LE -abbr
- leading edge
lea ['lē, 'lā] -n
- grassland, pasture
- arable land used temporarily for hay or grazing
- leather
leach ['lēch] -n, adj
(variant of leech)
- physician, surgeon
- any of numerous carnivorous or bloodsucking usu. freshwater annelid worms (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate segmented body with a sucker at each end
- a hanger-on who seeks advantage or gain
- to bleed by the use of leeches
- to drain the substance of : exhaust
- to attach oneself to a person as a leech
- either vertical edge of a square sail
- the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leach·ate ['lē-,chāt] -n
- a solution or product obtained by leaching
lead ['lēd] -vb
- to guide on a way esp. by going in advance
- to direct on a course or in a direction
- to serve as a channel for
- a pipe lead s water to the house
- to go through : live
- to direct the operations, activity, or performance of
- to have charge of
- to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions
- to go at the head of
- to be first in or among
- to have a margin over
- to bring to some conclusion or condition
- to begin play with
- to aim in front of (a moving object)
- to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
- to guide someone or something along a way
- to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction
- to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
- to be first
- begin, open
- to play the first card of a trick, round, or game
- to tend toward or have a result
- study lead ing to a degree
- to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
- leadership
- example, precedent
- position at the front : vanguard
- initiative
- the act or privilege of leading in cards
- the card or suit led
- a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance
- : one that leads: as
- lode
- a channel of water esp. through a field of ice
- indication, clue
- a principal role in a dramatic production
- one who plays such a role
- leash
- an introductory section of a news story
- a news story of chief importance
- an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
- the course of a rope from end to end
- the amount of axial advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)
- a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next
- the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
- acting or serving as a lead or leader
- a bluish-white soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic heavy metallic element found mostly in combination and used esp. in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity
- a plummet for sounding at sea
- a usu. flat lead roof
- lead framing for panes in windows
- a thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
- a thin stick of marking substance (as graphite) in or for a pencil
- white lead
- bullets, projectiles
- tetraethyl lead
- to cover, line, or weight with lead
- to fix (window glass) in position with leads
- to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)
- to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound
lead acetate -n
- an acetate of lead
- a poisonous soluble salt PbC 4H 6O 43H 2O
lead arsenate -n
- : an arsenate of lead: as
- an acid salt PbHAsO 4used esp. as an insecticide
- a neutral salt Pb 3(AsO 4) 2used esp. as an insecticide
lead azide -n
- a crystalline explosive compound Pb(N 3) 2used as a detonating agent
lead carbonate -n
- a carbonate of lead
- a poisonous basic salt Pb 3(OH) 2(CO 3) 2used esp. as a white pigment
lead chromate -n
- a chromate of lead
- chrome yellow
lead dioxide -n
- a poisonous compound PbO 2used esp. as an oxidizing agent and as an electrode in batteries
lead·en ['le-dᵊn] -adj, adv, n
- made of lead
- of the color of lead : dull gray
- oppressively heavy
- sluggish
- lacking spirit or animation
lead·er ['lē-dər] -n, adj
- : something that leads: as
- a primary or terminal shoot of a plant
- tendon, sinew
- dots or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally : ellipsis
- a newspaper editorial
- something for guiding fish into a trap
- a short length of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook
- loss leader
- something that ranks first
- a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape
- : a person who leads: as
- guide, conductor
- a person who directs a military force or unit
- a person who has commanding authority or influence
- the principal officer of a British political party
- a party member chosen to manage party activities in a legislative body
- such a party member presiding over the whole legislative body when the party constitutes a majority
- conductor
- a first or principal performer of a group
- a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team
lead·er·board [-,bȯrd] -n
- a large board for displaying the ranking of the leaders in a competitive event (as a golf tournament)
leader of the opposition
- the principal member of the opposition party in a British legislative body who is given the status of a salaried government official and an important role in organizing the business of the house
lead·er·ship ['lē-dər-,ship] -n
- the office or position of a leader
- capacity to lead
- the act or an instance of leading
- leaders
lead glass -n
- glass containing a high proportion of lead oxide and having extraordinary clarity and brilliance
leadin ['lēd-,in] -n, adj
- something (as a television show or segment) that leads into something else
- a leadin to the commercial
lead·ing ['lē-diŋ] -adj
- coming or ranking first : foremost
- exercising leadership
- providing direction or guidance
- given most prominent display
leading edge ['lē-diŋ-] -n, adj
- the forward part of something that moves or seems to move
- the foremost edge of an airfoil
- cutting edge
leading lady -n
- an actress who plays the leading female role
leading light -n
- a prominent and influential member (as of a community or church)
leading man -n
- an actor who plays the leading male role
leading tone -n
- the seventh tone of a major or minor scale called also leading note
lead line ['led-] -n
- sounding line
lead·man ['lēd-,man, -mən] -n
- a worker in charge of other workers
lead monoxide -n
- a yellow to brownish-red poisonous compound PbO used in rubber manufacture and glassmaking
lead·off ['lēd-,ȯf] -n, adj
- a beginning or leading action
- one that leads off
lead off ['lēd-] -vi
- begin
- to come on or perform first
- to make a start on : open
- to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)
lead on -vt
- to entice or induce to adopt or continue in a course or belief esp. when unwise or mistaken
lead oxide -n
- any of several oxides of lead
- lead monoxide
lead pencil ['led-] -n
- a pencil using graphite as the marking material
leadpipe ['led-'pīp] -adj
- certain, guaranteed
lead·plant ['led-,plant] -n
- a leguminous shrub ( Amorpha canescens) of the western U.S. that has hoary pinnate leaves and bears dull-colored racemose flowers
lead poisoning -n
- chronic intoxication that is produced by the absorption of lead into the system and is characterized esp. by fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, and muscular paralysis or weakness of limbs
lead·screw ['lēd-,skrü] -n
- a threaded rod on which a mechanism travels and can be positioned precisely
leads·man ['ledz-mən] -n
- a man who uses a sounding lead to determine depth of water
lead sulfide -n
- an insoluble black compound PbS that occurs naturally as galena and is used in photoconductive cells
lead time ['lēd-] -n
- the time between the beginning of a process or project and the appearance of its results
leadup ['lēd-,əp] -n
- something that leads up to or prepares the way for something else
lead up ['lēd-] -vi
- to prepare the way
- to make a gradual or indirect approach to a topic
lead·work ['led-,wərk] -n
- articles made of or work done in lead
leady ['le-dē] -adj
- containing or resembling lead
leaf ['lēf] -n, adj
- a lateral outgrowth from a plant stem that is typically a flattened expanded variably shaped greenish organ, constitutes a unit of the foliage, and functions primarily in food manufacture by photosynthesis
- a modified leaf (as a bract or sepal) primarily engaged in functions other than food manufacture
- foliage
- the leaves of a plant as an article of commerce
- : something suggestive of a leaf: as
- a part of a book or folded sheet containing a page on each side
- a part (as of window shutters, folding doors, or gates) that slides or is hinged
- the movable parts of a table top
- a thin sheet or plate of any substance : lamina
- metal (as gold or silver) in sheets usu. thinner than foil
- one of the plates of a leaf spring
- to shoot out or produce leaves
- to turn over pages esp. to browse or skim
- to turn over the pages of
leaf·age ['lē-fij] -n
- foliage
- the representation of leafage (as in architecture)
leaf bud -n
- a bud that develops into a leafy shoot and does not produce flowers
leaf butterfly -n
- any of a genus ( Kallima) of nymphalid butterflies of southern Asia with wings resembling dried or dead leaves
leaf curl -n
- any of numerous plant diseases caused by ascomycetous fungi (genus Taphrinaof the family Taphrinaceae) or viruses (esp. genus Begomovirusof the family Geminiviridae) and characterized by curling of leaves
- peach leaf curl
leafcut·ter ['lēf-,kə-tər] -n
- any of various chiefly tropical American ants (genus Atta) that cut and carry off the leaves of plants which they use in culturing fungi for food called also leaf-cutting ant
leafed ['lēft] -adj
- leaved
leaf fat -n
- the fat that lines the abdominal cavity and encloses the kidneys
- that of a hog used in the manufacture of lard
leaf·hop·per ['lēf-,hä-pər] -n
- any of a family (Cicadellidae) of small leaping homopterous insects that suck the juices of plants
leaf lard -n
- high-quality lard made from leaf fat
leaf·let ['lēf-lət] -n
- one of the divisions of a compound leaf
- a small or young foliage leaf
- a leaflike organ or part
- a usu. folded printed sheet intended for free distribution
leaflet -vb
- to hand out leaflets
- to hand out leaflets to
leaf miner -n
- any of various small insects (as moths or dipteran flies) that in the larval stages burrow in and eat the parenchyma of leaves
leaf mold -n
- a compost or layer composed chiefly of decayed leaves
- a mold or mildew that affects foliage
leaf roll -n
- any of various plant diseases characterized esp. by an upward rolling of the leaf margins
- a disease of the potato caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (species Potato leafroll virusof the genus Polerovirus,family Luteoviridae) transmitted by aphids
leaf roller -n
- any of various lepidopterans whose larvae make a nest by rolling up plant leaves
leaf rust -n
- a rust disease of plants and esp. of wheat that affects primarily the leaves
leaf scar -n
- the mark left on a stem after a leaf falls
leaf scorch -n
- any of various plant diseases or conditions characterized by a burned or scorched appearance of the foliage
leaf spot -n
- any of various plant diseases characterized by discolored often circular spots on the leaves
leaf spring -n
- a spring made of superposed strips or leaves
leaf·stalk ['lēf-,stȯk] -n
- petiole
leaf trace -n
- a trace associated with a leaf
leafy ['lē-fē] -adj
- furnished with or abounding in leaves
- having broad-bladed leaves
- mosses, grasses, and leafy plants
- consisting chiefly of leaves
- resembling a leaf
- laminate
leafy liverwort -n
- any of an order (Jungermanniales) of usu. epiphytic liverworts with a leafy gametophyte that has one ventral and two dorsal rows of leaves on the stem
leafy spurge -n
- a tall perennial Eurasian herb ( Euphorbia esula) naturalized as a weed in the northern U.S. and Canada
league ['lēg] -n
- any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers)
- a square league
- an association of nations or other political entities for a common purpose
- an association of persons or groups united by common interests or goals
- a group of sports teams that regularly play one another
- an informal alliance
- in league with her sister
- class, category
- to unite in a league
- to form a league
lea·guer ['lē-gər] -n
- a military camp
- siege
leaguer -vt
- besiege, beleaguer
leagu·er ['lē-gər] -n
- a member of a league
leak ['lēk] -vb, n
- to enter or escape through an opening usu. by a fault or mistake
- to let a substance or light in or out through an opening
- to become known despite efforts at concealment
- confidential information leak ed out
- to be the source of an information leak
- to permit to enter or escape through or as if through a leak
- to give out (information) surreptitiously
- leak ed the story to the press
- a crack or hole that usu. by mistake admits or lets escape
- something that permits the admission or escape of something else usu. with prejudicial effect
- the act, process, or an instance of leaking
- an act of urinating used esp. in the phrase take a leak
leak·age ['lē-kij] -n
- the act or process or an instance of leaking
- loss of electricity esp. due to faulty insulation
- something or the amount that leaks
leaky ['lē-kē] -adj, adv, n
- permitting fluid to leak in or out
leal ['lēl] -adj, adv
- loyal, true
lean ['lēn] -vb
- to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position
- to cast one's weight to one side for support
- to rely for support or inspiration
- to incline in opinion, taste, or desire
- lean ing toward a career in chemistry
- to cause to lean : incline
- the act or an instance of leaning : inclination
- lacking or deficient in flesh
- containing little or no fat
- lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness
- : deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: as
- containing little valuable mineral
- low in combustible component used esp. of fuel mixtures
- characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation)
- to make lean
- the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle
Le·an·der [lē-'an-dər] -n
- a youth in Greek mythology who swims the Hellespont nightly to visit Hero and who ultimately drowns in one of the crossings
leaning -n
- a definite but not decisive attraction or tendency often used in pl.
leant ['lēn] -vb
(variant of lean)
- to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position
- to cast one's weight to one side for support
- to rely for support or inspiration
- to incline in opinion, taste, or desire
- lean ing toward a career in chemistry
- to cause to lean : incline
- the act or an instance of leaning : inclination
- lacking or deficient in flesh
- containing little or no fat
- lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness
- : deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: as
- containing little valuable mineral
- low in combustible component used esp. of fuel mixtures
- characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation)
- to make lean
- the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle
leanto ['lēn-,tü] -n
- a wing or extension of a building having a lean-to roof
- a rough shed or shelter with a lean-to roof
- having only one slope or pitch
leap ['lēp] -vb, n
- to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump
- a fish leap s out of the water
- to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another
- to act precipitately
- to pass over by leaping
- an act of leaping : spring, bound
- a place leaped over or from
- the distance covered by a leap
- a sudden passage or transition
- a choice made in an area of ultimate concern
leap·frog ['lēp-,frȯg, -,fräg] -n
- a game in which one player bends down and is vaulted over by another player
leapfrog -vb
- to leap or progress in or as if in leapfrog
- to go ahead of (each other) in turn
- to advance (two military units) by keeping one unit in action while moving the other unit past it to a position farther in front
- to evade by or as if by a bypass
leap second -n
- an intercalary second added to Coordinated Universal Time to compensate for the slowing of the earth's rotation and keep Coordinated Universal Time in synchrony with solar time
leap year -n
- a year in the Gregorian calendar containing 366 days with February 29 as the extra day
- an intercalary year in any calendar
Lear ['lir] -n
- a legendary king of Britain and hero of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear
learn ['lərn] -vb, adj, n
- to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience
- memorize
- learn the lines of a play
- to come to be able
- to come to realize
- learn ed that honesty paid
- teach
- to inform of something
- to come to know : hear
- we just learn ed that he was ill
- to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral tendency
learned ['lər-nəd-lē] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by or associated with learning : erudite
- acquired by learning
learning -n
- the act or experience of one that learns
- knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study
- modification of a behavioral tendency by experience (as exposure to conditioning)
learning curve -n
- a curve plotting performance against practice
- one graphing decline in unit costs with cumulative output
- the course of progress made in learning something
learning disability -n, adj
- any of various conditions (as dyslexia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills and that are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information
learnt ['lərn] -vb, adj, n
(variant of learn)
- to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience
- memorize
- learn the lines of a play
- to come to be able
- to come to realize
- learn ed that honesty paid
- teach
- to inform of something
- to come to know : hear
- we just learn ed that he was ill
- to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral tendency
leary ['lir-ē] -adj
(variant of leery)
- suspicious, wary often used with of
lease ['lēs] -n
- a contract by which one conveys real estate, equipment, or facilities for a specified term and for a specified rent
- the act of such conveyance or the term for which it is made
- a piece of land or property that is leased
- a continuance or opportunity for continuance
- to grant by lease
- to hold under a lease
lease·back ['lēs-,bak] -n
- the sale of property with the understanding that the seller can lease it from the new owner
lease·hold ['lēs-,hōld] -n
- a tenure by lease
- property held by lease
leash ['lēsh] -n, vt
- a line for leading or restraining an animal
- something that restrains : the state of being restrained
- keeping spending on a tight leash
- a set of three animals (as greyhounds, foxes, bucks, or hares)
- a set of three
leash law -n
- an ordinance requiring dogs to be restrained when not confined to their owner's property
leas·ing ['lē-siŋ, -ziŋ] -n
- the act of lying
- lie, falsehood
least ['lēst] -adj
- lowest in importance or position
- smallest in size or degree
- being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
- smallest possible : slightest
- one that is least
- in the smallest or lowest degree
least common denominator -n
- the least common multiple of two or more denominators
least common multiple -n
- the smallest common multiple of two or more numbers
- the common multiple of lowest degree of two or more polynomials
least squares -n pl
- a method of fitting a curve to a set of points representing statistical data in such a way that the sum of the squares of the distances of the points from the curve is a minimum
least tern -n
- a very small black-capped tern ( Sterna antillarum) with a white body and forehead that is found chiefly in coastal areas of eastern No. America and California
least·ways ['lēst-,wāz] -adv
- at least
least·wise [-,wīz] -adv
- at least
- leastwise, that's what I heard
leath·er ['le-thər] -n, adj
- animal skin dressed for use
- the flap of the ear of a dog
- something wholly or partly made of leather
leather ['le-thə-riŋ, 'leth-riŋ] -vt
- to cover with leather
- to beat with a strap : thrash
leath·er·back ['le-thər-,bak] -n
- the largest existing sea turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea) distinguished by its flexible carapace composed of a mosaic of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin
leath·er·ette [,le-thə-'ret] -n
- imitation leather
leath·er·leaf ['le-thər-,lēf] -n
- a temperate-zone bog shrub ( Chamaedaphne calyculata) of the heath family with leathery evergreen leaves and small white cylindrical flowers
leath·erlunged ['le-thər-,ləŋd] -adj
- having an inordinately loud voice
leath·ern ['le-thərn] -adj
- made of, consisting of, or resembling leather
leath·er·neck [-thər-,nek] -n
- a member of the U.S. Marine Corps
leath·er·wood ['le-thər-,wu̇d] -n
- a small eastern No. American tree ( Dirca palustris) of the mezereon family with pliant stems and yellow flowers
- a small tree or shrub ( Cyrilla racemifloraof the family Cyrillaceae) of the southeastern U.S.
leath·er·work ['le-thər-,wərk] -n
- work made of leather : leather articles
leath·ery ['le-thə-rē, 'leth-rē] -adj
- resembling, characteristic of, or suggestive of leather
leave ['lēv] -vb, n
- bequeath, devise
- left a fortune to his son
- to have remaining after one's death
- leave s a widow and two children
- to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect
- the wound left an ugly scar
- to cause or allow to be or remain in a specified condition
- to fail to include or take along
- the movie leave s a lot out
- to have as a remainder
- to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control
- just leave everything to me
- let
- to cause or allow to be or remain available
- to go away from : depart
- desert, abandon
- to terminate association with : withdraw from
- left school before graduation
- to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process of departing
- set out, depart
- permission to do something
- authorized esp. extended absence from duty or employment
- an act of leaving : departure
- leaf
leaved -adj
- having leaves usu. used in combination
leav·en ['le-vən] -n
- a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid
- sourdough
- a material (as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter
- something that modifies or lightens
leaven ['lev-niŋ, 'le-və-] -vt
- to raise (as bread) with a leaven
- to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element
- lighten
- a sermon leaven ed with humor
leavening -n
- a leavening agent : leaven
leave of absence
- permission to be absent from duty or employment
- leave
leave off -vb
- stop, cease
- picked up where he had left off
leaves ['lēf] -n, adj
(variant of leaf)
- a lateral outgrowth from a plant stem that is typically a flattened expanded variably shaped greenish organ, constitutes a unit of the foliage, and functions primarily in food manufacture by photosynthesis
- a modified leaf (as a bract or sepal) primarily engaged in functions other than food manufacture
- foliage
- the leaves of a plant as an article of commerce
- : something suggestive of a leaf: as
- a part of a book or folded sheet containing a page on each side
- a part (as of window shutters, folding doors, or gates) that slides or is hinged
- the movable parts of a table top
- a thin sheet or plate of any substance : lamina
- metal (as gold or silver) in sheets usu. thinner than foil
- one of the plates of a leaf spring
- to shoot out or produce leaves
- to turn over pages esp. to browse or skim
- to turn over the pages of
leavetak·ing ['lēv-,tā-kiŋ] -n
- departure, farewell
leav·ings ['lē-viŋz] -n pl
- remnants, residue
Leb -abbr
- Lebanese; Lebanon
le·bens·raum ['lā-bənz-,rau̇m, -bən(t)s-] -n
- territory believed esp. by Nazis to be necessary for national existence or economic self-sufficiency
- space required for life, growth, or activity
lech ['lech] -n
- letch, lust
- lecher
- lust
lech·er ['le-chər] -n
- a man who engages in lechery
lech·er·ous ['le-chə-rəs, 'lech-rəs] -adj, adv, n
- given to or suggestive of lechery
lech·ery [-rē] -n
- inordinate indulgence in sexual activity : lasciviousness
le·chwe ['lēch-wē] -n
- an antelope ( Kobus leche) that inhabits wetlands of southern Africa
- a related antelope ( K. megaceros) of the Nile Valley in Sudan and Ethiopia
lec·i·thin ['le-sə-thən] -n
- any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids that are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties
- a mixture of or substance rich in lecithins
lec·i·thin·ase [-thə-,nās, -,nāz] -n
- phospholipase
lec·tern ['lek-tərn] -n
- a stand used to support a book or script in a convenient position for a standing reader or speaker
- one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service
lec·tin ['lek-tən] -n
- any of a group of proteins esp. of plants that are not antibodies and do not originate in an immune system but bind specif. to carbohydrate-containing receptors on cell surfaces (as of red blood cells)
lec·tion ['lek-shən] -n
- a liturgical reading for a particular day
- a variant reading of a text
lec·tion·ary ['lek-shə-,ner-ē] -n
- a book or list of lections for the church year
lec·tor ['lek-tər, -,tȯr] -n
- a person who assists at a worship service chiefly by reading the lection
lec·to·type ['lek-tə-,tīp] -n
- a specimen chosen as the type of a species or subspecies if the author of the name fails to designate a type
lec·ture ['lek-chər, -shər] -n
- a discourse given before an audience or class esp. for instruction
- a formal reproof
lecture ['lek-chə-riŋ, 'lek-shriŋ] -vb, n
- to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures
- to deliver a lecture to
- to reprove formally
led ['lēd] -vb
(variant of lead)
- to guide on a way esp. by going in advance
- to direct on a course or in a direction
- to serve as a channel for
- a pipe lead s water to the house
- to go through : live
- to direct the operations, activity, or performance of
- to have charge of
- to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions
- to go at the head of
- to be first in or among
- to have a margin over
- to bring to some conclusion or condition
- to begin play with
- to aim in front of (a moving object)
- to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
- to guide someone or something along a way
- to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction
- to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
- to be first
- begin, open
- to play the first card of a trick, round, or game
- to tend toward or have a result
- study lead ing to a degree
- to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
- leadership
- example, precedent
- position at the front : vanguard
- initiative
- the act or privilege of leading in cards
- the card or suit led
- a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance
- : one that leads: as
- lode
- a channel of water esp. through a field of ice
- indication, clue
- a principal role in a dramatic production
- one who plays such a role
- leash
- an introductory section of a news story
- a news story of chief importance
- an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
- the course of a rope from end to end
- the amount of axial advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)
- a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next
- the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
- acting or serving as a lead or leader
- a bluish-white soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic heavy metallic element found mostly in combination and used esp. in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity
- a plummet for sounding at sea
- a usu. flat lead roof
- lead framing for panes in windows
- a thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
- a thin stick of marking substance (as graphite) in or for a pencil
- white lead
- bullets, projectiles
- tetraethyl lead
- to cover, line, or weight with lead
- to fix (window glass) in position with leads
- to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)
- to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound
LED [,el-(,)ē-'dē] -n
- a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is applied to it and that is used esp. in electronic devices (as for an indicator light)
Le·da ['lē-də] -n
- the mother of Clytemnestra and Castor by her husband Tyndareus and of Helen and Pollux by Zeus who comes to her in the form of a swan
lede ['lēd] -n
- the introductory section of a news story that is intended to entice the reader to read the full story
le·der·ho·sen ['lā-dər-,hō-zᵊn] -n pl
- leather shorts often with suspenders worn esp. in Bavaria
ledge ['lej] -n, adj
- a raised or projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check
- an underwater ridge or reef esp. near the shore
- a narrow flat surface or shelf
- one that projects from a wall of rock
- rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges : bedrock
- the field was full of ledge
- lode, vein
led·ger ['le-jər] -n
- a book containing accounts to which debits and credits are posted from books of original entry
- a horizontal board used for vertical support (as in scaffolding)
ledger line ['le-jər-] -n
- a short line added above or below a musical staff to extend its range
lee ['lē] -n
- protecting shelter
- the side (as of a ship) or area that is sheltered from the wind
- of, relating to, or being the side sheltered from the wind
- facing in the direction of motion of an overriding glacier used esp. of a hillside
lee·board ['lē-,bȯrd] -n
- either of the wood or metal planes attached outside the hull of a sailboat to prevent leeway
leech ['lēch] -n, adj
- physician, surgeon
- any of numerous carnivorous or bloodsucking usu. freshwater annelid worms (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate segmented body with a sucker at each end
- a hanger-on who seeks advantage or gain
- to bleed by the use of leeches
- to drain the substance of : exhaust
- to attach oneself to a person as a leech
- either vertical edge of a square sail
- the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leek ['lēk] -n
- a biennial garden herb ( Allium ampeloprasum porrum) of the lily family grown for its mildly pungent succulent linear leaves and esp. for its thick cylindrical stalk
leer ['lir] -vi, adv
- to cast a sidelong glance
- to give a leer
- a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look
leery ['lir-ē] -adj
- suspicious, wary often used with of
lees ['lēz] -n pl
- the sediment of a liquor (as wine) during fermentation and aging : dregs
Lee's Birthday ['lēz-] -n
- January 19 or the third Monday in January observed as a legal holiday in many southern states
lee shore -n
- a shore lying off a ship's leeward side and constituting a severe danger in storm
lee·ward ['lē-wərd, esp naut 'lü-ərd] -n
- the lee side
leeward -adj
- being in or facing the direction toward which the wind is blowing
- being the side opposite the windward
lee·way ['lē-,wā] -n
- off-course lateral movement of a ship when under way
- the angle between the heading and the track of an airplane
- an allowable margin of freedom or variation : tolerance
left ['left] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body in which the heart is mostly located
- done with the left hand
- located nearer to the left hand than to the right
- located on the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
- located on the left when facing downstream
- of, adhering to, or constituted by the left esp. in politics
- the left hand
- the location or direction of the left side
- the part on the left side
- a turn to the left
- take a left at the intersection
- left field
- a blow struck with the left fist
- the part of a legislative chamber located to the left of the presiding officer
- the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the left as a result of holding more radical political views than other members
- those professing views usu. characterized by desire to reform or overthrow the established order esp. in politics and usu. advocating change in the name of the greater freedom or well-being of the common man
- a radical as distinguished from a conservative position
left ['lēv] -vb, n
(variant of leave)
- bequeath, devise
- left a fortune to his son
- to have remaining after one's death
- leave s a widow and two children
- to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect
- the wound left an ugly scar
- to cause or allow to be or remain in a specified condition
- to fail to include or take along
- the movie leave s a lot out
- to have as a remainder
- to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control
- just leave everything to me
- let
- to cause or allow to be or remain available
- to go away from : depart
- desert, abandon
- to terminate association with : withdraw from
- left school before graduation
- to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process of departing
- set out, depart
- permission to do something
- authorized esp. extended absence from duty or employment
- an act of leaving : departure
- leaf
leftbank -adj
- of, relating to, situated in, or characteristic of the bohemian district of Paris on the left bank of the Seine River
left brain ['left-'brānd] -n, adj
- the left cerebral hemisphere of the human brain esp. when viewed in terms of its predominant thought processes (as analytic and logical thinking)
left field -n
- the position of the player defending left field
- the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from the plate
- a state or position far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion)
- they were really out in left field with that idea
- a source of the unexpected or illogical
- that question came out of left field
lefthand ['left-'hand, 'lef-'tand] -adj
- situated on the left
- left-handed
lefthand·ed [-'han-dəd, -'tan-] -adj, adv, n
- using the left hand habitually or more easily than the right
- swinging from left to right
- relating to, designed for, or done with the left hand
- morganatic
- clumsy, awkward
- insincere, backhanded, dubious
- having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch viewed from in front : counterclockwise
- having a spiral structure or form that ascends or advances to the left
- having or being the L-form molecular structure
lefthand·er [-'han-dər, -'tan-] -n
- a left-handed person
left·ish ['lef-tish] -adj
- showing leftist tendencies or a moderately leftist character
left·ism ['lef-,ti-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the principles and views of the left
- the movement embodying these principles
- advocacy of or adherence to the doctrines of the left
left·over ['left-,ō-vər] -n
- something that remains unused or unconsumed
- leftover food served at a later meal usu. used in pl.
- an anachronistic survival : vestige
- not consumed or used
left shoulder arms -n
- a position in the manual of arms in which the butt of the rifle is held in the left hand with the barrel resting on the left shoulder
- a command to assume this position
left·ward ['left-wərd] -adj or adv
- being at, toward, or to the left
left wing ['left-'wiŋ-ər] -n, adj
- the leftist division of a group (as a political party)
- left
lefty ['lef-tē] -n, adj
- left-hander
- an advocate of leftism
leg ['leg also 'lāg] -n, adj
- : a limb of an animal used esp. for supporting the body and for walking: as
- one of the paired vertebrate limbs that in bipeds extend from the top of the thigh to the foot
- the part of such a limb between the knee and foot
- the back half of a hindquarter of a meat animal
- one of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling
- a pole or bar serving as a support or prop
- a branch of a forked or jointed object
- the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg
- the part of the upper (as of a boot) that extends above the ankle
- obeisance, bow used chiefly in the phrase to make a leg
- a side of a right triangle that is not the hypotenuse
- a side of an isosceles triangle that is not the base
- the course and distance sailed by a boat on a single tack
- a portion of a trip : stage
- one section of a relay race
- one of several events or games necessary to be won to decide a competition
- won the first two leg s of horse racing's Triple Crown
- a branch or part of an object or system
- long-term appeal or interest
- to use the legs in walking
- run
- legal
- legato
- legislative; legislature
leg·a·cy ['le-gə-sē] -n
- a gift by will esp. of money or other personal property : bequest
- something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
- the legacy of the ancient philosophers
legacy -adj
- of, relating to, or being a previous or outdated computer system
le·gal ['lē-gəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to law
- deriving authority from or founded on law : de jure
- having a formal status derived from law often without a basis in actual fact : titular
- a corporation is a legal but not a real person
- established by law
- statutory
- conforming to or permitted by law or established rules
- recognized or made effective by a court of law as distinguished from a court of equity
- of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the profession of law or of one of its members
- created by the constructions of the law
legal -n
- one that conforms to rules or the law
legal age -n
- the age at which a person enters into full adult legal rights and responsibilities (as of making contracts or wills)
legal aid -n
- aid provided by an organization established esp. to serve the legal needs of the poor
legal eagle -n
- lawyer
le·gal·ese [,lē-gə-'lēz, -'lēs] -n
- the specialized language of the legal profession
- replaced legalese with plain talk -- Steve Weinberg
legal holiday -n
- a holiday established by legal authority and marked by restrictions on work and transaction of official business
le·gal·ise ['lē-gə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of legalize)
- to make legal
- to give legal validity or sanction to
le·gal·ism ['lē-gə-,li-zəm] -n
- strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code
- the institutionalized legalism that restricts free choice
- a legal term or rule
le·gal·ist [-list] -n, adj, adv
- an advocate or adherent of moral legalism
- one that views things from a legal standpoint
- one that places primary emphasis on legal principles or on the formal structure of governmental institutions
le·gal·i·ty [li-'ga-lə-tē] -n
- attachment to or observance of law
- the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness
- obligations imposed by law
le·gal·ize ['lē-gə-,līz] -vt, n
- to make legal
- to give legal validity or sanction to
legal pad -n
- a writing tablet of ruled yellow paper that is usu. 8.5 by 14 inches (about 22 by 36 centimeters)
legal reserve -n
- the minimum amount of bank deposits or life insurance company assets required by law to be kept as reserves
legal tender -n
- money that is legally valid for the payment of debts and that must be accepted for that purpose when offered
leg·ate ['le-gət] -n
- a usu. official emissary
le·gate [li-'gāt] -vt, n
- bequeath
leg·a·tee [,le-gə-'tē] -n
- one to whom a legacy is bequeathed or a devise is given
leg·a·tine ['le-gə-,tēn, -,tīn] -adj
- of, headed by, or enacted under the authority of a legate
le·ga·tion [li-'gā-shən] -n
- the sending forth of a legate
- a body of deputies sent on a mission
- a diplomatic mission in a foreign country headed by a minister
- the official residence and office of a diplomatic minister in a foreign country
le·ga·to [li-'gä-(,)tō] -adv or adj
- in a manner that is smooth and connected (as between successive tones) used esp. as a direction in music
legato -n
- a smooth and connected manner of performance (as of music)
- a passage of music so performed
leg·end ['le-jənd] -n
- a story coming down from the past
- one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable
- a body of such stories
- a place in the legend of the frontier
- a popular myth of recent origin
- a person or thing that inspires legends
- the subject of a legend
- its violence was legend even in its own time -- William Broyles Jr.
- an inscription or title on an object (as a coin)
- caption
- an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart
leg·end·ary ['le-jən-,der-ē, -,de-rē] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characteristic of legend or a legend
- well-known, famous
leg·end·ry ['le-jən-drē] -n
- a body of legends
leg·er·de·main [,le-jər-də-'mān] -n
- sleight of hand
- a display of skill or adroitness
le·ger·i·ty [lə-'jer-ə-tē, le-, -'je-rə-] -n
- alert facile quickness of mind or body
leger line ['le-jər-] -n
(variant of ledger line)
- a short line added above or below a musical staff to extend its range
leges ['leks] -n
(variant of lex)
- law
leg·ged ['le-gəd also 'lā-, Brit usu 'legd] -adj
- having a leg or legs esp. of a specified kind or number often used in combination
leg·ging ['le-gən also 'lā-, -giŋ] -n
- a covering (as of leather or cloth) for the leg usu. used in pl.
- tights
leg·gy ['le-gē also 'lā-] -adj, n
- having disproportionately long legs
- having long and attractive legs
- spindly used of a plant
leg·hold trap ['leg-,hōld-] -n
- a jawed usu. steel trap that is used to hold a wild mammal and operates by springing closed and clamping onto the leg of the animal that steps on it
leg·horn ['leg-,hȯrn; 'le-,gȯrn, -gərn] -n
- a fine plaited straw made from an Italian wheat
- a hat of this straw
- any of a Mediterranean breed of small hardy domestic chickens noted for their large production of white eggs
leg·i·ble ['le-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being read or deciphered : plain
- capable of being discovered or understood
le·gion ['lē-jən] -n
- the principal unit of the Roman army comprising 3000 to 6000 foot soldiers with cavalry
- a large military force
- army
- a very large number : multitude
- a national association of ex-servicemen
legion -adj
- many, numerous
le·gion·ary ['lē-jə-,ner-ē, -,ne-rē] -adj
- of, relating to, or constituting a legion
legionary -n
- legionnaire
le·gion·naire [,lē-jə-'ner] -n
- a member of a legion
Legionnaires' disease [-'nerz-] -n
- a lobar pneumonia caused by a bacterium ( Legionella pneumophila)
Legion of Honor
- a French order conferred as a reward for civil or military merit
Legion of Merit
- a U.S. military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services
legis -abbr
- legislation; legislative; legislature
leg·is·late ['le-jəs-,lāt] -vb
- to perform the function of legislation
- to make or enact laws
- to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation
leg·is·la·tion [,le-jəs-'lā-shən] -n
- the action of legislating
- the exercise of the power and function of making rules (as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization
- the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body
- a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
leg·is·la·tive ['le-jəs-,lā-tiv, -lə-] -adj, adv
- having the power or performing the function of legislating
- belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations
- of or relating to a legislature
- composed of members of a legislature
- created by a legislature esp. as distinguished from an executive or judicial body
- designed to assist a legislature or its members
- a legislative research agency
- of, concerned with, or created by legislation
legislative -n
- the body or department exercising the power and function of legislating : legislature
legislative assembly -n
- a bicameral legislature (as in an American state)
- the lower house of a bicameral legislature
- a unicameral legislature
- one in a Canadian province
legislative council -n
- a permanent committee chosen from both houses that meets between sessions of a state legislature to study state problems and plan a legislative program
- a unicameral legislature (as in a British colony)
- the upper house of a British bicameral legislature
leg·is·la·tor ['le-jəs-,lā-,tȯr, -,lā-tər also ,le-jəs-'lā-,tȯr] -n, adj
- one that makes laws esp. for a political unit
- a member of a legislative body
leg·is·la·ture ['le-jəs-,lā-chər also ,le-jəs-', Brit often 'le-jəs-lə-] -n
- a body of persons having the power to legislate
- an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit
le·gist ['lē-jist] -n
- a specialist in law
- one learned in Roman or civil law
le·git [li-'jit] -adj
- legitimate
le·git·i·ma·cy [li-'ji-tə-mə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being legitimate
le·git·i·mate [li-'ji-tə-mət] -adj, adv
- lawfully begotten
- born in wedlock
- having full filial rights and obligations by birth
- being exactly as purposed : neither spurious nor false
- a legitimate practitioner
- accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements
- ruling by or based on the strict principle of hereditary right
- conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules and standards
- a legitimate advertising expenditure
- relating to plays acted by professional actors but not including revues, burlesque, or some forms of musical comedy
- : to make legitimate:
- to give legal status or authorization to
- to show or affirm to be justified
- to lend authority or respectability to
- to put (a bastard) in the state of a legitimate child before the law by legal means
le·git·i·ma·tize [li-'ji-tə-mə-,tīz] -vt
- legitimate
le·git·i·mise [-,mīz] -vt, n
(variant of legitimize)
- to make legitimate : legitimate
le·git·i·mism [li-'ji-tə-,mi-zəm] -n, adj
- adherence to the principles of political legitimacy or to a person claiming legitimacy
le·git·i·mize [-,mīz] -vt, n
- to make legitimate : legitimate
leg·man ['leg-,man also 'lāg-] -n
- a reporter assigned usu. to gather information
- an assistant who performs various subordinate tasks (as gathering information or running errands)
legofmut·ton [,le-gə(v)-'mə-tᵊn also ,lāg-] -adj
- having the approximately triangular shape or outline of a leg of mutton
leg out -vt
- to make (as a base hit) by fast running
legpull ['leg-,pu̇l also 'lāg-] -n
- a humorous deception or hoax
leg·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- space in which to extend the legs while seated
le·gume ['le-,gyüm, li-'gyüm] -n
- the fruit or seed of plants of the legume family (as peas or beans) used for food
- a vegetable used for food
- any of a large family (Leguminosae syn. Fabaceae, the legume family) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees having fruits that are legumes (sense 3) or loments, bearing nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and including important food and forage plants (as peas, beans, or clovers)
- a dry dehiscent one-celled fruit developed from a simple superior ovary and usu. dehiscing into two valves with the seeds attached to the ventral suture : pod
le·gu·mi·nous [li-'gyü-mə-nəs, le-] -adj
- of, resembling, or consisting of legumes (as peas)
- of or relating to the legume family
leg up -n
- a helping hand : boost
- head start
leg warmer -n
- a usu. knitted covering for the leg
leg·work ['leg-,wərk also 'lāg-] -n
- active physical work (as in gathering information) that forms the basis of more creative or mentally exacting work (as writing a book)
le·hua [lā-'hü-ə] -n
- a common very showy chiefly Polynesian tree ( Metrosideros collinus) of the myrtle family having bright red flowers and a hard wood
- its flower
lei ['lā, 'lā-,ē] -n
- a wreath or necklace usu. of flowers or leaves
Leices·ter ['les-tər] -n
- an individual of a breed of white-faced long wool sheep having a massive body and heavy fleece that was orig. developed in England and extensively used in the development of numerous modern sheep breeds
- a hard usu. orange-colored cheese similar to cheddar
Leics -abbr
- Leicestershire
leish·man·ia [lēsh-'ma-nē-ə] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Leishmania) of flagellate protozoans that are parasitic in the tissues of vertebrates
- an organism resembling the leishmanias that is included in the family (Trypanosomatidae) to which they belong
leish·man·i·a·sis [,lēsh-mə-'nī-ə-səs] -n
- infection with or disease caused by leishmanias
leis·ter ['lēs-tər] -n
- a spear armed with three or more barbed prongs for catching fish
lei·sure ['lē-zhər, 'le-, 'lā-] -n, adj
- freedom provided by the cessation of activities
- time free from work or duties
- ease, leisureliness
lei·sured [-zhərd] -adj
- having leisure : leisurely
lei·sure·ly [-zhər-lē] -adv
- without haste : deliberately
leisurely -adj, n
- characterized by leisure : unhurried
leisure suit -n
- a suit consisting of a shirt jacket and matching trousers for informal wear
leit·mo·tif ['līt-mō-,tēf] -n
- an associated melodic phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation esp. in a Wagnerian music drama
- a dominant recurring theme
lek ['lek] -n
- an assembly area where animals (as the prairie chicken) carry on display and courtship behavior
- an aggregation of animals assembled on a lek for courtship
lek·var ['lek-,vär] -n
- a prune butter used as a pastry filling
LEM -abbr
- lunar excursion module; lunar module
le·man ['le-mən, 'lē-] -n
- sweetheart, lover
- mistress
lem·ma ['le-mə] -n
- an auxiliary proposition used in the demonstration of another proposition
- the argument or theme of a composition prefixed as a title or introduction
- the heading or theme of a comment or note on a text
- a glossed word or phrase
lemma -n
- the lower of the two bracts enclosing the flower in the spikelet of grasses
lem·ming ['le-miŋ] -n, adj
- any of various small short-tailed furry-footed rodents (as genera Lemmusand Dicrostonyx) of circumpolar distribution that are notable for population fluctuations and recurrent mass migrations
lem·nis·cate [lem-'nis-kət] -n
- a figure-eight shaped curve whose equation in polar coordinates is 2 a 2cos 2 or 2 a 2sin 2
lem·nis·cus [lem-'nis-kəs] -n, adj
- a band of fibers and esp. nerve fibers
lem·on ['le-mən] -n
- an acid fruit that is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry produced by a small thorny citrus tree ( Citrus limon) and that has a rind from which an aromatic oil is extracted
- a tree that bears lemons
- one (as an automobile) that is unsatisfactory or defective
lemon -adj
- of the color lemon yellow
- containing lemon
- having the flavor or scent of lemon
lem·on·ade [,le-mə-'nād] -n
- a beverage of sweetened lemon juice mixed with water
lemon balm -n
- a bushy perennial European mint ( Melissa officinalis) often cultivated for its lemon-scented leaves
- its leaves
lemon curd -n
- a custard made with lemon juice, butter, sugar, and eggs and used as a spread or filling
lem·on·grass ['le-mən-,gras] -n
- a grass ( Cymbopogon citratus) of robust habit native to southern India and Ceylon that is grown in tropical regions for its lemon-scented foliage used as a seasoning and that is the source of an aromatic essential oil
- its foliage
lemon law -n
- a law offering car buyers relief (as by repair, replacement, or refund) for defects detected during a specified period after purchase
lemon shark -n
- a medium-sized requiem shark ( Negaprion brevirostris) of warm waters that is yellowish brown to gray above with yellow or greenish sides
lemon sole -n
- : any of several flatfishes and esp. flounders: as
- a bottom-dwelling flounder ( Microstomus kitt) of the northeastern Atlantic that is an important food fish
- winter flounder
lemon thyme -n
- a thyme ( Thymus citriodorus) having lemon-scented leaves used as a seasoning
- its leaves
lemon verbena -n
- a small shrub ( Aloysia triphylla) of Chile and Argentina that has narrow lemon-scented leaves
lem·ony ['le-mə-nē] -adj
- resembling or suggestive of a lemon
lemon yellow -n
- a brilliant greenish yellow color
le·mur ['lē-mər] -n
- any of various arboreal chiefly nocturnal prosimian primates (superfamily Lemuroidea) that were formerly widespread but are now largely confined to Madagascar and that usu. have a longish muzzle, large eyes, very soft woolly fur, and a long furry tail
le·mu·res ['le-mə-,rās, 'lem-yə-,rēz] -n pl
- spirits of the unburied dead exorcised from homes in early Roman religious rites
Len·a·pe ['le-nə-pē, lə-'nä-pē] -n
- delaware
lend ['lend] -vb, adj, n
- to give for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent be returned
- to put at another's temporary disposal
- to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest
- to give the assistance or support of : afford, furnish
- a dispassionate and scholarly manner which lend s great force to his criticisms -- Times Lit. Supp.
- to adapt or apply (oneself) readily : accommodate
- a topic that lend s itself admirably to class discussion
- to make a loan
lending library -n
- a library from which materials are lent
- rental library
lendlease ['lend-'lēs] -n, vt
- the transfer of goods and services to an ally to aid in a common cause with payment made by a return of the original items or their use in the cause or by a similar transfer of other goods and services
length ['leŋ(k)th, 'len(t)th] -n
- the longer or longest dimension of an object
- a measured distance or dimension
- the quality or state of being long
- duration or extent in time
- relative duration or stress of a sound
- distance or extent in space
- the length of something taken as a unit of measure
- his horse led by a length
- the degree to which something (as a course of action or a line of thought) is carried often used in pl.
- went to great length s to learn the truth
- a long expanse or stretch
- a piece constituting or usable as part of a whole or of a connected series : section
- the longer or vertical dimension of a piece of clothing often used in combination
length·en ['leŋ(k)-thən, 'len(t)-] -vb, n
- to make longer
- to grow longer
length·ways ['leŋ(k)th-,wāz, 'len(t)th-] -adv
- lengthwise
length·wise [-,wīz] -adv, adj
- in the direction of the length : longitudinally
lengthy ['leŋ(k)-thē, 'len(t)-] -adj, adv, n
- protracted excessively : overlong
- extended, long
le·nience ['lē-nyən(t)s, -nē-ən(t)s] -n
- leniency
le·nien·cy ['lē-nē-ən(t)-sē, -nyən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being lenient
- a lenient disposition or practice
le·nient ['lē-nē-ənt, -nyənt] -adj, adv
- exerting a soothing or easing influence : relieving pain or stress
- of mild and tolerant disposition
- indulgent
Le·nin·ism ['le-nə-,ni-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the political, economic, and social principles and policies advocated by Lenin
- the theory and practice of communism developed by or associated with Lenin
le·nis ['lē-nəs, 'lā-] -adj
- produced with an articulation that is lax in relation to another speech sound
- t in gutter is lenis, t in toe is fortis
len·i·tion [lə-'ni-shən] -n
- the change from fortis to lenis articulation
len·i·tive ['le-nə-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- alleviating pain or harshness : soothing
len·i·ty ['le-nə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being lenient : clemency
Len·niLen·a·pe [,le-nē-'le-nə-pē, -lə-'nä-pē] -n
- delaware
le·no ['lē-(,)nō] -n
- an open weave in which pairs of warp yarns cross one another and thereby lock the filling yarn in position
- a fabric made with a leno weave
lens ['lenz] -n, adj
- a piece of transparent material (as glass) that has two opposite regular surfaces either both curved or one curved and the other plane and that is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument for forming an image by focusing rays of light
- a combination of two or more simple lenses
- a piece of glass or plastic used (as in safety goggles or sunglasses) to protect the eye
- a device for directing or focusing radiation other than light (as sound waves, radio microwaves, or electrons)
- something shaped like a biconvex optical lens
- a highly transparent biconvex lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in the eye that focuses light rays (as upon the retina)
- something that facilitates and influences perception, comprehension, or evaluation
- viewing the current legal battle...through partisan lens es -- New Republic
- gravitational lens
- to make a motion picture of : film
lens·man [-mən, -,man] -n
- photographer
Lent ['lent] -n
- the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting
len·ta·men·te [,len-tə-'men-(,)tā] -adv or adj
- lento
len·tan·do [len-'tän-(,)dō] -adv or adj
- becoming slower used as a direction in music
Lent·en ['len-tᵊn] -adj
- of, relating to, or suitable for Lent
- meager
len·tic ['len-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or living in still waters (as lakes, ponds, or swamps)
len·ti·cel ['len-tə-,sel] -n
- a loose aggregation of cells which penetrates the surface (as of a stem) of a woody plant and through which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and the underlying tissues
len·tic·u·lar [len-'ti-kyə-lər] -adj
- having the shape of a double-convex lens
- of or relating to a lens
- provided with or utilizing lenticules
len·ti·cule ['len-tə-,kyül] -n
- any of the minute lenses on the base side of a film used in stereoscopic or color photography
- any of the tiny corrugations or grooves molded or embossed into the surface of a projection screen
len·til ['len-tᵊl] -n
- a widely cultivated Eurasian annual leguminous plant ( Lens culinaris) with flattened edible seeds and leafy stalks used as fodder
- the seed of the lentil
len·tis·si·mo [len-'ti-sə-,mō] -adv or adj
- at a very slow tempo used as a direction in music
len·ti·vi·rus [,len-tə-'vī-rəs] -n
- any of a genus ( Lentivirus) of retroviruses (as the HIVs and SIV) that cause slowly progressive often fatal human and animal diseases (as AIDS)
len·to ['len-(,)tō] -adv or adj
- at a slow tempo used esp. as a direction in music
Leo ['lē-(,)ō] -n, adj
- a northern constellation east of Cancer
- the fifth sign of the zodiac in astrology
- one born under this sign
Le·o·nid ['lē-ə-nid] -n
- any of the meteors in a meteor shower occurring every year about November 14
le·o·nine ['lē-ə-,nīn] -adj
- of, relating to, suggestive of, or resembling a lion
leop·ard ['le-pərd] -n
- a large strong cat ( Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usu. tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes called also panther
- a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant
leopard cat -n
- a small spotted cat ( Felis bengalensis) chiefly of southeastern Asia
leopard frog -n
- a common frog ( Rana pipiens) of northern No. America that is bright green or brown with large black white-margined blotches on the back
- a similar frog ( R. sphenocephala) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.
leopard seal -n
- a spotted slate gray seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx) esp. of antarctic and subantarctic waters that feeds chiefly on krill, other seals, penguins, and fish
le·o·tard ['lē-ə-,tärd] -n, adj
- a close-fitting one-piece garment worn esp. by dancers, acrobats, and aerialists
- tights often used in pl.
LEP -abbr
- limited English proficiency; limited English proficient
Lep·cha ['lep-chə] -n
- a member of a people of Sikkim, India
- the Tibeto-Burman language of the Lepcha people
lep·er ['le-pər] -n
- a person affected with leprosy
- a person shunned for moral or social reasons
lepid- -comb form
- flake : scale
le·pid·o·lite [li-'pi-də-,līt] -n
- a variable form of mica used esp. in glazes and enamels and as a source of lithium
lep·i·dop·tera [,le-pə-'däp-tə-rə] -n pl
- insects that are lepidopterans
lep·i·dop·ter·an [-rən] -n, adj
- any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usu. covered with minute overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars
lep·i·dop·ter·ist [-tə-rist] -n
- a specialist in lepidopterology
lep·i·dop·ter·ol·o·gy [-,däp-tə-'rä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a branch of entomology concerned with lepidopterans
lep·i·dote ['le-pə-,dōt] -n
- a rhododendron with tiny scales on the undersurface of the leaves
lep·re·chaun ['lep-rə-,kän, -,kȯn] -n, adj
- a mischievous elf of Irish folklore usu. believed to reveal the hiding place of treasure if caught
le·pro·ma·tous [lə-'prä-mə-təs, -'prō-] -adj
- characterized by, exhibiting, or being leprosy with infective superficial granulomatous nodules
lep·ro·sar·i·um [,le-prə-'ser-ē-əm] -n
- a hospital for leprosy patients
lep·ro·sy ['le-prə-sē] -n, adj
- a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium ( Mycobacterium leprae) affecting esp. the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities called also Hansen's disease
- a morally or spiritually harmful influence
lep·rous ['le-prəs] -adj, adv
- infected with leprosy
- of, relating to, or resembling leprosy or a leper
- scaly, scurfy
lep·tin ['lep-tən] -n
- a peptide hormone that is produced by fat cells and plays a role in body weight regulation by acting on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and burn fat stored in adipose tissue
lep·to·ceph·a·lus [,lep-tə-'se-fə-ləs] -n
- a long thin small-headed transparent pelagic first larva of various eels
lep·ton [lep-'tän] -n
- a former monetary unit equal to drachma
- any of a family of particles (as electrons, muons, and neutrinos) that have spin quantum number and that experience no strong forces
lep·to·spire [-,spī(-ə)r] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Leptospira) of slender aerobic spiral-shaped spirochetes that are free-living or parasitic in mammals
lep·to·spi·ro·sis [,lep-tə-spī-'rō-səs] -n
- any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals that are caused by infection with leptospires
lep·to·tene ['lep-tə-,tēn] -n, adj
- a stage of meiotic prophase immediately preceding synapsis in which the chromosomes appear as fine discrete threads
les·bi·an ['lez-bē-ən] -adj
- of or relating to Lesbos
- of or relating to homosexuality between females
lesbian -n
- a woman who is a homosexual
les·bi·an·ism ['lez-bē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n
- female homosexuality
lesema·jes·te [,lāz-'ma-jə-stē, ,lez-, ,lēz-] -n
- a crime (as treason) committed against a sovereign power
- an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power
- a detraction from or affront to dignity or importance
le·sion ['lē-zhən] -n, adj
- injury, harm
- an abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease
- one that is circumscribed and well defined
les·pe·de·za [,les-pə-'dē-zə] -n
- any of a genus ( Lespedeza) of herbaceous or shrubby plants of the legume family including some widely used for forage, soil improvement, and hay
less ['les] -adj
- constituting a more limited number or amount
- of lower rank, degree, or importance
- no less a person than the president himself
- of reduced size, extent, or degree
- more limited in quantity
- to a lesser extent or degree
- a smaller portion or quantity
- something of less importance
- diminished by : minus
les·see [le-'sē] -n
- one that holds real or personal property under a lease
less·en ['le-sᵊn] -vb
- to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease
- to reduce in size, extent, or degree
- to represent as of little value
- to lower in status or dignity : degrade
less·er ['le-sər] -adj
- of less size, quality, degree, or significance : of lower status
lesser -adv
- less
lesser celandine -n
- a yellow-flowered Eurasian perennial herb ( Ranunculus ficaria) of the buttercup family naturalized in No. America
lesser cornstalk borer -n
- a pyralid moth ( Elasmopalpus lignosellus) having slender greenish larvae that burrow in the stalk esp. of Indian corn near ground level
lesser panda -n
- red panda
lesser peach tree borer -n
- a clearwing moth ( Synanthedon pictipes) whose larva bores into the wood of stone-fruit trees and esp. the peach
lesser yellowlegs -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a common American marsh and shore bird ( Tringa flavipes) that closely resembles the greater yellowlegs in color and markings but is smaller with a shorter more slender bill
les·son ['le-sᵊn] -n
- a passage from sacred writings read in a service of worship
- a piece of instruction
- a reading or exercise to be studied by a pupil
- a division of a course of instruction
- something learned by study or experience
- his years of travel had taught him valuable lesson s
- an instructive example
- reprimand
lesson ['le-sə-niŋ, 'les-niŋ] -vt
- to give a lesson to : instruct
- lecture, rebuke
les·sor ['le-,sȯr, le-'sȯr] -n
- one that conveys property by lease
lest ['lest] -conj
- for fear that often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension
- worried lest she should be late
- hesitant to speak out lest he be fired
let ['let] -vt
- hinder, prevent
- something that impedes : obstruction
- ruled his little world without hindrance or let -- B. F. Reilly
- a shot or point in racket games that does not count and must be replayed
- to cause to : make
- to offer or grant for rent or lease
- to assign esp. after bids
- to give opportunity to or fail to prevent
- a break in the clouds let us see the summit
- used in the imperative to introduce a request or proposal
- used as an auxiliary to express a warning
- to free from or as if from confinement
- to permit to enter, pass, or leave
- let them off with a warning
- to make an adjustment to
- to become rented or leased
- to become awarded to a contractor
let alone -conj
- to say nothing of : not to mention used esp. to emphasize the improbability of a contrasting example
- he would never walk again let alone play golf -- Sports Illus.
- how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a President -- Robert Lacville
letch ['lech] -n
- craving
- sexual desire
- lecher
let·down ['let-,dau̇n] -n
- discouragement, disappointment
- his latest novel is a letdown
- a slackening of effort : relaxation
- the descent of an aircraft or spacecraft to the point at which a landing approach is begun
- a physiological response of a lactating mammal to suckling and allied stimuli whereby previously secreted milk from the acini is expelled into ducts and drawn through the nipple
let down -vt
- to allow to descend gradually
- to fail to support
- felt her parents had let her down
- disappoint
- the plot lets you down at the end
- afraid of letting his father down
le·thal ['lē-thəl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or causing death
- death by lethal injection
- capable of causing death
- gravely damaging or destructive : devastating
- a lethal attack on his reputation
- very potent or effective
- having a high alcohol content
lethal -n
- an abnormality of genetic origin causing the death of the organism possessing it
- lethal gene
lethal gene -n
- a gene that in some (as homozygous) conditions may prevent development or cause the death of an organism or its germ cells called also lethal factor lethal mutant lethal mutation
le·thar·gic [lə-'thär-jik, le-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characterized by lethargy : sluggish
- indifferent, apathetic
leth·ar·gy ['le-thər-jē] -n
- abnormal drowsiness
- the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
le·the ['lē-thē] -n, adj
- a river in Hades whose waters cause drinkers to forget their past
- oblivion, forgetfulness
let on -vi
- to make acknowledgment : admit
- knows more than he lets on
- to reveal a secret
- nobody let on about the surprise party
- pretend
- let on to being a stranger
let out -vi
- to conclude a session or performance
let's ['lets, in rapid speech 'les]
- let us
Lett ['let] -n
- latvian
let·ter ['le-tər] -n
- a symbol usu. written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet
- a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization
- a written communication containing a grant usu. used in pl.
- literature, belles lettres
- learning
- the strict or outward sense or significance
- a single piece of type
- a style of type
- the initial of a school awarded to a student for achievement usu. in athletics
letter [-tər-ər] -vt, n
- to set down in letters : print
- to mark with letters
- to win an athletic letter
let·ter ['le-tər] -n
- one that rents or leases
letter bomb -n
- an explosive device concealed in an envelope and mailed to the intended victim
letter box -n
- mailbox
let·ter·boxed ['le-tər-,bäkst] -adj, n
- formatted so as to display the full rectangular frame of a wide-screen motion picture
letter carrier -n
- a person who delivers mail
let·tered ['le-tərd] -adj
- learned, educated
- of, relating to, or characterized by learning : cultured
- inscribed with or as if with letters
let·ter·form ['le-tər-,fȯrm] -n
- the shape of a letter of an alphabet esp. from the standpoint of design or development
let·ter·head [-,hed] -n
- stationery printed or engraved usu. with the name and address of an organization
- a sheet of such stationery
- the heading at the top of a letterhead
let·ter·ing ['le-tə-riŋ] -n
- letters used in an inscription
let·ter·man ['le-tər-mən] -n
- an athlete who has earned a letter in a school sport
letter of credence
- a formal document attesting to the power of a diplomatic agent to act for the issuing government called also letters of credence
letter of credit
- a letter addressed by a banker to a correspondent certifying that a person named therein is entitled to draw on the writer's credit up to a certain sum
- a letter addressed by a banker to a person to whom credit is given authorizing drafts on the issuing bank or on a bank in the person's country up to a certain sum and guaranteeing to accept the drafts if duly made
letter of intent
- a written statement of the intention to enter into a formal agreement
let·terper·fect ['le-tər-'pər-fikt] -adj
- correct to the smallest detail
- verbatim
let·ter·press ['le-tər-,pres] -n
- the process of printing from an inked raised surface esp. when the paper is impressed directly upon the surface
- text (as of a book) distinct from pictorial illustrations
letters close [-'klōs] -n pl
- letters issued by a government or sovereign to a private person in a private matter
letter sheet -n
- a sheet of stationery that can be folded and sealed with the message inside to form its own envelope
letters of administration
- a letter evidencing the right of an administrator to administer the goods or estate of a deceased person
letters of marque [-'märk]
- written authority granted to a private person by a government to seize the subjects of a foreign state or their goods
- a license granted to a private person to fit out an armed ship to plunder the enemy
let·ter·spac·ing ['le-tər-,spā-siŋ] -n
- insertion of space between the letters of a word
letters patent -n pl
- a writing (as from a sovereign) that confers on a designated person a grant in a form open for public inspection
Lett·ish ['le-tish] -adj
- of or relating to the Latvians or their language
Lettish -n
- latvian
let·tre de ca·chet ['le-trə-də-,ka-'shā] -n
- a letter bearing an official seal and usu. authorizing imprisonment without trial of a named person
let·tuce ['le-təs] -n
- any of a genus ( Lactuca) of composite plants
- a common garden vegetable ( L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used esp. in salads
let·up ['let-,əp] -n
- a lessening of effort, activity, or intensity
let up -vi
- to diminish or slow down : slacken
- cease, stop
- to become less severe used with on
leuc- -comb form
(variant of leuk-)
- white : colorless : weakly colored
- leukocyte
- white matter of the brain
leu·cine ['lü-,sēn] -n
- a white crystalline essential amino acid C 6H 13NO 2obtained by the hydrolysis of most dietary proteins
leu·cite ['lü-,sīt] -n, adj
- a white or gray mineral consisting of a silicate of potassium and aluminum and occurring in igneous rocks
leu·co·ci·din [,lü-kə-'sī-dᵊn] -n
- a bacterial substance that destroys white blood cells
leu·co·plast ['lü-kə-,plast] -n
- a colorless plastid esp. in the cytoplasm of interior plant tissues that is potentially capable of developing into a chloroplast
leuk- -comb form
- white : colorless : weakly colored
- leukocyte
- white matter of the brain
leu·kae·mia [lü-'kē-mē-ə] -n, adj or n
(variant of leukemia)
- an acute or chronic disease in humans and other warm-blooded animals characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the tissues and often in the blood
leu·kae·mo·gen·e·sis [lü-,kē-mə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj
(variant of leukemogenesis)
- induction or production of leukemia
leu·ke·mia [lü-'kē-mē-ə] -n, adj or n
- an acute or chronic disease in humans and other warm-blooded animals characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the tissues and often in the blood
leu·ke·mo·gen·e·sis [lü-,kē-mə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj
- induction or production of leukemia
leu·ke·moid [-,mȯid] -adj
- resembling leukemia but not involving the same changes in the blood-forming organs
leu·ko·cyte ['lü-kə-,sīt] -n, adj
- white blood cell
leu·ko·cy·to·sis [,lü-kə-sī-'tō-səs, -kə-sə-] -n
- an increase in the number of white blood cells in the circulating blood
leu·ko·dys·tro·phy [,lü-kō-'dis-trə-fē] -n
- any of several genetically determined diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of myelin in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves
leu·ko·pe·nia [,lü-kə-'pē-nē-ə] -n, adj
- a condition in which the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood is abnormally low
leu·ko·pla·kia [,lü-kō-'plā-kē-ə] -n, adj
- an abnormal condition in which thickened white patches of epithelium occur on the mucous membranes (as of the mouth or vulva)
- a lesion or lesioned area of leukoplakia
leu·ko·poi·e·sis [-pȯi-'ē-səs] -n, adj
- the formation of white blood cells
leu·kor·rhea [,lü-kə-'rē-ə] -n, adj
- a whitish viscid discharge from the vagina resulting from inflammation or congestion of the mucous membrane
leu·ko·sis [lü-'kō-səs] -n
- leukemia
- any of various leukemic diseases of poultry
leu·kot·o·my [lü-'kä-tə-mē] -n
- lobotomy
leu·ko·tri·ene [,lü-kō-'trī-,ēn] -n
- any of a group of eicosanoids that participate in allergic responses (as bronchial constriction)
Lev -abbr
- Leviticus
lev- -comb form
- levorotatory
- to the left
Le·val·loi·si·an [,le-və-'lȯi-zē-ən, lə-,val-'wä-zē-] -adj
- of or relating to a Middle Paleolithic culture characterized by a technique of manufacturing tools by striking flakes from a flint nodule
le·vam·i·sole [lə-'va-mə-,sōl] -n
- an anthelmintic drug C 11H 12N 2S administered in the form of its hydrochloride that also possesses immunomodulatory properties and is used esp. in the treatment of colon cancer
le·vant [lə-'vant] -vi
- to run away from a debt
le·vant·er [lə-'van-tər] -n
- a native or inhabitant of the Levant
- a strong easterly Mediterranean wind
Le·vant storax [lə-'vant-] -n
- storax
le·va·tor [li-'vā-tər] -n
- a muscle that serves to raise a body part
le·vee ['le-vē; lə-'vē, -'vā] -n
- a reception held by a person of distinction on rising from bed
- an afternoon assembly at which the British sovereign or his or her representative receives only men
- a reception usu. in honor of a particular person
lev·ee ['le-vē] -n
- an embankment for preventing flooding
- a river landing place : pier
- a continuous dike or ridge (as of earth) for confining the irrigation areas of land to be flooded
- to provide with a levee
lev·el ['le-vəl] -n
- a device for establishing a horizontal line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center of a slightly bowed glass tube
- a measurement of the difference of altitude of two points by means of a level
- horizontal condition
- equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude
- water seeks its own level
- an approximately horizontal line or surface taken as an index of altitude
- a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land)
- a position in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, or value)
- funded at the national level
- the job appeals to me on many level s
- a line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with a surface of still water
- the plane of the horizon or a line in it
- a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportation
- a concentration of a constituent esp. of a body fluid (as blood)
- the magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an arbitrary reference value
- magnitude, intensity
- a high level of hostility
level ['le-və-liŋ, 'lev-liŋ] -vb
- to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level
- to bring to a horizontal aiming position
- aim, direct
- level ed a charge of fraud
- to bring to a common level or plane : equalize
- love level s all ranks -- W. S. Gilbert
- to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze
- to knock down
- level ed him with one punch
- to make (as color) even or uniform
- to find the heights of different points in (a piece of land) esp. with a surveyor's level
- to attain or come to a level
- the plane level ed off at 10,000 feet
- to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally
- to bring persons or things to a level
- to deal frankly and openly
- having no part higher than another : conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface
- parallel with the plane of the horizon : horizontal
- even or unvarying in height
- equal in advantage, progression, or standing
- proceeding monotonously or uneventfully
- steady, unwavering
- calm, unexcited
- reasonable, balanced
- arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair -- Sir Winston Churchill
- distributed evenly
- being a surface perpendicular to all lines of force in a field of force : equipotential
- suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement
- of or relating to the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments over a period of time
level crossing -n
- grade crossing
lev·el·er ['le-və-lər, 'lev-lər] -n
- one that levels
- one of a group of radicals arising during the English Civil War and advocating equality before the law and religious toleration
- one favoring the removal of political, social, or economic inequalities
- something that tends to reduce or eliminate differences among individuals
lev·el·head·ed [,le-vəl-'he-dəd] -adj, n
- having or showing sound judgment : sensible
leveling rod -n
- a graduated rod used in measuring the vertical distance between a point on the ground and the line of sight of a surveyor's level
level off -vi
- to approach or reach a steady rate, volume, or amount : stabilize
- expect prices to level off
level of significance
- the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when it is true called also significance level
le·ver ['le-vər, 'lē-] -n
- a bar used for prying or dislodging something
- an inducing or compelling force : tool
- use food as a political lever -- Time
- a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when forces are applied at two points and it turns about a third
- a rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum
- a projecting piece by which a mechanism is operated or adjusted
lever ['le-və-riŋ, 'lē-; 'lev-riŋ, 'lēv-] -vt
- to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever
- to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever
le·ver·age ['le-və-rij, 'lē-; 'lev-rij, 'lēv-] -n
- the action of a lever or the mechanical advantage gained by it
- power, effectiveness
- trying to gain more political leverage
- the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leverage -vt
- to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage
- to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
- to use for gain : exploit
- shamelessly leverage the system to their advantage -- Alexander Wolff
lev·er·aged ['le-və-rijd, 'lē-; 'lev-rijd, 'lēv-] -adj
- having a high proportion of debt relative to equity
- made with borrowed money that is secured by the assets of the company bought
lev·er·et ['le-və-rət, 'lev-rət] -n
- a hare in its first year
Le·vi ['lē-,vī] -n
- a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of the priestly tribe of Levi
levi·able ['le-vē-ə-bəl] -adj
- capable of being levied or levied upon
le·vi·a·than [li-'vī-ə-thən] -n, adj
- a sea monster defeated by Yahweh in various scriptural accounts
- a large sea animal
- the political state
- a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy
- something large or formidable
lev·i·gate ['le-və-,gāt] -vt, n
- polish, smooth
- to grind to a fine smooth powder while in moist condition
- to separate (fine powder) from coarser material by suspending in a liquid
lev·in ['le-vən] -n
- lightning
le·vi·rate ['le-və-rət, 'lē-, -,rāt] -n, adj
- the sometimes compulsory marriage of a widow to a brother of her deceased husband
Le·vi's ['lē-,vīz] -trademark
- used esp. for blue denim jeans
lev·i·tate ['le-və-,tāt] -vb
- to rise or float in or as if in the air esp. in seeming defiance of gravitation
- to cause to levitate
lev·i·ta·tion [,le-və-'tā-shən] -n, adj
- the act or process of levitating
- the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be supernatural
Le·vite ['lē-,vīt] -n
- a member of the priestly Hebrew tribe of Levi
- a Levite of non-Aaronic descent assigned to lesser ceremonial offices under the Levitical priests of the family of Aaron
Le·vit·i·cal [li-'vi-ti-kəl] -adj
- of or relating to the Levites or to Leviticus
Le·vit·i·cus [-kəs] -n
- the third book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture consisting mainly of priestly legislation
lev·i·ty ['le-və-tē] -n
- excessive or unseemly frivolity
- lack of steadiness : changeableness
le·vo ['lē-(,)vō] -adj
- levorotatory
levo·do·pa [,le-və-'dō-pə] -n
- l-dopa
le·vo·nor·ges·trel [,lē-və-nȯr-'jes-trəl] -n
- the levorotatory form of a synthetic progestin C 21H 28O 2used esp. in oral contraceptives
le·vo·ro·ta·to·ry [-'rō-tə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- turning toward the left or counterclockwise
- rotating the plane of polarization of light to the left
lev·u·lose ['lev-yə-,lōs, -,lōz] -n
- fructose
levy ['le-vē] -n
- the imposition or collection of an assessment
- an amount levied
- the enlistment or conscription of men for military service
- troops raised by levy
- to impose or collect by legal authority
- to require by authority
- to enlist or conscript for military service
- to carry on (war) : wage
- to seize property
lewd ['lüd] -adj, adv, n
- evil, wicked
- sexually unchaste or licentious
- obscene, vulgar
lew·is ['lü-əs] -n
- an iron dovetailed tenon that is made in sections, can be fitted into a dovetail mortise, and is used in hoisting large stones
Lew·is acid ['lü-əs-] -n
- a substance that is capable of accepting an unshared pair of electrons from a base to form a covalent bond
lew·is·ite ['lü-ə-,sīt] -n
- a colorless or brown vesicant liquid C 2H 2AsCl 3developed as a poison gas for war use
lex ['leks] -n
- law
lex·eme ['lek-,sēm] -n, adj
- a meaningful linguistic unit that is an item in the vocabulary of a language
lex·i·cal ['lek-si-kəl] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to words or the vocabulary of a language as distinguished from its grammar and construction
- of or relating to a lexicon or to lexicography
lex·i·cal·i·sa·tion [,lek-si-kə-lə-'zā-shən] -n, vt
(variant of lexicalization)
- the realization of a meaning in a single word or morpheme rather than in a grammatical construction
- the treatment of a formerly freely composed, grammatically regular, and semantically transparent phrase or inflected form as a formally or semantically idiomatic expression
lex·i·cal·i·za·tion [,lek-si-kə-lə-'zā-shən] -n, vt
- the realization of a meaning in a single word or morpheme rather than in a grammatical construction
- the treatment of a formerly freely composed, grammatically regular, and semantically transparent phrase or inflected form as a formally or semantically idiomatic expression
lexical meaning -n
- the meaning of the base (as the word play) in a paradigm (as plays, played, playing)
lex·i·cog·ra·pher [,lek-sə-'kä-grə-fər] -n
- an author or editor of a dictionary
lex·i·cog·ra·phy [,lek-sə-'kä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv
- the editing or making of a dictionary
- the principles and practices of dictionary making
lex·i·col·o·gy [,lek-sə-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a branch of linguistics concerned with the signification and application of words
lex·i·con ['lek-sə-,kän also -kən] -n
- a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions : dictionary
- the vocabulary of a language, an individual speaker or group of speakers, or a subject
- the total stock of morphemes in a language
- repertoire, inventory
lex·is ['lek-səs] -n
- lexicon
ley ['lē, 'lā] -n
(variant of lea)
- grassland, pasture
- arable land used temporarily for hay or grazing
- leather
Ley·den jar ['lī-dᵊn-] -n
- an electrical capacitor consisting of a glass jar coated inside and outside with metal foil and having the inner coating connected to a conducting rod passed through an insulating stopper