ratio of span to mean chord of an airfoil
- the ratio of the width of a television or motion-picture image to its height
as·pen ['as-pən] -n
- any of several poplars (esp. Populus tremulaof Europe and P. tremuloidesand P. grandidentataof No. America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles
as per ['az-,pər] -prep
- in accordance with : according to
As·per·ger's syndrome ['äs-,pər-gərz-] -n
- a developmental disorder resembling autism that is characterized by impaired social interaction, by restricted and repetitive behaviors and activities, and by normal language and cognitive development called also Asperger's disorder
as·per·ges [ə-'spər-(,)jēz] -n
- a ceremony of sprinkling altar and people with holy water
as·per·gil·lo·sis [,as-pər-(,)ji-'lō-səs] -n
- infection with or disease caused (as in poultry) by aspergillus molds
as·per·gil·lum [,as-pər-'ji-ləm] -n
- a brush or small perforated container with a handle that is used for sprinkling holy water in a liturgical service
as·per·gil·lus [-'ji-ləs] -n
- any of a genus ( Aspergillus) of ascomycetous fungi with branched radiate sporophores including many common molds
as·per·i·ty [a-'sper-ə-tē, ə-, -'spe-rə-] -n
- rigor, severity
- roughness of surface : unevenness
- a tiny projection from a surface
- roughness of sound
- roughness of manner or of temper : harshness
- asked with some asperity just what they were implying
as·perse [ə-'spərs, a-] -vt
- sprinkle
- to sprinkle with holy water
- to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges
as·per·sion [ə-'spər-zhən, -shən] -n
- a sprinkling with water esp. in religious ceremonies
- a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation
- cast aspersion s on her integrity
- the act of making such a charge : defamation
as·phalt ['as-,fȯlt also 'ash-, esp Brit -,falt] -n, adj
- a dark bituminous substance that is found in natural beds and is also obtained as a residue in petroleum refining and that consists chiefly of hydrocarbons
- an asphaltic composition used for pavements and as a waterproof cement
asphalt -vt
- to cover with asphalt : pave
asphalt jungle -n
- a big city or a specified part of a big city
aspher·ic [(,)ā-'sfir-ik, -'sfer-] -adj
- departing slightly from the spherical form esp. in order to correct for spherical aberration
as·pho·del ['as-fə-,del] -n
- any of various Old World herbs (esp. genera Asphodelusand Asphodeline) of the lily family with flowers in usu. long erect racemes
as·phyx·ia [as-'fik-sē-ə, əs-] -n
- a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that results in unconsciousness and often death and is usu. caused by interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply
as·phyx·i·ate [-sē-,āt] -vb, n
- to cause asphyxia in
- to become asphyxiated
as·pic ['as-pik] -n
- asp
aspic -n
- a clear savory jelly (as of fish or meat stock) used as a garnish or to make a meat, fish, or vegetable mold
as·pi·dis·tra [,as-pə-'dis-trə] -n
- an Asian plant ( Aspidistra elatior) of the lily family that has large pointed basal leaves and is often grown as a foliage plant
as·pi·rant ['as-p(ə-)rənt, ə-'spī-rənt] -n
- one who aspires
aspirant -adj
- seeking to attain a desired position or status
- the pilot was an aspirant astronaut
as·pi·rate ['as-p(ə-)rət] -n
- an independent sound h or a character (as the letter h) representing it
- a consonant having aspiration as its final component
- in English the p of pit is an aspirate
- material removed by aspiration
- to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with aspiration (sense 1a)
- to draw by suction
- to remove (as blood) by aspiration
- to take into the lungs by aspiration
as·pi·ra·tion [,as-pə-'rā-shən] -n, adj
- audible breath that accompanies or comprises a speech sound
- the pronunciation or addition of an aspiration
- the symbol of an aspiration
- : a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as
- the act of breathing and esp. of breathing in
- the withdrawal of fluid or tissue from the body
- the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current
- a strong desire to achieve something high or great
- an object of such desire
as·pi·ra·tor ['as-pə-,rā-tər] -n
- an apparatus for producing suction or moving or collecting materials by suction
- a hollow tubular instrument connected with a partial vacuum and used to remove fluid or tissue or foreign bodies from the body
as·pire [ə-'spī(-ə)r] -vi, n
- to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal
- aspired to a career in medicine
- ascend, soar
as·pi·rin ['as-p(ə-)rən] -n
- a white crystalline derivative C 9H 8O 4of salicylic acid used for relief of pain and fever
- a tablet of aspirin
ASR -abbr
- airport surveillance radar
- air-sea rescue
as regards -prep
- in regard to : with respect to
- as regards our previous discussion
ass ['as] -n
- any of several hardy gregarious African or Asian perissodactyl mammals (genus Equus) smaller than the horse and having long ears
- an African mammal ( E. asinus) that is the ancestor of the donkey
- a stupid, obstinate, or perverse person often compounded with a preceding adjective
- buttocks often used in emphatic reference to a specific person
- anus
- sexual intercourse
- used as a postpositive intensive esp. with words of derogatory implication
as·sai [ä-'sī] -adv
- very used with tempo direction in music
as·sail [ə-'sāl] -vt, adj, n
- to attack violently with blows or words
As·sam [ə-'sam, a-] -n
- a black tea grown in northeastern India
As·sam·ese [,a-sə-'mēz, -'mēs] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Assam, India
- the Indo-Aryan language of Assam
as·sas·sin [ə-'sa-sᵊn] -n
- a member of a Shia Muslim sect who at the time of the Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies
- a person who commits murder
- one who murders a politically important person either for hire or from fanatical motives
as·sas·si·nate [ə-'sa-sə-,nāt] -vt, n
- to injure or destroy unexpectedly and treacherously
- to murder (a usu. prominent person) by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons
assassin bug -n
- any of a family (Reduviidae) of bugs that are usu. predatory on insects though some (as a kissing bug) suck the blood of mammals called also reduviid
as·sault [ə-'sȯlt] -n
- a violent physical or verbal attack
- a military attack usu. involving direct combat with enemy forces
- a concerted effort (as to reach a goal or defeat an adversary)
- a threat or attempt to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm on a person (as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner) that puts the person in immediate danger of or in apprehension of such harm or contact
- rape
assault -vt, n
- to make an assault on
- rape
- to make an assault
assault boat -n
- a small portable boat used in an amphibious military attack or in land warfare for crossing rivers or lakes
as·sault·ive [ə-'sȯl-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or tending toward assault
- having an intense or abrasive effect on the senses or emotions
- loud and assaultive music
assault rifle -n
- any of various automatic or semiautomatic rifles with large capacity magazines designed for military use
assault weapon -n
- any of various automatic or semiautomatic firearms
- assault rifle
as·say ['a-,sā, a-'sā] -n
- trial, attempt
- examination and determination as to characteristics (as weight, measure, or quality)
- analysis (as of an ore or drug) to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more components
- a test used in this analysis
- a substance to be assayed
- the tabulated result of assaying
- try, attempt
- to analyze (as an ore) for one or more specific components
- to judge the worth of : estimate
- to prove up in an assay
assed ['ast] -adv
- ass used in combination
- sorry- assed state of affairs
as·se·gai ['a-si-,gī] -n
- a slender hardwood spear or light javelin usu. tipped with iron and used in southern Africa
as·sem·blage [ə-'sem-blij, for 3 also ,a-,säm-'bläzh] -n
- a collection of persons or things : gathering
- the act of assembling : the state of being assembled
- an artistic composition made from scraps, junk, and odds and ends (as of paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal)
- the art of making assemblages
as·sem·blag·ist [-bli-jist, -'blä-zhist] -n
- an artist who specializes in assemblages
as·sem·ble [ə-'sem-bəl] -vb
- to bring together (as in a particular place or for a particular purpose)
- to fit together the parts of
- to meet together : convene
as·sem·bler [-b(ə-)lər] -n
- one that assembles
- a computer program that automatically converts instructions written in assembly language into machine language
- assembly language
as·sem·bly [ə-'sem-blē] -n
- a company of persons gathered for deliberation and legislation, worship, or entertainment
- a legislative body
- the lower house of a legislature
- a meeting of a student body and usu. faculty for administrative, educational, or recreational purposes
- assemblage
- assemblage
- a signal for troops to assemble or fall in
- the fitting together of manufactured parts into a complete machine, structure, or unit of a machine
- a collection of parts so assembled
- the translation of assembly language to machine language by an assembler
assembly language -n
- a programming language that consists of instructions that are mnemonic codes for corresponding machine language instructions
as·sem·blyline [ə-'sem-blē-,līn] -adj
- made by or as if by an assembly line
- lacking originality or creativity
- bored by the novel's assemblyline plot
assembly line -n
- an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled
- a process for turning out a finished product in a mechanically efficient manner
as·sem·bly·man [ə-'sem-blē-mən] -n
- a member of an assembly
Assembly of God
- a congregation belonging to a Pentecostal body founded in the U.S. in 1914
as·sem·bly·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a member of an assembly
as·sent [ə-'sent, a-] -vi, n
- to agree to something esp. after thoughtful consideration : concur
assent -n
- an act of assenting : acquiescence, agreement
as·sen·ta·tion [,a-sᵊn-'tā-shən, ,a-,sen-] -n
- ready assent esp. when insincere or obsequious
as·sert [ə-'sərt, a-] -vt
- to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
- to demonstrate the existence of
- assert his manhood -- James Joyce
- posit, postulate
as·sert·ed·ly [ə-'sər-təd-lē, a-] -adv
- by positive and usu. unsubstantiated assertion : allegedly
as·ser·tion [ə-'sər-shən, a-] -n
- the act of asserting
- declaration, affirmation
as·ser·tive [ə-'sər-tiv, a-] -adj, adv, n
- disposed to or characterized by bold or confident assertion
- having a strong or distinctive flavor or aroma
assertiveness training -n
- a method of training individuals to act in a bold self-confident manner
asses [əz, (,)az] -adv
(variant of as)
- to the same degree or amount
- for instance
- various trees, as oak or pine
- when considered in a specified form or relation usu. used before a preposition or a participle
- my opinion as distinguished from his
- as if
- looks as he had seen a ghost -- S. T. Coleridge
- in or to the same degree in which usu. used as a correlative after an adjective or adverb modified by adverbial as or so
- in the way or manner that
- in accordance with what or the way in which
- while, when
- spilled the milk as she got up
- regardless of the degree to which : though
- improbable as it seems, it's true
- for the reason that : because, since
- stayed home as she had no car
- that the result is
- so clearly guilty as to leave no doubt
- that, who, which used after same or such
- in the same building as my brother
- tears such as angels weep -- John Milton
and chiefly dial. after a substantive not modified by same or such - that kind of fruit as maids call medlars -- Shak.
- a fact that
- is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent
- like
- like
- his face was as a mask -- Max Beerbohm
- in the capacity, character, condition, or role of
- a bronze coin of the ancient Roman republic
- a unit of value equivalent to an as coin
- libra
as·sess [ə-'ses, a-] -vt, adj
- to determine the rate or amount of (as a tax)
- to impose (as a tax) according to an established rate
- to subject to a tax, charge, or levy
- to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation
- to determine the importance, size, or value of
- to charge (a player or team) with a foul or penalty
as·sess·ment [ə-'ses-mənt, a-] -n
- the action or an instance of assessing : appraisal
- the amount assessed
as·ses·sor [ə-'se-sər] -n
- an official who assists a judge or magistrate
- one that assesses
- an official who assesses property for taxation
as·set ['a-,set also -sət] -n
- the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of his or her debts and legacies
- the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts
- advantage, resource
- his wit is his chief asset
- an item of value owned
- the items on a balance sheet showing the book value of property owned
- : something useful in an effort to foil or defeat an enemy: as
- a piece of military equipment
- spy
as·sev·er·ate [ə-'se-və-,rāt] -vt, n, adj
- to affirm or declare positively or earnestly
- he always asseverated that he did not know -- G. K. Chesterton
ass·hole ['as-,(h)ōl] -n
- anus
- a stupid, incompetent, or detestable person
- the worst place used in phrases like asshole of the world
as·si·du·ity [,a-sə-'dü-ə-tē, -'dyü-] -n
- the quality or state of being assiduous : diligence
- persistent personal attention usu. used in pl.
as·sid·u·ous [ə-'sij-wəs, -'si-jə-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
- an assiduous book collector
- tended her garden with assiduous attention
as·sign [ə-'sīn] -vt, n, adj
- to transfer (property) to another esp. in trust or for the benefit of creditors
- to appoint to a post or duty
- assign ed them to light duty
- to appoint as a duty or task
- assign s 20 pages for homework
- to fix or specify in correspondence or relationship
- assign counsel to the defendant
- assign a value to the variable
- to ascribe as a motive, reason, or cause esp. after deliberation
- to consider to belong to (a specified period of time)
assign -n
- assignee
as·si·gnat [,a-(,)sēn-'yä, 'a-sig-,nat] -n
- a bill issued as currency by the French Revolutionary government (178996) on the security of expropriated lands
as·sig·na·tion [,a-sig-'nā-shən] -n
- the act of assigning or the assignment made
- an appointment of time and place for a meeting
- tryst
- returned from an assignation with his mistress -- W. B. Yeats
assigned risk -n
- a poor risk (as an accident-prone motorist) that insurance companies would normally reject but are forced to insure by state law
as·sign·ee [,a-sə-'nē, ,a-,sī-, ə-,sī-] -n
- a person to whom an assignment is made
- a person appointed to act for another
- a person to whom a right or property is legally transferred
as·sign·ment [ə-'sīn-mənt] -n
- the act of assigning
- a position, post, or office to which one is assigned
- a specified task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned by authority
- the transfer of property
- the transfer of property to be held in trust or to be used for the benefit of creditors
as·sim·i·la·ble [ə-'si-mə-lə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being assimilated
- provides...information in a clear, assimilable fashion -- Times Lit. Supp.
as·sim·i·late [ə-'si-mə-,lāt] -vb, n
- to take in and utilize as nourishment : absorb into the system
- to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend
- to make similar
- to alter by assimilation
- to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group
- compare, liken
- to become assimilated
- something that is assimilated
as·sim·i·la·tion [ə-,si-mə-'lā-shən] -n
- an act, process, or instance of assimilating
- the state of being assimilated
- the incorporation or conversion of nutrients into protoplasm that in animals follows digestion and absorption and in higher plants involves both photosynthesis and root absorption
- change of a sound in speech so that it becomes identical with or similar to a neighboring sound
- the usual assimilation of z to sh in the phrase his shoe
- the process of receiving new facts or of responding to new situations in conformity with what is already available to consciousness
as·sim·i·la·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n, adj
- a person who advocates a policy of assimilating differing racial or cultural groups
as·sim·i·la·tive [ə-'si-mə-,lā-tiv, -lə-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or causing assimilation
as·sim·i·la·to·ry [ə-'si-mə-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- assimilative
As·sin·i·boin [ə-'si-nə-,bȯin] -n
- a member of an American Indian people orig. of the area between the upper Missouri and middle Saskatchewan rivers
as·sist [ə-'sist] -vb
- to give usu. supplementary support or aid to
- assist ed the boy with his lessons
- to give support or aid
- another surgeon assist ed on the operation
- to be present as a spectator
- the ideal figures assist ing at Italian holy scenes -- Mary McCarthy
assist -n
- an act of assistance : aid
- the action (as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout or score a goal
- official credit given for such an action
- a mechanical or electromechanical device that provides assistance
as·sis·tance [ə-'sis-tən(t)s] -n
- the act of assisting or the help supplied : aid
- financial and technical assistance
as·sis·tant [-tənt] -n, adj
- a person who assists : helper
- a person holding an assistantship
assistant professor -n
- a member of a college or university faculty who ranks above an instructor and below an associate professor
as·sis·tant·ship [ə-'sis-tən(t)-,ship] -n
- a paid appointment awarded annually to a qualified graduate student that requires part-time teaching, research, or residence hall duties
as·sis·ted living [ə-'sis-təd-] -n
- a system of housing and limited care that is designed for senior citizens who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require care in a nursing home usu. hyphenated when used attributively
- an assisted-living facility
assisted suicide -n
- suicide committed by someone with assistance from another person
- physician-assisted suicide
as·sis·tive [ə-'sis-tiv] -adj
- providing aid or assistance
- designed or intended to assist disabled persons
as·size [ə-'sīz] -n
- a judicial inquest
- an action to be decided by such an inquest, the writ for instituting it, or the verdict or finding rendered by the jury
- the former periodical sessions of the superior courts in English counties for trial of civil and criminal cases usu. used in pl.
- the time or place of holding such a court, the court itself, or a session of it usu. used in pl.
assn -abbr
- association
assoc -abbr
- associate; associated; association
as·so·ci·ate [ə-'sō-shē-,āt, -sē-] -vb
- to join as a partner, friend, or companion
- to keep company with : attend
- to join or connect together : combine
- to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)
- to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
- to combine or join with other parts : unite
as·so·ciate [ə-'sō-shē-ət, -sē-, -,āt, -shət] -adj
- closely connected (as in function or office) with another
- closely related esp. in the mind
- having secondary or subordinate status
- associate membership in a society
- : one associated with another: as
- partner, colleague
- companion, comrade
- an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession)
- employee, worker
- a degree conferred esp. by a junior college
associate professor -n
- a member of a college or university faculty who ranks above an assistant professor and below a professor
as·so·ci·a·tion [ə-,sō-sē-'ā-shən, -shē-] -n, adj
- the act of associating
- the state of being associated : combination, relationship
- an organization of persons having a common interest : society
- something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person
- the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
- the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound complexes
- a major unit in ecological community organization characterized by essential uniformity and usu. by two or more dominant species
association area -n
- an area of the cerebral cortex that functions in linking and coordinating the sensory and motor areas
association football -n
- soccer
as·so·ci·a·tion·ism [ə-,sō-sē-'ā-shə-,ni-zəm, -,sō-shē-] -n, adj
- a reductionist school of psychology that holds that the content of consciousness can be explained by the association and reassociation of irreducible sensory and perceptual elements
as·so·cia·tive [ə-'sō-shē-,ā-tiv, -sē-, -shə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to association esp. of ideas or images
- dependent on or acquired by association or learning
- of, having, or being the property of combining to the same mathematical result regardless of the grouping of an expression's elements given that the order of those elements is preserved
- addition is associative since ( a b ) c a ( b c )
associative learning -n
- a learning process in which discrete ideas and percepts become linked to one another
associative neuron -n
- interneuron
as·soil [ə-'sȯi(-ə)l] -vt, n
- absolve, pardon
- acquit, clear
- expiate
as·so·nance ['a-sə-nən(t)s] -n, adj or n, adj
- resemblance of sound in words or syllables
- relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds esp. of vowels
- repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stonyand holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse
as soon as -conj
- immediately at or shortly after the time that
- call as soon as you get there
as·sort [ə-'sȯrt] -vb, n
- to distribute into groups of a like kind : classify
- to supply with an assortment (as of goods)
- to agree in kind : harmonize
- to keep company : associate
as·sor·ta·tive [ə-'sȯr-tə-tiv] -adj, adv
- being nonrandom mating based on like or unlike characteristics
as·sort·ed [-'sȯr-təd] -adj
- suited esp. by nature or character
- consisting of various kinds
as·sort·ment [-'sȯrt-mənt] -n
- the act of assorting
- the state of being assorted
- a collection of assorted things or persons
ASSR -abbr
- Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
asst -abbr
- assistant
- assorted
asstd -abbr
- assented
- assorted
as·suage [ə-'swāj also -'swāzh or -'swäzh] -vt, n
- to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) : ease
- unable to assuage their grief
- pacify, quiet
- vainly strove...to assuage an implacable foe -- Edward Gibbon
- to put an end to by satisfying : appease, quench
as·sua·sive [ə-'swā-siv, -ziv] -adj
- soothing, calming
as·sume [ə-'süm] -vt, n, adj, adv
- to take up or in : receive
- to take into partnership, employment, or use
- to take to or upon oneself : undertake
- put on, don
- to place oneself in
- seize, usurp
- to pretend to have or be : feign
- assumed an air of confidence in spite of her dismay
- to take as granted or true : suppose
- to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
as·sum·ing -adj
- pretentious, presumptuous
as·sump·sit [ə-'səm(p)-sət] -n
- an express or implied promise or contract not under seal on which an action may be brought
- a former common-law action brought to recover damages alleged from the breach of an assumpsit
- an action to recover damages for breach of a contract
as·sump·tion [ə-'səm(p)-shən] -n
- the taking up of a person into heaven
- August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
- a taking to or upon oneself
- the assumption of a new position
- the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something
- arrogance, pretension
- an assuming that something is true
- a fact or statement (as a proposition, axiom, postulate, or notion) taken for granted
- the taking over of another's debts
as·sump·tive [ə-'səm(p)-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or based on assumption
as·sur·ance [ə-'shu̇r-ən(t)s] -n
- : the act or action of assuring: as
- pledge, guarantee
- the act of conveying real property
- the instrument by which it is conveyed
- insurance
- : the state of being assured: as
- security
- a being certain in the mind
- the puritan's assurance of salvation
- confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty
- excessive self-confidence : brashness, presumption
- something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence
- gave repeated assurance s of goodwill
as·sure [ə-'shu̇r] -vt
- to make safe (as from risks or against overthrow) : insure
- to give confidence to
- and hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts -- 1 Jn 3:19(AV)
- to make sure or certain : convince
- glancing back to assure himself no one was following
- to inform positively
- I assure you that we can do it
- to make certain the coming or attainment of : guarantee
- worked hard to assure accuracy
as·sured [ə-'shu̇rd] -adj, n
- characterized by certainty or security : guaranteed
- self-assured
- self-satisfied
- satisfied as to the certainty or truth of a matter
- rest assured we won't be late
assured -n
- insured
as·sured·ly [ə-'shu̇r-əd-lē] -adv
- without a doubt : certainly
- in an assured manner : confidently
as·sur·er [ə-'shu̇r-ər] -n
- one that assures : insurer
as·sur·gent [ə-'sər-jənt] -adj
- moving upward : rising
- ascendant
assy -abbr
- assembly
Assyr -abbr
- Assyrian
As·syr·i·an [ə-'sir-ē-ən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of ancient Assyria
- the dialect of Akkadian spoken by the Assyrians
As·syr·i·ol·o·gy [ə-,sir-ē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- the science or study of the history, language, and antiquities of ancient Assyria and Babylonia
AST -abbr
- Alaska standard time
astar·board [ə-'stär-bərd] -adv
- toward or on the starboard side of a ship
- put the helm hard astarboard
As·tar·te [ə-'stär-tē] -n
- the Phoenician goddess of fertility and of sexual love
as·ta·tine ['as-tə-,tēn] -n
- a radioactive halogen element discovered by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles and also formed by radioactive decay
as·ter ['as-tər] -n
- any of various chiefly fall-blooming leafy-stemmed composite herbs ( Asterand closely related genera) with often showy heads containing disk flowers or both disk and ray flowers
- china aster
- a system of microtubules arranged radially about a centriole at either end of the mitotic or meiotic spindle
as·te·ria [a-'stir-ē-ə] -n
- a gemstone cut to show asterism
as·te·ri·at·ed [-ē-,ā-təd] -adj
- exhibiting asterism
as·ter·isk ['as-tə-,risk, esp in plural also ÷-,rik] -n, adj
- the character used in printing or writing as a reference mark, as an indication of the omission of letters or words, to denote a hypothetical or unattested linguistic form, or for various arbitrary meanings
asterisk -vt
- to mark with an asterisk : star
as·ter·ism ['as-tə-,ri-zəm] -n
- constellation
- a small group of stars
- a star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica)
astern [ə-'stərn] -adv or adj
- behind a ship
- at or toward the stern of a ship
- sternforemost, backward
as·ter·oid ['as-tə-,rȯid] -n, adj
- any of the small rocky celestial bodies found esp. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
- starfish
asteroid -adj
- resembling a star
- asteroid bodies in sporotrichosis
- of or resembling a starfish
asteroid belt -n
- the region of interplanetary space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in which most asteroids are found
aster yellows -n pl
- a widespread disease affecting more than 40 families of plants, characterized esp. by yellowing and stunting, and caused by a phytoplasma transmitted by leafhoppers
as·the·nia [as-'thē-nē-ə] -n
- lack or loss of strength : debility
as·then·ic [as-'the-nik] -adj
- of, relating to, or exhibiting asthenia : weak
- ectomorphic
as·theno·sphere [as-'the-nə-,sfir] -n, adj
- a zone of a celestial body (as the earth) which lies beneath the lithosphere and within which the material is believed to yield readily to persistent stresses
asth·ma ['az-mə, Brit 'as-] -n, adj or n, adv
- a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied esp. by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
as though -conj
- as if
as·tig·mat·ic [,as-tig-'ma-tik] -adj, n
- affected with, relating to, or correcting astigmatism
- showing incapacity for observation or discrimination
- an astigmatic fanaticism, a disregard for the facts -- N.Y. Herald Tribune
astig·ma·tism [ə-'stig-mə-,ti-zəm] -n
- a defect of an optical system (as a lens) causing rays from a point to fail to meet in a focal point resulting in a blurred and imperfect image
- a defect of vision due to astigmatism of the refractive system of the eye and esp. to corneal irregularity
- distorted understanding suggestive of the blurred vision of an astigmatic person
astil·be [ə-'stil-(,)bē] -n
- any of a genus ( Astilbe) of chiefly Asian perennials of the saxifrage family that have simple or usu. compound leaves and are widely cultivated for their panicles of usu. white or reddish flowers
astir [ə-'stər] -adj
- exhibiting activity
- being out of bed : up
As·ti Spu·man·te ['äs-tē-spü-'män-(,)tē, 'as-tē-, -spü-'man-] -n
- a sweet sparkling white wine made in and around the village of Asti in Piedmont
ASTM -abbr
- American Society for Testing Materials
as to -prep
- as for, about
- at a loss as to how to explain the error
- according to, by
- graded as to size and color
as·ton·ied [ə-'stä-nēd] -adj
- deprived briefly of the power to act : dazed
- filled with consternation or dismay
as·ton·ish [ə-'stä-nish] -vt
- to strike with sudden fear
- to strike with sudden and usu. great wonder or surprise
- was too astonished to speak
as·ton·ish·ing [-ni-shiŋ] -adj, adv
- causing astonishment : surprising
as·ton·ish·ment [ə-'stä-nish-mənt] -n
- the state of being astonished
- consternation
- amazement
- something that astonishes : a cause of amazement or wonder
as·tound [ə-'stau̇nd] -adj
- overwhelmed with astonishment or amazement : astounded
astound -vt
- to fill with bewilderment or wonder
as·tound·ing [ə-'stau̇n-diŋ] -adj, adv
- causing astonishment or amazement
astr- -comb form
- star : heavens : outer space : astronomical
astrad·dle [ə-'stra-dᵊl] -adv
- on or above and extending onto both sides : astride
astraddle -prep
- with one leg on each side of : astride
as·tra·gal ['as-tri-gəl] -n
- a narrow half-round molding
- a projecting strip on the edge of a folding door
as·trag·a·lus [ə-'stra-gə-ləs] -n
- talus
- the dried root of an Asian milk vetch ( Astragalus membranaceus) used esp. as a remedy in Chinese herbal medicine
- a preparation or extract of this root
as·tra·khan ['as-trə-kən, -,kan] -n
- karakul of Russian origin
- a cloth with a usu. wool, curled, and looped pile resembling karakul
as·tral ['as-trəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or coming from the stars
- unusual astral occurrences
- of or relating to a mitotic or meiotic aster
- of or consisting of a supersensible substance held in theosophy to be next above the tangible world in refinement
- visionary
- elevated in station or position : exalted
astray [ə-'strā] -adv or adj
- off the right path or route : straying
- in error : away from what is proper or desirable
astride [ə-'strīd] -adv
- with one leg on each side : astride a horse
- she rode astride, not sidesaddle
- with the legs stretched wide apart
- on or above and with one leg on each side of
- placed or lying on both sides of
- towns lying astride a river
- extending over or across : spanning, bridging
as·trin·gen·cy [ə-'strin-jən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being astringent
as·trin·gent [-jənt] -adj, adv
- causing contraction of soft organic tissues : styptic, puckery
- suggestive of an astringent effect upon tissue : rigidly severe : austere
- pungent, caustic
astringent -n
- an astringent agent or substance
as·tro·bi·ol·o·gy [,as-trō-(,)bī-'ä-lə-jē] -n
- exobiology
as·tro·cyte ['as-trə-,sīt] -n, adj
- a large star-shaped cell of the glia
as·tro·cy·to·ma [,as-trə-sī-'tō-mə] -n
- a nerve-tissue tumor composed of astrocytes
as·tro·dome ['as-trə-,dōm] -n
- a transparent dome in the upper surface of an airplane from within which the navigator makes celestial observations
astrol -abbr
- astrologer; astrology
as·tro·labe ['as-trə-,lāb also -,lab] -n
- a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant
as·trol·o·ger [ə-'strä-lə-jər] -n
- a person who practices astrology
as·trol·o·gy [ə-'strä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- astronomy
- the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects
as·trom·e·try [ə-'strä-mə-trē] -n, adj
- a branch of astronomy that deals with measurements (as of positions and movements) of celestial bodies
astron -abbr
- astronomer; astronomy
as·tro·naut ['as-trə-,nȯt, -,nät] -n
- a person who travels beyond the earth's atmosphere
- a trainee for spaceflight
as·tro·nau·tics [,as-trə-'nȯ-tiks, -'nä-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv
- the science of the construction and operation of vehicles for travel in space beyond the earth's atmosphere
as·tron·o·mer [ə-'strä-nə-mər] -n
- a person who is skilled in astronomy or who makes observations of celestial phenomena
as·tro·nom·i·cal [,as-trə-'nä-mi-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to astronomy
- astronomical observations
- enormously or inconceivably large or great
astronomical unit -n
- a unit of length used in astronomy equal to the mean distance of the earth from the sun or about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers)
as·tron·o·my [ə-'strä-nə-mē] -n
- the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties
as·tro·pho·tog·ra·phy [,as-(,)trō-fə-'tä-grə-fē] -n
- photography involving astronomical objects and events
as·tro·phys·ics [,as-trə-'fi-ziks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv, n
- a branch of astronomy dealing esp. with the behavior, physical properties, and dynamic processes of celestial objects and phenomena
As·tro·turf ['as-trə-,tərf, -,trō-] -trademark
- used for artificial turf
as·tute [ə-'stüt, a-, -'styüt] -adj, adv, n
- having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity
- crafty, wily
As·ty·a·nax [ə-'stī-ə-,naks] -n
- a son of Hector and Andromache hurled by the Greeks from the walls of Troy
asun·der [ə-'sən-dər] -adv or adj
- into parts
- apart from each other in position
ASV -abbr
- American Standard Version
ASW -abbr
- antisubmarine warfare
aswarm [ə-'swȯrm] -adj
- filled to overflowing : swarming
- streets aswarm with people
as well as -conj
- and in addition : and
- in addition to : besides
- the coach, as well as the team, is ready
aswirl [ə-'swər(-ə)l] -adj
- being in a swirl : swirling
aswoon [ə-'swün] -adj
- being in a swoon : dazed
asy·lum [ə-'sī-ləm] -n
- an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary
- a place of retreat and security : shelter
- the protection or inviolability afforded by an asylum : refuge
- protection from arrest and extradition given esp. to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying diplomatic immunity
- an institution for the care of the destitute or sick and esp. the insane
asym·met·ri·cal [,ā-sə-'me-tri-kəl] -adj, adv, n
- not symmetrical
- bonded to four different atoms or groups
asymp·tom·at·ic [,ā-,sim(p)-tə-'ma-tik] -adj, adv
- presenting no symptoms of disease
as·ymp·tote ['a-səm(p)-,tōt] -n, adj, adv
- a straight line associated with a curve such that as a point moves along an infinite branch of the curve the distance from the point to the line approaches zero and the slope of the curve at the point approaches the slope of the line
asyn·ap·sis [,ā-sə-'nap-səs] -n
- failure of pairing of homologous chromosomes in meiosis
asyn·chro·nous [(,)ā-'siŋ-krə-nəs, -'sin-] -adj, adv
- not synchronous
- of, used in, or being digital communication (as between computers) in which there is no timing requirement for transmission and in which the start of each character is individually signaled by the transmitting device
asyn·chro·ny [-krə-nē] -n
- the quality or state of being asynchronous : absence or lack of concurrence in time
as·yn·det·ic [,a-sᵊn-'de-tik] -adj, adv
- marked by asyndeton
asyn·de·ton [ə-'sin-də-,tän, (,)ā-'sin-] -n
- omission of the conjunctions that ordinarily join coordinate words or clauses (as in I came, I saw, I conquered)