Al -symbol

  1. aluminum

AL -abbr

  1. Alabama
  2. American League
  3. American Legion

ala ['ā-lə] -n, adj

  1. a wing or a winglike anatomic process or part

Ala -abbr

  1. Alabama

ALA -abbr

  1. American Library Association

al·a·bas·ter ['a-lə-,bas-tər] -n, adj

  1. a compact fine-textured usu. white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments
  2. a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

al·a·chlor ['a-lə-,klȯr] -n

  1. an herbicide C 14H 20ClNO 2that is an acetanilide derivative used to control grasses and broadleaved weeds among crop plants

alack [ə-'lak] -interj

  1. used to express sorrow or regret

alac·ri·ty [ə-'la-krə-tē] -n, adj

  1. promptness in response : cheerful readiness
    • accepted the invitation with alacrity

Alad·din [ə-'la-dᵊn] -n

  1. a youth in the Arabian Nights' Entertainmentswho comes into possession of a magic lamp

al·a·me·da [,a-lə-'mē-də, -'mā-] -n

  1. a public promenade bordered with trees

al·a·nine ['a-lə-,nēn] -n

  1. a simple nonessential crystalline amino acid C 3H 7NO 2

al·a·nyl ['a-lə-,nil] -n

  1. the amino acid radical or residue of alanine

alarm [ə-'lärm] -n

  1. a call to arms
    • the angry trumpet sounds alarum -- Shak.
  2. a signal (as a loud noise or flashing light) that warns or alerts
  3. a device that signals
    • set the alarm to wake me at seven
  4. sudden sharp apprehension and fear resulting from the perception of imminent danger
  5. a warning notice
  6. disturb, excite
  7. to give warning to
  8. to strike with fear
  9. to equip with an alarm

alarm clock -n

  1. a clock that can be set to sound an alarm at a desired time

alarm·ism [ə-'lär-,mi-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. the often unwarranted exciting of fears or warning of danger

alarm reaction -n

  1. the initial reaction of an organism (as increased hormonal activity) to stress

alarums and excursions -n pl

  1. martial sounds and the movement of soldiers across the stage used as a stage direction in Elizabethan drama
  2. clamor, excitement, and feverish or disordered activity

alas [ə-'las] -interj

  1. used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

Alas -abbr

  1. Alaska

Alas·kan malamute [ə-'las-kən-] -n

  1. any of a breed of powerful heavy-coated deep-chested dogs of Alaskan origin that have erect ears, heavily cushioned feet, and a bushy tail

Alas·ka time [ə-'las-kə-] -n

  1. the time of the ninth time zone west of Greenwich that includes most of Alaska

alate ['ā-,lāt] -adj

  1. having wings or a winglike part
  2. a winged insect (as an ant or termite) of a kind having winged and wingless forms

A·la·wi ['ä-lä-wē] -n

  1. a member of a religious sect living mainly in Syria that originated in Shiite Islam but separated from other Shiite Islam groups in the ninth and tenth centuries

alb ['alb] -n

  1. a full-length white linen ecclesiastical vestment with long sleeves that is gathered at the waist with a cincture

Alb -abbr

  1. Albania; Albanian

al·ba·core ['al-bə-,kȯr] -n

  1. a large pelagic tuna ( Thunnus alalunga) with long pectoral fins that is a source of canned tuna
  2. any of various tunas (as a bonito)

Al·ba·nian [al-'bā-nē-ən, -nyən also ȯl-] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Albania
  2. the Indo-European language of the Albanian people

al·ba·tross ['al-bə-,trȯs, -,träs] -n

  1. any of a family (Diomedeidae) of large web-footed seabirds that have long slender wings, are excellent gliders, and include the largest seabirds
  2. something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety
  3. something that greatly hinders accomplishment : encumbrance

al·be·do [al-'bē-(,)dō] -n

  1. reflective power
  2. the fraction of incident radiation (as light) that is reflected by a surface or body (as the moon or a cloud)

al·be·it [ȯl-'bē-ət, al-] -conj

  1. conceding the fact that : even though : although

Al·bi·gen·ses [,al-bə-'jen-,sēz] -n pl, adj or n, n

  1. members of a Catharistic sect of southern France flourishing primarily in the 12th and 13th centuries

al·bi·nism ['al-bə-,ni-zəm, al-'bī-] -n, adj

  1. the condition of an albino

al·bi·no [al-'bī-(,)nō] -n, adj

  1. an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation
  2. a human being that is congenitally deficient in pigment and usu. has a milky or translucent skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep-red pupil

al·bi·not·ic [,al-bə-'nä-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or affected with albinism
  2. tending toward albinism

Al·bi·on ['al-bē-ən] -n

  1. Great Britain
  2. England

al·bite ['al-,bīt] -n, adj

  1. a triclinic usu. white mineral of the feldspar group consisting of a sodium aluminum silicate

al·bum ['al-bəm] -n

  1. a book with blank pages used for making a collection (as of autographs, stamps, or photographs)
  2. a cardboard container for a phonograph record : jacket
  3. one or more recordings (as on tape or disc) produced as a single unit
    • a 2-CD album
  4. a collection usu. in book form of literary selections, musical compositions, or pictures : anthology

al·bu·men [al-'byü-mən; 'al-,byü-, -byə-] -n

  1. the white of an egg
  2. albumin

al·bu·min [al-'byü-mən; 'al-,byü-, -byə-] -n

  1. any of numerous simple heat-coagulable water-soluble proteins that occur in blood plasma or serum, muscle, the whites of eggs, milk, and other animal substances and in many plant tissues and fluids

al·bu·min·ous [al-'byü-mə-nəs] -adj

  1. relating to, containing, or having the properties of albumen or albumin

al·bu·min·uria [(,)al-,byü-mə-'nu̇r-ē-ə, -'nyu̇r-] -n, adj

  1. the presence of albumin in the urine often symptomatic of kidney disease

al·bu·te·rol [al-'byü-tə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n

  1. a drug C 13H 21NO 3used to treat asthma as an aerosol or as the sulfate in tablet form

alc -abbr

  1. alcohol

al·ca·ic [al-'kā-ik] -adj, n

  1. relating to or written in a verse or strophe marked by complicated variation of a dominant iambic pattern

al·cai·de [al-'kī-dē] -n

  1. a commander of a castle or fortress (as among Spaniards, Portuguese, or Moors)

al·cal·de [al-'käl-dē] -n

  1. the chief administrative and judicial officer or the mayor of a town in a Spanish-speaking country or region

al·ca·zar [al-'kä-zər, -'ka-] -n

  1. a Spanish fortress or palace

Al·ces·tis [al-'ses-təs] -n

  1. the wife of Admetus who dies for her husband and is restored to him by Hercules

al·che·mist ['al-kə-mist] -n, adj

  1. a person who studies or practices alchemy

al·che·mize ['al-kə-,mīz] -vt

  1. to change by alchemy : transmute

al·che·my ['al-kə-mē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
  2. a power or process of transforming something common into something special
  3. an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

al·cid ['al-səd] -n

  1. any of a family (Alcidae, the alcid family) of web-footed diving birds with short legs and wings that includes the auks, murres, and puffins

Alc·me·ne [alk-'mē-nē] -n

  1. the mother of Hercules by Zeus in the form of her husband Amphitryon

al·co·hol ['al-kə-,hȯl] -n

  1. ethanol esp. when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
  2. drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
  3. a mixture of ethanol and water that is usu. 95 percent ethanol
  4. any of a class of organic compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

al·co·hol·ic [,al-kə-'hȯ-lik, -'hä-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or caused by alcohol
  2. containing alcohol
  3. affected with alcoholism

alcoholic -n

  1. a person affected with alcoholism

al·co·hol·ism ['al-kə-,hȯ-,li-zəm, -kə-hə-] -n

  1. continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks
  2. poisoning by alcohol
  3. a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usu. compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction

Al·co·ran [,al-kə-'ran] -n

  1. koran

al·cove ['al-,kōv] -n, adj

  1. a small recessed section of a room : nook
  2. an arched opening (as in a wall) : niche
  3. summerhouse

ALCS -abbr

  1. American League Championship Series

al·cy·o·nar·ian [,al-sē-ə-'ner-ē-ən] -n

  1. any of a subclass (Alcyonaria) of colonial anthozoans (as the sea pens) having polyps with eight branched tentacles and eight septa

Al·cy·o·ne [al-'sī-ə-(,)nē] -n

  1. the brightest star in the Pleiades

ald -abbr

  1. alderman

ALD -abbr

  1. adrenoleukodystrophy

Al·deb·a·ran [al-'de-bə-rən] -n

  1. a red star of the first magnitude that is seen in the eye of Taurus and is the brightest star in the Hyades

al·de·hyde ['al-də-,hīd] -n, adj

  1. acetaldehyde
  2. any of a class of highly reactive organic compounds that are analogous to acetaldehyde and characterized by a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom

al den·te [äl-'den-(,)tā, al-] -adj, adv

  1. cooked just enough to retain a somewhat firm texture
    • al dente pasta

al·der ['ȯl-dər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used esp. in turnery
  2. its wood

al·der·man ['ȯl-dər-mən] -n, adj

  1. a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king
  2. a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough
  3. a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members
  4. a member of a city legislative body

al·der·wom·an ['ȯl-dər-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a female member of a city legislative body

al·di·carb ['al-də-,kärb] -n

  1. a persistent highly toxic agricultural carbamate pesticide C 7H 14N 2O 2S used against insects, mites, and nematodes

al·dol ['al-,dȯl, -,dōl] -n

  1. a colorless beta-hydroxy aldehyde C 4H 8O 2used esp. in organic synthesis
  2. any of various similar aldehydes

al·dol·ase ['al-də-,lās, -,lāz] -n

  1. a crystalline enzyme that occurs widely in living systems and catalyzes reversibly the cleavage of a phosphorylated fructose into triose sugars

al·dose ['al-,dōs, -,dōz] -n

  1. a sugar containing in its acyclic form one aldehyde group per molecule

al·do·ste·rone [al-'däs-tə-,rōn; ,al-dō-'ster-,ōn, -'stir-; 'al-dō-stə-,rōn] -n

  1. a steroid hormone C 21H 28O 5of the adrenal cortex that functions in the regulation of the salt and water balance of the body

al·do·ste·ron·ism [al-'däs-tə-rə-,ni-zəm; ,al-dō-'ster-(,)ō-, -'stir-; ,al-dō-stə-'rō-] -n

  1. a condition that is characterized by excessive secretion of aldosterone and typically by loss of body potassium, muscular weakness, and elevated blood pressure

al·drin ['ȯl-drən, 'al-] -n

  1. a very poisonous formerly used cyclodiene insecticide C 12H 8Cl 6

ale ['āl] -n

  1. an alcoholic beverage brewed esp. by rapid fermentation from an infusion of malt with the addition of hops
  2. an English country festival at which ale is the principal beverage

ale·a·tor·ic [,ā-lē-ə-'tȯr-ik, -'tär-] -adj

  1. characterized by chance or indeterminate elements
    • aleatoric music

ale·a·to·ry ['ā-lē-ə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. depending on an uncertain event or contingency as to both profit and loss
    • an aleatory contract
  2. relating to luck and esp. to bad luck
  3. aleatoric

alee [ə-'lē] -adv

  1. on or toward the lee

ale·house ['āl-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a place where ale is sold to be drunk on the premises

Al·e·man·nic [,a-lə-'ma-nik] -n

  1. the group of dialects of German spoken in Alsace, Switzerland, and southwestern Germany

alem·bic [ə-'lem-bik] -n

  1. an apparatus used in distillation
  2. something that refines or transmutes as if by distillation
    • philosophy...filtered through the alembic of Plato's mind -- B. T. Shropshire

alen·on [ə-'len-,sän, -'len(t)-sən] -n

  1. a delicate needlepoint lace

aleph ['ä-,lef, -ləf] -n

  1. the 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet

alephnull [-'nəl] -n

  1. the number of elements in the set of all integers which is the smallest transfinite cardinal number

alert [ə-'lərt] -adj, adv, n

  1. watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency
  2. quick to perceive and act
  3. active, brisk
  4. a state of careful watching and readiness esp. for danger or opportunity
    • on 24-hour alert
  5. an alarm or other signal of danger
  6. an urgent notice
    • an alert to parents...about new immunization requirements -- Ann Schrader
  7. the period during which an alert is in effect
  8. to call to a state of readiness : warn
  9. to make aware of
    • alert ed the public to the dangers of pesticides

al·eu·rone ['al-yə-,rōn] -n

  1. protein matter in the form of minute granules or grains occurring in seeds in endosperm or in a special peripheral layer

Aleut [,a-lē-'üt, 'a-lē-,; ə-'lüt] -n

  1. a member of a people of the Aleutian and Shumagin islands and the western part of Alaska Peninsula
  2. the language of the Aleuts

al·e·vin ['a-lə-vən] -n

  1. a young fish
  2. a newly hatched salmon when still attached to the yolk sac

ale·wife ['āl-,wīf] -n

  1. a woman who keeps an alehouse

alewife [-,wīvz] -n

  1. a food fish ( Alosa pseudoharengus) of the herring family that is very abundant along the Atlantic coast
  2. any of several related fishes (as the menhaden)

al·ex·an·der [,a-lig-'zan-dər, ,e-] -n

  1. an iced cocktail made from creme de cacao, sweet cream, and gin or brandy

Al·ex·an·dri·an [,a-lig-'zan-drē-ən, ,e-] -adj

  1. hellenistic
  2. of or relating to Alexander the Great

al·ex·an·drine [-'zan-,drēn, -drən, -,drīn] -n, adj

  1. a line of verse of 12 syllables consisting regularly of 6 iambs with a caesura after the third iamb

al·ex·an·drite [-'zan-,drīt] -n

  1. a grass-green chrysoberyl that shows a red color by transmitted or artificial light

alex·ia [ə-'lek-sē-ə] -n

  1. aphasia marked by loss of ability to read

Al·fa ['al-fə]

  1. a communications code word for the letter a

al·fal·fa [al-'fal-fə] -n

  1. a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant ( Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage

alfalfa weevil -n

  1. a small dark brown European weevil ( Hypera postica) that is now a widespread pest of alfalfa in No. America

al·for·ja [al-'fȯr-(,)hä] -n

  1. saddlebag

al·fres·co [al-'fres-(,)kō] -adj or adv

  1. taking place or located in the open air : outdoor, outdoors
    • an alfresco lunch
    • an alfresco cafe
    • dining alfresco

alg -abbr

  1. algebra

al·ga ['al-gə] -n, adj

  1. a plant or plantlike organism of any of several phyla, divisions, or classes of chiefly aquatic usu. chlorophyll-containing nonvascular organisms of polyphyletic origin that usu. include the green, yellow-green, brown, and red algae in the eukaryotes and esp. formerly the cyanobacteria in the prokaryotes

al·ga·ro·ba [,al-gə-'rō-bə] -n

  1. carob
  2. mesquite
  3. its pods

al·ge·bra ['al-jə-brə] -n

  1. a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic
  2. any of various systems or branches of mathematics or logic concerned with the properties and relationships of abstract entities (as complex numbers, matrices, sets, vectors, groups, rings, or fields) manipulated in symbolic form under operations often analogous to those of arithmetic

al·ge·bra·ic [,al-jə-'brā-ik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, involving, or according to the laws of algebra
  2. involving only a finite number of repetitions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, extraction of roots, and raising to powers
    • algebraic equation

algebraic number -n

  1. a root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients

al·gi·cide ['al-jə-,sīd] -n, adj

  1. an agent used to kill algae

al·gid ['al-jəd] -adj

  1. cold

al·gin ['al-jən] -n

  1. any of various colloidal substances (as an alginate or alginic acid) derived from marine brown algae and used esp. as emulsifiers or thickeners

al·gi·nate ['al-jə-,nāt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of alginic acid

al·gin·ic acid [(,)al-'ji-nik-] -n

  1. an insoluble colloidal acid (C 6H 8O 6) n that in the form of its salts is a constituent of the cell walls of brown algae

Al·gol ['al-,gäl, -,gȯl] -n

  1. a binary star in the constellation Perseus whose larger member orbits and eclipses the smaller brighter star causing periodic variation in brightness

AL·GOL ['al-,gäl, -,gȯl] -n

  1. an algebraic computer programming language used esp. in mathematical and scientific applications

al·go·lag·nia [,al-gō-'lag-nē-ə] -n

  1. a perversion (as sadism or masochism) characterized by pleasure and esp. sexual gratification in inflicting or suffering pain

al·gol·o·gy [al-'gä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. phycology

Al·gon·qui·an [al-'gän-kwē-ən, -'gäŋ-] -n

  1. an American Indian people of the Ottawa River valley
  2. the dialect of Ojibwa spoken by these people
  3. a family of American Indian languages spoken by peoples from Labrador to Carolina and westward into the Great Plains
  4. a member of the peoples speaking Algonquian languages

al·go·rithm ['al-gə-,ri-thəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. a procedure for solving a mathematical problem (as of finding the greatest common divisor) in a finite number of steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation
  2. a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end esp. by a computer

Al·ham·bra [al-'ham-brə] -n

  1. the palace of the Moorish kings at Granada, Spain

ali·as ['ā-lē-əs, 'āl-yəs] -adv

  1. otherwise called : otherwise known as

alias -n

  1. an assumed or additional name

Ali Ba·ba [,a-lē-'bä-bə, ,ä-lē-] -n

  1. a woodcutter in the Arabian Nights' Entertainmentswho enters the cave of the Forty Thieves by using the password Sesame

al·i·bi ['a-lə-,bī] -n

  1. the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission
  2. the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time
  3. an excuse usu. intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence)

alibi -vb

  1. to exonerate by an alibi : furnish an excuse for
  2. to offer an excuse

Al·iceinWon·der·land ['a-lə-sən-'wən-dər-,land] -adj

  1. suitable to a world of fantasy or illusion : unreal

ali·cy·clic [,a-lə-'sī-klik, -'si-klik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an organic compound that contains a ring but is not aromatic

al·i·dade ['a-lə-,dād] -n

  1. : a rule equipped with simple or telescopic sights and used for determination of direction: as
  2. a part of an astrolabe
  3. a part of a surveying instrument consisting of the telescope and its attachments

alien ['ā-lē-ən, 'āl-yən] -adj, adv, n

  1. belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : strange
  2. relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : foreign
  3. exotic
  4. differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
  5. a person of another family, race, or nation
  6. a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country
  7. a foreign-born citizen
  8. extraterrestrial
  9. exotic
  10. alienate, estrange
  11. to make over (as property)

alien·able ['āl-yə-nə-bəl, 'ā-lē-ə-nə-] -adj, n

  1. transferable to another's ownership

alien·age ['āl-yə-nij, 'ā-lē-ə-nij] -n

  1. the status of an alien

alien·ate ['ā-lē-ə-,nāt, 'āl-yə-] -vt, n

  1. to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent esp. where attachment formerly existed
  2. to convey or transfer (as property or a right) usu. by a specific act rather than the due course of law
  3. to cause to be withdrawn or diverted

alien·ation [,ā-lē-ə-'nā-shən, ,āl-yə-] -n

  1. a withdrawing or separation of a person or a person's affections from an object or position of former attachment : estrangement
    • alienation...from the values of one's society and family -- S. L. Halleck
  2. a conveyance of property to another

alien·ee [-'nē] -n

  1. one to whom property is transferred

alien·ism ['ā-lē-ə-,ni-zəm, 'āl-yə-] -n

  1. alienage

alien·ist [-nist] -n

  1. psychiatrist

alien·or [,ā-lē-ə-'nȯr, ,āl-yə-] -n

  1. one who transfers property to another

alight [ə-'līt] -vi, n

  1. : to come down from something (as a vehicle): as
  2. dismount
  3. deplane
  4. to descend from or as if from the air and come to rest : land, settle
  5. to come by chance
  6. being on fire
  7. lighted up

align [ə-'līn] -vb, n

  1. to bring into line or alignment
  2. to array on the side of or against a party or cause
    • he align ed himself with the protesters
  3. to get or fall into line
  4. to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position

align·ment [ə-'līn-mənt] -n

  1. the act of aligning or state of being aligned
  2. the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other
  3. a forming in line
  4. the line thus formed
  5. the ground plan (as of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile
  6. an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another
    • new alignment s within the political party

alike [ə-'līk] -adv

  1. in the same manner, form, or degree : equally
    • was denounced by teachers and students alike
  2. exhibiting close resemblance without being identical
    • alike in their beliefs

al·i·ment ['a-lə-mənt] -n

  1. food, nutriment
  2. sustenance
    • there was nothing there of conversational aliment -- Kingsley Amis
  3. to give aliment to : nourish, sustain

al·i·men·ta·ry [,a-lə-'men-t(ə-)rē] -adj

  1. of or relating to nourishment or nutrition
  2. furnishing sustenance or maintenance

alimentary canal -n

  1. the tubular passage that extends from mouth to anus and functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste

al·i·men·ta·tion [,a-lə-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n

  1. the act or process of affording nutriment or nourishment
    • intravenous alimentation

al·i·mo·ny ['a-lə-,mō-nē] -n

  1. an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support pending or after legal separation or divorce
  2. the means of living : maintenance

Aline ['ā-,līn] -adj

  1. having a flared bottom and a close-fitting top used of a garment
    • an Aline skirt

al·i·phat·ic [,a-lə-'fa-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an organic compound (as an alkane) having an open-chain structure

al·i·quot ['a-lə-,kwät, -kwət] -adj, n

  1. contained an exact number of times in something else used of a divisor or part
    • 5 is an aliquot part of 15
    • an aliquot portion of a solution
  2. fractional
    • an aliquot part of invested capital

Alist ['ā-,list] -n

  1. a list or group of individuals of the highest level of society, excellence, or eminence

alit·er·a·cy [,ā-'li-tər-ə-,sē, ə-'] -n, adj or n

  1. the quality or state of being able to read but uninterested in doing so

alive [ə-'līv] -adj, n

  1. having life : not dead or inanimate
  2. still in existence, force, or operation : active
    • kept hope alive
  3. still active in competition with a chance of victory
    • must win to stay alive in the playoffs
  4. knowing or realizing the existence of : sensitive
    • alive to the danger
  5. marked by alertness, energy, or briskness
    • his face came alive at the mention of food
  6. marked by much life, animation, or activity : swarming
    • streets alive with traffic
  7. used as an intensive following the noun
    • the proudest boy alive

ali·yah [ä-'lē-(,)yä, ,ä-lē-'yä] -n

  1. the immigration of Jews to Israel

aliz·a·rin [ə-'li-zə-rən] -n

  1. an orange or red crystalline compound C 14H 8O 4formerly prepared from madder and now made synthetically and used esp. to dye Turkey reds and in making red pigments
  2. any of various acid, mordant, and solvent dyes derived like alizarin proper from anthraquinone

alk -abbr

  1. alkaline

al·ka·hest ['al-kə-,hest] -n, adj

  1. the universal solvent believed by alchemists to exist

al·ka·li ['al-kə-,lī] -n

  1. a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate
  2. a substance (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties
  3. alkali metal
  4. a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture

alkali metal -n

  1. any of the monovalent mostly basic metals of group I of the periodic table comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium

al·ka·line ['al-kə-lən, -,līn] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, containing, or having the properties of an alkali or alkali metal : basic
  2. having a pH of more than 7

alkaline battery -n

  1. a long-lived dry cell with an alkaline electrolyte that decreases corrosion of the cell called also alkaline cell

alkaline earth metal -n

  1. any of the divalent strongly basic metals of group II of the periodic table comprising beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium called also alkaline earth

alkaline phosphatase -n

  1. any of the phosphatases that are optimally active in alkaline medium and occur in esp. high concentrations in bone, the liver, the kidneys, and the placenta

al·ka·lin·ize ['al-kə-lə-,nīz] -vt, n

  1. to make alkaline

al·ka·loid ['al-kə-,lȯid] -n, adj

  1. any of numerous usu. colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (as morphine or caffeine) containing nitrogen and usu. oxygen that occur esp. in seed plants and are typically physiologically active

al·ka·lo·sis [,al-kə-'lō-səs] -n, adj

  1. an abnormal condition of increased alkalinity of the blood and tissues

al·kane ['al-,kān] -n

  1. any of numerous saturated hydrocarbons
  2. any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons C n H 2 n 2(as methane and butane) called also paraffin

al·ka·net ['al-kə-,net] -n

  1. a European plant ( Alkanna tinctoria) of the borage family
  2. its root
  3. a red dyestuff prepared from the root
  4. a Eurasian plant ( Anchusa officinalis) of the borage family with delicate usu. blue flowers

al·kene ['al-,kēn] -n

  1. any of numerous unsaturated hydrocarbons having one double bond
  2. any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons C n H 2 n (as ethylene)

al·kie ['al-kē] -n, pl

  1. alcoholic

alk·ox·ide [al-'käk-,sīd, -səd] -n

  1. a basic salt derived from an alcohol by the replacement of the hydroxyl hydrogen with a metal

alk·oxy ['al-,käk-sē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing a monovalent radical RO composed of an alkyl group united with oxygen often used in combination

alky -abbr

  1. alkalinity

al·kyd ['al-kəd] -n

  1. any of numerous synthetic resins that are used esp. for protective coatings and in paint
  2. a paint in which the vehicle is an alkyd resin

al·kyl ['al-kəl] -adj

  1. having a monovalent organic group and esp. one C n H 2 n 1(as methyl) derived from an alkane (as methane)

alkyl -n

  1. a compound of one or more alkyl groups with a metal
    • mercury alkyl s

alkylating agent -n

  1. a substance that causes replacement of hydrogen by an alkyl group esp. in a biologically important molecule
  2. one with mutagenic activity that inhibits cell division and growth and is used to treat some cancers

al·kyl·ation [,al-kə-'lā-shən] -n, vt

  1. the act or process of introducing one or more alkyl groups into a compound (as to increase octane number in a motor fuel)

al·kyne ['al-,kīn] -n

  1. any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons C n H 2 n 2(as acetylene) having one triple bond

all ['ȯl] -adj

  1. the whole amount, quantity, or extent of
    • needed all the courage they had
    • sat up all night
  2. as much as possible
    • spoke in all seriousness
  3. every member or individual component of
    • all men will go
    • all five children were present
  4. the whole number or sum of
    • all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles
  5. every
    • all manner of hardship
  6. any whatever
    • beyond all doubt
  7. : nothing but : only:
  8. completely taken up with, given to, or absorbed by
    • became all attention
  9. having or seeming to have (some physical feature) in conspicuous excess or prominence
    • all legs
  10. paying full attention with
    • all ears
  11. used up : entirely consumed used esp. of food and drink
  12. being more than one person or thing
    • who all is coming
  13. wholly, quite
    • sat all alone
    often used as an intensive
    • all out of proportion
    • all over the yard
    • it wasn't all that funny
  14. selected as the best (as at a sport) within an area or organization used in combination
    • all -league halfback
  15. only, exclusively
  16. just
  17. so much
    • all the better for it
  18. for each side : apiece
    • the score is two all
  19. the whole number, quantity, or amount : totality
    • all that I have
    • all of us
    • all of the books
  20. used in such phrases as for all I know, for all I care, and for all the good it does to indicate a lack of knowledge, interest, or effectiveness
  21. everybody, everything
    • gave equal attention to all
    • that is all
  22. the whole of one's possessions, resources, or energy
    • gave his all for the cause

all- -comb form

  1. other : different : atypical
    • allo gamous
    • allo tropy
  2. isomeric form or variety of (a specified chemical compound)
    • allo purinol
  3. being one of a group whose members together constitute a structural unit esp. of a language
    • allo phone

al·la breve [,a-lə-'brev, ,ä-lə-'bre-(,)vā] -n

  1. the sign marking a piece or passage to be played alla breve
  2. a passage so marked

alla breve -adv or adj

  1. in duple or quadruple time with the beat represented by the half note

Al·lah ['ä-lə, 'a-lə, 'ä-,lä, ä-'lä] -n

  1. god used in Islam

all along -adv

  1. all the time
    • knew the truth all along

allAmer·i·can [,ȯl-ə-'mer-ə-kən, -'me-rə-] -adj

  1. selected (as by a poll of journalists) as one of the best in the U.S. in a particular category at a particular time
    • an allAmerican quarterback
  2. having only all-American participants
    • an allAmerican basketball team
  3. composed wholly of American elements
  4. representative or typical of the U.S. or its ideals
    • an allAmerican boy
    • her allAmerican optimism
  5. of or relating to the American nations as a group

allAmerican -n

  1. one (as an athlete) that is voted all-American
  2. one that has all-American qualities or characteristics
    • a clean-cut allAmerican

al·lan·to·in [ə-'lan-tə-wən] -n

  1. a crystalline oxidation product C 4H 6N 4O 3of uric acid used to promote healing of local wounds and infections

al·lan·to·is [ə-'lan-tə-wəs] -n, adj

  1. a vascular fetal membrane of reptiles, birds, and mammals that is formed as a pouch from the hindgut and that in placental mammals is intimately associated with the chorion in formation of the placenta

al·lar·gan·do [,ä-lär-'gän-(,)dō] -adj or adv

  1. becoming gradually slower and more stately used as a direction in music

allaround [,ȯl-ə-'rau̇nd] -adj, adv

  1. considered in or encompassing all aspects : comprehensive
    • the best allaround performance so far
  2. competent in many fields
    • an allaround performer
  3. having general utility or merit
    • an allaround tool

al·lay [a-'lā, ə-] -vb

  1. to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity : alleviate
    • expect a breeze to allay the heat
  2. to make quiet : calm
    • trying to allay their fears
  3. to diminish in strength : subside

all but -adv

  1. very nearly : almost
    • would be all but impossible

all clear -n

  1. a signal that a danger has passed

allday ['ȯl-'dā] -adj

  1. lasting for, occupying, or appearing throughout an entire day
    • an allday trip

al·lee [ä-'lā, a-] -n

  1. a walkway lined with trees or tall shrubs

al·le·ga·tion [,a-li-'gā-shən] -n

  1. the act of alleging
  2. a positive assertion
  3. a statement by a party to a legal action of what the party undertakes to prove
  4. an assertion unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable
    • vague allegation s of misconduct

al·lege [ə-'lej] -vt

  1. to adduce or bring forward as a source or authority
  2. to assert without proof or before proving
    • the newspaper allege s the mayor's guilt
  3. to bring forward as a reason or excuse

al·leged [ə-'lejd, -'le-jəd] -adj, adv

  1. asserted to be true or to exist
    • an alleged miracle
  2. questionably true or of a specified kind : supposed, so-called
    • bought an alleged antique vase
  3. accused but not proven or convicted
    • an alleged burglar

Al·le·ghe·ny spurge ['a-lə-,gā-nē- also -,ge-nē-] -n

  1. a low herb or subshrub ( Pachysandra procumbens) of the box family widely grown as a ground cover

al·le·giance [ə-'lē-jən(t)s] -n, adj

  1. the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord
  2. the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government
  3. the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides
  4. devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

al·le·gor·i·cal [,a-lə-'gȯr-i-kəl, -'gär-] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory
  2. having hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text

al·le·go·rise ['a-lə-,gȯr-,īz, -gər-] -vb, n

(variant of allegorize)

  1. to give allegorical explanations
  2. to compose or use allegory
  3. to treat or explain as an allegory
  4. to make into allegory

al·le·go·rist ['a-lə-,gȯr-əst] -n

  1. a creator of allegory

al·le·go·rize ['a-lə-,gȯr-,īz, -gər-] -vb, n

  1. to give allegorical explanations
  2. to compose or use allegory
  3. to treat or explain as an allegory
  4. to make into allegory

al·le·go·ry ['a-lə-,gȯr-ē] -n

  1. the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence
  2. an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression
  3. a symbolic representation : emblem

al·le·gret·to [,a-lə-'gre-(,)tō, ,ä-lə-] -adv or adj

  1. faster than andante but not so fast as allegro used as a direction in music

allegretto -n

  1. a musical composition or movement in allegretto tempo

al·le·gro [ə-'le-(,)grō, -'lā-] -n

  1. a musical composition or movement in allegro tempo

allegro -adv or adj

  1. at a brisk lively tempo used as a direction in music

al·lele [ə-'lēl] -n, adj

  1. any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus
  2. either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (as smooth and wrinkled seed in the pea)

allelo- -comb form

  1. alternative
    • allelo morph
  2. reciprocal
    • allelo pathy

al·le·lo·morph [ə-'lē-lə-,mȯrf, -'le-lə-] -n, adj

  1. allele

al·le·lop·a·thy [ə-'lē-lə-,pa-thē, -'le-lə-; also ,a-lə-'lä-pə-thē] -n, adj

  1. the suppression of growth of one plant species by another due to the release of toxic substances

al·le·lu·ia [,a-lə-'lü-yə] -interj

  1. hallelujah

al·le·mande ['a-lə-,man(d), -mən, -,mänd, 1a & 2 also ,a-lə-'] -n

  1. a musical composition or movement (as in a baroque suite) in moderate tempo and duple or quadruple time
  2. a 17th and 18th century court dance developed in France from a German folk dance
  3. a dance step with arms interlaced

allem·brac·ing [,ȯ-lim-'brā-siŋ] -adj

  1. complete, sweeping
    • an allembracing theory

Al·len wrench ['a-lən-] -n

  1. an L-shaped hexagonal metal bar either end of which fits the socket of a screw or bolt

al·ler·gen ['a-lər-jən] -n, adj

  1. a substance (as pollen) that induces allergy

al·ler·gic [ə-'lər-jik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, affected with, or caused by allergy
  2. having an aversion
    • allergic to work

allergic rhinitis -n

  1. rhinitis caused by exposure to an allergen
  2. hay fever

al·ler·gist ['a-lər-jist] -n

  1. a specialist in allergy

al·ler·gy ['a-lər-jē] -n

  1. altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure
    • a bee venom allergy so severe that a second sting may be fatal
  2. exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual
  3. medical practice concerned with allergies
  4. a feeling of antipathy or aversion

al·le·thrin ['a-lə-thrən] -n

  1. a light yellow viscous oily synthetic pyrethroid insecticide C 19H 26O 3used esp. in household aerosols

al·le·vi·ate [ə-'lē-vē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. : relieve, lessen: as
  2. to make (as suffering) more bearable
    • her sympathy alleviated his distress
  3. to partially remove or correct
    • measures taken to alleviate a labor shortage

al·ley ['a-lē] -n

  1. a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes
  2. a grassed enclosure for bowling or skittles
  3. a hardwood lane for bowling
  4. a room or building housing a group of such lanes
  5. the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline
  6. an area in a baseball outfield between two outfielders when they are in normal positions
  7. a narrow street
  8. a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings

alley -n

  1. a playing marble
  2. one of superior quality

alley cat -n

  1. a stray cat

al·leyoop [,a-lē-'yüp] -n

  1. a basketball play in which a leaping player catches a pass above the basket and immediately dunks the ball
  2. the usu. looping pass thrown on such a play

al·ley·way ['a-lē-,wā] -n

  1. a narrow passageway
  2. alley

allfired ['ȯl-,fī(-ə)rd] -adv

  1. extremely, excessively
    • allfired stubborn

All Fools' Day -n

  1. april fools' day

all fours -n pl

  1. all four legs of a quadruped
  2. the two legs and two arms of a person when used to support the body
    • down on all fours
  3. any of various card games in which points are scored for the high trump, low trump, jack of trumps, and game

all getout [,ȯl-'get-,au̇t, -'git-] -n

  1. the utmost conceivable degree used in comparisons to suggest something superlative
    • is busy as all get-out

all hail -interj

  1. used to express greeting, welcome, or acclamation

All·hal·lows [ȯl-'ha-(,)lōz, -ləz] -n

  1. all saints' day

all hours -n pl

  1. a very late time
    • stayed up until all hours

al·li·a·ceous [,a-lē-'ā-shəs] -adj

  1. resembling garlic or onion esp. in smell or taste

al·li·ance [ə-'lī-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the state of being allied : the action of allying
  2. a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals
    • a closer alliance between government and industry
  3. an association to further the common interests of the members
  4. a confederation of nations by treaty
  5. union by relationship in qualities : affinity
  6. a treaty of alliance

al·li·cin ['a-lə-sən] -n

  1. a pungent compound C 6H 10OS 2formed enzymatically in crushed garlic cloves that imparts the distinctive smell to garlic and possesses antimicrobial properties

al·lied [ə-'līd, 'a-,līd] -adj

  1. having or being in close association : connected
    • two families allied by marriage
  2. joined in alliance by compact or treaty
  3. of or relating to the nations united against Germany and its allies in World War I or those united against the Axis powers in World War II
  4. related esp. by common properties or qualities
    • heraldry and allied subjects
  5. related genetically

allies [ə-'lī, 'a-,lī] -vb

(variant of ally)

  1. to unite or form a connection or relation between : associate
    • allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage
  2. to form or enter into an alliance
    • two factions ally ing with each other
  3. a sovereign or state associated with another by treaty or league
  4. a plant or animal linked to another by genetic or taxonomic proximity
  5. one that is associated with another as a helper : auxiliary

al·li·ga·tor ['a-lə-,gā-tər] -n

  1. either of two crocodilians ( Alligator mississippiensisof the southeastern U.S. and A. sinensisof China) having broad heads not tapering to the snout and a special pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth
  2. crocodilian
  3. leather made from alligator hide

alligator clip -n

  1. a spring-loaded clip that has jaws resembling an alligator's and is used for making temporary electrical connections

alligator pear -n

  1. avocado

alligator snapping turtle -n

  1. a turtle ( Macroclemys temminckii) of southeastern U.S. rivers that may reach nearly 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight and 31 inches (79 centimeters) in length called also alligator snapper

allim·por·tant [,ȯl-im-'pȯr-tᵊnt, -tənt] -adj

  1. of very great or greatest importance
    • an allimportant question

allin [,ȯl-'in] -adj

  1. all-inclusive
  2. being almost without restrictions
    • allin wrestling

all in -adj

  1. tired, exhausted
    • after a day of wood-splitting he was all in

allin·clu·sive [,ȯl-in-'klü-siv, -ziv] -adj, n

  1. including everything
    • a broader and more nearly allinclusive view

al·lit·er·ate [ə-'li-tə-,rāt] -vb

  1. to form an alliteration
  2. to write or speak alliteratively
  3. to arrange or place so as to make alliteration
    • alliterate syllables in a sentence

al·lit·er·a·tion [ə-,li-tə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the repetition of usu. initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly, threatening throngs) called also head rhyme initial rhyme

al·lit·er·a·tive [ə-'li-tər-ə-tiv, -tə-,rā-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or marked by alliteration

al·li·um ['a-lē-əm] -n

  1. any of a large genus ( Allium) of bulbous herbs of the lily family including the onion, garlic, chive, leek, and shallot

allnight ['ȯl-'nīt] -adj

  1. lasting throughout the night
    • an allnight poker game
  2. open throughout the night
    • an allnight diner

allnight·er ['ȯl-'nī-tər] -n

  1. something that lasts all night
  2. an all-night study session

al·lo·an·ti·body [,a-lō-'an-ti-,bä-dē] -n

  1. an antibody produced following introduction of an alloantigen into the system of an individual of a species lacking that particular antigen

al·lo·an·ti·gen [,a-lō-'an-ti-jən] -n

  1. an antigen present only in some individuals (as of a particular blood group) of a species and capable of inducing the production of an alloantibody by individuals which lack it

al·lo·ca·ble ['a-lə-kə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being allocated

al·lo·cate ['a-lə-,kāt] -vt, adj, n

  1. to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things : distribute
    • allocate tasks among human and automated components
  2. to set apart or earmark : designate
    • allocate a section of the building for special research purposes

al·lo·cu·tion [,a-lə-'kyü-shən] -n

  1. a formal speech
  2. an authoritative or hortatory address

all of -adv

  1. fully
    • she's all of 20 years old

al·log·a·mous [ə-'lä-gə-məs] -adj, n

  1. reproducing by cross-fertilization

al·lo·ge·ne·ic [,a-lō-jə-'nē-ik] -adj

  1. involving, derived from, or being individuals of the same species that are sufficiently unlike genetically to interact antigenically
    • allogeneic skin grafts

al·lo·graft ['a-lə-,graft] -n, vt

  1. a homograft between allogeneic individuals

al·lo·graph ['a-lə-,graf] -n, adj

  1. a letter of an alphabet in a particular shape (as A or a)
  2. a letter or combination of letters that is one of several ways of representing one phoneme (as ppin hoppingrepresenting the phoneme p)

al·lom·e·try [ə-'lä-mə-trē] -n, adj

  1. relative growth of a part in relation to an entire organism or to a standard
  2. the measure and study of such growth

al·lo·morph ['al-ə-,mȯrf] -n, adj

  1. one of a set of forms that a morpheme may take in different contexts
    • the -s of cats, the -en of oxen, and the zero suffix of sheep are allomorph s of the English plural morpheme

al·longe [a-'lōⁿzh] -n

  1. rider

al·lo·path·ic [,a-lə-'pa-thik] -adj

  1. relating to or being a system of medicine that aims to combat disease by using remedies (as drugs or surgery) which produce effects that are different from or incompatible with those of the disease being treated

al·lo·pat·ric [,a-lə-'pa-trik] -adj, adv, n

  1. occurring in different geographic areas or in isolation
    • allopatric speciation

al·lo·phane ['a-lə-,fān] -n

  1. an amorphous translucent mineral of various colors often occurring in incrustations or stalactite forms and consisting of a hydrous aluminum silicate

al·lo·phone ['a-lə-,fōn] -n, adj

  1. one of two or more variants of the same phoneme
    • the aspirated p of pin and the unaspirated p of spin are allophone s of the phoneme p

al·lo·poly·ploid [,a-lō-'pä-li-,plȯid] -n, adj

  1. a polyploid individual or strain having a chromosome set composed of two or more chromosome sets derived more or less complete from different species

al·lo·pu·ri·nol [,a-lō-'pyu̇r-ə-,nȯl, -,nōl] -n

  1. a drug C 5H 4N 4O used to promote excretion of uric acid

allornone [,ȯl-ər-'nən] -adj

  1. marked either by entire or complete operation or effect or by none at all
    • allornone response of a nerve cell

allornoth·ing [-'nə-thiŋ] -adj

  1. all-or-none
  2. accepting no less than everything
    • he's an allornothing perfectionist
  3. risking everything
    • an allornothing combat strategy

al·lo·saur ['a-lə-,sȯr] -n

  1. any of a family (Allosauridae) of large theropod dinosaurs usu. having three clawed digits on each arm and leg and living from the late Jurassic to the early Cretaceous period
  2. allosaurus

al·lo·sau·rus [,a-lə-'sȯr-əs] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Allosaurus) of very large carnivorous No. American theropod dinosaurs of the late Jurassic period

al·lo·ste·ric [,a-lō-'ster-ik, -'stir-] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, undergoing, or being a change in the shape and activity of a protein (as an enzyme) that results from combination with another substance at a point other than the chemically active site

al·lot [ə-'lät] -vt, n

  1. to assign as a share or portion
    • allot 10 minutes for the speech
  2. to distribute by or as if by lot
    • allot seats to the press

al·lo·te·tra·ploid [,a-lō-'te-trə-,plȯid] -n

  1. amphidiploid

al·lot·ment [ə-'lät-mənt] -n

  1. the act of allotting : apportionment
  2. something that is allotted
  3. a plot of land let to an individual for cultivation

al·lo·trope ['a-lə-,trōp] -n

  1. a form showing allotropy

al·lot·ro·py [ə-'lä-trə-pē] -n, adj

  1. the existence of a substance and esp. an element in two or more different forms (as of crystals) usu. in the same phase

all' ot·ta·va [,a-lə-'tä-və, ,ä-lō-] -adv or adj

  1. ottava

al·lot·tee [ə-,lä-'tē] -n

  1. one to whom an allotment is made

al·lo·type ['a-lə-,tīp] -n, adj, adv

  1. an alloantigen that is part of a plasma protein (as an antibody)

allout ['ȯl-'au̇t] -adj

  1. made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
    • an allout effort to win the contest
  2. full-blown

all out -adv

  1. with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort used chiefly in the phrase go all out

all·over ['ȯl-,ō-vər] -adj

  1. covering the whole extent or surface
    • a sweater with an allover pattern

allover -n

  1. an embroidered, printed, or lace fabric with a design covering most of the surface
  2. a pattern or design in which a single unit is repeated so as to cover an entire surface

all over -adv

  1. over the whole extent
    • decorated all over with a flower pattern
  2. everywhere
    • looked all over for the book
  3. in every respect : thoroughly
    • she is her mother all over
  4. in eagerly affectionate, attentive, or aggressive pursuit of
    • the band's fans were all over them
  5. in or into a state marked by all-out criticism of
    • the press was all over the coach after the loss

al·low [ə-'lau̇] -vb

  1. to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money)
    • allow an hour for lunch
  2. to reckon as a deduction or an addition
    • allow a gallon for leakage
  3. to be of the opinion : think
  4. say, state
  5. to express an opinion usu. used with as how or that
  6. intend, plan
  7. admit, concede
    • must allow that money causes problems in marriage
  8. permit
    • doesn't allow people to smoke in his home
  9. to forbear or neglect to restrain or prevent
    • allow the dog to roam
  10. to make a possibility : admit used with of
    • evidence that allow s of only one conclusion
  11. to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies used with for
    • allow for expansion

al·low·able [ə-'lau̇-ə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. permissible
    • allowable income tax deductions

al·low·ance [ə-'lau̇-ən(t)s] -n

  1. a share or portion allotted or granted
  2. a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses
    • salary includes cost-of-living allowance
  3. a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses
    • each child has an allowance
  4. a fixed or available amount
    • provide an allowance of time for recreation
  5. a reduction from a list price or stated price
    • a trade-in allowance
  6. an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)
  7. an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine
  8. the act of allowing : permission
  9. a taking into account of mitigating circumstances or contingencies
    • the plan makes no allowance for bad weather

allowance -vt

  1. to put on a fixed allowance (as of food and drink)
  2. to supply in a fixed or regular quantity

al·low·ed·ly [ə-'lau̇-əd-lē] -adv

  1. by allowance : admittedly

al·lox·an [ə-'läk-sən] -n

  1. a crystalline compound C 4H 2N 2O 4causing diabetes mellitus when injected into experimental animals

al·loy ['a-,lȯi also ə-'lȯi] -n

  1. the degree of mixture with base metals : fineness
  2. a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usu. by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten
  3. the state of union of the components
  4. an admixture that lessens value
  5. an impairing alien element
  6. a compound, mixture, or union of different things
    • an ethnic alloy of many peoples
  7. a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality
  8. temper, moderate
  9. to impair or debase by admixture
  10. to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal
  11. to mix so as to form an alloy
  12. to lend itself to being alloyed
    • iron alloy s well

allpow·er·ful ['ȯl-'pau̇(-ə)r-fəl] -adj

  1. having complete or sole power
    • an allpowerful leader

allpur·pose [-'pər-pəs] -adj

  1. suited for many purposes or uses

all right -adj

  1. satisfactory, agreeable
    • whatever you decide is all right with me
  2. safe, well
    • he was ill but he's all right now
  3. good, pleasing often used as a generalized term of approval
    • an all right guy
  4. used interjectionally esp. to express agreement or resignation or to indicate the resumption of a discussion
    • all right, we can do that if you want
    • all right, let's go
  5. beyond doubt : certainly
    • she has pneumonia all right
  6. well enough : satisfactorily
    • does all right in school

allround·er ['ȯl-'rau̇n-dər] -n

  1. one having many skills or uses

All Saints' Day -n

  1. November 1 observed in Western liturgical churches as a Christian feast in honor of all the saints

All Souls' Day -n

  1. November 2 observed in some Christian churches as a day of prayer for the souls of the faithful departed

all·spice ['ȯl-,spīs] -n

  1. the berry of a West Indian tree ( Pimenta dioica) of the myrtle family
  2. the allspice tree
  3. a mildly pungent and aromatic spice prepared from dried allspice berries

allstar ['ȯl-'stär] -adj

  1. composed wholly or chiefly of stars or of outstanding performers or participants
    • an allstar cast
  2. a member of an all-star team

allter·rain vehicle -n

  1. a small motor vehicle with three or four wheels that is designed for use on various types of terrain called also ATV

all that -adv

  1. to an indicated or suggested extent or degree : so
    • didn't take his threats all that seriously

alltime ['ȯl-,tīm] -adj

  1. full-time
  2. being for or of all time up to and including the present
  3. exceeding all others of all time
    • an alltime best seller

all told -adv

  1. with everything or everyone taken into account : in all
    • expecting eight guests all told

al·lude [ə-'lüd] -vi

  1. to make indirect reference
    • comments alluding to an earlier discussion
  2. refer

al·lure [ə-'lu̇r] -vt, n, adv

  1. to entice by charm or attraction

allure -n

  1. power of attraction or fascination : charm

al·lu·sion [ə-'lü-zhən] -n, adj, adv

  1. an implied or indirect reference esp. in literature
  2. the use of such references
  3. the act of alluding to or hinting at something

al·lu·vi·al [ə-'lü-vē-əl] -adj

  1. relating to, composed of, or found in alluvium
    • alluvial soil
    • alluvial diamonds

alluvial -n

  1. an alluvial deposit

alluvial fan -n

  1. the alluvial deposit of a stream where it issues from a gorge upon a plain or of a tributary stream at its junction with the main stream

al·lu·vi·on [ə-'lü-vē-ən] -n

  1. the wash or flow of water against a shore
  2. flood, inundation
  3. alluvium
  4. an accession to land by the gradual addition of matter (as by deposit of alluvium) that then belongs to the owner of the land to which it is added
  5. the land so added

al·lu·vi·um [-vē-əm] -n

  1. clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar detrital material deposited by running water

allwheel ['ȯl-'wēl] -adj

  1. acting esp. independently on or by means of all four wheels of an automotive vehicle
    • allwheel drive

al·ly [ə-'lī, 'a-,lī] -vb

  1. to unite or form a connection or relation between : associate
    • allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage
  2. to form or enter into an alliance
    • two factions ally ing with each other
  3. a sovereign or state associated with another by treaty or league
  4. a plant or animal linked to another by genetic or taxonomic proximity
  5. one that is associated with another as a helper : auxiliary

al·lyl ['a-ləl] -adj

  1. being or containing the unsaturated monovalent radical CH 2CHCH 2

al·lyl·ic [ə-'li-lik, a-] -adj

  1. involving or characteristic of an allyl radical

al·ma·gest ['al-mə-,jest] -n

  1. any of several early medieval treatises on a branch of knowledge

al·ma ma·ter [,al-mə-'mä-tər] -n

  1. a school, college, or university which one has attended or from which one has graduated
  2. the song or hymn of a school, college, or university

al·ma·nac ['ȯl-mə-,nak, 'al-] -n

  1. a publication containing astronomical and meteorological data for a given year and often including a miscellany of other information
  2. a usu. annual publication containing statistical, tabular, and general information

al·man·dine ['al-mən-,dēn, -,dīn] -n

  1. almandite

al·man·dite ['al-mən-,dīt] -n

  1. a deep red garnet consisting of an iron aluminum silicate

al·mighty [ȯl-'mī-tē] -adj, n

  1. having absolute power over all
    • Almighty God
  2. relatively unlimited in power
    • an almighty board of directors
  3. having or regarded as having great power or importance
    • the almighty dollar
  4. mighty used as an intensive
    • an almighty shock

almighty -adv

  1. to a great degree : extremely
    • although he did not precisely starve, he was almighty hungry -- W. A. Swanberg

Almighty -n

  1. god used with the

al·mond ['ä-mənd, 'a-, 'äl-, 'al-] -n

  1. the drupaceous fruit of a small tree ( Prunus dulcissyn. P. amygdalus) of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling those of the peach
  2. its ellipsoidal edible kernel used as a nut
  3. any of several similar fruits
  4. a tree that produces almonds

al·mondeyed [-,īd] -adj

  1. having narrow slant almond-shaped eyes

al·mo·ner ['al-mə-nər, 'ä-mə-] -n

  1. one who distributes alms
  2. a social-service worker in a hospital

al·most ['ȯl-,mōst, ȯl-'] -adv

  1. very nearly but not exactly or entirely
    • we're almost there

almost -adj

  1. very near but not quite
    • an almost failure

alms ['ä(l)mz] -n

  1. charity
  2. something (as money or food) given freely to relieve the poor

alms·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a privately financed home for the poor
  2. poorhouse

alms·man [-mən] -n

  1. a recipient of alms

al·ni·co ['al-ni-,kō] -n

  1. a powerful permanent-magnet alloy containing iron, nickel, aluminum, and one or more of the elements cobalt, copper, and titanium

al·oe ['a-(,)lō] -n

  1. the fragrant wood of an East Indian tree ( Aquilaria agallocha) of the mezereon family
  2. any of a large genus ( Aloe) of succulent chiefly southern African plants of the lily family with basal leaves and spicate flowers
  3. the dried juice of the leaves of various aloes used esp. formerly as a purgative usu. used in pl. but sing. in constr.
  4. aloe vera

aloe vera [-'ver-ə, -'vir-] -n

  1. an aloe ( Aloe barbadensissyn. A. vera) whose leaves furnish a gelatinous emollient extract used esp. in cosmetics and skin creams
  2. such an extract or a preparation composed primarily of such an extract

aloft [ə-'lȯft] -adv

  1. at or to a great height
    • measuring the winds aloft
  2. in the air
  3. in flight (as in an airplane)
    • meals served aloft
  4. at, on, or to the masthead or the higher rigging
  5. on top of : above
    • bright signs aloft hotels

alog·i·cal [(,)ā-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. being outside the bounds of that to which logic can apply

alo·ha [ə-'lō-,(h)ä, ä-, -(h)ə] -interj

  1. used as a greeting or farewell

aloha shirt -n

  1. hawaiian shirt

alone [ə-'lōn] -adj, n

  1. separated from others : isolated
  2. exclusive of anyone or anything else : only
    • she alone knows why
  3. considered without reference to any other
    • the children alone would eat that much
  4. incomparable, unique
    • alone among their contemporaries in this respect
  5. solely, exclusively
    • the blame is his alone
  6. without aid or support
    • said he could do it alone

along [ə-'lȯŋ] -prep

  1. in a line matching the length or direction of
    • walking along the road
  2. at a point or points on
    • a house along the river
  3. in the course of
    • made stops along the way
  4. in accordance with : in
    • a new agreement along the lines of the first
  5. forward, on
    • move along
  6. from one to another
    • word was passed along
  7. in company : as a companion
    • brought his wife along
    often used with with
    • walked to school along with her friends
  8. in association used with with
    • work along with colleagues
  9. sometime within a specified or implied extent of time usu. used with about
    • along about July 17
  10. at or to an advanced point
    • plans are far along
  11. in addition : also usu. used with with
    • a bill came along with the package
  12. at hand : as a necessary or useful item
    • brought an extra one along
    • had his gun along
  13. on hand : there
    • tell him I'll be along to see him

along of -prep

  1. because of

along·shore [ə-'lȯŋ-'shȯr] -adv or adj

  1. along the shore or coast
    • walked alongshore
    • alongshore currents

along·side [-'sīd] -adv

  1. along the side : in parallel position
  2. at the side : close by
    • a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside -prep

  1. along the side of
    • the boat docked alongside the pier
  2. beside
    • standing alongside me
  3. in company with
    • men she has been working alongside -- Richard Halloran
  4. in addition to
    • a special category alongside the awards it annually presents -- Horizon

alongside of -prep

  1. alongside

aloof [ə-'lüf] -adv

  1. at a distance
  2. removed or distant either physically or emotionally
    • he stood aloof from worldly success -- John Buchan

al·o·pe·cia [,a-lə-'pē-sh(ē-)ə] -n, adj

  1. loss of hair, wool, or feathers : baldness

aloud [ə-'lau̇d] -adv

  1. in a loud manner : loudly
  2. with the speaking voice
    • read aloud

alow [ə-'lō] -adv

  1. below
    • alow in the ship's hold

alp ['alp] -n

  1. a high rugged mountain
  2. something suggesting an alp in height, size, or ruggedness

al·paca [al-'pa-kə] -n

  1. a domesticated mammal ( Lama pacos) esp. of Peru that is prob. descended from the guanaco
  2. wool of the alpaca
  3. a thin cloth made of or containing this wool
  4. a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

al·pen·glow ['al-pən-,glō] -n

  1. a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains

al·pen·horn ['al-pən-,hȯrn] -n

  1. a straight wooden horn 5 to 14 feet (about 1.5 to 4.3 meters) in length used chiefly by Swiss herdsmen

al·pen·stock ['al-pən-,stäk] -n

  1. a long iron-pointed staff used in mountain climbing

al·pha ['al-fə] -n

  1. the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
  2. something that is first : beginning
  3. alpha wave
  4. alpha particle

alpha -adj

  1. closest in the structure of an organic molecule to a particular group or atom symbol
    • -substitution
  2. socially dominant esp. in a group of animals
    • an alpha male
  3. alphabetic

al·phaad·ren·er·gic ['al-fə-,a-drə-'nər-jik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an alpha-receptor
    • alphaadrenergic blocking action

alpha and omega -n

  1. the beginning and ending
  2. the principal element

al·pha·bet ['al-fə-,bet, -bət] -n

  1. a set of letters or other characters with which one or more languages are written esp. if arranged in a customary order
  2. a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters
  3. rudiments, elements

al·pha·bet·ic [,al-fə-'be-tik] -adj, adv

  1. arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet
  2. of, relating to, or employing an alphabet

al·pha·bet·i·za·tion [,al-fə-,be-tə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of alphabetizing
  2. an alphabetically arranged series, list, or file

al·pha·bet·ize ['al-fə-bə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to arrange alphabetically
  2. to furnish with an alphabet

alphabet soup -n

  1. a hodgepodge esp. of initials (as of the names of organizations)

al·phafe·to·pro·tein [,al-fə-,fē-tō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n

  1. a fetal blood protein present abnormally in adults with some cancers (as of the liver) and normally in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with high or low levels tending to be associated with certain birth defects (as spina bifida or Down syndrome)

alpha globulin -n

  1. any of several globulins of plasma or serum that have at alkaline pH the greatest electrophoretic mobility next to albumin

al·phahe·lix [,al-fə-'hē-liks] -n, adj

  1. the coiled structural arrangement of many proteins consisting of a single chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds

alpha hydroxy acid -n

  1. any of various carboxylic acids with a hydroxyl group attached at the alpha position
  2. one (as malic acid or lactic acid) that occurs in natural products (as fruits, sugar cane, or yogurt) and is used in cosmetics for its exfoliating effect on the surface layer of skin called also AHA

alpha interferon -n

  1. an interferon produced by white blood cells that inhibits viral replication, suppresses cell proliferation, and regulates immune response and that is used in a form obtained from recombinant DNA to treat various diseases

alpha iron -n

  1. the form of iron stable below 910C (1670F)

al·pha·mer·ic [,al-fə-'mer-ik] -adj

  1. alphanumeric

al·pha·nu·mer·ic [-nu̇-'mer-ik, -nyu̇-] -adj, adv, n pl

  1. consisting of both letters and numbers and often other symbols (as punctuation marks and mathematical symbols)
    • an alphanumeric code
  2. being a character in an alphanumeric system
  3. capable of using or displaying alphanumeric characters

alpha particle -n

  1. a positively charged nuclear particle identical with the nucleus of a helium atom that consists of two protons and two neutrons and is ejected at high speed in certain radioactive transformations called also alpha alpha radiation alpha ray

alpha privative -n

  1. the prefix a-or an-expressing negation in Greek and in English

al·phare·cep·tor ['al-fə-ri-,sep-tər] -n

  1. any of a group of receptors that are present on cell surfaces of some effector organs and tissues innervated by the sympathetic nervous system and that mediate certain physiological responses (as vasoconstriction, relaxation of intestinal muscle, and contraction of most smooth muscle) when bound by specific adrenergic agents

al·phato·coph·er·ol [-tō-'kä-fə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n

  1. a tocopherol C 29H 50O 2with high vitamin E potency : vitamin E

alpha wave -n

  1. an electrical rhythm of the brain with a frequency of approximately 8 to 13 cycles per second that is often associated with a state of wakeful relaxation called also alpha alpha rhythm

Al·phe·us [al-'fē-əs] -n

  1. a Greek river-god who pursues the nymph Arethusa and is finally united with her

al·pine ['al-,pīn] -n

  1. a plant native to alpine or boreal regions that is often grown for ornament
  2. a person possessing Alpine physical characteristics

Alpine -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountains
  2. of, relating to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the elevated slopes above timberline
  3. of or relating to a physical type characterized by a broad head, stockiness, medium height, and brown hair or eyes often regarded as constituting a branch of the Caucasian race
  4. of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing

al·pin·ism ['al-pə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. mountain climbing in the Alps or other high mountains

al·praz·o·lam [al-'pra-zə-,lam] -n

  1. a benzodiazepine tranquilizer C 17H 13ClN 4used esp. to treat mild to moderate anxiety

al·pros·ta·dil [al-'präs-tə-dil] -n

  1. a prostaglandin C 20H 34O 5that promotes vasodilation and is used esp. to treat erectile dysfunction

al·ready [ȯl-'re-dē, 'ȯl-,] -adv

  1. prior to a specified or implied past, present, or future time : by this time : previously
    • he had already left when I called
  2. used as an intensive
    • all right already
    • enough already

al·right [(,)ȯl-'rīt, 'ȯl-,] -adv or adj

  1. all right

ALS -abbr

  1. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  2. autographed letter signed

Al·sa·tian [al-'sā-shən] -n

  1. german shepherd

al·sike clover ['al-,sak-, -,sīk-] -n

  1. a European perennial clover ( Trifolium hybridum) much used as a forage plant

al·so ['ȯl(t)-(,)sō, 'ȯ-] -adv

  1. likewise
  2. in addition : besides, too

al·soran [-,ran] -n

  1. a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
  2. a contestant that does not win
  3. one that is of little importance esp. competitively
    • was just an alsoran in the scramble for...privileges -- C. A. Buss

al·stroe·me·ria [,al-strə-'mir-ē-ə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Alstroemeria) of tropical South American herbs of the lily family that are often cultivated for their clusters of showy variegated flowers

alt -abbr

  1. alternate
  2. altitude
  3. alto

Alta -abbr

  1. Alberta

Al·ta·ic [al-'tā-ik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Altai Mountains
  2. of, relating to, or constituting the Turkic, Tungusic, and Mongolian language families collectively

Al·tair [al-'tī(-ə)r, -'ter, 'al-,] -n

  1. the brightest star in the constellation Aquila

al·tar ['ȯl-tər] -n

  1. a usu. raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value esp. at the cost of something else
    • sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement
  2. a table on which the eucharistic elements are consecrated or which serves as a center of worship or ritual

altar boy -n

  1. a boy who assists the celebrant in a liturgical service

altar call -n

  1. an appeal by an evangelist to worshipers to come forward to signify their decision to commit their lives to Christ

altar of repose

  1. repository

al·tar·piece ['ȯl-tər-,pēs] -n

  1. a work of art that decorates the space above and behind an altar

altar rail -n

  1. a railing in front of an altar separating the chancel from the body of the church

altar server -n

  1. a boy or girl who assists the celebrant in a liturgical service

altar stone -n

  1. a stone slab with a compartment containing the relics of martyrs that forms an essential part of a Roman Catholic altar

alt·az·i·muth [(,)al-'taz-məth, -'ta-zə-] -n

  1. a telescope mounted so that it can swing horizontally and vertically
  2. any of several other similarly mounted instruments

al·ter ['ȯl-tər] -vb, n, adj, adv

  1. to make different without changing into something else
  2. castrate, spay
  3. to become different

al·ter·ation [,ȯl-tə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of altering : the state of being altered
  2. the result of altering : modification

al·ter·cate ['ȯl-tər-,kāt] -vi

  1. to dispute angrily or noisily : wrangle

al·ter·ca·tion [,ȯl-tər-'kā-shən] -n

  1. a noisy heated angry dispute
  2. noisy controversy

al·ter ego [,ȯl-tər-'ē-(,)gō also -'e-(,)gō] -n

  1. : a second self: as
  2. a trusted friend
  3. the opposite side of a personality
  4. counterpart

al·ter·i·ty [ȯl-'ter-ə-tē, -'te-rə-] -n

  1. otherness
  2. the quality or state of being radically alien to the conscious self or a particular cultural orientation

al·ter·nate [US & Canad 'ȯl-tər-nət also 'al-; chiefly Brit ȯl-'tər-] -adj, adv

  1. occurring or succeeding by turns
    • a day of alternate sunshine and rain
  2. arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line
    • alternate leaves
  3. arranged one above or alongside the other
  4. every other : every second
    • he works on alternate days
  5. constituting an alternative
    • took the alternate route home
  6. alternative
  7. to perform by turns or in succession
  8. to cause to alternate
  9. to change from one to another repeatedly
    • rain alternated with sun
  10. alternative
  11. one that substitutes for or alternates with another

alternate angle -n

  1. : one of a pair of angles with different vertices and on opposite sides of a transversal at its intersection with two other lines:
  2. one of a pair of angles inside the two intersected lines called also alternate interior angle
  3. one of a pair of angles outside the two intersected lines called also alternate exterior angle

alternating current -n

  1. an electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals abbr. AC

alternating group -n

  1. a permutation group whose elements comprise those permutations of nobjects which can be formed from the original order by making an even number of interchanges of pairs of objects

alternating series -n

  1. a mathematical series in which consecutive terms are alternatively positive and negative

al·ter·na·tion [,ȯl-tər-'nā-shən also ,al-] -n

  1. the act or process of alternating or causing to alternate
  2. alternating occurrence : succession
  3. inclusive disjunction
  4. the occurrence of different allomorphs or allophones

alternation of generations

  1. the occurrence of two or more forms differently produced in the life cycle of a plant or animal usu. involving the regular alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation

al·ter·na·tive [ȯl-'tər-nə-tiv, al-] -adj, adv, n

  1. alternate
  2. offering or expressing a choice
    • several alternative plans
  3. : different from the usual or conventional: as
  4. existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system
    • an alternative newspaper
    • alternative lifestyles
  5. of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music
  6. of or relating to alternative medicine
    • alternative therapies

alternative -n

  1. a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
  2. an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions
  3. one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen
  4. something which can be chosen instead
    • the only alternative to intervention
  5. alternative rock music

alternative medicine -n

  1. any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula taught in the U.S. and Britain

alternative school -n

  1. an elementary or secondary school with a nontraditional curriculum

al·ter·na·tor ['ȯl-tər-,nā-tər also 'al-] -n

  1. an electric generator for producing alternating current

alt·horn ['alt-,hȯrn] -n

  1. an alto saxhorn

al·though [ȯl-'thō] -conj

  1. in spite of the fact that : even though

al·tim·e·ter [al-'ti-mə-tər, 'al-tə-,mē-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring altitude
  2. an aneroid barometer designed to register changes in atmospheric pressure accompanying changes in altitude

al·ti·pla·no [,al-ti-'plä-(,)nō] -n

  1. a high plateau or plain : tableland

al·ti·tude ['al-tə-,tüd also -,tyüd] -n, adj

  1. the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon
  2. the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite
  3. a perpendicular line segment from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended
  4. the length of an altitude
  5. a high level (as of quality or feeling)
    • the altitude s of his anger
  6. vertical distance or extent
  7. position at a height
  8. an elevated region : eminence usu. used in pl.

altitude sickness -n

  1. the effects (as nosebleed or nausea) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes having reduced atmospheric pressure

al·to ['al-(,)tō] -n

  1. countertenor
  2. contralto
  3. the second highest voice part in a 4-part chorus
  4. a member of a family of instruments having a range lower than that of the treble or soprano
  5. an alto saxophone

alto -adj

  1. relating to or having the range or part of an alto

al·to·cu·mu·lus [,al-tō-'kyü-myə-ləs] -n

  1. a fleecy mid-altitude cloud formation consisting of large whitish globular masses with shaded portions

al·to·geth·er [,ȯl-tə-'ge-thər] -adv

  1. wholly, completely
    • an altogether different problem
    • stopped raining altogether
  2. in all : all told
    • spent a hundred dollars altogether
  3. on the whole
    • altogether their efforts were successful

altogether -n

  1. nude used with the
    • posed in the altogether

al·tore·lie·vo [,al-(,)tō-ri-'lē-(,)vō, ,äl-(,)tō-rēl-'yā-(,)vō] -n

  1. high relief
  2. a sculpture in high relief

al·to·stra·tus [,al-tō-'strā-təs, -'stra-] -n

  1. a fairly uniform mid-altitude layer of gray cloud darker than cirrostratus

al·tri·cial [al-'tri-shəl] -adj

  1. being hatched or born or having young that are hatched or born in a very immature and helpless condition so as to require care for some time
    • altricial birds

altrock ['ȯlt-,räk] -n

  1. alternative rock music

al·tru·ism ['al-trü-,i-zəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
  2. behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species

al·u·la ['al-yə-lə] -n

  1. the process of a bird's wing corresponding to the thumb and bearing a few short quills called also bastard wing

al·um ['a-ləm] -n

  1. a potassium aluminum sulfate KAl(SO 4) 212H 2O or an ammonium aluminum sulfate NH 4Al(SO 4) 212H 2O used esp. as an emetic and as an astringent and styptic
  2. any of various double salts isomorphous with potassium aluminum sulfate
  3. aluminum sulfate

alum [ə-'ləm] -n

  1. alumnus, alumna
  2. aluminum

alu·mi·na [ə-'lü-mə-nə] -n

  1. the oxide of aluminum Al 2O 3occurring native as corundum and in hydrated forms (as in bauxite)

alu·mi·nate [-nət] -n

  1. a compound of alumina with a metallic oxide

al·u·min·i·um [,al-yə-'mi-nē-əm] -n

  1. aluminum

alu·mi·nize [ə-'lü-mə-,nīz] -vt

  1. to treat or coat with aluminum

alu·mi·no·sil·i·cate [ə-,lü-mə-nō-'si-lə-,kāt, -'si-li-kət] -n

  1. a combined silicate and aluminate

alu·mi·nous [ə-'lü-mə-nəs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing alum or aluminum

alu·mi·num [ə-'lü-mə-nəm] -n

  1. a bluish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic element that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always occurs in combination

aluminum oxide -n

  1. alumina

aluminum sulfate -n

  1. a white salt Al 2(SO 4) 3usu. made by treating bauxite with sulfuric acid and used in making paper, in water purification, and in tanning

alum·na [ə-'ləm-nə] -n

  1. a girl or woman who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
  2. a girl or woman who is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate

alum·nus [ə-'ləm-nəs] -n

  1. a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
  2. a person who is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate

al·um·root ['a-ləm-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Heuchera) of No. American herbs of the saxifrage family having basal rounded or lobed toothed leaves
  2. one ( H. americana) of eastern No. America

al·u·nite ['al-yə-,nīt, 'a-lə-] -n

  1. a mineral that consists of a hydrous potassium aluminum sulfate and occurs in massive form or in rhombohedral crystals

al·ve·o·lar [al-'vē-(ə-)lər] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, resembling, or having alveoli
  2. of, relating to, or constituting the part of the jaws where the teeth arise, the air-containing compartments of the lungs, or glands with secretory cells about a central space
  3. articulated with the tip of the tongue touching or near the teethridge

al·ve·o·late [-lət] -adj

  1. pitted like a honeycomb
    • alveolate pollen

al·ve·o·lus [al-'vē-ə-ləs] -n

  1. : a small cavity or pit: as
  2. a socket in the jaw for a tooth
  3. a small air-containing compartment of the lungs in which the bronchioles terminate and from which respiratory gases are exchanged with the pulmonary capillaries
  4. an acinus of a compound gland
  5. a cell of a honeycomb
  6. teethridge

al·way ['ȯl-(,)wā] -adv

  1. always

al·ways ['ȯl-wēz, -wəz, -(,)wāz also 'ȯ-] -adv

  1. at all times : invariably
  2. forever, perpetually
  3. at any rate : in any event
    • as a last resort one can always work

Al·yce clover ['a-ləs-] -n

  1. a low spreading legume ( Alysicarpus vaginalis) native to tropical Asia that is planted in the southern U.S. as a cover crop and for hay and forage

alys·sum [ə-'li-səm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Alyssum) of Eurasian herbs of the mustard family with small usu. yellow racemose flowers called also madwort
  2. sweet alyssum

Alz·hei·mer's disease ['älts-,hī-mərz-, 'alts-] -n

  1. a degenerative brain disease of unknown cause that is the most common form of dementia, that usu. starts in late middle age or in old age, that results in progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, disorientation, and changes in personality and mood, and that is marked histologically by the degeneration of brain neurons esp. in the cerebral cortex and by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and plaques containing beta-amyloid called also Alzheimer's