e ['ē] -n
- the 5th letter of the English alphabet
- a graphic representation of this letter
- a speech counterpart of orthographic e
- the third tone of a C-major scale
- a graphic device for reproducing the letter e
- one designated eesp. as the fifth in order or class
- a grade rating a student's work as poor and usu. constituting a conditional pass
- a grade rating a student's work as failing
- one graded or rated with an E
- a transcendental number having a value to eight decimal places of 2.71828183 that is the base of natural logarithms
- something shaped like the letter E
- ecstasy
- earth
- east; easterly; eastern
- edge
- eldest
- ell
- empty
- end
- energy
- erg
- excellent
E -abbr
- electromotive force
- energy
- English
- error
- exponent
ea -abbr
- each
each ['ēch] -adj
- being one of two or more distinct individuals having a similar relation and often constituting an aggregate
- each one
- to or for each : apiece
each other -pron
- each of two or more in reciprocal action or relation
- looked at each other in surprise
ea·ger ['ē-gər] -adj, adv, n
- sharp
- sour
- marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest
eager beaver -n
- a person who is extremely zealous about performing duties and volunteering for more
ea·gle ['ē-gəl] -n
- any of various large diurnal birds of prey (family Accipitridae) noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight
- the eagle-bearing standard of the ancient Romans
- one of a pair of eagle-bearing silver insignia of rank worn by a military colonel or a navy captain
- a gold coin of the U.S. bearing an eagle on the reverse and usu. having a value of ten dollars
- a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole
- a member of a major fraternal order
eagle [-g(ə-)liŋ] -vt
- to score an eagle on (a golf hole)
eagle eye ['ē-gəl-,īd] -n, adj
- the ability to see or observe keenly
- one that sees or observes keenly
- close watch
- keeping an eagle eye on the prisoner
eagle ray -n
- any of several widely distributed large active marine stingrays (family Myliobatidae) with broad pectoral fins
Eagle Scout -n
- a Boy Scout who has reached the highest level of achievement in scouting
- a straight-arrow and self-reliant man
ea·glet ['ē-glət] -n
- a young eagle
eal·dor·man ['al-dər-mən] -n
- the chief officer in a district (as a shire) in Anglo-Saxon England
Eames ['ēmz, 'āmz] -trademark
- used for chairs made from modern materials and designed to fit the contours of the body
EAN -abbr
- European Article Number
ear ['ir] -n
- the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae
- any of various organs (as of a fish) capable of detecting vibratory motion
- the external ear of humans and most mammals
- the sense or act of hearing
- acuity of hearing
- sensitivity to musical tone and pitch
- the ability to retain and reproduce music that has been heard
- sensitivity to nuances of language esp. as revealed in the command of verbal melody and rhythm or in the ability to render a spoken idiom accurately
- : something resembling a mammalian ear in shape, position, or function: as
- a projecting part (as a lug or handle)
- either of a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head of some birds
- attention, awareness
- a space in the upper corner of the front page of a periodical (as a newspaper) usu. containing advertising for the periodical itself or a weather forecast
- a person who listens : listener
- looking for a friendly ear
- the fruiting spike of a cereal (as wheat or Indian corn) including both the seeds and protective structures
- to form ears in growing
- the rye should be ear ing up
ear·ache ['ir-,āk] -n
- an ache or pain in the ear
ear·bud ['ir-,bəd] -n
- a small earphone inserted into the ear
ear canal -n
- the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane
ear candy -n
- music that is pleasing to listen to but lacks depth
ear clip -n
- an earring with a clip fastener
ear·drop [-,dräp] -n
- earring
- one with a pendant
ear·drum [-,drəm] -n
- tympanic membrane
eared ['ird] -adj
- having ears esp. of a specified kind or number
eared seal -n
- any of a family (Otariidae) of seals including the sea lions and fur seals and having independent mobile hind flippers and small well-developed external ears
ear·flap ['ir-,flap] -n
- a warm covering for the ears
- an extension on the lower edge of a cap that may be folded up or down
ear·ful ['ir-,fu̇l] -n
- an outpouring of news or gossip
- an outpouring of anger, abuse, or complaint
ear·ing ['ir-iŋ] -n
- a line used to fasten a corner of a sail to the yard or gaff or to haul a reef cringle to the yard
earl ['ər(-ə)l] -n
- a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
Earl Grey -n
- a black-tea blend flavored with bergamot oil
earl marshal -n
- an officer of state in England serving chiefly as a royal attendant on ceremonial occasions, as marshal of state processions, and as head of the College of Arms
ear·lobe ['ir-,lōb] -n
- the pendent part of the ear of humans or some domestic chickens
ear·lock [-,läk] -n
- a curl of hair hanging in front of the ear
ear·ly ['ər-lē] -adv
- near the beginning of a period of time
- awoke early in the morning
- near the beginning of a course, process, or series
- early in his senatorial career
- before the usual or expected time
- soon
- sooner than related forms
early -adj, n
- of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series
- the early symptoms of the disease
- distant in past time
- primitive
- occurring before the usual or expected time
- occurring in the near future
- at your earliest convenience
- maturing or producing sooner than related forms
Early American -n
- a style (as of furniture, architecture, or fabric) originating in or characteristic of colonial America
early bird -n
- an early riser
- one that arrives early and esp. before possible competitors
early on -adv
- at or during an early point or stage
- the reasons were obvious early on in the experiment
ear·ly·wood ['ər-lē-,wu̇d] -n
- springwood
ear·mark ['ir-,märk] -n
- a mark of identification on the ear of an animal
- a distinguishing mark
- all the earmark s of poverty
- a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization
earmark -vt
- to mark (livestock) with an earmark
- to mark in a distinguishing manner
- to designate (as funds) for a specific use or owner
- money earmark ed for education
ear·muff ['ir-,məf] -n
- one of a pair of ear coverings connected by a flexible band and worn as protection against cold or noises
earn ['ərn] -vt, n
- to receive as return for effort and esp. for work done or services rendered
- to bring in by way of return
- bonds earn ing 10 percent interest
- to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to
- to make worthy of or obtain for
- the suggestion earn ed him a promotion
- grieve
earned run -n
- a run in baseball that scores without benefit of an error before the fielding team has had a chance to make the third putout of the inning
earned run average -n
- the average number of earned runs per game scored against a pitcher in baseball determined by dividing the total of earned runs scored against him by the total number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine
ear·nest ['ər-nəst] -n
- a serious and intent mental state
- a proposal made in earnest
- a considerable or impressive degree or amount
- the sap started running in earnest
earnest [-nəs(t)-nəs] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind
- grave, important
- something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain
- a token of what is to come : pledge
earn·ings ['ər-niŋz] -n pl
- something (as wages) earned
- the balance of revenue after deduction of costs and expenses
ear·phone ['ir-,fōn] -n
- a device that converts electrical energy into sound waves and is worn over or inserted into the ear
ear pick -n
- a device often of precious metal for removing wax or foreign bodies from the ear
ear·piece ['ir-,pēs] -n
- a part of an instrument (as a telephone or stethoscope) that is placed against or inserted into the outer opening of the ear
- earphone
- one of the two sidepieces that support eyeglasses by passing over or behind the ears
ear·plug [-,pləg] -n
- an ornament inserted in the lobe of the ear esp. to distend it
- a device of pliable material for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to keep out water or deaden sound)
ear·ring ['ir-(,)iŋ, -,riŋ] -n
- an ornament for the ear and esp. the earlobe
ear rot -n
- a condition of Indian corn that is characterized by molding and decay of the ears and that is caused by fungi (genera Diplodia, Fusarium,or Gibberella)
ear shell -n
- abalone
ear·shot ['ir-,shät] -n
- the range within which one may hear a person's unaided voice
- waited until he was out of earshot
ear·split·ting [-,spli-tiŋ] -adj
- distressingly loud or shrill
earth ['ərth] -n, adj
- the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe
- cultivable soil
- the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life
- areas of land as distinguished from sea and air
- the solid footing formed of soil : ground
- the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun
- the people of the planet Earth
- the mortal human body
- the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life as distinguished from spiritual concerns
- the lair of a burrowing animal
- an excessive amount of money used with the
- real suede, which costs the earth to clean -- Joanne Winship
- to drive to hiding in the earth
- to draw soil about (plants) often used with up
- ground
- to hide in the ground
earth·born ['ərth-,bȯrn] -adj
- born on this earth : mortal
- associated with earthly life
earth·bound [-,bau̇nd] -adj
- fast in or to the soil
- located on or restricted to land or to the surface of the earth
- bound by earthly interests
- pedestrian, unimaginative
earth color -n
- earth tone
earth·en ['ər-thən, -thən] -adj
- made of earth
- earthly
earth·en·ware [-,wer] -n
- ceramic ware made of slightly porous opaque clay fired at low heat
earth·i·ly ['ər-thə-lē, -thə-] -adv
- in an earthy manner
earth·light ['ərth-,līt] -n
- earthshine
earth·ling ['ərth-liŋ] -n
- an inhabitant of the earth
- worldling
earth·ly ['ərth-lē] -adj, n
- characteristic of or belonging to this earth
- relating to the human race's actual life on this earth
- possible
- of what earthly use is it?
earth mother -n
- the earth viewed (as in primitive theology) as the divine source of terrestrial life
- an embodiment of the female principle of fertility : a nurturing maternal woman
earth·mov·er ['ərth-,mü-vər] -n, n or adj
- a machine (as a bulldozer) for excavating, pushing, or transporting large quantities of earth (as in road building)
earth·quake ['ərth-,kwāk] -n
- a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
- upheaval
earth·rise ['ərth-,rīz] -n
- the rising of the earth above the horizon of the moon as seen from lunar orbit
earth science -n
- any of the sciences (as geology, meteorology, or oceanography) that deal with the earth or with one or more of its parts
earth·shak·ing ['ərth-,shā-kiŋ] -adj, adv
- of great importance : momentous
- an earthshaking announcement
earthshat·ter·ing ['ərth-'sha-tə-riŋ] -adj
- earthshaking
earthshel·tered ['ərth-,shel-tərd] -adj
- built partly or mostly underground
earth·shine ['ərth-,shīn] -n
- sunlight reflected by the earth that illuminates the dark part of the moon called also earthlight
earth·star [-,stär] -n
- any of a genus ( Geastrum) of globose basidiomycetous fungi with an outer peridium that splits into the shape of a star
earth station -n
- dish
- one used primarily for receiving and transmitting television signals
earth tone -n, adj
- any of various rich colors containing some brown
earth·ward [-wərd] -adv
- toward the earth
earth·work ['ərth-,wərk] -n
- an embankment or other construction made of earth
- one used as a field fortification
- the operations connected with excavations and embankments of earth
- a work of art consisting of a portion of land modified by an artist
earth·worm [-,wərm] -n
- a terrestrial annelid worm (class Oligochaeta)
- any of a family (Lumbricidae) of numerous widely distributed hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil by means of setae and feed on decaying organic matter
earthy ['ər-thē, -thē] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or consisting of earth
- earthy creatures like worms
- suggestive of earth (as in texture, odor, or color)
- rough, coarse, or plain in taste
- earthly, worldly
- characteristic of or associated with mortal life on the earth
- prefers earthy to ethereal themes
- : suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways: as
- practical, down-to-earth
- earthy problems of daily life
- crude, gross
- plain and simple in style : unsophisticated
ear·wax ['ir-,waks] -n
- the yellow waxy secretion from the glands of the external ear called also cerumen
ear·wig [-,wig] -n
- any of numerous insects (order Dermaptera) having slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of cerci resembling forceps at the end of the body
earwig -vt
- to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk
ear·wit·ness ['ir-'wit-nəs] -n
- one who overhears something
- one who gives a report on what has been heard
ease ['ēz] -n, adj, adv
- : the state of being comfortable: as
- freedom from pain or discomfort
- freedom from care
- freedom from labor or difficulty
- freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness
- known for his charm and ease of manner
- an easy fit
- relief from discomfort or obligation
- facility, effortlessness
- an act of easing or a state of being eased
- to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens
- trying to ease her of her worries
- to make less painful : alleviate
- to lessen the pressure or tension of esp. by slackening, lifting, or shifting
- to maneuver gently or carefully
- eased himself into the chair
- to moderate or reduce esp. in amount or intensity
- to make less difficult
- to put the helm of (a ship) alee
- to let (a helm or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard over
- to give freedom or relief
- to move or pass slowly or easily often used with a directional word (as over or up )
- the limo eased up in front of the house
- to become less intense, vigorous, or engaged : become moderate usu. used with up or off
- told her staff to ease up a little
- expected the storm to ease off
- to apply less pressure usu. used with up or off
- ease up on the accelerator
- to act in a less harsh manner usu. used with up or off
- decided to ease off on enforcement
ea·sel ['ē-zəl] -n
- a frame for supporting something (as an artist's canvas)
ease·ment ['ēz-mənt] -n
- an act or means of easing or relieving (as from discomfort)
- an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use or enjoyment
- an area of land covered by an easement
eas·i·ly ['ēz-lē, 'ē-zə-] -adv
- in an easy manner : without difficulty
- without question : by far
- was easily the best meal I've ever had
- at the minimum : at least
- costs easily twice as much
- well
- it could easily have been me
east ['ēst] -adv
- to, toward, or in the east
- situated toward or at the east
- coming from the east
- the general direction of sunrise : the direction toward the right of one facing north
- the compass point directly opposite to west
- regions lying to the east of a specified or implied point of orientation
- regions having a culture derived from ancient non-European esp. Asian areas
- the altar end of a church
- the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the east or at the right of a diagram
- a person (as a bridge player) occupying this position in the course of a specified activity
east·bound ['ēs(t)-,bau̇nd] -adj
- traveling or heading east
east by north
- a compass point that is one point north of due east : N7845E
east by south
- a compass point that is one point south of due east : S7845E
East Caribbean dollar -n
- a basic monetary unit shared by a number of islands of the British West Indies
Eas·ter ['ē-stər] -n
- a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon
Easter egg -n
- an egg that is dyed and sometimes decorated and that is associated with the celebration of Easter
Easter lily -n
- any of several white cultivated lilies (esp. Lilium longiflorum) that bloom in early spring
east·er·ly ['ē-stər-lē] -adj or adv
- situated toward or belonging to the east
- the easterly shore of the lake
- coming from the east
easterly -n
- a wind from the east
Easter Monday -n
- the Monday after Easter observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and in No. Carolina
east·ern ['ē-stərn] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East
- of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire
- eastern orthodox
- lying toward the east
- coming from the east
eastern bluebird -n
- a bluebird ( Sialia sialis) chiefly of eastern No. America that has a reddish-brown throat and breast
East·ern·er ['ē-stə(r)-nər] -n
- a native or inhabitant of the East
- a native or resident of the eastern part of the U.S.
eastern hemisphere -n
- the half of the earth east of the Atlantic Ocean including Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa
Eastern Orthodox -adj
- of or consisting of the Eastern churches that form a loose federation according primacy of honor to the patriarch of Constantinople and adhering to the decisions of the first seven ecumenical councils and to the Byzantine rite
eastern time -n
- the time of the fifth time zone west of Greenwich that includes the eastern U.S.
eastern white pine -n
- white pine
Eas·ter·tide ['ē-stər-,tīd] -n
- the period from Easter to Ascension Day, to Whitsunday, or to Trinity Sunday
East Germanic -n
- a subdivision of the Germanic languages that includes Gothic
East Indiaman -n
- a large sailing ship formerly used for trading runs to the East Indies
east·ing ['ēs-tiŋ] -n
- easterly progress
- make as much easting as possible -- Kevin Patterson
- difference in longitude to the east from the last preceding point of reckoning
eastnortheast -n
- a compass point that is two points north of due east : N6730E
eastsoutheast -n
- a compass point that is two points south of due east : S6730E
east·ward ['ēst-wərd] -adv or adj, adv
- toward the east
eastward -n
- eastward direction or part
easy ['ē-zē] -adj, n
- causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort
- requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection
- not severe : lenient
- hopes they'll be easy on him
- not steep or abrupt
- not difficult to endure or undergo
- readily taken advantage of
- an easy target for takeovers
- readily available
- plentiful in supply at low or declining interest rates
- less in demand and usu. lower in price
- pleasant
- sexually promiscuous
- marked by peace and comfort
- the easy life of a courtier
- not hurried or strenuous
- free from pain, annoyance, or anxiety
- did all she could to make him easier
- marked by social ease
- easygoing
- giving ease, comfort, or relaxation
- not burdensome or straitened
- fitting comfortably : allowing freedom of movement
- marked by ready facility
- felt or attained to readily, naturally, and spontaneously
- easily
- without undue speed or excitement
- without worry or care
- without a severe penalty
- without violent movement
- easily
easy chair -n
- a roomy upholstered chair
easy·go·ing [,ē-zē-'gō-iŋ, -'gȯ(-)iŋ] -adj, n
- relaxed and casual in style or manner
- morally lax
- unhurried, comfortable
easy street -n
- a situation with no worries
easy virtue -n
- sexually promiscuous behavior or habits
eat ['ēt] -vb, n
- to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
- to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating
- expenses ate up the profits
- gadgets that eat up too much space
- to bear the expense of : take a loss on
- the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract
- to consume gradually : corrode
- to consume with vexation : bother
- to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap used with up
- it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up
- to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on often used with out
- to take food or a meal
- to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption usu. used with into, away, or at
- the loss was really eat ing at her
- the controversy ate into his support
- something to eat : food usu. used in pl.
eat·able ['ē-tə-bəl] -adj
- fit or able to be eaten
eatable -n
- something to eat
- food
eat·ery ['ē-tə-rē] -n
- luncheonette, restaurant
eath ['ēth] -adv or adj
- easy
eating -adj
- used for eating
- suitable to eat
- suitable to eat raw
eating disorder -n
- any of several psychological disorders (as anorexia nervosa or bulimia) characterized by serious disturbances of eating behavior
eau de co·logne [,ō-də-kə-'lōn] -n
- cologne
eau de par·fum [-,pär-'faⁿ] -n
- a perfumed liquid containing a percentage of fragrant oils that is lower than that in perfume but greater than that in eau de toilette
eau de toi·lette [,ō-də-twä-'let] -n
- a perfumed liquid containing a lower percentage of fragrant oils than is contained in ordinary perfume or eau de parfum called also toilet water
eaudevie [,ō-də-'vē] -n
- a clear brandy distilled from the fermented juice of fruit (as pears or raspberries)
eave ['ēv] -n
- the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall usu. used in pl.
- a projecting edge (as of a hill) usu. used in pl.
eaves·drop ['ēvz-,dräp] -vi, n
- to listen secretly to what is said in private
eaves trough -n
- gutter